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Rehabilitation unitRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, User Manipulated Force Resisting Apparatus, Component Thereof, Or Accessory ThereforRehabilitation unit description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070225131, Rehabilitation unit. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to the field of fire service equipment. In particular, to a rehabilitation unit. BACKGROUND [0002] A rehabilitation protocol is part of the standard operating procedures for many fire services. The rehabilitation protocol typically provides for firefighters involved in operations at an incident scene to be rotated through a rehabilitation area based on criteria such as, for example, a "two-cylinder rule" wherein a firefighter is required to attend the rehabilitation area after a second air cylinder has been exhausted. The reasons for attending the rehabilitation area include controlling the pace of physical activity (by providing rest periods), avoiding prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures, re-hydration and medical evaluation. [0003] The rehabilitation area is located outside of the fire zone and away from the exhaust fumes where protective clothing and equipment can be safely removed. Typically, the rehabilitation area includes supplies of water (or other liquids) and full air cylinders. The rehabilitation area can also provide shelter from precipitation, wind and sun. While in the rehabilitation area firefighters can be evaluated by paramedical staff and receive minor treatment if required. [0004] Typical rehabilitation areas can take many forms depending on the size and severity of incident and on the scope and duration of operations. In one example, the rehabilitation area can be a tarp that is laid out on the ground or indoors to delineate the area in which the firefighters can rest, cool down, re-hydrate and replenish and in which they can lay-out their equipment and change their air cylinders. In some cases the rehabilitation area can be an ad hoc area in the vicinity of the firefighting equipment (i.e. vehicles) in which the firefighters congregate during rehabilitation. In these examples the rehabilitation area offers little in the way of amenities to facilitate the rehabilitation process with firefighters sitting on the ground or on vehicle bumpers and simply laying out their equipment on the ground or hanging it from whatever perch is available. [0005] In a more elaborate, and less common, form the rehabilitation area can comprise a mobile rehabilitation vehicle specifically equipped for the rehabilitation function. Such vehicles are not commonly used as they are beyond the budgets of many fire services and even where they do exist, would typically only be deployed to incidents of a magnitude that warrants the logistic necessary for establishing a vehicle based rehabilitation area on scene. [0006] What is needed is a relatively low cost, easy to deploy system that provides amenities that facilitates the rehabilitation of firefighters attending an incident scene. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0007] A rehabilitation unit for providing rehabilitation support to a plurality of firefighters attending an incident scene. The rehabilitation unit comprising a transportable self-supporting frame that can be configured for use in a designated rehabilitation area on scene and a plurality of firefighter stations attached to the frame. Each firefighter station comprising a seating surface, a breathing apparatus holder and a protective equipment holder. [0008] The rehabilitation unit can be quickly, easily and efficiently established when a rehabilitation area is needed. The rehabilitation unit can be set-up outdoors (e.g. in a parking lot, driveway or lawn) or indoors (e.g. in a lobby, on an upper floor or in an industrial building). The rehabilitation unit can also be configured for ease of transportation to and from the incident scene by folding or storing various components of the rehabilitation unit. [0009] The rehabilitation unit facilitates dressing down of firefighters attending the rehabilitation area and effective stowing (e.g. by hanging) of their protective equipment. The rehabilitation unit can contribute to the general organization of an incident scene by facilitating early identification and establishment of a rehabilitation area and by promoting the keeping together of fire crews during rehabilitation. [0010] One exemplary embodiment can provide a rehabilitation unit for providing rehabilitation support to a plurality of firefighters comprising: a self-supporting frame; and a plurality of firefighter stations attached to the self-supporting frame each having: a seating surface; a breathing apparatus holder; and a protective equipment holder area; wherein use of one of the plurality of firefighter stations by one of the firefighters facilitates the rehabilitation of the firefighter. [0011] Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art or science to which it pertains upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0012] The present invention will be described in conjunction with drawings in which: [0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a rehabilitation unit as it appears in use. [0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a rehabilitation unit as it appears when configured for transportation. [0015] FIG. 3 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a rehabilitation unit as it appears when configured for transportation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a rehabilitation unit 100 as it appears in use. The rehabilitation unit 100 comprises a self-supporting frame 110 and three firefighter stations 120 attached to the frame 110. Each firefighter station 120 comprises a seating surface 122, a breathing apparatus holder 124 and a protective equipment holder 126. [0017] The frame 110 comprises three support members 112 pivotally connected at one end such at they can form a tripod. The other ends of the support members 112 can be connected to each other using a chain, cable or similar mechanism to limit the spreading apart of support members 112 where they form the base of the tripod. Each of the firefighter stations 120 is attached to one of three support members 112. The support members 112 can, for example, be formed from tubular stock having a round, square, rectangular or other cross-sectional profile. Each support member can optionally be equipped with a leveling mechanism 114 such as, for example, a telescopic foot assembly for facilitating leveling of the rehabilitation unit 100 when it is deployed on an even surface. In an alternative embodiment the leveling mechanism 114 can comprise a screw and nut assembly or other similar mechanisms for changing the effective length of the support member. Each support member can optionally comprise a telescopic section 116 for facilitating transport of the rehabilitation unit 100 by allowing the support members 112 to be shortened when the system is configured for transportation. In a further alternate embodiment, the leveling mechanism 114 and the telescopic section 116 can be combined to facilitate both leveling and transportation of the rehabilitation unit 100. [0018] The embodiment of the rehabilitation unit 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is adapted to concurrent use by a three-person fire crew. In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), the frame 110 can comprise three or more support members 112 that can form a self-supporting structure having correspondingly three or more firefighter stations 120, each attached to a support member 112, that can accommodate larger fire crews. [0019] The seating surface 122 provides a place for the firefighter to sit while resting, cooling down, re-hydrating and replenishing. The seating surface 122 is preferably arranged in the firefighter station to provide easy access by the firefighter and also to allow a para-medical staff member to easily interact with the seated firefighter during a medical evaluation. The seating surface 122 can be foldable or storable in order to facilitate transportation and storage of the rehabilitation unit 100. Optionally the seating surface 122 can include a pair of armrests 128 positioned on opposite sides of the seating surface 122. The armrests 128 can be foldable or storable in order to facilitate transportation and storage of the rehabilitation unit 100. Continue reading about Rehabilitation unit... Full patent description for Rehabilitation unit Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Rehabilitation unit patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Rehabilitation unit or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Gymnastic machine Next Patent Application: Adjustable dumbbell Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Rehabilitation unit patent info. 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