# US 8,770,615 B2 · Collapsible wheeled stretcher > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,615 B2 - Document ID: US8770615B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/258,524 - Filed: 2010-04-27 - Published: 2012-01-12 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2009-05-03 - Assignees: Next Generation Stretcher Ltd. - Applicants: Ilan Bar Noy; Hava Bar Noy - Inventors: Ilan Bar Noy; Hava Bar Noy - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770615B2 ## CPC - A61G 1/013: foldable or collapsible (A61G1/017 takes precedence) - A61G 1/0212: {2 pairs having wheels within a pair on the same position in longitudinal direction, e.g. on the same axis} - A61G 1/0231: {having only fixed wheels} - A61G 1/0275: {having driven wheels, e.g. motorised} - A61G 1/0281: {having a steering device} - A61G 1/0287: {having brakes, e.g. slowing down and/or holding (details of brake actuators on castors B60B33/0078; brakes on hand carts B62B5/04; brakes in general F16D49/00 - F16D65/853)} - A61G 1/042: {Suspension means} - A61G: TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS (appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00); OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES (embalming corpses A01N1/00) ## Abstract The present invention discloses a foldable collapsible wheeled stretcher on wheels, having handles for pulling and steering. The device is provided with dependent suspensions allowing mobility in rough and bumpy terrain while maintaining the stability of stretcher surface, reducing tilt and vibration that reach the wounded person being transported upon the stretcher. It is provided with folding or telescopic means allowing it to be carried upon the back or stowed in a small volume. The device enables rescue of injured people in an improved manner from (for example) regions which are not passable by vehicles, and may be pulled by a single rescuer instead of being carried by two to four. The device may be further used to transport material. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A collapsible, steerable wheeled stretcher comprising: a. a stretcher chassis comprising a largely rectangular outer frame reinforced by rigid crossmembers, said stretcher having a head end and a foot end; b. a front dependent suspension and a rear dependent suspension rotatably attached to said chassis at said head end and said foot end, respectively, wherein each of said dependent suspensions comprises an axle, connector, springs and wheels which are all arranged such that each of said suspensions allows rotational movement of said wheels around three axes, namely rotational movement around said axle, left-to-right rotational movement around a vertical axis and up-and-down rotation around a horizontal axis; c. one or more front pulling means attached to said stretcher chassis, adapted for pulling said stretcher and steering said stretcher by means of rotating said front suspension; wherein said stretcher is for transporting a person to safety over rocky terrain without substantially affecting the horizontal disposition of said chassis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The stretcher of claim 1 further providing one or more rear pulling means attached to said stretcher adapted for pulling said stretcher. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The stretcher of claim 1 wherein rotation of said front suspension axle around the vertical axis causes further rotation of said front suspension axle about the horizontal axis, which in turn causes rotation of said rear suspension axle about said vertical axis in a direction opposite said rotation of said front suspension axle about said vertical axis. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The stretcher of claim 1 further providing brakes operated by a brake lever upon said front handles, said brakes adapted to stop the rotation of said wheels. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The stretcher of claim 1 wherein said stretcher collapses by means of telescopic collapse of a subset of said chassis members into another subset of said chassis members. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The stretcher of claim 1 wherein said stretcher is foldable into two or more sections by means of hinged sections on said chassis members in such a manner that said wheels are still operable to transport said stretcher. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The stretcher of claim 6 wherein said stretcher is adapted to be transported on a person's back for ease of transport and rapidity of deployment. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The stretcher of claim 6 wherein said hinged section is adapted to be locked to prevent relative movement of said sections. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The stretcher of claim 6 wherein said stretcher is adapted to be locked to an A.T.V. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The stretcher of claim 1 further providing a suspended hammock-like mesh adapted to support the occupant of said stretcher, further isolating said occupant from vibration and tilt experienced by the wheels of the stretcher and adapted to allow a person to lie upon said mesh and be supported by said stretcher. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The stretcher of claim 1 further providing straps adapted to strap a load into said stretcher. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The stretcher of claim 1 wherein said frame has a basket-like form adapted for transport of items selected from the list consisting of: wounded personnel, first aid equipment, camping gear, food, water, survival gear, climbing gear, weapons, warfare equipment, shelter, signaling equipment, and research equipment. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The stretcher of claim 1 further providing motoring means adapted to assist said rescuer in said transport of said stretcher. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The stretcher of claim 1 wherein said pulling means is adapted to be operated from near the ground, allowing a crawling person to pull said stretcher by said pulling means. ### Claim 15 A method for transport of wounded persons comprising the steps of: a. providing collapsible, wheeled stretcher comprising a stretcher chassis; a front dependent suspension and a rear dependent suspension, and one or more front pulling means for transporting a person to safety over rocky terrain without substantially affecting the horizontal disposition of said chassis; b. placing said wounded person upon said collapsible wheeled stretcher; c. pulling said wheeled stretcher by said pulling means; wherein said stretcher collapses by telescopic collapse of a subset of said chassis members into another subset of said chassis members. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 further providing one or more rear pulling means attached to said stretcher adapted for pulling said stretcher. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 further providing a brake lever upon said front handles and brakes attached to said wheels, said brakes adapted to stop the rotation of said wheels. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein said stretcher is foldable into two or more sections by means of hinged sections on said chassis members in such a manner that said wheels are still operable to transport said stretcher. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein said stretcher is adapted to be transported on a person's back for ease of transport and rapidity of deployment. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein said hinged section is adapted to be locked to prevent relative movement of said sections. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 further providing a suspended hammock-like mesh adapted to support the occupant of said stretcher, further isolating said occupant from vibration and tilt experienced by the wheels of the stretcher adapted to allow a person to lie upon said mesh and be supported by said stretcher. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 further providing straps adapted to strap a load into said stretcher. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 adapted for transport of items selected from the list consisting of: wounded personnel, first aid equipment, camping gear, food, water, survival gear, climbing gear, weapons, warfare equipment, shelter, signaling equipment, and research equipment. ### Claim 24 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 further providing motoring means adapted to assist said rescuer in said transport of said stretcher. ### Claim 25 A collapsible, steerable wheeled stretcher comprising: a. a stretcher chassis comprising a largely rectangular outer frame reinforced by rigid crossmembers, said stretcher having a head end and a foot end; b. a front dependent suspension and a rear dependent suspension rotatably attached to said chassis at said head end and said foot end, respectively, wherein each of said dependent suspensions comprises an axle, connector, springs and wheels which are all arranged such that each of said suspensions allows rotational movement of said wheels around three axes, namely rotational movement around said axle, left-to-right rotational movement around a vertical axis and up-and-down rotation around a horizontal axis; c. one or more front pulling means attached to said stretcher chassis, adapted for pulling said stretcher and steering said stretcher by means of rotating said front suspension; wherein said stretcher is for transporting a person to safety over unpassable terrain without substantially affecting the horizontal disposition of said chassis.