GB2216857A

GB2216857A - Track support

Info

Publication number: GB2216857A
Application number: GB8807763A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Scott
Original assignee: CHILTERN MEDICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Current assignee: CHILTERN MEDICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Priority date: 1988-03-31
Filing date: 1988-03-31
Publication date: 1989-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 2008-03-31
Also published as: GB2216857B; GB8807763D0

Abstract

A track and bracket assembly for an invalid or disabled person support. The or each bracket 10 is fixed to a ceiling or the like. Each bracket has elements 14 and 15 which can mate with elements 28 on a track 11. The track and brackets are secured by means of screws 19. <IMAGE>

Description

TRACK SUPPORT This invention relates to track assemblies. The invention has been designed for use with track assemblies for use with supports used by invalids or disabled persons, but has application in other areas where tracks are used to suspend supports or carriages.

Supports in the form of hoists for invalids or the disabled are usually suspended from a track or rail which is itself attached securely to a ceiling or similar structure in a building. The hoist is suspended from an arrangement which includes a wheel which can run along the track. The hoist can be operated by a person sitting in it so that it can be raised from the ground and then moved along a path permitted by the rail or track. The present invention is concerned with an improved track assembly for use with such hoists.

According to the present invention there is provided an assembly for mounting a track such as that for an invalid or disabled persons support which can move along the track, the assembly comprising one or more brackets which can be secured to a ceiling or structure associated with the ceiling, each bracket having elements which in their operative condition depend downwardly and are so shaped and configured that they can be engaged in mating relationship by correspondingly shaped elements on the track, and means for securing the track to the bracket after said elements have been arranged in the mating relationship. The elements may be of L-shaped cross-section and may be so shaped and configured that those on the track can be slotted into engagement with those on the brackets. The securing means may

comprise one or more screws, e.g. Allentscrews.

The brackets can be secured to the ceiling or structure by means of fixing bolts, the arrangement being such that when the track is located in position, relative to the brackets, such fixing bolts are hidden from view.

The invention will be described now by way of example only, with particular reference to the accompanying drawing. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a sectional view of a track which forms part of a track assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of a bracket which forms part of the present assembly; and Figure 3 is a view showing the bracket and track in their operative condition.

A track assembly comprises a plurality of brackets one of which is shown generally at 10 in Figure 2, and a track section, shown generally at ll in Figure 1. Each bracket 10 has an upper planar part 12'from which depend three legs 14, 15 and 16. Two of the legs 14 and 15 each have an inwardly directed flange 17, so that those legs define elements which can engage correspondingly shaped elements on the track section.

The planar part 12 of each bracket has a through aperture 18 through which can extend a fixing bolt.

rl The outer leg 16 of each bracket carries an Allen screw 19 which engages in a threaded aperture in that limb.

Referring now to Figure 1, the track section comprises an upper planar part 20, which has integrally formed downwardly extending side sections 21. Each side section has an upper generally vertically extending part 22 and lower downwardly converging parts 23 which terminate inwardly directed portions 24. The portions 24 define rails along which can run flanges of a wheel or wheels from which is suspended an invalid hoist, for example. The planar part 20 has upwardly directed limbs 28, each of which has a generally horizontally extending flange 29. The limbs 28 are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of the legs 14 and 15 on the bracket 11.

The assembly is mounted as follows. Each bracket is secured to a ceiling or structure associated with a ceiling by means of a fixing bolt extending through the aperture 18 in the planar portion thereof. The track assembly is then manipulated into a position where the flanges on the upstanding limbs 28 on the track assembly can engage with the flanges on the downwardly depending legs 14 and 15 each bracket as vv t/ shown in Figure 3. Once positioned thus, the Allen screws 19 on each bracket can be tightened so that the track assembly is locked in position relative to the bracket by means of the inter-engagement of the limbs on the track assembly and the depending legs on each bracket.

The above construction has the advantage that it is relatively simple to install and that the fixing bolts used to mount the brackets to the ceiling are completely hidden from view in the completed installation.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An assembly for mounting a track such as that for an invalid or disabled persons support which can move along the track, the assembly comprising one or more brackets which can be secured to a ceiling or structure associated witH the ceiling, each bracket having elements which in their operative condition depend downwardly and are so shaped and configured that they can be engaged in mating relationship by . , correspondingly shaped elements on the track, and means for securing the track to the bracket after said elements have been arranged in the mating relationship.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elements are of L-shaped cross-section and so shaped and configured that those on the track can be slotted into engagement with those on the brackets.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the securing means comprises one or more screws.

4. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the brackets are secured to the ceiling or structure by means of fixing bolts, the arrangement being such that when the track is located in position, relative to the brackets, such fixing bolts are hidden from view.

5. An assembly for mounting a track substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.