A CEILING TILE ASSEMBLY FOR MOBILITY SYSTEM

ASSEMBLAGE DE DALLES DE PLAFOND POUR SYSTEME DE MOBILITE

English Abstract

Brief assistive devices industry background summar
Many hospital patients and senior citizens lack mobility freedom. There are
many various
assistive devices which aid in the movement and transport of these physically
challenged
individuals. To name a few assistive devices, there are wheelchairs, walkers,
scooters and
walking sticks. At some point during transport movement, they require
transfers from these
assistive devices to a bed, bathtub, sofas, automobiles, public pools etc.
Continuously lifting
patients have caused many back injuries at homes and hospitals and because of
this, all hospitals
have initiated a zero lift policies for the practicing nurses. Manufacturers
have come far by
developing and selling various lifting devices which are rolled to the bed,
car etc and a small
actuator lifts the patients up or down. Other ways are use of ceiling lifts to
avoid slippery floors
or frictional surfaces such as carpets etc, in which a motorized lifting
device is attached with a
strap to a ceiling track. The track itself is made out of an extruded metal.
Inside the tract rolls a 6
wheeled carriage. The carriage also acts like a lifting pivot and provides a
single directional
movement function to transfer patients to the desired locations, but limited
only to where the
tracks are laid track.
In my invention the freedom to position and transfer patients, anywhere is
greatly enhanced. This
raises the mobility as well as the standard of living for a maturing
population which is a growing
trend. The market demographics for this product are very strong as the baby
boomers are retiring.
Expanding on the existing Problem
The main purpose of the problem was overcome some disadvantages and
difficulties associated
with the track lift systems. The track system provided motion in the direction
where the tracks
are permanently installed. The lifting positions were limited to where the
tracks were installed.
More tracks were necessary if they were needed to reach certain areas like a
bath tub, toilet etc.
and if the track crossed one another then they had to have a mechanical
turntable installed at the
cross-over junction to allow a change in direction. More over, the track looks
ugly with
protruding rail in the ceiling.
Objectives
The challenge was to make the track available in an area of a room and
avoiding the rotational
directional change. They also had to have an appealing decorative and a
pleasing look. It also
had to accommodate existing motor lifts which are available in the market. The
design had to be
strong to carry patient weights and offer smooth quite movements.
The solution
The invention is based on the principle of a free standing trapped carriage
sliding freely and
safely in an x-y motion, inside the grove of this embodiment. The main
embodiment consists of
decorative trap bolts assembled to ceiling tile, and a free moving carriage
which holds the patient
load.

Horizontal movement
The carriage would be able to move in any x-y horizontal position under the
ceiling tile guided
by the embodiment's central structural trap bolts. The gravitational fall is
prevented by having
the carriage diameter sized larger than the bottom base of the trap bolts.
Vertical movement
Would remain the same as available in the market and this invention will
accommodate existing
available equipment in the market, however the lifts have to be affixed to the
invented
embodiment's sliding carriage.
Original
The type of this embodiment is non existent and obviously, having the ability
to he at any
horizontal x-y position has practical advantages over existing single track
products. This mass
produced durable product is very simple, unique and would require minimal
service maintenance.
The appropriate preferred practice would be in use in at hospitals, elderly
institutions like
nursing homes and long term retirement homes as well as homes of our beloved
elderly seniors.
The carriage features extends to hold IV bags movable to any where in the
room, replace curtain
tracks in the hospital where the privacy area could be enlarged or reduced at
will because the
curtain would follow the carriage wherever it was directed. It would also be
associated with other
products like a lift, curtain rings, slings etc.
Competition
This product would put competition on notice and make some of their products
redundant if not
obsolete. This is an opportunity with an international scope with a Canadian
based design
innovation.
Accommodation
The embodiment allows incorporating ceiling fixtures such as lamps, smoke
alarms via suitable
brackets and will have outlets in the ceiling tiles to allow wire runs.
Manufacturing
The use of injection mold technology would bring the price level to
affordability. The product is
profitable, simple and easy to produce. The intent is to use environmental
friendly recyclable
materials.
Technology
The embodiment could be injection molded from readily available high strength
advanced
polymers. Sliding surfaces could be made out of low friction materials to
lower the push force.
The material would have a high wear and tear chemistry element.
Operations
The parts can be assembled at site without any special tools. The installation
would require close
adjoining of tiles on all x-y and also z axis to allow free carriage movement.
The Installers would
be certified to tackle safe load distribution and mounting considerations.
Because this product is
modular, it can be easily dismantled, transported and accommodated to a new
home without
damage to existing ceiling.

Spin-off and enhancements
Due to the embodiment's ability to be positioned anywhere in the ceiling, spin-
off to other
industries for lift operations or ceiling use, looks very promising. This
technology could be
extended to other lifting requirements in industries such as factories, meat
plants, public
transportation, malls etc. This embodiment offers other hanging products that
can he attached to
this embodiment.
Limitations
Just like the existing tracks, the embodiment would be designed to hold
practical patient dynamic
weights and exceeding these tested limits would prove risky and hazardous. As
in the ceiling lift
industry, the various ceilings should also be sufficiently structurally strong
for the embodiment
to be firmly installed and affixed for safe operation. Additional structural
reinforcement could be
required in rare cases.
Concerns
The tile mounting holes are designed to accommodate concrete ceilings and to
various American
and European joist sizes. There are objects in the ceiling such as lamps,
fans, sprinklers, etc that
could interfere if they are not be incorporated within the embodiment. The
necessity of this
embodiment outweighs the objections to reroute ceiling fixtures and services.
Others may object
placing any thing on the ceiling.
Disclosures
This patent has not been disclosed to any body except trusted family members
and a patent
attorney.

Claims

Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privileged
is claimed are
defined as follows:-
"Ceiling mobility and mounting system"
Embodiment Comprising: of
1. The ceiling tile (1)
Unique sized base plate with slots to affix to various ceilings. With
fastening facilities to
attach trap bolts (2). They are designed to be arranged and secured in a tiled
fashion.
2. The Trap Bolts (2)
Decorative bolts positioned at regular intervals capable of carrying both
dynamic and
static loads. The trap bolts are fastened to the ceiling tile (1). The bolts
incorporate low
coefficient materials.
3. Carriages (3)
Rolling and sliding objects, capable of holding light and heavy dynamic and
static loads
for manual or motorized operation. They are oversized to prevent falling
between the trap
bolts (2). They can be used single for light loads and in multiple
arrangements to
distribute heavy loads. Optional built in roller ball or thrust hearing can be
used for other
applications.
4. Any Attachments to this embodiment
Optional associated hardware attachments within this embodiment fixed or
movable
providing mounting or sliding options to hang various load apparatus like
curtain rollers,
IV bags, lamp, smoke detector brackets etc or any associated hardware
developed to or
for this embodiment. The patentee claims exclusive rights to objects within
this
embodiment. Elements include rods, hooks, plates etc or whatever items that
are attached
to the embodiment.
5. Any Supports for this embodiment.
High strength support plates or beams
Reinforcement beam or plate devices to level the assembled tiles and or
spready the load
evenly. It is adapted to be installed in various ceiling settings. The said
long beam/plate
device with its fastening features, provide a mating between said tile
embodiments and
further securable to a structural ceiling member. Fastening provision provided
for
electrical cable attachments thereof receiving electrical cables.

Description

CA 02639061 2008-09-08
Specification
The invention resemhlcs a decorative thick tile, niounted on a normal ceiling.
Full description
Sizes viewed represent concept and may vary.
Figure t
Shows tile arrangements as seen up to a room ceiling. '1'hc tile spans ucrotis
wcioden joist in a
cciling. 't'he tiles are niodular and can he ac~joincd and arranged as
rcquired.
Figure 2 is a sectioti of the linc A-A of figurc I showing the section across
part l thc tile and the
trap bolts part 2. You can also see the carriage part 3 which is sitting on
the bottom circular base
bctwccn the two trap bolts. The carria);e can slide frccly horizontally in an
x-y direction along
thi opening bctwccn the two trap bolts, without falling down. A ceiling
bracket is shown for
attaching cciling lamp. smoke detector etc.
Figure 3 is a section ol'thc litte B-B of tibure 2 showing the cutout o[' Part
2. The carriage
diamctcr is designed to clcar the center posts during nuiveittcnt and at the
same time is prevented
from dreyppirig in between the circular carriage base.
Figure 4 is a four carriage system with a ecntral hook to attach load. The
Ioad weight is
distributed along a wider trap bolts support area.
Figure 5 is a one type of gearing section of a tnotoriied system. The design
provides linear as
well as circular motion.
Figure 6 shows all the possible options of different attacliments, anchcirti
and elenient
combinations available lior usc with this emhodinlent.
For all drawings:-
Part 1
The Ceilinb'1'ilo is a typical modular tile for eciling attachment.
Part 2
The trap bolts which are assetnbled to part 1
Part 3
7'hc Load Carriages. Shown for illu.titration purpose but depending on the
application and load
requirenients, multiple carriages arratigcd in groups can be used. An option
to add thrust bearings
and built in roller balls is available. A motorized carriage as ati option is
also available.
Part 4 (opti(inal)
Is a typical tile bracket to hold ceiling conipnnents like lamps etc.
l;xtension I'rom this design is
available to hc-Id flower pe-t etc. Fixed or movable anchors may be used with
grab bars etc.

CA 02639061 2008-09-08
Part 5
A ho0k to sccure loads via straps etc
Part 6
C'arriagc stoPpers.

CA 02639061 2008-09-08
Material Specifecations
Part 1
The ceiling tile can be made out of high strength materials such as Delrin a
registered trade mark
nf I)ow Chemicals. Even a stronger material such as Carbon fiber is available
as an altemativc
l'or heavy load applications. Reinforced materials sttch as small steel bars
are also an option
available.
Part 2
'I'hc trap bolts can he machined out of stainless steel or agaitt Delrin or
earlxm fiber. The shear
strength on a typical 8nim or 10mm bolt excecds the requireiiictit fi)r this
application.
Part 3
C:arriagc can he made out of steel or the above polymers uy described.
Multiple carriages would
be used to distribute the load hencc rcyuiring smaller cross sections of'trap
bolts and carriages.
Ilrelit inary finite element analyse:s on solid works simulation program
indicates that a 250ninr
by 750 mni tile 35mm thick ceiling tile made out of tiylon is sufficient for
sate operation
provided it is properly al'Iixed to the wood.jt-itit in the ccilirtg.
Friction material options
llelrin ite;elf has a low friction coefficient. Adclitional low friction
washers such as Teflon ttre
available in the market_ 1'hese washers could bc inserted in the trap bolt
bc:litre securing to the
tilc. Low friction powdcr coating is available in the induytry.

Representative Drawing