Interlocking module system

• US 5,431,509 A
• Filed: 06/15/1994
• Issued: 07/11/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Graseby Medical Limited (ICU Medical Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Inventors: Sutherland, Daniel M., Oja, Gerald L., Anderson, Jerald W., Toycen, Mark A., Struble, Kent R., Dretzka, Philip C., Gramse, Leonard J., Belden, Tighe M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reese, Randolph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIM, HARRY CHONG HYUN
• Application Number:
  US08/260,001
• Time in Patent Office: 391 Days
• Field of Search: 403/381, 403/380, 403/24, 403/321-322, 403/345, 403/330-331, 403/339-341, 403/325, 403/327, 403/376, 403/398, 403/399, 403/409.1, 604/65-67, 604/80, 604/150-155, 248/225.1, 248/223.4, 248/224.1, 248/224.2, 248/222.1, 211/107
• US Class Current: 403/381
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1413 Modular systems comprising interconnecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/30 Dovetail-like connections
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0021 Side-by-side or stacked arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0204 Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/593 Remotely actuated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/61 Side slide: elongated co-linear members

Abstract

A system for interlocking a plurality of modules, such as medical instrument modules (e.g., infusion pumps), in side-by-side relationship such that not more than one module can be mounted on each side of a center module. The modules are interchangeable in that any module of the system can be a center module or a side module. In the preferred embodiment, latching arms on a module are automatically moved as the module is mounted on a pole stand to allow other "side" modules to be mounted on that "center" module. The latching arms of the "side" modules prevent additional modules from being mounted on the side modules. Other embodiments are described as well.

Claims

1. A module adapted for use in an interlocking system of interchangeable modules designated herein as first or second interchangeable modules, said module comprising:

a frame; and

interlocking means on said frame for attaching at least two interchangeable modules having interlocking means to said module;

said interlocking means including condition-setting means for setting said interlocking means in a first condition for mounting said module on an interchangeable module or a second condition for mounting the interchangeable module(s) thereon, such that;

(a) when said interlocking means is set in its first condition (i) said interlocking means is capable of being mounted on the interlocking means of the first interchangeable module that has been set in its second condition, and (ii) said interlocking means of said module is not capable of having mounted thereon the interlocking means of the second interchangeable module; and

(b) when said interlocking means is set in its second condition it is capable of having mounted thereon the interlocking means of at least two interchangeable modules that have been set in their first condition.

2. A module according to claim 1 further comprising securing means for securing said module to a pole.

3. A module according to claim 2 wherein said condition-setting means includes automatic means for setting said module in its second condition upon securing said module to the pole via said securing means.

4. A module according to claim 3 wherein said interlocking means comprises a male and a female dovetail-type slide connections, said male dovetail-type slide connection being complementary to said female dovetail-type slide connection, said male and female dovetail-type slide connections being arranged along the module such that the direction of slide in the connection is generally along a vertical axis.

5. A module according to claim 4 wherein said male and female dovetail-type slide connections are on opposite sides of said module, said male dovetail-type slide connection on one side of said module being complementary to said female dovetail-type slide connection on the other side of said module.

6. A module according to claim 4 wherein said condition-setting means further comprises:

a shoulder adjacent each of said male and female dovetail-type slide connections; and

shoulder-engaging means for engaging the shoulder on the first interchangeable module to enable said module to be mounted on the first interchangeable module when said condition-setting means is in its first condition and one of said male or female dovetail-type slide connections of said module is interconnected with the other of the male or female dovetail-type slide connections of the first interchangeable module;

said shoulder-engaging means being movable, as said interlocking means is converted to its second condition from its first condition, to a position in which it does not engage the shoulder of the first or second interchangeable module.

7. A module according to claim 6 wherein said shoulder-engaging means comprises a pair of latching arms movable mounted on said frame for movement between a first position, corresponding to the first condition of said interlocking means, to a second position, corresponding to the second condition of said interlocking means;

the arrangement being such that, when said module has been set in its first condition, with said latching arms thus placed in their first position;

(a) one of said latching arms are adapted to engage a shoulder on the first interchangeable module, that has been placed in its second condition, when either one of said dovetail-type slide connection of said module is mounted on a complimentary dovetail-type slide connection on the first interchangeable module; and

(b) said latching arms of said module are adapted to prevent such engagement of a dovetail-type slide connection of the second interchangeable module as would permit a latching arm of such second interchangeable module to engage either shoulder on said module.

8. A module according to claim 7 wherein said dovetail-type slide connections have upper and lower ends relative to the intended use of said module, each of said shoulders including a flange extending generally vertically upwardly from said shoulder along an outer edge of said shoulder, said shoulders being generally adjacent the upper ends of the dovetail-type slide connections;

and

each of said latching arms has a notch therein generally adjacent an outer end of said latching arm, the notches of said latching arms being adapted to receive the flanges of interchangeable modules when said latching arms are in their first position corresponding to the first condition of the interlocking means.

9. A module according to claim 7 wherein said shoulder-engaging means further comprises biasing means for biasing said latching arms to their first position, and arm-withdrawing means for withdrawing said latching arms from their first position to their second position, the arrangement of the first and second positions being such that said latching arms partially extend from said module when in their first position and are withdrawn into said module when in their second position.

10. A module according to claim 9 wherein said arm-withdrawing means comprises a gear rotatably mounted in said frame, and a rack of gear teeth on each of said latching arms, said latching arms being slidably mounted on said frame, with said gear teeth of said latching arms engaging said gear in a rack-and-pinion engagement.

11. A module according to claim 10 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring engaging said frame and one of said latching arms to bias said latching arms toward their first position.

12. A module according to claim 10 wherein the automatic means comprises a tongue operatively connected to at least one of said latching arms, said tongue being positioned, relative to said securing means, for engagement by the pole to move said tongue and latching arms to their second position.

13. A module according to claim 2 wherein said interlocking means comprises a male and a female dovetail-type slide connections on opposite sides of the module, said male dovetail-type slide connection being complementary to said female dovetail-type slid connection;

and

said condition-setting means further comprises;

a shoulder adjacent each of said male and female dovetail-type slide connections;

shoulder-engaging means for engaging one of the shoulders of the first interchangeable module to enable said module to be mounted on the first interchangeable module when said condition-setting means is in its first condition and one of said male or female dovetail-type slide connections of said module is interconnected with the other of the male or female dovetail-type slide connections of the first interchangeable module, said shoulder-engaging means being movable, as said interlocking means is converted to its second condition from its first condition, to a position in which it does not engage the shoulder of the first or second interchangeable module; and

manually operable means for moving said shoulder-engaging means between positions corresponding to the first and second conditions, said manually operable means comprising a knob rotatable mounted on the module and operatively connected to the shoulder engaging means.

14. A module according to claim 1 wherein said module is a medical instrument module.

15. A module according to claim 14 wherein said medical instrument module is an infusion pump.

16. A module according to claim 1 wherein said interlocking means comprises a pair of generally L-shaped support bodies rotatably mounted on opposite sides of said module, each of said support bodies having two legs including one leg comprising a male dovetail-type slide connection adapted for connection with a complementary female dovetail-type slide connection of the interchangeable modules, and another leg comprising a female dovetail-type slide connection adapted for connection with a complementary male dovetail-type slide connection of the interchangeable modules;

said condition-setting means comprising;

means for pivotably mounting said support bodies on opposite sides of said module, with said male dovetail-type slide connections of said support bodies being aligned in one direction and said female dovetail-type slide connections of said support bodies being aligned in another direction generally perpendicular to the direction of said male dovetail-type slide connections;

said support bodies being pivotable between a first position, wherein one aligned pair of said male or female dovetail-type slide connections are aligned in the vertical direction, and a second position, wherein the other aligned pair of said male or female dovetail-type slide connections are aligned in the vertical direction.

17. A module according to claim 16 wherein the first position of said support bodies corresponds to the first condition of said interlocking means and the second position of said support bodies corresponds to the second condition of said interlocking means;

said module further comprising;

means for securing said module on a pole; and

biasing means for biasing said support bodies to their first position;

said condition-setting means further comprising automatic means for setting said module in its second condition upon securing said module to the pole via the securing means.

18. A system for interlocking a plurality of interchangeable modules in side-by-side relationship, the system comprising a plurality of interchangeable modules including at least a first module, a second module, and a third module;

each of the modules comprising;

a frame having opposite sides; and

interlocking means on the frame adapted for attaching at least two other modules of the system to the module;

the interlocking means of the first module including condition-setting means for setting the interlocking means in a first condition for mounting the first module on a second module of the system or a second condition for mounting the second module and a third module of the system thereon, such that;

(a) when the interlocking means of the first module is set in its first condition (i) the interlocking means of the first module is capable of being mounted on the interlocking means of the second module of the system that has been set in its second condition, and (ii) the interlocking means of the first module is not capable of having mounted thereon the interlocking means of the third module of the system; and

(b) when the interlocking means of the first module is set in its second condition it is capable of having mounted thereon the interlocking means of the second and third modules of the system that have been set in their first condition.

19. A system according to claim 18 wherein each of said modules further comprises securing means for securing the module to a pole.

20. A system according to claim 19 wherein the condition-setting means of each of said modules includes automatic means for setting the module in its second condition upon securing the module to the pole via the securing means.

21. A system according to claim 20 wherein the interlocking means of each of said modules comprises one of each of a male and a female dovetail-type slide connection, the male dovetail-type slide connection being complementary to the female dovetail-type slide connection of other modules of the system, the male and female dovetail-type slide connections being arranged along each of said modules such that the direction of slide in the connection is generally along a vertical axis.

22. A system according to claim 21 wherein the male and female dovetail-type slide connections are on opposite sides of each of said modules.

23. A system according to claim 21 wherein the condition-setting means of each of said modules further comprises:

a shoulder adjacent each of the male and female dovetail-type slide connections; and

shoulder-engaging means for engaging one of the shoulders of the second module of the system to enable the first module to be mounted on the second module when the condition-setting means of the first module is in its first condition and one of the male or female dovetail-type slide connections of the first module is interconnected with the other of the male or female dovetail-type slide connections of the second module of the system;

the shoulder-engaging means of the first module being movable, as the interlocking means is converted to its second condition from its first condition, to a position in which it cannot engage the shoulder of the second or third module.

24. A system according to claim 23 wherein the shoulder-engaging means of each of said modules comprises a pair of latching arms movably mounted on the frame for movement between a first position, corresponding to the first condition of the interlocking means, to a second position, corresponding to the second condition of the interlocking means;

the arrangement being such that, when the interlocking means of the first module has been set in its first condition, with the latching arms of the first module thus placed in their first position;

(a) the latching arms of the first module are adapted to engage one of the shoulders of the second module, that has been placed in its second condition, when a dovetail-type slide connection of the first module is mounted on the complimentary dovetail-type slide connection on the second module; and

(b) the latching arms of the first module are adapted to prevent the engagement of the dovetail-type slide connections of the third module as would permit a latching arm of said third module to engage either shoulder on the first module.

25. A system according to claim 24 wherein dovetail-type slide connections of each of said modules have upper and lower ends relative to the intended use of the module, each of said shoulders including a flange extending generally vertically upwardly from the shoulder along an outer edge of the shoulder, the shoulders being generally adjacent the upper ends of the dovetail-type slide connections;

and

each of said latching arms of the first module has a notch therein generally adjacent an outer end of the latching arm, the notches of the latching arms of the first module being adapted to receive a flange of the second module when the latching arms of the first module are in their first position corresponding to the first condition of the interlocking means.

26. A system according to claim 24 wherein the shoulder-engaging means of each of said modules further comprises biasing means for biasing the latching arms to their first position, and arm-withdrawing means for withdrawing the latching arms from their first position to their second position, the arrangement of the first and second positions being such that the latching arms of any module of the system partially extend from the module when in their first position and are withdrawn into the module when in their second position.

27. A system according to claim 26 wherein the arm-withdrawing means of each of said modules comprises a gear rotatably mounted in the frame, and a rack of gear teeth on each of the latching arms, the latching arms being slidably mounted on the frame, with the gear teeth of the latching arms engaging the gear in a rack-and-pinion engagement.

28. A system according to claim 27 wherein the biasing means of each of said modules comprises a spring engaging the frame and one of the latching arms to bias the latching arms toward their first position.

29. A system according to claim 27 wherein the automatic means of each of said modules comprises a tongue operatively connected to at least one of the latching arms, the tongue being positioned, relative to the securing means, for engagement by the pole to move the tongue and latching arms to their second position.

30. A system according to claim 19 wherein the interlocking means of each of said modules comprises a male and a female dovetail-type slide connection on opposite sides of the module, the male dovetail-type slide connection being complementary to the female dovetail-type slide connection;

and

the condition-setting means of each of said modules further comprises;

a shoulder adjacent each of the male and female dovetail-type slide connections;

shoulder-engaging means for engaging one of the shoulders of the second module to enable the first module to be mounted on the second module when the condition-setting means of the first module is in its first condition and one of the male or female dovetail-type slide connections of the first module is interconnected with the other of the male or female dovetail-type slide connections of the second module;

the shoulder-engaging means of the first module being movable, as the interlocking means is converted to its second condition from its first condition, to a position in which the shoulder-engaging means of the first module cannot engage the shoulder of the second of third module; and

manually operable means for moving the shoulder-engaging means between positions corresponding to the first and second conditions, the manually operable means comprising a knob rotatable mounted on each of the modules and operatively connected to the shoulder-engaging means.

31. A system according to claim 18 wherein the modules are medical instrument modules.

32. A system according to claim 31 wherein at least one medical instrument module is an infusion pump.

33. A system according to claim 18 wherein the interlocking means of each of said module comprises a pair of generally L-shaped support bodies rotatably mounted on opposite sides of the module, each of the support bodies having two legs including one leg comprising a male dovetail-type slide connection adapted for connection with a complementary female dovetail-type slide connection of the second module, and another leg comprising a female dovetail-type slide connection adapted for connection with a complementary male dovetail-type slide connection of the second module;

the condition-setting means of each of said modules comprising means for pivotably mounting the support bodies on opposite sides of the module, with the male dovetail-type slide connections of the module being aligned in one direction and the female dovetail-type slide connections of the module being aligned in another direction generally perpendicular to the direction of the male dovetail-type slide connections;

the support bodies of each of said modules being pivotable between a first position, wherein one aligned pair of the male or female dovetail-type slide connections are aligned in the vertical direction, and a second position, wherein the other aligned pair of the male or female dovetail-type slide connections are aligned in the vertical direction.

34. A system according to claim 33 wherein the first position of the support bodies corresponds to the first condition of the interlocking means and the second position of the support bodies corresponds to the second condition of the interlocking means;

each of said modules further comprising;

means for securing the module on a pole; and

biasing means for biasing the support bodies to their first position;

the condition-setting means further comprising automatic means for setting the module in its second condition upon securing the module to the pole via the securing means.

35. A medical instrument module adapted for use in an interlocking system of interchangeable modules, designated herein first and second interchangeable modules, that are adapted to be arranged in side-by-side relationship, said module comprising:

a frame having opposite sides;

securing means for securing said module to a pole; and

interlocking means on said frame for attaching at least two interchangeable modules having interlocking means to said module;

said interlocking means including condition-setting means for setting said interlocking means in a first condition for mounting said module on the first interchangeable module or a second condition for mounting the first and second interchangeable module(e) thereon, such that;

(a) when said interlocking means is set in its first condition (i) said interlocking means is capable of being mounted on the interlocking means of the first interchangeable module that has been set in its second condition, and (ii) said interlocking means of said module is not capable of having mounted thereon the interlocking means of second interchangeable module; and

(b) when said interlocking means is set in its second condition it is capable of having mounted thereon the interlocking means of the first and second interchangeable modules that have been set in their first condition.

36. A medical instrument module according to claim 35 wherein said condition-setting means includes automatic means for setting said module in its second condition upon securing said module to the pole via said securing means.

37. A medical instrument module according to claim 36 wherein said interlocking means comprises a male and a female dovetail-type slide connections on opposite sides of said module, said male dovetail-type slide connection being complementary to said female dovetail-type slide connection, said male and female dovetail-type slide connections being arranged along the module such that the direction of slide in the connection is generally along a vertical axis.

38. A medical instrument module according to claim 37 wherein said condition-setting means further comprises:

a shoulder adjacent each of said male and female dovetail-type slide connections; and

shoulder-engaging means for engaging one of the shoulders of the first interchangeable module to enable said module to be mounted on the first interchangeable module when said condition-setting means is in its first condition and one of said male or female dovetail-type slide connections of said module is interconnected with the other of the male or female dovetail-type slide connections of the first interchangeable module;

said shoulder-engaging means being movable, as said interlocking means is converted to its second condition from its first condition, to a position in which it does not engage the shoulder of the first or the second interchangeable module.

39. A medical instrument module according to claim 38 wherein said shoulder-engaging means comprise a pair of latching arms movable mounted on said frame for movement between a first position, corresponding to the first condition of said interlocking means, to a second position, corresponding to the second condition of said interlocking means;

the arrangement being such that, when said module has been set in its first condition, with said latching arms thus placed in their first position;

(a) one of said latching arms is adapted to engage one of the shoulders of the first interchangeable module, that has been placed in its second condition, when either one of said dovetail-type slide connection of said module is mounted on a complimentary dovetail-type slide connection on the first interchangeable module; and

(b) said latching arms of said module are adapted to prevent the engagement of a dovetail-type slide connection of the second interchangeable module as would permit a latching arm of the second interchangeable module to engage either shoulder on said module.

40. A medical instrument module according to claim 39 wherein said dovetail-type slide connections have upper and lower ends relative to the intended use of said module, each of said shoulders including a flange extending generally vertically upwardly from said shoulder along an outer edge of said shoulder, said shoulders being generally adjacent the upper ends of the dovetail-type slide connections;

and

each of said latching arms has a notch therein generally adjacent an outer end of the latching arm, the notches of said latching arms being adapted to receive the flanges of interchangeable modules when said latching arms are in their first position corresponding to the first configuration of the interlocking means.

41. A medical instrument module according to claim 39 wherein said shoulder-engaging means further comprises biasing means for biasing said latching arms to their first position, and arm-withdrawing means for withdrawing said latching arms from their first position to their second position, the arrangement of the first and second positions being such that said latching arms partially extend from said module when in their first position and are withdrawn into said module when in their second position.

42. A medical instrument module according to claim 41 wherein said arm-withdrawing means comprises a gear rotatably mounted in said frame, and a rack of gear teeth on each of said latching arms, said latching arms being slidably mounted on said frame, with said gear teeth of said latching arms engaging said gear in a rack-and-pinion engagement.

43. A medical instrument module according to claim 42 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring engaging said frame and one of said latching arms to bias said latching arms toward their first position.

44. A medical instrument module according to claim 42 wherein the automatic means comprises a tongue operatively connected to at least one of said latching arms, said tongue being positioned, relative to said securing means, for engagement by the pole to move said tongue and latching arms to their second position.

45. A medical instrument module according to claim 36 wherein said interlocking means comprises a male and a female dovetail-type slide connection on opposite sides of the module, said male dovetail-type slide connection being complementary to said female dovetail-type slide connection;

and

said condition-setting means further comprises;

a shoulder adjacent each of said male and female dovetail-type slide connections;

shoulder-engaging means for engaging one of the shoulders of the first interchangeable module to enable said module to be mounted of the first interchangeable module when said condition-setting means is in its first condition and one of said male or female dovetail-type slide connections of said module is interconnected with the other of the male or female dovetail-type slide connections of the first interchangeable module, said shoulder-engaging means being movable, as said interlocking means is converted to its second condition from its first condition, to a position in which it does not engage the shoulder of the first or second interchangeable module; and

manually operable means for moving said shoulder-engaging means between positions corresponding to the first and second conditions, said manually operable means comprising a knob rotatable mounted on the module and operatively connected to the shoulder engaging means.

46. A medical instrument module according to claim 35 wherein said medical instrument module is an infusion pump.

47. A medical instrument module according to claim 46 wherein said condition-setting means includes automatic means for setting said interlocking means of said infusion pump in its second condition upon securing said infusion pump to the pole via said securing means.

48. A medical instrument module according to claim 47 wherein said interlocking means comprises a male and a female dovetail-type slide connection on opposite sides of said infusion pump, said male dovetail-type slide connection being complementary to said female dovetail-type slide connection, said male and female dovetail-type slide connections being arranged along said infusion pump such that the direction of slide in the connection is generally along a vertical axis.

49. A medical instrument module according to claim 48 wherein said condition-setting means further comprises:

a shoulder adjacent each of said male and female dovetail-type slide connections; and

shoulder-engaging means for engaging one of the shoulders of the first interchangeable module to enable said infusion pump to be mounted on the first interchangeable module when said condition-setting means is in its first condition and one of said male or female dovetail-type slide connections of said infusion pump is interconnected with the other of the male or female dovetail-type slide connections of the first interchangeable module;

said shoulder-engaging means being movable, as said interlocking means is converted to its second condition from its first condition, to a position in which it does not engage the shoulder of the first or second interchangeable module.

50. A medical instrument module according to claim 49 wherein said shoulder-engaging means comprises a pair of latching arms movable mounted on said frame for movement between a first position, corresponding to the first condition of said interlocking means, to a second position, corresponding to the second condition of said interlocking means;

the arrangement being such that, when said interlocking means of said infusion pump has been set in its first condition, with said latching arms thus placed in their first position;

(a) one of said latching arms is adapted to engage one of the shoulders of the first interchangeable module, that has been placed in its second condition, when either one of said dovetail-type slide connection of said infusion pump is mounted on the complimentary dovetail-type slide connection on the first interchangeable module; and

(b) said latching arms of said infusion pump are adapted to prevent the engagement of a dovetail-type slide connection of the second interchangeable module as would permit a latching arm of the second interchangeable module to engage either shoulder on said infusion pump.

51. A medical instrument module according to claim 50 wherein said dovetail-type slide connections have upper and lower ends relative to the intended use of said infusion pump, each of said shoulders including a flange extending generally vertically upwardly from said shoulder along an outer edge of said shoulder, said shoulders being generally adjacent the upper ends of the dovetail-type slide connections;

and

each of said latching arms has a notch therein generally adjacent an outer end of the latching arm, the notches of said latching arms being adapted to receive the flanges of interchangeable modules when said latching arms are in their first position corresponding to the first configuration of the interlocking means.

