Priority Cross-Reference

[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2020904341 filed 24 November 2020, the contents of which is to be considered to be incorporated into this specification by this reference.

Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a cradle for use with a chairlift for the purpose of supporting a stretcher so that the stretcher can be transported on the chairlift. It will be convenient to describe the invention in relation to its use with chairlifts in ski fields which are known as ski lifts, but it is to be appreciated that the invention could have application to all forms of chairlifts no matter where they are deployed.

Background of the Invention

[0003] The discussion of the background to the invention that follows is intended to facilitate an understanding of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any aspect of the discussion was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0004] The sport of skiing can be physically dangerous. Ski fields routinely employ significant numbers of paramedic type personnel to patrol the ski fields and who render assistance to skiers who have injured themselves. While in many cases injuries can be minor and skiers can resume skiing after treatment and rest, for more serious injuries, such as head, back or knee injuries, skiers may need to be transported off the ski slopes for assessment and further treatment in a clinic or hospital. For these more serious injuries, often the skier is unable to independently ski off the ski slopes. Thus, it is necessary to transport the skier and this is often done with the use of a rescue toboggan or sled. For this, the injured skier lies on or in the rescue toboggan and is secured thereto and the toboggan is guided down the mountain, typically by a pair of ski patrollers, one at the front and one at the back.

The ski patrollers steer the toboggan and take a route that imposes the least stress on the injured skier, but because the toboggan slides along the snow surface, the injured skier is always subject to vibration or shuddering through the direct sliding contact between the toboggan and the snow surface. This can be painful for the injured skier and can potentially exacerbate the injuries the skier has experienced.

[0005] In some circumstances, an injured skier can be transported to a ski lift on the ski slopes so that some of the journey off the ski slopes can be via the ski lift. Transport by ski lift can be much more comfortable than by toboggan and can be much more direct and thus faster to the base of the ski slopes where the injured skier can be transported to a wheelchair, car or ambulance.

[0006] A difficulty with transport by ski lift however, is how to load the injured skier onto the ski lift. If the injured skier is transported to an uploading station of the ski lift by toboggan, then the skier is either removed from the toboggan and seated on a chair of the ski lift, or the toboggan itself is lifted onto the chair and is secured thereto by ropes, straps, chains or the like. The injured skier can only be removed from the toboggan for seating on the chair if he or she is physically able to do this and the injuries the skier has suffered will not be exacerbated by transferring from the toboggan to the ski lift chair. A skier that has suffered a back injury for example, will not likely be a candidate for that transfer. In these cases, it is necessary for the entire toboggan to be lifted onto the ski lift chair. This typically will require a minimum of two personnel, but more likely at least three personnel given the significant weight of the combined toboggan and injured skier. The lifting action can also be awkward and potentially dangerous given that in many cases, the surface on which the personnel lifting the toboggan will stand will be icy and therefore highly slippery. The danger is both to the injured skier who might be dropped, as well as to the lifting personnel who might be injured by themselves slipping and falling and potentially also by the toboggan landing on top of them. The same considerations apply once the injured skier has reached the offloading station of the ski lift and the toboggan is to be unloaded from the ski lift chair.

[0007] The present invention recognises both the advantage of transporting an injured skier by ski lift as well as the difficulty in loading and unloading a rescue toboggan onto or from the chair of a ski lift and the further difficulty in securing the toboggan to the chair. The present invention seeks to provide an improved arrangement that enables a stretcher carrying an injured skier to be more easily loaded and unloaded from a ski lift chair, as well as improving the security of connection of a stretcher to a ski lift chair.

Summary of the Invention

[0008] In one form of the invention, the present invention provides a chair lift stretcher cradle for securing a stretcher to a chair of a chair lift, such as a ski lift, in which the chair has a seat and a backrest. The cradle includes a support platform for supporting a stretcher and a frame that extends from the platform and that is connectable to the chair.

[0009] In some forms of the invention, the support platform is configured so that a stretcher that is supported thereon extends in the direction of travel of the chair, so that a person lying on the stretcher also extends or is oriented in the direction of travel of the chair. This means that the stretcher will extend generally perpendicular to the length dimension of the chair and will enable medical or ski patrol personnel to be seated on the chair on one or both sides of the stretcher.

[0010] It will be appreciated that ski lifts chairs are usually configured to accommodate two or four skiers, but there are also chairs that accommodate different numbers, such as three, six and sometimes eight skiers. Ski lifts that accommodate two, three or four skiers are the most common. In a ski lift chairs that accommodate two or three skiers, a stretcher will not fit on the seat section of the chair because the stretcher will typically be too long and will be impeded by the armrests at each end of the chair. That means that if the stretcher is to be conveyed on the ski lift, it must be secured to upper surfaces of the armrests and to the backrest section of the chair, which is unlikely to satisfy safety requirements. There is also unlikely to be room for medical or ski patrol personnel, or a family member to accompany the injured skier for travel down mountain. However, by the use of the invention, the stretcher is secured to the support platform and extends generally perpendicular to the length of the chair, so that the actual chair length is irrelevant and space remains in the chair for medical or ski patrol personnel or a family member to accompany the injured skier for travel down mountain. [0011] In a ski lift that accommodates four skiers, a stretcher will often fit on the seat section of the chair between the armrests. Moreover, there is also often sufficient room for one medical or ski patrol person or one family member to be seated with the stretcher. In this case, the stretcher can be more securely attached to the ski lift chair, by connection to the seat of the chair as well as the backrest. However, there is usually only space for one medical or ski patrol person or family member and the manner of loading and unloading the stretcher to and from the ski lift chair remains difficult and potentially dangerous. Thus, the benefit of orienting the stretcher and thus the injured skier perpendicular to the length of the chair applies to four person ski lifts and greater.

[0012] In the above forms of the invention, in which the stretcher is oriented to extend in the direction of travel of the chair, the frame can elevate the support platform to a position such that a stretcher that is supported thereon extends over the upper edge of the backrest of the chair. This enables the stretcher to be balanced over the chair and also enables the stretcher to be generally or approximately horizontal during travel down the ski slope.

[0013] The backrest of the chair can be used to support a stretcher that is supported by the support platform. Thus, the support platform can support a portion of a stretcher and the backrest of the chair can support a different portion of the stretcher. For example, the head or shoulder end of the stretcher could be supported by the support platform, while the feet or leg end could be supported by the backrest of the chair. The support platform in this form of the invention might comprise a bar or plate that is supported by the frame to support the stretcher at the head or shoulder end, while suitable attachments, such as brackets or clips might be used to attach the feet or leg end of the stretcher to the backrest of the chair, such as to the upper surface of the backrest.

[0014] Alternatively, the stretcher can be supported by the support platform without additional support by the backrest of the chair and in these forms of the invention, the frame can extend upwardly from the seat part of the chair to position the support platform at or adjacent the upper edge of the backrest of the chair. In some forms of the invention, the support platform extends above the upper edge of the backrest so that a stretcher supported on the platform can extend over the upper edge of the backrest to allow the stretcher to be oriented in the direction of travel of the chair.

[0015] The support platform can be configured to connect with a specific form of stretcher, or it can be configured to connect with a general form of stretcher. For ski fields, a stretcher might be the kind described in the discussion of the background herein, in which the stretcher is a rescue toboggan or sled. Alternatively, the stretcher may be part of a rescue toboggan or sled and may be removed from the toboggan or sled for support on the support platform.

[0016] The stretcher can connect to the support platform in any suitable manner. Straps, ropes, clips, or other forms of connectors or fasteners can be employed. The support platform can also be formed as a tray for example, with upstanding side and/or end walls, so that the stretcher is placed into the support platform and is prevented from release therefrom by the side and/or end walls.

[0017] The support platform can include rollers so that the stretcher can roll onto the platform. Rollers can be provided at opposite ends of the support platform, so that the stretcher can roll onto the platform from each end. In this respect, the support platform can be longer than wider so that the rollers can be provided at one of the long ends, or at both of the long ends. Rollers can also be provided intermediate the support platform ends.

[0018] The support platform can have a resting or loading surface on which the stretcher can be supported. The loading surface can support the base and/or sides of a stretcher and the surface can comprise a broad surface or point or line surfaces.

For example, the loading surface can comprise one or more beams that extend lengthwise of the support platform, or laterally to the length of the support platform. In some forms of the invention, a pair of lengthwise extending beams support the underneath surface of a stretcher, on either side of a centre line of the stretcher. The beams are spaced apart and parallel. Opposite ends of the beams can support rollers. The beams can be supported on cross bars that connect to the frame at either end.

[0019] The interface between the support platform and the surface or surfaces of a stretcher that are engaged by the support platform can be a non-slip interface, such as by applying or attaching a non-slip substrate to the relevant support platform surfaces. This will inhibit movement of the stretcher relative to the support platform when the cradle is transported on the ski lift and so may contribute to the comfort of an injured skier being transported. Alternatively, the interface between the support platform and the surface or surfaces of a stretcher that are engaged by the support platform can be a slippery surface to promote sliding of the stretcher along the support platform for ease of loading the stretcher onto the support platform prior to the stretcher being firmly connected to the support platform.

[0020] The frame can take any suitable form. In some forms, the frame has a pair of spaced apart frame structures that have upper and lower portions. The lower portions engage or contact the seat of the chair and the upper portions can support the support platform. The frame structures can be formed from plates that are formed of plate metal for example. Plate metal has the advantage that openings can be cut in the plate in order to accept fittings and in order to facilitate connection of cradle components such as the support platform. Plate metal can be laser and water jet cut, drilled and welded.

[0021] Bridging members can extend across from one of the frame structures to the other to locate the frame structures relative to each other. Bridging members that are provided at the upper portions of the frame structures can support the support platform, or those bridging members can form part of the support platform. Bridging members that are provided at the lower portions of the frame structures can rest on the seat portion of the chair. The bridging members can be rods, tubes or plates for example and can be a mixture of these.

[0022] The frame is connectable to the chair in any suitable manner. The frame can connect to the seat section of the chair only, or the backrest section of the chair only, or to both of the seat and the backrest sections of the chair. In some forms of the invention, the frame can connect to the chair by resting on the upper surface of the seat section of the chair so that the majority of the weight of the cradle is supported by the seat section. The frame can also rest against a facing surface of the backrest section of the chair. In this form of the invention, the frame is connected to the chair by weight bearing engagement with the seat section and/or by weight bearing engagement with the backrest section. The interface between the frame and the surface or surfaces of the chair on which, or against which, the frame rests, can be a non-slip interface, such as by applying or attaching a non-slip substrate to the relevant frame surfaces, or by roughing the relevant frame surfaces. In these forms of the invention, the weight of the cradle and the use of any non-slip interface can securely connect the cradle to the chair.

[0023] In other forms of the invention, the connection of the frame to the chair includes features of the frame that interact with features of the chair. The features can include recesses, brackets and/or clips that connect between the frame and the chair and that secure the frame and thus the cradle against disconnection from the chair.

[0024] In some forms of the invention, the frame includes a recess to accept a leading edge of the seat section of a chair. In this form of the invention, the recess can be positioned so that as the cradle is applied to a chair, the leading edge of the seat section enters the recess. By this form of the invention, while the leading edge of the seat section is within the recess, there is a resistance to disconnection of the cradle from the chair. For example, there can be resistance to disconnection of the frame from the seat.

[0025] The cradle can be arranged so that once it is resting or sitting on the seat section, it naturally tends to shift towards the backrest section, thus maintaining receipt of the leading edge of the seat section within the recess. The seat sections of most ski lift chairs are naturally inclined or tilted towards the backrest so that the natural tendency of persons riding the chair is for them to shift rearwardly against the backrest and so the cradle can also be arranged to have that same tendency. The recess can thus prevent lifting of the frame upwardly from the leading edge of the seat section, while the weight of the cradle and an accompanying stretcher can securely locate the cradle on a chair.

[0026] In some forms of the invention, the frame includes one or more catches that can engage with or connect to a part of the chair to secure the cradle against release from the chair. The catches can engage against or connect to any part of the chair such as the leading edge of the seat section, the trailing or rear end of the seat section, top or bottom surfaces of the seat section, or with the backrest, such as against the rear surface of the backrest. The catches can also or alternatively engage against or connect to armrest parts of the chair. Multiple catches can be provided to engage or connect to multiple parts of the chair.

[0027] The catch or catches can secure the cradle against movement in a direction upwardly away from the seat section of a chair, or laterally away from the backrest of the chair, or both. The catch or catches can secure the cradle against movement in a direction between opposite armrest parts of a chair. The catch or catches can be fixed so that they retain a fixed position as the cradle is positioned on a chair, or they can be movable, such as rotatable or slidable into position. The fixed arrangement means that once the cradle is in place on the chair of a ski lift, the catch or catches are also in place. In the later arrangement, the cradle is positioned on a chair and the catch is thereafter manipulated, such as by rotation into a position in which it engages or connects to the chair, such as against the rear end of the seat section or the rear surface of the backrest.

[0028] In some forms of the invention, the frame includes a recess to accept a leading edge of the seat section of a chair and a catch that can engage against the rear end of the seat section or against the rear surface of the backrest.

[0029] In some forms of the invention, a catch can be provided to engage both of the leading edge of the seat section and the rear end of the seat section or the rear surface of the backrest. In these forms of the invention, the provision of a recess may not be required.

[0030] The catch arrangements discussed above can be rotatable from inoperative positions to operative positions. The catches can be lockable in the operative position to ensure that the catches do not release inadvertently. The catches may naturally rotate to the operative position, so that they naturally retain that position when operative. This limits the likelihood of the catches moving to the inoperative position inadvertently. The catches can be retained by suitable retainers in the inoperative position.

[0031] The catch arrangements discussed above can be provided on one side of the frame, or on both sides, or centrally of the frame for example. [0032] The frame can include openings for lifting by hand or by mechanical lifting, such as by crane. The frame can also include shackle connectors for example, again for lifting purposes.

[0033] The stretcher cradle of the invention can interface with a ramp so that a stretcher can be pushed or pulled up the ramp for loading onto the cradle and eased down the ramp for unloading from the cradle. The interface can be a simple connection between one end of the ramp and an end or side of the support platform or the frame. In some forms of the invention, an interface can be provided at opposite ends or opposite sides of the support platform or the frame so that a stretcher can be loaded onto the cradle from either end or side of the support platform or the frame, thus providing the medical or ski patrol personnel with the option to select the most appropriate end or side for loading and unloading. For example, it may be appropriate to load the stretcher from one end of the support platform at the top of the ski lift, but to unload the stretcher from the other end of the support platform at the bottom of the ski lift.

[0034] The ability for the stretcher cradle of the invention to interface with a ramp provides a significant benefit in that it assists the correct loading of the stretcher onto the support platform and reduces the effort required to load and unload. The stretcher is no longer required to be lifted and the ramp operates to feed the stretcher onto the support platform in the correct orientation. The stretcher can be fed onto the ramp without requiring precise alignment with the ramp as the ramp can operate to align the stretcher as it moves onto the ramp. The comfort of the injured skier is also expected to be improved by ramp loading and unloading.

[0035] The interface between the stretcher cradle and the ramp can be such as to allow the angle of the ramp to vary to suit the ground level surrounding the chair to which the cradle has been applied. The elevation of a chair above the ground can vary, particularly at the top of a ski lift where it is usual for unloading to take place on a mound so that skiers can ski downwardly away from the chair. The spacing between the mound and the chair can vary between different ski lifts. Also, loading and unloading points can be subject to snow fall and so a build up or reduction in snow can also vary the spacing and that variation can be throughout the days, weeks and months of a ski season. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, some embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures in which:

[0037] Figure 1 shows a stretcher cradle in accordance with one embodiment of the invention as mounted to the chair of a ski lift.

[0038] Figure 2 shows the stretcher cradle of Figure 1 from a different angle and with the stretcher mounted to the cradle.

[0039] Figure 3 is a plan view of the arrangement of Figure 2.

[0040] Figure 4 is a view of a stretcher cradle of Figure 1.

[0041] Figure 5 is a view of a ramp for use with the stretcher cradle of Figure 4.

[0042] Figure 6 is a side view of the arrangement of Figure 2, but showing available movement of the ramp.

[0043] Figures 7 and 8 show the stretcher cradle of Figure 1 applied to a chair but in the inoperative position. [0044] Figure 9 shows the stretcher cradle of Figure 1 applied to a chair but in the operative position.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

[0045] Figure 1 shows a stretcher cradle 10 that is mounted to the chair 11 of a ski lift. The chair 11 has a seat 12 and a back rest 13. The chair 11 is shown as a generic form of chair and is not intended to represent the only form of chair that the cradle 10 can be used with. The chair 10 can thus be a two-person chair, or a three or four-person chair or larger. The chair 10 would also ordinarily have armrests at each end and would have a structure to connect it to the overhead cable of a ski lift. The armrests and the structure to connect it to the overhead cable of a ski lift have been omitted in order for the structure of the cradle 10 and the connection of the cradle 10 to the chair 11 to be clearly illustrated. [0046] Figure 1 further shows a ramp 15 in connection with the cradle 10 and supporting a stretcher 16 on which is located an injured skier 18. The injured skier 18 has been loaded onto the stretcher 16 and the stretcher 16 has been fed onto or placed onto the ramp 15. The stretcher 16 can be pushed up the ramp 15 to load the stretcher and the injured skier onto the cradle 10. Once the stretcher 16 and the skier 18 have been loaded onto the cradle 10, the ramp 15 can be removed and the combined cradle 10, stretcher 16 and skier 18 can be transported up or down a mountain on the chair 11.

[0047] Figure 2 shows the arrangement of Figure 1 , but with the stretcher 16 and the skier 18 having been shifted up the ramp 15 and into a supported position on the cradle 10. In the position shown in Figure 2, the ramp 15 can be disconnected from the cradle 10 for transport of the injured skier 18 via the chair 11.

[0048] Figure 3 is a plan view of the Figure 2 arrangement and shows the stretcher 16 and the cradle 10 centrally mounted on the chair 11. Thus, the orientation of the skier 18 in Figures 2 and 3 advantageously aligns the skier in the direction of travel of the chair 11 , and also advantageously places the skier 18 and the stretcher 16 in a position in which there is no interference with other structural parts of the chair 11 , or with the connection structure made between the chair 11 and the cable of the ski lift.

[0049] Figure 4 shows the stretcher cable 10 of the earlier figures in isolation. Figure 4 thus shows that the cradle 10 includes a support platform 20 and a frame 22 that extends from the support platform 20. In the figures, the support platform 20 is arranged so that the stretcher 16 and the injured skier 18 are oriented to extend in the direction of travel of the chair 11 in a ski lift. The stretcher 16 is thus oriented in a direction in which it extends generally perpendicular to the long or length dimension of the seat 12 and backrest 13 of the chair 11. As clearly shown in Figure 3, the cradle 10 can be positioned generally centrally of the seat 12 and backrest 13, so that there is space in the chair 11 on either side of the stretcher 16 for medical or ski patrol personnel to be seated. If two such personnel are required to travel with the injured skier 18, they can sit on either side of the stretcher 16. Alternatively, if only one of these personnel needs to accompany the injured skier 18, that person can sit on either side of the stretcher 16. Where only one person needs to accompany the injured skier 18, the cradle 10 can be shifted closer to either end of the chair 11 to provide more room for that person.

[0050] Because the stretcher 16 is oriented in the direction of the chair 11 , it can be seen that the frame 22 elevates the support platform 20 to a position such that the stretcher 16 extends over the upper edge 24 of the backrest 13. This is clearly evident in Figure 6 which will be discussed later herein.

[0051] The support platform 20 is generally rectangular, and includes a pair of elongate support beams 26 and each of the opposite ends of the beams 26 include rollers 28. Opposite ends of the beams 26 form both entry and exit ends of the support platform 20, as the ramp 15 can be connected to either end of the support platform 20 so that a stretcher 16 can be loaded and unloaded from either end.

[0052] The support beams 26 form a resting or loading surface on which the underneath surface of the stretcher 16 can be supported. The supporting surfaces of the beams 26 can be slippery, to promote movement of the stretcher 16 over the beams 26, or they can have a non-slip surface, so that once the stretcher is loaded on the support platform 20, there is resistance to movement of the stretcher 16 relative to the beams 26.

[0053] The beams 26 are supported on a plurality of crossbars 30 that connect with opposite sides of the frame 22. The beams 26 can be connected to the crossbars 30 in any suitable manner, such as by brackets or welding for example.

[0054] The support platform can also comprise upper sections 32 of the frame 22, that provide side support for the stretcher 16. The sections 32 need not necessarily engage the stretcher 16 at all times, but rather, can be an approximate fit for the stretcher 16 so that if it moves laterally to the lengthwise dimension of the support platform 20, it engages either of the sections 32 to arrest that lateral movement. The upper sections 32 include openings 34 through which straps, ropes or clips can be connected in order for securing the stretcher 16 to the support platform 20, while the openings can also be used as hand holes for manual lifting of the cradle 10.

[0055] The frame 22 comprises a pair of spaced apart frame structures comprising metal plates 36 and 38 that have lower portions 40 and upper portions 42. The lower portions 40 are configured to engage or seat against the seat 12 of the chair 11 , while the upper portions 42 are configured for supporting or forming part of the support platform 20. The plates 36 and 38 are formed in an identical manner, although that is not a requirement. Both of the plates 36 and 38 have large openings 44 for the purpose of weight reduction, and smaller openings 46 which can also be used for securing straps, ropes and clips for the above described purpose.

[0056] The plates 36 and 38 are separated by the upper crossbars 30 that also support the support platform 20, and by lower crossbars 48.

[0057] The lower portion 40 of the frame 22 includes a bearing surface 50 for bearing against an upper facing surface of the seat 12, and a recess 52 that is configured to accept a leading edge 54 of the seat 12 (see Figures 2 and 6). As shown in Figure 6, once the leading edge 54 of the seat 12 is received within the recess 52, there will be a resistance to upward lifting of the cradle 10 from the seat 12. Advantageously, the recess 52 will automatically accept the leading edge 54 as the cradle 10 is applied to or slid onto the seat 12.

[0058] The cradle 12 includes a further connection facility in the form of a pair of catches 56 that are arranged to bear or engage against the rear surface of the backrest 13 to more firmly secure the cradle 10 to the chair 11. The catches 56 rotate between operative and inoperative positions and as shown in Figure 4, the catches 56 are in the operative position. The catches 56 are also shown in the operative position in Figures 1, 2 and 6.

[0059] It will be evident that while the catches 56 are arranged in the figures to engage against the rear surface of the backrest 13, that they could alternatively be arranged to engage against the rear or trailing surface 57 (see Figure 1) of the seat 12.

[0060] The catches 56 are attached to the end of a rod that is secured within a tube 58. The other end of the rod is attached to an actuator 60. Rotation of the actuator 60 rotates the rod within the tube 58 as well as the associated catch 56 between operative and inoperative positions. This is illustrated in Figures 7 to 9, and which in Figure 7, the catches 56 are in the inoperative position, whereas in Figure 9, the actuator 60 has been rotated through approximately 90 degrees to bring the catches 56 to the operative position in which they are positioned facing the rear surface of the backrest 13. In that operative position, a slip ring 62 retains the actuator 60 in the upright position shown in Figures 4 and 9, so that the rod within the tube 58 cannot rotate and thus the catches 56 are secured in the operative position.

[0061] The operative position of the catches 56 is illustrated in Figure 6 and in that figure, it can be seen that the leading edge 54 of the seat 12 is secured within the recess 52, while the catch 56 is secured in facing relationship with the rear surface of the backrest 13. It will be evident from Figure 6, that the chair is prevented from movement away from the backrest 13 by the catches 56, while lifting movement of the cradle 10 off the seat 12 is resisted by the capture of the leading edge 54 within the recess 52 and by the rods that are connected to the catches 56 being unable to lift past the bottom edge 76 of the backrest 11 . The cradle 10 is thus secured to the chair 11. Sideways or lengthwise movement of the cradle 10 along the seat 12 could however occur, although this is unlikely given the combined weight of the cradle 10, the stretcher 16 and the injured skier 18, although where a non-slip surface is applied to the bearing surface 50 of the lower portion 40 of the frame 22, that sliding movement is also resisted.

[0062] Figure 5 illustrates the ramp 15 of the earlier figures in isolation and it can be seen that the ramp 15 includes a pair of spaced apart beams 64 which have an upper surface on which a stretcher can slide and a plurality of spaced apart rollers 66. The sliding surface and rollers 66 each assist loading and unloading of the stretcher 16 to and from the cradle 10.

[0063] The cradle 10 interfaces with the ramp 15 via a simple connection that comprises a connection member 68 on the ramp 15 that has a downwardly extending lip 70. The lip 70 is arranged to catch against the crossbars 72 (see Figure 4) of the cradle 10. The ramp 15 thus connects to the cradle 10 very simply by lifting the forward end of the ramp 15 that has the connection member 68 over the selected crossbar 72 and in that position, the ramp will be supported as shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 6. Advantageously, as shown in Figure 6, the connection member 68 is rotatable about the selected crossbar 72, so that the angle of the ramp can be varied to suit the level of the ground surface that surrounds the chair 11. The ability to vary the angle of the ramp can also be advantageous if the stretcher 16 and the injured skier 18 is to be loaded directly from the cradle 10 into a vehicle from the ski lift, such as into an ambulance. Then, the round engaging end 74 can be positioned for direct transfer of the injured skier 18 into the interior of the vehicle.

[0064] It will be evident that the ramp 15 can attach to either of the crossbars 72 identified in Figure 4. Accordingly, the loading and unloading of the cradle 10 can take place from either of the long ends of the support platform 20.

[0065] With reference to Figures 7 to 9, Figure 7 shows the cradle with the catches 56 in the inoperative position. This allows the catches 56 to fit between the bottom edge 76 of the backrest 13 and the upper surface of the seat 12. The cradle 10 can thus be loaded onto the chair 11 , by placing the bearing surfaces 50 of the cradle 10 onto the upper surface of the seat 12 and by sliding the cradle towards the backrest 13. As the cradle 10 approaches the backrest 13, the catches 56 in the inoperative position will pass through the gap between the bottom edge 76 of the backrest 13 and the seat 12 and once the rear edge 78 of the frame plates 36 and 38 engages the backrest 13, the catches 56 can be rotated to the operative position, by rotating the actuators 60 upwardly and capturing them in the upward position by the slip rings 62. It will be appreciated that the slip rings 62 are loosely fitted to the post or intermediate section 80 (see Figures 7 and 8) and can be lifted and lowered on the section 80. Thus, the slip ring 62 is raised when the actuator 60 is rotated to the vertical orientation and the slip ring can then be lowered over the actuator 60 to retain the actuator 60 in the vertical orientation. By virtue of the connection between the actuator 60, the rod within the tube 58 and the catch 56, the catch 56 is also retained in the upright and operative position. This final arrangement is shown in Figure 9.

[0066] It will be appreciated, that the method of use of the stretcher cradle 10 would ordinarily be that when an injured skier requires transportation, the cradle 10 would be fitted to a chair 11 and thereafter the ramp would be attached to the appropriate crossbar 72 and thereafter, the stretcher 16 with the injured skier 18 can be slid onto or placed on the ramp 15 to be pushed or pulled up the ramp and onto the support platform 20. The stretcher 16 is thereafter secured to the support platform 20 by suitable strapping, ropes, clips etc and the ramp 15 can then be removed. With each of the cradle 10, the stretcher 16 and the injured skier 18 all securely fixed to the chair 11 , the chair can be used to transport the skier either up or down the mountain. The ramp can be transported with the cradle 10, for unloading when the chair 11 reaches its destination, or ramps can be made available at each of the loading and unloading ends of the ski lift for that purpose.

[0067] It will also be evident that once an injured skier has been removed from the cradle 10, that the cradle 10 can be easily removed from the chair 11. For this, the slip ring 62 can be lifted to allow the actuator 60 to be rotated back to a generally horizontal position as shown in Figures 7 and 8, and thereafter, the cradle 10 can be slid forwardly, away from the backrest 13 to release the leading edge 54 of the seat 12 from the recess 52. At that point, the cradle 10 can be lifted from the chair 11 and stored for later use.

[0068] It will also be appreciated, that if the cradle 10 is stored at one of the loading or unloading sections of a ski lift, it can be easily transported to the other section, simply by connecting the cradle 10 on its own to a chair and transporting it with the chair up or down a mountain. [0069] It should be further noted that while the cradle 10 can be lifted manually onto the chair 11 , the cradle 10 also includes lifting shackles 82 so that the cradle 10 can be lifted by a crane from a ground surface onto a chair. These shackles 82 can also be used for air lifting a cradle 10 by helicopter.

[0070] The stretcher cradle of the invention thus provides a unique apparatus for conveniently transporting an injured skier up or down the mountain. Loading of the skier onto the cradle is facilitated by use of a ramp, while the security of connection of the cradle to the chair is sufficient to satisfy safety requirements. The cradle provides sufficient space even on a 2 or 3-person chair for medical or ski patrol personnel to accompany the chair up or down the mountain and the security of connection of the stretcher 16 to the cradle is likewise sufficient to satisfy safety requirements.

[0071] It is to be noted that it is within the scope of the present invention to orient the stretcher 16 lengthwise of the chair 11 , so that it extends in the same along the seat 12 rather than perpendicular to the seat 12. Flowever, it is expected that ski lift and chair lift operators will prefer the orientation of the stretcher as illustrated. [0072] Where any or all of the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprised" or "comprising" are used in this specification (including the claims) they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components, but not precluding the presence of one or more other features, integers, steps or components.

[0073] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.