WO2019211584A1

WO2019211584A1 - Hoistable harness device

Info

Publication number: WO2019211584A1
Application number: PCT/GB2019/051168
Authority: WO
Inventors: Colin Smart
Original assignee: TSG Associates LLP
Current assignee: TSG Associates LLP
Priority date: 2018-05-01
Filing date: 2019-04-26
Publication date: 2019-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 2020-11-01
Also published as: GB201807162D0; USD874732S1

Abstract

A hoistable harness device (100, 200) for transporting a patient, the device (100, 200) comprising a primary harness (102, 202) operable to be secured to a patient's body, in use, and a secondary harness (104, 204) being attached to the primary harness (102, 202) wherein the secondary harness(104, 204) is operable to support the weight of a patient's body and is attachable to a hoisting means.

Description

HOISTABLE HARNESS DEVICE

FIELD

[01 ] The present invention relates to a hoistable harness device.

BACKGROUND

[02] Harnesses for hoisting patients are known in the art and are used for transporting wounded individuals in situations where they cannot be easily moved by normal transport techniques. For example, where wounded individuals are located in inaccessible locations (e.g. in difficult terrain), it may be necessary to evacuate them by hoisting them using the winch of a helicopter.

[03] Traditional harnesses involve complex fastening mechanisms, and are therefore difficult to operate in high-stress emergency or combat situations. In addition, traditional harness may involve rigid components, making them difficult to transport.

[04] It is an aim of the invention to overcome the above-mentioned difficulties, and any other difficulties that would be apparent to the skilled reader from the description herein.

SUMMARY

[05] According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

[06] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a hoistable harness device for transporting a patient, the device comprising a primary harness operable to be secured to a patient’s body, in use, and a secondary harness being attached to the primary harness, wherein the secondary harness is operable to support the weight of a patient’s body and is attachable to a hoisting means.

[07] The primary harness may comprise strapping means configured to strap over the user’s body. The primary harness may comprise a longitudinal strapping means. The longitudinal strapping means may comprise a pair of upper body retaining straps. The longitudinal strapping means may comprise a torso retaining strap. The primary harness may comprise a lateral strapping means. The longitudinal and lateral strapping means may be arranged to connect to each other in order to secure the user to the device. The primary harness may comprise a diagonal strapping means. The primary harness may comprise a base supporting means. The lateral strapping means may comprise a plurality of lateral straps. Ends of each lateral strap may be connectable to a respective fastening means of the longitudinal strapping means. The length of each lateral strap may be adjustable. Each lateral strap may be securable to the secondary harness, preferably via hook and pile fasteners. The hoistable harness device may comprise one or more elastic straps configured to bind the strapping means in a compact manner when not in use.

[08] The secondary harness may comprise an attachment means. The attachment means may define an aperture configured to receive a portion of the hoisting means. The attachment means may be a ring. The attachment means may be attached to one side, preferably only one side, of the secondary harness. The attachment means may comprise a horizontal attachment means and a vertical attachment means. The hoistable harness device may comprise a receptacle for storing the vertical attachment means.

[09] The secondary harness may comprise a plurality of strapping means configured to fasten around the user’s body. Each strapping means may comprise a connecting strap portion extending from the strapping means to the attachment means. The connecting strap portions may extend from their respective strapping means at a substantially laterally central position in use. The strapping means may be lateral.

[10] Each strapping means may comprise male and female securing means to hold the user in place. The strapping means may be colour coded, preferably wherein male and female securing means of a strapping means are a corresponding colour, preferably a different colour from other strapping means. The securing means on one side of the device may be alternatingly male and female.

[1 1 ] The hoistable harness device may comprise a sheet of material. The primary and secondary harnesses may be fixed to the sheet of material. The primary harness may be arranged on one side of the material and the secondary harness may be arranged on the opposite side of the material. The device may comprise shortening means at a head and/or feet end of the device, to allow the material to be adjusted to the correct size for the user. The hoistable harness device may comprise one or more connection points to secure one or more rolled up sections of the harness device.

[12] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of transporting a patient using the hoistable harness device of the first aspect, the method comprising:

securing the primary harness to the patient’s body;

attaching the secondary harness to a hoisting means; and

hoisting the device.

[13] Preferred features of the method of the second aspect may be as defined above in respect of the hoistable harness device of the first aspect, and may be combined in any combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [14] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

[15] Figure 1 shows a plan view of a hoistable harness device according to an example of the invention;

[16] Figure 2 shows a plan view of the underside of the hoistable harness device of Figure 1 ;

[17] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a hoistable harness device of Figure 1 when in use;

[18] Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the shortening means of Figure 1 , in a shortened position;

[19] Figure 5 is a close up perspective view of the shortening means of Figure 1 , in a lengthened position;

[20] Figure 6 shows a plan view of a hoistable harness device according to a second example of the invention;

[21] Figure 7 shows a plan view of the hoistable harness device according to the second example of the invention with the straps tied up;

[22] Figure 8 shows a view of the hoistable harness device in use;

[23] Figure 9 shows a close up view of a receptacle;

[24] Figure 10 shows a close up view of a side of the hoistable harness device rolled up and secured by a hook and pile fastener; and

[25] Figure 1 1 shows a close up view of a lateral strap and a base strap.

[26] In the drawings, corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[27] In overview, examples of the invention provide a hoistable harness device 100 that comprises a primary harness and a secondary harness. The primary harness is arranged to secure the patient to the device, with the secondary harness being arranged to support the weight of the patient’s body during hoisting (e.g. via helicopter).

[28] Referring to Figure 1 there is shown an exemplary hoistable harness device 100 having a primary harness 102 operable to secure a patient’s body, in use, and a secondary harness 104 being attached to the primary harness 102 and operable to support the weight of the patient’s body.

[29] The primary harness 102 and secondary harness 104 are surrounded and attached to a sheet of material 106 that can be closed or wrapped around the user (i.e. the patient) and provide protection to the user’s body, when in use. The material 106 is relatively thin and flexible, so as to permit the wrapping around the user. For example, the material 106 may be a fabric. In one example, the material 106 comprises a reinforced portion 106a (indicated in dotted lines on Figure 1), which may provide additional support to the user’s body.

[30] In one example, the primary harness 102 is situated substantially in the centre of the hoistable harness device 100, and comprises longitudinal strapping means 108, and a plurality of lateral strapping means 1 10. When used herein,“longitudinal” refers to extent in a direction substantially between head and foot ends of the device 100, respectively indicated by reference numerals 100A and 100B. Lateral refers to extent in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction.

[31 ] The primary harness 102 is attached to an interior side of the material 106, which is the side of the material 106 that contacts the user in use, for example by stitching.

[32] The longitudinal strapping means 108 may comprise a pair of upper body retaining straps 108a,b arranged to extend over a respective one of the user’s shoulders, and torso retaining strap 108c arranged to extend down the centre of the user’s body. The distal end of the strap 108c (i.e. at the foot end 100B) is not secured to the material 106. Accordingly, the longitudinal strapping means 108 is substantially Y-shaped.

[33] A portion of the upper body retaining straps 108a,b is sewn into the material 106 at a point above each of the user’s shoulders, so as to also form a Y shape underneath the user’s back, when in use.

[34] The longitudinal strapping means 108 may contain three fastening means 1 12, 1 13, 1 14 (e.g. connectors) disposed in a spaced apart configuration along the length of the torso retaining strap 108c. A top fastening means 1 12 (i.e. most proximate the head end 100A) may act as the junction between straps 108a, 108b and 108c. Each fastening means 1 12-1 14 may be disposed at a position that corresponds to a respective strap 1 10a,b,c of the lateral strapping means 1 10, as discussed below. In one example, the torso retaining strap 108c is comprised of a plurality of sections of strap, each strap extending between neighbouring fastening means 1 12-1 14.

[35] The lateral strapping means 1 10 comprises a plurality of lateral straps 1 10a-c that are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal strapping means 108 and are arranged to extend over the user, in use, respectively in the legs, hips and chest area. In particular, a portion of each strap 1 10a-c is sewn into the material 106 in these three locations, extending approximately the width of the user. The straps 1 10 then extend further laterally to define two free portions 1 10-1 at respective sides of the user’s body, which can then fasten above the user.

[36] Each of the lateral straps 1 10a-c may comprise a pair of clips 1 16, one on each free portion, which are movable along the length of their respective free portion 1 10-1 to adjust the length of the strap. [37] As shown in Figure 1 the fastening means 112, 113, 114 are a roughly rectangular shaped metal plate which comprises elongate, laterally arranged slits at the top and bottom, in which the longitudinal strapping means 108 are fixedly attached. Furthermore, the fastening means 112, 113, 114 comprise elongate holes 118 arranged in parallel and extending longitudinally. The holes 118 comprise a flat inside edge and a curved outer edge.

