US3003625A - First aid kit - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 10, 1961 w. ANDERSON 3,003,625

FIRSTAIDKIT Filed May 15, 195s INVENTOR: WENDELI. ANDERSON United States Patent() 3,003,625 FIRST AID KIT Wendell Anderson, 22 W. 378 Army Trail Road, Rte. 1, Addison, Ill. Filed May 15, 1958, Ser. No. 735,447 Claims. (Cl. 206-63.2)

The presentinvention relates to a first aid kit. More particularly, it has :to do with a container into which rst-aid articles may be carried or which may be used as a splint.

Numerous containers have been devised for carrying components useful in giving iirst aid to injured persons. In the more elaborate kits, a great variety of bandages and the like may be included together with rigid members to serve as splints. The splints, of course, are sometimes required in caring for a fracture of an arm or leg. Depending upon the type of fracture, it may be necessary to use a splint on one or both sides of the fractured member; for the more serious fractures, it-is sometimes highly desirable to apply traction -to the injured member in addition to binding it firmly in -a splint.

An ordinary rst-aid kit which includes the necessary splints usually is excessively large in size and is heavy. The excess bulk necessary to accommodate the splints detracts from portability and convenience of stowing and transporting the kit.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide a first-aid kit which overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages of conventional rst-ad kits.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a first-aid kit enabling portable transport of the usual first-aid materials including bandages and the like and also including the members necessary to securely and rigidly splint a fracture.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a first-aid kit which may be light and compact while affording an essentially complete variety of rst-aid materials including both bandages and splints. Y

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a first-aid kit which is economical and easy to manufacture, is easy to assemble and dismantle; and is in form to be readily understood by teen-agers both as to assembled uses and potential uses when dismantled,

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a first-aid kit which affords splints of a size suilicient to lend good support to the human arm or leg while the first-aid kit at the same time is capable of be ing easily carried in the human hand and knapsacks.

The first-aid kit of the present invention yincludes a combination first-aid supply container and splint assembly. The combination includes first and second elongated double-channel members both of predetermined internal and external widths and both having channels running along each longitudinal edge portion thereof. For cooperation therewith are first and second elongated channel members both of selected internal and external widths and bothV having bottom portions of predetermined thickness with one of the selected Widths approximating one of the predetermined widths. First and second U- shaped members both of a depthl less than the predetermined `internal width minus the total bottom thickness, of the channel members are also associated with the foregoing members togetherY with means for releasably securing all of the members together in a multiplicity of interrelationships.

Specifically, the various members may be secured in several different relationships including those of a box, a single splint, a double splint, and a double splint. with traction inboth long and short sizes. Thus, inA one aspect the invention takes a form of a demountable container comprising the above-mentioned members as its diierent 3,003,625 Patented Oct. 10, 1961 ICC walls. Alternatively, the members may be separated, used separately or reassembled in various combinations to provide different types of splints.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended clai-ms. The organization and manner of cperation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the fol-lowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:

FIG. l is a perspective View of a first-aid kit constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FG. 2 is an exploded view of the apparatus in FIG; l;

FIG. 3 is a perspective View of the components of FIGS. l and 2 arranged in a different interrelationship;

FiG. 4 is a fragmentary sec-tional view taken along the lines 4 4 in FIG. l; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, similar to FlG. l, of an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates various components arranged in the form of a container 1t), suitable to house first-aid supplies. As assembled, container 1t) includes as its side walls a pair of facing double-channel members 11 and 12; running along each longitudinal edge portion of members 11 and 12 are channels 13. Channels 13 are separated by an intermediate bottom portion 14 of the double-channel members.

Forming the top and bottom walls of container 10 are a pair of facing elongated channel members 17 and 18. The side portions 19 of members 17, 18 have a height less than the internal width of edge-channels 13 so that when the walls `are assembled as shown in FIG. l side portions 19 nest within channels 13.

Closure members 21 and 22 form the end walls of container 10. Members 21 and 22 in the present instance are alike yand take the form of a pair of facing U-haped members having legs 24 and bottom portions 23 preferably recessed or igrooved at 23a in the direction of the legs. U-shaped members 21, 22 both have -a depth less than the internal Width of double-channel members 11 and 12. That is, the depth D of members 21, 22, as measured across a leg 24 in a direction parallel to base portion 23, is less than the distance between the inner surfaces ofthe outer side portions 26 of double-channel members 11, 12. Moreover, the depth D of U-shaped members 21, 22 is les-s than the internal width of members 11, 12 minus the total bottom thickness of the channel members 17, 18; that is, each member 17, 18 has a thickness T (FIG. 4) and the depth of U-shaped members 21, 22 is selected so that lwhen the container is assembled the bottom portions of channel members 17 18 are received between side portions 26 4and the edge of legs 24.

' As assembled, with side portions 19 nested in channels 13, legs 24 lie against the inner surface o-f intermediate portion 14 and project over channels 13 covering side portions 19. Channels 13 are preferably of a depth approximating the thickness of channel member 17 and particularly the thickness of side portions 19 so that, with legs 24 lying against intermediate portion 14, legs 24 also hold side portions 19 seated snugly in channel 13.

Securing the entire assembly together are screws 30 inserted through aligned openings 31 and engaged by wing nuts 32. When so secured with the wing nuts disposed inside or outside of the container, container 16 is extremely rigid, the offset of intermediate yportion 14 and the side portion flanges adding rigidity to the entire construction and resisting lateral bending stresses. When it is desired to gain access to the interior of 'container 10 for removal of the irst-aid contents, both members can be slid endwise in either direction by gripping and pushing the edges thereof that extend over the grooves 23a thereby providing universal access to all contents of the container or, if desired, the clearances between the parts may be so provided that all parts are clamped by the wing nuts whereupon it is only necessary to loosen wing nuts 32 and the top and bottom channel members 17 and 18 may be slid outwardly of one end as indicated in phantom in FIG. l. Yet, with members y17 yand 18 in position and wing nuts 32 screwed-up tightly, members 17 and 18 are secured firmly in position by the action of legs 24 clamping side portions 19 within channels 13. t has been found however, that resiliency in the legs 24 provide sumcient tension to hold the mem- V bers 17 and 18 against inadvertent sliding.

instead of `carrying splint elements within container 10, the present invention contemplates utilizing the members forming the container as splints or portions thereof. Of course, any single one of members 11, 12, 17 or 18 may be utilized by itself as a single splint which when placed against a fractured arm or the like and bound tightly thereto affords desired support. Again, the oisets and/or the side portion iianges give rigidity resisting lateral bending forces.

lt is usually better, however, to use a double splint; that is, to place a member on each side of the injured Vpart of the body Iand wrap the two members very tightly.

Particular utility of the arrangement of the present invention arises when it is desired to provide splints for an entire arm or leg of an injured person. Normally, such splints are of one-piece construction and, as such, are most unwieldy for packaging within la portable first-aid kit. To the end of maintaining comparatively small dimensions for container 10 but yet providing substantially longer and very rigid splints, channel members 17, 18 are dimensioned to inter-tit with double-channel member 11, 12 and -form elongated splints. This is achieved through correlation of the lwidths of these members. As shown in FIG. Y3, the internal width between side portions 19 of member 17, 18 approximates the external width between side portions 26 of double-channel members 11 and 12. As the result, channel members 17, 18 telescope snugly over double-channel members 11, 12. Accordingly, channel member 17 together with double-channel member 12 tit together to form a single splint; the members are rigidly secured together by using the same screw 3i) and wing nut 32 with screw 30 being inserted through aligned openings in the members. Similarly, channel member 18 and double-channel member 11 may be fitted together and clamped by means of another screw and Vwing nut to provide a second single splint which together Vwith the rst may be utilized as an elongated double splint.

A salient feature of the present construction stems from the use of one of U-shaped members 21 or 22 together with the double splint formed as described to enable the application of traction to an injured leg, for example, bound between the double splint. To this end, an opening 35 is provided in the bottom of the grooves 23a of at least one of the U-shaped members. The selected U-shaped member is placed around the bottom of the foot with its legs 24 projecting overl the inner bottom portions of channel members 17, 18, the side portions 19 and 26 of the telescoping channel members projecting outwardly from the injured leg. The selected'U-shaped member is secured to ichannel members 17 and 18 by additional ones of screws 30, available upon demounting of container 10, inserted through aligned openings in the bottom portions of members 17 and 18.

When thus assembled, a bandage 39 wrapped iirmly about the ankle and foot 40 of the injured leg is brought out through opening 35. By tying a knot 41 at the ends of the exposed portion of the bandage and inserting a stick 42 or like instrumentality between the two ends,

tension may be applied to the leg tourniquet fashion and the `groove 23a will prevent unwinding thereof.

Facility of assembling the members into the diierent relationship-s is permitted by the illustrated disposition of the openings receptive of screws 30. Preferably, a series of holes or openings 31 are spaced alongthe longi-A tudinal center line of each of the members and centrally along the middle of legs 24. Consequently, the length of the splints is selectively adjustable by aligning diierent pairs of openings 31. The openings also are aligned for securing of the parts together in the form of container 10.

When assembled as illustrated in FIG. 3,'the U-shaped member 21 or 22 serving as the traction member will cock slightly to one side, since the depth D of this member is'less than the internal width of double-channel members `11, 12 which fit inside the side Vportions of channel members 17, 18. Actually, the slight cooking of the U-shaped member is of little consequence since once traction is applied, the U-shaped member is held iirmly in its cocked position. Moreover, by reversing the relative positions of members 11, 12 and 17, 18 from that shown in FIG; 3, putting the former nearest the arm or leg extremity, the amount of such cooking is reduced since depth D -of the- U-shaped Vmembersrneed only be less than the internal width of double-channel members 11, 12 by double the thickness T of each ofthe other channel member bottom portions. Any disadvantage of this arrangement is compensated by a manufacturing economy arising from the described construction. Initially, channel members 17 and 18 may be cut from the same stock as double-channel members 11, 12. The amount of offset of intermediate portions 14 in the double-channel members is selected to contract side portions 26 together by an amount just suilicient that the latter are snugly received within side portions 19 of channel members 17, 18 as in FIG. 3. At the same time this makes the depth of edge-channels 13 correct to snugly receive side portions 19 for clamping by legs 24 when assembled as container 10.

However, when it is practical to utilize different initial channel stock for the two pairs of splint-forming members, a slightly diierent dimensional relationship uses an arrangement in which U-shaped membersk 21, 22 telescope snugly within the single-channel members. This alternativeV is illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein double-channel members 11 and 12 as Well as U-shaped member 21 are constructed and dimensioned identically as described above. In this instance, however, the external width of channel members 17a, 18a approximates the internal width of double-channel members 11, 12. Thus, channel members 17a, latelescope inside double-channel members 11, 12, just the opposite of the relationship illustrated in FIG. 3. Y

With the arrangement of FIG. 5, legs 24 tit snugly between the side portions of channel 17a, 18a because the depth of legs 24 is specifically selected to be less than the internal width of double-channel members 11, 12 by an approximating the total bottom thickness of channel members 17a, 18a so that the disposition illustrated in FIG. 4 obtains when the parts are assembled as container 10. Accordingly, the U-shaped member in this instance is more rmly secured and projects more rigidly in a fixed position from channel members 17a, 18a.

It is contemplated to ordinarily carry container 10 within a bag, preferably of the type having a drawstring, At such times as it is necessaryto dismantle container 10 to provide splints, the contents formerly in container 10 may then conveniently be carried in the bag temporarily. lFor permanent, standby storage, it is of course highly desirable that the contents be returned to the container for protection against damage.V

Since all of the component parts may be produced readily by simple extrusion stamping or rolling operations, the manufacture of the first-aid kit is economical. By reason of the nesting relationship of the various members, assembly ofthe parts either into the splint forms or into the container form is easily and quickly accomplished. Both as a container and as one or more of the diierent splints, the assembly is very As shown, only four screws are. utilized together with four wing nuts; these four screws andv wing nuts serve both to secure the container parts one to another or to. secure the entire assemblage of elements of aY traction splint tightly and securely together. For a first-aid container of a given length, it will be observed that either a single splint of almost four times that length or a double splint of substantially twice that length is available. Consequently, when in container form the package may be most compact and easily hand-carried while yet providing all the necessary components for a man-sized traction double-splint. In use as a container, ready and complete access may b e had by the simple loosening of two wing 1.11118 whereupon one. of. the. t0n or bottem Walls may be slid to one side or removed altogether; the side Walls together with the end closure members retain their positions forming slideways for re-insertion of the top and/ or bottom walls.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art. that changes and Inodiiications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Accordingly, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. y

