GB2616293A

GB2616293A - Receptacle and hanger

Info

Publication number: GB2616293A
Application number: GB2202969.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hunter Chris
Original assignee: Visual System And Sign Co Ltd
Current assignee: Visual System And Sign Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-03-03
Filing date: 2022-03-03
Publication date: 2023-09-06
Also published as: GB202202969D0

Abstract

Apparatus for holding patent records or documents comprising a receptacle 14 and a hanger 16, and means for securing the receptacle 14 to the hanger 16. The hanger 16 comprises a part which is shaped to hook over a structure. The means for securing the receptacle 14 to the hanger 16 comprises a snap-fit connection between an elongate slot and at least two elongate protrusions, the elongate slot located on one of the hanger 16 and the receptacle 14, and the at least two elongate protrusions located on the other of the hanger 16 and the receptacle 14. The receptacle 14 includes an opening defined by an upper rim and the means for securing the receptacle 14 to the hanger 16 is oriented substantially parallel to the upper rim of the receptacle 14. The protrusions may be spaced apart such that when the protrusions are located within the slot, one of the protrusions is in contact with an upper edge of the slot and the other protrusion is in contact with a lower edge of the slot.

Description

Receptacle and hanger

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a receptacle and hanger and in particular to a receptacle for holding documents, such as patient records, which in combination with a detachable hanger can be attached temporarily to a structure such as a bed rail.

Background of the Invention

An existing product for holding patient records is illustrated in Figure 1, such products typically include a receptacle to shaped to hold documents, typically A4 sized documents, and an elongate hanger 12 fixed to the receptacle, for hanging the receptacle on a bed rail. These patient record holders are a one-piece construction, the hanger forming part of the receptacle, or being permanently affixed thereto.

Patient record holders require frequent removal from the end of the bed to allow the patient's notes to be examined by medical professionals. Patient record holders such as those illustrated in Figure should be removed from the bed rail by lifting vertically upwards in free the hanger from the rail, however users tend to lift the receptacle by the base, using just one hand and angling the receptacle away from die vertical. The hanger and the receptacle are a one piece moulding and hence lifting in this way exerts stress on the hanger which can, after many repetitions, cause the hanger to fail.

Two-part receptacle hangers exist, for example US4,739,582 describes a receptacle for holding a floral arrangement which can hook over a piece of furniture such as a church pew This type of arrangement is not designed to be repeatedly removed from the pew rather to stay in place As mentioned previously, for patient record holders, users tend to remove the record holder from the rail by grabbing the receptacle part, angling it away from the vertical, and then lifting to free the hanger from the bcdrail. In the receptacle described in US4,739,582, for example, this movement would result in the receptacle part being separated from the hanger and so would not be a suitable arrangement for a patient record holder.

It would be desirable to provide an improved patient record holder which allows for easy and repeated removal from a bed rail.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the invention provides apparatus comprising a receptacle and a hanger and means for securing the receptacle to the hanger, the hanger comprising a part which is shaped to hook over a structure; wherein the means for securing the receptacle to the hanger comprises a snap-fit connection between an elongate slot, and at least Iwo elongate protrusions, the elongate slot located on one of the hanger and the receptacle and the at least two elongate protrusions located on the other of the hanger and the receptacle; wherein the receptacle includes an opening defined by an upper rim and wherein the means for securing the receptacle to the hanger is oriented substantially parallel to the upper rim of the receptacle.

the snap-fit connection between the hanger and the receptacle provides a sturdy yet flexible connection between the two parts.

Preferably, the means For securing the receptacle to the hanger comprises an elongate slot and a pair of substantially parallel elongate protrusions. The protrusions are preferably spaced apart such that when the protrusions are located within the slot, one of the protrusions is in contact with an upper edge of the slot and the other protrusion is in contact with a lower edge of the slot Preferably, the protrusions project from i substantially planar surface, and the protrusion which contacts the upper edge of the slot is angled such that it projects away from the substantially planar surface in an upwards direction, at an acute angle thereto.

Preferably, the elongate slot has a length and the protrusion which contacts the upper edge of the slot has a length which is substantially equal to the length of the elongate slot.

In a preferred embodiment, the elongate slot is located on the receptacle and the protrusions are located on the hanger.

Preferably, the hanger includes a ridged portion which locates adjacent to the upper rim of the receptacle when the hanger and receptacle are secured together.

Preferably the hanger includes at least one cut-away portion which improves flexibility of the hanger.

Preferably, the hanger includes a plurality of strengthening ribs on an underside of the part which is shaped to hook over a structure.

Preferably, the receptacle comprises a pair of side walls and the pair of side walls are sloped inwardly from the upper rim of the receptacle. This tapering of the side walls allows several receptacles to be stacked together, one inside the other.

Preferably the hanger and receptacle are fabricated from a plastics material. More preferably each of the hanger and receptacle is fabricated from a material selected from the group comprising: nylon and polypropylene. More preferably the receptacle is fabricated from polypropylene.

