Stretcher Bridge

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a stretcher bridge for mounting above the lying surface of a stretcher according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] An example of such a traveling bridge is published in US 2003 / 115671 A.

[0003] Patient stretchers are indispensable, especially in mobile emergency medicine. Patients with limited mobility can be transported in a lying position on these stretchers and transferred to an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance or helicopter. Patient stretchers are also used in water rescue operations.

[0004] It is known to equip stretchers with attachable stretcher bridges that are positioned over the patient's legs and provide space for various medical devices, such as monitors, defibrillators, ventilators, IV lines, etc. To allow for the mounting of these stretcher bridges, the stretchers are typically equipped with corresponding mounting points next to the lying surface, approximately at the level of the lower legs or between the upper and lower legs of the patient, to which the stretcher bridges can be detachably attached.

[0005] A disadvantage of conventional transport gantry bridges is that they vibrate relatively strongly due to dynamic forces and vibrations that occur during transport, as well as the weight of the medical equipment attached to them. This can generate disruptive noise, and it is questionable whether safety is always guaranteed when heavy medical equipment is on the bridge. Furthermore, the assembly and disassembly of conventional transport gantry bridges is relatively complex: additional hand tools and fasteners are often required to securely fix the bridge in place.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide an improved stretcher bridge for mounting above the lying surface of a stretcher, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the stretcher bridge should be easy, reliable, and quick to mount and dismount on the stretcher. Furthermore, a mounting with minimal vibration should be achieved.

[0007] The main features of the invention are specified in claim 1. Embodiments are the subject of claims 2 to 14.

[0008] In a stretcher bridge for mounting above a lying surface of a stretcher, with a base plate aligned parallel to the stretcher in the mounted state, which has a top and a bottom, it is provided that fastening recesses are formed in the base plate, wherein two lateral supports are pivotably mounted on opposite side edges of the base plate, wherein the supports are oriented substantially perpendicular to the base plate in the mounted state, wherein the supports each have a support foot and a support shoe, wherein the support feet are detachably fixed in the support shoes in the mounted state.

[0009] When assembled, the base plate is attached to the stretcher via the side supports, positioned at a distance from the lying surface so that the patient's legs can rest underneath it. The swiveling mounting of the side supports on the base plate allows the stretcher bridge to be stored in a space-saving manner. The stretcher bridge is therefore compact and versatile, and can be assembled with minimal effort. A stable connection to the stretcher is achieved via the support feet and shoe mounts, which are permanently attached to the stretcher.

[0010] The base plate may have stiffening ribs on its underside. This primarily increases the bending stiffness and strength of the base plate. The mounting recesses of the base plate feature an airline track contour and / or a circular shape and / or a longitudinal slot. The airline track contour is particularly well-suited for devices that have the appropriate airline track mounting geometries. Webbing straps can be quickly and easily secured via the longitudinal slots by threading the straps through the slots and holding them securely in place with buckles.

[0011] Preferably, the base plate is rectangular with rounded or chamfered corners. The rectangular shape of the base plate is particularly suitable, as the longitudinal edges are covered across the entire width of the stretcher's lying surface, and the supports are positioned at the narrow edges. The chamfered corners significantly reduce the risk of cuts from sharp edges.

[0012] For example, the supports are attached to the underside of the base plate via hinges and can be stacked on top of each other when the overhead traveling bridge is disassembled and the support feet are detached from the support shoes and removed. The use of hinges instead of a fixed connection advantageously allows for greater freedom of movement of the supports. This enables the supports and the base plate to be folded on top of each other, making the overhead traveling bridge more compact when folded and requiring less storage space.

[0013] The hinges are fixed via the mounting recesses in the base plate, with several mounting recesses arranged side by side. These recesses allow for stable mounting without the need for additional mounting hardware. By creating several identical, adjacent mounting recesses, the width of the stretcher bridge can be easily adjusted to fit the respective stretcher. This allows the stretcher bridge to be used with stretchers from different manufacturers.

[0014] For example, the hinges are made of aluminum. Using aluminum hinges keeps the weight of the overhead girder bridge low.

[0015] The supports are wider towards the base plate and the support shoes than in the area between, and each support has at least one recess. The narrower central sections of the supports require less material, thus reducing the dead weight of the overhead girder bridge. The wider sections near the base plate and support shoe increase mechanical stability and provide a large contact area. At least one recess in the support allows for further material and weight savings, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. Preferably, all edges of the supports are chamfered or rounded. The chamfered edges reduce the risk of cuts.

[0016] For example, mounting rails running parallel to the side edges of the base plate are arranged on the supports, with spacers installed between the mounting rails and the supports. The mounting rails are, in particular, standardized rails for attaching medical equipment from various manufacturers, such as infusion pumps, syringes, and other devices. The spacers create a gap between the mounting rail and the support, which is ideally suited for attaching the equipment to the rail using clamps or fixing devices. Preferably, the spacers are made of plastic.

[0017] The base plate has two longitudinal edges, with mounting elements formed on the underside of the base plate in the area of ​​these longitudinal edges. Mounting rails are attached to these elements via spacers. This allows additional equipment to be securely attached to the stretcher bridge with minimal effort. The spacers define a gap between the mounting rail and the mounting element, thus facilitating the attachment of medical devices to the mounting rail.

[0018] According to the invention, the support foot has a front insertion section and a rear locking section on its underside, which are inserted into the support shoe. Inserting the insertion and locking sections of the support foot into the support shoe ensures secure and rapid fixation of the supports. The support shoes are optionally attached to a frame of the stretcher via intermediate pieces.

[0019] The insertion section is tongue-shaped and has a convex contour, while the support shoe has a corresponding stop with a concave contour. Due to the convex contour and tongue-shaped design of the insertion section, as well as the corresponding stop in the support shoe, which has a concave contour, the supports are essentially drawn into the shoe during insertion. This design, combined with the support's own weight acting towards the support shoe, results in very easy insertion. The front insertion section can first be inserted at an angle until it reaches the stop, ensuring a positive fit. The rear locking section can then be inserted by pressing it down.The tongue shape and the interaction of the convex-concave contour simultaneously ensure that the front insertion section moves forward during insertion, allowing the rear locking section to be inserted into the support shoe. This results in a virtually play-free bearing in the longitudinal direction of the support shoe.

[0020] The column base is designed to have a central support section, with at least one rubber buffer positioned between the underside of the support section and the base of the column shoe. The rubber buffers generate a damping counter-pressure, resulting in a play-free bearing. This effectively compensates for any oscillations and vibrations. Preferably, the central support section has at least one opening on its underside, with a projection on the rubber buffer that engages in this opening when the column base is inserted. This further stabilizes the snap-fit ​​connection between the column base and the column shoe.

[0021] The locking section has a rear locking recess, and the support shoe has a locking device for interaction with the locking recess. The locking connection between the support shoe and the support base represents a particularly reliable and simple connection type that reliably prevents the overhead girder bridge from unintentionally coming loose. Advantageously, the locking device has a locking projection with a chamfer and a guide lug on its side facing the locking recess, and a spring receptacle on its side facing away from the locking recess. A spring is arranged in the spring receptacle, which biases the locking projection towards the insertion section. The locking projection thus automatically engages in the locking recess when the support base is inserted. The chamfer simplifies the insertion movement, as the angle creates a kind of guide and makes it easier to press against the spring, which is under preload.On the side facing away from the locking recess, the clamped spring can thus easily generate the necessary spring force for engagement. The guide lug of the locking device additionally ensures a stable translational movement of the locking projection when the support feet are inserted.

[0022] Furthermore, the locking mechanism features a slider that protrudes from the support shoe when it is closed and is movable. This allows for particularly easy and quick operation of the locking mechanism to release the support feet from the support shoes.

[0023] Advantageously, the support shoe is closed with a cover on at least one side. The cover protects the locking mechanism and the internal components of the support shoe. Simultaneously, the cover can serve as a receptacle and guide for the locking device's guide lug.

[0024] The column base has contact surfaces, which rest on the column shoe when assembled. This allows relatively high forces to be transferred from the columns to the column shoes.

[0025] Preferably, the column base is formed in one piece. This results in a particularly stable design. The column base is specifically manufactured from a solid material using machining processes.

[0026] For example, an IV stand is arranged on at least one mounting rail, wherein the IV stand is particularly telescopic and has at least one suspension point. The suspension point allows an IV bag or the like to be hung. It is particularly preferred that the IV stand can be fixed in at least three different height positions and is detachably fixed to the mounting rail by means of a claw and a screw clamp. Because the IV stand is telescopic, height adjustment can be easily achieved. The screw clamp and the claw offer the advantage that, as needed, the clamp can be unscrewed and the claw moved along the mounting rail.

[0027] For example, the novel overhead traveling bridge can achieve a relatively low weight while maintaining high stability through the use of lightweight materials and / or cutouts in the lateral supports. All components of the overhead traveling bridge can advantageously be made of a lightweight material, particularly aluminum or a polymer compound, or a combination of both. The weight of the overhead traveling bridge is, in particular, less than 10 kg. For example, the weight of the overhead traveling bridge is 6.5 kg.

[0028] Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 the overhead traveling bridge in 3D view, Fig. 2 the overhead traveling bridge in front view, Fig. 3 the overhead traveling bridge in side view and Fig. 4 the overhead traveling bridge in top view,

[0029] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a 3D view of a stretcher bridge 1 with a base plate 10 and lateral supports 20 for mounting above a lying surface of a stretcher (not shown). The supports have support feet 30 which are inserted into support shoes 40. They are detachably fixed to the support shoes 40 by means of a locking device 60.

[0030] The base plate 10 is rectangular and has mounting recesses 11, 12, 13 on its upper surface. The mounting recesses 11 are airline track contours, arranged on all four sides of the base plate 10 and extending almost across its entire width. The mounting recesses 12 are circular openings arranged side by side on the side edges 2, 3 of the base plate 10, extending towards the longitudinal edges 4, 5. Hinges 14 are fixed to a bottom surface U of the base plate via the mounting recesses 12. Width adjustment is possible via the mounting recesses 12. The mounting recesses 13 are designed as longitudinal slots and are alternately aligned parallel to the side edges 2, 3 and the longitudinal edges 4, 5. The longitudinal slots 13 are particularly well suited for securing straps.

[0031] Mounting rails 50, which can be used to hold medical equipment, are attached laterally to the supports 20 via spacers 51.

[0032] Fig. 1 Figure 40 shows the support shoe 40 both with and without the attached cover 43. The support foot 30 has a front insertion section 31, which is tongue-shaped and has a convex contour 34. The support shoe has a stop 41 in its front area, which in turn has a concave contour and essentially pulls the insertion section 31 into the support shoe 40 during insertion. A support section 32 is arranged centrally. Furthermore, the support foot 30 has a rear locking section 33. The support section 32 and the locking section 33 are pressed down during insertion, whereby the front insertion section 31 is pushed into the support shoe 40 up to the stop 41, and the locking section 33 can then engage in the support shoe 40.

[0033] The locking section 33 has a rear locking recess 35. The support shoe 40 has a locking device 60 adjacent to the locking recess 35. The locking device 60 has a spring receptacle 63 on its side facing away from the locking recess 35 and a locking projection with a chamfer 61 and a guide lug 62 on its side facing the locking recess 35. When the support foot 30 is inserted into the support shoe 40, the locking projection 61 engages in the locking recess 35 by sliding action with the help of the chamfer. A pre-tensioned spring is arranged in the spring receptacle 63. If necessary, the locking projection 61 can be pulled out of the locking recess 35 against the force of the spring by means of the slide 64, thereby compressing the spring. Thus, the supports 20 can be easily removed by actuating the slide 64. The slider 64 protrudes when the support shoe 40 is closed and can therefore be easily gripped.

[0034] Two rubber buffers 42 are arranged on the base of the support shoe 40, which have a cylindrical projection that engages in lower openings of the middle support section 32 when the support foot 30 is inserted.

[0035] In Fig. 2 The roadway bridge 1 is shown in a front view. The following are shown: Fig. 1 Known elements are marked with the same reference symbols.

[0036] Fastening elements 52 are arranged on the underside U of the base plate 10, to which mounting rails 50 are attached. The fastening elements 52 are fixed to the base plate 10 via mounting recesses 12. The guide nose 62 projects laterally from the support shoe 40 and, when the cover 43 is in place, is guided within the cover 43.

[0037] In Fig. 3 The side view shows the overhead carriage bridge 1. The following are shown: Fig. 1 and 2Known elements are marked with the same reference symbols.

[0038] An IV stand 70 is attached to the mounting rail 50, which is located on a longitudinal edge of the base plate, via a claw and a screw clamp. The IV stand 70 is telescopic and can be fixed in at least three height positions via three openings and a bolt pin. Furthermore, the IV stand 70 has at least one suspension 72 for holding IV bags or the like.

[0039] The supports 20 have at least one recess 21, which has a triangular shape and chamfered corners. This counteracts notch effects that can occur in the corners of the recess 21 due to mechanical weight loads and stress gradients. At the same time, the recess 21 saves material and weight.

[0040] In Fig. 4The overhead girder bridge 1 is shown in plan view. The following are shown: Figures 1 to 3 Known elements are marked with the same reference symbols.

[0041] The base plate 10 has additional circular recesses on its longitudinal edges, which serve to fix the fastening elements 52 to the base plate 10.

[0042] All components of the stretcher bridge are preferably made of a lightweight material, especially aluminum. In particular, all sharp edges of the components are rounded or chamfered to prevent the risk of cuts. A preferred application is emergency stretchers for ambulances. However, other applications such as emergency helicopters are also possible. Reference symbol list

[0043] O Top side U Bottom side 1 Stretcher bridge 2 Side edge 3 Side edge 4 Longitudinal edge 5 Longitudinal edge 10 Base plate 11 Mounting recess 12 Mounting recess 13 Mounting recess 14 Hinges 20 Support 21 Recess 30 Support foot 31 Insertion section 32 Support section 33 Locking section 34 Convex contour 35 Rear locking recess 39 Contact surfaces 40 Support shoe 41 Stop 42 Rubber buffer 43 Cover 50 Mounting rail 51 Spacer 52 Fastening elements 60 Locking device 61 Locking projection with chamfer 62 Guide nose 63 Spring receptacle 64 Slider 70 IV stand 72 Suspension

Claims

1. Stretcher bridge (1) for mounting above a reclining surface of a stretcher, having a base plate (10) which, in the mounted state, is aligned parallel to the stretcher and has an upper side (O) and a lower side (U), wherein fastening recesses (11, 12, 13) are formed in the base plate (10), wherein two lateral supports (20) are pivotably mounted on mutually opposite side edges (2, 3) of the base plate (10), wherein the supports (20) in the mounted state are aligned substantially perpendicular to the base plate (10), wherein the supports (20) each have a support foot (30) and a support shoe (40), wherein the support feet (30) in the mounted state are releasably fixed in the support shoes (40), characterized in that the lower side of the support foot (30) has a front insertion portion (31) and a rear latching portion (33), which are both insertable into the support shoe (40).

2. Stretcher bridge according to Claim 1, characterized in that the supports (20) are fastened to the lower side (U) of the base plate (10) via hinges (14) and can be placed one on top of the other in a disassembled state of the stretcher bridge (1), in which the support feet (30) are released from the support shoes (40) and removed.

3. Stretcher bridge according to Claim 2, characterized in that the hinges (14) are fixed via the fastening recesses (12) of the base plate (10), wherein in particular a plurality of fastening recesses (12) are arranged next to one another.

4. Stretcher bridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supports (20) towards the base plate (10) and towards the support shoes (40) are wider than in a region in between, the supports (20) having at least one cutout (21).

5. Stretcher bridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that fastening rails (50) running parallel to the side edges (2, 3) of the base plate (10) are arranged on the supports (20), with spacers (51) being attached between the fastening rails (50) and the supports (20).

6. Stretcher bridge according to Claim 5, characterized in that the base plate (10) has two longitudinal edges (4, 5), wherein fastening elements (52) are formed on the lower side (U) of the base plate (10) in the region of the longitudinal edges (4, 5), to which fastening elements further fastening rails (50) are fastened via the spacers (51).

7. Stretcher bridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insertion portion (31) is tongue-shaped and has a convex contour (34), wherein the support shoe (40) has a stop (41) which corresponds to the insertion portion (31) and has a concave contour.

8. Stretcher bridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support foot (30) has a central support portion (32), with at least one rubber buffer (42) being arranged between a lower side of the support portion (32) and a bottom of the support shoe (40).

9. Stretcher bridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching portion (33) has a rear latching recess (35), wherein the support shoe (40) has a latching device (60) for interacting with the latching recess (35).

10. Stretcher bridge according to Claim 9, characterized in that the side of the latching device (60) facing the latching recess (35) has a latching projection with a run-on slope (61) and a guide lug (62), wherein the side of the latching device (60) facing away from the latching recess (35) has a spring receptacle (63).

11. Stretcher bridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support shoe (40) is closed at least on one side with a cover (43).

12. Stretcher bridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support foot (30) has contact surfaces, the contact surfaces in the mounted state resting on the support shoe (40).

13. Stretcher bridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support shoe (40) is formed integrally.

14. Stretcher bridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an infusion stand (70) is arranged at least on one fastening rail (50), the infusion stand (70) in particular being telescopic and having at least one suspension fitting (72).