Side panel latching assembly for an incubator

Abstract

A neonatal incubator system includes a housing having side panels forming a chamber to contain an infant. At least one side panel is movable between a vertical closed position and a retracted open position. A side panel latch assembly is positioned to allow and prevent movement of the movable side panel between the open and closed positions. The side panel latch assembly includes a movable latch bar having a primary latch member and a secondary latch member spaced apart from each other. The primary latch member engages a first catch on a latch receptacle to retain the side panel latch assembly in a latched position. The secondary latch member engages a second catch on the latch receptacle when the side panel is partially open. The primary latch member and the secondary latch member move with the latch bar to release the primary latch member and the secondary latch member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to neonatal care systems, and more specifically to a side panel latch assembly for securing the side panel of a neonatal incubator housing. Background Technology

[0002] Some newborns are physiologically underdeveloped and therefore cannot survive without special medical care. A common medical aid for such infants is the incubator. The primary purpose of an incubator is to provide an environment that keeps the newborn in a minimal metabolic state, allowing for physiological development as quickly as possible. A neonatal incubator creates a thermoneutral microenvironment in which the newborn can develop. These incubators typically include a humidifier and a heater, along with an associated control system to regulate the humidity and temperature within the neonatal microenvironment. The humidifier includes a device for evaporating substances such as distilled water to increase the relative humidity of the air within the neonatal microenvironment. The humidifier is typically controllable, allowing the amount of water or water vapor added to the microenvironment to be adjusted to maintain the humidity at a desired level. The heater can be, for example, an air heater that can be controlled to maintain a specific temperature within the microenvironment area. For some newborns requiring less environmental control, a radiant warmer can be used instead of an incubator. In other embodiments, a hybrid incubator / radiant warming system can be used, various implementations of which are well known in the art.

[0003] Because neonatal care systems require precise control of the microenvironment, these systems include a housing that is as sealed as possible to maintain this controlled microenvironment. Such a housing typically includes four side walls or side panels and a top cover surrounding the infant support platform. Typically, one or more side panels can be moved to an access position, where they fold downwards to fully open the interior of the housing, allowing caregivers access to the infant and equipment within. Each side panel includes one or more latching assemblies for securely holding the side panel in an upright position. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a series of concepts that will be further described in the detailed embodiments below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to help limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] A neonatal incubator system for infants includes a housing forming a compartment designed to accommodate an infant. The housing is formed of a plurality of side panels, at least one of which is movable between a vertically closed position and a retracted open position. At least one side panel latch assembly is arranged to engage the movable side panel when the side panel is in the closed position, thereby securely holding the side panel in the closed position. The side panel latch assembly is movable away from the latched position, allowing the side panel to rotate from the vertically closed position to the retracted open position.

[0006] The side panel latch assembly includes a latch socket with a first latch and a second latch. The first and second latches are spaced apart from each other on the latch socket. The side panel latch assembly also includes a latch base mounted to a movable side panel and a latch lever movably mounted to the latch base. In one exemplary embodiment, one or more bias springs are arranged between the latch base and the latch lever to bias the latch lever to an upper latched position.

[0007] The latch lever of the side panel latch assembly includes a primary latch member and an auxiliary latch member, both located on the latch lever. The latch lever is configured to engage a first latch on a latch socket, and the auxiliary latch member engages a second latch on a latch socket. The latch lever and latch socket are configured to allow the latch lever to move relative to the latch base between an extended latched position and a retracted-release position. When the latch lever is in the retracted-release position, the primary latch member disengages from the first latch, and the auxiliary latch member disengages from the second latch, such that pressing a single latch lever side panel allows it to be moved to the open position.

[0008] The primary latch member and the secondary latch member are spaced apart from each other such that when the movable side panel is in the fully closed vertical position and the latch assembly is in the latched position, the primary latch member engages the first latch, and the secondary latch member is separated from the second latch. The spacing between the primary and secondary latch members allows the secondary latch member to engage the second latch, and the primary latch member to be separated from the first latch, when the movable side panel is in an intermediate position between the closed and open positions. Since both the primary and secondary latches are located on a single latch lever, the latch lever can be released from the retracted release position, allowing the secondary latch member to engage the second latch to hold the movable side panel in the intermediate position. In one exemplary embodiment, the intermediate position is the position where the side panel is rotated less than 12 degrees relative to the closed position.

[0009] Another embodiment of this disclosure relates to a side panel latching assembly for a neonatal incubator system, the neonatal incubator system including a housing forming a compartment surrounding an infant. The housing includes a series of side panels, wherein at least one side panel is movable between a vertically closed position and a retracted open position. The side panel latching assembly includes a latching socket mounted to a side panel and including a first latch and a second latch. A latching base is mounted to the movable side panel and receives a movable latching lever. The latching lever includes a primary latching member and an auxiliary latching member, the two members being spaced apart from each other. When the latching assembly is in the latched position, the primary latching member engages the first latch, and the auxiliary latching member is separated from the second latch to secure the movable side panel in the closed position. To move the side panel to the open position, the latching lever moves against a biasing force relative to the latching base. This movement causes the primary latching member and the auxiliary latching member to move below the first and second latches to cause the side panel to pivot.

[0010] If the side panel moves only to the middle position, the auxiliary latching member will contact and engage the second latch, while the main latching member will separate from the first latch. In this way, the auxiliary latching member of the latching assembly holds the side panel in the middle position to prevent it from moving to the retracted open position.

[0011] Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The accompanying drawings illustrate the currently envisioned best mode for carrying out this disclosure. In the drawings:

[0013] Figure 1A This is a perspective view of an exemplary newborn incubator system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 1B This is another perspective view of another exemplary newborn incubator system, in which one side panel of the housing is folded into the entry position;

[0015] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of a side panel, including an exemplary latch assembly of an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0016] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of a portion of an exemplary latch assembly of this disclosure;

[0017] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the base and latching bar of one embodiment of this disclosure;

[0018] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the latch lever;

[0019] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the assembled latch assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the latch socket of the latch assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the assembled latch assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the latch socket of the latch assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of the latch assembly installed onto the housing according to the second embodiment;

[0024] Figure 11 This is a top view of the latch assembly in the first latch position according to the second embodiment;

[0025] Figure 12 This is a top view of the latch assembly located in the second latch position according to the second embodiment;

[0026] Figure 13 This is a side view of the latch assembly of the second embodiment, showing the side panel being latched after being moved from the closed position;

[0027] Figure 14 This is a side view of the latch assembly of the second embodiment, showing the side panel moving through the latch socket; and

[0028] Figure 15 This is a perspective view of the latch assembly installed in the housing according to the first embodiment.

[0029] These accompanying figures illustrate specific aspects of the components, systems, and methods used in neonatal incubator systems. Together with the following description, the figures illustrate and explain the structural principles, methods, and concepts described herein. In the figures, the thickness and dimensions of components may be enlarged or otherwise modified for clarity. Well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring the aspects of the described components, systems, and methods. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The inventors discovered a problem with current incubator systems used for neonatal care: many systems have one or more movable side panels that appear locked when not in use. When the incubator's side panels are in the upright but unlocked position, there is a risk of them being accidentally opened, potentially endangering the newborn. For example, if a side panel opens accidentally, the newborn could fall out of the incubator, or be subjected to impacts or external environmental conditions. While some incubator systems include indicators on the latch to indicate whether it is locked or unlocked, caregivers often overlook these indicators and may unintentionally leave the side panel unlocked while assuming it is locked and securely closed.

[0031] Therefore, the inventors devised a system to prevent the side panels or doors of an incubator housing from appearing closed or nearly closed but actually not closed. The neonatal incubator system disclosed in this invention includes a main latch and an auxiliary latch as part of a latch assembly located between the side panels of the housing. The two separate main latches and auxiliary latches can be moved together by a single operation by the user and can be selectively positioned to ensure that the side panels remain latched when they are partially open, but not fully open, and not in a fully open position under gravity. In various embodiments, when the auxiliary latch of the side panel is not locked, the latch assembly prevents the movable side panel from being in a near-closed position or an intermediate position between fully open and fully closed.

[0032] In the above description, certain terms have been used for the purpose of brevity, clarity, and ease of understanding. No unnecessary limitations should be inferred from these terms beyond the requirements of the prior art, as they are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be understood broadly. The various system and method steps described herein can be used alone or in combination with other systems and methods. Various equivalents, alternatives, and modifications are contemplated within the scope of the appended claims.

[0033] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also enables those skilled in the art to practice and use the invention. The patent scope of the invention is defined by the claims and may include other examples that would occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to fall within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that are not indistinguishable from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that have minor differences from the literal language of the claims.

[0034] Figure 1AOne embodiment of an incubator system is shown, having a housing 10 with one or more side panel latch assemblies 20. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the disclosed systems and methods can be implemented in various types of incubator systems, including incubator / warmer systems and radiant warmer systems, having a housing with movable side panels to form a closable, controlled environment for placing or removing a newborn within an area on a platform 16. The term "incubator" should be interpreted to encompass these types of incubator systems.

[0035] The illustrated incubator system 1 includes a base 2 that supports a platform 16 configured to accommodate and support a newborn. In the depicted embodiment, the base 2 includes a horizontal portion comprising a pair of U-shaped horizontal members joined together and providing support for a vertical base member extending upward toward the platform 16. The base 2 may include wheels to provide mobility for the incubator system 1. The platform 16 is supported on the vertical base member and may be a standard platform for supporting a newborn, such as one configured to accommodate a removable mattress or other sleeping surface.

[0036] The incubator system 1 includes a shell 10 defining a chamber 14, which forms a microenvironment for accommodating an infant. The shell 10 may be, for example, a transparent shell extending above a platform 16. The shell 10 forms and defines the chamber 14, which provides a microenvironment—an area surrounding the infant where temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors are controllable.

[0037] The housing 10 includes a plurality of sidewalls 11a to 11d and a top portion 12. For example, the sidewalls 11a to 11d and / or the top portion 12 of the housing 10 may be made of transparent plastic or acrylic material, which is standard in related art. In various embodiments, the top portion 12 may be integral with the sidewalls 11a to 11d. In other embodiments, the top portion 12 may be separable from the sidewalls 11a to 11d of the housing 10, such as… Figure 1B As shown. In this example, the housing 10 includes a plurality of openings 15 through which a healthcare provider can access the newborn within the incubator 14. The incubator system 1 may also include a heater for controlling the temperature within the microenvironment of the incubator 14. For example, the incubator heater may be a radiant heater or a heat preservation device capable of heating the air within the incubator 14 to a predefined temperature or within a predefined temperature range. In another embodiment, the heater may include a convection or conduction heater or any other type of controllable heating or heat preservation device. The incubator system 1 may also include a humidifier system 6 that can be controlled to regulate the relative humidity within the incubator 14. For example, the humidifier may include a device for evaporating water, such as distilled water, to increase the relative humidity of the air within the incubator 14.

[0038] The housing 10 includes one or more movable side panels 18 on the side walls 11a to 11d of the housing 10. The movable side panels 18 can be opened to place an infant on the platform 16 and closed to safely place an infant in the chamber 14. The movable side panels 18 may be only part of the side walls 11a to 11d of the housing 10, or may include the entirety of the side walls 11a and 11c, as shown in the depicted embodiment.

[0039] Figure 1A The fully closed position of the movable side panel 18 is shown. Figure 1B The fully opened position of the movable side panel 18 is shown. Figure 2 In some exemplary embodiments, platform 16 may be configured to slide outward and / or rotate when movable side panel 18 is opened, making it easier to access the newborn and / or to easily place the newborn on platform 16. Movable side panel 18 has a top side 21 and a bottom side 25. Movable side panel 18 may be connected to housing 10 and / or platform 16 via one or more hinges 24, allowing movable side panel 18 to open and close. In other embodiments, movable side panel 18 may be connected to frame 13 or sidewalls 11a to 11d via hinges or other connecting means such as clamps, pins, pressure or friction devices. In the illustrated embodiment, two hinges 24 are connected to the bottom side 25 of movable side panel 18, allowing movable side panel 18 to rotate downward to a retracted open position and upward to a vertically closed position. In other embodiments, movable side panel 18 may rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, and one or more hinges 24 may be mounted on the side of movable side panel 18.

[0040] One or more side panel latch assemblies 20 are also provided to engage the movable side panel 18 and hold the movable side panel in a closed position to ensure the safety of the infant in the chamber 14 of the incubator system 1. The side panel latch assembly 20 can be any device or assembly capable of securing the movable side panel 18 in the closed position, including devices capable of withstanding at least a predetermined force that could push the movable side panel 18, such as forces exerted by the infant and / or elements (monitors, medical devices, blankets, etc.) used for the care of the newborn within the chamber 14. Further details of the side panel latch assembly 20 are shown below.

[0041] like Figure 1B As shown, each orifice 15 can be covered by a door, which can move between an open position and a closed position to selectively open the chamber defined by the housing. In such a case... Figure 1A In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 10 completely surrounds the chamber 14, and openings 15 allow caregivers to access the infant located inside the housing 10. Each opening is held in the closed position by a rotary latch 26.

[0042] Figure 2 and Figure 3 A configuration of one side panel of side panel 18 is shown, the side panel including a pair of aperture doors 28, each aperture door being secured in the shown closed position by one of a pair of rotary latches 26. The rotary latches 26 can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise to release the engaging end 30 of the aperture door 28, thereby enabling the aperture door 28 to be opened. In the illustrated embodiment, side panel 18 includes a pair of hinges 24 mounted on the lower side 25, the hinges enabling a single side panel 18 to be opened from... Figure 1A The vertical closing position shown is pivoted to the position as indicated. Figure 1B The retracted open position is shown. This pivoting movement of the entire side panel 18 allows caregivers to access the open interior defined by the housing 10.

[0043] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the side panel 18 is made of a sheet of acrylic material and includes a front surface 32 and a rear surface 34. The thickness of the acrylic material forming the side panel 18 may depend on the desired durability of the housing.

[0044] According to this disclosure, each of the side edges 36 of the side panel 18 may include a side panel latch assembly 20 for initially securing the side panel 18 in a vertically closed position, while enabling a caregiver to operate the side panel latch assembly 20 to release the side panel and to pivot the side panel 18 to a retracted open position. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The embodiment shown depicts only a portion of the side panel latch assembly. The remaining portion of the side panel latch assembly is securely mounted to an adjacent side panel, the mounting method of which will be described in more detail below.

[0045] See now Figure 3 The side panel latch assembly 20 includes a latch base 38 designed to accommodate a pair of connectors 40 that pass through the latch base 38 and are received within a back plate 42. The back plate 42 is positioned against the rear surface 34 of the side panel 18, and a flexible washer 44 is positioned between the latch base 38 and the front surface 32 of the side panel 18. A pair of holes 46 extend through the thickness of the side panel 18, allowing the latch base 38 to be securely attached to the side panel near the side edge 36.

[0046] See now Figure 4 An exploded view of a portion of the side panel latch assembly 20 is shown. Figure 4 In the view, the latch base 38 is separated from the latch lever 48. The latch lever 48 is designed to be movable relative to the latch base 38, so that the movement of the latch lever 48 can control the operation of the side panel latch assembly 20.

[0047] The latch base 38 includes a body 50 comprising a lower engaging tab 52 with a curved outer edge and a flat engaging surface 53 designed to contact the thumb or finger of a caregiver. A pair of connectors 40 pass through a pair of inlet / outlet holes 54 and are pressed... Figure 3 The manner described extends through the body 50. The body 50 also includes a pair of spring sleeves 56 located on one side of the body 50. Each spring sleeve 56 has an open tip 58, the size of which is set to accommodate one of the pair of bias springs 60.

[0048] After the bias spring 60 is inserted into the pair of spring sleeves 56, the latch lever 48 can be positioned above the latch base 39 and moved downwards, causing the spring tube 62 to surround and clamp the bias spring 60 within the spring sleeve 56. The pair of bias springs 60 are used to push the latch lever 48 upwards to a rest position, such as... Figure 3 As shown. A retaining tab 64 formed on the latch base 38 interacts with the latch lever 48 to prevent the latch lever 48 from separating from the latch base 38 due to the biasing force generated by the biasing spring 60. A corresponding retaining tab is formed within the body 66 of the latch lever to keep the latch lever 48 in place relative to the latch base 38 during operation.

[0049] The body 66 of the latch lever 48 includes an upper engaging tab 68, which includes a flat engaging surface 69 having a general shape of the lower engaging tab 52. Figure 3 As shown, when the latch lever 48 is mounted on the latch base 38, the lower engaging tab 52 is separated from the upper engaging tab 68. Since the latch base 38 is fixed, when a caregiver presses the upper engaging tab 68, the entire latch lever 48 moves downward relative to the fixed base 38. This downward movement resists a biasing force generated by a pair of biasing springs 60. The biasing springs 60 thus push the latch lever 48 to… Figure 3 The extended latching position is shown, and a downward force applied to the upper engaging tab 68 moves the latch lever 48 downward to the retracted release position. The significance of the latching and release positions will be discussed in more detail below.

[0050] See again Figure 4 and Figure 5 The latch lever 48 is formed as a single injection-molded plastic assembly. The body 66 includes an extension arm 70 that extends laterally through the spring tube 62 from the central axis 72 in a first direction 73. Additionally, the extension arm 70 extends laterally from the central axis 72 in a second direction 71. Figure 5 In the view shown, the extension arm 70 thus extends to the left of the central axis 72 (direction 73) and away from the central axis 72 (direction 71).

[0051] like Figure 5As shown, the body 66 includes a top surface 74 that defines the uppermost vertical portion of the body 66. A primary latching member 76 extends above the top surface 74, similar to the alignment boss 78. The primary latching member 76 may include a display surface 80, which may include a color, such as red, to indicate that the latch lever 48 is in an unlocked state. The top surface 74 of the latch lever 48 extends across the entire extension arm 70. An auxiliary latching member 82 is formed at the longitudinal end 83 of the extension arm 70 and extends upward from the top surface 74. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As can be understood, the auxiliary latch member 82 along Figure 5 The longitudinal axis 71 shown is longitudinally spaced from the main latching member.

[0052] Figure 6 A first embodiment of the entire side panel latch assembly 20 of this disclosure is shown. Figure 8 A second embodiment of the entire side panel latch assembly 20 is shown. Figure 6 and Figure 8 In the two embodiments shown, the latch base 38 is similar and the latch bar 48 is the same, but two different types of latch sockets are used. Figure 6 and Figure 8 The latch lever and latch base operate identically in both embodiments shown. However, the latch sockets forming the remaining components of the side panel latch assembly 20 differ between the two embodiments. Figure 6 and Figure 8 The two different implementations shown allow the side panel latch assembly 20 to be used for different types of incubators and perform essentially the same function, which will be described in more detail below.

[0053] First see Figure 6 and Figure 7 A first embodiment of the side panel latch assembly 20 includes a first latch socket 84. The first latch socket 84 is an injection-molded plastic assembly that can be securely mounted to a side panel adjacent to a movable side panel, the movable side panel including a latch base 38 and a latch bar 48. Figure 6 As shown, the first latching socket 84 includes a first snap 86 extending downward from the top surface 88. The first snap 86 is designed and configured to contact the main latching member 76 to prevent the movable side panel from moving away from the fixed latching socket 84 when in the latched position. Because the latching socket 84 is fixed and mounted to a side panel during use of the incubator, the physical interaction between these components when the main latching member 76 contacts the first snap 86 prevents the movable side panel from rotating from the vertically closed position. Figure 6The image shows the fully latched position of the side panel latch assembly 20. In the fully latched position, the auxiliary latch member 82 is separated from the second latch 90. The second latch 90 is formed at the front end of a movement channel 92 formed in the top surface 88 of the latch socket 84. The movement channel 92 allows the auxiliary latch member to move freely during the initial movement of the side panel when it is opened.

