Method and apparatus for power connection in a modular patient care system
First Claim
1. A modular patient care system, comprising:
- a plurality of modules including a first module and a second module, said second module comprising a first portion grippable by a user, said second module being configured and dimensioned so as to be capable of being held by a single hand of the user by gripping said first portion;
a hinge connector pair configured and dimensioned to allow hingeable engagement of said second module to said first module near a first end of said second module;
a latch mechanism for securing said second module to said first module near a second end of said second module, said latch mechanism comprising a first part connected to said first module and a second part connected to said second module near said second end, said second part being capable of springably securing to said first part when forced into said first part;
means for releasing said second part from said first part;
a guide mechanism separate from said hinge connector pair and said latch mechanism and located therebetween, said guide mechanism for discouraging off-axis engagement of said first and second modules and for providing mechanical stability for said first and second modules when engaged;
wherein said means for releasing is spaced away from said first portion of said second module a distance sufficient to prevent a hand gripping said first portion from also activating said releasing means;
whereby said second module is capable of being structurally engaged to said first module in a one-handed, single step operation, and whereby an at least two-step or two-handed operation is required to structurally disengage said second module from said first module.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular patient care system having a central management unit module and one or more detachable functional units is described. Using unique mechanical and electrical features, the modular patient care system is capable of flexibly, bilaterally, and safely providing electrical power from the central management unit to the attached functional units, with exposed power leads of end units being electrically isolated for safety and security. Functional units are capable of detecting the presence of other functional units more distant from the central management unit for passing power to those units, and for otherwise electrically isolating exposed power leads when no further units are attached. Additionally, the modular patient care system provides for a modular connection arrangement wherein modules are detachably connected to each other in a convenient, flexible, interchangeable, and secure manner by providing a hinge connector pair, a specially located latch mechanism, and a guide means between any pair of modules.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A modular patient care system, comprising:
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a plurality of modules including a first module and a second module, said second module comprising a first portion grippable by a user, said second module being configured and dimensioned so as to be capable of being held by a single hand of the user by gripping said first portion;
a hinge connector pair configured and dimensioned to allow hingeable engagement of said second module to said first module near a first end of said second module;
a latch mechanism for securing said second module to said first module near a second end of said second module, said latch mechanism comprising a first part connected to said first module and a second part connected to said second module near said second end, said second part being capable of springably securing to said first part when forced into said first part;
means for releasing said second part from said first part;
a guide mechanism separate from said hinge connector pair and said latch mechanism and located therebetween, said guide mechanism for discouraging off-axis engagement of said first and second modules and for providing mechanical stability for said first and second modules when engaged;
wherein said means for releasing is spaced away from said first portion of said second module a distance sufficient to prevent a hand gripping said first portion from also activating said releasing means;
whereby said second module is capable of being structurally engaged to said first module in a one-handed, single step operation, and whereby an at least two-step or two-handed operation is required to structurally disengage said second module from said first module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification