Cot loading and unloading systems having a fixed rail, carriage and power drive
AssigneeFerno-Washington, Inc.
InventorsGavin Broadley, Alan Cambridge, Richard Potts, Qusai F. Takruri, Matthew Burrell, Ross Kenman, Nicholas Valentino, Robert Louis Potak, Jacob L. Cartner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one embodiment, a carriage of a cot loading and unloading system includes a plurality of wheels for engaging a track defined by a fixed rail of the cot loading and unloading system, a power drive assembly operable to drive the carriage to travel along the track of the fixed rail, and a pair of lift arms for supporting a cot.
Claims20
A carriage of a cot loading and unloading system, the carriage comprising:
- a plurality of wheels for engaging a track defined by a fixed rail of the cot loading and unloading system;
- a power drive assembly operable to drive the carriage to travel along the track of the fixed rail;
- and
- a pair of lift arms for supporting a cot.
A cot loading and unloading system comprising:
- a fixed rail comprising a track, wherein the fixed rail is operable to be fixed to a floor;
- and
- a carriage directly coupled to the track, the carriage comprising:
- a plurality of wheels that engage the track of the fixed rail;
- a power drive assembly operable to drive the carriage to travel along the track of the fixed rail;
- and
- a pair of lift arms for supporting a cot.
A cot loading and unloading system comprising:
- a fixed rail comprising a track, wherein:
- the fixed rail is operable to be fixed to a floor;
- the track comprises a first side, a second side, a rack member, a wheel guide member, and at least two guide members;
- the at least two guide members are provided at the second side of the track;
- the rack member and the wheel guide member are provided at the first side of the track;
- and
- the rack member comprises a rack protrusion and the wheel guide member comprises a wheel guide protrusion;
- a carriage comprising a power drive assembly comprising a drive motor, an axle, a motor pinion, and a drive pinion, wherein:
- the axle is coupled to the drive motor and the axle;
- the axle is coupled to the motor pinion such that rotation of the axle by the drive motor rotates the motor pinion;
- teeth of the motor pinion engage teeth of the drive pinion such that rotation of the motor pinion causes rotation of the drive pinion;
- and
- the teeth of the drive pinion engage teeth of the rack member such that rotation of the motor pinion causes the carriage to travel along the fixed rail on the track;
- and
- a support beam disposed within a passageway of the fixed rail, wherein the support beam is operable to translate within the passageway and support the carriage when it is in an extended position beyond a length of the fixed rail.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.