Medical backboard apparatus

Abstract

A backboard for medical use for supporting and transporting a patient comprises a flat board formed of a fluted plastic sheet material and having a plurality of handholds distributed along opposite longitudinal edges. A pair of strengthening members formed of fluted plastic sheet material and having a plurality of lengthwise extending fold lines enabling folding of the members into triangular shapes with laterally extending flaps are bonded to an underside of the flat board via the flaps. A plurality of slots are formed through the strengthening members and aligned for passing straps for holding a patient on the backboard. In another form, the backboard comprises a flat board having a pair of lengthwise extending side members defined by grooves cut partially through the board and extending the length of the board. At least one slot passes through each of the side members at a common distance from one end of the board and a strap extends through the slot in each side member and is adapted for pulling the side members toward each other along an underside of the board. The grooves have a width to prevent the side members from being pulled more than ninety degrees from a plane of the board.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.