Holder for nurse call slave unit

Abstract

To provide a holder for a nurse call slave unit capable of stably suspending a plurality of types of nurse call slave units in a wall unit.SOLUTION: A base part 31 and a pair of holding pieces 32 are provided, each of the pair of holding pieces 32 is formed as a substantially L-shaped arm piece having a forward extension part 32a and an inward extension part 32b, and the tips of the pair of inward extension part 32b are opposed to each other through a gap 32c. A hook of the hand-type slave unit can be suspended by the pair of inwardly extending portions 32a extending inwardly, the hanger of the hand-type slave unit can be inserted from the gap 32c and suspended on any of the elastic clamping pieces 32, and the housing of the grip push button can be gripped by the elastic force of the clamping pieces 32 by configuring the clearance between the pair of forwardly extending portions 32a to be larger than the hook of the hand-type slave unit and configuring the gap 32c to be narrower than the hook.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is suitable for use in a holder for a nurse call slave unit that suspends a nurse call slave unit in a wall unit provided on a wall surface.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, a nurse call system includes a nurse call slave unit installed on the bedside or the like, a wall unit embedded in a wall surface such as the bedside, a corridor light installed near the entrance of a hospital room, and a nurse call master unit installed in a nurse station or the like where medical staff such as nurses are stationed.

[0003] There are various types of nurse call slave units. For example, as shown in FIG. 7(a), there is a nurse call slave unit called a hand-shaped slave unit 200 of a type that enables communication by including a speaker 202 and a microphone 203 in addition to a call button 201. Also, as shown in FIG. 7(b), there is a nurse call slave unit called a grip push button 210 of a type that includes only a call button 211.

[0004] There are also various types of wall units. For example, there is a wall-embedded slave unit called a type of wall unit that includes a socket for connecting a plug provided at the tip of the cord of the nurse call slave unit and enables communication by including a call button, a speaker, and a microphone. There is also a wall unit called a power outlet of a type that includes a socket for connecting the plug of the nurse call slave unit but does not include a call button, a speaker, and a microphone.

[0005] Furthermore, among the wall units, as shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the insertion port 301, there are also those provided with a hook 302 capable of suspending the hanger 204 provided in the hand-held slave unit 200 shown in FIG. 7(a). Usually, since many hand-held slave units 200 have a hanger 204, it is possible to suspend the hanger 204 of the hand-held slave unit 200 on the hook 302 of the wall unit. However, since the grip push button 210 shown in FIG. 7(b) does not have a hanger, it cannot be suspended on the hook 302.

[0006] On the other hand, a holder for a nurse call slave unit is known which has a gripping portion for gripping the housing of the grip push button at the other end of a holder body having a support hole at one end into which a plug provided at the tip of the cord of the grip push button can be inserted (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the holder described in this Patent Document 1, the holder body is made of an elastomer material or the like which is a polymer material having elasticity at normal temperature. Further, the gripping portion is integrally formed with the holder body, and the width of the gripping portion is formed narrower than the width of the housing of the grip push button. Thereby, the gripping portion can suitably grip the housing of the grip push button by its elastic force, and the grip push button having no hanger can be stably suspended on the wall unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, in the holder described in Patent Document 1, the shape of the gripping portion is formed in accordance with the shape of the housing of the grip push button, and it is difficult to stably suspend a nurse call slave unit other than the grip push button. For example, it is difficult to stably suspend a type of nurse call slave unit called a hand-held slave unit shown in FIG. 7(a) on the holder of Patent Document 1.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a holder for a nurse call sub-unit that can stably suspend a plurality of types of nurse call sub-units in a wall unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] In order to solve the above-described problems, the holder for a nurse call sub-unit of the present invention includes a base portion and a pair of elastic clamping pieces protruding from the left and right side surfaces of the base portion. Each of the pair of elastic clamping pieces is formed as a substantially L-shaped arm piece having a forward extension portion extending forward from the base portion and an inward extension portion extending inward after bending from the end of the forward extension portion, and the tips of the pair of inward extension portions are configured to face each other with a gap therebetween. Then, the separation distance between the forward extension portions of the pair of elastic clamping pieces is configured to be larger than the width of the hook for suspending the hand-shaped sub-unit, and the width of the gap is configured to be narrower than the width of the hook.

[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, the separation distance between the forward extension portions of the pair of elastic clamping pieces is made larger than the cross-sectional diameter of a part of the housing of the squeeze button, and the separation distance from the base portion to the inward extension portion is made smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of a part of the housing of the squeeze button.

Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention configured as described above, a pair of elastic clamping pieces are configured in a substantially L shape, a part of the L shape is an inward extension part extending inward, and the width of the gap between the pair of inward extension parts is configured to be narrower than the width of the hook. Therefore, the hook of the hand-shaped slave unit can be stably suspended by this pair of inward extension parts. Further, the elastic clamping pieces are configured in a pair on the left and right in a substantially L shape instead of a single ring shape, and there is a gap between the pair of inward extension parts. Therefore, it is possible to insert the ring-shaped hanger provided on the hand-shaped slave unit through this gap and pass it through any of the elastic clamping pieces, and the hanger of the hand-shaped slave unit can also be suspended on any of the elastic clamping pieces. Thus, according to the holder for the nurse call slave unit of the present embodiment, it is possible to stably suspend a plurality of types of nurse call slave units on the wall unit.

[0013] Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, in the housing of the squeeze button, a portion having a slightly larger diameter than the width of the internal space formed by the base portion and the pair of elastic clamping pieces is inserted into the internal space, and this portion can be suitably gripped by the elastic force of the elastic clamping pieces, and the squeeze button can be further suspended.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing a configuration example of a holder for a nurse call sub-unit (hereinafter abbreviated as a holder) according to this embodiment. FIG. 1(a) is a top view of the holder, FIG. 1(b) is a front view, FIG. 1(c) is a bottom view, and FIG. 1(d) is a right side view. FIG. 2(a) is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 1(b), and FIG. 2(b) is a view seen from the direction of arrow C in FIG. 1(d). FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing a configuration example of a wall unit including the holder of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view, FIG. 4(a) is a front view, and FIG. 4(b) is a sectional view taken along line A-A.

[0016] First, the overall configuration of the wall unit 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the wall unit 1 of this embodiment is installed by being embedded in a wall surface in a nurse call system, and includes a base unit 10, a connector 20, a holder 30, and a wiring box 40.

[0017] The base unit 10 is fitted into the opening 51 of the cover plate 50 installed on the wall surface. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the base unit 10 includes a base 12 (corresponding to the protruding structure in the claims) protruding forward from the base surface 11 and a push button 13. The base surface 11 is the surface of the base unit 10 where the base 12 and the push button 13 are not provided, and is constituted by a flat plane or a slightly curved curved surface. The width of the base 12 is narrower than the width of the opening 51 of the cover plate 50 and is slightly narrower than the width of the base unit 10 fitted into the opening 51. The push button 13 is, for example, a call button, a recovery button, or the like. Note that it is not essential to provide the push button 13, and it may be omitted.

[0018] The base unit 10 is provided with a mounting plate 16 on the back side (the side opposite to the surface side where the base 12 protrudes). A wiring box 40 is provided on the back side of the mounting plate 16. The mounting plate 16 is used when attaching the wall unit 1 to the wall surface by screwing, and screw holes are provided near the upper and lower ends. When installing the wall unit 1 on the wall surface, the wiring box 40 is embedded inside the hole provided in the wall surface, the mounting plate 16 is screwed to the wall surface, and the cover plate 50 is installed thereon. When the cover plate 50 is installed, only the base unit 10 can be seen from the front side of the wall surface.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, the connector 20 is provided inside the base 12 provided in the base unit 10 in such a posture that the connector pins 21 face downward at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the front. The connector 20 has a cylindrical body except for one tip portion, and forms a bulging portion 12a in which the central portion of the base 12 bulges partially cylindrically in accordance with the cylindrical shape. Wiring (not shown) is laid from the tip side of the connector 20 into the wiring box 40.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4(b), most of the connector 20 is located in front of the base surface 11, and the entire insertion port 22 of the connector 20 exists in front of the base surface 11. Since the insertion port 22 protrudes in front of the base surface 11 in this way, it is easy to insert the plug of the nurse call sub-unit into the insertion port 22. Further, since the connector 20 is provided inside the base 12 in a posture facing downward, the base 12 serves as a dustproof function, and it is possible to prevent dust from accumulating on the connector 20.

[0021] The holder 30 is for suspending the nurse call sub-unit in the wall unit provided on the wall surface, and is detachably attached to the base 12 of the base unit 10. FIG. 3(a) shows a state where the holder 30 is not attached to the base 12, and FIG. 3(b) shows a state where the holder 30 is attached to the base 12.

[0022] Here, holder 30 is non-rotatably attached to base 12 with the attachment surfaces of both base 12 and holder 30 (the outer surface of base 12 and the inner surface of holder 30) contacting each other at multiple points. As shown in Fig. 4, base 12 is configured to cover connector 20, most of which is located forward of base surface 11. For this reason, base 12 protrudes significantly forward from base surface 11, allowing for a large attachment surface that comes into contact with the inner surface of holder 30.

[0023] Next, an example of the configuration of holder 30 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Holder 30 comprises a base 31 having a mounting portion 31a with a recessed structure formed to fit into base 12, and a pair of clamping pieces 32 (corresponding to elastic clamping pieces in the claims) protruding from the left and right side surfaces of base 31. The entire holder 30, including base 31 and pair of clamping pieces 32, is made of an elastic material (for example, an elastomer material, which is a polymeric substance that has elasticity at room temperature).

[0024] Each of the pair of clamping pieces 32 consists of an approximately L-shaped arm piece having a forward extension portion 32a extending forward from the left and right side surfaces of the base 12 and an inward extension portion 32b bending from the end of the forward extension portion 32a and extending inward, and the tips of the pair of inward extension portions 32b are configured to face each other via a gap 32c.

[0025] Because the pair of clamping pieces 32 protrude from the left and right side surfaces of the base 31, the width of the holder 30, including the pair of clamping pieces 32, is wider than the width of the base 31. As shown in FIG. 3 , the width of the base 31 is slightly narrower than the width of the base unit 10, and the width of the base unit 10 is approximately the same as the width of the opening 51 in the cover plate 50, so the width of the holder 30, including the pair of clamping pieces 32, is wider than the width of the opening 51 in the cover plate 50. In this embodiment, the holder 30 is configured to be detachably attached to the base 12, so there is no need to design the holder 30 to a size that allows it to pass through the opening 51 in the cover plate 50, and it is possible to configure the holder 30 to be wider than the opening 51.

[0026] The separation distance between the front extensions 32a of the pair of clamping pieces 32 is configured to be larger than the width of the hook for suspending the hand-held slave unit. Also, the width of the gap 32c provided between the pair of inward extensions 32b is configured to be narrower than the width of the hook. Thereby, the pair of inward extensions 32b can stably suspend the hook of the hand-held slave unit.

[0027] Also, the separation distance between the front extensions 32a of the pair of clamping pieces 32 is configured to be larger than the cross-sectional diameter of a part of the housing of the squeeze button, and the separation distance from the base 31 to the inward extension 32b is configured to be smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of a part of the housing of the squeeze button. And the pair of clamping pieces 32 are constituted by elastic members. Thereby, it is possible to suitably grip a part of the housing of the squeeze button by the elastic force of the pair of clamping pieces 32.

[0028] The mounting portion 31a, which has a concave structure inside the base 31, is configured to have a shape that fits the outer shape of the base 12. Specifically, among the mounting portion 31a of the base 31, for the portion facing the bulging portion 12a of the base 12, two ribs 33 formed in accordance with the shape of the bulging portion 12a project from the inner surface of the concave structure, and the end surfaces of the ribs 33 are configured to contact the bulging portion 12a. Also, for the portion of the mounting portion 31a of the base 31 that faces other than the bulging portion 12a of the base 12, the outer surface of the base 12 and the inner surface of the mounting portion 31a are configured to be in surface contact as a whole. Note that the outer surface of the base 12 and the inner surface of the holder 30 may be configured to be in surface contact as a whole including the portion facing the bulging portion 12a of the base 12.

[0029] The open lower end of the recessed structure of holder 30 is provided with inwardly protruding locking portions 34, 35. On the other hand, base 12, to which holder 30 is fitted, is provided with recessed locking portions 14, 15 at its lower end that contacts base surface 11, as shown in Figure 3, which are in a state of engagement with protruding locking portions 34, 35. One recessed locking portion 14 is provided at two locations, one on the left and one on the right, near the upper end of base 12, with which one protruding locking portion 34 of holder 30 engages. The other recessed locking portion 15 is provided at two locations, one on the left and one on the right, near the lower end of base 12, with which the other protruding locking portion 35 of holder 30 engages.

[0030] As described above, the base 31 is made of an elastic material, and is configured so that the opening width of the mounting portion 31 a can be expanded. When the holder 30 is attached to the base 12 while expanding the opening width of the mounting portion 31 a, the elastic force of the base 31 allows the base 12 to be properly gripped, and the convex locking portions 34, 35 of the holder 30 engage with the concave locking portions 14, 15 of the base 12.

[0031] By configuring the base 12 of the base unit 10 and the base 31 of the holder 30 as described above, the holder 30 is firmly attached to the base 12 and cannot rotate relative to the base 12. This makes it possible to make the holder 30 less likely to break even if excessive external force is applied to the holder 30.

[0032] The locking structure between the base 12 and the holder 30 described above is an example and is not limited to this. For example, a rail-shaped groove may be provided at the lower end of the base 12 that contacts the base surface 11, and a rail-shaped rib may be provided at the lower end of the opening of the recessed structure of the holder 30, and the holder 30 may be slid downward from the top of the base 12 (the side where the push button 13 is provided) to fit the rib into the groove. In this case, the base 31 may not be made of an elastic material, and only the pair of clamping pieces 32 may be made of an elastic material.

[0033] With respect to the holder 30 of the present embodiment configured as described above, it is possible to suspend a plurality of types of nurse call handsets. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the hook 101 of the handset 100 is suspended with respect to a pair of clamping pieces 32 of the holder 30. As described above, the pair of clamping pieces 32 are configured in a substantially L shape, a part of the L shape is an inward extending portion 32b extending inward, and the width of the gap 32c provided between the inward extending portions 32b is configured to be narrower than the width of the hook 101. Therefore, the hook 101 of the handset 100 can be stably suspended by the pair of inward extending portions 32b. Here, since the holder 30 is configured to be wider than the base unit 10, it is possible to suspend the hook 101 wider than the base unit 10 on the holder 30. In addition, in FIG. 5, a configuration in which the hook 101 is integrally provided with the main body of the handset 100 is shown, but the hook 101 may be integrally provided with an attachment detachably configured on the main body of the handset 100.

[0034] Note that in the holder 30 of the present embodiment, the pair of clamping pieces 32 are constituted by elastic members. Therefore, even when the handset 100 is forcibly pulled while the handset 100 is suspended from the clamping piece 32 of the holder 30 as shown in FIG. 5, the clamping piece 32 expands laterally and the width of the gap 32c increases, and it can be made into a state where the hook 101 is easily detached therefrom. Thereby, damage to the holder 30 and the hook 101 can be prevented. By also configuring the hook 101 with an elastic member, it is possible to more effectively prevent damage to the holder 30 and the hook 101.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the push button 110 is suspended with respect to a pair of clamping pieces 32 of the holder 30. As described above, in the holder 30 of the present embodiment, the pair of clamping pieces 32 are formed of elastic members, and the separation distance from the base portion 31 to the inner extension portion 32b of the holder 30 is configured to be smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of a part of the housing of the push button 110. Therefore, a portion of the housing of the push button 110 having a diameter slightly larger than the above-described separation distance is placed in the internal space formed by the base portion 31 and the pair of clamping pieces 32, and this housing portion can be preferably gripped by the elastic force of the clamping pieces 32.

[0036] Also, although not shown, in the holder 30 of the present embodiment, it is also possible to suspend the hanger 204 provided in the hand-shaped slave unit 200 shown in FIG. 7(a). That is, the clamping pieces 32 are configured in a pair of substantially L-shaped configurations rather than a single ring shape, and there is a gap 32c between the pair of inner extension portions 32b. Therefore, the ring-shaped hanger 204 can be inserted through the gap 32c and passed through any one of the clamping pieces 32, and the hanger 204 can be suspended from any one of the clamping pieces 32.

[0037] Note that the width of the gap 32c may be configured to be larger than the ring diameter of the hanger 204, or may be configured to be approximately the same as the ring diameter or slightly smaller than the ring diameter. When the width of the gap 32c is configured to be approximately the same as the ring diameter or slightly smaller than the ring diameter, the hanger 204 can be suspended from any one of the clamping pieces 32 while widening the gap 32c, and it can be made difficult to come off after the hanger 204 is suspended from the clamping piece 32.

[0038] Furthermore, in the holder 30 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suspend the cord from the clamping piece 32 regardless of the type of the nurse call slave unit.

[0039] As described in detail above, according to the holder 30 of the present embodiment, it is possible to stably suspend a plurality of types of nurse call slave units in the wall unit 1.

[0040] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the holder 30 is configured to be detachable from the base unit 10 has been described. However, the holder 30 may be configured to be integral with the base unit 10. In this case, the holder 30 is configured to have a size that allows it to pass through the opening 51 of the cover plate 50.

[0041] In addition, the configurations of each part shown in the above-described embodiment are merely examples of specific embodiments for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner by these. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit or its main features.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0042] 1 Wall unit 10 Base unit 11 Base surface 12 Foundation 14, 15 Concave locking portions 20 Connector 21 Connector pin 22 Insertion port 30 Holder 31 Base portion 32 Clamping piece 32a Frontward extension 32b Inward extension 33 Rib 34, 35 Convex locking portions 40 Wiring box 50 Cover plate 51 Opening

Claims

1. A holder for a nurse call sub-unit that suspends the nurse call sub-unit on a wall unit provided on a wall surface, comprising a base portion, and a pair of elastic clamping pieces protruding from the left and right side surfaces of the base portion, wherein each of the pair of elastic clamping pieces is composed of an approximately L-shaped arm piece having a forward extension portion extending forward from the base portion and an inward extension portion bending from the end of the forward extension portion and extending inward, and the tips of the pair of inward extension portions are configured to face each other with a gap therebetween, the separation distance between the forward extension portions of the pair of elastic clamping pieces is configured to be larger than the width of a hook for suspending a hand-shaped sub-unit, and the width of the gap is configured to be narrower than the width of the hook, characterizing the holder for a nurse call sub-unit.

2. The separation distance between the forward extension portions of the pair of elastic clamping pieces is larger than the cross-sectional diameter of a part of the housing of a squeeze button, and the separation distance from the base portion to the inward extension portion is configured to be smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the part, according to Claim 1, characterizing the holder for a nurse call sub-unit.

3. The base portion is provided with a mounting portion having a concave structure formed to fit into a protruding structure provided on a base unit fitted into an opening of a cover plate attached to the wall surface, and the base portion is configured to be detachable from the protruding structure, wherein the width of the protruding structure provided on the base unit is narrower than the width of the opening, while the width of the holder for a nurse call sub-unit is wider than the width of the opening, characterizing the holder for a nurse call sub-unit according to Claim 1 or 2.

Images