Patent Description:
Surgical tables and other large pieces of equipment can present particular problems-namely, efficient movement and adjustment. These problems are solved, in part, by using caster wheels. Unfortunately, caster wheels only solve part of the problem, and introduce new problems. Once caster wheels are added, the weight of the surgical table or other equipment, may damage cables, cords or other objects located on the ground if and when the caster wheel is run across. Additionally, the cables, cords or other objects are easily tangled in the caster wheel which can abruptly stop the equipment in its path. At a minimum, cables, cords or other objects slow down an operator's ability to move the surgical table or other large piece of equipment. In a surgical environment, these problems can have devastating consequences.

<CIT> discloses a golf club cleaning device comprising:.

<CIT> discloses a floor cleaning apparatus having a carriage. The opposite ends of the carriage are each equipped with a cleaning member. The cleaning member has a head carrying tufts which are held in grooves formed in the under face of the head.

<CIT> discloses a skirt system for caster wheels. It comprises :.

The skirt housing is fastened to the caster housing.

<CIT> discloses an obstacle clearing device comprising:.

<CIT> discloses a caster guard comprising:.

It is an object of the present invention to provide for unimpeded movement of a surgical table when rotating, pushing, or pulling such a table. The invention provides an obstacle clearing device according to claim <NUM>.

These and other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this specification, including its drawings and claims.

<FIG>, <FIG> depict one embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment may be characterized in part by a sweeping device <NUM> made up of a sweep <NUM> with a plurality of bristles <NUM> and a sweep housing <NUM>.

The sweep housing <NUM> consists of an inside bracket <NUM> and an outside bracket <NUM>. The inside bracket <NUM> and an outside bracket <NUM> are secured to one another by one or more housing screws <NUM>. Part of the sweep <NUM> is enclosed by the sweep housing <NUM>.

The inside bracket <NUM> and the outside bracket <NUM> further comprise one or more elongated pilot openings <NUM>. In this embodiment, each of the four elongated pilot openings <NUM> of the inside bracket <NUM> correspond to one of the four elongated pilot openings <NUM> of the outside bracket <NUM>.

This sweeping device <NUM> also consists of a mounting plate <NUM>. The mounting plate <NUM> is positioned against the inside bracket <NUM>. The mounting plate <NUM> consists of four mounting plate standoffs <NUM> that extend outwardly from and on the same side of the mounting plate <NUM>. The inside bracket <NUM> and the outside bracket <NUM> and further secured to one another, and accordingly secured to the mounting plate by virtue of mounting screws <NUM>. Using elongated pilot openings <NUM> allows for adjustment of the mounting plate <NUM> relative to the sweep housing <NUM>.

On the side of the mounting plate <NUM> opposite the inside bracket <NUM> is a double-sided adhesive strip <NUM>. The adhesive strip <NUM> adheres to the mounting plate <NUM> on one side and on the opposite side adheres to a surgical table.

<FIG> illustrate two rows of bristles <NUM>, wherein the seven bristles <NUM> on the first row are shorter than the eight bristles <NUM> in the second row by <NUM>". As discussed below and illustrated in the drawings, bristles of the present invention may be of alternative thicknesses, lengths, rigidity, stiffness, shapes, arrangement, materials and combination of one or more of the above characteristics.

<FIG> illustrates one or more sweeping devices <NUM> attached to a surgical table. When the surgical table is moved (by rotation or translation) in the operating room, the bristles <NUM> of the sweeping device <NUM> prevent wires, cables and other impediments in the surgical environment from impeding movement of the surgical table.

<FIG> illustrates an exploded view of the sweeping device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. This figure illustrates the use of four mounting washers <NUM>, each of which distribute the load from a corresponding mounting screw <NUM> as the mounting screw is passed through the elongated pilot opening <NUM> and into the corresponding mounting standoff <NUM>.

Also illustrated by this <FIG> are the interior standoffs <NUM>, which are located on the interior portion of the inside bracket <NUM>. Each interior standoff <NUM> receives the housing screws <NUM> as they pass through the outside bracket <NUM>.

Also illustrated by this <FIG> is the sweep head <NUM> positioned at the end of the sweep <NUM> opposite the end of the sweep <NUM> where the bristles <NUM> are located. In assembled form, the sweep head <NUM> is situated within the sweep housing <NUM>. One or more springs <NUM> are placed within spring orifices <NUM> in the spring head <NUM>. The top side of the springs <NUM> abut the top, interior side of the sweep housing <NUM>. The springs <NUM> bias such that bristles <NUM> remain in contact with floor or other ground surface when the sweeping device <NUM> is in use.

The sweep head <NUM> further comprises multiple sweep head convex tracks <NUM> and multiple sweep head concave tracks <NUM>. The interior of the sweep housing <NUM> comprises multiple housing convex tracks <NUM> and multiple housing concave tracks <NUM> (although not shown with respect to the outside bracket <NUM>). A sweep head convex track <NUM> corresponds with a housing concave track <NUM> and a sweep head concave track <NUM> corresponds with a housing convex track <NUM> (collectively "Track Alignment"). This Track Alignment leads to efficient, linear movement of the sweep head <NUM> within the sweep housing <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment may be characterized in part by a sweeping device <NUM> made up of a sweep <NUM>, a bristle attachment <NUM>, and a sweep housing <NUM>.

The bristle attachment <NUM> is made up of a bristle head <NUM> and a plurality of bristles <NUM>. Like the embodiment discussed above and illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, one or more of the sweeping device <NUM> attach to a surgical table. When the surgical table is moved (by rotation or translation) in the operating room, the bristles <NUM> of the sweeping device <NUM> prevent wires, cables and other impediments in the surgical environment from impeding movement of the surgical table.

The sweep <NUM> comprises multiple sweep convex tracks <NUM> and multiple sweep concave tracks <NUM>. The interior of the sweep housing <NUM> comprises multiple housing convex tracks (not shown) and multiple housing concave tracks (not shown). A sweep convex track <NUM> corresponds with a housing concave track and a sweep concave track <NUM> corresponds with a housing convex track (collectively "Track Alignment"). This Track Alignment leads to efficient, linear movement of the sweep <NUM> within the sweep housing <NUM>.

The sweep housing <NUM> consists of an inside bracket <NUM> and an outside bracket <NUM>. The inside bracket <NUM> and an outside bracket <NUM> are secured to one another by one or more housing screws <NUM>. Part of the sweep <NUM> is surrounded by the sweep housing <NUM>.

The inside bracket <NUM> and the outside bracket <NUM> further comprise one or more pilot openings <NUM>. Although not illustrated herein, each of the pilot openings <NUM> is capable of receiving mounting screws or other means for mounting the inside bracket to the surgical table or other mounting interface such as a mounting plate.

In addition to the means for mounting described above (e.g., mounting plate), or in alternative to, the sweeping device <NUM> may be attached to a surgical table by way of an adhesive strip <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>).

<FIG> illustrates the sweep housing <NUM> comprising a thumbscrew standoff <NUM>, which protrudes outwardly from the sweep housing <NUM>. A thumbscrew <NUM> is threadedly-connected to thumbscrew standoff <NUM>. The thumbscrew <NUM> is tightened to fix the sweep <NUM> within the sweep housing <NUM>. The thumbscrew <NUM> is loosened to allow the sweep <NUM> to move with respect to the sweep housing <NUM>.

<FIG> also illustrates multiple bristle attachment screws <NUM>, which connect the bristle attachment <NUM> to the sweep <NUM>.

<FIG> also illustrates two tenons (not numbered) existing on opposite sides of the outside bracket <NUM>. The two tenons extend into corresponding mortises (not numbered) existing on opposite sides of the inside bracket <NUM>. The arrangement of the tenons and mortises increases the stability and securement of the inside bracket <NUM> and the outside bracket <NUM> to one another.

<FIG> illustrates the embodiment from <FIG> with the sweep <NUM> is secured at a different position within the sweep housing <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate an alternative embodiment of the bristle attachment of <FIG>. Rather than an arrangement of twenty-one relatively uniform, rubber bristles as illustrated in <FIG>, the bristle attachment <NUM> of <FIG> consists of a bristle head <NUM>, along with a rubber blade <NUM> and a row of bristles <NUM> attached to the bristle head <NUM>. Multiple bristle attachment screws <NUM> connect the bristle attachment <NUM> to the sweep <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate an alternative embodiment of the bristle attachment of <FIG>. Rather than an arrangement of twenty-one relatively uniform, rubber bristles as illustrated in <FIG>, the bristle attachment <NUM> of <FIG> consists of a bristle head <NUM>, along with a plurality of thin, relatively stiff bristles <NUM> attached to the bristle head <NUM>. Multiple bristle attachment screws <NUM> connect the bristle attachment <NUM> to the sweep <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate an alternative embodiment of the bristle attachment of <FIG>. Rather than an arrangement of twenty-one relatively uniform, rubber bristles as illustrated in <FIG>, the bristle attachment <NUM> of <FIG> consists of a bristle head <NUM>, along with a plurality of boars-hair bristles <NUM> attached to the bristle head <NUM>. Multiple bristle attachment screws <NUM> connect the bristle attachment <NUM> to the sweep <NUM>. Alternatively, the type of bristles <NUM> used in this embodiment could be rearranged by turning the bristles upside down. This alternative embodiment would result in the thinner section of bristles adjacent to the floor and the thicker section of bristles being attached to the bristle head. It is envisioned that the thin section of bristles could provide more flexibility with changes to the floor, thresholds, etc. but the thicker section would allow for pushing strength when thicker, heavier cords are encountered by the device.

The present invention is described above in terms of preferred illustrative embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative constructions of such an apparatus, system, and method can be used in carrying out the present invention. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention may be obtained from a study of this disclosure and the drawings, along with the appended claims.

As discussed above, the bristles described herein are illustrative and not intended to be limiting. For instance, an alternative embodiment of the present invention may include bristles in a variety and combination of quantities, characteristic shapes, dimensions, stiffness, arrangements, sizes, bristle types, etc. The different objects described herein as bristles may be characterized as bristle objects (e.g., rubber blade, rubber bristles, thin stiff bristles, boars hair bristles).

Similarly, the sweep element may be configured in a variety of physical dimensions, eg. , <NUM> by <NUM> by <NUM> ( <NUM> inches by <NUM> inches by <NUM> inches); materials, movement with respect to housing (e.g., rectilinear). For instance, in a broad sense, the sweep may be simply considered a prism or a cylinder that when coupled with one or more of the other elements described herein satisfies the problems described in the Description of the Prior Art by removing impediments from caster wheels, surgical tables or other pieces of equipment.

Additionally, the sweep and sweep head of the embodiments discussed above were characterized as having tracks for sliding the sweep/sweep head with respect to the sweep housing. Other embodiments, might possess other means for assisting with the movement of the sweep with respect to the sweep housing.

Similarly, the bristle attachment may be configured in a variety of physical dimensions, eg. , bristle head: <NUM> by <NUM> by <NUM> ( <NUM> inches by <NUM> inches by <NUM> inches), materials, securement with respect to sweep (e.g., bristle attachment screws, snapping mechanism, friction).

Similarly, the sweep housing may be configured in a variety of physical dimensions (e.g., <NUM> (<NUM> inches) tall and otherwise slightly larger than the sweep in order to surround the sweep), shape, closed, open, movement with respect to the sweep; locking mechanism (e.g., thumbscrew); hardware (mounting and housing screws). For instance, in a broad sense, the sweep housing may be an object that surrounds at least part of the sweep-it might not even circumscribe the entire sweep, although it is envisioned that it will in many embodiments. When coupled with attaching means the sweep housing will attach to the surgical table or other equipment in order to operate the device.

Similarly, adhesive strip(s), mounting plate(s) and other features intended to assist with mounting the device to a surgical table or other piece of equipment may be implemented in the forms described above. Alternatively, these features could be replaced or redesigned to achieve the same result (e.g., Velcro® rather than adhesive). In some alternative embodiments, an adhesive strip may adhere directly to the sweep housing.

Other elements may be arranged or designed differently, such as the various standoffs, hardware (e.g., washers) or might not be included at all. These elements should be considered illustrative rather than limiting.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the present specification and associated claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about".

Claim 1:
An obstacle clearing device (<NUM>) comprising:
a sweep (<NUM>, <NUM>) with at least one bristle object (<NUM>) protruding from the sweep; and
a sweep housing (<NUM>) attached to and surrounding at least part of the sweep, wherein the sweep (<NUM>) housing comprises at least one housing concave track (<NUM>) and at least one housing convex track (<NUM>) slidably fitted with the sweep.