WO2014118491A1

WO2014118491A1 - An apparatus for moving a load

Info

Publication number: WO2014118491A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/053195
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jason Derrick FOWLER; Sam Matthew DANCE; Andrew John Owen
Original assignee: M-Mover Holdings Limited
Priority date: 2013-02-01
Filing date: 2013-12-03
Publication date: 2014-08-07
Also published as: GB2510399A; GB201301862D0

Abstract

An apparatus for moving a load, including:- at least one ground engaging wheel supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis; and two engagement devices for engaging with a part of a load to be moved, wherein at least one of the engagement devices is moveable towards and away from the other engagement device, and wherein at least one of the engagement devices is deformable such that it deforms when engaged with a part of a load to be moved.

Description

Title: An Apparatus for Moving a Load Description of Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus for moving a load. Such apparatus are used to push or pull loads, e.g. patient beds, over a ground surface and typically include ground engaging wheels which are driven by a motor to effect said movement.

One difficulty with such apparatus is that they must be able to move beds manufactured by many different companies. For example, a hospital may have many design of bed but do not wish to have dedicated apparatus to move each particular design of bed. This problem has been addressed by the prior art by providing a plurality of formations on a part of the apparatus which engages the bed, with each formation being shaped so as to cooperate with a particular part of a particular bed (e.g. a recess or projection which is shaped so that it matches the profile of the part of the bed with which it is intended to engage). In order for the prior art apparatus to be compatible with most / all beds being used, the prior art apparatus includes many different recesses / projections. However, as soon as a new design of bed is produced (which occurs with great regularity in the medical field) the prior art apparatus needs to be modified (if it indeed can be, which sometimes it may not). This leads to an ongoing cost for the purchaser of the apparatus, or, in the worst of cases, means that a different apparatus needs to be purchased to move that specific bed. The invention has been devised to address this issue.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide an apparatus for moving a load, including:- at least one ground engaging wheel supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis; and two engagement devices for engaging with a part of a load to be moved,

wherein at least one of the engagement devices is moveable towards and away from the other engagement device, and

wherein at least one of the engagement devices is deformable such that it deforms when engaged with a part of a load to be moved.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide an engagement device for an apparatus for moving a load, wherein the engagement device is deformable such that it deforms when engaged with a part of a load to be moved.

Further features of the first and second aspects of the invention are set forth in the claims appended hereto.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of examples only with reference to the following drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a further front perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 4 is a yet further front perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 is a further a rear perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 6 is a side view of an engaging device of the apparatus;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the engaging device of figure 6;

Figure 8 is an opposite side view of the engaging device of figure 6; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the engaging device of figure 6;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a component part of the engaging device of figure 6; Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of the engaging device of figure 6 without its cover;

Figure 12 is a further perspective view of the component parts shown in figure 1 1 ;

Figure 13 is a plan view of the engaging device of figure 6 without its cover and engaged with a part of a load to be moved;

Figure 14 is a side view of the engaging device of figure 6 without its cover and engaged with a part of a load to be moved;

Figure 15 is an underside view of the engaging device of figure 6 without its cover and engaged with a part of a load to be moved; Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view through the plan A-A of figure 15; Figure 17 is a close up underside view of the region B shown in figure 20;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of the apparatus of figure 1 engaged with a patient bed;

Figure 19 is a side view of the apparatus of figure 1 engaged with a patient bed; and

Figure 20 is an underside view of the apparatus of figure 1 engaged with a patient bed.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5, these show an apparatus 10 for moving a load, in particular a bed 1000. The apparatus 10 includes a housing 14 which contains a battery and an associated motor for driving, through an appropriate gearbox or direct drive, a ground engaging wheel 12a. The apparatus 10 also includes three further ground engaging wheels 1 2b, 12c which in the present embodiment are castor-type wheels. In other words, the wheel 12b is supported for a rotation about a generally horizontal access and is permitted to swivel about a generally vertical swivel axis which is offset from its rotation axis. One wheel 12b is positioned towards a front of an underside of the housing 14, whilst the other two wheels 12c are positioned towards a rear of the underside of the housing 14 (see figure 20). The drivable wheel 12a is drivable to provide forward, backwards and side-to-side movement of the apparatus 10 and achieves this by being mounted on a rotatable member 13 which is rotatable about a generally vertical axis by a respectable motor through appropriate gearing (not shown).

The apparatus 10 includes a user graspable handle arrangement 60 which is moveable upwardly and downwardly relative to the housing 14 to provide height adjustment relative to ground surface supporting the apparatus 10. This is achieved by two spaced generally vertically aligned telescopic members 62a, 62b which are connected to each other at their upper ends by a transversely extending member 63. Connected to each end of the member 63 is a user graspable handle 61 a, 61 b which are pivotally moveable about a generally vertical axis between 'stored' and 'in use' conditions. In the stored condition the handles 61 a, 61 b are aligned coaxially with each other adjacent a rearwardly facing surface of the member 63. The member 63 also provides a location for some controls of the apparatus 10, with other controls being provided directly on an upper surface of the housing 14. Advantageously, the apparatus 10 includes, in this example, two engagement devices 14a, 14b which are moveable towards and away from each other. The engagement devices 14a, 14b are configured for engaging with a part of a load to be moved by the apparatus 10. In the present example, where the apparatus 10 is to be moved for moving a bed 1000 (see more details in Figures 18 through 20) the engagement devices 14a, 14b are configured for engaging with frame parts 100 of the bed 1000 so as to grip the bed such that it can be pulled or pushed by the apparatus 10.

Each engagement device 14a, 14b is provided at a remote end of a respective arm 16a, 16b which is moveably connected to workings within the housing 14. Each arm 16a, 16b is connected to an extension part 17a, 17b which extends into the housing 14 through a substantially vertically extending slot 18a, 18b, which is open at its lower most end (that end facing the ground surface). The slot provides for vertical movement of the extension member 17a, 17b (and thus the arm 16a, 16b) relative to the ground surface between an upper most position (see Figure 4) and a lower most position (see Figure 3).

The extension members 17a, 17b are moveable in the present example by piston/cylinder arrangements positioned within the housing, although it should be appreciated that any suitable mechanical or other type of actuator could be used so long as it provides the required movement. Advantageously, in accordance with the present invention, the engagement devices 14a, 14b are configured to be deformable such that they deform when engaged with a part 100 of the load to be moved. In other words, the engagement devices 14a, 14b are configured to deform so as to confirm identically or substantially to the shape of the part 100 of the load with which they engage. In the present example, this is achieved by providing, in each engagement device 14a, 14b a plurality of moveable members 40 which are positioned side by side. Each moveable member 40 is moveable between a displaced (i.e. when engaged with a part 100 of a load to be moved) and a neutral condition. Referring to Figures 6 to 17, these show close up and internal views of the engagement device 14a. It should be appreciated that the engagement device 14b is a mirror image thereof and thus will not be discussed specifically hereinafter.

The engagement device 14a includes a housing 48 which provides a cavity for the internal workings of the device 14a. The device 14a includes a plurality of elongate, generally plate-shaped, moveable members 40 which are positioned side-by-side such that each moveable member 40 abuts an adjacent moveable member 40 (with the exception of the end most moveable members 40). The moveable members 40 are generally slideable relative to each other between their neutral and displaced conditions and this is achieved by each moveable member 40 having an aperture therethrough which permits all of the moveable members 40 to be slidably supported on a support member 50. The support member 50 has a part 51 which extends transversely through the apertures to provide an interference fit therewith, such that some friction to movement of the moveable members 40 is provided. The support member 50 ensures that the moveable members 40 are closely nested/positioned. In other words, the support member 50 ensures that there is little or no spacing between adjacent moveable members 40 and that they are pressed against each other such that there is friction therebetween when one or more are moved.

As seen in more detail in Figures 1 1 and 12, inside the housing 48 the support member 50 and the moveable members 40, which together are a single cartridge-type element, are fixed in a support structure which provides for suitable connection to the arm 16a but also provides for controlled movement of the moveable members 40 between their neutral and displaced conditions.

Advantageously, means is provided for urging the moveable members 40 towards their neutral condition and this is provided by an urging member 44 which extends laterally across and engages the outwardly facing ends of the moveable members 40. In the present example the urging member 44 is a fabricated elongate strip of metal which is slidably supported at its remote ends on the support structure and is biased by a pair of springs 42 (one provided at each end) to move/urge the removable members 40 towards their neutral condition. The support structure for the engaging device 14a includes a plurality of slots 47a, 47b, 47c which constrain the urging member 44 to move linearly. In other words, the slots 47a to 47c inhibit angular movement of the urging member 44 (as best seen in Figure 15).

As can be seen in the Figures, one of the springs 42, that which is positioned at a remote, free, end of the arm 16b (i.e. which end is farthest from the housing 14), is positioned on an underside of the engagement device 14a. The spring 42 positioned closest to the housing 14a is positioned on an upper surface of the engagement device 14a. This configuration of the springs 42 is provided to prevent a fouling of the housing 15 with unintended parts of the load to be moved. Referring in more detail to Figures 13 to 20, these show the engagement devices 14a, 14b engaged with a part (e.g. a frame member 100) of a bed 1000. In order to engage the engagement devices 14a, 14b, with a bed, the internal workings in the housing 14 move the engagement devices 14a, 14b to the required height and then move them towards each other, i.e. towards a general central vertical plane extending through the apparatus 10. As the engagement devices 14a, 14b move towards the parts 100, the parts 100 each engage a selection 40a of the moveable members 40 and prevent these being moved further towards that central plane. Thus, the remaining moveable members 40b continue to move towards the central plane of the apparatus 10 together with the support therefor and the housing 15. The selection of moveable members 40a are therefore moved towards their displaced condition which, in turn, moves the urging member 44 against the force of the springs 42. In this condition, as can be seen in Figures 15, 17 and 20, the part 100 is sandwiched between the moving moveable members 40b which have remained in their neutral condition. As the moveable members 40 are held in their stacked configuration against each other laterally by the support 50, this ensures that the parts 100 are gripped adequately by the engagement devices 14a, 14b. The user can then operate the apparatus 10 so as to drive the wheel 12a in the direction of desired movement to move the bed 1000.

Once the bed 1000 has been moved to the desired location, the user operates the apparatus 10 so as to move the engagement devices 14a, 14b away from each other. The biasing of the springs 42 on the urging member 44 ensures that during this movement the selection 40a of the moveable members 40 are moved towards their neutral condition. Once the engagement devices 14a, 14b have been completely disengaged from the part 100 of the bed 1000, the movable members 40 are then fully aligned with each other in their neutral conditions by the urging member 44. Whilst in the above embodiment both of the engagement devices 14a, 14b include a plurality of moveable member 40, it is not necessary for both the engagement devices to include such members. The apparatus 10 could work satisfactorily with only one side of the apparatus having the configuration of a plurality of moveable members as shown in the Figures. In addition, other forms of moveable members have been contemplated. All that is required is that they can move from a neutral to a displaced condition and are preferably urged back towards their neutral condition once the engagement device has been disengaged from the part of the load to be moved.

In addition, in place of the plurality of moveable members, the engagement device (or both of the engagement devices) can be provided with another form of deformable member which deformable so has to conform identically or substantially to the shape of a part which engages. For example, in place of the moveable members there may be provided a resiliently deformable member, e.g. rubber or rubber like material, or a mouldable member.

Advantageously, the engagement device in accordance with the present invention and those described in the specific embodiment above can be retrofitted to an existing apparatus, particularly one for moving hospital beds. Thus, the engagement device can be provided as a separate device to be connected to a moveable arm.

Also, whilst the engagement devices in the present embodiment are manufactured from metal, they can be made from any other suitable materials. The moveable members 40 can be manufactured from metal or a plastic of sufficient strength.

The apparatus 10 may be provided with a programmable computer to store the required height of the engagement devices 14a, 14b for a particular type of bed. This ensures that the user need not manually align the engagement devices with the relevant parts of the load.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1 . An apparatus for moving a load, including:- at least one ground engaging wheel supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis; and

two engagement devices for engaging with a part of a load to be moved,

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the engagement device deforms so as to conform identically or substantially to the shape of the part of the load to be moved with which it engages.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the apparatus includes means for urging the engagement device towards its undeformed condition.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein at least one of the engagement devices includes a plurality of moveable members which are positioned side by side, with each moveable member being moveable between a displaced and a neutral condition.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said urging means urges the moveable members towards their neutral condition.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the moveable members move so as to collectively conform identically or substantially to the shape of the part of the load to be moved with which they engage.

7. An apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein the urging means includes one or more springs.

8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7 wherein the urging means includes an urging member which engages each of the plurality of moveable members.

9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, or according to claim 7 or claim 8 as dependent on claim 4, wherein the moveable members are elongate.

10. An apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 9 wherein each moveable member abuts an adjacent moveable member.

1 1 . An apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 10 wherein the moveable members are supported on or by a support member which extends generally transversely to the direction of movement of the moveable members.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1 1 wherein each moveable member has an aperture through which the support member extends.

13. An apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 9 as dependent on claim 3 wherein each moveable member includes an engaging end, for engaging the part of the load to be moved, and an opposite end, and wherein the urging member engages the opposite ends of the moveable members.

14. An apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 13 wherein the moveable members are generally slidable relative to each other between their neutral and displaced conditions.

15. An apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 14 wherein the moveable members are generally plate-shaped elements.

16. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein both of the engagement devices are moveable towards and away from each other, and wherein both of the engagement devices are deformable such that they deforms when engaged with respective parts of a load to be moved.

17. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein both of the engagement devices include one or more of the features set forth in claims 2 to 15.

18. An apparatus according to any preceding claim including a user- graspable handle.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the user-graspable handle is adjustable in height relative to a ground surface supporting the apparatus.

20. An engagement device for an apparatus for moving a load, wherein the engagement device is deformable such that it deforms when engaged with a part of a load to be moved.

21 . An engagement device according to claim 18 including one or more of the features set forth in claims 2 to 15.

22. An apparatus or an engagement device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

23. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.