An improved collapsable ambulance stretcher / [Emanuel Kottusch].

  • Kottusch, Emanuel.
Date:
1902
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An improved collapsable ambulance stretcher / [Emanuel Kottusch]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Date of Application, 8th July, 1902—Accepted, 18th Sept., 1902 COMPLETE! SPECIFICATION. “ An Improved Collapsable Ambulance Stretcher I, Emanuel Eottusch, Constructor, of 19 JSchoenthalstrasse, Zuricli, Switzer¬ land, do hereby declare the nature ot tnis invention ana m what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained m and by the following statement; — 5 This invention relates to a collapsable stretcher of a kind in which the longi¬ tudinal sides of the carrying frame consist of standards connected by movable joints made after the style oi the so called ** JLazytongs Several kinds of such stretchers are known. The object oi the present invention is to improve these stretchers and to obviate 10 certain disadvantages which have presented themselves. Essentially this invention consists of an elaboration of the cross connections which connect the side frames (consisting of the lazytong sections) in order to impart to the stretcher the necessary stiffness. These cross connections are not lazytongs but constitute a folding connection oi 15 partly straight and partly angular levers arranged in such a manner that when opened out for use tney form a row of stiff frames (after the style of bed frames) and when collapsed they fold into small compass, and, at the same time, ensure that the lazytong parts of the side frames and of the lower side, rest within a stiff frame so that they are not liable to be warped or bent during transport. 20 This, and the stiffness ol the frame-work when opened out lor me, constitute leatures of great importance, for, where these characteristics are wanting, it has been found that, through the bending of the lazytong rails, troublesome measures have to be taken which entail loss of time and render the opening out of the stretcher difficult so that in war time and when accidents happen the practical 25 value of the stretcher is considerably diminished and delay is involved for the injured and sick, which, in certain circumstances, may have serious and far reaching injurious consequences. Further, when wounded are being transported and there is a want of stiffness in the frame work of the stretcher, the stretcher canvas flaps up and down violently and the wounded are shaken and sometimes, 30 if the ground is very rough, are even thrown against the bottom sections and severely shaken and may suffer concussions which may prove very detrimental to a speedy cure. The collapsability of the frame-work is such that the whole stretcher can be folded up and carried (like a haversack) on the back of one man. 35 As the side standards of each frame are provided with guide ways Nin which are guided parts (tongues and pins) connected with the lazytong sections it follows that when the stretcher is opened out the ends of the lazytong sections are properly guided in the frame standards. In order to obtain rigidity combined with lightness all the bearing parts are 40 made of a light and hard wmod (ash wood) which rests in a trough-shaped steel frame which is closed on the trough side by a flat steel plate and the whole is rivetted together by means of rivets inserted at short intervals apart. This ensures a stronger and stiffer construction than could be obtained if the whole frame-work were made of steel or even of a metal of light specific gravity, such 45 as aluminium for instance, whilst the weight is not increased. Referring to the drawings which illustrate my improved stretcher: — Fig 1 is an end view of the stretcher as it appears when opened out ready for use. Fio- 2 is an end view of the same when folded up. 60 Fig 3 is a partial side elevation of one end of the stretcher when opened out. [Price Sd.]