BLOOD PRESSURE KIOSK FOR USE WITH LEFT OR RIGHT ARM

A blood pressure kiosk is provided which allows a user to place his or her left or right arm into the blood pressure cuff for measurement. The kiosk includes either a moving support arm, or a moving seat. The kiosk can also include a moving display so that the user is able to view information on the display from either seat position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 12illustrate the invention, withFIGS. 1 through 3best illustrating the main components of the invention. The blood pressure kiosk10includes a base12, a left side14, a right side16, control area20display40a(FIG. 1-6) or40b(FIGS. 7-12), support arm50and seat80, with wheels84. The base12supports the kiosk10and can be made in a variety of shapes. The base houses the electronic and pneumatic controls, as is known in the art. The control area20includes card slot22for inserting data cards (not shown) into the card slot22, and includes a barcode reader24for reading barcodes on user identification cards. A shroud26covers a paper slot (not shown) for preventing a user2from removing a printed transaction record before the printing has been completed. The user2is shown with his left arm4through the blood pressure cuff54and his right arm6not in the blood pressure cuff54. As shown in the cutaway portion ofFIG. 3, the support arm50includes pneumatic and electrical cabling52between the blood pressure cuff54and a central processing unit (not shown) within the base12.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the blood pressure cuff54rotates about a vertical axis56. As shown inFIG. 5, the support arm50is capable of rotation about pivot point58in the direction of arrow60a.This allows a user (shown inFIG. 1) to insert either a left arm4or right arm6into the blood pressure cuff54. By allowing the blood pressure cuff54to rotate, the blood pressure cuff54can be aligned with the arm of the user2(not shown inFIGS. 4 and 5). Also, the support arm50can be rotated out of the way to facilitate access to the seat80.

In another embodiment, as shown inFIG. 6, the support arm50is capable of sliding in the direction of arrow60b.This allows a user2(not shown inFIG. 6) to insert either a left arm4or right arm6into the blood pressure cuff54. Both the sliding arm feature ofFIG. 6and the rotating arm feature ofFIGS. 4 and 5can be combined into a single embodiment.

In another embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 7 through 9, the seat80is adapted to move in the direction of arrow82(FIG. 9). Wheels84facilitate movement, but other methods of lateral movement are possible. In another embodiment, as shown inFIG. 10, the seat80is adapted for rotational movement in the direction of arrow86.

FIGS. 10 through 12show three alternative embodiments for moving the display40b.The display40bincludes handles90for moving the display40b.InFIG. 10, the display40bis attached to the kiosk10by arms62which pivot about pivot points64. InFIG. 11, the display40bis pivotally attached to the kiosk10at pivot point66and rotates in the direction of arrow68. InFIG. 12, the display is40bis slidably attached to the kiosk10by sliding rails70.

These various embodiments allow the user2conveniently to place either his left arm4or right arm6into the blood pressure cuff54and to read the display40b.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.