US20010029628A1 - Patient care system - Google Patents
Patient care system Download PDFInfo
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- US20010029628A1 US20010029628A1 US09/862,545 US86254501A US2001029628A1 US 20010029628 A1 US20010029628 A1 US 20010029628A1 US 86254501 A US86254501 A US 86254501A US 2001029628 A1 US2001029628 A1 US 2001029628A1
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
- A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
- A61G7/057—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor
- A61G7/05769—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with inflatable chambers
- A61G7/05776—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with inflatable chambers with at least two groups of alternately inflated chambers
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
- A61G7/002—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons having adjustable mattress frame
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
- A61G7/02—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons with toilet conveniences, or specially adapted for use with toilets
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
- A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
- A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
- A61G7/0507—Side-rails
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
- A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
- A61G7/0507—Side-rails
- A61G7/0508—Side-rails characterised by a particular connection mechanism
- A61G7/0509—Side-rails characterised by a particular connection mechanism sliding or pivoting downwards
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
- A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
- A61G7/0507—Side-rails
- A61G7/0512—Side-rails characterised by customised length
- A61G7/0513—Side-rails characterised by customised length covering particular sections of the bed, e.g. one or more partial side-rail sections along the bed
- A61G7/0514—Side-rails characterised by customised length covering particular sections of the bed, e.g. one or more partial side-rail sections along the bed mounted to individual mattress supporting frame sections
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
- A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
- A61G7/0507—Side-rails
- A61G7/0516—Side-rails with height adjustability
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
- A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
- A61G7/0507—Side-rails
- A61G7/052—Side-rails characterised by safety means, e.g. to avoid injuries to patient or caregiver
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
- A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
- A61G7/0507—Side-rails
- A61G7/0524—Side-rails characterised by integrated accessories, e.g. bed control means, nurse call or reading lights
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
- A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
- A61G7/0527—Weighing devices
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G2203/00—General characteristics of devices
- A61G2203/10—General characteristics of devices characterised by specific control means, e.g. for adjustment or steering
- A61G2203/20—Displays or monitors
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G2203/00—General characteristics of devices
- A61G2203/30—General characteristics of devices characterised by sensor means
- A61G2203/44—General characteristics of devices characterised by sensor means for weight
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G2203/00—General characteristics of devices
- A61G2203/70—General characteristics of devices with special adaptations, e.g. for safety or comfort
- A61G2203/74—General characteristics of devices with special adaptations, e.g. for safety or comfort for anti-shear when adjusting furniture
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
- A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
- A61G7/0506—Head or foot boards
Abstract
A bed configured to support a patient having a weight comprises a frame, a patient support, and a plurality of sensors coupled between the frame and the patient support. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to generate an analog signal in response to a portion of the weight of the patient on the patient support. The bed also comprises a circuit coupled to the plurality of sensors to receive the analog signals therefrom. The circuit includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, each analog-to-digital converter being coupled to one of the sensors to generate a separate digital signal for each of the plurality of sensors, and a processor coupled to the plurality of analog-to-digital converters to determine the weight of the patient on the patient support.
Description
- This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/864,881 filed on Apr. 3, 1992, which application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/641,697 filed on Jan. 16, 1991, which application is a division application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/511,842 filed on Apr. 20, 1990, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,967, which application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/172,264 filed Mar. 23, 1988, now abandoned.
- This invention relates generally to beds, and more particularly, to a bed and associated features facilitating care of a patient supported on the bed.
- The Background of the Invention, Summary of the Invention, and Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments sections have the following section headings.
- 1. Pneumatic System
- 2. Footboard Gate
- 3. Stand-Up Board
- 4. Headboard
- 5. Weight-Sensing System
- 6. Control Unit
- 7. Transport Guide Wheels
- 8. Guard Rail Elevation System
- 9. Swing Arm Extension Brace
- 10. Platform Joint
- 11. Hydraulic Valve
- 12. Platform Support
- 13. Multifunction Control
- Hospital bed designs have recently been undergoing a transformation. Early beds were very basic devices providing limited patient support and care features. More recently, bed designs have been taking advantage of technological developments to provide improvements in bed articulation, mattress inflation, patient access, convenience and control. The following patents illustrate some of the designs that are currently known.
- 1. Pneumatic System
- Valves are an integral part of a mattress inflation system. Recently, valves have been designed in which a metal alloy that changes shape in response to a change in temperature is used as the valve actuator. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,540,479 issued to Thompson for a “Heat Motor and Valve”, a valve using a heat-expanding rod to open a biased-closed valve seat is disclosed. Willson et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 3,613,732 entitled “Temperature-Responsive Valve Operators”, discloses various valve configurations utilizing temperature-responsive operators made with a shape-memory alloy such as a nickel and titanium alloy. The disclosed configurations include single and double poppet designs, as well as coaxial, single poppet designs.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,265 issued to Sakakibara et al. for “Electrically Operated Switching Valve” discloses the use of a warped plate controlled by a heat-activated element for selectively valving opposing ports relative to an intermediate port. Suzuki, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,587 entitled “Shape-Memory Electromechanical Drive” discloses the use of two shape-memory springs to move a slide member to couple alternate outer ports with a central port.
- A valve member that alternately opens and closes by heat-generating electrical current acting on a spring-biased linear alloy element is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,024 issued to Homma for “Valve Driven By Shape Memory Alloy”. Hori, in Japanese Pat. No. JP61-17789 entitled “Valve Device”, discloses a valve-opening device activated by a shape-memory alloy spring. The valve is held closed by a coaxial bias spring.
- These valve assemblies provide for effective valving, but there remains a need for a valve assembly that is able to inversely vary the flow of air or other fluid through respective inlet and outlet ports, and to independently control the flow of air through input and output ports, and that is self-contained for convenient installation and removal from a fluid-chamber housing.
- Inflatable mattress cushions or cells are often connected to a support surface of a base platform or frame. This connection may be provided by a connector having an inner channel or passageway, that attaches the cell to a port extending through the support surface. Further, it is known to connect two cells together with a passageway formed in the connection to allow air to flow between the connected cells. An example of such an arrangement is disclosed by Pertchik in U.S. Pat. No. 4,255,824 for “Cushion for Decubitus Ulcers”. Pertchik discloses a seat cushion formed of a plurality of elongate cells that are connected at contact points to provide inflation of all the cells from a single inlet.
- Hunt et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,525,885 entitled “Support Appliance for Mounting on a Standard Hospital Bed”, discloses male and female parts of a connector assembly for connecting mattress cells to a mattress base inlet or outlet. Another form of connector for a mattress cell is shown in FIG. 6 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,413 issued to Goodwin for “Low Air Loss Bed”.
- Hunt et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,968 entitled “Patient Support Appliances” also discloses a connector of an air tube to a housing (FIG. 4). This is a quick release connection to allow rapid deflation for cardiac arrest procedures. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,414 entitled “Modular Low Air Loss Patient Support System and Methods for Automatic Patient Turning and Pressure Point Relief”, Thomas et al. also disclose in FIGS. 5 and 6 a connector for connecting a mattress cell to the platform.
- These connectors are constructed to be usable in a specific application, but do not permit use in various connections. For instance, there remains the need for fluid-transmitting connectors that are usable for coupling a cell to a support platform and for coupling cells together, with the integrity of the base cell remaining when a satellite cell is disconnected. Further, there is a need for a connector that can accommodate a reducer for connecting a tube to a cell.
- When used on an articulating bed, the fluid supply and exhaust systems used for inflating and deflating mattress cells must either be formed integrally as part of the bed platform, or must be provided by external hoses or ducts. These arrangements result in bending and wear of connecting hoses, and exposure of external tubes to wear and contact by other moving parts.
- The present invention makes use of expandable passageways, similar to bellows, for coupling manifolds supported on adjoining, articulating panels. Bellows-like support cells are known to be used in hospital beds. For instance, Hunt et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,276 entitled “Support Appliances Having Articulated Sections” shows the use of inflatable bellows to raise and lower the head end of a bed platform. Similar structures are also shown in patent '885 issued to Hunt et al., identified previously. A bellows-type mattress cell is disclosed by Sato in U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,547 entitled “Pneumatic Mat with Sensing Means”.
- There thus remains the need for a flexible passageway structure that can connect air passageways of adjoining bed panels, that conforms with the panel structure, is reliable, and expands and contracts in response to movement of the adjoining panels.
- There also is a need for a simple efficient structure for conveying pressurized and exhaust fluids to mattress cells, and along articulated panels. As was mentioned, flexible tubes are usually used to connect mattress cells to an air supply and exhaust port. For example, Hunt et al., in patent '885, and Goodwin, in patent '413, disclose the use of a flexible tube serving each mattress section. Goodwin shows them as being external to the bed platform, while Hunt et al. show them to be within the platform. Also, Evans, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,671 entitled “Controllably Inflatable Cushion”, discloses individual cushions inflated in groups or zones with supply lines and exhaust lines serving each zone being controlled by a three way valve.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,590 issued to Ogura for “Valve for Fluid Mat and Apparatus for Controlling an Attitude Assumed by Fluid Mat”, discloses air mattress supply ducts that are positioned between relative positive and negative pressure air chambers. Separate solenoid valves connect each air supply duct with each of the air chambers.
- Harkleroad et al. discloses, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,920 entitled “Air Mattress Pumping and Venting System”, a pressure control system in which sensors control a venting valve and a pump for maintaining the mattress pressure between predetermined high and low values. The use of a valve having a rotatable disk for alternately connecting air supply and discharge pipes to two mattress sections is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,016 issued to Mori et al. for an “Air-Mat Apparatus”.
- With the development of elaborate inflatable mattresses and articulating support platforms, it became difficult to take immediate action when a patient needed CPR or other procedures to treat a life-threatening condition. Various means have been developed to make the bed become a hard, flat surface to facilitate, rather than impair these procedures.
- For instance, in British Patent No.
GB 2 141 333 entitled “Low Air Loss Support Appliance”, Hunt et al. disclose in FIG. 2 and onpage 2, lines 67-74, a quick release manifold that allows deflation from all ports. - In patent '968, Hunt et al. disclose an air distribution chamber for supplying air to mattress cells. An exhaust plate on the chamber is manually moved to open an exhaust hole for rapidly deflating the mattress. An air pump must be separately turned off, but a switch activated by the handle to the exhaust plate transmits a signal to open the exhaust valves used on the head & foot articulating bellows. FIG. 12 of patent '414 issued to Thomas et al. discloses the use of a CPR switch connected to a circuit board.
- Various forms of cushions and mattresses have been designed in order to provide improved support for a patient. Viesturs et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,078 entitled “Body Supporting Mattress”, disclose an elongate inner cell supported on a pad having a peripheral inflated tube. Generally U-shaped cells that alternate and are offset for use in turning a patient are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,654 issued to Vrzalik for a “Method and Apparatus for Alternating Pressure of a Low Air Loss Patient Support System”. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,249 entitled “Patient Supoort Structure”, Goodwin discloses a more conventional low air loss mattress formed of upright cells extending across the width of the bed.
- Such mattresses as shown by Goodwin and Vrzalik are prone to bend or lean into an adjoining cell location when the adjoining cell is deflated. This tends to reduce the effectiveness of controlling the support pressure and location, which is necessary in the avoidance and treatment of bed sores, and also in the articulation of the bed.
- It is also known to provide mattresses that have multiple layers. Grant, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,674,019 entitled “Dual Layer Cellular Inflatable Pad”, describes a pad formed of offset layers of interdigitated inflatable sections. Welch, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,149 entitled “Beds and Mattresses”, discloses a similar mattress, except the layer cells are aligned and separated by a preformed foam. Such mattresses assure resilient support for a patient, but provide limited control of support by adjacent cells.
- Various cushions are also known for restraining a person. An elaborate example is disclosed by Boyce in U.S. Pat. No. 3,218,103 entitled “Pneumatic Restraint System”. This patent discloses a chair having inflatable bands shiftable in position for selectively restraining a person. A restraining device that is releasably attached to a support platform for placement across the body of an infant is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,669 issued to Hamann for “Diaper-Changing Aid”.
- There thus remains a need for a means for restraining persons on a bed. In particular, it is desirable to have lateral cushions that conform to the sides of a patient, and selectively inflatable cushions that are positionable over a patient for keeping the patient in the bed.
- The pneumatic system of a conventional hospital bed typically includes a single pressurized air source with valves and ducts or other conduits providing distribution to the cushions in a mattress. Examples of such systems are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,799,276, 4,949,413, 4,993,920 and 5,044,029. A review of these patents shows the extent that people have gone in controlling air flow from a single source. The air flow is divided and distributed to cushions supported on several relatively articulatable panels. There typically are elaborate valves to control the amount of air flow and extensive flexible conduits and/or plenums to distribute the allocated air to each set of cushions. The air distribution system described herein with reference to FIG. 2 is an example of a more simplified air distribution scheme, but even it imposes significant structural requirements on the bed panels to form the air flow paths.
- The manner in which the cushions are attached to or supported on the platform panels may also be involved. For instance U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,879,776 and 3,909,858 illustrate elaborate structures for attaching inflatable cushions to a bed platform for anchoring the cushions and providing an air passageway for inflating them.
- There thus is a need for a pneumatic system that is simple in structure, readily serviced, and provides pressure control to individual sets of cushions supported on relatively articulatable panels.
- 2. Footboard Gate
- In most any patient care environment in which the patient is bedridden, it is desirable, and often necessary to provide support for equipment, documents, and other materials. Where it is sufficient to use a shelf or horizontal platform for this, a movable tray on a stand separate from the bed is often utilized. In order to limit the amount of accessories around the bed or to provide a convenient table in the vicinity of the bed, various schemes have been developed.
- Slivoski, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,327,328 entitled “Mattress Extension”, discloses a bed having a foot-end kick board that swings upward to form a platform. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,344,445 entitled “Side Panel Construction for Stretcher-Beds”, Crawford discloses a side guard panel that converts into a platform.
- A board extending across an intermediate portion of a bed is disclosed by Donald in U.S. Pat. No. 535,945 entitled “Detachable Foot Rest and Table for Beds”. The board is positionable as a table, and may be pivoted down to act as footboard for a person sitting in bed or extended beyond the foot of the bed for storage. A somewhat similar concept is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,555 issued to Poehner et al. for a “Hospital Bed Footboard”. This footboard pulls out and pivots up to form a horizontal table. An alternative embodiment simply swings up to a horizontal, over-floor position and can slide partially over the foot of the bed.
- 3. Stand-Up Board
- The extended articulation capabilities of some beds includes the ability to raise the head of the bed, and correspondingly lower the foot of the bed until the bed is sufficiently inclined to allow the patient to exit the bed from a standing position. In order to accommodate this, it is necessary for the bed to have a footboard that is strong enough to hold the weight of the patient, and yet small enough that it will allow the mattress to be lowered near the floor.
- A bed developed by England and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,926 entitled “Bed with Automatic Tilting Occupant Support”, is positionable in a stand-up position. A foot rest is shiftable between an inoperative position spaced from the end of the bed to an operative position adjacent to the end of the bed when the bed is inclined. The foot rest is disposed at an obtuse angled relative to the platform.
- This footboard has limited capabilities, and is always a part of the bed platform. Considering the infrequency that beds are used to raise a patient to a standing position, it is desirable to have a footboard that is adjustable, can serve different functions, and can be removed if desired.
- 4. Headboard
- When CPR or other emergency procedures are performed on a patient the attending personnel desire to be as close as possible to the patient. Surgical tables, for instance, are built without any form of side barriers. Beds, however, are normally used to support a patient when such procedures are not being performed, and therefore have restraining elements, such as side rails, headboards and footboards. It is conventional to provide a side rail that collapses below the level of the mattress to facilitate care by a nurse, doctor or other attendant. The number of attendants that can reasonably access a patient is limited to the number that can conveniently stand along the sides of a bed. There is thus a need for providing increased access to a patient supported in a bed.
- Also, for some forms of equipment, tables or trays are not adequate. For instance, intravenous (IV) equipment typically must be suspended above a patient to allow gravity to convey a fluid from a container to an intravenous needle. Also, traction devices must have an anchor connected to the bed frame. These requirements have led to other support configurations.
- In an article entitled “Problems of Patient Support: The Air Fluidised Bed as a Solution”, pp. 269-275, Hargest discloses in FIGS. 1 and 2 conventional traction and equipment-supporting apparatus. Peck et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 3,063,066 entitled “Sidegate for Beds”, discloses an extension rod mounted to a corner post cap for supporting equipment.
- The use of telescoping posts or members in beds are well established. U.S. Pat. No. 3,081,463 issued to Williams et al. for “Motor Operated Hospital Bed” discloses telescoping corner posts supporting end panels. A cable system provides motorized activation. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,220,020 issued to Nelson for an “Adjustable Height Bed”, discloses a bed with leg posts having a spring-biased telescoping outer sleeve that raises and lowers with the bed platform. Hillenbrand et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 3,237,212 entitled “Retractable Bed”, also discloses a bed with leg posts having spring-biased telescoping outer sleeves that raise and lower the bed platform.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,742,527 was issued to Johnston et al. for a “Hospital Bed” having hydraulically driven telescoping corner legs and a guard rail with manually telescoping support legs. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,727 entitled “Convenience Bar Assembly for Hospital Bed”, Wilkinson discloses a vertical bar and cross member for supporting various controls and patient equipment.
- The equipment supports thus known in the art are either disposed on the bed in usable position, where they get in the way of the patient and nurses when not used, or they must be removed and stored, and thus may not be readily available when needed.
- 5. Weight-Sensing System
- One of the advantages of the newer technologies has been the ability to monitor the patient while in the bed. An example of this is a system in which the weight of the patient is monitored while on the bed. The weight of the bed itself is compensated for in order to derive the patient's weight.
- One such system is used in a bed made by Kinetic Concepts, Inc. of San Antonio, Tex. That bed has a display for showing the patient weight and change in weight.
- The conventional structure providing this capability is the use of a stress gauge at each of four corners of the bed. Examples of this structure are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,136 issued to Waters et al. for “Combination Hospital Bed and Surgical Table” (col. 5, lines 13-25, col. 1, lines 58-60); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,951 issued to Carruth et al. for “Weigh Bed”. This latter patent discloses a weigh system in which a load cell at each of four corners is supported on a base frame using a ball to transmit the vertical weight without creating any lateral torque. Horizontal position is maintained by three tie rods connecting the weigh frame to the base frame to prevent twisting of the weigh frame for certain patient or bed orientations.
- One problem with such systems is that warp inevitable exists in either or both the bed frame or the base frame. This warping results in inconsistencies in the stress on the stress gauges, and therefor produces inherent inaccuracies or complexities that must be compensated for in some other way.
- Not only is it useful to measure the weight of a patient without requiring the patient to leave the bed, it is also desirable to monitor the movement of a patient on the bed. Fleck et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,560 entitled “Bed Departure Detection System”, discloses the use of tape switch detectors in a mattress to detect a person's departure from a bed. Restlessness of a person in the bed can be detected through the use of two or three tape switches.
- Peck et al. devised a system for sensing the departure of a patient from the bed of the invention by a decrease in pressure in a lower bladder, as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,744 entitled “Inflatable Bed”.
- 6. Control Unit
- As the complexity of beds and patient care systems increase, the complexity of control of the patient support system also increases. The control of some features, such as bed configuration, are made available to the patient, and control of other features, such as mattress pressure, air flow and temperature, are made available only to the attending personnel. Various control designs have been developed to accommodate these two control needs.
- An air suspension bed identified by the proprietary name TheraPulse™ of Kinetic Concepts, Inc. of San Antonio, Tex., includes a hand-held bed controller provided with a hook for hanging the controller on a side rail. The bed also has controls extending from the face of the footboard for use by attendants. Pauna discloses a control panel mounted on a guard rail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,348 entitled “Convertible Bed and Bathroom Combination”.
- In U.S. Pat. No. 3,839,753 entitled “Hospital Bed”, Benoit et al. disclose a nurse control panel located in the footboard and covered by a panel cover. These controls are in addition to patient controls. Drew et al. disclose various control units built into guard rails in U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,015 entitled “Side Guard for Bed Including Means for Controlling Remote Electrical Devices”.
- This patent also mentions that removal, interchange, and replacement of the various controls is possible since the various controls are modular components. The controls may be easily replaced if service is required, or moved from one side to the other depending on the physical affliction of the patient. In patent '654, Vrzalik also discloses a control unit attached to the bottom of the footboard and control switches mounted in the footboard.
- Except for the pendant control unit of Kinetics Concepts, such control units are mounted in fixed positions. The pendant control unit requires two hands to use, and is limited to controls made available to the patient. There thus remains the need for a controller that provides both attendant as well as patient controls that is variable in position and even capable of being hand held or removable in order to clear the patient area of the bed.
- 7. Transport Guide Wheels
- One of the concerns with the newer, more elaborate beds is the strength and agility attendants need to maneuver them to different locations within a hospital. Typically, beds are provided with a wheel at each corner, with each wheel being free to turn about a vertical axis. This wheel arrangement is convenient for adjusting the orientation of a bed within a room, but makes turning corners and traveling along a straight line, such as when moving down a hallway, difficult.
- Paramedic gurneys exist that have a fifth, center wheel that is fixed in alignment with the length of the gurney and is slightly below the plane of the four corner wheels. This assures that the fifth wheel is always in contact with the floor. However, the resulting rocking effect when weight is shifted from one end to the other is particularly undesirable in a permanent bed.
- There is thus a need for a wheel system for hospital beds that allows maneuverability and yet assists in the movement of the bed significant distances.
- 8. Guard Rail Elevation System
- As has been mentioned, beds typically have guard rails that can be fixed in a position above the mattress level, in order to keep patients from inadvertently exiting the bed. During times of attendance, it is desirable to remove the guard rail from its position. This is typically accommodated by making the guard rail removable or, more commonly, adjustable so that it can be pivoted or otherwise lowered below the level of the mattress.
- One way that guard rails are lowered is by the use of telescoping support members, such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,880 issued to Koncelik et al. for “Geriatric Bed Construction with Sideguards”.
- Cable and pulley systems are also used in various movable bed mechanisms in order to facilitate movement of a portion of the bed. For instance, Williams et al. disclose a cable-activated telescoping end panel in patent '463. Hunt et al., in patent '276, disclose the use of a cable and spring to operate a valve controlled by rotation of a pulley around which the cable is wound.
- As is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,171 entitled “Hospital Bed Rail Assembly”, Einsele et al. developed a rail that pivots sideways to a lower position. It includes a spring, a cable and a cam link to resist gravity when lowered and raised.
- There remains the need for a heavy duty side guard that raises and lowers in place, and is easy to operate with one hand.
- 9. Swing Arm Extension Brace
- Hydraulic operation provides a readily controlled way to move articulating bed members. For example, Morrison developed a hydraulic ram for moving a pin resting on the edges of travel slots, as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,462,772 entitled “Center-Pivoting Bed”. This structure is confined to movement in the slots. Where a hydraulic arm is free to pivot it can experience a large bending moment when extended horizontally. It is therefore desirable to take advantage of the controllability of hydraulic arm movement while minimizing the size of the arm necessary to support a leveraged weight that can exist on the arm.
- 10. Platform Joint
- Healthy people typically spend approximately one third of their time sleeping. People of what may be considered less than optimum health spend even greater amounts of time reclining. Beds of various forms have been developed in order to provide comfort to the user. This is particularly true of patients in hospitals and health care facilities, as well as those in homes who, for various reasons, are bed ridden.
- Once one is in bed for extended periods of time in a situation or condition that does not allow movement in order to maintain comfort, complications, such as bed or pressure sores may develop. One way that this condition has been alleviated is to build beds having support surfaces that can be moved into various orientations and configurations. Representative examples of such beds are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,081,463 issued to Williams et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,709 issued to Kerwit; U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,276 issued to Hunt et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,996 issued to Nahum; U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,647 issued to Goodwin; U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,968 issued to Hunt et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,967 issued to Ferrand; and French Pat. No. 87 16722 issued to Pupovic.
- Each of these patents disclose beds having platforms formed of a set of panels that pivot for assuming configurations corresponding to various positions of a person's legs and torso. Each of these provide a back panel that supports a person's torso and a seat portion that supports the person's hips or hips and thighs.
- These panels are typically hinged together or caused to pivot about a fixed joint corresponding to the hip joint. It has been observed that the surface length of the buttocks increases when a person moves from a flat reclining position to a sitting position. Fixed joints do not allow for this variation in body surface length, thereby requiring the reclining person to adjust her or his body to accommodate it. If the person is immobile, such accommodation is not possible. There therefore remains a need for a bed interpanel joint that is not fixed, but rather compensates for changes in the body surface during bending.
- 11. Hydraulic Valve
- Many different forms of hydraulic valves exist for controlling fluid flow and fluid pressure. These valves typically involve a gate or plunger that closes an opening or other fluid passageway when in a closed position, and rapidly opens to relatively full flow conditions. There is thus very little intermediate control of the fluid flow.
- In order to control fluid flow rate over a range of positions of adjustment, proportionally adjustable hydraulic valves have been developed. These valves provide for continuous variation of a fluid opening over a range of adjustment positions. Although the change in opening varies proportionally with adjustment position, the relationship between the two is very complex, with control determined typically by measurements of the fluid flow or the effect of the fluid flow, independent of adjustment position.
- Articulating beds, and in particular hospital beds may use a hydraulic system to control movement of a support surface, such as a bed platform or hinging panels forming the platform, relative to a base supported on a floor. The platform may be moved as a unit, or the panels may move relative to each other. In such a bed, it is desirable to vary the speed of articulation of the support surface. For instance, it is desirable to raise the head panel slower than it is lowered. If the bed is capable of standing up a patient, it is desirable to use different stand up speeds for patients with different conditions.
- It is useful to tilt a bed from side to side. For patients with pulmonary complications, tilting the bed from side to side slowly for long periods of time helps them breathe. However, if a bed needs to be tilted to position a patient for transfer to a stretcher, the bed must be tilted more quickly. Also for emergency applications, such as CPR or Trendelenburg, it is desirable to get the bed in a particular configuration very quickly. Since the bed could be in any allowable configuration at the time of the emergency request, the cylinders must all move at one speed for normal use, and another speed for emergency use.
- It is seen that speed control over a wide range is desirable. Conventional valves typically of the spool type and have a wide dynamic range of operation. The portion of the range applicable to articulation speeds for beds is a small portion of that range. These valves also have flow rates that vary relative to valve shaft position according to complex equations. As a result they are themselves expensive and also require expensive systems to control them.
- There thus is a need for an hydraulic articulating system that provides control within a limited range that is economical, and is controllable simply.
- 12. Platform Support
- Various apparatus have been developed for supporting a bed platform. Current designs provide for changing the elevation and attitude of the platform relative to the base frame. Conventional systems use linear drives on parallel linkages or one or more hydraulic cylinders positioned to change the pitch and roll of the bed relative to a central universal joint.
- A simplified platform support system was developed by Ferrand, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,967, that involves a triangulation support system providing full platform articulation using three platform supports. The patent discloses the use of a universal joint mounted to the platform and supported on two opposing hydraulic arms. A pair of laterally opposing side arms are spaced from the universal joint. Coordinated adjustment in the lengths of the various hydraulic arms adjusts the three basic forms of platform orientation: pitch, roll and elevation.
- Although providing a simple and effective system for articulating a platform, the three-axis support system as disclosed by Ferrand requires the use of two heavy-duty base hydraulic rams for supporting the universal joint. A compact universal joint, as disclosed, results in a mechanically weak point when the forces of an articulating bed platform are applied to it. By attaching the upper ends of both base rams to the universal joint, the available range of motion of the platform is equal to the adjustable length of the rams. Further, by mounting the two side arms to the base frame or to the base of the adjacent base ram, elevation changes in the bed are further limited by the length of throw of the two side arms. The attachment of the universal joint and the side legs to different, relatively hingeable panels also requires the use of a control system that must account for changes in orientation between the associated panels. There thus is a need for a three-axis support system that is more economical to produce and easier to use.
- 13. Multifunction Control System
- As beds become more sophisticated with an increasing variety of different features, the use of the various features becomes more complicated and it becomes increasingly difficult to coordinate the various features and keep track of the state each feature is in at a given time. Such coordination becomes increasingly important when the bed is used to support a patient in a critical condition.
- Beds presently exist which allow an attendant to lockout the control of bed movement by the patient in order to assure that the bed is maintained in a selected support configuration. An example is where the patient is held in traction and the orientation and firmness of the mattress must stay the same. Also, if the bed has an equipment-support table that extends over the mattress, certain movements of the mattress could upset the table. As yet another example, it would be unsafe to tilt the mattress sideways if one or more of the “downhill” guardrails is not in an upright position. There is therefore a need for a bed having controls that assist in the coordination of various features of the bed to assure proper patient treatment and safety.
- The various features of the present invention satisfy these heretofore unrealized needs.
- 1. Pneumatic System
- For example, in one aspect of the invention, a valve for controlling fluid flow comprises a first valve assembly having a first valve seat and a first valve member movable relative to the first valve seat. A second valve assembly has a second valve seat and a second valve member movable relative to the second valve seat. The first and second valve assemblies are structured for varying the fluid flow through each valve seat in proportion to the relative position of the respective valve member to the valve seat. An actuator is coupled to the first and second valve assemblies for moving the first valve member in a first direction relative to the first valve seat while concurrently moving the second valve member in a second direction relative to the second valve seat. The movement in the first and second directions produces increasing restriction to fluid flow in one of the valve seats and decreasing restriction to fluid flow in the other of the valve seats. Precise control of the fluid flow through the two valve seats is thereby achieved.
- The present invention also provides various valve assemblies and air distribution paths for effectively and controllably inflating cells of an air mattress. For instance, in one air distribution system made according to the invention for a bed having an inflatable mattress formed of individual inflatable cells, a housing defines a first chamber in communication with a source of pressurized fluid and a second chamber in communication with an inflatable cell. A first fluid-flow port provides fluid communication between the first and second chambers, and a second fluid-flow port spaced from and in opposing relationship with the first fluid-flow port exhausts fluid from the first chamber. A first valve member is movable relative to the first fluid port for controlling fluid flow between the first and second chambers. A second valve member is fixed relative to the first valve member and movable relative to the second fluid port for controlling fluid flow out of the second chamber. An actuator is coupled to the first and second valve assemblies for moving the first and second valve members between the first and second fluid ports.
- The present invention also provides a method of controlling the pressure in an inflatable cell of a mattress. This method includes the steps of providing communication between a positive pressure source and the inflatable cell through an inlet fluid-flow port, and providing communication between a negative pressure destination and the inflatable cell through an outlet fluid-flow port. The amount of fluid passing through the second fluid flow port is then varied.
- In yet another aspect of the invention, a valve assembly is provided for controlling the pressure of a fluid in a control chamber. The assembly comprises a source of fluid of at least a first pressure, and a destination of fluid at a second pressure less than the first pressure. A housing has a first valve seat defining a first fluid flow port providing communication between the fluid source and the control chamber. A second valve seat is spaced from the first valve seat and defines a second fluid flow port providing communication between the control chamber and the fluid destination. A first valve member is movable relative to the first valve seat for varying the fluid flow from the fluid source through the first fluid port to the control chamber. A second valve member is movable relative to the second valve seat for varying the fluid flow from the control chamber through the second fluid port to the fluid destination. A first actuator is responsive to a first control signal and is coupled to the first valve member for moving the first valve member relative to the first valve seat. A second actuator is responsive to a second control signal and is coupled to the second valve member for moving the second valve member relative to the second valve seat. The first and second actuators are independently controllable for controlling, in combination, the fluid pressure in the control chamber.
- In yet another feature of the present invention, a valve assembly is provided comprising a housing having a first wall and a replaceable valve cartridge. The valve cartridge includes a first fluid-flow element defining a fluid-flow path, a valve seat in fluid communication with the first fluid-flow path, and a valve member movable along a valve axis relative to and sealingly engageable with the valve seat for restricting fluid flow through the valve seat. One of the valve seat and valve member is fixed relative to the first fluid-flow element, and the valve member is manually engageable for securing and removing the valve cartridge relative to the first wall. The valve cartridge also includes apparatus for controlling movement of the valve member relative to the valve seat. A means is provided for attaching, preferably manually, the first fluid-flow element to the first wall by applying force on the first fluid-flow element along the valve axis.
- Another valve assembly made according to the invention also includes a housing having a first wall and a replaceable valve cartridge. The cartridge includes a first fluid-flow element defining a fluid-flow path, a valve seat in fluid communication with the first fluid-flow path, and a valve member movable along a valve axis relative to and sealingly engageable with the valve seat for restricting fluid flow through the valve seat. One of the valve seat and valve member is fixed relative to the first fluid-flow element, and an extension member is fixed relative to the other of the valve seat and valve member and manually engageable for securing and removing the valve cartridge relative to the first wall. The first fluid-flow element and the extension member are structured to transfer force between the extension member and the first fluid-flow element when force is applied to the extension member relative to the first fluid-flow element along the valve axis. The cartridge further includes a mechanism for controlling movement of the valve member relative to the valve seat. A means is also provided for attaching the first fluid-flow element to the first wall by applying force on the extension member along the valve axis relative to the first fluid-flow element.
- Another valve assembly according to the invention includes a housing having a first wall, and a second wall having a fluid-flow port spaced from the first wall. A base member is positionable through the fluid-flow port. A means is provided for attaching the base member to the first wall. A valve member is mounted and movable relative to the base member and the second wall for engaging selectively and sealingly the fluid-flow port. A means is also provided that is controllable for moving the valve member relative to the fluid-flow port.
- In a different aspect of the invention, a modular connector system is provided for forming a sealed passageway between two air chambers. It includes a receptacle having an inner cavity with first and second open ends, and a lip extending inwardly around the first open end. The lip has an opening. A disk is positioned in the inner cavity of the receptacle adjacent to the first open end and sealingly positionable against the lip for closing the first open end when positioned against the lip. An insert has a main portion with an inner cavity defining an insert passageway with first and second open ends, and a shoulder extending outwardly from adjacent to the first open end. The main portion is sized to be received in the second open end of the receptacle with the second open end of the insert spaced from the lip. The space between the lip and the insert second end define a chamber in which the disk is captured. The disk is movable between a first position against the lip and a second position spaced from the lip.
- The disk sealingly engages the lip when the disk is in the first position. The modular system thus forms a check valve preventing fluid flow through the insert when the disk is in the first position, and allowing fluid to flow through the insert when the disk is in the second position.
- The present invention also provides apparatus for inflating cells of a mattress. It includes a first inflatable cell having a wall and a first inlet mounted in the first cell wall for receiving pressurized fluid. An outlet coupling member is mounted to the first cell wall spaced from the first inlet for transmitting pressurized fluid input through the first inlet. A second inflatable cell has an inlet for receiving pressurized fluid for inflating the second cell. A means is provided that is selectively connectable to the outlet coupling member for joining the second cell inlet to the outlet coupling member. Pressurized fluid received in the first inlet is thereby received in the second cell.
- In another apparatus for inflating cells of a mattress made according to the invention, a source of pressurized fluid is provided. A panel having at least two openings supports a plurality of inflatable cells. Fluid communication is provided between the source and openings. A first inflatable cell has walls supported on the panel over the openings. A first inlet coupling member is mounted to the first cell wall adjacent to a first of the openings. The first inlet coupling member is selectively securable to the one opening for providing fluid communication between the panel opening and the interior of the first cell wall. A second inlet coupling member is mounted to the first cell wall adjacent to the second opening. The second inlet coupling member is selectively securable to the second opening for providing fluid communication between the panel opening and the interior of the first cell wall.
- An outlet coupling member is mounted to the first cell wall spaced from the first and second inlet coupling member. A conduit is disposed within the first cell walls for providing fluid communication between the second inlet coupling member and the outlet coupling member. The first cell is not inflated by pressurized fluid received in the second inlet coupling member. A second inflatable cell has an inlet for receiving pressurized fluid. A third inlet coupling member is in fluid communication with the second cell inlet and selectively connectable to the outlet coupling member for joining the second cell inlet to the outlet coupling member. Pressurized fluid received in the second inlet coupling member is thereby conducted into the second cell.
- As another feature of the present invention, an air distribution apparatus comprises a first housing defining a first fluid-flow path. This first housing also has a first fluid-flow port. A second housing is supported for pivoting about a pivot axis relative to the first housing. This second housing defines a second fluid-flow path and has a second fluid-flow port generally facing the first fluid-flow port. A flexible duct joins the first and second openings for communicating the first fluid-flow path with the second fluid-flow path. A guide is supported relative to at least one of the first and second housings and is attached to the duct for maintaining the duct generally in alignment between the first and second openings during relative pivoting of the first and second housings.
- An air distribution system according to the invention is for use in a bed having an inflatable mattress with first and second sections. The sections are relatively pivotable about a pivot axis disposed generally between the sections and are formed of individual inflatable cells. The air distribution system includes a first housing defining a first fluid-flow path and having a first fluid-flow port and a second fluid-flow port spaced from the first fluid-flow port. Both the first and second fluid-flow ports are in communication with the first fluid-flow path. The first housing has an upper surface adjacent to the first mattress section.
- A second housing associated with the second mattress section defines a second fluid-flow path and has a third fluid-flow port in communication with the second fluid-flow path. The third fluid-flow port generally faces the second fluid-flow port. The second housing has an upper surface adjacent to the second mattress section. A duct joins the second and third fluid-fluid-flow ports for communicating the first fluid-flow path with the second fluid-flow path. A first coupling couples the first fluid-flow path to a cell in the first mattress section, and a second coupling couples the second fluid-flow path to a cell in the second mattress section.
- In yet another air distribution system of the invention for use in a bed having an inflatable mattress formed of individual inflatable cells, a housing defines a first fluid-flow path and has a first fluid-flow port in communication with the first fluid-flow path. The housing has an upper wall adjacent to the inflatable cells. The first fluid flow path is adjacent to the upper surface. The housing further defines a second fluid-flow path and has an intermediate wall positioned between the first and second fluid-flow paths. The housing also has a second fluid-flow port in communication with the second fluid-flow path. A coupling couples selectively the first and second fluid-flow paths to a cell.
- A patient support system made according to the present invention comprises a platform having a generally planar upward facing support surface and an inflatable mattress. The mattress comprises first and second separately inflatable cells having contiguous faces extending, when inflated, obliquely relative to the support surface, such that the contiguous face of the first cell extends over the contiguous face of the second cell. Securing means secure the first and second cells to the platform, whereby the first cell is partially supported on the second cell when a person is supported on the mattress. Individual cell support thereby results, regardless of the extent of inflation of adjacent cells.
- The present invention also provides a relief mechanism for deflating an air mattress. A housing defines a fluid plenum in communication with the air mattress and has an outlet port. A valve member is mounted pivotably relative to the housing for pivoting about a pivot axis between a normal position in which the valve member sealingly closes the outlet port, and a release position in which the valve member is spaced from the outlet port. This allows fluid in the plenum to flow through the outlet port. A first securing means secures the valve member in the normal position. A second securing means secures the valve member in the release position. A simple, yet effective means is thereby provided for rapidly deflating the air mattress.
- In yet another aspect of the invention, a bed having a distributed-source pneumatic system for inflating a mattress is provided. More specifically, the present invention provides a bed comprising a platform with an upper surface and a mattress supported on the platform upper surface for supporting a person. The mattress includes a plurality of sets of separately inflatable cells or cushions distributed along the upper surface, with each of the cushions having an inlet. A plurality of sets of means for producing a flow of air, such as fans, are mounted relative to the platform. Ducts couple one set of fans to a corresponding set of cushions whereby there is a one-to-one correspondence between the sets of cushions and the sets of fans.
- In the preferred form of the invention, the platform has a plurality of relatively articulatable panels. The panels have passageways aligned with the cushion inlets. Cylindrical connectors mounted to the cushions at the inlets extend into the passageways, and have ends with flanges spaced from the cushions. The fan for each set of cushions is mounted under the panel near the cushions to be inflated, and operates at a speed linearly proportional to the level of an applied voltage. The pressure produced by each fan is thus directly proportional to the level of the applied voltage. A controller applies a voltage to each fan corresponding to a target air pressure for the associated set of cushions.
- An anchor plate associated with each passageway is slidable relative to the associated panel. Each plate includes an oblong opening-having an enlarged end sized to freely receive the flange end of the associated one of the connectors. The opening further has a cam-shaped anchoring end with a reduced dimension appropriate for engaging the flange when the flange end of a connector extends into it. The connector is anchored by inserting it through the enlarged end of the opening. The plate is then slid to a position in which the cam-shaped anchoring end of the opening is in line with the passageway and the flange is engaged by the cam-shaped shoulder of the plate forming the anchoring end of the opening. This sliding action also draws a rubber seal into engagement between the connector and the plate.
- Such a pneumatic system can be seen to be readily serviceable, permitting easy installation and removal of the cushions. Further, the use of separate fans dedicated to the various sets of cushions provides simple operation and structure, and ease of controlling the sets of cushions individually. Further, fans can be provided in series to increase the range of pressures realizable in each set of cushions.
- 2. Footboard Gate
- According to the invention, preferably embodied in a footboard, a collapsible table assembly for a hospital bed includes a frame extending in a generally vertical plane mounted to an end of a bed and having horizontally spaced, generally vertically extending channels. A table is positionable adjacent to the channels and has a guide element extending into each channel. The guide elements are slidable relative to the channels for moving the table between a storage position in which the guide elements are positioned in lower regions of the channels, and a raised position in which the guide elements are positioned at upper regions of the channels.
- The table is pivotably coupled to the guide elements for pivoting the table about a pivot axis extending through the channels when the table is in the raised position. In the raised position, the table pivots between an upright position in which the table is generally vertically disposed and a lowered position in which the table is generally horizontally disposed. A stop limits the pivoting of the table relative to the channels. A convenient, built-in storable table is thereby always available for servicing the needs of a patient.
- In yet another aspect of the invention, a gate is provided for a hospital bed, which gate comprises a platform having opposite ends for supporting a patient above a floor, and a board mounted adjacent to one end of the platform. Apparatus is provided for pivoting the board about a generally vertical axis, whereby the board is movable between a first position in which the board is adjacent to the one end of the bed and a second position in which the board is pivoted away from the one end of the bed. Access to the end of the bed is thereby provided. Further, when a storable table or set of controls is attached to it, the position of such items is variable.
- In a more specific aspect of the invention, a hospital bed comprises a base frame supported on a floor, and a platform for supporting a patient and having a foot end and opposite sides, each side meeting the foot end at a corresponding corner. The platform is supported on the base frame by apparatus for tilting the platform toward an upright position in which the platform has a generally vertical orientation with the foot end adjacent to the base frame. A first board is mounted to the base frame and extends adjacent to the foot end of the platform. The board pivots about a generally vertical axis positioned adjacent to a first one of the corners. The board is thereby movable between a first position in which the board is adjacent to the foot end of the bed and a second position in which the board is pivoted away from the foot end of the bed. When the board is in the second position and the platform is tilted toward the upright position, the board is positioned for use as a support by a patient in the bed.
- 3. Stand-Up Board
- Another feature of the present invention is usable in a hospital bed having an elongate platform supported above a floor, which platform has a foot end and opposite sides. An inflatable mattress is supported on the platform and has a predetermined thickness, an upper surface, and a foot end on the platform foot end. The invention provides a stand-up board assembly having a stand-up board extending between the sides of the platform, and means for mounting the stand-up board on the foot end of the platform adjacent to the mattress. The mounting means is preferably adjustable for varying the angle of the stand-up board relative to the platform.
- The invention also provides a stand-up board assembly comprising a stand-up board extending between the sides of the platform, and means for mounting the stand-up board on the foot end of the platform adjacent to the mattress. Further, means are provided for moving the stand-up board from a support position in which the stand-up board extends above the mattress for contact by the feet of a person when the platform is tilted up with the foot end down, and a storage position in which the stand-up board is positioned below the upper surface of the mattress. The stand-up board is thereby readily available for use, but storable below the level of the mattress.
- 4. Headboard
- The present invention also provides a hospital bed with a platform supported relative to the floor, which platform has opposite ends and opposite sides extending between the ends and an upper surface on which a patient is supported above the floor. A base end board is mounted adjacent to and extending generally along the length of one end of the platform. The base end board has a side portion adjacent to each side of the platform, and an intermediate portion between the side portions. The side portions extend above the upper surface of the platform and the intermediate portion is below the level of the side portions. A panel is positionable above the intermediate portion to extend upwardly adjacent to the side portions of the end board. An apparatus supports the panel on the end board. The panel is manually removable from the end board for providing access to the platform, and thereby, to a patient supported by the platform, over the intermediate portion of the end board.
- Another hospital bed made according to the invention comprises a platform that has opposite ends and is supportable above a floor for supporting a patient. A board is mounted adjacent to one end of the bed and extends above the level of the platform along the one end of the bed. The board has ends at spaced locations along the one end of the platform and has a predetermined thickness adjacent to at least one end of the board. The one end of the board has an upper surface and an opening in the upper surface. Also, an extendable support bar is mounted in the one end of the board and has an upper end. The bar is extendable between a recessed position in which the upper end is disposed adjacent to the board opening, and a raised position in which the upper end is supported substantially above the board opening, with the bar extending through the board opening. Such an extendable bar is usable for supporting patient equipment and accessories.
- More specifically, the present invention also provides a patient equipment support apparatus comprising a base supportable on a floor, and a frame supported on and extending upwardly above the base. An extendable support bar is mounted to the frame and has an upper end. The bar is extendable between a recessed position in which the bar means is disposed adjacent to the frame, and a raised position in which the upper end is supported substantially above the bar. Apparatus for supporting equipment is mounted to the bar. This apparatus is collapsible for storage with the bar in the recessed position. It is extendable outwardly from the bar when the bar is raised sufficiently to position the support apparatus above the frame.
- The present invention also includes a release lockout on an equipment support member, such as a traction pole, mounted on an end frame of the bed. It includes apparatus movable relative to the end frame for holding the support member substantially in a fixed position relative to the end frame. A release element is movable for disengaging the holding apparatus for allowing movement of the support member. A lock mechanism is selectively operable for preventing movement of the release element. This thereby prevents inadvertent movement of the support member from the fixed position.
- In the preferred embodiment, the release element is a handle conforming with an outer edge of the end frame. The lock mechanism prevents the operation of this handle. Thus, when a patient is held in traction on the bed an attendant will not inadvertently move the handle and release the support member, allowing it to collapse into the end frame.
- 5. Weight-Sensing System
- The present invention also provides a scale having a base frame, a weigh frame overlying the base frame, and means disposed at three substantially horizontal, spaced-apart positions for supporting the weigh frame on the base frame. A load cell mounted on each of the supporting means senses the weight supported by the respective supporting means. The three support points define a plane of support that is relatively insensitive to variations in manufacture of the base and weigh frames.
- Extending this concept, the present invention also provides an apparatus for sensing the position of an object. It includes a base frame, a support frame overlying the base frame and having a surface for supporting an object, and means disposed at at least two spaced-apart positions for supporting the support frame on the base frame. A means, such as a load cell, for sensing the weight supported by each supporting means of an object is supported on the support frame surface. Also a processor responsive to the weight supported by each of the supporting means determines the position of the object on the support frame surface.
- 6. Control Unit
- A control unit made according to the invention is mountable on a bar, such as a guard rail, for controlling functions associated with patient care. The unit includes a first housing having a front face. Controls are mounted in the front face of the housing. A web has first and second oppositely disposed margins. The web is attached to the housing along the first margin and relative to the housing along the second margin. There is a sufficient distance between the first and second margins to wrap around the bar with the second margin attached relative to the housing.
- Another aspect of a control unit made according to the invention and mountable on a bar for controlling functions associated with patient care comprises a first housing having a front face and a rear face. Controls are mounted in the front face of the housing. A second housing is attached to the second margin of the web and has a front face and a rear face. The first and second housings are attached to a bar with the rear face of the first housing facing the rear face of the second housing. Such a control unit provides conveniently accessibly back-to-back patient and attendant controls.
- 7. Transport Guide Wheels
- Another aspect of the invention is a guide wheel assembly usable in a hospital bed having a frame for supporting a patient above a floor and a plurality of support wheels supporting the frame on the floor. The assembly includes at least one guide wheel, and preferably two, means for mounting the guide wheel for rotation relative to the frame so that the wheel contacts a floor on which the frame is supported, and means coupling the guide wheel to the mounting means for resiliently urging the wheel sufficiently toward the floor for maintaining the wheel in contact with the floor while the other wheels contact the floor. Thus, the benefits of a guide wheel are realized while maintaining support on all the wheels.
- In a different guide wheel assembly, means are provided for retracting the guide wheel from a guide position in contact with a floor to a retracted position above the floor. The guide wheel is, or the guide wheels are thereby usable selectively.
- 8. Guard Rail Elevation System
- As yet another aspect of the present invention, a guard rail assembly is provided for a hospital bed having a platform for supporting a patient. It includes a base member mountable relative to the platform, and a guard rail for providing a barrier to a patient exiting the bed. Means are provided for mounting the guard rail to the base member for vertically changing the elevation of the guard rail between a barrier position above the level of the platform, and a storage position below the level of the platform. Energy storage means couples the guard rail and the base member for storing energy when the guard rail is lowered from the barrier position toward the storage position, and releasing the energy by applying an upward force on the guard rail when the guard rail is raised toward the barrier position.
- A collapsing guard rail assembly also according to the invention, means for mounting the guard rail to the base member, which mounting means includes a sleeve member fixedly attached to the base member and having a vertically disposed first passageway. A hollow first shaft is slidingly received in the first passageway of the sleeve member, and a second shaft is fixedly attached to the guard rail and slidingly received in the first shaft. The first shaft moves relative to the sleeve member and relative to the second shaft when the guard rail is moved relative to the base member. An extended distance of travel is thereby provided for the guard rail, allowing it to be moved below the upper surface of a bed platform.
- 9. Swing-Arm Extension Brace
- In an articulated hospital bed according to yet another feature of the invention, a support apparatus includes first and second hydraulic rams. Each ram has opposite ends attached to the frame and platform, with the respective ends of the first and second rams attached to the frame at spaced apart locations. The rams are operable for lowering the platform toward a position adjacent to the frame. A means provides for transferring weight from the platform directly to the frame when the platform is in a lowered position. In this way, the rams are relieved of a substantial amount of weight, so that they can be built of smaller structural members, and the rams can be extended further than would otherwise be possible.
- 10. Platform Joint
- The present invention also provides an interpanel joint that provides a change in the separation between adjacent panels with a change in the respective angle between the panels.
- More specifically the present invention provides a bed comprising a platform having first and second panels with respective adjacent edges. An articulating joint couples the first panel to the second panel for varying the distance between the respective adjacent edges of the panels while the angle between the panels is varied.
- The articulating joint preferably includes a first support member that extends from the first panel and has a distal portion spaced from the first panel. Correspondingly, a second support member extends from the second panel and has a distal portion spaced from the second panel. An adjustable-length rod is pivotably connected to the respective distal portions for varying the distance between them. A base member is carried on the rod means.
- A first arm has a first end pivotably connected to the first panel and a second end pivotably connected to the base member, and a second arm has a first end pivotably connected to the second panel and a second end pivotably connected to the base member. An element couples the first arm to the second arm for providing corresponding movement of the first and second arms relative to the base member. In one embodiment this coupling element comprises a link interconnecting the first and second arms intermediate the arm ends. In another embodiment, the coupling element comprises a first pinion fixedly attached to the first arm and a second pinion fixedly attached to the second arm. The first and second pinions have meshing teeth so that movement of one produces a corresponding movement in the other. Such movement results in variation in the distance between the adjacent edges of the two interconnected panels.
- When the two adjacent panels are pivoted from a flat or coplanar orientation to a mutually angled orientation, the adjacent edges of the panels move apart. The amount of movement is set to correspond to the change in surface length of a typical person's body, thereby maintaining the comfort and support of a person reclining on the platform.
- 11. Hydraulic Valve
- The present invention also provides a hydraulic valve that varies fluid flow linearly with the linear displacement of a valve element. More particularly, the present invention provides a hydraulic valve for controlling fluid flow between two chambers. It includes means defining a channel for conducting fluid between the two chambers and has a restricted opening through which the fluid flows. A valve element is movable relative to the means defining the channel for varying the size of the opening. A moving means moves linearly one of the means defining the channel and the means for varying the size of the opening relative to the other. The opening has a cross-sectional area through which fluid flows that varies linearly as the means defining the channel and the means for varying the size of the opening move linearly relative to each other.
- The hydraulic valve preferably includes a housing defining a cylindrical channel for conducting fluid along a channel axis between the two chambers. The housing has a protrusion extending into one of the chambers and through which the channel extends. The protrusion also has an open end and a restricted slit adjacent to the open end. The slit extends through the channel wall with a uniform width in the axial direction for conducting fluid between the one chamber and the channel.
- A plunger is disposed in the channel and has an enlarged end for closing the channel open end. A reduced-diameter shaft extends from the enlarged end in the channel for allowing fluid to flow in the channel between the shaft and the channel wall. The plunger is movable along the channel axis for varying the size of the slit through which the fluid flows. The enlarged end seals the open end of the channel during movement of the plunger. The plunger is linearly moved along the channel axis, whereby the size of the slit through which fluid flows varies linearly.
- This hydraulic valve is relatively simple to manufacture and operate. It provides relatively precise control of flow volumes, for use in driving hydraulic motors or moving hydraulic rams, such as are used to control articulated beds. Accordingly, the present invention provides a bed having a support surface for supporting a person and a base supported on a floor for supporting the support surface. A hydraulic system moves the support surface relative to the base using a hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic fluid, and a valve for regulating the flow of fluid relative to the cylinder. The valve is controllable for varying the speed of articulation of the support surface. Preferably, the valve is a linearly adjustable valve according to the invention as described above.
- The use of a valve of this nature in a bed offers the advantage of operating at a range of fluid flow rates suitable for bed articulation, it is simple to manufacture and operate, and provides a backup valve in case of failure of check valves also typically in the hydraulic system.
- 12. Platform Support
- The present invention provides for an improved platform support system. More specifically, the present invention provides for an improved three-axis support system having features that make the bed easier to control and less expensive to produce.
- In one aspect of the invention this is provided by the use of a fixed-length swing arm having a lower end pivotably attached to the frame and an upper end coupled to the platform for supporting the platform above the frame. A means, preferably a universal joint, is provided for allowing pivoting of the platform relative to the swing arm. A first length-adjustable arm further supports the means for allowing pivoting relative to the frame. Second and third adjustable-length arms extend between the frame and the platform. These arms have upper ends that are pivotably attached relative to the platform at locations spaced from the means for allowing pivoting. Means are provided for varying the lengths of the first, second and third arms independently for pivoting the platform about three transverse axes. By making the swing arm fixed in length, only three length-adjustable arms are required to articulate the platform, thereby reducing the complexity and manufacturing expense of the bed.
- Another feature of the invention provides that the first adjustable-length arm be attached to the swing arm, whether or not the swing arm has a fixed length. Preferably the point of attachment is well below the upper end of the swing arm so that the upper end of the swing arm moves further for a given change in the length of the first arm. A greater range of motion is thereby provided in the swing arm for a given change in the length of the first arm. Conversely, a shorter first arm provides an equivalent range of motion as a longer first arm that is attached to the means for allowing pivoting.
- In yet another aspect of the invention, the second and third arms have lower ends mounted well up onto the swing arm. This configuration results in movement of the second and third arms when the swing arm is moved, and requires less motion by the second and third arms during compound motions with the swing arm. Further, control is simplified since the base of motion of the second and third arms is a proportion of the swing arm movement.
- 13. Multifunction Control System
- The present invention also provides for coordination between the changing of various features on a bed in order to assure proper patient treatment and safety.
- In one aspect of the invention, this is provided by a method that starts with receiving a feature command for changing a first feature of the bed. A feature includes any changeable aspect of a bed, such as the position of a physical structure, the amount of pressure in a mattress cell, or whether a general function lockout exists.
- A second feature is associated with the first feature and a determination is then made as to whether the second feature is in a first state. As used herein, the state of a feature depends on the feature and may be a position if the feature relates to a moveable structure, a condition such as the pressure of inflation of a mattress cell, or a logical state such as whether traction lockout has been activated.
- If the second feature is in the first state, the first feature is changed according to the command. If the second feature is not in the first state, the first feature is not changed according to the command. Rather, a feature is changed that is different than changing the first feature according to the command. This change of a feature that is different may be generating an alarm to indicate that the second feature is not in the first state. This alarm could be audible, visible, and even a display of a phrase stating that the second feature is not in the first state. In this way the person entering the command is told why the attempted feature change was not made.
- This method is also useful where an input command is for changing the first feature in a selected way. In this case, if the second feature is not in the first state, the different changing of a feature includes changing the first feature in a way different than the selected way. This method is useful for moving the bed when a patient is being set up for traction. It is desirable in such an instance to move the mattress at a slower rate than normal in order to make small, controlled changes in the mattress position.
- In some instances changes may be allowed if the user is aware of the state of an associated feature. The method according to the invention in such a case then includes determining whether a confirming command has been input requesting the change of the first feature while the second feature is not in the first state. The first feature is then changed if the confirming command is input. This method is useful where an equipment-support table is positioned over the bed and the attendant wants to raise the mattress toward the table.
- The present invention also contemplates a bed having the capability of performing these steps. In particular, it includes first and second features associated with the bed and being changeable between respective first and second states. The bed includes sensor means coupled to the second feature for determining whether the second feature is in the first state. Input means, such as control switches, are used for manually inputting a feature command for changing the first feature. A controller coupled to the first feature and the sensor means is provided for changing the first feature according to the input command if the second feature is in the first state. If the second feature is not in the first state, the first feature is not changed according to the command. Adequate outputs are also preferably provided for the audio, visual, and verbal alarm condition displays.
- These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, described for purposes of illustration but not limitation, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
- FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a hospital bed made according to the various features of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a side cross section showing the pneumatic system of the bed of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the left end of FIG. 2 showing the blower mounting.
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section of a portion of FIG. 2.
- FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2.
- FIG. 6 is a plan view of a spacer used in the bellows assembly of FIG. 5.
- FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing two bed sections articulated.
- FIG. 8 is a further enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2 showing a rocker-arm valve in a bed section.
- FIG. 9 is a general diagram showing a lateral cross-section through a bed section having an alternative air chamber structure.
- FIG. 10 is a side view of a dual poppet valve, usable in the pneumatic system of FIG. 2 for providing independent high and low pressure control.
- FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing yet another embodiment of a valve assembly.
- FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a valve member arm in the valve assembly of FIG. 11.
- FIG. 13 is a cross-section showing a first cartridge valve, usable in the pneumatic system of FIG. 2, in a first operative position.
- FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing the first cartridge valve in a second, intermediate position.
- FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing the first cartridge valve in a third operative position.
- FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing the first cartridge valve being installed.
- FIGS. 17 and 18 are views similar to FIG. 8 of a second cartridge valve assembly in two operating positions.
- FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the cartridge valve of FIG. 17.
- FIG. 20 is a top view of the cartridge valve of FIG. 19.
- FIG. 21 is an isometric view of a portion of a second embodiment of a mattress made according to the invention.
- FIG. 22 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing the structure of the mattress of FIG. 21.
- FIG. 23 is an isometric view of a restraining cushion system made according to the invention.
- FIG. 24 is an end view of a bed showing the restraining cushion system of FIG. 23 in use.
- FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate connector assemblies made according to the invention for use in the cushions of the previous figures.
- FIG. 27 is a cross-section of a cell modified to provide communication of the air supply with a secondary cell.
- FIG. 28 is an end view of a bed showing the use of an alternative restraining belt system.
- FIG. 29 is a top view of the bed of FIG. 28.
- FIG. 30 is an isometric view of a pneumatic release valve made according to the invention.
- FIGS. 31 and 32 are partial fragmented, cut-away isometric views of a bed end made according to the invention showing two operating positions of the release valve of FIG. 30.
- FIGS. 33 and 34 are plan views of a portion of the underside of the bed end of FIGS. 31 and 32 showing further structure of the release valve of FIG. 30.
- FIG. 35 is a flow chart of the basic operation of the release valve of FIG. 30.
- FIG. 36 is a schematic illustration of a bed having a distributed-source pneumatic system made according to the present invention.
- FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a portion of a hospital bed platform incorporating the pneumatic system of FIG. 36.
- FIG. 38 is a cross section taken along line38-38 in FIG. 37.
- FIG. 39 is a cross section taken along line39-39 in FIG. 37.
- FIG. 40 is an exploded view of a portion of a panel of the platform of FIG. 37.
- FIGS.41A-41C are simplified cross sections taken along corresponding lines in FIG. 37 showing three operative positions of a slider assembly used in the panels of FIG. 37.
- FIG. 42 is an isometric view of a slider used in the bed of FIG. 37.
- FIG. 43 is an enlarged cross section taken along line43-43 in FIG. 39.
- FIGS. 44A and 44B are perspective views of a flex valve of FIG. 43 showing two operating positions of valve flaps.
- FIG. 45 is an isometric view of a footboard assembly made according to the invention.
- FIG. 46 is a partial view of the footboard assembly of FIG. 45 showing alternative positions of a storable table.
- FIG. 47 is an enlarged fragmentary partial view of the mounting assembly for the storable tables of FIGS. 45 and 46.
- FIG. 48 is an exploded view of a portion of the mounting assembly of FIG. 47.
- FIGS. 49, 50 and51 illustrate various operating positions of the storable table of FIG. 45.
- FIG. 52 is a plan view of a portion of the bed showing alternative footboard gate positions.
- FIG. 53 is a partial isometric of a corner of the bed with a footboard gate in a swing-out position.
- FIG. 54 is an enlarged view of the foot-lever-operated detent mechanism of FIG. 53.
- FIG. 55 is a partial isometric of the foot end of the bed in a tilted position with a stand board and the footboard gates in a “hand rail” position.
- FIG. 56 is an isometric view of the two footboard gates of the invention.
- FIG. 57 is a partial fragmented view of the latching assembly for securing the footboard gates of FIG. 56.
- FIG. 58 is an enlarged view of a latch mechanism of the latching assembly of FIG. 57.
- FIGS. 59 and 60 are plan views of the latch mechanism of FIG. 58 in two operative positions.
- FIG. 61 is an isometric view of the platform extension member and an unfolded stand up board positioned for installation.
- FIG. 62 is a view similar to FIG. 61 showing the stand up board partially folded.
- FIG. 63 is a view similar to FIG. 62 showing the stand up board folded and installed.
- FIG. 64 is a view reverse to the view of FIG. 63 showing the unfolded stand up board in alternative positions relative to the platform extension.
- FIG. 65 is an isometric view of a headboard made according to the invention with a panel removable for providing patient access.
- FIG. 66 is a view similar to FIG. 65 with the removable panel partially lifted out of the headboard frame.
- FIG. 67 is a view similar to FIG. 55 showing the headboard panel used as a stand up board.
- FIG. 68 is a fragmented cross section of a corner of the headboard of the invention showing the structure of a telescoping equipment support assembly.
- FIG. 69 is an enlarged side view of a portion of FIG. 68 showing a lock opening.
- FIG. 70 is a cross section taken along line70-70 of FIG. 68.
- FIG. 71 is a view similar to FIG. 70 showing a different operative position.
- FIGS. 72, 73 and74 are partial views of the equipment support assembly of FIG. 68 in stages of setup.
- FIG. 75 is an enlarged cross section of the equipment support assembly of FIG. 68.
- FIG. 76 is an enlarged exploded view of a torsion bushing used in the equipment support assembly of FIG. 68.
- FIGS. 77, 78 and79 are enlarged cross-sections of a portion of the equipment support assembly of FIG. 68 illustrating operation of a telescoping rod bushing.
- FIG. 80 is an exploded view of a traction pole support assembly made according to the invention.
- FIG. 81 is a partial cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 80 showing the traction pole in a recessed position.
- FIG. 82 is view similar to that of FIG. 81 showing the traction pole in a released, pop-up position.
- FIG. 83 is a view similar to that of FIG. 82 showing the traction pole in a deployed position for use as a traction anchor.
- FIG. 84 is a view similar to that of FIG. 83 showing a release lock mechanism engaged to prevent inadvertent release of the traction pole from the deployed position.
- FIG. 85 is a plan view of the base frame supporting the three-point weigh frame.
- FIG. 86 is a simplified isometric of a corner of the base and weigh frames of FIG. 85 showing of a single weight-sensing load cell used between the weigh frame and base frame.
- FIG. 87 is a circuit schematic illustrating the electrical structure of the load cell of FIG. 86.
- FIG. 88 is a partial cross-section taken along line88-88 in FIG. 86.
- FIG. 89 is a partial cross-section taken along line89-89 in FIG. 86.
- FIG. 90 is a simplified illustration of the weigh system of the invention.
- FIG. 91 is a block diagram of the weigh system of FIG. 85.
- FIG. 92 is a flow-chart illustrating operation of the weigh system of FIG. 85.
- FIGS. 93 and 94 are isometric views of different sides of a saddle-bag controller made according to the invention.
- FIG. 95 is an enlarged isometric view of the saddle-bag controller of FIG. 93 installed on a guard rail.
- FIG. 96 an isometric exploded, partial fragmented view showing the components of the controller of FIG. 93.
- FIGS. 97 and 98 are enlarged, partial cross sections illustrating structure and installation of a circuit board in the controller of FIG. 93.
- FIG. 99 is a cross-section of the controller of FIG. 93.
- FIG. 100 is a top view of the controller of FIG. 93 when installed on a guard rail with a partial fragmented cut away section.
- FIGS. 101, 102, and103 are partial isometric views showing the structure of a guide wheel assembly and castor actuator according to the invention in different positions.
- FIG. 104 is a view similar to FIG. 101 with the guide wheel removed to show the linkage assembly of the guide wheel assembly.
- FIG. 105 is an isometric view of a guard rail assembly made according to the invention in an intermediate position.
- FIGS. 106, 107 and108 are side views of the guard rail assembly of FIG. 105 in different positions.
- FIG. 109 is a side view of the bed articulated into a low sitting position and showing a mechanism for transferring weight directly between the platform and weigh frame.
- FIG. 110 is an isometric view of a portion of the structure of FIG. 109 showing the weight-transferring mechanism.
- FIG. 111 is a partial isometric view of one embodiment of a bed made according to the invention with two joined panels in coplanar orientation.
- FIG. 112 is an enlarged view of the articulating joint of the bed of FIG. 111.
- FIGS. 113, 114 and115 are side views of the bed of FIG. 111 showing the two panels in different angular orientations.
- FIG. 116 is a view similar to FIG. 111 showing the panels positioned as shown in FIG. 115.
- FIG. 117 is a view similar to FIG. 111 of the preferred embodiment.
- FIG. 118 is a view similar to FIG. 116 of the embodiment of FIG. 117.
- FIGS. 119, 120 and121 are side views of the bed of FIG. 117 showing two panels in different angular orientations.
- FIG. 122 is an exploded isometric view of a hydraulic valve made according to the invention.
- FIG. 123 is a longitudinal cross section of the housing of the valve of FIG. 122.
- FIG. 124 is a simplified illustration in partial cross section showing the valve of FIG. 122 with the plunger in an open position.
- FIG. 125 is a view similar to FIG. 124 showing the plunger in a closed position.
- FIGS.126A-126C are enlarged partial cross sections of a portion of the housing and plunger illustrating three operative positions.
- FIG. 127 is a perspective view of a hospital bed made according to the invention.
- FIG. 128 is a schematic of a hydraulic circuit representative of circuits used in the bed of FIG. 127.
- FIG. 129 is a simplified perspective view of an articulating platform support system made according to the invention.
- FIG. 130 is a side view of the system of FIG. 129 showing the platform in a raised position.
- FIG. 131 is a view similar to FIG. 130 showing the platform in a lowered position.
- FIG. 132 is a view similar to FIG. 130 showing the platform in a Trendelenburg position achieved by reducing only the length of the main cylinder ram.
- FIG. 133 is a generalized block diagram illustrating the processor-controlled feature-interlock system according to the invention.
- FIGS. 134A and 134B comprise a flow chart illustrating various steps for operating the interlock system of FIG. 133.
- General Overview
- Referring initially to FIG. 1, a
bed 100 made according to the invention is shown.Bed 100 includes apneumatic system 102 for controllably inflating amattress 104 supported on aplatform 106 formed of mutually articulating links orpanels Panel 108 is at what is referred to as the head of the bed, andpanel 111 is at the foot of the bed.Panel 111 also includes anextension portion 112 that includes anequipment housing 113. Each panel has atop plate 115 with a top, supportingsurface 115 a, and asubtending tray 117. -
Platform 106 is supported above abase assembly 120 by a supportingapparatus 122 that includes opposinghydraulic supports Support 124 is referred to as a drive cylinder andsupport 126 is referred to as a swing arm. Additionally, there are opposing roll cylinders at the foot end of the bed, such ascylinder 128. - The base of the hydraulic supports are mounted to a
weigh frame 132 forming part of a position-sensing weigh system 133. The weigh frame has a wishbone shape and extends from acentral support 134 at the head of the bed to twolateral supports structural members -
Base frame 142 includes afootboard assembly 146, aheadboard assembly 148, and connectingside rails corner castor assembly 156 having acastor 158 and a mountingapparatus 160 that allows free pivoting of the castor about avertical axis 161, and is lockable to capture the castors in a position in alignment with the longitudinal length of the bed for use during transport. - Disposed at the middle of each side rail is a
guide wheel assembly 162 connected by anactuator rod 163 to afoot pedal lever 164, particularly shown in FIG. 101. - A
basket 166 supported at each front corner of the base frame carries supporting operating and control equipment, shown generally at 168. -
Footboard assembly 146 includes afootboard frame 170, left and right footboard table assemblies, such asassembly 172 having a storable table 174, an extendableequipment support assembly 176, and afootboard panel 178 having a built-incontrol unit 180 for controlling various bed and patient related functions. -
Headboard assembly 148 similarly has an extendableequipment support assembly 176 with an extendableupper bar 182 havingequipment support apparatus 184 and received in anintermediate bar 186 adjustable in position relative to theheadboard panel 188. An emergency procedure access orintermediate panel 190 is removable from the headboard. -
Bed 100 also has patient guard rail assemblies, such asassemblies Assembly 192 includes anextended guard rail 195 andassembly 193 includes asmaller guard rail 196, as shown.Guard rail 196 is shorter thanguard rail 195 primarily to allow relative articulation of panels 109-111 into sitting or folded positions. Each guard rail assembly includes anelevator mechanism 197 hidden by telescopinghousings - The manipulation and control of the bed, and other patient care systems, are provided by a portable “saddle-bag”
controller 200 that wraps around a guard rail, such asguard rail 195, as shown. This controller provides an outer, attendant-operatedcontrol panel 201, and an inner, patient-operatedcontrol panel 202. - 1. Pneumatic System
- Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, pneumatic or
air distribution system 102 is shown in further detail.System 102 includes a source of pressurized fluid, such as ablower 204 that forces air through achannel 206 heated by aheater 208.Blower 204 is also referred to as inflating means or a pressurized fluid source. The heated air is directed serially throughrespective trays 117 of each of panels 108-111, as shown. Each panel includes, generally a basin orouter tray 210, and aninner tray assembly 212 that includes alower tray section 214, anintermediate tray portion 216, and anupper tray section 218. Each tray assembly, also referred to generally as a housing, defines manifolds used for distributing air to and from individual cells, such asupper cells 220 andbase cells 222 ofmattress 104. - As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2,
mattress 104 has alternatingcells cell 222 supported on the associated platform, and a point of acell 220 supported on the platform. Sincecells 220 are larger thancells 222, they extend above the base cells. The upper or patient support surface 224 of the bed is thus formed by the upper, exposed surfaces ofcells 220. The larger cells thus have faces or sides, such asside 220 a, that extend at an oblique angle to the platform and over the tops of the lower cells, and the adjacent side walls of adjacent cells touch. - During articulation of the bed, different combinations of upper and base cells are deflated to allow pivoting of the associated panels. When a base cell is deflated, the upper cell is then allowed to pivot over. This is generally avoided. However, when an upper cell is deflated, the adjacent upper cells do not move to fill in the gap, because the intervening base cell acts as a wedge to keep it from moving. Thus, so long as the base cells are inflated, the upper cells are independently pressure-controllable, without altering the cell position. Since the face of the base cell is supported on the platform, it also does not bend. Thus, a very stable cushion system is provided with this combination cell structure.
- The cells have fluid-flow ports, such as
port 226 formed by the combination of cell fabric or envelope, such as a breathable or waterproof fabric as are well known, and aninsert connector 228, to be described further with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26. The insert connector sealingly snaps into acoupling port 230 extending through the upper plate of the associated platform. Belowport 230 is acontrol chamber 232 that has substantially the same pressure as the associated cell. - The control chamber is defined by the platform plate and
tray assembly 212. It has an inlet fluid-flow port 234 and an outlet or exhaust fluid-flow port 236. Mounted relative to the inlet and outlet ports is avalve assembly 237, for selectively controlling the air pressure in the associated mattress cell. One or a plurality of control chambers may be associated with each cell. - The panels are all made with the same base components of top plate, outer tray, inner tray assembly and associated sealing materials. As has been mentioned, the top plate has an array of coupling ports for connection with associated mattress cells, there being a control chamber and valve assembly for each coupling port.
- Each panel provides a pair of air or fluid-
flow travel paths path 238 providing higher pressurized air andpath 240 providing reduced pressure (exhaust) air.Path 238 is provided by apressure chamber 242 formed by lower andintermediate tray sections Path 240 is provided by anexhaust chamber 244 formed by intermediate andupper tray sections - Each travel path in a panel has a corresponding inlet and outlet. In the case of higher
pressurized air path 238, the outer tray has aninlet 210 a and anoutlet 210 b, andlower tray section 216 has corresponding alignedinlet 214 a andoutlet 214 b. In the case ofpath 240,outer tray 210 has aninlet 210 c and anoutlet 210 d andintermediate tray section 216 has a corresponding alignedinlet 216 a andoutlet 216 b. - Note that for
foot end panel 111 thepath 240 outlet is sealed, and forhead end panel 108, thepath 238 outlet is also sealed, during normal operation. Also, acylindrical supply cavity 246, also referred to as means coupling the path to the cells, or channel means, couples pressurechamber 242 to eachcontrol chamber 232 viainlet port 234. - Although not shown, sensor receptors and processor controllers are also preferably mounted in or on the trays, with associated pressure and temperature sensors mounted in the corresponding control chambers. The trays are preferably formed with troughs for holding such devices.
- An enlarged cross-section, as viewed along an axis248 of rotation of
air blower 204, is shown in FIG. 3. The blower housing is generally cylindrically shaped. It seats, during operation in a pair of parallel mounting panels, such aspanel 250, having curved edges conforming to the blower housing, and with associated plates, not shown, formingchannel 206. The plate and mounting panel edges are lined with a suitableresilient liner 252 for forming an air seal. -
Equipment housing 113 includes aremovable cover 254 mounted on afixed wall 256. Removal ofcover 254 provides access to the blower. The blower is held in position by a rod 258 having a resilient sleeve 260. The rod is held in place against the blower housing by lodgement in anaperture 262 in each of the mounting panels.Aperture 262 has an offset kidney shape to allow positioning the rod in the apertures for holding the motor, as shown by solid lines during operation. The position of the rod in phantom lines illustrates the position when the rod is positioned by sliding it through the enlarged end of the apertures while the blower is held in position near the mounting panel edges. This mounting structure provides for rapid access for removal or installation of the blower. - The
pneumatic system 102 also includes abellows assembly 264 for providing fluid communication between associated fluid-flow ports in the adjacent panels, as shown. Each bellows assembly, also referred to generally as duct means, includes an upper connectingbellows 266, a lower connectingbellows 268, and aguide assembly 270. The bellows are each formed of a resilient material with alternating enlarged sections, such assections sections outer tray 210, as shown in FIG. 4 to form sealed passageways for the air flow as has been described. - FIG. 5 shows the position of the bellows when the associated top plates coextend in a plane, i.e., the platform support surface is flat. Even in this configuration, the bellows are each longer than they are thick. FIG. 7 shows the relative positions of the bellows when the associated platform panels are relatively pivoted about a pivot axis defined by a
common pivot rod 272. The bellows, in this example, extend along a substantial arc. Correspondingly, when the panels are relatively pivoted the other direction, the bellows must accommodate very close spacing between the adjacent, connected outer tray ports. - Because of their resilience, these bellows tend to droop.
Guide assembly 270 provides support to the bellows as they are expanded and contracted during articulation of the associated platform panels. It includes a pair of flexible collars, such ascollar 274, spaced apart onpivot rod 272. A plurality—in this case six—ofplanar spacers 276 support the bellows. As is shown in FIG. 6, each of these spacers or membranes has anopening 278 through which the collar passes, anopening 280 through which the upper bellows passes, and anotheropening 282 through which the lower bellows passes.Bellows openings sections - FIG. 8 shows an enlarged illustration of a
valve assembly 237 and associated housing provided bytray assembly 212.Upper tray section 218 includes abox 218 a open at the top adjacent toconnector 228 to formcontrol chamber 232. The bottom of the box has inlet andoutlet ports side 218 b, have “L” shapedgrooves 218 c. for receipt of apivot rod 284. Avalve frame 286 pivots on the rod and has twovertical cavities recesses 292 and 294 exist in the floor of the box betweenports respective cavities - A plain,
compression spring 296 is positioned incavity 290, the upper end of which is held in position by ascrew 298, and the lower end of which is seated in recess 292. A temperature-responsive spring 300, preferably made with a shape-memory alloy such as a nickel and titanium alloy, is positioned incavity 288 with a lower end seated in recess 292. The upper end is attached to ametal screw 302, that is also connected to anelectrical conductor 304. Anotherelectrical conductor 306 is connected to the foot ofspring 300. - On the lower surface of the ends of
valve frame 286 arerespective valve members valve ports - FIG. 9 shows conceptually an alternative manifold structure usable in a pneumatic system made according to the present invention. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 has air flow paths that are vertically spaced, i.e., the exhaust path is above the pressure path. In the embodiment of FIG. 9 these fluid flow paths are horizontally spaced.
- More specifically, a
housing 307 defines anupper surface 307 a that corresponds to the platform upper surface having a port, not shown, coupling a mattress cell to a cell controlled-pressure (P)chamber 308 shown below it.Chamber 308 is disposed over a pressurized-fluid supply or high pressure (H)chamber 309 and an exhaust or low pressure (L)chamber 310, as shown.Chambers chamber 308 by awall 311, andchamber 309 is separated fromchamber 310 by awall 312. At the junction betweenwalls valve assembly 313 for controlling fluid passage from the high pressure chamber into the control chamber and from the control chamber into the low pressure chamber.Valve assembly 313 could be any suitable structure, such asvalve assembly 237 shown in FIG. 2. - An
alternative valve assembly 323 is shown in FIG. 10. In this embodiment there are high pressure (H), controlled pressure (P), and low pressure (L) chambers shown generally at 324, 325 and 326, respectively. Aninlet port 327 provides communication betweenchambers outlet port 328 provides communication betweenchambers valve members actuators arms corresponding valve members heat sources -
Valve members valve member 329. An alternative form of the valve members is a cone-shape, as is shown in dashed lines byalternative valve members - One advantage of having a double-sealing valve assembly, such as
assembly 323, is that changes in the cell pressures, while they are sealed can be used to identify the location of the patient. Each cell that supports a portion of a patient's body has a pressure that is higher than the cell pressure when it does not support a patient's body. If the cells are inflated to respective predetermined pressures before a patient is supported, the distribution of the patient's body on the various cells is readily determined once the patient is on the mattress. Further, changes in the cell pressures while the cells are kept sealed are then due to changes in the patient's position. The relative pressure changes can then be used to determine the patient's new position. - Yet another valve assembly314 is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. A port or
valve seat 315 is coupled to a low pressure chamber L. An opposing port orvalve seat 316 is coupled to a high pressure chamber H. Correspondingvalve members bimetallic arm 319 having a heat-responsive layer 320 and a non-heatresponsive layer 321.Layer 321 biases the arm to closeport 316.Layer 320 is heated by anelectrical heating element 322, causing it to bend towardport 315.Arm 319 thus provides a single activator for concurrently opening one port while closing the other. Valve assembly 314 thus provides equivalent function tovalve assembly 237 shown in FIG. 8. - FIGS.13-16 illustrate yet another
valve assembly 342 particularly useful in a patient support system as shown in FIG. 2.Assembly 342 includes a dual-actingcartridge valve 344 mounted in ahousing 346 having alower wall 347 and anupper wall 348.Lower wall 347 separates ahigh pressure chamber 350 from alow pressure chamber 352, and has aninlet port 353 defined in part by acircumferential ridge 354 that extends upward from the plane of the wall.Ridge 354 has an outer diameter D1. -
Wall 348 separateslow pressure chamber 352 from a controlled-pressure chamber 356. This wall has an air-flow port 357 formed by an upwardly extendingridge 358.Ridge 358 has an inner diameter D2 greater than diameter D1. -
Cartridge valve 346 includes abase member 360, also referred to as a fluid-flow element or channel means, is generally tubularly shaped about avertical axis 362, as viewed in the figure. It includes alower end 360 a having an inner diameter sized to frictionally receiveridge 354, and thereby provide means for attaching the base member towall 347, and means for sealingcartridge valve 346 relative toinlet port 353. Aninner passageway 364 extending throughbase member 360 has a reduced size at inwardly extending, and downwardly facingvalve seat 360 d. The exterior of the upward end of the base member is preferably cylindrical aboutaxis 362. - An
upper end 360 b hasarms 360 c that extend acrosspassageway 364 to provide lateral support for the member, and to serve as a base for aspring 366. The spring surrounds ashaft 368 that extends alongaxis 362 and is attached at its lower end to a taperedvalve member 369 that is sealingly seatable onvalve seat 360 d. The lower end ofspring 366 contacts the upper surface ofvalve member 369, as shown. - The upper end of
shaft 368 is connected to anextension member 370, also tubular shaped, that fits around the upper end of the base member and is slidable relative to the base member alongaxis 362. Asecond spring 372 surrounds the upper end ofshaft 368 and extends betweenextension member 370 and the top sides ofarms 360 c. Although not shown,spring 372 is preferably made of a temperature-responsive alloy for controlling movement of the extension member relative to the base member.Lower spring 366 is fabricated from normal spring material, and tends to keep the inlet open, thereby keeping the associated mattress cell inflated. This opens and closes the valve provided byvalve seat 360 d andvalve member 369. - The top surface of
ridge 358 is also avalve seat 374.Extension member 370 has a radially extending,circumferential flange 370 a with alower surface 370 b that sealingly seats againstvalve seat 374.Flange 370 a is thus also a valve member. The extension memberupper end 370 d hasslits 370 e that allow air flowing up throughpassageway 364 out into controlled-pressure chamber 356. - It is seen in looking at FIG. 13 that flange370 a is seated on
valve seat 358, preventing travel of air betweenchamber 356 andchamber 352; andvalve member 369 is spaced fromvalve seat 360 d. Also, in this position, thebottom edge 370 c of the extension member is seated against an outward extending protrusion orshoulder 360 e of the base member. The shoulder thus serves as a stop or means to limit the sliding of the extension member relative to the base member. As will also be seen, thecartridge valve 344 is manually installed in the position shown by applying pressure on the extension member toward the base member.Shoulder 360 e directly transfers the applied force from the extension member to the base member, without distorting the springs from their normal operating range. - In FIG. 14 the cartridge valve is shown with the extension member in an intermediate position in which neither of
valve seats pressure chamber 350 throughpassageway 364, into controlled-pressure chamber 356, and out into low-pressure chamber 352, as shown by the flow arrows. - FIG. 15 shows
cartridge valve 344 in a terminal position in whichextension member 370 is in a fully raised position relative to the base member. Travel of the extension member upwardly is stopped by the seating ofvalve member 369 againstvalve seat 360 d.Air flow port 357 is open. The mattress cell associated withvalve assembly 342 is thereby deflated, being allowed to have the same internal pressure as the low-pressure chamber. -
Cartridge valve 344 thus provides full control of the pressure inchamber 356 by selective or combined communication with thepressure chambers - The flow forces on the valve are balanced. An increase in flow through the inlet tends to close the inlet, and therefore open the outlet. At the same time, an increase in the flow through the outlet tends to close the outlet, and therefore open the inlet. Since the same flow passes through both inlet and outlet, changes in flow have little effect on the net forces on the springs. With the forces netting to zero, the drive or control force is minimized.
- As has been mentioned,
cartridge valve 244 is manually installable and removable inhousing 346. FIG. 16 further illustrates the position of the cartridge valve during installation or removal. The base member is positioned intoport 357 until thelower end 360 a seats onridge 354, after which pressure is applied until the position shown in FIG. 14 is reached. Upon removal, pressure is applied upwardly on the extension member until the position shown in FIG. 15 is reached. During removal, the force applied to the extension member is mechanically transferred to the base member viashaft 368 andvalve member 369. - An alternative
cartridge valve assembly 374 is shown in FIGS. 17, 18, 19 and 20.Assembly 374 includes a dual-actingcartridge valve 375 mounted in a housing 376 having anupper wall 377 adjacent to the top surface of a bed section, anintermediate wall 378, and a lower wall, not shown. Alow pressure chamber 379 exists between the upper and intermediate walls. A high pressure chamber is below the intermediate wall. Aninsert connector 228 connects a mattress cell, such as acell 222 tovalve 375 via a pressure-controlledchamber 381.Wall 377 has anopening 377 acoupling chambers Wall 378 has a raisedsection 378 a with aninward flange 378 b with aninternal opening 378c coupling chambers tabs section 378 a. -
Cartridge valve 375 includes anouter sleeve 384 having radially extending feet, such asfeet tabs Sleeve 384 is rotated during installation onwall 378 so that the feet are frictionally secured under the tabs, as is shown in FIG. 17 and illustrated in FIG. 20. - A set of four exhaust ports, such as
ports sleeve 384. A recessed top 384 e has acentral bore 384 f sized for receipt of ashaft 386. Disposed radially outwardly frombore 384 f are a plurality of vents, such asvents wall 377. - A generally
cylindrical insert 388 is sized for sliding insidesleeve 384.Insert 388 is open at the top and has awell portion 388 a extending downward from the bottom. Wellportion 388 a has aclosed bottom 388 b covered with aresilient pad 389, sized to close opening 378 c when seated onflange 378 b, as is shown in FIG. 18. There are a plurality of lateral openings, such asopenings well portion 388 a. Theupper edge 388 e ofinsert 388 is low enough to leaveexhaust ports pad 389 is seated onflange 378 b. -
Shaft 386 has alower end 386 a attached tobottom 388 b. The shaft extends slidingly throughbore 384 f to a top end 386 b threaded to receive abolt 390 anchoring awasher 392. A heat-sensitive spring 394 is disposed betweenwasher 392 and sleeve top 384 e.Spring 394 is heated by electricity fromwires 395. Astandard compression spring 396 is disposed between sleeve top 384 e and insert bottom 388 b.Spring 394 urges insert 388 to the lower or exhaust position shown in FIG. 18 in which the high pressure opening 378 c is closed andexhaust ports - When
spring 394 is heated, it expands, raisinginsert 388 and opening inlet opening 378 c. In the fully raised position, as is shown in FIG. 17,top edge 388 e extends aboveexhaust ports ring 398 positioned insidesleeve 384 against top 384 e. In this raised position, the pressure in the pressure chamber is increased, since the exhaust ports are closed and communication is provided withhigh pressure chamber 380. - An alternative mattress structure is shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. FIG. 21 shows a
mattress section 400 as is mounted on a single platform link or panel, such as one of panels 108-111. Such a section may be mounted on each of the four panels to form a bed having a uniform mattress. Clearly, the mattress sections can be varied to achieve a combination of capabilities. -
Mattress section 400 includes 30individual cells 401 that may be individually controllable, as is described in the previously referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,967. Each cell has aninsert connector 228, as was described with reference to FIG. 2, for connection to a coupling port of the top plate of a platform panel. The cells have a four-sided, inverted frustum-pyramidal shape, as shown, and are matingly received in correspondingly shaped cups, shown generally at 402. -
Cups 402 are formed in abase mattress cell 404 that is maintained at a constant, fully inflated pressure. Alternatively,cell 404 could be formed of a semi-rigid material that has similar pliability and strength as an inflated cell. Thus, when anindividual cell 401 is deflated, the surrounding cells are prevented from flexing into the now “empty” cup by the strength of the adjoining cup walls. - The present invention also includes a cushion system for restraining the movement of a person on a bed. These cushions are shown in FIGS.23-29. In particular, FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate a restraining
belt system 410 including threeinflatable cushions belt 414 that is held on a common, upper face of the cushions byrespective sleeves Belt 414 is preferably slidable in the respective sleeves relative to the cushions. At each end ofbelt 414 are hook andloop fabric pieces slot 421 in the platform panel edge, as is shown in FIG. 24. FIG. 24 shows an end view of the restrainingbelt system 410 fastened to abed panel 109. - Cushions411 and 413 are each connected to cushion 412 by a
connector assembly 422, including an insert coupling member orconnector 228 and a connector coupling member orreceptacle 423, described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26.Cushions cushion 412.Receptacle 423 also functions as a check valve, so that when the end cushions 411 and 413 are disconnected, cushion 412 stays inflated, as is shown in FIG. 28. -
Cushion 412 is inflated via atube 424 that extends throughsleeves belt 414 to aninsert connector 228 with atube reducer 440 for attachment to the tube. The tube is connected to cushion 412 by atube connector assembly 425. The tubeend insert connector 228 is connected to aconnector receptacle 423 mounted in abase mattress cell 222′, as is shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 27. - FIG. 25 illustrates a
connector assembly 422 formed of aninsert connector 228 and aconnector receptacle 423, such as is used betweencushions cushions Connector receptacle 423 includes anouter member 427 having a general U-shape withwalls 427 a forming an inner cavity and having anopen end 428 and an inward-directed lip orflange 427 b defining areduced opening 429. Around opening 429 is arecess 427 c. Just insidewalls 427 a fromopen end 428 is aslight groove 427 d sized to receive acorresponding ridge 430 a of aseal member 430. Positioned insideouter member 427 in a disk chamber or cavity betweenflange 427 b and ashoulder 430 b ofseal member 430 is adisk 431 that is freely movable therebetween. When pressed againstshoulder 430 b, such as when the insert connector is removed, a seal is formed, maintaining the pressure in a cell or cushion the connector receptacle is mounted in. When aninsert connector 228 is inserted into anopening 432 extending throughseal member 430, as is shown in the figure, the disk is held away fromshoulder 430 b, allowing air to flow around it. -
Insert connector 228 includes aring 434 having an inner diameter D3 and inward-directedflange 434 a defining a reduced diameter D4.An insert member 436 defines apassageway 437. At one end is an outward-directedflange 436 a having a shoulder 436 b.Flange 436 a is received by friction fit in the recess formed byflange 434 a ofring 434. Extending away fromflange 436 a are a plurality offingers 436 c having longitudinally extendingslits 438. These slits allow the fingers to flex inwardly during insertion and removal from a connector receptacle, and allow for the passage of air arounddisk 431 when received in a connector receptacle. Adjacent to theend 436 d associated withflange 436 a is aninner groove 436 e. The diameters ofgroove 436 e andrecess 427 c are the same. - FIG. 26 shows a
tube connector assembly 425 for connection to atube 424, as shown in FIG. 23.Assembly 425 includes disk-like reducer 440 having an outer diameter sized to be received with a friction fit in arecess 427 c or agroove 436 e, as is shown in phantom lines in FIG. 25, or in areducer mounting ring 443, as is shown in FIG. 26. Aninner opening 441 is defined bywalls 440 a threaded to receive atube adaptor 442 that is connectable to a tube, such astube 424. - FIG. 27 shows a cross section of a
cell 222′ cut away to show the internal structure.Cell 222′ is inflated through aninlet port 226 defined by aninsert connector 228 connected to a coupling port of the top plate of a panel, as has been described with reference to FIG. 2. However,cell 222′ also has asecond insert connector 228′ to which is attached a reducer assembly 426. Assembly 426 is connected to a conduit ortube 444, the other end of which is connected to a second reducer assembly 426 mounted on aconnector receptacle 423, also referred to as an outlet coupling member, mounted on the end ofcell 222′, as shown.Tube 444 thus is means for joininginsert connector 228′ to receptacle 423 in the end ofcell 222′. The insert connector shown on the end oftube 424 in FIG. 27 is insertable inreceptacle 423 to provide inflation of the restraining cushions shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. - FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate an
