Disposable splint

A splint formed of a corrugated plastic material has a first elongated panel having a pair of laterally-spaced longitudinal fold lines that divide it into an inner base and first and second outer sidewalls. A second elongated panel is disposed rearwardly of the first panel and has a pair of laterally-spaced longitudinal fold lines that divide it into an inner base extension and first and second outer sidewall extensions. The first sidewall and the first sidewall extension are pivotable as a unit to a substantially upright position with respect to the base and the base extension, respectively, and the second sidewall and the second sidewall extension are also pivotable as a unit to a substantially upright position with respect to the base and the base extension, respectively. The first sidewall and the first sidewall extension are joined by a first removable portion and the second sidewall and second sidewall extension are joined by a second removable portion. Each removable portion extends from the inner edge of the sidewall outwardly to the outer edges of the sidewall and the sidewall extension and is bounded by a first pair of tear lines each of length greater than the lateral distance between the inner edge of the sidewall and the outer edge of the sidewall. Each tear line is defined by a series of spaced cuts in the corrugated plastic material. Upon removal of the removable portions, the rear panel is pivotable to a substantially upright position with respect to the inner base of the first panel, and the rear panel and the first panel have co-operating locking structure to lock the rear panel in the upright position. A similar splint with one end open and the other end foldable into a box is used to form a femoral splint having a windlass and a traction cord extending through the box end. A single panel with folding sides may be used to form a stretcher.

This invention relates to a splint and stretcher formed of a corrugated 
plastic material. 
The difficulties encountered at the scene of an accident in attending to a 
person having an injured limb are well known and many splints have been 
proposed for use in immobilizing the limb under such conditions. Examples 
of such prior art splints are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,409,195 of Oct. 15, 
1946 to Crawford, U.S. Pat. No. 3,496,934 of Feb. 24, 1970 to Anderson; 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,624,745 of Nov. 30, 1971 to Bowers; U.S. Pat. No. 
3,653,378 of Apr. 4, 1972 to Reuther; U.S. Pat. No. 3,850,167 of Nov. 26, 
1974 to Seeley; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,896,799 of July 29, 1975 to Seeley. 
The present invention in one aspect provides a novel splint formed of a 
corrugated plastic material which may be transported to a flat 
configuration to the scene of an accident, and there quickly and 
conveniently erected by folding, and by cutting if necessary, into a 
suitable configuration for use in immobilizing an injured upper arm, 
elbow, forearm, wrist, lower leg or ankle. The splint is lightweight, 
strong, waterproof, extremely inexpensive to manufacture, and can be 
penetrated by X-rays to eliminate unnecessary movement of the injured 
limb. 
In one of its aspects the invention provides a splint or stretcher formed 
of a light, strong, relatively rigid corrugated plastic material. The 
splint or stretcher includes a first elongated panel member having a first 
longitudinal scored fold line and a second longitudinal scored fold line 
spaced laterally from the first fold line, the first and second fold lines 
dividing the first panel member into an inner base, a first sidewall 
disposed outwardly of the first fold line and having an outer edge, and a 
second sidewall disposed outwardly of the second fold line and having an 
outer edge. The plastic material includes a pair of spaced outer sheets 
forming outer surfaces of said material and a plurality of thin 
longitudinal ribs between the sheets, the ribs being oriented 
longitudinally in said panel member. The material is radiolucent so that 
it can be penetrated by X-rays. 
In another of its aspects the invention provides, in the splint of the kind 
described above, a second elongated panel member disposed rearwardly of 
the first panel member. The second panel member has a third longitudinal 
scored fold line and a fourth longitudinal scored fold line spaced 
laterally from the third fold line, the third and fourth fold lines being 
substantially aligned with the first and second fold lines, respectively, 
and dividing the second panel member into an inner base extension, a first 
sidewall extension disposed outwardly of the third fold line and having an 
outer edge, and a second sidewall extension disposed outwardly of the 
fourth fold line and having an outer edge. The first sidewall and the 
first sidewall extension are pivotable along the first and third fold 
lines, respectively, to a substantially upright position with respect to 
the base and the base extension, respectively, and the second sidewall and 
the second sidewall extension are pivotable along the second and fourth 
fold lines, respectively to a substantially upright position with respect 
to the base and the base extension, respectively. The first sidewall and 
the first sidewall extension are joined by a first removable portion and 
the second sidewall and second sidewall extension are joined by a second 
removable portion. The first removable portion extends from the first fold 
line outwardly to the outer edges of the first sidewall and the first 
sidewall extension, and the second removable portion extends from the 
second fold line outwardly to the outer edges of the second sidewall and 
the second sidewall extension. The first removable portion is bounded by a 
pair of first tear lines and the second removable portion being bounded by 
a pair of second tear lines, each tear line being defined by a series of 
spaced cuts in the corrugated plastic material. Preferably the first tear 
lines are each of length greater than the lateral distance between the 
first fold line and the outer edge of the first sidewall, and the second 
tear lines are each of length greater than the lateral distance between 
the second fold line and the outer edge of the second sidewall. 