[38] The clips 116 are rectangular components which contain two thin parallel holes in which the lateral strapping means 110 pass through to allow movement of the clip 116 along the lateral strapping means 110. The rectangular component contains an arcuate lip on one side to allow the clipping means 116 to pass through the holes 118 in the fastening means 112, 113, 114 and once turned horizontally, remain secured thereto.

[39] Referring to Figure 1 and 2 the secondary harness 104 comprises restraining means 120 comprising a plurality of straps 120a-e which extend laterally at five different positions under the user’s body. The restraining means 120 are located to wrap over both the right and left side of the user’s body and fasten above the user in use.

[40] The restraining means 120 are attached to the underside (i.e. the exterior) of the material 106, and protrude past the material 106 on both sides to allow securement above the user’s body. Accordingly, the extent of the restraining means under the material 106 is indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1. Both the right and left sides of the restraining means 120 contain securing means 122 (e.g. fasteners). Corresponding male portions 122a and female portions 122b of each securing means 122 are arranged at the ends of each strap 120a-e.

[41] The securing means 122 are arranged so that, on respective sides of the device 100, the male portions 122a and female portions 122b alternate as they extend longitudinally down the device. In other words, a first strap 120a has a male portion 122a on the left side and a female portion 122b on the right side, and a second strap 120b has a female portion 122b on the left side and a male portion 122a on the right side. The alternating pattern continues, such that neighbouring straps 120 have a different configuration.

[42] The securing means 122 are colour coded so that each opposite male and female pair has their own distinct colour to allow quick and easy identification when fastening the securing means over the user, as shown in Figure 3. The securing means 122 are mechanical in which the female portion 122b is arranged to slot and click into place in the male portion 122a.

[43] The secondary harness 104 is arranged to support the weight of the user, and therefore in some examples the straps and/or securing means 122 may be more substantial (i.e. thicker or more robust) than the corresponding features of the primary harness 102.

[44] As shown in Figure 1 , the lateral strapping means 110 are detachably attached to the restraining means 120 via hook and pile fasteners (e.g. Velcro® not shown) to allow quick and easy securement of the user when securing the lateral fastening means 110 over the user. In particular, each free portion of each strap 1 10a-c may be secured to a respective strap of the restraining means 120. In one example, the three lateral straps 1 10a-c are each substantially coextensive with a respective strap 120b,d,e of the restraining means 120.

[45] The restraining means 120 which restrain the left side of the user are further fixedly attached to an attachment means 124. The attachment means 124 is operable to be attached to a hoisting means (not shown), wherein when the securing means 122 are fastened, in use, the attachment means 124 is above the user’s body, as shown in Figure 3.

[46] In one example, a section of strap 125 extends from each strap 120a-e of the restraining means 120 to the attachment means 124.

[47] The attachment means 124 is a ring shape defining an aperture to allow the hoisting means (not shown) to easily clip on, and allows each strap of the restraining means 120 to fixedly attach around the ring. Accordingly, the load borne by each strap 120a-e of the restraining means 120 is transferred to the attachment means 124.

[48] As can be best seen in Figure 4 and 5, the material 106 comprises shortening means 126 operable to shorten the foot end 100B of the material 106. The shortening means 126 comprises a cord (i.e. a drawstring) 128 that is looped through a channel extending along the outer edge of the material 106 and is tied at either end to metal rings 129, which are attached to the lowermost strap 120e of the restraining means 120. The length of the cord 128 can be adjusted by a locking means 130. The locking means 130 has an open position, in which the cord 128 can be pulled through the locking means 130, and a locked position, in which the cord 128 is secured by the locking means 130. In one example, the locking means 130 comprises a switch 132 to switch between the locked and open position. Figure 4 shows an arrangement in which the shortening means 126 has been used to substantially shorten the foot end 100B. In Figure 5, however, the shortening means 126 has been let out to allow a longer foot end 100B.

[49] A corresponding shortening means 126 may be arranged at the head end 100A, as can be seen in FIG. 1 .

[50] Figures 6 and 7 shows a plan view of another example of the harness device 200. Similar elements in this example are given reference signs from Figures 1 to 5 incremented by 100. In one example, the primary harness 202 comprises one or more lateral strapping means 210, one or more diagonal strapping means 21 1 and one or more base strapping means 219. In this example, the primary harness 202 does not include one or more longitudinal strapping means, but in other examples, longitudinal strapping means are included in the primary harness 202.

