US20050103348A1 - Portable air delivery system and method of using same - Google Patents
Portable air delivery system and method of using same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050103348A1 US20050103348A1 US11/022,714 US2271404A US2005103348A1 US 20050103348 A1 US20050103348 A1 US 20050103348A1 US 2271404 A US2271404 A US 2271404A US 2005103348 A1 US2005103348 A1 US 2005103348A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- air
- tubing
- delivery system
- spindle
- spool
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
- A61M16/06—Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
- A61M16/0666—Nasal cannulas or tubing
- A61M16/0672—Nasal cannula assemblies for oxygen therapy
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
- B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
- B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
- B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
- B65H75/40—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material mobile or transportable
- B65H75/406—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material mobile or transportable hand-held during use
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
- B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
- B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
- B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
- B65H75/44—Constructional details
- B65H75/4402—Guiding arrangements to control paying-out and re-storing of the material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
- B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
- B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
- B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
- B65H75/44—Constructional details
- B65H75/4418—Arrangements for stopping winding or unwinding; Arrangements for releasing the stop means
- B65H75/4428—Arrangements for stopping winding or unwinding; Arrangements for releasing the stop means acting on the reel or on a reel blocking mechanism
- B65H75/4434—Arrangements for stopping winding or unwinding; Arrangements for releasing the stop means acting on the reel or on a reel blocking mechanism actuated by pulling on or imparting an inclination to the material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
- B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
- B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
- B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
- B65H75/44—Constructional details
- B65H75/4478—Constructional details relating to handling of fluids
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
- A61M16/06—Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
- A61M16/0683—Holding devices therefor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2209/00—Ancillary equipment
- A61M2209/08—Supports for equipment
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
- B65H2701/30—Handled filamentary material
- B65H2701/33—Hollow or hose-like material
Definitions
- the present invention pertains to an air delivery system and more particularly to a coupling device between an air canister and an air cannula to provide an oxygen dependent user with extensive mobility from the air canister.
- Patients that require a constant supply of oxygen-enriched air are generally confined to an immediate area of the source of such oxygen-enriched air regardless of whether the source is a hospital air supply system or a simple portable air canister system.
- An air delivery system includes a coupling mechanism that is adapted to be connected between a source of oxygen-enriched air and an air cannula that can be worn by a user.
- the coupling mechanism includes a spool assembly for paying out and for winding up a predetermined length of tubing coupled between the air cannula and the source of oxygen-enriched air.
- the spool assembly has a sufficiently low drag factor to allow complete mobility of a user wearing the cannula without causing the cannula to be dislodged during pay out of the predetermined length of tubing and without causing the cannula to be dislodged during take up of the predetermined length of tubing.
- an oxygen dependent user attaches the coupling mechanism to his or her belt, connects the coupling mechanism between a source of oxygen-enriched air and a user worn air cannula and then walk freely in any direction from the source of oxygen-enriched air without causing the air cannula to be dislodged.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coupling mechanism, which is constructed in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the coupling mechanism of FIG. 1 illustrating a spool assembly for payout and take-up of a predetermined length of oxygen tubing;
- FIG. 3 is another cutaway view of the coupling mechanism of FIG. 1 with the coupling mechanism rotated in the horizontal plane by 180 degrees;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an air delivery system utilizing the coupling mechanism of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another air delivery system utilizing the coupling mechanism of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the coupling mechanism of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a yoke assembly of FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a latch assembly of FIG. 7 ;
- FIG. 9 is a greatly enlarged view of a spool axle of FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the air manifold assembly of FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the return spring assembly of FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the return spring assembly of FIG. 10 ;
- FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the coupling mechanism of FIG. 1 taken along line 13 - 13 .
- FIGS. 1-4 there is illustrated a portable air delivery system 10 , which is constructed in accordance to one preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the portable air delivery system 10 is lightweight and can be easily carried or transported with a user thereby allowing an oxygen dependent user to freely move in any desired direction relative to a heavy and burdensome canister of air 11 .
- the air delivery system 10 includes a coupling mechanism or an oxygen air tube reel assembly 12 having a stationary tube coupler 18 and an extendible length of oxygen tubing 14 that can be paid out or taken up over a predetermined length to give a user a wide range of mobility.
- the coupling mechanism 12 is adapted to be connected between a source of oxygen-enriched air, such as the air canister 11 and an air cannula 16 that can be worn by a user.
- the stationary tube coupler 18 facilitates coupling the air cannula 16 to the coupling mechanism 12 by a fixed length of oxygen tubing 13 that is sufficient long to allow the air cannula 16 to be comfortably worn by a user.
- the distal end of the extendible length of tubing 14 is coupled to the air canister 11 in such a manner so that the oxygen tubing 14 can be extended or retracted in length by the coupling mechanism 12 as the user moves in different directions from the air canister 11 .
- the coupling mechanism 12 is adapted for paying out and for winding up the predetermined length of tubing 14 without causing the air cannula to be dislodged from the user.
- an air delivery system 210 includes a coupling mechanism 12 with reversed connections so that the fixed length of oxygen tubing 13 is coupled to the air canister 11 , while the predetermined length of oxygen tubing 14 is coupled to the air cannula 16 .
- the coupling mechanism 12 has a sufficiently low drag factor to allow complete mobility of a user wearing the cannula 16 without causing the cannula 16 to be dislodged during pay out of the predetermined length of tubing and without causing the cannula 16 to be dislodged during take up of the predetermined length of tubing.
- an oxygen dependent user attaches the coupling mechanism 12 to his or her belt, and then connects the coupling mechanism 12 between the source 11 of oxygen-enriched air and the user worn air cannula 16 .
- the output side of the oxygen air tube reel 12 namely a length of its wound up tubing 14 is pulled out a sufficient distance to allow the free end of the tubing 14 to be connected to the air canister 11 .
- a fixed length of tubing 13 is coupled between the coupling device 12 and the air cannula 16 .
- the airflow from the air canister 11 is then activated, in order to allow the user or an assistant to verify that the flow of air is constant and is reaching the air cannula 16 .
- the user or assistant Once the user or assistant has verified that air is flowing freely to the air cannula 16 , the user attaches the air cannula 16 in a proper manner to the head of the user that ensures the airflow will reach the lungs of the user.
- the coupling mechanism 12 pays out its wound air tubing 14 at a sufficient rate, as will be described hereinafter in greater detail, so as not to cause any unwanted and undesired drag against the person of the user.
- the user decides that he or she desire to return to the transportation device 15 , the user moves towards the device 15 and by doing so the drag tension on the tubing 14 is sufficient to allow the tubing 14 to be wound up within the mechanism 12 at a sufficient rate to allow its take up without causing any excess tubing to become tangled in an interfering manner with the user.
- the coupling mechanism 12 When using the coupling mechanism 12 in the alternative air delivery system 210 , the coupling mechanism 12 is mounted to the stationary device or mobile device, such as the wheelchair 15 and the then the couplings to the mechanism 12 relative to the source 11 of air under pressure and the air cannula 16 are reversed.
- the fixed length of oxygen tubing 13 is connected between the source 11 of air under pressure and the stationary tube coupler 18
- the extendible oxygen tubing 14 is connected or coupled to the air cannula 16 as best seen in FIG. 5 .
- the portable, light weight tube reel 12 generally includes a housing or carrying case 20 that is adapted to be worn (or carried) by the user as best seen in FIG. 4 or mounted to the transportation device 15 as best seen in FIG. 5 .
- the interior of the housing 20 has a sufficiently large volume to hold therein a spool assembly 22 as best seen in FIGS. 2-3 .
- the spool assembly 22 contains or has wound up thereon, a predetermined amount of oxygen tubing, such as the oxygen tubing 14 as best seen in FIGS. 2-3 .
- the spool assembly 22 is supported within the housing 20 for rotational movement on an elongated axle 24 that is fixedly mounted to a yoke or tube guide assembly 26 by a set of push on nuts 17 and 19 .
- the yoke assembly 26 is structured in such a manner to allow it and the spool assembly 22 to be wedged in a fixed position within the housing 20 as best seen in FIGS. 2-3 .
- the yoke assembly 26 generally includes a frame 110 that carries and supports relative to the spool assembly 22 a tube guide assembly 112 and a spring loaded latch assembly 160 .
- the tube guide assembly 112 helps to facilitate the smooth payout and uptake of the tube 14 so that the tubing 14 is evenly wound on the spool assembly 22 .
- the spring loaded latch assembly 160 interacts with the spool assembly 22 to help maintain a uniform drag on the tubing 14 as it pays out and then permits the tubing 14 to be taken up when the user causes the latch assembly 160 to be released.
- the frame 110 includes a pair of V-shaped bent yoke arms 141 and 143 that are spaced apart at one end by tube guide assembly 112 and at the other end by a spacer 149 .
- the tube guide assembly 112 as well as the spacer 149 is mounted to yoke arms 141 and 143 respectively by screws 151 .
- the spring loaded latch assembly 160 is mounted between a pair of mounting posts 153 and 155 respectively, which extend perpendicularly outward from the support arm 141 .
- the spring loaded latch assembly 160 is mounted to the interior wall of the yoke arm 141 and is located to interact with a locking sprocket assembly 100 that forms part of the spool assembly 22 as will be described hereinafter in greater detail.
- the latch assembly 160 generally includes a spacer 163 , a latch arm 165 and a securing nut 167 that is received on the post 153 to secure the spacer 163 and arm 165 to the post 153 as well.
- a spring 169 extends from a spring mounting post 155 and is attached at its distal end to a hole 171 in the latch arm 165 .
- the latch arm 165 further includes a centrally located hole 173 that has a diameter slightly larger than a distal end 169 of the nut 167 thereby allowing the distal end 169 of the nut 167 to pass through the hole 173 and the interior of the spacer to secure both the spacer 163 and the latch arm 165 to the latch mounting post 153 .
- the tube guide assembly 112 generally comprises a pair of steel sleeve members 145 and 147 that carry soft rubber like rollers 145 ′ and 147 ′ respectively.
- the rollers 145 and 147 are sufficiently spaced apart to permit the oxygen tubing 14 to pass between them and to be guided in a side to side motion as the tubing 14 causes the roller 145 and 147 to rotate as the tubing 14 is paying out or is being taken up relative to the spool assembly 22 .
- This side-to-side motion permits the tubing 14 to be even wound onto the spool assembly 22 .
- the spool assembly 22 is supported within the housing 20 by the yoke assembly 26 ( FIG. 7 ) and generally includes a spool 80 , the locking sprocket assembly 100 , an air outlet port assembly 120 and a spring loaded axle assembly 140 that cooperate with one another to help facilitate payout and uptake of the tubing 14 while maintaining an air tight seal between the air source 11 and the coupling mechanism 12 .
- the spool 80 , the locking sprocket assembly 100 , and the air outlet port assembly 120 are all mounted on the axle 24 as will be explained hereinafter in greater detail.
- the spool 80 has a sufficient diameter and width dimension to hold between about 50 feet of oxygen tubing and about 100 feet of oxygen tubing.
- the spool 80 includes a right hub 82 and a left hub 84 each having a centrally disposed well, such as a right side well 86 and a left side well 88 .
- Each of the wells 86 and 88 have centrally disposed holes, such as a hole 87 that are dimensioned for cooperating with the axle 24 to support the spool 80 for rotational movement.
- a set of spoke like protuberances such as the protuberances indicted generally at 90 that extending radially outwardly from their respective wells 86 and 88 to help structurally balance the spool 80 .
- the protuberances also help to retain the locking sprocket assembly 100 within the well 86 as will be explained hereinafter in greater detail.
- the air output port assembly 120 generally includes a circular spacer 122 and tube coupler 124 .
- the circular spacer 122 has an elongated cylinder like structure having a first inside diameter dimension sufficient to be received on a spacer-receiving segment 45 of the axle 24 and a second inside diameter dimension sufficient to capture the tube coupler 124 between the axle 24 and the spacer 122 .
- An O-ring 125 is mounted on the axle 24 at about the junction of the spacer 122 and the tube coupler 124 to establish an airtight seal between them.
- the tube coupler 124 is an elongated hollow cylinder having an integrally attached upstanding air tube spout 126 .
- the distal end of the spout 126 includes a oxygen tube receiving tapered portion 128 that is dimensioned for receiving on thereon in a friction tight and air tight fit the proximal end of the tubing 14 .
- the well 88 includes a sidewall 127 having a hole 129 disposed therein to allow the proximal end of the tubing 14 to pass from the interior of the spool 80 into the interior of the well 88 . In this manner the proximal end of the tubing 14 is secured to the distal end 128 of the spout 126 .
- the interior diameter of the tube coupler 124 is dimensioned to permit rotational movement of the tube coupler 124 relative to the axle 24 .
- the O-ring 125 is mounted on the axle 24 at about the junction of the spacer 122 and the tube coupler 124 or between segments 41 and 45 to establish an airtight seal between the spacer 122 and the tube coupler 124 .
- Another O-ring 131 is mounted on the axle 24 at about the opposite end of the tube coupler 124 between segments 43 and 47 to provide an airtight seal at the opposite end of the coupler 124 as well.
- the manner in which the air outlet port assembly 120 is mounted within the well 88 and on the axle 24 is an important feature of the present invention.
- the outlet port assembly 120 is mounted on the segment spacers 41 and 43 of the axle between the spacer segment 45 and the stop segment 47 for free rotational movements.
- the tube coupler 124 rotates in unison with the spool 80 .
- the rotation of the tube coupler 124 in response to the rotation of the spool 80 helps maintain the airtight seal between the proximal end of the oxygen tubing 14 and the distal end 128 of the port assembly 120 .
- the axle 24 generally is a segmented spindle S that is hollow along part of its longitudinal axis starting at the air input port mounting end 27 and extending to an air outlet port 39 for defining an air passageway indicated generally at 37 .
- the air output port 39 is disposed between a pair of upstanding separator segments 41 and 43 respectively.
- the separators 41 and 43 are sandwiched between a spacer receiving segment, indicated generally at 45 , and an air outlet port stop segment 47 .
- the outlet port stop segment 47 has a diameter that is greater than the diameter of hole 87 .
- the outlet port stop segment 45 functions as a stop to limit the travel of the mounting end 27 relative to the inner face of the well 88 .
- the spring loaded axle assembly 140 includes a leaf spring 37 ( FIG. 6 ) and the spindle like axle 24 ( FIG. 9 ).
- the axle 24 is an elongated segmented spindle having a square yoke mounting end 25 and a round air input port mounting end 27 .
- a set of nut capture protuberances, indicated generally at 29 is disposed adjacent to the mounting end 25 .
- the push on nut 17 as best seen in FIG. 6 is received over the mounting end 25 and onto the protuberances 29 to secure the axle 24 at one of its ends to the yoke assembly 26 .
- the axle 24 also includes a nut guide segment 31 and a nut-mounting segment, indicated generally at 33 , which is disposed adjacent to the nut guide segment 31 .
- the nut-mounting segment 33 is dimensioned to receive thereon in a friction tight fix the nut 19 for securing the opposite end of the axle 24 to the yoke assembly 26 .
- the push on nut 19 is received over the mounting end 27 onto the nut guide 31 and then onto the nut mounting segment 33 to secure the axle 24 at the other one of its ends to the yoke assembly 26 .
- the air outlet port assembly 120 is captured between the yoke arm 141 and a back wall 89 of the well 88 .
- the set of protuberance 29 terminate at a spring capture segment indicated generally at 33 that includes a spring receiving key way 35 .
- the proximal end of the leaf spring 37 includes an open eye hook 39 that wrapped around the spring capture segment 33 and captured by its proximal end within the key way 35 .
- the leaf spring 37 is wound around the axle 24 a sufficient distance so that the distal end of the leaf spring 37 can be attached to the locking sprocket assembly 100 as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.
- the locking sprocket assembly 100 generally includes a hub mount 172 , a sprocket mounting plate 174 , a sprocket spacer 176 and a sprocket 178 .
- the sprocket 178 is secured to the sprocket plate 174 by a set of sprocket mounting screws, such as the screws 173 while the sprocket mounting plate 174 is secured to the hub mount 172 by another set of screws, such as the screws 175 .
- the sprocket 178 includes a plurality of sprocket teeth, such as the teeth indicated generally at T and a plurality of nulls indicated generally at N.
- the housing 20 generally consists of two half housing pieces 40 and 42 respectively.
- the half housing pieces 40 and 42 are the mirror images of one another.
- Each piece, such as piece 40 includes a reel supporting U shaped base portion indicated generally at 44 and an arch shaped top handle portion indicated generally at 46 . Since the two half housing pieces 40 and 42 are substantially identical in construction, only the housing piece 40 will be described hereinafter in greater detail.
- the top handle portion 46 includes a bridge 48 that extends between spaced apart triangularly shaped upper front and upper back walls 50 and 52 respectively.
- the upper front wall 50 and the upper back wall 52 both slope outwardly away from each other at opposite ends of the bridge 48 and terminate in opposite facing upstanding base connecting walls, that include a lower front wall 54 and a lower back wall 56 , each of which forms part of the reel supporting base portion 44 .
- the upper front wall 50 and the lower front wall 54 are integrally connected, as are the upper back wall 52 and the lower back wall 56 .
- walls 54 and 56 extend downwardly from their corresponding upper front wall 50 and upper back wall 52 respectively.
- the walls 54 and 56 are integrally connected at their base by a bottom wall 53 .
- a notch or cutout portion 58 is disposed in the upper front wall 50 at about where the upper front wall 50 and its corresponding lower front wall 54 are integrally connected.
- the notches 58 form a rectangularly shaped opening 60 as best seen in FIG. 1 .
- the opening 60 provides access to the open interior of the housing 20 and functions as a tube outlet port.
- the bridge 48 and the upper front wall 50 and the upper back wall 52 are further integrally connected to an outwardly sloping upper side wall 62 that extends outwardly from the side of the bridge 48 and terminates in an upstanding lower side wall 64 that also forms part of the reel supporting base portion 44 .
- a rectangularly shaped opening 70 in the sidewall 62 is disposed below the bridge 48 between the upper front wall 50 and the upper back wall 52 .
- the bridge 48 cooperates with the opening 70 to function as a handle when the two half pieces 40 and 42 of the housing 20 are joined.
- the opening 70 has a finger grip structure 74 and is sufficiently large to accomodate the fingers and a portion of the hand of a user desiring to transport the housing 20 .
- the lower sidewall 64 is integrally connected between the lower front wall 54 and the lower back wall 56 respectively.
- the lower side wall 64 also has a centrally disposed circular opening 72 that is sufficiently large in diameter to accomodate the axle 24 that will be describe hereinafter in greater detail.
- the lower sidewall 64 and walls 54 and 56 respectively are further integrally connected at their bases to form the reel supporting base portion 44 in a U-shaped cup like configuration.
Abstract
An air delivery system includes a coupling mechanism that is adapted to be connected between a source of oxygen-enriched air and an air cannula that can be worn by a user. The coupling mechanism includes a spool assembly for paying out and for winding up a predetermined length of tubing coupled between the air cannula and the source of oxygen-enriched air. The spool assembly has a sufficiently low drag factor to allow complete mobility of a user wearing the cannula without causing it to be dislodged during pay out of the predetermined length of tubing and without causing it to be dislodged during take up of the predetermined length of tubing.
Description
- The present invention pertains to an air delivery system and more particularly to a coupling device between an air canister and an air cannula to provide an oxygen dependent user with extensive mobility from the air canister.
- Patients that require a constant supply of oxygen-enriched air are generally confined to an immediate area of the source of such oxygen-enriched air regardless of whether the source is a hospital air supply system or a simple portable air canister system.
- Therefore it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved air supply system that provides ambulatory patients with extensive mobility from their source of oxygen-enriched air whether the source is a hospital air supply system or an air canister system.
- One attempt at providing an oxygen dependent user with extensive mobility has been to provide a small lightweight canister that can be easily transported or carried by the user as he or she moves from place to place. While such a system accomplishes it intended purpose, it has not proven to be entirely satisfactory as such a small lightweight canister can only supply a limited amount of oxygen enriched air. Moreover, even though the canister is small and lightweight for many elders even such a lightweight canister is too heavy to be carried while performing ordinary tasks.
- Therefore it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved air delivery system that is lightweight and that can be easily carried or transported by an oxygen dependent user to allow the user to move freely in any desired direction relative to a large supply of oxygen enriched air provided in a large, heavy, burdensome air canister.
- An air delivery system includes a coupling mechanism that is adapted to be connected between a source of oxygen-enriched air and an air cannula that can be worn by a user. The coupling mechanism includes a spool assembly for paying out and for winding up a predetermined length of tubing coupled between the air cannula and the source of oxygen-enriched air. The spool assembly has a sufficiently low drag factor to allow complete mobility of a user wearing the cannula without causing the cannula to be dislodged during pay out of the predetermined length of tubing and without causing the cannula to be dislodged during take up of the predetermined length of tubing. In use, an oxygen dependent user attaches the coupling mechanism to his or her belt, connects the coupling mechanism between a source of oxygen-enriched air and a user worn air cannula and then walk freely in any direction from the source of oxygen-enriched air without causing the air cannula to be dislodged.
- The above-mentioned features and steps of the invention and the manner of attaining them will become apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coupling mechanism, which is constructed in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the coupling mechanism ofFIG. 1 illustrating a spool assembly for payout and take-up of a predetermined length of oxygen tubing; -
FIG. 3 is another cutaway view of the coupling mechanism ofFIG. 1 with the coupling mechanism rotated in the horizontal plane by 180 degrees; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an air delivery system utilizing the coupling mechanism ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another air delivery system utilizing the coupling mechanism ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the coupling mechanism ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a yoke assembly ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a latch assembly ofFIG. 7 ; -
FIG. 9 is a greatly enlarged view of a spool axle ofFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the air manifold assembly ofFIG. 6 ; and -
FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the return spring assembly ofFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the return spring assembly ofFIG. 10 ; and -
FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the coupling mechanism ofFIG. 1 taken along line 13-13. - Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to
FIGS. 1-4 , thereof there is illustrated a portableair delivery system 10, which is constructed in accordance to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. The portableair delivery system 10 is lightweight and can be easily carried or transported with a user thereby allowing an oxygen dependent user to freely move in any desired direction relative to a heavy and burdensome canister ofair 11. - Considering now the portable
air supply system 10 in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 1-4 , theair delivery system 10 includes a coupling mechanism or an oxygen airtube reel assembly 12 having a stationary tube coupler 18 and an extendible length ofoxygen tubing 14 that can be paid out or taken up over a predetermined length to give a user a wide range of mobility. Thecoupling mechanism 12 is adapted to be connected between a source of oxygen-enriched air, such as theair canister 11 and anair cannula 16 that can be worn by a user. The stationary tube coupler 18 facilitates coupling theair cannula 16 to thecoupling mechanism 12 by a fixed length ofoxygen tubing 13 that is sufficient long to allow theair cannula 16 to be comfortably worn by a user. The distal end of the extendible length oftubing 14 is coupled to theair canister 11 in such a manner so that theoxygen tubing 14 can be extended or retracted in length by thecoupling mechanism 12 as the user moves in different directions from theair canister 11. In this regard, thecoupling mechanism 12 is adapted for paying out and for winding up the predetermined length oftubing 14 without causing the air cannula to be dislodged from the user. - Although in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