In addition, in one aspect of the invention, the second panel member is 
pivotable, upon removal of the first and second removable portions, along 
a scored fold line extending laterally between the first and second 
longitudinal fold lines to a substantially upright position with respect 
to the inner base of the first panel member, and the first and second 
panel members have co-operating means to lock the second panel member in 
the upright position. Preferably the co-operating locking means includes a 
first male locking member defined in part by one of the first tear lines 
and a second male locking member defined in part by one of the second pair 
of tear lines. 
Further aspects of the invention provide a femoral splint and a stretcher, 
as will be described.

Reference is first made to FIG. 2. A disposable splint 10 constructed 
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is formed from a 
corrugated plastic material sold under the trade mark COROPLAST by 
Coroplast Ltd., of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The COROPLAST (trade mark) 
material has a very thin upper plastic sheet 11a which is joined to a very 
thin lower plastic sheet 11b by a plurality of very thin longitudinal 
plastic ribs 11c. Typically, the vertical distance d1 between the outer 
surfaces of the sheets 11a and 11b is of the order 4 mm., and the 
horizontal distance d2 between two adjacent ribs 11c is of the order 5 mm. 
A more complete description of the material is published by Coroplast Ltd. 
in its technical information brochures, and portions of that description 
are reproduced in Appendix A hereto. 
Referring next to FIG. 1, the disposable splint 10 has a first elongated 
central panel member 12, a second elongated rear panel member 14, and a 
third elongated front panel member 16. 
The central panel member 12 is provided with a first longitudinal scored 
fold line 18 and a second longitudinal scored fold line 20 spaced 
laterally from the scored fold line 18, the lines 18 and 20 dividing the 
panel member 12 into an inner base 22, a first sidewall 24 disposed 
outwardly of the first fold line 18 and having an outer edge 23, and a 
second sidewall 26 disposed outwardly of the second fold line 20 and 
having an outer edge 25. The scored fold lines 18 and 20 are formed by 
creasing the upper sheets 11a of the splint 10 to form a longitudinal 
notch 27 (FIG. 2) so as to permit convenient upward pivotal movement, but 
to prevent downward pivotal movement, of the sidewalls 24 and 26 about the 
lines 18 and 20, respectively. 
The panel member 14 is separated from the panel member 12 by a scored fold 
line 28 extending laterally between the scored fold lines 18 and 20, by a 
first forward tear line 29 extending between the scored fold line 18 and 
the outer edge 23 of the first sidewall 24, and by a second forward tear 
line 30 extending between the scored fold line 20 and the outer edge 25 of 
the second sidewall 26. The tear lines 29 and 30 are shaped to define a 
pair of identical locking tabs 31 and 32 extending rearwardly from the 
sidewalls 24 and 26, respectively, the locking tab 31 having a broad head 
portion 33 and a narrow stem portion 34. 
The scored fold line 28 is formed in the same manner as that in which the 
lines 18 and 20 are formed, and the manner in which the tear lines 29 and 
30 are formed is discussed in detail hereinafter. 
The panel member 14 is provided with a third longitudinal scored fold line 
36 and a fourth longitudinal scored fold line 38 spaced laterally from the 
third fold line 36. The third and fourth scored fold lines 36 and 38 are 
each disposed outwardly of lines defined by the first and second fold 
lines 18 and 20, respectively, by a distance d3 (FIG. 1 ) approximately 
equal to the thickness d1 (FIG. 2) of the splint 10. The lines 36 and 38 
divide the panel member 14 into an inner base extension 40 disposed 
rearwardly of the base 22, a first outer sidewall extension 42 disposed 
rearwardly of the sidewall 24 and having an outer edge 43, and a second 
outer sidewall extension 44 disposed rearwardly of the sidewall 26 and 
having an outer edge 45. 
As indicated by arrow A in FIG. 1, the ribs 11c extend longitudinally (in 
the direction of arrow A) so that the splint will act as a board, with 
adequate stiffness, in the longitudinal direction. 
Referring next primarily to FIG. 3, the sidewall 24 and the sidewall 
extension 42 are conveniently pivotable along axes defined by the first 
and third scored fold lines 18 and 36, respectively, from a first position 
where they are horizontally aligned with a plane defined by the base 22 
and the base extension 40 to a second position where they form an acute 
angle 46a with respect to the plane. Typically, the angle 46a is 
approximately 45.degree. . 
Similarly, the sidewall 26 and the sidewall extension 44 are conveniently 
pivotable along axes defined by the second and fourth scored fold lines 20 
and 38, respectively, from a similar first position to a similar second 
position where they form an acute angle 46b, which typically is also 
approximately 45.degree.. 
The sidewall extension 42 has a first removable forward portion 48 (FIG. 1) 
extending from the first scored fold line 18 outwardly to the outer edges 
23 and 43 of the sidewall 24 and the sidewall extension 42, respectively. 
Similarly the sidewall extension 42 has a similar second removable forward 
portion 49 (FIG. 1) extending from the second scored fold line 20 
outwardly to the outer edges 25 and 45 of the sidewall 26 and the sidewall 
extension 44, respectively. 
When the portions 48 and 49 are removed, the sidewall extensions 42 and 44 
are spaced from the sidewalls 24 and 26, respectively, so that the panel 
member 14 is then conveniently pivotable along an axis defined by the fold 
line 28 from a first position where it is horizontally aligned with a 
plane defined by the base 22 of the panel member 12 to a second position 
where it forms an acute angle 50 (FIG. 4) with respect to the plane. 
