WO2017222936A1 - Chariot équipé d'une base de roue amovible - Google Patents

Chariot équipé d'une base de roue amovible Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2017222936A1
WO2017222936A1 PCT/US2017/037923 US2017037923W WO2017222936A1 WO 2017222936 A1 WO2017222936 A1 WO 2017222936A1 US 2017037923 W US2017037923 W US 2017037923W WO 2017222936 A1 WO2017222936 A1 WO 2017222936A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
wheel base
main body
base assembly
transport device
cart
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2017/037923
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jeffrey Churchvara
Jr. Arthur L. Vellutato
Yefim GUDESBLAT
Vladislav GUDESBLAT
Original Assignee
Veltek Associates, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US29/569,050 external-priority patent/USD809730S1/en
Priority claimed from US15/190,682 external-priority patent/US9994244B2/en
Priority to CA3027512A priority Critical patent/CA3027512A1/fr
Priority to AU2017280954A priority patent/AU2017280954B2/en
Priority to ES17815974T priority patent/ES2961457T3/es
Priority to JP2018566218A priority patent/JP7066188B2/ja
Priority to KR1020197001028A priority patent/KR102247390B1/ko
Priority to EP23190509.2A priority patent/EP4245637A3/fr
Application filed by Veltek Associates, Inc. filed Critical Veltek Associates, Inc.
Priority to CN201780037312.1A priority patent/CN109415074B/zh
Priority to SG11201811030VA priority patent/SG11201811030VA/en
Priority to NZ749502A priority patent/NZ749502A/en
Priority to EP17815974.5A priority patent/EP3475145B1/fr
Publication of WO2017222936A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017222936A1/fr
Priority to AU2023200230A priority patent/AU2023200230A1/en
Priority to AU2023200231A priority patent/AU2023200231A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
    • B62B3/02—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable or convertible
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
    • B62B3/002—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by a rectangular shape, involving sidewalls or racks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
    • B62B3/10—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by supports specially adapted to objects of definite shape
    • B62B3/108—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by supports specially adapted to objects of definite shape the objects being plates, doors, panels, or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B5/00—Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
    • B62B5/0083—Wheeled supports connected to the transported object
    • B62B5/0093—Flat dollys without hand moving equipment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B2202/00—Indexing codes relating to type or characteristics of transported articles
    • B62B2202/90—Vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B2203/00—Grasping, holding, supporting the objects
    • B62B2203/70—Comprising means for facilitating loading or unloading
    • B62B2203/74—Comprising means for facilitating loading or unloading rolling means, e.g. rollers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates 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 environment to a sterile environment and vice versa.
  • a controlled 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 environments do not compromise the goods or equipment being manufactured or utilized.
  • Clean rooms can also use such features as positive pressure and humidity 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 staging area formed outside of the entry point. The airlock or staging area sequesters the air inside the clean room from the outside
  • Clean rooms are currently classified using filtration criteria that examines the number and size of particles 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.
  • Autoclaving 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 superheated 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 autoclave are subjected to high levels of heat, pressure, and moisture, any media subjected to such treatment must be able to withstand both.
  • Clean room personnel will often use carts to transport items to/from a clean room.
  • 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 manually 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.
  • an object of the invention to provide a transport that can be used by a single operator to transport goods and equipment.
  • Another object of the present invention 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 environment.
  • 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 controlled environment, while preventing the non-sterile wheel base from entering the controlled environment.
  • It is yet another object of the invention to provide a cart that can, in its entirety, withstand the heat and pressure of standard industry autoclaves.
  • a fully autoclavable cart having a removable wheel base.
  • the cart can be used to transfer goods and equipments on sterile trays from outside the controlled environment to inside the clean room or other controlled environment without requiring 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.
  • the invention also provides 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 vertical 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. Supplies placed on the bottom surface of the main body are held securely in place by the side rails.
  • the invention also relates to a tray transport device which includes a main body having at least one elongated tray-receiving 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, and an interchangeable wheel base assembly configured to receive and mate with the bottom surface of the main body.
  • a tray transport device which includes a main body having at least one elongated tray-receiving 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, and an interchangeable wheel base assembly configured to receive and mate with the bottom surface of the main body.
  • Each of the tray- receiving structures extends vertically upwards relative to the wheel base assembly.
  • the invention further provides a transport device having a wheel with a braking mechanism which 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.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the cart frame with its wheel base removed, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2A is a front plan view of the cart with a removable wheel base attached
  • FIG. 2B is a side plan view of the cart with a removable wheel base attached
  • FIG. 2C is a top view of the cart with a removable wheel base attached
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the wheel base wheel assembly of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4A 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 FIG. 2C, with the locking mechanism in the locked position;
  • FIG. 4B is a side view of the rear wheel base wheel assembly of FIG. 4A, with the locking mechanism in the unlocked position;
  • FIG. 5A is a top view as a cart in an uncontrolled environment approaches a wheel base assembly positioned in a controlled environment;
  • FIG 5B is a top view as a cart moves between an uncontrolled environment and a controlled environment, replacing its non-sterile wheel base with a sterile wheel base;
  • FIG. 5C is a top view of a cart completely within a controlled environment, after having replaced its non-sterile wheel base with a sterile wheel base;
  • FIG. 6A is a side perspective view of a rack used to transport the wheel base assemblies of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 6B is a top view of the rack of FIG. 6A;
  • FIG. 6C is a side view of the rack of FIG. 6A;
  • FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the rack in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 7B is a front view of the rack of FIG. 7A;
  • FIG. 7C is a side view of the rack of FIG. 7A;
  • FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a supply cart in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a tray cart in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 OA is a front perspective view of a prior art braking mechanism
  • FIG. 10B is a cutaway front perspective view of an exemplary wheel base having the braking mechanism illustrated in FIG. 10A.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 show a transport device such as a cart 10 of the invention in
  • 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 10, 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 pressure 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 polypropylene, and Pyrex type glass.
  • the main frame or body 100 is a rectangular, unitary 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.
  • 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 provided.
  • 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 FIG. 1, four guide wheel assemblies 140 are positioned along the longitudinal side walls 118, spaced apart from each other. Referring to FIG. 3, the wheel assemblies have a wheel 142 and an axle 144.
  • the axle 144 can be a rod that extends through an opening in the side wall 118 and is fastened 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 (FIG. 4 A) that prevents movement of the cart 10.
  • one or more of the wheel assemblies 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. Accordingly, the platform 240 is a flat, rectangular, elongated, 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 assembly 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 contain any unnecessary elements that might increase its height. So, the wheel base assembly 200 essentially has the wheels and the platform 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 FIG. 3.
  • Each guiderail 220 has an upright portion 222, inwardly turned member 224, and an inner guide edge 226.
  • the upright portion 222 extends 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.
  • 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 inwardly turned member 224 and the top surface 241 of the platform.
  • 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 rolling-wheel guide assemblies 140 that are attached to the side wall 118 of the main body 100.
  • the guide wheels 142 slide along the guiderails 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 assembly 200 in a longitudinal 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 engages the wheel base assembly in a side-to-side fashion in a transverse direction.
  • 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.
  • 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 platform 240.
  • the top member 224 forms a ledge that prevents 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 surface 242 of the platform.
  • 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 assembly 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.
  • 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 platform 240.
  • the front and rear corners 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 proximal 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.
  • 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 between 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.
  • 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 through-holes 322, 332 are slightly 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.
  • the spring 310 is positioned about the rod 302 between the bottom surface 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 diameter of the upper stop member 306.
  • the spring 310 is slightly compressed so it pushes outwardly against the bottom surface of the upper support member 320 and the top surface of the upper stop member 306.
  • 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 FIG. 4A.
  • 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.
  • the cart 10 When the rod 302 is received in the lock opening 230 of the wheel base assembly 200, the cart 10 is in a locked position, whereby the wheel base assembly 200 is locked to the main body 100.
  • the main body 100 In the locked position, the main body 100 remains 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 portion (the bottom shelf 112 and/or support posts 120) being positioned between 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 operate the wheel base locking mechanism 300 while still gripping the handle 130.
  • the user can lift up on the knob 304 in the direction Y against the bias of the spring 310, as shown in FIG. 4B.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the main body 100 can slide in a longitudinal direction X (FIGS. 1, 4B). More specifically, the bottom surface of the bottom shelf 112 slides along the top surface 241 of the platform 240.
  • 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 platform 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.
  • 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 receives the rod 302 can be affixed to the main body 100 (such as the middle shelf 1 14) to prevent upward movement of the lower stop member 208 or another stop member (not shown).
  • FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C operation of the cart 10 is shown.
  • 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 uncontrolled 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.
  • 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 1 10 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. [0054] Starting with FIG. 5 A, the cart 10 is located 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 200i, as shown in the fully assembled embodiments of FIGS. 2A-2C.
  • a second wheel base assembly 200 2 is located on the other side of the boundary 9, inside the controlled environment 7. Accordingly, there are two wheel base assemblies 200: a first assembly 200i that is attached to the main body 100 in the uncontrolled environment 5, and a second assembly 200 2 that is by itself in the controlled environment 7. The wheels 210 on the second wheel base assembly 200 2 are in the locked position, so that the second wheel base assembly 200 2 cannot move.
  • the operator pushes the cart 10 using the handle 130 up to the boundary line 9, so that the first wheel base assembly 2001 comes into contact with the second wheel base assembly 200 2 .
  • the user then locks the wheels 210 of the first wheel base assembly 200i so that the first wheel base assembly 200i cannot move.
  • the first and second wheel base assemblies 200i, 200 2 are identical, so their respective platforms 240i, 240 2 are the same height as one another.
  • the user aligns the first wheel base assembly 2001 with the second wheel base assembly 200 2 so that the sides 246, 248 substantially align with each other.
  • a guide member can optionally be provided on the front end 244 of the first wheel base assembly 200i 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 200i with the second wheel base assembly 200 2 .
  • the first wheel base assembly 200i is aligned with the second wheel base assembly 200 2 , and the main body 100 (together with any items it is carrying) is ready to be moved from the first wheel base assembly 200i to the second wheel base assembly 200 2 .
  • the user lifts up on the knob 304 of the locking mechanism 300 (FIG. 4A) against the force of the spring 310, which withdraws the distal end portion 312 from the first lock opening 230i, thereby unlocking the main body 100 from the first wheel base assembly 200i.
  • 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.
  • 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 200i and onto the top surface 241 2 of the platform 240 of the second wheel base assembly 200 2 , as shown in FIG. 5B.
  • the first and second guiderails 220i, 220 2 guide the main body 100 in the longitudinal direction X (FIG. 4B).
  • the support posts 120 may come into contact with the beveled corners 228 of the second guiderail 220 2 , and the beveled corners 228 direct the main body 100 to come within the second guiderails 220 2 .
  • 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, 241 2 of the respective platforms 240.
  • a catch can be optionally provided to hold the knob in the upright position so that the user need not hold it.
  • the wheel base assembly 200 2 remains stationary and does not move as the main body is being slid onto it.
  • first and second wheel bases 200i, 200 2 are locked, only the second wheel base 200 2 needs to be locked.
  • the first wheel base 200i can also be locked to further prevent motion of the first wheel base 200i during the transfer operation. And, the first wheel base 200i will then be locked and ready to accept the main body 100 again when the user exits the controlled environment 7.
  • the rod 302 will be aligned (by the inner edges 226 of the guiderails 220 2 ) with the lock opening 230 2 and will automatically enter the lock opening 230 2 under the outward (downward) force of the spring 210.
  • the main body 100 is locked to the second wheel base assembly 200 2 (with the sterile wheels) inside the controlled environment 7, and the first wheel base assembly 200i (with the unsterile wheels) remains in the uncontrolled environment 5.
  • the wheels of the second wheel base assembly 200 2 can then be unlocked by the user, and the cart 10 (with the main body 100 and the second wheel base assembly 200 2 ) can be maneuvered inside the clean room 7 so that the items can be delivered to the appropriate location inside the clean room 7.
  • the items remain on the shelves 112, 114, 116 of the cart 10 and need not be removed.
  • the main body 100 never touches the ground, but instead moves directly from the first platform surface 2401 to the second platform surface 240 2 .
  • the process described can also be executed identically in reverse, i.e., when the cart 10 travels from the controlled environment 7 to the uncontrolled environment 5.
  • the sterile and non-sterile wheel bases remain sequestered in their respective environments, preventing any cross-contamination of particulate matter while the cart 10 moves between these environments.
  • the wheel bases are substantially identical so that they are exchangeable 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 environment 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 uncontrolled environment do not enter the controlled environment. Rather, the wheels used in the controlled environment remain inside the controlled environment and do not leave the controlled environment. Accordingly, the cart wheels are not introducing particles into the controlled environment.
  • 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.
  • any suitable number and configurations can be provided.
  • multiple locking mechanisms can be provided, located at one or more sides 106, 108 or ends 102, 104 of the main body frame 100.
  • the locking mechanism can include a fastener or mating locking mechanism on the wheel base assembly that cooperatively engages a locking mechanism on the main body 100.
  • 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.
  • the invention 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.
  • the platform 240 can be slats or the like.
  • the posts 120 can have wheels.
  • elongated longitudinal supports can be provided with roller bearings that engage mating roller bearings on the wheel base assembly (such that guiderails are not needed).
  • the entire cart 10 is made of materials that can be autoclaved.
  • 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.
  • the invention is described as having a wheel base assembly 200 that is completely separate from the main body 100, other embodiments of the invention can be provided within the invention.
  • 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.
  • the wheels can remain fixed to the main body and operated by a lever to raise one set of wheels and lower the other set of wheels.
  • 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.
  • FIGS. 6A-6C Another feature of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C.
  • 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 multiple 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 FIG. 6A) or at an angle from the upper surface 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.
  • 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.
  • the bottom portion 602 and handle assembly 604 are formed of material 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).
  • material 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).
  • metals and metal alloys such as nickel, aluminum, or stainless steel
  • resilient plastics such as polypropylene
  • Pyrex®-type glass i.e., low-thermal-expansion borosilicate glass
  • 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 portion 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 cross-sectional shape.
  • 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 assembly 200 on one longitudinal side 246, while the other of the posts 614 of the pair engages the channel 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 assemblies 200 in place, such as at least half the length (L 2 ) of the wheel base assembly 200.
  • FIG. 6 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.
  • the posts 614 are also formed of materials which may be autoclaved, such as those discussed herein.
  • the posts 614 are configured 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 FIG. 1) of the wheel base assembly 200 is oriented perpendicularly 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.
  • each guiderail 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 backward on the rack 600, and an upright portion 222 that engages the post 614 and prevents 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 side-to-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 FIG. 6C) 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.
  • 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 FIG. 3) 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.
  • 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 outside 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.
  • 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.
  • the rack 600 may also be sized and configured to transport other devices for simultaneously autoclaving.
  • a rack 700 is shown in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • the cart or rack 700 may be used to store and/or transport one or more wheel base assemblies 200 to and retain in an autoclave.
  • the rack 700 is sized and configured to accommodate multiple wheel base assemblies 200 and to allow it to fit within an autoclave.
  • the entire rack 700 are formed of material 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).
  • 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 support members that are connected together in a square shape having an open center.
  • the top frame portion 704 has a front support member 704a, rear support member 704c, and side support members 704b, 704d.
  • the bottom and/or top frame portions 702, 704 can be solid plates.
  • the top frame portion 704 can be smaller than the bottom frame portion 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.
  • one or more hooks 710 are provided.
  • the hooks 710 are coupled to the bottom of the top frame portion 704.
  • 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 support 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 supports 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.
  • 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 guiderails 220 of the wheel base assembly 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.
  • 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.
  • the wheel base assemblies 200 are between the two sides of the rack 700.
  • the wheel base assemblies 200 extend outward beyond the front and rear of the cart 700 so that the assemblies 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 channel 227.
  • the rack 700 may include a plurality of wheels 716 coupled to the bottom surface of the bottom frame portion 702, so that the rack 700 may be physically moved from one location to another, such as from an outside environment into an autoclave or clean room environment.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the rack 700 may also be sized and configured to transport other devices for simultaneously autoclaving.
  • FIG. 8 Another feature of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 8.
  • a supply transport/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 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 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 defines 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 upwards from the wheel base assembly 200, although any number of support posts 812 may be used.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the guide wheel assemblies may be aligned along an outer edge (not shown) of the bottom surface 813.
  • the guide wheel assemblies may be coupled to bottom cross bars (not shown) that extends between the vertical support posts 812 from the front end 804 to the rear end 806.
  • the supply cart 800 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 vertical support posts 812 at different heights so as to form side rails. As illustrated in FIG. 8, 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 application. In this embodiment, four horizontal cross members 814a extend between the four vertical support posts 812 to form a rectangular shape directly above the wheel base assembly 200.
  • Another four horizontal cross members 814b extend between the four vertical support posts 812 to form another rectangular 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.
  • the horizontal cross members 814a, 814b form a hinged door (not shown) at the rear end 806 of the supply cart 800.
  • the hinged door may be formed at the front end 804 or either side 808, 810.
  • FIG. 8E 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.
  • cans for example, can be tied to cross members 814c, 814d, to keep them in place.
  • a handle similar to handle 130 may be used to allow the user to push the supply cart 800.
  • the user may push the supply cart 800 by handle 1026, discussed more fully below with respect to FIG. 10B.
  • the user may push or pull the supply cart 800 using horizontal cross members 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.
  • a tray transport/storage cart 900 (the "tray cart 900") may be used to transport 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 transverse side or end 904, a rear transverse side or end 906 and two opposing longitudinal sides 908, 910 so as to form a frame.
  • 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.
  • the main body 902 includes a bottom surface 913. The bottom surface 913 may be a substantially flat surface 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.
  • the body 902 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 902 includes the bottom surface 913, the bottom surface 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.
  • 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 elongated 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 surface 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 FIG. 9, each of the tray-receiving structures 912 has a rectangular shape. Each of the tray-receiving structures 912 may be joined by a rectangular top joining member 911, such that each of the tray-receiving structures 912 is secured together.
  • each of the tray-receiving structures 912 is secured together at the bottom surface 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 generally parallel to the ground.
  • 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.
  • the opposing lips 916 are arranged such that they create a plurality of stacked slots 914.
  • each of the tray-receiving 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 structures 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.
  • the user may push the tray cart 900 by handle 1026, discussed more fully below with respect to FIG. 10B.
  • the tray cart 900 may include a handle 917 at the rear end 906 (as illustrated in FIG. 9) or at end front end 904.
  • 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 autoclaved.
  • 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.
  • 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 assembly 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 mechanisms for locking the carts to the wheel base assembly 200 may be utilized, including pins, screws, and other known coupling mechanisms.
  • FIGS. 10A-B Another feature of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 10A-B.
  • a wheel and braking mechanism 1000 (the "braking 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.
  • 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 assemblies 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 FIG. 4 A.
  • the braking mechanism 1000 generally 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 transport 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 applies a force against the wheel 1002 so as to stop the wheel 1002 from being able to rotate, such as by frictional forces.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • a control or actuation mechanism 1010 is provided, as illustrated in the cutaway of FIG. 10B.
  • 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 assembly, cart, or rack disclosed herein, or any cart or transport device having a wheel assembly.
  • the actuation mechanism 1010 generally includes a horizontal bar 1024 and an inverted, U-shaped handle 1026.
  • the horizontal bar 1024 has a generally circular cross-sectional shape.
  • the handle 1026 need not be U-shaped, but may take any shape that is able to be gripped by a user.
  • the horizontal 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.
  • the U-shaped handle 1026 is formed integrally with the horizontal bar 1024.
  • 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 FIG. 10B.
  • 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.
  • the second end 1022 of the stop brake 1008 activates the stopping mechanism which applies a force against the wheel 1002 so as to stop the wheel 1002 from being able to rotate.
  • the second end 1022 of the stop brake 1008 deactivates the stopping mechanism to allow the wheel 1002 to freely rotate again.
  • the braking mechanism 1000 may be used together with any of the carts or racks disclosed herein.
  • the already-existing wheels on a wheel base assembly 200 may be replaced with the wheel and braking mechanism 1000.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the locking 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.
  • 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.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Handcart (AREA)
  • Braking Arrangements (AREA)

Abstract

Un dispositif de transport comporte une roue pourvue d'un mécanisme de freinage. Le dispositif de transport comprend un mécanisme d'actionnement rotatif adjacent au mécanisme de freinage, ainsi qu'une poignée s'étendant vers le haut à partir du mécanisme d'actionnement et conçue pour déplacer le mécanisme d'actionnement entre une position ouverte dans laquelle aucune force d'arrêt n'est appliquée et une position de freinage dans laquelle le mécanisme d'actionnement fait fonctionner le mécanisme de freinage.
PCT/US2017/037923 2016-06-23 2017-06-16 Chariot équipé d'une base de roue amovible WO2017222936A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (12)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ749502A NZ749502A (en) 2016-06-23 2017-06-16 Cart with removable wheel base
EP17815974.5A EP3475145B1 (fr) 2016-06-23 2017-06-16 Chariot équipé d'une base de roue amovible
CN201780037312.1A CN109415074B (zh) 2016-06-23 2017-06-16 带有可移除轮座的推车
ES17815974T ES2961457T3 (es) 2016-06-23 2017-06-16 Carro con base de ruedas extraíbles
JP2018566218A JP7066188B2 (ja) 2016-06-23 2017-06-16 取り外し可能なホイールベースを備えたカート
KR1020197001028A KR102247390B1 (ko) 2016-06-23 2017-06-16 탈착 가능 휠 베이스를 구비한 카트
EP23190509.2A EP4245637A3 (fr) 2016-06-23 2017-06-16 Chariot avec base de roue amovible
CA3027512A CA3027512A1 (fr) 2016-06-23 2017-06-16 Chariot equipe d'une base de roue amovible
AU2017280954A AU2017280954B2 (en) 2016-06-23 2017-06-16 Cart with removable wheel base
SG11201811030VA SG11201811030VA (en) 2016-06-23 2017-06-16 Cart with removable wheel base
AU2023200231A AU2023200231A1 (en) 2016-06-23 2023-01-18 Cart with removable wheel base
AU2023200230A AU2023200230A1 (en) 2016-06-23 2023-01-18 Cart with removable wheel base

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US29/569,050 USD809730S1 (en) 2015-12-22 2016-06-23 Cart
US15/190,682 US9994244B2 (en) 2014-12-24 2016-06-23 Cart with removable wheel base
US15/190,682 2016-06-23
US29/569,050 2016-06-23

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NZ789423A (en) 2024-08-30
JP7006987B2 (ja) 2022-01-24
JP2019518656A (ja) 2019-07-04
AU2017280954B2 (en) 2022-10-20
CN109415074B (zh) 2021-12-07
SG11201811030VA (en) 2019-01-30
AU2023200231A1 (en) 2023-02-16
AU2017280954A1 (en) 2019-01-24
AU2023200230A1 (en) 2023-02-16
JP2021014267A (ja) 2021-02-12
KR20190021321A (ko) 2019-03-05
JP7066188B2 (ja) 2022-05-13
KR102247390B1 (ko) 2021-04-30
CN109415074A (zh) 2019-03-01

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