US 7,845,601 B1Granted

Medical equipment transport system

AssigneeModular Services Company

InventorsTaylor C. Culpepper, Marcus J. Brown, James J. Walker, John R. Pierson, Travis W. Webb, James A. Walker

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Abstract

A medical equipment transport system for supporting medical equipment while a patient is transported. The system comprises an equipment rack, such as an IV stand. While in the hospital room, the rack is mounted on a bracket supported on a mobile tower. When the patient is moved, the rack is transferred to a similar bracket on the bed. Transfer of the rack between bed and tower brackets is accomplished using a lift mechanism in the tower. The lift mechanism includes a bogie stabilized by radially-arranged bearings, enabling the tower to accept omni directional loading and moment forces. The rack is supported on each of the brackets by two vertically-aligned conical pins nested in tapered bushings, providing additional stability. A self-locking, self-releasing latch assembly prevents inadvertent dislocation of the rack. A customized adapter enables attachment of the bracket to any model bed without structurally altering it, simplifying installation and preserving warranties.

Claims39

Dependent claims

A medical equipment transport system for supporting medical equipment near a patient being transported on a patient transport device, the system comprising:

a tower comprising:
a bearing frame having a central longitudinal axis;
a bogie supported for vertical movement inside the frame along the central longitudinal axis;
a bearing assembly between the bearing frame and the bogie comprising:
at least three bearings positioned radially equidistantly around the central longitudinal axis;
at least three vertically-oriented, linear bearing races disposed equidistantly about the central longitudinal axis of the bearing housing;
wherein the at least three bearings are supported on the bogie, one bearing supported for movement along each of the races as the bogie moves vertically in the bearing frame;
so that load and moment in any direction on the bogie will be transferred radially through the bearing assembly to the bearing frame and
a drive assembly for driving the vertical movement of the bogie;
a first bracket attachable to the patient transport device;
a second bracket supportable on the bogie for movement therewith;
and
a medical equipment rack removably supportable on the first and second brackets.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/558,099Filed 9 Nov 2006
Granted: 7 Dec 2010
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

A61G 7/05
Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons: parts, details or accessories of beds
A61G 12/008
Supply appliances, e.g. columns for gas, fluid, electricity supply: mounted on a mobile base, e.g. on a trolley
A61M 5/1418
Hanging-up devices: clips, separators or the like for supporting tubes or leads
A61G 2203/80
With special adaptations, e.g. for safety or comfort: for connecting a trolley to a device, e.g. bed or column table