Abstract
A medical cart is provided for use in patient care, the medical cart comprising: a front; a back; sides; four legs which have a distal end, a proximal end and a bore at least partially therebetween terminating in an aperture at the proximal end; an accessory pole releasably retained in the bore; a bracket attached to each leg proximate to the distal end; a caster rotatably attached to each bracket with a caster mount; a lower shelf in engagement with the sides; an upper shelf retained by the sides and an asymmetric handle which defines a gap.
Claims
1-12. (canceled)
13. A medical cart for use in patient care, the medical cart comprising: a front; a back; sides; four legs which have a distal end, a proximal end and a bore at least partially therebetween terminating in an aperture at the proximal end; an accessory pole releasably retained in the bore; a bracket attached to each leg proximate to the distal end, each bracket extending outward from the leg; a caster rotatably attached to each bracket with a caster mount; an upper shelf retained by the sides; a latch shelf which is attached to the sides and has a plurality of positioning slots; and a lower shelf which is in slidable engagement with the sides, is disposed above the latch shelf and includes a cam latch for releasably engaging the plurality of positioning slots, wherein the cam latch includes a cam latch rod, a cam latch arm at a first end of the cam latch rod and a handle at a second end of the cam latch rod.
14. The medical cart of claim 13, further comprising a flat-sided threaded caster stem within the caster mount for use with set screws for adjustable directional retention of the caster.
15. The medical cart of claim 14 further comprising a lip around the upper shelf around the back and the sides.
16. The medical cart of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of attachment slots in the lip.
17. The medical cart of claim 16, further comprising at least one on hook that is rotatably mounted on the accessory pole proximate to the upper shelf, the hook and the upper shelf defining an aperture.
18. The medical cart of claim 17, wherein the upper shelf includes a recess at the front extending towards the back and the recess and the lip of the upper shelf define a ledge along the sides.
19. The medical cart of claim 18, further comprising a removable insert which fits in the recess.
20. The medical cart of claim 19, further comprising a hook attached to the side.
21. A medical cart for use in patient care, the medical cart comprising: a front; a back; sides; four legs which have a distal end, a proximal end and a bore at least partially therebetween terminating in an aperture at the proximal end; an accessory pole releasably retained in the bore; a bracket attached to each leg proximate to the distal end, each bracket extending outward from the leg; a caster rotatably attached to each bracket with a caster mount; an upper shelf retained by the sides; a latch shelf which is attached to the sides and has an inner positioning slot, a middle positioning slot and an outer positioning slot; and a lower shelf which is in slidable engagement with the sides, is disposed above the latch shelf and includes a cam latch for releasably engaging the plurality of positioning slots, wherein the cam latch includes a cam latch rod, a cam latch arm at a first end of the cam latch rod and a handle at a second end of the cam latch rod.
Description
FIGURES
[0047] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the cart of the present technology; and FIG. 1B is taken along line B-B.
[0048] FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the cart of FIG. 1.
[0049] FIG. 3 is a side view of the spring plunger.
[0050] FIG. 4 is a side view of a caster with suspension.
[0051] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of self-leveling caster.
[0052] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of an alternative embodiment caster.
[0053] FIG. 7A is a side view of an accessory pole; FIG. 7B is a top perspective view of the hanger block of the accessory pole and FIG. 7C is a side view of a hanger or hook.
[0054] FIG. 8 is a schematic of a caster mount with set screws.
[0055] FIG. 9A is perspective view of a cam latch; and FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the cam latch shelf.
[0056] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment recess.
[0057] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a removable hook releasably attached to an accessory pole and an alternative embodiment lip.
[0058] FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a removable insert; and FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the removable insert in the recess.
[0059] FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the retainer blocks without the handle attached; and FIG. 13B is a perspective view of blocks with an alternative embodiment handle attached.
[0060] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a removable basket.
[0061] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of two embodiments of hose hooks.
DESCRIPTION
[0062] Except as otherwise expressly provided, the following rules of interpretation apply to this specification (written description and claims): (a) all words used herein shall be construed to be of such gender or number (singular or plural) as the circumstances require; (b) the singular terms a, an, and the, as used in the specification and the appended claims include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise; (c) the antecedent term about applied to a recited range or value denotes an approximation within the deviation in the range or value known or expected in the art from the measurements method; (d) the words herein, hereby, hereof, hereto, hereinbefore, and hereinafter, and words of similar import, refer to this specification in its entirety and not to any particular paragraph, claim or other subdivision, unless otherwise specified; (e) descriptive headings are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any part of the specification; and (f) or and any are not exclusive and include and including are not limiting. Further, the terms comprising, having, including, and containing are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning including, but not limited to,) unless otherwise noted.
[0063] Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Where a specific range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is included therein. All smaller sub ranges are also included. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges are also included therein, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range.
[0064] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used, the acceptable methods and materials are now described.
[0065] A medical cart, generally referred to as 10 is shown in FIG. 1A. It is made of stainless steel. The cart 10 has four legs 12 each with a bracket 14 mounted with bolts 16 to them. The back legs are taller than the front legs. Each bracket 14 is mounted proximate to the distal end 18 of the leg 12 and extends outward at about a 45 degree angle relative to the cart 10 to provide stability. A caster 20 is pivotally mounted to the bracket 14 with a caster adapter plate 21. The midline of the caster 20 is approximately level with the distal end 18 of the leg 12 thus providing a low profile. A lower shelf 22 is proximate to the distal end 18 of the legs 12 and is slidably attached to lower side braces 28 by drawer slides 29 (see FIG. 1B) which allow for the lower shelf 22 to be extended and retracted. A cam latch 25 holds the lower shelf 22 in place in the retracted position. The side braces 28 extend above the level of the lower shelf 22 as a lip 26 around the sides 28 and back 30 with an open front 32. A ballast tray 24 is located below the lower shelf 22. It is designed to accept up to three weight plates to provide further stability to the cart 10. The weight plates are bolted to the ballast tray 24. A drawer 34 with a pull 36 is slidably mounted on drawer slides 39 (see FIG. 1B) which are attached to upper side braces 38. The upper side braces 38 and the lower side braces 28 form the sides. In one embodiment, the upper side braces 38 and the lower side braces 28 are replaced with sides. The drawer 34 opens from the back 30 of the cart 10. An adjustable and foldable handle 40 extends out from the back 30. An upper shelf 42 is fixed to the legs 12. It has a lip 44 around the upper side and back 30 with an open front 32. A recess 46 extends from the front 32 towards the back 30. There is a ledge 48 between the lip 44 on the upper side and the recess 46. The ledge 48 and recess 46 are designed for equipment with knobs and controls located near the bottom of the equipment. The equipment may rest on the ledges 48 and on the upper shelf 42 and span the recess 46 making access much easier for a user. The legs 12 have a bore that terminates in an aperture 50 at the proximal end 52 of the legs 12. The bore extends at least a portion of the length of the leg 12. The aperture 50 and bore accept an accessory pole 54 or other accessories. As shown in FIG. 1 the accessory pole 54 is an IV pole and IV hooks 56 are releasably connected to the accessory pole 54. Other accessories and poles include gas line hooks, hose hangers, infusion poles, leg extensions for a range of miscellaneous items and the like. All four legs 12 can retain an accessory pole 54 or other accessory, for example: (1) the IV Poles; (2) the Long Leg Extensions, about 12 long that medical personnel can clip miscellaneous things to; and (3) Short Leg Extensions, about 2 long with hooks on them that can be used with or without straps to secure equipment to the cart. The standard configuration may include two IV Poles and two Short Leg Extensions with hooks.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 2, a spring plunger 60 is located proximate to the proximal end 52 of the leg 12. It extends through an aperture into the bore to releasably retain the accessory pole 54. The details of the spring plunger 60 are shown in FIG. 3. Returning to FIG. 2, a thumb screw 58 is located below the spring plunger 60 and extends through an aperture into the bore to add further stability to the accessory pole 54. The handle 40 has a slot 62 that slidably accepts a bolt 64 to allow for adjustment of the handle 40. The handle is foldable. An e-size cylinder holder 66 is bolted to braces 38 and 28 (see FIG. 1) on either or both sides of the cart 10. An upper hoop 68 is attached to the side 70 of the e-size cylinder holder 66 and a lower hoop 72 is pivotally attached to the side 70 of the e-size cylinder holder 66. The e-size cylinder holder 66 typically retains an oxygen cylinder.
[0067] In one alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 4, each caster 20 has suspension to move up and down over uneven surfaces while keeping the body of the cart 10 stable and level. A spring 90 is mounted inside the bracket 14 and is attached to a shaft 92 that extends from the bracket 14 to a caster adapter plate 21. A thumb screw 96 extends from the shaft 92 through the bracket 14 and into the ambient environment for manually adjusting the recoil on a given caster to accommodate a heavier load on that section of the cart 10. The caster adapter plate 21 is attached to a caster mounting plate 98. In an alternative embodiment the spring 90 and shaft 92 are replaced with a hydraulic or pneumatic ram.
[0068] In another alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the casters 20 are self-leveling. The casters 20 are automatically adjusted when the cart 10 is stationary. Each caster 20 has a servo motor 100 associated with it and a digital spirit level 102 integrated with a printed circuit board (PCB) 104 on the cart 10 that signals the servo motors 100 to bring the cart 10 to level once it is in position. The servo motor 100 is housed in the bracket 14 and the integrated digital spirit level 102 and PCB 104 is housed on the cart, for example under the center of the upper shelf 42. The servo motor 100 is mechanically linked to the shaft 106 and in electronic communication with the printed circuit board 104. The shaft 106 extends from the bracket 14 and is attached to the caster adapter plate 21. The caster adapter plate 21 is attached to a caster mounting plate 98. A battery 108 powers the system.
[0069] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, each caster 20 is manually adjustable and there are at least two visual spirit levels 110, located, for example on top of the upper side brace 38 for easy reference by the user. A thumb screw 96 extends from the shaft 92 through the bracket 14 and into the ambient environment for manually adjusting the casters 20. The various caster designs can be installed simply by unbolting the brackets 14 that hold the casters 20 in place.
[0070] A bracket may be attached to the medical cart 10 to allow the cart to be attached to a medical bed, thus moving the bed and cart can be done by one person.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 7A, the hook or hanger 56 and the accessory pole 54 together provide an accessory assembly, generally referred to as 128. The poles 130 of the accessory poles 54 have a distal end 132 and a proximal end 134. The accessory poles 54 terminate in a threaded cap 136 which has a knurled side. Below the threaded cap 136 is a hanger block 138 for accepting a hook or hanger 56. The hanger block 138 is bolted onto a terminal plate 140 which is welded onto each accessory pole 54 at the distal end 132 of the pole 130. The pole 130 has three or more apertures 142 that engage the spring plunger 60, releasably retaining the accessory poles 54 in place.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 7B, the hooks 56 slide into T-shaped hook slots 144 which are in the top 146 and extend a distance down the sides 148 towards the bottom 150 in the hanger block 138. The hooks 56 are releasably retained with the threaded cap 136, which is releasably retained in the threaded aperture 149. They remain in place when a user removes the cap 136 and can be easily removed by sliding them upward. Up to four hooks or hangers 56 can be retained on each of the four accessory poles 54. Returning to FIG. 7A, cord stock 151 is disposed in the T-shaped slots 144 and is compressed against the terminal plate 140 to provide a compressible surface that promotes retention of each hook 56 by the threaded cap 136.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 7C, the hanger 56 includes a block 150 at a terminal end 152, a hook 154 at the other end 156 and shaft 158 therebetween. The block 150 and the terminal end 152 of the shaft mate with the T-shaped slot 144. The threaded cap 136 covers at least the block 150 and preferably the top 146 of the hanger block 138 when in place. The hook or hanger 56 and the accessory pole 54 together provide an accessory assembly.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 8, in an alternative embodiment, the shaft 92 that extends from the bracket 14 has a threaded insert 202 in which the caster stem 204 is releasably and adjustably retained. The caster stem 204 has flat sides 206 and is held in place with set screws 208. This allows for height adjustment and orientational adjustment of the casters 20, by adjusting the direction and/height of the caster stem 204.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 9A, in an alternative embodiment, the position of the lower shelf 22 is controlled by a modified cam latch, generally referred to as 222. The cam latch 222 has a cam latch arm 224, a cam latch rod 226 and a handle 228. As shown in FIG. 9B a series of slots 230 in a latch shelf 232 allow for the cam latch 222 to alter the position of the lower shelf 22 between an extended position, to a partially extended position to a closed position.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 10, in an alternative embodiment, the recess 46 has a small lip 242 at the opening end, generally referred to as 244.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 11, there are removable hooks 252 on the accessory pole 54. A lock nut 256 allows the hook 252 to be articulated in many positions or removed as needed. The hooks 252 allow a user to secure equipment to the medical cart 10 as they form an aperture 254 with the upper shelf 42. Also seen in FIG. 11 are a series of slots 258 in the lip 44. The purpose is for them to provide an attachment point for straps or similar devices to help secure equipment to the upper shelf 42. The size, location and number of slots is customizable based on the end users request prior to manufacturing. The standard configuration has three slots along each lip 44.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 12A, a removable insert, generally referred to as 262 has two sides 264, which have tabs 266, a top 268 and a front 270. As shown in FIG. 12B it is shaped and sized to fit in the recess 46, thus providing a larger working surface area.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 13A, receiver blocks 282 are attached to the legs 12, proximate to the top of the legs. As shown in FIG. 13B, the receive blocks 282 are designed to retain alternative embodiment asymmetric handle which has a longer side 284 and a shorter side 286 with a gap 288 therebetween. The gap 288 allows the handle to function as an additional hook for equipment. The asymmetry allows for a user to grasp the handle in the middle without having the gap 288 in the way.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 14, a removable basket 292 is releasably attached to an upper side brace 38.
[0081] As shown in FIG. 15, the hooks for releasably retaining equipment may be single hook 294 or a triple hook 296, with a double hook also being an option.
[0082] All the accessories and the medical cart 10 are made from stainless steel and are electropolished.
[0083] While example embodiments have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be an example of a possible most practical and/or suitable embodiment, it is to be understood that the descriptions are not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the example embodiment. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific example embodiments specifically described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed in the scope of the claims, if appended hereto or subsequently filed.
