Quick connect & release clamping system

Abstract

A quick connect and release clamping system for releasably attaching intravenous (IV) poles to gurneys or bed frames. This system can also be used for quickly connecting and releasing members of other structures and items. The clamping system consists essentially of two clamping halves pivotally connected together and shaped to form an opening to receive an IV pole, at least one pin for releasably fitting within openings of a gurney or bed frame, and a releasable connector between distal ends of the clamp halves for securing the two halves in a locked position around the IV pole, thereby quickly and releasably connecting the IV pole to the gurney or bed frame.

1 . A clamping mechanism comprising two clamping halves pivotally connected together at adjacent end portions and shaped to form an opening therebetween that is adapted to receive a linearly extending member; at least one pin extending from one of said two clamp halves and adapted to releasably fit within openings of a bed frame; and a connector releasably connecting distal ends of said clamp halves such that said clamp halves are adapted to releasably clamp and lock around said linearly extending member, such that said linearly extending member can effectively be quickly and releasably connected to said bed frame. 
     
     
         2 .) The clamping mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said connector comprises a plate rigidly connected to and extending horizontally from one end of one of said clamp halves and including a hole at an end portion of the plate opposite from the end connected to said clamp half; a hole located in the other clamp half; and a removable pin sized to snugly fit within both holes, such that when the clamp is closed and forming the opening adapted to receive said linearly extending member the two holes align and the pin is placed within both to thereby lock the two clamp halves in place. 
     
     
         3 .) The clamping mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said connector comprises a pin similar to said pin extending from said one of said two clamp halves and extending from the other of said clamp halves and is adapted to releasably fit within an opening of said bed frame adjacent to the first opening that is adapted to receive the first clamp pin, such that said clamping mechanism is capable of forming a connection between the linearly extending member and the bed frame that is not pivotable. 
     
     
         4 .) The clamping mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the pivotable connection is formed as a hinge joint comprising one vertical plate on each clamp half and includes at least one vertical cylinder; and a vertical pin adapted to be placed through the cylinders to thereby hold the vertical plates together and allowing pivotal movement in a vertical plane. 
     
     
         5 .) The clamping mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the material used to form the clamping mechanism is chosen from a group of rigid materials including iron, steel, aluminum, bronze, plastic, and ceramic. 
     
     
         6 ) The clamping mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping halves form the opening in a horizontal cross-sectional shape chosen from a group of shapes including a circle, a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a polygon, a and star, thereby adapted to snugly fit an IV pole of a similar horizontal cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         7 .) A combination of an intravenous (IV) pole having wheels, a bed frame having wheels, and a clamping mechanism releasably connecting the IV pole to the bed; wherein the bed frame includes a series of holes each adapted to receive and hold a clamp pin; and wherein the clamping mechanism comprises two clamping halves pivotally connected together at adjacent end portions and shaped to form an opening therebetween for receiving a linearly extending portion of said IV pole; at least one pin extending from one of said two clamp halves and adapted to releasably fit within any one of said openings of said bed frame; and a connector releasably connecting distal ends of said clamp halves such that said clamp halves are adapted to releasably clamp and lock around said linearly extending portion of said IV pole, such that said IV pole can effectively be quickly and releasably connected to said bed frame. 
     
     
         8 .) The clamping mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein said connector comprises a plate rigidly connected to and extending horizontally from one end of one of said clamp halves and including a hole at an end portion of the plate opposite from the end connected to said clamp half; a hole located in the other clamp half; and a removable pin sized to snugly fit within both holes, such that when the clamp is closed and forming the opening adapted to receive said linearly extending member the two holes align and the pin is placed within both to thereby lock the two clamp halves in place. 
     
     
         9 .) The clamping mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein said connector comprises a pin similar to said pin extending from said one of said two clamp halves and extending from the other of said clamp halves and is adapted to releasably fit within an opening of said bed frame adjacent to the first opening that is adapted to receive the first clamp pin, such that said clamping mechanism is capable of forming a connection between the IV pole and the bed frame that is not pivotable. 
     
     
         10 .) The clamping mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein the pivotable connection is formed as a hinge joint comprising one vertical plate on each clamp half and includes at least one vertical cylinder; and a vertical pin adapted to be placed through the cylinders to thereby hold the vertical plates together and allowing pivotal movement in vertical plane. 
     
     
         11 .) The clamping mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein the material used to form the clamping mechanism is chosen from a group of rigid materials including iron, steel, aluminum, bronze, plastic, and ceramic. 
     
     
         12 ) The clamping mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one pin extending from one of said two clamp halves is adapted to be permanently connected within any one of said openings of said bed frame, such that the bed frame and clamping mechanism are permanently attached. 
     
     
         13 ) The clamping mechanism of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one pin extending from one of said two clamp halves is welded within any one of said openings of said bed frame, such that the bed frame and clamping mechanism are permanently attached. 
     
     
         14 ) The clamping mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein the clamping halves form the opening in a horizontal cross-sectional shape chosen from a group of shapes including a circle, a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a polygon, a and star, thereby adapted to snugly fit an IV pole of a similar horizontal cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         15 . A method for releasably connecting an intravenous (IV) pole to a hospital bed frame for patient transportation comprising the steps of:
 a.) providing an IV pole having wheels;   b.) providing a standard hospital bed having a frame that includes standard connector holes;   c.) providing a clamping mechanism comprises two clamping halves pivotally connected together at adjacent end portions and shaped to form an opening therebetween for receiving a linearly extending portion of said IV pole; at least one pin extending from one of said two clamp halves and adapted to releasably fit within any one of said openings of said bed frame; and a connector releasably connecting distal ends of said clamp halves such that said clamp halves are adapted to releasably clamp and lock around said linearly extending portion of said IV pole, such that said IV pole can effectively be quickly and releasably connected to said bed frame.   
     
     
         16 .) The clamping mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein said connector comprises a plate rigidly connected to and extending horizontally from one end of one of said clamp halves and including a hole at an end portion of the plate opposite from the end connected to said clamp half; a hole located in the other clamp half; and a removable pin sized to snugly fit within both holes, such that when the clamp is closed and forming the opening adapted to receive said linearly extending member the two holes align and the pin is placed within both to thereby lock the two clamp halves in place. 
     
     
         17 .) The clamping mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein said connector comprises a pin similar to said pin extending from said one of said two clamp halves and extending from the other of said clamp halves and is adapted to releasably fit within an opening of said bed frame adjacent to the first opening that is adapted to receive the first clamp pin, such that said clamping mechanism is capable of forming a connection between the IV pole and the bed frame that is not pivotable. 
     
     
         18 .) The clamping mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the pivotable connection is formed as a hinge joint comprising one vertical plate on each clamp half and includes at least one vertical cylinder; and a vertical pin adapted to be placed through the cylinders to thereby hold the vertical plates together and allowing pivotal movement in vertical plane. 
     
     
         19 .) The clamping mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one pin extending from one of said two clamp halves is adapted to be permanently connected within any one of said openings of said bed frame, such that the bed frame and clamping mechanism are permanently attached, and wherein the at least one pin extending from one of said two clamp halves is welded within any one of said openings of said bed frame, such that the bed frame and clamping mechanism are permanently attached. 
     
     
         20 .) The clamping mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the clamping halves form the opening in a horizontal cross-sectional shape chosen from a group of shapes including a circle, a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a polygon, a and star, thereby adapted to snugly fit an IV pole of a similar horizontal cross-sectional shape.