Foldable lightweight stretcher

• US 8,893,330 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2010
• Issued: 11/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dan Sion
• Original Assignee: Telestretch Ltd.
• Inventors: Sion, Dan, Yinbal, Alazar C.
• Primary Examiner(s): CONLEY, FREDRICK C
• Application Number:
  US13/320,070
• Publication Number:
  US 20120054970A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,659 Days
• Field of Search: 5625-628
• US Class Current: 5/625
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/013 foldable or collapsible A61G1/017 takes precedence

Abstract

A foldable stretcher for transporting an object. The stretcher comprising: a plurality of substantially plane members pivotally connected with each other in series by means of hinges there between; handles pivotally connected to outermost of the plane members; and, at least two pluralities of props. The stretcher further comprises at least two pairs of sufficiently stiff wires. Each pair of the wires arranged along a corresponding long side of the stretcher; each the wire is mechanically connected to the stretcher at least two connection points; the handles adapted for actuating a tautening of at least one of the wires of each pair of wires by fixation of the handles when the stretcher is in the unfolded position.

Claims

1. A foldable stretcher for transporting an object;

said stretcher comprising

a. a plurality of substantially plane members pivotally connected with each other in series by means of hinges therebetween;

said plurality of plane members reversibly configurable into an unfolded operative position and a folded transport position;

b. handles pivotally connected to outermost of said plane members;

c. at least two pluralities of props;

said props adapted to support said plane members placed on a horizontal surface in said unfolded position;

said props are perpendicular to said plane members placed on a horizontal surface in said unfolded position;

said each plurality of props is uniformly spaced along a corresponding long side of said stretcher;

said each plurality of props pivotally connected to said hinges in an individual manner;

wherein said stretcher further comprises at least two pairs of sufficiently stiff wires;

each pair of said wires arranged along a corresponding long side of said stretcher;

each said wire is mechanically connected to said stretcher at at least two connection points;

said handles adapted for actuating a tautening of at least one of said wires of each pair of wires by fixation of said handles when said stretcher is in said unfolded position;

further wherein said tautening of said wires triangularly fixates said hinged props in a supporting position and a first wire and a second wire of said each pair of wires fixates even and odd props, respectively;

further wherein said plane members are characterized by a descending width.

2. The foldable stretcher according to claim 1, adapted in said folded position for transporting on a user'"'"'s back, storage, in a baggage compartment of a vehicle and any combination thereof.

3. The foldable stretcher according to claim 1, wherein said an object is selected from the group consisting of a patient, an individual of limited capability, an disabled person, an injured person, a victim of emergency, an animal, an unanimated object or any combination thereof.

4. The foldable stretcher according to claim 1, wherein said plane members are made of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a polymeric material, a composite material, wood and combination thereof.

5. The foldable stretcher according to claim 1, wherein said plane members are configured into a shape selected from the group consisting of a grate-like shape, a honeycomb-like shape, a perforated shape and any combination thereof.

6. The foldable stretcher according to claim 1, configured for using as a footbridge.

7. The foldable stretcher according to claim 1, configured for using as a bed.

8. The foldable stretcher according to claim 1, configured for fixation of said object to said stretcher by means of tying.

9. The foldable stretcher according to claim 1, comprising materials at least partially transparent to X-rays and electro-magnetic fields.

10. A foldable stretcher for transporting an object;

said stretcher comprising

a. a plurality of substantially plane members pivotally connected with each other in series by means of hinges therebetween;

said plurality of plane members reversibly configurable into an unfolded operative position and a folded transport position;

b. handles pivotally connected to outermost of said plane members;

c. at least two pluralities of props;

said props adapted to support said plane members placed on a horizontal surface in said unfolded position;

said props are perpendicular to said plane members placed on a horizontal surface in said unfolded position;

said each plurality of props is uniformly spaced along a corresponding long side of said stretcher;

said each plurality of props pivotally connected to said hinges in an individual manner;

wherein said stretcher further comprises two sufficiently stiff wires;

each wire is arranged along each corresponding long side of said stretcher;

each said wire is mechanically connected to said stretcher at at least two connection points;

said handles adapted for actuating a tautening of said wires by fixation of said handles when said stretcher is in said unfolded position;

further wherein said tautening of said wires triangularly fixates said hinged props in a supporting position;

further wherein said plane members are characterized by a descending width.

11. The foldable stretcher according to claim 10, adapted in said folded position for transporting on a user'"'"'s back, storage, in a baggage compartment of a vehicle and any combination thereof.

12. The foldable stretcher according to claim 10, wherein said an object is selected from the group consisting of a patient, an individual of limited capability, an disabled person, an injured person, a victim of emergency, an animal, an unanimated object or any combination thereof.

13. The foldable stretcher according to claim 10, wherein said plane members are made of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a polymeric material, a composite material, wood and combination thereof.

14. The foldable stretcher according to claim 10, wherein said plane members are configured into a shape selected from the group consisting of a grate-like shape, a honeycomb-like shape, a perforated shape and any combination thereof.

15. The foldable stretcher according to claim 10, configured for using as a footbridge.

16. The foldable stretcher according to claim 10, configured for using as a bed.

17. The foldable stretcher according to claim 10, configured for fixation of said object to said stretcher by means of tying.

18. The foldable stretcher according to claim 10, comprising materials at least partially transparent to X-rays and electro-magnetic fields.

19. A method of transporting an object, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a foldable stretcher for transporting an object in unfolded position;

said stretcher comprising

i. a plurality of substantially plane members pivotally connected with each other in series by means of hinges placed therebetween;

said plurality of plane members reversibly configurable into an unfolded operative position and a folded transport position, said plane members characterized by a descending width;

ii. handles pivotally connected to outermost of said plane members;

iii. at least two pluralities of props;

said props adapted to support said plane members placed on a horizontal surface in said unfolded position;

said props are perpendicular to said plane members placed on a horizontal surface in said unfolded position;

said each plurality of props is uniformly spaced along a corresponding long side of said stretcher;

said each plurality of props pivotally connected to said hinges in an individual manner;

said stretcher further comprises at least one pair of sufficiently stiff wires;

each wire is arranged along each corresponding long side of said stretcher;

each said wire is mechanically connected to said stretcher at at least two connection points;

said handles adapted for actuating a tautening of said wires by fixation of said handles when said stretcher is in said unfolded position;

further wherein said tautening of said wires triangularly fixates said hinged props in a supporting position; and

a first wire and a second wire of said each pair of wires fixates even and odd props, respectively;

(b) unfolding said stretcher into operative position at said horizontal surface;

(c) placing said object on said stretcher such that said wires of said stretcher are tautened;

(d) transporting said object to a location of interest on said stretcher;

(e) taking down said object from said stretcher; and

(f) folding said stretcher

wherein said plane members are characterized by a descending width.