GB2513369A

GB2513369A - A clip

Info

Publication number: GB2513369A
Application number: GB1307444.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Guilfoyle
Original assignee: D Ansermed Ltd
Current assignee: D Ansermed Ltd
Priority date: 2013-04-25
Filing date: 2013-04-25
Publication date: 2014-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 2033-04-25
Also published as: GB2513369B; GB201307444D0

Abstract

A clip (10) for use with a hoist comprises a body (12) with a keyhole aperture (14) provided in the body (12). The keyhole aperture (14) comprises a first portion (16) and a second portion (18) and is shaped such that in use the head of a stud of the hoist can pass through the first portion (16) but cannot pass through the second portion (18). Retaining means (20) are provided within a recess in the body (12) and are operable to move linearly between a first extended position in which the retaining means extends into the second portion (18) of the keyhole aperture (14) and a second retracted position in which at least a portion of the retaining means (20) that extends into the second portion (18) of the keyhole aperture (14) in the first extended position is retractes within the body (12). Resilient biasing means are provided within the recess of the body (12) and bias the retaining means (20) to the first extended position.

Description

A CLIP

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clip for use with a hoist, and particularly but not exclusively to a clip for use with a hoist apparatus for supporting or lifting a patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hoists for use in supporting or lifting patients generally comprise a support frame, usually made from tubular metal, and a hoist sling that attaches to the support frame, usually comprising straps made from webbing material. It is known to attach the hoist sling to the support frame by using a clip that is arranged to be coupled to the hoist by engagement with a headed stud provided on the support frame.

One example of a known hoist device is described in EP1440676. The clip of EP1440676 comprises a plate shaped part provided with a slot. The slot has a first portion through which the head of a headed stud can fit and a second portion through which only the shaft of the stud fits and the head of the stud does not. EP1440676 also describes a locking device attached to the plate shaped part for securing the stud in the second portion of the slot. The locking device comprises two locking arms, each comprising a closing portion at a first end and an operating portion at a second end.

The locking arms are biased by springs to a closed position in which the closing portion of the locking arms act to prevent a stud from leaving the second portion of the slot.

The closing portions of the locking arms can be separated to allow a stud to pass from the second portion of the slot by user actuation of the operating portions of the locking arms towards each other. User actuation of the operating portions towards each other causes the locking arms to pivot about a pivot point and the closing portions to pivot a pa rt.

The clip in EP1440676 is designed to allow a stud to be secured in the second smaller portion of the slot and allows the stud to be removed by user actuation of the operating portions of the locking arms to rotate the locking arms about a pivot. In EP1440676, the locking arms, pivot and springs are all provided externally of the plate body of the clip.

This external arrangement is provided in order to allow a user to press on the operating portions of the locking aims.

However, providing the locking arms, pivot and springs externally of the clip has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, clips such as that described in EP1440676 are used in sanitary environments in which cleanliness is paramount to prevent disease and infections spreading. It is therefore usual that hoists with the clips attached by placed in high temperature washing machines in order to clean and sanitise the hoists and the clips. As all of the moving parts of the clip of EP1440676 are provided externally of the clip, the moving pads are susceptible to damage caused during the washing process.

Furthermore, as the locking arms, pivot and springs are provided externally of the clip, they are also susceptible to damage caused by dropping the clips or due to other bangs and shocks against the hoist support frame during normal use.

It is therefore desirable to provide a clip for use with a hoist that alleviates at least some of the issues of the above-described prior art clips.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a clip for use with a hoist, the clip comprising: a body; a keyhole aperture provided in the body, the keyhole aperture comprising a first portion and a second portion and being shaped such that in use the head of a stud of the hoist can pass through the first portion but cannot pass through the second portion; retaining means provided within a recess in the body and being operable to move linearly between a first extended position in which the retaining means extends into the second portion of the keyhole aperture and a second retracted position in which at least a portion of the retaining means that extends into the second portion of the keyhole aperture in the first extended position is retracting within the body; and resilient biasing means provided within the recess of the body and being operable to bias the retaining means to the first extended position.

By providing retaining means and resilient biasing means within a recess of the clip body, the moving parts of the clip of the present invention are protected from water damage during cleaning and from shock damage.

The retaining means may comprise a pin having a first end in engagement with the resilient biasing means and a second free end that extends into the second portion of the keyhole aperture in the first extended position.

The second free end of the retaining means may be shaped such that in use with a stud provided through the keyhole aperture, engagement of the shaft of a stud with the retaining means as the stud is moved from the first portion of the keyhole aperture to the second portion of the keyhole aperture, moves the retaining means from the first extended position to the second retracted position.

The second free end of the retaining means may be shaped such that in use with a stud provided through the keyhole aperture, engagement of the shaft of a stud with the retaining means as the stud is moved from the second portion of the keyhole aperture towards the first portion of the keyhole aperture, moves the retaining means from the first extended position to the second retracted position.

The second free end of the retaining means may be shaped such that in use with a stud provided through the keyhole aperture, the stud can move from the first portion of the keyhole aperture to the second portion of the keyhole aperture more easily than it can move from the second portion of the keyhole aperture to the first portion of the keyhole aperture.

The iesilient biasing means comprises a coil spling. The resilient biasing means may comprise a leaf spring. The resilient biasing means may be coupled to the body of the clip. The resilient biasing means may be coupled to the body of the clip by lasei welding. The resilient biasing means may be coupled to the body of the clip with a retaining screw.

The clip may further comprise a stop arranged to limit the linear movement of the retaining means and define the second retracted position.

The retaining means may comprise first and second retaining means provided in respective recesses in the body.

The first and second retaining means may be arranged such that there is a gap between the first and second retaining means in the second portion of the keyhole apertule, when the first and second retaining means are in the first extended position.

The body of the clip may be made from acetal (Polyoxymethylene). The resilient biasing means may be made from stainless steel. Acetal and stainless steel are resistant to water damage and heat damage that may be occurred during a cleaning process and also protect against shock damage.

The body may comprise first and second hoist apertures arranged to receive a hoist sling in use.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a hoist apparatus for supporting a patient comprising: a support frame comprising at least one stud; a hoist sling; and a clip according to the above described first aspect of the invention, wherein in use, the clip is detachably couples the hoist sling to the stud of the support frame.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPITON OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the apparatus and/or methods in acocrandce with embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the clip according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the clip of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross sectional view showing the retaining means and resilient biasing means; Figure 4 is a cross sectional view showing the retaining means, resilient biasing means and stop according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 is a cross sectional view showing the resilient biasing means in another embodiment; Figure 6 shows a clip according to embodiments of the invention in use with a hoist.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figures 1 and 2 show a clip 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

The clip 10 comprises a body 12, which may be made from acetal or other suitable material. The body 12 comprises a keyhole aperture 14 having a first portion 16 and a second portion 18. The radius of curvature of the first portion 16 is larger than the radius of curvature of the second portion 18. Retaining means 20 are provided within a recess of the body 12. Biasing means (not shown in Figures 1 or 2) are also provided in the recess within the body 12 and are coupled to retaining means 20. The biasing means act to bias the retaining means 20 in an extended position shown in Figure 1, in which the retaining means 20 extend out from the body 12 into the second portion 18 of the keyhole aperture 14.

The body 12 also comprises a first aperture 20 and a second aperture 22, shaped to receive webbing straps from a hoist.

The clip 10 of Figure 1 and 2 is suitable for use with a hoist support frame having a headed stud comprising a head and a shaft, and a hoist sling. The clip 10 can be coupled to a hoist sling by engagement of webbing straps of the hoist with one or more of the apertures 22, 24. When a hoist sling is coupled to the clip 10, the clip can engage with a headed stud provided on the hoist support frame. By engaging with the headed stud on the hoist support frame, the clip 10 is operable to couple the hoist sling to the hoist support frame for supporting or lifting a patient.

The keyhole aperture 14 of the clip 10 is shaped such that in use with a headed stud of a hoist support frame, the head of a stud of the hoist support frame can pass freely through the first portion 16 but cannot pass through the second portion 18. The first porlion 16 of the keyhole aperture may have a diameter of between 5mm and 50mm.

In particular, the first portion 16 of the keyhole aperture may have a diameter of between 10mm and 25mm. The second portion 18 of the keyhole aperture may have a diameter of between 5mm and 25mm. In particular, the first portion 18 of the keyhole aperture may have a diameter of between 5mm and 10mm.

In use, a headed stud of the host support frame is passed through the first portion 16 of the keyhole aperture 14 and the shaft of the headed stud is slid towards the second portion 18 of the keyhole aperture. As the shaft of the headed stud is moved towards the second portion 18 of the keyhole aperture, it engages with the retaining means 20.

Engagement of the shaft of the headed stud with the retaining means 20 causes the retaining means to retract linearly back into the recess in the body 12, thereby allowing the shaft of the stud to pass through to the second portion 18 of the keyhole aperture.

Once the shaft of the stud has passed through and the shaft of the stud is no longer in engagement with the retaining means, the resilient biasing means urges the retaining means 20 back into the extended position in which they extend at least partially into the second portion 18 of the keyhole aperture 16. With the retaining means 20 in the extended position, the shaft of the headed stud is secured in position in the second portion 18 of the keyhole aperture 14 due to the retaining means 20 inhibiting movement from the second portion 18 of the keyhole aperture 14 to the first portion 16 of the keyhole aperture and the second portion 16 of the keyhole aperture being shaped so as to prevent the head of the headed stud passing though.

Figure 3 shows a cross section of the clip 10 of Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 3, the body 12 of clip 10 comprises a recess within which the retaining means 20 and the resilient biasing means 26 are provided. The retaining means 20 comprises a retaining pin or shaft. It should be noted that Figure 3 shows only a single pin 20 provided in a single aperture for ease of reference, but it will be appreciated that a second opposing pin 20 may also be provided, as shown in Figure 1.

The pin 20 has a first end that is in engagement with the resilient biasing means 26. In Figure 3, the resilient biasing means is a coil spring and the coil spring is coupled to the body 12 by a retaining means 27 to secure the spring 26 in place. The retaining means 27 may comprise a laser weld, a retaining screw or the like. The coil spring may be made from stainless steel or any other suitable material. The pin 20 has a second end extends into the second portion 18 of the keyhole aperture 14 in an extended position.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the second end of the pin 20 is shaped so as to provide a first surface 28 and a second surface 30.

In use, as the shaft of the headed stud is moved towards the second portion 18 of the keyhole aperture from the first portion 16 of the keyhole aperture, the shaft engages with the first surface 28 of the retaining pin 20. Engagement of the shaft of the stud with the first surface 28 of the pin 20, as the stud is moved from the first portion of the keyhole aperture to the second portion of the keyhole aperture, causes the pin 20 to move from the extended position to the retracted position.

In use, as the shaft of the headed stud is moved towards the first portion 16 of the keyhole aperture from the second portion 18 of the keyhole aperture, the shaft engages with the second surface 30 of the retaining pin 20. Engagement of the shaft of the stud with the second surface 30 of the pin 20, as the stud is moved from the second portion of the keyhole aperture towards the first portion of the keyhole aperture, causes the pin to move from the extended position to the retracted position.

The first surface 28 is provided at a first angle a with respect to the edge of the pin 20 and the second surface 30 is provided at a second angle 1 with respect to the edge of the pin, the second angle I being greater than the first angle a. By providing the second angle larger than the first angle a, when a shaft of a headed stud engages with the second surface 30, a greater resistance will be presented to the linear movement of the pin 20 from the extended position to the retracted position than when a shaft of a headed stud engages with the first surface 28. In other words, the stud can move from the first portion 16 of the keyhole aperture to the second portion 18 of the keyhole aperture more easily than it can move from the second portion 18 of the keyhole aperture to the first portion 16 of the keyhole aperture.

Also as can be seen in Figure 3, the pin 20 and spring 26 is provided such that it moves linearly from an extended position in which the second end of the pin extends into the second portion 18 of the keyhole aperture to a retracted position in which at least a portion of the pin 20 that extends into the second portion 18 of the keyhole aperture in the extended position is retracting within the aperture of the body 12. In other words, the movement of the pin from the extended position to the retracted position is linear and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the to the direction of insertion of the shaft of the stud. This linear movement provides the fewest number of moving parts and does not require a pivot about which the pin 20 must rotate.

In the embodiment of Figures ito 3, it should be noted that the clip 10 can be securely engaged with and can be disengaged with a headed stud, simply by urging the keyhole aperture 14 of the clip 10 in the appropriate direction. Embodiments of the invention do not require any additional user operation or interaction in order to move the retaining means from the extended to the retracted position in either an engaging or disengaging a stud with the clip.

Figure 4 shows a cross section of a clip 50 of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a retaining pin 52 having a first end coupled to a spring 54, which in turn is coupled to the body of the clip 50 by a retaining means 56. In Figure 4 shows the retaining means 56 is a retaining screw. However, as will be appreciated, the spring may be coupled to the body of the clip by laser welding or other suitable retaining means. The pin 52 also comprises a second free end that extends into the second portion of the keyhole aperture in a similar way to the described in relation to Figures 1 to 3. It should be noted that the second free end of the pin has a dome like (substantially hemi-spherical) shape.

The pin 52 comprises an annular lug 58 that is located in an annular recess 60. When the pin 52 engages with the shaft of a headed stud, the shape of the free end of the pin 52 causes the pin to move linearly from the extended position to the retracted position.

As the pin 52 moves linearly from the extended position to the retracted position, the lug 58 will also move linearly within the recess 60 until the lug engage with the back wall of the recess 60, at which point engagement of the lug with prevent the pin 52 from retracting any further. In other words, the lugs 58 and recesses 60 act as a stop to limit the range of movement of the pin 52. It should be appreciated that multiple lugs and recesses may be provided instead of an annular lug and annular recess. By controlling the dimensions of the lug 58 and the recess 60, the distance with which the pin retracts can be controlled.

Figure 5 shows a cross section of a clip 100 of another embodiment of the invention.

Clip 100 comprises first and second opposing retaining pins 120 provided within recesses with the body of the clip 100. Clip 100 differs from the clips of Figure ito 4 in that in the embodiment of Figure 5, the biasing means are leaf springs 126 rather than coil springs as shown in the embodiments of Figure 3 and 4. The leaf springs 126 may be glued, welded or otherwise coupled to the body otthe clip 100.

The clip 100 also differs from the clips of Figure ito 4 in that in the embodiment of Figure 5, the free ends 132 of the retaining pins 120 have a curved shape. As can be seen in Figure 5, the free ends of the pin 126, in contrast to those in Figure 3, have a curved shape that varies in its radius of curvature in order to provide the functionality that the angled surfaces of Figure 3 provide. In embodiment of the invention, it should be noted that any combination of curved surfaces of Figure 5 or the angled surfaces of Figure 3 may be used.

As can be seen in Figure 5, a gap may be provided between the free ends of the opposing pins 120. The gap may be as wide as the distance of travel of the pins (spring travel) from the extended position to the retracted position. The reason for maintaining a gap between the opposing pins in the extended position, rather than allowing the pins to meet, is to facilitate easy insertion of the shaft of a headed stud. If the free ends of the pins met in the extended position, as a stud engages with the pins, the may raise too large a resistive barrier to allow the shaft of the stud to pass through and move the pins to the retracted position.

Figure 6 a clip 202 in use. The clip 202 may be the clip as described in relation to any of Figures ito 5. The clip 202 is shown in use with a hoist sling, a strap 204 of which is shown. The strap 204 of the hoist sling is in engagement with one of the apertures 205 of the clip 205. The clip 202 engages with a headed stud 206 of a hoist support frame 208. The headed stud 206 is secured in the second portion of the keyhole aperture of the clip and can be inserted or removed as described above in relation to Figure ito 5.

Although the above embodiments are described in relation to two retaining means being provided, it should be appreciated that a single retaining means may be provided and indeed more than two retaining means may be provided.

The above embodiments are described as having the biasing means coupled to the body of the clip by a retaining means. It should be appreciated that the biasing means may be secured to the body of the clip by any suitable retaining menas such as by laser welding, gluing a retaining screw or any other suitable fastening/securing means.

Although the above describes embodiments in which the resilient biasing means are either a coil spring or a leaf spring, it should be appreciated that any suitable biasing means or combination of biasing means may be used.

The present inventions may be embodied in other specific apparatus and/or methods.

The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as only illustrative and not restrictive. In particular, the scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the description and figures herein. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A clip for use with a hoist, the clip comprising: a body; a keyhole aperture provided in the body, the keyhole aperture comprising a first portion and a second portion and being shaped such that in use the head of a stud of the hoist can pass through the first portion but cannot pass through the second portion; retaining means provided within a recess in the body and being operable to move linearly between a first extended position in which the retaining means extends into the second portion of the keyhole aperture and a second retracted position in which at least a portion of the retaining means that extends into the second portion of the keyhole aperture in the first extended position is retracting within the body; and resilient biasing means provided within the recess of the body and being operable to bias the retaining means to the first extended position.
2. A clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining means comprises a pin having a first end in engagement with the resilient biasing means and a second free end that extends into the second portion of the keyhole aperture in the first extended position.
3. A clip as claimed in claim 2. wherein the second free end of the retaining means is shaped such that in use with a stud provided through the keyhole aperture, engagement of the shaft of a stud with the retaining means as the stud is moved from the first portion of the keyhole aperture to the second portion of the keyhole aperture, moves the retaining means from the first extended position to the second retracted position.
4. A clip as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the second free end of the retaining means is shaped such that in use with a stud provided through the keyhole aperture, engagement of the shaft of a stud with the retaining means as the stud is moved from the second portion of the keyhole aperture towards the first portion of the keyhole aperture, moves the retaining means from the first extended position to the second retracted position.
5. A clip as claimed in claim 4 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the second free end of the retaining means is shaped such that in use with a stud provided through the keyhole aperture, the stud can move from the first portion of the keyhole aperture to the second portion of the keyhole aperture more easily than it can move from the second portion of the keyhole aperture to the first portion of the keyhole aperture.
6. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resilient biasing means comprises a coil spring or a leaf spring.
7. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resilient biasing means is coupled to the body of the clip.
8. A clip as claimed in claim 7, wherein the resilient biasing means is coupled to the body of the clip with a retaining screw.
9. A clip as claimed in any preceding claims, further comprising a stop arranged to limit the linear movement of the retaining means and define the second retracted position.
10. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the retaining means comprises first and second retaining means provided in respective recesses in the body.
11. A clip as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first and second retaining means are arranged such that there is a gap between the first and second retaining means in the second portion of the keyhole aperture, when the first and second retaining means are in the first extended position.
12. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body is made from acetal (Polyoxymethylene).
13. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resilient biasing means is made from stainless steel.
14. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises first and second hoist apertures arranged to receive a hoist sling in use.
15. A hoist apparatus for supporting a patient comprising: a support frame comprising at least one stud; a hoist sling; and a clip according to any preceding claim, wherein in use, the clip is detachably couples the hoist sling to the stud of the support frame.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:CLAIMS1. A clip for use with a hoist, the clip comprising: a body; a keyhole aperture provided in the body, the keyhole aperture comprising a first portion and a second portion and being shaped such that in use the head of a stud of the hoist can pass through the first portion but cannot pass through the second portion; retaining means provided within a recess in the body and being operable to move linearly between a first extended position in which the retaining means extends into the second portion of the keyhole aperture and a second retracted position in which at least a portion of the retaining means that extends into the second portion of the keyhole aperture in the first extended position is retracting within the body; and C') resilient biasing means provided within the recess of the body and being operable to bias the retaining means to the first extended position, wherein the retaining means comprises a pin having a first end in engagement with the resilient biasing means and a second free end that extends into the second portion of the keyhole aperture in the first extended position.2. A clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second free end of the retaining means is shaped such that in use with a stud provided through the keyhole aperture, engagement of the shaft of a stud with the retaining means as the stud is moved from the first portion of the keyhole aperture to the second portion of the keyhole aperture, moves the retaining means from the first extended position to the second retracted position.3. A clip as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the second free end of the retaining means is shaped such that in use with a stud provided through the keyhole aperture, engagement of the shaft of a stud with the retaining means as the stud is moved from the second portion of the keyhole aperture towards the first portion of the keyhole aperture, moves the retaining means from the first extended position to the second retracted position.4. A clip as claimed in claim 3 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the second free end of the retaining means is shaped such that in use with a stud provided through the keyhole aperture, the stud can move from the first portion of the keyhole aperture to the second portion of the keyhole aperture more easily than it can move from the second portion of the keyhole aperture to the first portion of the keyhole aperture.5. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resilient biasing means comprises a coil spring or a leaf spring. C')6. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resilient biasing means is coupled to the body of the clip.7. A clip as claimed in claim 6, wherein the resilient biasing means is coupled to the body of the clip with a retaining screw.8. A clip as claimed in any preceding claims, further comprising a stop arranged to limit the linear movement of the retaining means and define the second retracted position.9. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the retaining means comprises first and second retaining means provided in respective recesses in the body.10. A clip as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first and second retaining means are arranged such that there is a gap between the first and second retaining means in the second portion of the keyhole aperture, when the first and second retaining means are in the first extended position.11. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body is made from acetal (P olyoxym ethylene).12. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resilient biasing means is made from stainless steel.13. A clip as claimed in any pieceding claim, wherein the body comprises fiist and C') second hoist apertures arranged to receive a hoist sling in use.14. A hoist apparatus for supporting a patient comprising: a support frame comprising at least one stud; a hoist sling; and a clip according to any preceding claim, wherein in use, the clip is detachably couples the hoist sling to the stud of the support frame.