FR2964861A1 - BRANCH TROLLEY WITH IMPROVED LOCKING MEANS - Google Patents

Abstract

The carriage (1) has two rear stands (9, 10) and two front stands (11, 12), where each stand is provided with wheels (13-16). The wheels are articulated on a frame (2) between an active transport position in which the rear and front stands support the frame in a top position, and a folded position under the frame in a lowered position. Blocking and releasing units of the stands are in an active deployed position, and comprise an abutment (33) that is movable in rotation. The blocking and releasing units cooperate with an element (21) connected to one of the stands.

Description

BRANCH TROLLEY WITH IMPROVED LOCKING MEANS

The present invention relates to a carriage adapted to support a stretcher for receiving a person lying, injured or sick, and for example its transfer from a vehicle to a place of care or vice versa.

The carriage is of the type comprising a frame on which are articulated two rear crutches and two front crutches, each provided at their end with a wheel. The stands are mounted in rotation between: - an active transport position where they support the frame then in the upper position, to allow the running of the stretcher; and - a folded position under and against the frame, - an intermediate position said traiteau.

Means are provided for locking and unblocking the crutches in the active deployed position, in order to ensure the transport and the rolling movement of the truck under the required safety conditions.

The known means raise problems.

Caring for people who are wounded or sick requires acting not only quickly, but also to ensure comfort on the one hand and safety on the other hand.

These constraints are contradictory. Indeed, the speed of execution of deployment and crutch blocking maneuvers, by the health care staff, assumes to have simple and accessible systems, while the safety aims to prevent any untimely maneuver.30 There are many trolleys equipped with different types of means for blocking and unblocking crutches, such as for example described in patent applications WO 2004/078087, FR 2 800 344, or FR 2890 555.

The known systems attempt to reconcile the opposite requirements mentioned above, but these are perfectible.

The present invention provides a carriage provided with improved means of locking (and unlocking) crutches, which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art, and in particular provides the user (paramedic for example) speed of maneuver, without compromising the comfort and safety of the person transported.

To this end, according to the invention, the carriage, adapted to support a stretcher or stretcher 15 for receiving a person lying, wounded or sick, comprising: - a frame; two rear crutches and two front crutches, each provided at their end with a wheel, and articulated on said chassis between an active transport position or where they support the chassis then in the raised position, to allow the stretcher 20 to run, and a folded position under and against the chassis; - Locking and unlocking means crutches in the active deployed position, is characterized in that said means comprise at least one abutment movable in rotation and adapted to cooperate with at least one element connected to at least one of the crutches. Each stop is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the carriage.

Preferably, the carriage comprises a first element connected to the front crutches and a second element connected to the rear crutches, each element being able to cooperate with a stop.

Advantageously, the first and second elements each consist of a transverse bar connected to the proximal end of the crutches.

According to a preferred embodiment, each element or transverse bar is slidably mounted on the frame, by means of two lateral rails.

Advantageously, for at least one pair of stands (front or rear), there is provided a first stop for the position of the element corresponding to the active position of the stands, and a second stop for an intermediate position of the element. corresponding a semi folded position crutches, said trestle.

Each abutment comprises an at least partially tapered portion, opposite to the active part intended to bear against said corresponding element.

In a particular embodiment, each stop is fixed on a rod rotatably mounted on the frame, and secured to one end of a cable whose other end is connected to an actuating member (handle or handle).

Returning means are connected to each rod, so as to tend to bring it to the position corresponding to the active position of the crutches.

The present invention is now described with reference to the description which follows, supported by the following figures, showing illustrative but non-limiting examples:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above and from the rear, of the carriage of the invention in the active transport position;

Figure 2 is a view of the carriage of Figure 1 inverted, from the front;

Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of the carriage in the folded position; Figure 4 shows a partial perspective view from above of the carriage of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a side perspective view of detail of the crutch locking means;

Figure 6 shows in perspective from below the chassis of the truck, without the crutches.

The term longitudinal refers to the longitudinal direction of the frame, and the term transverse to a perpendicular direction. The terms distal and proximal describe a respectively distant or near position, either the frame or an end thereof.

The device 1 comprises a frame 2 is of generally quadrangular shape, and formed from tubular elements. The chassis comprises two parallel longitudinal members 3 and 4, connected by cross members, namely a rear end cross member 5, a front end cross member 6, a rear intermediate cross member 8, and a front intermediate cross member 7.

On the chassis 2 are articulated crutches, namely two crutches 9,10 rear, and two crutches before 11 and 12. The proximal end of each crutch is articulated on the longitudinal members 3 and 4 corresponding via joints horizontal and transverse axis to the longitudinal members of the frame. Only the joints 10A and 12A are visible in Figure 1, given the perspective.

The distal end of each stand is provided with a wheel or roller, respectively 13, 14, 15 and 16, mounted free to rotate along a horizontal axis transverse to the longitudinal members 3 and 4 of the frame.

The rear stands 9 and 10, on the one hand and before 11 and 12, on the other hand, are also connected to the frame 2 by two holding structures, respectively 17A and 17B, each being of generally quadrangular shape and made from tubular elements.

Each holding structure comprises: - - a lower spacer, respectively rear 19 and front 20, arranged between the two corresponding legs; each spacer is slidably mounted (in known manner and not visible in Figure 1) so that the end of each lower spacer 19 and 20 slides along said corresponding legs; - - two upper cross members, respectively rear 21 and front 22, arranged substantially between the two longitudinal members 3 and 4 of the frame 1; and - - for the rear: two uprights respectively 23 and 24 connecting the lower spacer 19 and the upper rear cross member 21; for the front: two uprights respectively 25 and 26 connecting the lower spacer 20 and the upper front cross member 22;

The upper cross members, respectively rear 21 and front 22, have at their end, near the longitudinal members 3 and 4, each a slider 21A and 21B (cross-member 21), and sliders 22A and 22B (cross-member 22).

The slides 21A, 21B, 22A, and 22B cooperate with, and are free in translation in, guide rails of complementary shape to the longitudinal members and fixed on the longitudinal members 3 and 4. More specifically, the rear guide rails 27 and 28 are arranged between the rear cross member 5 and the rear intermediate cross member 8 of the frame. Rails 29 and 30 are arranged between the two intermediate bars before 7 is rear 8.

The upper rear cross members 21 and 22 are thus able to move in translation along the guide rails.

In Figure 1, the carriage is shown with the crutches in maximum extension, support position to allow the rolling of the truck on the ground. In this position, said stands are substantially vertical or slightly inclined relative to the vertical.

The legs are likely to be folded against and under the frame 1, as shown for example in Figure 3 in top view in perspective.

There are provided locking means in the active position crutches, shown in Figure 1, and which are described later.

The passage of the crutches from the active position (FIG. 1) to the folded position (FIG. 3) is made possible by: the articulation of the proximal end of each stand on the frame, the translational movement of the slides 21 and 22 in the guide rails 27 to 30, and - the displacement in translation of the ends of the lower struts 19 and 20, along or in each leg.

In the position of Figure 1, the slides 21A, 21B, 22A and 22B are located at the end or near the end of each rail, facing the rear of the frame. In the folded or folded position shown in Figure 3, the upper movable cross members 21 and 22 are pushed towards the front end of each guide rail.

In order to maintain the crutches in the active rolling position, and to unlock them, at will, locking / unlocking means are provided according to the invention and described below.

These comprise a front locking system for the two front stands and a rear locking system for the two rear stands.

Each blocking system, rear and front respectively, comprises respectively: a rear rod 31 (32) mounted in rotation, of limited angular amplitude, parallel to the longitudinal members 3 and 4 and arranged between them; at least one rear stop 33 (front 34) of prismatic shape fixed on the corresponding rod, and protruding transversely with respect to said rod; means for rotating each rod, including: a handle or handle (36); the two handles 35 and 36 are associated with the rear fixed crossbar 5; a cable 37 (38) connecting the lever 35 (36) to the rear rod 31 (front 32) o a lever arm 39 (40) fixed on the one hand to the distal end of the rod (inwardly of the frame), transversely to the rod, and the other distal end is connected to the cable o a spring 41 (42) for returning the rod to the locking position.

Each stop (rear 33 and front 34): - is made of a block of rigid plastic material, threaded and fixed on the corresponding rotary rod 31, 32; - Has an active abutment surface, flat, intended to carry, in the active position crutches (Figure 1), against the corresponding movable cross member 21, 22, each active surface being substantially in a plane transverse to the frame; - has, opposite the active stop surface, a bevelled surface.

Thus, starting from the high active position of the chassis (FIG. 1), the user, to introduce the trolley into a vehicle (ambulance), approaches the trolley of the vehicle until its front part is on the vehicle bed, the cart still resting on the crutches.

The first step is to fold the front crutches.

The user actuates the lever 35 which pulls on the cable 38, the latter rotating the lever (not visible in the figures) integral with the rotary rod 32. In doing so, the rod turns on itself from an angle included between approximately 15 ° and 60 °, and thus rotates the stop 34 whose active stop surface no longer bears against the movable cross member 22.

The movable cross member 22 is then free in translation, by the lateral slides 22A and 22B, along the lateral rails 29 and 30.

Under the effect of return means (known in themselves and not shown) associated with the front crutches, the latter (secured to the movable cross member 22) fold under the frame. The user can then push the carriage inward at least in part, which is still resting on the ground by the rear crutches.

He then proceeds to the second step, namely to fold the rear crutches.

To do this, the user actuates the lever 36, which via the cable 37, rotates the lever 39 integral with the rotary rod 31. The latter then rotates on itself at an angle between about 15 ° and 60 °, and thus rotate the stop 33. The active surface of said stop 33 being retracted, releases the movable cross member 21 then free in translation.

The movable cross member 21, by the lateral slides 21A and 21B, can move in translation along the lateral rails 29 and 30.

Returning means (known in themselves and not shown) are associated with the front crutches. The latter (secured to the movable cross member 21) fold under the frame. The user can then continue and finish the introduction of the truck into the vehicle.

The carriage of the invention further comprises a second rear stop 43 fixed to the proximal end of the front rotary rod 31 (close to the front of the chassis), and arranged in the same angular orientation as the first rear stop 33.

During said first step above, after the first stop 33 has been retracted, the movable cross member 21 then moves in translation.

If the user then releases the handle 36, the first and second stops 33 and 43 return to the locking position. However, at this moment, the movable crossmember 21 is between said abutments, and continues its translation until it bears against the second abutment 43.

This corresponds to an intermediate position of the rear legs (not shown) between the deployed rolling position of FIG. 1 and the fully folded position of FIG. 3.

In addition, the stops 33, 34 and 43 comprise an at least partially tapered portion, opposite to the active portion intended to bear against said corresponding element. This beveled portion allows the easy passage of the corresponding movable cross member during its reverse translation, to the locking position.

Finally, there is provided a second control system of the front stop 34, disposed at the front, including a handle 44 (Figures 1, 2 and 6) connected to a cable itself connected by its other end to a lever solidarity of the front rotary rod 32.

Claims (1)

REVENDICATIONS1. Trolley, adapted to support a stretcher, or stretcher for receiving a person lying, wounded or sick, comprising: - a frame (2); - two rear stands (9,10) and two front stands (11,12), each provided at their end with a wheel (13, 14, 15, 16), and articulated on said frame between an active transport position or where they support the chassis then in the high position, and a folded position under the chassis then in the lowered position - means for blocking and unblocking the stands (9, 10, 11, 12) in the active deployed position, characterized in that said means comprise at least one stop (33, 34, 43) movable in rotation and adapted to cooperate with at least one element (21, 22) connected to at least one of the crutches. 2 trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that the or each abutment is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the carriage. 3 trolley according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a first member (22) connected to the front legs and a second member (21) connected to the rear legs, each member being adapted to cooperate with a stop . Trolley according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first and second elements each consist of a transverse bar connected to the proximal end of the legs. Trolley according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each element or transverse bar is slidably mounted on the frame by means of two lateral rails (27, 28, 29, 30). 6 trolley according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, for at least one pair of stands (front or rear), there is provided a first stop (33) for the position of the element corresponding to the active position of the crutches, and a second stop (43) for an intermediate position of the element corresponding to a semi-folded position of the crutches, said trestle. 7 trolley according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the or each abutment (33, 34, 43) comprises a portion at least partially bevelled, opposite to the active portion intended to bear against said corresponding member (21, 22). 8 trolley according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the or each abutment (33, 34, 43) is fixed on a rod (31, 32) rotatably mounted on the frame, and integral with one end a cable (37, 38) whose other end is connected to an actuating member (handle or handle) (35, 36). 9 trolley according to claim 8, characterized in that return means (41, 42) are connected to each rod, so as to tend to bring it to the position corresponding to the active position of the crutches.