Infusion stand

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an infusion stand for supporting an articles such as an IV bag. In one embodiment, the infusion stand comprises a gas spring engaged with a moveable base assembly. The infusion stand further comprises a foot pedal assembly mounted to the base assembly that is adapted to actuate the gas spring. The infusion stand further comprises an extension arm having one end engaged with the gas spring and the other end to an IV bag support adapted to support one or more IV bags. The infusion stand may further comprise a handle assembly connected to the upper portion of the extension arm. In operation, depression of the foot pedal assembly causes activation of the gas spring which raises the IV bag support to a selected height. An operator may grasp the handle assembly to control upward or downward movement of the IV bag support to a desired height and fix the desired height by release of the foot pedal assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description of the invention will be more fully understood with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an infusion stand according to the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are elevation views of the infusion stand at different heights;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the base assembly and the foot pedal assembly;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the foot pedal assembly;

FIGS. 5A-5C are exploded views showing the assembly of the gas spring, extension arm, and support plate;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing the outer post support member and the gas spring;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross section views showing the foot pedal engaged with an actuation pin of the gas spring;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the handle assembly securely mounted to the extension arm and slidably moveable along the outer post support; and

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the infusion stand showing the IV bag support securely connected to the upper end portion of the extension arm.

Claims

1. An infusion stand for supporting an IV bag comprising: a base member;a gas spring engaged with said base member; said gas spring comprising an actuation pin;an IV support hook engaged with said gas spring and adapted to support the IV bag; andwhereby actuation of said actuation pin causes said gas spring to move said IV bag support between a first height and a second height.

2. The infusion stand of claim 1, further comprising an extension arm having a lower portion engaged with said gas spring and an upper portion engaged with said IV support hook.

3. The infusion stand of claim 2, wherein said gas spring further comprises a piston portion and a cylinder portion.

4. The infusion stand of claim 3, wherein said piston portion is engaged with said base member.

5. The infusion stand of claim 4, wherein said lower portion of said extension arm is engaged with said cylinder portion.

6. The infusion stand of claim 5, further comprising a foot pedal engaged with said actuation pin of said gas spring.

7. The infusion stand of claim 6, wherein depression of said foot pedal causes depression of said actuation pin of said gas spring.

8. The infusion stand of claim 7, further comprising a handle assembly engaged with said extension arm.

9. The infusion stand of claim 8, wherein said handle assembly comprises first and second support members disposed substantially parallel to said extension arm.

10. The infusion stand of claim 9, wherein said handle assembly further comprises first and second handle portions engaged with said first and second support members, respectively.

11. The infusion stand of claim 10, further comprising an outer post support member substantially disposed about said gas spring and said extension arm; said actuation pin extending outward of said outer post support member; said upper end portion of said extension arm extending outward from said outer post support member.

12. The infusion stand of claim 11, further comprising a support plate having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a centrally disposed opening.

13. The infusion stand of claim 12, wherein said piston portion of said gas spring is mounted to said support plate and said actuation pin extends thru said centrally disposed opening.

14. The infusion stand of claim 12, wherein said outer post support member comprises a base portion and an elongated hollow body portion.

15. The infusion stand of claim 14, wherein said base portion of said outer post support member is connected to said support plate.

16. The infusion stand of claim 15, wherein said base portion of said outer post support member is connected to said base member.

17. The infusion stand of claim 16, wherein said handle assembly further comprises a lower mounting member and an upper mounting member; said lower portion of said first and second handle members being engaged with said lower mounting member; said upper portion of said first and second handle members being engaged with said upper mounting member.

18. The infusion stand of claim 17, wherein said IV bag support comprises at least one hook portion adapted to secure the IV bag.

19. The infusion stand of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of wheels mounted to said base member.