EP0331713A4 - Attache d'interconnexion en tandem d'equipements roulants. - Google Patents

Attache d'interconnexion en tandem d'equipements roulants.

Info

Publication number
EP0331713A4
EP0331713A4 EP19880908600 EP88908600A EP0331713A4 EP 0331713 A4 EP0331713 A4 EP 0331713A4 EP 19880908600 EP19880908600 EP 19880908600 EP 88908600 A EP88908600 A EP 88908600A EP 0331713 A4 EP0331713 A4 EP 0331713A4
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
piece
pulled
body means
pulling
connection body
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP19880908600
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0331713A1 (fr
Inventor
Michael J Partington
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0331713A1 publication Critical patent/EP0331713A1/fr
Publication of EP0331713A4 publication Critical patent/EP0331713A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
    • A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
    • A61G7/0503—Holders, support devices for receptacles, e.g. for drainage or urine bags
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D3/00—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
    • F16D3/005—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive incorporating leaf springs, flexible parts of reduced thickness or the like acting as pivots
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D3/00—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
    • F16D3/50—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive with the coupling parts connected by one or more intermediate members
    • F16D3/72—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive with the coupling parts connected by one or more intermediate members with axially-spaced attachments to the coupling parts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the tandem hitching of wheeled apparatus pieces, and particularly as desired for the movement of wheeled apparatus in a hospital, where there are particular needs.
  • a particular need is an improved tandem hitching which permits a single attendant to maneuver two pieces of wheeled apparatus, the two pieces being moved concurrently either simply for economy or so that the pulled apparatus may provide continuing service to a patient being transported on the pulling vehicle, which may be a wheeled stretcher, or cart, or wheel-chair.
  • Breakage, spillage, etc. also adds to the problem of rapid transport down hallways of a large hospital.
  • Quick return to atraight-to-the rear tracking of the pulled apparatus is especially desired, to avoid bumping into personnel or visitors in the hallway, or into other patients being transported along the hallway, as well as to provide ease of the effort required by a single attendant pushing or sometimes pulling the pulling piece of apparatus.
  • hospital needs and services require a great many pieces of apparatus which have no motive power of their own, and are often needed to be moved to another hospital area, yet are not considered to deserve the expense of being moved as a single piece of apparatus.
  • hitch devices of various types have been known and used for scores of years; and hitch devices have been also long known which are useful in interconnecting vehicles or other wheeled devices for tandem-pulling, including hitch devices for wagons, trailers, etc., and even mobile hospital equipment such as a particularly desirable use of the present invention.
  • devices which give so-called “universal joint” connection of associated members have also been long known, including specifically devices which have a flexibility and a resiliency, as described further herein, including specifically connector body members which can be utilized in devices of the present invention.
  • the present invention provides a novel hitch device for the in-tandem interconnecting of a pair of wheeled pieces of apparatus, the hitch being characterized by an intermediate body of specialized nature. That is, it is resiliently deformable in response to a turning maneuver of the pulling apparatus, and in response to its resilient deformation, it strongly urges the pulled piece of apparatus to cause it to promptly return to a tracking position, minimizing skidding of the pulled piece of apparatus without extra effort by the user; moreover, its deformability is substantial, permitting substantial non-skid swinging yet prompt return to a tracking position.
  • the intermediate body is a flexible coupling ror mis-aligned rotational shafts, generally as shown in Fig. 2 of U. S. Patent No. 3, 224, 224; however, in contrast to the heretofore-intended use of that coupling for rotational shaft use, here it is used to provide a lineal force-transmission of a hitch, and the overall hitch is provided with other components by which that flexible coupling, as the intermediate body of the hitch, is connectable to the pulling and pulled pieces of apparatus to achieve a hitch device of desired characteristics of both good swingability and good tracking, all as further set forth herein.
  • the prior art had several particulars: a.
  • the prior art had various types of connector hitches; b.
  • the prior art realized that some relative movability was desired in the hitch connection of wheeled articles for accommodating turns without undue wheel-skidding, and to let the pulled article or vehicle to track properly behind the pulling vehicle; c .
  • the prior art knew that a hitch had to properly sustain some compression as well as tension, at least to accommodate a backward pushing on occasions;
  • the prior art had "universal joints" for the coupling of rotational shafts which are axially misaligned; e.
  • fig. 1 is an overall pictorial view, of a pulling vehicle shown here as a hospital's patient stretcher cart, provided with a connector hitch means of the present invention connected to a pulled vehicle, here a mobile unit known as an intravenous infusion pole, the two pieces being connected in tandem for manipulation by a single attendant, and providing that during the transport the patient on the cart may be provided service from the pulled apparatus;
  • a pulling vehicle shown here as a hospital's patient stretcher cart
  • a connector hitch means of the present invention connected to a pulled vehicle, here a mobile unit known as an intravenous infusion pole, the two pieces being connected in tandem for manipulation by a single attendant, and providing that during the transport the patient on the cart may be provided service from the pulled apparatus;
  • Fig. 2 is a fragmental or plan detail view of the adjacent portions of the assembly of fig. 1, in larger scale, illustrating the connector hitch's central body member in a state of resilient deformation as the travel maneuver has caused a relative swinging of the pulled vehicle in a certain direc ti ⁇ n relative to the path then being taken by the pulling vehicle;
  • Pig. 3 is a view similar to Pig. 2, but of with the pulled apparatus having swung in an opposite direction, resiliently deforming the body member of the connector hitch in an opposite mannnr;
  • Fig. 4 is a longitudinal elevation view of a connector hitch of the present invention, of an embodiment in which the portion thereof connected to the front of the resiliently deformable body, that portion swivelling on a horizontal axis, is to be affixed to a longitudinal frame member of the cart; and the clamp body in the rear of that deformable body is rotatably connected to a transverse front rail bar of the pulled vehicle;
  • Fig. 5 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 4, and with a portion of the pulling vehicle's frame member included;
  • Fig. 6 is an elevation view of the components shown in Figs. 4 and 5, but with the rear clamp body disconnected from the pulled vehicle, and the rear clamp body and the deformable body having swivelled downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 4, illustrating that swivelling as would occur in coordination with swivelling of the rear clamp body about the transverse frame of the pulled body, as the pair of vehicles, in tandem, would traverse an uneven floor or the like;
  • Fig. 7 is an enlarged rear elevation view of the clamp body shown in all the other Figures.
  • the present inventive concepts provide and achieve a novel and advantageous hitch device 10, for the interconnecting, in tandem, of whatever are the pair of wheeled pieces of apparatus to be coupled for joint movement, as an effort of pushing (or pulling) and steering one of them is to achieve a pulling of the other.
  • the forward one is called the pulling piece of apparatus 12 and the other or rearward one is called a pulled piece of apparatus 14; and, as emphasized herein, the invention is particularly considered desirable for hospital use, with the pulling piece of apparatus 12 here being shown as a patient cart 12, and the pulled piece of apparatus 14 here being shown as an intravenous infusion pole 14 (often called an "I. V. Pole"). Both are shown with swivel type wheels or casters 15.
  • the hitch device 10 has, as what might be considered as its basic and most distinctive component, an intermediate body 16; and in force-transmitting relation to it, the intermediate body 16 has connected to it, forwardly of it, a forward connection body means 18 for connection of the body 16 to the pulling piece of apparatus 12, and, rearwardly of the body 16, a rearward connection body means 20 for connection of the body 16 to the pulled piece of apparatus 14.
  • the intermediate body 16 is shown as supportingly connected to both the forward connection body means 18 and the rearward connection body means 20 by small collars 22, which are respectively held by locking or set screws 24 to an adjacent end 18a and 20a, respectively, of the two body means 18/20 as those body means 18/20 extend into the body 16 by passing inwardly of the front and rear walls 26 and 28, respectively, of the intermediate body 16 through holes (not shown) in those walls 26/28.
  • the intermediate body has special characteristics, as to its nature or operational characteristics, as detailed herein. That is, as especially diagrammed in Figs. 2 and 3, it is resiliently deformable for accommodating turning maneuvers of the tandem-connected apparatus 12 and 14, such as to permit the pulled apparatus 14 to swing from a tracking position 30 through a considerably wide angle, as is schematically shown by swing-angles 32 and 34 in Figs. 2 and 3 respectively, to swing positions 36 and 38. Then, in response to that resilient
  • the intermediate body 16 acts to strongly urge the rearward connection body means 20 to act upon the pulled piece of apparatus 14 to cause it to promptly return to the proper tracking position 30 with respect to the pulling piece of apparatus 12; and this strong tracking-return urge acts onto the pulled apparatus 14 to thereby minimize skidding of the pulled piece of apparatus 14, without extra effort needing to be applied by the user, i.e., to either of the pieces 12/14 of apparatus, whenever the resilient deformation of the intermediate body 16 has been caused.
  • This prompt return to tracking position 30, fore-and-aft with respect to the pulling apparatus 12 is achieved by the resiliency of the body 16 regardless of what nature of movement (turn, bump, uneveness of the floor, etc.) has caused a travel maneuver of the pulling piece of apparatus 12 to have caused the pulled piece of apparatus 14 to have swung away from that proper tracking position 30.
  • the resilient intermediate body 16 its deformability is substantial, permitting a relatively easy effort by a single attendant to cause movement of the in-tandem apparatus 12/14, the body 16 permitting a substantial non-skid swinging (32,34) of the pulled piece of apparatus 14 when the pulling piece of apparatus 12 is making a sharp turn of even quite low radius of curvature, yet causing a prompt return of the pulled apparatus 14 to its proper tracking position 30.
  • the intermediate body 16 its nature is such that it accepts and transmits a lineal force both of tension and compression, thus providing for both pull and push maneuvers of the pulled piece of apparatus 14 by whatever external force is applied merely to the pulling p piece of apparatus 12. (Such external force is generally likely to be manual effort, although the hitch-operativity is not limited to that type effort.)
  • Adaptation of the resilient body 16, to a hitch for the lineal force-transmission and the tandem-hitched operability is aided by providing the rearward connection body means 20 with means for its rotatable connection to the pulled piece of apparatus 14 about a generally horizontal and transverse axis of the pulled apparatus 14; and this rotatability is shown particularly in Fig. 4 by low-friction jaw pieces 40 in the jaws 42 of a quick-action clamp 44, as the jaw pieces 40 rotatably embrace the horizontal frame piece 46 of the pulled apparatus 14.
  • the clamp-operativity is by a knob 48 twisting a bolt 50 (Fig. 7) to actuate the jaw-plates 52 of the clamp 44, causing them to relatively pivot about pivot pin 54, with jaw-open position being urged by a compression spring 56.
  • the rearward connection body means 20 also is shown as rotatable about its own lineal axis, as by a loose passage of the extending portion 20a ⁇ (Fig. 4) through the hole (not shown) in the rear wall 28, or by the rear portion 58 of that extending body 20a being swivelly-connected to the clamp 44.
  • the forward connection body means 18 is provided to be of at least two relatively movable portions 60 and 62, respectively relatively rearward and relatively forward of one another, pivoted at 64; and this provides that if the relatively forward portion 62 is connected immovably to the pulling piece of apparatus 12 (Fig. 1) but it happens to be an occasion (Fig. 6) in which there is no pulled piece of apparatus 14 to be moved with the pulling piece of apparatus 12, the relatively rearward portions 60 of the forward connecting body means 18 and the intermediate body 16 and the rearward connecting body means 20 may reside in a retracted position, here simply a vertically-hanging position (Fig. 6), in which they do not protrude significantly rearwardly of the pulling piece of apparatus 12.
  • connection of the forward connection body means 18 is shown (Fig. 1) as by bands 66 which strap the body means 18 to a longitudinal frame member 68 of the pulling piece of apparatus 12; and the bands 66 may be permanently affixed due to the unobtrusive hang-down or retractability just mentioned and as indicated in Fig. 6.
  • the connector portion 62 is shown as having a series of grooves 69 accommodating the straps 66 desirably to locate the forward connection body means 18 as far forwardly and unobtrusively as possible on the longitudinal frame member 68, such that the hitch's intermediate member 16 is sufficiently to the rear enough to permit free swinging of the pulled apparatus 14 in spite of whatever frame-portion 69a of the pulling apparatus is rearwardly of its longitudinal frame piece 68.
  • a device which is quite desirably and preferably used for the intermediate body 16 as adapted by the several other components to provide the overall hitch 10 is a coupler for rotational shafts sold commercially as a "Flexible Coupling," as marketed as one of Models No. 5803 and 5804 by Stock Drive Products, 55 S. Denton Avenue, New Hyde Park, N.Y. 11040. They are the subject of U.S. Patent No. 3,224,224. In that patent, its Fig. 2 shows the type here found quite desirable for use in a hitch for the tandem-pulling operativity herein described, even though they are built and intended for the significantly-different purpose of a coupling for mis-aligned rotational shafts.
  • the resilient body member of that device is shown in a condition as already formed, i.e., in its formation as used in a hitch.
  • its formation is from a flexible coupling formed from a cross-shaped sheet of elastomeric material, such as material or synthetic rubber, leather, impregnated cloth, or plastic.
  • the body used from such a sheet has four arms 70 which are spaced substantially ninety degrees apart, around an integrally formed central body 72 having curved edges between the adjacent arms 70; and, from the flat stock of that shape, an opposite pair of the arms 70 are bent over and brought together at their ends on one side of the central body portion 72, and the other opposite pair of the arms 70 are bent and brought together at their ends on the opposite side of the central body portion 72, this formation providing a pair of flexible loops 74 each of ring-like shape on axes spaced substantially ninety degrees from one another.
  • Model No. 5804 quite desirable for its combination with the adaptation components to achieve this lineal force hitch 10.
  • the other one i.e., Model 5803 was tried, with general success, but was considered somewhat less desirable than Model 5804 because Model 5803, being less stiff, did not achieve as fast a return of the pulled vehicle 14 to proper (fore-and-aft) tracking position. If, however, the use would be likely to require much back-up maneuvers in tight quarters such as in an elevator, it may be preferred to use the Model 5803 due to its greater flexibility.
  • the aforesaid patent also shows a coupler formed from a six-arm body (Fig. 5 and 6 of that patent); but this has ot been found or tested.
  • the body member 16 has two portions, i.e., as here shown two loops 74, and the loops or portions 74 provide different natures of resilient deformation with respect to each of two axes spaced substantially ninety degrees apart; and, as best indicated in Fig.
  • connection of the intermediate body 16 respectively to the forward connection body means 18 and to the rearward connection body means 20, and the connection of the forward connection body means 18 and the rearward connection body means 20 respectively connected to the pulling piece of apparatus and the pulled piece of apparatus are such that those two axes are substantially midway between horizontal and vertical.
  • the hitch 10 and its components herein shown accommodate nicely most all hallway-travel sitations likely to be encountered as to tandem-coupled apparatus, particularly in their use in hospitals.
  • a hitch device constructed and used according to the inventive concepts herein set forth, provides novel concepts of a desirable and advantageous device, yielding the advantages of a hitch which provides special and particular advantages when used as a connector for tandem- hitched hospital apparatus, as a particular setting of use.
  • wheeled refers to any nature of rolling support, whether wheeled or casters;
  • tilt position means a fore-and aft alignment so that there is substantially no skidding or the pulled apparatus, nor need of significant transverse force to be applied to the pulling vehicle;
  • exital effort means whatever is the nature of effort applied to cause the pulling apparatus to move; and
  • apparatus is not limited to any particular type of rollable equipment or for any particular purpose.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Nursing (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Handcart (AREA)

Abstract

Attache (10) d'interconnexion en tandem d'une paire d'éléments roulants d'équipement, caractérisée par une corps intermédiaire (16) se déformant élastiquement qui, en réaction à sa déformation élastique, comme cela se produit lors d'un virage, sollicite fortement l'élément traîné de manière à le ramener correctement dans une position où l'élément traîné suit l'élément auquel il est attaché, ce qui permet de réduire au minimum le glissement et l'effort de l'utilisateur.
EP19880908600 1987-09-14 1988-09-13 Attache d'interconnexion en tandem d'equipements roulants. Withdrawn EP0331713A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US9594887A 1987-09-14 1987-09-14
US95948 1987-09-14

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0331713A1 EP0331713A1 (fr) 1989-09-13
EP0331713A4 true EP0331713A4 (fr) 1990-03-08

Family

ID=22254321

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19880908600 Withdrawn EP0331713A4 (fr) 1987-09-14 1988-09-13 Attache d'interconnexion en tandem d'equipements roulants.

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0331713A4 (fr)
JP (1) JPH02501197A (fr)
WO (1) WO1989002235A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5118127A (en) * 1989-11-30 1992-06-02 Partington Michael J Hitch device for interconnecting mobile apparatus in tandem
US5288093A (en) * 1991-11-05 1994-02-22 Gross Gary D Coupler for a mobile intravenous support stand and mobile patient transport means
US6481739B1 (en) * 1999-05-12 2002-11-19 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Docking assembly
JP2007000161A (ja) * 2005-06-21 2007-01-11 Nikkiso Co Ltd 拘束装置
US7865983B2 (en) * 2007-04-26 2011-01-11 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Patient care equipment support transfer system
JP2009202347A (ja) * 2008-02-26 2009-09-10 Mimaki Engineering Co Ltd プリンタシステムおよび外部インク供給装置
FR2950602B1 (fr) * 2009-09-30 2012-04-06 Vincent Canal Dispositif roulant de type chariot apte a etre tracte par un vehicule
DE102011013050A1 (de) * 2011-03-04 2012-09-06 SGF SüDDEUTSCHE GELENKSCHEIBENFABRIK GMBH & CO. KG Fadenversteifte Axialkupplung
JP7404614B2 (ja) * 2018-12-05 2023-12-26 株式会社ニシウラ 点滴スタンド用連結具及び連結用補助具

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3224224A (en) * 1963-06-07 1965-12-21 Acushnet Process Company Flexible coupling
US4572536A (en) * 1983-05-26 1986-02-25 Doughty Val J I V Pole interconnection coupling
US4711461A (en) * 1986-04-17 1987-12-08 Positive Connections, Inc. Three-axis trailer hitch having improved rotatable coupling between vehicle and trailer

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
No further relevant documents have been disclosed. *
See also references of WO8902235A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH02501197A (ja) 1990-04-26
WO1989002235A1 (fr) 1989-03-23
EP0331713A1 (fr) 1989-09-13

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