Modular and adjustable structural support system

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/012,353 filed Dec. 7, 2007.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a structural support system for securing and suspending medical equipment or telecommunications equipment, and more particularly, to a modular and adjustable structural support system that is secured to and suspends from a ceiling for supporting medical or telecommunications equipment and allows the flexibility of changing and, or adjusting equipment without having to remove and re-build the structural support and, or individual installations of booms and the like.

2. Description of the Background Art

Structural support grid systems employing steel girders, beams and connectors are known for supporting heavy medical equipment, such as x-ray machines, monitors, microscopes surgical lighting, gas columns, injector systems, corresponding booms and the like. Similar grid systems are also used for telecommunication equipment. These systems are typically secured to concrete or steel structures. Conventional structural support grid systems comprise steel frames secured to and suspended from the ceiling. Medical or telecommunication equipment is typically bolted to the steel frame or otherwise secured directly to the steel frame. In fact, it is appreciated that structural support frames are designed for specific equipment and equipment placement. Accordingly, the structural support system normally must be completely removed and rebuilt when equipment is replaced or in need of adjustment or relocation. This can be extremely costly and time consuming. If there existed a modular and adjustable structural support system that facilitated adaptation to new equipment and, or adjusting or relocating equipment without having to be removed and rebuilt, it would result in substantial cost savings, minimal interruption of operations and be well received. Unfortunately, there are no such modular and adjustable structural support systems known that adequately or effectively address and resolve these problems. Accordingly, there exists a need for a structural support system to resolve this need. The instant invention addresses and fulfills this unfulfilled need in the prior art by providing a modular and adjustable structural support system as contemplated by the instant invention disclosed herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a modular structural support system for securely installing and suspending medical equipment above operating rooms.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable structural support system for securely installing and suspending medical equipment above operating rooms.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a modular and adjustable structural support system that allows and facilitates changing, adjusting and, or relocating medical equipment above operating moves without having to remove and rebuild the structural support system.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a modular and adjustable structural support system that allows and facilitates changing, adjusting and, or relocating medical equipment above operating moves without having to remove and rebuild individual booms in ICU rooms.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a modular and adjustable structural support system that allows and facilitates a stronger system for power and data distribution.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a modular and adjustable structural support system that allows and facilitates changing, adjusting and, or relocating telecommunication equipment above a telecommunications facility without having to remove and rebuild the structural support system.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a modular and adjustable structural support system that allows and facilitates changing, adjusting and, or relocating suspended equipment without having to remove and rebuild the structural support system.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a modular and adjustable structural support system that allows and facilitates changing, adjusting and, or relocating suspended equipment in a manner that is cost effective.

In light of these and other objects, the instant invention provides a modular and adjustable structural support system comprising a plurality of steel girders, girder connectors, steel installation connectors, concrete installation connectors and bracing connectors. These components of the instant invention are interconnected to form a grid. The system comprises multiple square modules or a single module for the installation of medical equipment, surgical lights and equipment booms. The steel modules are modular and adjustable. The steel girders are adjustable on the grid for accommodating the size of the equipment and for convenient relocation of equipment. The girders are movable and secured to the grid by the girder connectors. The grid is secured to a concrete structure with the concrete installation connectors and to a steel structure with the steel installation connectors. The bracing connectors provide diagonal bracing for girders and grid.

In accordance with these and other objects, which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the modular adjustable structural support (MASS™, a trademark of Applicant) system illustrating a possible arrangement in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of section A of FIG. 1 of the modular adjustable structural support system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of section B of FIG. 1 of the modular adjustable structural support system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of section C of FIG. 1 of the modular adjustable structural support system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.

FIGS. 5-6 are elevational views of section D of FIG. 1 of the modular adjustable structural support system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of section E of FIG. 1 of the modular adjustable structural support system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the modular adjustable structural support system showing a single installation in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of section A of FIG. 8 of the modular adjustable structural support system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of section B of FIG. 8 of the modular adjustable structural support system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the modular adjustable structural system illustrating a concrete installation in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the modular adjustable structural system illustrating a concrete beam installation in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the modular adjustable structural system illustrating a steel I-beam installation in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the modular adjustable structural system illustrating a possible trauma room installation in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 15 shows plan and elevational views of the modular adjustable structural system illustrating a possible hybrid (medical and imaging arrangement) in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 15 depict the preferred embodiment of the instant invention which is generally referenced as a modular adjustable structural support system, structural support system, grid and, or by numeric character 10. The grid system 10 of the instant invention allows the flexibility of changing and/or adjusting equipment without the need to remove and re build the structural support above as well as individual installations of booms in ICU rooms.