coupling mechanism 12 is shown being worn on the belt of the user, it is contemplated that thecoupling mechanism 12 may also be hand carried by a user or mounted on a stationary device such as a bed in close proximity to a hospital air supply system or on a mobile device, such as awheelchair 15 that is adapted to carry a large portable supply of air under pressure as best seen inFIG. 5 . In this alternative embodiment, anair delivery system 210 includes acoupling mechanism 12 with reversed connections so that the fixed length ofoxygen tubing 13 is coupled to theair canister 11, while the predetermined length ofoxygen tubing 14 is coupled to theair cannula 16. In this configuration it should be understood by those skilled in the art that thecoupling mechanism 12 has a sufficiently low drag factor to allow complete mobility of a user wearing thecannula 16 without causing thecannula 16 to be dislodged during pay out of the predetermined length of tubing and without causing thecannula 16 to be dislodged during take up of the predetermined length of tubing. - Considering now the
coupling mechanism 12 in still greater detail with reference toFIGS. 1-4 , in use, an oxygen dependent user attaches thecoupling mechanism 12 to his or her belt, and then connects thecoupling mechanism 12 between thesource 11 of oxygen-enriched air and the user wornair cannula 16. In this regard, the output side of the oxygenair tube reel 12, namely a length of its wound uptubing 14 is pulled out a sufficient distance to allow the free end of thetubing 14 to be connected to theair canister 11. Then a fixed length oftubing 13, sufficient to reach from theair cannula 16 to the stationary coupling device 18, is coupled between thecoupling device 12 and theair cannula 16. The airflow from theair canister 11 is then activated, in order to allow the user or an assistant to verify that the flow of air is constant and is reaching theair cannula 16. Once the user or assistant has verified that air is flowing freely to theair cannula 16, the user attaches theair cannula 16 in a proper manner to the head of the user that ensures the airflow will reach the lungs of the user. - Thereafter, whenever the user desires to move away from the
air canister 11, the user simply leaves thetransportation device 15 carrying thereel 12 on his or her person. In this regard, as the user moves away from theair canister 11, thecoupling mechanism 12 pays out itswound air tubing 14 at a sufficient rate, as will be described hereinafter in greater detail, so as not to cause any unwanted and undesired drag against the person of the user. Whenever the user decides that he or she desire to return to thetransportation device 15, the user moves towards thedevice 15 and by doing so the drag tension on thetubing 14 is sufficient to allow thetubing 14 to be wound up within themechanism 12 at a sufficient rate to allow its take up without causing any excess tubing to become tangled in an interfering manner with the user. - When using the
coupling mechanism 12 in the alternativeair delivery system 210, thecoupling mechanism 12 is mounted to the stationary device or mobile device, such as thewheelchair 15 and the then the couplings to themechanism 12 relative to thesource 11 of air under pressure and theair cannula 16 are reversed. In this regard, the fixed length ofoxygen tubing 13 is connected between thesource 11 of air under pressure and the stationary tube coupler 18, while theextendible oxygen tubing 14, is connected or coupled to theair cannula 16 as best seen inFIG. 5 . - Considering now the oxygen
air tube reel 12 in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 1-4 and 6, the portable, lightweight tube reel 12 generally includes a housing or carryingcase 20 that is adapted to be worn (or carried) by the user as best seen inFIG. 4 or mounted to thetransportation device 15 as best seen inFIG. 5 . The interior of thehousing 20 has a sufficiently large volume to hold therein aspool assembly 22 as best seen inFIGS. 2-3 . Thespool assembly 22 contains or has wound up thereon, a predetermined amount of oxygen tubing, such as theoxygen tubing 14 as best seen inFIGS. 2-3 . Thespool assembly 22 is supported within thehousing 20 for rotational movement on anelongated axle 24 that is fixedly mounted to a yoke ortube guide assembly 26 by a set of push onnuts yoke assembly 26 is structured in such a manner to allow it and thespool assembly 22 to be wedged in a fixed position within thehousing 20 as best seen inFIGS. 2-3 . - Considering now the
yoke assembly 26 in greater detail with reference toFIG. 7 , theyoke assembly 26 generally includes aframe 110 that carries and supports relative to the spool assembly 22 atube guide assembly 112 and a spring loadedlatch assembly 160. Thetube guide assembly 112 helps to facilitate the smooth payout and uptake of thetube 14 so that thetubing 14 is evenly wound on thespool assembly 22. The spring loadedlatch assembly 160, as will be explained hereinafter in greater detail, interacts with thespool assembly 22 to help maintain a uniform drag on thetubing 14 as it pays out and then permits thetubing 14 to be taken up when the user causes thelatch assembly 160 to be released. - Considering now the
yoke assembly 26 in still greater detail, theframe 110 includes a pair of V-shapedbent yoke arms tube guide assembly 112 and at the other end by aspacer 149. Thetube guide assembly 112 as well as thespacer 149 is mounted toyoke arms screws 151. As best seen inFIG. 7 , the spring loadedlatch assembly 160 is mounted between a pair ofmounting posts support arm 141. - As noted earlier, the spring loaded
latch assembly 160 is mounted to the interior wall of theyoke arm 141 and is located to interact with alocking sprocket assembly 100 that forms part of thespool assembly 22 as will be described hereinafter in greater detail. Thelatch assembly 160 generally includes aspacer 163, alatch arm 165 and asecuring nut 167 that is received on thepost 153 to secure thespacer 163 andarm 165 to thepost 153 as well. Aspring 169 extends from aspring mounting post 155 and is attached at its distal end to ahole 171 in thelatch arm 165. Thelatch arm 165 further includes a centrally locatedhole 173 that has a diameter slightly larger than adistal end 169 of thenut 167 thereby allowing thedistal end 169 of thenut 167 to pass through thehole 173 and the interior of the spacer to secure both thespacer 163 and thelatch arm 165 to thelatch mounting post 153. - Considering now the
tube guide assembly 112 in greater detail, thetube guide assembly 112 generally comprises a pair ofsteel sleeve members rollers 145′ and 147′ respectively. Therollers oxygen tubing 14 to pass between them and to be guided in a side to side motion as thetubing 14 causes theroller tubing 14 is paying out or is being taken up relative to thespool assembly 22. This side-to-side motion permits thetubing 14 to be even wound onto thespool assembly 22. - Considering now the
spool assembly 22 in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 2-3 and 6, thespool assembly 22 is supported within thehousing 20 by the yoke assembly 26 (FIG. 7 ) and generally includes aspool 80, the lockingsprocket assembly 100, an airoutlet port assembly 120 and a spring loadedaxle assembly 140 that cooperate with one another to help facilitate payout and uptake of thetubing 14 while maintaining an air tight seal between theair source 11 and thecoupling mechanism 12. Thespool 80, the lockingsprocket assembly 100, and the airoutlet port assembly 120 are all mounted on theaxle 24 as will be explained hereinafter in greater detail. - Considering now the
