Cinch cord rescue device

Abstract

A rescue device is disclosed which comprises a foldable stretcher which is adapted to encompass a human form. A cinch cord extends about a periphery of the stretcher and is slidably captured by a plurality of passageways. The plurality of passageways create one or more cutouts about the periphery. Each cutout provides hand access to the cinch cord whereby pulling the cinch cord causes the stretcher to encompass a human form contained thereon.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A rescue device comprises: 
 a foldable stretcher, the stretcher adapted to encompass a human form; and    a cinch cord extending about a periphery of the stretcher, the cinch cord being slidably captured by a plurality of passageways, the plurality of passageways creating one or more cutouts about the periphery, each cutout providing hand access to the cinch cord whereby pulling the cinch cord causes the stretcher to encompass a human form contained thereon.    
     
     
         2 . The rescue device of  claim 1  wherein the passageways are formed by looping and sewing portions of the periphery over on itself.  
     
     
         3 . The rescue device of  claim 1  wherein the one or more cutouts are between eight to ten inches wide.  
     
     
         4 . The rescue device of  claim 1  comprising four or more cutouts.  
     
     
         5 . The rescue device of  claim 4  having two of the four or more cutouts positioned at the ends of the stretcher and another two of the four or more cutouts positioned at the midpoints of each side of the stretcher.  
     
     
         6 . The rescue device of  claim 1  wherein the stretcher is made of a cloth-like fire retardant material.  
     
     
         7 . The rescue device of  claim 1  wherein the stretcher is made of a flourescent, reflective color for visibility.  
     
     
         8 . The rescue device of  claim 1  wherein the stretcher is between six to eight feet long and between three to five feet wide.  
     
     
         9 . The rescue device of  claim 8  wherein the stretcher is seven feet long and four feet wide.  
     
     
         10 . The rescue device of  claim 1  wherein the cinch cord is a six to nine millimeter climbing rope.  
     
     
         11 . The rescue device of  claim 1  wherein the cinch cord is a webbing material.  
     
     
         12 . The rescue device of  claim 1  wherein the cinch cord is brightly colored.  
     
     
         13 . The rescue device of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of flexible frames adapted to cause automatic deployment of the stretcher.  
     
     
         14 . A rescue device comprises: 
 a cloth-like, foldable, fire retardant, flourescent, reflective colored stretcher, the stretcher being between six to eight feet long and between three to five feet wide and adapted to encompass a human form; and    a cinch cord extending about a periphery of the stretcher, the cinch cord being brightly colored, the cinch cord being slidably captured by a plurality of passageways formed by looping and sewing portions of the periphery over on itself, the plurality of passageways creating four or more cutouts between eight to ten inches wide about the periphery, each cutout providing hand access to the cinch cord whereby pulling the cinch cord causes the stretcher to encompass a human form contained thereon, two of the four or more cutouts being positioned at the ends of the stretcher and another two of the four or more cutouts being positioned at the midpoints of each side of the stretcher.    
     
     
         15 . The rescue device of  claim 14  wherein the stretcher is seven feet long and four feet wide.  
     
     
         16 . The rescue device of  claim 14  further comprising a plurality of flexible wire frames adapted to cause automatic deployment of the stretcher.  
     
     
         17 . The rescue device of  claim 14  wherein the cinch cord is a six to nine millimeter climbing rope.  
     
     
         18 . The rescue device of  claim 14  wherein the cinch cord is a webbing material.