Abstract:
A hands-free rescue/carrying apparatus includes at least one body-worn garment having a front facing side and a rear facing side, and at least one adjustable lift mechanism attached to the at least one body-worn garment. The at least one lift mechanism is attachable to an article to be supported and is designed to provide a substantial mechanical advantage as to the weight of the article, when employed. Advantageously, the garment having the at least one lift mechanism permits selective dynamic lift capability of the article to which it is attached and secured in a substantially hands-free manner.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to the field of rescue apparatus and more particularly to a rescue or carrying apparatus that enables selective dynamic adjustment of a supported litter or other article while the apparatus is worn without having to first lower the article, thereby creating the opportunity for the carrier to have his or her hands remain free to be involved in non-lifting and non-carrying activities. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    One problem confronted by rescue workers is that relating to a person who has become injured at a remote location; for example, a skier or snowboarder who becomes injured while on the slopes. Conventionally, the injured person is placed onto a litter, gurney or other supporting or carrying structure. Two or more persons grip the litter frame on opposing sides thereof using their hands and arms to lift and carry the person to a hospital or other care station for treatment. 
         [0003]    Obviously, the weight of the injured individual or other article that is being supported and carried is a concern to the rescue workers. Equally, if not more important, is the position of the injured person on the gurney, Stokes litter, backboard, rescue litter, toboggan or other support, especially if the injury involved requires the injured person to be supported in a specific manner; e.g., head being raised at a higher position than the chest. To that end, the degree to which injured persons can be carried is influenced, for example, by the surrounding terrain, such as sloped surfaces, stairwells and the like as well as the relative heights and strength of those persons who are actually lifting and carrying the supported article. With regard to injured individuals, time is often of the essence in that it is generally known that any care that can be administered within the first hour can greatly impact recovery, including stabilization of the injurious condition and transport to the next level of care. 
         [0004]    In addition, there are also numerous and varied rescue situations involving invalid persons, those who are handicapped and unable to move without assistance from others, and/or those confined to wheelchairs or walkers. For example and during the events of Sep. 11, 2001, numerous injured individuals remained trapped within the confines of buildings without power, necessitating the removal of those individuals along stairwells in extremely hazardous conditions. 
         [0005]    Known supporting devices, such as those described by Knight in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,286,740 and 4,087,030, permit a supported article to be lifted by four (4) individuals. Each of the individuals according to these references wears a rigid backpack frame, wherein a pair of horizontal bars extend transversely relative to the axis of the litter. These bars are supported by the backpack frame at the rear thereof. The foregoing assembly provides adequate support for a litter and enables “hands-free” operation while an injured person is supported and carried using the apparatus. The apparatus provides adjustability when a litter is initially lifted, but further dynamic adjustments cannot be performed, to adjust for varying terrain, for example, by the individuals who are actually carrying the litter. Therefore, all future adjustments must be made by first lowering and disconnecting the litter and then adjusting the height of at least one of the horizontal bars or by having the adjustments made by a fifth individual who is not wearing the apparatus. Variations of the foregoing apparatus design are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,793. In this version, a motorized winch mechanism is attached to the side of the rigid backpack frames and used to selectively lift the horizontal bar. The frames and associated winch mechanism herein described, however, are relatively bulky and rigid and the support mechanism is specifically designed to carry and maintain only one type of supported article (e.g., the litter), while still requiring use by four or more individuals. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    According to one aspect, there is provided a hands-free rescue apparatus comprising at least one body-worn garment having a front facing side and a rear facing side, and at least one adjustable lift mechanism attached to said at least one garment, said at least one lift mechanism being attachable to an article to be lifted and carried by the at least one lift mechanism. 
         [0007]    According to one version, the at least one lift mechanism includes first block and a second block that are axially aligned with one another. Each of the first and second blocks include at least one pair of pulleys and a cable rove therethrough. 
         [0008]    The at least one lift mechanism further includes at least one cleat or other locking mechanism to lock the wound rope or cable that is rove through and between the first and second blocks to permit movement of the second block in one axial (lifting) direction and to selectively prevent movement thereof in an opposite axial direction. 
         [0009]    According to another version, a pair of lift mechanisms can be integrally formed with the garment or can be releasably attached thereto. In either instance, each lift mechanism is configured to be moved between the front facing side and the rear facing side of the garment, thereby enabling versatility in the use thereof and not necessarily requiring a “specific” garment to be worn depending on the relative location of the bearer. In one such version, the hooks can be provided either at the top of the garment at the shoulders of the wearer or alternatively on a flapped section of material that can be selectively moved between the front and rear facing sides of the garment. 
         [0010]    Each of the first and second blocks of each lift mechanism is preferably mounted on a pivoting or rotatable mount to further permit flexibility in terms of mounting, the mechanisms being adapted to include carabineers, hooks, or other lifting connectors in conjunction therewith, enabling literally any form of article capable of support to be used in conjunction with the present apparatus. 
         [0011]    According to another version, there is provided a dynamic lifting apparatus for supporting an article between at least two persons, said lifting apparatus comprising a first garment wearable by a first person, and a second garment wearable by a second person. According to this version, each of the first and second garments includes litter article securing means to permit securement of an article to be lifted to each of said garments and at least one adjustable lifting mechanism attachable to the first garment and said second garment for lifting and selectively adjusting the relative position of said lifted article. The adjustable lifting mechanism permits the vertical position of said article to be selectively and dynamically adjusted while said article is being carried between said first and second person without first requiring removal of said garments. 
         [0012]    According to yet another version, there is provided an adjustable lift mechanism, said lift mechanism comprising a pair of axially disposed blocks, each of the blocks including at least one pulley and a cable rove through the blocks to create a block and tackle arrangement wherein one of said blocks is movable and the other of said blocks is fixed. The movable block includes a first connector to secure to an article to be lifted and the fixed block includes a second connector and a locking device in which an extending end of said rove cable can be pulled in a first direction and said locking device prevents said end from moving in an opposite second direction wherein the lift mechanism permits selective dynamic lifting capability of the article to which said first connector it is attached. 
         [0013]    One advantage realized in the use of the herein described rescue/carrying apparatus is that literally any form of supporting article can be lifted. Moreover, the positioning of the persons who are lifting and carrying the article is not dictated by the garment design in that the position of the lift mechanisms is flexible. 
         [0014]    Another advantage is that the relative position of a supported article can be selectively adjusted by the wearer of the herein described apparatus. This adjustment can therefore take place dynamically or “on the fly” and does not require that the article or individual first be lowered prior to making an adjustment. 
         [0015]    Yet another advantage of the present apparatus is that both lifting and adjusting operations are relatively easy to accomplish in that the apparatus does not require significant training or skill to use or require replacement of motorized parts. Moreover, a mechanical advantage is realized by use of the herein described lift mechanism. 
         [0016]    Yet still another advantage of the herein described apparatus is that all of the lifting support is provided by the herein described lifting mechanisms and the body of the wearer and therefore wearers of the herein described apparatus are permitted to otherwise use their hands other than for lifting. Because the apparatus is “hands-free”, the persons wearing the apparatus retain the ability to negotiate difficult terrain, steep slopes and the like, such as through the use of walking sticks and ski poles. In addition, the wearers of the herein described apparatus can also carry and utilize other devices for navigation purposes, such as compasses, or to carry other devices; for example, sidearms, to protect themselves in a hostile environment. 
         [0017]    Yet another advantage is that because the lift mechanism of the apparatus is axial in design, there is less tendency for twisting and possible binding is minimized, thereby assuring consistent and reliable operation. 
         [0018]    These and other features and advantages will be readily apparent from the following Detailed Description which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a rescue apparatus garment made in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a lift mechanism used in the rescue apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of the lower block of the lift mechanism of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the upper block of the lift mechanism of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the rescue apparatus of  FIG. 1 , as worn in one configuration by a user; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  illustrates a pair of users, each wearing the rescue apparatus in conjunction with a lifting and carrying operation of a litter depicting duality as to front and rear usage of the apparatus; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the carrying operation depicted in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  illustrates a side elevational view of  FIG. 6 , depicting the adjustability of the lift mechanisms of the rescue apparatus in a carrying operation, for example, relative to a sloped terrain surface; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a rescue apparatus garment that is made in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  represents a side view of a hook member attachable to the garment of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    The following description relates to specific embodiments of a rescue lifting/carrying apparatus and method for use of the above apparatus. It will be readily apparent from the following description that numerous modifications and variations are possible. In addition, certain terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “above”, “below” and the like are used throughout the description that follows in order to provide a suitable frame of reference with regard to the accompanying drawings. These terms are not intended to be limiting, however, except where specifically indicated. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a rescue lifting/carrying apparatus  100 , the apparatus being defined by a vest-like garment  104  that is worn by a rescue worker, emergency aide, EMT, or other individual or wearer (not shown in this view). The vest-like garment  104  is defined by a covering shaped to cover the upper torso of the wearer that is fabricated from an extremely tough, light weight, weather resistant and durable material such as for example, nylon, ballistic nylon, Kevlar, rip stop nylon or a Mylar-type or other fabric or material that is preferably light and flexible with excellent strength. The garment  104  according to this embodiment includes a zipper  105 , which is arranged along a front facing side  109 , as well as a plurality of adjustable snap buckles  107  or other engagement and/or adjustment means to ensure snug engagement about the chest of the wearer. In addition, the garment  104  includes a plurality of spaced horizontal straps  110  sewn into the garment. The straps  110  are made from a flexible durable material, such as nylon, with hook and loop fasteners sewn therein. The straps  110  are sewn at their respective ends to the garment  104  and permit the engagement of hook members  180  that can be attached either to the straps and/or ends of a pair of loops  114  provided at the bottom of the garment. The purpose of the hook members  180  is described in a later portion. 
         [0031]    According to this embodiment, a pair of loops  111 , each stitched into the garment  104  adjacent to the apex of the shoulders of the wearer includes a bracket  115 , the latter being used according to this embodiment to receive a lift mechanism  108 . Alternatively, the stitched loops  111  can be provided within a flapped portion (not shown) of the garment  104 , permitting the bracket  115  to be selectively moved between the front facing side  109  and a rear facing side  113 . According to the present embodiment, the lift mechanism  108  is fixedly attached to the bracket  115 . However and as described in greater detail below, the lift mechanism(s)  108  can also be removably attached to the garment  104 , such as through use of a carabineer (not shown in this view, but shown as  152  in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0032]    The foregoing attachment features creates a number of advantages to the wearer(s) of the apparatus  100  in that there no issues relating to the positioning of multiple individuals in carrying an article or that certain garments  104  have to he specifically worn depending on whether the individual wearer is in front or at the rear relative to a supporting apparatus or article. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , an exemplary lift mechanism  108  for use with the apparatus  100  includes a pair of blocks; namely, a first or upper block  112  and a second or lower block  116 , each of which are arranged in an axial manner relative to one another. Each block  112 ,  116  according to this embodiment commonly includes a pair of sheaves  120 ,  122  that are supported one above the other in axial relation within a frame  139  and support a rope or cable  124  that is wound or rove therethrough, thereby interconnecting the upper and lower blocks. Each sheave  120 ,  122  is rotatably supported within each block  112 ,  116  by means of pins  137  extending through their centers and within the block frame  139 . The rope or cable  124  is preferably a coated high strength line, such as kernmantle rope, line, Kevlar core static line, diamond braid line or the like, that is threaded through and between each of the sheaves  120 ,  122  of each block  112 ,  116 . One end  121  of the rope  124  is internally secured within the lift mechanism  108  and an opposing end  125  outwardly extends from the upper block  112  to permit control by a user, as described in greater detail below. 