Typically, the angle 50 is approximately 45.degree.. 
The first removable portion 48 is defined by a rear arcuate tear line 52 
and by the forward tear line 29, as is best shown in FIG. 5. The tear line 
29 has a first inner lateral section 54 and a second outer section 56 
shaped to define in part the locking tab 31, the lateral section 54 being 
disposed forwardly of the scored fold line 28 by a distance d4 equal to 
the thickness d1 (FIG. 2) of the splint 10. 
The tear lines 29 and 52 which define the first removable portion 48 are 
formed by first creasing the upper sheet 11a of the splint 10 to form a 
notch, and then making spaced cuts 57 in the upper sheet 11a, and as well 
in the lower sheet 11b, along the notch so that the first removable 
portion 48 can be conveniently removed by pressing on it with, for 
example, a finger. 
It is desirable that the cuts 57 made in the outer portions of the tear 
lines 29 and 52 be of a smaller size than the cuts 57 made in the inner 
portions of the tear lines, so that the tear lines will be stronger near 
the outer edges than near the fold lines 18, 36. This is because when the 
sidewall extension 42 and the sidewall 24 are in their second pivoted 
positions (shown in FIG. 3), a restoring force in the sheets 11a and 11b 
of the plastic material forming the splint 10 tends to return the sidewall 
extension 42 and the sidewall 24 to their first horizontal positions. 
Consequently, to help to maintain rigidity and to avoid undesired 
separation of the sidewall extension 42 from the sidewall 24 when the 
support sections 24 and 42 are in their second pivoted positions, 
smaller-sized cuts (therefore leaving more uncut material) are made in the 
outer portions of the tear lines 29 and 52 where the restoring force is 
the greatest. 
As well, when the base extension 40 is horizontally aligned with the base 
22, and the sidewall extension 42 and the sidewall 24 are in their second 
positions, shown in FIG. 3, a load applied to, for example, the upper 
surface of the base extension 40 creates a bending moment which tends to 
cause the base extension 40 to pivot downwardly about the scored fold line 
28. It is therefore also desirable that smaller-sized cuts 57 be made in 
the outer portions of the tear lines 29 and 52 as compared with the inner 
portions since the bending moment is greatest in the outer portions and 
the tear lines therefore should be strongest at the outer portions. This 
permits the splint 10 to act like a stiff board (for use in the 
configurations shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, as will be described) and helps 
to prevent the base extension from bending downwardly along the fold line 
28. 
Furthermore, the tear lines 29 and 52 each have a length longer than the 
lateral distance between the scored fold line 18 and the outer edge 23 of 
the sidewall 24. Therefore, the force created by the bending moment and 
applied perpendicularly to the uncut sections of the tear lines 29 and 52 
so as to separate the sidewall extension 42 from the sidewall 24 is less 
than the force that would be applied to a laterally-extending tear line. 
In other words, since the tear lines 29 and 52 are longer than 
laterally-extending tear lines would be, and since they do not extend at 
right angles to the forces tending to separate the material along the tear 
lines, the possibility of undesirable separation of the plastic along the 
tear lines 29 and 52 is reduced. At the same time, the tear lines 29 and 
52 can be made weak enough so that when the splint is to be folded as 
shown in FIG. 7, rather than to be used as a stiff board, the removable 
portions 48 and 49 can be removed by hand. Preferably for this purpose a 
small section 48a (FIG. 5), at the inner edge of each removable portion is 
fully cut, to allow the user to start the tear and to have a piece or tab 
to pull on. Once the user has detached and can pull on the tab 48a, he can 
more easy remove the remainder of the removable portion 48 by tearing 
along the tear lines 29, 52. In addition, preferably all of the ribs 11c 
(FIG. 2) are cut (i.e. the only uncut portions are between the ribs) to 
help the user to remove portions 48 and 49 by hand. 
The base extension 40 of the panel member 14 is provided with a pair of 
identical tab slots 58 and 60 to receive the locking tabs 31 and 32, 
respectively so as to lock the panel member 14 and the sidewalls 24 and 26 
in upright positions substantially perpendicular to the base 22 of the 
panel member 12. 
The tab slot 58 has a tab receiving portion 62, the height d5 (FIG. 6) of 
which is at least equal to the width d6 (FIG. 5) of the head portion 33 of 
the locking tab 31, a tab locking portion 64 disposed outwardly of the tab 
receiving portion 62, the height d7 (FIG. 6) of the locking portion 64 
being equal to or very slightly greater than the width d8 (FIG. 5) of the 
stem portion 34 of the locking tab 31, and a tab passageway 66 connecting 
the receiving portion 62 with the locking portion 64, the passageway 66 
having arcuately curved edge surfaces 67 and 68 and a height d9 (FIG. 6) 
at its narrowest slightly less than the width d8 (FIG. 5) of the stem 
portion 34. 
The tab locking portion 64 is aligned with the scored fold line 36 whereas 
the tab receiving portion 62 is disposed at an angle 70 to the lateral 
scored fold line 28, the angle 70 being slightly greater than the angle 
46a which the sidewall 24 makes in its second position with respect to the 
base 22. 
To lock the panel member 14 and the sidewalls 24 and 26 in positions 
substantially perpendicular to the base 22 of the panel member 12 after 
the forward portions 48 and 49 of the sidewall extensions 42 and 44 have 
been removed, the sidewalls 24 and 26 of the panel member 12 are first 
pivoted to their second positions, as is clearly shown in FIG. 7. The 
panel member 14 is then pivoted to a substantially upright position and 
the locking tabs 31 and 32 fully inserted into the respective receiving 
portions of the tab slots 58 and 60. The stem portion 34 of the locking 
tab 31 is next pushed through the tab passageway 66 into the tab locking 
portion 64 to lock the second panel 14 and the sidewalls 24 and 26 in 
upright positions. Since the restoring force in the plastic material 
forming the splint 10 tends to return the sidewalls 24 and 26 to their 
first horizontal positions, little force is needed to push the locking 
tabs 31 and 32 through the passageways of their respective tab slots 58 
and 60. 
Considering next the front panel member 16 (FIG. 1), the panel member 16 is 
separated from the panel member 12 by an inner tear line 72 extending 
laterally between the scored fold lines 18 and 20, and by a pair of outer 
lateral tear lines 74 and 76 disposed forwardly of the tear line 72 by a 
distance d10 (FIG. 1) approximately equal to the thickness d1 (FIG. 2) of 
the splint 10. The tear lines 72, 74 and 76 are formed in a manner similar 
to that of the tear lines 29 and 52. 
The front panel member 16 is provided with a first longitudinal slot 78 and 
a second longitudinal slot 80 spaced laterally from the slot 78, the slots 
78 and 80 being substantially aligned with the scored fold lines 18 and 20 
of the first panel member 12 and dividing the panel member 16 into an 
inner front wall section 82, a first front wall locking section 84 
disposed outwardly of the slot 78, and a second front wall locking section 
86 disposed outwardly of the slot 80. The locking section 84 has a first 
lateral slot 88 extending outwardly from the first longitudinal slot 78 
which is aligned with a second lateral slot 90 extending inwardly from the 
outer edge of the locking section 86 towards the second longitudinal slot 
80. 
The inner front wall section 82 is pivotable along an axis defined by the 
tear line 72 from a first position where it is horizontally aligned with a 
plane defined by the base 22 of the panel member 12 to a second upright 
position where it is substantially perpendicular thereto. 
Similarly, the outer front wall locking sections 84 and 86 are pivotable 
along axes defined by the tear lines 74 and 76, respectively, from first 
positions where they are horizontally aligned with planes defined by the 
sidewalls 24 and 26, respectively, to second upright positions where they 
are substantially perpendicular thereto. 
To lock the front wall section 82 of the panel member 16 in the upright 
position, it is first pivoted to the upright position (FIG. 8). Next, the 
front wall locking sections 84 and 86 are pivoted to their upright 
positions. The sidewalls 24 and 26 are then pivoted along the scored fold 
lines 18 and 20 to their upright positions to dispose the wall locking 
sections 84 and 86 forwardly of the wall section 82 whereupon the lateral 
slots 88 and 90 engage to lock together the wall locking sections 84 and 
86 so as to prevent the wall section 82 from returning to its first 
horizontal position (FIG. 9). Since the restoring force in the plastic 
material forming the splint 10 tends to return the wall section 82 to its 
first position, the wall section 82 is constantly maintained in contact 
with the wall locking sections 84 and 86. 
In use, it will be appreciated that the disposable splint 10 may be 
transported in a flat configuration to the scene of an accident, and there 
quickly and conveniently erected by folding, and by cutting if necessary, 
into a suitable configuration for use in immobilizing an injured upper 
arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, lower leg or ankle. 
To immobilize an injured upper arm or elbow, the splint 10 can be used in 
any one of three ways, depending on the nature and extent of the injury. 
As shown in FIG. 10, it can be assembled in a configuration where the 
front panel member 16 is removed and the rear panel member 14 is locked in 
the upright position. The splint 10 is then snugly secured about the 
injured limb 92 by fastening material 94, such as, for example surgical 
tape or Velcro fastening strips, and, if desired supported by a sling 98 
passed through slots 100 in the sidewalls 24 and 26 of the central panel 
member 12. 
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, the rear panel member 16 need not be 
locked in the upright position but can be in a position intermediate 
between the horizontal and upright positions. It is maintained in the 
desired position by snugly securing the splint 10 about the injured limb 
92 by fastening material 94. 
As well, as shown in FIG. 12, the injured upper arm or elbow can be 
immobilized in an extended position. After the front panel member 16 is 
removed, the sidewalls 24 and 26 and the sidewall extensions 42 and 44 are 
pivoted to upright positions and the splint 10 snugly secured about the 
injured limb 92 by fastening material 94. 
To immobilize an injured wrist or forearm, the splint 10 is assembled in a 
configuration shown in FIG. 13 wherein the front panel member 16 and the 
rear panel member 14 are typically removed. The sidewalls 24 and 26 are 
disposed in upright positions and the splint 10 snugly secured about the 
limb by fastening material 94. The rear panel member 14 need not be 
removed if it is desired as well to immobilize the hand. If required, the 
splint 10 can be cut in the field to shorten the length of the central 
panel member 12. 
To immobilize an injured lower leg, the front wall section 82 of the front 
panel member 16 is locked in the upright position as shown in FIG. 14, and 
the splint 10 secured snugly about the injured limb by bandaging material 
92, the foot of the leg being disposed against the front wall section 82. 
