RESCUE AND INVALID SUPPORT BELT

Abstract: A support belt (10) and a strap portion includes a strap portion (13) and a pad portion (12). The pad portion (12) includes an elongate member having a length sufficient to encircle the body of an individual and a width sufficient to extend from the waist area to the breast area of the individual. A fastener (14) is mounted on the ends of the pad portion for quick attachment and detachment to the individual. The strap portion (13) includes a plurality of straps (15-21) each having a first part mounted on the outer surface of the pad portion (12) and a second part mounted on the inner surface of the pad portion (12) and in an opposed relation to the first part. A part of each of the straps (15-19) is unfastened and forms a loop (40) to provide a handle for lifting the individual.

Description: PATENT APPLICATION RESCUE AND INVALID SUPPORT BELT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to rescue and invalid support belts and more particularly to belts for securing and lifting persons in peril or invalids from beds or wheelchairs. It is often necessary to rescue and remove from harm's way individuals imperilled by accidents, fire or natural disasters. Such persons are often incapacitated, exhausted or otherwise incapable of assisting in their rescue. Therefore, rescue personnel require a means for rapidly securing a victim and for facilitating his movement to a safer location. Prior art rescue belts could not be easily and quickly attached and did not include attachment devices which could withstand significant pulling forces. Moreover, prior art rescue belts were not sufficiently versatile so that they could also readily be used for lifting and stabilizing invalids or incapacitated hospital patients. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved rescue and invalid support belt. A further object of the invention is to provide a rescue and invalid lifting belt which can be rapidly attached to an incapacitated individual under less than ideal circumstances. -2- A further object of the invention is to provide a rescue and patient lifting belt in which lifting forces are not concentrated. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a rescue and patient lifting belt which can withstand substantial pulling forces. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description thereof taken with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating how the rescue belt and invalid support belt is worn and used; Figure 2 is a front view of the belt according to the invention; and Figure 3 is a rear view thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The drawings show a rescue and hospital patient lifting and support belt 10 according to the invention to include a pad portion 12 which is generally rectangular in plan view and a strap portion 13. The pad portion 12 is formed of a flexible and elastic material. One example of a material which may be used for the pad portion 12 is a closed cell neoprene rubber such as that sold under the trademark RUBATEX by -3- Rubeatex Corporation. For aesthetic purposes, the outer surface of the pad portion 12 may be covered by a flexible material, such as Lycra. However, to minimize the possibilities of the belt 10 slipping during use, the inner surface is preferably not covered. The opposite ends of the pad portion 12 includes at least one fastener so that the ends may be joined about the chest of the user as shown in Figure 1. In the preferred embodiment, the fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener 14 sold under the trademark Velcro and including a hook strip 14a and a loop strip 14b. The length of the pad portion 12 should be such that it fits snugly about the user without discomfort. It will be appreciated that different sizes are required to fit different sized individuals. Preferably, the width of the pad portion 12 is such that it extends approximately from the waist to the breast area of the wearer. A typical width would be about ten inches. The strap portion 13 includes a plurality of straps which are connected to each other and to the pad portion 12 to provide a series of handles or anchor points which can withstand substantial pulling forces without separation. The individual straps which form the strap portion comprise heavy duty webbing strips of a flexible material, such as, nylon or cotton webbing. In the preferred embodiment, the strap portion 13 includes a pair of side handle straps 15 and 16, a rear _4_ handle strap 17, a body strap 18 and anchor straps 19, 20 and 21. The side handle straps 15 and 16 each preferably comprises a single strip of heavy duty webbing and are identical so only handle strap 15 will be discussed in detail for the sake of brevity. In the illustrated embodiment, the two ends of the single piece of webbing which forms the handle strap 15 are positioned in spaced apart relation at points 22a and 22b on the front surface of the pad portion 12. The webbing extends upwardly from points 22a and 22b and around the upper edge of the pad 12 to define segments 24a and 24b. The webbing material continues downwardly in a parallel spaced apart relation along the back of the pad 12 to define segments 26a and 26b as shown in Figure 3, around the lower edge of the pad portion 12 and upwardly along the front surface in a parallel spaced apart relation to a point above points 22a and 22b to define segments 28a and 28b as seen in Figure 2. Stitching 30a and 30b secures webbing portions 24a and 28a to portion 26a and portions 24b and 28b to portion 26b. Portions 32 and 33 of handle straps 15 and 16, respectively, are unattached and longer than the gap between the stitched portions to define lifting handles. It can be seen that the handle straps 15 and 16 each completely surrounds the pad portion 12 in two places and each is secured to itself with the pad portion 12 disposed therebetween. In addition, anchor -5- straps 19 and 20 are secured by stitching 34 respectively to the front and rear surfaces of the pad 12 and in an opposed relation and extending perpendicularly to the handle strap portions 24a, 24b and over the initial points 22a and 22b. As a result when force is applied to either of the handles 32 and/or 33, the stress is transmitted to the relatively strong webbing portions secured on the opposite sides of the pad portion 12 and to the anchor straps 19 and 20 while stress on the relatively weaker pad portion 12 is minimized. The rear handle strap 17 also comprises a single piece of heavy duty webbing material which, in the illustrated embodiment, having one end fixed at about the upper edge of the front surface of pad portion 12 and extending downwardly along the front surface equidistantly between and parallel to the handle straps 15 and 16 to define a first portion 36 as seen in Figure 2. The webbing material extends around the lower edge of the pad 12 upwardly along the back surface as seen in Figure 3 to define portion 38, around the upper edge and downwardly over the upper portion of segment 36 to define a portion 39. There is then an unattached portion 40 which is unsecured and a lower portion 42 which terminates at the lower end of the pad portion 12. The unattached portion 40 is longer than the gap between the portions 39 and 42 to define a loop or handle. Stitching 44 secures the -6- portion 36 on the front face of pad 12 to the portion 38 on the back surface while stitching 46 secures the portion 39 to the portions 36 and 38 and stitching 48 secures the portion 42 to the portions 36 and 38. It can be seen that, the handle formed by the portion 40 is secured to a continuous piece of webbing material which surrounds the pad portion 12 and is in addition secured to the anchor straps 19, 20 and 21. The body strap 18 also preferably consists of a single strip of heavy duty webbing material having quick release buckle portions 50 and 52 at its opposite ends. The center portion 54 of body strap 18 extends between portions 28b of side handle strap 15 and 16 and beneath the portion 36 of rear handle strip 17 and is secured to the pad portion 12 and anchor strap 21 by stitching 56. The strap 18 is also anchored by stitching 60 and 62 to the legs 28a and 28b, respectively, of handle strap 15 and 16. The length of the strap 18 between these anchor points is longer than the distance between the legs of the straps 15 and 16 to define additional handles 64 and 66. The anchor strap 21 is also secured by stitches 56 to the rear surface of pad 12 and in an opposed relation and of equal length to that portion 54 of the strap 18 between portions 28b of handle straps 15 and 16. The body strap 18 is attached both to the straps 15 and 16, strap 17 and anchors straps 19, 20 and 21. -7- The illustrated embodiment provides a series of interconnected straps 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 which surround the individual and provide mutual support. While the straps 15, 16, 17 and 18 are preferably each formed by a single strip of webbing material for strength, each may also be formed of two or more pieces, which, however, would result in a reduction of overall strength. The stitching 30a, 30b, 33, 36, 44, 46, 48, 56, 60, and 62 comprises a fastening for securing the strap portions to each other and to the pad portion 12. It will be appreciated that other suitable fasteners, such as rivets or staples may also be employed, although stitching is preferred. When in use, the support belt 10 can rapidly be attached to an individual by encircling the pad 12 about the body and securing the hook and loop fastener 16, after which, the buckle 50, 52 is closed. This secures the belt 10 in place. Because the inside surface of the pad 12 is of a rubber or rubber-like material, it provides frictional engagement with respect to the wearer's garments or skin so that the belt resists slipping. In a rescue situation, the rescuer may attach a hook or the like to one or more of the handles 32, 33, 40, 64 or 66 so that the periled individual may be hauled to safety. Because of the high strength of the interlocking webbing strips, a substantial pulling force can be exerted without failure. Similarly, when the belt 10 is employed with -8- an incapacitated patient, the handles 32, 33, 64 and 66 provide anchor points or handles which permit the patient to be lifted. In addition, the rear handle 40 permits a handle for stabilizing and supporting the patient while walking. The relatively large width of the belt portion 12, which extends from the wearer's hips to the breast area, provides more surface area contact to insure stability for safety and is less likely to cause injury or discomfort by distributing the weight of an individual over a large area. This minimizes the amount of twisting when the individual is lifted and minimizes torquing and binding. Moreover, the exposed inner surface of the belt portion 12 minimizes the possibility of slippage to increase patient comfort and safety. Also because the belt portion 12 is resilient and may be easily stretched, it readily conforms to the patient's body to provide comfort and support. While only a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is not intended to be limited thereby but only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: 9 CLAIMS 1. A support belt including a pad portion having an inner surface for engaging an individual and an outer surface, said pad portion comprising an elongate member having ends and a length sufficient to encircle the body of an individual and having a width sufficient to extend from the waist area to the breast area of the individual, a fastener mounted on the ends of the pad portion for quick attachment and detachment to the individual, at least three spaced apart strap portions, each strap portion including a first part mounted on the outer surface of the pad portion and a second part mounted on the inner surface of the pad portion, the first and second parts of each pad portion being disposed in a parallel opposed relation on the opposite sides of the pad portion, one of said strap portions extending for at least a substantial portion of the length of the pad, the second and third strap portions being spaced apart from each other and intersecting said first strap portion, fastening means engaging the first and second strap parts of each of said strap portions and extending through the pad for securing each of said first and second strap parts of each strap portion to each other and to the pad portion and for securing said second and third strap portions to said first strap portion, a gap in the fastening means engaging the first part of at least one of the strap portions, that portion of the first part of at least one of the strap portions spanning the gap in the 10 fastening means being longer than the distance across the gap to define a loop for providing a handle or anchor point for lifting and manipulating an individual. 2. The belt set forth in claim 1 wherein there is a gap in the fastening means engaging the first part of the second and third strap portions, the portions of said first strap part spanning said gap being longer than said gap to define a pair of spaced loops for providing spaced handle or anchor points. 3. The belt set forth in claim 2 and including a fourth strap portion disposed between said second and third strap portions and intersecting said first strap portion, said fourth strap portion including first and second parts disposed on the opposite sides of the pad portion, said fourth strap portion intersecting said first strap portion, and fastening means for securing the first and second parts of the fourth strap portion to each other and to the opposite sides of the pad and to the first strap portion, the second and third strap portions being disposed at the sides of a wearer of the support belt when the strap is attached and the fourth strap portion being disposed in the rear of a wearer of the support belt. 4. The belt set forth in claim 3 wherein there is a gap in the fastening means engaging the first part of the fourth strap portion, the portion of the first strap part of the fourth strap portion spanning the gap being longer than the gap to define a handle or anchor loop between the loops of the second and third strap portions . 5. The belt set forth in claim 4 including a body strap portion, said body strap portion including a first part disposed on the outer surface of the pad and extending perpendicularly to the second, third and fourth strap portions and having a quick release buckle at the ends thereof for securing the belt to an individual, said body strap portion also including a second part disposed on the inner surface of the pad and in an opposed relation to the first part, and fastening means fastening the first and second parts of the body strap portion to each other and to each of the second, third, and fourth strap portions wherein each of the strap portions are fastened to each other and to the pad portion. 6. The belt set forth in claim 10 and wherein there are a pair of gaps in the fastening means engaging the first part of the body strap portion, the length of the first part of the body strap portion across the gap being longer than the gap to define two additional handles or anchoring loops . 7. A support belt including a pad portion having an inner surface for engaging an individual and an outer surface, said pad portion comprising an elongate member having ends and a length sufficient to encircle the body of an individual and having a width sufficient 12 to extend from the waist area to the breast area of the individual, a fastener mounted on the ends of the pad portion for quick attachment and detachment to the individual, First, second and third handle strap portions disposed in a spaced apart relation, each strap portion having a first part mounted on the outer surface of the pad portion and a second part on the inner surface thereof and in an opposed relation to the first part, and fastening means for securing each of the first and second parts of the strap portions to each other and to the pad portions, a sub part of each of the first parts of the strap portions being unfastened and forming a loop to provide a handle or anchor point, the first and second ones of said strap portions being disposed at the side when the support belt is worn by an individual and a third strap portion being disposed between the first and second portions and at the rear of an individual, an anchor strap portion having a first part mounted on the inner surface of the pad portion and a second part mounted on the outer surface of said pad portion and each intersecting each of the plurality of strap portions, a fastening means engaging the first and second parts of the anchor strap portion and the plurality of strap portions for securing the anchor strap portion to the pad and to the anchor strap portions, 13 a body strap portion, said body strap portion including a first part disposed in the outer surface of the pad portion and extending perpendicularly to the first, second and third handle strap portions and having a quick release buckle means at the ends thereof for securing the belt to an individual, said body strap portion also including a second part disposed on the inner surface of the pad and in an opposed relation to the first part, and fastening means fastening the first and second parts of the body strap portion to each other and to each of the first, second and third handle strap portions wherein each of the strap portions are fastened to each other and to the pad portion. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 4 June 1999 (04.06.99); original claims 1-11 replaced by new claims 1-11 (5 pages)] 1. A support belt including a pad portion having an inner surface for engaging an individual and an outer surface, said pad portion comprising an elongate member having ends and a length sufficient to encircle the body of an individual, said pad portion having opposite side edges which define a width sufficient to extend from the waist area to the breast area of the individual, a fastener mounted on the ends of the pad portion for quick attachment and detachment to the individual, first and second spaced apart strap portions, each strap portion including a first part mounted on the outer surface of the pad portion and a second part mounted on the inner surface of the pad portion, the first and second parts of each strap portion being disposed in a parallel opposed relation on the opposite sides of the pad portion, fastening means engaging the first and second parts of each of said strap portions and extending through the pad portion for securing each of said first and second strap parts of each strap portion to each other and to the pad portion, a gap in the fastening means engaging the first part of the first and second strap portions, a portion of the first part of said second and third strap portions spanning the gap in the fastening means and being longer than the distance across the gap in the fastening means to define a loop for providing a handle or anchor point for lifting and manipulating an individual, the opposite ends of each gap being spaced inwardly from side edges of the pad so that a sub part of each first strap part is fixed to the outer surface of the pad portion. 2. The support belt set forth in claim 1 wherein there is a third strap portion extending for at least a substantial portion of the length of the pad portion and spaced from the opposite side edges and intersecting said first and second strap portions, said third strap portion having first and second parts 1 5 disposed respectively on the outer and inner surfaces of the pad portion and in a parallel relation to each other, and fastening means for securing the first, and second parts of the third strap portion to each other and to the pad and the first and second strap portions. 3. The support belt set forth in claim 2 and including a fourth strap portion disposed between said first and second strap portions and intersecting said third strap portion, said fourth strap portion including first and second parts disposed on the inner and outer surfaces of the pad portion, said fourth strap portion intersecting said third strap portion at a point spaced from the opposite side edges of the pad portion, and including means for securing the first and second parts of the fourth strap portion to each other and to the surfaces of the pad portion and to the third strap portion, the first and second strap portions being disposed at the sides of a wearer of the support belt when the support belt is attached and the fourth strap portion being disposed in the rear of a wearer of the support belt. 4. The support belt set forth in claim 3 wherein there is a gap in the fastening means engaging the first part of the fourth strap portion, a portion of the first strap part of the fourth strap portion spanning the gap being longer than the gap to define a handle or anchor loop between the second and third strap portions. 5. The support belt set forth in claim 4 including a body strap portion, said body strap portion having ends and including a first part disposed on the outer surface of the pad portion and intersecting the first, second, and fourth strap portions and having a buckle at the ends thereof for securing the belt to an individual, said body strap portion also including a second part disposed on the inner surface of the pad portion and in an opposed relation to the first part of the fourth strap portion, and fastening means fastening 16 the first and second parts of the body strap portion to each other and to each of the first, second, and fourth strap portions wherein each of the strap portions are fastened to each other and to the pad portion. 6. The belt set forth in claim 5 and wherein there are a pair of gaps in the fastening means engaging the first part of the body strap portion, the length of the first part of the body strap portion spanning the gap being longer than the gap to define an additional handle or anchoring loop. 7. A support belt including a pad portion having an inner surface for engaging an individual and an outer surface, said pad portion comprising an elongate member having ends and a length sufficient to encircle the body of an individual and having a width sufficient to extend from the waist area to the breast area of an individual, a fastener mounted on the ends of the pad portion for quick attachment and detachment to an individual, first second and third handle strap portions disposed in a spaced apart relation, each handle strap portion having a first part mounted on the outer surface of the pad portion and a second part on the inner surface of the pad portion and in an opposed relation to the first part, and fastening means for securing each of the first and second parts of the handle strap portions to each other and to the pad portion, a section of each of the first parts of the handle strap portions being unfastened and forming a loop to provide a handle or anchor point, the first and second handle strap portions being disposed at a side when the support belt is worn by an individual and a third handle strap portion being disposed between the first and second handle strap portions and at the rear of an individual, an anchor strap portion having a first part mounted on the inner surface of the pad portion and a second part mounted on the outer surface of said pad 17 portion and each intersecting each of the first, second and third handle strap portions, a fastening means engaging the first and second parts of the anchor strap portion and the first, second and third handle strap portions for securing the anchor strap portion to the pad and to the handle strap portions. 8. The support belt set forth in claim 7 and including a body strap portion, said body strap portion having ends and including a first part disposed in the outer surface of the pad portion and extending perpendicularly to the first, second and third handle strap portions and having a buckle means at the ends thereof for securing the belt to an individual, said body strap portion also including a second part disposed on the inner surface of the pad and in an opposed relation to the first part, and fastening means fastening the first and second parts of the body strap portion to each other and to each of the first, second and third handle strap portions wherein each of the strap portions are fastened to each other and to the pad portion. 9. The support belt set forth in claim 8 wherein the first parts of the first and second handle strap portions are each generally U-shaped and each extending from one side edge of the pad portion across the pad portion and across the other side edge of the pad portion to define a first leg of the first part, the first parts extending back to the other edge of the pad portion to define said loops, the first parts of the second and third strap portions continuing across said pad portion to the one edge to define a second leg spaced from the first leg, the second part of each first and second handle strap portion comprising a pair of members opposed to the first and second legs. 10. The support belt set forth in claim 9 wherein each of the first and second handle strap portions each comprise a single member wherein the first and second legs extend around the one edge of the pad portion and 18 across the inner surface thereof to define the second part of each first and second strap portion. 11. The support belt set forth in claim 8 and including a body strap portion, said body strap portion having ends and including a first part disposed in the outer surface of the pad portion and extending perpendicularly to the first, second and third handle strap portions and having a buckle means at the ends thereof for securing the belt to an individual, said body strap portion also including a second part disposed on the inner surface of the pad and in an opposed relation to the first part, and fastening means fastening the first and second parts of the body strap portion to each other and to each of the first, second and third handle strap portions wherein each of the strap portions are fastened to each other and to the pad portion.

Inventors: FARNUM RANDAL J, FARNUM, RANDAL, J.
Applicants: FARNUM RANDAL J, FARNUM, RANDAL, J.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A61F5
IPC codes: A61F5, A61G7, A62B35