WO2011091125A2

WO2011091125A2 - An athletic trainer cart

Info

Publication number: WO2011091125A2
Application number: PCT/US2011/021840
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jordan Allen; Joel Bass; Dutch Belnap; William Dutro
Original assignee: Rhino-Med, Llp; Dutro Company
Priority date: 2010-01-25
Filing date: 2011-01-20
Publication date: 2011-07-28
Also published as: WO2011091125A3

Abstract

The invention is a new and innovative athletic trainer cart. The problem of achieving an on-site, versatile, robust, equipment-centralizing and/or mobile treating platform is solved by an athletic trainer cart with a padded top for treating athletes and two leaves, one or more capable of releasably locking in a laterally extended position, optionally in an upright position, and capable of being stowed when not in use; a compartment with one or more doors for accessing an interior space for storing equipment; and wheels for providing mobility. The cart is optionally comprised of a separate releasably attached cart frame with handles and wheels for carrying and transporting equipment.

Description

AN ATHLETIC TRAINER CART

TECHNICAL FIELD AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY OF THE INVENTION

100011 The invention relates to sports medicine and particularly to a new mobile athletic trainer cart with locking, mu!tiposition leaves and an equipment compartment; optionally comprised of a separate releasably attached cart frame with handles and wheels for carrying and transporting equipment.

BACKGROUND OF TH E INVENTION

100021 Sporting events are everywhere in modern society, and the role of support staff for competing athletes is not only essential, but increasingly demanding. One such role is that of athletic trainers who, as practitioners of sports medicine, treat the various injuries and health conditions that athletes face on the field. Many studies estimate that an average collegiate-level team can expect about two time-loss injuries every three times it takes the field for a practice or game. Non time-loss injuries or health conditions are even more frequent.

100031 Athletic trainers may encounter more serious injuries or health conditions among athletes in addition to those that merely prevent an athlete from competing. News reports often describe incidents where athletes sustain life threatening injuries or develop acute health conditions in competition or practice. Given the frequency and potential severity of injury or other health conditions, it is essential that athletic trainers have at their immediate disposal the equipment necessary for the circumstances they may face on the job.

100041 Unfortunately, needed equipment tends to be either off site or decentralized, resulting in treating inefficiencies and unnecessary risks to athletes. For example, injured athletes and the trainers that treat them may be required to travel from the playing field to separate facilities in order to access robust equipment such as examination tables. Moving injured players increases the risk of additional injury. Moreover, relocation can take limited numbers of support personnel away from the action where they may be needed to treat an entirely separate injury or serious health condition.

[0005] Options for mov ing robust treating equipment to the field, or for taking it on the road in travel situations, are few due to the inherent size and mobility limitations of such equipment. Lacking more robust treating equipment like examining tables, athletic trainers are forced to improvise by treating athletes on the ground or by having them lay on other equipment, such as benches. This results in suboptimal conditions for both trainers and athletes due to awkward presenting and treating positions.

10006| Also, in those instances where smaller portable equipment is carried onto the field or on the road by trainers, it is generally located and/or transported in various different duffle bags or containers, resulting in decentralization. Decentral ization creates inefficiencies as various bags or containers are located and searched for equipment needed for treatment.

[0007] To date, there is no current platform on the market that addresses the above problems satisfactorily.

DISCLOSURE OF TH E INVENTION

[0008] In accordance with the above, a new and innovative athletic trainer cart is provided. The present invention may address one or more of the problems discussed above. For example, the problem of achieving an on-site, versatile, robust, equipment-centralizing and/or mobile treating platform is solved by an athletic trainer cart with a padded top and two leaves, one or more capable of releasably locking in a laterally extended position, optionally in an upright position, and capable of being stowed when not in use; a compartment with one or more doors for accessing an interior space for storing equipment; and wheels for providing mobility. The cart is optionally comprised of a separate releasably attached cart frame with handles and wheels configured to carry and transport equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

[0010] FIG. 2a is a bottom front perspective view of a releasable locking mechanism and leaf in an extended position in one embodiment of the invention.

1001 11 FIG. 2b is a bottom front perspective view of a releasable locking mechanism and leaf in an upright position in one embodiment of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 2c is a bottom front perspective view of a leaf in a stowed position in one embodiment of the invention. [0013] FIG. 3a is a top front perspective view of an interior space of the compartment in one embodiment of the invention.

[0014] FIGS. 3b is a top front perspective view of an interior space of the compartment in one embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 4 a is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of the invention with a removable cart frame.

[0016] FIG. 4b is a top front perspective view of components to facil itate al ignment and attachment of the cart frame to the compartment in one embodiment of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 4c is a top front perspective view of components to facilitate alignment and attachment of the cart frame to the compartment in one embodiment of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 5a is a top front perspective view of a removable cart frame with handles extended in one embodiment of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 5 b is a top front perspective view of a re lea sable locking mechanism for cart frame handles in one embodiment of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a bottom front perspective view of the removable cart frame and compartment in one embodiment of the invention.

100211 FIG. 7 is a back perspective view of one embodiment of the invention with advertising on the outer surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND MODES FOR CARRYING OUT TH E INVENTION

[0022] The present invention in its various embodiments, some of which are depicted in the figures herein, is an athletic trainer cart. The cart effectively brings otherwise off-site athletic training facilities to the playing field and optimizes both central organization of athletic trainer equipment and efficiency of support staff resources, while optimizing versatility and mobility through a number of other features discussed below. While certain aspects of the prior art may be discussed herein, applicants in no way disclaim technical aspects or features that may be related to or disclosed in the prior art. Furthermore, nothing stated herein is prior art to the invention claimed.

100231 As shown in FIG. 1 , various embodiments of the cart [ 100] include a padded top

[ 101 ], which provides a comfortable surface for athletes being treated, and two or more padded leaves [102], that essentially extend that surface of the padded top, and which are capable of being located opposite each other and of affixation adjacent to a distal end of the padded top [ 101 ]. Methods of leaf affixation vary across embodiments and some examples are discussed below.

100241 A compartment [103] with a front [ 104], back [ 105], and sides [ 106a, 106b], is generally located below the padded top [ 101 ]. In various embodiments, the padded top [ 101 ] and compartment [ 103] form a substantially rectangular body in cross section, although other shapes may be used without departing from the purpose and scope of the invention. One or more doors [ 107a, 107b] provide access to an interior space of the compartment [ 103]. The specific embodiment of FIG. 1 has two side-by-side doors [ 1 07a, 107b], the first [ 107a] positioned on the left, and the second [ 107b] positioned on the right, each of which are hingedly attached at their distal ends to portions of the compartment [ 103]. The one or more doors [ 1 07a, 107b] may have latching or other mechanisms [108a, 108b] for holding the doors securely shut. Various embodiments of the invention may also utilize doors with a lock receiver [ 109] in which a lock may be placed for securely stowing equipment within an interior space of the compartment. A variety of different door configurations and features may be used without departing from the invention.

[0025] In various embodiments, handles [ 1 10a, 1 10b] which provide a gripping surface for handling or lifting the cart are affixed adjacent to the outer lower and distal ends of the compartment [ 103]. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , a left [ 1 10a] and right [ 1 1 0b] handle are each formed as a single bar spanning the width of each side [ 106] of the compartment. Such a configuration provides an expansive gripping area across the side of the cart. A number of different handle types and configurations and features may be used in accordance with the invention.

[0026] Wheels [ 1 1 1 , 1 12] imparting ground surface mobility to the cart are attached adjacent to the compartment and are generally located below the compartment [ 1 03]. Many different types and configurations of wheels may be used in connection with the invention. For example, various embodiments utilize wheels of sufficient diameter and width to allow the cart to negotiate a variety of surfaces common to playing fields, including hard surface tracks and grass. The embodiment of FIG. 1 has two stationary wheels [ 1 1 1 ] adjacent to a distal end of the compartment, one wheel being located at each corner of the compartment [ 103], and two swiveling wheels [1 12] with swivel brakes located adjacent to an opposite distal end of the compartment, one wheel being located at each corner of the compartment. The two swiveling wheels [1 12] allow a person to easily move the cart in a multidirectional fashion to quickly and easily place needed equipment at locations proximate to athletes. Various embodiments of the invention may utilize a number of different wheel types, locations, and configurations.

10027| Various embodiments of the invention utilize one or more unique releasably locking padded leaves that impart a high level of functionality and versatility to the cart by al lowing the leaves to be placed in different positions with respect to the padded top. For example, the leaf of FIG 2a [ 102] is capable of releasably locking in a laterally extended position. In a laterally extended position, the leaf [ 1 02] provides additional surface treating area to the padded top [ 101 ]. Some embodiments of the invention, such as that shown in FIG. 1 , incorporate two or more leaves capable of locking in a laterally extended position. The added surface area provided by such leaves expands the overall treating area of the padded top and allows trainers to treat two or more athletes seated on the same cart.

[0028] The leaf of FIG. 2b [ 102] is further capable of releasably locking in an upright position. In the upright position, the leaf [ 102] substantially forms a ninety degree angle [208] between the leaf [ 1 02] and the padded top [ 101 ]. In the upright position, the leaf [ 102] can serve as a backrest for an athlete seated on the padded top [ 101 ] for treatment. Some embodiments of the invention incorporate two or more leaves capable of locking in an upright position. In those embodiments the leaves may form ends to the padded top [ 101 ] and serve to stabilize various pieces of equipment that are being transported on the padded top [ 101 ].

[0029] In the embodiment of FIG. 2c, the leaf [ 102] is in a downward vertical position for storage. This position is useful for stowing the leaf [ 102] and reducing the overall dimensions of the cart for transport in a van, bus, plane, or similar vehicle that would otherwise typically preclude transport of robust athletic trainer equipment such as an examining table. Of course, various embodiments of the invention may incorporate one or more combinations of the above-mentioned positions.

[0030] In order to achieve multiple leaf positions, various embodiments of the invention incorporate positioning and locking mechanisms. A brief discussion of merely some of the examples of these mechanisms encompassed by the invention follows. Significantly, positioning and locking may be accomplished through a variety of mechanisms and configurations without departing from the purpose and scope of the invention. For example, various locking, telescopic, and/or collapsible arms, braces, or hinges may be used.

100311 Some embodiments of the invention have two or more fixed leaf arms [200a,

200b] attached to the bottom of the leaf [ 102]. Referring now to FIG. 2a, a portion [201 ] of each arm [200] is capable of sliding horizontally into a corresponding slot [202] of the compartment. A single leaf spring [203] with a hooked end is attached to the underside of the leaf and is capable of sl iding horizontally into a corresponding slot [204] of the compartment, such that, when the arms [200a, 200b] and each leaf spring [203] is fitted, the leaf [ 102] may not be repositioned from the laterally extended position unless the spring [203] is first depressed to allow the hooked end to clear the slot [204] when the leaf is pulled out. This feature prevents unintentional or accidental repositioning of the leaf [ 102] from the laterally extended position. When fitted, the structure of the mechanism results in an extremely stable leaf in the laterally extended position which is able to support heavy loads including large athletes seated directly on the leaf [ 102].

100321 Referring now to the embodiment of FIG. 2b, the leaf [ 102] may be repositioned from the laterally extended position to a new position once the spring [203] is depressed, and the leaf [ 102] is pulled out horizontally from the compartment. The arms have an elongated slot [206] that allows the leaf [ 102] to move along and pivot from pins [207a, 207b] adjacent to the compartment. In various embodiments, once the leaf [ 102] is pulled horizontally from the compartment, it may be pivoted to upright vertical and/or stowed positions. To reach the vertical position, the leaf is pivoted up and pushed down such that the arms [200a, 200b] engage fixed guides [205a, 205b] on the compartment, thereby locking the leaf [ 102] into the upright position. Once the leaf is in an upright position, the leaf substantially forms a ninety degree angle [208] between the leaf and the padded top. The leaf may be repositioned from the upright position by vertically lifting it to disengage the arms [200] from the fi ed guides [205a, 205b], and pivoting it to a new position.

[0033] Referring now to the embodiment of FIG. 2c, the leaf [ 102] may be repositioned from either the upright or laterally extended position to downward vertical and/or stowed positions for storage. Although the illustrated embodiment shows a leaf stowed in the downward vertical position, the stowed leaf or leaves of other embodiments may be oriented in other positions, within spaces of the cart, or in altogether different areas. [0034] Various embodiments of the invention may contain one or more features associated with an interior space of the compartment. For example, FIG. 3a is a perspective view of an interior space of the compartment in one embodiment of the invention. One or more doors [ 107a, 107b] are located on the compartment to allow access to an interior space of the compartment.

[0035] An interior space houses one or more sub-compartments [300] for storing equipment. In various embodiments this sub-compartment [300] is of sufficient size to store equipment such as a portable defibrillator. One or more sliding drawers [301 ] for organizing equipment are located within an interior space of the compartment. Some or al l of the features of an interior space serve to centralize athletic trainer equipment on a mobile and robust platform.

[0036] FIG. 3b is another perspective view of an interior space of the compartment in one embodiment that shows a sliding drawer [301 ] extended and sliding doors [ 107] capable of retraction into the inside of the compartment for convenience when not in use.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 4a, various embodiments of the invention may incorporate a cart frame [400] that is removably attached to the compartment [ 103]. In these embodiments, the cart's wheels [ 1 1 1 , 1 12] are attached to and generally located below the cart frame [400], and the cart frame [400] has one or more elongated handles [401 ] attached adjacent to a distal end. As depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 4a, the handles [401 ] of various embodiments may be folded down and stowed in the cart frame [400] when not in use. Compartment handles [ 1 10a, 100b] facilitate lifting the compartment [ 103] off of the cart frame [400].

100381 Embodiments of the invention having a removable cart frame [400] have increased versatility because the cart frame [400] has transport capacity and functionality beyond merely carrying the compartment [ 103]. Specifically, when removed, the cart frame [400] is independently capable of carrying a broad range of equipment for sporting events. Furthermore, removing the cart frame [400] from the compartment [ 1 03], reduces the overall dimensions of the cart. This further facilitates transporting the cart in a van, bus, plane, or other vehicle that would otherwise typically preclude transport of robust athletic trainer equipment such as an examining table due to size limitations. Removal of the cart frame from the compartment also reduces the height of the treating surface resulting in additional treating positions and angles. 100391 In embodiments where a cart frame [400] is removably attached to the compartment [ 103], one or more guide mechanisms [402, 403] may facilitate alignment and attachment of the cart frame [400] and the compartment [103]. In various embodiments the guide may comprise a receiver [402] on the cart frame [400] with vertically extending dual angled flanges designed to direct a corresponding bar [403] on the compartment to a specific location on the cart frame [400] for attachment.

10040| Various embodiments of the invention utilize locking mechanisms for removably attaching the cart frame [400] and the compartment [ 1 03]. Referring now to FIG. 4b, one embodiment of the invention incorporates a bolt with a handle [404] that is attached to a bar [403] on each end of the compartment. Referring now to FIG 4c, a receiver [405] with a threaded receptacle is located on each end of the cart frame into which the bolt [404] fits, such that the cart frame and compartment may be releasably attached when the receiver [402] and bolt [404] are fitted. Any number of mechanisms may be suitable for facilitating attachment without departing from the purpose and scope of the invention.

100411 Referring now to FIG. 5a, in some embodiments of the invention one or more elongated handles of the cart frame may be extended from a stowed position within the cart frame into an upright position and used for directing movement of the cart frame. In one embodiment, two u-shaped handles [401 a, 401 b] are separately and hingedly connected adjacent to each end of the cart frame. Although a variety of handle configurations may be used across various embodiments, embodiments with u-shaped handles allow a user to easily lift an end of the cart frame [400] over obstacles such as curbs. Referring to FIG. 5b, in various embodiments one or more handles [401 ] may be capable of releasably locking in the extended position by pivoting the one or more handles to an extended position and placing a fixed bar [500] attached near a base of the handle [401 ] within a corresponding slot [501 ] disposed adjacent to the cart frame. Releasably locking a handle using this structure and in this manner enables a user to apply horizontal force to securely push or pull the cart frame using the handle [400].

100421 Referring now to FIG. 6, in various embodiments where a cart frame [400] is capable of removable attachment to the compartment [ 103], skids [600a, 600b] are disposed on the base of the compartment to allow the compartment [ 103] to easily slide on various surfaces. Skids facilitate loading and movement of the compartment [ 103] once the cart frame [400] is detached.

100431 Per FIG. 1 , one or more of the front [ 104], back [ 105], sides [ 106a, 106b], padded top [ 101 ], and leaves [ 102a, 102b] may make up one or more outer surfaces of the cart. In various embodiments, one or more outer surfaces may be configured to allow for the placement of advertising over a substantial portion of each surface. Potential advertising may include, but is not limited to, company, business, or team names, logos, marks, or messages.

100441 Referring now to FIG. 7, the cart configuration in the illustrated embodiment is such that each outer surface is planar and continuous, thereby allowing for the placement of magnets, sticker decals, paint, or any other advertising medium. Various other embodiments may allow for placement of electronic, LED, or other mediums of display. In various embodiments advertisements may be placed on one or more of the compartment^'s back outer surface [700], side outer surfaces [701], the padded top outer surface [702], and leaf outer surfaces [703, 704]. Some embodiments of the invention include advertising pre-placed on the cart.

10045| Names, logos, marks or messages that are advertised on an outer surface of the cart are readily visible to spectators and/or camera crews and provide an effective means of communicating messages to potential consumers. Advertising also provides a benefit for high school or other athletic trainers with limited resources because the cost of acquiring the cart may be offset by paying sponsors or advertisers that wish to use the cart as a marketing medium.

Claims

1 . An athletic trainer cart comprising:

a padded top for treating ath letes; at least two padded leaves, each leaf being capable of location adjacent to a distal end of the padded top; one or more of said leaves capable of releasably locking in a laterally extended position; the one or more of said leaves further capable of being stowed when not in use; a compartment located below the padded top; said compartment having a front, back, and two sides; said compartment further having one or more doors for accessing an interior space of the compartment; and wheels for providing mobility attached to the compartment and generally located below the compartment.

2. The athletic trainer cart of claim 1 , the one or more of said leaves further capable of releasably locking in an upright position.

3. The athletic trainer cart of claim 2, in which placement of the one or more of said leaves in an upright position substantially forms a ninety degree angle between one or more of said leaves and the padded top.

4. The athletic trainer cart of claim 1 , the compartment further housing a sub-compartment in an interior space for storing equipment.

5. The athletic trainer cart of claim 4, the inside of the compartment further housing two or more sliding drawers for storing equipment.

6. The cart of claim 1 , the padded top and compartment substantially forming a rectangular body in cross section.

7. The athletic trainer cart of claim 1 , further hav ing two or more wheels capable of swiveling to facilitate multi-directional movement of the cart.

8. The athletic trainer cart of claim 1 , the compartment further having handles affixed adjacent to the outer lower and distal ends of the compartment, said handles operable for prov iding a gripping surface at each end of the compartment to facilitate lifting the cart.

9. The athletic trainer cart of claim 1 , further comprising one or more outer surfaces configured to allow for the placement of advertising over a substantial portion of the one or more outer surfaces.

10. The athletic trainer cart of claim 1 , further comprising one or more outer surfaces displaying advertising over a substantial portion of the one or more outer surfaces.

1 1 . The athletic trainer cart of claim 1 , wherein said one or more doors for accessing an internal space of the compartment is capable of sliding into an interior space of the compartment when not in use.

12. The athletic trainer cart of claim 1 , the leav es further capable of being stowed in a downward vertical position for storage when not in use.

13. An athletic trainer cart comprising: a padded substantial ly rectangular top for treating athletes; at least two padded leaves, each leaf being capable of location adjacent to a distal end of the padded top; at least one of said padded leaves capable of locking in laterally extended and upright positions; the at least one of said padded leaves further capable of placement in a downward v ertical position for storage when not in use; a substantially rectangular compartment for storing equipment located below the padded top; said compartment hav ing a front, back, and two sides; said compartment further having one or more doors for accessing an interior space of the compartment; wheels for providing mobility attached to the compartment; at least a portion of said wheels located below the compartment; at least two of the wheels capable of swive!ing to facilitate multi-directional movement of the cart; and an outer surface configured to allow for the placement of advertising over a substantial portion of the surface.

14. The athletic trainer cart of claim 13, wherein locking the at least one of said padded leaves in an upright position substantially forms a ninety degree angle between the at least one of said padded leaves and the padded top.

1 5. The athletic trainer cart of claim 13, the compartment further having handles located adjacent to the outer lower and distal ends of the compartment, said handles operable for prov iding a gripping surface at each end of the compartment to facilitate lifting the cart.

16. The athletic trainer cart of claim 13, wherein said one or more doors for accessing an internal space of the compartment is capable of sliding into an interior space of the compartment when not in use.

1 7. An athletic trainer cart comprising: a padded top for treating athletes; at least two padded leaves, each leaf being capable of location adjacent to a distal end of the padded top; one or more of said leaves further capable of releasably locking in a laterally extended position; the one or more of said leaves further capable of being stowed when not in use; and a compartment located below the padded top; said compartment hav ing a front, back, and two sides; said compartment further having one or more doors for accessing an interior space of the compartment ; and a cart frame that is removably attached to the compartment with wheels for prov iding mobil ity attached to the cart frame and generally located below the cart frame.

18. The athletic training cart of claim 1 7, further comprising one or more outer surfaces configured to allow for the placement of advertising over a substantial portion of the one or more outer surfaces.

19. The athletic trainer cart of claim 1 7, the cart frame further comprising one or more elongated handles attached adjacent to a distal end of the cart frame and capable of releasably locking into an extended position.

20. The athletic trainer cart of claim 19, the one or more elongated handles capable of being stowed w ithin the cart frame when not in use.

2 1 . The athletic trainer cart of claim 1 7, further comprising one or more guides to facilitate alignment and attachment of the cart frame and the compartment.

22. The athletic trainer cart of claim 17, further comprising a locking mechanism for removably attaching the cart frame and the compartment.

23. The athletic trainer cart of claim 1 7, the one or more of said leaves further capable of releasably locking in an upright position.

24. The athletic trainer cart of claim 1 7, in w hich placement of the one or more of said leaves in an upright position substantially forms a ninety degree angle between one or more of said leaves and the padded top.

25. The athletic trainer cart of claim 1 7, the compartment further having a bottom on which one or more skids are located for providing a surface upon which the cart may slide.