Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1
ASSEMBLY COMPOSED OF AN EMERGENCY RESPIRATOR AND
OF ITS WALL MOUNT
The invention relates to a medical assembly composed of an emergency
respirator and of its support device, that is to say a mount which is designed
to be fixed
to a wall, for example a wall of a hospital building or a wall of an emergency
vehicle
such as an ambulance, etc., comprising an electrical connection system which
permits
recharging of the batteries of the respirator when the latter is positioned
and locked on
the mount.
Background of the invention
Devices or apparatuses for artificial respiration, referred to as
"respirators" in the
context of the present invention, are widely used in hospital buildings or in
mobile
emergency units, such as ambulances, etc., in order to assist patients
suffering from
breathing difficulties.
These respirators are conventionally disposed on a wall support device, that
is to
say on a mount fixed to a wall, when they are not in use, and they are removed
from the
wall support device by medical personnel when they are to be used.
The respirators are equipped with electric batteries to ensure their
electrical
autonomy. These batteries have to be recharged more or less frequently
depending on
the intensity of use of the respirator.
At the present time, wall supports for fixing medical respirators are
available in
two types, namely those which have no system for recharging the batteries of
the
respirator and which withstand an acceleration of 10g, which is the
acceleration force
that the respirator/mount has to withstand without breaking, so as to avoid a
situation
where they become projectiles and endanger the safety of the persons present
in the
mobile emergency units, such as ambulances; and, furthermore, those which do
have a
system for recharging the batteries of the respirator, but which only
withstand a load of
3g.
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Thus, mention may be made of the following documents which propose such
respirators: FR-A-2906149, DE-A-102010012641, DE-A-102008064480 and DE-A-
102008039651.
However, these assemblies composed of a wall fixing device and of an
associated respirator often have a complex architecture, which does not always
permit
easy and quick fixing of the respirator on the support and/or quick or easy
electrical
connection thereof.
Moreover, the document FR-A-2906149 proposes a mobile assembly for patient
treatment which is composed of a respiratory assistance system and of a
support mount
that can be connected to an interface on the patient side and is supplied with
gas from
an oxygen bottle and with current from an energy accumulator. This device
makes it
possible to quickly determine the CO2 concentration of the patient's blood and
to supply
the patient with 02 when this CO2 concentration is too high. The device can
comprise a
fixing system by which it can be fixed to a wall, especially in an emergency
vehicle. The
fixing is achieved by means of a locking shaft being put in position, tilted
and snap-fitted
into a support plate. This device withstands loads of 3g, or even 6g or more.
Therefore, the problem that arises is that of making available an improved
assembly composed of a wall fixing device or mount and of an associated
respirator,
which comprises a battery-recharging system and can advantageously withstand
an
acceleration of 10g in 3 directions (x, y, z), allowing the user to fix the
respirator rigidly,
quickly and easily to the support device, irrespective of whether said support
device is
fixed on a wall of a hospital building or on a wall of an emergency vehicle or
the like,
such as an ambulance, a fire engine, etc., directly or by way of a rail.
The object of the present invention is therefore to make available an assembly
composed of a support device or mount and of an associated respirator, which
assembly not only allows the respirator to be fixed easily and quickly on its
support but
also permits simultaneous electrical connection of the respirator to a current
source
supplying the mount.
The solution is therefore a respirator/mount assembly comprising a respirator,
that is to say a device or apparatus for artificial respiration, and a mount,
that is to say a
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3
wall support device, which is able and designed to receive and carry the
respirator, said
mount comprising a fixing system for fixing it directly or indirectly to a
wall,
characterized in that it additionally has:
- a hooking system allowing the respirator to be placed in a coupling position
on
the mount,
- a locking system allowing the respirator to be immobilized in a locking
position
on the mount, subsequent to the coupling position, the locking position being
distinct
from the coupling position, the locking system comprising first locking means
carried by
the respirator, and second locking means which are carried by the mount and
which are
able and designed to cooperate with the first locking means, in such a way as
to allow
the respirator to be fixed rigidly on the mount in the locking position, and
- an electrical connection system making it possible to ensure an electrical
connection between the respirator and the mount, subsequent to the coupling
position
and simultaneous or almost simultaneous to the locking position, the locking
position
being distinct from the coupling position, and
- an electrical connection system making it possible to ensure an electrical
connection between the respirator and the mount, subsequent to the coupling
position
and simultaneous or almost simultaneous to the locking position,
characterized in that the first locking means carried by the respirator
comprise
an abutment, and the second locking means carried by the mount comprise a
pivoting
detent, said detent cooperating with said abutment in order to hold the
respirator
securely on the mount in the locking position, the detent being carried by a
detent
support and being actuated by a spring which bears normally on the front part
of the
detent in order to ensure said secure hold of the respirator on the mount in
said locking
position.
Summary of the invention
According to another embodiment, the invention relates to an assembly
composed of a respirator and of a mount which is able and designed to receive
and
carry the respirator, said mount comprising a fixing system for fixing it
directly or
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indirectly to a wall, said assembly composed of respirator and mount
additionally
having:
- a hooking system allowing the respirator to be placed in a
coupling position on
the mount,
- a locking system allowing the respirator to be immobilized in a locking
position on
the mount, subsequent to the coupling position, the locking position being
distinct
from the coupling position, the locking system comprising first locking means
carried by the respirator, and second locking means which are carried by the
mount and which are able and designed to cooperate with the first locking
means, in such a way as to allow the respirator to be fixed rigidly on the
mount in
the locking position, and
- an electrical connection system making it possible to ensure an
electrical
connection between the respirator and the mount, subsequent to the coupling
position and simultaneous or almost simultaneous to the locking position,
characterized in that:
- the first locking means carried by the respirator comprise an
abutment, and
- the second locking means carried by the mount comprise a detent which is
a
pivoting detent, said detent cooperating with said abutment in order to hold
the
respirator securely on the mount in the locking position, the detent being
carried
by a detent support and being actuated by a spring which bears normally on a
front part of the detent in order to ensure said secure hold of the respirator
on the
mount in said locking position.
According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a mount of an
assembly as defined hereinabove, characterized in that it has a fixing system
for fixing it
directly or indirectly to a wall, second hooking means, second locking means
and
second electrical contactor means.
Depending on the particular case, the respirator/mount assembly according to
the present invention can comprise one or more of the following technical
features:
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- the hooking system comprises first hooking means carried by the respirator,
and second hooking means which are carried by the mount and which are able and
designed to cooperate with said first hooking means in order to permit a
positioning and
a hooking of the respirator onto the mount;
- the electrical connection system comprises first electrical contactor
means
which are carried by the respirator, and second electrical contactor means
which are
carried by the mount and which are able and designed to cooperate with the
first
electrical contactor means in order to establish an electrical connection
between the
respirator and the mount when the respirator is in the locking position;
- it additionally comprises release means cooperating with the second locking
means in such a way as to permit disengagement and release of said first
locking
means, and to additionally permit, at the same time or almost at the same
time, a
disconnection of said first and second electrical contactor means from each
other;
- when the respirator is in the coupling position on the mount, said
respirator is
movable by pivoting or tilting with respect to the mount;
- the first hooking means of the respirator comprise a first seat, and the
second
hooking means of the mount comprise a projecting element which is able and
designed
to engage, at least partially, in said seat;
- the first seat is formed in a support panel carried by a rear face of the
respirator, the first seat preferably being a recess or an opening formed in
the support
panel;
- the abutment is carried by the support panel fixed to the rear face of the
respirator;
- the first electrical contactor means, carried by the respirator, comprise
one or
more contactors, preferably female contactors, and the second electrical
contactor
means, carried by the mount, comprise one or more contactors, preferably male
contactors;
- the locking position is angularly offset with respect to the coupling
position;
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- the release means comprise a lever that can be actuated by the user;
- when the user actuates the lever, said lever acts on the detent in such a
way
as to disengage the latter from the abutment;
- the mount is connected to an electricity supply, preferably an electricity
supply
converting the mains current, i.e. an alternating current of 110 V or 220-230
V to a
direct current of 12-24 V;
- the respirator comprises one or more rechargeable electrical storage means,
in
particular one or more rechargeable electric batteries;
- the spring is provided with a spring head;
- the detent pivots about its detent axis BB carried by the detent support,
while at
the same time being maintained there;
- the spring permits resistance to a traction force of lOg applied to the
respirator;
- the detent spring bears normally on the front part of the detent, or the
detent
head, by way of the spring head, in order to keep it in the position referred
to as the
locked or locking position;
- the front part or head of the detent has a rounded shape in order to permit
easy
and quick mechanical connection to the respirator, simply by placing them in
contact
and then pressing manually on the respirator provided with the fixing panel.
The invention further relates to a respirator of an assembly according to the
invention comprising a support panel fixed to the rear face of the respirator,
and also a
mount of an assembly according to the invention.
In other words, the respirator/wall mount assembly according to the present
invention is based on a combination of elements and means comprising a hooking
system which permits quick and easy mechanical coupling of the respirator to
its wall
support, that is to say the mount, a mechanical connection system which is
used to lock
the respirator, that is to say keep the respirator immobilized on the mount,
up to a
maximum acceleration of 10g, and a system for quick electrical connection by
which the
respirator can be electrically connected to the mount, which is itself
supplied with
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electric current from the mains, so as to either ensure the functioning of the
apparatus
(without battery) or to be able to recharge the batteries of the respirator
once the latter
has been locked on the mount.
Brief description of the drawings
The invention will now be better understood from the following description
given
with reference to the figures, in which :
- Fig. 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of a wall mount,
which belongs to a
respirator/mount assembly according to the present invention,
- Figures 2 and 4 are side views (right and left) of the mount
from Fig. 1,
- Fig. 3 is a view of the rear face of a respirator able to be
connected to the mount
according to Fig. 1,
- Fig. 5 shows the respirator, in the coupling position, of a
respirator/mount
assembly according to the present invention,
- Fig. 6 shows the respirator, in the locking position, of a
respirator/mount
assembly according to the present invention,
- Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a label affixed to the
assembly according
to the invention, illustrating the positioning of the respirator from Fig. 3
on the
mount from Fig. 1,
- Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the
locking means of
the mount according to the invention,
- Fig. 9 is similar to Fig. 8 but additionally shows the
cooperation with the
respirator of the assembly according to the invention,
- Fig. 10 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the
electrical
connection means of an assembly according to the invention, and
- Fig. 11 shows an embodiment of the release means by which the
respirator can
be unlocked and detached from the mount according to the invention.
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5c
Detailed description of the invention
Figures 5 and 6 are schematic representations of an embodiment of a
respirator/mount assembly according to the present invention comprising a
respirator
10, that is to say a device or apparatus for artificial respiration, and a
wall mount 20
serving as a support device by being able and designed to receive and carry
the
respirator 10.
The respirator 10 comprises a front face 10a with, conventionally, one or more
control elements, such as buttons, keys, cursors, etc., one or more displays,
such as
screens, indicators, etc.
Moreover, the mount 20, serving as a wall support device as shown in detail in
Figures 1, 2 and 4, comprises a fixing system 31 for fixing it to a wall, for
example to a
wall 100 of a hospital building, as is shown schematically in Figure 4.
'
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Here, the mount 20 is fixed to a wall 100 via a supporting rail 30, to which
the fixing
system 31 is attached; for example the fixing system 31 may comprise two jaws
and at
clamping screw. Any other appropriate fixing system 31 is also suitable. The
fixing system
31 is carried by the rear face or framework 3 of the support 20, as is
illustrated in Figures 2
and 4.
The respirator/mount assembly according to the invention additionally
comprises a
hooking system 1, 11, 2, 21 permitting an easy and quick coupling position of
the respirator
on the Mount 20, by simply hooking the respirator 10 onto the mount 20, as is
illustrated
in Figures 5 to 7.
10 More
precisely, the hooking system 1, 11, 2, 21 comprises first hooking means 1. 11
carried by the respirator 10, and second hooking means 2, 21 which are carried
by the
support device or mount 20 and which are able and designed to cooperate with
said first
hooking means 1, 11 in such a way as to permit easy and quick positioning and
to hook the
respirator 10 onto the mount 20.
The first hooking means 1, 11 carried by the respirator 10 comprise, for
example. a
first seat or recess 11, in particular an opening or cutout, formed in a rear
metal plate or
fixing panel 1 which is fixed to the rear face 10b of the respirator, for
example by screwing
with the aid of in this case four screws arranged in a VESA type geometry, as
is shown in
detail in Figure 3.
The rear fixing panel 1 thus serves as an interface between the respirator 10
and the
wall piece, that is to say the support device 20. It is fixed permanently on
the respirator 10.
It will be noted that the first seat or recess 11 can also be formed directly
in the wall
of the rear face 10b of the respirator 10 and that, in this other embodiment
(not shown), it is
possible to dispense with the fixing panel 1.
Moreover, the second hooking means 2, 21 carried by the support device 20
comprise, for their part, at least one hooking tab 21, that is to say a
projecting element that is
configured and dimensioned to permit its insertion into the seat 11 of the
respirator 10.
This hooking tab 21 can be advantageously formed by a projecting portion of a
plate
forming the front face or front framework 2 of the mount 20, as is illustrated
in Figure 2.
= Indeed, as is illustrated in Figures 5 to 7, a user positions the respirator
10 on the wall mount
20 by simply inserting the projecting hooking tab 21 into the seat or opening
11 of the mount
20.
The respirator 10 is then in a coupling position, that is to say it is
connected non-
rigidly to the support 20 by being held thereon simply by the cooperation
between the
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hooking tab 21 and the seat 11. In this coupling position, the respirator 10
can be withdrawn
from the wall support 20 simply by removing the hooking tab 21 from its seat
11.
In other words, the first hooking means 1, 11, comprising the seat 11 and
carried by
the rear plate 1 of the respirator 10, cooperate with the second hooking means
2, 21,
comprising the hooking tab 21 and carried by the front thee 2 of the support
device or mount
20, in such as way as to ensure correct positioning and hooking of the
respirator 10 on the
wall mount 20. However, in this position, called the coupling position, the
respirator 10 is
not held rigidly on the mount 20.
To make it easier to place the respirator 10 in the coupling position on the
mount 20,
a coding system 70, 71 is advantageously provided on the respirator 10 and on
the mount 20.
For example, it is possible to provide a projecting element 70 which is
carried by the front
face or framework 2 of the mount 20, as is illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 4,
and which
engages in a third seat or recess 71, which has an at least partially
complementary shape and
is formed in the rear plate or panel 1 of the ventilator 10, as is illustrated
in Figures 3 and 5
in particular.
Once the ventilator 10 has been coupled to the mount 20 by inserting the
hooking tab
21 into the first seat 11 of the panel 1, the projecting element 70 carried by
the front
framework 2 of the mount 20 makes it possible to ensure correct positioning
and alignment
of the respirator 10 on the mount 20, by engaging in the third seat 71, and
centring itself
therein, when the user tilts the ventilator 10 angularly from the coupling
position to the
locking position by exerting a bearing force (arrow in Figure 7) on the lower
part of the
respirator 10, as is shown schematically in Figure 7.
Thereafter, in order to then immobilize the respirator 10 in a locking
position on the
mount 20, that is to say in order to join them rigidly to each other, a
locking system 1, 12,
13, 40-45 is also provided. This locking system 1, 12, 13, 40-45 makes it
possible to ensure a
good mechanical connection of the respirator/wall mount assembly, that is to
say ensures
that the respirator 10 is maintained in a fixed position and rigidly on the
mount 20, after it
has been placed in the coupling position.
The locking position is therefore a position of the respirator 10 on the
support 20 that
is distinct from the coupling position since, in the locking position, the
respirator 10 is
maintained firmly on the wall mount 20 and cannot be removed therefrom without
prior
actuation of release means, as is described in detail below.
Schematically, the locking position is a position angularly offset with
respect to the
coupling position, and one therefore proceeds from said coupling position to
the locking
CA 02813937 2013-04-18
8
position by executing a slight pivoting or tilting movement of the respirator
10 about the axis
AA (cf. Figures 5 and 6) which forms upon insertion of the hooking tab 21
within the scat
11.
More precisely, the locking system 1, 12, 13, 40-45, which ensures that the
respirator
10 is maintained in a fixed position and rigidly on the mount 20, comprises a
set of
mechanical components or elements that permit a mechanical connection of the
respirator
10, provided with the fixing panel I. on the wall support 20.
This set of mechanical components or elements, which forms the locking system
1.
12, 13. 40-45, comprises lust locking means 1, 12, 13 which are carried by the
respirator 10
and cooperate. with second locking means 40-45 which are carried by the mount
20, in such a
way as to guarantee that the respirator 10 is fixed and held rigidly in the
locking position on
the support device or mount 20.
The second locking means 40-45, carried by the mount 20, advantageously
comprise
a pivoting detent 40 carried by a detent support 42 and actuated by a spring
41 provided with
a spring head 43, as is shown in detail in Figure 8. The detent 40 pivots
about its detent axis
BB, carried by the detent support 42, while at the same time being maintained
there. Suitable
dimensioning of the spring 41 permits a resistance to a traction force of 1 Og
applied to the
respirator.
The detent spring 41 bears normally on the front part 45 of the detent 40,
that is to
say the head of the detent 40, by way of the spring head 43, in order to keep
the detent in the
locked or locking position. The front part or head 45 of the detent 40
preferably has a
rounded shape in order to permit easy and quick mechanical connection to the
respirator 10.
simply by placing them in contact and then pressing manually on the respirator
10 provided
with the fixing panel 1.
In fact, the fixing panel 1 situated on the rear face 10b of the respirator 10
comprises
first locking means cooperating with the second locking means of the mount 20,
i.e. in
particular with the detent 40 and the detent spring 41.
More precisely, the first locking means of the respirator 10 comprise an
abutment 13
which cooperates with the claw 44 carried by the head or front part 45 of the
detent 40 in
order to ensure that the respirator 10 is held rigidly on the wall mount 20 in
the locking
position, as is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.
As is shown in Figure 3, an abutment 13 can be formed by a part of the wall of
the
rear panel 1 of the respirator 10. In particular, the rear panel 1 here
comprises a second seat
or recess 12 which is dimensioned and configured to receive in particular the
detent 40, as is
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9
. shown
in Figure 9, where a part of the wall of said rear panel I situated at the
immediate
periphery of the recess 12 constitutes said abutment 13 on which the claw 44
of the detent 40
abuts when the respirator 10 is in the locking position (Figures 6 and 9).
Moreover, the respirator/mount assembly according to the invention also
comprises
an electrical connection system 50, 51 by which it is possible to ensure an
electrical
. connection between the respirator 10 and the mount 20, subsequent to the
coupling position
and simultaneous or almost simultaneous to the locking position, by tilting or
pivoting the
respirator 10 in the direction of the wall mount 20, as is illustrated in
Figures 5 to 7 in
particular.
The electrical connection system 50, 51 comprises first electrical contactor
means 50
which are carried by the respirator 10 and cooperate with second electrical
contactor means
51 carried by the mount 20, in such a way as to establish an electrical
connection between
the respirator 10 and the mount 20 when the respirator 10 is in the locking
position.
In other words, when the respirator 10 is tilted by a user from the coupling
position
to the locking position, the first and second electrical contactor means 50,
51 are connected
to each other in order to obtain electrical continuity between the respirator
10 and the mount
supplied with electrical current from the mains, and in order thereby to
charge or recharge
electric batteries of the respirator 10.
The electrical connection system 50, 51 preferably comprises at least two
electrical
20
contacts and one or more electrical cables permitting the electrical interface
between the
power supply and the respirator 10.
As is shown in detail in Figure 10, the electrical connection system 50, 51
comprises
a plug support, two electrical contacts 52 of the male type on a spring,
compensating for the
possible divergences of positioning, which are connected by a strand 55 to the
mount 20.
which is itself connected to a current supply, for example converting the
mains current , i.e.
110 V or 220-230 V (alternating) to 12-24 V (direct). It additionally
comprises one or more
contact covers 53 and one or more ejection springs 54.
