in a first embodiment of the present invention , as exemplified in fig1 and 2 , there is provided a folding rescue device 1 comprising a core section 24 , two wing panels 25 and two mid - panels 31 . the wing panels 25 and mid - panels 31 are collectively referred to as side panels . the core section 24 comprises a plurality of rigid rods 3 ( each rigid rod 3 being encased in a non - rigid tubular sleeve 5 ), with a plurality of non - rigid linking elements 7 lying perpendicular to , and intersecting the rigid rods 3 . in the depicted embodiment , the rods have a circular cross - section , which allows the rods to be spiral - wound . in alternative embodiments , the rods may have any cross - section , for example , a triangular , a square or an oval cross - section . as depicted in fig2 , the rigid rods 3 are hollow tubes . although hollow in this embodiment , the rods may also be solid . each rod 3 is capable of being connected to an adjacent rod . thus columns of rods in series can be formed . in the embodiment shown in fig1 , there are four columns 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 . embodiments according to the present invention could have two or more columns , for example up to six , eight or even more columns . in the currently depicted embodiment of fig1 and 2 , each column comprises four rigid rods 3 in sleeves 5 , positioned in series . the combination of a rigid rod 3 in a sleeve 5 , corresponds to a quarter of a column in the depicted embodiment and is referred to hereinafter as a “ column component ”. alternative embodiments may use different numbers of rods per column , for example two , three , five or more . the columns 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 are positioned parallel and adjacent to each other . each rod 3 is located within a sleeve 5 , although in other embodiments multiple rods may be located within a single sleeve , and there may only be one sleeve per column . in the present embodiment , as depicted in fig1 and 2 , there is one sleeve per rod . each column 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 is formed by four rods 3 located within a corresponding sleeve 5 . when the rods 3 are connected end to end , the resulting column gives the impression of one continuous sleeve . as can be seen in fig2 , one end of each rigid rod 3 comprises a spigot 17 and an adjacent end of the next rigid rod 3 comprises a socket 19 for receiving the spigot 17 . thus , adjacent rigid rods 3 , arranged in series , can be connected end - to - end by inserting the spigot 17 of one rigid rod 3 into the socket 19 of an adjacent rigid rod 3 . in the present embodiment the spigot 17 and socket 19 act as the connection means . many other connection means may be used in alternative embodiments of the present invention . for example the rod - ends may have complimentary screw and threaded - socket components , there may be interlocking nut and bolt components or the two rod ends may be identical and both slot into an external wrap or ferrule , maintaining the two ends in an abutting and collinear arrangement . alternatively , a plurality of external clips , where each clip fastens two rigid rods together , may be used . the embodiment of fig1 further comprises a biasing means 21 which passes through the lumen of the hollow rigid rods 3 . the biasing means 21 of fig1 is an elastic shock cord and the depicted embodiment comprises one shock cord 21 per column 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 . thus , the tension exerted by the shock cord draws the spigots 17 of the rigid rods 3 into the sockets 19 of the adjacent rigid rods 3 and helps maintain the spigots 17 in this position during use . a stopper ( not shown ) is threaded onto each end of the shock cord 21 and held , fixed or restrained relative to both ends of each column 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 . as such , a stopper is located at the upper end of column components 9 a , 11 a , 13 a and 15 a , and at the lower end of column components 9 d , 11 d , 13 d , 15 d . each end of the shock cord 21 is knotted adjacent to or around the stopper , in order to prevent the entire shock cord 21 from being drawn into the lumen of the hollow rigid rod 3 . in alternate embodiments , the shock cord may be substituted with an elastic cord or a bungy cord . in the present embodiment , this may result in a user being unable to reduce the tension in the biasing means in the field . as such , once the rescue device has been deployed the user may be unable to disconnect the rods to return the rescue device to a folded state . the user may therefore discard the stretcher or send it away to a facility able to reduce or overcome the tension and re - fold the stretcher for re - use . in other embodiments , one end of the biasing means may comprise a jamb cleat in order to allow the tension in the biasing means to be adjusted . the jamb cleat is located at one end of the biasing means , replacing one of the stoppers , and is held , fixed or restrained relative to the rod on which it is attached . the jamb cleat allows a user to tension the biasing means , but then to release the tension when the rescue device needs to be folded up again . alternative embodiments may make use of other biasing means , such as springs between the rods . the linking elements 7 are arranged perpendicularly to the rigid columns 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 . the linking elements extend the entire width of the rescue device 1 and are secured to the sleeves 5 . in this embodiment , the linking elements 7 are made of webbing , the sleeves 5 are made of pvc coated polyester fabric and the rigid rods are made of carbon fibre composite which , for example , may be wound , braided or extruded . however , in alternate embodiments , other materials may be used . examples of alternative materials for the sleeves 5 ( and sheaths 6 , see below ) include , but are not limited to , coated , materials , pvc coated material ( e . g . pvc coated polyester ), teflon coated fabric , and fabric ( e . g . webbing ) woven from multifilament synthetic material , meta - aramid material , fibres selected from polyamides such as nylon , modacrylics ( modified acrylic fibers made from acrylonitriles ), polyolefins , acrylics , polyesters , aramids ( e . g . meta - aramids such as nomex ™, kevlar ™ or twaron ™), synthetic and semi - synthetic celluloses such as modal or lyocell , pbis ( polybenzimidazoles ), polylactide types , and any other kind of polymeric material used in the manufacture of fibres . any of these may be used alone or in combination , optionally with one or more fibres to add to tensile strength such as glass fibre or carbon fibre . possible examples include a meta - aramid material , especially kevlar ™ or nomex ™. alternative materials which may be used for the rigid rods 3 ( or rigid members 27 , see below ) include polymer , composite material , metal , a fibre , such as carbon fibre , or any other suitable rigid material . in some embodiments , the rigid rods or the solid core of the rigid members may be made of moulded or thermoformed polycarbonates , carbon fibre , glass fibre or technora ™. in preferred embodiments carbon fibre is used . conveniently , the rigid rods or rigid members may be made from the same or different materials . the sleeves 5 comprise flanges 23 extending radially outwardly from the rigid rod , and the linking elements 7 are secured to the flanges 23 of the tubular sleeves 5 by stitching or welding . as such , the combination of the sleeves 5 and linking elements 7 produce a grid - like effect from above . the four columns of rigid rods 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 form a core section 24 of the folding rescue device 1 . in the embodiment of fig1 , the four sets / columns of rigid rods are arranged in parallel every 30 cm . alternatively , the core area can comprise between two and eight sets of rigid rods spaced at intervals ranging from every 15 cm to every 60 cm . the sets of rigid rods can be of a uniform length of 2 m , but the length can preferably range between 1 . 2 m and 2 . 5 m . however , the sets of rigid rods are obviously not constrained to be within this range of lengths . the lower - left end of the device as illustrated in fig1 is defined as a lower end 2 . the opposite end is defined as an upper end 4 . at the lower end 2 of the folding rescue device , wing panels 25 are arranged symmetrically on either side of the core section 24 . each wing panel 25 comprises four rigid members 27 in two rows of two . the rigid members 27 are at a slight angle to the columns 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 so that the end of the rigid member adjacent the connection between the middle two column components 9 b and 9 c , is located further from the centre - line of the core section 24 than the end nearest the lower end 2 of the rescue device 1 . other embodiments may require alternative arrangements , depending on the use of the device . for example , the present embodiment is intended for use with humans as subjects . as such , the arrangement of the wing panels 25 is such that upon engaging quick release clips 33 ( discussed below ), the wing panels 25 are covering and supporting a portion of the casualty &# 39 ; s legs . in the present embodiment , adjacent the column components second closest to the upper end 9 b , 11 b , 13 b , 15 b , there is a mid - panel 31 located symmetrically on either side of the core section 27 , comprising two adjacent and parallel rigid members 27 a . the rigid members 27 a are the same as those of the wing panels 25 , except shorter in length . the rigid members 27 a of the mid - panels 31 are connected to the core section 24 by the linking elements 7 in the same way as described for the wing panels 25 , and are arranged in parallel with the rigid rods 3 of the core section 24 . in alternative embodiments , the subject may be an animal . in such embodiments , the wing panels 25 may require a different arrangement . when in use with large animals , the number of rigid members 27 required in a direction perpendicular to that of the columns 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 may be substantially increased to allow the wing panel 25 to protect a much larger area , e . g . the abdomen of a horse . when used with animals , significant other modifications will be required , for example the location and length of the wing panel 25 and mid - panel 31 will need to be modified to ensure there is ample support for the animal . in some situations , the mid - panel 31 ( used to go under the arms of a human patient ) may be omitted , with a single , long wing panel 25 included instead . additional modifications such as the width and length of the core section 24 may be required . a horse has a significantly