WO2005056085A1

WO2005056085A1 - I.v. support stand and components therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2005056085A1
Application number: PCT/AU2004/001589
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gray John Eggleston; James Ross Little
Original assignee: ERGOTEC HEALTH SYSTEMS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: ERGOTEC HEALTH SYSTEMS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2003-12-15
Filing date: 2004-11-18
Publication date: 2005-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 2006-06-15
Also published as: GB2427129A; GB0612368D0; GB2427129B

Abstract

An I.V. support stand (10) includes a support section and a base (20). The base (20) includes a base body and a plurality of wheel assemblies (24), each wheel assembly including a wheel support (26) operatively mounted to the base body for pivotal movement relative thereto and at least one wheel (28) operatively mounted to the wheel support. The wheel supports are pivotally movable relative to the base body between an extended position in which the wheels rest on a support surface and retracted position, the arrangement being such that when the base is disposed on the support surface the wheels are caused to adopt the extended position and when the base is moved clear of the support surface the wheel assemblies are caused to adopt the retracted position. There is also disclosed a wheel chair attachment for an I.V. support stand.

Description

LV. SUPPORT STAND AND COMPONENTS THEREFOR

This invention relates generally to support stands and components therefor and more particularly to LV. support stands.

LV. support stands are often used in hospitals and the like for supporting intravenous fluids containers or other equipment. Such support stands generally include an upright post and may have one or more arms at the upper end of the post to which bags or bottles containing intravenous fluids can be mounted. In some cases the post is used to support other equipment such as patient monitoring equipment, fluid pumps and the like. The post is in some cases carried on a base having ground engaging wheels. In other cases the post can be operatively connected to a support structure such as a trolley, bed, wheel chair or the like. It is an object according to one aspect of the present invention to provide a support stand which provides ter alia versatility in operation.

Support stands according to some aspects of the invention may be adapted for use with the coupling assembly described in Australian Patent No. 753375 (200131436). The contents of Australian Patent No. 753375 (200131436) are incorporated herein by cross reference.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a support stand including a support section for supporting articles or equipment thereon and a base, the base including a base body and a plurality of wheel assemblies, each wheel assembly including a wheel support operatively mounted to the base body for pivotal movement relative thereto and at least one wheel operatively mounted to the wheel support, the wheel supports being pivotally movable relative to the base body between an extended position in which the wheels rest on a support surface and retracted position, the arrangement being such that when the base is disposed on the support surface the wheels are caused to adopt the extended position and when the base is moved clear of the support surface the wheel assemblies are caused to adopt the retracted position. In the extended position the wheel support assemblies support the base and associated support stand on the support surface so that the support stand can travel over that surface. In one form the base body includes a hub to which the support section of the support stand is mounted and a plurality of wheel support mountings are circumferentially disposed around the hub and extend therefrom, each support mounting being adapted to have mounted thereto one of the wheel supports. In another fonn, the base body may include a plate member which is preferably circular when viewed in plan.

The support stand may include a pole which is operatively connected to the base body and in a preferred form is generally aligned with the central axis thereof. Mounting means which may be in the form of a boss operatively connected to the base body may be provided for mounting the pole to the base body.

The wheel supports may be in the form of leg members pivotally mounted to the base body and arranged so as to extend generally radially with respect to central axis thereof when in the extended position, the retracted position the legs are more aligned with the central axis of the base body. In a preferred form, the leg members are inclined with respect to the central axis of the base body sufficiently to enable them to be able to adopt the extended position when moved from the retracted position to the extended position. Stop elements may be provided to limit the pivotal movement of the leg members to the inclined position. For example the stop elements may be defined by an end side of the leg members which is inclined to the side edges and abuts a section of the support mount when in the aligned position.

There may be further provided spring means associated with each wheel assembly for urging the supports into the retracted position. In another arrangement the supports are urged into the retracted position by gravity. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a base for use with a support stand. The support stand includes a mounting member secured to a pole. The support stand may be of the type which can be held at a fixed holding station having stand mounting arms, each arm including a pin which is receivable within an aperture in the mounting member. The arrangement is such that when at the holding station the lower free end of the pole is spaced from the floor.

The base includes a main housing which may be in the form of a cylindrical body carried on a base wall. The housing may be closed at its upper end by an end plate. The base further includes a lifting mechanism comprising an elongated lifting member which may be in the form of a rod which is mounted for movement relative to the housing between extended and retracted positions. The lifting member has and upper end which includes a coupling member thereon which may be in the form of an elongated body of generally circular cross section having mounting apertures therein. The coupling member aperture is adapted to receive the lower end of the pole. A lock screw may be provided for retaining the end of the post within the aperture.

The base further includes an actuator assembly for causing movement of the lifting rod between the extended and retracted positions. The actuator assembly may include an actuating lever operatively connected to the rod via a connector link and operatively connected to the base by a second connector link. The lever may be in the form of a pedal which when depressed causes the lifting rod to move from the retracted position as shown to an extended position. The base may further include a damper for controlling return of the lifting rod to the retracted position.

In one preferred form the base according to this aspect of the invention may include wheel assemblies operatively mounted to the housing, the wheel assemblies being of the type described with reference to the first aspect of the invention in its broad or preferred forms. According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a support bracket suitable for use with a wheel chair, the wheel chair including a chair frame, the support bracket including a main body which in use is securable to the chain frame, the main body including first part and a second part which is movable relative to the first part between retracted position and an extended position, the second part including a mounting member to which a clamping element is adapted to be fitted.

In one form the first and second parts may be elongated members which are movable axially relative to one another between the retracted and extended positions. The first part may for example include a generally tubular body and the second part may be in the form of a rod telescopically receivable within the tubular body for movement between the extended and retracted positions.

Locking means may be provided to hold the two parts of the main body in the extended or retracted positions. The locking means may include a manually operable bolt having a threaded shank portion receivable within a complementary threaded boss on the first part of the main body. A knob may be provided at the end of the shank manual operation thereof causing the shank to move into or out of the interior of the tubular body. The shank is adapted to be received within grooves on the second part to hold the two parts of the main body in position relative to one another.

The second part of the main body may further include a longitudinally extending groove therein which is adapted to receive the free end of the shank of the bolt so as to inhibit relative rotation between the two parts of the main body.

The mounting member may be in the form of a plate operatively connected to the free end of the second part of the main body. A pivotal coupling assembly may be provided between the mounting member and the second part of the main body to enable it to pivot relative thereto about one or more pivoted axes.

Preferred embodiments of the invention, will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and in those drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a support stand in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are schematic views of part of the support stand shown in Figure 1 with the legs in the extended and retracted positions;

Figure 4 is a schematic view of a modified form of support stand according to the invention;

Figure 5 is an illustration of a further embodiment employing a system an arrangement for handling support stands; Figure 6 is a schematic side elevation cross section of a base for use with support stands of the type shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a schematic isometric view of a support bracket according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a schematic view of a clamp for a TV pole for use with the support bracket;

Figure 9 is a side elevation of part of the main body of the support bracket shown in Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a schematic view of the mounting member and coupling member shown in Figure 7; Figure 11 is an exploded side elevation of the support bracket shown in Figure 7; Figure 12 is a schematic isometric view of a support bracket according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 13 is a schematic detail of part of the bracket shown in Figure 12. Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a support stand 10 which includes a pole 12 secured to a base 20, the pole 12 having at its upper end a support arm 14 to which intravenous fluid bags 18 or the like can be mounted. A sleeve 15 is fitted to the pole 12 at a selected position and is adapted to cooperate with clamping member 16 on bed frame 17. The clamping member 16 and cooperating sleeve 15 are, in essence, of the same configuration as the arrangement described in Australian Patent specification 753375 (200131436) except that the pole receiving aperture in the sleeve 15 extends all the way through the sleeve from one end to the other. The arrangement enables the support stand to be raised when the bed is raised in the same fashion described in the aforementioned patent specification.

Referring in particular to Figures 2, 3 and 4, in this embodiment the base 20 includes a base body 22 which comprises a hub 23 to which the pole 12 is mounted at its lower end. The hub 23 has wheel support mounts 25 secured to its outer face the mounts being circumferentially disposed around the boss and extending therefrom. Each wheel support mount 25 has associated therewith a wheel support assembly 24 including a wheel support 26 in the form of an elongated leg with a wheel 28 mounted thereto. The wheel 28 may be in the form of a castor or any other suitable type of ground engaging wheel. As shown in Figure 2 when the stand is resting on a floor or other surface the wheel supports 26 are in an extended position and as shown in Figure 3 when the stand is raised above the floor (by raising the bed frame 17) the wheel supports 26 will pivot under the influence of a gravity to the position shown. As shown in Figure 3 when in the retracted position the axis A of each leg is inclined with respect to the pole axis. This may be achieved by providing stops on each leg to ensure that the leg can't pivot beyond the position shown. The stops may be defined by a part of the leg which abuts against the support mounts 25 to limit its movement. This ensures that when the stand is lowered the supports will more easily track to the extended position.

Referring to Figure 4, in this embodiment the base 20 includes a base body 22 and a plurality of wheel assemblies 24, each wheel assembly include a wheel support 26 operatively mounted to the base body 22 for pivotal movement relative thereto. Each support has at least one wheel 28 operatively mounted to the wheel support. The wheel supports 22 are pivotally mounted to the base body 26 via lugs 27 and movable between an extended position as shown in Figure 4 in which the wheels rest on a support surface and retracted position. The retracted position is represented by the axes A in Figure 4, the axes being the longitudinal axes of the wheel supports. The arrangement is such that when the base is disposed on the support surface the wheels are caused to adopt the extended position and when the base is moved clear of the support surface the wheel assemblies are caused to adopt the retracted position. In the extended position the wheel support assemblies support the base and associated supports stand on the support surface so that the support stand can travel over that surface. The wheel supports 22 are urged into the retracted position by means of springs 29.

The base 20 further includes a mounting boss 30 for mounting the pole 12 of the support stand to the base 20. The boss 30 has an aperture 32 extending therethrough for receiving the lower end of the pole 12. The pole 12 is held in position by a bolt 33 and spring washer which extends through the base body 22 and is fastened to the pole.

When the support stand 10 is resting on the floor, the wheel assemblies of the base 20 are in the position shown in Figures 3 and Figure 4; that is, the support stand can travel over the floor with the wheels in engagement with the floor. If it is required that the support stand be connected to a bed, the sleeve 15 is disposed within clamping member 16 which is locked and the bed raised so that the base 20 is clear of the floor. In this position, the wheel assemblies will adopt the retracted position and the bed and stand can be moved without the wheel assemblies of the base causing undue interference; that is when the base is clear of the support surface the wheel supports are urged into the retracted position. As is indicated in Figure 3, the wheel support are inclined outwardly from the inner end towards the outer end when in the retracted position. This enables the wheel assemblies to return to the extended position when the stand is lowered to the floor.

Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings there is shown a base 40 for a support stand which is of the type shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 5 the support stand 60 includes intravenous bags and the like thereon. A mounting member 64 is secured to the pole 62. The support stand 60 is of the type which can be held at a fixed holding station 70 having stand mounting arms 72, each arm including a pin 73 which is receivable within an aperture in the mounting member 64. It will be appreciated that a number of support stands 60 can be held at the station 70. As can be seen in Figure 5 when at the holding station the lower free end 66 of the pole is spaced from the floor.

The base 40 includes a main housing 42 comprising a cylindrical body 43 carried on a base wall 44. The housing is closed at its upper end by end plate 46. The base further includes a lifting mechanism 50 comprising an elongated lifting member 52 in the form of a rod which is mounted for movement relative to the housing between extended and retracted positions. The rod 52 passes through bronze bushes 45 held by circlips 47. The upper end of the lifting rod 52 includes a coupling member 53 thereon which is an elongated body of generally circular cross section having mounting apertures therein. The upper mounting aperture is adapted to receive the lower end 66 of the pole 60. A lock screw 58 provides for retaining the end of the post within the aperture. Locking pins (not shown) hold the coupling member 53 on the lifting rod 52.

The base further includes an actuator 55 assembly for causing movement of the lifting rod between the extended and retracted positions. The actuator assembly includes an actuating lever 56 operatively connected to the rod via a connector link 57 which passes through a slot 51 in the housing and operatively connected to the base by a second connector link 58. An end plug 62 is provided in the end of the rod to which the link 57 is pivotally connected. The lever is in the form of a pedal which when depressed causes the lifting rod to move from the retracted position as shown to an extended position. The base further includes a damper 59 for confrolling return of the lifting rod to the retracted position, the damper rod being connected to the rod 52 via plate 60. The damper 59 is mounted to bracket 61 on the housing.

In one preferred form the base wall may have operatively mounted thereon wheel assemblies of the type described with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

Referring to the Figures 7 to 13 of the drawings there is shown a support bracket generally indicated at 110. The support bracket is adapted to be mounted to a structure which in one preferred application may be the frame of a wheel chair or the like. The support bracket is adapted to have fitted thereto a clamp 150 which can releasably carry the pole or pole mount 152 of an LV stand or the like (see Figure 5).

The support bracket 110 includes a main body 112 which is mounted to the frame of a wheel chair for example. The main body 112 includes two elongated first and second parts 114 and 116 each having a longitudinal axis, which axes are co-axially aligned or generally parallel to one another. The two parts 114 and 116 are movable relative to one another in the direction of the longitudinal axes between an extended and a retracted position. The first part 114 is in the form of an elongated tube 117 which can be attached to the frame of the wheel chair. The second part 116 is in the form of a rod 118 telescopically receivable within the tube 117 and slidable relative thereto between the extended and retracted positions. The rod 118 includes two circumferential grooves 121 and 122 therein and a longitudinally extending slot 124. A locking pin 120 having a threaded shank 126 disposed within a complementary threaded boss 127 on the tube 117 is operable by knob 128 to hold the tube and rod in fixed position relative to one another. When the shank 126 is within groove 124 relative rotation between the tube and rod is inhibited. The circumferential grooves 121 and 122 limit the relative longitudinal movement between the tube and rod between the extended and retracted positions.

At the free end of the rod 118 a mounting assembly 131 is provided which includes a connecting plate 132 which is pivotally connected to the mounting assembly 131 for permitting pivotal movement about the axis of pivot bolt 133. A locking device (not shown) may be provided for locking connecting plate 132 to the second part 116. A mounting member 136 is operatively connected to connecting plate 132 for pivotal movement about pivot bolt 137. The mounting member 136 is in the form of a plate 138 to which a clamp 150 of the type for example in Australian Patent 753375 (200131436) can be fitted.

Operation of the support bracket will hereinafter be described. The bracket 110 is mounted for example to the frame of a wheel chair and positioned so that the tube 117 does not protrude from the wheel chair frame. When the support bracket is not required for use the tube and rod are in the fully retracted position. When the bracket is required for use it is moved to the extended position so that the tube extends away from the wheel chair frame. The mounting plate 131 may have a clamp 150 already attached thereto or may have clamp attached at this time ready to receive the IV pole. Pivot bolts are set so that the plate 131 is at the required orientation.

The support bracket as shown in Figures 12 and 13 is substantially the same as that shown in Figures 6-11 except that the locking pin 120 has been replaced by a locking lever 160. The locking lever 160 is pivotally mounted to tube 117 via pivot mounting 162. A locking pin 163 is operatively connected to the lever and passes through a boss 164 on the tube so that the pin can enter the grooves on the rod 118. A return spring 166 urges the lever into the position shown in Figure 13. Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A support stand including a support section and a base, the base including a base body and a plurality of wheel assemblies, each wheel assembly including a wheel support operatively mounted to the base body for pivotal movement relative thereto and at least one wheel operatively mounted to the wheel support, the wheel supports being pivotally movable relative to the base body between an extended position in which the wheels rest on a support surface and retracted position, the arrangement being such that when the base is disposed on the support surface the wheels are caused to adopt the extended position and when the base is moved clear of the support surface the wheel assemblies are caused to adopt the retracted position.

2. A support stand according to claim 1 wherein the base body includes a hub to which the support section of the support stand is mounted and a plurality of wheel support mountings are circumferentially disposed about the hub and extend therefrom, each support mounting being adapted to have mounted thereto one of the wheel supports.

3. A support stand according to claim 2 wherein the support section includes a pole which is operatively connected to the base body and is generally aligned with the central axis of the boss, the base further including mounting means for mounting the pole to the base body.

4. A support stand according to claim 3 wherein the wheel supports are in the form of leg members pivotally mounted to respective support mounting and arranged so as to extend generally radially with respect to central axis thereof when in the extended position, and in the retracted position the legs are more aligned with the central axis of the base body.

5. A support stand according to claim 4 wherein the leg members when in the retracted position are inclined with respect to the central axis of the base body sufficiently to enable them to be able to adopt the extended position when moved from the retracted position to the extended position.

6. A support stand according to claim 5 wherein the wheel supports are caused to adopt the retracted position under the influence of gravity.

7. A support stand including a mounting member secured to a pole, the support stand in one mode, being adapted to be held at a fixed holding station having stand mounting arms, each arm including a pin which is receivable within an aperture in the mounting member, the arrangement being such that when at the holding station the lower free end of the pole is spaced from the floor, a base including a main housing, a lifting mechanism comprising an elongated lifting member in the form of a rod which is mounted for movement relative to the housing between extended and retracted positions, the lifting member including upper end which includes a coupling member thereon in the form of an elongated body having mounting apertures therein, the coupling member aperture being adapted to receive the lower end of the pole, and a lock member for retaining the end of the post within the aperture, an actuator assembly for causing movement of the lifting rod between the extended and retracted positions, the actuator assembly including an actuating lever operatively connected to the rod via a connector link and operatively connected to the base by a second connector link.

8. A support bracket suitable for use with a wheel chair, the wheel chair including a chair frame, the support bracket including a main body which in use is securable to the chair frame, the main body including first part and a second part which is movable relative to the first part between retracted position and an extended position, the second part including a mounting member to which a clamping element is adapted to be fitted.

9. A support bracket according to claim 8 wherein the first and second parts are elongated members which are movable axially relative to one another between the retracted and extended positions, the first part including a generally tubular body and the second part in the form of a rod telescopically receivable within the tubular body for movement between the extended and retracted positions.

10. A support bracket according to claim 9 further including locking means for holding the two parts of the main body in the extended or retracted positions, the locking means including a manually operable bolt having a threaded shank portion receivable within a complementary threaded boss on the first part of the main body, and a knob at the end of the shank manual operation thereof causing the shank to move into or out of the interior of the tubular body, the shank being adapted to be received within grooves on the second part to hold the two parts of the main body in position relative to one another.

11. A support bracket according to claim 10 wherein the second part of the main body includes a longitudinally extending groove therein which is adapted to receive the free end of the shank of the bold so as to inhibit relative rotation between the two parts of the main body.

12. A support bracket according to claim 11 wherein the mounting member is in the form of a plate operatively connected to the free end of the second part of the main body, the bracket further including a pivotal coupling assembly between the mounting member and the second part of the main body to enable it to pivot relative thereto about one or more pivoted axes.