EP3000452A1

EP3000452A1 - Monoblock trolley and its use

Info

Publication number: EP3000452A1
Application number: EP15186339.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: António Soares Ribeiro
Original assignee: Auto-Ribeiro Lda
Current assignee: Auto-Ribeiro Lda
Priority date: 2014-09-25
Filing date: 2015-09-22
Publication date: 2016-03-30

Abstract

This application relates to a monoblock trolley and its use.

The main advantage of this monoblock trolley is that it is equipped with a four swivel wheels system, enabling its locking or unlocking by driving the control levers. In one embodiment, the trolley may be a fixed stretcher divided into four parts, with manual or electric driving.

From a practical point of view, the trolley now disclosed may be used to transport people with mobility problems and postoperative conditions.

Description

Technical field

This application relates to a monoblock trolley and its use.

Background art

The existence of monoblock trolleys are known by the state of the art.
US2007216117 A1 describes a patient support and transport device, with stretcher divided into four parts, equipped with four rotating wheels, lockable and unlockable by driving the manual control levers and a supporting structure.
WO2010044890 A1 describes a device for transporting a patient consisting of a supporting structure, retractable legs with a slide rail, four rotating wheels and a double fixation structure.
DE202010014023 U describes a substructure for transporting people to be used with, for example, a stretcher that enables to adjust the height to the transport vehicle, retractable legs with slide rail, legs and armrests, slide caps and four rotating forks.

Summary

The present application describes a monoblock trolley comprising four parts, with a four swivel wheels system, a supporting structure (1), a double front fixation structure (3), a third rear fixation point (4), a wheel brake support, two side supports for the covering (32) and a central support for the covering (31).
In one embodiment, the supporting structure (1) of the monoblock trolley is coupled to an adjustable covering divided into parts.
In another embodiment, the monoblock trolley comprises at least two retractable legs (2).
In another embodiment, the monoblock trolley retractable legs (2) include slide caps.
In one embodiment, the supporting structure (1) of the monoblock trolley comprises a double front fixation structure (3) and a third rear fixation point (4) for fixing the equipment to a base installed on a vehicle.
In another embodiment, the supporting structure (1) of the monoblock trolley includes a footrest (10).
In another embodiment, the supporting structure (1) of the monoblock trolley includes two armrests (11).
In one embodiment, each retractable leg (2) of the monoblock trolley includes two wheels (5).
In another embodiment, each retractable leg (2) of the monoblock trolley includes two rotating forks (6).
In another embodiment, the monoblock trolley includes a locking and unlocking system of the rotating forks (7).
In one embodiment, the locking and unlocking system of the rotating forks (7) of the monoblock trolley includes control levers (12).
In another embodiment, each rotating fork (6) of the monoblock trolley includes a brake.
In another embodiment, the supporting structure (1) of the monoblock trolley has four extendable handles (13).
In one embodiment, each retractable leg (2) of the monoblock trolley includes control levers (12).
This application also describes the use of the monoblock trolley for the transport of people with mobility problems and postoperative conditions.

General description

The present application describes a monoblock trolley and its use, wherein the monoblock trolley comprises four parts, is equipped with a four swivel wheels system and includes a supporting structure, a double front fixation structure, a third rear fixation point, a wheel brake support, two side supports for the covering and a central support for the covering.
The trolley disclosed throughout this application has a load capacity of 250Kg.
In one embodiment, an adjustable covering divided into parts is coupled to the supporting structure.
In another embodiment, two retractable legs are coupled to the supporting structure, which may have slide caps.
In another embodiment, a double front fixation structure and a third rear fixation point for fixing the equipment to a base installed on a vehicle are coupled to the supporting structure.
In one embodiment, a footrest is coupled to the supporting structure.
In another embodiment, two armrests are coupled to the supporting structure.
In another embodiment, each retractable leg includes two wheels with 200mm diameter.
In one embodiment, each retractable leg includes two rotating forks.
In another embodiment, the leg structure comprises a mechanical system which enables the locking and unlocking of the rotating forks.
In one embodiment, the mechanical system which enables the locking and unlocking of the rotating forks includes control levers.
In another embodiment, each rotating fork may either have a brake coupled or not.
In another embodiment, four extendable handles are coupled to the supporting structure.
In one embodiment, each retractable leg includes control levers, which enable their unlocking.
The main advantage of this monoblock trolley is that it is equipped with a four swivel wheels system, enabling its locking and unlocking by driving the control levers. In one embodiment, the trolley may be a fixed stretcher divided into four parts, with manual or electric driving.
From a practical point of view, the trolley now disclosed may be used to transport people with mobility problems and postoperative conditions.

Brief description of the drawings

For an easier understanding of the art, the figures are herein attached, that represent preferred but non-limitative embodiments of this application.

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the monoblock trolley, where the reference numbers represent:
- 1 - Supporting structure;
- 3 - Double front fixation structure;
- 5 - Wheel;
- 6 - Rotating fork;
- 8 - Wheel brake support;
- 10 - Footrest;
- 11 - Armrest;
- 12 - Control levers.
Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the monoblock trolley, where the reference numbers represent: 2 - Retractable legs;
- 4 - Third rear fixation point;
- 5 - Wheel;
- 6 - Rotating fork;
- 9 - Adjustable covering and divided into parts;
- 10 - Footrest;
- 12 - Control levers;
- 13 - Extendable handles;
- 23 - Sliding system;
- 24 - Connection triangles;
- 29 - Adjustable tube;
- 30 - Slide cap with wheel.
Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the monoblock trolley, where the reference numbers represent: 7 - Locking and unlocking system of the rotating forks;
- 33 - Protective cover.
Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the locking and unlocking system of the rotating forks, where the reference numbers represent:
- 21 - Fixing latch;
- 22 - Unlocking lever;
- 25 - Bracket for the unlocking system of the rotating forks;
- 26 - Guide for cable;
- 27 - Adjuster;
- 28 - Distribution frame.
Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the locking and unlocking system of the rotating forks, with an additional representation detailing the unlocking lever both driven and at rest, where the reference numbers represent:
- 21 - Fixing latch;
- 22 - Unlocking lever.
Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of the monoblock trolley, where the reference numbers represent:
- 7 - Locking and unlocking system of the rotating forks.
Figure 7 is a schematic representation of the locking and unlocking system of the rotating forks, where the reference numbers represent:
- 14 - Cable;
- 15 - Support bushing;
- 16 - Spring;
- 17 - Locking pin;
- 18 - Connection fork;
- 19 - Hex female;
- 20 - Threaded connector.
Figure 8 is a schematic representation of the headboard lifting system, where the reference numbers represent:
- 31 - Central support for the covering;
- 32 - Side supports for the covering.

Description of embodiments

Some embodiments will now be described in a more detailed way, which however are not meant to limit the scope of this application.
This application discloses a monoblock trolley divided into four parts, equipped with a four rotating forks system (6), which comprises a locking and unlocking system of the rotating forks (7).
The locking and unlocking system of the rotating forks (7) comprises two brackets for the unlocking system (25) where two unlocking levers (22) are fixed, coupled to a distribution frame (28) and cables (14) that enable the locking pins (17) to operate through mechanical connections. The cables (14) operate within a guide for cables (26), and may be adjusted my means of adjusters (27). The support bushings (15) and the threaded connectors (20) allow springs (16) and connection forks (18) to be coupled for the locking pin (17) to operate, also having a fixing latch (21) to keep the locking pins (17) open or not. Basically, the locking and unlocking system of the rotating forks (7) causes the locking pin (17) to move lengthwise inside the support bushing (15) and the threaded connector (20), through a cable (14) connected to the unlocking lever (22). Inside the system there is a spring (16), which places the locking pin (17) in the original position, whereas this locking pin (17) is the element that will limit the rotation of the rotating fork (6), hence the name Locking and Unlocking System.
The monoblock trolley also enables the retractable legs (2) to be retracted by the manual driving of the control levers (12) coupled to a sliding system (23) and to two connection triangles (24). The retractable legs (2) may have slide caps with wheels (30) coupled.
The double front fixation structure (3) and the third rear fixation point (4) are coupled to the supporting structure (1) and will be used for tying the equipment to a base installed on the vehicle.
An adjustable covering and divided into parts (9) is also coupled to the supporting structure (1) by means of connection elements and an adjustable tube (29). The central support for the covering (31) and the side supports for the covering (32) are coupled to the structure (1), to enable adjusting the covering (9).
A footrest (10) and two armrests (11) are also coupled to the supporting structure (1).
Naturally, this technology is in no way restricted to the embodiments described herein and a person skilled in the art may provide many possibilities to change the technology without deviating from the general idea, as set out in the claims.
All embodiments described above may obviously be combined together. The following claims additionally define preferential embodiments.

Claims

Monoblock trolley characterized in that it comprises four parts, with a four swivel wheels system, a supporting structure (1), a double front fixation structure (3), a third rear fixation point (4), a wheel brake support, two side supports for the covering (32) and a central support for the covering (31).
Monoblock trolley according to the preceding claim, wherein the supporting structure (1) is coupled to an adjustable covering divided into parts.
Monoblock trolley according to any of the preceding claims, which comprises at least two retractable legs (2).
Monoblock trolley according to the preceding claim, wherein the retractable legs (2) include slide caps.
Monoblock trolley according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting structure (1) comprises a double front fixation structure (3) and a third rear fixation point (4) for fixing the equipment to a base installed on the vehicle.
Monoblock trolley according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting structure (1) comprises a footrest (10).
Monoblock trolley according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting structure (1) comprises two armrests (11).
Monoblock trolley according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each retractable leg (2) comprises two wheels (5).
Monoblock trolley according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each retractable leg (2) comprises two rotating forks (6).
Monoblock trolley according to any of the preceding claims, which comprises a locking and unlocking system of the rotating forks (7).
Monoblock trolley according to the preceding claim, wherein the locking and unlocking system of the rotating forks (7) comprises control levers (12).
Monoblock trolley according to the preceding claim, wherein each rotating fork (6) comprises a brake.
Monoblock trolley according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting structure (1) has four extendable handles (13).
Monoblock trolley according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each retractable leg (2) comprises control levers (12).
Method of use of the monoblock trolley described in any of the preceding claims, which is used to transport people with mobility problems and postoperative conditions.