GB2128561A - A detachable and adjustable wheel guard - Google Patents

Abstract

A wheel guard to remove objects such as cables from the path of wheels, trolley wheels or castors, fits detachably onto the wheel hub and can be adjusted for different wheel axis diameters. It consists of four blades which meet in pairs on either side of the wheel at its hub, while their sharp ends trail two in front and two behind, resting on the ground. Two of the blades are concave at their wider ends and the concavities face into the projecting wheel hubs which thus hold them in place. The remaining two blades hinge on the outer aspect of the first pair at the hub and trail on the ground in the opposite direction. A bolt joins the two concave blades near their sharp ends and also provides the means of adjusting the distance between them. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A detachable and adjustable wheel-guard for operating theatre equipment The apparatus consists of four blades which meet in pairs on either side of the wheel at its hub, while their sharp ends trail two in front and two behind, resting on the ground (see diagram).

The blades may be made from any lightweight material such as for example plastic or perspex.

Two of the blades are concave at their wider ends and the concavities face into the projecting wheel hubs which thus hold them in place. The remaining two blades are attached by any convenient means to the outer or convex aspects of the upper ends of the first pair in such a way as to be free to rotate in the vertical plane (assuming the wheel to which the device is attached is standing vertically). The distance between the opposed concave surfaces of the first pair can be adjusted by means of a wingnut that can be tightened against a distance setting nut on a threaded bolt joining the two concave blades near their pointed ends. This bolt is fixed at right angles to one of the blades while the other blade is perforated to accept the bolt to which it is clamped by tightening the wingnut against the distance setting nut with the blade between them.

Purpose The purpose of the device is to prevent cables such as anaesthetic hosing or electric cable from snagging under the wheels of hospital equipment, for example anaesthetic trolleys or mobile X-ray machinery. Such equipment is heavy but is usually moved manually so that a frequent problem is that the wheels catch against any obstruction on the operating-room floor necessitating manual removal of the obstruction.

In the case of anaesthetic housing, obstruction of the lumen of the hose by a trolley wheel can be hazardous for the patient.

The device could also be used in any similar situation posing similar problems.

Mode of action After setting the device to the correct width which will depend on the distance between the hubs of the wheels involved, the concavities on the inner pair of blades are slipped over the hubs.

The blades should conveniently be made flexible so that they can be stretched to fit them into position. All the wheels of the trolley/machine/bed etc should have the guards fitted. Once fitted, the blades of the wheel guard slide along the ground, catching up any moveable obstruction and lifting it clear of the moving wheel (see diagram). The concave blades should face forwards, the outer pair backwards.

What is claimed Any device which can be attached to the hubs of wheels or to any part of the structure supporting the wheels with the purpose of removing obstructions from the path of the wheels whether in front of or behind its normal direction of travel.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 25 Now 1983 Superseded claims: The New or amended claims: 1. A Wheelguard which can be attached to the hubs of wheels or castors designed for use on smooth level surfaces, consists of paired members with outer ends which trail on the ground parallel to and in front and behind the direction of travel of the wheel or castor, such that on encountering a moveable obstruction they either slide under it thus lifting it clear of the wheel or castor track, or push it ahead of or aside from the said track.

2. AWheelguard as in Claim 1 which can be reversibly fitted to the hub of a wheel or castor by an unskilled person without the use of tools.

3. A Wheelguard as in Claim 1 or 2 in which the distance between the paired members can be adjusted by any convenient means for example using a wing-nut and threaded bolt to join them together as in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, so that the device can be adapted to fit wheels or castors of different axis widths.

4. Any Wheelguard substantially as described in the above Claims 1,2, 3 and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A detachable and adjustable wheel-guard for operating theatre equipment The apparatus consists of four blades which meet in pairs on either side of the wheel at its hub, while their sharp ends trail two in front and two behind, resting on the ground (see diagram). The blades may be made from any lightweight material such as for example plastic or perspex. Two of the blades are concave at their wider ends and the concavities face into the projecting wheel hubs which thus hold them in place. The remaining two blades are attached by any convenient means to the outer or convex aspects of the upper ends of the first pair in such a way as to be free to rotate in the vertical plane (assuming the wheel to which the device is attached is standing vertically). The distance between the opposed concave surfaces of the first pair can be adjusted by means of a wingnut that can be tightened against a distance setting nut on a threaded bolt joining the two concave blades near their pointed ends. This bolt is fixed at right angles to one of the blades while the other blade is perforated to accept the bolt to which it is clamped by tightening the wingnut against the distance setting nut with the blade between them. Purpose The purpose of the device is to prevent cables such as anaesthetic hosing or electric cable from snagging under the wheels of hospital equipment, for example anaesthetic trolleys or mobile X-ray machinery. Such equipment is heavy but is usually moved manually so that a frequent problem is that the wheels catch against any obstruction on the operating-room floor necessitating manual removal of the obstruction. In the case of anaesthetic housing, obstruction of the lumen of the hose by a trolley wheel can be hazardous for the patient. The device could also be used in any similar situation posing similar problems. Mode of action After setting the device to the correct width which will depend on the distance between the hubs of the wheels involved, the concavities on the inner pair of blades are slipped over the hubs. The blades should conveniently be made flexible so that they can be stretched to fit them into position. All the wheels of the trolley/machine/bed etc should have the guards fitted. Once fitted, the blades of the wheel guard slide along the ground, catching up any moveable obstruction and lifting it clear of the moving wheel (see diagram). The concave blades should face forwards, the outer pair backwards. What is claimed Any device which can be attached to the hubs of wheels or to any part of the structure supporting the wheels with the purpose of removing obstructions from the path of the wheels whether in front of or behind its normal direction of travel. New claims or amendments to claims filed on 25 Now 1983 Superseded claims: The New or amended claims:

1. A Wheelguard which can be attached to the hubs of wheels or castors designed for use on smooth level surfaces, consists of paired members with outer ends which trail on the ground parallel to and in front and behind the direction of travel of the wheel or castor, such that on encountering a moveable obstruction they either slide under it thus lifting it clear of the wheel or castor track, or push it ahead of or aside from the said track.

2. AWheelguard as in Claim 1 which can be reversibly fitted to the hub of a wheel or castor by an unskilled person without the use of tools.

3. A Wheelguard as in Claim 1 or 2 in which the distance between the paired members can be adjusted by any convenient means for example using a wing-nut and threaded bolt to join them together as in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, so that the device can be adapted to fit wheels or castors of different axis widths.

4. Any Wheelguard substantially as described in the above Claims 1,2, 3 and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.