larger abdomen , and so a core section 24 of ten , fifteen or maybe twenty columns may be required . a further panel may be required adjacent equivalent of the upper end 4 to restrain the horse &# 39 ; s neck and head . in the present embodiment , each rigid member 27 comprises a solid core encased within a sheath 6 of tubular flexible material . each sheath 6 has two flanges extending radially outwards from the solid core . the rigid members 27 of the wing panels 25 , unlike the rigid rods 3 of the core section 24 do not comprise spigots and sockets , and are not adapted to connect to each other in series . as such , modifications are required to allow the rigid members 27 to bend where required when the rescue device is to be stored . this is achieved by having a gap between the ends of the two solid core sections in each pair of aligned rigid members 27 . in this embodiment the gap is located adjacent the connection between the two column components nearest the lower end 2 ( 9 c and 9 d etc ). in this gap region , no solid core is present , and so the gap is bridged solely by flexible sheath . this gap allows the wing panels 25 to bend about the gap region . the sheaths 6 extend continuously for the length of the wing panel 25 , without a break between the solid core sections , thus flexibly connecting the two rigid members 27 . in other embodiments gap regions ( where no solid core is present ) may be required in different locations on the wing panel 25 , in some embodiments multiple gap regions may be required depending on the configuration of the various panels . gap regions are required in the wing panels where rigid members 27 are present , and an axis is required about which the wing panel 25 must be able to fold or bend . in further embodiments , the wing panels 25 may comprise columns similar to those used in the core section 24 of the present embodiment like with the sleeves of the columns 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 , the linking elements 7 of the present embodiment are secured to the flanges of the sheaths by stitching or welding . as such , the combination of the sheaths and linking elements 7 produce a grid - like effect from above . the linking elements 7 extend across the entire width of the core section 24 and side panels 25 , 31 ( wherein the side panels comprise the wing and mid - panels ). some linking elements 7 comprise an extension strap 35 which extends beyond the outermost rigid member 27 of each panel 25 , 31 . these extension straps 35 are attached to quick release buckles 33 to enable the subject to be carried to be secured into the rescue device 1 during use . the extension straps 35 can simply be extensions of the linking elements 7 . the extension straps 35 or linking elements may comprise adjustment means to allow a user to adjust their length . in use , the subject is positioned on the rescue device 1 so that one end of their body is at the lower end 2 of the rescue device 1 with the other end at the upper end 4 . in the present embodiment , a casualty &# 39 ; s feet will be located and secured at the lower end 2 , with the casualty &# 39 ; s head at the upper end 4 . in other embodiments , an animals head may be at the upper end 4 , and their tail at the lower end 2 . in the present invention the panels 25 , 31 are folded around the casualty to rest on the sides / top of the casualty . the extension straps 35 then traverse the gap between the panels 25 , 31 , and quick release buckles 33 are fastened together to secure the casualty in the rescue device 1 . in other embodiments , other securing means can be used . for example , velcro ™, poppers , buttons , a cam buckle and strap or simple fastening ties . in some of these examples ( for example with velcro ™) the extension straps 35 will need to be longer to allow the panels 25 , 31 to be wrapped one over the other and the velcro ™ fastened together in order to secure the casualty on the rescue device . in the present embodiment , the angle of the rigid members 27 in the wing panels 25 at the lower end 2 of the rescue device 1 in relation to the columns 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 of the core section 24 is such that the wing panels 25 taper in towards the lower end 2 of the rescue device 1 . the shape of the mid - panels 31 allows them to be fastened under the arms of the casualty and secured around their torso . the fact that the wing panels 25 are tapered results in the stretcher being secured more tightly at the lower end 2 around a casualty &# 39 ; s feet , and so prevents them from slipping downwards in the stretcher . this feature , and the fact that the mid - panels 31 are wrapped around the torso of the casualty , enables the casualty to be fastened securely on the stretcher . this is particularly important if the casualty has a spinal injury . for other subjects , the panels 25 , 31 will be designed differently , and will be fastened around different parts of the subject as described above . the folding rescue device 1 may further comprise handles 37 for lifting the rescue device once a casualty is secured onto it . the handles 37 may be formed by the addition of extension straps of non - rigid material 38 being secured between two linking elements 7 , to form a loop that can be grasped . alternatively , the handles 37 may be formed by the ends of the linking elements 7 . the linking elements 7 may extend beyond the