Docking assembly
AssigneeHill-Rom Services, Inc.
InventorDavid C. Newkirk
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A docking assembly configured to allow a first medical device to move with a second medical device includes a hitch, a base, and a connector. The hitch is configured to be coupled to the first medical device. The base is spaced apart from the hitch and is configured to be coupled to the second medical device. The connector interconnects the hitch and the base and permits movement of the hitch relative to the base.
Claims46
A combination comprising:
- a first medical device having a first base and a first set of wheels coupled to the base,
- a second medical device having a second base and a second set of wheels coupled to the second base,
- a latch member coupled to the first medical device, and
- a docking assembly including a pair of spaced-apart leaf springs extending from the second medical device and a hitch coupled to the distal ends of the leaf springs, the hitch including a post, engagement between the post and the latch member moving the latch member automatically from a releasing position to a locking position to couple the first and second medical devices together to permit the first and second medical devices to be transportable together in tandem.
A medical device comprising:
- a base,
- at least one wheel coupled to the base,
- a docking assembly coupled to the base, the docking assembly including a leaf spring having a first end and a second end, a plate coupled to the first end of the leaf spring and to the base, and a hitch coupled to the second end of the leaf spring, the hitch including a post, the leaf spring extending from the plate in a cantilevered manner so that the leaf spring is subject to deflection, the plate including an inclined portion from which the leaf spring extends, at an angle with respect to horizontal so that the post is able to be maintained substantially vertical and in spaced-apart relation with the base.
An apparatus for coupling together a first medical device and a second medical device to permit the first and second medical devices to be transportable together in tandem, the apparatus comprising:
- a latch member adapted to be coupled to the first medical device, and
- a docking assembly adapted to be coupled to the second medical device, the docking assembly including a pair of spaced-apart leaf springs and a hitch coupled to the distal ends of the leaf springs, the hitch including a post, the docking assembly being configured so that the pair of spaced-apart leaf springs extends from the second medical device in a cantilevered manner and supports the post in spaced-apart relation with the second medical device when the docking assembly is coupled to the first medical device, the latch member being configured to interact with the post to couple the first and second medical devices together.
An apparatus for coupling together a first medical device and a second medical device to permit the first and second medical devices to be transportable together in tandem, the apparatus comprising:
- a latch member adapted to be coupled to the first medical device, and
- a docking assembly including a leaf spring having a first end and a second end, a plate coupled to the first end of the leaf spring, and a hitch coupled to the second end of the leaf spring, the hitch including a post, the plate being adapted to be coupled to the second medical device, the leaf spring extending from the plate in a cantilevered manner so that the leaf spring is subject to deflection due to gravity, the plate including a first portion coupled to the second medical device and a second portion from which the leaf spring extends, the second portion is inclined with respect to horizontal by an amount that compensates for the deflection of the leaf spring due to gravity so that the post is maintained substantially vertical and in spaced-apart relation with the second medical device when the plate is coupled to the second medical device, the latch member being configured to interact with the post to couple the first and second medical devices together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.