阅读说明：本技术 用于升高和降低医疗床备用轮的可逆升降弹簧
(Reversible lift spring for raising and lowering a standby wheel of a hospital bed
) 是由 托马斯·安东尼·德拉卡
凯文·斯科特·威尔逊 于 2018-05-08 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种可伸缩轮系统,包括可旋转构件、附接到可旋转构件和轮的摆动臂、附接到可旋转构件的摆动式安装件、以及弹簧构件。弹簧构件在第一端在连接点处附接到摆动式安装件,并且在第二端附接到摆动臂。弹簧构件在连接点处可相对于摆动式安装件旋转。弹簧构件被构造成当连接点位于在轮附接点和摆动臂的摆动臂旋转点之间延伸的线上方时沿向上方向施加力,并且当连接点位于摆动臂的线下方时沿向下方向施加力。还公开了一种包括可伸缩轮系统的运送单元。(A retractable wheel system comprising a rotatable member, a swing arm attached to the rotatable member and the wheel, a swing mount attached to the rotatable member, and a spring member, the spring member attached to the swing mount at a connection point at a th end and to the swing arm at a second end, the spring member rotatable relative to the swing mount at the connection point, the spring member configured to apply a force in an upward direction when the connection point is located above a line extending between the wheel attachment point and a swing arm rotation point of the swing arm and in a downward direction when the connection point is located below the line of the swing arm, a transport unit comprising the retractable wheel system is also disclosed.)
A shipping unit of the type , comprising:
a frame;
a plurality of wheels attached to the frame; and
a retractable wheel system, the retractable wheel system comprising:
a rotatable member attached to the frame;
a swing arm including a th end attached to the rotatable member and a second end attached to a wheel;
an oscillating mount attached to the rotatable member; and
a spring member having an th end attached to the oscillating mount at a connection point and a second end attached to the oscillating arm such that the spring member is rotatable relative to the oscillating mount at the connection point,
wherein the spring member is configured to exert a force in a downward direction when the connection point is located above a line extending between the wheel attachment point and the swing arm rotation point,
wherein the wheels of the retractable wheel system are positioned between the plurality of wheels, wherein the line extends through an axis or centerline of the swing arm, and further comprising an th extended position where the connection point is above the line and a second retracted position where the connection point is below the line, wherein rotation of the rotatable member is configured to move the retractable wheel system between the th extended position and the second retracted position, and
wherein the delivery unit is a medical bed.
Technical Field
The present invention relates to hospital beds for transporting patients and more particularly to retractable wheel systems for use in hospital beds.
Background
Disclosure of Invention
The present invention relates to a retractable wheel system including a rotatable member, a swing arm including a end attached to the rotatable member and a second end attached to a wheel, a swing mount attached to the rotatable member, and a spring member having a end attached to the swing mount at a connection point and a second end attached to the second end of the swing arm such that the spring member is rotatable relative to the swing mount at the connection point.
The invention also relates to a transport unit comprising a frame, a plurality of wheels attached to the frame, and a retractable wheel system comprising a rotatable member attached to the frame, a swing arm comprising a end attached to the rotatable member and a second end attached to a wheel, a swing mount attached to the rotatable member, and a spring member having a end attached to the swing mount at a connection point, the second end of the spring member attached to the second end of the swing arm such that the spring member is rotatable relative to the swing mount at the connection point.
The present invention also relates to a method of attaching a retractable spare wheel assembly to a bed, the method comprising providing a retractable wheel system comprising a rotatable member, a swing arm comprising a end attached to the rotatable member and a second end attached to a wheel, a swing mount attached to the rotatable member, and a spring member having a end attached to the swing mount at a connection point and a second end attached to the second end of the swing arm such that the spring member is rotatable relative to the swing mount at the connection point.
Additional aspects will now be described in the following numbered clauses.
Aspect 1: retractable wheel system, comprising a rotatable member, a swing arm including a end attached to the rotatable member and a second end attached to a wheel, a swing mount attached to the rotatable member, and a spring member having a end attached to the swing mount at a connection point and a second end attached to the second end of the swing arm such that the spring member is rotatable relative to the swing mount at the connection point, wherein the spring member is configured to exert a force in a downward direction when the connection point is above a line extending between the wheel attachment point and the swing arm rotation point.
Aspect 2: the retractable wheel system of aspect 1, wherein the spring member is a gas spring.
Aspect 3: the retractable wheel system of aspect 1 or 2, wherein rotation of the rotatable member changes a position of the connection point relative to a line of the swing arm.
Aspect 4 the retractable wheel system of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the line extends through an axis or centerline of the swing arm, and further comprising a extended position in which the connection point is above the line and a second retracted position in which the connection point is below the line, wherein rotation of the rotatable member is configured to move the retractable wheel system between the extended position and the second retracted position.
Aspect 5: the retractable wheel system of aspect 4, wherein rotation of the rotatable member is effected manually.
Aspect 6: the retractable wheel system of aspect 5, wherein manual rotation of the rotatable member is achieved by a rotatable pedal co-acting with the rotatable member.
Aspect 7: the retractable wheel system of aspect 4, wherein rotation of the rotatable member is effected by a motor.
Aspect 8 the retractable wheel system of any one of aspects , wherein the retractable wheel system does not include a locking mechanism to hold the retractable wheel system in the extended position or the second retracted position.
Aspect 9 the retractable wheel system of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the retractable wheel system is configured to be retrofitted onto a transport unit.
Aspect 10: the retractable wheel system of aspect 9, wherein the transport unit is a hospital bed.
Aspect 11: a carry unit comprising a frame, a plurality of wheels attached to the frame, and a retractable wheel system comprising a rotatable member attached to the frame, a swing arm comprising a end attached to the rotatable member and a second end attached to a wheel, a swing mount attached to the rotatable member, and a spring member having a end attached to the swing mount at a connection point and a second end attached to the second end of the swing arm such that the spring member is rotatable relative to the swing mount at the connection point, wherein the spring member is configured to exert a force in a downward direction when the connection point is above a line extending between a wheel attachment point and a swing arm point, and wherein a wheel of the retractable wheel system is positioned between the plurality of wheels.
Aspect 12: the transport unit of aspect 11, wherein the spring member is a gas spring.
Aspect 13: the transport unit according to aspect 11 or 12, wherein rotation of the rotatable member changes a position of the connection point relative to the line of the swing arm.
Aspect 14 the transport unit of any of aspects 11-13, wherein the line extends through an axis or centerline of the swing arm, and further comprising a extended position where the connection point is above the line and a second retracted position where the connection point is below the line, wherein rotation of the rotatable member is configured to move the retractable wheel system between the extended position and the second retracted position.
Aspect 15: the transport unit of aspect 14, wherein rotation of the rotatable member is effected manually.
Aspect 16: the transport unit of aspect 15, wherein manual rotation of the rotatable member is achieved by a rotatable pedal co-acting with the rotatable member.
Aspect 17: the transport unit of aspect 14, wherein rotation of the rotatable member is effected by a motor.
Aspect 18 the transport unit of any one of aspects , wherein the retractable wheel system does not include a locking mechanism to hold the retractable wheel system in the extended position or the second retracted position.
Aspect 19 the transport unit of any of aspects 11-18, wherein the plurality of wheels includes four wheels.
Aspect 20 the transport unit of any one of aspects , wherein the wheels of the retractable wheel system are positioned to divert the transport unit during transport of the transport unit.
Aspect 21 the delivery unit of any of aspects 11-20, wherein the delivery unit is a hospital bed.
Aspect 22: A method of attaching a retractable spare wheel assembly to a bed includes providing a retractable wheel system including a rotatable member, a swing arm including a end attached to the rotatable member and a second end attached to a wheel, a swing mount attached to the rotatable member, and a spring member having a end attached to the swing mount at a connection point and a second end attached to the second end of the swing arm such that the spring member is rotatable relative to the swing mount at the connection point, wherein the spring member is configured to exert a force in a downward direction when the connection point is above a line extending between the wheel attachment point and the swing arm rotation point, providing a medical bed including a frame, and attaching the retractable wheel system to the frame.