[51 ] The primary harness 202 may be attached to an interior side of the material 206, which is the side of the material 206 that contacts the user in use, for example by stitching. [52] The lateral strapping means 210 comprises one or more lateral straps 210a-c that are arranged to extend over the user, in use. In one example, the lateral straps 210a-c comprises three lateral straps 210a-c respectively in the legs, hips and chest area of a user, in use. In particular, a portion of each lateral strap 210a-c may be sewn into the material 206 in these three locations, extending approximately the width of the user. The lateral straps 210 then extend further laterally to define a free portion 210-1 , which can then fasten above the user.

[53] The lateral straps 210a-c may each comprise a clip 216, located on the free portion of the lateral straps 210a-c, which is movable along the length of their respective free portion 210-1 to adjust the length of the lateral strap 210a-c. The clips 216 may be rectangular components which contain two thin parallel holes in which the lateral strapping means 210 passes through to allow movement of the clip 216 along the lateral strapping means 210. In one example, the rectangular component of the clip 216 contains an arcuate lip on one side.

[54] In one example, the lateral strapping means 210 comprises one or more fastening means 212 for receiving and resiliently holding the clips 216 of the lateral straps 210a-c. The fastening means may have a roughly rectangular shaped metal plate which comprises an elongate hole for receiving the clip 216. The clip 216 may be passed through the holes in the fastening means 212 and turned horizontally to remain secured thereto. In one example, the free end of the lateral straps are configured to extend from the same side of the primary harness 202, but in other examples, the free end of the lateral straps 210a-c are configured to extend from different sides of the primary harness 202, for example, in an alternating arrangement.

[55] The primary harness 202 may comprise one or more diagonal straps 21 1 . In one example, the one or more diagonal straps comprises at least two diagonal straps configured to cross a user’s chest/neck area, in use. The one or more diagonal straps 21 1 may assist to hold the user’s head in place during a lifting operation. As with the lateral straps 210a-c, at least part of the diagonal straps 21 1 may be sewn to the inner side of the material 206 and the diagonal straps 21 1 then extend further to define a free portion. As with the lateral straps, the diagonal strap 21 1 may comprises one or more clips 216 (shown in more detail in Figure 7), one on each free portion, which are movable along the length of their respective free portion to adjust the length of the diagonal strap 21 1 . The one or more clips 216 are configured to couple with a respective fastener 212d-e arranged on the other side of the primary harness 202, but at a different longitudinal position so that the diagonal straps may extend diagonally across a user’s body, in use.

[56] The primary harness 208 may include a base strap 219 configured to engage with a user’s feet, in use. The base strap 219 may include a clip 216 on a free portion of the base strap 219 that is configured to engage with a fastener 212f located on the other side of the primary harness 208. In one example, base strap 219 may be wrapped around a user’s feet to form a figure of eight around the user’s feet. The base strap 219 is configured to provide support for the user during the lifting operation. [57] When not in use, one or more elastic straps 217 may be used to store the lateral straps 210a-c, the diagonal straps 21 1 and the base strap 219 in an orderly arrangement. An example of an elastic straps 217 is shown in more detail in Figure 1 1 . For example, the lateral straps 210a-c may be folded a plurality of times and the elastic strap 217 used to hold the folded lateral strap 210 in place. The elastic straps 217 may keep the lateral straps 210a-c, the diagonal straps 21 1 and the base straps 219 out of the way when a user is being loaded onto the harness device 200. When the lateral straps 210a-c, the diagonal straps 21 1 and the base strap 219 are needed to be used, the user may simple pull the clip 216 or the end of the respective lateral, diagonal or base strap and the respective strap will become free from the elastic strap 217.

[58] In the example shown in Figures 6 and 7, the secondary harness 204 comprises a horizontal harness 205 and a vertical harness 207. In other examples, the secondary harness 204 may only include the horizontal harness 205.

[59] The horizonal harness 205 may comprise restraining means 220 comprising a plurality of straps 220 which extend laterally at different positions under the user’s body. In one example, the restraining means 220 comprises five restraining straps, but in other example more or fewer than five restraining straps may be used. The restraining means 220 are located to wrap over both the right and left side of the user’s body and fasten above the user in use. The restraining means 220 for the horizontal harness 205 are the same as described in relation to the examples of Figures 1 to 3 (120a-e) and as such, are not shown in Figures 6 and 7 for clarity.

[60] The restraining means 220 are located to wrap over both the right and left side of the user’s body and fasten above the user in use. Both the right and left sides of the restraining means 220 contain securing means 222 (e.g. fasteners). These restraining means 220 and securing means 222 are the same as the restraining means 120 and securing means 122 shown in Figures 1 to 3 and so have not been shown in detail in Figures 6 and 7 for conciseness.

[61 ] Corresponding male portions and female portions of each securing means 222 are arranged at the ends of each strap 220.

[62] The securing means 222 are arranged so that, on respective sides of the device 200, the male portions and female portions alternate as they extend longitudinally down the device. In other words, a first strap 220 has a male portion on the left side and a female portion on the right side, and a second strap has a female portion on the left side and a male portion on the right side. The alternating pattern continues, such that neighbouring straps 220 have a different configuration.

[63] The securing means 222 may be colour coded so that each opposite male and female pair has their own distinct colour to allow quick and easy identification when fastening the securing means over the user. The securing means 222 are mechanical in which the female portion is arranged to slot and click into place in the male portion.

[64] The secondary harness 204 is arranged to support the weight of the user, and therefore in some examples the straps and/or securing means 222 may be more substantial (i.e. thicker or more robust) than the corresponding features of the primary harness 202.

[65] The vertical harness 207 may comprise a longitudinal restraining means 234 comprising a plurality of longitudinal straps 234a-d which extend longitudinally at different positions under the user’s body.

[66] The longitudinal restraining means 234 may be attached to the underside (i.e. the exterior) of the material 206. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the longitudinal restraining means 234 may be attached to the inside surface of the material 206. In one example, the longitudinal restraining means 234 are sewn to the material 206.

[67] The vertical harness 207 is arranged to support the weight of the user, and therefore in some examples the longitudinal restraining means 234 may be more substantial (i.e. thicker or more robust) than the corresponding features of the primary harness 202. In one example, the lateral straps 210, the diagonal straps 21 1 and the base strap 219 may be fixably attached to the longitudinal restraining means 234.

[68] The longitudinal restraining means 234 may be fixedly attached to a vertical attachment means 224b. The vertical attachment means 224b is operable to be attached to a hoisting means (not shown), wherein when the securing means 222 are fastened, in use, the vertical attachment means 224b is above the user’s body, as shown in Figure 8. In this example, the user is lifted such that they are maintained in a substantially vertical position, with the vertical attachment means 224b being located above the user’s head.

[69] In one example, a section of strap 225b extends from each strap of the longitudinal restraining means 234 to the attachment means 224b.

[70] In one example, the vertical attachment means 224b is a ring shape defining an aperture to allow the hoisting means (not shown) to easily clip on, and allows each strap of the restraining means 225b to fixedly attach around the ring. Accordingly, the load borne by each strap 225b of the longitudinal restraining means 234 is transferred to the vertical attachment means 224b.

[71 ] Figure 9 shows an example of a receptacle 236, such as a bag, that may be used to store the vertical attachment means 224b and at least part of the straps 225b of the longitudinal restraining means 234 when not in use. The receptacle 236 may be made of the same fabric as the material 206 and sewn to the material 206. In one example, the receptacle may be closed by a catch, such as one or more hook and pile fasteners (e.g. Velcro®) 238 to securely keep the vertical attachment means 224b and at least part of the straps 225b out of the way, when not in use. The receptacle may be attached, off centre, to the top edge of the material 206.

[72] In use, one or more connection points 221 , for example hook and pile fasteners (e.g. Velcro®) may be used to secure one or more rolled up sections of the harness device 200 to hold the lateral straps 210a-c, the one or more diagonal straps 21 1 and the one or more base straps 219 therein, when not in use, i.e. when a patient is not on the device 200 or as the user is first moved onto the device 200. Further, the horizontal harness 205 may be secured in the rolled up sections of the harness device, as secured by the connection points 221 . This is particularly useful during the vertical lifting in which the vertical attachment means are used to hoist the device 200. Figure 10 shows an example of the connection point 221 and a rolled up section of material 206.

[73] Figure 6 shows as example of the lifting harness 200 in which the sides are wrapped and secured at the connection points 221 by the one or more hook and pile fasteners. In Figure 6, the rolled sides of the harness 200 obscure the one or more connection points 221 , but these are shown in more detail in Figure 10.

