U.S. patent application number 10/225939 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-26 for medical device carrier.
Invention is credited to Crawford, Robert S..
Application Number | 20040036241 10/225939 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31887116 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040036241 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Crawford, Robert S. |
February 26, 2004 |
Medical device carrier
Abstract
According to the present invention, the mobile medical device
carrier is a wheeled, human-operated cart designed to assist the
operator by providing a place to secure a medical apparatus such as
a Vacuum Assisted Closure (V.A.C.) device, as well as store
assorted dressings, cords, and other personal effects that may be
convenient to have on the cart as well. The cart is easily
maneuverable, permitting those individuals using such medical
devices to be mobile, despite having to be in close proximity to
these types of devices. Further, the handle is designed so that the
operator of the cart does not have to stoop over to reach the
handle, as well as being ergonomically designed to permit the cart
to be easily pushed or pulled, depending upon the user's current
need.
Inventors: |
Crawford, Robert S.;
(Walker, LA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William David Kiesel
P.O. Box 15928
Baton Rouge
LA
70895
US
|
Family ID: |
31887116 |
Appl. No.: |
10/225939 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/47.35 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62B 3/008 20130101;
B62B 3/04 20130101; B62B 5/06 20130101; B62B 5/0026 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/47.35 |
International
Class: |
B62B 003/04 |
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A mobile medical device carrier comprising a platform having
first and second opposite faces, wherein said first opposite face
is shaped to hold a medical device and wherein said second opposite
face has an array of wheels operatively attached thereto,
configured to permit mobility with the surface below said platform,
said platform also comprising first and second opposite ends, said
first opposite end having a handle operatively attached thereto to
permit a user of said carrier to guide said carrier and wherein
said handle is configured to be at least 15 degrees above the plane
of said platform in order to prevent said handle from contacting
said surface beneath said platform.
2. A mobile medical device carrier as in claim 1 further comprising
flexible straps operatively attached to said platform and
positioned to secure said medical device.
3. A mobile medical device carrier as in claim 2 further comprising
a repository on said second opposite end of said platform sized to
fit small articles for storage on said platform.
4. A mobile medical device carrier as in claim 3 wherein said array
of wheels comprise three pairs of wheels, wherein at least one pair
of said wheels are configured to swivel about their position on
said platform, permitting steering and ease of propulsion of said
mobile medical device carrier.
5. A mobile medical device carrier as in claim 4 wherein said
handle further comprises two opposite ends, said first opposite end
being operatively connected to said platform, said second opposite
end operatively connected to a gripping means, further comprising a
hinge intermediate between said first opposite end and said second
opposite end.
6. A mobile medical device carrier as in claim 5 wherein said hinge
of said handle is configured to prevent said hinge from traveling
in an arc greater than 75 degrees.
7. A mobile medical device carrier as in claim 6 wherein said hinge
intermediate along said handle is disposed midway between said
first opposite end and said second opposite end.
8. A mobile medical device carrier as in claim 1 further comprising
a propulsion device operatively attached to at least one of said
wheels to permit self-propulsion of said mobile medical device
carrier.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a cart able to carry
various portable medical devices, and which facilitates the easy
transport of the same by a person. This is preferable, and in some
cases required, to provide a person or patient with the needed
independence of being able to tote their medical apparatus as well
as walk around, with little or no outside assistance.
[0002] Many people, particularly the infirm or elderly, require
various medical apparatus to keep them healthy, most of which are
heavy and bulky, or at the very least, inconvenient. Add to this
most of these peoples' relative inability to carry heavy items any
distance, and you have a recipe for inactivity and immobility,
exactly the opposite lifestyle most people need to maintain or
restore their health.
[0003] The current invention fills the existing gap in technology
by providing a cart that employs a handle that, due to its
positioning and ergonomics, enables the user to easily push it
alongside them, or to pull it behind, if desired. Additionally, the
unique employment of swivel wheels in relation to the
aforementioned handle make possible easy maneuvering, particularly
around corners and in tight spaces. The cart has room on its
platform for the desired medical apparatus, such as a Vacuum
Assisted Closure (V.A.C.) unit, respirator, or the like. In this
fashion, mobility is restored to the user of the cart, boosting
mobility, decreasing fatigue and netting an overall increase in
morale, and hopefully, health.
[0004] One object of the invention is to provide a device capable
of carrying a medical device, thus freeing the user of the need to
carry or find space for such medical device.
[0005] Another object of this invention is to provide a mobile
medical device carrier capable of being easily pushed or
pulled.
[0006] Still another object of the invention is to provide a device
with a handle that will not drop beyond a certain point, thus
providing a handle without having to stoop over to grab such
handle.
[0007] Other objects and advantages of this invention shall become
apparent from the ensuing descriptions of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to the present invention, the mobile medical
device carrier is a wheeled, human-operated cart designed to assist
the operator by providing a place to secure a medical apparatus
such as a Vacuum Assisted Closure (V.A.C.) device, as well as store
assorted dressings, cords, and other personal effects that may be
convenient to have on the cart as well. The cart is easily
maneuverable, permitting those individuals using such medical
devices to be mobile, despite having to be in close proximity to
these types of devices. Further, the handle is designed so that the
operator of the cart does not have to stoop over to reach the
handle, as well as being ergonomically designed to permit the cart
to be easily pushed or pulled, depending upon the user's current
need.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of this
invention. However, it is to be understood that this embodiment is
intended to be neither exhaustive, nor limiting of the invention.
They are but examples of some of the forms in which the invention
may be practiced.
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the mobile medical device
carrier
[0011] FIG. 2A shows a top view of the mobile medical device
carrier.
[0012] FIG. 2B shows a bottom view of the mobile medical device
carrier.
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the mobile medical device
carrier with the handle in various positions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Without any intent to limit the scope of this invention,
reference is made to the figures in describing the various
embodiments of the invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a
mobile medical device carrier 100 is pictured, having platform 101
where medical device 102 can be placed and secured by straps 103.
Implementations may also include a small repository 104 where small
articles 105 can be stored alongside medical device 102. Carrier
100 will also have a handle 106 attached to platform 101 in order
for user 107 to be able to steer and otherwise maneuver carrier
100.
[0015] In operation, medical device 102, such as a Vacuum Assisted
Closure unit (V.A.C.), a respirator or an oxygen tank, would be
placed on or in carrier 100 and secured with straps 103, which can
be of many types, as will be readily apparent to those versed in
the art. Velcro is an example of one such type of strapping
material. Tubing or other small articles 105 could also be placed
on carrier in the repository 104 on carrier 100.
[0016] Once loaded and ready, user 107 can utilize carrier 100 by
using his or her hand to engage handle 106 to propel carrier 100 in
the direction user 107 is traveling. Propulsion from user 107 can
originate as a pushing motion when handle 106 is in a partially
folded position, as seen in FIG. 3. Propulsion from user 107 can
also be a pulling motion, when handle 106 is in its extended
position, permitting user 107 to pull carrier 100 behind himself,
also seen in FIG. 3.
[0017] One of the unique aspects of carrier 100 is handle 106 which
aids user 107 by not requiring user 107 to stoop over to retrieve
handle 106. Handle 106 is configured such that hinge 108 permits
travel of handle 106 to be no greater than approximately 15 degrees
from the floor beneath carrier 100. Hinge 108 travel can be
controlled by using a hinge 108 with limited travel, or shaping or
positioning handle 106 in such a way to prevent travel beyond a
certain point. Various methods of limiting travel will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art. In this way, user 107 is not
ever required to stoop or bend over, which can place additional
strain on damaged or underdeveloped muscles (such as those in the
back, legs or neck) which may lead to discomfort to user 107 or
even further injury.
[0018] Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention
have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the
exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel
teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this
invention as defined in the following claims.
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