spool 80 in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 6, 10 and 11, thespool 80 has a sufficient diameter and width dimension to hold between about 50 feet of oxygen tubing and about 100 feet of oxygen tubing. Thespool 80 includes aright hub 82 and aleft hub 84 each having a centrally disposed well, such as a right side well 86 and a left side well 88. Each of thewells hole 87 that are dimensioned for cooperating with theaxle 24 to support thespool 80 for rotational movement. A set of spoke like protuberances, such as the protuberances indicted generally at 90 that extending radially outwardly from theirrespective wells spool 80. The protuberances also help to retain the lockingsprocket assembly 100 within the well 86 as will be explained hereinafter in greater detail. - Considering now the air
output port assembly 120 in greater detail with reference toFIG. 10 , the airoutput port assembly 120 generally includes acircular spacer 122 andtube coupler 124. Thecircular spacer 122 has an elongated cylinder like structure having a first inside diameter dimension sufficient to be received on a spacer-receivingsegment 45 of theaxle 24 and a second inside diameter dimension sufficient to capture thetube coupler 124 between theaxle 24 and thespacer 122. An O-ring 125 is mounted on theaxle 24 at about the junction of thespacer 122 and thetube coupler 124 to establish an airtight seal between them. - As best seen in
FIG. 10 , thetube coupler 124 is an elongated hollow cylinder having an integrally attached upstandingair tube spout 126. The distal end of thespout 126 includes a oxygen tube receivingtapered portion 128 that is dimensioned for receiving on thereon in a friction tight and air tight fit the proximal end of thetubing 14. The well 88 includes asidewall 127 having ahole 129 disposed therein to allow the proximal end of thetubing 14 to pass from the interior of thespool 80 into the interior of the well 88. In this manner the proximal end of thetubing 14 is secured to thedistal end 128 of thespout 126. The interior diameter of thetube coupler 124 is dimensioned to permit rotational movement of thetube coupler 124 relative to theaxle 24. As noted earlier, the O-ring 125 is mounted on theaxle 24 at about the junction of thespacer 122 and thetube coupler 124 or betweensegments spacer 122 and thetube coupler 124. Another O-ring 131 is mounted on theaxle 24 at about the opposite end of thetube coupler 124 betweensegments coupler 124 as well. In this manner air can pass under pressure and without leaking through theinterior passageway 37 of the axle, up thespout 126 and into thetubing 14 regardless of whether thespool assembly 22 is rotating or is stationary. In short, this mounting arrangement assures the integrity of the airtight coupling between the oxygenair tube reel 12 and theair source 11. - More particularly, the manner in which the air
outlet port assembly 120 is mounted within the well 88 and on theaxle 24 is an important feature of the present invention. In this regard theoutlet port assembly 120 is mounted on thesegment spacers spacer segment 45 and thestop segment 47 for free rotational movements. With this arrangement as thespool 80 rotates for paying out or taking up theoxygen tubing 14, thetube coupler 124 rotates in unison with thespool 80. The rotation of thetube coupler 124 in response to the rotation of thespool 80 helps maintain the airtight seal between the proximal end of theoxygen tubing 14 and thedistal end 128 of theport assembly 120. - Considering now the
axle 24 in greater detail with reference toFIG. 9 , theaxle 24 generally is a segmented spindle S that is hollow along part of its longitudinal axis starting at the air inputport mounting end 27 and extending to anair outlet port 39 for defining an air passageway indicated generally at 37. Theair output port 39 is disposed between a pair ofupstanding separator segments separators port stop segment 47. The outletport stop segment 47 has a diameter that is greater than the diameter ofhole 87. In this regard, when theaxle 24 is passed through thehole 87 to permit the air inputport mounting end 27 to be received within the well 88, the outletport stop segment 45 functions as a stop to limit the travel of the mountingend 27 relative to the inner face of the well 88. - Considering now the spring loaded
axle assembly 140 in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 6 and 9 , the spring loadedaxle assembly 140 includes a leaf spring 37 (FIG. 6 ) and the spindle like axle 24 (FIG. 9 ). Theaxle 24 is an elongated segmented spindle having a squareyoke mounting end 25 and a round air inputport mounting end 27. A set of nut capture protuberances, indicated generally at 29, is disposed adjacent to the mountingend 25. In this regard, the push onnut 17 as best seen inFIG. 6 is received over the mountingend 25 and onto theprotuberances 29 to secure theaxle 24 at one of its ends to theyoke assembly 26. Theaxle 24 also includes anut guide segment 31 and a nut-mounting segment, indicated generally at 33, which is disposed adjacent to thenut guide segment 31. The nut-mountingsegment 33 is dimensioned to receive thereon in a friction tight fix thenut 19 for securing the opposite end of theaxle 24 to theyoke assembly 26. In this regard, the push onnut 19 is received over the mountingend 27 onto thenut guide 31 and then onto thenut mounting segment 33 to secure theaxle 24 at the other one of its ends to theyoke assembly 26. With this mounting arrangement the airoutlet port assembly 120 is captured between theyoke arm 141 and aback wall 89 of the well 88. - As best seen in
FIG. 9 , the set ofprotuberance 29 terminate at a spring capture segment indicated generally at 33 that includes a spring receivingkey way 35. The proximal end of theleaf spring 37 includes anopen eye hook 39 that wrapped around thespring capture segment 33 and captured by its proximal end within thekey way 35. Theleaf spring 37 is wound around the axle 24 a sufficient distance so that the distal end of theleaf spring 37 can be attached to the lockingsprocket assembly 100 as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. - Considering now locking
sprocket assembly 100 in greater detail with reference toFIG. 11 , the lockingsprocket assembly 100 generally includes ahub mount 172, asprocket mounting plate 174, asprocket spacer 176 and asprocket 178. Thesprocket 178 is secured to thesprocket plate 174 by a set of sprocket mounting screws, such as thescrews 173 while thesprocket mounting plate 174 is secured to thehub mount 172 by another set of screws, such as thescrews 175. Thesprocket 178 includes a plurality of sprocket teeth, such as the teeth indicated generally at T and a plurality of nulls indicated generally at N. There are a sufficient number of teeth T to help facilitate the uniform payout of thetubing 14. To release the tension on thetubing 14 so thetubing 14 can be taken up onto thespool assembly 22, the user grasps the tubing at about its exit point from thehousing 20 and pulls thetubing 14 out from the housing a sufficient distance to allow thelatch 165 to engage a null. Thetubing 14 is then released, which in turn allows the lockingsprocket assembly 100 to rotate in an opposite direction at a uniform rate permitting thetubing 14 to be taken up on thespool 80. - Considering now the
housing 20 in greater detail with reference toFIG. 6 , thehousing 20 generally consists of twohalf housing pieces half housing pieces piece 40, includes a reel supporting U shaped base portion indicated generally at 44 and an arch shaped top handle portion indicated generally at 46. Since the twohalf housing pieces housing piece 40 will be described hereinafter in greater detail. - Considering now the
half housing piece 40 in greater detail with reference toFIG. 6 , thetop handle portion 46 includes abridge 48 that extends between spaced apart triangularly shaped upper front andupper back walls front wall 50 and theupper back wall 52 both slope outwardly away from each other at opposite ends of thebridge 48 and terminate in opposite facing upstanding base connecting walls, that include a lowerfront wall 54 and alower back wall 56, each of which forms part of the reel supportingbase portion 44. - The upper
front wall 50 and thelower front wall 54 are integrally connected, as are theupper back wall 52 and thelower back wall 56. In this regard,walls front wall 50 andupper back wall 52 respectively. Thewalls bottom wall 53. - A notch or
cutout portion 58 is disposed in the upperfront wall 50 at about where the upperfront wall 50 and its corresponding lowerfront wall 54 are integrally connected. In this regard when the twohalf housing pieces notches 58 form a rectangularly shaped opening 60 as best seen inFIG. 1 . Theopening 60 provides access to the open interior of thehousing 20 and functions as a tube outlet port. - Considering the
half housing piece 40 in still greater detail, thebridge 48 and the upperfront wall 50 and theupper back wall 52 are further integrally connected to an outwardly slopingupper side wall 62 that extends outwardly from the side of thebridge 48 and terminates in an upstandinglower side wall 64 that also forms part of the reel supportingbase portion 44. - A rectangularly shaped opening 70 in the
sidewall 62 is disposed below thebridge 48 between the upperfront wall 50 and theupper back wall 52. In this regard, thebridge 48 cooperates with theopening 70 to function as a handle when the twohalf pieces housing 20 are joined. In this regard, theopening 70 has afinger grip structure 74 and is sufficiently large to accomodate the fingers and a portion of the hand of a user desiring to transport thehousing 20. - As best seen in
FIG. 1 , thelower sidewall 64 is integrally connected between the lowerfront wall 54 and thelower back wall 56 respectively. Thelower side wall 64 also has a centrally disposedcircular opening 72 that is sufficiently large in diameter to accomodate theaxle 24 that will be describe hereinafter in greater detail. Thelower sidewall 64 andwalls base portion 44 in a U-shaped cup like configuration. - While particular embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that various different modifications are possible and are contemplated within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims. There is no intention, therefore, of limitations to the exact abstract or disclosure herein presented.
Claims (11)
1-8. (canceled)
9. An air delivery system comprising:
a frame wedged within a housing, said frame having a pair of spaced apart yoke arms;
a pair of spaced apart rollers disposed between the pair of spaced apart yoke arms at one of their ends; and
a spacer disposed between the pair of spaced apart yoke arms at another one of their ends for helping to define a spool receiving space between the yoke arms.
10. The air delivery system according to claims 9 wherein said housing includes:
a right side member and a left side member said right side member and said left side member being adapted to be joined together to form a finger gripping handle at a top portion of said housing;
a pair of oppositely disposed sidewall openings for providing interior access to said housing; and
a tube outlet port for helping to facilitate tube payout and retraction from an interior portion of said housing.
11. The air delivery system according to claim 9 , further comprising:
a segmented spindle fixedly mounted to said frame, said spindle having an air input port and an air output port, wherein said output port is disposed between two individual ones of a plurality of upstanding separator segments disposed on said spindle;
a spool mounted for 360 degree rotation about said spindle, said spool having a pair of hubs for holding therebetween a predetermined length of wound up tubing;
a tube coupler mounted for 360 rotation about said spindle and captured in an air-tight fit at about said air output port; and
said tube coupler having an upstanding spout for receiving thereon a proximal end of said tubing for coupling said tubing to a source of air under pressure flowing from said air input port to said air output port.
12. A portable air delivery system comprising:
a housing having a finger grip handle;
a pair of V-shaped yoke arms spaced apart at one of their ends by a spacer and spaced apart at another one of their ends by a pair of spaced apart rollers;
said arms, spacer and rollers being arranged to define a frame having a sufficient length to be wedged in a friction tight fit within said housing and a sufficient width for mounting in a stationary position between said arms a spindle for facilitating the payout and winding up of a predetermined length of tubing within said housing.
13. The portable air delivery system according to claim 12 , wherein said spindle included two individual ones of a plurality of upstanding separator segments for facilitating coupling said spindle in an air tight manner between a source of air under pressure and a spool mounted for 360 degree rotation about said spindle.
14. The portable air delivery system according to claim 13 , wherein said spool is mounted for 360 rotation about said spindle and has disposed thereon a tube coupler and a pair of spaced apart hubs:
said tube coupler for receiving thereon a proximal end of said predetermined length of tubing and said pair of hubs for facilitating winding and holding therebetween said predetermined length of tubing.
15. The portable air delivery system according to claim 14 , wherein said spool has mounted thereto a hub mount for confining therein a leaf spring; and
wherein said leaf spring is anchored at one of its ends to a spring receiving day way disposed on said spindle to facilitate spring loaded payout and windup of said predetermined length of tubing from said spool.
16. The portable air delivery system according to claim 15 wherein said hub mount has coupled thereto a sprocket mounting place and a lockable sprocket having a plurality of sprocket teeth and a plurality of nulls.
17. The portable air delivery system according to claim 16 , wherein said lockable sprocket has a sufficient number of teeth to help facilitate the uniform payout of said predetermined length of tubing and a sufficient number of nulls to facilitate an opposite direction windup of said tubing at a uniform rate.
18. The portable air delivery system according to claim 17 , wherein one of said yoke arms has disposed thereon a spring loaded latch for engaging and releasably locking said lockable sprocket to stop the free rotational movement of said spool at a user selected desired location.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/022,714 US20050103348A1 (en) | 2003-03-17 | 2004-12-27 | Portable air delivery system and method of using same |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/389,869 US6889688B1 (en) | 2003-03-17 | 2003-03-17 | Portable air delivery system and method of using same |
US11/022,714 US20050103348A1 (en) | 2003-03-17 | 2004-12-27 | Portable air delivery system and method of using same |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/389,869 Continuation US6889688B1 (en) | 2003-03-17 | 2003-03-17 | Portable air delivery system and method of using same |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20050103348A1 true US20050103348A1 (en) | 2005-05-19 |
Family
ID=34549113
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/389,869 Expired - Fee Related US6889688B1 (en) | 2003-03-17 | 2003-03-17 | Portable air delivery system and method of using same |
US11/022,714 Abandoned US20050103348A1 (en) | 2003-03-17 | 2004-12-27 | Portable air delivery system and method of using same |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/389,869 Expired - Fee Related US6889688B1 (en) | 2003-03-17 | 2003-03-17 | Portable air delivery system and method of using same |
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US (2) | US6889688B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20060231100A1 (en) * | 2005-04-15 | 2006-10-19 | Walker Garry J | Supplied air respirator that has an adjustable length hose |
US10034995B2 (en) * | 2007-09-20 | 2018-07-31 | Resmed Limited | Retractable tube for CPAP |
US20090277454A1 (en) | 2008-05-06 | 2009-11-12 | Tom Davis | Gas Supply System |
US8191551B2 (en) * | 2009-07-17 | 2012-06-05 | Joan Skovgard | Oxygen delivery system |
US20110017856A1 (en) * | 2009-07-22 | 2011-01-27 | Penn Amy J | Retractable (medical) oxygen tubing reel |
ITBO20100110A1 (en) * | 2010-02-25 | 2011-08-26 | Tifone Srl | WRAPPER, PREFERABLY FOR PIPES, PARTICULARLY FOR DIFFUSION AND / OR NEBULIZATION GROUPS OF SUBSTANCES IN THE ENVIRONMENT |
US9032959B2 (en) | 2012-12-04 | 2015-05-19 | Ino Therapeutics Llc | Cannula for minimizing dilution of dosing during nitric oxide delivery |
US9795756B2 (en) | 2012-12-04 | 2017-10-24 | Mallinckrodt Hospital Products IP Limited | Cannula for minimizing dilution of dosing during nitric oxide delivery |
US9463951B1 (en) | 2013-07-05 | 2016-10-11 | Thomas Oliver Davis, JR. | Gas supply system |
US20150075528A1 (en) * | 2013-09-18 | 2015-03-19 | Susan Leeds Kudo | Method and apparatus for tangle-free oxygen lines |
KR101455087B1 (en) | 2014-02-28 | 2014-10-27 | 강정길 | Portable suction pump with cathether reel of artificial intelligence type |
GB2529164A (en) * | 2014-08-11 | 2016-02-17 | Long Grove Capital Ltd | An extension lead device |
WO2016087977A1 (en) * | 2014-12-04 | 2016-06-09 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | Patient circuit with adjustable length |
US10179203B1 (en) * | 2016-03-30 | 2019-01-15 | Kathy McArthur Huslage | Intravenous (IV) site and medical tubing protection utilizing retractable spool system and associated use thereof |
US10888682B2 (en) | 2017-04-05 | 2021-01-12 | D'Andre RHYAN | Portable retractable reeling system and method for oxygen tubing management |
US20180361107A1 (en) * | 2017-06-20 | 2018-12-20 | Merle Darling | Portable Oxygen System |
US11931605B2 (en) * | 2019-12-31 | 2024-03-19 | Ron Covington | Equipment carrying system |
USD963836S1 (en) * | 2021-05-14 | 2022-09-13 | Shenzhen Nomei Jia Environmental Technology Co. Ltd. | Nebulizer |
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US5381820A (en) * | 1994-04-04 | 1995-01-17 | Chandler; William R. | Hose reel apparatus |
US5826608A (en) * | 1994-07-18 | 1998-10-27 | Pierce; Elton Joe | Retractable tubing reel and method of use thereof |
US6065490A (en) * | 1998-08-17 | 2000-05-23 | Falcone, Jr.; Vincent F | Retractable oxygen supply hose mechanism for medical oxygen therapy devices and medical oxygen treatment devices |
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US6588444B2 (en) * | 2001-06-22 | 2003-07-08 | Medical Safety Devices, Llc | Therapeutic gas tube safety reel having easy tube replacement means and method of replacement |
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2003
- 2003-03-17 US US10/389,869 patent/US6889688B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2004
- 2004-12-27 US US11/022,714 patent/US20050103348A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US4251038A (en) * | 1978-04-03 | 1981-02-17 | Popeil Brothers, Inc. | Hose reel |
US5381820A (en) * | 1994-04-04 | 1995-01-17 | Chandler; William R. | Hose reel apparatus |
US5826608A (en) * | 1994-07-18 | 1998-10-27 | Pierce; Elton Joe | Retractable tubing reel and method of use thereof |
US6065490A (en) * | 1998-08-17 | 2000-05-23 | Falcone, Jr.; Vincent F | Retractable oxygen supply hose mechanism for medical oxygen therapy devices and medical oxygen treatment devices |
US6279848B1 (en) * | 2000-04-14 | 2001-08-28 | Great Stuff, Inc. | Reel having an improved reciprocating mechanism |
US6588444B2 (en) * | 2001-06-22 | 2003-07-08 | Medical Safety Devices, Llc | Therapeutic gas tube safety reel having easy tube replacement means and method of replacement |
Also Published As
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US6889688B1 (en) | 2005-05-10 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MEDICAL DEVICE GROUP, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WRIGHT, CLIFFORD A.;REEL/FRAME:016813/0159 Effective date: 20030617 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |