U.S. patent application number 12/288148 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-22 for rack/module assembly for first aid supplies.
Invention is credited to Jonathan A. Lee, Man For Ma, Daniel Peter Sterling, Lee Webb.
Application Number | 20100096350 12/288148 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42107811 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100096350 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ma; Man For ; et
al. |
April 22, 2010 |
Rack/module assembly for first aid supplies
Abstract
A rack/module assembly for first aid supplies comprises a
plurality of modules which are insertable into a receptacle of a
rack. Each module is semi-transparent or transparent and has a
front cover portion which is pivotal to provide access to first aid
supplies within the module enclosure. An integral latch mechanism
releasably latches the cover in a closed position. Each of the
modules contains first aid supplies specific to a given first aid
treatment.
Inventors: |
Ma; Man For; (New
Territories, CN) ; Sterling; Daniel Peter; (Norwalk,
CT) ; Webb; Lee; (Fairfield, CT) ; Lee;
Jonathan A.; (Milford, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALIX YALE & RISTAS LLP
750 MAIN STREET, SUITE 1400
HARTFORD
CT
06103
US
|
Family ID: |
42107811 |
Appl. No.: |
12/288148 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/133.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 7/0028 20130101;
A47F 5/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/133.6 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/00 20060101
A47F005/00 |
Claims
1. A rack/module assembly for first aid supplies comprising: a rack
defining a plurality of generally oblong receptacles disposed in
end to end relationship and having a frontal skirt with an upper
edge, a wall with an inwardly protruding retaining rib and an
integral mounting bracket extending rearwardly from said wall; and
a module received in each said receptacle in generally interference
fit relationship and having a generally oblong cylindrical shape
defining an enclosure having a hinge with an integral frontal cover
and, upon seating said module in said receptacle, having a hinge
disposed relative to the upper edge of said skirt to permit said
cover to be pivoted forwardly to allow access to said enclosure,
said frontal cover having an integral latch to permit said cover to
be releasably latched to a top portion of said module to close said
enclosure.
2. The rack/module assembly of claim 1 wherein there are three
receptacles and three modules.
3. The rack/module of claim 1 wherein each said receptacle has at
least three inwardly protruding retaining ribs.
4. The rack/module of claim 3 wherein one rib defines a recess.
5. The rack/module of claim 4 wherein a module has a projection
which is receivable in said recess for retentive engagement in said
receptacle.
6. The rack/module of claim 1 wherein said hinge is a living
hinge.
7. The rack/module of claim 1 wherein a said module is constructed
from two components having integral connectors which engage to
secure together the components.
8. The rack/module of claim 1 wherein a said module is
semi-transparent or transparent.
9. The rack/module of claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of
modules and each module has a different label affixed to a frontal
portion thereof.
10. The rack/module of claim 1 wherein said latch projects
rearwardly from said cover and has an upwardly protruding catch
which engages a detent at a top portion of the module.
11. The rack/module of claim 1 wherein the bracket has a pair of
keyhole shaped openings.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to devices and assemblies
for holding and displaying first aid supplies. More particularly,
this disclosure relates generally to assemblies for displaying
first aid supplies and organizing same in a user friendly
environment.
SUMMARY
[0002] Briefly stated, a rack/module assembly for first aid
supplies comprises a rack which has a plurality of generally oblong
receptacles. The receptacles are disposed in an end to end
relationship and have a frontal skirt with an upper edge and a wall
with at least one interior vertical retaining rib. An integral
mounting bracket extends rearwardly from the wall. A module is
received in each of the receptacles in a generally interference fit
relationship. Each module has a generally oblong cylindrical shape
which forms an enclosure with an integral hinged frontal cover.
Upon seating of the module in the receptacle, the cover hinge is
disposed above the upper edge of the skirt. The cover is permitted
to be pivoted forwardly to allow access to the enclosure. The cover
has an integral latch which permits the cover to be latched to a
top portion of the module to close the enclosure and to be
efficiently unlatched if required.
[0003] In one embodiment, there are three receptacles and three
modules. Each receptacle has at least three vertical retaining
ribs. One rib defines a recess. A module has a projection which is
receivable in the recess for retentive engagement in the
receptacle. The hinge is a living hinge. Each module is preferably
constructed from two components having integral connectors which
engage to secure together the components. Each module is
semi-transparent or transparent to allow ready inspection of the
contents. Each module preferably has a different label affixed to a
frontal portion of the module. The latch projects rearwardly from
the cover and has an upwardly protruding catch which engages a
downwardly protruding catch at the top portion of the module.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, partly in schematic, of
a rack/module assembly;
[0005] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the rack/module
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0006] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the rack/module
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the rack/module assembly of
FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the rack/module assembly of
FIG. 1 with the modules removed, taken along the line 5-5
thereof;
[0009] FIG. 6 is a perspective pre-assembly view of the rack/module
assembly of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 7 is an exploded view, partly in phantom, of a
module;
[0011] FIG. 8 is a elevational view of a module, wherein the cover
is pivoted to provide access to the module enclosure;
[0012] FIG. 9 is a top plan view, partly in phantom, of a module
showing the latch mechanism in a closed position; and
[0013] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the latch mechanism of FIG.
9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals
represent like parts throughout the several figures, a station for
holding and displaying first aid supplies in an efficient and
organized manner is generally designated by the numeral 10. The
station comprises a rack 12 of molded form which may be mounted to
a wall (not illustrated). Modules 14 which are appropriately
labeled and are filled with various first aid supplies are received
by the rack. The station 10 is illustrated in terms of a three
module assembly although any number of modules may be employed.
[0015] The rack 12 and the individual modules 14, which are
substantially identical except for their contents and their
exterior markings, cooperatively interengage to provide a stable,
upright orientation for each of the modules. The modules 14 are
appropriately labeled and are preferably transparent or
semi-transparent, so the contents (not illustrated) therein may be
easily observed from the exterior.
[0016] The rack 12 is preferably a unitary molded member which has
one or more oblong receptacles 20 positioned in linear end to end
relationship (FIG. 5). Each receptacle is configured to receive a
module 14 which is downwardly inserted and seated therein. With
reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a support plate 30 is disposed at the
rear of the rack. A mounting bracket 32 extends rearwardly from the
support plate 30. The mounting bracket 32 includes a generally
planar support panel 34 with a pair of spaced keyhole openings 36
for receiving a head of the fastener (not illustrated) for securing
the bracket and rack to a vertical wall. Transverse support braces
38 may extend between the support plate and the bracket to provide
reinforcement for the mounting bracket.
[0017] The front portion of the rack and each receptacle is
traversed by a skirt 40 which includes opposite rounded end
portions. The skirt 40 is traversed by an upper edge 42 which
generally has a uniform height above a generally planar floor 44 of
the receptacle. Dividers 26 extend upwardly from the floor of the
receptacle at the rear end terminus thereof and taper inwardly to
integrally join the rear support plate 30 panel to separate the
receptacles. Each of the receptacles 20 is vertically traversed by
generally parallel retention ribs 46. A rib 46 at a central rear
portion includes a generally medial recess 48. Other ribs may also
include a recess.
[0018] Each of the modules 14, preferably has an oblong,
cylindrical shape with an exterior bottom portion 16 which is
dimensioned for close reception and seating in a receptacle 20 and
engagement by ribs 46, as will be described below. Each module 14
preferably has a transparent or semi-transparent construction so
that the contents therein may be observed. With reference to FIG.
7, each module 14 is preferably constructed from two molded
components 50 and 52 which meet along a generally, central
co-planar interface and snap together to form a sealed enclosure.
Joining of the two members is facilitated by opposed pairs of tabs
54 with catches 55 which resiliently engage complementary detents
57 in the opposed component to form a one-way lock.
[0019] The frontal component 50 has a pair of opposed medial slits
56 at the side thereof and equidistantly spaced above the
connecting tabs 54. A living hinge 58 is formed between the two
slits to permit the upper cover portion 60 of the frontal component
50 to centrally pivot forwardly to provide access to the interior
of the module. It will be appreciated that the hinge 58 is
vertically spaced from the bottom of the module a greater distance
than the distance of the edge 42 of the skirt 40 above the rack
floor 44 so that when the module is fully received and seated in
the receptacle of the rack, the cover may be forwardly pivoted to
provide the access to the module enclosure without interference
from the skirt 40.
[0020] An integral tab 62 projects rearwardly from a top central
portion of the frontal panel and includes an upwardly projecting
catch 64 receivable in a complementary detent 66 at the central
upper underside of the rear component. The resilience of the tab 62
produces a bias so that when the cover 60 is moved rearwardly, the
catch 64 engages with the detent 66 to close and latch the cover
and thus the module. It will be appreciated that access can be made
to the module by merely grasping the frontal cover 60 with a slight
downward force and pivoting the cover forwardly to provide access
to the module. The catch 55/detent 57 locking engagement previously
described may be similar in form and function to the catch
64/detent 66 latching engagement.
[0021] The lower exterior portions 16 of the modules and the
receptacles 20 are dimensioned so that the modules may be snugly
inserted in a downward fashion into the modules. The ribs 46
project inwardly to engage the resilient sides of the module and to
provide a snug interference fit. The rear surface of the rear
component 52 includes an integral projection 68 which, upon
insertion of the module into the rack, slides into the recess 48 of
a rib 46 to provide a resilient retention mechanism. Other
projections retentively receivable in rib recesses may also be
employed.
[0022] Each of the modules 14 is affixed with appropriate markings
or a label 70A, 70B, 70C (shown schematically in FIG. 1) on the
frontal portion of the cover to indicate the type of first aid
materials that are contained within the module. By way of example
only, one module label 70A may indicate "burns" and list various
items that are contained within the module to treat burns, such as
burn ointment packets, cotton tip applicators, gauze pads and tape.
Another module label 70B may indicate "cuts and scrapes" and list
the materials that are contained within the module such as, for
example, gauze pads, easy bandages of various sizes and wipes.
Another module label 70C may indicate "bumps" and contain a listing
of its contents which may be, for example, cold packs. There are
various other module intended medical treatment conditions and
contents that are possible.
[0023] The rack/module assembly 10 as described provides a first
aid station which presents prominent display of the various first
aid material, as well as ready access to such materials in case
they need to be used. In addition, because the modules 14 are
transparent or semi-transparent, once the materials begin being
used, it is relatively easy to inventory the materials on hand.
Replacement modules may thus be easily substituted and inserted
into the receptacle. Additional supplies may be placed in the
module.
[0024] While preferred embodiments have been set forth for purposes
of description, the foregoing should not be deemed a limitation of
the invention. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and
alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing
from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.
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