US3150260A

US3150260A - Patient lift stand

Info

Publication number: US3150260A
Application number: US105974A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ian M Smith
Original assignee: Medical Coaches Inc
Current assignee: Medical Coaches Inc
Priority date: 1961-04-27
Filing date: 1961-04-27
Publication date: 1964-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 1981-09-22

Description

Sept. 22, 1964 l. M. SMITH PATIENT LIFT STAND 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 27, 1961 Sept. 22, 1964 l. M. SMITH PATIENT LIFT STAND 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 27, 1961 United States Patent O fr'tltl il?? TAYD Ian M. Smith, Oneonta, NX., assigner to Medical Coaches, Inc., Oneonta, NX., a corporation of New Yori;

Filed Apr. 27, 195i, Ser. No. 195,974 Claims. (Cl. 25d- 56) ri`his invention relates to a patient lift stand or platform, and more particularly to such a patient lift stand for use with X-ray equipment, photographic cameras or the like.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a patient lift stand which is especially suitable for use with transportable or mobile types of X-ray camera equipment and wherein according to the present invention instead or adjusting the X-ray camera and tube to the patients height, the patient lift stand of the present invention provides a means whereby the patient can be elevated to the fixed height of the X-ray camera and tube installations, so as to permit advantageous use of the present invention in mobile units, stationary clinics, hospitals or the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a patient lift stand or" the type stated which insures maximum efficiency with the lowest possible initial cost, and wherein the patient lift stand is constructed so that there will be important considera le savings in space, weight, and maintenance, the present invention being arranged and constructed so that the entire mechanism can be readily transported or secured as a retractable unit within a sedan delivery or similar chassis.

A still further object is to provide a patient lift stand which is capable of advantageous and efiicient use in various applications and for example it can be used within line or angle hood camera, and wherein the present invention can be used for photo-lluorographic chest sureys in hospitals, health centers, mobile units, private clinics or the like, the patient lift stand of the present invention including an adjustable motorized platform which permits patients to be readily raised and lowered at a comfortable speed, and wherein up and down movement of the elevating platform is conveniently controlled by a suitable switch mechanism, and wherem there is further provided an automatic cutol limit switch mechanism for controlling movement of the platform.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a patient lift stand that is economical to manufacture and efcient in operation and which is rugged in structure and foolproof in use.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading or" the following specification and claims, together with the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts are referred to and indicated by like reference characters and wherein:

FlGURE l is a perspective view of the patient lift stand of the present invention.

FlGURE 2 is a fragmentary side elevationd view, with parts broken away and in section showing certain construction and details of the patient lift stand of the present invention.

FlG-URE 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FGURE l.

PGURE 4 is a sectional view of FlGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional View talien on the line 4--4 taken on the line 5 5 taken on the line oof FIGURE 5.

of FIGURE 3 3,150,260 Patented Sept. 22, 1964 ICS FlGURE 8 is a View illustrating schematically the wiring diagram of the present invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 2-0 indicates the patient lift stand of the present invention which is shown to comprise a horizontally disposed base 2l, and a conventional transformer Z2 is adapted to be supported on one end oi the base 2l, FIGURE 1. The numeral 23 indicates a post or upright member which is suitably secured adjacent an end of the base 2l, and a xed X-ray tube 2d is supported on the post 23.

As shown in the drawings, spaced apart legs or frame iemhers 25 extend upwardly from the base 21 for supporting a conventional camera 26. The numeral 27 indicates a hollow casing or housing which is supported on the base 2l below the camera 26, and the housing 27 embodies a pair of vertically disposed spaced parallel side walls 2 as well as a vertically disposed end wall 29, and the housing 27 further includes a horizontally disposed top portion 3@ as well as an inclined wall member 31.

The numeral 32 designates each or" a pair of brackets which are suitably affixed to the upper portion of the housing Z7, and a pair of bearings 33 are secured to the brackets 32, and the bearings 33 are adapted to have roller or ball bearings 3d therein, FIGURE 4. The pair of bearings 33 are arranged in spaced apart vertically disposed relation with respect to each other, and the numeral 35 designates each of a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed rods whch are slidable or adjustable in the bearings 33. A horizontally disposed crosspiece 35 extends between the lower ends of the pair of rods 35 and is secured thereto in any suitable manner, as for example by welding. As shown in the drawings, there is provided a platform 37 wmch includes an intermediate portion 33 that may be roughened or knurled so as to provide an anti-slipping surface for a patient standing thereon, and the platform 37 is hingedly connected to the crosspiece 36 by means of hinges 39. Due to the provision of the hinges 39, when the device is not being used, the platform 37 can be pivoted or svwang upwardly from its horizontal position as for example to a vertical position so as to insure that the platform 37 will be out of the way when it is not being used, whereby there will be less likelihood of a person accidentally tripping or stumbling over the platform;

rl"he numeral il indicates a reversible electric motor that is arranged in the lower portion of the housing 27, and the motor all drives a shaft lil which has a gear 42 thereon, the gear 42 being arranged in meshing relation with respect to a gear 43, and these gears 42 and 43 are adapted to be encased in a protective box or casing 5,9, FIGURE 5. The shaft 44 is suitably aixed to the gear 43, and the numeral indicates a drum or reel which is secured to the shaft 4d. A cable le has one end thereof atllxed to the drum 45. The cable 46 is also trained over a pulley d'7 which is supported on a pin 48, and the pin 4S is adapted to be supported by spaced apart elements 49, FIGURE 4.

The numeral 5l designates upstanding braces which are interposed between the top portion 3,-@ of the housing 27 and the camera 26 so as to help support the camera 26 in its proper location.

As shown in FlGURE 7 for example, the end wall 29 of the housing 27 is provided with an elongated slot or opening 52, and angle irons or bars 53 are arranged on opposite sides of the slot 52, and these bars 53 are secured as by welding to the inner surface of the end wall 29. The numeral 54 indicates a limit switch which is suitably secured to one of the bars 53, and the limit switch 54 includes a projecting member 55 that is adapted to be engaged by a tongue 58 so as to automatically control operation of the motor iti as later described in this application. The tongue 58 is adapted to be secured in any suitable manner as for example by welding to a pair of lugs 56, and the lugs S6 are suitably affixed or secured to the crosspiece 36. The numeral 57 indicates a pin or securing element which extends between a pair of lugs 56, and one end of the'caole 46 is connected to the pin 57.

As shown'in the drawings, there is provided a switch mechanism which is indicated generally by the numeral 59,'and the switch mechanism 59 includes manually operable members such as pushbuttons 69 and 61 which can be manually operated in order to control rotation or actuation of the motor 4t) so that the platform 37 can be selectively moved upwardly or downwardly as desired. As shown in FIGURE 8 theV switch 59 is connectedlin an electricalcircuit, and the numeral 62 indicates wires or conductors that are adapted to be connected to a suitable source of electrical energy whereby current can be provided'for actuating the motor 4t).

As a modification orralternative arrangement, instead of using the cable 46V, aY chain type of connection can be utilized and when such a chain connection is used, a lower hmit switch as indicated by the numeral 63 is adapted to be used ,for opening the circuit when 'the platform 37 reaches the lowermost position.

From the foregoing, it is apparentV that there has been y provided a patient lift stand, and in use with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, it will 'be seen that the entire unit as indicated by the numeralrZtl may be arranged in a suitable location as for example in a truck, trailer or the other piece of mobile equipment. When a 55 of the limit switch 54. The limit switch 54 is of the Vtype that opens the electrical circuit when the element 55 is engaged by a member such as the tongue 58, and when the platform moves downwardly, the tongue 58 will move out of engagement with the element 55 so as to permit the v switch 54 to automatically close the circuit to the motor 4@ as for example when a pushbutton of the switch 59 is properly actuated. Electrical yenergy for'the motor 40 can be supplied from any suitable source of supply as for example to the input wires or conductors 62, 'and when the present invention is being used as part of mobile equipment, such electrical energy may be supplied from aV portable generator or the like. Or, whenY the present invention is being used in a fixed installation, the electrical venergy can be supplied from a'conventional source of current.

The platform 37 is hingedly connected to the crosspiece Y 36 by means of the hinges` 39, and this construction perposition contiguous to the crosspi'ece 36.

patient isto be X-rayed,V for example, the patient is adapted to stand on the portion 38 of the platform 37,

Vand then for example with the parts arranged as shown in FIGUREl, the pushbutton 60 of the switch mechanism f 59 can be manually actuated so as to energize the motor 3 40, whereby the drum lt-S can be rotated due to the provision ofthe intermeshing gears 42 and 43, FIGURE 5. As the drum 45 rotates in theV proper direction, the cable 46 will be wound thereon so that tension will be applied to the cable 46 which is trained over the pulley 47,*and since the cable 46 is kconnected to the pin 57, and sincepthe pin 57 is secured between the lugs 56 which are suitably fastened to the crossp'eice 36, and with the crosspiece 36 connected as at'39 to the platform 37, it will be seen that as the cable 46'is Wound on the drum 45 the platform 37 can be elevated. VThus with the patient standing on the platform, the patient can be elevated to the proper height or location in order to permit the patient to be X-rayed by the cameral in conjunctionwith the fixed X-ray tube324.

The switch 59 may be of the type that causes the motor 40 to stop when pressure is released on the pushbutton 60 so that the platform 37 can be stopped Yat a desired elevation and the patient can be held stationary in a Ydesired location'in order Vto permit proper talringfof the X-ray.V Y Y Y When it'is desired to :lower the patient, the pushbutton 61'can be manually depressed and since the motor 40 is` of the reversible type, the cable 46 can have slack therein due to the Vopposite rotation' of the motor. 4'whereby the Weight of'the'patient o'n the platform 37 can return the Y Vplatform patient toa lower position Vin order to permit Y.the patient toV step off the platform. The switch control for the motor may be such that the rate of ascent or desce'ntrcanrbeY controlled or regulated as desired so that the platform patient will'not move up and/ or downtooV Vfast Yorftoo slow. Y Y

" l In addition there is provided the safety switch54 which i serves to automatically'open the circuit to the motor 4i) 1 when the platform 37 Vreaches the upper limit of its travel Y .and this takes place due to Vthelp'rovision of; the tongueV VVSS/"vvhich issecured betweenthe lugs 56, since as the plat- 1 f form moves upwardly, Ythe tongue 58 can traveler move y throughthe slots 52finrthe wall 29 of the housingV and Y continue itsv upward movement of the platform to cause the tongue 58 Ytcri'mo'verinto engagementwith the Y'portion trol unit for'regulating the upor down movement ofy the "i" he slot 52 in the'wall 2.9 of the housing 27 provides clearance for tieV cable 46 to extend therethrough, and in addition this 'slot 52 provides an opening through which the tongue 5d can move inv order to'actuate the limit switchrid as previously described. i

ln certain instances a lower limit switch 63 is adapted to be used, and such a lower Vlimit switch 63 may have the same general construction and operation as the upper limit switch 54 and the switch 63 can be used for auto'- inatically opening the circuit when the platform reaches its lowerrnost position so that the motor Vwill belautomatically turned ot when the limit of travel is reached-by Y the platform in orderto prevent damage to Vthe parts. i Y

While the present invention has been described for use g in connection with X-ray typeV of equipmen'it Yis to beY in different shapes or sizes.

Y As previously stated, a cable such as thercable 46 can be used as partof the means for raising and lowering the Vlift stand platform, or a chain drive or thelikercan Y i be used instead of such a cahl'e"arrangement.` Y.Suitable The parts lcanrbe madeofany'suitable material andk bearings, Ybraces and the like Ycan' be used wherever Y,

desired or required. The switch 59 functions as a conplatform. f The patient lift stand t of the present'invention and for example VwhenV the pres- Vent invention isV being usedjas partlofa mobile clinic or i the lilre,.an electric generator can bek provided for sup- Y' plying the necessarypower, and theVY unit may be wired for operation off Ylocal'power sources whereV available.V

The patient lift stand can be mounted in. a vehicle so as` to provide a Walk through Vmobile medical clinic VwhichrisV Y especially suitable forbringingmodern clinicrfacilities diy, Y g

rectly to areas where they are needed most, Vand in addior ine present inventionYV can be used in mobile or stationary installations.V With ltne lowest possible cost.

tion such a mobile unit can serve as a health center for community, school or rural programs, as well as function advantageously as disaster and/ or emergency clinic facilities, field laboratory, health education units or the like. Such a unit may be stalfed by a physician with one or more technicians, and suitable accessories or miscellaneous items can be utilized in order to insure privacy for the patient during registration, health examinations or the like. The patient lift stand can be advantageously used as part of a completely equipped, self-contained mobile health examination center, and the parts are arranged and constructed so that there will be a compact, eiiicient and versatile mechanism. In addition the present invention is especially suitable for use as part of the equipment in a .transportable X-ray installation which will facilitate mass chest surveys, or the like, and the compact arrangement of the parts permits the rapid processing of patients at minimum costs as for example in large cities and isolated rural communitie The compact motorized platform and adjustable mechanisms can be used with in-line or angle hood cameras and it has application for photo-iiuorographic chest surveys in hospitals, health centers, mobile units and private clinics. When installed in a mobile X-ray clinic type of vehicle, mass chest survey programs can be brought directly to the people regardless of terrain at In addition the present invention can be used in conjunction with emergency radiography, and it is also adaptable for mass chest or emergency radiography. The patient lift stand of the present invention can be used in a mobile clinic for various purposes as for example in connection with health education in disseminating public health information directly in those areas where such information is most desirable,

and such a mobile clinic will have a relatively low initial cost as well as a minimum amount of expense in connection with upkeep or maintenance, and such equipment is especially suitable for emergencies as for example as emergency hospital units or the like. The present invention can be mounted in a trailer or a self propelled vehicle and lead lined partitions may be provided for oering protection for the operator and patient in various types of units. The patient lift stand of the present invention can be permanently located or it can be transported in a vehicle and may be supplied as a complete integral unit, and it can also be supplied coupled to existing X-ray generators. rThe numeral 59 indicates the forward and reverse motor switch, and the numeral 27 indicates the power plant housing. The casing Si? is adapted to have the gear reduction unit enclosed therein. The raising mechanism for the motorized patient elevating stand is adapted to be controlled by a technician or other person operating the equipment.

The motorized platform of the present invention permits the raising and lowering of patients even though such patients may be quite heavy, and wherein the platform can be moved at a comfortable speed such as two inches per second. Up and down movement of the elevating piatform is controlled by the conveniently located twoway switch 59, and the platform 37 stops at the extreme raised and lower positions to the provision of the automatically cutoff limit switches. The tube 24 may be adjusted as desired, and the base 21 provides a convenient support for the transformer 22. The complete transportable installation is mounted on the full length base 2l and the base 21 may be made of a suitable material such as a suitable metal and the parts can be readily assembled or disassembled for clinic or field service.

