Abstract:
An apparatus that aids emergency personnel in transporting and carrying incapacitated people on stretchers or similar devices is herein disclosed. The apparatus comprises a belt worn by a user around the lower or middle back. The belt is designed to prevent back strain and injury by keeping the spine aligned and by forcing the user to maintain a proper posture when lifting a patient. The apparatus also comprises a harness to give additional support to the back and non-captive hook positioned on either the front or buckle area of the belt. The hook aids in supporting the stretcher or gurney when the user of the apparatus is an upright position. Its non-captive design allows for quick disconnection should the user stumble, fall or lose their balance.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/206,653, filed Feb. 4, 2009, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to support harnesses, and in particular, to a support harness adapted for assisting emergency response personnel in the movement of stretchers and other forms of patient transport in a physically supportive manner. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Patient transport is a critical aspect of emergency response operations. In many cases when a patient is injured, the movement of the patient between their initial position and the location of their medical treatment is a dangerous process which must nevertheless be undertaken with great haste. In particular, the process of picking up a patient in a safe manner and transporting them into the bed of an ambulance or the like is difficult on both patient and emergency personnel. As such, wide range of different types and variations of patient lifting devices are utilized with regularity, including stretchers, backboards, gurneys, and the like. 
     As mentioned, the process of picking up a patient in a safe manner and transporting them into the bed of an ambulance or the like can be very physically strenuous on the attendant emergency personnel. In an effort to both make haste in attending to a patient and keep them in a safe, secure position, a medic is prone to neglect their own posture and physical safety. Prolonged improper posture and lifting procedure consistently leads to back, knee, or other long term injuries and lifelong discomfiture. Also, such practices can subtly endanger the patient as well. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide devices to assist in the stable lifting of unwieldy objects. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 3,181,752, issued in the name of Seltzer et al., describes a means for carrying luggage, bags, and the like. The Seltzer device provides a harness with an attachment means for helping to support luggage and the like during prolonged carrying. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,526, issued in the name of Hollick, describes a lifting apparatus for use in lifting a disabled person or patient. The Hollick apparatus is a harness which may be worn by a disabled person in order to allow them to be more easily lifted by an external lifting apparatus. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,389, issued in the name of Ripoyla et al., describes a harness system for lifting objects. The Ripoyla device provides a means for a pair of people to more easily manipulate very heavy objects. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices are only adaptable to particular types or sizes of objects. Also, many such devices do not provide a storage means for tools and other such objects which may be useful during such lifting operations. Furthermore, many such devices do not allow for use by a plurality of persons coordinating lifting on a single target. In addition, many such devices do not provide secure attachment means to common paramedic equipment used in the transport of people. Moreover, many such devices do not provide additional lifting handles which assist in the initial lifting of an object or patient in addition to supporting means for the subsequent stable transport of such an object or patient. Accordingly, there exists a need for a support harness without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a means to provide a support harness which assists a plurality of coordinating emergency response personnel in easily, quickly, and stably lifting a patient who is disposed upon a common paramedic transport device such as a stretcher or the like in a manner which is physical safe for both the patient and the personnel. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to comprise a lateral lift strap, a harness, a front hook, a neck pad, a pair of equipment pouches, a belt, and a sternum belt. The apparatus transfer weight off of the back of a user in order to encourage proper, safe lifting procedure. 
