CART WITH RETRACTABLE POWER CORDS

Abstract

A cart having retractable power cords. The medical cart including a housing, a reel device connected to the housing, and at least one power cord. The power cord spools and unspools on the reel device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 61/286,879 filed Dec. 16, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a cart. More specifically, the present invention relates to a medical cart having retractable power cords.

[0003] Some hospitals provide nurses with medical or medication carts on which a network laptop computer facilitates the use of Electronic Medical Administration Records. Alternatively, a tool cart may be used to support a piece of electronic equipment. Typically, power cords for the instrument on the carts may be bundled together on top of the cart or hung on a hook on the side of the cart. Unfortunately, the known method for holding the power cords sometimes become a tripping hazard to patients and staff members.

[0004] As can be seen, there is a need to provide a medical cart that allows the medical staff to safely store the power cords of the medical appliances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a cart includes a housing, a reel device connected to the housing, and at least one power cord. The power cord spools and un-spools on the reel device.

[0006] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front view of the cart according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the cart of FIG. 1;

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the cart of FIG. 1; and

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional side view taken along lines 4-4 of the cart of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0012] Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

[0013] Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a cart having retractable power cords.

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front view of the cart 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The cart 10 may include a housing 12, a power strip 20 fixed within the housing 12, a reel device 26 fixed within the housing 12, and a power cord 24. The power cord 24 may be spooled or un-spooled from the reel device 26. A connecting device 28 may be placed at one of the ends of the power cord 24. The connecting device 28 may protrude from the housing 12 and connect to an electrical outlet (not shown) on the wall. In one embodiment, the connecting device 28 may be a male connector.

[0015] FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 illustrate how the electrical cords of the medical appliances 30 may be plugged into the power strip 20. In one embodiment, the electrical cord 22 of the medical appliance 30 may be directly connected to the power cord 24.

[0016] The housing 12 may be made of a sturdy material. In one embodiment the housing 12 may be made of metal, plastic, wood, or polymeric material. The housing 12 may have different configurations. In one embodiment, the housing 12 may have a rectangular or square configuration. The housing 12 may include a horizontal platform 18, sides, at least one cabinet 16 at one of its sides, and a hollow space 14 on the other side. The hollow space 14 may be adapted to receive the lower extremities of the user. Medical appliances 30 may be placed on top of the horizontal platform 18 of the housing 12. The cabinet 16 may have a size that allows the storage of the medical appliances 30.

[0017] The reel device 26 may be made of an electrical insulated material. In one embodiment, the reel device 26 may be made of plastic. The reel device 26 may include a cylindrical reel drum onto which the power cord 24 may be spooled. The drum may rotate about a central axis to spool and/or un-spool the power cord 24 with respect to the cylindrical drum surface. The reel device 26 may have a size that does not interfere with the internal working of the cart. The reel device 26 may be mounted on any wall of the housing 12. The medical cart 10 may include two or more power strips 20 and/or reel devices 26.

[0018] The length of the power cord 24 may be long enough to reach an electrical outlet on the wall. The power cord 24 may be extended to a power device or a battery charger inside the cart 10.

[0019] Wheels (not shown) may be placed at the bottom of the medical cart 10.

[0020] In one embodiment, a connector (not shown) may be mounted on top of the horizontal platform 18 or one of the sides of the housing 12. In one embodiment, the connector may be an electrical outlet. The medical appliance 30 may plug into the electrical outlet.

[0021] In an alternative embodiment, the electrical cords 22 of the medical appliance 30 may be passed through a hole on the platform 18 of the housing 12. The hole may have a diameter of about 3/4 inches. The electrical cord 22 of the medical appliance 30 may then be plugged into the power strip 20.

[0022] The present invention is not limited to the use of medical appliances. Any appliance including a power cord may be used in conjunction with the medical cart of the present invention.

[0023] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A cart comprising: a housing; a reel device connected to the housing; and at least one power cord; wherein the power cord spools and un-spools on the reel device.

2. The cart of claim 1 wherein the cart is a medical, medication or tool cart.

3. The cart of claim 1, further including at least one power strip attached to the housing.

4. The cart of claim 3, wherein the housing is adapted to receive an appliance having an electrical cord, wherein the electrical cord of the appliance is connected to the power strip.

5. The cart of claim 1, wherein the housing is adapted to receive an appliance having an electrical cord, wherein the electrical cord of the appliance is directly connected to the power cord.

6. The cart of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a horizontal platform, a first side, a second side, at least one cabinet located on the first side, and a hollow space located on the second side, wherein the hollow space is adapted to receive the lower extremities of a user.

7. The cart of claim 1, wherein the power cord is retractable.

8. The cart of claim 6, further comprising an electrical connector placed on the horizontal platform, wherein the electrical connector is plugged into the power cord.

9. The cart of claim 6, wherein the power cord is connected to a battery charger.

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