WO1992011832A1

WO1992011832A1 - Portable first aid kit

Info

Publication number: WO1992011832A1
Application number: PCT/BR1992/000001
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans Johann Kuhn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-01-10
Filing date: 1992-01-10
Publication date: 1992-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 1993-07-10
Also published as: BR9100092A

Abstract

The present invention refers to a portable first aid kit particularly suitable for attending to traumatisms, that serves to hold various specific immobilizers for the various parts of the human body, as well as a plurality of curative materials, such as bandages, gauze and the like. The portable first aid kit of the present invention is characterised by comprising a housing (1) having a face (7) provided with a plurality of retaining means (8), and a compartment (6) suitable for holding a plurality of orthopaedic immobilizers.

Description

"PORTABLE FIRST AID KIT".

The present invention refers to a portable first aid kit, especially suitable for treating traumatisms, containing bandages, dressings and immobilizers for a plurality of joints of the human body, the portability and simplicity of use of which makes its application advantageous in emergency situations, even by non-specialists.

It is always recommendable that persons affected by traumatisms receive first aid "in loco", so that later complications may be avoided. Such recommendations are particularly pertinent when there is suspicion of fractures or ruptures of ligaments, twisted joints, deep cuts and lesions in the spinal column, where there should be immediate immobilizatiion.

In view of the large variety of traumatisms that may occur, the prior art includes various types of immobilizer for use on specific parts of the human body. Among the prior art documents available, special attention should be given to US 5,520,806 which discloses a splint of flexible material that is bent on use to envolve the member to be immobilized. The structural concept taught by that document is of real value since it permits the splints to be stored in a flat state, thus occupying little space.

On the other hand, the art does not teach a first aid kit specially suitable for traumatisms that includes an immobilization kit, uniting orthopaedic immobilizers adaptable to the spinal column, as well as general first aid components, such as bandages, dressings and the like.

The principal object of the present invention is therefore to provide a first aid kit that includes the above mentioned elements, arranged in such a way that the kit is compact and easily transported and usable in emergency situ ations, even by individuals that have only a basic training.

This object is met by a portable first aid kit, particularly useful in attending to traumatisms, characterised by comprising a housing having a face provided with a plurality of retaining means, and a compartment suitable for holding a plurality of orthopaedic immobilizers.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a first aid kit according to this invention; and

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the kit shown in Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 1, a kit according to this invention basically comprises a housing 1, preferably made of a flexible material, such as canvas or nylon, that has first and second rectangular parts 2 and 3 foldably joined along a line 4. The first part 2 is hollow and includes an opening 5 at its end opposite to that of line 4, which gives access to a compartment 6 which may receive orthopaedic immobilizers for the spinal column, members and joints, such immobilizers in themselves not forming part of the present invention. Opening 5 is provided with a closure device 13 that may comprise srips of velcro, a zipper or the like.

The second part 3 is provided on its inner face 7 with a plurality of straps 8, preferably made of elastic material, that are suitable for retaining first aid materials, such as bandages, gauze, plasters, dressings, cotton wool, an instrument case and the like, as well as immobilizers that are specific for hands and fingers and have reduced dimensions, and a thoraxic band that can be rolled.

Figure 2 shows that the outer face 9 of the first part 2 may advantageously include a pocket 10 for containing stretcher material.

Still with reference to Figure 2, it is emphasised that other pockets, such as that indicated by reference 11, may be arranged on the outer faces of parts 2 and 3 for holding manuals of use or other accessories.

In order to permit transportation of the kit, housing 1 may be folded with parts 2 and 3 doubled over each other, it being possible to include strips 14, preferably made of velcro, arranged along the edge of part 3 opposite to that of folding line 4 and capable of cooperating with the closure device 13 so as to maintain the housing 1 in a closed configuration, as well as a carrying handle 12 that permits easy handling of the kit. In one alternative embodiment, an outer case (not shown) may be provided, having a carrying handle and into which housing 1 may be introduced.

