US2542963A - Hospital table for moving patients - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 20, 1951 J. 5. M. KNOX ET AL 2,542,963

HOSPITAL TABLE FOR MOVING PATIENTS Filed Oct. 17, 1945 I 2 Sheet-Sheet l 1951 J. s. M. KNOX ET AL HOSPITAL TABLE FOR MOVING PATIENTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 0013. 17, 1945 l atented Feb. 20, 195i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Julia S. M. Knox and William Byrd Harrison, Jr Richmond, Va. said Harrison assignor to said Knox Application *Gctbber 1'7, 1945, Serial No. 22,764

, 9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to hospital apparatus, particularly to wheeled equipment, such as wheeled stretchers, for moving patients while in the prone position.

This apparatus is particularly useful in the moving of anesthetized patients or those who must otherwise be lifted or pulled sideways when moved from or to a bed.

Those persons who are familiar with the task of moving bedridden patients recognize that it is a constant and heavy duty. It is common practice to move a wheeled cot, or wheeled stretcher in the nature of a .narrow cot to the bedside of the patient. Then, while the attendant braces the cot to prevent it from rolling away from the bed, the patients sheet with the patient on it is dragged and partially lifted from the bed to the cot. Practical difficulties are constantly present to trouble the nurse or attendant, as for example if the relative height of the bed and cot are different or if the patient is extremely heavy, or if there is much of a gap between the edge of the mattress and the cot.

One purpose of the present invention is to bridge the space between the bed and the i wheeled cot and to thus eliminate as far as possible all chance of accident and to lighten the task of moving the patient. This is accomplished by the apparatus illustrated and described xherein, which provides for a narrow wheeled clot or cart with .a tiltable top mounted on .a wheeled chassis or frame and which frame is adjustable vertically. The top is preferably of strong light weight metal and is provided with manipulating means which enables the operator, nurse or other attendant to thrust the tiltable top, after the manner of a scoop, downwardly and laterally so as to project beyond one side of the wheeled frame. By reason of this movement the edge of the top can be brought to rest on the mattress of a patients bed so that the sheet on which the patient is reclining can readily :be pulled onto the surface of the top. In the preferred embodiment of the top, that side which is adapted to be projected outwardly is provided with an upwardly extending marginal edge portion which is slightly curved as contrasted to the main area of the top. Such a curved portion enables the top to make a conveniently gradual junction with the upper surface of the patients bed and renders relatively easy the task of the nurse or attendant in pulling the patient and the patients sheet from the bed to the top.

After the patient is located on the :top, the

2 latter can be adjusted to its horizontal position abovethe supporting frame. Then the wheeled frame with the patient thereon is ready to be moved to another location.

. The adjustable positioning of the tiltable top is achieved by reason of certain mechanical linkage pivotally connected at its lower ends to the chassis or frame of the cart and pivotally connected at its upper ends to the under surface of the top. The relative size and position of the respective elements of the linkage contribute to the merit of the tiltable top, as will be explained.

The ,ioregoing and additional advantages and features of the invention will be described and claimed the following Specification and claims. considered in connection with the accompany ing drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an end view :in elevation, lookin at the foot .of the wheeled frame and showing the tiltable top in the horizontal position;

Fig. 2 is a ViBW similar to Fig. .1 looking at the foot end of the apparatus, but showing the top in a tilted and laterally projected position;

Fig. 3 is a view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, looking .at the right side of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4. is an enlarged vertical sectional View. atthe lower end of .one :of the legs of the supporting frame and illustrating the gearing adjusting the legs vertically with respect to the caster wheels;

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4, but looking toward the left with respect to Fig. 4; 1

Fig. :6 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, of a portion of the framework, illus trating the device for locking the lever used to adjust the top; and

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view, enlarged, of the center portion of the tiltable top, showing the opening and cover therefor.

Referring in detail to the drawings, like ref erence characters identify like parts in the several figures.

The apparatus of this invention, being designed to move a patient with the least possible effort, is preferably formed of light weight metal. The top 1 is of smooth sheet metal rolled or rounded edges. The length of the top I from head to root should be comparable to the usual stretchers, cot or bed of medium length. ,The width need be only enough to safely carry the patient. As shown Figs. 1 and 2 the width of the top I is comparable to that of 5 a relatively narrow cot. According to the pres ent invention, the side of the top I indicated at i 2 is adapted to 'be thrust laterally, outwardly and downwardly to a position such as shown in Fig. 2. The opposite side or edge of the top I is indicated at 3 and it is at this side of the apparatus where the attendant or nurse stands while engaged in moving a patient.

The chassi or main frame of the equipment which carries the top I is preferably formed of tubular metal having at one side upright posts 4, an upper horizontal cross bar and a second cross bar 6, both of which latter have their ends merging with or are continuous with a similar connecting bar I. This assembly completes a four sided framework which is relatively rigid. Extending downwardly from the cross bar 6 is a vertical eX- tension of the frameelement 1, as indicated at 1a which constitutes a lower leg or post similar to the lower post portion 4. The framework includes horizontally extending bars or tubes 8, the opposite ends (at the head end) of which are connected to a duplicate of the frame elements 4, 5, 6, "I and la. The width of the frame need be only sufficient to provide a wheel base support for the tiltable top, while yet narrow enough to pass through doors. The length of the frame should preferably be slightly less than the space at the side of a bed between the legs at the head and foot so that the frame may be brought close to if not actually under the edge of a mattress.

l The mounting of the tiltable top I to provide for its lateral and downward movement of one side and the reverse of that movement is peculiar and includes the following construction. At the top of the head and foot frame members 5 are positioned two upstanding short brackets 9 which are securely fastened to the frame member 5, as by welding. There are two pairs of these brackets 9 spaced apart on each of the horizontal bars 5. Somewhat similar brackets II] are secured to the undersurface of the tiltable top I and project downwardly. The function of these brackets 9 and Ill are to provide pivotal supports for connecting links I I and I2 which serve to support the tiltable top I in its several positions, as will now be explained. With reference to Fig. 1, looking at the foot end-of the apparatus, it will be observedthat the bracket. I 0 is substantially immediately above the bracket 9. .A link II is pivotally connected to 9 and Ill. Atthe opposite side ofithe apparatus thebracket 9 is positioned inwardly from the side of the chassis frame so that the. bracket iii which depends from the .undersurface of the tiltable top I is not positioned immediately above the bracket 9, but is nearer the sideof the frame having the frame members 4. A link I2. is pivotally connected to the brackets 9 and I0 and as shown in Fig. 1 the link I2 extends diagonally upwardly from the bracket 9 to the, bracket Iii when the tiltable top I is in its horizontal position. The respective length of the II and i2 contribute, to the movement of the gtiltable. top, I, as will be explained. .It will be obvious that the links I I and I2 are duplicated at opposite ends of the apparatus.

Meansfor operating the linkage II and I2 to move the tiltable top I is provided by means of a framework in the nature of a lever including spaced arms i3 rigidly connected to the links I2, each ofwhich arm extends laterally and out wardly from the lower end of the links I2, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The extreme outer ends of the parts I3 are connected by a horizontally extending bar I 4. The bar I5 extends between the opposite ends of the members I3 at a point substantially in alignment with the pivotal point .Qfthe link I2. By having the members I3, I4 and I 5 in a form of a rectangular frame, a strong com struction is provided. To actuate the link I2 the attendant raise or lowers the bar I i, thus elevating or lowering the outer ends of the parts I3 with corresponding rocking movement of the links I2 about their lower pivotal points. When the links I2 are moved from the diagonal position shown in Fig. l to the substantially upright position shown in Fig. 2, the tiltable top I is thrust outwardly at the left and downwardly, the limitations of movement being subject to the relative length of the link II a compared to the length of the link I2.

Lock mechanism for holding the lever arms I3 in the lowered position with the tiltable top I horizontal is indicated at I3a (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6) [3a includes a spring held rod or bolt having one end adapted to enter a hole in the arm I3. This device can be duplicated at opposite ends of the framework.

The chassis frame is preferably mounted on suitable caster wheels I6.

The framework may be adjusted Vertically with respect to the caster wheels I6 by means of mechanism described in the following. At thehead and foot of the chassis are knurled .wheels 2| which are mounted on cross rods 22, extending between the lower ends of the post portions 4 and la. The Wheel 2I and the rod 22 serve as operating means for turning gears which serve to elevate or lower the frames with respect to the casters, in accordance with the following details. At the lowerend of each of the posts Ia are suitable housings in which the rods 22 are journaled. Within those housings the rod 22 carrie a worm gear. 23 which is in mesh with a gear 24, which in turn carries a sleeve 25 having screw threaded engagement with a threaded post 26. The post 26 constitutes an extension of the shank or main support of the caster wheel. The post 28 i journaled at its upper end within the interior of the posts 4 and la andis otherwise adapted to turn freely with respect to the posts land. Ia.

By. turning the wheels 2I at either the head or foot ends of the chassis the frame at that respectiveend may be elevated or lowered to suit. Optionally also the table top I may be brought to the horizontal. position at anyheight.

A drainage paniil is provided and is accessible from the upper .surface of. the tiltable. top I through an opening in the top having a downwardly extending flange Ia. A cover. plate Ibis normally seated to close the opening. lb extends in substantially the same plane with the upper adoining surface of the tiltable top I. The pan 39 has a laterally extending flange adaptedto rest onand be carried by two rods Ic which are sup-. ported at opposite sides of the opening by brackets or arms. Id. The rods Ic extend lengthwise of the tiltable top and the space between them is open so that the pan 39 maybe slide endwise of the tiltable top and removed either at the head or the footend of the apparatus. The pan 39 is a useful feature for abdominal operations, irrigaa tions, or as a bed pan.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for facilitating the movement of patients, which apparatus comprises a wheeled frame, a table top having a main central area extending generally in a common plane and mount ed on said frame, and adapted to be tilted in its entirety sidewise and projected laterally when tilted, linkage means extending between said table top and said frame and constituting the connection between the mounting for said table top on :aseaees' 1 9. Apparatus for facilitating the movement of patients, which apparatus comprises a wheeled frame, a table top having a main central area extending generally in a common plane and mounted on said frame and adapted to be tilted in its entirety sidewise and projected laterally when tilted, a plurality of links pivotally connected to and extending normally upwardly from said frame to said table to which they are pivotally connected, said links constituting the sup- 10 porting means for and means for movingthe lat ter, a plurality of said links being positioned at opposite sides of said table top, and means extending lengthwise of said frame and accessible at one side of the frame and connected to said linkage means for applying leverage to said links to move their upper ends and the table top laterally, said links at the advance side of the table top being shorter than those at the opposite side and adapted to be in the upright position when those on the opposite side are inclined outwardly from a 8 their lower toward their upper ends, whereby the advance edge of the tilted and projected top may be extended beyond said wheeled frame.

JULIA S. M. KNOX. WILLIAM BYRD HARRISON, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name i Date 312,763 Rhoads Feb. 24, 1885 1,299,894 Anderson Apr. 8, 1919 15 1,829,288 May Oct. 27, 1931 2,234,483 Sutton Mar. 11, 1941 2,404,734 Lenahan July 23, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 657,803 I Germany Mar. 14, 1938

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