The invention provides improved apparatus which is suitable for use as a patient record holder which provides a sturdy and yet Flexible connection between a receptacle and hanger, allowing for easy and repeated removal of the apparatus from a rail or other support.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, which illustrate the prior art and preferred embodiments of the apparatus of the invention, and are by way of example:

Figure 1 illustrates a prior art document holder;

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention; Figure 3 illustrates two of the apparatus of Figure 2, stacked together; Figure 4 illustrates the apparatus of Figure 2, with hanger detached: Figure 5 illustrates the apparatus of Figure 2 hanging from a bed rail; Figure 6 illustrates the hanger of the apparatus of Figure 2 and Figure 7 illustrates a cross-section through the securing means of the hanger and receptacle of the apparatus of Figure 2.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Figure 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising a receptacle 14 and a hanger 16 attached thereto. The receptacle has a front wall 25, a rear wall 15, and Iwo side walls 24, and a large opening 18 at the top for receiving documen, typically A4 sized documents. The opening 18 is defined by an upper rim 20. In this example the front wall includes a portion that is lower in height than the rear wall to make it easier to insert and remove documents from the receptacle. The front wall 25 of the receptacle is provided with a large label 22 for labelling with details such as patient name, doctor, ward and the like. Preferably such a label would have a whiteboard surface to allow non-permanent marking thereon with whiteboard pens. Preferably, as illustrated, the sides 24 of the receptacle are sloped inwardly from top to bottom to allow receptacles to be stacked, as illustrated in Figure 3. The receptacle 14 may have cut-away portions 26 at the side of the base to make internal cleaning of the receptacle easier.

As shown in Figure 4, the hanger 16 is detachable from the receptacle 14. the hanger 16 has a curved shape to allow it to hook over an item such as a bed rail 28, as illustrated in Figure 5. In this example the receptacle 14 is being used to hold an.A4 sized binder 30.

Figure 6 illustrates the hanger 16 in more detail. jhhe hanger 16 illustrated is provided with a substantial cut-out area 32 which helps to improve the flexibility of the hanger. As shown in Figure 5, ribs 34 on the underside of the hanger also provide strengthening to the hanger.

The receptacle 14 has an elongate slot 36 on the back wall 15, adjacent to the upper rim. The slot 36 aligns with a pair of protrusions 38, 40 located on the hanger. The protrusions 38, 40 are a snap-fit into the slot 36. When located in the slot 36, the upper protrusion 38 is in contact with the upper edge of the slot, and the lower protrusion 40 is in contact with the lower edge of the slot 36. Preferably, the upper protrusion 38 is substantially the same length as the slot and is angled in an upwards direction, at an acute angle to the hanger wall from which it protrudes. The lower protrusion 40 is not necessarily as long as the slot. The hanger also preferably includes an elongate ridge portion 42 which aligns with the upper vi 20 of the receptacle when the hanger 16 and receptacle 14 are fastened together. The ridge 42 a id protrusions are preferably located on an inner surface of the hanger.

Whilst in the illustrated example the slot is located on the receptacle and the protrusions on the hanger, an alternative configuration would be possible where the slot is located on the hanger and the protrusions are located on the receptacle.

Both the hanger and the receptacle may be made from a plastics material, such as polypropylene or nylon. The hanger and the receptacle may be made from different plastics material, for example the hanger may be fabricated from nylon and the receptacle from polypropylene. Polypropylene is more Flexible than nylon which would be beneficial for the receptacle.

The hanger and the receptacle are quickly and simply fastened together using the snap-fit connection. the connection between the two parts is sufficiently sturdy, but also flexible, allowing the apparatus to be easily removed from the bed rail by angling the receptacle away from the vertical.

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus comprising a receptacle and a hanger and means for securing the receptacle to the hanger, the hanger comprising a part which is shaped to hook over a structure; wherein the means for securing the receptacle to the hanger comprises a snap-fit connection between at least one elongate slot, and at least two elongate protrusions, the at least one elongate slot located on one of the hanger and the receptacle and the at least two elongate protrusions located on the other of the hanger and the receptacle; wherein the receptacle includes an opening defined by an upper rim and wherein the means for securing the receptacle to the hanger is oriented substantially parallel to the upper rim of the receptacle 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for securing the receptacle to the hanger comprises an elongate slot and a pair of substantially parallel elongate protrusions, and wherein the protrusions are spaced apart such that when the protrusions are located within the slot, one of the protrusions is in contact with an upper edge of the slot and the other protrusion is in contact with a lower edge of the slot.3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the protrusions project from a substantially planar surface, and wherein the protrusion which contacts the upper edge of the slot is angled such that it projects away from the substantially planar surface in an upwards direction, at an acute angle thereto.4. Apparatus according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the elongate slot has a length and the protrusion which contacts the upper edge of the slot has a length which is substantially equal to the length of the elongate slot.3. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate slot is located on the receptacle and the protrusions are located on the hanger.6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the hanger includes a ridged portion which locates adjacent to the upper rim of the receptacle when the hanger and receptacle are secured together.7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the hanger includes at least one cut-away portion.8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the hanger includes a plurality of strengthening ribs on an underside of the part1;1 nen is shaped to hook over a structure.9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the receptacle comprises a pair of side walls and the pair of side walls are sloped inwardly from the upper tim of the receptacle.10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the hanger and receptacle are Fabricated From a plastics material.