Intravenous fluid container stand and methods for making same

Abstract

According to one embodiment, an intravenous stand for supporting an intravenous fluid container includes a hanger configured to support one or more intravenous fluid containers. A pole, having a first end and a second end, is coupled to the hanger at the first end and a base at the second. A plurality of casters are releasably coupled to the base via a plurality of quick-release members.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An intravenous stand for supporting an intravenous fluid container, comprising:
 a hanger configured to support one or more intravenous fluid containers;   an upper pole having a first end and a second end, the first end of the upper pole being coupled to the hanger;   a lower pole having a first end and a second end;   an insert configured to couple the second end of the upper pole to the first end of the lower pole, the insert having a shape configured to prevent rotational movement between the upper pole and the lower pole;   a base coupled to the second end of the lower pole; and   a plurality of casters releasably coupled to the base.   
     
     
         12 . The intravenous stand of  claim 11 , wherein the insert is a D-shaped member. 
     
     
         13 . The intravenous stand of  claim 11 , wherein the insert is integral with one of the upper pole or the lower pole. 
     
     
         14 . The intravenous stand of  claim 12 , wherein the D-shaped member extends from the upper pole and the lower pole has an opening configured to receive the D-shaped member. 
     
     
         15 . The intravenous stand of  claim 11 , wherein the upper pole comprises a top pole and a bottom pole, and the top pole is configured to be extendible and retractable within the bottom pole. 
     
     
         16 . The intravenous stand of  claim 15 , further comprising a quick-release member for coupling each of the plurality of casters to the base, each of the quick-release member including a stem, a push button, and at least one radially movable ball that is spring biased to at least partially protrude from the stem. 
     
     
         17 . A method of making an intravenous stand for supporting an intravenous fluid container with quickly releasable casters, comprising:
 providing a hanger configured to support one or more intravenous fluid containers;   coupling a pole to the hanger at a first end of the pole;   coupling a base to the pole at a second end of the pole; and   releasably coupling a plurality of casters to the base via a plurality of quick-release members.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 providing a plurality of tube-shaped caster connectors each having a threaded portion and an axial aperture; 
 screwably attaching the threaded portion of each caster connector to a corresponding threaded bore in the base; and 
 wherein each caster includes a mounting portion having a mounting aperture therein, and the releasably coupling includes inserting a quick-release member through the axial aperture of each caster connector and the mounting aperture of a respective caster. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising:
 prior to the inserting, depressing a push button on the quick-release member to cause one or more retractable balls to retract within a stem of the quick-release member; and 
 after the inserting, releasing the push button on the quick-release member to cause the one or more retractable balls to at least partially protrude from the stem and thereby hold the quick-release member within the caster connector. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more retractable balls extend adjacent an inner lip at an upper end of the respective caster connector.