Collapsible container holder for patient transport apparatus
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12441512-B2
Publication Date
2025-10-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
A collapsible holder for receiving an oxygen container is configured to be attached to a support structure of a patient transport apparatus. The holder includes elongated upper and lower panels, a flexible interface extending between the upper panel and the lower panel to form an expandable compartment with an opening for receiving the oxygen container in a lateral direction, and lower sliding strips extending laterally along an interior surface of the lower panel. The lower sliding strips are configured to provide a decreased frictional force relative to the lower panel when receiving the oxygen container within the expandable compartment.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a collapsible holder for removably receiving an oxygen container, attached to a support structure of a patient transport apparatus. The holder includes an elongated upper panel and an elongated lower panel, and a flexible interface extending between the upper panel and the lower panel to form an expandable compartment with an opening for receiving the oxygen container in a lateral direction.
The expandable compartment is laterally accessible and is configured to receive the oxygen container with sliding engagement. A plurality of lower sliding strips extends laterally along an interior surface of the lower panel and is configured to provide a decreased frictional force relative to the lower panel when receiving the oxygen container within the expandable compartment.
The expandable compartment is moveable between a first expanded state and a second expanded state. In the first expanded state, the upper panel is spaced from the lower panel at a first distance to receive the oxygen container in sliding engagement with the lower sliding strips, and in the second expanded state, the upper panel is spaced from the lower panel at a second distance less than the first distance, with at least a portion of each of the upper panel and the lower panel abutting the oxygen container.
Claims Coverage
The disclosed subject matter includes two independent claim scopes covering a patient transport system with a collapsible oxygen-container holder and the collapsible holder itself. Across both independent claims, the inventive focus is on an expandable compartment formed by an elongated upper panel, an elongated lower panel, and a flexible interface that provides a lateral opening, together with lower sliding strips to reduce friction, and a two-stage expanded movement defined by panel spacing and container abutment.
Patient transport system with collapsible oxygen container holder and expandable compartment
A patient transport system comprising a patient transport apparatus including a support structure, a seat section and a back section coupled to the support structure and defining a support surface, a plurality of wheels coupled to the support structure for traversing floor surfaces, and a track assembly extending from the support structure and having a belt for traversing stairs; and a collapsible holder for removably receiving an oxygen container attached to the support structure, the holder comprising an elongated upper panel and an elongated lower panel; a flexible interface extending between the upper panel and the lower panel to form an expandable compartment with an opening for receiving the oxygen container in a lateral direction; and a plurality of lower sliding strips extending laterally along an interior surface of the lower panel, configured to provide a decreased frictional force relative to the lower panel when receiving the oxygen container within the expandable compartment, wherein the expandable compartment is moveable between a first expanded state and a second expanded state defined by first and second distances, with sliding engagement in the first expanded state and panel-to-container abutment in the second expanded state.
Collapsible holder for oxygen container with friction-reducing sliding strips and two-stage expandable compartment
A collapsible holder for receiving an oxygen container and configured to be attached to a support structure of a patient transport apparatus, comprising an elongated upper panel and an elongated lower panel; a flexible interface extending between the upper panel and the lower panel to form an expandable compartment with an opening for receiving the oxygen container in a lateral direction; and a plurality of lower sliding strips extending laterally along an interior surface of the lower panel configured to provide a decreased frictional force relative to the lower panel when receiving the oxygen container within the expandable compartment, wherein the expandable compartment is moveable between a first expanded state with the upper panel spaced from the lower panel at a first distance to receive the oxygen container in sliding engagement with the lower sliding strips, and a second expanded state with the upper panel spaced from the lower panel at a second distance less than the first distance and at least a portion of each of the upper panel and the lower panel abuts the oxygen container.
Both independent claim scopes center on an expandable compartment formed by elongated upper and lower panels joined by a flexible interface, with a lateral opening for receiving an oxygen container. The expandable compartment uses laterally extending lower sliding strips to provide decreased frictional force during lateral receiving in a first expanded state, and transitions to a second expanded state where panel spacing is reduced and at least a portion of the panels abuts the oxygen container.
Stated Advantages
Decreased frictional force relative to the lower panel when receiving the oxygen container within the expandable compartment.
Documented Applications
Use in a patient transport apparatus having a support structure, wheels for traversing floor surfaces, and a track assembly with a belt for traversing stairs, where a collapsible holder removably receives an oxygen container.
Use of the collapsible holder attached to a support structure of a patient transport apparatus for receiving an oxygen container in a lateral direction with a moveable expandable compartment.
Interested in licensing this patent?