These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the system, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a portion of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts or components in the various figures.
Drawings
Fig. 1 illustrates a top view of a retractable wheel system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a retractable wheel system that cooperates with a rotatable pedal to rotate a rotatable member in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a retractable wheel system that cooperates with a motor to rotate a rotatable member in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a retractable wheel system in a down position according to aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of the retractable wheel system of FIG. 4A in an up position;
5A-5C illustrate side views of a retractable wheel system in various positions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
6A-6F illustrate several views of a retractable wheel system according to various aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a hospital bed including a retractable wheel system according to aspects of the present disclosure;
8A-8C illustrate several views of a hospital bed including a retractable wheel system in a down position, according to various aspects of the present disclosure;
9A-9C illustrate several views of a hospital bed including a retractable wheel system in an up position, according to various aspects of the present disclosure;
10A-10H illustrate several views of a hospital bed including a retractable wheel system according to various aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a hospital bed including a retractable wheel system that cooperates with rotatable pedals located between the ends of the hospital bed according to aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a hospital bed having a brake for preventing rotation of the plurality of wheels of the hospital bed in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a retractable wheel system including a gas damper in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a mounting unit for mounting a retractable wheel system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 15 shows another perspective view of the mounting unit of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 shows another perspective view of the mounting unit of FIG. 14;
FIG. 17 shows another perspective view of the mounting unit of FIG. 14;
FIG. 18 shows another perspective view of the mounting unit of FIG. 14;
FIG. 19 shows another perspective view of the mounting unit of FIG. 14;
FIG. 20 shows another perspective view of the mounting unit of FIG. 14;
FIG. 21 shows another perspective view of the mounting unit of FIG. 14;
FIG. 22 shows another perspective view of the mounting unit of FIG. 14;
FIG. 23 shows another perspective view of the mounting unit of FIG. 14;
FIG. 24 shows another perspective view of the mounting unit of FIG. 14;
fig. 25 shows a hospital bed including a mounting unit for mounting the retractable wheel system to the hospital bed; and
fig. 26 shows another perspective view of the mounting unit of fig. 14.
Detailed Description
For purposes of the following description, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "lateral," "longitudinal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific systems and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the examples disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.
In an exemplary embodiment, the retractable wheel system 10 may include a rotatable or pivotable member 12, an oscillating arm 14 extending from the pivotable member 12, a retractable wheel 20 extending from a distal end of the oscillating arm 14, a pivotal swing mount 22 operatively associated with the retractable wheel 20, and a spring member 24. optionally, the retractable wheel system 10 may also include an actuator, such as a foot pedal assembly and/or a mounting unit 40. in an exemplary embodiment, the retractable wheel system 10 may be configured as a backup wheel assembly for a transport unit 70, such as a patient handling system.
Referring to FIG. 1, a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a retractable wheel system 10 is shown, the retractable wheel system 10 may include a rotatable or pivotable member 12, such as a rod or bar, the retractable wheel system 10 may also include a swing arm 14 having a th end 16 and a second end 18, the th end 16 of the swing arm 14 may be attached to the rotatable member 12 and extend from the rotatable member 12, the second end 18 of the swing arm 14 may be attached to a retractable wheel 20, the retractable wheel 20 may be rotatably attached to the second end 18 of the swing arm 14 and extend from the second end 18 of the swing arm 14 such that the retractable wheel 20 may rotate when in contact with the ground, the swing arm 14 may rotate as the rotatable member 12 rotates such that the retractable wheel 20 raises or lowers from the ground surface to the ground surface, the retractable wheel 20 may be a powered or driven wheel that is rotated by a motor, or may be a manually rotatable wheel.
