NZ789460A - Cart with removable wheel base - Google Patents
Cart with removable wheel baseInfo
- Publication number
- NZ789460A NZ789460A NZ789460A NZ78946017A NZ789460A NZ 789460 A NZ789460 A NZ 789460A NZ 789460 A NZ789460 A NZ 789460A NZ 78946017 A NZ78946017 A NZ 78946017A NZ 789460 A NZ789460 A NZ 789460A
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- wheel base
- main body
- base assembly
- cart
- transport device
- Prior art date
Links
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- 210000000088 Lip Anatomy 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 47
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 10
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- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
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- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 6
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminum Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229910001092 metal group alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
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- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
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- RZVAJINKPMORJF-UHFFFAOYSA-N p-acetaminophenol Chemical compound CC(=O)NC1=CC=C(O)C=C1 RZVAJINKPMORJF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000005297 pyrex Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
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- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 4
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- 244000153665 Ficus glomerata Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000012571 Ficus glomerata Nutrition 0.000 description 1
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- 235000015125 Sterculia urens Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229940035295 Ting Drugs 0.000 description 1
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- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Abstract
transport device has a wheel with a braking mechanism. The transport device includes a rotatable actuation mechanism positioned adjacent the braking mechanism, and a handle extending upward from the actuation mechanism and configured to move the actuation mechanism between an open position at which no stopping force is applied, and a braking position at which the actuation mechanism causes the braking mechanism to apply. h no stopping force is applied, and a braking position at which the actuation mechanism causes the braking mechanism to apply.
Description
CART WITH REMOVABLE WHEEL BASE
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is d to U.S. Patent ation No. 29/569,050, filed 23 June 2016, U.S.
Patent Application No. 15/190,682, filed 23 June 2016, PCT Patent Application No. ,
filed 16 June 2017, and New Zealand Patent Application No. 749502, filed 16 June 2017. The entire
contents of those applications are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention s to the field of clean room equipment. More particularly, the
present invention relates to the facilitation of transport for sterile equipment from a non-sterile
nment to a sterile environment and vice versa.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A lled environment (such as a clean room) is an area or environment in which the level of
contaminants or particles is controlled, such as by filtering particulate matter from air that enters the
room. Controlled environments have low levels of contaminants or particles, and are used to
manufacture certain products and conduct research. These controlled environments are used to ensure
that organic and inorganic contaminants from the outside nments do not compromise the goods
or equipment being manufactured or utilized. However, it can be difficult to transport into the
controlled nment, the s items (such as supplies, raw materials, etc.) that are needed in the
controlled environment to assist in the manufacture, without contaminating the controlled environment
or otherwise introducing particles into the controlled environment.
Clean rooms can also use such features as ve pressure and ty controls to optimize
the environment for the task for which they have been designed. Clean rooms can have a variety of
sizes, and can also have an airlock or g area formed outside of the entry point. The airlock or
staging area ters the air inside the clean room from the outside environment. Clean rooms are
currently classified using filtration criteria that examines the number and size of les admitted in a
given air volume. Known clean room standards in the United States include US FED 209E classes, ISO
14644-1 classes, and ISO 14644-2 classes. Other countries may use separate standards or guidelines.
aving is one technique for cleaning the goods and equipment that are transported into the
controlled environment. An autoclave is a device that is used to sterilize goods and equipment through
the use of pressure and/or heat in the form of steam or eated water. Autoclaving can also be
carried out in a vacuum. Autoclaves can have a variety of sizes, depending on the media to be sterilized.
Because the goods and equipment in the ave are subjected to high levels of heat, pressure, and
moisture, any media ted to such treatment must be able to withstand both.
Clean room personnel will often use carts to transport items m a clean room. However, the
cart cannot enter the clean room because the wheels attract dirt that would introduce undesirable
particles into the clean room. Consequently, personnel must stop the cart outside the clean room entry
point (or inside the staging area), then ly transfer trays and/or goods from the cart to inside the
sterile environment. A second cart can sometimes be provided inside the clean room, and the goods can
be transferred to/from the cart located inside the clean room to/from the cart located outside the clean
room. This transfer is necessary to ensure that the cart situated outside the clean environment does not
enter and contaminate the sterile clean room. However, such conventional, manual transfers between
environments involves a number of risks and difficulties including: (1) the possibility that goods will be
dropped or spilled; (2) the possibility that accidental handling of the goods will compromise sterility; (3)
the need for additional individuals to assist in the transfer and transport of goods; and (4) can be timeconsuming
and labor intensive.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[006a] It is an object of the invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of
the above disadvantages, to meet the above need, or to provide a useful alternative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is disclosed herein a transport that can be used by a single operator to transport goods
and equipment. r ive is to provide a transport device that can be moved from an
uncontrolled environment (e.g., outside a clean room) to inside a controlled environment (e.g., a clean
room), and to transport goods from an uncontrolled environment to inside a clean room nment. It
is a further ive to provide a cart that has a removable wheel base, such that a single operator can
replace the non-sterile wheel base with a sterile wheel base as goods or equipment are transported
between an uncontrolled environment and a lled environment, while preventing the non-sterile
wheel base from entering the controlled environment. It is yet another objective to provide a cart that
can, in its entirety, withstand the heat and pressure of standard ry autoclaves.
Accordingly, a fully autoclavable cart is provided having a removable wheel base. The cart can be
used to transfer goods and equipments on sterile trays from outside the controlled nment to
inside the clean room or other controlled environment without ing the operator to manually
transfer the trays. One wheel base can be left outside the clean room, and a second wheel base can be
left inside the clean room. The user brings the cart to the clean room entry point or airlock, switches
wheel bases to leave the contaminated wheel base outside the clean room and move the cart onto the
sterile wheel base located inside the clean room, and continues to move the cart with the goods into the
clean room.
There is disclosed herein a supply transport device which includes a main body having a bottom
surface and a plurality of vertical support posts and a plurality of horizontal cross members extending
between each of the plurality of al support posts so as to form side rails, and an interchangeable
wheel base assembly configured to receive and mate with the bottom surface of the main body.
es placed on the bottom surface of the main body are held securely in place by the side rails.
There is disclosed herein a tray transport device which includes a main body having at least one
elongated tray-receiving structure and a bottom surface, a plurality of ng lips extending
perpendicularly from the at least one elongated tray-receiving structure and configured to receive and
support a tray, and an interchangeable wheel base assembly configured to receive and mate with the
bottom surface of the main body. Each of the tray-receiving ures extends vertically upwards
relative to the wheel base assembly.
There is disclosed herein a transport device having a wheel with a braking ism which
includes a ble actuation mechanism positioned adjacent the braking ism, and a handle
extending upward from the ion mechanism and configured to move the actuation mechanism
between an open position at which no stopping force is applied, and a braking position at which the
actuation mechanism causes the braking mechanism to apply.