The one or more contact covers 53 allow electrical contacts 52 to be protected
from
the environment and thus protect the user from possible danger from
electricity. With the
one or more ejection springs 54, they also permit the disengagement of the
respirator 10 at
the time of its mechanical disconnection from the mount 20.
On the respirator 10, the electrical contacts 50 are of the female type and
receive the
two male electrical contacts 52 of the mount 20, which are engaged therein by
mechanical
insertion.
CA 02813937 2013-04-18
The power supply 8, connected to the mains, is joined (at 9) to the wall mount
20 and
to the electrical contacts of the second electrical contactor means 51 carried
by the mount 20.
Correct electrical connection is signalled by an indicator light placed on the
front face of the
= power supply 8.
5 The power supply 8 can be removed from the support device or mount
using a quick-
coupling system. Moreover, the electrical power supply 8 can be integrated
permanently in
the rear framework 3.
. The respirator 10 for its part has one or more electric batteries
which ensure that the
power needed for it to operate is supplied when it is disconnected from the
mount 20, for
10 example ensuring a stand-alone operation of at least 1 to 2 hours, or
even longer.
The respirator 10 also has, on its front face 10a, an indicator light that
signals the
.= correct charging or recharging of the batteries. This information can be
provided on the
support device or mount 20 by an indicator light.
The assembly according to the invention also comprises release means 60, 6
cooperating with the second locking means 40-45 in such a way as to permit
disengagement
and release of said first locking means 1, 12, 13, and to additionally permit,
at the same time
or almost at the same time, the disconnection of said first and second
electrical contactor
means 50, 51 from each other.
Advantageously, the release means 60, 6 comprise a lever or handle 6 which can
be
actuated by the operator and which, after actuation, moves between at least a
first position,
called the locking position, in which it does not act on the second locking
means 40-45 and
.in which the respirator 10 is in the locking position, and at least a second
position, called the
release position, in which it interacts with the second locking means 40-45 in
order to release
the respirator 10 such that the latter can be removed from the mount 20. The
contact cover
_ 25 53 then returns to its initial position in order to fulfil its
safety function.
Manual actuation of the handle or lever 6 by the user causes an unlocking of
the
mechanical and electrical connection systems and allows the user to remove the
respirator 10
from its wall support 20.
For the unlocking, the handle 6 actuates the detent 40 by way of a welded
sleeve 61.
The detent 40 pivots on the axis CC in yokes 62. It is provided with a return
spring 63,
which is dimensioned to guarantee the locked position of the handle 6 in the
event of an
acceleration of 10g, and which is fixed on the detent support 42 by a pin.
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11
Finally, a ventilator/mount assembly according to the present invention is
particularly advantageous since it allows the ventilator 10 to be placed
quickly and easily on
its mount 20 in two successive main steps, as are illustrated in Figure 7,
namely:
- firstly, initial mechanical positioning of the ventilator on its support by
simple
insertion of the hooking tab 21 into the first seat or opening 11 of the panel
1 of the
ventilator 10 (Position (1) in Fig. 7),
- then, simultaneous or almost simultaneous mechanical and electrical
connection of
the system, with the ventilator 10 being locked on the mount 20, when the user
pushes the
ventilator 10 in the direction of the mount (Position (2) in Fig. 7, and Arrow
"PUS! l'),
thereby causing an actuation of the detent 40 by the panel 1, and its
cooperation with the
abutment 13, and, at the same time, a withdrawal of the contact covers, and an
electrical
connection by virtue of the male electrical contacts 52 of the mount 20 coming
into
connection with the female contacts 51 of the ventilator 10.
When the user wishes to use the respirator away from its support device, the
mechanical and electrical disconnections of the ventilator 10. from the mount
20 are also
simultaneous and take place when the user actuates the lever 6, which then
acts on the detent
40, which is tilted and thereby releases the panel 1, and the contact cover
pushes the
ventilator 10, which returns to its initial mechanical position, that is to
say the unlocked
coupling position.
The respirator/wall mount assembly according to the present invention can be
used to
ventilate any type of patient requiring respiratory assistance, especially in
emergency
interventions.
=
