Supports – With means to facilitate installation – repair – or...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-01
2001-09-11
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
With means to facilitate installation, repair, or...
C410S077000, C108S057120, C414S373000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286805
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to moving an apparatus from one location to another and, in particular, moving equipment having sensitive, calibratable components.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Larger size or heavy systems that have one or more calibrated components for performing desired functions are typically installed and calibrated in one building and not moved. Such systems commonly remain at one location and are maintained on a regular basis to make sure that they operate properly. Typically, there is no beneficial reason to move such systems on a frequent basis.
A heavy and voluminous system including laser equipment is used in eye surgery to correct for nearsightedness and astigmatism. Briefly, the applied laser energy corrects the refraction of the eye by essentially flattening the cornea. Such equipment and components are expensive, in the range of several hundreds of thousands of dollars. In many cases, this eye surgical procedure is not yet performed a sufficient number of times at any one location or facility to be cost effective. That is, because of the equipment cost, it is not financially feasible for one facility to have its own full-time laser system for performing the surgical procedures on the eye(s). A sharing of a single system by a number of facilities has proven to be cost effective. This requires transport of the laser equipment from one facility to another, namely between buildings and typically from one city to another or from one part of the city to another location in the same city. The laser equipment has sensitive components that need to be accurately aligned and calibrated. When the equipment is moved, the components thereof are subject to shocks and vibrations that could detrimentally affect such alignment and calibration. When such effects occur, damage to the equipment can result, or such components can become misaligned or out-of-calibration. Consequently, after transport of the equipment has been completed, it is then necessary to make sure that the equipment is working properly including taking care of any misalignment and out-of-calibration. This can be time consuming and expensive and can be even more costly if the equipment or components are damaged to the extent that the necessary alignment and calibration can no longer be properly achieved.
Because of the cost of the laser system, coupled with the current market demand for the corrective eye procedure, it would be advantageous to provide an apparatus that is able to suitably protect the laser equipment during its transport from one location to another. one known apparatus includes a support platform with pneumatic wheels that are apparently intended to provide a cushioning effect to the laser equipment as it is moved. The present invention is directed to providing enhanced features that protect the laser equipment from shocks and vibrations during the time that the laser equipment is being moved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for moving equipment having sensitive components from one location to another location is provided, while protecting the sensitive equipment components from being subjected to unwanted shocks and vibrations caused by the movement. The equipment is moved in and to/from a transport unit, such as a trailer, using the apparatus or portions thereof.
The apparatus includes a first or stationary support assembly that is fixedly held within the transport unit and stays with the transport unit when the laser equipment is moved from the transport unit to its next location. The stationary support assembly includes a bracket assembly configured substantially in a U-shaped arrangement. The bracket assembly is connected to the floor of the transport unit. A frame assembly overlies the bracket assembly. The frame assembly is also substantially U-shaped in configuration. The frame assembly has a pair of leg extensions and a cross extension between the two leg extensions. Each leg extension includes a plate member. A number of isolator members are disposed between the bracket assembly and the leg extensions at the ends thereof. The isolator members counter or isolate shocks and vibrations that, in their absence, could otherwise be transmitted to the laser equipment components when the transport unit is moved or transported. In one embodiment, the isolator members each include a number of coils made of numerous and thick wire strands. The tops of such wire rope isolator members are located beneath the leg extensions, while the bottoms thereof contact the bracket assembly.
The frame assembly also includes upwardly extending, but relatively short, walls that extend from the leg extensions. The leg extensions of the frame assembly also have elongated stop members overlying the plate members. The stop members are useful in preventing unwanted movement of the laser equipment during transport in the transport unit, as will be further explained later herein.
The apparatus also includes a second or movable support assembly that is connected to the equipment to be moved. The movable support assembly is joined to the bottom of the equipment being moved. The movable support assembly includes a deck having a base with an upper surface. Secured to the base is an air cushioning assembly also used in safeguarding the equipment during its transport. The air cushioning assembly includes a manifold and a number of air bladders, with the manifold in fluid communication with each of the air bladders using connector tubing or hoses for carrying pressurized air. In one embodiment, there are four air bladders located adjacent to the four corners of the movable equipment. The air bladders can be inflated and deflated at appropriate or predetermined times during movement of the equipment.
The apparatus also includes a pallet truck or other powered vehicle for engaging the deck and moving the movable support assembly together with the equipment to which the movable support assembly is connected. The pallet truck has a pair of fork members that are positionable beneath the base of the deck for releasable engagement therewith. The pallet truck has support wheels which enable the equipment to be readily moved when supported using the pallet truck. Such support wheels are within the two fork members and are movable between a first position in which they do not contact the floor surface and a second position in which they do contact the floor surface in order to facilitate movement of the movable support assembly and the laser equipment by the pallet truck as it is driven or otherwise moved.
In conjunction with the movement of the laser equipment, such equipment is typically used at one facility for a scheduled number of days or other period of time. The laser equipment is housed in a suitable room in a desired building at one facility. When it is appropriate or otherwise desirable to move the equipment having the movable support assembly connected thereto, a number of key steps are performed. In one embodiment, a thick cover is secured about the exterior of the equipment to ensure that no unwanted contact occurs between the equipment and building walls and doorways or objects in the building as the equipment is being moved from the building.
During use of the equipment, such as the laser equipment to perform corrective eye surgery, the air bladders are preferably in a deflated state. When moving the equipment and the movable support assembly with the pallet truck, the air bladders are inflated to at least a threshold or predetermined pressure. Shocks and vibrations are generated during movement of the equipment. Such shocks and vibrations can detrimentally impact or affect the equipment and its sensitive components. The inflated air bladders at the corners of the equipment between the deck and the equipment provide a cushion that prevents such unwanted shocks and vibrations from damaging or otherwise negatively affecting sensitive system components. In filling the air bladders, a separately powered air pump can be employed that has an outle
Bunn William
Kregstein Stephen P.
Lamphier Mark
Spencer John C.
Wingerter, Jr. Donald B.
Clear Vision Laser Centers, Inc.
Ramirez Ramon O.
Sheridan & Ross P.C.
Wood Kimberly
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