     Another object of the present invention is to comprise an adjustable belt fabricated in the manner of a common belt. The belt comprises a conventional lifting belt which encompasses a user&#39;s waist and provides lumbar support during lifting. The belt further comprises a common adjustable belt buckle. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise two (2) removably attachable equipment pouches which provide a secure enclosure for tools and the like. The pouches are located on left and right front sides of the belt and attached via common hook-and-loop-type fasteners. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise an adjustable harness which provides an adjustable stabilizing means in order to transfer additional lifted weight from a user&#39;s back to their legs. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise the harness of a pair of vertical straps which comprise common harness shoulder straps attached to the belt on front and rear perimeter surfaces. The vertical straps further comprise a conventional length adjustment means in order to allow a user to adjust the harness to a desired length. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise a lateral lifting strap to provide additional stability when initially lifting an emergency litter or the like. The lifting strap comprises a durable, flexible strap which extends from a side surface of the belt around the neck of a user and down to the opposite side surface. Each end of the lifting strap further comprises a non-captive lifting hook which hooks onto the emergency litter. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to further comprise the lateral lifting strap of a pair of lifting loops which comprise sewn-in textile loops. The lifting loops are located on opposite front surfaces of the lifting strap and provide a gripping means and lifting aid for a user&#39;s hands. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to further comprise the belt of a pair of sewn-in “D” hooks located at an intermediate vertical position along side surfaces of the belt. The hooks provide a secure position for the lifting hooks when not in use. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise a sternum belt which provides an additional securing and adjustment means to the apparatus. The sternum belt is attached to inner perimeter surfaces of each of the vertical straps and oriented perpendicularly to them. The sternum belt further comprises a conventional adjustable buckling means. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise a removably attachable non-captive hook fabricated from a durable material, which may be strapped into the belt or sternum belt. The hook provides an attachment and supporting means to an emergency litter. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise a front hook of a belt anchor which attaches the front hook to the belt buckle or sternum belt buckle via a sliding attachment system, which provides quick fastening and detaching of the front hook. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise an upper and lower support member for the front hook which are adapted to receive and sustain an emergency litter. The supports comprise “U”-shaped supports and provide a user with two height positions in which to rest the litter during use. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise a neck pad which provides protection and comfort to the neck of a user which lifting heavy loads. The pad is affixed to a rear upper portion of the harness and directed toward the user. In a preferred embodiment, the neck pad is fabricated from a foam rubber. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to further comprise a plurality of strap guides on the neck pad which direct and contain the lateral lifting strap onto the load bearing area of a user&#39;s shoulders. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of adjusting the harness to securely fit a user, selectively positioning the front hook, allowing a user or plurality of users to securely engage an emergency litter with front hook, selectively adjusting the lateral lifting strap in order to engage and stabilize the litter, utilizing the lifting loops to easily and safely lift the litter, and securely transport a patient on the litter. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a back support harness lift aid  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   a  is an environmental view of a front portion of the back support harness lift aid  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a close-up view of a hook portion  50  of the back support harness lift aid  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 3  is an environmental view of a rear portion of the back support harness lift aid  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                   10 
                   back support harness lift aid 
                 
                 
                   20 
                   lateral lifting strap 
                 
                 
                   22 
                   lifting hook 
                 
                 
                   24 
                   lifting loop 
                 
                 
                   26 
                   strap guide 
                 
                 
                   30 
                   harness 
                 
                 
                   32 
                   first vertical strap 
                 
                 
                   34 
                   second vertical strap 
                 
                 
                   40 
                   loop 
                 
                 
                   50 
                   hook 
                 
                 
                   52  
                   upper support 
                 
                 
                   54 
                   lower support 
                 
                 
                   56 
                   belt anchor 
                 
                 
                   60  
                   neck pad 
                 
                 
                   70  
                   equipment pouch 
                 
                 
                   71  
                   pouch flap 
                 
                 
                   72  
                   flap hook fastener 
                 
                 
                   73 
                   flap loop fastener 
                 
                 
                   74 
                   internal surface 
                 
                 
                   75 
                   rear pouch loop fastener 
                 
                 
                   76 
                   belt hook fastener 
                 
                 
                   80 
                   belt 
                 
                 
                   82 
                   belt buckle 
                 
                 
                   84  
                   sternum belt 
                 
                 
                   85 
                   “D” hook 
                 
                 
                   86 
                   sternum belt buckle 
                 
                 
                   90 
                   user 
                 
                 
                   100 
                   length adjustment means 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a back support harness lift aid (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10  which provides support to emergency personnel when transporting and carrying incapacitated persons with an emergency litter such as, but not limited to: a stretcher, a backboard, or a gurney. It is noted that, while using the apparatus  10 , two (2) EMT/Paramedics are needed (one (1) at the head of the incapacitated person and one (1) at the feet of the incapacitated person), thereby completely lifting the emergency litter to an elevated horizontal position. The apparatus  10  comprises a lateral lift strap  20 , a harness  30 , a hook  50 , a neck pad  60 , a pair of equipment pouches  70 , a belt  80 , and a sternum belt  84 . The apparatus  10  transfers weight off the back, is easily attached and removed, and ensures a proper lifting procedure for a user  90 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises an adjustable belt  80  fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: leather, nylon, textile, or the like. The belt  80  is similar to conventional back belts or lifting belts which encompasses a user&#39;s  90  waist and protects the lower lumbar portion of the back during lifting of heavy loads. The belt  80  comprises a belt buckle  82  providing a securing and conforming means thereto users  90  of various waist sizes. The belt buckle  82  also provides a means for placement and securing of a hook  50 . The belt buckle  82  comprises a conventional buckling fixture that fastens the ends of the belt  80  by techniques such as, but not limited to: apertures and a pivoting rod (similar to a conventional pant belt buckles), a belt receptacle (similar to vehicle safety belts), or the like. 
     The belt  80  also comprises two (2) removably attachable equipment pouches  70 , thereby providing a secure enclosure for tools-of-the-trade such as, but not limited to: stethoscope, scissors, bandages, and the like. The equipment pouches  70  are located thereon a front left and a front right side portion of the belt  80  and are attached, removed, opened, and closed via a conventional hook-and-loop fastener. Each pouch comprises a flap  71 , a flap hook fastener  72 , a flap loop fastener  73 , an internal surface  74 , and a rear pouch loop fastener  75 . In use, the flap  71  opens in an upward direction, thereby revealing an internal surface  74  to store desired items therein. The flap  71  is secured and opened via the flap hook fastener  72  engaging and disengaging the flap loop fastener  73 , respectively. The flap hook fastener  72  is located thereon an exterior front surface of the pouch  70  and the flap loop fastener  73  is located therein an interior surface of the flap  71 . Each pouch  70  is secured and removed to the belt  80  via the rear pouch loop fastener  75  engaging and disengaging a belt hook fastener  76 , respectively. The equipment pouches  70  are fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: leather, nylon, textile, or the like. 
     The belt  80  further comprises a pair of sewn-in “D” hooks  85 , thereby providing a secure position for the lifting hooks  22  to attach thereto when not in use. The “D” hooks are located at an intermediate vertical position along the side surface of the belt  80  and are attached to said belt  80  via conventional sewing techniques. The “D” hooks  85  are fabricated from materials such as but not limited to: metals, plastics, and the like. 
     The apparatus  10  also comprises an adjustable harness  30 , thereby providing a stabilizing and conforming means thereto users  90  of various torso sizes and shapes. The harness  30  transfers the additional lifted weight from the back to the legs of the user  90 . The harness  30  comprises a first vertical strap  32  and a second vertical strap  34  and each is attached thereto an upper front and an upper rear perimeter surface of the belt  80  positioned thereon the right and left portions via conventional looped and sewn connections. Each vertical strap  32 ,  34  comprises a length adjustment means  100 , thereby enabling the user to adjust the harness  30  to a desired length. The length adjustment means  100  may be provided in a variety of commercially available fixture styles and materials which provide similar adjusting functionality such as, but not limited to: luggage hooks, tri-glides, or the like. The harness  30  is fabricated from, but not limited to: leather, nylon, textile, or the like. 
     The harness  30  also comprises a lateral lifting strap  20 , thereby providing additional stability when lifting the emergency litter. The lateral lifting strap  20  comprises pair of non-captive lifting hooks  22  which hooks thereonto the emergency litter. The lifting hooks  22  are located thereon the tail ends of each lateral lifting strap  20  and are preferably integrally molding into each lateral lifting strap  20 . The lateral lifting strap  20  also comprises a pair of lifting loops  24  which are comprised of sewn-in textile loops, thereby providing a position for the user&#39;s  90  hands to be inserted thereinto and grasp the lifting straps  20 , thereby improving lifting and stability of the apparatus  10  to an upright position. The lateral lifting strap  20  further comprises a pair of intermediately placed length adjustment means  100 , similar to the harness  30 , thereby enabling the user to adjust either side of the lifting strap  20  to a desired length. The lateral lifting strap  20  is located thereon the shoulder position of the harness  30  and wrapped around thereto a rear portion of the harness  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2   a , an environmental view of a front portion of the apparatus  10  and  FIG. 2   b , a close-up view of the hook  50  of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  also comprises a sternum belt  84 , thereby providing additional securing means of said apparatus  10  to the user and an additional placement of the hook  50 . The sternum belt  84  is attached to an inner perimeter surface of the first vertical strap  32  and an inner perimeter surface of the second vertical strap  34  in a perpendicular location thereto. The sternum belt  84  comprises a sternum belt buckle  86  providing a securing and conforming means thereto users  90  of various chest sizes. The sternum belt buckle  86  comprises a conventional buckling fixture that fastens the ends of the sternum belt  84  via techniques such as, but not limited to: apertures and a pivoting rod (similar to a conventional pant belt buckles), a belt receptacle (similar to vehicle safety belts), or the like. 
     The apparatus  10  also comprises a removably attachable non-captive hook  50  which is strapped into the belt  80  or sternum belt  84 , thereby supporting an emergency litter to said apparatus  10  at waist height or at chest height when the user  90  is in an upright position. The hook  50  is fabricated from a durable material such as, but not limited to: steel, aluminum, or the like. The hook  50  comprises a belt anchor  56  which attaches the hook  50  to the belt buckle  82  or sternum belt buckle  86  on the apparatus  10 . The belt anchor  56  utilizes a sliding attachment system thereto position the hook  50  therewithin the belt buckle  82  portion of the belt  80  or sternum belt buckle  86  portion of the sternum belt  84 , thereby providing quick fastening and detaching of the hook  50  therefrom said belt buckle  82 . Preferably the belt  80  or sternum belt  84  is positioned superjacent to a belt anchor  56  and said belt  80  or said sternum belt  84  is then wrapped over an upper surface of a lower support  54 . The hook  50  comprises an upper support  52  and a lower support  54  utilized to sustain the emergency litter therein. The upper support  52  and lower support  54  provide the user with two (2) height positions to rest the emergency litter upon when utilizing the apparatus  10 . Both the upper support  52  and the lower support  54  comprise a “U”-shaped horizontally disposed and configured parallel to the waist of the user  90  when secured in place on the sternum belt  84 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an environmental view of a rear portion of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a neck pad  60 , thereby providing protection and increased comfort to the user  60  while lifting loads heavy. The neck pad  60  is affixed to the rear upper portion of the harness  30  and is situated perpendicular to said harness  30 . The neck pad  60  is directed toward the user  90 , thereby providing comfort against the user&#39;s neck. The neck pad  60  is preferably fabricated from a foam rubber, yet other materials may be utilized without limiting the functions of the apparatus  10 . 
     Thereupon the neck pad  60  is a plurality of strap guides  26  which are used in conjunction with the lateral lifting strap  20 . The strap guides  26  direct and contain the lateral lifting strap  20  thereto the load bearing area of the users  90  shoulders. The strap guides  26  are sewn thereinto the neck pad  60  in a conventional manner and fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: nylon, leather, textiles, or the like. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: positioning the harness  30  on the user  90  (similar to putting on a jacket); adjusting the length adjustment fittings  100  thereon the vertical straps  32 ,  34  and lateral lifting straps  20  to a desired length; placing the lifting hooks  22  thereon the “D” hooks  85 ; removing the pouches  70  as desired, thereby disengaging the rear pouch loop fastener  75  from the belt hook fastener  76 ; opening a desired pouch  70 , thereby lifting the flap  71  and disengaging the flap hook fastener  72  from the flap loop fastener  73 ; positioning desired items into the internal surface  74 ; closing the flap  71 , thereby engaging the flap hook fastener  72  to the flap loop fastener  73 ; attaching the desired pouch  70  onto the belt  80 , thereby engaging the rear pouch loop fastener  75  to the belt hook fastener  76 ; inserting the belt anchor  56  of the hook  50  therebetween the belt buckle  82  or sternum belt buckle  86  and securing said belt buckle  82  or said sternum belt buckle  86  in a conventional manner; positioning the emergency litter by lifting it thereupon the upper support  52  or lower support  54  of the hook  50 ; unhooking the lifting hooks  22  from the “D” hooks  85  and placing them thereupon the emergency litter if additional stabilization is necessary; and lifting the emergency litter to the users  90  upright position by means of the apparatus  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.