Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lying underlay comprising on the one hand a thin first layer of an all-round flexible material of large wear and tear strength, having a substantially elongate basic form and forming a carrier, for instance for enabling the use of the lying underlay as a stretcher, and on the other hand a considerably thicker second layer of elongate basic form which is permanently joined or integrated with the carrier layer and which consists of a porous or fluffy soft material being intended for forming a mattress part for enabling a comfortable reclining upon the underlay.

Prior Art

A lying underlay of the sort generally described above is previously disclosed in the Applicant's WO87/04614 (PCT/SE87/00062) . According to a preferred embodiment of this known lying underlay, the two layers are intimately integrated with another by being formed of one and the same polymer material, for instance polyethylene, the thin carrier layer having a thickness of about 0,6 to 1 mm and a density of 0,9 to 1,0 kg/dm ³ , while the thick, porous layer has a thickness of about 5 mm and a density which is many times lower, for instance about 0,05 kg/dm ³ . Thus, according to its preferred embodiment, the lying underlay has a total thickness of around 6 mm; this making it possible to roll it into a spirally wound roll which can be stored in an easy way, e.g. on or in a rucksack. A substantial advantage of this known lying underlay is that, when needed, it may be quickly and smoothly used as a stretcher. Of this reason, this product is particularly well suited for being used in open-air and wilderness activities. As an example, the

lying underlay may advantageously be included into the pack of a soldier and fulfil a double function, viz . for serving not only as a heat insulating and a point load equalizing sleeping underlay on the top of a bed of brushwood or similar, but also as a flexible stretcher construction in the case when the soldier or persons in his proximity would be injured. However, a shortcoming of this lying underlay is that its limited thickness (6 mm in the preferred embodiment) gives a very mediocre, if not to say a directly bad shock absorbing and load distributing capacity. Thus, if the underlay is laid directly upon a hard, plane surface, e.g., upon a stiff bottom of a bed, the comparatively thin, porous layer does not offer any reposing comfort whatsoever.

Another general shortcoming having been realized by the Applicant and forming the basis of the present invention is the fact that stretchers rarely or never are accessible in a satisfactorily large number at or in the proximity of general establishments of different sorts. For instance, in railway and underground train sets often only one, or possibly a few stretchers (in worst case, none at all) are in readiness, which, what is more, not seldom are stowed away in difficultly accessible spaces, occasionally forgotten by the responsible staff. If an accident with many injuries on humans occurs, then the absence of sufficiently many easily accessible stretchers constitutes a circumstance which makes the required rescue work more difficult and retards it, sometimes to such an extent that the injuries are seriously aggravated and even become fatal.

Objftf-l-.B and Characteristics of the Invention The present invention aims at further developing the underlay unit known from WO87/04614 in such a way that, besides being usable as a stretcher, it also may be used as a

comfortable lying underlay directly upon a plane, hard surface. Thus, a primary object of the invention is to create an underlay unit which in a state of readiness, in which it is ready to be quickly used as a stretcher, may be used in a general way as a shock absorbing and/or load distributing soft unit, e.g., as an effect or part of an effect. In other words, during a long time in a storage or readiness state the unit shall be usable as a shock absorbing and/or supporting soft part, e.g. in the shape of a support-forming part for the back or a seat-forming part, whereafter it shall be possible to quickly and easily convert it into a stretcher.

According to the invention, at least the primary object of the same is attained by the features defined in the characterizing clause of claim 1. Further, preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Further Elucidation of Prior Art

Different forms of flexible, stretcher-like lying underlays for rescuing and patient evacuating purposes are previously disclosed in WO-A-91/18576, US-A-4 124 908, US-A-4

186 453 and US-A-4 442 557. However, these known lying underlays lack the slits in the mattress which are characteristic for the present invention and which form longitudinal folding lines in order to make possible a folding of the lying underlay into a package.

Further, in WO-A-86/02814 a mattress-like bed underlay is disclosed which is capable of being folded into a seat- forming package. However, in this case the folding takes place laterally, the bed underlay lacking any sort of longitudinal slits of the sort that characterizes the invention. Nor is the underlay shown in this document capable of being used as a stretcher. Furthermore, it is known from the Norwegian design

registration No. 68206 to provide the lying underlay with lateral folding notches.

Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a lying underlay according to the invention, ready for being used as a stretcher;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the same lying underlay in a folded state of readiness in which it is packeted in a covering envelope;

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-section showing the underlay packeted in another envelope;

Fig. 4 is a similar end view showing three different sections comprised by the underlay and each one being separatel covered by different parts of a covering envelope;

Fig. 5 is an end view showing an alternative embodimen of the underlay;

Fig. 6 is an end view illustrating a further alternative embodiment of the underlay; Fig. 7 is a perspective view corresponding to Fig. 1, showing an embodiment with an alternative design of the lying surface of the underlay;

Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view illustrating th use of the lying underlay as a part of an interior; Fig. 9 is a partially cut end view showing a lying underlay provided with aeration channels;

Fig. 10 is an end view showing an embodiment with two lying underlays just being enclosed into a common envelope,-

Fig. 11 is an end view showing a further alternative embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a further alternative embodiment;

Fig. 13 is a cross-section showing the underlay according to Fig. 12 enclosing a patient; and

Fig. 14 is a perspective exploded view illustrating a further alternative embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Fig. 1 shows a lying underlay which in its entirety is designated by reference numeral 1 and which comprises on the one hand a thin first layer 2 of an all-round flexible material with large wear and tear strength, and on the other hand a considerably thicker second layer 3 which is permanently joined or integrated with the first layer and consists of a porous or fluffy soft material intended to form a mattress part that makes it possible to comfortably repose on it. Advantageously, the two layers 2,3 may be produced in the way disclosed in WO-A- 87/04614, i.e., of one and the same polymer material, for instance polyethylene or polypropylene, the material in the strong, thin and carrier layer 2 having a density many times larger than the density of the porous layer 3. However, it is also possible to produce the two layers of different materials and then connect them to each other, for instance by some sort of adhesive or by heat welding. In the shown example, each of the two layers has a rectangular basic form, although it is feasible to confer to them a slightly tapering form. However, in both cases the basic form is elongate in so far as the length of the underlay always is larger than its largest width.

According to the invention, layer 3 forming the soft mattress part of the lying underlay is divided by one or several longitudinal slits 4,4' into several elongate sections 5,6,7 which are jointly held together by the thin carrier layer 2. More precisely, the holding together of the mattress sections 5,6,7 is effected in portions 8,8' which form longitudinal

folding lines permitting a folding of the lying underlay into a package in which the two sections 6,7 are folded inwards toward the middle section 5, with the carrier layer parts 2', 2", 2'" turned towards each other. According to an embodiment of the invention preferred in practice, the mattress part 3 has a thickness of at least 30, suitably at least 50 mm, whereby the lying underlay in question is capable of being used as a conventional mattress, in particular in its folded configuration, for instance in a hospital bed. According to the example in Fig. 1, the mattress part, i.e. the thick soft layer 3, is supposed to have a thickness of 50 mm, at the same time as the length of the underlay amounts to a size of 2 000 mm. Advantageously, middle section 5 then has a width within the range of 600 to 800 mm, while the width of each separate side section 6,7 amounts to about half of the width of middle section 5. Therefore, in the folded state shown in fig. 3 the lying underlay gets the form o a parallelepiped with a thickness of about 100 mm, a length of about 2 000 mm and a width within the range of 600 to 800 mm. O course, also the length and the thickness may deviate from thes absolute values.

As may be seen in Fig. 1, straps 9 may be connected to the thin and strong carrier layer 2, which straps on the one hand may consist of carrying straps, on the other hand of strap for holding together the side portions against the body of a lying person.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each individual dividing slit 4 has a height equal to the thickness of mattress part 3 in order to cut the latter down to carrier layer 2. In other words, the dividing slits keep side sections 6,7 completely separate from middle section 5. Folding

is carried out solely along previously mentioned portions 8,8' of carrier layer 2.

Although side sections 6,7 are equally wide according to the example in Fig. 1, they may also be differently wide. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lying underlay being folded along the folding lines in question is packeted into an enclosing, flexible envelope. One feasible embodiment of such an envelope 10 is shown in Fig. 2. In this case, the envelope comprises a large-surface which is placed against the inwardly folded side sections 6,7 and against the edge parts 11 extending along both the long and the short sides, which edge parts 11 are kept elastically strained against the upper side of middle section 5, for instance by a flexible straining band 12, for example in the form of a rubber band. Advantageously, envelope 10 consists of a suitable textile material, e.g. terry cloth, furniture fabric or similar. It should be obvious that envelope 10 may be easily and quickly pulled off from the packeted lying underlay in order to make it possible for the latter to function as a stretcher. According to an essential aspect of the present invention, the unit 13 shown in Fig. 2 and comprising both the packeted lying underlay 1 and the enclosing envelope 10, may be used as an effect in the most diversed circumstances, e.g., as a support-forming part for the back or as a seat-forming part, for instance in a room or in a vehicle. Thus, in its storage or readiness state, the unit may during long times be used as for instance a furniture forming element, whereafter it may be rapidly converted into a rescuing stretcher. This brings about the essential advantage of keeping a large quantity of stretchers easily accessible in different public institutions, such as on trains, public buildings, department stores, etc.

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In Fig. 3 an alternative envelope 14 is shown which encloses and covers the two opposite large-surfaces of the package and at least the longitudinal side edges, in that the envelope is endless. According to this embodiment, the envelope may also cover the shortends of the package. Also in this case, the envelope may consist of a textile material, although also other materials are feasible, e.g., shrinking plastic, adhering plastic or similar. It should be observed that envelope 14, equally to envelope 11, holds together mattress sections 5,6,7 and locks these relative to each other in the folded state.

In Fig. 5 an alternative embodiment is shown according to which an envelope 15 comprises three different sectors 15', 15", 15'", each separately enclosing the different mattress sections 5,6,7. Thus, in this case the envelope is placed on the lying underlay when the different mattress sections are folded out or are in a common plane, the envelope enclosing the mattress sections all-round and being in contact with their surfaces.

In fig. 5 an embodiment is shown according to which carrier layer parts 2",2'" have a smaller width than side sections 6,7 of the mattress part. In this embodiment, the outer longitudinal side parts of the side sections become more flexible and softer than at the embodiment according to Fig. 1. Fig. 6 shows an embodiment according to which each individual side section is divided into two part-sections 6',6" and 7',7", respectively, by a corresponding dividing slit 4",4'". In this embodiment, the side sections are capable of being more easily connected to the body of a patient.

In Fig. 7 an embodiment is shown according to which the upper surface 16 on the middle section 5 of the mattress part has been conferred an uneven surface structure, for instance in the form of longitudinal grainings, with the object of reducing

the risk for bedsores in cases when the underlay is used for long periods as a mattress, for instance in a hospital bed.

In Fig. 9 is illustrated an embodiment according to which the different layers in the sections of the lying underlay have been made with through aeration channels 17 which promote the evacuation of humidity and vapour from the underlay and which may bring about a current of air upwards towards a reposing body, for instance by bringing air to the boundary zone between the mattress sections. Fig. 10 shows an embodiment according to which two identical lying underlays are supposed to be laid adjacent to each other, with the lying surfaces of middle sections 5 in contact with each other. According to this embodiment, the side sections are folded inwards towards the middle sections, thus forming a package of four-fold thickness in comparison with the individual mattress layer 3, and then the package is enclosed in an envelope.

Fig. 11 shows an embodiment according to which the individual side section is divided into two lamella-like parts 19,19' by a slit 18,18' parallel to the carrier layer 2, which parts 19,19' are held together along longitudinal side edges by a reinforcing layer 20 which protrudes from carrier layer 2. As can be seen in Fig. 12, the lamella part 19' next to the lying surface of middle section 5 may be shorter than the outer lamella part 19. In this way, the arms of a lying patient or person may be placed between the two lamella parts and be kept locked after the outer lamella parts having been connected to each other, for instance by straps 9. Thus, when the lying underlay is used as a stretcher not only the trunk and legs of the patient may be held steadily fixed and still, but also the patient's arms, this being important for instance in connection with rescuing operations at difficult surrounding circumstances.

Eventually, in Fig. 14 an embodiment is shown according to which the middle section 5 of the mattress part is composed of on the one hand a lower partial layer 21 and on the other hand of a plurality of superficial part elements 22,22' , etc. These separate surface elements 22,22' may have different densities in order to satisfy the requirements on the lying surface in the best way, which requirements are different for different parts of the body.

In practice, the longitudinal slits that form folding lines at the different embodiments of the invention, along which lines the different sections of the mattress may be folded inwards towards each other, may be brought about in the most different ways. One way is cutting or sawing in the porous material, after its production into a homogenous continuous mattress part. Another way is to, already in connection with the producing of the porous layer, form the layer so that dividing slits of desired depth and form are immediately formed. In this context it is pointed out that the cross-sectional form of the individual slit may advantageously be triangular or otherwise tapering, so that wedge-wisely tapering edge parts are formed in the mattress sections adjacent to each other. The slits may also be made by a melting or pressing operation.

Feasible Modi f cations of the Invention It is evident that the invention is not restricted solely to the embodiments described and shown in the drawings. Thus, within the scope of the invention it is feasible to integrate electrically conducting material into the mattress part in a way known per se. for instance electrically conductin polymer fibres, whose conductivity is so chosen that heat is produced when current is provided. In other words, the mattress part may be kept warm at a temperature suitable for the purpose

by the supply of an electrical current. In practice, the electrically conducting material in question should be located in close proximity to the thin carrier layer, so as to avoid the risk of being compressed or stretched in connection with a possible deformation of the lying underlay. In this way it is guaranteed that the material always maintains one and the same electrical resistance, thus producing an even heating temperature. Moreover, the geometrical form of the lying underlay can vary most considerably. Thus, instead of a rectangular basic shape of the respective mattress sections also a slightly tapering or wedge-like form may occur. It should also be pointed out that the soft and porous mattress layer may be composed of two or more part layers. It may also be mentioned that the strong carrier layer 2 may in practice be designed with handles or handle-forming recesses in order to make possible the use of the unit as a stretcher. It is further possible to provide the carrier layer with longitudinal pockets in which stiffening bars may be inserted if desired.