Medical cart, medication module, height adjustment mechanism, and method of medication transport

• US 7,594,668 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2008
• Issued: 09/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Capsa Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Arceta, Radmond Vincent, Rogers, Craig Kevin, Fitzpatrick, Kevin Thomas, Philpott, Marin John, Fortner, Christina Louise, Ritchie, Bryan Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): VANAMAN, FRANK BENNETT
• Application Number:
  US12/193,346
• Publication Number:
  US 20090015116A1
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 280/47.34, 280/47.35, 280/79.11, 280/79.3, 280/638, 280/651, 280/33.992, 108/147.19, 108/147.21, 235/431
• US Class Current: 280/47.35
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/001 Trolleys for transport of medicaments, food, linen, nursing supplies carts specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis A61B50/13; hand carts B62B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2206/06 adjustable in height
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1476 the main load support being a platform

Abstract

A medical cart is described and includes a work platform having a work surface and at least one compartment, a base, and a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the work platform relative to the base. A medication module is described and includes a plurality of compartments. The medical cart can be joined with a medication module. In addition, a plurality of medication modules can joined to form a train. The medical cart and medication module can be used collectively and individually in a variety of methods for transferring medicine.

Claims

1. A cart comprising:

a work platform including a laptop platform, a work surface separate from the laptop platform, and compartments for containing items;

a base configured to be movable in at least a rearward direction; and

a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the work platform relative to the base,

wherein the base includes a portion that projects from the height adjustment mechanism in a forward direction that is substantially opposite to the rearward direction,

wherein the work platform includes a portion that projects from the height adjustment mechanism in the forward direction, the compartments are disposed in the portion of the work platform that projects from the height adjustment mechanism in the forward direction, and the compartments are configured to permit a user facing in the rearward direction to access an item within the compartments,

wherein the laptop platform can be moved in at least one of the forward and rearward directions,

wherein the work surface can be moved in at least one of a leftward and rightward direction along an arcuate path that faces the forward direction,

wherein the height adjustment mechanism is configured to releasably lock the work platform at a plurality of heights, and

wherein the height adjustment mechanism comprises;

a stationary casing connected to the base;

a telescoping casing connected to the work platform and configured to move relative to the stationary casing;

at least two drawer slides disposed between the stationary casing and the telescoping casing;

a driver configured to releasably lock the telescoping casing relative to the stationary casing; and

an actuator for controlling the driver.

2. The cart of claim 1, wherein the driver includes a piston that, in response to a user'"'"'s actuation of the actuator, permits gas to flow out of the piston during lowering of the height of the work platform, and that, in response to a user'"'"'s actuation of the actuator, permits gas to flow into the piston during increasing of the height of the work platform.

3. A cart comprising:

a work platform including a work surface and compartments for containing items;

a base configured to be movable in at least a rearward direction; and

a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the work platform relative to the base,

wherein the base includes a portion that projects from the height adjustment mechanism in a forward direction that is substantially opposite to the rearward direction,

wherein the work platform includes a portion that projects from the height adjustment mechanism in the forward direction, the compartments are disposed in the portion of the work platform that projects from the height adjustment mechanism in the forward direction, and the compartments are configured to permit a user facing in the rearward direction to access an item within the compartments,

wherein the height adjustment mechanism is configured to releasably lock the work platform at a plurality of heights,

wherein the height adjustment mechanism comprises;

a stationary casing connected to the base;

a telescoping casing connected to the work platform and configured to move relative to the stationary casing;

at least two drawer slides disposed between the stationary casing and the telescoping casing;

a driver configured to releasably lock the telescoping casing relative to the stationary casing; and

an actuator for controlling the driver, and

wherein the actuator is disposed above the compartments and on the portion of the work platform that projects in the forward direction.

4. A cart comprising:

a work platform including a work surface and at least one compartment for containing an item within the compartment;

a base configured to be movable in at least a rearward direction; and

a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the work platform relative to the base, wherein the height adjustment mechanism is configured to releasably lock the work platform at a plurality of heights, the height adjustment mechanism comprising;

a stationary casing connected to the base;

a telescoping casing connected to the work platform and configured to move relative to the stationary casing;

a driver configured to releasably lock the telescoping casing relative to the stationary casing; and

an actuator for controlling the driver,

wherein the base includes a portion that projects from the height adjustment mechanism in a forward direction that is substantially opposite to the rearward direction,

wherein the work platform includes a portion that projects from the height adjustment mechanism in the forward direction, the compartment is disposed in the portion of the work platform that projects from the height adjustment mechanism in the forward direction, and the compartment is configured to permit a user facing in the rearward direction to access an item within the compartment,

wherein the actuator is disposed above the compartment and on the portion of the work platform that projects in the forward direction.

5. The cart of claim 4, further comprising a handle disposed on the work platform, wherein the actuator is disposed on the handle.

6. A cart comprising:

a work platform including a laptop platform, a work surface separate from the laptop platform, and compartments for containing items;

a base configured to be movable in at least a rearward direction; and

a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the work platform relative to the base,

wherein the base includes a portion that projects from the height adjustment mechanism in a forward direction that is substantially opposite to the rearward direction,

wherein the work platform includes a portion that projects from the height adjustment mechanism in the forward direction, the compartments are disposed in the portion of the work platform that projects from the height adjustment mechanism in the forward direction, and the compartments are configured to permit a user facing in the rearward direction to access an item within the compartments,

wherein the laptop platform can be moved in at least one of the forward and rearward directions,

wherein the work surface can be moved in at least one of a leftward and rightward direction along an arcuate path that faces the forward direction, and

wherein the work surface is configured to move in the leftward or rightward direction through a slot in a side of the work platform.

7. A cart comprising:

a work platform including a laptop platform, a work surface separate from the laptop platform, and compartments for containing items;

a base configured to be movable in at least a rearward direction; and

a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the work platform relative to the base,

wherein the base includes a portion that projects from the height adjustment mechanism in a forward direction that is substantially opposite to the rearward direction,

wherein the work platform includes a portion that projects from the height adjustment mechanism in the forward direction, the compartments are disposed in the portion of the work platform that projects from the height adjustment mechanism in the forward direction, and the compartments are configured to permit a user facing in the rearward direction to access an item within the compartments,

wherein the laptop platform can be moved in at least one of the forward and rearward directions,

wherein the work surface can be moved in at least one of a leftward and rightward direction along an arcuate path that faces the forward direction, and

wherein the work platform includes a secondary work surface that is exposed when the laptop platform moves in the forward or rearward direction.