Patent Publication Number: US-2006010597-A1

Title: Track supported ceiling lift turntable

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to track systems for use in a medical facility and the like for transferring patients, and more particularly to a such track systems having a junction and a plurality of tracks, wherein a patient can be transferred in any one of a number of directions on the tracks, and to turntables used in such track systems.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      It is necessary in medical care facilities, such as hospitals, to transfer injured or other limited mobility patients between a bed, a wheelchair, a washroom, or other locations. Such transferring is often very difficult to do, and it may be injurious to the patient, if done manually by hand by one or more nurses or orderlies. Accordingly, various types apparatus and systems are employed that permit ready lifting, carrying, maneuvering, and so on, of injured or otherwise low mobility patients.  
      One type of apparatus used to hoist and transfer invalid patience is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,612, issued Dec. 11, 2001 to von Schroeder and entitled Invalid Hoists. This hoist comprises a wheeled base, a mast extending upwardly from the base, and a lifting arm that can be raised and lowered extending outwardly from the mast. This type of apparatus has many disadvantages associated with it. The main disadvantage is that it is very difficult to move on all but the hardest floors, especially when supporting a heavy patient. It also has a limited lift range and is not overly manoeuvrable. Further, type of apparatus typically takes up a lot of floor space.  
      More recently, it has become more common to install fixed tracks in the ceiling of a medical facility. These tracks are positioned to extend between each of the locations that a person wold need to be transferred to. For instance, in a hospital room, the tracks would extend from the side of a patient&#39;s bed to the doorway and to the washroom, thus enabling at nurse or orderly to transfer a patient from a wheelchair at the doorway of the room to the bed, and also vice versa, and also from the bed to the washroom and back again.  
      A significant problem arises when there are several beds in one hospital room. It is therefore necessary to have several tracks on the ceiling, one track from each bed to the entrance doorway, and one track from each bed to the bathroom, and so on.  
      Various types of track based patient movement systems are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,195 issued Feb. 25, 2003 to Brodeur et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,003 issued May 27, 2003 to Vest, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,412 issued Jan. 13, 2004 to Faucher et al.  
      Such track-based systems, in essence, become the universal carrier for various types of lifting devices. The specific type of lifting device is chosen depending on a person&#39;s size, weight, and their particular medical situation (whether they are slightly injured, severely injured, disabled, elderly, and so on).  
      In order to access several places via a ceiling track system, it is known to use a turntable at a common junction point in a room. Such prior art turntables are typically quite heavy and are suspended from a load bearing point in the ceiling. Such installation is labour intensive, expensive, and can be difficult to do in many cases, depending on the type of ceiling.  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide a track supported ceiling lift turntable for use in a patient transfer track system.  
      It is another object of the present invention to provide a track supported ceiling lift turntable for use in a patient transfer track system, which track supported ceiling lift turntable is not overly heavy.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide a track supported ceiling lift turntable for use in a patient transfer track system, which track supported ceiling lift turntable is not suspended from a load bearing point in the ceiling.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide a track supported ceiling lift turntable for use in a patient transfer track system, which track supported ceiling lift turntable is not intensive to install.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide a track supported ceiling lift turntable for use in a patient transfer track system, which track supported ceiling lift turntable is inexpensive.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide a track supported ceiling lift turntable for use in a patient transfer track system, which track supported ceiling lift turntable is readily installed.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel track supported ceiling lift turntable for use in a patient transfer track system having a carriage means having a patient lift mechanism suspended therefrom. The track supported ceiling lift turntable comprises a perimeter frame member, and a rotatable turntable track member operatively mounted on the perimeter frame member for rotation about a substantially vertical central pivot axis, for supporting a carriage means having a patient lift mechanism suspended therefrom, in movable relation the rotatable turntable track member. A plurality of access passageways are disposed around the circumference of the perimeter frame members. The plurality of access passageways are for permitting access of a carriage means to the rotatable turntable track member from ceiling tracks and from the rotatable turntable track member to ceiling tracks. There is means to rotate the rotatable turntable track member about the vertical central pivot axis to alignment with a selected one of the plurality of access passageways, to thereby permit access by a carriage means having a patient lift mechanism suspended therefrom.  
      In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel patient transfer track system comprising a plurality of ceiling tracks each secured to a ceiling in a building. A carriage means has a patient lift mechanism suspended therefrom and is movable along the plurality of ceiling tracks. A track supported ceiling lift turntable has a rotatable turntable track member and a plurality of access passageways disposed around the circumference thereof, and is for permitting the access of the carriage means to the rotatable turntable track member from the ceiling tracks and from the rotatable turntable track member to the ceiling tracks. There is means to rotate the rotatable turntable track member into alignment with a selected one of the plurality of access passageways, to thereby permit access by a carriage means having a patient lift mechanism suspended therefrom.  
      Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described herein below. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the track supported ceiling lift turntable and patient transfer track system according to the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:  
       FIG. 1  is a bottom plan view of the preferred embodiment of the track supported ceiling lift turntable and patient transfer track system according to the present invention, installed in a ceiling;  
       FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of the preferred embodiment track supported ceiling lift turntable of  FIG. 1 , with the rotatable turntable track member in a first rotated position;  
       FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view similar to  FIG. 2 , but with the rotatable turntable track member in a second rotated position;  
       FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view similar to  FIG. 2 , but with the rotatable turntable track member in a third rotated position;  
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment track supported ceiling lift turntable of  FIG. 1 , also showing end portions of four ceiling tracks;  
       FIG. 6  is a first side elevational view of the preferred embodiment track supported ceiling lift turntable of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 7  is a second side elevational view of the preferred embodiment track supported ceiling lift turntable of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 8  is a sectional side elevational view of the preferred embodiment track supported ceiling lift turntable of  FIG. 1 , taken along section line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 9  is a sectional side elevational view of the preferred embodiment track supported ceiling lift turntable of  FIG. 1 , taken along section line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged bottom plan view of a portion of the track supported ceiling lift turntable of  FIG. 1 , specifically showing a stop screw;  
       FIG. 11  is an enlarged bottom plan view of a portion of the track supported ceiling lift turntable of  FIG. 1 , specifically showing the rope mount; and,  
       FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of the track supported ceiling lift turntable and patient transfer track system according to the present invention, also showing a carriage mechanism having a patient lift mechanism suspended therefrom. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      Reference will now be made to  FIGS. 1 through 12 , which show a preferred embodiment of the patient transfer track system of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral  20 . The patient transfer track system  20  comprises a plurality of ceiling tracks  22 , each ceiling track  21  secured to a ceiling  24  in a building, specifically in a hospital room, as can be best seen in  FIG. 1 . As illustrated, there are four ceiling tracks,  21   a ,  21   b ,  21   c , and  21   d . The four ceiling tracks,  21   a ,  21   b ,  21   c , and  21   d  terminate at a track supported ceiling lift turntable  30 , that is also part of the present invention. Ceiling track  21   a  leads from the ceiling lift turntable  30  to the door  26  of the room. Ceiling track  21   b  leads from the ceiling lift turntable  30  to the door  28  of the washroom. Ceiling track  21   c  leads from the ceiling lift turntable  30  to a first bed (not shown). Ceiling track  21   d  leads from the ceiling lift turntable  30  to a second bed (not shown).  
      A carriage mechanism  40  having a patient lift mechanism  42  suspended therefrom, as shown in  FIG. 12 , is movable along the plurality of ceiling tracks, to move a person from one location in the room to another. The carriage mechanism  40  has a plurality of wheels  44  that can engage in rolling relation, the four ceiling tracks,  21   a ,  21   b ,  21   c , and  21   d.    
      The patient transfer track system  20  also comprises a track supported ceiling lift turntable  30 , as discussed above, having a rotatable turntable track member  32  and a plurality of access passageways  34  disposed around the circumference thereof. The access passageways  34  are for permitting the access of the carriage mechanism  40  to the rotatable turntable track member  32  from the ceiling tracks  21   a ,  21   b ,  21   c , and  21   d , and from the rotatable turntable track member  32  to the ceiling tracks  21   a ,  21   b ,  21   c , and  21   d , when the rotatable turntable track member  32  is aligned with the particular access passageway  34 .  
      The track supported ceiling lift turntable  30  also comprises a substantially circular perimeter frame member  50  that has a peripheral top flange  52  and a main cylindrical portion  54  with an interior beveled bearing-receiving surface  56 . The rotatable turntable track member  32  is operatively mounted on the perimeter frame member  50  for rotation about a substantially vertical central pivot axis “P”. The rotatable turntable track member  32  comprises an elongate top portion  35  and left and right elongate “L”-shaped rail portions  36   l , 36   r  each having a vertical portion  37   l , 37   r  and a lower horizontal portion  38   l , 38   r . The left and right elongate “L”-shaped rail portions  36   l , 36   r  depend from the elongate top portion  35  in opposed relation one to the other to form a lower slot  39  between the lower horizontal portions  38   l , 38   r . The attachment mechanism  41  of a carriage mechanism  40  is received in the lower slot  39 . A spar member  60 , commonly called a spyder, is secured in overlying relation to the rotatable turntable track member  32  by a plurality of threaded fasteners  62 .  
      The rotatable turntable track member  32  is operatively mounted on the perimeter frame member  50 , for supporting the carriage mechanism  40  and therefore the patient lift mechanism  42  suspended therefrom, in movable relation the rotatable turntable track member  32 . As can be best seen in  FIGS. 2 through 5 , the rotatable turntable track member  32  is operatively mounted on the perimeter frame member  50  by means of a plurality of bearing members  64  operatively mounted in rotatable relation on the spar member of the rotatable turntable track member  32 . The plurality of bearing members  64  are mounted in rotatable relation on the spar member. The bearing members  64  each have a beveled upper portion  65  that rotatably engage the co-operating interior beveled bearing-receiving surface  56  of the perimeter frame member  50 .  
      A plurality of tongue members  70  are attached to the peripheral top flange  52  of the substantially circular perimeter frame member  50 , and project radially outwardly from around the circumference of the perimeter frame member  50 . One tongue member  70  is disposed at each of the plurality of access passageways  34 . As can be best seen in  FIG. 5 , the tongue members  70  engage a mating recess  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c , and  23   d  in one of each of the four ceiling tracks,  21   a ,  21   b ,  21   c , and  21   d  that are part of a patient transfer system, so as to connect the four ceiling tracks,  21   a ,  21   b ,  21   c , and  21   d  to the track supported ceiling lift turntable  30 . In this manner, the ceiling lift turntable  30  is readily mounted to the four ceiling tracks,  21   a ,  21   b ,  21   c , and  21   d.    
      There is also plurality of stop members  80  mounted in removable and replaceable relation around the circumference of the perimeter frame member  50 , specifically on the peripheral top flange  52  of the substantially circular perimeter frame member  50 . Each of the stop members  80  blocks one of the plurality of access passageways  34  so as to preclude passage of the carriage mechanism  40  from the rotatable turntable track member  32 . In this manner, when the rotatable turntable track member  32  is not aligned with one of the access passageways  34 , the carriage mechanism  40  cannot inadvertently roll out of the rotatable turntable track member  32 , for safety reasons.  
      As can be readily seen, the tongue members  70  and the stop members  80  are mounted by means of threaded fasteners  72 , 82 , respectively, engaging co-operating threaded holes  84  in the peripheral top flange  52 , at on of a plurality of sixteen places disposed peripherally around the perimeter frame member  50 . In essence, the tongue members  70  and the stop members  80  are interchangeable with one another. In this manner, the particular access passageways  34  can be selected to meet with a ceiling track terminating at any one of sixteen angular positions around the perimeter of the track supported ceiling lift turntable  30 .  
      A blocking ring  90  is secured to the rotatable turntable track member  32  for rotation therewith, so as to be adjacent the perimeter frame member  50 . The blocking ring  90  comprises first and second openings  91 , 92  disposed in diametrically opposed relation one to the other. The rotatable turntable track member  32  is received in the first and second openings  91 , 92 . The blocking ring  90  precludes the passage of a carriage mechanism  40  from a ceiling track, when the rotatable turntable track member  32  is not aligned with that particular ceiling track, for safety reasons.  
      There is also means to rotate the rotatable turntable track member  32  about the vertical central pivot axis to alignment with a selected one of the plurality of access passageways  34 , to thereby permit access by a carriage mechanism  40  having a patient lift mechanism  42  suspended therefrom. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the rotatable turntable track member  32  is rotatable about the substantially vertical central pivot axis “P” by means of a rope member  100  secured thereto. More particularly, as can best be seen in  FIG. 11 , a rope guide  102  is slidably secured to the peripheral top flange  52  of the substantially circular perimeter frame member  50  by means of suitable threaded fasteners  104 . The rope member  100  is fed to the rotatable turntable track member  32  by means of the rope guide  102  secured to the perimeter frame member  50 . The rope member  100  is secured to the blocking ring  90 , that is in turn secured to the rotatable turntable track member  32 , by means of a threaded fastener  106  extending through the rope member  100  and threadibly engaging the blocking ring  90 . The rope member  100  is preferably made from Polyethylene™ or Nylon™ for strength and durability.  
      The rope member  100  extends outwardly from the rotatable turntable track member  32  to a remote location  110 , as best seen in  FIG. 1 , such as pulley mounted on a wall. At this remote location  110 , the rope is manually manipulable, so as to permit the rotation of the rotatable turntable track member  32  by the rope member  100 .  
      Reference will now be made generally to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , to discuss the use of the patient transfer track system and track supported ceiling lift turntable  30  of the present invention. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the rotatable turntable track member  32  of the track supported ceiling lift turntable  30  is aligned with the ceiling track  21   b  and the ceiling track  21   c . As can be best seen in  FIG. 10 , a rubber-tipped stop screw  120  is mounted on one of the stop members  80  by means of a small “J”-shaped bracket  122 . The stop screw  120  precludes the rotatable turntable track member  32  from traveling past the rotational position as shown, in one direction. The rotatable turntable track member  32  can, of course, be rotated in the direction, as indicated by arrow “A”. Other means, such as a ball bearing and co-operating detent arrangement could alternatively or additionally be used.  
      Accordingly, a patient could be moved from the first bed to the washroom and vice versa without rotating the rotatable turntable track member  32 . Alternatively, a patient in the first bed could be moved to the ceiling lift turntable  30 , and the rotatable turntable track member  32  of the ceiling lift turntable  30  could be rotated by pulling on the rope member  100 . The rotatable turntable track member  32  would move past a rotational position as shown in  FIG. 3 , whereat the two stop members  80  that are aligned with the rotatable turntable track member  32  would preclude the carriage mechanism  40  from rolling off the rotatable turntable track member  32 . Upon continued pulling of the rope member  100 , the rotatable turntable track member  32  would move to a rotational position as shown in  FIG. 4 . In this rotational position, the rotatable turntable track member  32  would be aligned with the ceiling track  21   a  and the ceiling track  21   d . Accordingly, a patient could now be moved to the door  26  or to the second bed. The above described example of use is only one example taken from many possible examples.  
      As can be understood from the above description and from the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a track supported ceiling lift turntable and patient transfer track system, wherein the track supported ceiling lift turntable is not overly heavy, is not suspended from a load bearing point in the ceiling, is not intensive to install, is inexpensive, and is readily installed, all of which features are unknown in the prior art.  
      Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. For instance, the rope member used to rotate the rotatable turntable track member could be replaced and the rotatable turntable track member could be driven by an electric motor. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the track supported ceiling lift turntable and patient transfer track system of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.