Referring to FIGS. 1-15, the structural support system 10 of the instant invention comprises a plurality of steel girders 12-14, girder connectors 16-26, steel installation connectors 28-40, concrete installation connectors 42-48 and bracing connectors 50-58. These components of the instant invention are interconnected to form a grid. The system comprises multiple square modules or a single module for the installation of medical equipment, surgical lights and equipment booms. The steel modules are modular and adjustable. The steel girders are adjustable on the grid for accommodating the size of the equipment and for convenient relocation of equipment. The girders are movable and secured to the grid by the girder connectors. The grid is secured to a concrete structure with the concrete installation connectors and to a steel structure with the steel installation connectors. The bracing connectors provide diagonal bracing for girders and grid.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-15, the present invention 10 comprises a system that allows the flexibility of changing and/or adjusting equipment without the need to remove and re-build the structural support above as well as individual installations of booms in ICU rooms. As shown in FIGS. 1-15, the structural support system comprises the following components:

• • 1. Steel Girders:
    • Girder MI-90 (9′-10″)3M HDG Steel (12)
    • Girder MI-90 (19′-8″)6M HDG Steel (12)
    • Girder MI-120 (9′-10″)3M HDG Steel (14)
    • Girder MI-120 (19′-8″)6M HDG Steel (14)
  • 2. Girder Connectors:
    • Girder Connector MIC-90-U HDG Steel (16)
    • Girder Connector MIC-120-U HDG Steel (18)
    • Girder Connector MIC-90-L HDG Steel (20)
    • Girder Connector MIC-T HDG Steel (22)
    • Girder Splice Connector MIC-90-E HDG Steel (24)
    • Girder Splice Connector MIC-120-E HDG Steel (26)
  • 3. Steel Installation Connectors:
    • Beam Connector MIC-S90-AA HDG Steel (28)
    • Beam Connector MIC-S90-A HDG Steel (30)
    • Beam Connector MIC-S90-B HDG Steel (32)
    • Beam Connector MIC-S90-C HDG Steel (34)
    • Beam Connector MIC-S120-A HDG Steel (36)
    • Beam Connector MIC-S120-B HDG Steel (38)
    • Beam Connector MIC-S120-C HDG Steel (40)
  • 4. Concrete Installation Connectors:
    • Concrete Connector MIC-C90-AA HDG Steel (42)
    • Concrete Connector MIC-C90-D HDG Steel (44)
    • Concrete Connector MIC-C120-D HDG Steel (46)
    • Concrete Connector MIC-C90-U HDG Steel (48)
  • 5. Bracing Connectors:
    • Cantilever Connector MIC-U-MA HDG Steel (50)
    • Cantilever Beam Connector MIC-SA-MA HDG (52)
    • Cantilever Beam Connector MIC-SB-MA HDG (54)
    • Cantilever Conc. Connector MIC-SC-MA HDG (56)
    • Cantilever Conc. Connector MIC-CU-MA HDG (58)
  • 6. Other:
    • Equipment Plate (62)
    • HS 158 Strut (64)

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention 10, the above-listed components 12-64 are used to build the MASS grid 10 depending on the type of installation and the equipment requirements. The grid system 10 may comprise multiple square modules or a single module for the installation of surgical lights and equipment booms. In a telecommunications environment it will serve as a distribution grid for power and data cable racks throughout the facility. The structure can be structured different based on the building codes and structure of the building. Concrete and steel buildings would require different ways of suspending the MASS grid system; therefore, different parts may be used for the installation and build up. The MASS grid can also be built in different size configurations depending on the amount of equipment or location of the equipment.

It can also be used for the distribution of power through out a telecommunications facility, or for any type of application that requires a super structure above to carry heavy loads and applicable forces.

With respect to the foregoing and FIGS. 1-15, the instant invention 10 may used to configure a support system for securely supporting and suspending equipment above an operating room floor, telecommunications facility or other application. Regardless of the application, a grid system 10 is installed with the following components according to steps A-J, as follows:

• • A. Use MI-CD-90 base for all corners when installing a grid system in concrete. The grid may be square or rectangular depending on the room and medical equipment location.
  • B. Use MI-C90-AA base for all intermediate vertical drops as required.
  • C. The MASS GRID range of vertical drops will vary from 42 inches minimum to 72 inches maximum spacing depending on the design criteria and MASS GRID size.
  • D. Use two MIC-90-U corner connectors at every corner vertical drop. Each connector will make a 90° degree connection making a square pattern when all four corners are connected.
  • E. Use MI-90 Girders the length of the MASS GRID side for all four corners. Cut MI-90 Girder as required per design size of MASS GRID.
    • a. After installation of all four corners and girders, level all four sides and square MASS GRID.
    • b. All four corner vertical drops will be a minimum 3½″ longer than the inner vertical drops to allow for adjustability and leveling of MASS GRID.
  • F. Install all vertical drops spaced to the design criteria creating square or rectangular modules in between the MASS GRID as shown in drawings.
  • G. Use an MIC-90-L connector in the bottom of each drop except for the four corners.
  • H. Use MIC-U-MA connectors for inner bracing as required per drawing specifications.
  • I. Use MIC-CU-MA connectors for outer bracing in corners per drawing specifications.
  • J. Equipment Installation
    • a. Inner connections using MI-90 or MI 120 girders are used in the modules per location of the medical equipment in the OR design.
    • b. MI-90 is used always when building the inner module at the grid level. MI-90 girders are cut to specified length and installed with an MIC-90-L connector at each end.
    • c. Two MI-90 girders are always used for the inner connection that will install the location of the medical equipment plate. The spacing of the MI-90 girder is based on the size and location of the medical equipment manufacturer plate size.
    • d. MI-120 or strut is then installed at 90° degree perpendicular to the inner MI-90 girder.
      • i. Install MI-120 using MIB-SA plates in all four corners as showing in drawings.
      • ii. Install strut using a U Clamp and bolts as showing in drawings.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious structural and/or functional modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.