Backboard inflatable rescue device
AssigneeTimothy Schmitt
InventorsJohn N Keesaer, Timothy E Schmitt, George R Kruer, III, Donald R Burns
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inflatable rescue attachment includes at least a U-shaped bladder that is adapted to be secured around the outer perimeter of the head and side portions of a rescue backboard and can be inflated rapidly using an inflation fluid source. The rigid, inflatable backboard includes a central portion with drop stitch material enclosed in an airtight chamber which, when inflated, provides a flat, rigid surface for securing and transporting a rescuee. The inflatable rescue attachment may be used with the inflatable backboard, as well as with a standard wood, plastic, or fiberglass rescue backboard.
Claims14
An inflatable attachment fora rescue backboard, comprising:
- at least a U-shaped, inflatable bladder, defining a head portion and left and right side portions adapted to lie just outside corresponding portions of a rescue backboard;
- an inner margin on said inflatable bladder which projects inwardly from said head portion and said left and right side portions of said inflatable bladder;
- a plurality of connector arrangements for connecting the inner margin along the head portion and said left and right side portions to the corresponding portions of the rescue backboard;
- an inflation fluid source mounted on said inflatable bladder and in fluid communication with said inflatable bladder through a valve, wherein opening said valve provides fluid communication between said inflation fluid source and said head portion and said left and right side portions of said inflatable bladder to inflate said inflatable bladder;
- and
- wherein said left and right portions and said head portion of said inflatable bladder are separate bladders spaced away from each other, and further comprising a left tube interconnecting said left side portion to said head portion;
- and a right tube interconnecting said right side portion to said head portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.