Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PATIENT TRANSPORT SYSTEM
$ACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to patient transport
systems, and more particularly, to a patient transport
system for transferring an immobile patient from a bed to
a gurney or vice versa.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It appears to be widely accepted that a major, if
not the major, work-related complaint among nurses and
hospital nursing staff is back injuries caused by lifting
patients and getting them in and out of a bed and to and
from a gurney or a stretcher as it is commonly referred to.
A survey of existing practices and techniques suggests that
there is no widely adopted simple and safe method of
transferring patients from a bed to a gurney, or vice
versa, without lifting them. There are hoist-type lifts
where the patient is suspended in a sling. The sling must
be first manipulated under the patient and then the patient
must be physically lifted, changing the shape of the body
and applying pressures different from those existing on the
patient when lying prone in bed. There are also roller
boards which are inserted partially under the patient and
then the patient is pulled onto the roller board. Again,
the patient must be manipulated to allow the board to be
inserted and then the body is pulled onto the board. In
the end, the patient ends up on the board, not on the
gurney or the bed. An additional disadvantage of the
roller board is that either the patient must cooperate with
the transferrer or more than one transferrer is required to
effect the transfer. Patients have also been known to drop
off the roller boards and to land on the floor between the
bed and the gurney.
Also, previous inventions make use of conveyors
external to both the bed and the gurney in which the
patient is passed from one to the other which results in
unnecessary and complex devices and cannot accommodate
different sized beds. Such devices are set forth in U.S.
Patent Nos. 5,163,189; 4,776,047; 4,761,841; 3,810,263;
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1.
3,769,642; 3,593,351; 3,413,663; 3,302,219; 2,733,452; 2,630,583;
2,536,707; 1,487;171; 1,263,611; 716,886; and 378,220.
Therefore, it is an aspect of one embodiment of the
invention to allow a patient, while lying in the prone position
and completely immobile, to be moved by one person of relatively
low strength smoothly and safely from a bed onto a gurney and
vice versa.
It is also an aspect of an embodiment of the invention
to allow a patient, while lying in a prone position and
completely immobile; to be moved by one person of relatively low
strength, safely from the bed to the gurney and vice versa, and
to accommodate various bed lengths with one conveying apparatus.
It is also an aspect of the invention to provide, in
one embodiment, a patient transport system for a bed or a gurney
which can be easily engaged with the bed or gurney and removed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is an apparatus for transporting a
patient that includes a base, a patient supporting member
attached to the base, a conveyor secured (either fixedly or
removably) to the base, and a sheet. The sheet has a first end
and a second end, where the first end is attached to the
conveyor. The sheet is adapted to be positioned onto the patient
supporting member. The base and the patient supporting member
can form a bed, a gurney or an apparatus that converts from a
gurney to a wheelchair or vice versa.
The conveyor includes a roller rotatably secured to the
base, where the roller can be made of graphite fibers, aluminum,
fiberglass or steel. The roller includes a first end and a
second end. The sheet first end is attached to the roller and
two bearings which are removably and rotatably secured to
respective first and second ends of the roller.
Each bearing includes a first leg and a second leg
attached to the first leg. The first and second legs define an
open ended roller receiving recess that receives
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an end of the roller. A tip extends from one of the legs
into the roller recess. Preferably, the tip extends from
the first leg, which includes an inner surface having a
first section and a second section, where the tip extends
at an interface of the two sections. The second leg
includes a first segment and a depending second segment.
The second segment is secured to the first leg. Inner
surfaces of the first segment, second segment and second
section define a roller engaging recess. The second
section inner surface is concave shaped.
A pair of collars are provided on both ends of
the roller, wherein the bearings are received between the
collars.
The sheet is removably attached to the conveyor
by a flexible strap having one end releasably attached to
the roller and the other end releasably attached to the
sheet. Preferably, a clip is releasably secured at one end
of the strap for attaching to the sheet. The clip can
include a body defining a slot and a plug received in the
slot. The plug is adapted to sandwich and bind a portion
of the sheet between the plug and the body. The length of
the strap can be adjusted. Preferably, Velcro~ fasteners
are provided on an end of the strap and along the length of
the roller so the strap can be releasably secured to the
roller.
The roller can be provided with a telescopic
arrangement so that its length can be adjusted, wherein the
roller includes a first longitudinally extending member
that slidably receives a second longitudinally extending
member with a recess defined in the first longitudinally
extending member. Preferably, the recess has the same
geometric shape as a cross-sectional shape of the second
longitudinal member. A segmented handle can be attached to
the roller. An annular member is slidably received by the
second longitudinally extending member and a flexible strip
is secured to the annular member.
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A tube can be attached to the base and a post can
be attached to the bearing, or vice versa. The post is
slidably received by the tube so that the bearing is
removably secured to the base. A pawl and ratchet
arrangement can be secured to the roller and bearing to
prevent the roller from rotating in a defined direction.
The invention can be used on a bed, a gurney or
a convertible gurney that converts from a gurney to a
wheelchair.
The invention is also a method for transporting
a patient from a bed to a gurney or vice versa using the
above-described conveyor including the steps of: placing
a sheet on one of the mattress of the bed and the patient
supporting surface of the gurney, positioning the patient
on the sheet, attaching the conveyor to the other of the
bed and the gurney having the sheet, positioning the gurney
adjacent to the bed so that the conveyor is along a side of
the other of the gurney and the bed, the side being
furthest away from the one of the bed and the gurney having
the sheet, removably attaching the sheet to the roller,
rotating the roller and thereby winding the sheet around
the roller, moving the patient on the sheet from the one of
the bed and gurney toward the roller onto the other of the
bed and the roller, and removing the roller from the one of
the bed and the gurney.
The method can also include the steps of
attaching the sheet to straps secured to the roller and
adjusting the length of the straps after the patient begins
to be moved on the sheet so that all of the straps are
taut.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gurney, a
hospital bed and a conveyor;
FIG. 2 is a partial top view of a portion of the
bed and the conveyor shown in FIG. 1;
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FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a bed, a
gurney and a conveyor attached to the gurney for moving a
patient from the bed to the gurney;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a bed, gurney and
a conveyor attached to the bed for moving a patient from
the gurney to the bed;
FIGS. 5-9 are schematic views showing a bed, a
gurney and a conveyor for moving a patient to and from the
bed and the gurney for the purposes of changing a bed sheet
on the bed;
FIG. 10 shows a partial perspective view of a bed
and a conveyor having a belt and a clip;
FIG. 11 is a top view of a clip body member;
FIG. 12 is a front view of the clip body member
shown in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a top view of a clip plug member;
FIG. 14 is a section taken along line XIV-XIV of
FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the body member
and plug member;
FIG . 16 is a sectional view of the body member
and a belt;
FIG. 17 is a top view of a portion of the
conveyor shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 18 is a top view of a portion of the
conveyor shown in FIG. 10 with a sheet attached thereto;
FIG. 19 is a partial sectional view of the
conveyor shown in FIG. 10 with the belt partially wrapped
around the conveyor;
FIG. 20 is a section taken along line XX-XX of
FIG. 18;
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a hospital bed
and a conveyor made in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 22 is a plan view of a roller assembly of
the conveyor shown in FIG. 21;
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FIG. 23 is a side view of a bearing of the
conveyor shown in FIG. 21;
FIG. 24a is a top view of a strap and clip
arrangement of the conveyor shown in FIG. 21;
FIG. 24b is a section taken along line XXIVb-
XXIVb of FIG. 24a;
FIG. 25 is a view along line XXV-XXV of the
roller shown in FIG. 22;
FIG. 26 is a section taken along line XXVI-XXVI
of the roller shown in FIG. 22;
FIG. 27 is a partial view of another embodiment
of the present invention showing a portion of a conveyor
having a telescopic roller;
FIG. 28 is a section taken along lines XXVIII-
XXVIII of FIG. 27;
FIG. 29 is a partial plan view of the telescopic
roller shown in FIG. 27 in a closed position;
FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a portion of the
conveyor roller shown in FIG. 27 in an extended position;
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the conveyor
roller shown in FIG. 30 in a retracted position;
FIG. 32 is a front view of a top cap shown in
FIG. 27;
FIG. 33 is a partial view of another embodiment
of the present invention showing a portion of a conveyor
having a telescopic roller;
FIG. 34 is a top view of another embodiment of
the strap made in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 35 is a top view of a clip and the strap of
the embodiment shown in FIG. 34;
FIG. 36 is a partial side view of a locking
mechanism used with the conveyor of the present invention;
FIG. 37 is a top view of a bed having bearing
holder tubes positioned adjacent the corners of the bed;
FIG. 38 is a side view showing the bed shown in
FIG. 37 with a bearing holder and a post made in accordance
with the present invention;
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FIG. 39 is a top perspective fragmentary view
showing the bearing holder and the post shown in FIG. 38;
FIG. 40 is a plan view of a roller assembly
similar to that as shown in FIG. 22 with a different
handle;
FIG. 41 is a top view of a bed having a conveyor
made in accordance with the present invention positioned at
the head of the bed;
FIG. 42 is an exploded top plan view of another
embodiment of the present invention showing a conveyor for
use with a gurney that converts into a wheelchair;
FIG. 43 is a side view of the gurney shown in
FIG. 42 converted into a wheelchair;
FIG. 44 is aside view of a bearing unit shown in
FIG. 42;
FIG. 45 is a top view of a clip arrangement made
in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 46 is a top view of another embodiment of a
clip made in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 47 is a side view of the clip shown in FIG.
46;
FIG. 48A is a side view of another plug made in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 48B is a top view of the plug shown in FIG.
48;
FIG. 49 is a side view showing the plug shown in
FIGS. 48A and 48B engaged with the clip shown in FIGS. 46
and 47;
FIG. 50A is a side view, partially in section, of
another embodiment of a roller made in accordance with the
present invention;
FIG. 50B is a top view of the roller shown in
FIG. 50A;
FIG. 50C is a side view of a collapsible handle
used with the roller shown in FIGS. 50A and 50B.
FIG. 51 is a side view of a belt for use with the
roller shown in FIGS. 50A and 50B;
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FIG. 52 is a side view of a bearing made in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 53 is a top view of a bearing shown in FIG.
52;
FIG. 54 is a plan view of another embodiment of
a roller assembly made in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 55 is a plan view of another embodiment of
a roller assembly made in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 56 is a section taken along lines LVI-LVI of
the rollers shown in Fig. 55;
FIG. 57 is a top perspective view showing a
bearing holder;
FIG. 58 is a top perspective view of a tube and
bed arrangement adapted to receive the bearing holder shown
in FIG. 57;
FIG. 59 is a top perspective view of a bed having
a tube and pin arrangement adapted to receive the bearing
holder shown in FIG. 57;
FIG. 60 is a top view of a bed having a conveyor
made in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 61 is a top view of another embodiment of a
clip attached to a portion of a belt made in accordance
with the present invention; and
FIG. 62 is a side view of another plug made in
accordance with the present invention.
DESCRTP'r'TON OF THE PREFERRED EMBOD, MENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1-9, there is shown a bed and
a gurney having a conveyor in accordance with the present
invention. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows a bed 10 that
includes a bed frame or base 12 having a headboard 14, a
baseboard 16, legs 18 attached to headboard 14 and
baseboard 16, and a mattress supporting frame 20 attached
to headboard 14 and baseboard 16 and legs 18. A mattress
22 is supported by mattress supporting frame 20. A gurney
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or stretcher 30, which is positioned directly adjacent to a side
31 of mattress 20 of bed 10, includes a frame or base 32 having.
wheels 34 attached thereto (throughout the specification, gurney
and stretcher are used interchangeably). A patient supporting
member 36 is supported by frame 32. Both mattress 20 and patient
supporting member 36 extend in a first longitudinal direction
shown by the arrow X.
As can be seen in FIG. 1, both bed 10 and gurney 30
have a conveyor 40 attached thereto. Each conveyor 40 includes a
roller 42 having two ends or end portions 43a and 43b. Each end
portion 43a and 43b is rotatably received by or rotatably coupled
to a respective bearing unit 44. Thus, bearing units 44 are
positioned near opposite ends of roller 42. A removable handle
46 or rotating member is received by a coupling 47 attached to
end 43b of roller 42. Each bearing unit 44 includes a low
friction bearing member, such as the Fafnir R.P.B. bearing and a
housing 48. Roller 42, bearing unit 44, handle 46, and coupling
47 are similar to those used in Loadhandler Industries, Inc. LH-
1000 Unloader described in United States Patent No. 5,340,266 and
PCT Application Serial No. US94/07816. Each housing 48 includes
an attaching member plate 49. Plate 49 attaches to gurney 30 or
bed 10 either by welding plate 49 to gurney frame 32 or bed frame
12, or by fastening plate 49 to gurney frame 32 or bed frame 12,
through fasteners, such as screws.
Alternatively, each plate 49 can be attached to or
coupled to a conveyor attaching member 50. Each member 50
includes an L-shaped plate 52 having a first leg 54 and a second
leg 56 extending therefrom. A second member 58 is provided
having a U-shaped portion 60. Two legs 62 and 64 depend from U-
shaped portion 60. Preferably, member 58 is formed by bending a
metallic rod having a circular cross-section. Legs 62 and 64
have threaded ends 66 and 68, respectively. Two holes are
defined in leg 56 of L-shaped
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plate 52 through which legs 62 and 64 pass, respectively.
A recess 70 is defined between L-shaped plate 52 and second
member 58. Either headboard 14 or baseboard 16 of bed 10
is positioned within recess 70, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Conveyor 40 attaches to or is coupled to bed 10
as follows. First, second leg 56 of L-shaped plate 52 and
U-shaped portion 60 of second member 58, which are secured
to one of bearing units 44, are pressed against respective
sides of headboard 14. Then, second leg 56 and U-shaped
portion 60 are held in place by wing nuts 72 and 74, which
are threadably received by respective threaded ends 66 and
68 of legs 62 and 64 and abut against respective second
legs 56. Wing nuts 72 and 74 are tightened sufficiently to
hold, through frictional forces, attaching member 50 to
headboard 14. The same process is then repeated for second
leg 56 and U-shaped portion 60 of the other bearing unit
44, which is secured to baseboard 16, thereby holding
conveyor 40 in place.
A sheet 80, such as a bedsheet, is releasably
attached to roller 42. Preferably, sheet 80 is at least
two times the width W of bed 10 and gurney 30, when bed 10
and gurney 30 are positioned adjacent one another, as shown
in FIG. 1. An end 81a of sheet 80 is releasably attached
to roller 42 with adhesive tape T, shown in phantom, such
as cloth backed first aid tape or duct tape. Opposite end
of sheet 81b is unsecured and is a free end. Preferably,
sheet 80 is made from high quality fabric, such as cotton
or polyester, with at least 180 threads per inch weave
construction, although any type of sheeting material which
can support a body can be used. A queen size bed sheet
works satisfactory for use with a twin size mattress.
Conveyor 40 is adapted to move sheet 80, and in turn a
patient 100, in a second longitudinal direction shown by
arrow Y, which is transverse to the first longitudinal
direction shown by the arrow X.
Moving patient 100 using conveyor 40 is described
hereinbelow.
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a o h d h
As shown in FIG. 3, initially patient 100 is
lying in a prone position on bed 10 preferably on or near
longitudinal centerline L of sheet 80. Typically, sheet 80
is secured to bed 10 by tucking sheet 80 under mattress 20.
Sheet 80 is then untucked or unsecured from bed 10 and an
edge 81b of sheet 80 closest to gurney 30 is extended
across gurney 30. Conveyor 40 is attached to gurney 30 at
a side 83 of gurney 30 furthest from bed 10. Edge 81b of
sheet 80 is releasably attached to roller 42 using, for
example, adhesive tape. Preferably, bed 10 and gurney 30
are adjusted so that an upper surface 82 of mattress 20 is
approximately two inches higher H than an upper surface 84
of patient supporting member 36. Height adjusting
mechanisms for hospital beds and gurneys are well known in
the art. Roller 42 is then slowly rotated about a
longitudinal axis X passing through roller 42, so that
preferably at least two complete wraps of sheet 80 are
wound onto roller 42. Handle 46 is then inserted into or
attached to coupling 47 of conveyor 40. Roller 42 is then
rotated about longitudinal axis X, so that sheet 80
continues to be wound onto roller 42. This causes sheet 80
with patient 100 lying on an upper surface thereof to slide
across upper surface 82 of mattress 10 and upper surface 84
of gurney supporting member 36, thereby causing patient 100
to be moved from bed 10 to gurney 30, as shown in phantom
in FIG. 3. Any remaining part of sheet 80 on bed 10 after
patient 100 is transferred to gurney 30 can be placed over
patient 100. Patient 100 can then be transported by gurney
30.
b) Moving a Patient from the Gurney to the Bed
As shown in FIG. 4, initially patient 100 is
lying in a prone position on gurney 30. Specifically, the
patient is lying on or near longitudinal centerline L of
sheet 80 resting on upper surface 84 of patient supporting
member 36. Gurney 30 is positioned along a side 86 of bed
10. Conveyor 40 is attached to bed 10 on side 88 of bed 10
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furthest from gurney 30. Edge 81a of sheet 80 closest to
bed 10 is removably attached to roller 42 with, for
example, four or five short pieces of adhesive tape as
previously described. Preferably, bed 10 and gurney 30 are
adjusted so that upper surface 82 of 'mattress 20 is
approximately two inches above upper surface 84 of patient
supporting member 36. Roller 42 is then slowly rotated
about longitudinal axis X so that preferably at least two
complete wraps of sheet 80 are wound onto roller 42.