[74] The device 200 may include shortening means 226 operable to operable to shorten the foot end 200B of the material 206. The shortening means 226 works in the same way as described above in relation to Figures 1 to 3

[75] Use of the device 100, 200 will now be described with reference to Figures 1 -1 1 .

[76] The device 100, 200, due to its flexible nature, may be stored in rolled configuration or otherwise packed up in a compact configuration, in a similar manner to a sleeping bag. Initially, the device 100, 200 is unpacked/unrolled and laid out on the floor, with the secondary harness 104, 204 in contact with the floor, and the side of the material 106, 206 comprising the primary harness 102, 202 exposed.

[77] In one example, the device 100, 200 is stored with the free portions of lateral straps 1 10a- c, 210a-c secured to the restraining means 120, 220. Accordingly, upon laying out the device 100, the lateral straps 1 10a-c may already be in position to receive the patient. In other examples, the free portions of lateral straps 1 10a-c, 210a-c are secured by the elastic straps 217 and located in a rolled section of the material 106, 206. Furthermore, the fact that the attachment means 124, 224a, 224b may be arranged on only one side of the restraining means 120 ensures that the attachment means 124, 224a, 224b does not interfere with the process of securing the patient to the device 100, 200. Further, the fact that the vertical attachment means 224b may be stored in a receptacle 236 ensures that the vertical attachment means 224b does not interfere with the process of securing the patient to the device 200.

[78] Subsequently, if present, the longitudinal strapping means 108 may be moved out of the way, and the patient is positioned in the device with their head proximate head end 100A, 200A and their feet proximate to foot end 100B, 200B.

[79] Next, if present, the longitudinal strapping means 108 may be positioned so that upper body retaining straps 108a,b are positioned over respective shoulders of the patient, with the torso retaining portion 108c extending towards the patient’s feet.

[80] The lateral straps 1 10a-c, 210a-c may be detached from the restraining means 120, 220 or removed from the elastic strap 217, and secured, around the patient, to respective fastening means 1 12-1 14, 212. In particular, clips 1 16, 216 of the lateral straps 1 10a-c, 210a-c are passed through holes 1 18, 218 of the fastening means 1 12-1 14, 212 and then rotated to hold them in place. Accordingly, the patient is secured to the device 100, 200. The length of the lateral straps 1 10a-c, 210a-c may be adjusted in order to ensure the patient is firmly held in place.

[81 ] In the example shown in Figures 6 to 1 1 , the diagonal straps 21 1 may be removed from the elastic strap 217 and secured, around the patient, to respective fastening means 212d, 212e. In particular, clips 216 of the diagonal straps 21 1 are passed through holes of the fastening means 212 d,e and then rotated to hold them in place. Accordingly, the patient is secured to the device 100, 200. The length of the diagonal straps 21 1 may be adjusted in order to ensure the patient is firmly held in place.

[82] In the example shown in Figures 6 to 1 1 , the base strap 219 may be wrapped around the user’s feet, for example in a figure of eight arrangement and fastened to the fastening means 212e.

[83] Next, the respective male and female portions 122, 222 a/b of the securing means 122, 222 of the restraining means 120, 220 may be coupled to one another. This draws together the edges of the material 106, 206, ensuring the material encapsulates the patient. The shortening means 126, 226 at either end may also be adjusted during the process to ensure the material 106, 206 encapsulates the patient. When the device is operated in the vertical lifting mode, i.e. the vertical harness 207 is used, the respective male and female portions 122, 222a/b may not be secured together in use.

[84] One or more of the attachment means 124, 224a may then attached to a suitable hook or other attachment portion of a hoisting means, allowing the patient to be lifted. For example, the hoisting means may be a winch of a helicopter, allowing the patient to be evacuated by air. As can be best seen in Figure 3, the straps 125 are arranged so that the can extend upwards from a lateral centre of the device, preventing the patient from rolling left or right when lifting force is applied. Alternatively, the vertical attachment means 224b are attached to a suitable hook or other attachment portion of a hoisting means, allowing the patient to be lifted in a substantially vertical orientation. As can be best seen in Figure 8, the straps 225b are arranged so that the can extend upwards from a longitudinal centre of the device 200, preventing the patient from rolling left or right when lifting force is applied.

[85] After use, the lateral straps 1 10a-c, 210a-c may be reattached to the restraining means 120, 220 and the device 100, 200 may be packed up or rolled up for storage. Alternatively, elastic straps 217 may be reapplied to the rolled up sections of the lateral straps 210, the diagonal straps 21 1 and the base strap 219. The sides of the device 200 may be rolled up and secured by the fasteners 222 to secure the lateral straps 210a-c, the diagonal straps 21 1 and the base straps 219 in place within the rolled up sections of the device 200.

[86] Various modifications of the above-described examples would be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. In one example, the material 106, 206 could be omitted entirely, as the primary and secondary harnesses bear the weight of the patient and could be secured directly to one another. Although three lateral straps 1 10a-c, 210a-c have been shown, it will be appreciated that more or fewer could be used. Similarly, although the secondary harness is shown as comprising five straps 120a-e,220 more or fewer could be used. In certain examples, either or both of the shortening means 126, 226 may be omitted.

[87] The above-described devices and methods provide an advantageously lightweight, compact and therefore advantageously easy-to-transport hoisting device.

[88] In addition, the above-described devices and methods provide an easy-to-use hoisting device, which is highly advantageous in emergency and combat situations. The device unpacks into a configuration that can readily accept a patient with minimal adjustment. The securing means of the secondary harness are arranged in an alternating male/female pattern and are colour-coded, thereby reducing the risk of mistakenly attaching the wrong male portion to the wrong female portion. Shortening means allow the adjustment of the length of the hoisting device, advantageously securing patients that have lost limbs.

[89] Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[90] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

[91 ] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[92] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1 . A hoistable harness device for transporting a patient, the device comprising a primary harness operable to be secured to a patient’s body, in use, and a secondary harness being attached to the primary harness,

wherein the secondary harness is operable to support the weight of a patient’s body and is attachable to a hoisting means.

2. The hoistable harness device of claim 1 , wherein the primary harness comprises strapping means configured to strap over the user’s body.

3. The hoistable harness device of claim 2, wherein the primary harness comprises a lateral strapping means.

4. The hoistable harness device of claim 3, wherein the primary harness comprises a longitudinal strapping means.

5. The hoistable harness device of claim 4, wherein the longitudinal and lateral strapping means are arranged to connect to each other in order to secure the user to the device.

6. The hoistable harness device of claim 3, wherein the primary harness comprises a diagonal strapping means and a base supporting means.

7. The hoistable harness device of any of claims 2 to 6 comprising one or more elastic straps configured to bind the strapping means in a compact manner when not in use.

8. The hoistable harness device of any of claims 3 to 7, wherein lateral straps of the lateral strapping means are configured to be securable to the secondary harness.

9. The hoistable harness device of any preceding claim, wherein the secondary harness comprises an attachment means defining an aperture configured to receive a portion of the hoisting means.

10. The hoistable harness device of any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means is attached to only one side of the secondary harness.

11. The hoistable harness device of claim 9, wherein the attachment means comprises a horizontal attachment means and a vertical attachment means.

12. The hoistable harness device of claim 11 , wherein the device comprises a receptacle for storing the vertical attachment means.

13. The hoistable harness device of any preceding claim, wherein the secondary harness comprises a plurality of strapping means configured to fasten around the user’s body.

14. The hoistable harness device of claim 13, wherein each strapping means comprises a connecting strap portion extending from the strapping means to the attachment means, and wherein the connecting strap portions extend from their respective strapping means to the attachment means at a substantially laterally central position in use.

15. The hoistable harness device of claim 13 or 14, wherein the strapping means are lateral.

16. The hoistable harness device of any of claim 13-15, wherein each strapping means comprises male and female securing means to hold the user in place.

17. The hoistable harness device of any of claim 13-16, wherein the strapping means are colour coded.

18. The hoistable harness device of claims 16, wherein the securing means on one side of the device are alternatingly male and female.

19. The hoistable harness device of any preceding claim, comprising a sheet of material, wherein the primary and secondary harnesses are fixed to the sheet of material.

20. The hoistable harness device of clam 19, wherein the primary harness is arranged on one side of the material and the secondary harness is arranged on the opposite side of the material.

21 . The hoistable harness device of claim 19 or 20, comprising shortening means at a head and/or feet end of the device, to allow the material to be adjusted to the correct size for the user.

22. The hoistable harness device of any preceding claim, comprising one or more connection points to secure one or more rolled up sections of the harness device.

23. A method of transporting a patient using the hoistable harness device of any preceding claim, the method comprising:

securing the primary harness to the patient’s body;

attaching the secondary harness to a hoisting means; and

hoisting the device.