Emergency Cot Ratchet Locking Mechanism to Prevent Wedging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing height adjustable emergency cots with ratchet bar mechanisms face issues such as saddling and wedging between position pins and teeth, requiring simultaneous lifting and awkward handling to change heights, which complicates the process and poses ergonomic challenges for operators.
Innovation Solution
A securing mechanism featuring ratchet bars with distinct tooth profiles and a handle assembly connected to a spring cylinder, allowing for independent engagement and disengagement of locking pins, eliminating saddling and wedging issues and enabling ergonomic handling by allowing weight assumption without grip changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two ratchet bars have the same tooth profile engaging position pins simultaneously, then the securing mechanism can retain the cot in multiple positions, but it causes saddling or wedging issues between the position pins and teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing a first ratchet bar with a first tooth profile and a second ratchet bar with a second tooth profile that is different from the first tooth profile. This asymmetric design ensures that the ratchet bars engage position pins at different times during rotation, preventing the saddling and wedging problems that occur when both bars engage simultaneously.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the operator and assistant must lift the cot to remove weight from the ratchet bar mechanism before adjusting height, then the securing mechanism can maintain stability, but it complicates the adjustment process requiring simultaneous lifting and grip changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating a spring cylinder that automatically raises the first ratchet bar away from the position pin before the second ratchet bar engages. This preliminary action eliminates the need for operators to manually lift the cot or change grips during height adjustment, as the spring mechanism pre-performs the weight transfer necessary for smooth operation.
3Force
If both ends of the cot must be lifted simultaneously to adjust height, then the load can be evenly distributed, but it requires coordinated two-person operation and tubing grip release while assuming full weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service through the spring cylinder mechanism that automatically performs the weight transfer function. Instead of requiring operators to manually lift and redistribute the load, the spring cylinder self-activates to raise the first ratchet bar and transfer weight to the second ratchet bar, eliminating the need for coordinated two-person lifting operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution prevents saddling and wedging, simplifies height adjustments by allowing independent ratchet bar operation and ergonomic handling, reducing operator strain and improving safety when moving the cot with a patient.
Implementation Method 1
a spring cylinder connecting the handle to the long ratchet bar, wherein the actuation of the handle extends the mechanical spring cylinder, and disengages the locking pins from the long and short ratchet bars
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a height adjustable emergency roll-in cot comprise a cot support frame comprising having a leading end, a trailing end, and a pair of opposing side frame members disposed between the leading and trailing ends, a pair of wheeled front legs slidingly coupled to the cot support frame via a slideable front transverse support member, and a pair of wheeled back legs slidingly coupled to the support frame via a slideable back transverse support member, wherein the slideable front transverse support member, the slideable back transverse support member, or both include a pair of locking pins (90, 92). The height adjustable emergency roll-in cot comprises a long ratchet bar (130) and a short ratchet bar (140) connected and parallel to one another, wherein the short ratchet bar and the long ratchet bar define different slot profiles (132, 142) such that when the slots of the long ratchet bar and the slots of the short ratchet bar are configured to engage the respective locking pins, the long ratchet bar engages its respective locking pin before the short ratchet car.