Primarily according to the present invention, there is provided a patient lift stand whereby patients can be elevated to the fixed height of the X-ray camera and tube installation and this application permits use thereof in mobile units and stationary clinics or hospitals. Heretofore X-ray equipment has generally embodied a construction whereby the patient is stationary and the X-ray camera and tube are adjusted to the patients height, but

Cil

the patient lift stand of the present invention permits greater eh'iciency at lower initial cost with a considerable Savings in space, weight, and maintenance. The patient lift stand is adapted to be operated by the electric motor 4@ which has associated therewith reduction gearing and the cable drum 45. By rneans of the pulley system, the hinged patient platform can be raised or lowered as for example within a thirty-six inch range, and the hinged patient platform is connected to the metal columns or rods 35 which ride through the stationary bearings 33. The top of the housing Z7 not only has the bearing brackets 32 secured thereto, but in addition the top of the housing helps support the camera 26 due to the provision of the members 5l. By mounting the motor, reduction gear and cable drum on a wheeled metal platform which supports the X-ray hood and camera, the entire mechanism can be made transportable or secured as a retractable unit within a sedan delivery or similar chassis. The present invention can operate from the rear of a vehicle, or on a wheeled platform beneath a tent canopy, or it can be readily wheeled into a clinic or hospital. The platform can be raised or lowered the desired distance in a very short period of time, and the apparatus can be made portable so that it can be moved from room to room or building to building where adequate electric power sources are available.

The present invention thus provides an improved means for X-raying patients especially those X-rays pertaining to the lungs and chest, and while the present invention is primarily for use in mobile X-ray units which enable a minimum amount or operators or technicians to take a large number of X-rays in a short period of time, it can also be utilized as a clinical X-ray apparatus in ield hospitals, emergency mobile clinics, disaster units, established hospitals in any place an X-ray unit is needed.

The present invention is constructed so that the parts have a minimum amount of weight and size, and the parts can be readily dismantled and transported, and in order to have a completely transportable unit, a base plate may be provided and wherein such a base plate can be extended below and out from the actual elevating platform for the installation of an X-ray tube on a sliding device for the adjustment of tube target distance as well as providing a support for the X-ray transformer such as the transformer 22. In addition, the supports for the rods 35 may include a hinge arrangement so as to permit these rods or column supports to be swung up to a horizontal position in order to facilitate transporting of the patient elevating lift stand. The speed of the platform up and down is controlled and held constant by means of the reduction gear assembly which is operatively connected to the motor and cable drum. The present invention is such that can be readily arranged in small spaces such as in a panel truck, small trailer or other device. Also, with the present invention the camera face, photo-fluorescent screen, platform and X-ray table head can protrude from the side, front or bach of a small truck, trailer or other conveyance so as to permit the bulk of the X-ray camera and stand to remain within the conveyance proper. Also, the entire X-ray apparatus can be removed from the truck, trailer or other vehicle, so as to permit the mobile X-ray unit to be used in a field clinic, hospital or other suitable area as a clinical X-ray and permanent installation.

AIt is to be understood that the present invention embraces or includes the concept of the transportability feature of this stand, and in addition the patient lift stand permits VX-ray equipment to be carried in boxes for interisland or held clinic service. Y

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

What is claimed is:

l. In a patient lift stand, a horizontally disposed base, a transformer on said base, a post extending upwardly from said base, a fixed X-ray tube supported on said post, frame members extending upwardly from said base, a; camera supported by said frame members, a housing 0n said base below said camera, said housing including spaced parallel vertically disposed side walls, a vertically disposed end Wall, a horizontally disposed top portion and an inclined wall portion, brackets affixed to the top portion of said housing, a pair of spaced parallel Vertically disposed stationary bearings secured to said brackets, a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed rods slidably mounted in said bearings, a horizontally disposed crosspiece extending between the lower ends of said rods andrsecured thereto, a platform hingedly connected to Vsaid crosspiece, a motor arranged in the lower portion Vof said housing, a drum spaced from -said motor, a gear reduction unit operatively connecting said motor to said drum, a pulley supported in the upper portion of said housing, and means operatively connecting said crosspiece to said drum and said means including a cable engaging said pulley. Y

2.k In a patient lift stand, a horizontally disposed base, a transformer on said base, a post extending upwardly from said base, atxed X-ray tube supported on said post, frame members extending upwardly from said base, a-carnera supported by said frame'rnembers, a housing on said base below said camera, said'housing including spaced parallel vertically disposed side walls, a Vertically disposed end. wall, a horizontally disposed top portion and an inclined Wall portion, brackets affixed to the top portion of said housing, a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed stationary bearings secured to said brackets, a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed rods slidably mounted in said bearings, a horizontally disposed crosspiece extending between the lower ends of said rods and secured thereto, a platform hingedly connected to said crosspiece, a motor mounted in the lower portion of said housing, a drum spaced from said motor, a gear Vreduction unit operatively connecting said motor to said drum, a pulley supported in the upper portion of said housing7 and means operatively connecting said crosspiece to said drum and said means including a cable engaging said pulley, an electricaly circuit including a manually operable switch for controlling operation of said motor, limit switch means also in said electrical circuit for controlling movement of the platform, and braces motor is reversible and further switch means for controlling the direction of operation of said motor.

Y 4. In a patient lift stand according to claim 3, whereinl there is a slot in the vertically disposed end wall of said housing, vertically disposed spaced parallel bars alixed to the inner surface of the vertically disposed end wall of said housing on the opposite side of Vsaid slot, a pair of spaced parallel lugs aflixed to said crosspiece and said lugs projecting through said slot, a pin extending between said lugs and said pin having said cableconnected thereto, and a tongue aixed to said lugs for selectively actuating the limit switch mechanism.

5. A patient lift sand `comprising a horizontally disposed base mounted in a mobile clinic, a fixed X-ray tube and a camera supported above said base, a housing supported-on said base below said camera, brackets afdxed to the top portion of said housing, stationary bearings secured to said brackets, vertically V'disposed spaced parallel rods slidable in said bearings, a crosspiece extend- Ving between the lower` ends of said rods and secured thereto, a platform hingedly connected to said crosspiece, a reversible motor mounted in said housing,rand means operatively connecting said motor to said crosspiece, including means comprising a drum driven-by said'motor, a cable connected to said drum, a pulley supported in the upper portion of said housing'and said pulley having said cable trained thereover, lugs aiixed to said crosspiece, there being a slot in an'end of said housing for the projection therethrough of said lugs, a pin connected to said lugs and said pin having said cable aixed thereto, a tongue axed tosaid lugs, a limit switch mechanism forY Vselective engagement by said tongue and a manually operable switch mechanism for controlling actuation of said motor.

References Cited in the tile of this patent Lusby et al. a Feb. 2l, 196i

Claims

1. IN A PATIENT LIFT STAND, A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED BASE, A TRANSFORMER ON SAID BASE, A POST EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BASE, A FIXED X-RAY TUBE SUPPORTED ON SAID POST, FRAME MEMBERS EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BASE, A CAMERA SUPPORTED BY SAID FRAME MEMBERS, A HOUSING ON SAID BASE BELOW SAID CAMERA, SAID HOUSING INCLUDING SPACED PARALLEL VERTICALLY DISPOSED SIDE WALLS, A VERTICALLY DISPOSED END WALL, A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED TOP PORTION AND AN INCLINED WALL PORTION, BRACKETS AFFIXED TO THE TOP PORTION OF SAID HOUSING, A PAIR OF SPACED PARALLEL VERTICALLY DISPOSED STATIONARY BEARINGS SECURED TO SAID BRACKETS, A PAIR OF SPACED PARALLEL VERTICALLY DISPOSED RODS SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN SAID BEARINGS, A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED CROSSPIECE EXTENDING BETWEEN THE LOWER ENDS OF SAID RODS AND SECURED THERETO, A PLATFORM HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID CROSSPIECE, A MOTOR ARRANGED IN THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID HOUSING, A DRUM SPACED FROM SAID MOTOR, A GEAR REDUCTION UNIT OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID MOTOR TO SAID DRUM, A PULLEY SUPPORTED IN THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID HOUSING, AND MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID CROSSPIECE TO SAID DRUM AND SAID MEANS INCLUDING A CABLE ENGAGING SAID PULLEY.