GB2604847A

GB2604847A - A device

Info

Publication number: GB2604847A
Application number: GB2018586.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Watkins Colin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-11-25
Filing date: 2020-11-25
Publication date: 2022-09-21

Abstract

A power dispersal device 99 arranged for use with a hospital bed is disclosed. The device comprises a power connection plug 3, a first power outlet 2, a cable 1 and a second power outlet 4. The plug 3 is located at a proximal end of the cable 1, the second power outlet 4 is located at a distal end of the cable 1, and the first power outlet 2 is located at an intermediate location between the proximal end and the distal end of the cable 1. The cable 1 may comprise a plurality of sections. The first and second outlets may be in series or in parallel. A connector (figure 2, 12) may be disposed between the outlets and the plug. A circuit breaker may be provided in the outlets or the plug. One or more light sources may be provided, such as on the outlets, plug or cable. One or more switches may be disposed on the first and/or second power outlet.

Description

A DEVICE

Field of Invention

The pictured embodiment of the invention provides a device for providing electric sockets at a hospital bed or similar.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment o the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a detail isometric exploded view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a detail isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, in use; Figure 4 shows a detail isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; 20 And Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, in use.

Detailed Description of the Embodiment

With reference to the figures there is generally shown an embodiment of a power dispersal device 99 arranged for use with a hospital bed, generally comprising a power connection plug 3, a first power outlet 2, a cable 1, and a second power outlet 4; wherein the plug 3 is at a first end of the cable 1 and the second power outlet 4 is at the distal end of the cable; and wherein the first power outlet 2 is located on an intermediate location of the cable between the ends.

The cable may be envisaged as multipartite, where the outlets may be arranged in series or parallel.

The cable may comprise more than one connection or connector, between outlets andor the plug. In some embodiments the outlets may comprise fixed or direct wired connections to powered equipment.

In some embodiments each of the outlets may comprise a fuse or circuit breaker. In some embodiments the plug may comprise a fuse or circuit breaker.

In some embodiments the device may comprise one or more light sources, for example light emitting diodes (LEDs) which may be located on the outlets, plug or 10 cable, so as to indicate status and/or illuminate surroundings, In some embodiments the device may comprise one or more switches. For example in some embodiments the one or more switches may be situated on or one or both of the outlets.

In some embodiments one or more of the outlets may comprise a standard multi-pin electrical outlet for receipt of a plug from equipment such as medical equipment.

In some embodiments one or more of the outlets may comprise one or more type of 20 outlet, for example wherein the outlet may include a universal serial bus (USB) connection socket, for example arranged to charge electronic equipment.

With particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a multiple outlet first power outlet 2, comprising an elongate hexagonal section housing 6 with a front fascia plate 7 providing two three-pin sockets 10 for charging laptops and larger devices, and two USB sockets 11 for charging phones and smaller devices.

The housing 6 is extrusion moulded metal and includes a connection socket at one 30 end for the cable, or more particularly for receipt of a C13 male connector 12 to allow for easy replacement of this part of the cable, and the plug, if either get damaged.

Two plastic end caps 8 are at either end of the housing A plastic sliding lid 5 separates electrical components from the metal housing 6.

The cable continues from the distal end of the housing to the second power outlet, envisaged to be arranged to power the air pump at the foot of a hospital bed where the first outlet comprising the double socket and USB type A sockets is located at the head of the bed, attached to a tool post, and a single socket provided by the second power outlet is located at the foot of the bed to power the air mattress pump.

As shown in Figure 5 the embodiment eliminates trailing cables within hospital beds by ensuring the patient has electrical sockets allowing for charging of the patients devices, and the carers have a socket for the powering of the air pump.

This in turn advantageously eliminates the risk of trip hazards and electrocution, prevents the cable getting trapped/damaged within the bed mechanism.

The cable may be envisaged in use to be clipped to the bed using self-adhesive dips 15 and the first outlet may have a sliding clip on mechanism secured to the existing corner tool post of the bed using a bracket.

In some embodiments the second outlet may comprise a multiple socket outlet.

In some embodiments the cable to the second outlet may comprise a connector, from the first outlet and/or a connection socket to a third power outlet, making the device modular, allowing The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated 25 that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and 'operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A power dispersal device comprising: a power connection plug, a first power outlet, a cable, and, a second power outlet, wherein the plug is located at a proximal end of the cable and the second power outlet is located at a distal end of the cable, and wherein the first power outlet is located at an intermediate location of the cable between the proximal end and the distal end.
2. A power dispersal device according to claim 1, wherein the cable comprises a plurality of sections.
3. A power dispersal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second power outlets are arranged in a series electrical configuration.C\I
4. A power dispersal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second power outlets are arranged in a parallel electrical configuration. a)cp
5. A power dispersal device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a connector disposed between the first and the second outlets, and the plug. C\J7. A power dispersal device according to any preceding claim, wherein the plug comprises a circuit breaker.8. A power dispersal device according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more light sources.9. A power dispersal device according to claim 8, wherein the one or more light sources are located on the first power outlet, second power outlet, the plug or the cable.10. A power dispersal device according to any preceding claim further comprising one or more switches disposed on the first and/or second power outlet.
6. A power dispersal device according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the first or second power outlets comprise a circuit breaker.