Cart stabilization system, rolling cart elements and methods of using same
AssigneeZimmer, Inc.
InventorsGerardo Angel Gonzalez Chapa, Scott Hudson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cart stabilization system and rolling cart elements for robotic surgery and other medical instrumentation are disclosed. The cart stabilization system includes a base and lifting caster systems coupled to a bottom portion of the base. Each lifting caster system includes a rolling element, a swivel foot assembly moveably coupled to the rolling element; and a hydraulic mounting base coupled to a portion of the swivel foot assembly. Methods of assembling a lifting caster system and for using a cart stabilization system are also disclosed.
Claims28
A cart stabilization system, comprising:
- a base;
- and
- a plurality of lifting caster systems coupled to a bottom portion of the base, wherein each of the plurality of lifting caster system comprises:
- a rolling element;
- a swivel foot assembly moveably coupled to the rolling element;
- and
- a hydraulic mounting base coupled to a portion of the swivel foot assembly;
- and
- wherein the swivel foot assembly comprises:
- a foot base;
- a spring received within a portion of the foot base;
- a lifting shaft movably coupled to the foot base;
- a foot mount coupled to a first end of the lifting shaft;
- and
- an O-ring positioned within a channel in a top surface of the foot base.
A cart stabilization system comprising:
- a base;
- a plurality of lifting systems coupled to a bottom portion of the base, each of the plurality of lifting systems comprising:
- a rolling element comprising a base member and a wheel;
- a foot;
- a spring positioned between and engaging both the base member and the foot
- wherein the rolling element being movable relative to the foot;
- an energizable system including a hydraulic actuator operably connected to the rolling element and to the foot;
- wherein energizing the energizable system to reach an energized state causes:
- the foot to move in a first direction;
- and
- the base member to move in a second direction opposite the first direction;
- and
- wherein the energizable system is disposable in:
- the energized state with each lifting system of the plurality of lifting systems energized to engage the rolling element with a support structure allowing the cart stabilization system to be movable relative to the support structure;
- and
- a deenergized state with each lifting system of the plurality of lifting systems deenergized to engage the foot with the support structure allowing the cart stabilization system to be nonmovable relative to the support structure.
A method of assembling a lifting caster system, comprising:
- obtaining a caster with wheels and brakes coupled to a base member;
- positioning a spring between a top surface of the base member and a foot base;
- inserting a fastener through a through hole in the base member and into a swivel housing of the foot base;
- inserting a second end of a lifting shaft into the swivel housing;
- sliding a foot mount over the lifting shaft to position a portion of the lifting shaft within a swivel member in the foot mount;
- positioning a cap on a shaft of a piston;
- positioning a cylinder body over the piston;
- and
- engaging the cap with an interior groove of the cylinder body.
A lifting caster system comprising:
- a rolling element comprising a base member and at least one wheel;
- a foot base;
- a spring positioned between and engaging both the base member and the foot base;
- a hydraulic actuator operably connected to the rolling element and the foot base;
- wherein activation of the hydraulic actuator causes:
- the foot base to move in a first direction;
- and
- the base member to move in a second direction opposite the first direction;
- and
- wherein deactivation of the hydraulic actuator causes the spring to compress and close a gap between the foot base and the base member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.