Medical cart and keyboard tray

A medical cart comprising a base is supported on wheels. A first arm is supported on a track for linear movement in a first direction that supports a first platform. The arm also supports a second platform that is mounted for linear movement in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The first platform is mounted on a tilt assembly such that the angle of the first platform relative to the second platform can be adjusted.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a keyboard tray and more specifically to a keyboard tray particularly suited for use in medical carts.

BACKGROUND

Mobile medical carts are typically used in institutional applications for medication delivery, information processing or the like where the carts may be moved to the point of service delivery such as a patient room in a hospital. Such medical carts typically include a monitor, processor and user interface to allow the medical personnel to access data from and input data to a system. The carts also include storage for medical equipment, medications and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A medical cart comprises a base supported on wheels. At least a first arm is supported on a first track for linear movement in a first direction. The first arm supports a first platform and a second platform that is mounted for linear movement in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The first platform is mounted on a tilt mechanism such that the angle of the first platform relative to the second platform can be adjusted. The first platform is rotatably mounted on a first axle. A slide plate is mounted to the underside of the first platform such that it can slide relative to the first platform. The slide plate includes a first series of teeth and defines a slot that extends at an angle relative to the direction of sliding motion of slide plate. A second axle extends through the slot that that forces the slide plate to slide when the platform is pivoted about the first axle. A locking member is mounted to the platform that is formed with a second series of teeth that releasably engage said first series of teeth to selectively lock the sliding plate in position relative to said platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIG. 1an exemplary medical cart in which the keyboard tray assembly of the invention may be used is shown generally at1. While a particular embodiment of a medical cart is shown it is to be understood that the keyboard tray of the assembly may be used with other carts and may be used in any application where a keyboard tray is useful. The cart1comprises a base2supported on wheels4such that the cart can be rolled on a floor. The cart1may be pushed or pulled by medical personnel to move the cart to various points of service such as between patient rooms in an institutional setting. The base2may provide an internal storage compartment for holding a power module such as a rechargeable battery. Supported on base2is a vertically extending support structure such as tower6that supports the other cart components such as a monitor8, a user input device such as a keyboard and mouse10, a work platform14and storage bins16. The keyboard and mouse may be supported on keyboard tray20. These components may be movably mounted on the tower6such that the height of the components is adjustable. The work platform14may also include an internal storage compartment for supporting a computer such as a PC, wireless communications systems to communicate with a wider network system, a system controller and/or other systems. A handle18may be provided to facilitate the pushing and pulling of the cart1.

The keyboard tray20has a primary support surface22. Primary support surface22may be used to support a keyboard. Primary support surface22is connected to first and second support arms24as will hereinafter be described. Each support arm24has a first end24athat is supported from a plate26. Each plate is connected to a runner28that is supported in a horizontally extending track30such that the runner28can slide in the track30to move the tray horizontally from a retracted position (FIG. 4) to an extended position (FIG. 5). Each track30includes vertically spaced channels32and34that extend for substantially the length of the tracks30. Each runner28includes a first flange28athat extends into the upper channel32and a second flange28bthat extends into the lower channel34. The flanges28aand28bslide in the channels32and34to allow the runners to move horizontally in the tracks30. Bearings or other devices may be used to minimize the friction between the runners28and the tracks30.

The tracks30are supported in a substantially horizontal orientation by brackets36that connect the tracks30to a housing38. Housing38may be mounted to cart2with the tracks30mounted to the housing38. Tracks30may also be mounted directly to other cart structure. In one embodiment brackets32are L-brackets having a first leg mounted to the side of tracks30and a second leg mounted to the housing38using screws or other fasteners.

Each support arm24has a second end24bthat extends below and towards the front of the tracks30such that the primary support surface22is located below the tracks30a sufficient distance to allow a keyboard and/or other devices to be supported on surface22and fit beneath the tracks30when the arms are in the retracted position. The arms24support a plate40that extends between the arms24and is disposed substantially horizontally. Plate40supports a secondary support46surface as will hereinafter be described.

The plate40is formed with two parallel tracks42that extend the length of plate40and are arranged substantially perpendicular to the direction of tracks30. In the illustrated embodiment tracks42are formed as bent portions of plate40that form C-shaped channels that are dimensioned to closely but slidably receive the secondary work platform46. The tracks42may also be formed of separate C-shaped channels secured to the bottom of arms24. The channels are spaced from one another and cooperate to hold secondary work platform46therebetween. The secondary work platform46can be slid in the tracks42so as to extend from either side of the plate40. When extended, the secondary work46surface extends beyond either end of the primary work platform22to create additional work or support surfaces. The secondary work platform46can be used to support a mouse or other user input device or to support other materials including paper, documentation or other medical equipment. The secondary work platform46is dimensioned to be substantially coextensive with the primary work platform22such that when it is extended it effectively doubles the work area available to the user. Moreover, because the secondary work platform46is operated independently of the primary work platform22it can be maintained in a substantially horizontal position even if the angular position of the primary work platform22is adjusted. Pins50,51extend from the bottom of the secondary work platform46that engage cooperating surfaces52,53on the tracks42that act as stops to prevent the secondary work platform46from being pulled completely out of the tracks42. When the secondary work platform is slid to the right as viewed inFIG. 3pin50engages surface52. Likewise, when the secondary work platform is slid to the left as viewed inFIG. 3pin51engages surface53.

The primary work platform22is mounted on a tilt assembly60such that the angle of the primary work platform22relative to the secondary work platform46, and to horizontal, can be adjusted to allow the user to find a comfortable position for the primary work platform and a keyboard supported by the platform. Primary work platform22is pivotably mounted to support arms24on axle62such that it can pivot about axis A-A from the raised position shown inFIGS. 6 and 7to the lowered position shown inFIGS. 8 and 9. In one embodiment platform22is formed with downturned flanges64that are rotatably mounted on axle62. Axle62may be replaced by other mounting mechanisms such as two pivot piuns one supporting each side of platform22.

A slide plate66is mounted to the underside of platform22such that it can slide relative to the platform22in the direction of arrow A. Slide plate66is formed with slots68that receive fasteners70. Fasteners70extend through slots68and are fixed to platform22such that the head74traps the underside of slide plate66allowing plate66to slide relative to the platform22. Plate66includes a cut-out portion or recess69having a series of teeth71formed along at least one edge thereof. In the illustrated embodiment the teeth71are formed along both sides of the recess69extending along the sliding direction A of plate66.

The slide plate66includes downwardly extending flanges90that are formed with slots92. Slots92extend at and angle to the direction of sliding motion of slide plate66and receive a rod94that extends between and is mounted to support arms24. Rod94acts as a camming surface that forces the slide plate66to slide in the direction of arrow A when the platform22is pivoted about axle62as will hereinafter be described. Rod94may be replaced by camming pins one fixed to each of arms24and extending into the adjacent slot92.

A locking member76is also mounted to the underside of platform22. The locking member includes a resilient spring member78that is fixed to the underside of platform22by fasteners80. A rigid lock82is attached to the end of resilient member78such that the resilient member78biases the lock82into cut-out portion69. The lock82is formed with teeth84that engage teeth formed on the plate66to lock the plate66in position relative to platform22. The lock82is formed with a push button area82athat can be depressed by a user to deform resilient member78and force lock82below and out of engagement with teeth71. When the lock is depressed the slide plate66can be slid relative to platform22in the direction of arrow A. When the user releases the lock82, resilient member78returns to its undeformed state and forces lock82upwards back into slot69such that teeth84again engage teeth71.

The operation of the tilt mechanism will now be described. Assume that the primary platform22is in the lowered position shown inFIGS. 2,8and9where the front of the primary platform is tilted down about axle62and axis A-A, rod94is located in the front of slots92and teeth84of lock82are engaged with teeth71of plate66. To raise the platform, the user unlocks the platform by depressing button82ato flex resilient member78and disengage teeth84from teeth71.

The user then pushes up on the front end of the platform22in the direction of arrow B to rotate the platform22about axis A-A. As the platform22rotates, slots92ride over rod94. Because of the angle of slots92the slide plate66is pushed toward the front of platform22as shown inFIG. 6. Once the platform is positioned in the desired raised position, the lock82is released such that teeth84engage teeth71. Once the teeth are engaged, the position of the slide plate66is fixed relative to the axle62. Because slide plate66is locked in position, it cannot move relative to rod94thereby preventing the platform22from rotating on axle62effectively locking the platform in position.

To lower the platform22, the user unlocks the platform by depressing lock82to flex resilient member78and disengage teeth84from teeth71. The user then pushes down on the end of the platform22in the direction of arrow C to rotate the platform22about axis A-A. As the platform22rotates, slots92ride over rod94. Because of the angle of slots92the slide plate66is pushed toward the rear of platform22as shown inFIG. 8. Once the platform22is positioned in the desired lowered position, the lock82is released such that teeth84engage teeth71. Once the teeth are engaged, the position of the slide plate66is fixed relative to the axle62. Because slide plate66is locked in position, it cannot move relative to rod94thereby preventing the platform22from rotating on axle62effectively locking the platform in position. The platform can be locked in any position between the raised position ofFIGS. 6 and 7and the lowered position ofFIGS. 8 and 9.

Specific embodiments of an invention are disclosed herein. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention has other applications in other environments. Many embodiments are possible. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments described above.