Universal Rail Clamp With Single-Action Wedge Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical device clamps for OR tables and hospital bed rails are limited by their need for multiple attachments and adjustments, requiring additional steps and space, especially when attaching multiple accessories to rails of varying heights and thicknesses, and often lack quick release mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A universal clamp assembly with a single user-operable actuator for simultaneous vertical and horizontal clamping and a single actuator for rotational control, featuring a rail interface mechanism with fixed and sliding jaws and a threaded wedge system for quick attachment and release, allowing positioning anywhere along the rail and accommodating various rail dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional clamps are designed to fit specific rail geometry, then they can securely attach to the rail, but medical facilities must carry a variety of clamps for different rail heights and thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is designed with an adjustable jaw mechanism that can accommodate multiple rail dimensions (heights and thicknesses) through a single device. The fixed jaw and movable jaw can be adjusted to fit different rail geometries, eliminating the need for multiple specialized clamps while maintaining secure attachment capability
2Ease of operation
If conventional clamps require multiple activations for locking and rotation, then rotational control is achieved, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp combines the locking mechanism and rotation control into a single integrated system. A single actuator simultaneously performs both the locking function and the rotation function, eliminating the need for separate activations and reducing operational complexity and time
3Reliability
If conventional clamps require several motions and adjustments to secure an instrument, then the instrument is securely attached, but the setup process is cumbersome and slow
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is pre-configured with an adjustable jaw mechanism that can be quickly positioned to match the rail dimensions before attachment. The single actuator system is pre-integrated to simultaneously perform locking and rotation, eliminating the need for multiple sequential adjustments and enabling rapid secure attachment
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
Enables rapid and secure attachment of medical devices or accessories to rails of varying sizes, reducing the complexity and time required for setup, while providing balanced weight transfer and rotational control with a single-handed operation.
Implementation Method 1
A threaded wedge is restricted to sliding motion in the vertical direction and is threadably coupled to threads of the vertical axle
Implementation Method 2
The threaded wedge includes an angled wedge face sloping downward toward the internal face of the clamp body. The rail interface further includes a floating wedge constrained to motion in a horizontal direction, and having a wedge face parallel and operatively coupled to the angled wedge face of the threaded wedge
Implementation Method 3
a force imparted from the wedge face of the threaded wedge to the wedge face of the floating wedge urges the floating wedge to move horizontally
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A clamping assembly for adjustably connecting a device to a rail, including a clamp body, rail interface mechanism, and support mechanism for the device. The rail interface mechanism attaches to rails of various heights and thicknesses with a single user control activation. The rail interface mechanism includes at least one flanged fixed upper jaw, a rail clamp control comprised of a threaded vertical axle terminating in a pm end, a flanged lower jaw constrained to slidable vertical motion along an internal face of the clamp body by the pin end of the vertical axle, and two angled wedges that can be extended and retracted horizontally.