Patent US4254928A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4254928A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Stabilized elevator for stretcher or the like
Assignee: INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES Inc 5500 MUDDY CREEK RD CINCINNATI OH A IL CORP
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Filing: 1979-03-09
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Granted: 1981-03-10
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Expires: 1999-03-09
Abstract
Abstract An elevator for raising and lowering a hospital stretcher or the like without binding. The stabilized elevator has a pair of intermeshed timing gears at each end of the elevator which are connected by horizontal axles that are rotationally secured to a first telescoping section of the elevator. Each timing gear intermeshes with a vertical toothed rack secured to a second telescoping section adjacent each gear. The intermeshing timing gears and racks cooperate to keep the telescoping elevator from binding, particularly when the stretcher or the like has a heavier load at one end than the other.
Inventors
- 👤 David F. Huempfner
- 👤 Douglas A. Rippe
- 👤 Robert E. Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:07
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16M; F16M11/00; F16M11/20; F16M11/24; F16M11/26; F16M11/28; F16M11/02; F16M11/18; F16M11/42; A; A61; A61G; A61G13/00; A61G13/02; A61G13/06; A61G7/00; A61G7/002; A61G7/012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A stretcher or the like with a "central post" type elevator column having two intertelescoping sections, and a supporting top on the elevator column that is at least twice as large as the column's cross-sectional area, wherein the improvement comprises: a pair of stabilizing axles rotatably connected to a first intertelescoping section; at least one gear fixed to each axle, and this gear has teeth that intermesh with teeth on the other axle's gear causing the axles to simultaneously rotate; and a pair of toothed tracks, each track being secured along a major portion of its toothed length to a second intertelescoping section so that the teeth of the tracks intermesh with the teeth of the two gears, whereby cocking and binding between the two sections is prevented.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A stretcher or the like with a "central post" type elevator column having two intertelescoping sections, and a supporting top on the elevator column that is at least twice as large as the column's cross-sectional area, wherein the improvement comprises: a pair of stabilizing axles rotatably connected to a first intertelescoping section; at least one gear fixed to each axle, and this gear has teeth that intermesh with teeth on the other axle's gear causing the axles to simultaneously rotate; and a pair of toothed tracks, each track being secured along a major portion of its toothed length to a second intertelescoping section so that the teeth of the tracks intermesh with the teeth of the two gears, whereby cocking and binding between the two sections is prevented.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 1, wherein there is a generally vertical jacking column independent of the two axles for raising and lowering the elevator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 2, wherein the jacking column includes a screw mechanism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 3, wherein the screw mechanism is actuated by a battery powered motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 1, wherein there is a plurality of stabilizing rollers at an interface between the two sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 5, wherein the stabilizing rollers are secured to the second section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 1, wherein the stretcher or the like includes a supporting top with a greater length than width.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 7, wherein the axles are generally parallel to the top's length.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 1, wherein there is a protector shroud at an interface between the two telescoping sections.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sections are generally rectangular and there are 2 intermeshed gears and 2 racks adjacent opposite ends of the axles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one rack has adjustable means to insure proper spacing between opposed racks.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 12, wherein the adjustment means includes shims.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
117 words
A "central post" type elevator column having telescoping sections for connecting to a supporting top that is at least twice as large as the column's cross-sectional area, wherein the improvement comprises: a pair of stabilizing axles rotatably connected to a first intertelescoping section; a gear fixed on each axle, and each gear has teeth that intermesh with teeth on the other axle's gear causing the axles to simultaneously rotate; and a pair of toothed tracks, each track being secured along a major portion of its toothed length to a second intertelescoping section so that the teeth of the tracks intermesh with the teeth of the two gears, whereby cocking and binding between the two sections is prevented.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
117 words
A "central post" type elevator column having telescoping sections for connecting to a supporting top that is at least twice as large as the column's cross-sectional area, wherein the improvement comprises: a pair of stabilizing axles rotatably connected to a first intertelescoping section; a gear fixed on each axle, and each gear has teeth that intermesh with teeth on the other axle's gear causing the axles to simultaneously rotate; and a pair of toothed tracks, each track being secured along a major portion of its toothed length to a second intertelescoping section so that the teeth of the tracks intermesh with the teeth of the two gears, whereby cocking and binding between the two sections is prevented.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
125 words
A stretcher or the like with a "central post" type elevator column having two intertelescoping sections, and a supporting top on the elevator column that is at least twice as large as the column's cross-sectional area, wherein the improvement comprises: a pair of stabilizing axles connected to a first intertelescoping section; at least one wheel on each axle, and such wheel has a peripheral portion that engages a peripheral portion on the wheel on the other axle causing both wheels to simultaneously rotate; and a pair of tracks, each track being secured along a major portion of its length to a second intertelescoping section so that the tracks can engage peripheral portions of the wheels, whereby cocking and binding between the two sections is prevented.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
125 words
A stretcher or the like with a "central post" type elevator column having two intertelescoping sections, and a supporting top on the elevator column that is at least twice as large as the column's cross-sectional area, wherein the improvement comprises: a pair of stabilizing axles connected to a first intertelescoping section; at least one wheel on each axle, and such wheel has a peripheral portion that engages a peripheral portion on the wheel on the other axle causing both wheels to simultaneously rotate; and a pair of tracks, each track being secured along a major portion of its length to a second intertelescoping section so that the tracks can engage peripheral portions of the wheels, whereby cocking and binding between the two sections is prevented.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 14, wherein at least one axle is rotatably connected to the first section, and its wheel is fixed to the axle so as to simultaneously rotate with such axle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 15, wherein both axles are rotatably connected to the first section, and both wheels are fixed to their respective axles.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 14, wherein the peripheral surfaces of the wheels include teeth.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 14, wherein the tracks are toothed racks.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 14, wherein each axle has a pair of wheels with pheripheral portions that engage peripheral portions of the other axle's wheels.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 14, wherein there is a generally vertical jacking column independent of the two axles for raising and lowering the elevator.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
116 words
A "central post" type elevator column having telescoping sections for connecting to a supporting top that is at least twice as large as the column's cross-sectional area, wherein the improvement comprises: a pair of stabilizing axles connected to a first intertelescoping section; at least one wheel on each axle, and such wheel has a peripheral portion that engages a peripheral portion of the wheel on the other axle causing both wheels to simultaneously rotate; and a pair of tracks, each track being secured along a major portion of its length to a second intertelescoping section so that the tracks can engage peripheral portions of the wheels, whereby cocking and binding between the two sections is prevented.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
116 words
A "central post" type elevator column having telescoping sections for connecting to a supporting top that is at least twice as large as the column's cross-sectional area, wherein the improvement comprises: a pair of stabilizing axles connected to a first intertelescoping section; at least one wheel on each axle, and such wheel has a peripheral portion that engages a peripheral portion of the wheel on the other axle causing both wheels to simultaneously rotate; and a pair of tracks, each track being secured along a major portion of its length to a second intertelescoping section so that the tracks can engage peripheral portions of the wheels, whereby cocking and binding between the two sections is prevented.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-09 | 1984-09-08 | 1985-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-09 | 1988-09-08 | 1989-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-09 | 1992-09-08 | 1993-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |