Description:Field of the invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a stretcher and particularly to a shock absorbing stretcher.
Description of Related Art
[002] In hospitals and/or ambulances, a patient is carried on a stretcher. The stretcher makes it easier for staff to carry/transport the patient to some requisite place as per a patient's condition. However, it is very inconvenient for the patient since the patient has to experience a lot of jerks during a movement from one place to another. According to data of 2009, most commonly occurred events were during the unloading of the stretcher from the ambulance. Injuries that occurred during such events mostly involved are sprains/strains/stretch injuries, fracture cases, and some lacerations. Most critical and difficult time for the patient is the movement from the place of injury to the hospital which includes transit through ambulance to the hospital, a lot of jerks and shocks were faced by them. Being suffering from injury, the jerks increase their pain and sometimes make it unbearable for the patients. This is a major but neglected issue throughout a world.
[003] Conventionally, hydraulic beds have been designed for solving the aforementioned issues to some extent, however they are only available in rooms and not used to carry and transport the patients. Till now, no conventional cost-effective stretcher is available in the market which is capable of solving the aforementioned issue.
[004] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced shock absorbing stretcher that can administer the aforementioned issues in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a shock absorbing stretcher. The stretcher comprising: a bed frame designed to receive a patient. The stretcher further comprising: legs arranged under the bed frame of the stretcher, wherein each of the legs comprise: an inner pipe; and an outer pipe capable to accommodate the inner pipe such that the inner pipe performs a movement inside the outer pipe to adjust a height of the legs when the patient lies on the bed frame; a locking mechanism installed within the outer pipe, for locking the inner pipe relative to the outer pipe in place; and a helical spring installed inside the outer pipe. The helical spring is adapted to: undergo compression up to a first pre-determined value when a weight of the patient lying on the bed frame is greater than a pre-defined weight; and undergo compression up to a second pre-determined value to absorb shock when the stretcher moves over an uneven surface or a bumpy surface.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a shock absorbing stretcher. The stretcher comprising: a bed frame designed to receive a patient. The stretcher further comprising: arms attached at four sides of the bed frame. The stretcher further comprising: legs arranged under the bed frame of the stretcher, wherein each of the legs comprise: an inner pipe; and an outer pipe capable to accommodate the inner pipe such that the inner pipe performs a movement inside the outer pipe to adjust a height of the legs when the patient lies on the bed frame; a locking mechanism installed within the outer pipe, for locking the inner pipe relative to the outer pipe in place; and a helical spring installed inside the outer pipe. The helical spring is adapted to: undergo compression up to a first pre-determined value when a weight of the patient lying on the bed frame is greater than a pre-defined weight; and undergo compression up to a second pre-determined value to absorb shock when the stretcher moves over an uneven surface or a bumpy surface.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a shock absorbing stretcher that is provided to minimize jerks experienced by patients while carrying the patients from a first place to a second place.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a shock absorbing stretcher that is designed to reduce pains experienced by the patients due to ups and downs coming in a path of the stretcher.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a shock absorbing stretcher that is designed for making a patient transportation process easier.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a shock absorbing stretcher that is designed to stop an add-on pain occurred due to jerks and shocks during transit of a patient which in turn provides a great relief to the patient.
[0011] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0012] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1A illustrates a top view of a shock absorbing stretcher, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 1B illustrates a bottom view of the shock absorbing stretcher, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 1C illustrates a zoomed view of a leg of the shock absorbing stretcher, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method of manufacturing the shock absorbing stretcher, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0020] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0021] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0022] FIG. 1A illustrates a top view of a shock absorbing stretcher 100 (hereinafter referred to as the stretcher 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the stretcher 100 may be designed to minimize jerks experienced by patients while carrying the patients from a first location to a second location. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the stretcher 100 may also be designed to reduce pains experienced by the patients due to ups and downs coming in a path of the stretcher 100. Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the stretcher 100 may be designed for making a patient transportation process easier and comfortable. The stretcher 100 may also be designed to stop an add-on pain occurred due to jerks and shocks during transit of the patient which in turn provides a great relief to the patient.
[0023] According to embodiments of the present invention, the stretcher 100 may comprise a bed frame 102 and arms 104a-104d.
