Methods and apparatus for performing emergency extrications

#This invention relates generally to rescue tools and more particularly, to methods and apparatus for performing emergency extrications.

#The purpose of an emergency extrication is to remove an injured victim from a damaged structure, in an orderly and efficient manner that does not facilitate increasing injuries to the victim. Powered portable rescue tools, such as the “POWER HAWK®” which is manufactured and sold by Curtiss Wright Flight Systems, Inc., of Fairfield, N.J., and the “JAWS OF LIFE®”, which is manufactured and sold by Hurst Performance, Inc., of Warminster, Pa., are specialized tools used by rescue personnel to extricate accident victims from vehicles, buildings, and other structures which otherwise impose a difficult or nearly impossible means of egress. These tools typically develop spreading or ramming forces for opening or forcing apart inoperable doors, damaged structures, or blocked pathways.

#However, the distance or range over which the spreading or cutting force can be applied is limited to the maximum spreading distance between the ends of the rescue tool. In situations where a larger opening is required, or where a suitable brace, prop, or support is available but located beyond the expandable reach of the rescue tool, the tool could be rendered virtually ineffective. Parts of an automobile, such as the door or steering wheel, may also be so badly damaged and contoured that the expandable range of the rescue tool is insufficient to extricate a victim.

#FIG. 1 is a side view of rescue tool;

#FIG. 2 is an alternative embodiment of a rescue tool;

#FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an emergency extrication from a vehicle using the rescue tool shown in FIG. 1 and a known ram device;

#FIG. 1 is a side view of rescue tool 10 that may be used to perform emergency extrications from a structure, including but not limited to vehicles, buildings, and other structures which otherwise impose a difficult or nearly impossible means of egress. Tool 10 includes a body 12, a pair of arms 14, and a coupling 16. Body 12 is hollow and includes a first end 20, a second end 22, an outer surface 23, an inner surface (not shown) and a plurality of openings 24 extending between outer surface 23 and the body inner surface. Accordingly, body 12 has a length 26 measured between ends 20 and 22. In the exemplary embodiment, body length 26 is approximately 18.25 inches. Body 12 also has a centerline 28 extending between ends 20 and 22. In a further embodiment, body 12 is formed of a plurality of members telescopically coupled, and as such, body length 26 is variably adjustable.

#Openings 24 are identical and are spaced evenly along body 12 between first and second ends 20 and 22, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment, adjacent openings are spaced approximately 1.0 inches apart. In an alternative embodiment, openings 24 are not spaced evenly along body 12. In a further embodiment, openings 24 are non-identical. Each opening 24 has a diameter 30 sized to receive a locking pin (not shown in FIG. 1) therethrough.

#In the exemplary embodiment, body 12 has a substantially square cross-sectional profile. In an alternative embodiment, body 12 has a substantially non-square cross-sectional profile. Accordingly, body 12 includes an outer wall 40, a substantially parallel and opposite inner wall 42, and a pair of identical sidewalls 44. In the exemplary embodiment, walls 40 and 42 are identical with sidewalls 44, and extend substantially perpendicularly from sidewalls 44. Alternatively, walls 40 and 42 are identical with each other, but are not identical with sidewalls 44.