These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of the intended advantages thereof,
will become more readily apparent when reference is made to the following description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof
will be readily obtained as the same s better understood by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, n:
shows a perspective view of the cart frame with its wheel base removed, in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention;
is a front plan view of the cart with a removable wheel base attached;
is a side plan view of the cart with a removable wheel base attached;
is a top view of the cart with a removable wheel base attached;
is an ed perspective view of the wheel base wheel assembly of
is a side view of the top rear corner portion of the cart and the rear wheel base locking
mechanism, taken along line Z-Z of , with the locking mechanism in the locked position;
is a side view of the rear wheel base wheel assembly of , with the locking
mechanism in the unlocked position;
is a top view as a cart in an uncontrolled environment approaches a wheel base assembly
positioned in a controlled nment;
FIG 5B is a top view as a cart moves between an uncontrolled environment and a controlled
environment, replacing its erile wheel base with a sterile wheel base;
is a top view of a cart completely within a controlled environment, after having ed
its non-sterile wheel base with a sterile wheel base;
is a side perspective view of a rack used to transport the wheel base lies of
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
is a top view of the rack of ;
is a side view of the rack of ;
is a perspective view of the rack in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the
invention;
is a front view of the rack of ;
is a side view of the rack of ;
is a front perspective view of a supply cart in accordance with an alternative embodiment
of the invention;
is a front perspective view of a tray cart in accordance with an alternative embodiment of
the invention;
A is a front ctive view of a prior art braking mechanism; and
B is a cutaway front ctive view of an exemplary wheel base having the braking
mechanism illustrated in A.
ED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the gs, specific
terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the ion is not intended to be
limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all
technical equivalents that operate in similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. Several preferred
ments of the ion are described for illustrative purposes, it being understood that the
invention may be embodied in other forms not specifically shown in the drawings.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a transport device such as a cart 10 of the invention in accordance with a nonlimiting
illustrative embodiment. The cart 10 generally includes a main body or frame 100, a wheel base
assembly 200, and a locking mechanism 300 for releasably locking the main body 100 to the wheel base
assembly 200. The cart 10 is generally shown as having an elongated, rectangular shape. The entire cart
, including the frame 100, the wheel base 200, and the locking mechanism 300, are made of a
material that can withstand the moisture, heat, and re necessary for the entire cart 10 to be able
to be autoclaved. Such materials may include, but are not limited to, metals and metal alloys such as
nickel, aluminum or stainless steel, resilient plastics such as opylene, and Pyrex type glass.
Main Frame 100
As shown, the main frame or body 100 is a rectangular, y piece that defines a front
transverse side or end 102, a rear transverse side or end 104 and two longitudinal sides 106, 108. The
main body 100 has one or more horizontally-extending shelves that are each connected to and
supported by four vertical support posts 120. Three shelves are provided in the embodiment shown,
including a bottom shelf 112, center shelf 114 and top shelf 116. Each of the shelves 112, 114, 116
carries various items, such as goods and/or equipment. r, it is understood that in this and
alternative embodiments of the invention may have a variable number of shelves and support posts
120, though preferably at least one bottom shelf 112 is ed. Each of the shelves 112, 114, 116 can
have downwardly-turned edges that form side walls 118, which provide further support for the shelves
112, 114, 116. The shelves 112, 114, 116 can also have upward turned sides that prevent the items
being transported from sliding off the shelves.
The main body 100 also includes an elongated handle 130. The handle 130 can be a round
elongated tube that ends the entire width of the cart 10. The handle 130 is connected at the rear end
104 of the cart 10 by supports at the two outer sides 106, 108. The handle 130 is spaced apart from the
rear end 104 and parallel to the rear end 104 to form a gap 132 between the handle 130 and the rear
end 104 of the cart 10. The handle 130 can be substantially at the top of the cart 10 and level with or
raised up from (by the supports) the top shelf 116.
Guide wheel assemblies 140 are positioned along the downwardly-turned side walls 118 of the
bottom shelf 112. As shown in four guide wheel assemblies 140 are positioned along the
longitudinal side walls 118, spaced apart from each other. Referring to the wheel assemblies have
a wheel 142 and an axle 144. The axle 144 can be a rod that s through an opening in the side wall
118 and is ed to the side wall 118 on the opposite side of the wall 118, such as by a bolt or the
like. Or, the axle 144 can extend the entire width of the cart 10 so that one axle 144 has two wheels 142
fixed at opposite sides 118 of the cart 10. The guide wheel 142 is relatively wide, and is rotatably fixed to
the axle 144 so that the guide wheel 142 rotates freely about the axle 144. The guide wheels 142 extend
slightly below the side walls 118, so that they support the weight of the main body 100 when slidably
received on the wheel base assembly 200. The wheels 142 rotate in a direction that is parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the main body 100, i.e., forward/backwards. Thus, the guide wheels 142 rotate when
the main body 100 is slidably ed and d from the wheel base assembly 200. The axis of
rotation for each of the rolling-wheels 142 is perpendicular to the side wall 118 and to the axle 144.
Though four guide wheel assemblies 140 are shown, any suitable number of guide wheel assemblies can
be utilized, including one or more.
Wheel Base Assembly 200
As further shown in FIGS. 1-2, the wheel base assembly 200 includes wheel assemblies 210, two
parallel, longitudinal guiderails 220, a lock opening 230 located at both ends of the wheel base 200, and
a platform 240. The wheel assemblies 210 include a wheel frame and wheel rotatably coupled with the
wheel frame. The wheel frame is connected to the bottom of the platform 240, such that a wheel
assembly 210 is provided at each of the four corners of the cart 10 so that the cart 10 can be easily
pushed and pulled by the user. At least one of the wheel assemblies 210 has a wheel lock mechanism
250 (A) that prevents movement of the cart 10. In one embodiment, one or more of the wheel
lies 210 are swivel mounted so that each of the wheel assemblies 210 can rotate three hundred
and sixty degrees (360°) about its longitudinal axis so that the cart 10 can be pushed or pulled in any
direction.
The platform 240 is sized and shaped to cooperatively receive and mate with the main body 100.
ingly, the platform 240 is a flat, rectangular, ted, thin sheet having a traverse rear end 242,
a transverse front end 244 and two longitudinal sides 246, 248. The platform 240 has a flat top surface
241 that is a single continuous sheet. However, the platform 240 can be comprised of one or more
elongated slats that extend the full length of the wheel base assembly 200 from the front end 244 to the
rear end 242. The platform 240 and wheel base ly 200 are relatively low to the ground (3-8
inches, depending on the size of the wheels) to provide a stable base upon which the main body 100 can
be fixed. Accordingly, the wheel base assembly 200 does not n any unnecessary ts that
might increase its height. So, the wheel base assembly 200 essentially has the wheels and the rm
240, with the wheels attached to the bottom side or surface of the platform 240.
Guiderails 220 are provided at each of the longitudinal sides 246, 248 of the wheel base assembly
200, and are elongated members that extend the entire length of the wheel base assembly 200. The
guiderails 220 are best shown in Each guiderail 220 has an upright portion 222, inwardly turned
member 224, and an inner guide edge 226. The upright portion 222 s perpendicularly upward
from the flat top surface 241 and forms the outer edge of the guiderails 220 as well as the outermost
edge of the longitudinal sides 246, 248. The inwardly turned member 224 extends perpendicularly
inwardly with respect to the wheel base assembly 200 so that the inwardly turned member 224 is
substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the top surface 241 of the platform 240. The top surface
241, upright portion 222 and inwardly turned portion 224 are metal (such as steel) walls that form a
general U-shape turned on its side. A channel 227 is formed between the ly turned member 224
and the top surface 241 of the platform.
