Abstract:
A gurney cover that can be quickly deployed from an integrated pocket to protect a mattress or patient area of a gurney with the undployed gurney cover contained within the integral pocket.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/096,532, filed Dec. 23, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The gurney is an important tool in illnesses, emergencies, accidents, and crime scenes where possible human occurs by providing a way for moving and evacuating persons and medical patients. In its most basic form, it comprises a generally flat surface upon which a person can be laid, usually covered with bedding, which can include a mattress, some sort of cushion, sheets, blankets and the like. 
         [0003]    In addition, an ambulance gurney usually has handles for moving the gurney, straps, tie-down points for oxygen bottles and medical equipment, and an under carriage with wheels that is often collapsible to allow movement of the gurney into an ambulance. 
         [0004]    Frequently, a gurney must be used in harsh conditions. For example, a gurney must be in place a ready while a person is evacuated or prepared, which may require that it sit for minutes outdoors in the rain or snow. In these conditions, the mattress will necessarily be wet when the patient is transported. In addition, a gurney may have to be used as a temporary platform for storing equipment or medical personal. Basically, several things can happen to dirty or wet the bedding, which leads to further discomfort to a patient that is already traumatized. 
         [0005]    An important consideration in the design of a gurney and any accessory is that it does not materially interfere with the function of the gurney and that its operation by personal be quick and simple. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Described is a compact, easily and quickly deployed water resistive gurney cover for protecting the bedding of a gurney, particularly for ambulance use, from inclement weather and dirt. It is designed so that it can further be used to optionally cover a patient or equipment that is on the patient area. It can be easily and quickly deployed, and after use it can be reused and quickly made ready to for redeployment. Additionally, the gurney cover is washable and attaches discretely to the gurney with no tools and no alterations to the gurney. 
         [0007]    The gurney cover can be made of and suitable fabric material, such as a medium to heavy duty, washable, water repellant fabric. It can be manufactured by any suitable method, such as by sewing, adhesives, or welding of the fabric. Attachment to the gurney can be by any suitable system, such as one or a combination of straps or cords secured by loop and hook (e.g., Velcro™) attachments, and buckles. As shown in the example, loop and hook attachments have been found suitable because they form a secure attachment and their simplicity of operation. Any suitable system for securing fabric, and cover to the gurney is contemplated. 
         [0008]    The gurney cover is designed with an integral pocket which attaches to the gurney, and from which it is deployed by simply grasping a handle and pulling it towards the head. The head-end is then secured over the mattress via the sewn in elastic. The handle is preferably a web handle from a web strap, but can be any other suitable form, such as a cord or a gripping aperture in the gurney cover. 
         [0009]    To return the gurney cover to the ready, the elastic corners are pulled free of the head of the gurney, and the side panels are folded on top. Standing at the foot of the gurney, the gurney cover is folded, using for example, accordion-style with around  6  inch folds, and returned to the integral pocket. Opposing pair of loop and hook strips, or other suitable attachment, keeps the pocket closed. If desired, the foot part of the mattress can be lifted up slightly and the gurney cover allowed to drop beneath it. 
         [0010]    The gurney cover is used to protect the sleeping surface or mattress of the gurney from water and dirt. Immediately before use for transport of the patient, the gurney cover can be quickly removed. With the gurney cover deployed the gurney can be used in the event of necessity provide a work surface, temporary storage of equipment, a sitting or foot rest for personnel, The gurney cover can also be deployed over something upon the mattress, to, for example, to protect equipment. The gurney cover can also be deployed over a patient on the gurney, except the head end of the cover is not attached so that the patient&#39;s head is not covered. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows an example of gurney cover deployed over the patient area of a gurney. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows an example of an undeployed gurney cover in its integral pocket at the food end of a gurney disposed under the foot of a gurney mattress, and ready to be deployed. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  show an example of an undeployed gurney cover in its integral pocket attached at the foot end of a with the gurney mattress removed for clarity. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  illustrate deployment of a gurney cover as in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  shows a corner of a mattress corner at the head end of a gurney with a gurney cover secured over the corner head end of the mattress by elastic in the seam of the cover. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  shows a deployed gurney cover showing the integral pocket and the loop and hook strips used to keep the opening closed when the gurney cover is in the pocket. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  shows the integral pocket open for clarity, showing the loop and hook strips. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example I 
       [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , which shows a gurney cover  13  deployed on a gurney  11 . The gurney  11  comprises a generally flat platform surface  45  upon which a patient can lay covered with bedding  17 . Attached to the gurney cover is an integral pocket  15 , which is designed to contain an undeployed cover. 
         [0019]    The integral pocket  15  in attached to the gurney by attachments  21  at or near the first or foot end  47  of the gurney. Bedding or mattress  17  on the generally flat surface of the gurney defines patient area where a patient is laid and rests. 
         [0020]    The gurney cover  13  is attached to the integral pocket  15  at an attached end  25  and extends from an opening  39  in the integral pocket  15 . The cover  13  is long enough to extend from the attached end  25  to and be attached to top-head or second end  49  of the mattress  17 . Attachment of the free end  27  of the cover to the mattress is by fitted corners  29  that can be made by an elastic sewn  51  into the edge of cover  53  and extending around end corners of the mattress at the second end  49  of the mattress  17  (similar to construction as used in a fitted sheet). The fitted corners provide an attachment of the free end  27  of the cover  13  to the mattress that can easily be quickly pulled over and secured and then rapidly removed with a pulling motion without manipulation of buckles, ties and the like. Alternate constructions are contemplated that provide quick secure attachment and rapid removal, such as one or a combination of a pockets or straps, with attachments by loop and hook strips, snaps, or other suitable system. 
         [0021]    Referring also to  FIG. 2 , which is a detail of the foot end  37  of the gurney. When undeployed, the cover is folded into the integral pocket  15 , which can be placed under the foot or first end  47  of the mattress  17 . This position is clear of other parts or the gurney, such as the oxygen bottle  55 , and is easily and quickly reached by lifting the end of the mattress and putting the integral pocket over the mattress where the cover can be deployed over the mattress. 
         [0022]    Referring also to  FIG. 3A , which is a detail of the foot end  37  of the gurney, as in  FIG. 2 , but with the mattress removed for clarity. The integral pocket  15  contains the undeployed cover and is attached to the gurney  11  by attachments  21 , as illustrated here, at corners or ends of the integral pocket. Most gurneys have a tubular or like element at the edges of a flat surface, and the attachments  21  are suitably a strap around a gurney tube and secured by loop and hook strips as shown. This allows the attachment to secure, while being easily and quickly removable. Such a removable attachment is required if quick removal of the gurney cover is necessary. Other attachments are suitable, and the attachments  21  can be altered to conform to a different gurney construction or be at any suitable location on the integral pocket  15 . Referring to  FIG. 3B , which is the same as  3 A, but with the end of the integral pocket  15  in partial cut-away to show the gurney cover  13  (optionally folded with side flaps  31 ) accordion folded in the integral pocket. Also shown opening into the integral pocket  39 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 6 , illustrate deployment of the cover from an undeployed condition. In  FIG. 4 , the opening  39  into the integral pocket  15  is opened. Attached to the free end  27  is a handle  33 , or other means for grasping the end, by which the user pulls the gurney cover  13  out of integral pocket from its folded condition in the integral pocket  15 . The free end  27  is pulled (see arrow) in the direction of the second end  49  of the mattress  17 . For illustration purposes is shown an optional oxygen bottle  55  mounted to the gurney. 
         [0024]    In  FIG. 5  the gurney cover  13  is partially unfolded from inside the integral pocket  15 , and is almost fully extended and out of the integral pocket  15  in  FIG. 6 . The gurney cover  13 , when in the integral pocket is folded in a manner that allows easy deployment when pulled without interference or snagging. A suitable folding system involves a series transverse folds alternating up and down in a Z- or accordion-pattern. In  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , are shown spaced folding lines  59  where the cover was folded. The accordion-fold system permits an easy refolding for redeployment. Other folding systems may also be suitable. 
         [0025]    In  FIG. 6  the fitted corners  29  of the gurney cover  13  are near the second end  49  of the mattress where the gurney cover  13 , using the fitted corners  29 , is fitted over the end of the mattress. 
         [0026]    Referring also to  FIG. 7 , the showing a fitted corner  29  is shown fitted upon and over the mattress  17 . The gurney cover  13  at the fitted corner has an elastic  51  sewn in to an edge  53  of the cover  13  to provide a fitted attachment similar to a fitted sheet. 
         [0027]    Also show in  FIG. 7  is a side flap  31  that, in this example, is continuous with the fitted end and provides opposition to the force of the elastic  51 . The side flaps  31  can be folded over the gurney cover  13  as part of the gurney cover, and together with the gurney cover  13  accordion-folded into the integral  15  (see  FIG. 3B ). As shown in  FIG. 1 , side flaps  31  can be attached to or extend from lateral edges of the gurney cover  71 . The side flaps can drop down to cover lateral edges of the mattress can extend along the length of the deployed gurney cover  13  and provide protection to the sides of the mattress  17 . Side flaps are optional and construction of the elastic  51  can be easily altered without side flaps to anchor its ends. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , and  FIG. 9 , showing detail of a deployed gurney cover at attached end  25  of the gurney cover  13 .  FIG. 8  shows a closed opening  39  of the integral pocket  15  with the upper lip  41  of the opening is slightly raised to show loop and hook attachment strips  61 , which are used to hold the opening closed. In  FIG. 9 , the opening in open showing the loop and hook attachment strips  61 (one is phantom). Also shown in  FIG. 8 , and  FIG. 9 , are fold lines  59  and which are stretched out accordion folds resulting from the accordion folding in the integral pocket  15 . (See  FIG. 3B .) 
         [0029]    Once deployed the gurney cover can remain on the gurney as necessary, or be completely removed by pulling off the fitted end and removing the attachments of the integral pocket. 
         [0030]    To return to the undeployed condition, the steps for deployment are essentially reversed. The side flaps are folded up over the gurney cover, and the free end with fitted corners is pulled off of the mattress. The cover is refolded into an accordion fold until the entire cover can be placed into the integral pocket. The handle is then pushed into the integral pocket and the opening of the integral pocket closed. This restoration to the undeployed condition can be accomplished while the integral pocket is attached or not attached to the gurney. 
         [0031]    While this invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that many variations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention, and that the invention, as described by the claims, is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the invention which do not depart from the spirit of the invention.