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AssigneeGE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
InventorsJeffrey W. Pattee, John M. Simmons, David M. Robbins
Estimating the term…
An apparatus is provided for securely positioning a medical device that prevents movement of one end of the device by applying a single force. The apparatus allows a doctor to depress a pedal, which is connected to a pedal housing by way of a single shaft. Connected to the ends of the shaft are two separate linkage members. The first linkage member is attached to a ratcheting mechanism that steers the pedal into the locked position. The second linkage member is connected to a cam within the pedal housing that drives a spring-loaded plunger assembly. When the pedal is in the locked position the plunger assembly is in contact with the floor, thereby preventing movement of the device. To release the braking device, the doctor depresses the pedal slightly, which causes the ratcheting mechanism to allow the pedal, and therefore the plunger assembly, to return to their unlocked positions.
A braking apparatus for securely positioning a mobile medical device comprising a locking mechanism for locking said mobile medical device in a desired position, a pedal connected to said locking mechanism for moving said locking mechanism between locked and unlocked positions, said locking mechanism being engaged when said pedal is in said locked position, and said locking mechanism being disengaged when said pedal is in said unlocked position, and a steering mechanism with a linkage member attached to said pedal, said steering mechanism defining a path along which said linkage member travels as said pedal is moved between said locked and unlocked positions, wherein said steering mechanism comprises a set of linking members connected to a spring-loaded plunger pin, said plunger pin being guided through a ratcheting mechanism when pressure is applied to said pedal.
A mobile medical apparatus comprising:
A braking apparatus for securely positioning a mobile medical device comprising a locking mechanism for locking said mobile medical device in a desired position, a pedal connected to said locking mechanism for moving said locking mechanism between locked and unlocked positions, said locking mechanism being engaged when said pedal is in said locked position, and said locking mechanism being disengaged when said pedal is in said unlocked position, and a steering mechanism with a linkage member attached to said pedal, said steering mechanism defining a path along which said linkage member travels as said pedal is moved between said locked and unlocked positions, wherein said steering mechanism includes a recessed guideway along which said linkage member travels, said guideway defining an intermediate position for said pedal when moving between said locked and unlocked positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.