As shown, the upright portion 222 spaces the inwardly turned portion 224 apart from the top
surface 241 of the platform 240 so that the guide edge 226 is aligned of the top of the g-wheel
guide assemblies 140 that are attached to the side wall 118 of the main body 100. The guide wheels 142
slide along the ails 220 (longitudinally) as the wheels 142 rotate. The rolling-wheel guides 140
support, transport, and guide the main body 100 to slide along the platform 240, and allow the wheel
base assembly 200 to slide beneath the main body 100. The rolling-wheel guides 140 allow the main
body 100 to slidably engage the wheel base ly 200 in a udinal direction. It will be
appreciated, however, that the main body 100 and wheel base assembly 200 can be configured so that
the main body 100 slidably s the wheel base assembly in a side-to-side fashion in a transverse
The guide wheel assemblies 140 prevent the main body 100 from coming free of the wheel base
assembly 200 during use, and to guide the main body 100 when slidably received or removed from a
wheel base assembly 200. As shown in the wheels 142 extend downward slightly below the
bottom of the side wall 118. Accordingly, the wheels 142 slide on the top surface 242 of the wheel base
assembly 200. The wheels 142 are further received in the channel 227 formed between the top
inwardly-turned portion 224 and the top surface 242 of the rm 240. The top member 224 forms a
ledge that ts the wheels 142 from coming free. The top member 224 retains the wheels 142 in
the channel 227 and the wheels 142 can only slide forward and backward on the top e 242 of the
platform. Thus, the main body 100 cannot come free of the wheel base assembly 200 by being lifted
upward with respect to the wheel base assembly 200, such as if the cart 10 were to tip or be lifted by
the users. Rather, the main body 100 can only be separated from the wheel base ly 200 by
unlocking the lock mechanism 300 and sliding the main body 100 forward or backward so that the
wheels 142 come out of the ends of the channels 227.
It is noted that the guiderails 200 need not be aligned with the downwardly-turned sides 118, but
instead can just cooperatively engage the vertical posts 120 of the main body 100. The guiderails 220
can be formed, for instance, by bending the sides 246, 248 of the platform 240, so that the guiderails are
integral with the rm 240. The front and rear s 228 of the guiderails 220 are beveled to guide
the main body 100 inwardly to between the inner edges 226 of the two guiderails 220 as the main body
100 initially slides onto the wheel base assembly 200. In addition, the wheels 142 need not support the
weight of the main body 100, but rather can be positioned above the bottom edge of the side walls 118.
In this manner, the side walls 118 would slide on the top surface 242 of the platform 240 and the wheels
142 would guide the main body 100 and prevent the main body 100 from separating from the wheel
base assembly 200.
Referring now to FIGS. 4A, 4B, further detail of the locking mechanism 300 is shown. The locking
mechanism 300 includes a vertical rod 302, a release knob 304, an upper stop 306, a lower stop 308, a
spring 310, and an upper guide hole 124. The vertical rod 302 extends the entire height of the main
body 100. A handle such as a knob 304 is positioned at a al end of the rod 302. The vertical rod
302 is coupled with the main body 100 of the cart 10 at the rear end 104 of the cart 10. The rod 302 is
slidably fastened to the main body 100 by an upper support member 320 and a lower support member
330. The upper support member 320 is fixedly attached at the top portion of the main body 100. In the
embodiment shown, the upper support member 320 is fastened to the upper shelf 116 (such as the side
wall 118 of the upper shelf 116) and can also be fastened to the inside of the handle 130. The upper
support member 320 can be positioned in the gap 132 n the handle 130 and the top shelf 116.
The lower support member 330 is fixedly attached at the bottom portion of the main body 100. In the
embodiment shown, the lower support member 330 is fastened to the lower shelf 112, such as the side
wall 118 of the lower shelf 112.
The upper support member 320 has a central opening or upper through-hole 322 and the lower
support member 330 has a central opening or lower through-hole 332. The upper and lower hholes
322, 332 are ly larger than the diameter of the rod 302 so that the rod 302 snugly fits in the
holes 322, 332. Accordingly, the rod 302 is received in the upper and lower through-holes 322, 332. The
holes 332, 332 are large enough so that the rod 302 can freely slide up and down within the holes 322,
332, but not too large to allow the rod 302 to wiggle.
The upper stop member 306 is provided about a top portion of the rod 302 and is fixedly
attached to rod 302. The upper stop member 306 is positioned below the upper support member 320 a
sufficient distance to permit the spring 310 to be provided between the upper stop member 306 and the
upper support member 320. Accordingly, the spring 310 is positioned about the rod 302 between the
bottom e of the upper support member 320 and the top surface of the upper stop member 306.
The spring 310 has a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the upper hole 322, but smaller than
the width of the upper support member 320. The diameter of the spring 310 is also smaller than the
er of the upper stop member 306. The spring 310 is slightly compressed so it pushes outwardly
t the bottom surface of the upper support member 320 and the top surface of the upper stop
member 306.
Thus, the upper stop 306 is fixed to the rod 302 and the rod 302 slides within the upper support
member 320, which is fixedly attached to the main body 100. The outwardly-biased spring 310 pushes
the rod 302 downwardly (by virtue of pushing downward on upper stop member 306 which is fixed to
rod 302) so that a distal end portion 312 of the rod 302 is forced downward to engage into the lock
opening 230 of the wheel base assembly 200, as shown in . The lower stop member 308 is fixedly
coupled to the rod 302 at the bottom portion of the rod 302, and prevents the rod 302 from extending
too far downward within the openings 332, 230 and hitting the ground or otherwise interfering with
operation of the cart 10.
When the rod 302 is received in the lock opening 230 of the wheel base assembly 200, the cart
is in a locked position, whereby the wheel base ly 200 is locked to the main body 100. In the
locked position, the main body 100 s fixed to the wheel base assembly 200 by the cooperative
engagement of the locking mechanism 300 in the lock opening 230, as well as by the bottom n
(the bottom shelf 112 and/or support posts 120) being positioned n the guiderail members 220.
Accordingly the wheel base assembly 200 will move together with the main body 100 as the user
pushes/pulls the cart handle 130.
The proximal end of the rod 302 and the knob 304 extend up above the top surface of the top
shelf 116 and the cart handle 130. The knob 304 is located so that the operator of the cart 100 is able to
easily reach and e the wheel base locking mechanism 300 while still gripping the handle 130.
The user can lift up on the knob 304 in the ion Y against the bias of the spring 310, as
shown in . This action causes the distal end portion 312 of the rod 302 to withdraw from the
locking hole 230 of the wheel base assembly 200. In this position, the cart 10 is in an unlocked state or
position, whereby the wheel base assembly 200 is no longer locked to the main body 100. The guiderails
220 still prevent the main body 100 from move transversely or laterally with respect to the wheel base
assembly 200. However, the main body 100 can slide in a udinal direction X (FIGS. 1, 4B). More
specifically, the bottom surface of the bottom shelf 112 slides along the top surface 241 of the rm
240. Because both surfaces are smooth metal, the main body 100 can slide without too much difficulty,
even when items are loaded on the s 112, 114, 116. Thus, although element 112 is referred to as a
shelf, it is a flat and sturdy plate that is sufficiently rigid to permit the main body 100 to slide on the
platform 240. The rm 240 is also a flat and sturdy plate that is sufficiently rigid to allow the main
body 100 to slide on its top surface 241.
The rod 302 cannot be pulled up high enough such that the distal end portion 312 comes out of
the opening 332 in the lower support member 330. The rod 302 is prevented from moving upward when
the spring 310 is fully compressed between the upper stop member 306 and the upper support member
320. In addition, the lower support member 330 can be made taller, or an additional stop member can
optionally be provided on the rod 302 (such as at the distal end 312) to limit the upward movement of
the rod 302. Still further, another support member with a through -hole that es the rod 302 can be
affixed to the main body 100 (such as the middle shelf 114) to prevent upward movement of the lower
stop member 208 or another stop member (not shown).
Operation of Cart 10
g to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, operation of the cart 10 is shown. In this non-limiting illustrative
example, the cart 10 is moved from an uncontrolled environment 5 (e.g., outside a clean room) to a
controlled environment 7 (e.g., inside a clean room) by a single operator. The border or boundary 9 is
shown separating the controlled environment 7 and rolled environment 5. The boundary 9 can
be, for instance, the entrance to an airlock located outside a clean room. Or, the boundary 9 can be
inside the airlock and outside the entrance to the clean room. Or, the boundary 9 can be between two
clean rooms having different particulate levels. For ce, the cart 10 can be moving from an ISO
14644-1 class clean room to an ISO 14644-2 class clean room. Items (such as goods, product and/or
equipment) can be carried on the shelves 110 of the cart 10. These items may be sterile and exposed or
sealed inside sealed packaging such as bags. FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an operator transporting those items
into a clean room or other controlled environment without contamination to the items or to the
controlled environment.
Starting with A, the cart 10 is d in the uncontrolled environment 5 and is brought to
the boundary 9. The cart 10 includes both a main body 100 and a first wheel base assembly 2001, as
shown in the fully assembled embodiments of FIGS. 2A-2C. At the same time, a second wheel base
assembly 2002 is located on the other side of the boundary 9, inside the controlled environment 7.
Accordingly, there are two wheel base assemblies 2001 a first assembly 2001 that is attached to the main
body 100 in the uncontrolled environment 5, and a second assembly 2002 that is by itself in the
lled environment 7. The wheels 210 on the second wheel base assembly 2002 are in the locked
position, so that the second wheel base assembly 2002 cannot move.
At this point, the operator pushes the cart 10 using the handle 130 up to the boundary line 9, so
that the first wheel base ly 2001 comes into contact with the second wheel base assembly 2002.
The user then locks the wheels 210 of the first wheel base assembly 2001 so that the first wheel base
assembly 2001 cannot move. The first and second wheel base assemblies 2001, 2002 are identical, so
their respective platforms 2401, 2402 are the same height as one r. The user aligns the first wheel
base assembly 2001 with the second wheel base assembly 2002 so that the sides 246, 248 ntially
align with each other. A guide member can optionally be ed on the front end 244 of the first
wheel base assembly 2001 and/or the rear end 242 of the second wheel base assembly to (individually
or jointly) assist the user in aligning the first wheel base assembly 2001 with the second wheel base
assembly 2002.
Accordingly, the first wheel base assembly 2001 is aligned with the second wheel base assembly
2002, and the main body 100 (together with any items it is carrying) is ready to be moved from the first
wheel base ly 2001 to the second wheel base assembly 2002. Accordingly, the user lifts up on the
knob 304 of the locking ism 300 () t the force of the spring 310, which withdraws
the distal end portion 312 from the first lock opening 2301, thereby unlocking the main body 100 from
the first wheel base assembly 2001. The extent to which the operator may lift the knob 304 is limited by
the upper stop 306, which compresses the spring 310 to its mechanical limit between the upper stop
306 and the surface of the upper support member 320 surrounding the upper guide hole 322.
In the unlocked position, the user can push on the handle 230 so that the main body 100 slides
along the top surface 2411 of the platform 240 of the first wheel base assembly 2001 and onto the top
surface 2412 of the platform 240 of the second wheel base assembly 2002, as shown in . As the
main body 100 is slid onto the second wheel base assembly 2002, the first and second guiderails 2201,
2202 guide the main body 100 in the longitudinal direction X (). The support posts 120 may come
into t with the beveled corners 228 of the second guiderail 2202, and the beveled corners 228
direct the main body 100 to come within the second guiderails 2202. Once the main body 100 is pushed
slightly off the first wheel base assembly 1001, the rod 302 is no longer aligned with the lock opening
230, so the user can release the knob 304. The distal end 312 will be pushed back down by the force of
the spring 310, and will ride along the top surfaces 2411, 2412 of the respective platforms 240. A catch
can be optionally ed to hold the knob in the upright position so that the user need not hold it.
The user continues to push on the handle 130 until the main body 100 is fully positioned on the
second wheel base assembly 2002 inside the controlled environment 7. Because the wheels on the
second wheel base ly 2002 are locked, the wheel base assembly 2002 s stationary and
does not move as the main body is being slid onto it. Here, it is noted that although both the first and
second wheel bases 2001, 2002 are locked, only the second wheel base 2002 needs to be locked.
However, the first wheel base 2001 can also be locked to further prevent motion of the first wheel base
2001 during the transfer operation. And, the first wheel base 2001 will then be locked and ready to
accept the main body 100 again when the user exits the controlled environment 7. Once the main body
100 is fully received on the second wheel base assembly 2002, the rod 302 will be aligned (by the inner
edges 226 of the guiderails 2202) with the lock opening 2302 and will automatically enter the lock
opening 2302 under the outward (downward) force of the spring 210.
At that point, the main body 100 is locked to the second wheel base assembly 2002 (with the
sterile wheels) inside the controlled environment 7, and the first wheel base assembly 2001 (with the
unsterile wheels) remains in the uncontrolled nment 5. As shown in , the wheels of the
second wheel base ly 2002 can then be unlocked by the user, and the cart 10 (with the main
body 100 and the second wheel base assembly 2002) can be maneuvered inside the clean room 7 so that
the items can be delivered to the riate location inside the clean room 7. It is noted that during
the transfer operation of FIGS. 5A-5C, the items remain on the shelves 112, 114, 116 of the cart 10 and
need not be removed. In addition, the main body 100 never touches the ground, but instead moves
directly from the first platform surface 2401 to the second platform surface 2402.
The s bed can also be executed identically in reverse, i.e., when the cart 10 travels
from the controlled environment 7 to the uncontrolled environment 5. At all times, however, the sterile
and non-sterile wheel bases remain sequestered in their respective environments, ting any ontamination
of particulate matter while the cart 10 moves between these environments. The wheel
bases are substantially identical so that they are geable with one another and the frame 100 can
be readily moved from one wheel base assembly to another without having to reconfigure the main
body 100. In addition, openings 230 are located at both the front and rear ends 244, 242 of the wheel
base assemblies 200, so that the main body 100 can be placed on the wheel base assembly 200 from
either direction.
Thus, the cart 10 enables items to be carried on the shelves 112, 114, 116. Those items remain on
the shelves 112, 114, 116 as the cart 10 is moved between an uncontrolled nment and a
controlled environment. In this way, a user need not manually remove the items from the cart to bring
the items into the clean room, while leaving the cart outside of the clean room. And, the wheels that are
used in the rolled environment do not enter the controlled environment. Rather, the wheels used
in the controlled environment remain inside the controlled nment and do not leave the controlled
environment. Accordingly, the cart wheels are not introducing particles into the controlled environment.
As discussed and shown above, a single locking mechanism 300 is provided that is mostly located
on the main body 100 and only an opening 230 is needed on the wheel base assembly 200. However,
any suitable number and configurations can be provided. For instance, multiple locking mechanisms can
be provided, located at one or more sides 106, 108 or ends 102, 104 of the main body frame 100. And,
the g mechanism can include a fastener or mating locking mechanism on the wheel base assembly
that cooperatively engages a g mechanism on the main body 100. Still further, the locking
mechanism 300 need not have a long rod 302, but can have a short rod with the knob just above the
bottom shelf 112 so that the user must bend down to lift the knob.
In addition, the ion is shown as having a bottom shelf 112 that slides on the top surface
241 of the platform 240, so that any items on the shelf 112 are moved onto the new wheel base
assembly. However, other variations can be provided. As mentioned above, the platform 240 can be
slats or the like. And, instead of a bottom shelf 112, the posts 120 can have wheels. Or, elongated
longitudinal supports can be provided with roller bearings that engage mating roller gs on the
wheel base assembly (such that guiderails are not needed).
Another feature of the invention is that the entire cart 10 is made of als that can be
autoclaved. Thus, the entire cart 10 and any items it carries, can be placed in an autoclave and sterilized.
Still further variations of the cart 10 can be provided within the spirit and scope of the invention.
gh the invention is described as having a wheel base assembly 200 that is tely separate
from the main body 100, other embodiments of the invention can be provided within the invention. For
instance, the main body 100 can have multiple sets of interchangeable wheels, so that one set of wheels
is used in the clean environment and one set of wheels is used outside the clean environment. The
wheels can be separately removable so that each wheel is replaced one at a time, or the two front
wheels and two rear wheels can each be coupled together so that the front wheels can be replaced at
one time and the rear wheels can be replaced at one time. Or the wheels can remain fixed to the main
body and ed by a lever to raise one set of wheels and lower the other set of . For instance,
a wheel assembly can have two wheels each fixed to a pivot plate that pivots between one of the wheels
being lower and the other wheel raised.
Storage/Transport Cart or Rack 600, 700
Another feature of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C. As shown in , the invention
includes a wheel base transport cart or rack 600 that may be used to store and/or transport one or more
wheel base assemblies 200 to and retain in an autoclave. The rack 600 is generally formed of a bottom
portion 602 and at least one handle assembly 604. The bottom portion 602 may be formed of a flat,
rectangular, elongated, plate that has an upper surface 606 and a bottom surface 608. The bottom
portion 602 of the rack 600 is sized and configured to accommodate le wheel base assemblies 200
and to allow it to fit within an autoclave. The handle assembly 604 may be formed of poles or rods 612
and a handle 610. The poles 612 may extend perpendicularly (as shown in ) or at an angle from
the upper e 606 of an end 610 of the bottom portion 602. The poles 612 and the handle 610 are
formed integrally with or attached to each other. As shown in , the handle 610 is formed
integrally with the poles 612 and extends at an angle from the top of the poles 612. The handle 610
allows a user to push the rack 600.
According to one embodiment, the bottom portion 602 and handle assembly 604 (including
handle 610 and poles 612) are formed of al which may be autoclaved, including, but not limited
to, metals and metal alloys such as nickel, aluminum, or stainless steel, resilient plastics such as
polypropylene, and Pyrex®-type glass (i.e., low-thermal-expansion borosilicate glass). Thus, the entire
rack 600 (and any wheel base assemblies 200 being held by the rack 600) may be autoclaved.
As shown in A, the rack 600 includes a plurality of poles or posts 614 extending upwardly
from the upper surface 606 of the bottom portion 602 of the rack 600. The posts may be formed
integrally with the bottom n 602 of the rack 600, or they may be coupled to the upper surface 606
of the bottom portion 602 by pins, screws, or the like. The posts 614 may have a circular cross-sectional
shape or may have any other cross-sectional shape that allows them to securely hold the wheel base
assemblies 200 and fit within the channels 227 of the guiderails 220, such as a square, oval or octagonal
sectional shape. In one embodiment, the posts 614 are configured in pairs along a length (Li) of
the bottom portion 602 of the rack 600 with each pair in a row that extends transverse across the rack
600. Each post 614 of the pair is spaced apart from the other post 614 such that a first post 614 of a pair
engages a channel 227 of the guiderail 220 of the wheel base ly 200 on one longitudinal side 246,
while the other of the posts 614 of the pair engages the l 227 of the guiderail 200 on the other
longitudinal side 248 of the wheel base assembly 200. The posts 614 have a height that is sufficient to
securely hold the wheel base lies 200 in place, such as at least half the length (L2) of the wheel
base assembly 200.
While A depicts a total of twelve posts 614 to accommodate six wheel base assemblies
200, the invention is not particularly limited to any number of posts 614. The rack 600 is designed to
allow for the autoclaving of multiple wheel base assemblies 200 at a time, so a plurality of posts 614 is
preferred. Like the bottom portion 602 and handle assembly 604 of the rack 600, the posts 614 are also
formed of materials which may be autoclaved, such as those discussed herein.
The posts 614 are ured to hold each of the wheel base assemblies 200 in a vertical position
on the rack 600. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the posts 614 are positioned within the channels 227 of
the longitudinal guiderails 220 of either longitudinal side 246, 248 of the wheel base assembly 200, such
that the flat top surface 241 (see of the wheel base ly 200 is oriented dicularly to
the bottom portion 602 of the rack 600. The posts 614 have a cross-sectional size and shape that allows
them to fit within the channels 227 snugly, so as to secure the wheel base assemblies 200 in place,
without having to force the wheel base assemblies 200 down into the posts 614. The wheel base
assemblies 200 should be secure enough that they may be moved around on the rack 600 without
tipping or falling off. As shown in each ail 200 is formed of an inwardly turned member 224
that engages the post 614 and prevents the wheel base assembly 200 from moving forward or rd
on the rack 600, and an t portion 222 that engages the post 614 and ts the wheel base
assembly 200 from moving side-to-side on the rack 600. In this way, the wheel base assemblies 200 are
prevented from moving forward or backward or o-side on the rack 600 so that they do not come
free.
The wheel base assemblies 200 are arranged vertically on the rack 600 so that the rack 600 may
accommodate multiple wheel base assemblies 200 (as shown in ) without requiring a rack 600
that is too large to be easily moveable by the user or to fit within an autoclave. The wheel base
assemblies 200 are positioned on the rack 600 parallel to one another in a stacked relationship. In
operation, the user will slide each of the wheel base assemblies 200 down onto the rack 600 by aligning
the openings of the channels 227 of the guiderails 220 on each longitudinal side 246, 248 with two
adjacent posts 614. The posts 614 may be guided down into the channels 227 by the beveled front and
rear corners 228 (see of the guiderails 220. The top of the posts 614 can also be rounded or
tapered to further guide the wheel base assembly 200 onto the posts 614. As shown in , the
wheels 210 of the wheel base assembly 200 may face the handle assembly 604 of the rack, but they may
also be oriented to face in the opposite direction.
The rack 600 may include a plurality of wheels 616 coupled to the bottom surface 608 of the
bottom portion 602, so that the rack 600 may be physically moved from one location to another, such as
from an e environment into an autoclave or clean room environment. The wheels 616 may be
positioned at each corner of the bottom surface 602 of the bottom portion 602 to ensure stability of the
rack 600.
In this way, the rack 600 is sized and configured to store, hold and transport multiple wheel base
assemblies 200, so as to efficiently autoclave multiple wheel base assemblies 200 simultaneously.
However, the rack 600 may also be sized and configured to transport other devices for simultaneously
autoclaving.
Turning to FIGS. 7A-7C, a rack 700 is shown in accordance with an ative embodiment of the
invention. The cart or rack 700 may be used to store and/or ort one or more wheel base
assemblies 200 to and retain in an autoclave. The rack 700 is sized and configured to accommodate
le wheel base assemblies 200 and to allow it to fit within an autoclave. ing to one
embodiment, the entire rack 700 are formed of material which may be aved, including, but not
limited to, metals and metal alloys such as nickel, aluminum, or stainless steel, resilient plastics such as
opylene, and Pyrex®-type glass (i.e., low-thermal-expansion borosilicate glass). Thus, the entire
rack 700 can be autoclaved, together with any wheel base assemblies 200 being held by the rack 700.
The rack 700 has a frame with a base frame portion 702, top frame portion 704, and four side
support poles 706. The bottom and top frame portions 702, 704 can each be formed by four elongated
t members that are ted together in a square shape having an open center. Thus, the top
frame n 704 has a front support member 704a, rear support member 704c, and side support
members 704b, 704d. Alternatively, the bottom and/or top frame portions 702, 704 can be solid plates.
As best shown in , the top frame portion 704 can be smaller than the bottom frame
n 702, and the side support poles 706 can extend substantially vertically upward and angled
inward slightly to connect each corner of the bottom frame portion 702 to the respective corner of the
top frame portion 704. The wider base frame portion 702 provides greater stability, and the smaller top
frame portion 704 allows for easier insertion and removal of the wheel base assemblies 200. The
support poles 706 forms an internal space having a front opening 707a and a rear opening 707b.
As shown in , one or more hooks 710 are provided. The hooks 710 are coupled to the
bottom of the top frame portion 704. In one embodiment, a plurality of hooks 710 are coupled to the
front and rear support members 704a, c, and are spaced from one another so that a wheel base
assembly 200 can fit between the neighboring hooks 710. Each hook 710 on the front t member
704a are aligned with a respective hook 710 on the rear support member 704c, to form a respective
pair. The hooks 710 can have a general J-shape so they extend downward from the ts 704a, 704c,
then curve back upward and form an upwardly turned lip 712. The hooks 710 extend substantially
parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the front and rear supports 704a, 704c.
In this manner, one or more wheel base assemblies 200 can be releasable engaged with the cart
700 by hanging each wheel base assembly on a respective pair of hooks 710. More specifically, the
hooks 710 can releasably engage one of the ails 220 of the wheel base ly 200, so that the
assembly 200 hangs vertically sideways. The hooks 710 hook onto the inwardly turned top member 224
so that the inner guide edge 226 rests on the hook 710. When the wheel base assembly 200 is
positioned on the hooks 710, the hook lip 712 extends upward into the guide channel 227, so that the
wheel base assembly 200 cannot be removed without the user lifting the wheel base assembly upward
to come over the lip 712.
Thus, the rack 700 holds multiple wheel base assemblies 200 at one time, with the wheel base
assemblies 200 extending substantially parallel to one another, and perpendicularly on the rack relative
to the bottom frame portion. As shown in , the wheel base assemblies 200 are between the two
sides of the rack 700. As shown in , the wheel base lies 200 extend outward beyond the
front and rear of the cart 700 so that the lies 200 can be grasped by a user and easily hanged and
removed from the hooks 710. In operation, the user grabs an assembly 200 about the guiderail 220 and
can insert his fingers into the l 227. The user then inserts the assembly 200 in through the front
or rear opening 707a, b of the rack between the respective front or rear support poles 706, then lifts the
assembly 200 over the lip 712 and lets the assembly down onto the hook 710. The process is reversed to
remove the assembly 200 from the rack 700.
The rack 700 may include a plurality of wheels 716 coupled to the bottom e of the bottom
frame portion 702, so that the rack 700 may be ally moved from one location to another, such as
from an outside environment into an autoclave or clean room nment. The wheels 716 may be
positioned at each corner of the bottom frame portion 702 to ensure stability of the rack 700. The user
can pull and/or push the rack 700 by grabbing one of the support members 704a, b, c, d.
In this way, the rack 700 is sized and configured to store, hold and transport multiple wheel base
assemblies 200, so as to efficiently autoclave multiple wheel base assemblies 200 simultaneously.
However, the rack 700 may also be sized and configured to transport other devices for simultaneously
autoclaving.
Supply Transport/Storage Cart 800
Another feature of the invention is illustrated in In this embodiment, a supply
ort/storage cart 800 (the "supply cart 800") may be used to transport and store cans, bottles, or
other bulky or uniquely-shaped supplies to and from a clean room environment. The supply cart 800
may e the wheel base assembly 200 set forth herein to allow it to be moved from one location to
another, but the body of the supply cart 800 is different than those embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1
and 2A-C.
The main body 802 of the supply cart 800 is a rectangular, unitary piece that s a front
transverse side or end 804, a rear transverse side or end 806 and two opposing longitudinal sides 808,
810 so as to form a frame. The body 802 has four corner vertical support posts 812 that extend s
from the wheel base assembly 200, although any number of support posts 812 may be used. In one
embodiment, the vertical support posts 812 extend upwards from a bottom surface 813 of the body
802. The bottom surface 813 may be a substantially flat surface that extends between each of the
vertical support posts 812. In yet a different embodiment, the body 802 may have no bottom surface
813, such that it is simply formed as a frame having the vertical support posts 812 connected by
horizontal cross members, as discussed below.
In one embodiment, the main body 802 further includes guide wheel assemblies (not shown) at a
base of the main body 802, such as guide wheel assemblies 140, that allow the main body 802 to be
slidably received and removed from the wheel base assembly 200. In an embodiment where the body
802 es the bottom surface 813, the guide wheel assemblies may be aligned along an outer edge
(not shown) of the bottom surface 813. In an ment where the body 802 includes no bottom
surface 813, the guide wheel assemblies may be coupled to bottom cross bars (not shown) that extends
n the vertical support posts 812 from the front end 804 to the rear end 806.
The supply cart 800 may be received on and d from the wheel base assembly 200 in the
same manner as cart 10 and as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-C. In this ment, the body 802 is sized and
shaped to cooperatively receive and mate with the wheel base assembly 200 via the mechanisms set
forth herein with respect to cart 10, including the locking mechanism 300 which releasably locks the
body 802 to the wheel base assembly 200. If the body 802 includes the bottom surface 813, the bottom
surface 813 is slidably received on the top surface 241 of the platform 240 of the wheel base assembly
200. Otherwise, the bottom cross bars may be sturdy enough that they slide over the top surface 241 of
the platform 200 of the wheel base assembly 200 and support the supply cart 800 thereon.
In an alternative embodiment, the body 802 of the supply cart 800 is formed integrally with the
wheel base assembly 200.
The main body 802 further includes a plurality of horizontal cross members 814 that extend
between each of the al support posts 812 at different heights so as to form side rails. As illustrated
in the body 802 has a total of twelve horizontal cross members 814, although any number of
horizontal cross members 814 may be used for a particular ation. In this embodiment, four
horizontal cross members 814a extend between the four vertical support posts 812 to form a
rectangular shape ly above the wheel base assembly 200. Another four horizontal cross members
814b extend between the four vertical support posts 812 to form another gular shape directly
above the four horizontal cross members 814a. In this way, cans, bottles, or other supplies may be
placed on the bottom surface 813 of the body 802 of the supply cart 800 and are held in place by the
horizontal cross members 814a, 814b so that they do not fall off the supply cart 800.
In one embodiment, as rated in the horizontal cross s 814a, 814b form a
hinged door (not shown) at the rear end 806 of the supply cart 800. In another embodiment, the hinged
door may be formed at the front end 804 or either side 808, 810.
Four additional horizontal cross members 814c, 814d extend between two of the vertical support
posts 812, such that cross members 814d are directly above cross members 814c. In this way, taller
cans, bottles, and other supplies may be held in place on the wheel base assembly 200 without falling
off the front transverse end 804 and rear transverse end 806 of the supply cart 800. In one embodiment,
cans, for example, can be tied to cross members 814c, 814d, to keep them in place. A handle r to
handle 130 may be used to allow the user to push the supply cart 800. In another embodiment, the user
may push the supply cart 800 by handle 1026, discussed more fully below with respect to B. In
yet another embodiment, the user may push or pull the supply cart 800 using horizontal cross s
814c, 814d.
The supply cart 800 is preferably formed of a material that can withstand the moisture, heat, and
pressure necessary for the entire supply cart 800 to be able to be autoclaved. Such materials include,
but are not limited to, metals and metal alloys such as nickel, aluminum, or stainless steel, resilient
plastics such as polypropylene, and Pyrex type glass.
Tray ort/Storage Cart 900
Another feature of the invention is illustrated in In this embodiment, a tray
transport/storage cart 900 (the "tray cart 900") may be used to ort flat trays to and from a clean
room environment or store flat trays inside or outside of a clean room. The tray cart 900 may utilize the
wheel base assembly 200 set forth herein to allow it to be moved from one location to another, but the
body of the tray cart 900 is different than those embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A-C and 8.
The main body 902 of the tray cart 900 is a rectangular, unitary piece that defines a front
erse side or end 904, a rear transverse side or end 906 and two ng longitudinal sides 908,
910 so as to form a frame. In one embodiment, the main body 902 includes cross members that extend
along the base of the longitudinal sides 908, 910. Each of these cross members may include guide wheel
assemblies (not shown), such as guide wheel assemblies 140, that allow the main body 902 to be
slidably received and removed from the wheel base assembly 200. In another embodiment, the main
body 902 includes a bottom surface 913. The bottom surface 913 may be a substantially flat e that
extends from the front end 904 to the rear end 906 of the body 902.
The tray cart 900 may be received on and removed from the wheel base assembly 200 in the
same manner as cart 10 and as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-C. In this ment, the body 902 is sized and
shaped to cooperatively receive and mate with the wheel base assembly 200 via the isms set
forth herein with respect to cart 10, including the locking mechanism 300 which ably locks the
body 802 to the wheel base assembly 200. If the body 902 includes the bottom surface 913, the bottom
e 913 is slidably received on the top surface 241 of the platform 240 of the wheel base assembly
200. In an embodiment where the body 902 includes no bottom surface 913, the cross members may be
sturdy enough that they slide over the top surface 241 of the platform 240 of the wheel base assembly
200 and support the tray cart 900 thereon.
In an ative embodiment, the body 902 of the tray cart 900 is formed integrally with the
wheel base assembly 200.
The body 902 is generally formed of at least one ted tray-receiving structure 912
extending between each of the longitudinal sides 908, 910 and vertically upwards from the wheel base
assembly 200. If the body 902 includes a bottom e 913, each of the tray-receiving structures 912
extends vertically upwards from the bottom surface 913 and are joined thereto. In one embodiment,
the main body 902 preferably includes at least three elongated tray-receiving structures 912. As
illustrated in each of the tray-receiving structures 912 has a rectangular shape. Each of the trayreceiving
structures 912 may be joined by a rectangular top joining member 911, such that each of the
tray-receiving structures 912 is secured together. If the body 902 includes the bottom surface 913, each
of the eceiving structures 912 is secured together at the bottom e 913 as well. If there is no
bottom surface 913, each of the tray-receiving structures 912 may be further joined by a rectangular
bottom joining member.
The tray-receiving structures 912 include a plurality of opposing perpendicularly-extending lips
916, which function as a tray support. Each opposing lip 916 is positioned at the same height along the
height of the tray-receiving structure 912 such that the trays, when placed on each of the opposing
ledges or lips 916, are positioned evenly and lly parallel to the ground. In this way, each set of
opposing lips 916 creates a slot 914 for the tray to be placed. The trays may be kept in the slots 914 so
that they can be stored or transported via the tray cart 900. As illustrated in the opposing lips 916
are arranged such that they create a plurality of stacked slots 914. In one embodiment, each of the trayreceiving
structures 912 has at least eight (8) slots 914, such that the entire tray cart 900 can hold at
least 24 trays at one time, but any number of tray-receiving ures 912 and slots 914 may be used
for a particular sized tray cart 900.
A handle similar to handle 130 may be used to allow the user to push the tray cart 900. In
another embodiment, the user may push the tray cart 900 by handle 1026, discussed more fully below
with respect to B. In yet another embodiment, the tray cart 900 may include a handle 917 at the
rear end 906 (as illustrated in or at end front end 904.
r to the supply cart 800, the tray cart 900 is preferably formed of a material that can
withstand the moisture, heat, and pressure necessary for the entire supply cart 800 to be able to be
aved. Such materials include, but are not limited to, metals and metal alloys such as nickel,
aluminum, or stainless steel, resilient cs such as polypropylene, and Pyrex type glass.
Each of the supply cart 800 and tray cart 900 are examples of types of carts that may be used
together with the wheel base ly 200. The common feature between each of these designs is that
each preferably includes a bottom surface (813, 913) that is slidably received on the top surface 241 of
the platform 240 of the wheel base assembly 200. In this way, the wheel base assembly 200 can be used
to transport a variety of different types of carts and the carts may be easily swapped out or exchanged
for other types of carts. Additionally, other types of carts having other main body designs may also
utilize the wheel base assembly 200 of the invention. It is further contemplated that other isms
for g the carts to the wheel base assembly 200 may be utilized, including pins, screws, and other
known coupling mechanisms.
Braking ism
Another feature of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 10A-B. A wheel and braking mechanism
1000 (the ng mechanism 1000") may be incorporated together with the wheel base assembly 200
for use with any of the carts disclosed herein, including cart 10 (Fig. 1), supply cart 800 (Fig. 8) and tray
cart 900 (Fig. 9), or with the wheel base transport cart or rack 600. In one embodiment, the braking
mechanism 1000 may be used with other types of carts separate from the invention of Figures 1-9.
The braking mechanism 1000 may be formed integrally with the wheel base assembly 200 or
wheel base transport rack 600, or it may be fitted to the wheel base assembly 200 or wheel base
transport rack 600 after their manufacture. If the latter method is used, the braking mechanism 1000
may be coupled to the wheel base assembly 200 or wheel base transport rack 600 in the place of the
wheel lies 210 or wheels 616, respectively. The embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 10A-B can be
used together with or as an alternative to the wheel lock mechanism 250 of A.
As illustrated in A (prior art), the braking mechanism 1000 lly includes a wheel
1002, a swivel caster 1004, a platform 1006, and a stop brake 1008. The wheel 1002 is coupled to the
swivel caster 1004, which in turn is coupled to a bottom surface of platform 1006, which in turn may be
coupled to the wheel base assembly 200 or wheel base ort rack 600 via a top surface of the
platform.
The stop brake 1008 is formed of an L-shaped body having a first end 1020 and a second
opposing end 1022. When in an "open" position, the first end 1020 is parallel with the platform 1006,
and the second end 1022 is perpendicular to the top surface 1007 of the platform 1006. When the stop
brake 1008 is rotated into a "closed" position, the second end 1022 of the stop brake 1008 activates a
stopping mechanism (not shown) that s a force against the wheel 1002 so as to stop the wheel
1002 from being able to rotate, such as by frictional forces. As such, when in the closed on, the
stop brake 1008 restricts or prohibits the wheel 1002 from rotating so as to lock it in place, and the
wheel base assembly 200 or wheel base transport rack 600 is therefore stopped from any further
movement. When the stop brake is rotated into its open position, the second end 1022 deactivates the
stopping mechanism (not shown) to allow the wheel 1002 to freely rotate, thus allowing the wheel base
assembly 200 or wheel base transport rack 600 to be moved again.
To control the operation of the stop brake 1008, a control or ion mechanism 1010 is
provided, as illustrated in the cutaway of B. In this Figure, the braking mechanism 1000 is
illustrated for use with the wheel base assembly 200, but the braking mechanism 1000 may be used
together with any wheel base ly, cart, or rack disclosed herein, or any cart or transport device
having a wheel assembly. The actuation ism 1010 generally includes a ntal bar 1024 and
an inverted, U-shaped handle 1026. In one embodiment, the ntal bar 1024 has a generally circular
cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the handle 1026 need not be U-shaped, but may take any
shape that is able to be gripped by a user.
In this embodiment, the ntal bar 1024 is positioned at an end (such as the traverse rear
end 242 or transverse front end 244) of the wheel base assembly 200 and extends between each side
(such as longitudinal sides 246, 248) of the wheel base assembly 200. The U-shaped handle 1026
extends from a surface of the horizontal bar 1024 vertically upwards, preferably to a comfortable height
that allows a user to grab the handle 1026 to move the wheel base assembly 200, but not too high that
it obstructs the user being able to pull / push the cart 10 by holding onto the body frame 100. The user
can optionally grab the handle 1026 to pull / push the cart 10, though preferably grabs the body frame
100 and only uses the handle 1026 for braking. In one embodiment, the ed handle 1026 is
formed integrally with the horizontal bar 1024. In another embodiment, the handle 1026 is coupled to
the horizontal bar 1024 using any known attachment methods, such as by welding or with bolts or
screws.
The horizontal bar 1024 is coupled to the first end 1020 of the stop brake 1008, as illustrated in
B. In one embodiment, the horizontal bar 1024 is welded to the first end 1020 of the stop brake
1008. The horizontal bar 1024 is linear and substantially parallel to the end of the rear end 242 of the
wheel base assembly 200, and is set back from the rear end 242 so that rotation of the bar 1024 is
unobstructed. In operation, when a user lowers the handle 1026 toward the floor, it causes the
horizontal bar 1024 to rotate the stop brake 1008 between the open and closed positions discussed
above. Thus, when the handle 1026 is lowered, the second end 1022 of the stop brake 1008 activates
the ng mechanism which applies a force against the wheel 1002 so as to stop the wheel 1002 from
being able to . When the handle 1026 is raised back up, the second end 1022 of the stop brake
1008 deactivates the stopping mechanism to allow the wheel 1002 to freely rotate again.
] As set forth above, the braking mechanism 1000 may be used together with any of the carts or
racks disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the already-existing wheels on a wheel base assembly 200,
for e, may be ed with the wheel and braking mechanism 1000. In addition, the braking
mechanism 1000 can be used with any convention cart, such as a single-piece cart that does not have a
separate wheel base assembly 200. Still in further ments of the invention, while the braking
mechanism (including the handle 1026) is shown and described as being attached to the base 200, it can
be instead attached to the frame 100.
With further reference to the g mechanism 300 is located at one end of the cart 10
and the handle 1026 is located at an opposite end of the cart 10. However, the locking mechanism 300
and handle 1026 can both be located at the same end as each other, or one or both of those can be
located at any of the four sides of the cart.
Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings should be considered as rative only of
the principles of the invention. The invention may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is
not intended to be limited by the preferred embodiment. Numerous ations of the invention will
readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specific
examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and bed. Rather, all suitable
modifications and lents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Claims (19)
1. A supply transport device, comprising: a main body having a bottom surface and a plurality of al support posts and a plurality of horizontal cross members extending between each of the ity of al support posts so as to form side rails; and an interchangeable wheel base assembly configured to receive and mate with the bottom surface of the main body, wherein supplies placed on the bottom surface of the main body are held securely in place by the side rails.
2. The supply transport device of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to releasably couple the main body with the interchangeable wheel base ly.
3. The supply ort device of claim 2, wherein the main body is fixed to the wheel base assembly when the g mechanism is engaged.
4. The supply transport device of claim 2, wherein the main body may be uncoupled from the wheel base assembly when the locking mechanism is disengaged.
5. The supply transport device of claim 1, wherein the main body is fully autoclavable.
6. The supply transport device of claim 1, wherein the main body has at least four vertical support posts and at least four horizontal cross members extending between each of the vertical support posts so as to form at least one rectangular side rail.
7. The supply transport device of claim 1, wherein the main body may be transported to and from a clean room environment via the interchangeable wheel base assembly.
8. A tray transport device, comprising: a main body having at least one elongated eceiving structure and a bottom surface; a plurality of opposing lips extending perpendicularly from the at least one elongated tray-receiving structure and configured to receive and support a tray; an interchangeable wheel base assembly configured to receive and mate with the bottom surface of the main body, wherein each of the tray-receiving structures extends vertically upwards relative to the wheel base assembly.
9. The tray transport device of claim 8, further comprising a locking ism configured to releasably couple the main body with the hangeable wheel base assembly.
10. The tray transport device of claim 9, wherein the main body is fixed to the wheel base ly when the locking mechanism is engaged.
11. The tray transport device of claim 9, wherein the main body may be uncoupled from the wheel base assembly when the locking mechanism is disengaged.
12. The tray transport device of claim 8, wherein the main body is fully autoclavable.
13. The supply ort device of claim 1, wherein the main body has at least three tray-receiving ures.
14. The tray transport device of claim 8, wherein the main body may be transported to and from a clean room nment via the interchangeable wheel base assembly.
15. A ort device having a wheel with a braking mechanism, comprising: a rotatable actuation mechanism positioned adjacent the braking mechanism; and a handle extending upward from the actuation mechanism and configured to move the actuation mechanism between an open position at which no stopping force is applied, and a braking on at which the actuation mechanism causes the braking mechanism to apply.
16. The ort device of claim 15, r comprising a stop brake formed of an L-shaped body having a first end and a second opposing end, wherein the actuation mechanism moves the stop brake between the open position and the braking position.
17. The transport device of claim 15, wherein the rotatable actuation mechanism includes a horizontal bar that is coupled to the handle.
18. The transport device of claim 16, wherein the rotatable actuation mechanism includes a horizontal bar that is d to the first end of the stop brake.
19. The transport device of claim 15, wherein the transport device is a cart.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US29/569,050 | 2016-06-23 | ||
US15/190,682 | 2016-06-23 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ789460A true NZ789460A (en) | 2022-07-01 |
Family
ID=
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