EMS backboard

1. A backboard comprising:

a body having a central longitudinal axis and a fixed cross-section, said body further having an upper side extending across said body for supporting a person at least on a central portion thereof and a lower side for resting on a generally flat surface, said body being configured to form a first fulcrum below said upper side for pivoting said body about a first pivot axis parallel to the central longitudinal axis over a first range or motion; and

said lower side including a second fulcrum for pivoting said body about a second pivot axis parallel and closer to said central longitudinal axis than said first pivot axis.

2. The backboard according to claim 1 , wherein said upper side is bounded by opposed longitudinal sides and includes two opposed upper edges, and said longitudinal sides having two lower edges, and one of said lower edges forming said first fulcrum for pivoting said body about said first pivot axis.

3. The backboard according to claim 1 , further comprising a retaining device configured to help retain a torso of a person on said backboard when said body is pivoted about one of said pivot axes.

4. The backboard according to claim 3 , wherein said retaining device comprises a movable surface pivotal about a longitudinal axis parallel and spaced from said central longitudinal axis, said movable surface deployable to increase the contact area between said backboard and a torso of a person supported thereon.

5. The backboard according to claim 1 , wherein said body has an irregular hexagon shaped fixed cross-section.

6. The backboard according to claim 1 , wherein a plate is hinged to said body, said plate being movable between a retracted position and a deployed position wherein said plate increases the contact area between a torso of a person supported on said body and said backboard.

7. The backboard according to claim 6 , wherein said body includes a support to hold said plate in said deployed position.

8. The backboard according to claim 1 , wherein said body comprises a hollow or open framed body.

9. The backboard according to claim 1 , wherein said body has a height from said lower side to said upper side in a range of 2-5 inches, and optionally a height from said lower side to said upper side in a range of about 3-4 inches.

10. A backboard comprising:

a body having a central longitudinal axis, said body further having an upper side for supporting a person thereon and a lower side for resting on a generally flat surface, said upper side forming a continuous support surface extending across said body along a lateral axis orthogonal to said central longitudinal axis, said body being configured to form a first fulcrum, said first fulcrum below said upper side for pivoting said body about a first pivot axis parallel to the central longitudinal axis over a first range or motion; and

said lower side including a second fulcrum for pivoting said body about a second pivot axis parallel and closer to said central longitudinal axis than said first pivot axis, and wherein said body includes a space beneath said upper side for storing accessories or components.

11. The backboard according to claim 10 , wherein said space is configured for receiving one or more bearings or a lifting mechanism.

12. The backboard according to claim 10 , wherein said space forms a compartment or is configured for receiving a compartment for storing accessories therein.

13. A backboard comprising:

a body having a width and a central longitudinal axis, said body further having an upper side-forming an upper surface for supporting a person on a central portion thereof and a lower side for resting on a generally flat surface, said upper surface extending across said width of said body, said body being configured to form a first fulcrum, and said first fulcrum formed below said upper side for pivoting said body about a first pivot axis parallel to the central longitudinal axis over a first range or motion; and

said lower side including a second fulcrum for pivoting said body about a second pivot axis parallel and closer to said central longitudinal axis than said first pivot axis, and

said body including at least one bladder forming an inflatable surface in or on said body or at least a portion of said body, said bladder being inflatable between a rigid inflated state and a non-rigid inflated state, and said bladder being bendable or pliable when in said non-rigid inflated state for wrapping around the at least a portion of a person's body.

14. A backboard comprising:

a body having a width and a central longitudinal axis, said body further having an upper side forming an upper surface across said width of said body for supporting a person of a central portion thereof, a lower side for resting on a generally flat surface, and a first fulcrum below said upper side for pivoting said backboard about a first pivot axis;

said body having a second fulcrum below said upper side for pivoting said backboard about a second pivot axis spaced from said first pivot axis, and said second fulcrum being fixed relative to said first fulcrum; and

said upper surface having a trough-shape to provide lateral support to at least a torso of a person lying on said backboard.

15. The backboard according to claim 14 , wherein said upper side is reconfigurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, with said second configuration forming said trough-shaped surface, and said first configuration comprising a planar configuration.

16. A backboard comprising:

a body having a width and a central longitudinal axis, said body further having an upper side forming an upper surface extending across said width of said body for supporting a person on a central portion thereof, a lower side for resting on a generally flat surface, and a first fulcrum below said upper side for pivoting said backboard about a first pivot axis;

said body having a second fulcrum below said upper side for pivoting said backboard about a second pivot axis spaced from said first pivot axis; and

said upper surface having a trough-shape to provide lateral support to at least a torso of a person lying on said backboard, wherein said body comprises a space beneath said upper side, said space forming a compartment.

17. The backboard according to claim 16 , wherein said body is formed from a thermoplastic material.

18. The backboard according to claim 16 , wherein said body includes a pair of movable surfaces, said pair of movable surfaces forming said trough-shape surface.

19. A backboard comprising:

a body having a central longitudinal axis and a fixed cross-section, said body further having an upper side and a lower side for resting on a generally flat surface, said upper side forming a continuous support surface extending across said body along a lateral axis orthogonal to said central longitudinal axis to support a person thereon, and said body being configured to form a first fulcrum below said upper side for pivoting said body about a first pivot axis parallel to the central longitudinal axis over a first range or motion; and

said lower side including a second fulcrum for pivoting said body about a second pivot axis parallel and closer to said central longitudinal axis than said first pivot axis.