METHOD OF PREPARING A HOSPITAL ROOM OR THE LIKE

Abstract: Method of mounting equipment in a hospital room or the like. The room is first prepared by building workers, so that the room is completely finished with respect to painting, floor-laying etc., and so that gas ducts and electric wiring open at one single location in the room in a terminal box (2). A supporting profile (3) for electric and gas modules is then mounted on the wall, for example along a short side of the room, whereupon one or more supporting rails (7, 8, 9) are mounted horizontally on the wall spaced by predetermined distances from each other. Thereafter, the eletric and gas modules are connected to said gas ducts and electric wiring and remaining equipment is mounted and suspended on the supporting rails. Upon subsequent redispositions the room is changed by unhooking the equipment and mounting new equipment on the supporting rails. The room may be equipped as a treatment room, wherein a cabinet (6) is suspended in the corner of the room comprising the terminal box (2), so that the cabinet covers the connections. The room may be equipped as a heart infarct room, wherein an extra gas panel (15) is mounted on the supporting rails and connected to the gas module. Finally, the room may be equipped as an intensive care room, wherein a TV monitor (17), an examination lamp (16), a lockable cabinet (28), and an undercupboard (22) with a working surface are mounted on said supporting rails. To obtain greatest possible strength the supporting profile (3) for the electric and gas modules and the supporting rail (7) located under these modules are mounted hitched to each other in order to distribute the load on a surface as large as possible of the wall. The equipment is mounted on a supporting frame (14) comprising engagement means, which are hitched on said supporting rail. The supporting frame comprises upper and lower engagement means, the lower engagement means being pivotable. The supporting frame is first hitched with the upper engagement means engaging an upper rail, whereupon the supporting frame is pivoted towards the wall, so that the lower engagement means engages a lower rail and latches the frame in position.

Description: Method of preparing a hospitalroom or the like Field of the invention The present invention relates to a system for equipping especially hospital rooms, which system is flexible and allows that the responsibilities for the various fields are more clearly defined for the different installation enterprises involved in building the hospital. Prior art In constructing a new hospital hitherto the hospital has been planned by letting all the consultants involved, such as gas contractors, electricians, painters etc., make detailed suggestions on how and when these consultants should carry out their part of the construction. Such a preplanning results in that a great work has to be done in planning the construction and that there has to be a great flexibility if anyone of the consultants is not able to keep his time schedule. It is evident that such a detailed planning increases the costs of a construction and results in less flexibility. Formerly, when mounting electric and gas modules and other equipment on the wall, it was often necessary to dispose reinforcement plates on the rear side of the wall in order to distribute the load. In this connection, plates, boards or plywood plates were secured by screws on the rear side of the wall. Possibly the plates were provided with welded bolts extending through the wall and whereon brackets or equipment were secured. According to the Swedish laid-out publication No. 365 841 (application No. 12432/72) it is previously known to mount a beam on the ceiling of a hospital room. The beam accomodates gas ducts and electric wiring for connection with equipment suspended in the beam, for instance anaesthetic equipment or an operation lamp. The suspended equipment is slidable along the beam to a limited extent. Furthermore, supporting rails of different types are previously known for instance from the German Offenlegungsschrift No. 2 103 110, the German Offenlegungsschrift No. 1 784474 and the Swedish laid-open publication No. 377 151 (application No. 7207018-8). Summary of the invention The present invention is intended to adress the above-mentioned problems and to suggest a solution enabling firstly, a division of the responsibilities for the individual consultants, secondly, that the construction of the hospital can be performed more rapidly and simply, and thirdly, that the kind of treatment afterwards may define what equipment each room should be provided with. Furthermore, the invention enables a change to be made substantially easier and more cheaply than before even when the hospital is in use, since the reinforcements described above are no longer necessary. Thus, in accordance with the invention a method is provided for preparing a hospital room or the like, the room first being prepared by building workers, so that the room is completely finished with respect to painting, floor-laying etc., and so that gas ducts and electric wiring open in substantially one location in the room, preferably in an upper corner of the room located adjacent a corridor. Thereafter a supporting profile for electric and gas modules is mounted on the wall, for example along a short side of the room, whereupon one or more supporting rails are mounted horizontally on the wall spaced by predetermined distances from each other. Then the electric and gas modules are connected to said gas ducts and electric wiring and remaining equipment is mounted and suspended on said supporting rails. Upon subsequent redispositions the room is changed by unhooking the equipment from the supporting rails and mounting new equipment on the supporting rails and mounting the outlet modules required for the kind of treatment. The room may be equipped as a treatment room, in which case a cabinet is suspended in the corner of the room where said gas ducts and electric wiring open, so that the cabinet covers said connec¬ tions. The medical treatment room may later be equipped as a heart infarct room, in which case an extra gas panel is mounted on said supporting rails and connected to said gas module. The medical treatment room may also be equipped as an intensive care room, in which case a TV monitor, an examination lamp, a lockable cabinet, and an under-cupboard having a work surface are mounted on said supporting rails. In order to obtain the greatest possible strength the supporting profile for the electric and gas modules and the supporting rail located under these modules are mounted in a hooked relationship, to distribute the load on a surface as large as possible of the wall. The reinforcements are now moved from the inner side to the outer side of the wall. The equipment is mounted on a supporting frame comprising engagement means, which are hooked on said supporting rail. The .supporting frame comprises upper and lower engagement means, the lower engagement means being pivotable. The supporting frame is first hooked with the upper engagement means engaging an upper rail, whereupon the supporting frame is pivoted towards the wall, so that the lower engagement means engages a lower rail and secures the supporting frame in position. The mounting system in accordance with the invention may also be used in reconstructing old hospitals, in which case everything on the wall of the room is stripped down and the wall is puttied up and painted, whereupon the system in accordance with the invention is mounted. Once this mounting system is mounted, the room is always flexible. By means of the invention the division between the kind of medical treatment and the construction work can be defined. The consultants for gas and electricity do not have to be involved in deciding what service a patient will obtain or for what kind of treatment a certain room should be equipped. The invention is described more in detail below by means of preferred embodiments of the invention and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a treatment room prepared in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of a treatment room with mounted supporting profile and supporting rails. Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of a treatment room equipped in accordance with a desired standard. Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of a treatment room provided with a bedside table and a bedside lamp. Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of a treatment room equipped as a heart infarct room. Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of a treatment room equipped for intensive care. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view through a panel and supporting rail mounted in accordance with the intention. Fig. 8 is a view in perspective of a kitchen, wherein the kitchen cupboards are mounted with a mounting system in accordance with the invention. Figs. 9 - 11 are views in perspective of a hotel room equipped by means of the mounting system in accordance with the invention. Figs. 12 - 15 are views in perspective of a hospital room equipped by means of the mounting system in accordance with the invention. Detailed description of the invention In Fig. 1 a treatment room is shown in perspective, prepared by the building workers. The treatment room 1 is painted and provided with a flooring and is completely finished with respect to all of the construction work. Uppermost in one corner is a terminal block or box to containing all gas connections that may be relevant for the room. This corner may be located anywhere in the room but preferably where the room connects with an exterior corridor, so that the ducts and wiring from the corridor are so short and simple as possible to install. The gas ducts are terminated and all the electric wiring is connected to a terminal box. Every treatment room looks the same with respect to these connections. The rooms are later prepared for the function the rooms are intended for. In this manner all fixtures in the walls are avoided and all problems during the building procedure with the wire laying of different wirings, so that these open in the right location in the interior wall. When all the construction work is finished the management of the hospital may then take the decision about the functions of the various rooms and the equipment for these purposes may be purchased. The function of the rooms may also be altered when the hospital is in use. In this connection the advantage is obtained that the equipment desired may be purchased without being confined to a special contractor chosen in an initial phase. The system provides a large flexibility. In Fig. 2 the short side of the room is shown provided with a supporting profile 3 and two supporting rails 7 and 8, as described more in detail in connection with Fig. 7. The supporting profile and the supporting rails are mounted by means of bolts 4 and 5, distri¬ buted over a surface as large as possible, as shown schematically in Fig. 2. As is shown in Fig. 3 the room is then provided with a supporting profile 3 for electric and gas 'modules, comprising the outlets desired for the desired kind of treatment. An appropriate supporting profile is disclosed in the Swedish patent application No. 8306438-6. A wardrobe 6 is mounted directly below the box 2 or such that it covers the box 2, as explained more closely below. The electric and gas modules are connected to the gas ducts and the electric wiring in the box 2 behind the wardrobe 6. The supporting rail 7 is disposed directly below and in connection with the supporting profile 3 for the electric and gas modules. The other supporting rail 8 is disposed about 60 cm below the first supporting rail. The shape of the rails and the manner of mounting these rails are discussed more in detail below in connection with Fig. 6. Behind the wardrobe a third rail 9 is disposed and the wardrobe is carried by this third rail 9 and the second rail 8. Thus, the wardrobe is suspended about 30 cm above the floor, whereby it is easy to clean and tidy the floor. In Fig. 4 the treatment room in accordance with Fig. 2 is shown prepared as a treatment room, and a bed 10 is positioned in the room. Furthermore, a table 11 with a lamp 12 is secured to the wall. The table 11 is secured to a bracket 13 constituted of a supporting frame 14 in the form a square profile at its ends provided with engagement means (not shown) for hitching to the first and the second supporting rail. The supporting frame 14 may be fixed by a screw or may be suspended on the rail to be movable to the left or the right in Fig. 4. If additional equipment is desired for the comfort and use of the patient, such equipment may easily be attached on a supporting frame 14 with engagement means and hitched on the right side of the patient. The table 11 may be pivotably secured to the supporting frame 14, so that it may be pivoted away laterally, as is known. Thus, the room according to Fig. 1 and 2 has in a simple way been equipped as a treatment room by applying supporting rails 7, 8 and 9 and a supporting profile 3 for electric and gas modules and hitching and possibly subsequent fixing the equipment desired to be used. Certain rooms should be equipped as heart infarct rooms and such a room is shown in Fig. 5. Between the two supporting rails 7 and 8, a module 15 in the form of a gas bench is now located, which is connected to the gas module by three hoses. The module 15 comprises as many outlets as required for a heart infarct room. Furthermore, there is an examination lamp 16, a TV monitor 17 and a writing shelf 18. All the equipment is mounted on supporting frames 14 or comprises integral engagement means for engagement with the supporting rails 7 and/or 8. If it is desired that the room should be prepared as an intensive care room, the room is provided in the same manner as described above with the equipment shown in Fig. 5. A module 19 with the required gas outlets is secured by supporting frames 14 to the rails 7 and 8. There is further a table 20 having drawers. The wardrobe 6 is substituted by two smaller cabinets 21 and 22, of which the upper one may be lockable. The cabinets are suspended on the rails 7 - 9. The lower cabinet may be provided with a suitable working surface at the height of about 90 cm. In Fig. 7 the supporting profile 3 for the electric and gas modules and, located under these, the supporting rails 7 and 8 are shown in cross-section. As is shown the panel 3 as well as the rails 7 and 8 are secured to the wall 23 by expansion bolts 24, such as described more in detail in the Swedish patent application No. 8405567-2. As is shown the upper supporting rail is provided with a hook means 25 hitching to the electric and gas panel 3. In this manner a very strong attachment of the panel as well as the rails is obtained. The load is distributed over a very large surface area of the wall, which is often a plaster wall, by the vertical and horizontal spacing of the bolts 4, 5 and 24. The rail 8 is secured about 60 cm below the rail 7 and is applied with a template. As is shown, the supporting frame 14 is provided with an upper fixed engagement means 26 and a lower pivotable engagement means 27 in the form of so called vices. The lower vice is provided with a latching lug 28 latching under the rail 8. When some equipment is to be added to the room it is mounted on a supporting frame 14 with said two engagement means. Thereafter, the upper vice is fitted in the upper supporting rail and the frame is pivoted towards the wall, as is shown by the arrow 29, so that the lower vice snaps in position. It should be pointed out that also the wardrobe 6 is provided with fixed and pivotable vices 26 and 27 for ease of attaching the wardrobe on the wall. With the mounting system described above it is possible to prepare a room to whichever of the above-mentioned types of treatment room after the room is finished by the building workers or whenever later. The invention has been described above in connection with installations in a hospital. However, it will be appreciated that the invention as well could be applied in many other fields, such as in a kitchen for suspending kitchen cupboards and other kitchen equipment. In Fig. 8 a kitchen prepared in accordance with this principle is shown, in which case a wall cupboard 29 is suspended on rails 30 and 31. The lower rail 31 may be provided with hooks for hanging knives and other small kitchen utensils or for suspending a shelf 32. It is also possible to use the mounting system in shops or work-shops and locker rooms etc., Figs. 9 - 11 showing an application on a hotel room. Two rails 33 and 34 are mounted along the.short side of the wall and the room is possibly provided with a baseboard 35 accommodating electric installations. The room is prepared as a single room by suspending a module 36 comprising a bedside table and a reading lamp on the rails 33 and 34. A module 37 comprising a writing desk etc. is positioned on the other side of the bed. If the room is to be prepared as or changed into a double room the writing desk module is substituted for a bed, as is shown in Fig. 11. In this case a module 36 is located on either side of the beds. In Figs. 12 - 15 further possibilities to prepare a hospital room in accordance with the invention are shown. Fig. 12 shows a preparation room for operation with the required equipment. In Fig. 13 a gas bench 19, cf. Fig. 6, has been added to the room. In Fig. 14 the room according to Fig. 12 has been equipped with a gas arm 38, while the room according to Fig. 15 corresponds to the room according to Fig. 12 equipped with a gas bench as well as a gas arm. The invention is not limited by the embodiments described above, but can be modified in many ways within the scope of the claims below. The invention is only limited by these claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Method of preparing a hospital room or the like, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a) the room is prepared, so that the room is completely finished with respect to painting, floor-laying etc., and so that gas ducts and electric wiring open at substantially only one location in the room, preferably in an upper corner of the room located adjacent a corridor; b) a supporting profile for electric and gas modules is then mounted on the wall, for example along a short side of the room, and that one or more supporting rails are mounted horizontally on the wall spaced by predetermined distances from each other;' c) the electric and gas modules are mounted in the supporting profile, which modules are connected to said gas ducts and electric wiring; d) the remaining equipment is mounted and suspended on said supporting rails. 2.. Method according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the room on subsequent redispositions is changed by unhooking the equipment from the supporting rails and mounting new equipment on the supporting rails. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the room is equipped as a treatment room, wherein a cabinet is suspended in the corner of the room where said gas ducts and electric wiring open, so that the cabinet covers said connections. 4. Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the room is equipped as a heart infarct room, wherein an extra gas panel is mounted on said supporting rails and connected to said electric and gas modules. 5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the room is equipped as an intensive care room, wherein a TV monitor, an examination lamp, a lockable cabinet, and an under-cupboard with a working surface are mounted on said supporting rails. 6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the supporting profile for the electric and gas modules and the supporting rail located beneath these modules are mounted hitched to each other, in order to distribute the load on a surface as large as possible of the wall. 7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said equipment is mounted on a supporting frame comprising engagement means, which are hitched on said supporting rail. 8. Method according to claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the supporting frame comprises upper end lower engagement means, the lower engagement means being pivotable, and that the supporting frame first is hitched with the upper engagement means engaging an upper rail, whereupon the supporting frame is pivoted towards the wall, so that the lower engagement means engages a lower rail and latches the supporting frame in position.

Inventors: NILSSON AGNE, NILSSON, AGNE
Applicants: MTD PRODUKTER I SMAOLAND AB, MTD-PRODUKTER I SMAOLAND AB
Application year: 1985
Main classification: E04H3
IPC codes: A61G12, E04F17, E04F19, E04H3, H02G1, H02G3