To immobilize an injured ankle, the front panel member 16 is removed and 
the rear panel member 14 locked in the upright position as shown in FIG. 
15, and the splint 10 secured snugly about the injured limb by bandaging 
material 92, the foot being disposed against the base extension 40 of the 
rear panel member 14. 
It will be appreciated that with the splint 10 it is not necessary to move 
an injured limb to a substantial extent. The splint 10 can be conveniently 
disposed about the injured limb (for example, by sliding the splint 10 
under the lib), then erected by folding to the desired configuration and 
subsequently snugly secured about the limb. If required, padding material 
may be inserted between the splint 10 and the injured limb. 
As well, it may be adapted in the field by cutting and folding so as to be 
used with any size of injured limb, and instructions as to its use in 
various emergencies can be conveniently printed on it. 
The splint 10 is waterproof and can be penetrated by X-rays. Consequently, 
there is little need to change from time to time under adverse weather 
conditions the splint immobilizing an injured limb, and it need not be 
removed immediately upon arrival at a hospital. 
Various modifications may be made to the preferred embodiment of the 
invention. For example, a button or a clip arrangement can be used in 
place of the locking tabs and tab slots to lock the front wall locking 
section 84 to the front wall locking section 86 and, as well, the sidewall 
extensions 42 and 44 to the sidewalls 24 and 26, respectively. 
As indicated, the splint 10 is waterproof and can be penetrated by X-rays. 
Consequently, there is little need to change from time to time under 
adverse weather conditions the splint immobilizing an injured limb, and it 
need not be removed immediately upon arrival at a hospital, since the 
patient can be promptly X-rayed without removing the splint. Although the 
plastic material is not fully transparent to X-rays (some shadows do 
appear), it is found that these shadows do not interfere with the 
interpretation of the X-rays, i.e. there is no difficulty in 
distinguishing between bone (and bone fractures) and shadows produced by 
the plastic. Since the plastic, though not fully transparent to X-rays, is 
much more so than bone, it may be termed radiolucent. 
Various modifications may be made to the splint, described. For example the 
male locking tabs 31, 32 may extend from the sidewall extensions 42, 44 
instead of from the sidewalls 24, 26, and the tab slots 58, 60 will then 
be located in the base 22 instead of the base extension 40. 
Alternatively, a separate button or clip arrangement can be used in place 
of the locking tabs and tab slots to lock the front wall locking section 
84 to the front wall locking section 86 and, as well, the sidewall 
extensions 42 and 44 to the sidewalls 24 and 26, respectively. This is 
shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 where primed reference numerals indicate parts 
corresponding to those of the previous Figures. In FIGS. 16 and 17, a 
plastic button 110 is provided, having spaced disc-like ends 112 joined by 
a narrow shaft 114. Such buttons are presently commercially available in 
two halves which when pushed together lock together. One button is secured 
to each sidewall 24', 26', and each sidewall extension 42', 44' includes 
an appropriately located tearshaped slot 116. Each slot 116 has an 
enlarged entrance 118 to receive the button end 112 and a narrower 
retaining end 120 through which will pass the button shaft 114 but not the 
button end 112. 
In use, when the splint is to be folded in the manner of FIG. 4, tear lines 
52' are torn or severed, the splint 101 is folded in the manner of FIG. 4, 
and the buttons 110 are inserted into slots 116 to lock the splint in 
folded condition. 
It will be noted that no removable portions are shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, 
but only tear lines 52'. The tear lines are preferably again stronger at 
the outside edges of the splint than adjacent the fold lines 18', 20', 
since the stresses are greatest at the edges of the splint. Although the 
tear lines 52' are shown as transverse to the fold lines 18', 20', 
preferably again they are made longer than the transverse distance between 
fold lines 18', 20' and the edges of the splint. This is shown at 52' in 
FIG. 18 and again gives added strength to the tear lines. It should be 
added that although the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17 is useful, the 
previously shown embodiment is much preferred, since it is cheaper to 
make, easier to separate along the tear lines (since it is easier to 
remove a punch-out or removable portion than tear along a single tear 
line), and easier to lock in folded condition. 
In some applications of the splint the front panel member 16 may be 
eliminated, and even the rear panel member 14 may also be eliminated in 
some applications. In addition, if it is desired to have a roll-top for 
the splint, more than one fold line such as score line 27 may be provided, 
as indicated by fold lines 27" in the single panel 22" shown in FIG. 19. 
If it is desired to have the splint reversible, the fold lines 27" can be 
scored in both surfaces (front and back) of the splint. Alternatively the 
scored fold lines can be constituted by lines of perforations through both 
sides of the plastic material forming the splint. Such a line will form a 
fold line, but a creased line such as that shown at 27 in FIG. 1 is 
preferred since it weakens the material less than a line of perforations. 
Reference is next made to FIGS. 20 to 24, which show a splint 210 similar 
to that of FIG. 1 but which may be used as a femoral splint, for 
immobilizing or applying traction to an injured upper leg. The splint 210 
is of course of the same corrugated plastic material, e.g. that sold under 
the trade mark COROPLAST, as the other splints described, with the ribs 
11c extending longitudinally of the splint, in the direction of arrow A. 
The splint 210 has an elongated rear panel 218 and a shorter front panel 
220. The rear panel 218 has a first substantially longitudinal scored fold 
line 222 and a second substantially longitudinal scored fold line 224 
spaced laterally from the scored fold line 222. The fold lines 222 and 224 
diverge slightly in a rearward direction and divide the rear panel 218 
into an inner base 226, a first sidewall 228 disposed outwardly of the 
first fold line 222 and having an outer edge 230, and a second sidewall 
232 disposed outwardly of the second fold line 224 and having an outer 
edge 234. The outer edges 230 and 234 diverge in a rearward direction. 
The sidewalls 228, 232 have a number of parallel longitudinal scored fold 
lines 242, 252 respectively. These lines facilitate bending the outer 
portions of the sidewalls over the top of the patient's leg, as will be 
explained. The scored fold lines 242, 252 are formed by first creasing the 
upper sheet 11a of the splint 210 to form a notch, and then making a 
series of spaced cuts 260 (FIG. 20) in the upper sheet 11a along the 
notch, and as well in the lower sheet 11b, so that the splint 210 can be 
conveniently folded along any one of the fold lines. The spaced cuts (not 
shown) in the lower sheet 11b are disposed slightly inwardly of the spaced 
cuts in the upper sheet 11a to permit convenient bending of the splint 210 
about the particular fold line. The perforations or cuts in the fold lines 
reduce the resilience of the fold and hence reduce the tendancy of the 
folded material to "spring back". 
The rear portion of the rear panel 218 has a series of perforated cut lines 
262, each of which extends generally transversely between the outer edges 
230 and 234 of the sidewalls 228 and 232, respectively. The outer portions 
266 and 268 of each cut line 262 are concavely curved to fit the patient's 
groin area. 
Each cut line 262 is formed by first creasing the upper sheet 11a of the 
splint 210 to form a notch (not shown), and then making a series of spaced 
cuts 270 in the upper sheet along the notch, and as well in the lower 
sheet 11b, so that the splint 210 can be readily cut along the cut line 
262. The lines 262 are typically spaced about 2 inches apart in the 
direction of arrow A. 
The forward portions of sidewalls 228, 232 each have a longitudinally 
extending windlass shot 272. The slot 272 is located approximately half 
way between the scored fold lines 222 and 224 and the innermost 
longitudinal fold lines 242 and 252, respectively. 
In addition, the forward portions of the sidewalls 228 and 232 have an 
inwardly and forwardly extending slit 274, which defines a jam cleat 275, 
used for a purpose to be explained. 
The front panel 220 is separated from the rear panel 218 by an inner scored 
fold line 276 extending laterally between the scored fold lines 222 and 
224, and by a pair of outer lateral scored fold lines 278 and 280 disposed 
rearwardly of the inner fold line 276 by distances d3 and d4 respectively. 
Distance d3 is approximately equal to three or four times the thickness d1 
(FIG. 2) of the splint 10, while distance d4 is about half of distance d3. 
The panel 220 includes a first longitudinal fully cut line 282 and a second 
longitudinal fully cut line 284 spaced from the first line 282. The fully 
cut lines 282 and 284 divide the front panel 20 into a front wall locking 
section 286, a first outer front wall flap 288 disposed outwardly of the 
first cut line 282 and having an outer edge 290, and a second outer front 
wall flap 292 disposed outwardly of the second cut line 284 and having an 
outer edge 294. The cut lines 284 also defined gripping ears 295 
projecting outwardly from locking section 286, for a purpose to be 
explained. 
The first and second front wall flaps 288 and 292 are pivotable along the 
outer lateral fold lines 278 and 280, respectively, from positions where 
they are aligned with the first and second outer sidewalls 228 and 232, 
respectively, to positions where they are substantially perpendicular 
thereto. 
The front wall locking section 286 is pivotable along the lateral inner 
fold line 276 from a position where it is horizontally aligned with the 
inner base 226 of the rear panel 218 to a position where it is 
substantially perpendicular thereto. The locking section 286 consists of a 
first inner portion 296, a second thin central portion 297 and a third 
outer portion 298. The portion 297 is separated from the first and third 
portions 296, 298 by laterally extending scored fold lines 300 and 302 
respectively. The thickness d5 of the central portion 297 is approximately 
equal to three to four times the thickness d1 (FIG. 2) of the splint 210. 
The third outer portion 298 of the front wall locking section 286 has a 
forwardly extending tab 304. The tab 304 has sloping sides 305 and is 
slightly wider at its base than a tab receiving slot 306 disposed in the 
inner base 226 of the rear panel member 218 adjacent to the fold line 276. 
An elongated windlass 308, the use of which is hereinafter described, is 
attached to a side edge of the third outer portion 298 by pieces of 
material 310. The windlass 308 can be easily broken away from the pieces 
of material 310 and folded along fold line 312 for use in the manner 
hereinafter described. The windlass 308 has slots 309a, 309b adjacent its 
ends, the slots extending in a direction at right angles to the axis of 
the windlass. 
In use, the disposable femoral splint 210 may be transported in a flat 
configuration to the scene of an accident, and there quickly and 
conveniently erected by folding, and by cutting if necessary, into a 
suitable configuration for use in immobilizing and applying traction to an 
injured upper leg. 
Before the splint 210 is applied to immobilize and to apply traction to an 
injured upper leg, the length of the uninjured leg is measured, and the 
splint 210 is then cut along a cut line 262 to the proper length for use. 
The splint 210 is cut so that the distance from the fold line 276 to the 
particular tear line 262 is about one foot greater than the length of the 
uninjured leg. The windlass 308 is also removed from the splint 210 at 
this time. 
Next, a foam groin pad (not shown) is applied to the appropriate outer 
portion 266 or 268 of the cut line 262, depending on which leg is injured. 
The splint 210 is next assembled by pivotting its sidewalls 228, 232 to a 
generally perpendicular position with respect to the inner base 276. The 
front wall flaps 288, 292 are then pivotted along the fold lines 278, 280 
respectively to their perpendicular positions, with wall section 292 lying 
outside wall section 288. Next the front wall locking section 286 is 
pivoted to an upright position along the fold line 276. The outer portion 
298 of the locking section 286 is then pivoted behind the wall flaps 288 
and 292, the tab 304 being inserted into the tab receiving slot 306 to 
lock the sections 286, 290 and 292 in their perpendicular positions. 
After the splint has been erected, a standard traction harness 316 (FIG. 
21) having a traction cord 318 with portions 318a and 318b is next 
attached to the injured leg 320, and steady longitudinal traction is 
applied to the leg 320 by pulling on the cord portions 318a and 318a. The 
splint 210 is then positioned about injured leg 320 so that the groin pad 
(not shown) fits snugly in the groin area of the injured person. If 
necessary, additional groin padding may of course be used. The sidewalls 
228 and 232 are then folded about the injured leg and secured to it with a 
suitable fastening material 322, such as a Velcro (trade mark) strip or 
surgical tape. 
The traction cord 318 is next passed through the aligned apertures 314 in 
the sections 286, 288 and 292. Each portion 318a, 318b of the cord 318 is 
then pulled upwardly over the top of the folded front wall (FIG. 22) and 
is then pulled rearwardly and inserted into one of the slits 274. The cord 
sections are then pulled downwardly and forwardly around the jam cleats, 
along the outer sidewalls of the splint, are passed under the gripping 
ears 295, and are then firmly tied forwardly of the portions 296 of the 
front wall locking section 286, at a knot 321. 
Next, the windlass 308 is folded along the fold line 312 and is inserted 
between the cord portions 319a and 319b rearwardly of the sections 286, 
288 and 292 (FIG. 21). The windlass 308 is then rotated as indicated by 
arrow B (FIG. 22) to twist the cord 318 to apply traction to the leg. When 
the desired amount of traction has been applied, the windlass 308 is 
placed in a horizontal plane (FIG. 23) and its ends are inserted into the 
windlass stick receiving slots 272. The windlass 308 is then slide 
rearwardly until the slots 309a and 309b in the windlass 308 engage the 
sidewalls which define the rear ends of the slots 272. This prevents the 
windlass 308 from becoming dislodged and hence prevents the cord 318 from 
untwisting. 
With the femoral splint 210 described, it is not necessary to move an 
injured leg to a substantial extent. The femoral splint 210 can be 
erected, disposed about the injured leg (for example, by sliding the 
splint 210 under the leg), and then snugly secured about the leg. If 
required, padding material may be inserted between the splint 10 and the 
injured leg. 
If desired, other suitably rigid box arrangements may be used for the front 
wall of the femoral splint. For example the box structure provided by the 
rear panel 14 of the FIG. 1 splint may be used. In all cases a hole will 
be provided in the front wall of the splint for the traction cord. In 
addition a jam cleat will preferably be provided. 
As discussed, the splint of FIGS. 20 to 24 must be cut to length, to suit 
the patient in question. The length may vary considerably, depending on 
whether the patient is a child or an adult, and the persons using the 
splint may not always have scissors available. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 
25, tear strips 320 may be provided for the splint 210. As shown in FIG. 
25 each tear strip consists of a pair of parallel closely spaced tear 
lines 322 extending from the outer edge of the sidewalls 228, 232 inwardly 
to the centre of the base panel 226. The tear lines 322 terminate in a tab 
324 located in a central aperature 326. As before, the cuts which form the 
tear lines 322 are of a smaller size at the outer portions of the tear 
lines than at the inner portions, so that the tear lines will be stronger 
near the outer edges than near the central aperture 326. The cuts of tear 
lines 322 are in fact the same as the cuts 57 of tear lines 29 and 52 
(FIG. 5), and the tabs 324 function in exactly the same way as removable 
portions 48a (FIG. 5) so that they may be gripped to begin the tearing 
process. The longitudinal spacing between the tear strips 320 is typically 
about 2 inches, so that the length of the femoral splint may be adjusted 
in two inch increments, without the need for scissors. The tear lines 322 
may be curved as shown to confirm as closely as possible to the expected 
shape of the average patient's groin area. 
Finally, reference is made to FIGS. 26 to 28, which show a stretcher 340 
according to the invention. The stretcher 340 consists of an elongated 
inner base 342 and a pair of outer sidewalls 344, 346, integrally joined 
to the base 342 at scored fold lines 348, 350. Hand holes 352 are punched 
in the sidewalls 344, 346 and in the base 342, leaving handles 353 between 
pairs of adjacent hand holes so that the handle 353 may be gripped by a 
user. As before, the ribs 11c (FIG. 2) of the corrugated plastic material 
used for the stretcher extend longitudinally, to provide the required 
stiffness in the longitudinal direction. 
In use, the sidewalls 344, 346 are folded upwardly into a vertical plane. A 
patient is then placed on the stretcher, and moved as required. 
If desired, high tensile strength steel wires 354 (FIG. 27) may be inserted 
into the spaces between the ribs 11c (except for those spaces intersected 
by holes 352). The ends of the wires may be hooked (not shown) to secure 
them within the spaces. If wires are used, they will normally be arranged 
to leave a longitudinal area 356 along the patient's axial skeleton free 
of wires, so that X-rays may be taken through the stretcher. Normally area 
356 will be about one foot wide, since this is all that is required in 
order to X-ray a patient's spine. The presence of the wires extending 
through the handles 353 helps the strengthen the handles. However, if 
sufficiently thick corrugated plastic material is used, the wires will not 
normally be necessary. The COROPLAST (trade mark) corrugated plastic 
material of 5mm thickness has been tested for stretcher purposes and has 
been found to possess excellent strength. 
APPENDIX A 
COROPLAST (trade mark) is a continuously extruded corrugated plastic sheet 
formed from a blend of co-polymer resins (polypropylene-polyethylene) 
developed and patented by Tokan Kogyo Co. Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan. The 
product is available in various gauges (e.g. from 2mm. to 5mm.) and 
varying weights or densities (from 400 gms/M.sup.2 to 1000 gms/M.sup.2). 
It is waterproof, has high impact resistance, can withstand temperatures 
from 106.degree. C. to -35.degree. C. (220.degree. F. to -30.degree. F.), 
has a high strength to weight ratio, and is resistant to a wide range of 
acids, alkalis, chemicals, greases and oils. It can be electrostatically 
treated to accept screen printing, it can be stitched, glued, 
ultrasonic-welded, heat sealed, die-cut, scored, creased and folded. 
Various properties for three representative gauges and densities are as 
follows: 
1. MECHANICAL PROPERTIES 
______________________________________ 
Gauge 2.0mm 4.0mm 4.0mm 
gms/sq.m. 
400 700 800 
Weight 
lbs/sq.ft. 
.082 .143 .164 
a) Impact Strength* 
kg/cm 9.5 15.8 18.0 
23.degree. C. (73.4.degree. F.) 
lbs/in 53.2 88.5 101.0 
kg/cm 8.9 16.2 18.5 
0.degree. C. (32.degree. F.) 
lbs/in 50.0 90.7 103.5 
-20.degree. C. (-4.degree. F.) 
lbs/in 37.8 62.7 71.5 
b) Tensile Strength** 
kg 16.9 28.1 32.0 
Load 
lbs 37.4 62.0 70.6 
kg/cm.sup.2 
34.4 46.5 53.0 
Yield Point 
lbs/in.sup.2 
461.2 661.5 750.8 
kg/cm.sup.2 
241.0 240.2 276.0 
Point of Failure 
lbs/in.sup.2 
3443.1 3417.0 3887.0 
Elongation % 166.8 166.3 166.3 
______________________________________ 
*A.S.T.M. D781-59T 
**A.S.T.M. D828-60 
2. COMPRESSIONS STRENGTH 
______________________________________ 
Gauge 2.0mm 4.0mm 4.0mm 
Weight gm/lbs 400/.082 700/.143 
800/.164 
a) Flat Crush 
Load kg 13.3 16.3 18.5 
lb 28.9 36.0 42.0 
Compression 
kg/cm.sup.2 
0.54 0.65 0.74 
lbs/in.sup.2 
7.5 9.2 10.5 
Strain % 1.04 1.04 1.09 
b) Machine Direction Compression 
Load kg 32.5 39.8 45.2 
lb 72.05 87.75 99.95 
Compression 
kg/cm.sup.2 
16.2 19.7 22.4 
lbs/in.sup.2 
232.1 280.25 321.0 
Strain % 2.15 2.37 2.5 
c) Transverse Direction Compression 
Load kg 2.5 2.9 3.3 
lb 5.25 6.4 7.3 
Compression 
kg/cm.sup.2 
1.23 1.5 1.72 
lb/in.sup.2 
17.5 21.3 24.4 
Strain % 1.9 1.7 1.8 
______________________________________ 
*A.S.T.M. D781-59T 
**A.S.T.M. D828-60 
THE ABOVE TESTS WERE PERFORMED IN THE LABORATORY OF TOKAN KOGYO CO., LTD. 
OF TOKYO, JAPAN USING THE FOLLOWING: 
(a) IMT TEST--DUPONT IMT TESTER 
(b) TENSILE TEST--INSTRON MATERIAL TESTER 
(c) COMPRESSION TEST--TENSILON MATERIAL TESTER 
3. FLEXING STRENGTH 
In the Shell Chemical Laboratory in London, England, several pieces of 
Coroplast were subjected to Flexing Tests and the results were as follows: 
(a) Sample One--Test was terminated after 270,000 flexes due to machine 
breakdown. 
(b) Sample Two--Test was terminated after 4,000 flexes due to machine 
breakdown. 
(c) Sample Three--Test was suspended after machine showed 1,000,000 flexes. 
RESULTS 
None of the samples showed any visible evidence of fatigue.