Abstract:
An IV hanger providing a portable adjustable hanging attachment for conventional intravenous equipment comprises an attachment method, a pulley system, and a hanging bracket. The attachment method comprises a plurality of attachment means for attaching the apparatus to an elevated structure. The attachment method is integrally connected to a pulley system which allows a user to selectively adjust the height of the hanging bracket relative to the frame. The hanging bracket provides a plurality of attachment hooks for support of IV equipment. The apparatus is particularly adapted for veterinary field calls where ground-based support system are prone to damage or disturbance by animal patients.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are currently no applications co-pending with the present application. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to supports for intravenous equipment, and in particular, to intravenous bags and lines administered to animals. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many animals require intravenous treatments or medications which further require appropriate equipment to suspend the treatment while in use. Placing the intravenous equipment on a ground surface is an irresponsible choice when dealing with the unpredictable characteristics of animals. Also many stalls or similar accommodations for animals are cramped and lacking of sufficient elevated support options. Various ways to suspend intravenous are known. They include makeshift structures and persons retaining intravenous equipment during treatments; each of which retains intravenous equipment. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide portable IV hangers. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. Patent No. 2004/0,222,341, issued in the name of Breda et al., describes an intravenous infusing equipment hanger assembly comprising a mounting plate for attachment onto a wall. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,784,145, issued in the name of Lawrie, describes an adjustable intravenous bottle pendant assembly. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,632, issued in the name of Johnson, describes an apparatus for suspending articles overhead. 
     While these attempts may fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more disadvantages. Many are not suited to provide adequate suspension to intravenous equipment. Others are limited and provide a permanent suspension to items. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a portable intravenous (IV) hanger which accommodates temporarily suspending intravenous equipment for administering treatments and medicines to animals. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present embodiments of the invention to solve at least one of these problems. The inventor has addressed this need by developing portable IV hanger that provides suspension to intravenous treatment bags and medicines. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to administer medications intravenously to animals and enable an IV bag to be adjustably suspended which prevents accidental toppling and appropriate injection of the medication into the animal. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an upper retaining member fixed to an upper pulley to enable a desired adjustable suspension to the apparatus. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable bracket attachment which enables placement upon doorways or other horizontal structures. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide hook attachment to provide placement to hooks or other vertical members. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a lower retaining member to affix a lower pulley and suspend the IV treatment bags or similar medications. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an alternate adjustable and more secure bracket attachment. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of positioning the bracket or hook attachments onto a desired structure, utilizing the pulley system to position the lower retaining member, suspending desired intravenous bags from the lower retaining member, and, safely administer IV medications to animals. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a portable IV hanger  10  depicting a bracket attachment  40 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is another environmental view of the portable IV hanger  10  depicting a hook attachment  55 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an upper retaining member  20 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an opposing perspective view of the upper retaining member  20 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the upper retaining member  20  and an upper pulley  24 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the upper retaining member  20  and the upper pulley  24 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of an upper bracket  41 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the upper bracket  41 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of a lower bracket  45 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of the lower bracket  45 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a side perspective view of the upper bracket  41  fastened to the lower bracket  45 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of the bracket attachment  40 , showing the upper bracket  41  fastened to the lower bracket  45 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a hook attachment  55 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a lower retaining member  60 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is an opposing perspective view of the lower retaining member  60 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is another perspective view of the lower retaining member  60  depicting a plurality of retaining hooks  62 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is another opposing perspective view of the lower retaining member  60  depicting a lower pulley  67 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the lower retaining member  60  stored within the upper retaining member  20 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a top perspective view of an alternate upper bracket  80 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 20  is a top perspective view of an alternate lower bracket  85 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  portable IV hanger 
               11  structure 
               12  tie-off member 
               13  IV bag 
               14  conduit 
               20  upper retaining member 
               21  upper retaining member interior portion 
               22  pulley attachment aperture 
               23  cord aperture 
               24  upper pulley 
               25  upper pulley axle 
               26  pulley housing 
               27  pulley housing groove 
               28  housing aperture 
               29  stud 
               30  stud aperture 
               31  mechanical fastener 
               32  wing nut 
               35  cord 
               36  cord clamp 
               39  bracket gap 
               40  bracket attachment 
               41  upper bracket 
               42  upper bracket aperture 
               43  upper bracket brace 
               44  upper bracket fastener 
               45  lower bracket 
               46  lower bracket aperture 
               47  lower bracket brace 
               48  lower bracket fastener 
               49  lower bracket stud 
               50  cotter pin 
               55  hook attachment 
               56  hook 
               57  elongated nut fastener 
               60  lower retaining member 
               61  hook groove 
               62  retaining hook 
               63  retaining hook aperture 
               64  retaining hook fastening aperture 
               65  retaining hook axle 
               66  retaining member pulley groove 
               67  lower pulley 
               68  lower pulley aperture 
               69  lower pulley axle 
               70  lower pulley fastening aperture 
               80  alternate upper bracket 
               81  alternate upper bracket aperture 
               85  alternate lower bracket 
               86  alternate lower bracket aperture 
               87  alternate lower bracket stud 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, within  FIGS. 1 through 18 , and in terms of an alternate embodiment depicted within  FIGS. 19 and 20 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a portable IV hanger (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means to administer medications intravenously to large animals such as horses or the like. The apparatus  10  enables an IV bag  13  to be suspended in an adjustable manner which prohibits accidental toppling and enables an appropriate injection of the medication into the large animal. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of the apparatus  10  depicting a bracket attachment  40  and  FIG. 2 , another environmental view of the apparatus  10  depicting a hook attachment  55 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises an upper retaining member  20  (also see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ), an upper pulley  24  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ), a lower retaining member  60  (also see  FIGS. 14 through 16 ), and a lower pulley  67  (see  FIG. 17 ). The upper retaining member  20  fixes the upper pulley  24  and enables a desired suspending means to suspend the apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  comprises a pair of suspending means which enables said apparatus  10  to be suspended from a structure  11  such as a stable wall or the like or a conduit  14  such as a water pipe as desired via a veterinarian or an animal handler.  FIG. 1  depicts the suspending means as an adjustable bracket attachment  40  (also see  FIGS. 7 through 12 ) which functions similarly to a common C-clamp and  FIG. 2  depicts said suspending means as a hook attachment  55  (also see  FIG. 13 ) which secures to a desired preferably horizontal fixed member. The lower retaining member  60  fixes the lower pulley  67  and suspends a desired amount of IV bags  13  which are routed to the large animal in a normal manner. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3  through  FIG. 6 , various views of the upper retaining member  20 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed.  FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of an upper retaining member  20 ,  FIG. 4  depicts an opposing perspective view of the upper retaining member  20 ,  FIG. 5  depicts an exploded view of the upper retaining member  20  and an upper pulley  24 , and  FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of the upper retaining member  20  and the upper pulley  24 . The upper retaining member  20  is preferably comprised of an elongated tube measuring approximately five-and-a-half (5½) inches in length and one-and-five-eighths (1⅝) inches in diameter, yet other shapes and dimensions may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The upper retaining means  20  is fabricated from durable materials such as metal, plastic, or the like. The upper retaining member  20  is utilized to fix the upper pulley  24  (see herein below), route a cord  35 , and retain the lower retaining member  60  for storage purposes (see  FIG. 18 ). 
     A distal side surface of the upper retaining member  20  comprises a pair of pulley attachment apertures  22  which fasten a pulley housing  26  (see herein below) in a vertical position. An opposing side surface of the upper retaining member  20  also comprises another pulley attachment aperture  22  which also attaches to a rear portion of the pulley housing  26 . Opposing the pulley attachment apertures  22  is a cord aperture  23  which enables a length of cord  35  to be clamped via a common cord clamp  36  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The cord  35  is utilized to raise or lower the lower retaining member  60  via the pulleys  24 ,  67 . As mentioned a distal end of the cord  35  is clamped via the cord clamp  36  which prohibits said cord  35  from becoming loose and secures said cord  35  to an external surface of the upper retaining member  20 . A proximal end of the cord  35  is wrapped around a tie-off member  12  such as a door knob, handle, or the like after a desired the lower retaining member  60  has been set at a desired height (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
     The upper pulley  24  is comprised of a disc-shaped device attached within a pulley housing groove  27  further within the pulley housing  26  via an upper pulley axle  25 . The cord  35  runs over the upper pulley  24  and through an upper retaining member interior portion  21  to the lower pulley  67  to translate rotational motion to linear motion. The pulley housing  26  is depicted as a cylindrical member. The pulley housing groove  27  is positioned along an intermediate forward surface which extends vertically. The pulley housing groove  27  comprises a width and length which are slightly larger than the width and diameter of the upper pulley  27  accommodate placement. Each lower side of the pulley housing groove  27  and a lower rear surface of the pulley housing  26  comprises a housing aperture  28  which aligns with each respective pulley attachment aperture  22  upon the upper retaining member  20  to enable a mechanical fastener  31  such as a screw to be inserted for securing the pulley housing  26  to the upper retaining member interior portion  21 . An upper rear surface of the pulley housing  26  comprises a threaded stud aperture  30  which enables a partial engaging of a threaded stud  29 . The stud  29  extends from the stud aperture  30  to enable further attachment to the bracket attachment  40  or the hook attachment  55 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7  through  FIG. 12 , various views of the upper bracket  41 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed.  FIG. 7  depicts a side perspective view of the upper bracket  41 ,  FIG. 8  depicts a top perspective view of the upper bracket  41 ,  FIG. 9  depicts a side perspective view of the lower bracket  45 ,  FIG. 10  depicts a top perspective view of the lower bracket  45 ,  FIG. 11  depicts a side perspective view of the bracket attachment  40 , and  FIG. 12  depicts a top perspective view of the bracket attachment  40 . The bracket attachment  40  comprises an upper bracket  41  and a lower bracket  45  which are adjustably fastened to create a bracket gap  39  which corresponds to the width of a desired structure  11  upon which the apparatus  10  is to be suspended. The bracket attachment  40  enables the upper retaining member  20  and lower retaining member  60  to be suspended from structures  11  such as, but not limited to: a stall wall, a door, or the like. The brackets  41 ,  45  are comprised of “L”-shaped members fabricated from aluminum, yet other materials may be utilized. 
     The upper bracket  41  comprises a plurality of parallel upper bracket apertures  42  along an intermediate surface of the lengthened portion of said upper bracket  41 . The angled inner surface of the upper bracket  41  is reinforced with a shortened “L”-shaped upper bracket brace  43  which is attached to said upper bracket  41  with a plurality of upper bracket fasteners  44  which are comprised of rivets, screws, or the like. The upper bracket brace  43  strengthens the portion of the upper bracket  41  which undertakes the majority of the force created from the apparatus  10  against the desired structure  11 . 
     The lower bracket  45  comprises a single lower bracket aperture  46  which is utilized to align to a desired upper bracket aperture  42  and enable insertion of the stud  29  upon the pulley housing  26 . The stud  29  is fastened with a common wing nut  32  to an upper surface of the upper bracket  41 . The angled inner surface of the lower bracket  45  is reinforced with a shortened “L”-shaped lower bracket brace  47  which is attached to said lower bracket  45  with a plurality of lower bracket fasteners  48  which are comprised of rivets, screws, or the like. The lower bracket brace  47  strengthens the portion of the lower bracket  45  which undertakes the majority of the force created from the apparatus  10  against the desired structure  11 . An upper surface of the lengthened portion of the lower bracket  45  comprises a lower bracket stud  49  which is parallel to the lower bracket aperture  46 . The lower bracket stud  49  is preferably threadably attached to the lower bracket  45  and lower bracket brace  47 , yet other attachment means may be utilized such as welding without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The lower bracket stud  49  is inserted within another upper bracket aperture  42  which enables a common cotter pin  50  to be inserted through said lower bracket stud  49  to fasten the lower bracket  45  to the upper bracket  41 . The positioning of the lower bracket stud  49  to the upper bracket aperture  42  determines the width of the bracket gap  39  which is further determined by the width of the desired structure  11  utilized to suspend the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , a perspective view of the hook attachment  55 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The hook attachment  55  is utilized in lieu of the bracket attachment  55  and attaches to the stud  29  to enable the upper retaining member  20  and lower retaining member  60  to be suspended from conduits  14  such as, but not limited to: a water pipe, a bolt, another hook, or the like. The hook attachment  55  comprises a “J”-shaped threaded hook  56  and an elongated nut fastener  57 . The hook  56  is suspended from a desired conduit  14  and the elongated nut fastener  57  is partially engaged upon a vertical portion of said hook  56  which enables said elongated nut fastener  57  to engage upon the stud  29 . The hook attachment  55  is fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: metal, plastic, or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , a perspective view of the lower retaining member  60 ,  FIG. 15 , is an opposing perspective view of the lower retaining member  60 ,  FIG. 16 , another perspective view of the lower retaining member  60  depicting a plurality of retaining hooks  62 , and  FIG. 17 , another opposing perspective view of the lower retaining member  60  depicting a lower pulley  67 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The lower retaining member  60  comprises a cylindrical shape measuring approximately five (5) inches in length and a one-and-a-half (1½) inches in diameter. The height adjustable lower retaining member  60  provides a means to suspend up to three (3) IV bags  13 . The lower retaining member  60  is fabricated from materials similar to the upper retaining member  20 . 
     A hook groove  61  is milled-out of a side surface of the lower retaining member  60  which preferably measures the entire length of said lower retaining member  60  and three-fourths (¾) of an inch in depth. The hook groove  61  enables up to three (3) retaining hooks  62  to be secured to the lower retaining member  60 . Each retaining hook (see  FIG. 16 ) comprises a “J”-shaped body further comprising a retaining hook aperture  63  upon an opposing portion. The retaining hook apertures  63  are positioned within the hook groove  61  and align with a respective retaining hook fastening aperture  64  which is located perpendicular to the hook groove  61 . The retaining hook fastening apertures  64  enable insertion of a respective retaining hook axle  65  which fastens each retaining hook  62  and enables each said retaining hook  62  to pivot to a desired orientation. The retaining hooks  62  are pivoted within the hook groove  61  for storage purposes and pivoted out of said hook groove  61  for suspending IV bags  13 . 
     Opposing the hook groove  61  is a retaining member pulley groove  66  which is utilized to mount the lower pulley  67 . The retaining member pulley groove  66  is also milled-out of the lower retaining member  60  and extends half the length of the lower retaining member  60  and measures approximately one-fourth (¼) of an inch in depth. A lower pulley aperture  68  as a through hole between the hook groove  61  and an interior end portion of the retaining member pulley groove  66  enables the lower pulley  67  to be mounted within the retaining member pulley groove  66 . The lower pulley  67  is similar to the upper pulley  24 , yet redirects the cord  35  upwardly into the upper retaining member  20  and through the cord aperture  23  as abovementioned. The lower pulley  67  is fastened within the retaining member pulley groove  66  via inserting a lower pulley axle  69  though each lower pulley fastening aperture  70 . The upper pulley  24  in conjunction with the lower pulley  67  lifts the lower retaining member  60  to a desired height as to not interfere with the animal. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 18 , a perspective view of the lower retaining member  60  stored within the upper retaining member  20 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. In storage situations, the lower retaining member  60  is slid within the upper retaining member interior portion  21  that which opposes the pulley housing  26 . Each retaining hook  62  is pivoted within the hook groove  61  before the lower retaining member  60  is positioned within the upper retaining member  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 19 , a top perspective view of the alternate upper bracket  80  and  FIG. 20 , a top perspective view of the alternate lower bracket  85 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  also comprises an alternate upper bracket  80  and an alternate lower bracket  85  which are comprised of “L”-shaped members and fabricated from a strong and durable material such as steel to provide additional support. The usage of a stronger material enables the abovementioned bracket braces  43 ,  47  to be eliminated. The alternate upper bracket  80  comprises a plurality of parallel alternate upper bracket apertures  81 . The upper bracket apertures  81  align with an alternate lower bracket aperture  86  and an alternate lower bracket stud  87  which is secured with a cotter pin  50  similar as the abovementioned. The alternate brackets  80 ,  85  function similar to the abovementioned bracket attachment  40 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  with the bracket attachment  40  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the apparatus  10 ; inserting the lower bracket stud  49 ,  87  within a desired upper bracket aperture  42 ,  81  to construct a desired bracket gap  39 ; inserting the cotter pin  50  within the lower bracket stud  49 ,  87 ; inserting the stud  29  within the lower bracket aperture  46 ,  86  and aligned bracket aperture  42 ,  81  and engaging the wing nut  32  onto said stud  29 ; positioning the bracket attachment  40  upon a desired structure  11 ; pulling the cord  35  to enable said cord  35  to run along each pulley  24 ,  67  to position the lower retaining member  60  to a desired height and wrapping the end portion of said cord  35  onto a desired tie-off member  12 ; utilizing the retaining hooks  62  to suspend a desired IV bag(s)  13 ; utilizing the apparatus  10  as necessary; removing the IV bag(s)  13  as desired; unwrapping the cord  35  from the tie-off member  12 ; removing the bracket attachment  40  from the desired structure  11  as necessary; storing the lower retaining member  60  within the upper retaining member  20  as needed; and, providing means to safely administer IV medications to large animals in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  with the hook attachment  55  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the apparatus  10 ; threadably attaching the elongated nut fastener  57  onto the stud  29 ; suspending the hook  56  to a desired section of conduit  14 ; pulling the cord  35  to enable said cord  35  to run along each pulley  24 ,  67  to position the lower retaining member  60  to a desired height and wrapping the end portion of said cord  35  onto a desired tie-off member  12 ; utilizing the retaining hooks  62  to suspend a desired IV bag(s)  13 ; utilizing the apparatus  10  as necessary; removing the IV bag(s)  13  as desired; unwrapping the cord  35  from the tie-off member  12 ; removing the hook attachment  55  from the desired conduit  14  as necessary; storing the lower retaining member  60  within the upper retaining member  20  as needed; and, providing means to safely administer IV medications to large animals in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.