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(11) | EP 3 756 634 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | MANOEUVRE DEVICE FOR MOVING TRANSPORT STRUCTURES, OF THE TYPE USED IN HEALTH FACILITIES OR SIMILAR |
| (57) Manoeuvre device, for moving a transport structure for people, of the type used in
health facilities or similar, comprising: - a trolley frame that defines an internal volume adapted to accommodate, at least partially, the components of said manoeuvre device; - a wheel assembly operatively connected with said support frame and comprising a driving wheel and actuating means adapted to drive said driving wheel and comprising one or more electric motors; - a control unit adapted to control operation of said wheel assembly, said control unit being operatively connectable, in wired and/or wireless mode, with electronic control means of said transport structure; - a battery assembly adapted to supply said actuating means and said control means; - mechanical guiding means operatively couplable with said transport structure, said first mechanical guiding means being adapted to allow a reversible movement of said manoeuvre device between a separation position from said transport structure and a mounting position on board said transport structure; - mechanical blocking means operatively couplable with said transport structure, said mechanical blocking means being adapted to block said manoeuvre device in said mounting position on board said transport structure. |
[0001] The present invention relates to a manoeuvre device, for moving a transport structure for people, of the type used in health facilities or similar, for example a hospital bed or stretcher.
[0002] A transport structure, of the type used in health facilities or similar, generally comprises a support frame adapted to define a supporting surface for a person and a plurality of wheel assemblies operatively connected with the aforesaid support frame (generally at its corners) in order to allow movement of the transport structure along a motion surface.
[0003] As is known, manoeuvring these transport structures can be rather difficult, in particular when requiring to follow routes with bends or corners.
[0004] To try to overcome this drawback, transport structures have been produced with a motorised wheel assembly (also known as "guide wheel assembly" or "fifth wheel assembly") fixed to the support frame and generally arranged in a central position relative thereto. Appropriately driven by a control device on board the transport structure, the aforesaid motorised wheel assembly is capable of moving the structure along a motion direction.
[0005] Although having considerable practical advantages, transport structures of this type are relatively complex and costly to manufacture on an industrial scale.
[0006] Towing devices (otherwise known as "electric tow tugs") have been developed to solve this problem; these devices are capable of coupling with a transport structure, raising it slightly from the motion surface (for example at the head) and towing it along a direction of movement. The main advantage of these towing devices consists in their flexibility of use, as a same device can be used to tow several transport structures, even of different type.
[0007] However, these towing devices typically have relatively large footprints. Consequently, they are often very difficult to use in relatively small spaces, for example inside a hospital room. Moreover, the aforesaid towing devices are relatively costly to manufacture on an industrial scale.
[0008] The main aim of the present invention is to provide a manoeuvre device for transport structures, of the type used in health facilities or similar, that allows the abovementioned drawbacks to be overcome.
[0009] Within this aim, one of the objects of the present invention to produce a manoeuvre device that has high flexibility of use and that can be used to tow several transport structures or transport structures of different type.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to produce a manoeuvre device that can be used effectively even in small spaces, for example inside a hospital room.
[0011] A further object of the present invention is to produce a manoeuvre device that is relatively simple to manufacture on an industrial scale, at economically competitive costs.
[0012] This aim and these objects, together with other objects that will be apparent from the description below and from the accompanying drawings, are achieved according to the invention by a manoeuvre device of a transport structure for people according to the appended claim 1.
[0013] In a general definition thereof, the manoeuvre device comprises:
- a trolley frame, for example provided with wheels, that defines an internal volume adapted to accommodate, at least partially, the components of said manoeuvre device;
- a motorised wheel assembly operatively connected with said support frame and comprising a driving wheel and actuating means adapted to drive said driving wheel and comprising one or more electric motors;
- a control unit adapted to control operation of said wheel assembly. This control unit is operatively connectable, in a wired and/or wireless mode, with electronic control means of said transport structure;
- a battery assembly adapted to supply said actuating means and said control means;
- mechanical guiding means operatively couplable with said transport structure, said first mechanical guiding means being adapted to allow a reversible movement of said manoeuvre device between a separation position from said transport structure and a mounting position on board said transport structure;
- mechanical blocking means operatively couplable with said transport structure, said mechanical blocking means being adapted to block said manoeuvre device in said mounting position on board said transport structure.
[0014] According to the invention, when the manoeuvre device is in said mounting position on board a transport structure, the driving wheel of said wheel assembly is reversibly movable, by said actuating means, between a rest position, at which said driving wheel is not in contact with a motion surface, and a motion position, at which said driving wheel is in contact with said motion surface.
[0015] According to the invention, when the manoeuvre device is in said mounting position on board a transport structure and said driving wheel is in said motion position, said driving wheel is movable along a motion direction to move said transport structure.
[0016] According to some embodiments of the invention, the control unit is electrically connectable with the electronic control means of said transport structure.
[0017] Preferably, the manoeuvre device comprises first electric connecting means electrically connectable with further electric connecting means of said transport structure.
[0018] According to some embodiments of the invention (not necessarily alternative to the previous embodiments), the control unit is connectable via WiFi™, Bluetooth™, or other wireless communication protocol, with the electronic control means of said transport structure. According to an aspect of the invention, the aforesaid mechanical guiding means are slidingly couplable with further mechanical guiding means of said transport structure.
[0019] According to an aspect of the invention, when the manoeuvre device reaches said mounting position on board said transport structure, said mechanical blocking means couple with a support element of said transport structure in a blocking position.
[0020] According to an aspect of the invention, the manoeuvre device comprises lever means operatively connected with said mechanical blocking means. These lever means can be operated by the user to remove said mechanical blocking means from said blocking position with said support element of said transport structure.
[0021] According to an aspect of the invention, the manoeuvre device comprises enabling means capable of taking a deactivation condition, in which said enabling means disable operation of said control unit, and an activation condition, in which said enabling means enable operation of said control unit.
[0022] Preferably, said enabling means are driven by said mechanical blocking means in said activation condition, when said mechanical blocking means couple with said transport structure to block said manoeuvre device in said mounting position on board said transport structure.
[0023] According to an aspect of the invention, the manoeuvre device comprises a power supply port electrically connected to said battery assembly or to said control unit to allow recharging of said battery assembly.
[0024] According to an aspect of the invention, the manoeuvre device comprises handling means operatively connected with said trolley frame.
[0025] In a further aspect thereof, the present invention refers to a combination according to the appended claim 11.
[0026] Features and advantages of the transport structure according to the invention can be better understood by referring to the description provided below and to the accompanying figures, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, wherein:
- Figs. 1-6 schematically represent some general views of the manoeuvre device according to the invention;
- Figs. 7-17 schematically represent some views of the manoeuvre device according to the invention, in combination with a transport structure for people, of the type used in health facilities or similar.
[0027] With reference to the aforesaid figures, the present invention refers to a manoeuvre device 1 for moving a transport structure 100 for people, particularly suitable for use in health facilities or similar.
[0028] The transport structure 100 can, for example, be a bed or stretcher for use in hospitals, nursing homes, residential care homes and the like.
[0029] In general, the transport structure 100 can be produced according to solutions of known type and, for the sake of brevity, only the aspects relevant for the invention will be described here.
[0031] Preferably, as illustrated in Figs. 14-15, the transport structure 100 comprises a first and second side, opposite each other and respectively destined to form its head and foot, and a third and fourth side, opposite each other and destined to form its sides. Preferably, the transport structure 100 comprises a support frame 102 arranged so as to define a supporting surface 101, for example for a person to be transported.
[0032] Preferably, the transport structure 100 comprises a plurality of wheel assemblies 107 destined to allow the movement of the transport structure along a motion surface 200.
[0033] The wheel assemblies 107 each comprise a corresponding wheel 107A operatively connected to a support, for example of fork type, so as to be able to rotate about a rotation axis (not illustrated) substantially parallel to the motion surface 200 (when the transport structure 100 is in its normal operating position, Figs. 9-11).
[0034] Moreover, the main wheel assemblies 107 are coupled in a revolving manner to the support frame 102 so as to be able to move about a swivel axis (not illustrated) perpendicular to the rotation axis and to the motion surface 200 (when the transport structure 100 is in its normal operating position).
[0036] In particular, each wheel assembly 107 is capable of taking a released position, in which the respective wheel 107A is capable of moving along a motion direction (rotating about its rotation axis) and about the swivel axis, a semi-blocked position, in which the wheel 107A is capable of moving along a motion direction but is blocked in its movement about the swivel axis, and a blocked position, in which the wheel 107A is blocked and is not capable of moving either about its rotation axis or about its swivel axis.
[0037] Preferably, the transport structure 100 comprises one or more control pedals 108 that can be operated by a user to control operation of the wheel assemblies 107.
[0038] By means of a suitable kinematic chain (not illustrated) for connection with the wheel assemblies 107, each control pedal 108 can be operated to cause the wheel assemblies 107 to simultaneously take the aforesaid released position, semi-blocked position or blocked position. In particular, each control pedal 108 is movable into a first pedal position PD1, in which the wheel assemblies 107 take a released position, into a second pedal position PD2, in which the wheel assemblies 107 take a semi-blocked position, or into a third pedal position PD3, in which the wheel assemblies 107 take a blocked position (Fig. 17).
[0039] Preferably, as illustrated in Figs. 14-15, the transport structure 100 comprises one or more side panels 110 supported by the support frame 102 and arranged along the sides of the transport structure 100.
[0040] As mentioned above, Figs. 7-17 illustrate, by way of example, a possible solution of embodiment for the transport structure 100. The transport structure can be produced according to alternative solutions relative to the solution illustrated in Figs. 7-17.
[0041] According to the invention, the manoeuvre device 1 comprises a trolley frame 2 that defines an internal volume 3 adapted to accommodate, at least partially, the internal components of the manoeuvre device.
[0042] Preferably, the trolley frame 2 is formed by a box-shaped body having a substantially parallelepiped shape and provided with a plurality of small wheels 15.
[0043] With reference to a normal operating position of the manoeuvre device 1 (Fig. 1), the trolley frame 2 advantageously comprises a front wall 2A and a rear wall 2B opposite each other, a pair of side walls 2C and 2D opposite each other, and an upper wall 2E (Figs. 1-5).
[0044] The trolley frame 2 is advantageously open at a lower side 2F opposite the upper wall 2E thereof (Fig. 5).
[0045] Preferably, the trolley frame 2 comprises a plurality of internal reinforcing elements (not illustrated) adapted to support and hold the aforesaid walls 2A-2E and the internal components of the manoeuvre device in position.
[0046] The trolley frame 2 is advantageously provided with a plurality of small wheels 15, for example in proximity of the front wall 2A and of the lower side 2F.
[0047] According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the manoeuvre device 1 comprises handling means 14 operatively connected with the trolley frame 2.
[0048] Preferably, these handling means comprise a handle 14 connected with the trolley frame 2 at the rear wall 2B.
[0049] Advantageously, the handle 14 is shaped so as to facilitate movement of the device 1 during its transport and operations to mount it on/remove it from the transport structure 100.
[0050] According to some embodiments of the invention (not illustrated), the handle 14 could be of telescoping type.
[0051] According to the invention, the manoeuvre device 1 comprises a motorised wheel assembly 4, operatively connected with the trolley frame 2.
[0052] The wheel assembly 4 comprises a driving wheel 41, which is preferably supported by a supporting fork (not illustrated), in turn connected to the trolley frame 2 by means of a supporting plate 43.
[0053] In general, the wheel assembly 4 is capable of taking a rest position R and a motion position M, in which the driving wheel 41 is movable along a motion direction.
[0054] When it is in rest position R, the driving wheel 41 is advantageously accommodated in the internal volume 3 defined by the trolley frame 2.
[0055] When it is in motion position M, the driving wheel 41 protrudes from the trolley frame 2 at the lower side 2F thereof.
[0056] To drive the driving wheel 41, the wheel assembly 4 comprises actuating means 42 advantageously comprising one or more electric motors.
[0057] In an embodiment thereof on an industrial scale, the wheel assembly 4 can be produced according to solutions of known type and, for the sake of brevity, only the part that concerns aspects relevant for the invention will be described here.
[0058] According to the invention, the manoeuvre device 1 comprises a control unit 6 adapted to control operation of the wheel assembly 4.
[0059] Advantageously, the control unit 6 can comprise one or more microprocessor devices and analog and/or digital electronic circuits arranged on a suitable supporting board accommodated in the internal volume 3 and fixed to the trolley frame 2, for example in proximity of the front wall 2A thereof.
[0060] The control unit 6 is operatively connectable with electronic control means 105 of the transport structure 100, according to a wired and/or wireless mode.
[0061] The electronic control means 105 can comprise a plurality of control buttons 105A, 105B installed on board a side panel 110 of the transport structure 100 (Fig. 16) and actuatable manually by the user.
[0062] Moreover, the electronic control means 105 can comprise further control elements, for example one or more microswitches 105C installed on board the support frame 102 and actuatable by the control pedals 108 thereof.
[0063] According to some possible variants of embodiment, the electronic control means 105 could comprise a portable control board removably installable on board the support structure 100, for example on a side panel 110.
[0064] According to some possible variants of embodiment, the electronic control means 105 could also comprise a remote control or other portable control device.
[0065] In general, the control unit 6 is operatively connectable with the electronic control means 105 of the transport structure 100 according to a wired mode, or to a wireless mode (for example using WiFi™, Bluetooth™ or other one-way or two-way wireless communication protocols), or according to both modes.
[0066] In the embodiments illustrated in the aforesaid figures, the control unit 6 is electrically connectable (wired mode) with the electronic control means 105 of the transport structure 100. According to these embodiments, the manoeuvre device 1 comprises electric connecting means 9 electrically connectable with further electric connecting means 104 of the transport structure 100.
[0067] Advantageously, the aforesaid further electric connecting means 104 are electrically connectable with the electronic control means 105 of the transport structure 100.
[0068] Preferably, the electric connecting means 9 of the manoeuvre device 1 consist of one or more multi-pole sockets fixed to the trolley frame 2, arranged on the front wall 2A thereof. Preferably, the further electric connecting means 104 of the transport structure 100 consist of one or more multipole sockets fixed to a support element (for example a strut) of the support frame 102 of the support structure 100 (Fig. 7).
[0069] It is evident that, even if an electrical connection with the electronic control means 105 is present, the control unit 6 could be connected in wireless mode (for example using WiFi™) with a corresponding control unit on board the transport structure 100 or on board a portable control device, which could be installed on board the transport structure 100.
[0070] According to the invention, the manoeuvre device 1 comprises a battery assembly 5 to supply the electric or electronic components of the manoeuvre device 1.
[0071] In particular, the battery assembly 5 is electrically connected to the actuating means 42 of the wheel assembly 4 and to the control unit 6 in order to supply them with power.
[0072] Preferably, the battery assembly 5 comprises one or more battery packs, for example of LiPB type, fixed to the trolley frame 2, for example to a further fixing plate 23 thereof (Figs. 5-6). Preferably, the battery assembly 5 is connectable to an electrical power source to be recharged, for example to the electrical grid.
[0073] Preferably, the manoeuvre device 1 comprises a power supply port 12 electrically connected to the battery assembly 5 or to the control unit 6 to allow recharging of said battery assembly. Preferably, the power supply port 12 consists of a power socket arranged at a lateral wall 2D of the trolley frame 2, so as to be easily accessible to the user, even with the manoeuvre device 1 mounted on the transport structure 100, as better described below.
[0074] In an industrial embodiment thereof, the battery assembly 5 can be produced according to solutions of known type and, for the sake of brevity, only the aspects relevant for the invention will be described here.
[0075] According to the invention, the manoeuvre device 1 comprises mechanical guiding means 7 operatively couplable with the transport structure 100.
[0076] The mechanical guiding means 7 are arranged so as to allow mounting or removal of the manoeuvre device 1 on or from the transport structure 100, regardless of its type.
[0077] In practice, the mechanical guiding means 7 are capable of allowing a reversible movement of the manoeuvre device 1 between a separation position A from the transport structure 100 (Fig. 9) and a mounting position B on board said transport structure 100 (Fig. 10).
[0078] Preferably, the mechanical guiding means 7 comprise a pair of sliding rollers 7A operatively coupled with each of the side walls 2C, 2D of the trolley frame 2.
[0079] Preferably, the mechanical guiding means 7 also comprise a limit stop element 7B operatively coupled with each of the side walls 2C, 2D of the trolley frame 2, in proximity of the rear wall 2B thereof.
[0080] Preferably, the mechanical guiding means 7 are slidingly couplable with further mechanical guiding means 103 of the transport structure 100.
[0081] Preferably, the further mechanical guiding means of the transport structure 100 consist of a pair of shaped profiles 103, for example substantially U-shaped, and fixed parallel with each other to the support frame 102, at one of the sides of the support structure, perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis of the transport structure 100.
[0082] Preferably, the mechanical guiding means 7 of the manoeuvre device 1 and the further mechanical guiding means 103 of the transport structure 100 are arranged so that the manoeuvre device 1 is raised from the motion surface 200 of the transport structure 100, during the movement towards the mounting position B on board said transport structure 100.
[0083] For this purpose, in the embodiments illustrated, each pair of sliding rollers 7A of the mechanical guiding means 7 preferably comprises a front sliding roller and a rear sliding roller, respectively arranged in proximal and distal position relative to the front wall 2A and to the upper wall 2E of the trolley frame 2.
[0084] Moreover, each shaped profile 103 is arranged so as to define an upward facing sliding path (i.e., towards the supporting surface 101 of the transport structure 100) for the sliding rollers 7A, during the movement of the manoeuvre device 1 between the separation position A from the transport structure and a mounting position B on board the transport structure 100.
[0085] According to the invention, the manoeuvre device 1 comprises mechanical blocking means 8 operatively couplable with the transport structure 100, when the manoeuvre device 1 is in the mounting position B on board the transport structure 100.
[0086] The mechanical blocking means 8 are advantageously arranged so as to be capable of blocking the manoeuvre device 1 in the aforesaid mounting position B on board the transport structure 100.
[0087] Preferably, the aforesaid mechanical blocking means comprise a pair of blocking elements 8 rotationally coupled with the trolley frame 2 in proximity of the rear wall 2B thereof. Preferably, the blocking elements 8 are coupled with a common rotation pin 800 operatively connected with the trolley frame 2.
[0088] Preferably, each blocking element 8 is operatively coupled with corresponding elastic means (not illustrated), arranged so as to oppose a backward rotation movement D (i.e., away from the front wall 2A of the trolley frame 2, or towards the handle 14 - Fig. 13).
[0089] Each blocking element 8 comprises a free end portion 8A that protrudes from the upper wall 2E of the trolley frame 2. This free end portion advantageously comprises a coupling surface 80 operatively couplable with a support element 102A of the support frame 100 (for example the strut) of the transport structure 100.
[0090] Preferably, the coupling surface 80 comprises a shaped portion 80A with a cam profile relative to the rotation axis of the respective blocking element 8 and a substantially flat portion 80B, destined to couple with a flat surface of the support element 102A.
[0091] When the manoeuvre device 1 reaches the mounting position B on board the transport structure 100, the cam portion 80A of the coupling surface 80 of each blocking element 8 comes into contact with the support element 102A.
[0092] Each blocking element 8 thus performs a backward rotation movement D in opposition with the aforesaid elastic means (not illustrated) until the portion 80B of the coupling surface 80 of each blocking element 8 snap engages with the support element 102A, due to the opposing action exerted by the aforesaid elastic means.
[0093] When the mechanical blocking means 8 reach this blocked position (Fig. 13) with the support element 102A of the support structure 100, the manoeuvre device 1 is blocked in the aforesaid mounting position B on board the transport structure 100.
[0094] The aforesaid elastic means, operatively coupled with the blocking elements 8, keep these latter engaged with the support element 102A, preventing all movement of the manoeuvre device 1. The blocking means 8 can also be produced according to solutions of a different type from the one described above, for example prior art solutions.
[0095] Preferably, the manoeuvre device 1 comprises lever means 10 operatively connected with the mechanical blocking means 8.
[0096] Advantageously, the lever means 10 are actuatable by the user to remove the mechanical blocking means 8 from the aforesaid blocked position with the support element 102A of the transport structure 100.
[0097] Preferably, the lever means comprise a lever 10 operatively connected with the rotation pin 800 of the blocking elements 8.
[0098] By appropriately actuating the lever 10, the user can make the blocking element 8 carry out a further backwards rotation movement D (in opposition with the aforesaid elastic means) until disengaging it from the aforesaid blocked position with the support element 102A.
[0099] When the blocking elements 8 are in this condition, the user can remove the manoeuvre device 1 from the mounting position B acting appropriately on the handle 14.
[0100] Preferably, the manoeuvre device 1 comprises enabling means 11, operatively connected with the control unit 6 to enable or disable operation thereof.
[0101] The enabling means 11 are advantageously capable of taking a deactivation condition, in which they disable operation of the control unit 6, and an activation condition, in which they enable operation of said control means.
[0102] Preferably, the enabling means 11 are normally in a deactivation condition (i.e., are of "normally-OFF" type).
[0103] The enabling means 11 are driven in the aforesaid activation condition by the mechanical blocking means 8, when these latter couple with the transport structure 100 to block the manoeuvre device 1 in the mounting position B on board the transport structure.
[0104] In this situation, the enabling means 11 send the control unit 6 appropriate electrical signals (release signals) that enable its operation.
[0105] Preferably, the enabling means 11 comprise a pair of electromechanical microswitches, each of which is electrically connected with the control unit 6 and is fixed to the trolley frame 2 in proximity of a respective blocking element 8.
[0106] Normally, each microswitch 11 is decoupled from the respective blocking element 8 and is in a deactivation condition. In this situation, the control unit 6 cannot operate.
[0107] When it reaches the blocked position (Fig. 13) with the support element 102A of the support structure 100, each blocking element 8 couples with the related microswitch 11, activating it. In this situation, the microswitches 11 enable operation of the control unit 6.
[0108] The operation of the manoeuvre device 1 is now described in greater detail with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the aforesaid figures.
[0109] Normally, the manoeuvre device 1 forms a separate unit, transportable by a user in the manner of a trolley.
[0110] In this condition, the control unit 6 cannot operate, being disabled by the enabling means 11. The battery assembly 5 can instead be connected to a power source to be recharged.
[0111] When it is necessary to move a transport structure 100, for example a hospital bed, the manoeuvre device 1 is positioned at the side on which the mechanical guiding means 103 of this transport structure are accessible (Figs. 7 and 9).
[0112] By acting on the handle 14, the manoeuvre device 1 is positioned so as to couple the corresponding mechanical guiding means 7 with the mechanical guiding means 103 of the transport structure 100.
[0113] In this condition, by exerting a thrust on the handle 4, the user can move the manoeuvre device 1 between a separation position A from the transport structure 100 (Figs. 7 and 9) and a mounting position B on board the transport structure 100 (Figs. 8 and 10, 11).
[0114] When it is in the mounting position B, the manoeuvre device 1 is blocked stably in this position by the mechanical blocking means 8 that snap couple with a strut 102A of the support structure 100, according to the methods described above.
[0115] The manoeuvre device 1 is raised completely off the motion surface 200 of the transport structure 100. In practice, it is mounted completely on board the transport structure 100 and can be moved integral therewith.
[0116] In this situation, the enabling means 11, operated by the mechanical blocking means 8, are taken to an activation condition in which they enable operation of the control unit 6.
[0117] Moreover, the electric connecting means 9 of the manoeuvre device 1 (if provided) are electrically coupled with the respective electric connecting means 104 of the transport structure 100. In this way, the control unit 6 is electrically connected with the electronic control means 105.
[0118] When the manoeuvre device 1 is in the mounting position B, the actuating means 42 of the wheel assembly 4 can reversibly move the driving wheel 41 between a rest position R (Fig. 10), at which the driving wheel is not in contact with the motion surface 200, and a motion position M (Fig. 11), at which said driving wheel is in contact with the motion surface 200.
[0119] When the manoeuvre device 1 is in the mounting position B and the driving wheel 41 is in the aforesaid motion position M, the actuating means 42 of the wheel assembly 4 can move the driving wheel 41 according to a motion direction to move the transport structure.
[0120] For this purpose, the user can act on the buttons 105A, 105B of the control device 105 and send appropriate control signals to the control unit 6. In response to these control signals, the control unit 6 sends appropriate control signals to the actuating means 42 to take the driving wheel 41 to the motion position M and to move it along a motion direction.
[0121] When the manoeuvre device 1 is in the mounting position B, the control unit 6 can also receive control or enabling signals from other components of the electronic control means 105, so as to implement the most appropriate control logic to manoeuvre the transport structure 100.
[0122] For example, the control unit 6 can receive appropriate release signals from the microswitches 105C of the transport structure 100 which enable it to move the driving wheel 41 to the motion position M only if the control pedals 108 are in the pedal position PD2 (Fig. 17).
[0123] When the manoeuvre device 1 is in the mounting position B, the battery assembly 5 can be connected to a power source to be recharged.
[0124] Also in this case, the control unit 6 can also receive control or enabling signals from components of the electronic control means 105, so as to implement the most appropriate control logic for managing the recharging process.
[0125] When the transport structure 100 has reached the desired position, the manoeuvre device 1 can be left on board the latter. Being mounted integral on the support frame of the transport structure 100 (substantially in the same manner as an auxiliary wheel assembly), it does not in any way limit the use of the transport structure 100.
[0127] For this purpose, the user can operate the lever means 10 to disengage the mechanical blocking means 8 from the transport structure 1.
[0128] Acting on the handling means 14, the user can exert a force so as to remove the manoeuvre device 1 from the transport structure 100, moving the aforesaid manoeuvre device between the mounting position B and the separation position A.
[0129] At this point, the manoeuvre device 1 can be used to move another transport structure for people.
[0130] It has been found in practice that with the manoeuvre device according to the invention it is possible to achieve the intended aims and objects.
[0131] The manoeuvre device according to the invention has a high flexibility of use as it can be used to move several transport structures, simply by mounting it on board each of these devices. The manoeuvre device according to the invention can be operatively coupled with transport structures of different type.
[0132] The manoeuvre device according to the invention ensures a high manoeuvrability of the transport structure, as it is capable of moving the aforesaid transport structure with the methods typical of a fifth wheel assembly.
1. Manoeuvre device (1) for moving a transport structure (100), of the type used in health
facilities or similar, characterised in that it comprises:
wherein, when said manoeuvre device is in said mounting position (B) on board said transport structure and said driving wheel (41) is in said motion position (M), said driving wheel is movable along a motion direction to move said transport structure.
- a trolley frame (2) that defines an internal volume (3) accommodating, at least partially, components of said manoeuvre device;
- a wheel assembly (4) operatively connected with said trolley frame (2) and comprising a driving wheel (41) and actuating means (42) adapted to drive said driving wheel and comprising one or more electric motors;
- a control unit (6) adapted to control operation of said wheel assembly, said control unit being operatively connectable with electronic control means (105) of said transport structure (100);
- a battery assembly (5) adapted to supply said actuating means and said control unit;
- mechanical guiding means (7) operatively couplable with said transport structure (100), said mechanical guiding means allowing a reversible movement of said manoeuvre device between a separation position (A) from said transport structure and a mounting position (B) on board said transport structure;
- mechanical blocking means (8) operatively couplable with said transport structure (100), said mechanical blocking means being able to block said manoeuvre device (1) in said mounting position (B) on board said transport structure;
wherein, when said manoeuvre device is in said mounting position (B) on board said transport structure, the driving wheel (41) of said wheel assembly is reversibly movable, by said actuating means (42), between a rest position (R), at which said driving wheel is not in contact with a motion surface (200) of said transport structure, and a motion position (M), at which said driving wheel is in contact with a motion surface;wherein, when said manoeuvre device is in said mounting position (B) on board said transport structure and said driving wheel (41) is in said motion position (M), said driving wheel is movable along a motion direction to move said transport structure.
2. Manoeuvre device, according to claim 1, characterised in that said control unit (6) is electrically connectable with said electronic control means
(105) of said transport structure.
3. Manoeuvre device, according to claim 2, characterised in that it comprises electric connecting means (9) electrically connectable with further
electric connecting means (104) of said transport structure.
4. Manoeuvre device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said control unit (6) is operatively connectable according to a wireless mode with
said electronic control means (105) of said transport structure.
5. Manoeuvre device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said mechanical guiding means (7) are slidingly couplable with further mechanical
guiding means (103) of said transport structure.
6. Manoeuvre device according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that, when said manoeuvre device reaches said mounting position (B) on board said transport
structure, said mechanical blocking means (8) couple with a support element (102A)
of said transport structure to block said manoeuvre device in said mounting position
(B) on board said transport structure.
7. Manoeuvre device according to claim 6, characterised in that it comprises lever means (10) operatively coupled with said mechanical blocking means
(8), said lever means being actuatable by a user to decouple said mechanical blocking
means from said support element (102A) of said transport structure.
8. Manoeuvre device according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises enabling means (11) capable of taking a deactivation condition, in which
said enabling means disable operation of said control unit (6), and an enabling condition,
in which said enabling means enable operation of said control unit (6), said enabling
means being driven by said mechanical blocking means (8) in said activation condition,
when said mechanical blocking means couple with a support element (102A) of said transport
structure to block said manoeuvre device in said mounting position (B) on board said
transport structure.
9. Manoeuvre device according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises a power supply port (12) to allow recharging of said battery assembly
(5).
10. Manoeuvre device, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises handling means (14) operatively connected with said trolley frame (2)
to facilitate moving said manoeuvre device.
11. Combination of a transport structure (100), of the type used in health facilities
or similar, with a manoeuvre device (1) according to one or more of the previous claims.