GB2357237A

GB2357237A - Rotary locker system

Info

Publication number: GB2357237A
Application number: GB9929638A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frances Mary Owen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-12-16
Filing date: 1999-12-16
Publication date: 2001-06-20
Also published as: GB9929638D0

Abstract

A plurality of height-adjustable lockers 26 is rotatably mounted on a central shaft 30 which is supported by a base 16 in the form of a castored bin with upper lids 20. The shaft is hollow, serving as a conduit for cables to a lamp 32 and electronic equipment within the lockers. The base contains a multiple power socket with an external mains lead and includes means limiting the rotation of the lockers. Lockable doors and a pull-out table may be included.

Description

2357237 HIGH STACK LOCKERS The invention relates to a high stacking locker

system.

Lockers are well known bin type containers. There are various types which are used as bedside lockers by people who are temporarily or permanently immobilized by conditions such as Stroke. The interior is usually in the form of a cupboard with a drawer at the top. The upper surface acts as a bedside table for books, drinks, flowers, greeting cards, remote controls and telephone.

The lower section of most bedside lockers are not easily accessible to the patient who sometimes loses balance and falls out of bed, Which can be serious since most hospital beds are higher and narrower than domestic beds. The upper surface areas of most bedside lockers are too small to accommodate a patient's needs.

According to the present invention there is provided a locker system comprising a base, a shaft extending at least above the base and one or more lockers rotatable about the shaft, at least one said locker being height adjustable on the shaft.

Further embodiments and features of the J.nvention will becc- -, apparent to the skilled person un reading the appended claims and the specific embodiment below without departing from the spirit of the invention,, A specific embodiment of the invention will. now be descrlbea by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows in perspective, Ihe circles of high stack lockers around the central perforated shaft which runs throug.

them and into the base bin.

Figure 2 shows a vertical cross section of the high stack lockers supported by a turntable, and the hollow perforated shaft containing cables from multiple sockets in the lowest compartment of the base bin; high stack lockers and optional light fitment.

Figure 3 shows horizontal section of circle of high stack lockers with dividing walls and restrainiz,,g lugs on perforated lockers and central perforated shaft.

Referring to the drawing, the circles of lockers 26 are shown in Fig 1 and Fig 2. The lowest circle of..Iockers is rotated on a turntable 25. The turntable is attached to the central shaft 30 and is adjustable. (The mechanism would be known to a suitably skilled person.) The higher circles of lockers are rotated upon the lowest circle and upon one another. The central shaft passes down through the hollow made by the perforated inner walls 40 of the circles of lockers Fiq3.

The central shaf t is perforated 24 Fig 1 and is a conduit fo.i ables 38 Fig 3. The upper portion of the shaft may terminate in a light fitting32. The lower part of the shaft has perforations at the level of the upper surface 22 of the base bin. The shaft passes through the base bin 16 to a multiple socket 14 concealed, above a ballast layer 12, behind a removable cover which is continuous with the side of the base bin.

In Fig 2 a power cable passes from the mains socket to a multiple socket. Cables pass from the socket up the hollow central shaft; out through perforations in the shaft; through perforations in the lockers to connect with electrically powered items within. There must be adequate cable 38 Fig 3 at the back of each item to allow for easy rotation of the lockers to an appropriate stopping point. The stopping point is determined by a lug on the central shaft 34 which meets a lug on the undersurface of each circle of lockers36 3 The high stack locker system has many uses requiring different adaptations to the basic system.

Hospital patient. Fig 1 one circle of lockers 26 with one lockable door for valuables 23 Fig 3 and one 'lipped' shelf 28Fig 3 to prevent spilla ge and cable outlets 22 Fig 2 for call alarm and light switch control on top of base bin.

Base bin with hinged or sliding lid 20 to give easy access to dressing gown and slippers and clean linen stored within.

Handle/towel rail 18 Fig 2 and wheel, rollers or castersIC-or mobility to allow easy cleaning. mechanism for brakes known to skilled person.

Long stay nursing home patient. As above but with added circles of lockers and lockable compartments for valuables and private papers. more lockers without doors for items of entertainment and communication. Pull out table 21Fig2 at armchair or wheelchair level for dining, reading, writing or jigsaws.

Immobilised patient needing long term community care at home.As above with the addition of computer monitor for internet communications. Pull out table with cable connections 22 Fig 2 for keyboard and mouse.

Base bin may have lockable drawer, shelves for printer, phone/fax and space for remote controlled DVD/computer power unit 13Fi92 immobilised patient Student computer workstation, AS. t ' but with removable dividing walls 37, 'nesting' circles of lockers 4 and.egmented perforated shaft. This would allow ease of packing for car transport. Additional lockable lockers and base bin to deter burgling of intellectual property on paper, disk or tape and valuable electronic items.

Office and other situations where a compact workstation needing housing for electrically powered items and other items are needed. CQmpact workstation where the number of circles of lockers may be as high as can be comfortably reached, allowing high stack storage for records in lockable lockers, and lockable base bin with feet to bolt on the floor to prevent burglary.

For internet controlled surgery and intensive care and maternity units. Made of suitable material for sterilisation.

Dismountable in order to save autoclave space.

m- -T -

Claims

1 A locker system comprising a base, a shaft extending at least above the base and one or more lockers rotatable about the shaft, at least one said locker being height adjustable on the shaft.

2. A locker system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the one or more rotatable lockers is removable from the shaft.

3. A locker system according to either one of claims 1 and 2 wherein a lower said locker is supported on a turntable attached to the shaft and any rotatable locker above the said lower rotatable locker is supported on and rotatable on or with the locker immediately below it.

4. A locker system according to claim 3 wherein the turntable is height adjustable on the shaft.

5. A locker system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the base comprises a weighted base unit.

6. A locker system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the base comprises a base bin for storage.

7. A locker system according to claim 6 wherein the shaft passes through the base bin.

8. A locker system according to any one preceding claim wherein the shaft is hollow.

9. A locker system according to claim 8 wherein electrical wiring passes through the hollow shaft.

10. A locker system according to claim 9 wherein the shaft has one or more apertures along its length and the electrical wiring passes through the apertures to outside the shaft.

11. A locker system according to claim 10 wherein electrical wiring passes outside the shaft into the interior of one or more of the rotatable lockers.

12. A locker system according to claim 11 wherein the electrical wiring is connected to one or more electrical or electronic devices housed in the interior of the one or more rotatable lockers.

13. A locker system according to any of claims 9 to 12 wherein the base bin houses an electrical socket to which is connected the electrical wiring.

14. A locker system according to any of claims 9 to 13 wherein a light fitting is located at the top end of 7- the shaft and is connected to the electical wiring which passes through the shaft.

15. A locker system according to claim 12 wherein the one or more electronic devices are selected from the group consisting of computer hardware, telephone, fax machine, television, radio, audio equipment, clock and communication devices.

16. A locker system according to any of claims 9 to 15 wherein the base bin houses one or more of the following: printer, telephone, fax machine and power units for a DVD or computer.

17. A locker system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A locker system comprising a base, a hollow shaft extending at least above the base and one or more lockers rotatable about the shaft, the shaft having one or more apertures along its length such that electrical wiring may pass from the base, through at least a part of the shaft and out through the one or more apertures and thereby into the interior of the one or more rotatable lockers for connection to one or more electronic devices housed in the interior of the one or more rotatable lockers.