EVACUATION DEVICE FOR THE EVACUATION OF AT LEAST FOUR CHILDREN

Abstract

 Evacuation device (1) for the evacuation of at least four children (3a-3f), comprising an elongated shaped carrier (2) arranged to carry the at least four children, at least four covers (4a-4f) that are attached to the carrier, at a top side thereof, on predetermined positions, wherein each cover is partly releasably attached to the carrier such that a child can be received between the cover and the carrier, and wherein the carrier comprises a towing member (9), situated at least at one end face of the carrier, for moving the device.

Description

[0001] The present invention is related to a device for the evacuation of at least four children.

[0002] At present, evacuation devices are already known for the evacuation of a person, such as the disclosed by PCT application WO 2008/004860. Here, a mattress is disclosed, on which a person can lay down, wherein the mattress has two longitudinal sides oriented opposite to each other, and two short sides oriented opposite to each other. The known evacuation device comprises wrapper means for wrapping a person on the mattress such that the person is firmly connected thereto. A person can be evacuated, towed, once the person is wrapped to the mattress, by means of a towing member present on the end face of the mattress, for example at the foot end part.

[0003] The British patent application GB-A-2030047 discloses a method to make use of a cloth that is provided spread out underneath a mattress. Two transverse straps are fastened to the cloth at some distance from each other, which straps are provided with buckle coupling pieces which can be coupled to each other per strap. The strap has a certain over-length, at a longitudinal side of the cloth, which strap can be provided over a person laying on the mattress to the other end face of the mattress, wherein the buckle coupling pieces of the corresponding strap can be coupled to each other and subsequently the corresponding strap can be tightened. Normally, the over-length of the strap is folded under the mattress and is held on its place using elastic loops. By providing a jerk to the buckle coupling piece that is connected to the over-length piece of the strap and is, in a resting state of the evacuation cloth, located under a mattress at the side thereof, the over-length can be pulled underneath the mattress, wherein the straps are pulled from the elastic loops. In case a person laying on a mattress is strapped with the two straps, a mattress having the person can then be pulled from a bed, for which, at the head end face and foot end face of the cloth, a towing pulling loop is provided which extends to under the mattress.

[0004] In case of an emergency, such as a fire in a building, for example a child care, school, child day care, or the like, it is of importance to evacuate the children present in the building as soon as possible. This is a problem with children because young children, for example in the age of 0 - 1 years old, are not mobile, or not mobile enough, and because children are to be helped in case of an emergency.

[0005] It is a disadvantage of the known evacuation device that they are not suitable for transporting children, and that they can only be controlled in a complex manner, such that a non-experienced user is not able or is barely able to apply the device. As a result valuable time is lost. The known devices often have a complex nature, and are therefore expensive and require a lot of maintenance.

[0006] It is the object of the present invention to provide for an evacuation device with which it is possible to evacuate at least four persons in an extremely fast manner.

[0007] Hereto, the invention provides, in a first aspect, in an evacuation device for the evacuation of at least four children, comprising:

• an elongated shaped carrier arranged to carry the at least four children;
• at least four covers that are attached to the carrier, at a top side thereof, on predetermined positions;

wherein each cover is partly releasably attached to the carrier such that a child can be received between the cover and the carrier, and
wherein the carrier comprises a towing member, situated at least at one end face of the carrier, for moving the device.

[0008] One of the advantageous of the evacuation device according to the present invention is that at least four children van be evacuated at the same time. This saves valuable time, which is of importance in the case of an emergency.

[0009] Further, the evacuation device is simple in use, as the children van be placed behind the covers in a simple, and quick manner.

[0010] According to the present invention, a child can be received between the cover and the carrier. This means that the child is to be placed by an adult between the cover and the carrier and/or that the child is able to take place itself between the cover and the carrier.

[0011] The evacuation device is mainly intended for evacuating at least four young children, for example in the age of zero to six years old, preferably between zero and three and a half years old. The children having such an age are to be helped during the evacuation process. These children have, for example, a length of between 35cm and 100cm.

