EP-4738622-A1 - CABLE CONNECTION RETAINER APPARATUS

Abstract

Devices, and methods of implementing the devices, that can be used to prevent electrical disconnection in apparatus used in health care systems is provided. This disclosure relates to devices and methods that can increase the efficiency of patient support apparatus. The connecting device comprises an insert component that is configured to be insertable into a sleeve component. The sleeve component comprises a sleeve surface wall enclosing a sleeve open space extending from a first sleeve end to a second sleeve end and including a sleeve receiving cap on the second sleeve end with a first access port. The insert component comprises an insert surface wall enclosing an insert open space extending from a first insert end to a second insert end and including an insert receiving cap on the first insert end with a second access port. The sleeve component is attached to the insert component by a connector passing through the first and second access ports.

Inventors

• JAFFRE, THIERRY
• FRAYSSINET, STEPHANE
• GUETTA, Matthieu
• Bernard, Mathieu
• LEGROS, PHILIPPE

Assignees

• Hill-Rom Services, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20251029

Claims (12)

1. A connecting device for connecting a pair of electrical cables, comprising: a sleeve component with a sleeve surface wall enclosing a sleeve open space extending from a first sleeve end to a second sleeve end, the sleeve component further including a first access port at the second sleeve end, an insert component with an insert surface wall enclosing an insert open space extending from a first insert end to a second insert end, the insert component further including a second access port at the first insert end, wherein the sleeve component is attached to the insert component by a connector passing through the first access port and the second access port.
2. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein the first sleeve end has a first opening with a first diameter smaller than a second diameter of a second opening at the second sleeve end.
3. The connecting device of either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first insert end has a first opening with a first diameter smaller than a second diameter of a second opening at the second insert end.
4. The connecting device of any preceding claim, wherein the second sleeve end has a first opening with a first diameter larger than a second diameter of a second opening at the second insert end.
5. The connecting device of any preceding claim, wherein the insert component is configured to be interlocking with the sleeve component.
6. The connecting device of any preceding claim, wherein the connector is a screw, a clip, a strap, or a colson.
7. The connecting device of any preceding claim, wherein the interface of the connecting device formed between the insert surface wall and the sleeve surface wall is watertight.
8. The connecting device of any preceding claim, wherein the connecting device is configured to prevent water or dust ingress into the sleeve open space and the insert open space.
9. The connecting device of any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve open space is configured to house a first cable and the insert open space is configured to house a second cable attachable to the first cable.
10. The connecting device of any preceding claim, wherein the first cable is configured to form a watertight interface with the sleeve surface wall at a first opening at the first sleeve end.
11. The connecting device of any preceding claim wherein the sleeve component further includes a sleeve receiving cap on the second sleeve end with the first access port wherein the insert component further includes an insert receiving cap on the first insert end with the second access port, wherein the second insert end of the insert component is configured to be insertable into the second sleeve end of the sleeve component, forming an interface between the insert surface wall and the sleeve surface wall, and wherein the sleeve receiving cap and the insert receiving cap are aligned along a longitudinal axis of the connecting device when the insert component is inserted into the sleeve component.
12. A method of connecting cables, the method comprising: passing a first cable into a sleeve open space of a sleeve component of a connecting device, wherein the first cable is configured to form a first interface with a sleeve surface wall of the sleeve component, passing a second cable into an insert open space of an insert component of the connecting device, wherein the second cable is configured to form a second interface with an insert surface wall of the insert component, attaching the first cable to the second cable, sliding the insert component into the sleeve open space of the sleeve component, and connecting the sleeve component to the insert component with a connector passing through a first access port located on the sleeve component and a second access port located on the insert component.

Description

The present disclosure relates to the use of systems and methods to improve patient care by optimizing use and efficiency of patient support apparatus. More specifically, the present disclosure is related to systems and methods to prevent the stoppage and use of patient apparatus due to cable disconnection. While cable connections are easy to establish, they can be easily unplugged. Too often, a light and/or continuous pull or movement can disconnect the cables and stop the patient support apparatus from functioning. The unplugging of cables may not be noticed by caregivers resulting in sub-optimal patient care. Therefore, there is a need to prevent cables attached to patient support apparatus and/or other devices used in patient care from easily disconnecting. Modular manufacturability and assembly of such connecting devices can help in improving the efficiency of the patient support apparatus. The present disclosure includes one or more of the following features alone or in any combination. According to a first aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a connecting device for connecting a pair of electrical cables, comprising a sleeve component and an insert component. The sleeve component comprises a sleeve surface wall enclosing a sleeve open space extending from a first sleeve end to a second sleeve end, the sleeve component further including a sleeve receiving cap on the second sleeve end with a first access port. The insert component comprises an insert surface wall enclosing an insert open space extending from a first insert end to a second insert end, the insert component further including an insert receiving cap on the first insert end with a second access port. The second insert end of the insert component is configured to be insertable into the second sleeve end of the sleeve component, forming an interface between the insert surface wall and the sleeve surface wall. The sleeve receiving cap and the insert receiving cap are aligned along a longitudinal axis of the connecting device when the insert component is inserted into the sleeve component. The sleeve component is attached to the insert component by a connector passing through the first and second access ports. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first sleeve end may have a first opening with a first diameter smaller than a second diameter of a second opening at the second sleeve end. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first insert end may have a first opening with a first diameter smaller than a second diameter of a second opening at the second insert end. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second sleeve end may have a first opening with a first diameter larger than a second diameter of a second opening at the second insert end. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the insert component may be configured to be interlocking with the sleeve component. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the connector may be a screw, a clip, a strap, or a colson. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the interface of the connecting device formed between the insert surface wall and the sleeve surface wall may be watertight. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the connecting device may be configured to prevent water or dust ingress into the sleeve open space and the insert open space. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the sleeve open space may be configured to house a first cable, and the insert open space is configured to house a second cable attachable to the first cable. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first cable may form a watertight interface with the sleeve surface wall at a first opening at the first sleeve end. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second cable may form a watertight interface with the insert surface wall at a first opening at the first insert end. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the connecting device may be configured to be used with a plurality of cables, each of the cables is comprised of a different size. According to a second aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a connecting device for connecting a pair of electrical cables, comprising a sleeve component and an insert component. The sleeve component comprises a sleeve surface wall enclosing a sleeve open space extending from a first sleeve end to a second sleeve end, and a first access port at the second sleeve end. The insert component comprises an insert surface wall enclosing an insert open space extending from a first insert end to a second insert end, and a second access port at the first insert end. The sleeve component is attached to the insert component by a connector passing through the first and second access ports. In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first sleeve end may have a first opening with a first diameter smaller than a second diameter of a second opening at the second sleeve end. In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first insert end may have a first o