With continued reference to fig. 1, the retractable wheel system 10 also includes a swing mount 22 attached to the rotatable member 12. in non-limiting embodiments, the swing mount 22 may be attached to the rotatable member 12 by welding. in non-limiting embodiments, the swing mount 22 may be rotatably attached to the rotatable member 12 relative to the rotatable member 12, such as by being rotatably bolted to the rotatable member 12. the spring member 24 may include a end and a second end 28. the second end 26 of the spring member 24 may be attached to the swing mount 22 at a connection point 30. the spring member 24 may be attached at the connection point 30 by any suitable fastener, and in non-limiting embodiments, the fastener may allow the spring member 24 to rotate relative to the swing mount 22 at the connection point 30. in non-limiting embodiments, the spring member 24 includes a member that may be inserted through a connection hole 42 at the connection point 30, and a washer rotatably fixed to the member, such that the spring member 24 may rotate relative to the spring mount 22 at the connection point 30 (see, for example, fig. 2.) the second end 28 of the spring member 24 may be attached to the second end 18 of the swing arm 14. the spring member 24 may thus, the spring member may be attached to the retractable wheel system proximate to the retractable wheel protection lever 32.
With continued reference to fig. 1, retractable wheel system 10 may include provisions for causing movement of rotatable member 12, swing mount 22, swing arm 14, and retractable wheel 20, and in particular raising and lowering retractable wheel 20. in embodiments, the actuator may be configured as a foot pedal assembly, wherein retractable wheel system 10 may include receiving holes 34 at the ends of rotatable member 12. receiving holes 34 may receive rotatable pedals 36 having shafts 38. accordingly, rotatable pedals 36 may be positioned at the ends of rotatable member 12 by inserting shafts 38 into receiving holes 34. however, it will be appreciated that rotatable pedals 36 may be attached to rotatable member 12 by any means such that rotation of rotatable pedals 36 effects rotation of rotatable member 12 and vice versa.
With continued reference to fig. 1, the retractable wheel system 10 may be included in the transport unit 70, form part of of the transport unit 70 or may be attached to the transport unit 70, such as but not limited to a patient handling system in embodiments, the retractable wheel system 10 is removably attached to the transport unit 70 via the mounting unit 40 the retractable wheel system 10 may be included to enhance steering of the transport unit 70 so that the transport unit 70 may be more flexible the transport unit 70 may be any unit that transports a load including wheels for rolling the load.
Referring to fig. 2 and 3, the rotatable member 12 may be rotated by any suitable arrangement or means, in non-limiting embodiments the rotatable member 12 may be manually rotated, for example, the rotatable pedal 36 may be rotated to effect rotation of the rotatable member 12 (see fig. 2.) in this non-limiting embodiment, depressing the upper end of the rotatable pedal 36 (by a user) may rotate the rotatable pedal 36, which in effect causes rotation of the rotatable member 12. in another non-limiting embodiments, the rotatable member 12 may be automatically rotated, and the retractable wheel system 10 may have a motorized or motor-assisted actuator, for example, the motor 46 may cooperate with the rotatable member 12 to effect rotation of the rotatable member 12 (see fig. 3.) the motor 46 may be attached at an end of the rotatable member 12 and activation of the motor 46 may rotate the rotatable member 12. the controller 48 may be included so as to communicate with the motor 46. the controller 48 may cause the motor 46 to rotate in directions or another directions based on a user using the controller 48 may be connected to the rotatable member 12 in any other way that the controller 48 may be operable for actuation via a wired connection.
With continued reference to fig. 2 and 3, the pendulum mount 22 may include at least connection holes 42 the connection hole 42 may be positioned in the pendulum mount 22 and the spring member 24 may be rotatably attached to the pendulum mount 22 through the connection hole 42 (at the connection point 30) more than connection holes ( connection hole 42 and second connection hole 44) may be provided so that the spring member 24 may be attached to the pendulum mount 22 at different points so that the pendulum mount 22 is adjustable the connection holes 42, 44 may be selected for use as the connection point 30 based on the size of the components in the retractable wheel system 10 or transport unit 70, such as the size of the caster, for example, the connection hole 42 may be used as the connection point 30 with a four inch caster while the second connection hole 44 may be used as the connection point 30 with a five inch caster.
Referring to fig. 4A and 4B, the retractable wheel system 10 may include a plurality of positions in an extended position (hereinafter referred to as a "lower position"), the retractable wheel 20 may extend downward toward the ground such that the retractable wheel 20 may be in contact with the ground (see fig. 4A), in this configuration, the connection point 30 is located above the line 50 (see, e.g., fig. 5A, described below), the swing arm 14 may be angled relative to the ground in the lower position, and the retractable wheel 20 is configured to roll on the ground in the lower position, in a second retracted position (hereinafter referred to as an "upper position"), the retractable wheel 20 may be retracted upward away from the ground such that the retractable wheel 20 may not be in contact with the ground (see fig. 4B), the connection point 30 may be located above the line 50 (see, e.g., fig. 5C, described below), in the upper position the retractable wheel 20 may be off the ground, and the swing arm 14 may be substantially parallel to the ground.
Referring to fig. 5A-5C, the retractable wheel system 10 is shown transitioning between an upper position and a lower position depending on the relative positions of the line 50 and the connection point 30 discussed below, hi fig. 5A, the retractable wheel system 10 is in its lower position such that the retractable wheel 20 may contact and roll along the ground, hi the lower position the connection point 30 may be above the center 50, the line 50 is at a wheel attachment point (e.g., the attachment point between the swing arm 14 and the retractable wheel 20) and an opposite swing arm rotation point of the swing arm 14 (e.g., between the th end 26 of the swing arm 14 and the anchoring surface)A pivotable point and/or a pivotable attachment point) in the embodiment shown in fig. 5A-5C, the swing arm rotation point coincides with the axis of rotation of the rotatable member 12, and line 50 forms a central axis that passes through the length of the swing arm 14, e.g., a centerline as shown in fig. 5A-5C, in another embodiment, the swing arm rotation point need not coincide with the axis of rotation of the rotatable member 12 and/or line 50 need not extend through the central axial line of the swing arm 14, the spring member 24 applies induced or sustained force F to the retractable wheel 201. When the connection point 30 is located above the line 50 (see fig. 5A), the spring member 24 exerts a force having a downward directional vector, causing the lowering of the wheel 20 such that the wheel 20 is biased against the ground, as indicated by arrow D1As shown (towards retractable wheels 20 and the ground). This force keeps the retractable wheel 20 in contact with the ground so that it can roll relative to the ground and maintain the retractable wheel system 10 in the down position. As the retractable wheel 20 rolls along the ground, the spring member 24 may move up or down so that the retractable wheel 20 may roll over uneven surfaces of the ground (e.g., acting as a suspension for the retractable wheel). For example, when traversing a bump in the ground, the spring member 24 may move upward toward the rotatable member 12 to allow the retractable wheel 20 to traverse the top of the bump, and then move downward back to its original position when the retractable wheel 20 is lowered from the bump and returned to level ground. When the connection point 30 is located below the line 50 (see fig. 5B and 5C), the spring member 24 exerts a force having an upward direction vector, causing the wheel 20 to lift, as indicated by arrow D2As shown (up and away from the ground). This force pushes the retractable wheel 20 off the ground and holds the retractable wheel system 10 in the up position. Fig. 5B shows the connection point 30 below the line 50 so that the retractable wheel system 10 can move from a lower position to an upper position. In fig. 5B, retractable wheel system 10 is in the process of moving from the down position to the up position (e.g., swing arm 14 swings from the position in fig. 5A to the position in fig. 5C). In fig. 5C, the connection point 30 is located below the line 50 such that the swing arm 14 has moved the retractable wheel system 10 to an upper position, which remains in this position until the connection point 30 (e.g., via a rotatable mechanism)Rotation of the member 12 and the pendulum mount 22) moves back over the wire 50.
In non-limiting embodiments, the spring member 24 may be a gas spring, however, it should be understood that the spring member 24 may be any other type of spring device that exerts a force as described above (e.g., where the direction of the force is based on the location of the connection point 30).
