Patent ID: 8479881

Claim:
A rescue apparatus comprising: a substantially oblong enclosure defining an interior space configured for receiving an individual, the enclosure comprising: a substantially convex bottom surface; a continuous sidewall having an internal surface and an external surface, the external surface having one or more handles attached thereto; a closure mechanism coupled to the sidewall and configured for at least partially isolating the interior space from a surrounding environment; a substantially rigid member disposed within the interior space and proximate the bottom surface of the enclosure, the member adapted to support the individual within the enclosure and positioned to define a space between the substantially convex bottom surface of the enclosure and a bottom surface of the member such that that bottom surface of the member is not in direct contact with the bottom surface of the enclosure; a cushioning material disposed within the interior space and in direct contact with the substantially rigid member; a collapsible support structure adapted to prevent the sidewall from collapsing inwardly, wherein the support structure is formed from a substantially flexible material and adapted to urge the enclosure into an erect configuration; a harness disposed within the interior space of the enclosure and configured for securing the individual within the enclosure; and one or more cable securements attached to the enclosure and configured to receive a cable for lowering the enclosure from a building egress, wherein at least one of the cable securements is disposed on the one or more handles and comprises an opening therethrough.