Patent Publication Number: US-2022212039-A1

Title: Recovery device

Description:
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a recovery device for persons suspended in netting or positioned on a platform. 
     BACKGROUND 
     When people are working at height, there is often netting provided between breaks in the working surface, to break the fall of a worker and prevent potential injury or death. For instance on a construction site netting may be provided between scaffolds or in a gap in a roof. The netting is often only able to support the weight of one person, and thus medical treatment cannot be initiated whilst the person is supported in the netting. 
     If a worker is rendered immobile by being knocked unconscious or suffering a cardiac arrest, it can be difficult to recover the worker from the netting to initiate medical treatment. When attempting to recover a person in the netting, workers are often instructed to hold a rigid board below the person in the netting, cut the netting around the person, then lower the board to the ground. This can be dangerous, as there is a high risk of the immobilised worker falling to the ground during the recovery, and the board may not provide adequate support for the immobilised worker. 
     A person might instead fall onto a platform located above ground such as a sloped roof of a house or a flat roof of a garage. It can be difficult to safely lower an immobile person from the platform to the ground. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a system, comprising: netting for suspension from one or more support members; and a recovery device for positioning underneath the netting, including: an expandable base portion; and a person receiving portion configured to receive a person suspended in the netting when the expandable base portion is expanded. 
     The expandable base portion may be inflatable. The inflatable base portion may include an aperture and elongate fastening means mounted to the sides of the aperture, wherein the elongate fastening means is configured to close the aperture in the inflatable base portion in a fastened condition, and open the aperture in an unfastened condition, thereby enabling the inflatable base portion to be deflated when the fastening means is in an unfastened condition. 
     The inflatable base portion may comprise an inflatable bag including at least one baffle, wherein the at least one baffle connects the internal surface of the inflatable bag at a plurality of different locations, in order to retain the bag in a predetermined shape when inflated. 
     The person receiving portion may include a raised lip positioned around a central part of the person receiving portion, shaped to prevent a person received in the central part from falling out. 
     Possibly, the expandable base portion is configured to expand to at least 1 metre in height. Possibly, the expandable base portion is configured to expand to between 1 and 6 metres in height. 
     The person receiving portion may be inflatable. The recovery device may further comprise a one-way valve configured to inhibit airflow from the person receiving portion to the inflatable base portion and to enable airflow from the base portion to the person receiving portion. 
     The expandable base portion may include a plurality of handles to enable one or more users to hold the expandable base portion when expanded. 
     The person receiving portion may include fastening means for fastening a stretcher to the person receiving portion. The fastening means may be a plurality of clips. A stretcher may be provided, wherein the stretcher is mountable to the person receiving portion. 
     The system may further comprise inflation means for inflating the inflatable base portion and the person receiving portion. 
     According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a method for recovering persons suspended in netting comprising: positioning a recovery device below netting suspended from one or more support members, wherein the recovery device comprises: an expandable base portion; and a person receiving portion configured to receive a person suspended in the netting when the expandable base portion is expanded; expanding the expandable base portion to raise the person receiving portion substantially to the netting; disengaging at least a portion of the netting from the one or more support members; and contracting the expandable base portion. 
     The expandable base portion may be inflatable, and the expanding and contracting the inflatable base portion comprise inflating and deflating the inflatable base portion respectively. 
     The expandable base portion may be expanded to a height of at least 1 metre, and may be expanded to a height of between 1 and 6 metres. 
     Disengaging at least a portion of the netting from the one or more support members may include cutting the netting around the person receiving portion. 
     Elongate fastening means may be provided on the inflatable base portion, and the deflating of the inflatable base portion may include unfastening the elongate fastening means to allow air to escape the inflatable base portion. 
     The expandable base portion may include a plurality of handles, and the method may further comprise stabilising the inflatable base portion by holding the handles. 
     According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a method for recovering a person positioned above the ground, comprising: positioning a recovery device below and to the side of the person, wherein the recovery device comprises: an expandable base portion; and a person receiving portion configured to receive the person when the expandable base portion is expanded; expanding the expandable base portion to raise the person receiving portion substantially to the height of the person; moving the person sidewards onto the person receiving portion; and contracting the expandable base portion. 
     The expandable base portion may be inflatable, and the expanding and contracting the inflatable base portion comprise inflating and deflating the inflatable base portion respectively. 
     The expandable base portion may be expanded to a height of at least 1 metre, and may be expanded to a height of between 1 and 6 metres. 
     Elongate fastening means may be provided on the inflatable base portion, and the deflating of the inflatable base portion may include unfastening the elongate fastening means to allow air to escape the inflatable base portion. 
     The expandable base portion may include a plurality of handles, and the method may further comprise stabilising the inflatable base portion by holding the handles. 
     The person may be positioned on a platform above the ground, and the positioning a recovery device below and to the side of the person may comprise positioning the recovery device below and to the side of the platform. 
     According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a recovery device for persons suspended in netting, the device comprising: an expandable base portion; and a person receiving portion configured to receive a person suspended in netting above the recovery device when the expandable base portion is expanded. 
     The expandable base portion may be inflatable. The inflatable base portion may include an aperture and elongate fastening means mounted to the sides of the aperture, wherein the elongate fastening means is configured to close the aperture in the inflatable base portion in a fastened condition, and open the aperture in an unfastened condition, thereby enabling the inflatable base portion to be deflated when the fastening means is in an unfastened condition. 
     The inflatable base portion may comprise an inflatable bag including at least one baffle, wherein the at least one baffle connects the internal surface of the inflatable bag at a plurality of different locations, in order to retain the bag in a predetermined shape when inflated. 
     The person receiving portion may include a raised lip positioned around a central part of the person receiving portion, shaped to prevent a person received in the central part from falling out. 
     Possibly, the expandable base portion is configured to expand to at least 1 metre in height. Possibly, the expandable base portion is configured to expand to between 1 and 6 metres in height. 
     The person receiving portion may be inflatable. The recovery device may further comprise a one-way valve configured to inhibit airflow from the person receiving portion to the inflatable base portion and to enable airflow from the base portion to the person receiving portion. 
     The expandable base portion may include a plurality of handles to enable one or more users to hold the expandable base portion when expanded. 
     The person receiving portion may includes fastening means for fastening a stretcher to the person receiving portion. The fastening means may be a plurality of clips. 
     According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a recovery device for recovering a person positioned above ground, the device comprising: an expandable base portion; and a person receiving portion configured to receive a person when the expandable base portion is expanded. 
     The expandable base portion may be inflatable. The inflatable base portion may include an aperture and elongate fastening means mounted to the sides of the aperture, wherein the elongate fastening means is configured to close the aperture in the inflatable base portion in a fastened condition, and open the aperture in an unfastened condition, thereby enabling the inflatable base portion to be deflated when the fastening means is in an unfastened condition. 
     The inflatable base portion may comprise an inflatable bag including at least one baffle, wherein the at least one baffle connects a plurality of attachment points on the internal surface of the inflatable bag to retain the bag in a predetermined shape when inflated. 
     The person receiving portion may include a raised lip positioned around a central part of the person receiving portion, shaped to prevent a person received in the central part from falling out. 
     Possibly, the expandable base portion is configured to expand to at least 1 metre in height. Possibly, the expandable base portion is configured to expand to between 1 and 6 metres in height. 
     The person receiving portion may be inflatable. The recovery device may further comprise a one-way valve configured to inhibit airflow from the person receiving portion to the inflatable base portion and to enable airflow from the base portion to the person receiving portion. 
     The expandable base portion may include a plurality of handles to enable one or more users to hold the expandable base portion when expanded. 
     The person receiving portion may include fastening means for fastening a stretcher to the person receiving portion. The fastening means may be a plurality of clips. 
     According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided examples as claimed in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a front view of a first recovery device described herein; 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of the example embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a plan view of the recovery device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a front view of a second recovery device described herein; 
         FIG. 5  shows a side view of the example embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows a plan view of the example embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows a flow diagram of a first method described herein; 
         FIG. 8  shows a side view of an example embodiment of a first system described herein, including a recovery device in a contracted condition; 
         FIG. 9  shows a side view of an example embodiment of the system of  FIG. 8 , with the recovery device in an expanded condition; 
         FIG. 10  shows a flow diagram of a second method described herein; 
         FIG. 11  shows a side view of an example embodiment of a second system described herein, including a recovery device in a contracted condition; and 
         FIG. 12  shows a side view of an example embodiment of the system of  FIG. 11 , with the recovery device in an expanded condition. 
     
    
    
     The figures illustrate a recovery device  100 ,  200  for persons suspended in netting or positioned above ground, and a system  400  and method  300  including the recovery device  100 ,  200 . The recovery device  100 ,  200  includes: an expandable base portion  110 ,  210 ; and a person receiving portion  120 ,  220  configured to receive a person when the expandable base portion  110 ,  210  is expanded. 
     The recovery device  100 ,  200  enables an immobile person suspended in netting or on a platform to be recovered safely. 
       FIGS. 1, 2 &amp; 3  illustrate a first recovery device  100  in front, side and plan views respectively. The recovery device  100  includes an expandable base portion  110  and a person receiving portion  120  positioned on top of the expandable base portion  110 . The expandable base portion  110  enables the person receiving portion  120  of the recovery device  100  to be raised substantially to the height of a person suspended in netting above the recovery device  100 , or substantially to the height of a person positioned above ground. 
       FIGS. 1 to 3  show the expandable base portion  110  in an expanded condition. In this example embodiment the expandable base portion  110  is inflatable and comprises an inflatable fabric bag. In some, but not necessarily all embodiments, the fabric bag includes baffles (not shown) inside of the bag, which connects the internal surface of the fabric bag at a plurality of different locations. The internal baffles are configured to retain the bag in a predetermined shape when inflated. In this example embodiment the inflatable base portion  110  is configured to inflate to the shape of a trapezoidal prism. The baffles also cause the inflatable base portion  110  to remain robust when not fully inflated, thus enabling the recovery device  100  to support the weight of a person even when not fully inflated. The recovery device  100  can therefore receive a person at various heights depending on the level of inflation of the inflatable base portion  110 . 
     The inflatable base portion  110  includes an inflation aperture  130  configured to receive an inflation means, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In some, but not necessarily all embodiments, the inflation means is a blower, which may be a battery powered air blower. In other embodiments, the inflation means may be for instance a compressed gas cylinder. 
     The inflatable base portion  110  includes a plurality of handles  140  on each side of the inflatable base portion  110  to enable users of the recovery device  100  to stabilize the inflatable base portion  110  when inflated. 
     The inflatable base portion  110  further includes a deflation aperture, and deflation apertures may be provided on each side of the inflatable base portion  110 . In the example of  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2  each deflation aperture is closed by an elongate fastening means  150  mounted to the sides of the aperture. The elongate fastening means  150  is shown in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2  in a fastened condition. The elongate fastening means  150  may be selectively unfastened to open the deflation aperture and deflate the base portion  110 . For instance, if the elongate fastening means are wholly unfastened the base portion would deflate quickly, and if the elongate fastening means are partially unfastened the base portion would deflate more slowly. In some, but not necessarily all embodiments, the elongate fastening means  150  is a zip. In other embodiments, the elongate fastening means  150  is an elongate Velcro® strip. 
       FIGS. 1 to 3  also show the person receiving portion  120  configured to receive a person when the expandable base portion  110 ,  210  is expanded from front, side and plan views respectively. In this example embodiment, the person receiving portion  120  is inflatable. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in an inflated condition, the person receiving portion  120  includes a central part  162  onto which the person and/or a stretcher  180  can be positioned. In some, but not necessarily all embodiments, the central part  162  is a rectangular surface and includes fastening means  170  for fastening a stretcher  180  to the person receiving portion  120 . The fastening means  170  may be in the form of clips. 
     In some, but not necessarily all embodiments, the person receiving portion  120  further includes a raised lip  160  positioned around the central part of the person receiving portion. In this example, the raised lip  160  is in the form of inflatable fabric tubing, which, in an inflated condition, extends above each side of the rectangular surface of the central part  162 , to prevent a person and/or stretcher  180  positioned on the central part from moving sidewards off the central part  162  and falling out of the person receiving portion  120 . 
     The person receiving portion  120  includes an inflation aperture  132  configured to receive an inflation means, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The inflation aperture  132  of the person receiving portion  120  enables the person receiving portion  120  to be inflated separately from the base portion  110  if desired. In some, but not necessarily all embodiments, the inflation means is a blower, which may be a battery powered air blower. In other embodiments, the inflation means may be for instance a compressed gas cylinder. 
     The person receiving portion  120  includes handles  142  on each side of the person receiving portion  120  to enable users of the recovery device  100  to stabilize the person receiving portion  120  when inflated. 
     In some, but not necessarily all embodiments, the recovery device  100  further comprises one or more one-way valves  122  configured to inhibit airflow from the person receiving portion  120  to the inflatable base portion  110  and to enable airflow from the inflatable base portion  110  to the person receiving portion  120 . Each of the one or more one-way valves  122  may be in the form of a movable flap which covers an aperture (not shown) internally connecting the person receiving portion  120  and the inflatable base portion  110 . The one or more one-way valves  122  ensure that the person receiving portion  120  remains inflated and retains the person and/or stretcher  180  whilst the inflatable base portion  110  is being deflated. 
       FIGS. 4 to 6  show a second recovery device  200  in front, side and plan view respectively. The second recovery device  200  is similar to the first recovery device  100 , but does not include one or more apertures and one or more way valves internally connecting the inflatable base portion  210  and the inflatable person receiving portion  220 . Thus the inflation of the inflatable base portion  210  and the inflatable person receiving portion  220  are carried out entirely separately via the respective inflation apertures  230 ,  232 . 
     Further, the internal baffles connected to a number of attachment points on the inside of the inflatable base portion  210  bag are configured to retain the inflatable base portion  210  substantially in the shape of a rectangular cuboid when inflated. 
     The elongate fastening means  250  extend for the majority of the height of the inflatable base portion  210 , and may be opened to form a correspondingly shaped deflation aperture. 
     The second recovery device  200  may include coupling means between the person receiving portion  220  and the inflatable base portion  210  to enable the person receiving portion  220  to be selectively detached from the inflatable base portion  210 . The person receiving portion  220  includes handles  242  to enable users to readily lift the person receiving portion  220  from the inflatable base portion  210 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a flow chart of a method  300  utilising a recovery device  100 ,  200  such as those described above to recover a person suspended in netting. By way of example, the method is described below in relation to  FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 . The second recovery device  200  is referenced, but the first recovery device  100  could instead be used. 
     The recovery device  200  may initially be provided in an unexpanded condition, and may be folded. 
     At step  310  in  FIG. 7 , the recovery device  200  is positioned below netting  402  suspended from one or more support members  404 , which may be for instance scaffolding, beams or a roof.  FIG. 8  shows the second recovery device  200  in an unexpanded condition positioned below the netting  402 . A person  408  may be positioned in the netting  402 . Where the unexpanded recovery device  200  is initially folded, the positioning the recovery device  200  may include unfolding the recovery device  200 . 
     A stretcher may be fastened to the person receiving portion  220  of the recovery device  200 . 
       FIG. 8  shows an example system  400  following the carrying out of step  310 , including netting  402  suspended between two support members  404 . The second recovery device  200  is in an unexpanded condition, and is positioned below the netting  402 . Inflation means in the form of a blower  406  is also provided. 
     At step  320  of  FIG. 7 , the expandable base portion  210  of the recovery device  200  may be expanded to raise the person receiving portion  220  of the recovery device  200  substantially to the height of the netting  402 . This enables the weight of a person  408  positioned in the netting  402  to be fully supported by the recovery device  200 . The base portion  210  may be expanded by inflating it using an inflation means, such as a blower  406 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The expandable base portion  210  may be expanded to a height of at least one metre, and preferably to a height of between 1 and 6 metres. 
     The blower  406  may be able to inflate the expandable base portion  210  in under two minutes. 
     In some, but not necessarily all embodiments, the expandable base portion  210  may be expandable to a height of 1 metre. In other embodiments, the expandable base portion  210  may be expandable to a height of 6 metres. 
       FIG. 9  shows the system  400  including a recovery device  200  in the expanded position following the carrying out of step  320 , with a person  408  received in the person receiving portion  210 . As the weight of the person  408  is fully supported, the netting  402  is detensioned. The handles  242  of the recovery device  200  may be held by one or more users to stabilize the recovery device  200  when in the expanded condition. 
     At step  330  of  FIG. 7 , at least a portion of the netting  402  may be disengaged from the one or more support members  404 . In some, but not necessarily all embodiments, the netting  402  may be cut around the person receiving portion  220  using a telescopic cutter or knives. 
     At step  340  of  FIG. 7 , the expandable base portion  210  may be contracted, to lower the person receiving portion  220  to the ground. Where the expandable base portion  210  is inflatable, the inflatable base portion  210  may be deflated by unfastening the elongate fastening means  250  to open the one or more deflation apertures. 
     Once the person receiving portion  220  has been returned to the ground, medical treatment may be initiated on a person  408  received therein. Where a stretcher is fastened to the person receiving portion  220 , the stretcher may be unfastened and be used to carry the person  408  to another location. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a flow chart of a method  500  utilising a recovery device  100 ,  200  such as those described above to recover a person positioned above ground on a platform such as a flat roof or a sloped roof. The second recovery device  200  is referenced below, but the first recovery device  100  could instead be used. 
     The recovery device  200  may initially be provided in an unexpanded condition, and may be folded. 
     At step  510  in  FIG. 10 , the recovery device  200  is positioned on the ground and is positioned below and to the side of the platform  602 , which in this instance is in the form of a flat roof.  FIG. 11  shows the second recovery device  200  in an unexpanded condition positioned below and to the side of the platform  602 . A person  608  may be positioned on the platform  602 . Where the unexpanded recovery device  200  is initially folded, the positioning the recovery device  200  may include unfolding the recovery device  200 . 
       FIG. 11  shows an example system  600  following the carrying out of step  510 , including the platform  602 . The second recovery device  200  is in an unexpanded condition, and is positioned below and to the side of the platform  602 . Inflation means in the form of a blower  606  is also provided. 
     At step  520  of  FIG. 10 , the expandable base portion  210  of the recovery device  200  may be expanded to raise the person receiving portion  220  of the recovery device  200  substantially to the height of the platform  602  and the person  608  on the platform  602 . The base portion  210  may be expanded by inflating it using an inflation means, such as a blower  606 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . The expandable base portion  210  may be expanded to a height of at least one metre, and preferably to a height of between 1 and 6 metres. 
     At step  530  of  FIG. 10 , the person  608  may be moved sidewards from the platform  608  by recovery personnel (not shown), for instance by lifting the person  608  in a stretcher, and placed into the person receiving portion  220 . 
       FIG. 12  shows the system  600  including a recovery device  200  in the expanded position following the carrying out of step  530 , with a person  608  received in the person receiving portion  210 . The weight of the person  608  is fully supported by the recovery device. The handles  242  of the recovery device  200  may be held by one or more users to stabilize the recovery device  200  when in the expanded condition. 
     At step  540  of  FIG. 10 , the expandable base portion  210  may be contracted, to lower the person receiving portion  220  to the ground. Where the expandable base portion  210  is inflatable, the inflatable base portion  210  may be deflated by unfastening the elongate fastening means  250  to open the one or more deflation apertures. 
     There are thus described methods, recovery devices and systems that enable a person positioned above ground to be safely retrieved. In an unexpanded condition, the recovery device is compact and light, enabling the device to be stored in a convenient location for quick deployment when required. The recovery device is able to expand and contract quickly, meaning that a person may be retrieved from netting or a platform quickly to enable medical treatment (such as CPR) to be initiated. 
     It is to be realised that a wide range of amendments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, the expandable base portion and the person receiving portion may be a different shape, or be made from different materials. The disengaging of the netting from the one or more support members may be carried out using another method. 
     Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described above. 
     The term ‘comprise’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use ‘comprise’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to “comprising only one” or by using “consisting”. 
     In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term ‘example’ or ‘for example’ or ‘can’ or ‘may’ in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus ‘example’, ‘for example’, ‘can’ or ‘may’ refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class. It is therefore implicitly disclosed that a feature described with reference to one example but not with reference to another example, can where possible be used in that other example as part of a working combination but does not necessarily have to be used in that other example. 
     Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described above. 
     Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not. 
     Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not. 
     The term ‘a’ or ‘the’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising a/the Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use ‘a’ or ‘the’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of ‘at least one’ or ‘one or more’ may be used to emphasis an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer and exclusive meaning. 
     The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature or (combination of features) itself and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result. 
     In this description, reference has been made to various examples using adjectives or adjectival phrases to describe characteristics of the examples. Such a description of a characteristic in relation to an example indicates that the characteristic is present in some examples exactly as described and is present in other examples substantially as described. 
     Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features believed to be of importance it should be understood that the applicant may seek protection via the claims in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not emphasis has been placed thereon.