With continued reference to the exemplary embodiment of fig. 5A-5C, retractable wheel system 10 may remain in either the upper or lower positions without a locking mechanism, such as a mechanical or electromechanical lock, in other words, retractable wheel system 10 may remain in either the upper or lower positions depending on the position of connection point 30 and does not include any additional mechanism to maintain swing arm 14 in either the upper or lower position.
4A-5C, the retractable wheel system 10 may be moved between the up position and the down position by rotating the rotatable member 12, and in turn correspondingly rotating the pendulum mount 22. As previously described, the rotatable member 12 may be rotated using any suitable arrangement, in non-limiting embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the rotatable member 12 may be rotated using a rotatable pedal 36, such as a foot actuated pedal, and with reference to FIGS. 4A and 5A, the retractable wheel system 10 may be moved between the up position and the down positionAt a lower position where the rotatable pedal 36 may be up at end and down at end , and the retractable wheel 20 may be in contact with and able to roll along the ground, the connection point 30 may be above the line 50, and the spring member 24 may be at arrow F1To exert a force on the retractable wheel 20 to maintain the retractable wheel system 10 in the down position.
The retractable wheel system 10 may be moved from a lower position to an upper position by a user stepping on a higher end of the rotatable pedal 36 (or otherwise depressing a higher end of the rotatable pedal 36. stepping on the rotatable pedal 36 may toggle the end of the rotatable pedal 36 so that the opposite end is higher. rotation of the rotatable pedal 36 may rotate the rotatable member 12. rotation of the rotatable member 12 may rotate the attached swing mount 22. rotation of the swing mount 22 may rotate the position of the connection point 30 (which is initially above the line 50), thereby changing the position of the connection point 30 relative to the line 50 of the swing arm 14. it will be appreciated that rotation of the connection point 30 may rotate the spring member 24, the spring member 24 rotates relative to the connection point 30. denier the connection point 30 travels below the line 50, the force exerted by the spring member 24 changes direction so that the force may be exerted in a direction away from the ground, as arrow D2As shown. The direction of the force from the spring member 24 may then lift the retractable wheel 20 off the ground and to the position in fig. 5C, which is the up position. Thus, rotation of the rotatable pedal 36 rotates the rotary member 12, eventually reversing the direction of the force of the spring member 24 as the connection point 30 travels below the line 50. This moves the retractable wheel system 10 from the lower position to the upper position.
Similarly, the retractable wheel system 10 can be moved from an upper position to a lower position by a user stepping on the upper end of the rotatable pedal 36, the retractable wheel system 10 can be moved from an upper position to a lower position, rotation of the rotatable pedal 36 can rotate the rotatable member 12, rotation of the rotatable member 12 can rotate the attached pendulum mount 22, rotation of the pendulum mount 22 can rotate the position of the connection point 30 (which is initially located below the line 50), once the connection point 30 travels onto the line 50The force exerted by the spring member 24 changes direction so that it can be applied towards the ground, as indicated by arrow F1As shown. The direction of the force from the spring member 24 may press the retractable wheel 20 onto the ground and to the position in fig. 5A, which is the down position. Thus, rotation of the rotatable pedal 36 eventually reverses the direction of the force of the spring member 24 as the connection point 30 travels above the line 50, which moves the retractable wheel system 10 from the up position to the down position.
Optionally, the retractable wheel system 10 may further include a damper 87 that can dampen and slow the rapid movement of the swing arm 14 between the upper and lower positions, as shown in FIG. 13, the gas damper 87 may be connected to a fixed mounting point (e.g., the mounting frame support 45 described below) and of the swing arm 14 and/or retractable wheel 20.
Referring to fig. 6A-6F, various views of retractable wheel system 10 are shown illustrating retractable wheel system 10 from different angles, fig. 6A illustrates a perspective view of retractable wheel system 10, fig. 6B illustrates a top view of retractable wheel system 10, fig. 6C illustrates a bottom view of retractable wheel system 10, fig. 6D illustrates another perspective view of retractable wheel system 10, fig. 6E illustrates another perspective view of retractable wheel system 10, and fig. 6F illustrates another perspective view of retractable wheel system 10.
