System, Method, and Apparatus for Clamping

• US 20140227021A1
• Filed: 12/20/2013
• Published: 08/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Kamen, Dean, Fichera, Stephen L., Gray, Larry B., Friedrich, Thomas A., Kerwin, John M., Lanigan, Richard J., Sabin, Erik N., Janway, Jeffrey M., Gill, Matthew R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,808,572 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 403/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/28 Clamping means for squeezing flexible tubes, e.g. roller clamps tube strippers A61M1/83
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1414 Hanging-up devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1415 Stands, brackets or the like for supporting infusion accessories
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/16 with adjunctive protector, broken parts retainer, repair, assembly or disassembly feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/1624 Related to joint component

Abstract

A number of racks which are configured to allow a number of devices to couple thereto are provided. In some embodiments, the racks are for use with a number of medical devices. Devices may be coupled to a rack by clamps. The racks may include a number of connectors which provide power and/or a network connection to devices coupled thereto. The racks may include a clamp which allows the racks to couple to a supporting structure such as a pole.

Claims

1. A rack apparatus, comprising:

at least one support pole having a first end portion and a second end portion;

at least one of a clamp assembly, hanger, or handle attached to the first end portion of the support pole;

at least one mount connector;

at least one alignment feature operatively coupled to the support pole; and

a base member attached to the second end portion of the support pole.

2. The rack apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one mount connector is configured to operatively engage with a medical device connector.

3. The rack apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the at least one alignment feature is configured to align the medical device connector with the at least one of the at least one mount connector.

4. The rack apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one alignment feature is included on a collar on the support pole.

5. The rack apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rack apparatus further comprises a power system.

6. The rack apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the power system is configured to provide power to at least one medical device via the at least one mount connector.

7. The rack apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rack apparatus further comprises a communication system configured to allow an attached medical device to communicate with at least one other attached medical device via the at least one mount connector.

8. The rack apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the communication system is configured use at least one of a CANbus protocol and USB protocol.

9. The rack apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base member comprises:

a power connector;

a power supply;

a main power cable electrically connecting the power connector and the power supply; and

at least one transmission cable connecting the power supply and the at least one mount connector.

10. The rack apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support pole is configured to accept a clamp, the clamp comprising:

a housing including first and second tracks;

a fixed gripper coupled to the housing;

a driven member configured to slide within the first and second tracks of the housing;

a movable gripper operatively coupled to the driven member; and

an actuator configured to move the driven member towards a first position to thereby move the movable gripper towards the fixed gripper, the actuator further configured to move the driven member towards a second position to thereby move the movable gripper away from the fixed gripper.

11. The rack apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the clamp is configured to couple a medical device to the support pole of the rack apparatus.

12. The rack apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a medical device connector is disposed on the clamp and is configured to operatively engage with at least one of the at least one mount connector to receive at least one of a network connection and power for the medical device.

13-15. -15. (canceled)

16. A system comprising:

a rack apparatus, comprising;

at least one support pole having a first end portion and a second end portion;

at least one of a clamp assembly, hanger, or handle attached to the first end portion of the support pole;

at least one mount connector;

at least one alignment feature operatively coupled to the at least one support pole; and

a base member attached to the second end portion of the support pole; and

a clamp configured to clamp to the at least one support pole, the clamp comprising;

a housing including first and second tracks;

a fixed gripper coupled to the housing;

a driven member configured to slide within the first and second tracks of the housing; and

a movable gripper operatively coupled to the driven member; and

an actuator configured to move the driven member towards a first position to thereby move the movable gripper towards the fixed gripper, the actuator further configured to move the driven member towards a second position to thereby move the movable gripper away from the fixed gripper.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the at least one mount connector is configured to operatively engage with a medical device connector.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the at least one alignment feature is configured to align the medical device connector with the at least one of the at least one mount connector.

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein the medical device connector is disposed on one of the fixed gripper or movable gripper of the clamp.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the medical device connector is configured to operatively engage with the at least one of the at least one mount connector to receive at least one of a network connection and power for a medical device.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the medical device is a monitoring client comprising a tablet computer.

22. A clamp apparatus comprising:

a body;

first and second handles, each handle operatively coupled to the body;

a first movable gripper coupled to the first handle and a second movable gripper coupled to the second handle;

a first gear set operatively coupled to the first handle and a second gear set operatively coupled to the second handle, wherein the first gear set operatively engages the second gear set; and

at least one bias member operatively engaged with the first handle and the second handle, wherein the at least one bias member is configured to urge the first and second movable grippers toward a clamped position.

23. The clamp apparatus of claim 22, wherein the first gear set comprises an upper first gear and a lower first gear and the second gear set comprises an upper second gear and a lower second gear.

24. The clamp apparatus of claim 23, wherein the upper first gear and the lower first gear are fixedly coupled.

25. The clamp apparatus of claim 24, wherein the upper first gear and the lower first gear are configured to move in unison.

26. The clamp apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first gear set and the second gear set are rotatably coupled to the body.

27. The clamp apparatus of claim 22, wherein the first handle and the second handle are concave away from the body.

28. A clamp apparatus comprising:

a body;

a first handle and a second handle operatively coupled to the body;

a first movable gripper coupled to the first handle and a second movable gripper coupled to the second handle;

a first gear set operatively coupled to the first handle and a second gear set operatively coupled to the second handle, wherein the first gear set operatively engages the second gear set; and

a first bias member operatively engaged with the first handle and the body, wherein the first at least one bias member is configured to urge the first movable gripper toward a clamped position; and

a second at least one bias member operatively engaged with the second handle and the body, wherein the second at least one bias member is configured to urge the second movable gripper toward a clamped position.