Handle 46 is then inserted into or attached to coupling 47
of conveyor 40 and roller 42 is rotated about the
longitudinal axis X so that sheet 80 continues to be wound
onto roller 42. This causes patient 100 to be moved from
gurney 30 onto bed 10 in a manner similar to moving patient
100 from bed 10 to gurney 30. Roller 42 is rotated until
the patient is located in a middle section M of bed 10.
Sheet 80 is then removed from roller 42 by removing the
adhesive tape and can be secured to bed 10 by tucking sheet
80 under mattress 20. Conveyor 40 may then be removed from
bed 10.
c 'n h t a B P il P
Without Liftincr or Manipulating the Patient
FIGS . 5-9 show a method for changing sheets on
bed 10 of a prone, immobile patient without lifting or
manipulating the patient. At least two conveyors 40 are
required and are designated 40' and 40 " . A first conveyor
40' attaches to side 86 of bed 10 and a second conveyor
40 " attaches to side 83 of gurney 30 as shown in FIG. 5.
Conveyors 40' and 40" are the same as conveyor 40
previously described. Initially, patient 100 is on bed
sheet 80 on bed 10, lying essentially on longitudinal
centerline L' on sheet 80'. Sheet 80', which is positioned
under patient 100, is unsecured or untucked and removably
attached at longitudinal edge 81b' with adhesive tape, or
another type of removable fastener, to roller 42'. Then
roller 42' is turned slowly by hand so that preferably at
least two wraps of sheet 80' are wound around roller 42'.
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A fresh sheet 80" is then laid across patient supporting
member 36 of gurney 30. Longitudinal edge Slb' of sheet
80" is attached with adhesive tape to roller 42" . Then
roller 42" is turned slowly by hand so that preferably at
least two wraps of sheet 80 " are wound around roller 42 " .
Loose end 81a " of fresh sheet 80'' is gathered and folded
concertina style and laid in a sheet retaining receptacle
110, as shown in FIGS. 5-9, positioned underneath a
longitudinal edge 112 of gurney 30. Edge 112 of gurney 30
is positioned adjacent side 86 of bed 10 and conveyor 40'
so that conveyor 40' is positioned between bed 10 and
gurney 30, and conveyor 40" of gurney 30 is positioned on
the side of gurney 30 furthest from bed 10. Preferably,
bed 10 and gurney 30 are adjusted so that upper surface 82
of mattress 20 is about two inches above upper surface 84
of patient supporting member 36 and an upper horizontal
tangent of roller 42' should be approximately one inch
below surface 82. Preferably, gurney 30 is then clamped to
bed 10 using any sort of clamping device, for example, a C-
clamp, although locking the wheels of gurney 30 will also
suffice. Handle 46' is then inserted into or attached to
coupling 47' of conveyor 40' and turned, moving patient 100
toward gurney 30, until a shoulder of patient 100 is
positioned over gurney 30 and starts to push fresh sheet
80" across gurney 30 toward side 83, as shown in FIG. 6.
Second handle 46" is then inserted into or attached to
coupling 47 " of conveyor 40 " . Handle 46 " should then be
rotated about a longitudinal axis X " moving fresh sheet
80 " and patient 100 onto gurney 30, as shown in FIG. 7.
Preferably, handle 46' should continue to be rotated while
handle 46" is rotated.
Once patient 100 is on gurney 30, rotation of
handles 46' and 46" is stopped and sheet 80" is removed
from bed 10 and conveyor 40' by grasping free edge 81b' of
sheet 80' lying on bed 10 and pulling it off roller 42', as
shown in FIG. 8. Conveyor 40' is then moved and attached
to side 88 of bed 10, i.e., to the side furthest away from
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gurney 3 0 , as shown in FIG . 9 . Free edge 81a' ' of sheet
80 " is extended across mattress 20 of bed 10 and removably
attached to roller 42'. Handle 46' is then attached or
inserted into coupling 47' of conveyor 40' and rotated
about the longitudinal axis X', as previously discussed,
thereby wrapping sheet 80" around roller 42'. Patient 100
is then moved by sheet 80" , which is moved by conveyor
40', from gurney 30 onto bed 10 and is now lying on fresh
sheet 80" . Sheet 80" is then removed from rollers 42'
and 42" and can be tucked under mattress 20 in an
appropriate fashion. Sheet 80" can also be removed from
roller 42" prior to its being wound around roller 42'.
Conveyors 40' and 40" may then be removed from bed 10
and/or gurney 30.
It should be noted that conveyor 40 can include
a motor in lieu of a handle to rotate roller 42. Further,
conveyor 40 described above can be permanently affixed to
bed 10 or gurney 30 and one or two conveyors may be
attached to bed 10 and/or gurney 30. This depends on
whether a conveyor 40 is attached to one side or both sides
of bed 10 or gurney 30.
Conveyor 40 and the above-described methods for
moving a patient from gurney 30 to bed 10 solve several
problems in moving immobile patients. First, conveyor 40
is inexpensive to manufacture and simple to operate, and
overcomes many of the problems involved in the complex
conveying mechanisms presently known in the art. Further,
conveyor 40 utilizes a bed sheet 80 which is then used on
the bed. This eliminates the need to move the patient by
lifting the patient from gurney 30 to bed 10 or vice versa.
Further, the patient need not be physically lifted by a
nurse's aid or nurse because the patient is transported by
the sheet. This will minimize injuries to nurses, nurse's
aides and patients in moving a patient from gurney 30 to
bed 10 or vice versa. Furthermore, only one person is
required to move the patient between gurney 30 and bed 10.
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This will result in a substantial labor cost savings
associated with transferring patients.
A second embodiment of conveyor 40, as described
in United States Patent Application Serial No. 08/330,808
and identified as conveyor 200, is shown in FIGS. 10-20.
Conveyor 200 is similar to conveyor 40 except conveyor 200
includes a clip 202. Like reference numerals are used for
like parts.
As shown in FIG. 10, conveyor 200 includes a
roller 42, bearing units 44, and a removable handle 46
received by a coupling 47. Each bearing unit includes a
low friction bearing and housing 48, which includes an
attaching member plate 49. Each plate 49 can be attached
to a conveyor attaching member 50.
Three fasteners or clips 202 are attached to
roller 42. Specifically, each clip 202 is attached to an
end 204 of a respective flexible belt 206. An opposite end
208 of belt 206 is attached to roller 42. Preferably,
three or four belts 206 are spaced along roller 42. Belts
206 are permanently attached to roller 42, either by an
adhesive or by mechanical fasteners. Belts 206 are made of
a flexible material such as woven polypropylene, woven
polyethylene or cotton. Belts 206 should be at least as
long as the sheet being replaced, say three to four feet
for a twin size bed.
As shown in FIGS. 10-16, each clip 202 includes
a substantially flat body member 210 and a plug member 212.
Preferably, plug member 212 is attached to belt 206 by a
flexible string 213 to prevent plug member 212 from being
misplaced (See FIG. 10). Body member 210 includes a first
section 214 defining a belt receiving slot 216. Belt end
204 passes through slot 216 and is sewn to a section 218 of
belt 206 to attach clip body member 210 to belt 206 (See
FIG. 16). Alternatively, Velcro~ fasteners can be provided
on belt end 208 and belt section 218 so they can be
releasably secured to each other. Using the Velcro~
fastener permits adjustment of the length of belt 206.
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As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, body member 210
includes a second section 220 defining a plug member
receiving slot 222. Slot 222 includes a rectangular shaped
section 224 and a converging or triangular shaped section
226. Rectangular shaped section 224 is defined by three
edges 228a, 228b and 228c. Edges 228a and 228c have a
length A1 and edge 228b has a length A2. Triangular shaped
section 226 includes three edges 230a, 230b and 230c.
Edges 230a and 230c intersect edges 228a and 228c at
intersection points 232a and 232c, wherein edges 228a and
228c and edges 230a and 230c are spaced apart a distance
Az' , which in this case is equal to A z Edge 230b has a
length A3. Edges 230a and 230c converge toward edge 230b.
An angle a is defined by edges 230a, 230c and 228a, 228c,
respectively, at points 232a and 232c. Body member 210 has
an outer edge 234 including first sides 236a, 236b; second
sides 237a, 237b; first end 238 and second end 239 having
lengths A,4, A5, A6, A~, A8 and Ag, respectively. Preferably,
body member 210 is made from high density polyethylene,
ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, such as Solidor~
by Phillips Petroleum, polypropylene or polyolefin, which
is flexible and yet sufficiently strong so as not to fail
when used.
Body member 210 can be fabricated or molded. An
actual body member has been fabricated wherein length Al is
1.25 inches, length A2 is 1.5 inches, length A3 is 0.5
inches and angle a is 165°. Body member 212 was made of
high density polyethylene having a thickness of 0.125
inches. Lengths A4-A9 are approximately 2.25 inches, 2.5
inches, 2.25 inches, 2.5 inches, 3 inches and 1.5 inches.
Slot 216 has dimensions of approximately 1.5 inches and
0.25 inches wide.
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, plug member 212
includes three circular shaped discs or members 242, 244
and 246, wherein disc 244 is sandwiched between and secured
to discs 242 and 246. Disc 244 has a geometric diameter D,
which is less than the diameter of discs 242 and 246. The
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diameter of disc 244 is less than Az', but greater than
length A3. Preferably, discs 242 and 246 have the same
diameter, which is less than or equal to A1 or A2, so that
plug 212 can pass through rectangular shaped section 224.
Alternatively, disc 242 can have a diameter greater than
length AZ and rests on an upper surface 250 of body member
212, so that discs 244 and 246 can pass only through
section 224. The thickness "t" of disc 244, and in turn,
the spacing between discs 242 and 246 preferably are the
same or slightly greater than the thickness of body member
210 (See FIG. 15). A body member receiving recess 252 is
defined by surfaces 254, 256 and 258 of discs 242, 244 and
246, respectively. Preferably, plug 240 should be made of
rubber and molded in one piece, such as EPDM rubber, having
a Shore hardness on the A scale of 60-70.
An actual plug 240 has been made wherein discs
242 and 246 each have a diameter of 1.5 inches and disc 244
has a diameter of 0.75 inches and a thickness of 0.125
inches.
Conveyor 200 also includes a plurality of sleeves
260 secured to roller 42, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 17-19.
Sleeves 260 are substantially hollow cylindrical members
that slide over roller 42 and are positioned apart a
distance slightly greater than the width of belts 206, so
as to define a belt receiving recess 270 (See FIGS. 17-19).
Sleeves 260 are attached to roller 42 by set screws 280.
By use of belts 206 of sufficient length, say 3-4 feet, a
standard size bed sheet can be used in lieu of an oversized
bed sheet as previously discussed, i.e., a twin size
standard bed sheet for a twin size bed mattress as opposed
to a queen size bed sheet for a twin size bed mattress.
The above-described methods for transferring a
patient are the same when using either the clip 202 or tape
T, except that rather than taping sheet 80, 80' or 80" to
roller 42, sheet 80 , 80' or 80" is clipped to roller 42 as
explained below. First, in the case of moving a patient
from bed 10 to gurney 30, sheet 80, for example, is
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untucked. Each belt 206 is extended so that an underside
290 of sheet 80 rests on upper surface 250 of body member
210 (See FIGS. 10, 18 and 20). Plug member 212 is then
placed on an upper surface 300 of sheet 80 directly over
rectangular section recess 220. Each respective plug
member 212 is then pressed against sheet 80 and moved
towards edge 230b until edges 230a and 230c are received in
recess 252. Plug member 212 is further moved toward end
230b until sheet 80 is bound and sandwiched between discs
242, 244, 246 and portions of edges 230a, 230c at
interfaces 302 and 304 so that plug member 212 coacts with
portions of edges 230a and 230b to releasably attach sheet
80 to conveyor 40 (See FIG. 20).
Roller 42 is then rotated as previously
discussed. Belts 206 are wound on roller 42 and are
received in respective recesses 270 with sleeves 260 acting
as guides for belts 206. This in turn causes sheet 80 to
be pulled toward roller 42 by clips 202 and belts 206.
Continued rotation of roller 42 forces each plug member 212
to move toward a respective edge 230b, thereby firmly
securing sheet 80 to the respective clip 202. Continued
rotation of roller 42 causes belts 206 and clips 202 to be
wound onto roller 42. Preferably, clips 202 are flexible
enough to wrap around roller 42. Continued rotation of
roller 42 causes sheet 80 to wrap around roller 42 (See
FIG. 19). This causes patient 100 to be moved by sheet 80
from bed 10 to gurney 30 as previously discussed. To
remove sheet 80 from roller 42, roller 42 is unwound until
clips 202 are exposed. Each plug member 212 is moved
toward the respective edge 228b, so that plug member 212
unbinds sheet 80. Each plug member 212 is removed from
slot 222 and away from sheet 80, so that each clip 202
disengages from sheet 80. Hence, clips 202 releasably
attach sheet 80 to conveyor 40. Clip 202 can be used in
lieu of tape T for any of the described methods.
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Clip 202 can also be used for securing other
sheet material or membranes, such as boat covers, car
covers, flexible covers or tarpaulins.
Referring to FIG. 21 of the drawings, there is
shown a bed 310 (which is similar to bed 10) having a
conveyor made in accordance with the present invention.
Bed 310 includes a bed frame base 312 having a headboard,
a baseboard, legs and a mattress supporting frame. A
mattress 314 is supported by the mattress supporting frame.
As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 of the drawings, a
conveyor 340 attaches to bed 310. Conveyor 340 can be used
in lieu of the previously described conveyors 40 and 200 to
transport patients. The conveyor 340 includes a roller 342
having two ends or end portions 343a and 343b. Each end
portions 343a and 343b is rotatably received or rotatably
coupled to a respective bearing unit 344. As shown in FIG.
23 of the drawings, each bearing unit 344 includes a first
leg 346 and a second L-shaped leg 348 integrally attached
thereto, which defines an upwardly facing, open-ended slot
350 for receiving end portions 343a and 343b of roller 342.
A tab 352 protrudes or extends from leg 346 dividing leg
346 into two sections. A locking recess 354 is defined by
a C-shaped surface 356 defined in leg 348 and a portion of
an inner surface 358 of leg 348. A lower end of the tab
352 defines an upper portion of the C-shaped surface 356.
Preferably, bearing unit 344 is made out of a polymer
material, such as high density polyethylene or ultra high
molecular weight polyethylene. Preferably, each bearing
unit 344 is secured to the bed by fasteners which pass
through holes 370 defined in leg 346 or in any other
manner. Although not shown, a similar bearing unit 344
can be attached to a gurney.
Roller 342 is substantially cylindrical in shape
and extends substantially along the length of the bed 310.
Preferably, the roller 342 is made of lightweight material,
such as aluminum, plastic or other polymeric material, a
graphite fiber material or a fiberglass material. Also,
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the roller 342 can be made of other metals, such as steel.
The graphite fiber material can be pulltruded (i.e., the
graphite fiber resin composition is pulled or drawn through
an extrusion or forming die, which is well known in the
art). The roller 342 includes two spaced apart collar
members 372 and 374 at the first end 343a. A journal
portion 376 is defined between collar members 372 and 374.
Two spaced apart collar members 378 and 380 are provided at
the second end 343b of the roller 342. A journal portion
382 is defined between collar members 372 and 374. Journal
portions 376 and 382 are removably received by respective
bearing units 344. Specifically, journal portions 376 and
382 are positioned within the locking recesses 354 and are
adapted to abut against respective C-shaped surfaces 356 of
the bearing units 344. The distance between collar members
372 and 374 is greater than the thickness of the bearing
unit 344. The same is true for collar members 378 and 380.
The distance between the tab 352 and an upper portion of L-
shaped leg 348 is less than the diameter of journal
portions 376 and 382. Hence, the roller 342 can easily be
received by the bearing units 344.
A handle 384 is attached to an end of the roller
342. Handle 384 includes a hand-grabbing portion 385 and
integral sections 386 and 388. Section 388 has a square
cross-sectional profile and is adapted to be slidably
received by square shaped slots 390 (as shown in FIG. 25 of
the drawings) defined on opposite ends of the roller 342.
A Velcro~ strip 392 extends along the length of the roller
342 between collar members 374 and 378.
FIGS. 21, 22 and 24a of the drawings show straps
or belts 400 removably secured to the roller 342.
Preferably, four straps 400 are provided, although more or
less straps 400 may be necessary to move a patient. Each
strap 400 includes a first side 402 and a second side 404.
Velcro~ fasteners 406 and 410, i.e., hook and loop
fasteners, which are well known in the art, are attached at
opposite ends of side 402 of strap 400. A Velcro~ fastener
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408 is attached to a middle portion of side 404 of strap
400. A clip 418 is attached to an end 416 of strap 400.
Clip 418 includes a body member 419 and a plug member 420,
which are similar to body member 210 and plug member 212
described previously herein. Straps 400 are spaced along
the length of the roller 342. The straps 400 are made of
flexible material, such as woven polyethylene, woven
polypropylene or cotton. Preferably, the straps 400 should
be at least as long as the bed sheet width. Fastener 408
(a loop fastener) is of sufficient length so that when the
strap 400 is completely wound around the roller 342, it is
releasably attached to fastener 410 (a hook fastener) and
prevents the straps 400 from unwinding when the roller 342
is not in use.
The plug member 420 is attached to the strap 400
by a flexible string 422 to prevent the plug member 420
from being misplaced. The clip 418 includes a plug
receiving slot 424 and a belt receiving slot 426.
Preferably, the body 419 is made of high density
polyethylene, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene,
polypropylene, or other polyolefin, which is suitably
flexible but sufficiently strong so as not to fail in use.
Plug member 420 includes three circular shaped
rubber discs (See FIGS. 24a and 24b of the drawings)
arranged so that the plug member 420 can pass through a
portion of the plug receiving slot 424 and engage the sides
of the plug receiving slot 424 at another section thereof
so as to sandwich the sheet between the plug member 420 and
the clip body 419.
To attach a sheet 430 to the roller 342, first
straps 400 are spaced across the roller 342, as shown in
FIG. 21 of the drawings to match the patient's weight
distribution, i.e., moving a heavy person may require two
straps 400 to be positioned next to each other and aligned
with the patient's buttocks or stomach. In other
situations, the straps 400 may be positioned differently,
such as equally spaced apart across the sheet to move the
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patient. Then, the Velcro~ fastener 406 of each strap 400
is releasably secured to the Velcro~ strip 392. Fasteners
406 are either the loop or hook of Velcro~ fastener and
the Velcro~ strip 392 is the other of the loop or hook
Velcro~ fastener. Preferably, the straps 400 are of a
sufficient length to permit the roller 342 to be rotated
until all of the straps are wound around the roller 342 at
least one in a half times. This prevents disengagement of
fasteners 406 from the Velcro~ strip 392 of the roller 342,
when the straps 400 become taut. Then, the clips 418 are
attached to the sheet 430 near an edge 432 as shown in FIG.
21 of the drawings. Each strap 400 is extended so that an
upper side of the sheet 430 rests on a lower surface of the
clip body 419. The plug member 420 is then placed on a
lower surface of the sheet 430 directly under the plug
receiving slot 424. Each respective plug member 420 is
then pressed against the sheet 430 and moved toward the
respective narrow portion of the plug receiving slot 424.
The plug member 420 is moved within slot 424 until the
sheet 430 is bound and sandwiched between the plug member
420 and the edges defining the plug receiving slot 424 so
that the plug member 420 coasts with portions of the edges
defined in plug receiving slot 424 to releasably attach the
. sheet 430 to the roller 342 of the conveyor 340.
To move a patient from a gurney to the bed 310,
where the patient is resting on an upper surface 434 of the
sheet 430 on the gurney (not shown), the roller 342 is
rotated by the handle 384 about a longitudinal axis by
rotating handle 384 about the longitudinal axis. Straps
400 are wound on the roller 342, preferably so that the
straps are initially wound about an upper tangent 450 of
the roller 342. This causes sheet 430 to be pulled toward
the roller 342 by clips 418 and straps 400. Rotation in a
first direction of the roller 342 forces each plug member
420 to engage in the plug receiving slot 424, thereby
further securing the sheet 430 to respective clip 418.
Further, rotation of the roller 342 causes the journal
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portions 376 and 382 of the roller 342 to be pulled toward
and against the C-shaped surface 356 which acts as the
bearing surface. The upper portions of the C-shaped surface
356 defined by the tab 352 prevents the journal portions
376 and 384 from slipping out of the bearing units during
the winding. Continued rotation of the roller 342 causes a
patient lying on the surface 434 of the sheet 430 to be
moved toward the bed 310 from the gurney and causes straps
400 and clips 418 to be wound on to the roller 342.
Preferably, clips 418 are flexible enough to be wound
around the roller 342. Continued rotation of the roller
342 causes the sheet 430 to wrap around the roller 342.
Hence, the patient is moved by the sheet 430 from the
gurney to the bed 310. The sheet 430 slides on an upper
surface 434 of the mattress 322 during rotation. After
the patient is positioned on the bed 310, the sheet 430 is
removed from the roller 342 by unwinding the roller 342 to
expose clips 418. Each plug member 420 is removed from the
plug receiving slot 424 so that each clip 418 disengages
from sheet 430. The roller 342 can then be removed from
the bed 310 by lifting the journal portions 376 and 382 out
of the respective bearing locking recesses 354. The above
method can be reversed to move the patient from the bed to
the gurney.
In some situations, the length of the beds found
in hospitals can be varied. This is due to various bed
frame lengths, as well as to the electric beds that change
the position of the patient by moving the mattress. In
that case, the roller 342 can be modified as shown in FIGS.
27-32 of the drawings. A telescopic arrangement 500 can be
provided with roller 342. Telescopic arrangement 500
replaces end 343a, collar members 372 and 374, journal
portion 376 and handle 384 of conveyor 340. A handle 501
is secured to an end on the telescopic arrangement 500. A
hexagonally shaped hole is defined in the roller 342 at one
end thereof and a hexagonally shaped telescoping member 502
is slidably received by the end of the roller 342 (See
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FIGS. 27 and 28 of the drawings). A sleeve 504 having a
hexagonally shaped bore passing therethrough is slidably
received by the hexagonally shaped telescopic member 502.
A Velcro strip 505 of a similar type as strip 392 is
attached to the sleeve 504. A recessed journal portion 506
is defined at an end of the hexagonally shaped telescoping
member 502. Guide surfaces 508 and 5i0 are defined by the
telescoping member 502 adjacent the recessed journal
portion 506. An end cap 512 is attached to an end of the
telescoping member 502 and includes a square hole 513 as
shown in FIG. 32.
The handle 501 includes segments 514a, 514b and
514c. Handle segments 514a, 514b and 514c are pivotally
secured to each other and can be arranged in a straight
position (as shown in phantom in FIG. 27 of the drawings)
and slid through hole 513 as shown in FIG. 29 of the
drawings. Segments 514a, 514b and 514c have a square
cross-section. If the handle 501 is extended in a
longitudinal direction to the straight portion, it can be
slidably received by the telescoping member 502 through the
hole 513 and a hole defined in telescoping member 502.
The outer perimeter of section 514c is slightly
smaller than slot 513. Hence, rotating handle section 514c
about the longitudinal axis X will rotate roller 342 about
the longitudinal axis X. A stop 514d is attached to handle
501 and abuts end cap 512 when the handle 501 is passed
through hole 513 as shown in FIGS. 29 and 31.
In operation, straps 400 can be placed on both
the Velcro~ strip 392 as well as the Velcro~ strip 505 on
sleeve 504. Recessed journal portion 506 is removably
received by bearing unit 344. Operation of the modified
roller is similar to that as previously discussed except
that as the length of the bed 310 changes so does the
length of the conveyor 340. Specifically, the hexagonally
shaped telescoping member 502 will either slide in or slide
out of the slot defined in the roller 342, thereby changing
the overall length of the conveyor 340. Preferably, a
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strap 400 is attached to the Velcro~ strip 505 of the
sleeve 504 in a similar manner as previously discussed in
attaching the strap 400 to the Velcro~ strip 392. Rotation
of the handle 501 about the longitudinal axis X will cause
the telescoping member 502 to rotate about the longitudinal
axis which, in turn, causes both the sleeve 504 and roller
342 to rotate about the longitudinal axis. This is due to
the handle 501 coacting with the end cap 512, and the
telescoping member 502 coacting with the sleeve 504, the
roller 342 and end cap 512 about the longitudinal axis X.
After the patient is moved onto the bed 310 from
the gurney, the roller 342 can be removed from the bearing
units 344 as previously discussed and the handle 501 can be
slid within telescoping member 502 which then can be slid
within roller 342 to result in a compact design as shown in
FIGS. 29 and 31 of the drawings. Alternatively, roller 342
can be permanently attached to a bed at journal portions
506 and 382 to bearings. Further, a non-folding handle 384
can replace handle 501 or vice versa. Furthermore,
telescopic arrangements can be provided at both ends of the
roller 342 as opposed to only one end.
Another embodiment of the roller 342 is shown in
FIG. 33 of the drawings. Telescoping member 502' is
alidably received by roller 342 through a circular hole.
An elongated slot is defined in member 502'. A pin 503' is
secured to an end of roller 342 and passes through the slot
and slidably guides member 502' along the X axis. A
cylindrical sleeve 504' having a circular hole is slidably
received on member 502'. A Velcro~ strip 505', similar to
the Velcro~ strip 505, is attached to sleeve 504'. A pin
506' is secured to sleeve 504' and slidably passes through
the slot. Collar members 372 and 374 and journal portion
376 (as previously described) are provided at an end of
member 502'. A segmented handle 501 having segments
514a-514c, as previously described, is secured to collar
member 372 and is adapted to pass through a square shaped
slot defined in collar member 372 in a manner similar to
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the handle used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 27. The
journal member 376 is adapted to be slidably received by
bearing unit 344 as previously described. The features of
the roller 342, shown in FIG. 33, can be combined with any
of the other rollers 342 shown. The length of the roller
342 can be changed by extending the member 502' from the
hole defined in the roller 342 or retracting the member
502' within the hole.
FIGS. 34 and 35 of the drawings, show another
embodiment of a strap 600, which is similar to strap 400
except for the below-noted differences. I have found that
sometimes the bed sheet stretches differentially due to the
patient's unique weight distribution, and although the
patient can be transferred, this differential stretching
causes the patient's body to bend out of alignment. To
overcome this problem, an alternative strap 600 can be
provided having a Velcro~ hook fastener portion 610 and a
Velcro~ loop fastener portion 612 positioned adjacent
thereto. The clip 419 is removably received by a clip
receiving end 613 of the strap 600. Specifically, the clip
receiving end 613 of the strap 600 is looped through slot
426 of the clip 418 so that Velcro~ portion 610 can contact
Velcro~ portion 612 and be releasably secured thereto. The
straps 600 are then fastened to the roller in the same
manner as straps 400 and clips 418 are releasably secured
to the sheet 430 in the same manner previously described.
The roller 342 is then wound as described above until at
least one of the straps 600 becomes taut. At that time,
the person rotating the roller places his or her thigh
against the roller 342 so as to press the journal portions
376 and 382 of roller 342 against bearing surfaces 356,
thereby preventing the roller from rotating about the
longitudinal axis X. Then, all of the straps 600 can be
made taut by releasing Velcro~ sections 610 and 612 from
each other, and pulling on each section 610 until each of
the respective straps 600 is taut and then releasably
resecuring section 610 to section 612. After this
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procedure is completed for each strap 600, the roller 342
is wound as previously described. It is believed that
Velcrom sections 610 and 612 can be replaced by a buckle to
adjust the length of the straps 600, as long as the buckle
does not impede the straps' ability to be wound around the
roller.
Alternatively, a pawl and ratchet arrangement
640, as shown in FIG. 36 of the drawings, can be provided
in lieu of using the thigh to stop the rollers. The pawl
and ratchet arrangement 640, as shown, is used with the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 21-27 of the drawings, but can be
used with any of the described rollers. The pawl and
ratchet arrangement 640 includes a toothed ratchet wheel
642 secured to an end of the roller 342 adjacent the collar
member 372. A spring loaded pawl 644 is secured to a side
wall of one of the bearing units 344. A torsional spring
(not shown) is secured to the pawl 644 and the side wall of
the bearing unit causes the pawl 644 to abut against a stop
646, such as a post, secured to and extending from the
bearing side wall.
The roller 342 is secured to the bearing as
previously described. As the roller is rotated about the
longitudinal axis X in a first tightening direction (such
as the clockwise direction), at least one of the straps 600
will become taut. The roller will be drawn toward the C-
shaped surface 356 and pawl 644 will engage with the
ratchet wheel 642, so that the pawl 644 is received between
respective teeth 648 of the ratchet wheel 642. Any attempt
to rotate the roller in a second direction (i.e., the
counterclockwise direction) to unwind the roller will be
prevented by the pawl and ratchet arrangement 640.
The remainder of the straps 600 can be adjusted
as previously described, and the patient can then be moved
by the roller 342. The roller can easily be removed by
rotating the pawl in a non-engaging position as shown in
phantom in FIG. 34 or by loosening all of the straps 600
from the sheet, moving the roller away from the C-shaped
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surface 356 and then removing the roller 342 from the
bearing units 344 through the open ended slots.
In some hospital beds, it is not feasible to
fasten the bearing units 344 to the headboard or baseboard.
In that case, the bearing units 344 can be removably
secured to the bed frame through tubes 700 shown in FIGS.
37-39. In many cases, the tubes 700 are already provided
adjacent the four corners of the bed frame and are used as
intravenous (IV) tube holders which can be used to support
posts that hold bags supplying intravenous (IV) drugs to a
patient.
As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39 of the drawings, a
bearing holder 702 is provided and includes an elongated
post 704 adapted to be received by the tube 700. The post
704 includes a rectangular upper portion and a lower
cylindrical portion having a slot defined at a lower end
thereof adapted to engage a pin 706 positioned in each of
the tubes 700. A plastic spacer block 708 is secured to
the upper portion of the post 704. The bearing unit 344
(as previously described) is then secured to the post 704
and spacer block 708 by bolts 710. Preferably, the post is
made of high strength steel, such as °4140« tool steel.
In operation, two bearing holders 702 are
positioned on opposite ends of one side of the bed 310 in
tubes 700 so that the bearing assemblies 344 face away from
the bed and the post slots engage respective pins 706. The
roller ends 343a and 343b are secured to the respective
bearing assemblies 344 and the straps 400 are secured to
the sheet as previously described. Similar tubes 700 can
be provided on a gurney and hence, the roller 342 and
bearing holders 702 can be removably attached to the
gurney, in lieu of the bed, in the same manner described.
After the patient is moved, the roller 342 and the bearing
holders 702 are preferably removed from the bed.
In an alternative arrangement, the roller can be
permanently secured to the bearing assemblies 344 and
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bearing holders 702 so that the whole assembly can be
removably received by the tubes 700.
FIG. 40 shows another embodiment of a roller
similar to roller 342 with the exception of the handle 384.
A driving arrangement 800 is secured to collar member 372,
which is similar to the driving arrangement disclosed in
United States Patent No. 5,340,266. Driving arrangement
800 includes a substantially cylindrical coupling 802
having an end fixedly secured to collar member 372.
Aligned elongated rectangular slots 804 pass through the
side of the coupling 802. A crank handle 806 having a
rectangular cross-section is adapted to be slidably
received by the slots 804. An extension 808 of the handle
permits a user to rotate the handle 806 about the X axis,
similar to handle 384. Preferably, the handle 806 is
removed from the slots 804 after the patient is moved.
Also, the base portion 810 of the handle is adapted to fall
out of the slots 804 when the extension 808 is positioned
adjacent the floor and no one is holding onto the extension
808. This prevents a bystander from getting hit by the
handle 806 when the roller is rotated in a fashion other
than rotating the roller by the handle, i.e., pulling a
rolled up sheet from the roller to expose the clips to
remove the sheet from the straps. Handle 806 can be
incorporated with any of the rollers described herein.
FIG. 41 shows another embodiment of the present
invention where a" conveyor 900, similar to any of the
conveyors previously shown, is removably secured and
positioned adjacent to the head of a bed.
In this manner, the patient can be moved from the
foot of the bed toward the head of the bed by wrapping the
sheet 430 around the roller of the conveyor 900.
Preferably, tubes 700 and bearing holders 702 are provided
so that the conveyor can be removed after the patient is
moved. Also, in this arrangement, the conveyor 900 can be
secured to the foot of the bed to pull the patient toward
the toot of the bed. Preferably, the conveyor 900 includes
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a telescoping member so that its length can be sufficiently
changed and adapted to be positioned at the head or foot of
the bed, or adjacent one of the sides of the bed.
FIGS. 42-44 show another embodiment of the
invention and relate to gurneys that convert into
wheelchairs. Presently, Guardian Products, Inc., located
at 12800 Wentworth Street, Arieta, California 91331, sells
a wheelchair that converts into a gurney under the
trademark Medi-Chair". Such convertible gurneys are well
known in the art. FIGS. 42 and 43 show a convertible
gurney 1000, such as the Medi-Chair" convertible gurney
Model Nos. 020-0205 and 020-0206A, where the convertible
gurney 1000 is in the gurney state (FIG. 42) and the
convertible gurney is in the wheelchair state (FIG. 43).
The convertible gurney 1000 includes a frame 1002 and a
patient supporting member 1004 attached to the frame 1002.
Hollow tube holders 1006 are secured, preferably by bolting
or welding, to the frame 1002 adjacent a head section 1008
and foot section 1010 of the convertible gurney 1000.
As shown in FIGS. 42 and 44 of the drawings, two
bearing holders 1012 are provided, wherein each includes a
horizontal post 1014. Posts 1014 are adapted to be
removably received by respective tube holders 1006.
Bearing holder 1012 is similar to bearing holder 702 in
that the bearing unit 344 is attached to a vertical post
708 by fasteners 710. In the case of bearing holder 1012,
vertical post 704 is attached to horizontal post 1014 as
shown in FIG. 44 of the drawings.
Moving a patient from a bed to the convertible
gurney 1000 is explained as follows. First, the
convertible gurney 1000 is converted into the gurney state
as shown in FIG. 42 and moved toward a bed when a patient
is lying on a sheet. Bearing holders 1012 are then
slidably and removably received inta the tube holders 1006
at the head section 1008 and the foot section 1010, so that
the bearing units 344 are positioned adjacent the side of
the gurney furthest from the bed. The roller 342 is then
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received by the bearing units 344 and the sheet 430 shown
in phantom is removably secured thereto by straps 400 shown
in phantom as previously described.
The handle of the conveyor 340 is then rotated
and the patient is moved onto the convertible gurney 1000
so that the patient's head is preferably near the gurney's
head section 1008 and the patient's feet are adjacent the
foot section 1010. The sheet is then removed from the
roller 342 and the conveyor 340 and bearing holders 1012
are removed from the convertible gurney 1000. End portions
of the sheet can then be tucked under the patient and the
convertible gurney 1000 can be converted into a wheelchair
as shown in FIG. 43. To return the patient to the bed, the
convertible gurney 1000 is converted from a wheelchair to
a gurney; and the above method is then reversed to move the
patient from the convertible gurney 1000 to a bed, with the
exception of securing the conveyor 340 to the bed at the
aide furthest from the gurney 1000 in a manner similar to
moving a patient from a gurney to a bed as previously
described herein.
The methods previously described attach the
straps to the sheet or membrane using individual clips and
individual straps. When deploying the straps from the
rolled condition, it is possible that the straps will
unroll unevenly because it is not possible for one person
to grab all four or more clips to pull the straps off the
roller at the same time. Consequently, the straps that are
grabbed pull out while the ones not grabbed remain in a
rolled condition and simply rotate with the roller. In
other words, the straps get out of phase and require the
operator to take time to rectify the situation by unrolling
the rolled straps until they are the same length as the
ones deployed by grabbing and pulling them out. This extra
time can be eliminated by integrating all of the clips
(usually three) attached to the roller into one integral
clip arrangement 1100. This allows the operator to grab
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the center of the clip arrangement 1100 with one hand and
pull a number of straps at one time.
Referring specifically to FIG. 45, the clip
arrangement 1100 includes three clip portions 1110 equally
spaced along the length of the clip arrangement 1100. The
clip arrangement 1100 includes two integral sections 1120
and is typically made from plastic. A plurality of holes
1122 are defined to lighten the weight of the clip
arrangement 1100. Each clip portion 1110 includes a thin
plastic membrane 1124 attached by an integrally formed
hinge 1126 to a body 1128 of the clip portion 1110. A
guide slot 1130 is defined in the membrane 1124. Strap
slots 1132 are defined in the clip portions 1110 through
which straps 400 pass.
Alternatively, the clip portion 1110 can be made
as an individual clip 1134 as shown in FIGS. 46 and 47.
Like reference numerals are used for like elements. As can
be seen in FIG. 47, the hinge 1126 is a living hinge and
should be thin enough to permit the membrane 1124 to flex
or pivot about the hinge relative to said body 1128.
Preferably, the clips 1134 are made of a plastic such as a
high density polyethylene. The clips 1134 can be used in
conjunction with clip arrangement 1100 in such arrangements
as the modified roller shown in FIGS. 27-32, where the clip
arrangement 1100 is used with the roller 342 and the clip
1134 is used with the telescopic arrangement 500. This
allows the operator to grab the center of the clip
arrangement 1100 with one hand and pull out a number of
straps at a time. The other hand of the operator can then
be used to pull the one remaining clip 1134, which is
secured to telescopic arrangement 500. Thus, with the
roller placed in the bearings mounted to the bed, it is
possible for one person to pull out all the straps at the
same time and to the same length in one action.
As shown in FIGS. 48A and 48B, a rubber plug 1150
is provided and is similar to plugs 212 and 420. Plug 1150
includes five circular discs 1152, 1154, 1156, 1158 and
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1160 integrally connected to each other. The diameter of
disc 1156 is greater than the diameter of disc 1160, which
is greater than the diameters of discs 1152 and 1158, which
are greater than the diameter of disc 1154. Disc 1154 is
slidably received by slot 1130 in the membrane 1124. The
width "w" of slot 1130 is slightly greater than the
diameter of disc 1154. Discs 1152 and 1156 are positioned
on opposite sides of membrane 1124, a portion of which is
positioned therebetween. The diameters of discs 1152 and
1156 are greater than the width "w" of slot 1130. The
membrane 1124 is positioned between discs 1156 and 1152.
The thickness of disc 1154 is greater than the thickness of
the membrane 1124. A portion of the body 1128 is adapted
to be positioned between discs 1156 and 1158. Discs 1156,
1158 and 1160 form a plug subassembly 1162 which has the
same dimensions as plug member 420. As shown in Fig. 49,
plug subassembly 1162 interacts with the body 1128 in the
same manner as plug member 420 interacts with clip 418.
As also can be seen in FIG. 49, the membrane 1124
is flexible so that the plug 1150 can be moved along the
slot 1130 toward the tip of the clip such that a bed sheet
can be sandwiched between the body 1128 and plug
subassembly 1162. Moving the plug away from the tip toward
slot 1132 will permit the disc 1160 to cause the plug
subassembly 1162 to disengage the sheet and permit the disc
1160 to pass through the recesses 1164, as shown in phantom
in FIG. 47. The arrangement between the membrane 1124 and
discs 1152, 1154'and 1156 prevents the plug 1150 from being
misplaced when the plug is not engaged with the body 1128
and permits easy alignment of the sheet, the body 1128 and
the plug 1150.
As previously described, the rubber plugs 212 and
420 are tethered to the plastic clips 202 and 418,
respectively. This arrangement requires the operator to
locate the plug, orient the plug properly and then insert
the plug into the clip. Clip arrangement 1100 and clip
1134 keep the plug 1150 in close proximity to the clip
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arrangement 1100 and the clip 1134 and always in the
correct orientation. This saves time and allows the
operator to clip the sheet using only one hand. The slot
1130 is long enough to allow the plug 1150 to slide away
from the vee 1140 in the body 1128 far enough to allow a
sheet to be inserted between the plug 1150 and the clip
body 1128. The slot 1130 is long enough to allow the plug
to be slid into the vee 1140, thus capturing the sheet.
The general configuration is such that once the sheet is
positioned between the plug 1150 and the clip body 1128,
the operator can simply grab the plug 1150 by putting a
thumb on the top of it and the sheet and putting the middle
finger on the lower-most disc of the plug 1150, then
sliding the plug 1150 (with the sheet captured between the
thumb and the plug 1150) away from the bed unit. The
plug/sheet fits into the hole defined by the clip body 1128
that includes recesses 1164. The plug/sheet is then slid
towards the bed until it jams into the vee 1140 of the clip
body 1128.
FIGS. 50A-SOB show a modified hollow graphite
roller 1165 similar to roller 420. A plurality of metal
stop clips or bridge-like strap anchor points 1166 replace
the Velcro~ strip 392 of roller 420. As shown in FIGS.
50A-50C, two segmented handles 1167, similar to segmented
handles 501, are slidably received on opposite ends of the
roller 1165. The stop clips 1166 are substantially metal
brackets having two end portions 1168 and a raised middle
portion 1169. A passageway 1170 is defined between the
raised middle portion 1169 and a portion of the outer
surface of the roller 1165. End portions 1168 are secured
to the roller 1165 either by mechanical fasteners or by an
adhesive.
FIG. 51 shows a flexible strap 1171 similar to
strap 600 and includes a flexible material 1172, such as a
woven polypropylene, woven polyethylene or cotton.
Preferably, the straps 1171 should be as short as possible
to reduce the propensity to tangle. Velcro~ hook fastener
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material 1174 is attached to a forward end of the belt,
which is adapted to pass through slot 1132 of the clip 1134
or clip portion 1110. Velcro~ loop fastener material 1176
is attached to a middle portion of the flexible material on
the same side as the material 1174. The length of the
strap 1171 and clip 1134 or clip arrangement 1100 can be
modified after the strap first end is passed through the
clip strap slots 1132 and the hook fastener material 1174
is connected to the loop fastener material 1176, such as
shown in FIGS. 34 and 35. Velcro~ hook material 1178 is
secured to a middle portion of the flexible material 1172
of strap 1171 on an opposite side of the flexible material
1172 of strap 1171. End 1179 is built up by rolling over
several layers of flexible material 1172 of strap 1171 and
securing the layers in place by, for example, sewing the
layers together. The height 1180 of the end 1179 is
greater than the height 1182 of the passageway 1170. In
this manner, a forward end 1184 of each of the straps 1171
is passed through the passageway 1170 and the strap 1171 is
pulled until end 1179 is stopped by the respective stop
clip 1166 as shown in phantom in FIGS. 50A and 50B. In
other words, the straps 1171 are fed through stop clips
1166 from end 1184 and are stopped at end 1179 by a
multiplicity of strap layers formed by folding the strap on
itself three or four times and then sewing the multiple
layers together. This forms a positive stop for the strap
and eliminates the two or more wraps required when the
strap is attached to the roller with Velcro~ as previously
described. The straps 1171 can be removed from the roller
1165 by reversing the above procedures. Other types of
stopping ,arrangements can be utilized in place of the
folded-over strap. One such example is a plastic block
having a height 1180 or having a width greater than the
width of the passageway and secured to the end 1179 of the
strap.
FIGS. 52 and 53 show a bearing unit 1200 similar
to bearing unit 344 and which can be used as a replacement
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therefor. Bearing unit 1200 includes a body 1202 and legs
1204, 1206, 1208 and 1210, which define respective recesses
1212, 1214 and 1216. Journal portions 1220 of roller 1165
are adapted to be received in bearing slots or recesses
1212, 1214 or 1216 depending on the bed style. Collar
members 1222 and 1224 of roller 1165 shown in FIG. 50A are
spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of the
bearing unit 1200. The respective bearing units 1200 are
removably positioned between collars 1222 and 1224. In
operation, the journal portions 1220 located on opposite
ends of the roller 1165 are received by respective slots
1212, 1214 or 1216. The sheet is attached to the roller as
previously described. Rotation of the roller 1165 causes
the journals 1220 to be pulled against respective C-shaped
surfaces 1230, 1240 or 1260 during winding of the roller
1165. Screw holes 1270 are provided so that the bearing
unit can be secured to the post 704.
A large number of hospital beds have a common
feature, namely, built-in intravenous pole support sockets.
On many of the beds, the sockets have a common internal
diameter which will accept a 3/4 inch diameter rod. In
most cases, the socket is strong enough to take the
stresses produced by transferring patients using the
patient transport system; therefore, the socket, which is
shown in FIGS. 37-39, is a convenient way to support the
patient transfer system. Although the diameter of the
socket is consistent, the lateral and vertical positions of
the socket are not consistent. However; in most instances,
it is believed that three bearing vertical positions will
suffice for a whole subgroup. Bearing unit 1200 provides
the most common vertical positions. Bearing unit 1200
provides a series of heights that can be selected simply by
inserting the journal 1220 of the roller into the bearing
slots or recesses 1212, 1214 or 1216 of choice to suit the
3S bed in question. Although FIGS. 52 and 53 show a bearing
unit having only three positions which vary in height,
additional recesses can be provided by making the bearing
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body longer or only two positions can be provided. The
lateral position of the recesses can also be varied.
FIG. 54 shows another embodiment of the present
invention similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 27-32.
Like reference numerals will be used for like elements. A
roller 1300 is provided that has a substantially hexagonal
cross section and collars 1302, 1304 and 1306 which are
provided on ends of the roller 1300. A cylindrical journal
portion 1308 is defined between the collars 1302 and 1304.
A telescopic arrangement is provided at one end of the
roller 1300 and is the same as previously described
telescopic arrangement 500, wherein like reference numerals
refer to like elements. The telescopic member 500 includes
a segmented handle 501, a hexagonally shaped telescoping
member 502 and a sleeve 504. A hexagonally shaped hole is
defined in the roller 1300 at one end thereof and slidably
receives the telescoping member 502. The sleeve 504 has a
hexagonally shaped bore and slidably receives the
telescoping member 502 therethrough. A Velcro~ strip 505
is attached to the sleeve 504. A recessed cylindrical
journal portion 506 is defined at an end of the telescoping
member 502. Guide surfaces 508 and 510 are defined by the
telescoping member 502 adjacent the recessed journal
portion 506. An end cap 512 is attached to an end of the
telescoping member 502 and coacts with the handle 501.
A plurality of roller sleeves 1310 is slidably
received on the roller 1300. Each of the roller sleeves
1310 is hollow and define a hexagonal passageway passing
therethrough. Preferably, the passageways of the roller
sleeves 1310 have the same geometric shape as the cross-
sectional shape of the roller. Each of the roller sleeves
1310 includes a stop clip 1166 which was previously
described. Straps 1171 are provided and coact with the
respective stop clips 1166 as previously described.
Alternatively, modified straps 1179 can be provided that
are similar to straps 1171, except that in lieu of the
built up ends 1179, the modified ends 1179 of the straps
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1171 are provided with a Velcro~ hook and loop fastening
arrangement as previously described that can be passed
through the stop clips 1166 and secured to the respective
straps to form a securement loop around the stop clip
middle portions 1169, whereby the hook fastener portion
contacts the loop fastener portion forming a loop. Clips
1312 are removably secured to the straps in a similar
manner as previously described clips 1134. Alternatively,
using the modified strap 1179, the length of the straps can
be adjusted from both ends of the modified straps 1179. In
this manner, the modified straps 1179 can be adjusted to
become taut at the ends of the modified straps 1179
adjacent the stop clips 1166. As the straps are rotated
about the sleeves 1310, it may be necessary to readjust the
length or tautness of one or more of the modified straps
1179. This can be accomplished at the strap end adjacent
the clip 1312, such as is done with strap 600. By the
length of the strap, it is meant as the distance
represented by reference numeral 1350, which is the
distance between the respective sleeve 1310 and the clip
1312.
The roller 1300 is secured to a bed or gurney in
a similar manner as the previously described rollers. Once
the roller 13.00 is in place, the straps 1171 can be moved
and positioned along the longitudinal axis X that passes
through the roller 1300. Also, a strap can be secured to
sleeve 504 as previously described. The sheet is then
attached to the clips 1312 by the previously described
plugs in the previously described manner. The straps 1171
and the strap secured to sleeve 504 can then be retightened
so that they are taut. The roller 1300 is then rotated via
handle 501 and during rotation, the sleeves 1310 and 504
can move along the longitudinal axis X as well as rotate
about the longitudinal axis X. The sleeves 1310 and 504
are caused to rotate about the longitudinal axis X by the
hexagonal surfaces of the roller 1300 and the telescoping
member 502 coacting with or drivingly engaged with the
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inner surfaces of the sleeves 1310 and 504, respectively.
It has been found that improved results are obtained by
permitting all of the straps 1171 and the strap secured to
sleeve 504 to move along the longitudinal axis X during
rotation of the roller 1300.
FIGS. 55-56 show the roller 1300 having different
sleeves 1314. The sleeves 1314 are slidably received by
the roller 1300 and are similar to the sleeves 1310 except
Velcro~ strips 1316 are attached to outer surfaces of the
sleeves 1314 in lieu of the stop clips 1166 and straps 600
are removably attached to the roller 1300 in lieu of straps
1171.
FIG. 57 shows a bearing holder 1400 similar to
the bearing holder 702 except for the post 704. Like
reference numerals represent like elements. The bearing
holder 1400 includes an elongated post 1402 adapted to be
received by the tube 700 (shown in FIGS. 37-39 and 58).
The post 1402 includes a rectangular upper portion and a
cruciform shape slot 1404 defined by four slots spaced 90°
apart formed at a lower end of the post 1402. The
cruciform shaped slot 1404 is adapted to receive a pin
positioned in each of the tubes so that the post 1402
engages the pin. A plastic spacer block 708 is secured to
the upper portion of the post 1402. The bearing unit 344
(as previously described) is then secured to the post 1402
and plastic spacer block 708 by bolts 710.
FIG. 59 shows a bed 310 having eight tubes 700
secured thereto and pins 706 are provided in the tubes 700.
A pair of tubes 700 is positioned on each side of the bed
310, at the head of the bed 310 and at the foot of the bed
310. This arrangement permits a pair of bearing holders
1400 to be received by the tubes 700, wherein the pins 706
coact with the cruciform shaped slot 1404. One of the
previously described telescopic rollers can be received by
the bearing units 344 to either pull a patient in a
longitudinal direction 1406 or in a lateral direction 1408
across the bed 310 as shown in FIG. 60 depending upon which
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tubes 700 receive the bearing holders 1400. Alternatively,
this arrangement can support two different sized rollers,
one adapted to be received by the tubes 700 positioned at
the head and the foot of the bed 310 and the other adapted
to be received by the tubes 700 positioned along the sides
of the bed 310. An advantage of the cruciform shaped slot
1404 is that the pins 706 can be oriented in the same
direction as shown in FIG. 59 or can be positioned
perpendicularly to each other and still properly engage
with the post 1402 so that a roller can be received by the
bearing units 344. Movement of a patient in the
longitudinal direction 1406 is advantageous when a patient
slides toward the head or the foot of the bed and needs to
be repositioned. The roller would be positioned at the
head of the bed to move the patient toward the head of the
bed and the roller would be positioned at the foot of the
bed to move the patient toward the foot of the bed.
FIG. 61 shows the clip 1312 shown in FIG. 54.
The clip 1312 is similar to the previously described clip
1134, where like reference numerals represent like
elements. The clip 1312 includes a plastic membrane 1124
attached to an integrally formed hinge 1126 on a body 1128.
A guide slot 1130 is defined in the membrane 1124. A strap
slot 1132 is defined in the body 1128 through which a strap
1171 passes. A vee 1140 is defined in the body 1128.
Recesses 1164 are defined by the body 112 8. The guide slot
1130 has an elongated width portion 1410 having a width W
at an end opposite the vee 1140. The width W is wider than
the width W' of the remainder of the guide slot 1130.
FIG. 62 shows a plug 1500 similar to the rubber
plug 1150. The plug includes five circular discs which are
similar to the circular discs 1152, 1154, 1156, 1158' and
1160, with like reference numerals representing like
elements. The only difference between the rubber plug 1500
and the rubber plug 1150 is that the height H of the disc
1158' is greater than the height of disc 1158 so that
thicker sheets can be accommodated. The rubber plug 1500
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coacts with the clip 1312 in the same manner that the
rubber plug 1150 coacts with the clip 1134 (as previously
described) except the rubber plug 1500 can be removed from
membrane 1124 by passing the circular disc 1152 through the
enlarged width portion of the slot 1130. The width W of
the enlarged portion 1410 of the slot 1130 is greater than
the diameter of the circular disc 1152 while the width W'
of the remainder of the slot 1130 is less than the diameter
of the disc 1152 so that for that portion of the slot 1130
the rubber plug 1150 is slidably received by the slot 1130.
Having described the presently preferred
embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that
it may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the
appended claims.
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