Treatment Mobility Apparatus

Abstract

An improved intravenous pole having greater flexibility, stability, and mobility. The preferred embodiment is a treatment mobility apparatus. The device is an improved advancement in existing IV pole technology. Applicants' device has a unique upper base member that allows for greater mobility for both the patient and the pole itself. The upper base member has a support rod and divots to prevent the pole from tilting or falling, which increases the stability of the device. Further, at the top of the rod, there is an opening where multiple hook devices can be inserted and interchanged allowing for flexible use of the device.

Claims

1. An improved IV pole comprising: A primary pole having an upper pole end and a bottom pole end; An upper base member; A lower base member; An interchangeable product support unit configured for reversible engagement with said upper pole end of said primary pole; Said upper base member and said lower base member being rotatably engaged, whereby said upper base member and said lower base member may rotate about their axial center independently of each other; Said upper base member having a pole engagement opening configured for reversible engagement with said bottom pole end of said primary pole; Said lower base member having a plurality of rolling members attached to a bottom surface thereof, opposite said lower base member's interface with said upper base member.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said pole engagement opening has associated therewith first locking means for reversibly locking said primary pole in an interfaced engagement with said upper base member.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said interchangeable product support unit includes second locking means for reversibly locking said interchangeable product support unit in an interfaced engagement with said primary pole.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said upper base member includes a divot and flap with third locking means for holding said flap in place over said divot.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said interchangeable product support unit includes fourth locking means for reversibly locking said interchangeable product support unit with various products.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said lower base member includes a substantially circular handle member.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said upper base member and said lower base member are rotatably engaged by a sliding track system.

8. The invention of claim 1 further comprising locking means for preventing independent rotation of said upper base member and said lower base member about their respective axial centers.

9. The invention of claim 1 wherein said upper base member and said lower base member are rotatably engaged by a plurality of second rolling members.

10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said upper base member and said lower base member are rotatably engaged by a radial ball bearing rotation mechanism.

11. The invention of claim 1 wherein said bottom pole end of said primary pole and said upper base member are engaged with a screw thread securing system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention with the view angled down toward the top of upper base member 4.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention with the view angled up toward the bottom of base 6.

[0022] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the interaction between primary pole 2 and upper base member 4, base 6, and cap 8 showing said primary pole detached from the base of the apparatus.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a cross section view of the interaction between primary pole 2 and upper base member 4, base 6, locking pins 12, grooves 14, and cap 8 showing said primary pole attached to the base of the apparatus.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the invention demonstrating the rotation of upper base member 4 around the central axis of the apparatus.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the top ends of primary pole 2 and sliding pole 18 and how they may lock with hook 22.

[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the top ends of primary pole 2 and sliding pole 18 and how they may lock with hook 24.

[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the top ends of primary pole 2 and sliding pole 18 and how they may lock with hook 26.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the IV stand of Applicant's invention is identified by the reference numeral 10.

[0030] Applicant's approach to providing an IV stand has a revolutionary aspect providing two modes of rotation, with one mode around the wheels connected to the base of the stand and the other mode around a freely rotating upper base member. This revolutionary aspect allows for greater safety and stability for the user. In addition, Applicant's invention allows for quick disassembly and portability.

[0031] An embodiment of the present inventor's IV stand comprises a pole structure fastened to a base structure.

[0032] The pole structure comprises a hollow primary pole 2 which is fastened to the base structure through the male screw threading located at the bottom of primary pole 2. Primary pole 2 passes through a similarly sized opening in the upper base member 4 and larger opening in the base 6. Primary pole 2 screws into the cap 8 which sits inside of overlapping openings in upper base member 4 and base 6 and has female screw threading. Cap 8 is smaller than the opening in base 6 and larger than the opening in upper base member 4.

[0033] Primary pole 2 contains a pair of spring-loaded locking pins 12. Locking pins 12 consist of depressible spring-loaded pins extending perpendicularly from primary pole 2 at a position in which the pegs will sit in corresponding grooves 14 in upper base member 4 when primary pole 2 is fastened to base 6 by way of cap 8.

[0034] Primary pole 2 contains a plurality of locking holes 16. Primary pole 2 has two rows of locking holes 16 which are oriented opposite of one another. The first row and second row of locking holes are oriented lengthwise along primary pole 2 and are generally equidistant from one another.

[0035] The pole structure also comprises a sliding pole 18. Sliding pole 18 is sized such that it can be inserted into primary pole 2. Sliding pole 18 is also longer than primary pole 2. Sliding pole 18 also contains two pairs of locking pegs: a first set of locking pegs 20 and a second set of locking pegs 21. The first set of locking pegs 20 is positioned at the upper end of the sliding pole 18 and the second set of locking pegs 21 is positioned at the lower end of the sliding pole 18. Locking pegs 21 correspond with locking holes 16 in primary pole 2 such that they lock together and hold sliding pole 18 in place when sliding pole 18 is inserted into primary pole 2. The length of sliding pole 18 and the positions of the first set of locking pegs 20 and the second set of locking pegs 21 are such that the first set of locking pegs 20 will not enter primary pole 2 and remain exposed when sliding pole 18 is fully inserted into primary pole 2. The first set of locking pegs 20 may be used to attach a variety of hooks, exemplified by 22, 24, and 26, to sliding pole 18.

[0036] With further reference to FIGS. 6, 4, and 5, these figures illustrate the interlocking functions of upper base member 4, base 6, primary pole 2, and cap 8.

[0037] Attached to upper base member 4 are flap 28 and latch 30. Latch 30 pivots and may be used to hold flap 28 in place. IV bag and tube in groove 32 are merely illustrative and show where the IV bag and tube could be located and how the IV tube may be secured by flap 28 and said latch 30 into groove 32 in upper base member 4.

[0038] Upper base member 4 secures into base 6. Base 6 consists of a track structure referenced as 34, a first, second, third, and fourth bridge component referenced as 36, and a handle 38. Bridge components 36 connect base 6 to handle 38. A plurality of pivotally attached rolling members 40 are attached to wheel bases 42 though axels 44. Wheel bases 42 are attached to base 6 in a radial pattern. A locking mechanism (not shown), including a removable pin, clamping collar, cam, drum, or caliper, prevents independent rotation of said upper base member 4 and said lower base member 6 about their respective axial centers.