52. A medical instrument module according to claim 50 wherein said shoulder-engaging means further comprises biasing means for biasing said latching arms to their first position, and arm-withdrawing means for withdrawing said latching arms from their first position to their second position, the arrangement of the first and second positions being such that said latching arms partially extend from said infusion pump when in their first position and are withdrawn into said infusion pump when in their second position.

53. A medical instrument module according to claim 52 wherein said arm-withdrawing means comprises a gear rotatably mounted in said frame, and a rack of gear teeth on each of said latching arms, said latching arms being slidably mounted on said frame, with said gear teeth of said latching arms engaging said gear in a rack-and-pinion engagement.

54. A medical instrument module according to claim 53 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring engaging said frame and one of said latching arms to bias said latching arms toward their first position.

55. A medical instrument module according to claim 53 wherein the automatic means comprises a tongue operatively connected to at least one of said latching arms, said tongue being positioned, relative to said securing means, for engagement by the pole to move said tongue and latching arms to their second position.

56. A medical instrument module according to claim 35 wherein said interlocking means comprises a pair of generally L-shaped support bodies rotatably mounted on opposite sides of said module, each of said support bodies having two legs including one leg comprising a male dovetail-type slide connection adapted for connection with a complementary female dovetail-type slide connection of the interchangeable module, and another leg comprising a female dovetail-type slide connection adapted for connection with a complementary male dovetail-type slide connection of the interchangeable module;

said condition-setting means comprising;

means for pivotably mounting said support bodies on opposite sides of said module, with said male dovetail-type slide connections of said support bodies being aligned in one direction and said female dovetail-type slide connections of said support bodies being aligned in another direction generally perpendicular to the direction of said male dovetail-type slide connections;

said support bodies being pivotable between a first position, wherein one aligned pair of said male or female dovetail-type slide connections are aligned in the vertical direction, and a second position, wherein the other aligned pair of said male or female dovetail-type slide connections are aligned in the vertical direction.

57. A medical instrument module according to claim 56 wherein the first position of said support bodies corresponds to the first condition of said interlocking means and the second position of said support bodies corresponds to the second condition of said interlocking means;

said module further comprising;

means for securing said module on the pole; and

biasing means for biasing said support bodies to their first position;

said condition-setting means further comprising automatic means for setting said module in its second condition upon securing said module to the pole via the securing means.

58. A medical instrument module adapted for use in an interlocking system of interchangeable medical instrument modules, herein designated first or second interchangeable modules, that are adapted to be mounted in side-by-side relationship on a pole stand, the module comprising:

a frame having opposite sides;

securing means for securing said module to a pole;

at least two slide connections mounted on opposite sides of said module, said slide connection on one side of the module being complementary to said slide connection on the other side of the module, said slide connections being arranged along the module such that the direction of slide in the connection is generally along a vertical axis when the module is in use;

at least two latching surfaces on the module, each corresponding to one of said slide connections, for engaging an arm of the second interchangeable module when said slide connection of said module is interconnected with a complimentary slide connection of the second interchangeable module; and

a latching arm movably mounted in said frame for engaging a latching surface on the first interchangeable module to enable said module to be mounted on the first interchangeable module, said latching arm being movable between;

(a) a first position, (i) wherein said latching arm extends relative to said latching surfaces and slide connections a distance sufficient to engage the latching surface of the first interchangeable module when one of said slide connections are mounted on the slide connection of the first interchangeable module, and (ii) wherein said latching arm blocks said slide connection from having a slide connection of the second interchangeable module mounted thereon; and

(b) a second position, wherein said latching arm is withdrawn relative to said latching surfaces and slide connections to allow a slide connection of the second interchangeable module to be mounted on said slide connection.

59. A medical instrument module according to claim 58 further comprising automatic means for moving said latching arm to its second position upon securing said module to the pole via said securing means.

60. A medical instrument module according to claim 58 wherein said latching arm comprises at least two latching arms at opposite sides of said module, each of said latching arms corresponding to one of said slide connections, each of said latching arms including a rack portion having gear teeth, said module further comprising a gear rotatably mounted on said frame and having gear teeth in intermeshing relationship with said gear teeth of said arms such that rotation of said gear in one direction withdraws said arms from the first position to their second position, biasing means for biasing said arms toward their first position, and a tongue on one of the arms extending into the securing means such that when said tongue is engaged by the pole to which the securing means is secured, said tongue is moved by the pole to move the arms to their second position.

61. A medical instrument module according to claim 60 wherein said slide connections comprise male and female dovetail-type slide connections on opposite sides of said module, said male and female dovetail-type slide connections being complementary to one another.

62. A medical instrument module according to claim 61 wherein said dovetail-type slide connections have upper and lower ends relative to the intended use of said module, each of said latching surfaces being formed by a shoulder including a flange extending generally vertically upwardly from said shoulder along an outer edge of said shoulder, said shoulders being generally adjacent said upper ends of said dovetail-type slide connections;

and

each of said latching arms has a notch therein generally adjacent an outer end of said latching arm, the notches of said latching arms being adapted to receive the flanges of the interchangeable modules when said latching arms are in their first position.

63. A medical instrument module according to claim 62 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring engaging said frame and one of said latching arms to bias said latching arms toward their first position.

64. A medical instrument module according to claim 58 wherein said medical instrument module is an infusion pump.

65. A medical instrument module according to claim 64 further comprising automatic means for moving said latching arm to its second position upon securing said infusion pump to the pole via said securing means.

66. A medical instrument module according to claim 65 wherein said latching arm comprises at least two latching arms at opposite sides of said infusion pump, each of said latching arms corresponding to one of said slide connections, each of said latching arms including a rack portion having gear teeth, said infusion pump further comprising a gear rotatably mounted on said frame and having gear teeth in intermeshing relationship with said gear teeth of said arms such that rotation of said gear in one direction withdraws said arms from the first position to their second position, biasing means for biasing said arms toward their first position, and a tongue on one of the arms extending into the securing means such that when said tongue is engaged by the pole to which the securing means is secured, said tongue is moved by the pole to move the arms to their second position.

67. A medical instrument module according to claim 66 wherein said slide connections comprise male and female dovetail-type slide connections on opposite sides of said module, said male and female dovetail-type slide connections being complementary to one another.

68. A medical instrument module according to claim 67 wherein said dovetail-type slide connections have upper and lower ends relative to the intended use of said module, each of said shoulders including a flange extending generally vertically upwardly from said shoulder along an outer edge of said shoulder, said shoulders being generally adjacent said upper ends of said dovetail-type slide connections;

and

each of said latching arms has a notch therein generally adjacent an outer end of said latching arm, the notches of said latching arms being adapted to receive the flanges of the interchangeable modules when said latching arms are in their first position.

69. A medical instrument module according to claim 68 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring engaging said frame and one of said latching arms to bias said latching arms toward their first position.

70. A medical device module adapted for use in an interlocking system of interchangeable medical device modules that are adapted to be mounted in side-by-side relationship on a pole stand, said module being referred to as a first module and the other modules of the system being referred to as second or third modules, the first module comprising:

securing means for securing said first module to a pole;

at least two slide connections mounted on opposite sides of said first module, said slide connection on one side of the first module being complementary to said slide connection on the other side of the first module;

two pairs of opposed latching shoulders on the same opposite sides of the first module as the two slide connections, each pair of opposed latching shoulders corresponding to one of said slide connections;

two latching arms, each latching arm being movably mounted in said first module for movement between;

an extended position, wherein said latching arms extend relative to said slide connections a distance sufficient to be received between a pair of opposed latching shoulders of the second module when one of said slide connections are mounted on the slide connection of the second module to enable said first module to be mounted on the second module, and wherein said latching arms block said slide connections from having a slide connection of the third module mounted thereon; and

a withdrawn position, wherein said latching arms are withdrawn relative to said slide connections to allow a slide connection of the second module to be mounted on said slide connections; and

manually operable means for moving said latching arms from their extended position toward their withdrawn position to permit moving one of said latching arms past the opposed latching shoulders of the second module on which said first module is mounted to permit dismounting said first module from the second module.

71. A medical device module according to claim 70 wherein the manually operable means comprises a push button mounted on each said latching arm to facilitate manually pushing the latching arms from their extended position toward their withdrawn positions.

72. A medical device module according to claim 71 wherein one of the latching shoulders of each said pair of opposed latching shoulders is formed on a structure having a sloped surface along the side facing away from the other latching shoulder to urge a latching arm of the second module toward its withdrawn position when the slide connection of the second module is being slidably mounted on said slide connection of said first module until the latching arm of the second module is received between said pair of opposed latching shoulders;

the first module further comprising biasing means for biasing the latching arms toward their extended position.

73. A medical device module according to claim 72 further comprising automatic means for moving said latching arms against the biasing force of the biasing means to the withdrawn position upon securing said first module to the pole via said securing means.

74. A medical device module according to claim 73 wherein the slide connections have a direction of slide in the vertical direction, the sloped surface facing generally upwardly.

75. A medical device module according to claim 74 wherein said automatic means comprises:

a rack portion having gear teeth on each said latching arm;

a gear rotatably mounted in said module and having gear teeth in intermeshing relationship with said gear teeth of said latching arms such that rotation of said gear in one direction withdraws said latching arms from their extended position to their withdrawn position; and

a tongue on one of said latching arms extending into the securing means such that when said tongue is engaged by a pole to which said securing means is secured, said tongue is moved by the pole to move said latching arms to their withdrawn position.

76. A medical device module according to claim 74 wherein:

said slide connections comprise male and female dovetail-type slide connections on opposite sides of said first module, said male and female dovetail-type slide connections being complementary to one another, said dovetail-type slide connections having upper and lower ends relative to the intended use of said first module;

each said pair of opposed latching shoulders including an upper latching shoulder and a lower latching shoulder, the lower latching shoulder including a flange extending generally vertically upwardly from said shoulder along an outer edge of said shoulder, said shoulders being generally adjacent said upper ends of said dovetail-type slide connections;

each said latching arm having a downwardly-facing notch therein generally adjacent an outer end of said latching arm, the notches of said latching arms of the first module being adapted to receive the flanges of the second module when said latching arms of the first module are in their extended position.

77. A medical device module according to claim 70 wherein said first module is an infusion pump.

78. An interlocking module system comprising at least two interchangeable medical device modules that are adapted to be mounted in side-by-side relationship on a pole stand, each module comprising:

securing means for securing said module to a pole;

at least two slide connections mounted on opposite sides of said module, said slide connection on one side of the module being complementary to said slide connection on the other side of the module;

two pair of opposed latching shoulders on the same opposite sides of the module as the two slide connections, each pair of opposed latching shoulders corresponding to one of said slide connections;

two latching arms, each latching arm being movably mounted in said module, herein constituting a first module, for movement between;

an extended position, wherein said latching arms extend relative to said slide connections a distance sufficient to be received between a pair of opposed latching shoulders of a second module of the system when one of said slide connections are mounted on the slide connection of the second module to enable said first module to be mounted on the second module, and wherein said latching arms block said slide connections from having a slide connection of a third module of the system mounted thereon; and

a withdrawn position, wherein said latching arms are withdrawn relative to said slide connections to allow a slide connection of the second module of the system to be mounted on said slide connections; and

manually operable means for moving said latching arms from their extended position toward their withdrawn position to permit moving one of said latching arms past the opposed latching shoulders of said second module of the system on which said first module is mounted to permit dismounting said first module from the second module.

79. A system according to claim 78 wherein the manually operable means comprises a push button mounted on each said latching arm to facilitate manually pushing the latching arms from their extended position toward their withdrawn positions.

80. A system according to claim 79 wherein one of the latching shoulders of each said pair of opposed latching shoulders is formed on a structure having a sloped surface along the side facing away from the other latching shoulder to urge a latching arm of said second module of the system toward its withdrawn position when the slide connection of the second module is being slidably mounted on said slide connection of said first module until the latching arm of the second module is received between said pair of opposed latching shoulders;

each said module further comprising biasing means for biasing the latching arms toward their extended position.

81. A system according to claim 80 further comprising automatic means for moving said latching arms against the biasing force of the biasing means to the withdrawn position upon securing said module to the pole via said securing means.

82. A system according to claim 81 wherein the slide connections have a direction of slide in the vertical direction, the sloped surface facing generally upwardly.

83. A system according to claim 82 wherein said automatic means comprises:

a rack portion having gear teeth on each said latching arm;

a gear rotatably mounted in said module and having gear teeth in intermeshing relationship with said gear teeth of the rack portions of said latching arms such that rotation of said gear in one direction withdraws said latching arms from their extended position to their withdrawn position; and

a tongue on one of said latching arms extending into the securing means such that when said tongue is engaged by a pole to which said securing means is secured, said tongue is moved by the pole to move said latching arms to their withdrawn position.

84. A system according to claim 82 wherein:

said slide connections comprise male and female dovetail-type slide connections on opposite sides of said module, said male and female dovetail-type slide connections being complementary to one another, said dovetail-type slide connections having upper and lower ends relative to the intended use of said module;

each said pair of opposed latching shoulders including an upper latching shoulder and a lower latching shoulder, the lower latching shoulder including a flange extending generally vertically upwardly from said shoulder along an outer edge of said shoulder, said shoulders being generally adjacent said upper ends of said dovetail-type slide connections;

each said latching arm having a downwardly-facing notch therein generally adjacent an outer end of said latching arm, the notches of said latching arms of the first module of the system being adapted to receive the flanges of the second module of the system when said latching arms of the first module are in their extended position.

85. A system according to claim 78 wherein at least one of said medical device modules is an infusion pump.