Referring to fig. 7, a transport unit 70 (hereinafter referred to as a hospital bed 70) including the retractable wheel system 10 is shown. The medical bed 70 may include a frame 52 attached to a plurality of wheels 54. The frame 52 may also be attached to a bed 56, which may be a flat surface to support a load, such as a patient. The hospital bed 70 may include a foot end 58 and a head end 60. The foot 45 end 58 may be the end of the medical bed 70 on which the prone patient's feet may rest, while the head end 60 may be the end of the medical bed 70 on which the prone patient's head may rest. The cot 70 may be rolled and steered on the wheels 54 by pushing the cot 70 and may be used to transport patients throughout the hospital.
The cot 70 may include a plurality of wheels 54, such as four wheels at the corners of the frame 52 of the cot 70, however, it should be understood that any number of wheels 54 may be included for desired steering and maneuverability of the cot 70. the cot 70 may include a retractable wheel system 10 as previously described such that the retractable wheels 20 may be additional wheels to the plurality of wheels 54. the retractable wheel system 10 may be attached to the frame 52 of the cot 70 in any suitable manner, such as bolting the retractable wheel system 10 to the frame 52. for example, in a cot having four wheels 54, the addition of the retractable wheel system 10 may cause the retractable wheels 20 to be "standby wheels" when in a down position. the retractable wheels 20 may be positioned between the plurality of wheels 54. in some non-limiting embodiments of , the retractable wheel system 10 may be positioned such that the retractable wheels 20 are positioned in the center (e.g., longitudinally centered and/or laterally centered) of the cot 70 between the plurality of wheels 54. in other non-limiting embodiments, the retractable wheel system 10 may be positioned such that the retractable wheels 20 are positioned such that the steerable wheels 70 may be connected to the cot 70 such that the steerable wheels 36 and/or other foot pedals of the cot 70 may also cause improved maneuverability, as compared to the foot-or foot-operated bed 70.
Referring to fig. 8A-8C, several views of a cot 70 including a retractable wheel system 10 in a down position are shown, the down position of the retractable wheel system 10 may be the same down position as previously described (see, e.g., the discussion of fig. 4A and 5A.) in the down position the retractable wheels 20 of the retractable wheel system 10 may be in contact with the ground and may roll along the ground as the cot 70 is pushed, the retractable wheels 20 may cooperate with a plurality of wheels 54 as the cot 70 is moved to improve steering and maneuverability of the cot 70. by using the retractable wheels 20 in the down position, the cot 70 may be more easily maneuvered in compact spaces, such as through the opening and around corners.
Referring to fig. 9A-9C, several views of a cot 70 including a retractable wheel system 10 in an upper position are shown, the upper position of the retractable wheel system 10 may be the same upper position as previously described (see, e.g., the discussion of fig. 4B, 5B, and 5℃) the retractable wheels 20 of the retractable wheel system 10 may not be in contact with the ground in the upper position when the retractable wheels 20 are in the upper position, the cot 70 may be moved as if the retractable wheel system 10 were not installed (e.g., operated in a manner similar to the cot 70 without the retractable wheels 20 at all). the retractable wheel system 10 of the cot 70 may be moved between the lower and upper positions as previously described.
With continued reference to fig. 8A-9C, the retractable wheel system 10 may be positioned near the (longitudinal) center of the cot 70, such as near the midpoint between the foot end 58 and the head end 60. However, the retractable wheel system 10 may be positioned at any point along the length of the cot 70 to enhance steering or maneuverability of the cot 70 as the retractable wheels 20 roll along the ground.
In some non-limiting embodiments, the retractable wheel system 10 may be designed as a component of a hospital bed 70, however, in other non-limiting embodiments, the retractable wheel system 10 may be a separate removable system or component and may be retrofitted onto an existing hospital bed 70 that is not designed to include the retractable wheel system 10. the retractable wheel system 10 may be a compact and simple design so as to be mounted between a plurality of wheels 54 and in a compact space below the frame 52. the retractable wheel system 10 may be retrofitted onto an existing hospital bed 70 that does not have the retractable wheel system 10 by attaching the retractable wheel system 10 to the frame 52 of the hospital bed 70 via a mounting unit 40, which mounting unit 40 may include brackets, clamps, and/or other frame mounting elements. the rotatable members 12 of the retractable wheel system 10 may be attached to the frame 52 of the hospital bed 40 and rotatable pedals 36 may be attached to the rotatable members 12 so as the rotatable members 36 rotate the rotatable members 12. the rotatable members 12 of the retractable wheel system 10, such as by any suitable attachment system, such as by bolts, the retractable wheel system 10 may be subsequently removed from the mounting unit 40.
In exemplary embodiments shown in fig. 14-26, the mounting unit 40 includes a transport unit clamp 41 that may be coupled to a portion of the frame 52. for example, the transport unit clamp 41 may be removably attached to two opposing supports of the medical bed frame 52 that extend along the length of opposite sides of the bed. in embodiments , the transport unit clamp 41 may be suspended, positioned, or otherwise coupled to the opposing medical bed frame supports 52 and fixed in place with clamp brackets or fasteners 43. the transport unit clamp 41 may also abut and/or rotatably receive at least a portion of the rotatable member 12 to help stabilize and/or secure the retractable wheel system 10. in embodiments , the transport unit clamp 41 may also be removably or fixedly attached to the mounting frame support 45, the rotatable member 12 is connected to the mounting frame support via a rotatable member bracket 47. in embodiments , the rotatable member bracket 47 is welded or otherwise secured to the mounting frame support 45 and is pivotably or rotatably received within a through hole of the rotatable member 12 and/or rotatably coupled to the mounting frame support 45 via a rotatable member bracket clamp bracket 47, and/or stop bracket 48, the rotatable member 12, the bracket 47 may be configured to rotatably receive a rotatable stop bracket 12, a rotatable bracket 12, a bracket or a bracket 12, a bracket 14, a bracket or a bracket 48 may be configured to facilitate positioning of a rotatable bracket 12, a bracket 48, a bracket 12, a bracket 48.
Referring to fig. 10A-10H, various views of a cot 40 including a retractable wheel system 10 are shown, showing the cot 40 including the retractable wheel system 10 from different angles, fig. 10A is a bottom view of the cot 40 including the retractable wheel system 10, fig. 10B is a perspective view of the cot 40 including the retractable wheel system 10, fig. 10C is another perspective view of the cot 40 including the retractable wheel system 10, fig. 10D is another perspective view of the cot 40 including the retractable wheel system 10, fig. 10E is another perspective view of the cot 40 including the retractable wheel system 10, fig. 10F is another perspective view of the cot 40 including the retractable wheel system 10, fig. 10G is another perspective view of the cot 40 including the retractable wheel system 10, fig. 10H is another perspective view of the cot 40 including the retractable wheel system 10.
Referring to fig. 11, a medical bed 40 having a retractable wheel system 10 is shown. In this non-limiting embodiment, the retractable wheel system 10 may be mounted on the hospital bed 40 between the foot end 58 and the head end 60, such as near or at a midpoint between the foot end 58 and the head end 60.
Referring to FIG. 12, a perspective view of a hospital bed 40 having a brake 62 is shown, the brake 62 may cooperate with at least of the plurality of wheels 54 to prevent the wheels 54 from rolling even when the hospital bed 40 is pushed when the brake 62 is applied, the brake 62 may be released to allow the wheels 54 to roll when the hospital bed 40 is pushed, the brake 62 may be used as a safety feature to prevent movement of the hospital bed 40 when the brake 62 is applied, the brake 62 may be a manually applied brake, such as a pedal operable by a user's foot, in other non-limiting embodiments, the brake 62 may be automatically applied (e.g., using an electromechanical arrangement).
Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