What is claimed is:

1. A supply container comprising: lirst and second elongated double-channel members both of predetermined internal and Aexternal widths and both having slide channels running along each longitudinal edge portion thereof of a predetermined depth; third and fourth elongated channel members both of selected internal and external widths and .both having bottom portions of predetermined thickness less than said predetermined depth with one of said selected Widths approximating one of said predetermined widths in engagement with said first and second double channel members; i-rst and second U-shaped members both of a depth less than said predetermined internal Width minus the total bottom thickness of said thirdr and fourth channel members in engagement with said iirst and second and said third and fourth channel members; and means securing said first and second and saidY third and fourth channel members and U-shaped members together with said channels facing each other to form a hollow rectangular container.

2. A combinationlirst-aid supply container and splint comprising: first and Seeend. elongated deubleehennel members. beth. ef. predetermined internal and external widths and both, having channels running along each longitudinal edge portion thereof; lthird and fourth channel members both of selected internal and external widths and both having bottom portions of predetermined thickness with said selected external width approximating said predetermined internal width; first and second U-shaped members both of a depth less than said predetermined internal width minus the total bottom thickness of said third and fourth channel members, said depth approximating said selected internal width; and means releasably securing said iirst and second and said third and fourth channel members and said U-shaped members together to form a hollow rectangular container.

3. A combination first-aid supply container and splint comprising: first and second elongated double-channel members both of predetermined internal and external widths and both having channels running along each longitudinal edge portion thereof; rst and second elongated channel members both of selected internal and external widths and both having bottom portions of predetermined thickness with one of said selected widths approximating one of said predetermined widths, said channel members nesting with said double channel members with their mid portions in spaced relation with each other; first and e second closure members individually engaged with side walls at opposite ends of an elongated box comprising said double-channel members as its side walls and said channel members as its top and bottom walls with the side portions of said channel members nested individually in said longitudinal-edge-portion channels; and means releasably securing said members together to form a hollow rectangular container whereby said members may be arranged in a multiplicity of interrelationships and secured by said means to form various size splints.

4. A combination lirst-aid supply container and splint comprising: rst and second elongated double-channel members both of predetermined internal and external widths and both having channels running along each longitudinal edge portion thereof; lirst and second elongated chanels members both of selected internal and external widths and both having bottom portions of predeterm-ined thickness with said selected internal width approximating said predetermined external Width; iirst and second closure members individually engaged with opposite ends of an elongated box comprising said doublechannel members as its side walls and said channel members as its top and bottom walls` with the side portions of said channel members nested individually in said longitudinal-edge-portion channels; and means releasably securing said members together to form a hollow rectangular container whereby said members may be arranged in a multiplicity of interrelationships and secured by said means to form various size splints.

5. A combination first-aid supply container and splint comprising: rst and second elongated double-channel members both of predetermined internal and external widths and both having channels running along each longitudinal edge portion thereof; iirst and second elongated channel members both of selected internal and external Widths and both having bottom portions of predetermined thickness with said selected external Width approximating said predetermined internal width; iirst and second closure members individually engaged with opposite ends of an elongated box comprising said double-channel members as its side Walls and said channel members as its top and bottom walls with the side portions of said channel members nested individually in said longitudinaledge-portion channels; and means releasably securing said membersl together to form a hollow rectangular container whereby said members may be arranged in a multiplicity of interrelationships and secured by said means to form various size splints. l

6. A combination first-aid supply container and splint comprising: iirst and second elongated double-channel members having marginal right angle iianges defining predetermined internal and external widths and both having channels running along each longitudinal edge portion thereof; first and second elongated channel members nesting with said double-channel members and both of selected internal and external widths and both having bottom portions of predetermined thickness with one of said selected widths approximating one of said predetermined widths; rst and second U-shaped members both of a depth less 4than said predetermined internal width minus the total bottom thickness of said channel members; said double-channel members and said channel members each having a series of openings spaced along the longitudinal center line thereof and said U-shaped members having a series of openings spaced lengthwise along the middle of each leg thereof; and means insertable through said openings selectively securing said members together to form a hollow `rectangular container whereby said members may be arranged in a multiplicity of interrelationship and secured by said means to form various size splints.

7. A demountable container comprising: facing first and second elongated double-channel members both of predetermined internal and external widths and both having channels running along each longitudinal 'edge portion thereof; facing iirst and second elongated channel members both of selected internal and external widths and both having bottom portions of predetermined thickness with one of said selected widths approximating one of said predetermined widths, the side portions of said channel members nested individually in said longitudinaledge-portion channels; facing first and second U-shaped members both of a depth less than said predetermined internal width minus the total bottom thickness of said channel members, the legs of said U-shaped members lying ilat against the double-channeLmember inner bottom surfaces between said longitudinal-edge-portion channels and projecting over a portion of the latter on the inward side of said nested channel-member side portions; said double-channel members and said channel members each having openings on the longitudinal center line thereof and said U-shaped members having openings on the longitudinal center line of each leg thereof; and means insertable through said openings securing said members together.

8. A demountable container comprising: facing iirst and second elongated double-channel members both of predetermined internal and external widths and both having channels of predetermined depth running along each longitudinalY edge portion thereof; facing tirst and second elongated channel members both of selected internal and external widths and both ol' predetermined thickness with the external selected widths approximating the external predetermined widths and with said predetermined'thickness approximating said predetermined depth, the side portions of said channel members nested individually in said longitudinal-edge-portion channels; rst and second 'U-shaped members both of a depth less than said predetermined internal width minus the total bottom thickness of said channel members, the legs of said U-shaped members lying dat against the doublechannel-member inner bottom surfaces between said longitudinal-edge-portion channels and projecting over a portion of the latter on the inward side of said nested channelmember side portions; and means releasably securing said members together.

9. A combination first-aid supply container and splint comprising: first and second elongated double-channel members both of predetermined internal and external widths and both having channels running along each longitudinal edge portion thereof; rst and second elongated channel members both of selected internal and external widths and both having bottom portions of predetermined thickness with one of, said selected widths approximating one of said predetermined widths so as to nest therewith, said members forming a rectangular tube; a closure member engaged withv one end of the rectangular tube in which saidelongated double-channel members comprise its side Walls and said elongated channel members comprise its top and bottom walls with side portions of said elongated channel members nested slidable for longitudinal movement individually in said longitudinal edge portion channels of saidelongated doublechannel members; a Ushaped member of a dimension less than said predetermined internal width minus the total bottom thickness of said elongated channel members engaged with the other end of said tube; said elongated double-channel members and said elongated channel members having bolt receiving openings in the bottom portions thereof and said U-shaped member having openings in the legs' thereof; said U-shaped member openings aligned with therbolt receiving Vopenings on said elongated double-channel members and means insertable through said aligned openings of said elongated double-channel members and said U-shaped member to releasably secure all the members toform -a hollow rectangular container, whereby said elongated channel-member openings aligned with said elongated double-channel member openings and said vU-shaped member openings receive said insertable means selectively to secure said members ltogether in a multiplicity of interrelationships to form Vvarious size splints.

10. A combination irst-aidsupply container and splint comprising: first and second elongated double-channel members both of predetermined internal and external widths yand both having channels running along each longitudinal edge portion thereof; first and second elongated channel members both of selected internal and external widths and both having bottom portions of predetermined thickness with one of said selected widths approximately one of said predetermined widths, said elongated channel members having sides thereof Ynested individually in. said channels running along each longitudinal edge portion of said elongated double-channel members slid able for longitudinal movement therewith; first `and second U-shaped members both of a vdepth less than said predetermined internal width minus the total bottom thickness of said channel members, at least one of said U-shaped members having an opening inthe bottom portion thereof; and means releasably securing said doublechannel members and said U-,shaped members with said elongated channel member clamped therebetween to form a hollow rectangular container, whereby said members may be arranged in a multiplicityV of interrelationships and secured by said meansY to form various size splints.

References Cited in the le ofthis` patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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