[0024] The bed frame 102 may be designed to receive the patient, in an embodiment of the present invention. The bed frame 102 may be provided with a mattress to provide comfort to the patient when the patient is lying on the bed frame 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. The bed frame 102 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, aluminium, stainless steel, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material of the bed frame 102, including known related art and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] The arms 104 may be removably attached at four sides of the bed frame 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the arms 104 may be fixedly attached at the four sides of the bed frame 102. The arms 104 may be provided to be held by attendants to carry the patient lying on the stretcher 100 from the first location to the second location, in an embodiment of the present invention. The arms 104 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, the aluminium, the stainless steel, wood, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material of the arms 104, including known related art and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] FIG. 1B illustrates a bottom view of the stretcher 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the stretcher 100 may comprise legs 106a-106d (hereinafter referred to as the legs 106). Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the legs 106 may be removably arranged under the bed frame 102 of the stretcher 100. In another embodiment of the present invention, the legs 106 may be fixedly arranged under the bed frame 102 of the stretcher 100.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the legs 106 may be arranged under the bed frame 102 with a mechanism such as, but not limited to, a riveting mechanism, a nut and bolt mechanism, a screw and washer mechanism, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any mechanism for the arrangement of the legs 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the legs 106 may be arranged to provide a support to the bed frame 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the legs 106 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, the wood, a steel, a plastic, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material of the legs 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] Further, the stretcher 100 may comprise wheels 108a-108d (hereinafter referred to as the wheels 108), in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the wheels 108 may be attached at corresponding ends of the legs 106 of the stretcher 100. The wheels 108 may make the stretcher 100 portable by enabling the attendant to move the stretcher 100 from the first location to the second location, in an embodiment of the present invention. The attendant may be, but not limited to, a nurse, a ward boy, a helper, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the attendant. According to embodiments of the present invention, the wheels 108 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a plastic material, a rubbery material, a cushioned material, a metallic material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material of the wheels 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] FIG. 1C illustrates a zoomed view of the leg 106 of the stretcher 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the leg 106 may comprise an inner pipe 110 and an outer pipe 112. In an embodiment of the present invention, a first portion of the inner pipe 110 may be attached to the bed frame 102 and a second portion of the inner pipe 110 may be accommodated inside the outer pipe 112.
[0030] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the outer pipe 112 may be capable to accommodate the inner pipe 110 such that the inner pipe 110 may perform a movement inside the outer pipe 112. The inner 110 may perform the movement inside the outer pipe 112 for adjusting a height of the leg 106, when the patient lies on the bed frame 102. The outer pipe 112 may be having a diameter greater than the inner pipe 110 to accommodate the inner pipe 110, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the movement of the inner pipe 110 may depend on a weight of the patient lying on the stretcher 100.
[0031] The outer pipe 112 may comprise a locking mechanism 114 that may comprise a locking member for locking the inner pipe 110 relative to the outer pipe 112 in place, thereby saving a user from hassle of attaching the inner pipe 110 and the outer pipe 112 again and again, once the inner pipe 110 and the outer pipe 112 are assembled. The locking mechanism 114 may be, but not limited to, a cam lock, a clutch lock, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the locking mechanism 114, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] The stretcher 100 may comprise a helical spring 116 that may be installed inside the outer pipe 112 of the leg 106, in an embodiment of the present invention. The helical spring 116 may act as a shock absorber to absorb shock or jerk when the stretcher 100 moves over any uneven or bumpy surface. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the helical spring 116 may restrict a transmission of the shock or jerk to the bed frame 102 of the stretcher 100, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] The helical spring 116 may undergo compression to store potential energy when the patient lies on the bed frame 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In such embodiment of the present invention, the weight of the patient may act as a load and allow the helical spring 116 to compress. In such embodiment of the present invention, the helical spring 116 may undergo compression up to a first pre-determined value when the weight of the patient lying on the bed frame 102 is more than a pre-defined weight. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the helical spring 116 may further compress to a second pre-determined value that may be greater than the first pre-determined value to absorb the shock, when the stretcher 100 moves over the uneven surface.
[0034] The helical spring 116 may further expand up to the first pre-determined value upon crossing the uneven surface by the stretcher 100. Further, the helical spring 116 may be expanded up to an original position when the weight of the patient is zero.
[0035] According to embodiments of the present invention, the helical spring 116 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a carbon-fiber material, a High-Density Polyethene (HDPE), a wooden material, a flexible-fiber material, a metallic material, high carbon steel (Oil Tampered A229 type) material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material of the helical spring 116, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method 200 of manufacturing the stretcher 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] At step 202, the stretcher 100 may be provided with the bed frame 102 to receive the patient.
[0038] At step 204, the stretcher 100 may be provided with the arms 104 attached to the sides of the bed frame 102. The arms 104 may be held by the attendants to carry the stretcher 100 from the first location to the second location.
[0039] At step 206, the stretcher 100 may be provided with the legs 106 arranged under the bed frame 102. The legs 106 may comprise the inner pipe 110 and the outer pipe 112.
[0040] At step 208, the stretcher 100 may be provided with the locking mechanism 114 installed in the outer pipe 112 of the legs 106 for locking the inner pipe 110 relative to the outer pipe 112 in place.
[0041] At step 210, the stretcher 100 may be provided with the helical spring 116 installed in the outer pipe 112 for absorbing the shock when the stretcher 100 moves over any uneven or bumpy surface.
[0042] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0043] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
, Claims:I/We Claim:
1. A shock absorbing stretcher (100), the stretcher (100) comprising:
a bed frame (102) designed to receive a patient; and
legs (106a-106d) arranged under the bed frame (102) of the stretcher (100), wherein each of the legs (106a-106d) comprises:
an inner pipe (110);
an outer pipe (112) capable to accommodate the inner pipe (110) such that the inner pipe (110) performs a movement inside the outer pipe (112) to adjust a height of the corresponding legs (106a-106d) when the patient lies on the bed frame (102);
a locking mechanism (114) installed within the outer pipe (112), for locking the inner pipe (110) relative to the outer pipe (112) in place; and
a helical spring (116) installed inside the outer pipe (112), wherein the helical spring (116) is adapted to:
undergo compression up to a first pre-determined value when a weight of the patient lying on the bed frame (102) is greater than a pre-defined weight; and
undergo compression up to a second pre-determined value to absorb shock when the stretcher (100) moves over an uneven surface or a bumpy surface.
2. The stretcher (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising arms (104a-104d) attached at four sides of the bed frame (102).
3. The stretcher (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising wheels (108a-108d) attached at corresponding ends of the legs (106a-106d) of the stretcher (100) to make the stretcher (100) portable by enabling attendants to move the stretcher (100) from a first location to a second location.
4. The stretcher (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the helical spring (116) is adapted to expand up to the first pre-determined value upon crossing the uneven surface or the bumpy surface by the stretcher (100).
5. The stretcher (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the helical spring (116) is adapted to further expand to an original position when the weight of the patient is zero.
6. The stretcher (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first portion of the inner pipe (110) is attached to the bed frame (102) and a second portion of the inner pipe (110) is accommodated inside the outer pipe (112).
7. The stretcher (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer pipe (112) is having a diameter greater than the inner pipe (110) to accommodate the inner pipe (110).
8. A shock absorbing stretcher (100), the stretcher (100) comprising:
a bed frame (102) designed to receive a patient;
arms (104a-104d) attached at four sides of the bed frame (102); and
legs (106a-106d) arranged under the bed frame (102) of the stretcher (100), wherein each of the legs (106a-106d) comprises:
an inner pipe (110);
an outer pipe (112) capable to accommodate the inner pipe (110) such that the inner pipe (110) performs a movement inside the outer pipe (112) to adjust a height of the corresponding legs (106a-106d) when the patient lies on the bed frame (102);
a locking mechanism (114) installed within the outer pipe (112), for locking the inner pipe (110) relative to the outer pipe (112) in place; and
a helical spring (116) installed inside the outer pipe (112), wherein the helical spring (116) is adapted to:
undergo compression up to a first pre-determined value when a weight of the patient lying on the bed frame (102) is greater than a pre-defined weight; and
undergo compression up to a second pre-determined value to absorb shock when the stretcher (100) moves over an uneven surface or a bumpy surface.
9. The stretcher (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the helical spring (116) is adapted to expand up to the first pre-determined value upon crossing the uneven surface or the bumpy surface by the stretcher (100).
10. The stretcher (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the helical spring (116) is adapted to further expand to an original position when the weight of the patient is zero.
Date: 23 June, 2022
Place: Noida
Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant