GB2517779A

GB2517779A - Track mounting system

Info

Publication number: GB2517779A
Application number: GB1315575.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Kent
Original assignee: OPEMED EUROP Ltd
Current assignee: OPEMED EUROP Ltd
Priority date: 2013-08-31
Filing date: 2013-08-31
Publication date: 2015-03-04
Also published as: GB201315575D0

Abstract

A track mounting system comprises a track (4) for fixing to a ceiling and extending down from the ceiling when installed. The track comprises a first flanged path on its lower portion to support a bogey and a second flanged path on its upper portion for attaching the track to the ceiling via a bracket. The bracket comprises a threaded member (6) that engages with the ceiling, a mounting element comprising a transverse member (8) supported adjustably on the threaded member and a longitudinal member providing a lever (9) by which the said mounting element can be rotated about the threaded member. The mounting element is adjusted on the threaded member to a desired clearance from the ceiling. When positioned with the longitudinal member perpendicular to the direction of the track, the track is offered over the said transverse member and the longitudinal member is rotated such that the transverse member engages under the said second flange supporting the track while the longitudinal member is concealed above the track.

Description

Track mounting System The present invention relates to track mounting systems. More particularly it relates mounting systems for use supporting track for an overhead patient hoist.

Overhead patient hoists are well known. A typical overhead hoist comprises an extruded aluminium track providing a flanged channel. The channel is permanently fixed to the ceiling of the room where the hoist is to be used. A wheeled bogey runs in the channel and a hoist is suspended from the bogey. In use the hoist is moved along the track to be positioned over the patient to be lifted from their current position, for example from their bed. The patient is winched up supported in a sling and then the hoist is moved along the track to the point to which they need to be moved, for example to a wheelchair.

Attaching the track to the ceiling presents several challenges. There are many different types of ceiling to which the track needs to be fixed. Ceilings are not typically perfectly flat or level. The track is in view and an aesthetically acceptable bracket is required. Finally, the cost of installation represents a high part of the cost of providing a hoist. Several solutions to this have been proposed.

For example US 2007/0215774 proposes a mounting bracket that expands to connect two sections of track.

The current invention provides a solution for an easily adjustable and effective track and bracket system.

According to the present invention there is provided a track mounting system comprising a track for fixing to a ceiling and extending down from the ceiling when installed, the track including a flanged channel at its lower portion to support a bogey and a bracket for attaching the track to a ceiling, characterised in that the track includes a second flanged channel adjacent the ceiling that the bracket comprises a threaded member that engages with the ceiling, a mounting element comprising a transverse member supported adjustably on the threaded member and rotatable substantially about its midpoint and attached thereto but displaced vertically at least the thickness of the said second flange a longitudinal member providing a lever by which the said mounting element can be rotated about the threaded member whereby to mount the said track the said threaded member is engaged with the ceiling, the mounting element is adjusted on the threaded member to a desired clearance from the ceiling, positioned with the longitudinal member perpendicular to the direction of the track, the track is offered over the said transverse member and the longitudinal member is rotated to an engaged position such that the transverse member engages under the said flanges of the second flanged channel supporting the track while the longitudinal member is concealed above the track.

According to another aspect of the invention the said mounting element is supported by a threaded nut threading onto the said threaded member.

According to a further aspect of the invention the said transverse member incorporates abutment faces which abut against the interior walls of the said second flanged channel when the mounting element is in its engaged position p The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows a known track and bracket, Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of the invention Figures 3 and 4 show an embodiment of the invention in disengaged and engaged positions and Figure 5 shows a mounting element incorporating a further embodiment of the invention.

The known system of figure 1, shown in section, comprises a track including a lower channel 51 including internal flanges 52 for supporting a bogey on a hoist. The upper portion includes external flanges 53. Fixed to the ceiling by screws is a bracket 54 forming a u-shape with an internal flange 55 on one side. Opposite the internal flange is a screw 56 passing through the wall of the bracket. In use the bracket is fixed to the ceiling then the track offered up to the bracket so that one of the external flanges 53 engages with the internal flange 55. The screw 56 is then tightened to retain the track within the bracket as shown. If the height of the bracket needs to be adjusted the track is removed, the bracket unscrewed from the ceiling and shims added or taken away to adjust the height of the bracket. It will be seen that the bracket remains visible once the track is installed.

The exploded view of Figure 2 shows a track 1 including a lower channel 2 partially defined by lower flanges 3 for supporting a bogey on a hoist (not shown). The track also has an upper channel 4 including upper internal flanges 5. A threaded member 6 is fixed into the ceiling. The threaded member passes through the centre of a transverse members forming part of a mounting element 7.

A nut 10 is threaded onto the threaded member below members to support it while allowing it to rotate around the threaded member. The mounting element 7 also includes a lever 9 fixed to the transverse member Sand above it by the thickness of the upper flanges 5.

Figure 3 shows a partial section through the mounting system of figure 2, with the mounting element 7 in its disengaged position. The lever 9 is perpendicular to the direction of the channel and the member 8 lies within the upper channel and just below the upper flanges.

Figure 4 shows the mounting system of figure 2 with the mounting element moved to the engaged position. The lever 9 has been used to rotate the mounting element through 90 degrees. The members now extends below the upper flanges Sand secures the channel in place. The lever 9 is concealed above the channel providing an uncluttered appearance for the channel when viewed from below. If the height of the track needs adjusting then the track is removed and the nut 10 adjusted to the desired height.

FigureS shows in plan view a mounting element incorporating a further embodiment of the current invention. The transverse member 8 has two diametrically opposing corners 10, 10 which are chamfered such that it will clear the inside of the flanged channel (not shown). The other two corners 11, 11 form abutment faces that abut against the inside of the channel when the mounting element is rotated to its engaged position. This makes it easy to ensure that the transverse member is fully engaged with the flanges, improving safety.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A track mounting system comprising a track for fixing to a ceiling and extending down from the ceiling when installed, the track including a flanged channel at its lower portion to support a bogey and a bracket for attaching the track to a ceiling, characterised in that the track includes a second flanged channel adjacent the ceiling that the bracket comprises a threaded member that engages with the ceiling, a mounting element comprising a transverse member supported adjustably on the threaded member and rotatable substantially about its midpoint and attached thereto but displaced vertically at least the thickness of the said second flange a longitudinal member providing a lever by which the said mounting element can be rotated about the threaded member whereby to mount the said track the said threaded member is engaged with the ceiling, the mounting element is adjusted on the threaded member to a desired clearance from the ceiling, positioned with the longitudinal member perpendicular to the direction of the track, the track is offered over the said transverse member and the longitudinal member is rotated to an engaged position such that the transverse member engages under the said flanges of the second flanged channel supporting the track while the longitudinal member is concealed above the track.
2. A track and bracket system as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the said mounting element is supported by a threaded nut threading onto the said threaded member.
3. Atrack and bracket as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the said transverse member incorporates abutment faces which abut against the interior walls of the said second flanged channel when the mounting element is in its engaged position.
4. A track and bracket system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.