29. The clamp apparatus of claim 28, wherein the first gear set and the second gear set are rotatably coupled to the body.

30. The clamp apparatus of claim 28, wherein the first handle and the second handle are concave toward the body.

31. The clamp apparatus of claim 28, wherein the first at least one bias member and the second at least one bias member are springs.

32. The clamp apparatus of claim 31, wherein the first at least one bias member and the second at least one bias member are each at least one torsion spring.

33. The clamp apparatus of claim 28, wherein the first at least one bias member and the second at least one bias member are each an array of multiple torsion springs.

34. A clamp apparatus comprising:

a body;

first and second handles, each operatively coupled to the body;

a first gear set operatively coupled to the first handle and a second gear set operatively coupled to the second handle, wherein the first gear set is configured to operatively engage the second gear set;

first and second movable grippers each operatively coupled to the body;

a third gear set operatively coupled to the first movable gripper and a fourth gear set operatively coupled to the second movable gripper, wherein the third gear set operatively engages the fourth gear set; and

at least one bias member configured to operatively engage with the third gear set and the fourth gear set, wherein the at least one bias member is configured to urge the first movable gripper and the second movable gripper toward a clamped position.

35. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first gear set and the second gear set are rotatably coupled to the body.

36. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the third gear set and the fourth gear set are rotatably coupled to the body.

37. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first gear set and the third gear set are rotatably coupled to the body and share an axis of rotation.

38. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the third gear set and the fourth gear set are rotatably coupled to the body and share an axis of rotation.

39. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first gear set and the second gear set form a first locking assembly comprising:

a first hook coupled to the first gear set;

a second hook coupled to the second gear set;

a first catch coupled to the third gear set, wherein the first hook locks into place within the first catch when the first movable gripper and the second movable gripper are in the clamped position; and

a second catch coupled to the fourth gear set, wherein the second hook locks into place within the second catch when the first movable gripper and the second movable gripper are in the clamped position.

40. The clamp apparatus of claim 39, wherein the first catch and the first hook and the second catch and the second hook are configured to permit rotational movements of the first handle and the second handle in advance of subsequent rotational movements of the first gripper and the second gripper.

41. The clamp apparatus of claim 40, wherein the rotational movements of the first handle and the second handle are configured to perform an unlocking function, permitting rotational movements of the first gripper and the second gripper.

42. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first movable gripper and the second movable gripper have interdigitated fingers when the at least one bias member is subject to a maximum allowable deformation.

43. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the at least one bias member is configured to bias the first movable gripper and the second movable gripper toward one another.

44. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first movable and the second movable gripper are configured to close onto a pole.

45. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the at least one bias member is a spring.

46. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the at least one bias member is a flat spring.

47. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the at least one bias member is a leaf spring.

48. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the at least one bias member is under a preload tension.

49. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first handle and the second handle are paddles.

50. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first handle and the second handle are actuatable.

51. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first gripper and the second gripper are rubber.

52. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first handle and the second handle are independently operatively attached to the body via pins.

53. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first handle and the second handle are independently hinged to the body.

54. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein axes about which the first handle and the second handle are hinged to the body are parallel.

55. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first movable gripper and the second movable gripper have facing inside surfaces that are approximately concave.

56. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the clamp is configured to couple a medical device to a support pole.

57. The clamp apparatus of claim 34, wherein the clamp is configured to couple a medical device to an IV pole.

58. The clamp apparatus of claim 57, wherein the medical device is a monitor comprising a tablet computer.

59-120. -120. (canceled)

121. A clamp, comprising:

a housing includes first and second tracks;

a fixed gripper coupled to the housing;

a driven member configured to slide within the first and second tracks of the housing; and

a moveable gripper operatively coupled to the driven member; and

an actuator configured to move the driven member towards a first position to thereby move the moveable gripper towards the fixed gripper, the actuator further configured to move the driven member towards a second position to thereby move the moveable gripper away from the fixed gripper.

122. The clamp according to claim 121, wherein the actuator is a handle pivotally coupled to the housing.

123. The clamp according to claim 122, further comprising first and second linkages, wherein the first linkage is coupled a first side of the handle and a first side of the driven member, and the second linkage is coupled to a second side of the handle and to a second side of the driven member.

124. The clamp according to claim 121, further comprising a gripper sled slidably coupled to the driven member.

125. The clamp according to claim 124, further comprising a bias member configured to bias the gripper sled within the driven member towards the fixed gripper.

126. The clamp according to claim 125, wherein the driven member includes a stop member configured to prevent movement of the gripper sled relative to the driven member beyond a predetermined location of the driven member.

127. The clamp according to claim 126, wherein the moveable gripper is coupled to the gripper sled.

128. The clamp according to claim 125, wherein the bias member is a constant force spring.

129-132. -132. (canceled)

133. A protective mechanism comprising:

a guide member;

a connector;

an actuation member configured to have a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the actuation member pivotally coupled to the guide member; and

a cover member pivotally coupled to the guide member and configured to interact with the actuation member so as to pivot to uncover the connector when the actuation member pivots in a first direction and to pivot to cover the connector when the actuation member pivots in a second direction.

134-175. -175. (canceled)