         [0034]    A cleat  130  is further disposed in relation to the upper block  112  of the lift mechanism  108 , the cleat including a pivotally supported movable pair of camming elements  134 ,  138  attached to a cleat frame  140  and forming a nip  142  to essentially lock the cable end  125  when pulled therethrough in a first axial direction. The cleat  130  is supported on a frame adjacent to the top of the uppermost sheave  120  of the upper block  112 . A suitable cleat for this purpose is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,532, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
         [0035]    A swivel block  144  is attached to the top surface of the upper block  112  and the bottom surface of the lower block  116 . The swivel block  144  includes a clevis  148  that supports a carabineer  152  or other means that is used to engage the garment  104 ,  FIG. 1 , and the article (e.g. litter) to be supported by the apparatus  100 ,  FIG. 1 . 
         [0036]    The entire lift mechanism  108 , according to this described embodiment, is mounted along a single axle wherein each pair of tandem sheaves  120 ,  122  are mounted within each block  112 ,  116  and in which the cable or rope  124  is rove through the sheaves of each matching block to thereby form a tackle. In the block and tackle arrangement herein described, the upper block  112  is stationary while the lower block  116  is movable in an axial direction. In this described construction, the lift mechanism  108  provides a 4:1 mechanical advantage based on the block and tackle arrangement thereby created. 
         [0037]    By providing a pair of lift mechanisms  108  for a single body-worn garment  104 , as described in greater detail below, an effective 8:1 mechanical advantage is realized by a user with regard to a supported litter or other article, meaning that for lifting purposes a weight of 160 pounds is effectively reduced to that of 20 pounds by means of the lift mechanism. By having multiple wearers in relation to a single article, additional mechanical advantages are realized. Each lift mechanism  108  is operated independently or can be operated in tandem by the wearer. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the body-worn garment  104  is shown as worn by a rescue worker  156  or other individual. The garment  104  as noted is a vest-like member that is worn about the chest of the wearer  156 . As shown in this figure, a pair of lift mechanisms  108  is provided on the front facing side  109  of the garment  104 , wherein each lift mechanism  108  is independently adjustable by pulling downwardly on the extending end  125  of the roved cable  124 . 
         [0039]    In operation and referring to  FIGS. 6-8 , a pair of rescue workers  170 ,  174 , each wearing a garment  104  are disposed on opposing sides of a litter or other supporting article  160 , such as a gurney, Stokes litter, toboggan, etc. In this instance, carabineers  152  are used to attach the lower block  116 ,  FIG. 2 , of each lift mechanism  108  to the litter frame  164 . Because the lift mechanisms  108  can easily be shifted between the front and rear facing sides  109 ,  113  of the garment  104 , there are no issues concerning there having to be separately designed garments. 
         [0040]    Moreover, the relative horizontal position of the supported article (e.g., litter  160 ) can be selectively adjusted by the wearers  170 ,  174  dynamically; that is, on the fly based on changes in the terrain or the like. As shown, this adjustment can be made by either pulling the end  125  of the cable  124  to bring the litter  160  higher in relation to the ground or by releasing the cleat  130 , unlocking the mechanism  108 ,  FIG. 2 , and permitting the litter  160  and injured person carried thereupon (not shown) to be selectively lowered to a new position. The cleat  130  can then be reengaged to lock each lift mechanism  108 ,  FIG. 2 , in the resulting position. 
         [0041]    In addition to the above lifting capability, the litter frame  164  can also be brought to rest against either wearer  170 ,  174  to aid in support thereof. According to one version (not shown), each of the front and rear facing sides  109 ,  113  of the garment  104  can include a pair of vertical channels made from a plastic or other durable material that is sewn or otherwise attached to the garment. Each of the vertical channels according to this version include at least one hook member having a base section that is movably secured within the channel wherein the hook member is adjustably movable along the length thereof. In a preferred version, the channel is sufficiently flexible and malleable wherein inward pressure of the hook member will locally deform the channel and prevent further movement, effectively locking the position of the hook member until the hook member is pulled outwardly away from the wearer. Alternatively and referring to  FIG. 10 , a set of hook members  180  can be used in combination with the horizontal straps  110  provided on either of the front and rear facing sides of the garment. Each of the hook members  180  according to this version is defined by a strap-like component  182  having a hook element  184  disposed outwardly at an intermediate portion of its length. Each end of the hook member  180  includes a pair of snaps  188  that are secured about a selected strap  110 . Alternatively, the snaps can be replaced with other securing means. For example and in the instance in which the straps  110  include a hook or loop fastener, the hook members  180  can include the other of hook and loop fasteners to provide releasable engagement with the straps, wherein the hook members can be set laterally and vertically as needed. The hook element  184  would be positioned to engage the litter frame  164  and permit the frame to be supported in close to the wearer of the garment. 
         [0042]    In addition and referring to  FIG. 9 , a variation of the garment  104 A is herein depicted. According to this version, the garment  104  can also further include at least one and preferably a pair of pockets  190 , the pockets being sized to retain the excess length of the rope end  125  extending from the attached lift mechanism  108 . Preferably, each pocket  190  is located to permit the wearer to access the portion of the rope end  125  that immediately or proximately exits the upper block of the lift mechanism  108 , wherein the pocket is used to retain and excess length and prevent potential injury to the wearer. To that end, the pocket  190  includes a cover or flap  194  having hook and loop fasteners that fasten upward relative to the wearer, the cover being slightly more narrow in width than the remainder of the pocket to aid in storage, while not impacting the load. The herein described pocket  190  is pleated and can include a snap or utilize hook and loop fasteners to enable opening and closure. In yet another variation, the pockets can be used to support a portion of the lift mechanism  108 , either releasably or fixedly wherein the lower block  116  of the lift mechanism  108  can be stored in the pockets  190 , thereby aiding in a smoother and sleeker profile of the garment  104  as the wearer approaches an injured person. The presence of the pockets  190  further aid in noise reduction caused by the dangling lift mechanism(s)  108 , thereby enabling the wearer/rescue worker to be better suited to listen for the injured person. 
         [0043]    In addition to the foregoing, the interior of the garment  104  can further include at least one pocket that is provided on the front and/or rear facing sides thereof. These pockets can be opened using zippers, snaps or other means wherein the interior of the pockets is sized to permit the inclusion of a hard flexible supporting or backing material, in the form of at least one liner or insert. The liner or insert is made from a hard plastic or other suitable material, the interior pockets and the liners or inserts aiding in preventing the wearer of the garment from being bruised, for example, by the litter  160 ,  FIG. 6 , or other supporting article. The garment can also be equipped to support and host intravenous (IV) attachments, for example, for replenishment (e.g., dextrose) or for blood transfusions and the like. 
       PARTS LIST FOR FIGS.  1 - 10   
       [0000]    
       
           100  rescue/lifting apparatus 
           104  vest-like garment 
           104 A garment 
           105  zipper 
           107  snap buckles 
           108  lift mechanism 
           109  front facing side—garment 
           110  straps 
           111  loops 
           112  block, upper or first 
           113  rear facing side—garment 
           115  bracket 
           116  block, lower or second 
           120  sheaves 
           121  secured end, rope 
           122  sheaves 
           124  cable or rope 
           125  cable or rope end 
           130  cleat 
           134  pivotable camming element 
           137  pins 
           138  pivotable camming element 
           139  frame, block 
           140  cleat frame 
           142  nip 
           144  swivel block 
           148  clevis 
           152  carabineers 
           156  wearer 
           160  litter 
           164  litter frame 
           170  wearer 
           174  wearer 
           180  hook members 
           182  strap-like component 
           184  hook element 
           188  snaps 
           190  pocket 
           194  cover or flap 
       
     
         [0083]    Though a single embodiment has been disclosed herein, it should be readily apparent that other modifications and variations are possible. For example, the lift mechanism herein described can also be used in conjunction with other apparatus apart from the body-worn vest-like garment, such as a harness, a backpack or other apparatus that allows securement in conjunction with a wearer. Other modifications and variations will be readily apparent and that are within the intended scope of the following claims.