outermost rigid rod of the core section 24 and be fastened to a further linking element 7 to form a loop 39 . in the present embodiment , the handles 37 help maintain the spacing of the columns 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 , as the tension applied to the handles 37 pulls the non - rigid material 38 taught , and either directly or indirectly through the linking elements 7 , the columns are pulled apart . the linking element 7 restricts the amount the columns 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 can be spaced , and so the columns are maintained at a predetermined , and optimal , spacing . in other embodiments the handles may not be attached to the columns directly or indirectly , and instead simply form a support which runs from one side of the device to the other , under the columns , thus supporting their weight . examples of materials for the handles when made out of a flexible material include , but are not limited to , pvc coated material ( e . g . pvc coated polyester ), teflon coated fabric , and fabric ( e . g . webbing ) woven from materials such as : multifilament synthetic material , meta - aramid material , fibres selected from polyamides such as nylon , modacrylics ( modified acrylic fibers made from acrylonitriles ), polyolefins , acrylics , polyesters , aramids ( e . g . meta - aramids such as nomex ™, kevlar ™ or twaron ™), synthetic and semi - synthetic celluloses such as modal or lyocell , pbis ( polybenzimidazoles ), polylactide types , and any other kind of polymeric material used in the manufacture of fibres . any of these may be used alone or in combination , optionally with one or more fibres to add to tensile strength such as glass fibre or carbon fibre . potential examples include : a meta - aramid material , especially kevlar ™ or nomex ™. in other embodiments , however , the handles may be rigid and made out of metals , thermoset plastics , thermoplastic plastics , alloys or composites . these rigid handles may be attached to the columns 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 or linking elements 7 as described above , or alternatively may be attached to the lower and upper ends 2 , 4 of the device 1 . the weight of the subject would be sufficient to maintain the spacing of the columns 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 in this embodiment . in other embodiments the wing panels 25 and mid - panels 31 may comprise more than two rigid members 27 arranged side by side . for example , in some embodiments there may be between two and five rigid members . in other embodiments , for example where the subjects have a large circumference that needs support , ten , fifteen , twenty or even more rigid members could be used . fig3 shows the folding rescue device of fig1 in a semi - folded configuration , with the handles cut away , and fig4 shows an enlarged view of the spigot 17 and shock cord 21 assembly . as can be seen from fig4 , the spigots and elasticated shock cord 21 allow for rapid and easy assembly of the rescue device 1 from its folded configuration . the tension of the elasticated shock cord 21 causes the spigoted end 17 of one rigid rod 3 to be drawn into the socket 19 of the next rigid rod 3 . the tension in the shock cord 21 keeps the spigoted end 17 within the socket 19 during use of the rescue device 1 . fig3 illustrates the method of folding the device 1 . for disassembly of the device 1 , the rods 3 must be disengaged from one another by removing the spigot 17 from the socket 19 of adjacent rod 3 . the two rods 3 are then free to rotate relative to each other , and the entire device 1 can be folded up . in embodiments comprising a jamb cleat at one end of the shock cord 21 , the jamb cleat may be undone to reduce the tension in the shock cord in order to make disassembly easier . fig3 also demonstrates the role of the gap between the solid cores of aligned rigid members 27 in the wing panels 25 . the gaps and flexible sheaths 6 act as a folding region . the wing panels 25 can then fold in a location adjacent the spigot 17 and socket 19 . in a preferred embodiment , the column components ( 9 d , 11 d , 13 d , 15 d of the present embodiment ) nearest the lower end 2 are easily disconnected from their adjoining column components ( 9 c , 11 c , 13 c , 15 c of the present embodiment ) while the rest of the column components ( 9 a - c , 11 a - c , 13 a - c , 15 a - c of the present embodiment ) are still engaged . this allows a portion of the core section 27 to be folded away this may be particularly beneficial when the embodiment is for use with amputees , in particular for use by the military in the field , wherein easy access to the wound is provided . it should be appreciated that the invention has been described above purely by way of example . however , modifications in detail may be made to the invention as limited purely by the claims appended hereto .
a rescue device includes at least two parallel columns defining a core section . the columns are located in a substantially flat plane with each column lying adjacent at least one other column . each column includes rods , a connection device , and at least one sleeve . each rod is located within a sleeve and the rods are connectable in series by the connection devices to form a column . the rescue device further includes at least one linking element . each sleeve is connected to at least one linking element .