WO2009034375A1

WO2009034375A1 - Object manipulation means

Info

Publication number: WO2009034375A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/050773
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Henson
Original assignee: Bae Systems Plc
Priority date: 2007-09-11
Filing date: 2008-09-03
Publication date: 2009-03-19

Abstract

A manipulation means is provided for holding an object and moving the object from a first position outside of a container and aligned with a container entrance to a second position inside a container and offset from the container entrance, the manipulation means adopting a deployed configuration to hold the object in the first position and adopting a stowed configuration to hold the object in the second position, wherein the manipulation means is in an extended state in the deployed configuration and in a contracted state in the stowed configuration, the transition from an extended state to a contracted state defining a extension-contraction plane, the manipulation means being rotatable about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to theextension-contraction plane. The manipulation means may include: a tray for holding the object; a frame for supporting the tray; a sliding mechanism allowing the tray to slide relative to the frame such that the combination of the tray and the frame is extendable and retractable; and a pivoting mechanism for pivotally connecting the combination of the tray and frame with respect to the container.

Description

OBJECT MANIPULATION MEANS

The following invention relates to a manipulation means for holding an object and moving an object particularly where the object is a stretcher for carrying a body.

It is known to have a vehicle such as a truck comprising an enclosed storage container, the container having, along a longitudinal axis, a generally constant internal cross section. The storage container has a cover (e.g. a hinged door) that can be repositioned so as to allow access to the otherwise enclosed container.

In particular, it is known to have an enclosed storage container defining a cavity having a generally T' shaped cross-section (i.e. a cross section comprising an upright section flanked on either side by side sections which do not extend as deeply as the upright). The T'-shaped cross section of the cavity provides two ledges (the lower edge of the side sections) and a footwell (the lower edge of the upright section).

Typically, such T-shaped internal cross section containers are only accessible through an entrance aligned with the upright section of the container cross section; walls cover the side sections and so access to the side sections (i.e. ledges) is only possible once inside the container. Longitudinal translations of objects will not introduce or recover the objects to or from the container unless they are aligned with the upright section of the container cross section.

Therefore, if objects are to be introduced to the container and stowed on the ledges, a combination of longitudinal and lateral translation will be necessary. Such a combination of translations is straightforward when the size of the object is small in relation to the size of the container (i.e. such that it can rotate about a lateral axis within the container) and can easily be carried into the container by an operator.

However, if the object for stowing has a width approaching the width of the container entrance, or a length approaching that of the ledge, it can be difficult to introduce or recover such objects from the container. If the object cannot be carried by one man alone then the difficulties are exacerbated.

High mobility ambulances in particular comprise T-shaped internal cross section containers. Such ambulances are able to cross rough terrains and so are particularly suited to military use. In such ambulances it is, of course desirable to stow stretchers (which may or may not be laden with casualties) upon the ledge sections of the container. Laden stretchers are an example of an object which would be difficult to introduce to the T-shaped internal cross section of the ambulance container. Laden stretchers are generally carried with a bearer at each end to spread the weight and counteract bending moments arising from the weight of the stretcher load. A lone stretcher bearer would struggle to carry the stretcher in any orientation approaching horizontal due to the high bending moment that would have to be applied along the length of his/her grip. It has therefore required two bearers to stow the stretcher on the ledge or deploy the stretcher from the ledge; one bearer remains outside of the container, the other manipulates the stretcher from a position that is inside the container and away from the entrance. However, in many of the containers described, there is little space to accommodate both the internal bearer and the stretcher being manipulated. As a consequence, stretchers are often dropped on, or otherwise strike, parts of the container. This not only makes the task of stowing/deploying stretchers arduous and time-consuming but also increases the discomfort of the patient on the stretcher.

The present invention seeks to provide an object manipulation means for moving an object between a stowed position and a deployed position, the object manipulation means being capable of being actuated by a single bearer.

Accordingly there is provided a manipulation means for holding an object and moving the object between a first position outside of a container where the object is aligned with a container entrance, and a second position inside a container where the object is offset from the container entrance, the manipulation means adopting a deployed configuration to hold the object in the first position and adopting a stowed configuration to hold the object in the second position, wherein the manipulation means is in an extended state in the deployed configuration and in a contracted state in the stowed configuration, the transition from an extended state to a contracted state defining a extension-contraction plane, the manipulation means being rotatable about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the extension-contraction plane.

Advantageously, such a manipulation means bears the weight of the object through the translations necessary to stow an object on or retrieve an object from the ledge of a container where the ledge is offset from the container entrance. This makes the operation of stowing or deploying much faster than previously known and furthermore reduces the likelihood that the object is fumbled or dropped.

The pivot axis preferably intersects the manipulation means at a point substantially towards a lateral and a longitudinal extremity of the manipulation means. This enables the manipulation means to tuck in to the wall of the container, thus tending to make optimal use of the available space.

The manipulation means may comprise: a tray for holding the object; a frame for supporting the tray; a sliding mechanism allowing the tray to slide relative to the frame such that the combination of the tray and the frame is extendable and retractable; and a pivoting mechanism for pivotally connecting the combination of the tray and frame with respect to a fixed structure. - A -

The fixed structure may be a container.

This provides a simple and lightweight mechanism. Preferably a means for supporting the frame is also provided. Suitable means for supporting the frame may comprise: a first set of supports terminating in low friction means, the low friction means arranged for abutting a footwell of the container generally along a first axis substantially parallel to a first extension-contraction axis; and a second set of supports terminating in low friction means arranged for abutting a ledge of the container generally along a second axis substantially parallel to a second extension-contraction axis.

Such supports reduce the bending moment exerted on the pivot, particularly when the tray is fully extended. This increases the factor of safety of the manipulation means, or alternatively enables a weaker, and beneficially lighter, pivot to be selected for the design.

Embodiments of the present invention shall now be described by way of example with reference to the following drawings of which,

Figs 1 and 4 show a plan elevation and side elevation respectively of a manipulation means in a deployed configuration.

Figs 2 and 5 show a plan elevation and side elevation respectively of a manipulation means in an intermediate configuration

Figs 3 and 6 show a plan elevation and side elevation respectively of a manipulation means in a stowed configuration. Figs 7 and 8 show a view of a container comprising a manipulation means in a deployed and stowed configuration respectively.

Referring primarily to figs 1 , 4, 7 and 8, a manipulation means 100 comprising a tray 1 10, a frame 120, a pivot mechanism 130, a sliding mechanism (141 , 142, 143), and support means 150 and 160 is shown. The tray 110 can be seen to have two generally parallel tray rails 112, 114 each of which has along its topside a recess 113. The recesses 113 allow a stretcher to be introduced to the tray 110 and to be held firmly. The tray rails 112, 114 are spaced from and connected to one another by cross-bracing members 111.

The tray 110 rests above a frame 120. Frame 120 has two generally parallel frame rails 122 and 124 which are spaced from and connected to one another by frame bracing members 121. Frame rail 124 is longer than frame rail 122 and is attached to, at a first end 500, a pivot mechanism 130. The first end 500 of the frame rail 124 is located substantially at the lateral and longitudinal extremity of the manipulation means and is at an end remote from the entrance 703 to the container 700. Pivot mechanism 130 forms a rotatable connection between a rigid structure 180 which forms part of the container 700, and the frame 120. A sliding mechanism is effected by providing a first pair of C-sectioned beams 141 for connecting to the bottom of each tray rail 112, 114 and a second pair of C-sectioned beams 143 for connecting to the top of each frame rail 122, 124. The first and second pairs of C-sectioned beams 141 , 143 are attached to the tray 110 and the frame 120 respectively such that the beams 141 , 143 interlock each other. Runners 142 are mounted between the beams 141 , 143 on the second pair of beams 143 to allow the beams 141 , 143 to slide over one another. As the beams slide over each other, they travel along the extension- contraction axes, which are both located within and thereby define the extension-contraction plane. Hence the tray 110 is able to move relative to the frame 120 between a retracted position where the tray 110 rests directly above the frame 120, to a deployed position as the tray 110 slides over the frame 120 away from the pivot mechanism 130. A chock 144 is mounted on the tray 110, located towards the pivot mechanism end; a lug 145 extends from the frame 120, located at the opposite end of the frame 120 to the pivot mechanismi 30. When the tray 110 is fully extended from the frame 120, the chock 144 abuts the lug 145 so as to prevent the tray 110 from sliding off the frame 120 completely. Support means 150 extend from the bottom of frame rail 122; support means 160 extend from the frame rail 124. Support means 150 comprise castors 151 located at their extremity; support means 160 comprise castors 161 located at their extremity. Low friction means other than castors 151 , 161 may be used as an alternative.

Referring to figs 7 and 8, the manipulation means has been incorporated into a container 700 having a T-shaped cross-section. Access to the container 700 is by way of an entrance 703 at one end of the container.

The container 700 may be part of, for example, a land vehicle used as an ambulance.

The manipulation means 100 is configured such that the rigid structure 180 is part of the container, either being an integral part thereof or being attached thereto, and the castors 161 of supporting means 160 rest on the ledge 702, and the castors 151 of supporting means 150 rest on the footwell 550.

Further, locking mechanisms 171 and 172 are attached to the side of the container 700 and the wall of the footwell 701 such that when the manipulation means 100 adopts a stowed configuration, the manipulation means 100 can be securely locked in place. In use, the manipulation means 100 may adopt a fully deployed position where the combination of the tray 110 and the frame 120 is fully extended along the extension-contraction axes and the frame 120 is rotated about the pivot axis (fig 1 , 4 and 7). The manipulation means 100 may also adopt a stowed position where the combination of the tray 110 and frame 120 is fully contracted and the frame 120 is generally parallel to the rigid member 180 (fig 3, 6 and 8). An intermediate position may also be adopted where the combination of the tray 110 and frame 120 is fully contracted and the frame 120 is rotated about the pivot axis such that the frame is no longer generally parallel to the rigid member 180 (fig 2 and 5). Where the manipulation means 100 is configured within a container 700, the deployed position positions the tray 110 in alignment with, and extending through, the container entrance 703. When in the stowed position, the tray 110 is positioned parallel with the container side, over the ledge 702 and therefore offset from the container entrance 703.

Referring to fig 7, it can be seen that for a laden stretcher to be introduced into the container 700, once the stretcher is resting on the tray 110, it only requires one bearer to effect the stowing. This is because the bearer need only slide the tray 110 back along the frame 120 and then push the frame 120 in towards the wall.

Similarly, when recovering a stretcher from a stowed position in the container 700, the bearer need only pull the frame 120 out from the wall and then slide the tray 110 out of the entrance. The stretcher is then highly accessible for transport in the normal way.

In either manipulation, the bearer need only push or pull in one direction at a time. Furthermore, as the extension-contraction plane will generally be parallel to the ground in this type of use, the act of rotating the stretcher about the pivot axis in either direction will not be too strenuous.

The frame 120, rails 112,114,122,124, cross braces 121 , beams 141 ,143 and tray 110 can be made of any suitable strong component such as square tube or pipes. Mild steel would be a possible material for these components. The runners 143 and castors 151 , 161 can be selected from known components. The rollers can made from known plastics material.

The scope of the present invention is by no means limited to the described embodiments and the skilled reader would be able to arrive at variants within the scope of the invention. One possible variant would be to have a pivot located, not on the side wall of the container, but on the back wall (i.e. the wall furthest from the entrance).

Claims

1 . A manipulation means for holding an object and moving the object from a first position outside of a container and aligned with a container entrance to a second position inside a container and offset from the container entrance, the manipulation means adopting a deployed configuration to hold the object in the first position and adopting a stowed configuration to hold the object in the second position, wherein the manipulation means is in an extended state in the deployed configuration and in a contracted state in the stowed configuration, the transition from an extended state to a contracted state defining a extension-contraction plane, the manipulation means being rotatable about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the extension-contraction plane.

2. A manipulation means according to claim 1 wherein the pivot axis intersects the manipulation means at a general lateral and longitudinal extremity of the manipulation means.

3. A manipulation means according to claim 1 or claim 2 comprising: a tray for holding the object; a frame for supporting the tray; a sliding mechanism allowing the tray to slide relative to the frame such that the combination of the tray and the frame is extendable and retractable; and a pivoting mechanism for pivotally connecting the combination of the tray and frame with respect to the container.

4. A manipulation means according to claim 3 further comprising a means for supporting the frame.

5. A manipulation means according to claim 4 wherein means for supporting the frame comprises: a first set of supports terminating in low friction means, the low friction means arranged for abutting a footwell of the container generally along a first axis substantially parallel to a first extension-contraction axis; and a second set of supports terminating in low friction means arranged for abutting a ledge of the container generally along a second axis substantially parallel to a second extension-contraction axis.

6. A manipulation means for holding and moving an object comprising: a tray for holding the object; a frame for supporting the tray; a sliding mechanism allowing the tray to slide relative to the frame such that the combination of the tray and the frame is extendable and retractable; and a pivoting mechanism for pivotally connecting the combination of the tray and frame with respect to a fixed structure.

7. A manipulation means according to claim 6 further comprising a means for supporting the frame.

8. A manipulation means according to claim 7 wherein means for supporting the frame comprises: a first set of supports terminating in low friction means, the low friction means arranged for abutting a footwell of the container generally along a first axis substantially parallel to a first extension-contraction axis; and a second set of supports terminating in low friction means arranged for abutting a ledge of the container generally along a second axis substantially parallel to a second extension-contraction axis.

9. A partially accessible container comprising a manipulation means for holding an object and moving the object, according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A manipulation means according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the object is a stretcher for carrying a human.