When the kit is to be used, parts 2 and 3 are opened out so as to permit rapid access both to compartment 6 and the inner face 7 of the second part 3, and to the outer face 9 of the first part 2.

Finally, it must be understood that the above described first aid kit is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the true scope of which is defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. Portable first aid kit, particularly useful in attending to traumatisms, characterised by comprising a housing (1) having a face (7) provided with a plurality of retaining means (8), and a compartment (6) suitable for holding a plurality of orthopaedic immobilizers.

2. Kit according to claim 1, characterised in that the housing (1) has a substantially planar configuration.

3. Kit according to claim 2, characterised in that the housing (1) comprises first and second parts (2,3) foldably joined to each other.

4. Kit according to claim 2, characterised in that the said parts (2,3) are rectangular and joined along a fold line (4).

5. Kit according to claim 4, characterised by comprising fixing means (14) capable of maintaining said parts (2,3) folded over each other.

6. Kit according to claim 5, characterised in that said first part (2) includes said compartment (6) and in that said retaining means (8) are arranged on the inner face (7) of said second part (3).

7. Kit according to claim 6, characterised in that said retaining means are elastic straps (8).

8. Kit according to claim 7, characterised in that a pocket (10) is provided on the outer face (9) of the first part (2).

9. Kit according to claim 1, 3, 7 or 8, characterised in that the housing (1) is made of flexible material.

10. Kit according to claim 1, 3, 7 or 8, characterised in that access to said compartment (6) is provided through an opening (5) arranged along an edge of said first part (2), opposite said fold line (4), a closure means (13) being arranged at said opening.

11. Kit according to claim 10, characterised in that said fixing means (14) extends from an edge of the said second part (3) that is opposite said fold line (4) and cooperate with said closure means (13). AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 19 June 1992 (19.06.92); original claims 1,2,3 and 6 replaced by amended claim 1; claim 4,5, and 7-11 replaced by amended claims 2-8 (1 page)]

1. Portable first aid kit, particularly useful in attending to traumatisms, characterised by comprising a substantially planar housing (1) comprising first and second planar parts (2,3) foldably joined to each other, said first part (2) having a compartment (6) suitable for holding a plurality of orthopaedic immobilizers, and said second part (3) having an inner face (7) provided with a plurality of retaining means (8).

2. Kit according to claim 1, characterised in that said retaining means are elastic straps (8).

3. Kit according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the said parts (2,3) are rectangular and joined along a fold line (4).

4. Kit according to claim 3, characterised in that t he first part (2) is hollow in order to form the compartment (6), the access to which being provided through an opening (5) arranged along an edge of the first part (2) opposite said fold line (4), a closure means (13) being arranged at the opening (5).

6 . Kit according to claim 5, characterised in that a pocket (10) is provided on an outer face (9) of the first: part (2).

7. Kit according to claim 6, characterised in that the housing (1) is made of flexible material.

8 . Kit according to claim 5 or 7, characterised in that said fixing means (14) extends from an edge of the second part (3) that is opposite said fold line (4) and cooperate with the closure means (13).

STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19

Applicant believes that the invention defined in new claim 1 is novel vis-a-vis the teachings of EP, A, 0 199 853 and FR , A, 2 626 166 - since they do not refer to a portable first aid kit comprising a substantially-planar housing(1) having a first and second planar parts (2) foldably joined to each other, said first_planar part (2) having a compartment (6) suitable for holding a plurality of orthopaedic immobilizers.

EP, A, 0 199 853 and FR, A, 2 626 166 disclose medical packs that have a parallelepipedic configuration and no planar portion with a compartment for orthopaedic: immobilizers.

The unique configuration of the claimed invention Permits its easy transportation, storage and use in confined ispaces, such as ambulances. Further, as mentioned on lines 14-17 of page 3 of the specification of this application, unfolding of parts (2,3) allows rapid access both to said compartment (6) and to the inner face (7) of second part (3). The specific disposition of compartment (6) defined in new claim 4 permits access thereto even when parts (2,3) are folded over each other.