Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G1/00—Stretchers
  • A61G1/013—Stretchers foldable or collapsible
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G1/00—Stretchers
  • A61G1/003—Stretchers with facilities for picking up patients or disabled persons, e.g. break-away type or using endless belts
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G1/00—Stretchers
  • A61G1/04—Parts, details or accessories, e.g. head-, foot-, or like rests specially adapted for stretchers

Definitions

• Transporter configured to transport a human body, and connector therefor
• the present invention relates to a transporter configured to transport a human body, as well as to a connector for such a transporter.
• a transport device configured to transport a human body, such as a patient, that effectively combines the functionality of a (scoop) stretcher for transporting a patient in a lying position and a transporter for transporting a patient in a seating position in one device, which is the subject of international patent application WO 2018/190709 Al.
• the seating mode patients may be transported in a seating position, but the seating mode may also allow the transporter to be used as an equipment trolley, allowing ambulance personnel to comfortably and securely transport their heavy medical equipment towards an emergency.
• the transporter On the way back to the ambulance, the transporter may be used as either an equipment trolley or as a transporter for transporting a patient when in the seating mode, or alternatively as a scoop stretcher when the patient needs to be stabilized or is unconscious, which requires transport in a lying position of the patient.
• a scoop stretcher comprises two stretcher halves. A patient’s body may be lifted on one side first, allowing the ambulance personnel to slide, i.e. “scoop”, one stretcher half under that respective lifted side of the body. Successively, the other side of the patient’s body may be lifted, now also sliding the other stretcher half under the patient’s body. Finally, both halves of the scoop stretcher need to be securely connected.
• connection has to be made, requiring an aligning of a male member and a female member of a connector of both scoop stretcher halves at the position were they are to be connected to each other.
• the underground is often not completely flat and/or an uneven load distribution of the patient’s body on the stretcher halves may cause torsion or misalignment, and consequently prior art scoop stretchers are normally designed with significant play at the connection to enable easy engagement of the male and female members at the connection.
• a connector for connecting the halves of the scoop stretcher needs to be comfortably accessible, and the resulting connection needs to be stable and secure while also allowing easy intentional disengagement. Stability of the connection imposes contradictory demands in view of being able to align and connect easily, because a stable connection requires minimal play between the male and female members of the connection.
• US 2,503,314 A which is considered the closest prior art, discloses a transporter configured to transport a human body, in particular a scoop stretcher, comprising a connector configured to releasably connect a first and a second transporter half, wherein:
• a male member of the connector that is associated with the first transporter half is insertable into and removable from a female member of the connector that is associated with the second transporter half, wherein the male and female member at their interface define a releasable connection of the first transporter half and the second transporter half, said releasable connection having a connected state and a disconnected state wherein the first transporter half and the second transporter half are separable from each other;
• a lock is configured to lock the male member relative to the female member in the connected state
• a pivot is arranged between the releasable connection and one of the first and the second transporter half to provide a flexible alignment of the male member relative to the female member.
• the lock comprises a pivotable latch that comprises a lug that is configured to engage with a pre-selected one of a plurality of serrations in the male member that is embodied as a serrated bar.
• the latch is pre-tensioned with a spring that is configured to retain the lug in whichever serration it is deposited.
• the user will have to press the latch against the pre -tensioning force of the spring.
• the user will have to press the latch against the pre -tensioning force of the spring and thereby move the lug away from the female member to provide free access for insertion of the male member into the female member.
• US 3,797,051 A is acknowledged as further prior art, and is related to a foldable stretcher.
• the stretcher comprises a pivot on each longitudinal side of the stretcher to provide a foldability along its transverse center line between an folded position and an extended position.
• An objective of the present invention is to provide a transporter and connector therefor, that is improved relative to the prior art and wherein at least one of the above stated problems is obviated or alleviated.
• the transporter configured to transport a human body, in particular a scoop stretcher, according to claim 1 of the present invention, comprising a connector configured to releasably connect a first and a second transporter half, wherein:
• a male member of the connector that is associated with the first transporter half is insertable into and removable from a female member of the connector that is associated with the second transporter half, wherein the male and female member at their interface define a releasable connection of the first transporter half and the second transporter half, said releasable connection having a connected state and a disconnected state wherein the first transporter half and the second transporter half are separable from each other;
• a lock is configured to lock the male member relative to the female member in the connected state
• a pivot is arranged between the releasable connection and one of the first and the second transporter half to provide a flexible alignment of the male member relative to the female member;
• the male member comprises a coaxial arrangement of a locking tube and an activation pin that is movable arranged in and relative to said locking tube between a locking state and a release state of said activation pin;
• one or more than one locking element is displaced radially outward relative to said activation pin and configured to engage a corresponding locking edge of or locking recess in the female member.
• the male and the female member may provide a stable and secure releasable connection of the first transporter half and the second transporter half, thereby allowing the first transporter half and the second transporter half to be separable from each other.
• the stability of such a male-female connection increases when the length of the interface between the male and female member increases, which is unfortunately directly related to a more critical alignment of said male and female member when the male member is to be inserted into the female member.
• due to the pivot of the transporter according to the invention it is guaranteed that the male and female member - even if they exhibit a length of several centimeters and only a limited radial play - may still be easily aligned.
• the pivot and the releasable connection are physically separated, i.e. they arranged at an offset.
• This allows the releasable connection and the pivot to be optimized independently of each other.
• the connecter is able to meet the contradictory demands of a stable and secure connection by a combination of minimal play in both of the releasable connection and the pivot, while the pivot does provide the flexibility that is required when the male member is to be aligned with the female member.
• a connector having minimal play is desirable for any kind of transporter configured to transport a human body
• the male member comprises a coaxial arrangement of a locking tube and an activation pin that is movable arranged in and relative to said locking tube between a locking state and a release state of said activation pin, wherein, in said locking state, one or more than one locking element is displaced radially outward relative to said activation pin and configured to engage a corresponding locking edge of or locking recess in the female member.
• This arrangement allows the locking element to be arranged inside the female member, where it is concealed and well protected, while simultaneously allowing further advantages to be obtained.
• this coaxial arrangement of the locking tube and activation pin allows the lock to be designed in a manner that it automatically locks when the male member is inserted a pre -determined length, preferably fully, into the female member.
• a very secure lock is provided, which is of key importance considering that injured persons that may possibly suffer from spinal cord injury have to be securely transported on the scoop stretcher.
• the coaxial arrangement of the locking tube and activation pin not only allows for a passive and automatic locking, but also provides a design that provides very easy inserting of the male member into the female member, without requiring additional handling activities. Contrary to US 2,503,314 A, it is not required that a latch is actively released for coupling and decoupling both transporter halves, requiring the user to use two hands. Instead, the coaxial arrangement of the locking tube and activation pin allows for a secure, comfortable single handed use, which is especially important in emergency situations where time is critical.
• the coaxial arrangement of the locking tube and activation pin allows a release of the lock to be freely positioned, providing the opportunity to provide a design that allows a user to release the lock and separate the transporter halves with a single hand, as will be explained in more detail below.
• said one or more than one locking element is a locking ball that is pushed radially outward in the locking state to extend partly radially outward relative to an outer circumferential surface of the locking tube.
• a locking ball has a rotation symmetric shape, and consequently the positioning thereof in the recess is independent from the orientation of the locking ball. In this way, the lock is easy to assemble, and the locking element will be able to move with minimal resistance.
• said connector further comprises a release button that is configured to displace the activation pin inside and relative to the locking tube to thereby force the activation pin in the released state thereof.
• a release button By using a release button, the user may conveniently and securely release the lock, also from outside the female member wherein the lock is arranged during the locking state thereof.
• the release button is arranged between the male member and the pivot. This provides a very advantageous positioning, since it allows a user to release the lock and pull the male member out of the female member with only a single hand. After all, a person’s body resting still resting on the transporter half associated with the female member will provide sufficient counterforce to allow the male member to be pulled out of the female member.
• the transporter further comprises a lock activator configured to force the activation pin into the locking state when the male and the female member are in the connected state.
• a lock activator configured to force the activation pin into the locking state when the male and the female member are in the connected state.
• the lock activator comprises a pre -tensioned abutment that is in abutting contact with an end of the activation pin when the male and the female member are in the connected state.
• the lock activator thereby actively displaces the activation pin inside and relative to the locking tube to thereby force the activation pin in the locking state thereof, wherein the locking element is displaced radially outward relative to said activation pin and configured to engage a corresponding locking edge of or locking recess in the female member. Consequently, a secure a reliable locking is guaranteed as long as the pre-tensioned abutment urges the activation pin into the locking state.
• the pre -tensioning of the abutment may be deliberately counteracted by a user pressing against the release button. If the user presses the release button, the activation pin is displaced relative to the locking tube against the pre-tensioning force of the pre-tensioned abutment, thereby moving the activation pin into a release state wherein the one or more than one locking element may freely displace radially inward relative to said activation pin and allow the male member to be pulled out of the female member to separate the two transporter halves of the transporter.
• the pre-tensioned abutment is configured to displace the activation pin inside and relative to the locking tube to thereby force the activation pin in the locking state thereof.
• the pre-tensioned abutment immediately causes the activation pin to move relative to the locking tube into the locking state thereof, wherein the locking element is displaced again radially outward relative to said activation pin to lock the male member relative to the female member.
• the pre-tensioned abutment thus guarantees a secure and reliable locking during normal operation conditions, as long as the release button is not deliberately activated.
• the activation pin comprises a first end directed towards the release button and a second end, opposite the first end, that is facing away from the release button and configured to be inserted into the female member, and wherein the pre-tensioned abutment is arranged in the female member and configured to engage the second end of the activation pin.
• the activation pin may be arranged freely moveable inside the locking tube, allowing the activation pin to move into release state thereof when the male member is inserted into the female member.
• the range of this “free movement” is restricted, for example by the locking element that fits into a recess of the activation pin.
• the pre-tensioned abutment is securely arranged in the female member, where it is well protected.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a transporter configured to transport a human body according to the invention that is embodied as a scoop stretcher;
• Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view of a connector of the transporter of Figure l ;
• Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a connector of the transporter of
• Figure 4A is a detailed cross-sectional view of the connector in a connected state
• Figure 4B is a detailed cross-sectional view of the connector in a connected state, wherein a release button displaces an activation pin inside and relative to a locking tube to thereby force the activation pin in a released state thereof to allow the connector to be disconnected;
• Figure 4C is a detailed cross-sectional view of the connector in a disconnected state
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of a further connector
• Figure 6A is a detailed cross-sectional view of the further connector in a connected state
• Figure 6B is a detailed cross-sectional view of the further connector in a connected state, wherein a further release button displaces a further activation pin inside and relative to a further locking tube to thereby force the further activation pin in a released state thereof to allow the further connector to be disconnected;
• Figure 6C is a detailed cross-sectional view of the further connector in a disconnected state
• Figures 7A - 7C show the transporter functioning as a scoop stretcher
• Figure 8 is a perspective view of the transporter of Figure 1 in a seating mode.
• the transporter 1 that is configured to transport a human body may be a regular scoop stretcher or may be a hybrid transporter 1 as shown in the preferred embodiment of Figures 1-8.
• they hybrid transporter 1 is shown a mode wherein it is a scoop stretcher 2.
• the transporter 1 is shown in the seating mode.
• the transporter 1 that is embodied as the scoop stretcher 2 of Figures 1-7 comprises a first transporter half 4 and a second transporter half 5, as well as a connector 6 configured to releasably connect the first and second transporter halves 4, 5 ( Figure 2).
• the connector 6 comprises a male member 7 that is associated with the first transporter half 4. This male member 7 is insertable into and removable from a female member 8 of the connector 6.
• the female member 8 is associated with the second transporter half 5, and the male and female member 7, 8 at their interface define a releasable connection 9 having a connected state ( Figures 4A, 4B, 6A and 6B) and a disconnected state ( Figures 4C and 6C).
• the connector 6 further comprises a lock 10 that is configured to lock the male member 7 relative to the female member 8 in the connected state.
• a lock 10 In the connected state shown in Figures 4A and 6A the lock is active. Using a release button 11, a user may unlock the lock 10 in the connected state, allowing the first and second transporter halves 4, 5 to be moved apart into the disconnected state shown in Figure 4C and 6C.
• a pivot 12 is arranged between the releasable connection 9 and one of the first 4 and the second transporter half 5 to provide a flexible alignment of the male member 7 relative to the female member 8.
• the pivot 12 and the releasable connection 9 are physically separated, i.e. they arranged at an offset, which allows them to be optimized independently of each other.
• the female member 8 is arranged in a tubular frame segment 13 of the second transporter half 5.
• the female member 8 may be a part to be arranged inside the tubular frame segment 13, but may alternatively also be integrated inside said tubular frame segment 13.
• Both the first 4 and the second transporter half 5 may comprise a tubular frame segment 13, 14 respectively ( Figure 3).
• said pivot 12 may be arranged between the male member 7 and its associated first transporter half 4 to thereby provide flexibility in aligning the male 7 and female member 8.
• the male member 7 may pivot relative to its associated first transporter half 4, allowing to male member 7 to be brought into alignment with the female member 8 that is associated with the second transporter half 5, even if the first and second transporter halves 5, 6 would be lying on an uneven underground and/or if a patient would cause an uneven load distribution on both the first and second transporter halves 5, 6.
• the stability of the releasable connection 9 of the male 7 and the female member 8 increases when the length of the interface between these members 7, 8 increases.
• the male member 7, and in particular the interface between the male 7 and the female member 8, preferably has a length of at least 3 cm, preferably of at least 4 cm, more preferably of at least 5 cm and most preferably of at least 6 cm.
• the transporter 1 comprises two embodiments of a connector 6, the first type 6-1 being shown in Figures 3 and 4A-C, and the second type 6-2 being shown in Figures 5, and 6A-C. Both types of connector 6, 6-1, 6-2 are very similar, and similar reference numbers apply to similar features.
• the male member 7 comprises a coaxial arrangement of a locking tube 13 and an activation pin 14 that is movable arranged in and relative to said locking tube 13 between a locking state ( Figures 4A and 6A) and a release state ( Figures 4B, 6B) of said activation pin 14.
• one or more than one locking element 15 is displaced radially outward relative to said activation pin 14 and configured to engage a corresponding locking edge 16 (Figure 4A) of or locking recess 17 ( Figure 6 A) in the female member 8.
• Said one or more than one locking element 15 may be a locking ball 18 that is pushed radially outward in the locking state to extend partly radially outward relative to an outer circumferential surface 19 of the locking tube 13.
• the shown embodiment comprises two locking balls 18 for each connector 6.
• the connector 6, 6-1, 6-2 further comprises a release button 11 configured to displace the activation pin 14 inside and relative to the locking tube 13 to thereby force the activation pin 14 in the released state thereof.
• the release button 11 may be pre -tensioned using a spring 20. When the release button 11 is pressed inward against the spring 20, a chamfered contact surface 21 may push the activation pin 14 to move it relative to the locking tube 13 ( Figure 4B). The inward movement of the release button 11 causes the user to deliberately release the lock 10. If the release button 11 is arranged between the male member 7 and the pivot 12, it is easily and readily accessible by the user.
• the connector 6, 6-1, 6-2 further comprises a lock activator 23 configured to force the activation pin 14 into the locking state when the male 7 and the female member 8 are in the connected state, i.e.
• Lock 10 comprises the male member 7, the female member 8 and the lock activator 23.
• the lock activator 23 comprises an abutment 24 that is pre -tensioned with a spring 25.
• the pre -tensioned abutment 24 is pressed outward by the spring 25 and thereby brought in abutting contact with an end 30 of the activation pin 14. Consequently, activation pin 14 is pushed away, i.e. to the right in Figures 4A and 6A.
• the release button 11 is not actively pushed inward by a user, the activation pin 14 remains in a position locking the lock 10, wherein the locking element 15 is pushed radially outward.
• the pre-tensioned abutment 24 is thus configured to displace the activation pin 14 inside and relative to the locking tube 13 to thereby force the activation pin 14 in the locking state thereof.
• the male member 7 and the female member 8 preferably both comprise a circular cross section.
• a circular cross section is, due to its rotation symmetry, does not require an alignment in rotational direction, thereby further facilitating easy alignment of the male member 7 and the female member 8.
• the entrance opening 26 of the female member is tapered to provide a larger diameter at the entrance.
• the transporter 1 shown in the embodiments comprises a further connector 6, 6-2 configured to releasably connect the first 4 and the second transporter half 5, wherein said further connector 6, 6-2 is arranged at an opposite end of the first 4 and the second transporter half 5 relative to the connector 6, 6-1.
• both the connector 6, 6-1 (of the first type) and the further connector 6, 6-2 (of the second type) function in a similar way, the main difference being that the locking element 15 engages a locking edge 16 of the female member 8 for the connector 6, 6-1 of the first type, whereas the locking element 15 engages a locking recess 17 for the further connector 6, 6-2 (of the second type).
• the connector 6, 6-1 (of the first type) is arranged on an upper side in Figure 8, whereas the further connector 6, 6-2 (of the second type) is arranged at a lower side in Figure 8.
• the transporter 1 being a hybrid transporter 1 having a wheel chair mode shown in Figure 8 requires foot rests 28 being able to rotate around the tubular frame segments 13, 14 and therefore the further connector 6, 6-2 may be slightly different relative to the connector 6, 6-1.
• Tubular segments 29 allow this rotation of the foot rests 28. Said rotation is limited by the stops 31 shown in Figure 5.
• Figures 7A - 7C show the transporter 1 functioning as a scoop stretcher 2.
• both transporter halves 4, 5 are positioned alongside the patient. First the left body side may be lifted, after which the first transporter half 4 may be moved under the patient’s body.
• the upper connector 6, 6-1 is already connected, still allowing a pivoting movement of the second transporter half 5 relative to the first transporter half 4. If now the right side of the patient’s body is lifted, also the further connector 6, 6-2 may be brought into a connected state ( Figure 7C).
• the further connector 6, 6-2 may be arranged identical or mirrored relative to the connector 6, 6-1.
• the first transporter half 4 is defined relative to the connector 6, 6-1.
• the further connector 6, 6-2 is arranged in a mirrored arrangement, meaning that the male member 7 of the further connector 6, 6-2 is associated with the second transporter half 5, and the female member 8 of the further connector 6, 6-2 is associated with the first transporter half 4.
• the skilled person will understand that is makes no difference for the present invention.
• the further connector 6, 6-2 comprises:
• Figure 1 shows a scoop stretcher mode of a hybrid transporter developed by the Applicant and subject of the international patent application WO 2018/190709 Al
• the connector according to the invention is likewise applicable to scoop stretchers that lack such a seating mode.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Invalid Beds And Related Equipment (AREA)
• Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=71575745

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Citations (3)

• 2020
  • 2020-04-28 NL NL2025443A patent/NL2025443B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2021
  • 2021-04-21 WO PCT/NL2021/050254 patent/WO2021221498A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (3)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events