Rolling radioprotective screen

Abstract

The present invention relates to a screen (1) made of a radioprotective material for protecting an operator from X-rays or other types of ionising radiation emissions. This screen (1) comprises two free lateral sides (2", 3") and rests on the ground via a base (6) provided with castors (7, 8). At least two front castors (7) extend in a cantilevered manner from the front face of the screen (1b), and two other lateral castors (8) are each mounted at the end of a support device (9) arranged on one of the free lateral sides (2", 3"). According to the invention, the support device (9) for the lateral castors (8) comprises at least one horizontal connecting rod (10, 11), provided with two vertical pivot axes (12, 14, 15), for pivotably mounting the lateral castors (8) about at least two vertical axes.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title of the invention: Rolling radio-protective screen

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to the general field of equipment for protection against ionizing radiation.

[0005] It concerns more particularly radio-protective screens which are used in medical or other environments, to protect an operator against emissions of ionizing radiation, for example X-rays, and even more particularly rolling radio-protective screens, that is to say screens which rest on the ground by means of casters to facilitate their movement.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] We know, in particular from document FR-3 106 273, of radioprotective screens which comprise a front wall extended by a side wall on one of its sides, or on both sides, and which rest on the ground by means of casters.

[0008] For example, two casters are mounted at the end of a support member which extends cantilevered from the front side of the screen (opposite the positioning of the operator); and two other casters are mounted at the end of a support device arranged at the free lateral sides of the screen.

[0009] However, to ensure effective protection against ionizing radiation, these screens are made from very dense materials. Their weight is therefore generally high (in the order of several hundred kilograms), and, even when they include a rolling base, they are generally quite difficult to move.

[0010] In particular, the corresponding movement maneuvers may present blockages or be subject to jolts, particularly in the case where one of the casters is not aligned with the thrust axis on the screen.

[0011] Presentation of the invention

[0012] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawback of the state of the art, the present invention proposes a screen made of radio-protective material to ensure the protection of an operator against emissions of ionizing radiation of the X-ray or other type, which screen comprises a front wall delimited by two lateral sides, at least one of said lateral sides extending by a lateral wall, which screen comprises two free lateral sides, a rear screen face opposite which said operator is intended to position himself and a front screen face opposite said rear screen face, and which screen rests on the ground by means of a base provided with casters, at least two of said casters, called "front casters" being each mounted at the end of a support member extending cantilevered on the side of said front screen face,and two other of said casters called "side casters" each being mounted at the end of a support device arranged at one of said free lateral sides, this screen being characterized by the fact that said support device for said side casters comprises at least one horizontal connecting rod provided with two vertical pivot axes, for the pivoting mounting of said side casters around at least two vertical axes.,

[0013] The push to initiate the movement of the screen requires little effort, and the movement of the screen is then carried out very regularly, limiting jolts and blockages, in particular in the case of a push parallel to the axis of rotation of one of the casters.

[0014] Other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics of the screen according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are the following:

[0015] According to one embodiment, the support device for the side rollers may comprise two horizontal connecting rods articulated together around a vertical pivot axis, for the pivoting mounting of said side rollers around three vertical axes.

[0016] In this case, the support device may include:

[0017] - an upper link provided with (a) an upper link upper face, (b) an upper link lower face, (c) a first upper link cylindrical orifice partially closed on the side of said upper face by an upper support ring, and (d) a second upper link cylindrical orifice partially closed at the bottom by a lower support ring, - a lower link provided with (a) a lower link upper face, (b) a lower link lower face, (c) a lower link journal, which extends upwards from said lower link upper face, and (d) a caster axle housing, which opens into said lower link lower face,

[0018] - an upper end piece comprising a lower journal and an upper journal separated by an upper end piece crown, which lower journal is intended to enter said first cylindrical orifice of the upper connecting rod, with the interposition of a first rolling structure between the top of said upper bearing crown and the bottom of said upper end piece crown, a second rolling structure being arranged in said first cylindrical orifice of the upper connecting rod, bearing on the bottom of said upper bearing crown, and locking means being provided on the side of the lower face of the upper connecting rod to assemble said upper end piece with said upper connecting rod, said upper journal being intended to enter a complementary receiving housing provided at the end of a support lug secured to one of said free lateral sides of the screen,said lower connecting rod journal being intended to enter said second cylindrical orifice of the upper connecting rod, with the interposition of a third rolling structure between the underside of said lower bearing ring and the upper face of the lower connecting rod, a fourth rolling structure being arranged in said second cylindrical orifice of the upper connecting rod, bearing on the top of said lower bearing ring, and removable locking means being provided on the side of the upper face of the upper connecting rod to assemble said lower connecting rod journal with said upper connecting rod, said caster axle housing of said lower connecting rod being intended to receive a caster journal secured to the associated caster.,

[0019] Still according to the invention, the two axes of the connecting rod or rods of the support device can be spaced apart by a distance of between 30 and 100 mm.

[0020] In a particular embodiment of the support device, of the two-link type, the two axes of an upper link can be spaced apart by a distance of between 50 and 80 mm, and the two axes of a lower link can be spaced apart by a distance of between 30 and 50 mm. According to another particular feature, said support device comprises a support tab which is fixed to one of the free lateral sides of the screen by means of fixing screws. Preferably, this support tab extends in the plane of the wall of the screen which it extends.

[0021] On the other hand, the side casters are equipped with removable locking means adapted to ensure that they are held in a specific orientation.

[0022] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0023] Detailed description of the invention

[0024] In addition, various other characteristics of the invention emerge from the appended description given with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention and where:

[0025] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rolling radiation shield in accordance with the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 is a side view of the radiation shield of Figure 1;

[0027] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of one of the side casters of the radiation shield illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, with its support device;

[0028] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the side caster support device illustrated in Figure 3;

[0029] Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of the side caster support device illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

[0030] The radio-protective screen 1, shown in figures 1 and 2, is intended to protect an operator against emissions of ionizing radiation.

[0031] This radio-protective screen 1 comprises a front wall 2 delimited by two lateral sides 2', 2”, one of which 2' is extended by a lateral wall 3, and the other 2” of which constitutes a free lateral side.

[0032] The side wall 3 is delimited by two lateral sides 3', 3”, one of which 3' extends into the front wall 2, and the other 3” constitutes a free lateral side.

[0033] The lower part 21 of the front wall 2 is fixed relative to the side wall 3 and arranged at right angles, or substantially at right angles, to the latter. The upper part 22 of the front wall 2 is movable and pivotally mounted about a vertical axis on one of the sides of the side wall 3.

[0034] The upper edge of the upper part 22 of the front wall 2, and the upper edge of the side wall 3 are extended by an additional wall, respectively 4 and 5, acting as a ceiling. These two additional walls 4 and 5 are arranged at slightly different height levels to allow their superposition during the pivoting maneuvers of the upper part 22 of the front wall 2.

[0035] Walls 2 and 3 are made of panels made of suitable radio-protective material, combined and supported by a metal frame ensuring continuity of radio-protection at all junctions.

[0036] The front wall 2 and the side wall 3 each comprise in particular - an opaque lower panel 2a, 3a (for example made of wooden panel(s) shielded with lead sheets), and - a transparent upper panel 2b, 3b (for example made of lead glass, or other transparent radio-protective material) to provide frontal and lateral visibility to the operator who is working in particular in a medical environment.

[0037] This radio-protective screen 1 comprises two free lateral sides 2” and 3”, a rear screen face 1a opposite which the operator is intended to position himself and a front screen face 1b, opposite said rear screen face 1a.

[0038] The radio-protective screen 1 rests on the ground by means of a base 6 equipped with casters 7, 8, which allow its stability and also its easy movement on the ground by simple rolling.

[0039] Two casters 7, called “front” casters 7, are each mounted at the end of a support member 7a, in the form of a console or strut, which extends from the lower panels 2a, 3a, cantilevered therefrom, and towards the front (i.e. on the side of the front face of the screen 1b).

[0040] These two front casters 7 have the particular advantage of increasing the surface area of ​​the support perimeter of the screen 1 in front of it, and they contribute to optimizing its stability.

[0041] Two other casters 8, called “side casters” 8 are mounted at the end of a support device 9 arranged at the level of the two free lateral sides 2”, 3” of the screen 1. Here again, these two side casters 8 have the advantage of increasing the surface area of ​​the support perimeter of the screen 1 on the sides thereof, and they contribute to optimizing its stability.

[0042] The support device 9 for these side rollers 8 is shown separately from the screen in figures 3, 4 and 5.

[0043] According to the invention, this support device 9 for the side casters 8 comprises at least one horizontal connecting rod provided with two vertical pivot axes, for the pivoting mounting of said side casters around at least two vertical axes; and preferably it comprises two horizontal connecting rods articulated together around a vertical pivot axis, for the pivoting mounting of said side casters around three vertical axes.

[0044] Such features make it easier to move the radiation-protective screen on the ground, taking into account its generally significant weight, in the order of several hundred kilograms (for example 100 to 350 kg). The initial push to move the screen requires little effort; and then, the screen moves very smoothly, limiting jolts and blockages, particularly in the case of a push parallel to the axis of rotation of one of the casters. The screen can also be moved a little while the side casters remain fixed.

[0045] As can be seen in Figures 3 to 5, the support device 9 here comprises an upper link 10 and a lower link 11 articulated together around a first vertical axis 12. The upper link 10 is articulated at the end of a support leg 13 secured to one of the free lateral sides 2”, 3” of the screen 1, around a second vertical axis 14 which is offset relative to the first axis 12. In addition, the lower link 11 and the caster 8 are articulated together around a third vertical axis 15 which is offset relative to the first vertical axis 12.

[0046] Generally speaking, the two axes of the connecting rods 10, 11 are advantageously spaced apart by a distance of between 30 and 100 mm.

[0047] In a particular embodiment, the two axes 12 and 14 of the upper link 10 are spaced apart by a distance of between 50 and 80 mm, and the two axes 12 and 15 of the lower link 11 are spaced apart by a distance of between 30 and 50 mm. The various joints 12, 14 and 15 are equipped with bearing structures to optimize the pivoting capacities of the links 10, 11 and the associated caster 8.

[0048] According to an interesting embodiment, the upper connecting rod 10 is provided with:

[0049] - an upper face of upper connecting rod 101,

[0050] - of a lower face of upper connecting rod 102,

[0051] - a first cylindrical upper connecting rod orifice 103 partially closed on the side of said upper connecting rod face 101 by an upper support ring 104, and

[0052] - a second cylindrical upper connecting rod orifice 105 partially closed in the lower part by a lower support ring 106.

[0053] For its part, the lower connecting rod 11 includes:

[0054] - an upper face of lower connecting rod 111,

[0055] - a lower face of lower connecting rod 112,

[0056] - a lower link pin 113, which extends upwardly from said lower link upper face 111, and

[0057] - a caster axle housing 114, which opens into said lower face of lower connecting rod 112.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the caster axle housing 114 is primarily provided in a sleeve 11a constituting a one-piece extension of the lower link underside 112.

[0059] The support device 9 also comprises an upper end piece 16 comprising a lower journal 161 and an upper journal 162 separated by an upper end piece crown 163.

[0060] The lower journal 161 is intended to penetrate into the first cylindrical orifice of the upper connecting rod 103, with the interposition of a first bearing structure 17 between the top of said upper support ring 104 and the bottom of said upper end ring 163.

[0061] This first bearing structure 17 may be of the ball thrust bearing type.

[0062] It is noted that the upper end cap crown 163 comprises a circular peripheral skirt 163a which allows the integration and masking of the bearing structure 17. A second bearing structure 18 is arranged in the first cylindrical orifice of the upper connecting rod 103, bearing on the underside of the upper support crown 104.

[0063] Removable locking means 19 are provided on the side of the lower face of the upper connecting rod 102 for assembling the upper end piece 16 with the upper connecting rod 10. These removable locking means 19 are constituted, (a) by an open elastic ring 191 intended to be positioned in a complementary circular groove formed in the first cylindrical orifice of the upper connecting rod 103, to hold the second bearing structure 18, and (b) by a self-locking nut with notches 192, adapted to be screwed onto a complementary thread formed at the end of the lower connecting rod journal 113, with the interposition of a washer for a notched nut 193.

[0064] The second bearing structure 18 may be of the double-row ball bearing and angular contact type.

[0065] The upper pin 162 of the upper end piece 16 is intended to enter a complementary receiving housing 20 provided at the end of the support tab 13 secured to one of said free lateral sides 2”, 3” of the screen 1.

[0066] This receiving housing 20 is delimited by a sleeve 20a open at the bottom. The upper journal 162 is immobilized in the receiving housing 20 by means of screws 23, 24 passing through appropriate orifices made in the sleeve 20a and in the upper journal 162.

[0067] The lower connecting rod journal 113 enters the second cylindrical orifice of the upper connecting rod 105, with the interposition of a third bearing structure 25 between the underside of the lower support ring 106 and the upper face of the lower connecting rod 111.

[0068] This third bearing structure 25 may be of the thrust ball bearing type.

[0069] A fourth bearing structure 26 is arranged in the second cylindrical orifice of the upper connecting rod 105, bearing on the top of the lower support ring 106. This fourth bearing structure 26 may be of the double-row ball bearing and angular contact type.

[0070] Removable locking means 27 are provided on the side of the upper face of the upper connecting rod 101 for assembling the lower connecting rod journal 113 with said upper connecting rod 10. These removable locking means 27 are constituted, (a) by an open elastic ring 271 intended to be positioned in a complementary circular groove formed in the second cylindrical orifice of the upper connecting rod 105, to hold the fourth bearing structure 26, and (b) by a self-locking nut with notches 272, adapted to be screwed onto a complementary thread formed at the end of the lower journal 161 of the upper end piece 16, with the interposition of a washer for a notched nut 273.

[0071] A protective cover 274 covers the removable locking means 27. This protective cover 274 is fixed to the upper end of the lower connecting rod journal 113 by means of an axial screw 275.

[0072] The caster axle housing 114 defined by the sleeve 11a of the lower connecting rod 11 is intended to receive a caster journal 28 secured to the associated caster 8.

[0073] The roulette wheel 8 with its roulette pin 28, of known structure, has the capacity to pivot around the aforementioned third vertical axis 15.

[0074] You can use a swivel castor with central locking (for example a “Linea” model from the company TENTE SAS - St Fargeau Ponthierry - France).

[0075] The caster pin 28 is immobilized in its receiving housing 114 by means of a screw 30. And removable locking means 31 are adapted to ensure that the associated caster 8 is held in a determined orientation (without the possibility of pivoting).

[0076] These removable locking means 31 are conventional and well known in themselves. They include a control pedal 32 for activation / deactivation maneuvers by foot.

[0077] In figures 3 to 5 in particular, we note that the side rollers 8 are equipped with conventional cable pushing systems 33, to avoid or at least limit the possibility of the screen rolling on a cable on the ground.

[0078] The support leg 13 is fixed to one of the free lateral sides 2”, 3” of the screen 1 by means of fixing screws (either directly or via a dedicated support structure). This support leg 13 (and / or the dedicated support structure) preferably extends in the plane of the wall (2a, 3a) which it extends. In an alternative embodiment, the support device 9 may comprise a single horizontal connecting rod, for the pivoting mounting of the lateral casters 8 around two vertical axes.

[0079] Of course, other types of radiation protection screens can be equipped with side rollers mounted on a support device in accordance with the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Screen (1) made of radio-protective material for ensuring the protection of an operator against emissions of ionizing radiation of the X-ray or other type, which screen (1) comprises a front wall (2) delimited by two lateral sides (2', 2”), at least one of said lateral sides extending into a lateral wall (3), which screen (1) comprises two free lateral sides (2”, 3”), a rear screen face (1a) opposite which said operator is intended to position himself and a front screen face (1b) opposite said rear screen face (1a), and which screen (1) rests on the ground by means of a base (6) provided with casters (7, 8), at least two of said casters (7), called “front casters” (7) being each mounted at the end of a support member (7a) extending in overhang on the side of said front face of the screen (1 b),and two other of said casters (8) called “side casters” (8) each being mounted at the end of a support device (9) arranged at one of said free lateral sides (2”, 3”), characterized in that said support device (9) of said side casters (8) comprises at least one horizontal link (10, 11) provided with two vertical pivot axes (12, 14), for the pivoting mounting of said side casters (8) around at least two vertical axes (12, 1, 15).,

2. Screen (1) made of radio-protective material according to claim 1, characterized in that said support device (9) for said lateral casters (8) comprises two horizontal connecting rods (10, 11) articulated together around a vertical pivot axis (12), for the pivoting mounting of said lateral casters (8) around three vertical axes (12, 14, 15).

3. Screen (1) made of radio-protective material according to claim 2, characterized in that said support device (9) comprises: - an upper connecting rod (10) provided with (a) an upper connecting rod upper face (101), (b) an upper connecting rod lower face (102), (c) a first upper connecting rod cylindrical orifice (103) partially closed on the side of said face upper upper connecting rod (101) by an upper support ring (104), and (d) a second cylindrical upper connecting rod orifice (105) partially closed in the lower part by a lower support ring (106), - a lower link (11) provided with (a) a lower link upper face (111), (b) a lower link lower face (112), (c) a lower link journal (113), which extends upwards from said lower link upper face (111), and (d) a caster axle housing (114), which opens into said lower link lower face (112), - an upper end piece (16) comprising a lower journal (161) and an upper journal (162) separated by an upper end piece crown (163), which lower journal (161) is intended to penetrate into said first upper connecting rod cylindrical orifice (103), with the interposition of a first bearing structure (17) between the top of said upper bearing crown (104) and the bottom of said upper end piece crown (163), a second bearing structure (18) being arranged in said first upper connecting rod cylindrical orifice (103), bearing on the bottom of said upper bearing crown (104), and removable locking means (19) being provided on the side of the lower face of the upper connecting rod (102) to assemble said upper end piece (16) with said upper connecting rod (10),said upper journal (162) being intended to enter a complementary receiving housing (20) provided at the end of a support lug (13) secured to one of said free lateral sides (2”, 3”) of the screen (1), said lower connecting rod journal (113) being intended to enter said second upper connecting rod cylindrical orifice (105), with the interposition of a third rolling structure (25) between the underside of said lower bearing ring (106) and the upper face of the lower connecting rod (111), a fourth rolling structure (26) being arranged in said second upper connecting rod cylindrical orifice (105), bearing on the top of said lower bearing ring (106), and removable locking means (27) being provided on the side of the upper face of the upper connecting rod (101) to assemble said lower connecting rod journal (113) with said upper connecting rod (10),said caster axle housing (114) of said lower link (11) being intended to receive a caster journal (28) secured to the associated caster (8).,

4. Screen (1) made of radio-protective material according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the two axes (12-14; 12-15) of the connecting rod or rods (10, 11) are spaced apart by a distance of between 30 and 100 mm.

5. Screen (1) made of radio-protective material according to claim 4 taken under the dependence of claim 2, characterized in that the two axes (12, 14) of an upper link (10) are spaced apart by a distance of between 50 and 80 mm, and in that the two axes (12, 15) of a lower link (11) are spaced apart by a distance of between 30 and 50 mm. [Claim s] Screen (1) made of radio-protective material according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said support device (9) comprises a support tab (13) which is fixed on one of said free lateral sides (2”, 3”) by means of fixing screws.

7. Screen (1) made of radio-protective material according to claim 6, characterized in that said support tab (13) extends in the plane of the wall (2a, 3a) which it extends. [Claim s] Screen (1) made of radio-protective material according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said lateral rollers (8) are provided with removable locking means (31) adapted to ensure that they are held in a determined orientation.

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