[0054] When a caregiver wishes to open the movable side panel, they first press the upper engaging tab 68 on the latch lever 48. This force compresses the bias spring and causes the latch lever 48 (including the primary latch member 76 and the secondary latch member 82) to move downwards a sufficient distance so that the primary latch member 76 and the secondary latch member 82 pass under the first latch 86 and the second latch 90 as the side panel pivots from the vertically closed position to the retracted open position. Therefore, when the caregiver wishes to open the side panel, they simply bring the single upper engaging tab 68 into contact with the lower engaging tab 52, and the primary latch member 76 and the secondary latch member 82 move away from the first and second latches, allowing the entire side panel to rotate to the retracted open position.

[0055] Figure 8 and Figure 9 A second embodiment of the latch socket 94 is shown. The function of the second embodiment of the latch socket 94 is the same as... Figure 6 and Figure 7 The latch socket 84 shown functions similarly but has a slightly different construction, allowing the second latch socket 94 to be used for different types of incubators and infant warmers. Figure 8 and Figure 9 In the second embodiment shown, the latching socket 94 includes a body 96 having a top surface 98. Similarly, the second latching socket 94 is an injection-molded plastic assembly that can be securely mounted to a fixed side panel of an incubator. The latching socket 94 includes a movable bracket 100 connected to the body 96. The movable bracket 100 defines a movement channel 101 extending between a first end 102 and a second end 104. The second end 104 defines a second latch 106. If the latch lever 48 is not pressed, the second latch 106 extends sufficiently below the top surface 98 to contact the auxiliary latching member 82. In addition to the second latch 106, the latching socket includes a first latch 108 that, when the panel latching assembly 20 is in the position as... Figure 8 In the fully latched position shown, the first latch contacts and engages the main latch member 76.

[0056] and Figure 6As with the first embodiment of the latch socket 84 shown, when the upper engaging tab 68 is pressed down by the biasing force generated by the biasing spring and the lower engaging tab 52 moves, the main latch member 76 and the auxiliary latch member 82 move downwards far enough so that the side panel rotates so that the main latch member 76 passes under the first latch 108 and the auxiliary latch member 82 passes under the second latch 106.

[0057] Figure 10 The installation of a complete side panel latch assembly 20 on the housing of an incubator, including a movable side panel 18a and a fixed side panel 18b, is shown. Specifically, a latch socket 94 is mounted to the side surface 110 of the fixed side panel 18b, and a base 38 and a latch bar 48 are mounted to the movable side panel 18a. Figure 10 In the illustrated embodiment, the side panel latch assembly 20 is in the fully latched position, wherein the main latch member 76 formed on the latch bar 48 is in contact with the first snap 108. In this case, the movable side panel 18a cannot rotate away from the fixed side panel 18b. Figure 10 As shown, in this latching position, based on the design and construction of the extension arm 70, the auxiliary latching member 82 is separated from the second latch 106. This type of situation also exists... Figure 11 As shown in the top view.

[0058] As previously discussed, the inventors discovered a problem with current side panel latching assemblies: when the movable side panel is rotated insufficiently to move under its own weight from a generally vertical closed position to a fully retracted open position, the movable side panel opens to a certain extent, disengaging the previously available latching assembly. The inventors have recognized that the movable side panel can open to 10° to 12° without the influence of gravity, potentially resulting in the movable side panel being in a fully retracted open position. In this intermediate position, a caregiver might perceive the side panel as correctly latched because it appears to be in the vertical closed position. However, this unlocked state could lead to the side panel being unintentionally opened. Therefore, the inventors invented the panel latching assembly 20 of this disclosure to fully latch the movable side panel 18 in this intermediate position.

[0059] See now Figure 13 In this intermediate position, the side panel 18 has been moved and rotated approximately 15° away from the vertical position, as... Figure 13Angle 112 is shown. In prior art systems, when the side panel 18 is in this intermediate position, due to gravity, the side panel may not be in the fully open position, but rather in an unlatched state. According to the side panel latching assembly 20 of this disclosure, the auxiliary latching member 82 contacts the second latch 106 to prevent the side panel 18 from rotating further from the shown held intermediate position. If a caregiver wishes to rotate the side panel 18 fully to the open position, the caregiver must press the upper engaging tab 68 again to move the latch lever and its associated auxiliary latching member 82 downward to move the auxiliary latching member 82 below the second latch 106. Once in this position, the movable side panel 18 can rotate further until the auxiliary latching member 82 rotates past the second latch 106, as shown. Figure 14 As shown. After the auxiliary latch member 82 passes under the second latch 106, the upper engaging tab 68 can be released, and the movable side panel 18 can be freely rotated to the retracted open position. Due to Figure 14 The degree of rotation shown exceeds Figure 13 As shown at angle 112, gravity will cause the movable side panel 18 to rotate downwards to the retracted open position.

[0060] During the use of the incubator, if the caregiver wishes to move the movable side panel 18 from the vertically closed position to the retracted open position, they need to press the upper engaging tab 68 while rotating the movable side panel 18 to hold it in the pressed position. The caregiver must rotate the movable side panel 18 sufficiently until the auxiliary latch member 82 moves past the second latch 106. Once this degree of rotation is achieved, the caregiver can release the upper engaging tab 68. Therefore, as long as the side panel is rotated beyond... Figure 13 At angle 112 as shown, the side panel latch assembly will be in a completely unlocked state.

[0061] See now Figure 15 The figure illustrates a first embodiment of the side panel latch assembly 20, which includes an alternative embodiment of the first latch socket 84. The first embodiment of the side panel latch assembly operates in the same manner as described above, whereby the auxiliary latch member 82 engages the second latch 90 when the movable side panel is in the partially open position. The upper engaging tab 68 must be fully pressed down, and the side panel 18a must rotate sufficiently until the auxiliary latch member 82 passes under the second latch 90. This degree of rotation is sufficient to allow the side panel to move the entire side panel to the retracted open position under its own weight.

[0062] Although the embodiments shown in this disclosure depict a latch socket mounted to a fixed side panel and a latch base and latch lever mounted to a movable side panel, this orientation is contemplated to be reversible. In this configuration, the latch base and latch lever are mounted to the fixed side panel, and the latch socket is mounted to the movable side panel. In this alternative orientation, the latch lever and latch socket interact with each other to hold the movable side panel in a vertically closed position within the latched position. When the latch lever is pressed, movement of the primary latching member and the secondary latching member will cause the movable side panel to rotate to an intermediate position or a fully rotated open position.

[0063] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also enables those skilled in the art to practice and use the invention. The patent scope of the invention is defined by the claims and may include other examples that would occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to fall within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that are not indistinguishable from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that have minor differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A newborn incubator system for infants and young children, the system comprising: A housing configured to form a chamber around the infant, the housing comprising: Multiple side panels, wherein at least one of the side panels is movable between a vertically closed position and a retracted open position; and At least one latching assembly engages with the movable side panel when the movable side panel is in the closed position to hold the movable side panel in the closed position, the latching assembly comprising: A latching socket having a first latch and a second latch; Latch base; and A latch bar, which is movably mounted to the latch base, and includes a primary latch member configured to engage with the first latch and an auxiliary latch member configured to engage with the second latch; The primary latching member and the secondary latching member are laterally spaced apart from each other; when the movable side panel is in the closed position, the primary latching member engages the first latch, and the secondary latching member is separated from the second latch.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the latch lever is movable relative to the latch base between an extended latch position and a retracted release position, wherein when the latch lever is held in the retracted release position, the primary latch member is positioned to disengage from the first latch, and the secondary latch member is positioned to disengage from the second latch.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein when the latch lever is held in the retracted release position, the movable side panel is movable between the vertical closed position and the retracted open position.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein when the movable side panel is in an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position, the auxiliary latching member engages the second latch, and the main latching member is separated from the first latch.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the auxiliary latching member engages the second latch when the rotational force of the movable side panel is less than the gravity required to move the movable side panel to the retracted open position.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the primary latching member and the secondary latching member move away from the first latch and the second latch, and the latch lever moves to a retracted release position, wherein when the latch lever is held in the retracted release position, the movable side panel is movable between the vertical closed position and the retracted open position.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the latch lever is biased to the engaged position by one or more bias springs and can be moved to the retracted release position by a biasing force generated by the one or more bias springs.

8. A newborn incubator system for infants and young children, the system comprising: A housing configured to form a chamber around the infant, the housing comprising: Multiple side panels, wherein at least one of the side panels is movable between a vertically closed position and a retracted open position; and At least one latching assembly engages with the movable side panel when the movable side panel is in the closed position to hold the movable side panel in the closed position, the latching assembly comprising: A latching socket, wherein one of the side panels is mounted on the latching socket, and has a first latch and a second latch; A latch base, said latch base being mounted to another side panel in said side panel; and A latch lever, movably mounted to the latch base, and including a main latch member spaced apart from auxiliary latch members. When the movable side panel is in the closed position, the main latching member engages the first latch, and the auxiliary latching member is separated from the second latch. When the movable side panel is in an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position, the auxiliary latching member engages the second latch, and the main latching member is separated from the first latch.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the latch lever is movable relative to the latch base between an extended latch position and a retracted release position, wherein when the latch lever is held in the retracted release position, the primary latch member is positioned to disengage from the first latch, and the secondary latch member is positioned to disengage from the second latch.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein when the latch lever is held in the retracted release position, the movable side panel is movable between the vertical closed position and the retracted open position.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein when the movable side panel is in the intermediate position and the rotational force of the movable side panel is less than the gravity required to move the movable side panel to the retracted open position, the auxiliary latching member engages the second latch.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the latch lever is biased to the extended latch position by one or more bias springs and can be moved to the retracted release position by a biasing force generated by the one or more bias springs.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the latch socket is mounted to one of the fixed side panels, and the latch base and the latch bar are mounted to the movable side panel.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising having at least one hinge on the bottom side of the movable side panel, enabling the movable side panel to rotate downward between the vertical closed position and the retracted open position.

15. A latching assembly for a neonatal incubator system for infants, wherein the neonatal incubator system includes a housing having a plurality of side panels and configured to form a chamber around the infant, at least one of the plurality of side panels being movable between a vertically closed position and a retracted open position, the latching assembly comprising: A latching socket, the latching socket being configured to be mounted to one of the side panels and having a first latch and a second latch; A latch base, the latch base being configured to be mounted to another side panel within the side panel; and A latch lever, movably mounted to the latch base, includes a main latching member and an auxiliary latching member. When the movable side panel is in the closed position, the main latching member engages the first latch, and the auxiliary latching member is separated from the second latch. When the movable side panel is in an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position, the auxiliary latching member engages the second latch, and the main latching member is separated from the first latch.

16. The latch assembly of claim 15, wherein the latch lever is movable relative to the latch base between an extended latch position and a retracted release position, wherein when the latch lever is held in the retracted release position, the primary latch member is positioned to disengage from the first latch, and the secondary latch member is positioned to disengage from the second latch.

17. The latch assembly of claim 16, wherein the latch lever is biased to the extended latch position by one or more bias springs and can be moved to the retracted release position by a biasing force generated by the one or more bias springs.

18. The latch assembly of claim 15, wherein the primary latch member and the secondary latch member are laterally spaced apart.

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