GB1498022A - Braking system - Google Patents

Abstract

1498022 Braking means for wheeled beds ELLISON HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT Ltd 16 Oct 1975 [22 Oct 1974] 45665/74 Heading A4V A carriage such as a bed frame 2 mounted on castors 4 includes feet 20 carried by shanks 14 slidably mounted in sleeves 16 for vertical movement from and to a ground engaging position by operation of a pivoted lever 36 which is mechanically linked to the shanks via a rotatably mounted bar 8. The bar 8 has a U-shaped projection 26 engaged by a nylon bush 28 on a spindle (30) carried by an arm 32 of the lever 36, the side parts of the projection serving to limit movement of the lever, and the bush 28 having an over-centre position shown in chain outline to retain it in this position related to the ground-engaging position of the feet. The bar 8 carries pins 10 engaging the shanks 14 through slots 18 in the sleeves 16. Each foot 20 has a ground-engaging ribbed pad 22 of rubber or nylon and is adjustably spring-loaded. The lever 36 may be a foot pedal and the bar 8 is spring-loaded at its ends to bias the projection 26 against the bush 28. In modifications (not shown) each foot 20 is spring-loaded by a spring disposed between two relatively movable parts of the associated shank 14, and the pad 22 is replaced by a detachable shoe. Each side of the carriage may have two feet connected to a rotatable bar 8, and the bars may be operated together or independently. The connection between the bar 8 and the shanks 14 may be by a toothed rack on each shank engaging a cog on the bar. The operating lever may be integral with the rotatable bar. The operating lever may be releasably retained in position by a detent or notches. The spring-loading of the feet 20 may be replaced by or reinforced by employing torsion in the rotable bar 8.