US4276962A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Caster brake 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: 1981-07-07
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Expires: 1999-03-09
Abstract
Abstract An improved system for actuating wheel engaging ring brakes for a hospital stretcher, bed, or the like. The brake includes an elongated rotational member extending longitudinally along the stretcher to actuate pivot arms adjacent one front wheel and one rear wheel to prevent the wheels from rolling. A separate elongated rotational member extends the length of the stretcher and actuates a bullet pin latch to lock a nonbraked wheel against swivel action. Thus, a single nurse can easily push and manipulate the stretcher about a hospital even when loaded with a patient.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence J. Aulik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G1/00; A61G1/04; A61G7/00; A61G7/05; A61G7/0528; B; B62; B62B; B62B5/00; B62B5/04; B60; B60B; B60B2200/00; B60B2200/20; B60B2200/24; B60B2200/242; B62B5/0433; B62B5/0485
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A stretcher or the like with a wheel brake, wherein the improvement comprises: a pivot support on the stretcher; a pivot arm connected to the pivot support; a wheel engaging brake connected to one portion of the pivot arm; a coupling means connected to another portion of the pivot arm; and an elongated actuator rotatably mounted on the stretcher or the like and having longitudinally spaced apart torque receiving and torque delivering portions, with the torque delivering portion being joined to the coupling means, whereby applying a rotational torque to the torque receiving portion of the elongated actuator engages and disengages the wheel brake.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A stretcher or the like with a wheel brake, wherein the improvement comprises: a pivot support on the stretcher; a pivot arm connected to the pivot support; a wheel engaging brake connected to one portion of the pivot arm; a coupling means connected to another portion of the pivot arm; and an elongated actuator rotatably mounted on the stretcher or the like and having longitudinally spaced apart torque receiving and torque delivering portions, with the torque delivering portion being joined to the coupling means, whereby applying a rotational torque to the torque receiving portion of the elongated actuator engages and disengages the wheel brake.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 1, wherein the stretcher has four wheels and the rotational member extends between two wheels to simultaneously activate brakes on such two wheels while the remaining two wheels remain unbraked.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A stretcher or the like a set forth in claim 2, wherein the rotational member extends longitudinally along the stretcher and brakes the two wheels by actuating brakes on only the left or right side of the stretcher.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 1, wherein the coupling means has a cam structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
A stretcher or the like with a wheel brake actuated by a rotational member, wherein the improvement comprises: a pivot support on the stretcher; an arm pivotally connected to the pivot support; a wheel engaging brake connected to one end of the arm; a coupling means joining the rotational member to an opposite end portion of the arm; and said rotational member has a cylindrical outer surface with a lobe anchored to the rotational member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
A stretcher or the like with a wheel brake actuated by a rotational member, wherein the improvement comprises: a pivot support on the stretcher; an arm pivotally connected to the pivot support; a wheel engaging brake connected to one end of the arm; a coupling means joining the rotational member to an opposite end portion of the arm; and said rotational member has a cylindrical outer surface with a lobe anchored to the rotational member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 5, wherein the lobe has a generally rectangular cross section and is secured to the rotational member with spaced fasteners having protruding heads.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 6, wherein the coupling means also includes a cylindrical collar that fits around the rotational member and lobe and this collar has edges slidably engageable with the protruding heads of the fasteners.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wheel engaging brake is a collar adapted to engage an outer periphery of the wheel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 8, wherein the wheel is a portion of a rotatable caster structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
93 words
A stretcher or the like with a wheel brake actuated by a rotational member, wherein the improvement comprises: a pivot support on the stretcher; an arm pivotally connected to the pivot support; a wheel engaging brake connected to one end of the pivot arm; and a coupling means joining the rotational member to an opposite end portion of the arm, and the coupling means includes a collar with an adjustable connector joining the collar to the arm, whereby braking force exerted on the wheel can be adjusted by means of the adjustable connector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
93 words
A stretcher or the like with a wheel brake actuated by a rotational member, wherein the improvement comprises: a pivot support on the stretcher; an arm pivotally connected to the pivot support; a wheel engaging brake connected to one end of the pivot arm; and a coupling means joining the rotational member to an opposite end portion of the arm, and the coupling means includes a collar with an adjustable connector joining the collar to the arm, whereby braking force exerted on the wheel can be adjusted by means of the adjustable connector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 10, wherein the adjustable connector includes a threaded member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A stretcher or the like as set forth in claim 1, wherein the coupling means includes stops to limit rotation of the rotational member between braking and unbraking positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-07-06 | 1985-01-05 | 1985-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-06 | 1989-01-05 | 1989-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-06 | 1993-01-05 | 1993-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |