Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SECURE EQUIPMENT TRANSFER SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[01] The present invention relates generally to medical equipment transfer
systems. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a transfer system for reliably,
safely and securely
transferring life support apparatus between various support platforms when
transporting
critically ill patients.
[02] In the daily care of critically ill patients, a great diversity of
medical equipment,
including infusion management equipment and supplies, pressure transducers,
physiological
monitors and other equipment is employed. Such equipment typically is set up
at the patient's
bedside where it is supported by various stands, racks or hangers. For
example, the equipment
may be supported by 5-star floor stands, attached to headwalls, suspended from
booms that
are affixed to the ceiling, floor or wall mounted columns, or on other
stationary or mobile
platforms.
[03] The difficulty arises when, at times, these patients must be
transported from their
rooms for administering of various hospital services such as surgery, imaging,
radiology or
special procedures. Similarly, these patients may need to be transported to
other specialized
facilities. Such transports are often necessary under emergency conditions
while patients are
distressed and frail, requiring that such transports be competed rapidly and
with minimal
disruption of therapy, life support and monitoring.
[04] In the known methods for moving patients in tandem with their support
equipment, the
caregivers in addition to moving the patient bed must also wheel several
intravenous-fluid
stands next to or behind a bed, or pile the equipment onto the mattress next
to the patient.
These techniques typically prove hazardous because the IV stands may fall and
tear out patient
connections. Such patient transports are also inefficient and costly because
much staff time is
required to prepare a patient for transport and many caregivers are needed for
moving the
equipment in tandem with the bed along corridors, into elevators and through
doors.
[05] In an attempt to overcome these shortcomings, several approaches for
safer, more
efficient and faster transport of patients and life support equipment have
been provided in the
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prior art for the consolidation of life support equipment in a single
equipment support structure,
wherein the equipment support structure is moved from a support within the
room to a mobile
support platform such as a patient bed. One known method involves vertically
lifting an
equipment support structure out of a docking cradle of a headwall or other
structure by utilizing
the elevating mechanism of the hospital bed and, after transport, depositing
the equipment
support structure in a stationary docking cradle, again relying on the height
adjustment
mechanism of the bed.
[06] US Patent No. 4,945,592 (Sims) teaches use of the hospital bed as a
lifting
mechanism but fails to provide a safety system to lock the support structure
to either the mobile
or stationary platform. Further the support equipment cannot be placed on the
bed in an
optimal position for patient care during transport. Also, conditions on the
ground are such that it
is difficult to align mobile and stationary platforms for seamless transfers.
A further problem in
this system is that the system components are not standardized and are
therefore costly, and
components generally do not conform to effective infection control
requirements.
[07] Similarly, US Patent No. 7,065,812 (Newkirk) also fails to provide a
safety system to
prevent accidental dislodging of the equipment support structure from
engagement to stationary
or mobile platforms. Arms and docking mechanisms are not standardized and
therefore are
costly to manufacture, and the support equipment cannot be moved into an
optimal location for
effective patient care during transport, nor do components generally conform
to effective
infection control requirements.
[08] US Published Application No. 2006/0242763 (Graham) fails to provide a
safety system
to prevent accidental dislodging of the equipment support structure from
engagement to
stationary or mobile platforms. Additionally, the docking elements are
arranged vertically above
each other in co-axial relationship, which restricts optimal positioning
during transport, fails to
provide effective articulation between equipment support structure and patient
bed, and
therefore does not allow optimal in-transport equipment positioning.
[09] US Patent Nos. 5,527,125 and 5,306,109 (Kreuzer) provide a safety
system to prevent
accidental dislodging of the equipment support structure from engagement to
stationary or
mobile platforms but positions the engagement cones in side-by-side, co-planar
relationship
which does not permit placement of support equipment vis-a-vis the patient for
optimal care
during transport. The approach is complex and costly as there is no
standardization of crucial
docking components, and the safety system relies on a complex and costly
sliding mechanism.
[10] US Patent No. 7,661,641 (Wong) teaches a safety system to prevent
accidental
dislodging of the equipment support structure from engagement to stationary or
mobile
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platforms but also arranges the docking elements vertically above each other
in co-axial
relationship which restricts optimal positioning during transport, fails to
provide effective
articulation between equipment support structure and patient bed and therefore
does not allow
optimal in-transport equipment positioning. The safety system and the
requirement for a mobile
base make this approach complex and costly to implement.
[11] Other approaches as disclosed in US Patent Nos. 7,314,200 and
4,511,158 utilize
transfer and docking by connecting to mobile and stationary platforms using a
horizontal
docking movement rather than a vertical one. These approaches are overly
sensitive to
misalignment in height and axial orientation of the components to be docked.
[12] In view of the shortcomings of known medical equipment transfer
systems, the present
invention provides a novel transfer apparatus for transferring said life
support equipment
between different platforms such as a stationary wall or ceiling support
structure and a mobile
support platform such as a patient bed. There is therefore a need for a system
for transferring
patient support equipment from stationary to mobile platforms that is of low
mechanical
complexity, and that utilizes fewer, standardized, simpler components to
permit low-cost
manufacturing and reduced service and warranty costs by minimizing field
maintenance and
extending the mean time between failures. There is also a need for a patient
transfer and
transport system that assures the life support equipment is securely locked to
either the
stationary or mobile platform so that it cannot be accidentally removed or
dislodged, yet allows
seamless transfer of the life support equipment between stationary and mobile
platforms that
automatically engages the security lock during transfer by utilizing a
vertical lift mechanism such
as a typical, motorized patient bed. There is a further need for a patient
transfer and transport
system that minimizes in-service training of caregivers, by making transfer
from stationary to
mobile platforms intuitive, minimizing training of transport staff by
eliminating or automating
critical steps in the procedure, and relying less on memory or alertness of
personnel. There is
still a further need for a patient transfer and transport system that
minimizes crevices, exposed
fasteners and upward-facing cavities to facilitate effective cleaning and
infection control. There
is yet a further need for a patient transfer and transport system that is
relatively insensitive to
the misalignment of equipment typically encountered in hospitals during
transfers between
stationary and mobile platforms. There is also a need for a patient transfer
and transport
system that permits nursing staff to position and re-position the support
equipment relative to
the patient that allows ready access to the patient and facilitates easy
monitoring and control of
life-support equipment during transport, minimizes the total footprint of the
bed and associated
equipment, and minimizes the risk of dislodging fluid lines, cables and leads
between
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equipment and patient during transfer between stationary and mobile platforms.
Finally, there is
a need for a patient transfer and transport system that is articulated to
allow caregivers full
freedom in repositioning the patient support equipment around the patient's
head and allows the
articulations to be locked in place during transport.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[13] In this regard, the present invention provides an equipment transfer
device that is
transferrable from one support to another support. The transport device is
comprised of a
clamshell housing having two substantially identical but mirrored outer shells
that are held
together by screws. Each housing half further comprises two similar, half-
conical recesses,
preferably disposed on generally parallel, spaced-apart vertical axes such
that, when
assembled to form said clam-shell, the two housing halves form circular
docking cups that are
open to the bottom.
[14] The docking cups are spaced apart horizontally along the central plane
of the
clamshell housing such that each docking cup can receive a docking cone from
below, as
further described below. Each docking cone is supported on a structure and is
capable of
moving in a generally vertical direction into engagement or out of engagement
along the axis of
their respective docking cups while maintaining horizontal separation to avoid
interference and
collision with one another. The docking cups may be positioned symmetrically
on a horizontal
plane, but in alternate embodiments the docking cups are preferably disposed
on different
horizontal levels, with a vertical separation between the upper and lower
docking cups.
[15] Additionally, a support post is rigidly trapped and fastened between
the two housing
halves, preferably in coaxial relationship with the upper docking cup. The
support post
protrudes from the upper end of the transfer device as a base to which an
equipment support
structure is rotatably attached. Support structures of various configurations
may be
interchangeably attached according to specific caregiver requirements.
[16] In accordance with another aspect of the preferred embodiment of the
present
invention, there is provided a security mechanism that secures a first docking
cone, upon
engagement to the transfer device, to a first docking cup. The security
mechanism only releases
the first docking cone from the first docking cup upon insertion and full
engagement of a second
docking cone in the second docking cup. The security mechanism of this
invention prevents
accidental disengagement of the transfer device from either the stationary or
mobile platforms to
which it is docked as it securely locks an engaged docking cone to its
respective docking cup.
The transfer device may only be disengaged from a first docking cone when
another docking
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cone is fully inserted and engaged in the other docking cup, or vice-versa.
The security
mechanism operates autonomously without human intervention. It is activated by
user control
of the vertical movement of the docking activation mechanism, such as the
height adjustment of
a hospital bed.
[1 7] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a
system for transferring
patient support equipment from stationary to mobile platforms that is of low
mechanical
complexity, and that utilizes fewer, standardized, simpler components to
permit low-cost
manufacturing and reduced service and warranty costs by minimizing field
maintenance and
extending the mean time between failures. It is a further object of the
present invention to
provide a patient transfer and transport system that assures the life support
equipment is
securely locked to either the stationary or mobile platform so that it cannot
be accidentally
removed or dislodged, yet allows seamless transfer of the life support
equipment between
stationary and mobile platforms that automatically engages the security lock
during transfer by
utilizing a vertical lift mechanism such as a typical, motorized patient bed.
It is still a further
object of the present invention to provide a patient transfer and transport
system that minimizes
in-service training of caregivers, by making transfer from stationary to
mobile platforms intuitive,
minimizing training of transport staff by eliminating or automating critical
steps in the procedure,
and relying less on memory or alertness of personnel. It is yet a further
object of the present
invention to provide a patient transfer and transport system that minimizes
crevices, exposed
fasteners and upward-facing cavities to facilitate effective cleaning and
infection control. It is a
further object of the present invention to provide a patient transfer and
transport system that is
relatively insensitive to the misalignment of equipment typically encountered
in hospitals during
transfers between stationary and mobile platforms. It is still a further
object of the present
invention to provide a patient transfer and transport system that permits
nursing staff to position
and re-position the support equipment relative to the patient that allows
ready access to the
patient and facilitates easy monitoring and control of life-support equipment
during transport,
minimizes the total footprint of the bed and associated equipment, and
minimizes the risk of
dislodging fluid lines, cables and leads between equipment and patient during
transfer between
stationary and mobile platforms. Finally, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a
patient transfer and transport system that is articulated to allow caregivers
full freedom in
repositioning the patient support equipment around the patient's head and
allows the
articulations to be locked in place during transport.
[18] These together with other objects of the invention, along with
various features of
novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in
the further description
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annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of the
invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its
uses, reference
should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which
there is illustrated
a preferred embodiment of the invention.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[19] In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently
contemplated for carrying out
the present invention:
FIG. 1 is a side view of the transfer system of the present invention docked
to a mobile
support platform in preparation for transfer;
FIG. 2 is a side view of a stationary support platform attached to a wall;
FIG. 3 is a side view of a mobile support platform showing an attachment
bracket;
FIG. 4 is a side view the transfer system docked to a stationary support
platform with
the mobile support platform lowered for docking to the transfer device in
preparation for transfer;
FIG. 5 is a side view of the transfer system docked to both a mobile support
platform
and the mobile support platform to simultaneously dock the transfer device
during transfer;
FIG. 6 is a side view of the transfer system docked to a mobile support
platform and
the mobile support platform raised to undock the transfer device from the
stationary platform
during transfer;
FIG. 7 is a side view of the transfer system docked to a stationery support
platform and
with the transfer device disengaged from a mobile support platform during
transfer;
FIG. 8 is a side view of the transfer system docked to a mobile support
platform during
transfer and the docking arms on the stationary platform and the transfer
device on the mobile
support platform stowed for transport;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the transfer system with a transfer device
docked to a
stationary support platform and with the docking arm of the mobile support
platform and the
transfer device on the stationary support platform stowed after transport, and
the mobile support
platform partially cut away
FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a stationary cone arm connector;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a stationary cone arm connector;
FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a bed connection;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a bed connection;
FIG. 14 is an exploded view of an arm joint showing attachment to either a
stationary
cone arm connection or a bed connection represented by a dotted outline;
FIG. 15 is a sectional side view of a bed connection taken along line B-B' of
FIG. 3;
FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a docking cone;
FIG. 17 is a sectional side view of a docking cone taken along line A-A' of
FIG. 3;
FIG. 18 is a perspective side view of a transfer system with mobile and
stationary
support platforms partially cut away;
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FIG. 19 is a perspective exploded view of the transfer device of the present
invention;
FIG. 20 is a side view of the transfer system with mobile and stationary
support
platforms partially cut away, the transfer device shown in cross section with
a docking cone
engaged in the upper docking cup and a lower docking cone disengaged;
FIG. 21 is a side view of the transfer system with mobile and stationary
support
platforms partially cut away, the transfer device shown in cross section with
a docking cone
engaged in a lower docking cup and a docking cone engaged in an upper docking
cup during
transfer;
FIG. 22 is a side view of the transfer system with mobile and stationary
support
platforms partially cut away, the transfer device shown in cross section with
a docking cone
engaged in a lower docking cup and a docking cone disengaged from an upper
docking cup;
FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of a docking ring and a second housing
half,
with both the docking ring and the second housing half partially cut away;
FIG. 24 is a perspective top view of a first housing half with an upper
security lever and
a lower security lever assembled;
FIG. 25 is a schematic, sectional side view of a transfer device, with the
stationary
support platform partially cut away, the lower docking cup and equipment
support structure cut
away, and showing one docking cone docked to an upper docking cup and a second
docking
cone in misaligned position in preparation of docking, taken along line C-C'
of FIG. 5;
FIGS. 26-32 are various views of a first embodiment of the transfer device of
the
present invention;
FIGS. 33-39 are various views of a second embodiment of the transfer device of
the
present invention;
FIG. 40 is a side view of a third embodiment of the transfer device of the
present
invention;
FIG. 41 is an exploded view of one cup of a third embodiment of the transfer
device of
the present invention with the cover shell removed;
FIG. 42 is a cross sectional view of a third embodiment of the transfer device
of the
present invention taken along A-A of Fig. 40;
FIG. 43 is a top view of the transfer device with the cover shell removed;
FIG. 44 is an exploded view of the transfer device; and
FIG. 45 is a cross sectional view of the transfer device and system.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[20] Now referring to the drawings, the equipment transfer system is shown
and generally
illustrated in the figures. As can be seen the principal component of the
transfer system is a
transfer device 20 that can be selectively supported and moved between a
stationary support
platform 300 and a mobile support platform 400 to facilitate the transfer of
patient care
apparatus 200 supported thereon.
[21] Turning to Fig. 1, the transfer system 10 includes a stationary
support platform 300, a
mobile support platform 400 and a transfer device 20 that supports a patient
care apparatus 200
and is capable of transferring the patient care apparatus 200 between a
stationary support
platform 300 and a mobile support platform 400 and vice-a-versa. Within the
scope of the
present invention the term "transfer" refers to transferring patient support
equipment between
stationary support platforms including walls, headwalls, ceiling-mounted or
wall-mounted booms
from various manufacturers, free-standing and/or movable columns and other
structures
typically found in hospital rooms and treatment facilities to which a
stationary cone arm
connector 301 may be attached, and mobile support platforms such as patient
beds, gurneys,
wheelchairs, ambulances, helicopters or other mobile platforms, and vice-
versa. As anyone
familiar with the art will appreciate, substituting alternative rotatable
attachment means,
alternative stationary support platforms, alternatives to post 308 and/or
stationary cone arm
connectors 301, as well as transfers between stationary platforms or between
mobile platforms,
are within the scope of this invention.
[22] Referring to stationary support platform 300 and mobile support
platform 400 of the
preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, platforms 300 and 400 may both
support a cone
arm 150. Cone arm 150 has a distal end 174 and a proximal end 173. The distal
end 174
comprises docking cone 100 for docking with transfer device 20 and the
proximal end 173
comprises arm joint 151 which may be attached to stationary or mobile support
platforms 300 or
400, respectively. Cone arm 150 may be attached to a stationary support
platform, such as
post 308, or directly to a wall 465 using stationary cone arm connector 301.
Cone arm 150 may
also be attached to a mobile support platform 400, such as a hospital bed, as
more fully
described below, using mobile cone arm adapter 413 which is mated to accessory
bracket 406
of hospital bed 410 by means of bed post 412 or other known connection.
[23] As shown in FIGS. 4 & 9, when treated in a hospital room, a patient
typically may be
attached to patient care apparatus 201 connected to an equipment support
structure 200. The
equipment support structure preferably is attached to transfer device 20 and
rotatably docked to
docking cone 100 of a cone arm 150 that is rotatably joined to a stationary
cone arm connector
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301. Cone arm 150, docking cone 100 and cone arm connector 301 provide
articulation so that
stationary support platform 300 may be positioned for optimal patient care.
Having patient care
apparatus 201 physically detached from hospital bed 410, while a patient is in
a room, is
preferred in many health care facilities in order to provide unobstructed
patient access all
around hospital bed 410. As used herein, the term "docking" and "docking
maneuver" refers to
inserting a docking cone into a docking cup generally in coaxial alignment and
in a load-bearing
relationship where cone arm 150 supports transfer device 20 and patient care
apparatus 201.
[24] As shown in FIGS. 4 - 3, the cone arms 150 that are attached to both
the stationary
support platform 300 and the mobile support platform 400 are substantially
identical. In the
preferred embodiment, arm length 175 is approximately 9.5 inches. However, arm
length 175
may reasonably range between 4 inches and 15 inches, although shorter and
longer arm
lengths 175 may be used to meet specific requirements, and cone arms 150 of
different lengths
may be employed in a single transfer system 10. In addition, in the preferred
embodiment
shown in FIGS. 14 & 16, arm joint 151 and docking cone 40, as well as the
components
required in the arm joint 151 for achieving joint stability and user
adjustment, have both been
standardized in order to minimize manufacturing cost and parts inventory. As
anyone familiar
with the art may recognize, one or more additional articulating arm segments
may be installed
between arm joint 151 and stationary arm connector 301, and/or between mobile
cone arm
adapter and arm joint 151, in order to extend the reach and flexibility of
system 10.
[25] As shown in FIGS. 10 - 13, stationary arm connector 307 and mobile
cone arm adapter
413 have a stationary contact interface 312 and a mobile contact interface
411, respectively.
Both contact interfaces 312, 411 are substantially identical and enable
essentially identical
attachment to arm joint 151 located at the proximal end 173 of cone arm 150,
regardless
whether attached to mobile or stationary platforms. As shown in FIGS 14 & 15,
standardization
of attachment and joint tensioning components of cone arms 150 is instrumental
in reducing the
complexity and manufacturing cost of transfer system 10. Stationary contact
interface 313 is a
flat surface 312 and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of bolt 302.
Bolt 302 protrudes
from stationary contact interface 312 and is held in place and secured against
rotation by
capturing hexagonal bolt head 305 with bolt head restraints 310. Analogously,
the mobile
contact interface is perpendicular to longitudinal axis of bolt 302. Bolt 302
protrudes from
mobile contact interface 411 and is held in place and secured against rotation
by capturing
hexagonal bolt head 305 with bolt head restraints 310.
[26] As shown in FIGS. 2,9 & 10, stationary cone arm connector 301 is
comprised of arm
connector 307 and clamp 306. Arm connector 307 and clamp 306 cooperate, in a
clamping and
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load-bearing relationship, to firmly attach stationary cone arm connector 301
to post 308 by
means of attachment screws 318.
[27] In order to achieve low manufacturing cost, the number of parts and
components
required in transfer system 10 is minimized by standardization. Cone arm 150
used with a
stationary support platform 300 is preferably substantially identical to cone
arm 150 used with a
mobile support platform 400, and the components required and method used for
attaching cone
arm 150 to arm connector 307 of stationary support platform 300, as shown in
FIG. 2, is
preferably substantially identical to the components required and method used
for attaching
cone arm 150 to mobile cone arm adapter 413 of mobile support platform 400, as
shown in FIG.
3.
[28] As shown in FIGS 2, 11 & 12, arm joint 151 may be attached to
stationary arm
connector 307 to form a rotatable joint that permits cone arm 150 to rotate on
arm connector
axis 461a in a horizontal plane. The treaded bolt end 313 of bolt 302 is
pushed up through bolt
hole 315 with the bolt head base 316 of hexagonal head 305 in contact with
bolt head bearing
surface 303 and hexagonal head 305 in engagement with bolt restraints 310 to
prevent rotation
of bolt 302. Threaded bolt end 313 may issue from the center of, and
perpendicularly to,
stationary contact interface 312. Thrust bearing 157 may be placed on
stationary contact
interface 312 in coaxial relationship with bolt 302 and with lower bearing
face 182 in coplanar
and sliding relationship with stationary contact interface 312 to constitute a
standardized
attachment for cone arms 150 to stationary support platforms 300.
[29] As shown in FIGS. 11 - 15, the connections between cone arm 150 and
arm
connector 307, and cone arm 150 and mobile cone arm connector 413, are
substantially
identical. Cone arm 150 may be placed onto bolt 302 with bolt bore 177 of in
coaxial
relationship, and with the upper bearing face 183 of thrust bearing 157 in
coplanar and sliding
relationship with bearing surface 152 of arm joint 151, and with threaded bolt
end 313 extending
coaxially up through recess 153 of arm joint 151. Lock thrust bearing 158 may
be placed over
threaded bolt end 313 with the lower bearing face 182 of lock thrust bearing
158 in coplanar and
sliding relationship with inner joint pressure surface 156. Pressure plate 159
may be threaded
onto the treaded bolt end 313 by means of tapped center hole 162, with
pressure surface 160 in
coplanar relationship with, and tightened against, the upper bearing face 183
of lock thrust
bearing 158 in order to cause tension on bolt 302 and take up slack in arm
joint 151. Jam nut
169 is threaded onto threaded bolt end 313 and tightened against pressure
plate 159 in jam-nut
relationship to secure pressure plate 159 against rotation relative to bolt
302 during continued
use of transfer system 10.
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[30] As shown in FIGS. 14 & 15, adjustment knob 190 is in threaded
engagement with
threaded bolt end 313 of bolt 302 that protrudes through jam nut 169.
Clockwise or counter-
clockwise rotation, respectively, of adjustment knob 190, permits users to
adjust the friction
between cone arms 150 and stationary and mobile support platforms 300 and 400,
respectively,
without affecting the load bearing ability or stability of arm joint 151.
Adjustment knob 190 has a
threaded center boss 191 with tapered outer surface 192, crown 194 and side
skirt 193. Side
skirt 193 is sized to protrude over, and overlap with, recess rim 154 of cone
arm 150 when
adjustment knob 190 is fully tightened to facilitate infection control. To
offer better hand
purchase when users tighten and loosen adjustment knob 190, crown 194 and side
skirt 193
may be grooved to retain an external 0-ring 195 or may be indented, serrated
or otherwise
shaped (not shown). Tapered outer surface 192 of threaded center boss 191
cooperates with
friction wedge 163 to control joint friction.
[31] Friction wedge 163 is an annulus with essentially parallel upper and
lower surfaces
178, 179, respectively, outer wedge taper 165, inner wedge taper 166, and
axial expansion cut
167 that permits friction wedge 163 to expand in response to tightening of
adjustment knob 190.
Lower wedge surface 179 is in contact with base surfaces 186 of registration
recesses 161.
Registration recesses 161 are sized to interdigitate with matching
registration protrusions 164
on pressure plate 159 to limit rotation of friction wedge 163 relative to
pressure plate 159 in
order to prevent the known problem of tightening or loosening an arm joint,
respectively, when a
cone arm is moved clockwise or counter-clock wise.
[32] Tightening adjustment knob 190 on bolt 302 pushes friction wedge 163
against
pressure plate 159 and forces tapered outer surface 192 of threaded center
boss 191 of
adjustment knob 190 against inner wedge taper 166 of friction wedge 163
causing friction
wedge 163 to expand. Outer wedge taper 165 of friction wedge 163 is forced
against inner wall
155 of recess 153 of arm joint 151 to progressively increase or decrease joint
friction when a
user tightens or loosens adjustment knob 190.
[33] Analogously, cone arm 150 may be attached to mobile support platform
300 by means
of mobile cone arm adapter 413 fastened to vertical bed post 412. There are
many known
mobile support platforms 400, including hospital beds, stretchers and gurneys
from various
manufacturers, special procedure support devices, wheelchairs, and other
structures typically
found in hospitals and treatment facilities to which a mobile cone arm adapter
413 may be
adapted for attachment to alternative stationary and mobile support platforms
300, 400 to
enable system 10 to be used with known variations in known attachment methods.
Such
adaptations, as anyone familiar with the art may recognize, are within the
scope of this
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invention. Analogously, as shown in FIGS. 3, 13 & 14, arm joint 151 may also
be attached to
mobile cone arm adapter 413 to form a rotatable joint that permits cone arm
150 to rotate on
bed post axis 461b in a horizontal plane. Treaded bolt end 313 of bolt 302 is
pushed up through
bolt hole 315 with the bolt head base 316 of hexagonal head 305 in contact
with bolt head
bearing surface 303 and hexagonal sides of bolt head 305 in engagement with
bolt restraints
310 to prevent rotation of bolt 302. Threaded bolt end 313 may issue from in
the center of, and
perpendicularly to, mobile contact interface 411. A thrust bearing 157 may be
placed on mobile
contact interface 411 in coaxial relationship with bolt 302 and with lower
bearing face 182 of
thrust bearing 157 in coplanar and sliding relationship with mobile contact
interface 411 to
constitute a standardized attachment for cone arms 150 to mobile support
platforms 400.
[34] As shown in FIGS. 1 & 2 -9, transfer device 20 is selectively
attachable to the docking
cones 100 of cone arms 150 in order to transfer patient care apparatus 201
between stationary
support platforms 300 and mobile support platforms 400. The transfer device 20
supports
equipment support structure 200 by means of support post 41 that is rigidly
attached to, and
protrudes out of, upper end 33 of clamshell housing 21 and rotatably engages
equipment
support structure 200. Hospital staff may attach patient care apparatus 201 to
equipment
support structure 200, such as infusion management devices and supplies,
monitoring
equipment, and other life support apparatus that may be required for the care
of critically ill
patients. The vertical axis of rotation (not shown) of equipment support
structure 250 preferably
is coaxial with upper docking cone axis 462.
[35] The configuration of equipment support structure 200 may vary
depending on type and
number of patient care apparatus being used, hospital protocols, type of
therapy or life support
requirements. However, various configurations of equipment support structures
200 preferably
share the capability of being interchangeably attached to support post 41.
Generally, transfer
clamp 20 and equipment support structure 200 are rotatably joined and paired
for the duration
of a patient's hospital stay or longer.
[36] Mobile support platform 400 of the preferred embodiment preferably is
a hospital bed
410. In hospital beds, mattress height 450 typically is adjustable between
working height 451,
low docking level 152 and high docking level 453 by lift mechanism 403 that
may be powered
by an electric motor, hand crank or other mechanism. FIG. 1 shows mattress 402
of hospital
bed 410 at working height 451 -- a height typically chosen by hospital staff
to perform their care
giving tasks. Height-adjustable frame 401 may comprise an accessory bracket
406 near
headboard 405 of hospital bed 410. Accessory brackets 406 on conventional
hospital beds 410
provide for attachment of accessories such as push handles, foldable IV poles,
guide wheels or
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orthopedic frames, and therefore offer a suitable attachment structure for
transfer device 20. As
shown in FIGS. 1 & 15, cone arm 150 may be attached to accessory bracket 406
of hospital
bed 410 by means of the threaded lower end 420 of bed post 412 that may be
inserted
vertically, in fixed, load-bearing and non-rotating relationship, into one of
the accessory
connection openings such as accessory sockets 408 available in typical
accessory brackets
406, or it may be otherwise attached to the structure of a hospital bed by
welds, mechanical
fasteners, clamps or other known fastening methods.
[37] The method of preparing a patient for transport, safely transferring
patient care
apparatus 201 from attachment in the room to attachment to bed 410, safely
transporting a
patient to another location, and safely and expeditiously returning the
patient to a room, as
shown in FIGS. 1 - 5, 11 & 14, is described below. As used in this disclosure,
the term
"transport" refers to moving a patient in tandem with life support equipment
attached to a
mobile platform such as a patient bed, gurney, wheelchair, ambulance,
helicopter or other
mobile platform between locations within or between medical facilities, such
as intensive care
rooms, operating rooms, radiology and other imaging facilities,
catheterization labs, or between
buildings and hospitals.
[38] Before transporting a patient from a room to another location, as
shown in FIG. 4,
upper docking cup 74 of transfer device 20 typically will be docked with, and
secured to, a
stationary support structure 300. In preparation of patient transport,
transfer device 20 may be
repositioned so that the lower docking cup faces hospital bed 410, and
hospital bed 410
preferably may be moved closer to the stationary support platform 300.
Activation of lift
mechanism 403 may lower mattress height 450 from working height 451 to low
docking level
452 to permit docking cone 100 of mobile support platform 400 to be maneuvered
directly
underneath, and into generally coaxial alignment with, lower docking cup 75 of
transfer device
20. Activation of lift mechanism 403 of hospital bed 410 may raise mattress
402 and also raise
docking cone 100 of mobile support platform 400, causing it to dock with
transfer device 20. As
shown in FIG. 5, docking cone 100 attached to stationary support platform 300
and docking
cone 100 attached to mobile support platform 400 are simultaneously engaged in
their
respective docking cups 74, 75. Under continued activation of lift mechanism
403, security
mechanism 120 automatically releases transfer device 20 from the stationary
docking cone 100
and locks transfer device 20 to the mobile docking cone 100, as more fully
described below.
[39] As shown in FIG. 6, continued activation of lift mechanism 403 lifts
transfer device 20
out of engagement with stationary docking cone 100 until the transfer device
clears the
stationary docking cone. In the preferred embodiment, cone arms 150, mobile
cone arm
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adapter 413, stationary cone arm connector 301, adjustment knobs 190, and
upper and lower
docking cups 74, 75 of transfer device 20 constitute a system of pivoting
linkages that permit
caregivers to position patient care apparatus 201 where it is needed for
optimal patient care,
and the arm length 175, as well as he spacing of upper and lower docking cup
axes 462 and
463 offer a practical trade-off between easy adjustability and low cost.
[40] As shown in FIG. 7, moving hospital bed 410 away from stationary
support platform
300 and out of docking alignment enables the medical staff to reverse lift
mechanism 403 to
lower mattress height 450 to the preferred working height 451. As shown in
FIG. 8, caregivers
are now free to reposition transfer clamp 20 and equipment support structure
200 so it nests
closely with hospital bed 410 and the patient's head without disturbing the
connections between
patient and patient care apparatus. Articulation of transfer device 20 by
rotation of cone arms
150 on docking cone axes 460 and bed post axis 461b permits nursing staff to
minimize the
combined footprint of mobile support platform 400 for efficient and safe
transport, in tandem
with the patient care apparatus 201, through doorways, corridors and
elevators.
[41] In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17 - 24, transfer
device 20 is an
assembly of two essentially identical but mirrored housing halves 22 and 23
that are joined
along central joint plane 34 and fastened together by screws 42 to form a
generally hollow, thin-
walled clamshell housing 21 suitable for cost-effective molding or casting.
Each housing half
22, 23 has generally smooth, easy-to-clean exterior surfaces 35 comprising
label recesses 25 to
permit covering assembly screws 42 and other surface irregularities with
labels 43 to seal
crevices for effective infection control. The interior surfaces 36 of housing
halves 22, 23
comprise bosses, ribs and other features that cooperate to retain and fasten
pivot pins 26,
assembly screws 42, fasteners on which to anchor springs 27 as well as other
structural and/or
functional elements such as docking cups 60 and support post 41.
[42] Support post 41 is retained by saddle bosses 38, shaped to conform to
the outside
diameter of support post 41, between first and second housing halves 22, 23,
preferably in
coaxial relationship with upper docking cup axis 462. Assembly screws 42 are
installed to
rigidly attach support post 41 to the clamshell housing 21. Support post 41
protrudes from the
upper end 33 of clamshell housing 21 to rotatably engage equipment support
structure 200.
[43] As shown in FIG. 19, docking cups 60 are constituted by matching up
generally
identical but mirrored depressions in the first and second housing halves 23,
24 when the two
housing halves are joined to form clam shell housing 21. Upper and lower
docking cup axes
462, 463 coincide with the central joint plane 34 of clamshell housing 21 and
are generally
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parallel to each other. Each docking cup 60 constitutes a generally conical
cavity 61, with an
elongated, cylindrical extension 73 configured to receive docking cone 100 in
coaxial alignment.
[44] As shown in FIGS 19 - 22, docking cup openings 68 (indicated by arrow
65) face
downward and are positioned in the two housing halves 22, 23 such that they
are open to the
outside for insertion of docking cones 100 without exposing security mechanism
120. Docking
cup axes 462 and 463 of the upper and lower docking cup are spaced apart
horizontally by cup
axis spacing 45. In the preferred embodiment, cup axis spacing 45 is a two to
two-and-a-half
multiple of the outer ring diameter 278 of docking ring 275 to provide
adequate horizontal
spacing so users may align docking cones 100 with the respective docking cups
74 and 75 and
carry out the docking maneuver with minimal risk of collision or interference
between upper and
lower cone arms 150 during transfer.
[45] Preferably, the lower docking cup 75 is disposed along bottom cup edge
30 of transfer
device 20, and the upper docking cup 74 is positioned higher. Vertical cup
spacing 40 between
upper and lower docking cups 74 and 75 preferably is approximately equal to
the overall cone
height 185 to enable docking in case the cone arms of stationary and mobile
platforms 300, 400
cross over. Vertical cup spacing 40 assures that users may potentially rotate
the transfer
device through a full 360 degree rotation when docked on the lower docking cup
axis 463 and
not otherwise obstructed by hospital bed 110 or other extraneous structures.
In the preferred
embodiment, vertical cup spacing 40 is approximately 6.75 inches but,
depending on specific
requirements, may be larger or even zero with both docking cups aligned on the
same
horizontal plane.
[46] The preferred embodiment of the present invention describes docking
cups 60 with cup
openings 68 that are open toward the bottom, and docking cones 100 that have
their narrow
end facing up. While there are advantages regarding security and infection
control for this
orientation of docking cups an docking cones, upward-opening docking cups and
downward-
pointing docking cones are within the scope of this invention.
[47] Docking rings 275 preferably generally are toroid bodies that
terminate, reinforce, and
provide accurate concentricity to, support flanges 46 of the upper and lower
docking cups 74,
75 at cup openings 68. Docking rings preferably are made from a high-strength
material with
anti-friction characteristics such as Delrin, high-density polyethylene or
other engineering
plastics and guide and support transfer device 20 on docking cones 100 during
the docking
maneuver. As shown in FIG. 23, docking ring 275 has an upper support surface
282 that is in
contact with ring support 69 of first and second housing halves, and a bottom
support surface
280 that is in contact with base flange 103 of docking cone 100 when docked to
transfer device
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20 as shown in FIGS. 17 & 18. Registration groove 283 of docking ring 275 has
a tapered inner
groove surface 285 and a cylindrical outer groove surface 286, and is sized
and positioned to
receive ring support flanges 46 that depend from the bottom of ring supports
69 of housing
halves 22, 23 and form a coaxial and load-bearing joint between docking rings
275 and cup
openings 68. Retaining undercut 284 extends radially from outer groove surface
286 of
registration groove 283 and receives keys 37 that project radially from outer
faces 49 of ring
support flanges 46 when docking ring 275 is connected to cup opening 68. Keys
37 of first and
second housing halves 22 and 23 may be introduced into retaining undercut 284
of docking ring
275 though keyways 287 and, upon introduction, docking ring 275 may be rotated
on ring
support flange 46, with keys 37 in engagement with retaining undercut 284, to
secure docking
ring 275 to clamshell housing 21 in the manner of a bayonet closure. Bottom
support surface
280, base flange fillet 93 and the conical portion 108 of cone base 105 of
docking cone 100 are
sized to receive the bottom support surface 280 and cone support 293 in
concentric, nested and
load-bearing relationship. Outer ring surface 279 projects beyond the bottom
edges of the
docking cup 60 and protects the cup openings 68 against impact and abrasion.
[48] As shown in FIGS. 1, 16, 17 & 25, a first cone arm 150 is attached to
stationary
support platform 300 and a second cone arm 150 is attached to mobile platform
400, and each
cone arm 150 comprises a docking cone 100 at its distal end 174 that is
configured for docking
engagement in docking cups 74, 75 of transfer device 20.
[49] Docking cone 100 is a frustoconical body, and cone base 105 has a cone
base
diameter 176 that is substantially equal to distal end arm width 176. Docking
cone 150 has a
base flange 103 with base flange fillet 93 and transitions into cylindrical
portion 104 at its
narrow, upper end. Between cone tip 114 and cone base flange 103, the outer
surface of
conical portion 108 of docking cone 100 steps closer to the cone's central
axis 111 to form
security notch 94. Notch lower edge 95 and cone base upper end 99 demise the
lower and
upper edges, respectively, of security notch 94. The outer diameter of plate
support surface
101 at cone base upper end 99 is substantially smaller than upper base
diameter 107 of conical
portion 108 of upper cone 110, and engagement plate 109 may be positioned, in
coaxial
relationship, between plate support surface 101 and the bottom surface of
conical portion 108.
Security mechanism 120 engages security notch 94 in the secured cone position
130, and
notch upper edge 92 of engagement plate 109 protects the upper cone 110
against damage
from security levers 121, 122. Engagement plate 109 is a washer, preferably
made from steel
with an outside diameter that is substantially equal to upper base diameter
107 of upper cone
110. Notch fillet 97 and notch portion 98 form the transition between plate
support surface 101
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and notch lower edge 95 to provide a space for engagement of security latches
126, 127 during
activation of security mechanism 120. Upper cone 110 preferably is made from a
tough
engineering plastic such as Delrin, high-density polyethylene or any other
structural material
with low friction characteristics and is fastened to cone base 105 by cone
bolt 115 in concentric
relationship with docking cone axis 460. Cone bolt head 116 is recessed into
cone tip recess
113 of upper cone 110 to form a continuous, smooth cone tip 114. Cone bolt 115
optionally
may be inserted from below and in threaded engagement with a blind, internally
threaded hole
(not shown) in cone tip 114. In the preferred embodiment, cone bolt 115
penetrates cone bolt
holes 118 of upper cone 110, engagement plate 109 and inner cone boss 91 of
cone base 105.
Retaining nut 117 is threaded onto cone bolt 115 and tightened against inner
cone boss 91 to
assemble upper cone 110, engagement plate 109 and cone base 105 into a strong,
load-
bearing docking cone 100. To facilitate low-cost manufacturing of cone arms
150 and docking
cones 100, processes such as molding or casting may be employed and therefore
security
notch 94 preferably is created by an assembly of easily fabricated parts
rather than as a single
part where security notch 94 may be an undercut. However, docking cones 100
may also be
formed as a single part. Cone base 105, preferably made from metal such as
aluminum or
other structural materials, may be cast together with cone arm 150 in one
piece or assembled
from separate components 105, 150 by welding, mechanical fasteners or other
known joining
methods.
[50] As shown in FIGS. 20 -22 & 25, when the docking maneuver is initiated,
docking cone
100 may not be fully engaged in docking cup 60. Docking cup 60 and docking
cone 100
cooperate during docking to minimize negative consequences of misalignment
between docking
cone axis 460 on the one hand and arm connector axis 461a and/or bed post axis
461b on the
other hand, as may be expected in the real-life hospital environment, and to
enable users to
easily target the cone tip 114 of docking cone 100 for entry into docking cup
60. During the
transfer maneuver, cone tip 114 progressively slides up along the inner
surface of conical cavity
61 inside of docking cup 74 or 75, until cone tip 114 enters cylindrical
extension 73 of docking
cup 60. During the docking maneuver, the external surfaces of the external
base 105 and the
upper cone 110 are in contact with, and progressively slide up along, the
conical inner contour
of the bottom support surface 280 of docking ring 275.
[51] The inner surface of conical cavity 61 of docking cups 74 and 75 is
sized and shaped
to be generally concentric and coaxial with the tapered external wall of
conical portion 108 of
cone base 105, and with the tapered external walls of upper cone 110. The
conical cavity 61
has a cylindrical extension 73 that is generally concentric with, and sized to
receive, cone tip
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114. The inner conical contour 280 of docking ring 275 has a control diameter
292 that is
substantially equal to the cone base diameter 106, and shaped to be supported
by the conical
exterior walls of cone base 105 and base flange fillet 93, when fully docked
to docking cone 100
in coaxial, load-bearing relationship with either upper docking cup axis 462
or lower docking cup
axis 463.
[52] In the preferred embodiment, contact between docking cone 100 and
docking cups 74,
75 is restricted to designated structures with low-friction characteristics in
order to control
friction and wear. When docking cone 100 and docking cups 74, 75 are fully
docked, cone tip
114 is in substantial coaxial and concentric engagement with the cylindrical
bore 62 of
cylindrical extension 73, and cone tip 114 is in substantial sliding contact
with inner end surface
77 of cylindrical extension 73. Also, when fully docked, cone tip 114 is in
sliding contact with
the inner surface of cylindrical bore 62, and base flange 103 and base flange
fillet 93 of docking
cone 100 are in substantially concentric sliding contact with upper support
surface 202, bottom
support surface 280 and cone support 293 of cone ring 275, thereby creating a
contact-free
clearance space 79 by which abrasion-sensitive surfaces are separated.
[53] As shown in FIGS. 20 & 24, security mechanism 120 minimizes the risk
of
accidentally disconnecting or dislodging transfer device 20 from a docking
cone 100 to which it
may be docked. Security mechanism 120 is fully enclosed inside of clamshell
housing 12.
When a first docking cone is in docking engagement with upper docking cup 74
of transfer
device 20, transfer device 20 cannot be removed from the first docking cone as
long as lower
docking cup 75 is not in docking engagement with a second docking cone. With
reference to
FIG. 22, when a second docking cone is in docking engagement with lower
docking cup 75 of
the transfer device, transfer device 20 cannot be removed from the second
docking cone as
long as docking cup 74 is not in docking engagement with the upper docking cup
74. Thus,
security mechanism 120 prevents transfer device 20 from being removed from a
stationary
platform 300 or a mobile platform 400 unless, and only under the condition
that, transfer device
20 simultaneously is also fully and securely docked to another support
platform to which it is
being transferred. Only simultaneous, full docking engagement inside both
docking cups 74, 75
by two docking cones 100 causes security mechanism 120 to automatically
release both the
security latches 126 and 127, permitting a caregiver the choice of either
releasing the transfer
device 20 from the cone arm 100 docked to the upper docking cup 74, or
releasing the transfer
device 20 from the cone arm 100 docked to the lower docking cup 75. Extracting
a first docking
cone 100 by a distance of 1/4 inch or less from either docking cup 74 or 75
causes the security
mechanism 120 to engage the second docking cone, and vice versa, without
operator
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intervention except user activation of the lift mechanism 403 of hospital bed
410 to cause the
docking cone 100 attached to the mobile cone arm adapter 413 to be raised or
lowered, as the
case may be, to control the docking maneuver, as described more fully below.
Anyone versed
in the art will appreciate that other known means, both manual and powered,
may be
substituted for the lift mechanism of a hospital bed in order to activate the
docking maneuver
and security mechanism of this invention.
[54] Upper security lever 212 and lower security lever 122 cooperate with
security notch 94
and cone tip 114 of docking cone 100, and with upper and lower docking cups 74
and 75 to
retain a docking cone in docking engagement with its respective docking cup.
With reference to
FIG. 20, when a first docking cone 100 is in docking engagement with upper
docking cup 74
and no docking cone 100 is in docking engagement with lower docking cup 60,
upper security
lever 121 securely retains the first docking cone in docked relationship with
transfer device 20.
Analogously, with reference to FIG. 22, when a second docking cone 100 is in
docking
engagement with lower docking cup 75 and no docking cone 100 is in docking
engagement with
upper docking cup 60, lower security lever 122 securely retains the second
docking cone in
docked relationship with transfer device 20.
[55] Simultaneous full docking engagement of two docking cones 100 in
transfer device 20,
as shown in FIG. 21, with one docking cone 100 seated in the upper docking cup
74 and the
other docking cone 100 seated in the lower docking cup 75, causes upper
security lever 121 to
release the first docking cone, and security lever 122 to release the second
docking cone.
[56] Security levers 121 and 122 have analogous functions and share key
structures and
features such as a pivot holes 123, a security latches 126 and 127, and cone
feelers 132 and
133, and are both shaped to clear screw bosses 24 and pivot boss 37, as well
sidewalls and
other internal features to avoid collisions when pivoting between secured cone
position 130 and
released cone position 131. Security levers 121 and 122 preferably are made
from sheet steel
or other rigid, structural materials.
[57] Pivot pins 124 are trapped between upper and lower pivot bosses 31,
32, respectively,
on the inside surfaces 36 of first and second housing halves 22 and 23.
Security lever 121 and
security lever 122 are both rotatably attached to pivot pins 124 at pivot
holes 123 to permit each
security lever to pivot between a first secured cone position 130 to a second
released cone
position 131. Each security lever 121, 122 comprises a security latch 126,
127, respectively,
that pivots from a first secured position 130 to a second released position
131, or into and out of
engagement with security notch 94 of docking cone 100 to control retention of
the docking cone
in the respective docking cup of transfer device 20. Each security lever 121,
122 also
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comprises a security cone feeler 132, 133 that causes security levers 121, 122
to pivot from a
first secured cone position 130 to a second released cone position 131 when
pivotably
displaced by the cone tip 114 of a docking cone 100 during transfer.
[58] In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 20 - 24, upper and
lower docking
cups 74, 75 are disposed along upper cup edge 39 and lower cup edge 30,
respectively,
requiring each of the security levers 121, 122 to have a different
configuration and shape.
Thus, each security latch 126, 127 and each cone feeler 132, 133 is positioned
on its respective
security lever at a different position in relation to its respective pivot
hole 123, as more fully
described below.
[59] As shown in FIGS. 21 - 25, a pivot hole 123 is located at the upper
end of upper
security lever 121 and a lower cone feeler 133 is located at the bottom end of
upper security
lever 121. Pivot pin 124 is pivotably attached at pivot hole 123 to upper
pivot boss 31 on the
interior surfaces 36 of clamshell housing 121, and upper pivot boss 31 is
located above upper
docking cup 74 and near upper docking cup axis 462. Lower cone feeler 133
depends from
upper security lever 121 in an offset relationship by offset 138. Upper
security latch 126 is
located between pivot hole 123 and lower cone feeler 133 and also depends from
upper
security lever 121 in an offset relationship by offset 138. Offset 138 causes
lower cone feeler
133 and upper security latch 126 to be in coplanar relationship. Lower cone
feeler 133 and
upper security latch 126 are both sized and positioned to align with docking
cone axes 460
when cones 100 are fully docked in upper and lower docking cups 74 and 75 and
cooperate
with cone tip 114 of docking cone 100 in the lower docking cup 75 and security
notch 94 of
docking cone 100 in the upper docking cup 74.
[60] As also shown in FIGS. 21 - 25, lower security latch 127 is located at
the lower end of
lower security lever 122 and upper cone feeler 132 is located at the upper end
of lower security
lever 122. Pivot hole 123 is located between the lower security latch 127 and
upper cone feeler
132, and is pivotably attached to lower pivot boss 32 on the interior surfaces
36 of clamshell
housing 121 by pivot pin 124. Lower pivot boss 32 is located above lower
docking cup 75 and
near lower docking cup axis 463 and upper cone feeler 133 depends from lower
security lever
122. Lower security latch 127 is located below pivot hole 123 and upper cone
feeler 132 is
located above pivot hole 123, and both lower security latch 127 and upper cone
feeler 132
depend from lower security lever 122 in a reverse-offset relationship by
reverse-offset 139.
Reverse-offset 139 causes upper cone feeler 132 and lower security latch 127
to be in coplanar
relationship. Upper cone feeler 132 and lower security latch 127 are both
sized and positioned
to align with docking cone axes 460 when cones 100 are fully docked in upper
and lower
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docking cups 74 and 75 and cooperate with cone tip 114 of docking cone 100 in
the upper
docking cup 74 and security notch 94 of docking cone 100 in the lower docking
cup 75.
[61] U pper secu rity latch 126 and lower cone feeler 133 are offset from
upper security lever
121 in one direction (138) and lower security latch 127 and upper cone feeler
132 are offset
from lower security lever 121 in the opposite direction (139). Because upper
and lower security
latches 126 and 127 as well as upper and lower cone feelers 132 and 133 are
coplanar and
positioned within the clamshell housing 121 in parallel alignment with, and
centered upon,
central joint plane 34, upper and lower security levers 121, 122 are
positioned on different
panes within clamshell housing 21 so that they do not collide when
independently pivoting
between secured cone position 130 and released cone position 131.
[62] As shown in FIG. 19, latch clearance notches 63 and feeler clearance
notches 64 in
the first and second housing halves 22 and 23 permit security latches 126 and
127, and cone
feelers 132 and 133, to extend into the conical cavities 61 of docking cups
74, 75 where security
latches and cone feelers 126, 127, 132 and 133, respectively, are positioned
to interact with
docking cones 100 that may move into and out of docking relationship with
docking cups 74 and
75, as previously described.
[63] Springs 27 are attached between spring anchors 44 of each security
lever 121, 122
and spring bosses 38 on housing halves 22, 23 in order to urge each security
lever 12 land 122
into its respective secured cone position 130 to provide firm engagement of
upper and lower
security latches 126, 127 in the respective security notches 94, and position
upper and lower
cone feelers 132, 133 for activation by a cone tip 144 during docking.
[64] When docking cone 100 is firmly seated in upper docking cup 74, upper
security latch
126 is in full engagement with security notch 94 of the docking cone 100
engaged in cup 74.
Conversely, when docking cone 100 is firmly seated in lower docking cup 75,
lower security
latch 127 is in full engagement with security notch 94 of the docking cone 100
engaged in cup
75. If upward force is applied anywhere to transfer device 20 through an
accidental collision
with an object in the environment or an unauthorized attempt to remove the
transfer device from
engagement with docking cone 100 to which it is attached, either security
latch 126 or 127
engages engagement plate 109 of security notch 94 to interdict extraction of
transfer device 20
from the docking cone which supports it.
[65] In an alternate embodiment, as shown in Figs. 40 to 45, transfer
device 620 is an
assembly having an upper housing 621, a lower housing 622 and a support post
641 received
therebetween. Two substantially identical subassemblies 748 are assembled to,
and retained
by, upper housing 621 in generally equidistant, parallel and symmetric
relationship with support
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post 641. Docking cups 660 are received in upper housing 621 in substantially
parallel
relationship with, and generally equidistant from, support post 641 and are
seated in the upper
housing by means of locking rim 628. Lower housing 622 interdigitates with
docking cups 660
by means of registration notches 646. Support post 641 is received in the
bottom guide 624 of
lower housing 622 and retention opening 644 in the upper end 633 of upper
housing 621.
Support post 641 protrudes from the upper end of upper housing 621 to
rotatably engage
equipment support structure 200.
[66] As previously described, docking cups 660 are substantially identical
and comprise
generally identical conical hollows 661, each having an elongated extension
673 to receive
upper cone 710 of docking cone 700 in coaxial alignment, as more fully
described below.
Bottom openings 680 of docking cups 660 face downward and are positioned such
that they are
open to the outside for insertion of docking cones 700 without exposing
security mechanism
720.
[67] As shown in Figs. 41 & 42, docking cup 660 preferably is formed as a
solid of
revolution with an inner conical surface 665 shaped to coaxially receive
frustoconical docking
cone 700. The docking cup comprises a bottom contour 670 shaped to deflect
misaligned
insertion of cone tip 711 of upper cone 710; a security notch 694; and a
feeler notch 664.
Further, docking cup 660 preferably comprises a pivot 626 to pivotally attach
security lever 721,
thus constituting a self-contained subassembly 748 of a docking cup with
integral, pivoting
security lever, as shown in Fig. 41. Two substantially identical subassemblies
748 are
assembled to, and retained by, upper housing 621 in generally equidistant,
parallel and
symmetric relationship with post 641.
[68] Each security lever 721 of security mechanism 720 comprises a security
latch 726 that
pivots from a first secured position to a second released position, or into
and out of engagement
with security engagement notch 709 of docking cone 700 to control retention of
the docking
cone in the respective docking cup of transfer device 620. Each security lever
721 also
comprises a cone feeler 732 that causes the security latch 726 of said
security lever 721 to
pivot from a first secured position to a second released position in response
to being displaced
upward, against the bias of spring 747 (not shown), by the cone tip 711 of
docking cone 700.
[69] As shown in Fig. 45, a cone arm 750 is attached to a stationary or
mobile support
platform. Cone arm 750 comprises arm structure 751, preferably an aluminum
casting with, at
its proximal end, a shaft 786 and at its distal end a docking cone 700 that is
configured for
docking engagement with docking cups 660 of transfer device 620. A spine 715
comprises
upper cone 710, cone tip 711, inner bearing surface 718, and security
engagement notch 709
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and is attached to arm structure 751. As described above, the docking cone 700
has a security
engagement notch 709 that cooperates with security latch 726 of security lever
721 to prevent
or enable retention of docking cone 700, as the case may be, from docking cup
660.
[70] It can also be seen in Fig. 41 that the security lever 721 has an
offset 739 therein that
creates a spaced apart relation that allows support post 641 to sit in the
space created between
the security levers 721. As a result, support post 641 can be positioned low
in the transfer
device 620 to achieve a low overall profile 650 of the transfer device 620 to
accommodate
attachment of more medical apparatus to the equipment support structure 200.
[71] Turning now to Fig. 45, an alternate arrangement of cone arm 150 and
docking cone
100 is shown. Rotation of transfer device 20 about docking cone 100 tends to
allow the
uncontrolled rotation, or swing-out, of the transfer device during transport.
To prevent said
swing-out rotation, revolving cone 705 is configured to rotate about spine
715. The inner
bearing surface 718 is in contact with spine 715 and may optionally be coated
with damping
grease to slow and control the rotation of revolving cone 705 relative to
spine 715. However, the
use of alternative damping means other than grease is within the scope of this
specification.
[72] A groove 714 provided in the outer bearing surface 712 of revolving
cone 705 is filled
with a friction material 717 that extends outwardly to contact inner conical
surface 665 of
docking cup 660. When transfer device 620 is received onto revolving cone 705,
friction
material 717 engages the inner conical surface 665 of docking cup 660 to
prevent rotation of the
transfer device 620 relative to outer bearing surface 712 of revolving cone
705. This
engagement transfers the rotation of the transfer device 620 to the rotation-
controlled interface
between the inner bearing surface 718 and spine 715, thereby effectively
controlling rotation
and swing-out of the overall transfer device 620.
[73] While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure
embodying the
invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and
rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the
underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the
particular forms herein
shown and described.
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