Improvements in Field and Ambulance Stretchers.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 13th May, 1895
'Complete Specification Left, 13th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 25th Apr., 1896
Improvements in Field and Ambulance Stretchers.
1, JOHN DUNCAN MENZIES of 23 Westbourne Park Road, London, Suigeon
in Her Majesty's Navy do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows.-
My invention relates to improvements in field and ambulance stretchers and the
object of the same is to combine with an improved simple form of stretcher
suitable for ambulance work simple contrivances which are suitable or can readily
be adapted to serve as a shelter tent or tente d'ab for field service with troops
and others, as a prop for wounded men, as an inclined plane for treating fractured
limbs, and for maine purposes as a hoist for lowering patients into or out of boats
and hatchways, and as a hoist and stretcher for use in mines, mountain warfare and
general ambulance work.
With these great advantages of adaptability I also claim great advantages of
strength and portability. My contrivance is capable of being folded into a small
compact space and the waterproof covering which I use for it, and which I after-
wards describe, serves, as hereinafter described, as a pillow when the stretcher is
used for ambulance work or for a waterproof sheet when used for shelter or
general purposes. By various contrivances I provide that each stretcher can carry
in a euitable and portable manner a certain number of necessary simple surgical
appliances.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I describe it 89
follows:-
I provide two poles of suitable length made of metal, wood or other suitable
material and they may be sold, or tubular to save weight. Each of these poles
has a hinge in the centre, preferably a pivot aic roll hinge, provided with a scrow
plug, o pin, or other contrivance so that the two halves of the poles can be
adjusted and fixed at any suitable angles within a range of 90 degrees Both
ends of each polo are provided with handles and these handles may themselves
have a slot in them for the purpose of admitting the passage of a rope or chain or
a ing bolt may be fixed to the end of each handle. The handles may be welded
or fixed on to the poles or may be made in one piece with the pole. The handles
may be somewhat pointed so that the ends may readily fix into the ground when
the contrivance is used for shelter purposes. On the outside of each half of each
pole approaching the hinge I provide a suitable ring or metal slot through which
ropes can be passed when the contuvance is used as a hoist or in which straps or
ropcs may be attached when the contrivance is used as a support or tent, or other-
wise, to secure more strength and rigidity. The hinges are arranged so that the
parts of each pole may be opened to any angle up to 90 degrees or may be
completely closed so that one half pole lies alongside of or on top of the other.
The poles may be of the same thickness or may be tapered towards the handles as
may be found most advisable Two of these poles are placed side by side at a
convenient distance, usually 1 foot 11 mches to feet and between them fasten,
by lashing or in any other suitable manner, a piece of canvas or any other suitable
material. The canvas may be fastened either to the poles from end to end or may
only reach to the bandles, or may be lashed to the poles only up to the handles, and a
equate flap piece left at each end to correspond with the length of the handles, or
the canvas can extend to the end of the handles with a small space hollowed out
г

page_text: close to the handle to admit the hand. Affixed to the frame I provide a strap and
cap near one end which will be suitable for holding the head of a patient when
necessary or supporting him when the contrivance is used as a hoist. I also
provide on the canvas a bag or pocket either at one end oi, preferably, at both
ends in which may be placed a number of necessary surgical appliances, especially
the first aid or field diessings and tourniquets, which will also serve as a receptacle
for the waterproof covering which when placed in the pocket will form a projection
or pillow. Between the two poles and placed at some convenient spot (preferably
close to the handles) I put, at each end, a traverse of convenient pattern which
may be hinged to the poles and having a bingo in the centre with a sliding bolt to
keep it rigid when necessary or otherwise. 1 provide for drainage by having a
small hole at one end of the canvas.
When my contrivance is packed for transport the two half poles are folded and
then brought side to side the canvas is folled between the poles and outside the
whole 1 place a suitable waterproof packing or covering which may be fastened by
straps or in any other stable way. This waterproof covering protects the
stretcher while it is being transported and serves the purposes of a pillow or
sheeting as before explained. Suitable shoulder straps are provided for readily
carrying the stretcher.
In order that the application of my contrivance may be fully understood I
mention the following examples of its use :-
It may be used as a stictcher and when so used the poles are turned so that the
hinges only operate downwards and the poles are therefore rigid for carrying
purposes, and one of the bags or pockets being then on the top side at the hend
end of the stretcher. The stretcher may then be bent and folded at a suitable
angle and the handles placed in or upon the ground and it will then, if two or more
are placed in line, form a suitable tent or shelter for wounded men or others in opeu
air camping.
By folding the stretcher at a right angle it forms a suitable sling or hoist which
can be readily lifted or lowered by passing a rope through the rings or slots herein-
before described, and by fixing two stretchers so angled back to back a double
hoist is readily obtained.
By placing one half of the stretcher on the ground and inclining same at an
angle of any 75 degrees it forms a suitable rest or support for a wounded man.
In every case the centre hinge on each pole can be kept in the requied rigid
position by the before mentioned screw, plug or pin.
Dated the 13th day of May 1895.
THEO. M'KENNA,
17 & 18 Basinghall Street, London, Agent.
Improvements in Field and Ambulance Stretohers.
I EMILY MENZILS of 23 Westbourne Park Road London Spinster Adminis
tiatrix of the Estate of John Duncan Menzies acting under Letters of
Administration issued out of the Pincipal Registry of Her Majesty's High
Count of Justice Probate Division on the 12th March 1896, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in field and ambulance stretchers and the
object of the same is to combine with an improved simple form of stretcher
suitable for ambulance work, simple contrivances which are suitable or can
readily be adapted to serve as a shelter tent or tente d'abi for field service with
troops and others, as a prop for wounded men, as a single or double inclined plane

page_text: adaptability, great strength and portability are claimed. This contrivance is
capable of being folded into a small compact space, and the waterproof covering
which may be used for it and which is hereafter described, serves as bereinafter
described as a pillow when the stretchor is used for ambulance work or for a water-
proof sheet or cover when used for shelter or general purposes. By various
contrivances it is provided that each stretcher can carry in a suitable and portable
manner a certain number of uccessary sumple surgical appliances.
In order that this invention may be fully understood I describe it by the aid of
the accompanying diawings, in which .-
Fig. 1. is a side elevation of the stretcher extended.
Fig. 2. is a plau of the underside of the stretcher extended.
Fig. 3 shows the stretcher partly opened out for use as a tent.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged viow showing hinge and locking apparatus, also method of
securing canvas.
Fig. 5 is a detail drawing showing the airangement for securing the bolt within
the hinge in Fig. 4.
Figs. 6 and 7 are details showing construction of cross stays or traverses hinged
in centre and capable of being paitially rotated so as to allow the sido stays of
stretcher to be brought together for folding.
Figs. 8 and 9 are side elevation and plan of alternative hinge.
Figs. 10 and 11 are side elevation and plan of auother alternative hinge.
Fig. 12. diagrammatic view illustrating method of slinging.
In carrying out this invention I provide two poles A of suitable length which
may be wholly or partly of wood metal or other suitable material and in case of
metal may be mado tubular to save weight. Each of these poles is divided in the
centre by means of a hinge B which hinge is so constructed that the halves of it
adjust and fix at any suitable angles within a range of 90 degrees. At a suitablo
distance from the end of the poles are provided rollers C upon which the strotcher
16 supported when upon the ground as shown in Fig. 1. The two poles are placed
side by side at a convenient distance and are kept extended by means of hinged
stays or traverses D shown in Figs. 1. 2. 6 and 7. A canvas cover E is provided
and is secured at the sides of the poles by means of the rings F and cord G on one
side and by means of similar rings which serve as a guide to the rod H which is
attached to the locking mechanism 1 formed within the hinge B Figs. 1. 2 and 4.
At one end of the canvas is formed a pocket or bag J in which may be placed the
necessary surgical appliances, dressings, or may carry a pillow. Straps K may be
attached to the poles as shewn in Figs. 1 and 2. At the end of the poles are placed
suitable ings L which are used when it is desired to sling the stretcher in which
case it would be arranged as shewn in diagram view Fig. 12.
Refering to the hinge B which is shewn to a larger scale in Fig. 4 Sheet 2 it
will be seen that the lower part of the hinge B 18 pivoted to a plate b¹ and is
provided with a bolt shewn by dotted lines b2-this bolt, which is operated by the
rod I, engages with suitable slots, b3 formed upon the plate b. This rod H, as
before described, is carried by the rings F and extends nearly to the end of the
pole A and serves to operate the bolt 62. To secure the bolt in position the end
of the 1od is formed with a bandle as shewn in Figure 5, which handle 18
capable of being revolved and is secured in position by means of the stud or
studs M.
Referring to the Figs 6 and 7, it will be seen that the hinged stay or traverse D
is pivoted at both ends to the pole A and has formed thereon at either end a slot d
with which engages a più d1 which pin is carried by the projecting block d 2 the
object of which pin is to allow the hinged stay to be partly rotated when it is
desired to fold up the stretcher the stay being shewn partly rotated and ready
for folding in Fig. 7.

page_text: When it is desired to use the stretoher as a shelter tent the stretcher is reversed,
the bolt withdrawn from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4 and the two halves
adjusted to form an inverted right angle or other angle of suitable degree. The
rings L before mentioned also serving to keep the stretcher firm upon the ground.
To form a larger tent two or more stretchers so treated can be placed in line. As
an alternative I may in some instances use the hinge shown in Fig. 10 which hinge
consists of two sockets N. and N'. The sockets are for the purpose of securing
the hinge to the poles of the stretcher: the adjustment is effected by means of the
plate n which has formed thereon a series of circular slots n'
This plate nis
pivoted at n 2 to cheeks formed upon the socket N' between which it rotates. A
lock consisting of a cam 3 is provided which is also carried by the cheeks on the
sochet N and which is operated by means of a trigger 4 attached thereto as
shewn in Figs. 10 and 11. Another hinge is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 in
which a series of holes are formed upon the central portion O with which
engages a screw pin P a suitable female thread being formed within the piece Q
as shown.
It will be seen from the drawings that when the stretcher is requned to be
packed for transport the cross stays being operated and the poles thus brought
together, the poles themselves are folded, the canvas is folded between the poles
and the whole may be enclosed in a suitable waterproof covering which can be
fastened with straps or in any other suitable way so that the wrapper may be
secured and the whole may be readily carried.
By folding the stretcher at a right angle as in Fig. 12 it forms a suitable sling
or hoist which can be readily lifted or lowered by passing a rope through the
rings or though a slot which may be made towards the end of each handle and
by fixing two stretchers so angled back to back a double hoist is readily
obtained.
By placing one half of the stretcher on the ground and inclining the same at an
angle of say 75 degrees it forms a suitable rest or support for a wounded man.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what mauner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim 18
1. A field and ambulance stretcher as hereinbefore particularly described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. A field and ambulance stretcher having hinges and locking devices in the
poles and hinged and pivoted traverses and suitable fittings such as hereinbefore
described so as to be capable of being adjusted fixed and used either as a
stretcher a shelter tent or a hoist and of being readily folded into a small
Брасе.
3. A field and ambulance stretcher having hinges and locking devices in the
poles and hinged and pivoted traverses substantially as described and shewn in
Figures 1. 2. 4. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11 respectively.
Dated the 13th day of March 1896.'
THEO. McKenna,
Agent.