U.S. patent number 3,709,556 [Application Number 05/081,329] was granted by the patent office on 1973-01-09 for telescoping i v pole attachment and wheel chairs.
Invention is credited to Charles D. Allard, Eugene R. Allard.
United States Patent |
3,709,556 |
Allard , et al. |
January 9, 1973 |
TELESCOPING I V POLE ATTACHMENT AND WHEEL CHAIRS
Abstract
A holder for containers of liquids for intravenous feedings for
attachment to portable patient conveyances such as wheel chairs and
gurneys consisting of an elongated tubular base, brackets for
attachment to the frame of the conveyance, a plurality of elongated
tubular extension members arranged for telescoping registration
within the base and a hook shaped member mounted on the distal end
of the uppermost telescoping member for holding the intravenous
feeding container.
Inventors: |
Allard; Eugene R. (Alameda,
CA), Allard; Charles D. (San Leandro, CA) |
Family
ID: |
22163486 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/081,329 |
Filed: |
October 16, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/188.2;
297/DIG.4; 248/125.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
5/1415 (20130101); A61G 5/10 (20130101); A61G
7/0503 (20130101); Y10S 297/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
7/62 (20060101); A61G 5/10 (20060101); A61G
7/05 (20060101); A61G 5/00 (20060101); A61M
5/14 (20060101); A47c 007/62 () |
Field of
Search: |
;248/226R,124,125
;297/DIG.4,188,186 ;5/317B,317R,92 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Harris; Chancellor E.
Claims
We claim:
1. A demountable IV holder for a collapsible wheel chair
comprising:
a. an elongated tubular base;
b. a tubular sleeve integrally connected to the lower end of said
base and adapted for sliding onto a stub end of a tubular frame
member of said wheel chair, said sleeve carrying a threaded screw
clamp adapted for frictional engagement with a selected portion
along said tubular frame member of said wheel chair;
c. a bracket member slidably connected to the upper portion of said
base member and having an extension member adapted for connection
to the seat back frame upright member of said wheel chair;
d. a plurality of elongated tubular extension members arranged for
telescoping registration within said base;
e. means selectively holding said tubular extension members at
varying elevations above said base; and
f. a hook shaped member mounted on the distal end of the uppermost
telescoping member adapted for holding an intervenous feeding
container.
2. An IV holder for a wheel chair as described in claim 1
comprising:
a. each of said extension members having an enlarged elongated
portion adjacent their lower end for registering receipt within the
next lower adjoining extension member;
b. the base member and intermediate extension members being formed
with an elongated constricted neck portion adjacent their upper
ends proportionately sized to restrict passage of said enlarged end
portions of adjoining extension members and to slidably fit in
close relationship the smaller portions of said adjoining extension
members; and
c. screw clamps attached to said base and intermediate extension
members for selective frictional engagement with the mating
extension members for holding said extension members at infinite
positions.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Equipment used in intravenous feedings presently consists of
intravenous holders, hereinafter referred to as IV holders, which
are essentially a fixed length pole with a hook for attachment of
the container. These IV holders are attached to beds and other
stationary equipment. Increased use of intravenous feedings of
patients, particularly while in transit or while waiting on movable
apparatus has resulted in mounting the IV poles on three wheeled
dollys which are held by the wheel chair patient as he is pushed
along. Accidental tip overs of the IV holder while the patient is
receiving fluids is traumatic to both the patient and to the
hospital attendants. Use of an additional hospital attendant to
carry the IV bottle while the patient is wheeled to an emergency
room, the X-ray room or other portion of the hospital is expensive
and wasteful of medical personnel.
Present fixed length IV holders , whether they be attached to wheel
chairs or gurneys must be removed from the equipment to travel
through low doorways, entry into ambulanaces and passenger
automobiles at great inconvience to the patient and attending
personnel and often at some risk to the patient where time is of
the essence.
Removal of IV holders from mobile conveyances carries with it the
usual problems of storage of the IV holder when not in use, and
immediate retrieval when an emergency occurs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The essence of the present invention is the provision of a
telescoping IV pole and holder and the novel means of attachment of
the pole to the portable hospital equipment.
An object of the present invention is to provide an IV holder which
is adjustable in height, folds out of the way when not in use, is
adaptable to a wide variety of different wheel chairs and gurneys
yet is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and install.
Another object is to provide an IV holder which cannot be
accidentally pulled apart and yet can be adjusted to an infinite
number of positions.
Still another object is to provide an IV holder for a wheel chair
which can be folded with the chair without removing it from the
chair, and can be mounted on either side of the chair.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an IV holder constructed in
accordance with the present invention and mounted on a wheel chair.
The broken lines show the IV holder in an extended position.
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view showing the IV holder of FIG. 1 on
an enlarged scale with portions of the wheel chair shown in broken
line for purposes of illustrating the attachment more clearly.
FIG. 3 is a cross section of a portion of the device taken
substantially along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a cross section of a portion of an alternative form of
the device taken substantially along the line 4--4 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative form of the
invention showing an IV holder attached to a hospital gurney which
is outlined in broken line. A portion of the IV holder is shown in
broken line showing it in an extended position. An arrow also shows
the manner of folding the IV holder out of the way when not in
use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS.
The IV holder of the present invention consists briefly of an
elongated tubular base 2 attached to a portable patient conveyance
such as a wheel chair 1. A plurality of elongated tubular extension
members 3 and 4 are arranged for telescoping registration within
the base. A hook shaped member 6 mounted on the distal end 7 of the
uppermost telescoping member holds the intravenous feeding
container.
The tubular telescoping members may have any cross-sectional shape
such as square, round or triangular as long as the lower members
have open passages into which the next succeeding member can be
registered within. The number of members is of no importance and it
has been found that two extensions fitting within one base is
sufficient for most purposes. The base and extensions are
preferably made of metal which can be plated for ease of
maintenance and for esthetic considerations.
In order to prevent accidental disassembly of the IV holder, the
upper ends 8 and 9 of the base and middle extension member
respectively are constricted in diameter while the lower ends of
the upper and middle extension are expanded as shown at 11 in FIG.
3. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the neck portion 12 is stopped by the
neck portion 13 and the two extensions are prevented from
separating.
The constriction and expansion of portions of the extensions not
only prevents accidental disassembly but also serves as part of the
adjustment mechanism. As shown in FIG. 3 which is typical, an
internally threaded nut 14 is attached as by welding to the
exterior of an extension member, just below the constricted
portion. An opening 16 is made in the extension member and a
threaded bolt 17 with a manually engageable wing type finger hold
18 engages the extension member in a frictional grip. In like
manner, threaded bolt 21 with wing finger hold 22 is threadably
received on nut 23 and frictionally engages the upper extension
member.
The IV holder is attached to the wheel chair in a very novel
manner. All standard wheel chairs have bottom frame members 26 and
27 which extend rearwardly. These frames are provided with rubber
end cups 28 and 29 which are removable and replaceable. The purpose
of this portion of the frame is to permit the toe to be placed
against the end to tilt the wheel chair backwardly to negotiate
curbs and other obstructions. The IV holder is provided with a
tubular member 31 which slides over the frame and locks in place by
means such as a threaded bolt 32 fitted with a finger engageable
wing member 33 which is threaded onto an internally treaded nut 34
attached to the tubular member which is angularly attached to the
base of the IV holder. As may be seen in FIG. 1, the cap is
removed, the tubular attachment member is slid onto the frame and
the end 36 bears against the frame and frictionally holds the IV
holder.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show an alternate form of the invention in which the
IV holder is attached to a hospital gurney 41. The telescoping
portion is identical to the previously described IV holder and
consists of an elongated tubular base 1' and a plurality of
elongated tubular extension members 3' and 4' . The gurney IV
holder has an additional extension member 5. A hook shaped member
6' is mounted on the distal end 7' of the uppermost telescoping
member and an additional hook shaped member 6a may also be
provided.
The tubular telescoping members may have any cross-sectional shape
such as square, round or triangular as long as the lower members
have open passages into which the next succeeding member can be
registered within. The base and extensions are preferably made of
metal which can be plated for ease of maintenance and for esthetic
considerations.
In order to prevent accidental disassembly of the IV holder, the
upper ends 8', 9' and 10 of the base and two inner extensions
respectively are constricted in diameter while the lower end of the
extensions are expanded as shown at 11' in FIG. 4. Thus, as shown,
the neck portion 12' is stopped by the neck portion 13' and the
extensions are prevented from separating.
As set forth previously, the constriction and expansion of portions
of the extensions not only prevents accidental disassembly but also
serves as part of the adjustment mechanism. As shown in FIG. 4
which is typical, an internally threaded nut 14' is attached as by
welding to the exterior of an extension member, just below the
constricted portion. An opening 16' is made in the extension member
and a threaded bolt 17' with a manually engageable wing type finger
hold 18' engages the extension member in a frictional grip. In like
manner, threaded bolt 21' with wing finger hold 22' is threadably
received on a nut, not shown, and frictionally engages the
extension member immediately above the base. Also in like manner a
threaded wing shaped finger hold 10a holds the uppermost
member.
The IV holder is attached to the gurney so that when it is not in
use, it can be retracted into the base member and swung into a
position below the table portion completely out of the way. The
foregoing is accomplished by providing a pair of offset stub
members 42 and 43 longitudinally spaced along the base member and
extending angularly therefrom, as for example at right angles, as
shown in FIG. 5. The stub members are rotatably connected to a leg
44 of the gurney by clamps 46 and 47 which encircle the leg and are
attached to the stub members by rivets 48 and 49. The clamps fit
snugly on the leg of the gurney but with enough freedom to permit
rotation of the clamp upon the leg. The lower clamp rests on a
strut 51 of the gurney to maintain the elevation of the clamp. In
order to prevent the IV holder from swinging freely about the
gurney leg, a threaded nut 52 is welded to the clamp and a threaded
bolt 53 with a finger hold 54 frictionally engages the leg of the
gurney through an opening in the wall of the clamp.
The operation of the IV holder on the gurney is as follows: When
not in use, the holder is stored beneath the table of the gurney as
shown in solid lines in FIG. 5. When needed, the holder is rotated
about the gurney leg as shown by the double headed set of arrows 56
by loosening the clamping screw frictionally in contact with the
gurney leg and manually swinging the holder. The clamp on the
gurney leg may be re-tightened at this point or after the holder
members are extended. Next, the hook for holding the IV container
is raised to the proper elevation by loosening the finger screws of
each of the extension members and pulling them out to the desired
point and then re-tightening the screws. The IV hook may be rotated
to the desired position and then the uppermost clamp set to prevent
further rotation. Double headed arrows 57 show the direction of
extension and contraction of the telescoping members.
Operation of the IV holder on the wheel chair is similar to that of
the Gurney except that the holder does not need to rotate about the
frame of the chair. As earlier stated, however, the placement of
the holder on the chair is such that it does not prevent folding of
the wheel chair. Applicants have attached the upper end of the
holder to the chair by means of a bracket 58 which encircles the
base of the holder and has a leg 59 formed with an opening which
registers with the bolt hole in the standard wheel chair back frame
61 so that the same threaded bolt 62 serves to both hold the IV
holder on the chair and to hold the back 63 of the wheel chair to
the frame. If it is desired to attach the holder to the other side
of the chair, the tubular member 31 is merely slipped over the
bottom frame member 26 of the chair and the bracket 62 is attached
by threaded bolt 64 to the other side of the chair.
The IV holder, because of its versatility and convenience has
already proven to be of great benefit to patients who required
transfusions or intervenous feedings while being transported by
gurneys and wheel chairs. Hospitals have found that it has
decreased the need for extra personnel in emergency situations and
has contributed thereby to the cost savings in operating their
emergency rooms and moving of patients.
* * * * *