U.S. patent application number 11/343065 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-05 for cassette assembly and unit dose medication cart using the cassette assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTERMETRO INDUSTRIES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to David R. McGovern, David A. Reppert, Robert R. Steele.
Application Number | 20060220507 11/343065 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36793566 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060220507 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Steele; Robert R. ; et
al. |
October 5, 2006 |
Cassette assembly and unit dose medication cart using the cassette
assembly
Abstract
A medication cart also holding at least one drawer or tray and
at least one bin supported on the tray containing an array of
drawers and bins, and a multi-level cassette assembly. An internal
locking mechanism secures the cassette assembly when it is
positioned in the medication cart, and an external locking
mechanism secures the cassette assembly outside of the medication
cart. In addition, the cassette assembly includes a mechanism that
selectably provides access to an entire tray and all bins carried
in it at one time or that provides access to single bins carried on
the tray one at a time. This mechanism, more particularly, (a)
permits a tray to be nearly fully withdrawn from the cassette
assembly thereby exposing a major portion of all carried bins to
access all of their contents, and (b) permits the tray to be only
partially withdrawn from the cassette assembly so that only a minor
portion is exposed but such that each bin can independently be
removed from the tray one at a time to access its contents.
Inventors: |
Steele; Robert R.; (Sweet
Valley, PA) ; McGovern; David R.; (Lake Winola,
PA) ; Reppert; David A.; (Kingston, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO
30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
NEW YORK
NY
10112
US
|
Assignee: |
INTERMETRO INDUSTRIES
CORPORATION
Wilkes-Barre
PA
|
Family ID: |
36793566 |
Appl. No.: |
11/343065 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60650529 |
Feb 8, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/330.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 67/04 20130101;
A47B 47/05 20130101; B62B 3/006 20130101; A61G 12/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/330.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 88/00 20060101
A47B088/00 |
Claims
1. A cassette assembly comprising: a frame; at least one cassette
tray; means for slidably supporting said cassette tray in said
frame for movement between a retracted position and a withdrawn
position; at least one bin received in said cassette tray; and a
cassette tray limiting device for selectably limiting sliding
movement of said cassette tray from the retracted position to an
intermediate position between the retracted and withdrawn
positions, wherein when said cassette tray is moved to the
intermediate position at most a minor portion of said bin is
exposed.
2. The cassette assembly according to claim 1, wherein said tray
comprises an upstanding lip at its forward end and said bin
comprises a front wall adapted to abut said lip when said bin is
received in said tray.
3. The cassette assembly according to claim 2, wherein said lip of
said tray and said bin are configured to permit said bin to be
pivoted on said tray with said front wall clearing said lip when
said tray is moved to the limited intermediate position.
4. The cassette assembly according to claim 1, further comprising
an actuator for actuating said cassette tray limiting device.
5. The cassette assembly according to claim 4, wherein said
actuator is operative to place said cassette tray limiting device
(a) in condition to limit sliding movement of the cassette tray to
the intermediate position, and (b) in condition to permit movement
of said cassette tray to the withdrawn position.
6. The cassette assembly according to claim 1, wherein said
cassette tray limiting device includes a rod slidably mounted in
said frame for movement between a first position and a second
position.
7. The cassette assembly according to claim 6, wherein said
cassette tray includes a stop configured to engage said rod when
said rod is in the first position and when said cassette tray is
moved from the retracted position toward the withdrawn
position.
8. A cassette assembly according to claim 7, wherein said rod
includes a tooth and said stop includes an abutting face for
abutting said tooth when said rod is in the first position.
9. A cassette assembly comprising: frame means; at least one
cassette tray; means for slidably supporting said cassette tray in
said frame for movement between a retracted position and a
withdrawn position; at least one bin received in said cassette
tray; locking means for releasably securing said cassette tray in
said frame in the retracted position; means for limiting sliding
movement of said cassette tray, when said locking means is
released, from the retracted position to an intermediate position
between the retracted position and the withdrawn position, wherein
when said cassette tray is moved to the intermediate position at
most a minor portion of said bin is exposed; and actuating means
for selectably actuating said limiting means (a) for limiting
sliding movement of said cassette tray to the intermediate position
and (b) for permitting sliding movement of said cassette tray to
the withdrawn position.
10. A cart comprising: a support structure comprised of a plurality
of support posts; and at least two side walls supported between
said support posts, each said side wall having a corrugated
interior surface; and a cassette assembly removably supported in
said support structure, said cassette assembly comprising: a frame
including side panels having ribbed outer surfaces, said ribbed
outer surfaces being formed to engage said corrugated interior
surfaces of said side walls of said support structure; at least one
cassette tray; means for slidably supporting said cassette tray in
said frame for movement between a retracted position and a
withdrawn position; at least one bin received in said cassette
tray; locking means for releasably securing said cassette tray in
said frame in the retracted position; means for limiting sliding
movement of said cassette tray, when said locking means is
released, from the retracted position to an intermediate position
between the retracted position and the withdrawn position, wherein
when said cassette tray is moved to the intermediate position at
most a minor portion of said bin is exposed; and actuating means
for selectably actuating said limiting means (a) for limiting
sliding movement of said cassette tray to the intermediate position
and (b) for permitting sliding movement of said cassette tray to
the withdrawn position.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to, and the benefit of,
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/650,529, filed Feb. 8,
2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates generally to a mobile cart for storing
and transporting items, and more particularly to a medication cart
featuring a cassette assembly ideally suited for storing and
dispensing medication.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Mobile medication carts for storing medical and related
patient supplies have been used for many years. Medication carts
are typically used in hospitals or other health care facilities,
and are wheeled from room to room transporting, for example,
medication to be dispensed to patients.
[0006] Two well-known medication carts are manufactured by
Drustar.RTM. and Artromick Int'l..RTM.. Both medication carts use a
cart frame supported on casters and are designed to receive an
array of drawers, multi-level cassettes, shelves, etc. Each level
of the cassette contains a plurality of pull-out bins, with the
bins on different levels sometimes varying in size (i.e., width).
Both medication carts also provide locking systems for securing the
medication and other items in the cart.
[0007] In addition, Artromick Int'l..RTM. offers a patented drawer
slide module, which is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,461, for
use with their medication cart.
[0008] InterMetro Industries Corporation, a company related to the
assignee of the subject application, also manufactures and sells
medication carts. In one type of mobile cart, known as the
METROFLEX.RTM. cart, two interlocking side/bottom panels are joined
together to form the lateral sides and bottom of the cart and a
back panel is secured to the side/bottom panels. A top portion is
added to complete a 3-sided enclosed cart. The interior sides of
the cart are corrugated to support an array of differently sized
drawers and bins, and shelves or other accessories can be provided
on the outer sides of the cart. The METROFLEX.RTM. cart is the
subject of U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,948, No. 5,673,983, and No. D
323,915.
[0009] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,983, also assigned to the assignee of
the present inventors, a cassette assembly is described that
includes a cassette tray designed to be partially withdrawn. In
this regard, Prior Art FIG. 14 shows a cassette tray with a block
158 on the underside of a horizontal ledge 146. The block
interfaces with a notch in a frame of the cassette assembly to
indicate a normal stop position. At this stop position, the
cassette tray is partially withdrawn, and individual bins 22 in the
tray become accessible by lifting a bin over a vertical lip of the
tray and sliding it out. U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,983 (the "'983
Patent") is incorporated herein in its entirely by reference.
[0010] However, further improvements in medication carts are
desired. For example, it is desirable to provide a medication cart
such as that disclosed in the '983 Patent, having increased
versatility. In particular, it is desirable to provide a cassette
assembly for use with such a cart that permits selection between
accessing a full cassette tray and all of the bins carried by it at
one time or individual bins on a cassette tray one at a time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is a principal object of the present invention to provide
an improved cassette assembly for use in a medication cart.
[0012] More particularly, it is a principal object of the present
invention to provide a cassette assembly for a medication cart of
the type disclosed in the '983 Patent, that can selectably provide
access to an entire tray and all bins carried in it at one time or
that can provide access to single bins carried in the tray one at a
time. This object is achieved by providing a mechanism that
selectably (a) permits a tray to be nearly fully withdrawn from the
cassette assembly thereby exposing a major portion of all of the
carried bins to access all of their contents or (b) permits the
tray to be only partially withdrawn from the cassette assembly so
that only a minor portion of each bin is exposed but such that each
bin can independently be removed from the tray one at a time to
access its contents.
[0013] Thus, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, a
cassette assembly comprises a frame for supporting at least one
cassette tray, at least one tray slidably supported in the frame,
and at least one bin received in the cassette tray. Locking means
can secure the cassette tray in the frame. A cassette tray limiting
device limits sliding movement of the cassette tray out of the
cassette assembly so that only a minor portion of the bin is
exposed. However, the bin and tray are configured so that any one
bin can nevertheless be removed from the tray independently of
other bins. An actuator actuates the cassette tray limiting
device.
[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
cassette assembly comprises frame means for supporting at least one
cassette tray, the frame means including side panels with
corrugated interior surfaces and ribbed outer surfaces. At least
one cassette tray is slidably supported in the frame means on the
corrugated interior surfaces. At least one bin is received in the
cassette tray, and locking means can secure the cassette tray in
the frame. In addition, the cassette assembly includes means for
limiting the sliding movement of the cassette tray, and actuating
means for actuating the means for limiting the sliding movement of
the cassette tray.
[0015] In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a
cart comprises an enclosed structure including a plurality of
support posts, at least two side walls supported between the
support posts, each side wall having a corrugated interior surface,
a bottom platform supporting the support post and the side walls
and a top platform fitting over the support posts and the side
walls. In addition, a cassette assembly is removably supported in
the enclosed structure. The cassette assembly includes a frame for
supporting at least one cassette tray, the frame including side
panels with a corrugated interior and ribbed outer surfaces, with
the ribbed outer surfaces engaging with the corrugated interior
surface of the side walls. At least one cassette tray is supported
in the frame; at least one bin is received in the cassette tray;
and locking means secures the cassette tray in the frame. In
addition, a cassette tray limiting device limits the sliding
movement of the cassette tray, and an actuator actuates the
cassette tray limiting device.
[0016] These and other objects, aspects, features and advantages of
the present invention will become apparent from the following
detailed description of the preferred embodiment taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medication cart in
accordance with the '983 Patent that can incorporate an improved
cassette assembly utilizing the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a support post forming a
part of that cart;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the support post shown in FIG.
2;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a fragmented partial view of FIG. 3, isolating a
slot in the support post;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a frame assembly forming a
part of the cart shown in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modified interior side
panel for use in the frame assembly shown in FIG. 5;
[0023] FIG. 7A is a fragmented top plan view of a support post in
use in a back corner of an enclosed structure for the cart of FIG.
1;
[0024] FIG. 7B is a three-axis coordinate system and a schematic
view of a side panel used in the cart of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a fragmented top plan view of a support post in
use in a front corner of the enclosed structure;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a multi-level cassette
assembly generally in accordance with the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a top or bottom component
of the cassette assembly;
[0028] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a right side panel of the
cassette assembly;
[0029] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a left side panel of the
cassette assembly;
[0030] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cassette tray used in the
cassette assembly;
[0031] FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of the underside of
the right side of the cassette tray shown in FIG. 13, configured in
accordance with the prior art as described in the '983 Patent and
in accordance with the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a cassette bin that may be
carried in a cassette tray;
[0033] FIG. 16(A) is a partial perspective view of the right side
panel and part of an external locking mechanism for the cassette
assembly;
[0034] FIG. 16(B) is a partial front elevational view of a locking
bar shown in FIG. 16(A);
[0035] FIG. 16(C) is a cross-section of the locking bar shown in
FIG. 16(B);
[0036] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of an improved
multi-level cassette assembly in accordance with the present
invention, which provides the advantages noted above;
[0037] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a left side panel of the
cassette assembly depicted in FIG. 17;
[0038] FIG. 19 is a partial perspective view of the underside of
the left side of the cassette tray shown in FIG. 13 and in
accordance with the present invention; and
[0039] FIG. 20 is a partial perspective view of the right side of
the underside of the tray shown in FIG. 13.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates a medication cart 10 in accordance with
the present invention that is constructed generally as described in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,983 (the "'983 Patent"). While this structure
is known from that patent, it is useful to describe it here as
background. FIG. 1 to 16 are essentially taken from the '983 Patent
to provide such background.
[0041] Generally, the cart includes a frame assembly 12 supported
on casters 14. A plurality of drawers 16 of various sizes (i.e.,
depths) are slidably supported in the frame assembly, and hinged
side pods 18 are supported on the sides of the cart to swing out
toward the front as disclosed in the '983 Patent.
[0042] The medication cart features a cassette assembly 20 that
includes a plurality of pull-out cassette trays provided on
different levels, each of the trays being configured to carry a
plurality of individual bins. In accordance with the subject
invention, the medication cart includes a security system for
preventing unauthorized access to the drawers and the cassette
trays and bins, and the cassette assembly includes its own security
system for securing the trays and bins even when the cassette
assembly is not in the cart. Further, as will be described in
detail below, the cassette assembly incorporates a mechanism that
selectably permits all of the bins in one tray to be fully accessed
at one time or each of the trays to be accessed individually one at
a time while the remaining trays stay substantially concealed in
the cassette assembly. (It is to be understood that the cassette
assembly of the present invention is described as a part of a
larger medication cart. However, the principles of this invention
may be used with equal advantage in a stand-alone cassette
assembly.)
[0043] Initially the basic cart structure will be described.
[0044] Details of the frame assembly 12 are shown in FIGS. 2
through 8. The frame assembly is based on a platform system using a
plurality of flanged support posts and side panels.
[0045] A support post 30 in accordance with the subject invention
is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The support post 30 is
generally comprised of an interior post 32 and a plurality of
radially extending, equally spaced flanges 34. The post is designed
to be vertically disposed in normal use and can be supported at its
lower end by a base platform, a foot, a caster, etc. In a
single-wide platform, which is preferred for the medication cart,
four support posts are used together to provide corner supports for
the frame assembly.
[0046] The interior post 32 is preferably tubular in shape, with a
circular cross-section and interior 36 and exterior 38 concentric
wall surfaces as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The flanges 34
preferably extend along the entire longitudinal length of the
interior post. In addition, the flanges and interior post are
preferably formed by conventional extrusion techniques to form an
integral structure made of, for example, aluminum. However, other
comparable means, e.g., pultrusion, roll-formed steel, could be
used to form the support post in accordance with the subject
invention.
[0047] The flanges 34, or dovetails, are preferably spaced
equi-distant from each other around the periphery of the interior
post 32 to create a symmetrical support post. Thus, four flanges
would be spaced at 90.degree. intervals around the post. Although
using four flanges is preferred because of the versatility such an
arrangement provides, the number of flanges is arbitrary and can
vary without departing from the scope of the invention. With
reference to FIG. 3, each flange has a first portion 40, which
extends radially from the interior post 32. At the terminal end of
each first portion is a transversely-disposed second portion 42.
The second portions are formed with arcuate outer surfaces 44, that
together outline a circumference that is concentric with the
interior 36 and exterior 38 wall surfaces of the interior post 32.
Referring to FIG. 2, the outer surfaces 44 of each flange are
formed with a series of equally spaced circumferential grooves 46.
The vertically-spaced grooves are desirably provided along the
entire longitudinal length of the flanges. In one embodiment, the
outside diameter of the support post, as defined by the arcuate
outer surfaces 44, is 1.625'' and the inside diameter is
0.875''.
[0048] A slot 48 is formed between each pair of adjacent flanges
34. Because of the arcuate shapes of the exterior wall surface 38
and the flanges, the slots can be described as substantially
concave T-shaped, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the
support post. With reference to FIG. 4, each slot is shaped to have
concave-shaped opposite end surfaces 50 and 52. The exterior wall
38 forms a convex interior surface of the slot. The contour of the
end surfaces and outer wall form a slot that is simple in design
but provides maximum flexibility and support. In addition, the
curved single-wall design of the flanges makes extrusion easier, is
readily cleanable and allows the support posts to be aesthetically
integrated into the finished structure as will be discussed in
detail below.
[0049] The frame assembly 12 in FIG. 5 is built on a single-wide
platform constructed of four support posts 30. In this embodiment,
the support posts support two exterior side panels 54 and a back
panel 56 (unseen in FIG. 6). In addition, interior side panels 58
are disposed side-by-side adjacent to the exterior side panels 54.
Top and bottom platforms 60 and 62, respectively, complete the
frame assembly. The top platform houses a mechanical locking
mechanism 64 and an electronic controller 66, both used for
operating a security system that will be described in detail below.
The completed structure forms a 3-sided enclosed frame assembly,
with the front side, or fourth side, open to receive an array of
drawers, shelves, cassettes, etc., as discussed in detail
below.
[0050] Each interior side panel includes a corrugated interior
surface 68 with an array of corrugations 70 adapted to receive and
support drawers, shelves, cassette assemblies or other accessories.
The horizontal corrugations are uniformly spaced in the vertical
direction. Small, semicircular openings 72 can be seen in the
lateral front face of the interior side panel immediately below the
end of each corrugation. The openings extend to the underside of
each corrugation but cannot be seen in this view. The openings
allow locking fingers, which will be positioned in each
corrugations, to move in and out of the corrugations as part of the
security system that will be discussed below. Openings can also be
provided along the right-hand side of the interior panel 58 for the
same purpose.
[0051] The top and bottom platforms 60 and 62 are preferably formed
of a metal frame fitted with a plastic cover. As shown in FIG. 5,
the top platform has a substantially rectangular shape for fitting
over the four support posts 30. The bottom platform 62 is
preferably designed, at least in a single-wide platform, to have a
"C"-shape formed to have two extending legs 74 defining an open
front portion 76. By cutting out the front portion of the bottom
platform, the overall appearance of the cart is enhanced,
especially when drawers or other accessories are not disposed in
the lower part of the cart.
[0052] Both top and bottom platforms can be secured to the support
posts by using threaded plugs (unshown) that are force-fitted, for
example, in opposite ends of each support post and threaded
fastening means fed through the top and bottom platforms and into
the plugs. In assembling the enclosed frame assembly, each support
post is positioned on the base platform fitted with its cover, and
a threaded bolt or other fastener is inserted through a hole in the
platform from the underside and into engagement with the threaded
plug. The side panels are then top loaded into the support posts.
Threaded fasteners are inserted through the metal frame of the top
platform and into the plugs at the top ends of the support posts.
Finally, the top cover is fitted over the top platform. Of course,
other comparable means for securing the platforms to the support
posts could be used.
[0053] In the single-wide platform design as discussed above, the
enclosed frame assembly preferably has one support post 30
positioned at each of four corners. In this design, the support
posts are spaced, for example, 19.841 from center to center. Of
course, the spacing of the posts is arbitrary and can be varied to
construct different size and shaped structures. A "double-wide"
design platform includes, in addition to four corner posts, a rear
center post and, in an enclosed frame assembly, a front center
post.
[0054] A slightly modified interior side panel 58' is shown in FIG.
6. The modified side panel 58' differs from the side panel 58 only
in that each corrugation 70 is formed in two halves to define a
dividing slot 74 that runs the vertical length of the side panel.
The modified panel can be used in a two-sided enclosed structure,
i.e., a dual access cart, whereby the front and back are open to
receive, for example, a cassette assembly or drawers. In a dual
access cart, a thin, flat panel (unshown) can be secured in the
dividing slot 74 for dividing the interior of the frame assembly in
half.
[0055] A recessed opening, or pocket, 76 in the lower part of the
interior surface 68 and pockets 78 in the back of the interior side
panel 58' (and 58) are provided to house various components of a
security system. Offset lateral ends, or edges, 80 of the interior
panel are received in slots 48 in the support posts as discussed
below to secure the side panel.
[0056] All of the side panels can be made of a polymer material,
e.g., polyethylene, and are preferably blow molded or formed by
other comparable means to form a hollow, two-faced structure. The
interior side panels 58 are also compression molded in part as
discussed below.
[0057] FIGS. 7A and 8 are top views of the support posts 30
engaging side panels in accordance with the present invention. As
discussed above, the side panels are top-loaded into the slots 48
of the support posts and rest on the bottom platform, or base,
62.
[0058] FIG. 7A is a partial top view of the support post 30 in use
as a right rear support (with reference from the front side of the
cart). Clockwise in this figure, the support post 30 secures an
interior side panel 58, a back side panel 56, a blank extrusion 80
and an exterior side panel 54. The blank extrusion 80 is
essentially a linear trim piece of molded plastic, preferably
extending the length of the support post, that is inserted into an
empty slot 48 for aesthetic purposes, i.e., to provide a finished
look to the enclosed structure.
[0059] As FIG. 7A shows, each side panel is shaped to have a neck
portion 82 and a head portion 84 forming each lateral end for
engagement in the support post. The head portion is shaped to
compliment the shape of the slots 48. In addition, each neck
portion is offset from its respective panel. Using the exterior
side panel 54 in FIG. 7A as an example, and using the coordinate
system in FIG. 7B as a reference, the side panel has a longitudinal
axis A running in the heightwise direction (in the Z-axis
direction), a lateral axis B in the widthwise direction (Y-axis)
and an orthogonal axis C representing its depth (X-axis). Axis C is
orthogonal to both axes A and B. Likewise, the head portion 84 has
its own longitudinal axis E, lateral axis F and orthogonal offset
axis G. In accordance with the subject invention, the offset axis G
of the head portion is transverse to the lateral axis B of the
panel. In this manner, a contour fit is achieved between the panels
and the support posts. As will also be appreciated, lateral axes M
of the flanges 34 extend in directions either parallel with or
perpendicular to the lateral axes (axis B) of the panels they
secure. This arrangement allows the support posts to be visually
integrated into the structure and provide a clean,
aesthetically-pleasing appearance.
[0060] FIG. 8 illustrates a support post 30 in use as a right front
support in an enclosed structure. In FIG. 8, the slots 48 in the
support post 30 receive an exterior side panel 54, an interior side
panel 58 and a blank extrusion 80 in the same manner as described
above in FIG. 7A. In the remaining slot is secured a
drawer-abutting extrusion 86 for abutting, e.g., a drawer 16 that
is slidably received in the enclosed frame assembly. As discussed
in detail below, the drawer is provided with a surface, e.g., one
or more ribs, that is slidably supported on the corrugated surface
68 of the interior side panel 58. As shown in FIG. 8, the
drawer-abutting extrusion 86, which is preferably a resilient
plastic, includes an abutting face 88 for contacting the fully
closed drawer and a locking face 90 for contacting a part of the
drawer and preventing it from being accidentally pulled out.
[0061] A multi-level cassette assembly 20 in accordance with the
invention of the '983 Patent is shown generally in FIG. 9. This
cassette assembly is provided with improved features as will be
described in greater detail below. It includes a frame 102 formed
by a top component 104, which includes a handle 106, a plurality of
side panels 108, a bottom component 110 and a back panel (unshown).
The bottom component has essentially the same configuration as the
top component but does not include a handle. An isolated view of
the top (or bottom) component 104 is provided by FIG. 10.
[0062] The multi-level cassette assembly supports a cassette tray
112 on each level, and each cassette tray contains a plurality of
pull-out cassette bins 22. A lock 114, which is part of an external
locking mechanism, is secured in a front face of the top assembly.
While the cassette assembly in this figure provides three levels,
the number of levels (which corresponds to the number of cassette
trays) can of course vary without departing from the scope of the
invention. The components comprising the cassette assembly are
preferably made of a polymer plastic, e.g., ABS, and can be formed
by conventional molding techniques.
[0063] The side panels 108 are shown in detail in FIGS. 11 and 12,
with FIG. 11 illustrating a right side panel for use on the
right-hand side of the cassette assembly and FIG. 12 showing a left
side panel for use on the left-hand side of the cassette assembly.
A single right and left side panel are used for each level of the
cassette assembly. Each side panel is preferably an integrally
formed piece of molded plastic.
[0064] With reference first to FIG. 11, the side panel includes a
lateral face 116 formed with two elongated ribs 118. The ribs are
shaped to complement the corrugated surface of the interior side
panels 58 as discussed above so that the cassette assembly can be
slid into the frame assembly to be supported thereby. At the front
of each rib 118 is an open slot 119 for receiving a component of
the security system which will be discussed below. The top and
bottom edges of the side panel are provided with a plurality of
male/female connectors 120/122 for snap-fitting the side panel to
other side panels or top or bottom components when assembling the
cassette assembly. The male connectors 120 are best seen in FIG.
12.
[0065] At the rear end of the side panel is formed a U-shaped panel
interface 124 for receiving the flat back panel of the cassette
assembly. A front edge 126 of the side panel is formed to have both
an elongated slot 128 and a through-hole 130 running through it.
The slot receives part of the external locking mechanism that will
be described below. A hollow rod (unshown) made of, for example,
aluminum is inserted through the hole and stabilizes the assembled
cassette frame.
[0066] FIG. 12 best illustrates the corrugated interior surface of
the side panel. Corrugations 132 form a slot 134 therebetween for
receiving the cassette tray 112. Elongated recesses 136 formed in
the corrugations interface with the cassette tray in a manner
described below.
[0067] To assemble the frame, the side panels are snap-fitted
together using the male and female connectors to provide as many
levels as desired. The formed left and right sides can then be
snap-fitted to the bottom component and a back panel can be fit
into the panel interfaces in the side panels and into a portion of
the bottom component. Hollow rods can then be loaded into the
elongated holes 130 in both right and left side panels, and the
external locking mechanism is positioned in the elongated slot in
the right side panels. The top component can now be placed on the
side walls. Screws or other fasteners are then inserted through
holes 131 in the top and bottom components and into threaded ends
of the hollow rods to complete the assembly.
[0068] The cassette tray 112 that is received in each level of the
cassette assembly is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. With reference to
FIG. 13, as seen from the top and right, the cassette tray is
formed to have a flat bottom surface 138 surrounded on three sides
by a vertical edge 140. At the front of the tray is a front face
142 which provides a small lip 144 at the front edge of the bottom
surface 138. The edges on the left and right sides of the tray
extend into horizontal ledges 146 for resting on the corrugations
132 in the side panels 108 of the cassette assembly frame. A
channel 148 with a notched portion 150 is formed at the front part
of the ledges. The notched portion is part of an internal locking
assembly and will be engaged by a locking finger to secure the tray
in the cassette assembly frame.
[0069] FIG. 14 shows a portion of the underside of the cassette
tray as seen from the bottom and right, and illustrates a flexible
latch 152 that forms part of the external locking assembly. The
latch is cantilevered from the front face and includes, at its free
end, an abutting face 154 and a sloping, or angled, face 156. The
sloping face allows the latch to flex upwardly when receiving a
horizontal force. A small block 158 located beneath the notched
portion 150 will interface with the recess 136 in the corrugation
132 and indicate a normal stop position of the cassette tray as it
is withdrawn from the frame.
[0070] The cassette tray 112 supports a plurality of bins 22 as
shown in FIG. 9. The size (i.e., width) of the bins can be varied
to best fit the end-user's needs. For example, FIG. 9 shows a
cassette assembly with 6 bins supported on the top level, 4 bins
supported on the middle level and 3 bins supported on the lower
level. An individual bin 22 is illustrated in FIG. 15.
[0071] As can be seen there, each bin has a front end 160 that
includes a front wall 163 and a hollow downwardly open finger pull
166 formed on the front wall 163. The bin can be supported on a
cassette tray 112 again shown in FIG. 13 with its bottom 165
resting on the bottom surface 138 of the tray and the front wall
163 below the finger pull 166 loosely abutting the lip 144 on the
tray. The bin has a length that is substantially equal to the
distance between the lip 144 and the opposing back vertical edge
140 of the tray 112. Accordingly, engagement of the front wall 163
of the bin with the lip 144 of the tray prevents the bin from being
withdrawn from the tray in a direction parallel to the tray bottom
surface 138. Moreover, the bins and trays are dimensioned so that
when a tray is fully inserted in the cassette assembly in a
retracted position, a bin is obstructed by an upper adjacent tray
or in the case of the top most tray by top of the cassette from
being withdrawn from the supporting tray.
[0072] However, when a tray is withdrawn from the cassette assembly
to a withdrawn position, a bin may be pivoted upwardly about its
rear bottom edge on the bottom tray surface 138 to permit the bin
front wall 163 to clear the tray lip 144 so that it can be removed
from the tray.
[0073] FIGS. 16(A)-16(C) show additional components of the external
locking assembly. This locking assembly is designed to lock the
cassette trays 112 when the cassette assembly is removed from,
i.e., external, to the medical cart, hence the name "external
locking mechanism." An internal locking mechanism in the frame
assembly secures the cassette trays when the cassette assembly is
inserted in the medication cart.
[0074] With reference to FIG. 16(A), a bolt lock 168, which is
mounted in the top assembly 104 as shown in FIG. 9, actuates a
saw-tooth locking bar 170 to operate the external locking assembly.
The bolt lock, which is conventional per se, includes a locking
barrel 172 and an extended T-bolt 174 that moves in and out of the
barrel when a key is inserted into the lock barrel and turned
180.degree.. Bolt locks manufactured by the HURD LOCK Co. (H75N and
H75C series), in Greeneville, Tenn., have been successfully used in
the external locking assembly. Comparable assemblies besides the
bolt lock could be used to actuate the locking bar without
departing from the scope of the invention. A pin 176 extends from
the T-bolt and engages an angled slot 178 in the flag-shaped top
portion 180 of the locking bar 170. A vertical slot 182 in the top
portion interfaces with the top assembly 104 to vertically guide
the locking bar.
[0075] A partial front view of the locking bar 17 is shown in FIG.
16(B). The locking bar is preferably formed from metal, e.g.,
steel, and is shaped to include an elongated bar 171 and at least
one locking tooth 184. A relief 173 is shown at the lower end for
metal forming purposes (i.e., to prevent the metal from cracking as
it is bent). Another relief for the same purpose is provided toward
the upper end of the elongated bar 171. The elongated bar 170 is
formed, e.g., bent, to have an L-shaped cross-section as evident in
FIG. 16(C). A first leg 173 of the bar fits in elongated slot 128
in the side panels. Only one locking bar is normally provided in
each cassette assembly and usually disposed in the right side
panels. A plurality of the teeth 184 is evenly spaced along the
length of the locking bar. One tooth is preferably provided for
each side panel and moves, with actuation of the locking bar, in
and out of a locking position. In the locking position the tooth
184 is substantially even with the lower corrugation 132 (i.e., the
bottom of the slot 134).
[0076] FIG. 16(A) shows the locking bar in the up, or locked,
position, whereby the tooth 184 will engage the latch 152 on the
underside of the cassette tray. In this position, engagement
between the tooth and the abutting face 154 of the latch will
prevent the cassette tray from being withdrawn from its retracted
position in the cassette assembly to its withdrawn position.
[0077] If the cassette tray is already withdrawn when the external
locking assembly is actuated, the shape and flexibility of the
latch permit the tray to be inserted into the cassette assembly
frame and subsequently locked. When inserting the tray, the
flexible latch will flex upwardly when the sloping face 156 slides
over the tooth, thus allowing the drawer to be inserted and
locked.
[0078] To unlock the cassette assembly, the bolt is actuated to
move the T-bolt and thus the pin 176 in the direction of arrow x.
This sliding movement forces the locking bar downward through a
camming action between the pin and the angled slot 178. In the down
position, the cassette tray is free to slide in and out of the
cassette assembly frame with the tooth 184 located low enough to
permit the latch 152 and its abutting face 154 to pass over it.
[0079] The external locking assembly has been disclosed in terms of
locking the cassette trays. As will be appreciated, however,
locking the cassette trays effectively locks the bins and prevents
access to the contents therein. By virtue of the vertical lip 144
on the cassette tray 112 and the close fit between the structure
immediately above the bins, i.e., either the front face of another
cassette tray or the top assembly, the individual bins cannot be
withdrawn unless the cassette tray is slid out a sufficient amount,
e.g., one inch, such that the bin can be lifted over the vertical
lip and then slidably withdrawn. Thus, by preventing the cassette
tray from being withdrawn, the bins can be securely locked.
[0080] Details of a drawer assembly for use in the medication cart
are provided in the '983 Patent.
[0081] An improved multi-level cassette assembly 350 in accordance
with the present invention is shown in an exploded view in FIG. 17.
As with the multi-level cassette assembly 20 shown generally in
FIG. 9, a frame 102 of the improved cassette assembly is formed by
a top component 104, which includes a handle 106, a plurality of
corrugated side panels 108, a bottom component 110 and a back panel
352.
[0082] The multi-level cassette assembly 350 supports a cassette
tray 112 on each level, and each cassette tray may contain a
plurality of bins 22. A lock 114, which is part of an external
locking mechanism, is secured in a front face of the top assembly
in the same manner as discussed above. While the cassette assembly
in this figure provides three levels, the number of levels (which
correspond to the number of cassette trays) can of course vary
without departing from the scope of the invention. The components
comprising the cassette assembly are preferably made of a polymer
plastic, e.g., ABS and can be formed by conventional molding
techniques.
[0083] The multi-level cassette assembly 350 depicted in FIG. 17
features a selection mechanism 351 for controlling the sliding
action of each cassette tray to permit it to selectably assume one
of two positions when unlocked. These are a position with each
cassette tray nearly fully withdrawn to a withdrawn position, from
the retracted position, in the assembly to expose a major portion
of the interiors of all bins at the same time, and a partially
withdrawn or intermediate position with only a minor portion of
each bin exposed, which nevertheless permits each bin to be removed
from the tray one at a time. The exploded view of the multi-level
cassette assembly 350 shows the components of this selection
mechanism, which can be substantially the same mechanical
arrangement as the lock and locking bar on the right-hand side of
the cassette assembly. When the selection mechanism is in a first
position, each cassette tray can be partially withdrawn to the
intermediate position. In this position, each individual bin can be
accessed by lifting it over the front lip of the tray and
withdrawing the bin completely.
[0084] When the selection mechanism is in the withdrawn position,
the cassette tray can be nearly fully withdrawn, and direct access
to all of the bins in the tray is provided.
[0085] The selection mechanism will be described below. First,
however, the basic structure of the cassette assembly will be
described. The multi-level cassette assembly depicted in FIG. 17
also has levers 368 and 370 mounted in the front face of the top of
the assembly. Levers 368 and 370 each connected to a latch 372 and
are each biased by springs (unshown) to urge the latches 372
outwardly. Each latch 372 engages with a slot (unshown) in side
panel 58 of the frame assembly. When a latch 372 is engaged with
the slot in opposing side panels, the cassette assembly is secured
in the medication cart 10. Sliding the levers together against the
bias of the springs loads the springs and retracts each latch 372
toward the interior of the cassette assembly. The latches 372 are
then disengaged from the slots in the side panel 58, allowing the
cassette assembly to be removed by being slid out from the
medication cart 10. Similarly, when cassette assembly is to be
placed in the medication cart, urging levers 368 and 370 together
allows the cassette assembly to slide into place in the medication
cart. Releasing the levers allows the latches 372 to engage the
slots in side panels 58, securing the cassette assembly in
place.
[0086] The side panels 108 of the cassette assembly are shown in
detail in FIGS. 11 and 18, with FIG. 11 illustrating a right side
panel for use on the right-hand side of the cassette assembly and
FIG. 18 showing a left side panel for use on the left-hand side of
the cassette assembly. A single right and left side panel are used
for each level of the cassette assembly. Each side panel is
preferably an integrally formed piece of molded plastic.
[0087] With reference to FIG. 11, the side panel includes a lateral
face 116 formed with two elongated ribs 118. The ribs are shaped to
complement the corrugated surface of the interior side panels 58 as
discussed above. At the front of each rib 118 is an open slot 119
for receiving a component of the security system discussed above.
The top and bottom edges of the side panel are provided with a
plurality of male/female connectors 120/122 for snap-fitting the
side panel to the other side panels or to top or bottom components
when assembling the cassette assembly. The male connectors 120 are
best seen in FIG. 55.
[0088] At the rear end of the side panel is formed a U-shaped panel
interface 124 for receiving the flat back panel of the cassette
assembly. A front edge 126 of the side panel is formed to have both
an elongated slot 128 and a through-hole 130 running through it.
The slot receives part of the external locking mechanism that was
described above. A hollow rod (unshown) made of, for example,
aluminum is inserted through the hole and stabilizes the assembled
cassette frame.
[0089] FIG. 18 best illustrates the left side panel of the
multi-level cassette assembly 350. Parts corresponding to parts of
the left side panel depicted in FIG. 12 are indicated with the same
label numbers and a discussion of them is not provided herein. A
front edge 126 of the side panel is formed to have both an
elongated slot 374 and a through-hole 130 running through it. The
slot receives the selection rod of the selection mechanism that was
described above.
[0090] The selection mechanism comprises a saw-tooth selection bar
366 that has substantially the same features and characteristics as
the saw-tooth locking bar 170 described above and depicted in FIGS.
16(B) and 16(C). The selection bar is actuated by rotation of a
toggle 354 shown in FIG. 17, the body of which is secured to the
cassette assembly by a nut 356. A bolt 358 is attached to the
toggle 354 by a screw 360. A pin 362 on the bolt 358 engages slot
364 of the selection bar. As the toggle 354 is rotated 90.degree.,
the pin rotates correspondingly, causing the selection bar 366 to
move up or down in a vertical direction. As will be appreciated,
the toggle 354 can be replaced by a key-operated lock like the lock
114, because the internal components are the same.
[0091] FIG. 19 depicts an underside of the cassette tray and
illustrates a small block or stop 376, which depends upon the ledge
146 and forms part of the selection mechanism. When the selection
mechanism is in the position which provides single bin access,
namely when the selection bar is moved to its first upper position
by the toggle, a saw-tooth of the selection bar will interfere with
the block 376 allowing the cassette tray 112 only to be partially
withdrawn but preventing the tray from being fully withdrawn. In
other words, the position of the block 376 defines a short stop
position of the cassette tray when the selection mechanism is in
the up or single bin access position. The small block 376 is
positioned such that it does not enter the slot 134, and thus, will
not interface with recess 136 in the corrugation 132.
[0092] In the first or single bin access position, the selection
mechanism permits the tray only to be partially withdrawn from the
cassette assembly so that only a minor portion of each bin is
exposed. However, dimensions of the lip 144 of the tray and the
front wall 163 of the bin, and the inter-tray spacing are
determined so that each tray can independently be pivoted or
tilted, as described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 15, clearing
the wall 163 from the lip 144 and permitting the bin to be
withdrawn to expose it completely. Therefore, in this selected
intermediate or single bin access position each tray is accessible
individually while the remaining trays remain largely inaccessible
and in place on the tray.
[0093] When the selection mechanism is in the second position, the
selection bar does not engage the block 376, and the tray can be
fully withdrawn to the withdrawn position thereby exposing the
interiors of all bins simultaneously. A lip 380 of the tray (shown
in FIG. 17) will interfere with a small block (unshown) on the
underside of corrugation 132 of the side panel and indicate a
normal stop position of the cassette tray as it is withdrawn from
the frame.
[0094] FIG. 20 depicts an underside of the cassette tray. As can be
seen in this figure, the cassette tray in this embodiment does not
include a block corresponding to block 158 on its right-hand side
to regulate movement.
[0095] Thus, what has been described is a medication cart that
includes an improved cassette assembly. The cassette assembly
includes its own external locking assembly for securing its
contents when disposed outside of the medication cart. The cassette
assembly is also provided with a selection mechanism for selectably
permitting positioning of a tray carried therein in either a single
bin access position or in an all tray access position.
[0096] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have
been described above in detail, it will be understood that this
description is merely for purposes of illustration. Various
modifications of and equivalent structures corresponding to the
disclosed aspects of the preferred embodiment in addition to those
described above may be made by those skilled in the art without
departing from the spirit of the present invention which is defined
in the following claims, the scope of which is to be accorded the
broadest interpretation so as to encompass such modifications and
equivalent structures.
* * * * *