Patent Publication Number: US-2018028384-A1

Title: Quarter turn track bracket (QTTB) for patient lifter ceiling track mechanism and methods thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present patent application claims the benefits of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/369,407, entitled “Quarter turn track bracket (QTTB) for patient lifter ceiling track mechanism and methods thereof”, and filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Aug. 14, 2016, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to the field of patient lifting devices and more specifically to the ceiling track bracket used to support the track system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The quarter turn track bracket (QTTB) system has been developed to resolve various challenges posed by installation of ceiling tracks intended to be used with patient lifters. The QTTB allows gaining in installation speed while increasing its inherent safety by the reduction of component hence the reduction of required human operations and verifications. 
     Prior art in relation with the present invention includes known designs of support bracket and hardware commonly found in various industrial fixation systems. Such mechanism use the quarter turn motion to lock and unlock the hardware to the track and usually a manual operation to secure the installation such as torque applied, use of jam nut, and the likes. 
     Obviously, such prior art mechanism or other prior art devices are non compliant with the medical equipment regulations. Additionally, such systems do not have the required minimal production and quality controls or all the risk management requirements. As a result, there is a need for a novel medical track bracket system meeting the requirements of the actual medical industry. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The QTTB allows gaining in installation speed while increasing its inherent safety by the reduction of hardware components needed to affix the bracket and the associated track. The intuitive locking motion and its auto-blocking feature further reduce the safety of the bracket by the reduction of operations and verifications that have to be performed by humans throughout the whole lifecycle of the system. 
     The invention is directed to a system to securely attach a track to a surface, the system comprises a bracket assembly pivotally attached to the surface. The bracket assembly comprises a bracket portion adapted to slidingly hold the track and a resilient member between the bracket portion and the surface. The system further comprises the track comprising a top opening. The bracket assembly being adapted to be rotated in a unlocked position and a locked position when slid into the track. The resilient member being outside the top opening of the track when in the unlocked position. The resilient member being biased within the top opening of the track when in the locked position. 
     In one aspect of the invention, the resilient member being protruding tabs, the bracket assembly being adapted to be rotated using a tool and the tool comprising fingers adapted to be inserted under the resilient member and on each side of the bracket assembly. The tool may further be adapted to bias the resilient member. The resilient member being shaped to receive the fingers of the tool. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the system further comprises an attachment member affixed to the surface and adapted for receiving the bracket. The attachment member may be a rod. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, the bracket assembly further comprises a central aperture adapted to pivotally receive the rod. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention the bracket assembly further comprises a central portion between the resilient member and the bracket portion, the central portion being thinner than the resilient member and the bracket portion. The track further comprises tab portion on each side of the top opening, the central portion being adapted to slidingly receive tab portions. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the bracket assembly further comprises a finishing plate between the bracket assembly and the surface. The finishing plate comprising an outer surface made of low friction material. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the invention is directed to a system to securely attach a track to a surface, the system further comprising:
         a bracket for supporting the track and a load, the bracket comprising a T-shaped member; and   an attachment member affixed to the surface and adapted for receiving the bracket;   the T-shaped member being adapted to rotate within the track from a first position to a second position, wherein, in the second position, the track is substantially unable to move along an axis of the attachment member.       

     The bracket may further comprise protruding tabs such that, when the bracket is in the second position, rotation of the bracket is substantially blocked. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the rotation of the T-shaped member may be achieved with a tool adapted to ease the rotation of the bracket assembly during the track installation and to allow the unlocking of bracket therefore allowing rotation of the bracket for its uninstallation. 
     The present invention is further directed to a method for securely attaching a track to a surface, the method comprises the steps of rotatably attaching a bracket assembly to the surface, the bracket assembly comprises a bracket portion adapted and a resilient member between the bracket portion and the surface; slidingly inserting the track in the bracket assembly and rotating the bracket from a first position to a second position, wherein in the second position, the resilient member limits the movement of the track with regard to the bracket assembly. 
     In one aspect of the invention, the surface further comprises an attachment member, wherein the step to rotatably attach the bracket assembly to the surface further comprises pivotally mounting the bracket assembly to the attachment member. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the attachment member is a rod and the bracket assembly comprises an aperture, the method further comprises sliding the rod within the aperture of the bracket assembly. The bracket is rotated from the second position to the first position. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, the step to rotate the bracket from a first position to a second position further comprises using a tool adapted to rotate the bracket assembly from the first position to the second position. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, the method further comprises using the tool to upwardly bias the resilient portion to allow rotation of the bracket assembly. The rotation from the first position to the second position is about 90 or 270 degrees. 
     The invention is further directed to a method for securely installing a track to a surface, the surface comprising an attachment member, the method comprising the steps of:
         inserting a bracket within the track, the bracket being pivotally mounted on the attachment member; and   rotating the bracket from a first position to a second position, wherein, in the second position, movement of the track following a direction normal to the surface is substantially limited.       

     The method may further comprise the steps of:
         mounting the bracket to the attachment member; and   blocking any unexpected rotation of the bracket when the track is attached to the bracket.       

     Other and further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawing below in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the system in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the track bracket system in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the track bracket mechanism in accordance with the principles of the present invention 
         FIG. 4  is an assembled side view of the bracket mechanism installed to a ceiling structure. 
         FIG. 5  is an assembled side view of a track attached to the bracket mechanism installed to a ceiling structure and locked in place. 
         FIGS. 6A-D  are perspective views of the operation steps to lock the bracket assembly in place by the mean of the adapted tool. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A novel QTTB will be described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby. 
     The invention is intended to be used with ceiling patient lifter track systems wherein the need of fast and simple installation with low complexity installation and maintenance levels are required. 
     The present invention generally relates to the field of patient lifting devices and more specifically to the ceiling track bracket used to support the track system. 
     The quarter turn track bracket (QTTB) system  100  has been developed to resolve various challenges posed by installation of ceiling tracks intended to be used with patient lifters. The QTTB allows gaining in installation process speed while increasing its inherent safety by the reduction of components hence the reduction of required human operations and verifications. 
     Now Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary QTTB and track system  60  are illustrated. The track  60  typically supports a patient lifter (not shown) or any other system allowing a patient to be attached, lifted and moved along the track. Understandably, any other track known in the art may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , in the present embodiment, the track system  60  typically comprises two sides  62 , a top portion  61  and a bottom portion  63 . The top portion  61  comprises an opening  67  and is generally shaped to comprise tabs  64 . In a preferred embodiment, the track system  60  further comprises a separating member  69 , the separating portion  69 , the sides  62  and the top portion  51  forming a hollow portion  65 . 
     The system further comprises a bracket  40 . The bracket  40  is preferably pivotally connected to the ceiling  10  or to a structure behind the ceiling  10 . The bracket  40  is adapted to support the track  60 . In some embodiment, the bracket  40  is attached to the surface  10  or to a structure being the surface  10  along an axis being substantially perpendicular to the surface  10 . It shall be understood by one skilled in the art that any mean of attaching the bracket  40  to the surface  10  may be used without departing from the principles of the present invention. 
     An embodiment of a bracket system using a finishing ceiling plate  3  is shown but any other mean known in the art to provide an anchoring to a ceiling or any other surface may be used. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the system  100  may comprise an attachment member  12  affixed or attached to the ceiling structure  10 . The attachment member  12  is preferably adapted to pivotally receive the bracket  40  along a substantially vertical axis. The vertical axis is preferably substantially perpendicular to the ceiling structure. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment member  12  may be, but not limited to, a threaded rod connected to a structural anchor (not shown). Understandably, any other mean known in the art to anchor or attach the bracket  40  to a ceiling  10  or any other surface may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 5 , the bracket assembly  40  is pivotally attached to the attachment member  12 . The attachment member  12  is adapted to limit the movement of the bracket assembly  40  along the longitudinal axis of the attachment member  12 . In a preferred embodiment, a locking element  50 , such as a locking nut, may be used to limit movement of the bracket assembly  40 . Understandably, any other mean know in the art may be used to maintain the bracket assembly  40  on the attachment member  12 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary bracket assembly  40  is illustrated. The bracket  40  comprises a rigid bracket  46  and a generally resilient member  42 . The rigid bracket or bracket portion  46  is typically made of metal or material adapted to support the lifting device and the lifted load. The rigid bracket  46  is rigidly attached to the resilient member  42 . In a preferred embodiment, the rigid bracket  46  is attached to the resilient member  42  using molded clips  44 . It shall be understood by a person in the art that screws, rivet or the likes may be used to affix the rigid bracket  46  to the resilient member  42 . In other embodiments, the resilient member  42  and the rigid bracket  46  may be unitary. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the resilient member  42  comprises a substantially T-shaped resilient top portion  48 , a central or neck portion  43  and a bottom portion  41 . The bottom portion  41  is shaped to be retained by the tabs  64  of the track assembly  61  when turned in one direction and to fit within the aperture  67  when turned in another direction. Preferably, the angle between the two directions is about 90 degrees or 270 degrees. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the top portion  48  of the bracket  40  comprises protruding members substantially shaped as wings. The said wings are preferably made of resilient material. 
     The geometry of the T-shaped member  42  is preferably adapted to mate with inner surface  47  of the rigid bracket  46  to transmit the torque required to turn the bracket assembly  40  in place during the installation of the track  60 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the bracket assembly  40  preferably comprises a central aperture or passage  45  adapted to receive the attachment member  12  and to allow rotational movement of the bracket  40  with regards to the attachment member  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the aperture or passage  45  may be threaded. 
     In some embodiments, the system  100  comprises a finishing ceiling plate  30 . The finishing ceiling plate  30  is adapted to be inserted between the ceiling  10  and the bracket  40 . In a preferred embodiment, the finishing ceiling plate  30  comprises an outer surface  32  and an inner surface  34 . The outer surface  32  is adapted to provide a low friction surface for the bracket  40  to rotate. The outer surface  32  is preferably made of low friction material. The outer surface  32  aims at providing an aesthetic connection between the bracket  40  and the ceiling  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the bracket assembly  40  is shown installed to a ceiling structure  10 . The finishing plate  30  is inserted between the ceiling  10  and the T-shaped member  42  of the bracket assembly  40 . The bracket  40  is shown in rotated in first position, the first position allowing the bracket  40  to be inserted or be received by the track  60 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a bracket assembly  40  installed to the ceiling structure  10  and locked in place to the track  6  is shown. In such an embodiment, the bracket assembly  40  is pivotally mounted on the attachment member  12 , or rod, and maintained in place using a mounting element or device  50 , preferably a locking nut. The bracket  4 —is shown in a second position. In such a second position, the track  60  is locked to the bracket  40 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5 , in a preferred embodiment, the bracket portion  46  has a substantially rectangular shape. In such an exemplary embodiment, the shortest side of the bracket portion  46  is thinner than the opening  67  of the top portion  61  of the track  60  to allow the bracket  46  to be inserted in the hollow portion  65  of the track  60 . The longest side is preferably wider than the opening  65  to limit or block retraction of the T-shaped member  42  from the track  60 . Accordingly, the hollow portion  65  a wider than the opening  67  of the track  50 . The opening  67  is preferably formed with tabs  64  of the upper portion  61  of the track  60  to support the load transferred from the track  60  to the bracket assembly  40  and to the attachment member  12 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 6A to 6D , a method for installing and locking a QTTB system is shown. The method generally provides steps to lock the bracket assembly  40  to the track  60 , preferably using an adapted tool  70 . 
     The method of locking the QTTB to the track  60  comprises the step of pivotally attaching the bracket  40  to the ceiling  10  or other surface. In a preferred embodiment, the bracket  40  is pivotally attached to the attachment member  12 . The method further comprises inserting the track  60  around the bracket  40 . In a preferred embodiment, the bracket portion  46  is inserted in the hollow portion  65  of the track  60 . The neck portion  43  is preferably positioned between the tabs  64  of the top portion  61  of the track assembly  60 . The top portion  48  of the T-shaped member  42  is positioned to be substantially perpendicular to the length of the track  60 . In a preferred embodiment, the protruding portions of the top portion  48  are extending over each side  62  of the track assembly  60  (for instance, see  FIG. 6A ). In other words, the protruding members are visible from the ground when the bracket  40  is in the unlocked position. In such a position, the track  60  is now supported by the bracket  40  but the track  60  may still slide with regard to the bracket  40 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6B , the method further may comprise inserting an adapted tool  70  between the T-shaped member  42  of the bracket assembly  40  and a top portion  61  of the track assembly  60 . Upon insertion of the tool  70 , the tool  70  is rotated about 90 degrees, such rotation triggering the rotation of the T-shaped member  42  in the same direction. As shown in  FIG. 6C , such rotation causes the protruding tabs  48  to move from a substantially perpendicular position with regard to the track  60  to a substantially parallel position to the track  60 . Understandably, the rotation may be clockwise or counter-clockwise. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 6C , the bracket  40  is shown after being rotated by a clockwise quarter turn. In such position, the bracket assembly  40  supports the track  60  and any load to be applied on the track  60 . Consequently, the protruding tabs  48  of the bracket assembly  40  are not visible from the ground. In a preferred embodiment, the protruding tabs  48  are made with resilient material. Upon being rotated, the protruding tabs  48  move within the top opening  67  of the track  60  toward the hollow portion  65 . In such a position, the rotational movement of the QTTB system  100  is stopped or at least substantially limited. Such movement is limited or stopped by the friction between the bottom portion of the top portion  48  of the T-shaped member  42  and the top portion  61  of the track  60 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 6D , the method may further comprise removing the tool  70  from the bracket assembly  40  after installing the said bracket assembly  40 . In a preferred embodiment and as explained above, the protruding tabs  48  are made of resilient material. This characteristic allows the protruding tabs  48  to be further downwardly pushed within the opening  67  and toward the hollow portion  65  of the track  60 . The protruding tabs  48  are preferably surrounded by the tabs  64 , acting as a locking mechanism to block or substantially limit any rotational movement of the bracket assembly  40  with regard to the track  60 . Accordingly, the width of the protruding tabs  48  is preferably less than the width of the opening  67  of the track  60 . 
     The method may further comprise inserting the adapted tool  70  into the installed bracket  40 . The insertion of the adapted tool  70  raises both resilient protruding tabs  48  above the track surface thereby allowing the rotation of the bracket assembly  40  with regards to the track  60  for uninstallation purposes or for sliding the tracking with regard to the bracket  40 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6A , the system  100  may further comprises a tool  70  adapted to rotate the bracket  40 . The tool  70  comprises a mechanism  76  to surround the bracket  40 . In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism  76  comprises fingers adapted to be inserted between the resilient member  48  and the top portion  61  of the track  70 . The tool  70  is further adapted to upwardly bias the resilient member  48  to allow rotation of the bracket  40  about the track  70 . Upon removal of the tool  70 , the resilient member  48  downwardly bias against the top portion of the track (for uninstallation) or toward the hollow portion  65  within the top opening  67  of the track  70 . 
     In other embodiments, a plurality of bracket assemblies  40  may be attached to the ceiling to attach a track  60  to the ceiling  10 . The number of required bracket assemblies  40  generally depends on factors such as the length or shape of the track and/or on the desired load to be supported by the track. In a preferred embodiment, the bracket assemblies  40  are aligned in order to easily slide the track  60  within the aligned bracket assemblies  40 . 
     In such embodiments, the method to lock and/or unlocked the bracket assembly  40  must be repeated for each bracket assembly  40  to allow sliding the track  60  about the bracket assembly  40 . 
     While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.