[0012] The carrier can be a mattress, but it can also be a naturally or synthetically rubber mat, a plastic mat, a foam mat, a self-inflating mat, etc. Preferably, the carrier has a thickness of less than 10 cm. This ensures that the device is relatively lightweight such that the device can be moved in an efficient manner.

[0013] In an example, each cover comprises a transparent part such that a child received between the cover and the carrier is able to look through the transparent part of the cover.

[0014] The transparent part is here construed in such a way in the cover that a child received between the cover and the carrier is pushed with her or his head against the transparent part. This transparent part ensures that a received child is less quickly to panic as the child is able to visually observe what is happening around him or her.

[0015] In a further example, the transparent part is also air permeable.

[0016] This example has the advantage that a child is able to breath through the transparent part during the evacuation process. Optionally comprises the transparent part a filter, for example a dust filter, such that the air is first being filtered before a child breath the air. The transparent part can, for example, be a fine mesh what provides this functionality.

[0017] The new evacuation device can be used for evacuating of, for example, four to six children. It was the insight of the inventors that young children, for example having an age of zero to one years old, are relatively small, such that six of such young children can be evacuated at the same time. Somewhat older children, for example having an age of one to three and a half years old, are a bit larger, such that four children can be evacuated at the same time. The above is also related to the weight of the children as one person should be able to tow the evacuation device, i.e. evacuate.

[0018] For evacuating four children, four covers need to be attached to the carrier. For evacuating six children, six covers need to be attached to the carrier.

[0019] In an example, the carrier is a mattress or a rubber mat, preferably a foamed rubber mat. The thickness of the carrier, for example between 2 - 8 cm is chosen such that it provides a damping function and a rigidity function to the children that are being carried by the carrier. The carrier can also be a self-inflating mattress, for example one that is being used for camping.

[0020] In an example, each cover is partly releasably attached to the mattress by means of Velcro or a zipper. By a correct orientation of the Velcro or the zipper a quick and safe connection can be made. This aspect is discussed in a bit more detail here below.

[0021] The covers are, in practical situations, shaped rectangularly, that is having two longitudinal sides oriented oppositely to each other, and two short sides oriented oppositely to each other. The children can be placed efficiently behind the covers due to the rectangular shape of the covers, such that no useless space is being wasted. It can be advantageous when two of the sides, for example one longitudinal side and one short side are releasably attached to the carrier.

[0022] In another example, the carrier is provided with a fire retardant layer or is manufactured from a fire retardant layer. The covers may as well be provided with a fire retardant layer or may be manufactured from a fire retardant material. This material is, for example, Teflon.

[0023] The advantage hereof is, in case of fire, the risk of injuring the children is reduced substantially.

[0024] In a further example, the at least the bottom side of the carrier is provided with a layer having a low coefficient of friction for the promotion of towing the evacuation device over a ground surface.

[0025] The intention of the evacuation device according to the present invention is to carry it over a ground surface. Because in an evacuation situation multiple children are being carried by the device, it may be advantageous in case the bottom side of the carrier is slippery, that is comprises a low coefficient of friction. This could, for example, be a coating applied at the bottom side of the carrier, or it could be an additional material layer applied at the bottom side of the carrier which comprises the characteristic of a low coefficient of friction. The evacuation device may also be provided, at the bottom side thereof, with wheels or the like, such that a person is able to tow the device in a more simple manner.

[0026] In another example, the carrier is an elongated, rectangular shaped carrier, wherein a short side of the rectangularly shaped carrier is at most 100cm, preferably at most 90cm, even more preferably at most 80cm, such that the evacuation device can be moved through an opening of a door.

[0027] In order to efficiently evacuate the children using an evacuation device, it is noted that the width of the carrier should be such that the device can be towed through the opening of a door.

[0028] In a second aspect, the invention provides in a method for evacuating at least four children, which method comprises the steps of:

• placing of the at least four children behind the at least four covers of an evacuation device according to any of examples mentioned above,
• attaching the releasably part of the covers with the carrier of the evacuation device;
• evacuating of the evacuation device by towing the device by means of the towing member.

[0029] The advantageous and aspect that were addressed with the evacuation device according to the present invention are also applicable to the method and are, to increase the intelligibility, repeated here below for the method.

[0030] The invention is now explained with reference to several examples of the present invention, in which the following figures are addressed:

Figure 1 shows a first example of a schematic view of an evacuation device according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a second example of a schematic view of an evacuation device according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a third example of a schematic view of an evacuation device according to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a first example of a schematic view of an evacuation device 1 according to the present invention.

[0032] In this specific example an evacuation device 1 is shown for evacuating six children 3a-3f, for example in the age of zero to one years old. The evacuation device 1 comprises a longitudinal shaped carrier 2 for carrying or supporting the six children 3a - 3f. The carrier 2 is longitudinally shaped as the length 14 of the carrier 2 is much larger than the width 13 of the carrier 2. The width 13 of the carrier is preferably smaller than 100cm, even more preferably smaller than 90cm, even more preferably smaller than 80cm. This has the advantageous effect that the carrier is able to be towed through the openings of existing doors in a simple manner.

[0033] The evacuation device 1 further comprises six covers 4a - 4f which are provided on the carrier 1 at a top side 5 thereof on predefined positions. In the case of six covers 4a - 4f it is efficient when there are two covers attached next to each other each time. As such, two children can be placed behind the covers 4a - 4f, without the width 13 of the carrier 2 exceeding the here above mentioned width.

[0034] Each cover 4a - 4f is at least partly releasably attached to the carrier such that a child 3a - 3f can be placed between the cover and the carrier. The covers 4a - 4f can, for example, be stitched firmly to the carrier via one longitudinal side and one short side, and can be provided with a Velcro or a zipper at the other longitudinal side and the other short side. This enables it to place the children 3a - 3f behind the covers 4a - 4f, and to, subsequently, clamp or hold the children 3a - 3f by connecting the covers 4a - 4f using the Velcro of the zippers with the carrier 2.

[0035] The carrier 2 further has two end faces, indicated with reference numeral 7 and 8. To be able to efficiently move the evacuation device 1, comprises the device at at least one end face 7, 8 a towing member 9, such as a handle, a bow or something a like. A single person 10 is then able to evacuate six children 3a - 3f by towing the evacuation device 1 forward using the towing member 9.

[0036] At the bottom side 6 of the carrier 2, the carrier can be provided with a layer of material, for example a coating, which reduces the frictional coefficient of the device 1. Hereto, a person 10 needs to perform less force to tow the device 1, having placed thereon children 3a - 3f. As an alternative, wheels can be placed at the bottom side 6 of the carrier 2 such that the device can be moved efficiently by the user 10.

[0037] Further, the thickness 12 of the carrier 2 is chosen such that it provides for a damping, and a supporting functionality. The thickness is, for example, between 2cm - 8cm, preferably between 4cm - 6cm, such that shocks that occur during the moving of the evacuation device 1 are being damped. Due to this, the children 3a - 3f will suffer less from the evacuation process.

[0038] The covers 4a - 4f are each provided with a transparent part 11, such that a child is able to look through the covers 4a - 4f. This provides a calming effect to the children 3a - 3f placed in the covers 4a - 4f. The transparent part can also be air permeable such that the children 3a - 3f are able to breath hereto during the evacuating. Preferably, the transparent part 11 comprises a fine mesh such that the transparent part 11 also comprises a filter function, such that fine dust which could be release during for example a fire, shall not be breathed in by the children 3a - 3f.

[0039] The carrier 2 is, for example, a mattress, a rubber mat or something a like. The carrier 2 need to provide sufficient rigidity such that it is able to carry six children 3a - 3f and preferably provides a shock damping function such that the six children 3a - 3f do not suffer that much from shocks that occur during the evacuation process.

[0040] The covers 4a - 4f and the carrier 2 are, preferably, provided with a fire retardant layer, or comprises a fire retardant material such that the safety of the children 3a - 3f is increased.

[0041] Figure 2 shows a second example of a schematic view of an evacuation device 101 according to the present invention, which shows a same embodiment as figure 1.

[0042] In this example, the carrier comprises, at both end faces 7, 8, towing members 7, 8 such as handles. Hereto, a person is able to move the evacuation device 101 in both directions.

[0043] In this specific example it is shown that the covers are partly releasably attached to the carrier 2. This is, for example, shown by the cover 103 that is unfolded. This cover 103 is unfolded such that a child can be placed behind the cover 103, before the cover 103 using Velcro 103 is attached to the carrier.

[0044] A connection using Velcro 102 can be advantageous as the closing of the cover 103, that is connecting the cover 103 with the carrier 2, proceeds quickly. A person only needs to fold the cover 103, after the child has been placed, such that the connection between the cover 103 and the carrier by means of the Velcro is made automatically.

[0045] Figure 3 shows a third example of a schematic view of an evacuation device 201 according to the present invention.

[0046] In this specific example, an evacuation device 201 is shown which is suitable for evacuating exactly four children 202a - 202d. This evacuation device 201 is, for example, suitable for children 202a - 202d in the age between one and three and a half years old. As the children 202a - 202d having such an age are a bit older, and thus also generally a bit taller and/or heavier, it is advantageous when only four children are being evacuated at the same time. This because the total size of the evacuation device 201, and the weight a person is to tow when the children are placed, remains limited.

[0047] It was the insight that the covers 203a - 203d are further attached perpendicular to the length of the carrier 204. The children 202a - 202d are thus placed in the width direction of the carrier 204. This has the advantage that there is no lack of space such that the carrier 204 is used optimally.

[0048] The description here above which refers to the preferred embodiments shown in the figures does not have a restrictive effect on the scope of protection of the present invention, which is determined by the following claims. It is for example possible that the carrier is not rectangular, but ovally shaped and/or that multiple children are placed behind a single cover.

Claims

1. Evacuation device for the evacuation of at least four children, comprising:

- an elongated shaped carrier arranged to carry the at least four children;

- at least four covers that are attached to the carrier, at a top side thereof, on predetermined positions;

wherein each cover is partly releasably attached to the carrier such that a child can be received between the cover and the carrier, and
wherein the carrier comprises a towing member, situated at least at one end face of the carrier, for moving the device.

2. Evacuation device according to claim 1, wherein each cover comprises a transparent part such that a child received between the cover and the carrier is able to look through the transparent part of the cover.

3. Evacuation device according to claim 2, wherein the transparent part is also air permeable.

4. Evacuation device according to any of the claims 2 and 3, wherein the transparent part comprises a fine mesh.

5. Evacuation device according to any of the pervious claims, wherein the device comprises six covers for the evacuation of six children.

6. Evacuation device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the carrier is a mattress.

7. Evacuation device according to any of the previous claims, wherein each cover is partly releasably attached to the mattress by means of Velcro or a zipper.

8. Evacuation device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the carrier is provided with a fire retardant layer or is manufactured from a fire retardant layer.

9. Evacuation device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the covers are manufactured from a fire retardant material.

10. Evacuation device according to any of the claims 8 - 9, wherein the fire retardant layer and/or the fire retardant material comprises teflon.

11. Evacuation device according to any of the previous claims, wherein at least the bottom side of the carrier is provided with a layer having a low coefficient of friction for the promotion of towing the evacuation device over a ground surface.

12. Evacuation device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the carrier is an elongated, rectangular shaped carrier, wherein a short side of the rectangularly shaped carrier is at most 100cm, preferably at most 90cm, even more preferably at most 80cm, such that the evacuation device can be moved through an opening of a door.

13. Method for evacuating at least four children, which method comprises the steps of:

- placing of the at least four children behind the at least four covers of an evacuation device according to any of the claims 1 - 12,

- attaching the releasably part of the covers with the carrier of the evacuation device;

- evacuating of the evacuation device by towing the device by means of the towing member.

Drawing