alternative restraining system 446 that includes all the parts ofbelt system 410 except theouter cushions belt system 410 have the same reference numbers. Replacing the outer cushions are extended side cushions 448 and 449. As particularly shown in FIG. 28, these side cushions have a right-triangle cross section, preferably in the ratio 3-4-5. In the preferred embodimentshort sides 448 a and 449 a have lengths of 6 inches,long sides 448 b and 449 b have lengths of 8 inches, andhypotenuses fabric tether 450 is generally coextensive with the hypotenuse and is attached along the length of the hypotenuse, as shown. - Each side cushion is inflated via a
connector receptacle 423 that functions as a check valve to prevent leaking after inflation. Alternatively, the side cushions can be left connected to an inflating tube all the time. - As shown in FIG. 29, when restraining
belt system 446 is used to contain the legs of apatient 451,long sides 448 b and 449 b are placed against the top surface of the mattress. However, when the belt system is used to restrain the torso, since the torso is wider on the bed and extends higher above the bed than the legs, theshort sides 448 a and 449 a are placed on the mattress surface, thereby accommodating the variations in the patient's body structure without using different cushions. - FIGS.30-35 illustrate the structure and operation of a
pneumatic release valve 472 mounted on the head end ofpanel 108, as shown in FIG. 2.Valve 472 includes ahousing 474 with anelongate box section 474 a that has aninner chamber 475 that couples anexhaust inlet port 474 b to anexhaust outlet port 474 c.Housing 474 is pivotally coupled topanel 108 byrings pivot rod 476. From each end ofbox section 474 a extends ahandle 474 f providing for manual manipulation of the valve. - As particularly shown in FIG. 30, extending under
outer tray 210 ofpanel 108 is aU-shaped frame 474 g having taperednipples roller 477 for engaging arecess 478 a of aboss 478 extending down from the bottom oftray 210. The recess functions as a detent to holdhousing 474 in the operative position. When housing 474 is slid sideways alongrod 476, the rollers move out of the recess and past the edges ofbosses 478, thereby freeing the valve housing to pivot outwardly away from the face of the tray. - When in the engaged or operative position shown in FIG. 31, the housing seals the high pressure chamber in the bottom of
tray 210 and transmits the exhaust air fromoutlet port 216 b throughinner chamber 475 and through the sides oftray 210 in anopen chamber 480 existing between the outer tray and the inner tray assembly, to be disbursed out holes not shown in the opposite side of the outer tray. When in the release position shown in FIG. 32,outlet ports - When
housing 474 is moved to the side to disengagerollers 477 from therespective boss 478, aswitch 482 is activated. As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 35, this switch is connected to the bed processor for turning the blower off and opening all the valves. This completely collapses the mattress, providing a firm surface for the patient on the platform top plate. Thehandle 474 f may then be further pulled open against ahydraulic switch 484 that lowers the bed to a flat position so long as pressure is applied to it. When pressure is released, the housing returns to the free-hanging open position and no further hydraulic operation takes place. - A
pneumatic system 750 made according to an alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 36-44.System 750 includes abed platform 752 formed of a plurality of mutually articulatable panels, includinghead panel 754,chest panel 755,seat panel 756,thigh panel 757, andfoot panel 758.Platform 752 is supported relative to a floor such as is shown forbed 100. - Each panel has a plurality of passageways, such as
passageways 756 a-756 h in the seat panel. Each passageway extends through the panel for providing air tomattress 104 formed of a plurality of sets of upper,large cushions 220 and base,smaller cushions 222, as has been described. For instance,head panel 754 has afan 760 that inflateslarge cushion 1L, afan 761 that inflateslarge cushion 2L, and afan 762 that inflatessmall cushions Panels panel 754, as shown in FIG. 36. However,seat panel 756 is structured a little differently. -
Seat panel 756 has fans 768-771, also referred to as means for producing air flow.Fans 768 and 769 are mounted under the right end of the seat panel (when viewed from the foot of the bed) andfans Fans 768 and 770 are referred to as primary fans andfans duct 772 tosecondary fan 769.Fan 769 then provides pressurized air for inflating aset 773 ofcushions Fans set 774 ofcushions - The fans thus are combined in what may be referred to as sets of one or more fans. For example, fan764 in the general sense forms a
fan set 780 andseries fans set 781. - These fans are all identical and the motors are similar in structure to conventional muffin fan motors. They are driven by brushless DC, 4 coil, 12 volt, 15 watt motors, such as a motor available from PAPST, a company located in Heiligenstadt, Germany. These motors have a free speed that is proportional to the back emf. That is, the motor and fan blades rotate at a speed in which the back emf equals the applied voltage. The resulting pressure in the cushions is directly proportional to the rotational speed. Thus, the resulting pressure is substantially linearly related to the applied voltage.
- The relationship between the applied voltage and the resulting pressure is selected from predetermined voltage/pressure data corresponding to typical fan performance. These values are either stored directly in a
memory 776 for a CPU 777 using an appropriate input/output device 778, or are used to determine a continuous or incremented function and the function is stored in memory. A selected pressure, as input ondevice 778 or based on an appropriate pressure control program, is then used to determine or compute a corresponding applied voltage for each fan onplatform 752. - Each individual fan produces a maximum cushion pressure of about 15 mm Hg. Each set of series connected fans produces a maximum pressure of about 30 mm Hg. The increased pressure that may be produced in the seat portion of the mattress is necessary to support the substantial weight of a person's torso when the panels are articulated to support the person in a sitting position.
- It will be appreciated that other configurations of cushions, sets of cushions, fans, and sets of fans may be used depending upon the application involved. For instance a single, primary fan, such as
blower 204 could be used to generate a base amount of air pressure, and then distributed fans could be used to apply incremental pressure increases for the various sets of cushions. - The specific embodiment of bed
pneumatic system 750 is shown in FIGS. 37-44.Platform 752 is shown in particular in FIG. 37. In addition to the platform panels and the associated passageways, aslider assembly 782 is built into the underside of each panel, with four identical sliders, such asslider 784, also referred to as gate means. For simplicity of presentation, only the structure associated withseat panel 756, cushion set 774, and fan set 781 will be described. The corresponding structure that is used for inflating the other sets of cushions will then be apparent from FIG. 36. - FIGS. 38 and 39 show lateral and longitudinal cross sections taken along lines38-38 and 39-39, respectively, in FIG. 37, with the addition of cushions and a
foam pad 788 on the panel. Each pad includes identical passageways 788 a in alignment with and corresponding topassageways 756 e-756 h. Ahousing 790 encloses the fans and ducts, except for appropriate openings, such as opening 790 a that allows ambient air into the fans. - The slider assembly further includes a
slide base 792 havingbroad channels 792 a-792 d sized toslidingly support sliders 784. The slide base at each slider station also haspassageways 792 e-792 h aligned with the corresponding passageways in the panel. Mounted below each base passageway is a shoulder, such asshoulder 792 i that is formed as an arc slightly greater than 180° sized to snugly receive aresilient coupling element 794, as particularly shown in FIG. 43. - Each fan is suspended from a rigid nozzle of one of two types. The nozzle extends from a fan outlet to a
coupling element 794. The top of each nozzle is secured in anelement 794 by mating circumferential ribs and grooves, not shown. Correspondingly, the bottom end of each nozzle has knobs that lock into corresponding grooves in the associated fan housing, also not shown, using well known “push and turn” structure. - The nozzles come in various forms. A
nozzle 796, shown for supportingfan 770, has a laterally extending section to which an end of aduct 798 attaches. The opposite end of the duct is attached to the inlet offan 771. The top ofnozzle 796 is blocked by a diaphragm formed across the top ofcoupling element 794. Thus pressurized air exitingprimary fan 770 is entirely diverted to the inlet offan 771. -
Fan 771 is also supported by anozzle 796. However, it is supported by acoupling element 800 that is open upwardly, as shown in FIG. 43, for allowing inflation ofcushion 6S. The lateral section is connected to anotherduct 802 that terminates in a lateral section of thirdrigid nozzle 804. The bottom ofnozzle 804 is closed, thereby forcing the pressurized air upwardly intocushion 6L. - The detail of
slider assembly 782 is shown in further detail in FIGS. 40-42. Eachslider 784 includes anelongate plate member 784 a and anenlarged handle end 784 b. A couple of resilient wings, such aswing 784 c, have outwardly extending projections, such asprojection 784 d. These wings are positionable selectively and alternatively in corresponding notches, such asnotches 792 j-792 k shown in the sides ofbase 792 formingchannel 792 c. These notches then correspond to three positions of the slider in the slide channel, as is illustrated in FIGS. 41A-41C. - The fabric forming each cushion is secured by a
connector assembly 806 formed of aconnector 808 and securingcollar 810. The fabric is sandwiched between an outwardly extendinglip 808 a and the collar, as shown in FIG. 43. The cushion inlet is aligned withconnector 808 to allow inflation of the cushion, similar toconnector 228 described previously with reference to FIG. 25. The connector is generally cylindrical withlip 808 a formed at one end and with a radially outwardly extendingflange 808 b at the other end. The flange end of the connector passes freely through the passageways infoam pad 788 andpanel 756. - The slider has an
elongate opening 784 e disposed centrally inplate 784 a. This opening includes a reduced-width anchoring section 784 f and anenlarged access section 784 g.Access section 784 g is sized sufficiently large to allow the flange end of the connector to pass freely through it, as is shown in FIG. 41B. The sides of anchoringsection 784 f form cam-shapedshoulders 784 h that captureflange 808 b of the connector when the flange end is positioned in anchoringsection 784 f of opening 784 e. - The cushions are thus mounted to the panels by inserting the flange end of the connector through the pad and panel passageways and through the enlarged access section of opening784 e of the slider plate.
Projection 784 d is located inmiddle notch 792 k when the access section of opening 784 e is aligned with the panel passageway as shown in FIG. 41B. - With the flange end of the connector extending through the access section of opening784 e,
slider 784 is pushed inwardly byhandle 784 b untilprojection 784 d sets innotch 784 j. The connector is then anchored inanchor section 784 f of the opening, as is shown in FIG. 41A. The end of each cushion not having an inlet is held in place by aconnector assembly 806 having a plug, not shown, to prevent leakage of air out of it. This is the position for normal use of the bed with the cushions inflated. When it is desired to remove the cushions, the reverse procedure is followed. - The sliders also have a third operating position. This corresponds to the position of the slider when
projection 784 d sets innotch 7921, as is shown in FIG. 41C.Slider plate 784 a also has atongue 784 i generally coplanar with and formed in the distal end of the plate. This tongue is attached to the distal end of the plate and extends toward opening 784 e, as shown. The tongue is movable resiliently transverse to the plane of the plate. The free end of the tongue is formed as aplug 784 j that is matingly received inplatform passageway 792 g. The tongue is biased so thatplug 784 j is urged into the passageway whenslider 784 is in this third position. - There also is a
seal 812 positioned in the panel passageway to make a fluid seal between the panel and plug. With the cushions removed and the panel passageways plugged and sealed, the panel top surface may then be cleaned with fluids without the fluids getting into the ducts and fans situated below the panels. - Referring again to FIG. 43,
connector 808 preferably has attached, such as by a suitable adhesive, tolip 808 a aflex valve 814.Valve 814 includes anouter lip 814 a that is in contact with the top oflip 808 a, as shown. A reduced diameterinner portion 814 b is received on inset shoulder 808 c. The center ofvalve 814 is formed of four flaps, such asflap 814 c.Valve 814 is made of flexible rubber so thatflaps 814 c may flex upwardly or downwardly to allow air flow either direction past them. - FIG. 44A shows
valve 814 in a steady-state condition as would exist when the pressure in the associated cell is equal to the pressure generated by the fan. FIG. 44B showsvalve 814 withflaps 814 c bent upwards, as would occur when the associated cell is being inflated. The flaps also bend downwardly when the cell is being deflated. -
Valve 814 does not control the flow of air into and out of the cell. When the flaps are in the normal or unflexed position, as is shown in FIGS. 43 and 44A, they form a block in the passageway into the cell. More specifically, they function as sound baffles, diminishing the transmission of sound waves from the associated fan into the cell when the cell is inflated by reflecting the sound waves back toward the fan. - It is thus seen that the distributed fan system just described provides a simple yet effective way to independently control the various sets of cushions making up
mattress 104. The different sets of cushions are thus capable of being inflated independently and with different pressures without requiring the use of a large blower, such asblower 204 as described with reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and without the associated valves and structure to accommodate the valves. Further, rapid deflation of the cushions is possible by simply turning the fans off and allowing the air to bleed through the fans. Additionally, relatively accurate pressure levels are achieved by the proper selection of the voltages applied to the fan motors, thereby avoiding the need for a dynamic feedback system that requires the use of air pressure sensors in each set of cushions and a controller that is responsive to the sensed pressures to adjust the valve or fan operation. - 2. Footboard Gate
- FIGS.45-60 illustrate a
footboard assembly 146 generally described previously with regard to FIG. 1. As mentionedassembly 146 includes atable assembly 172 mounted on eachframe 170. Afootboard panel 178 is mounted on each frame, and supports a storable table 174. - As is shown in FIG. 45, a each table174 is shiftable from a storage position in which the table is disposed vertically adjacent to the footboard panel, as shown by the table on the right in the figure, to an elevated position as shown by the table on the left.
- Once the table is in the elevated position, it is pivotable about a
pivot axis 490 between an outboard position shown in solid lines and an inboard position shown in the horizontal dashed lines. As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 49, 50 and 51, table 174 is pivotally mounted by a hinge assembly 489 to a bracket at each edge of the table, such asbracket 492, that is mounted for sliding receipt in aslot 493 in ahollow channel member 494.Channel member 494 is attached to a vertical member, such asmember 491 offootboard frame 170.Bracket 492 is attached to apin 486 that rides in the slot.Bracket 492 is pivotally attached by a connectingpin 487, that also extends throughslot 493, to aslide element 488 slidingly received inchannel member 494. - A
lock extension 493 a of the slot is positioned near the top to accommodate a repositioning of the bracket so thatpin 486 is supported in it when the table is in the raised position, as is shown in FIGS. 42 and 38.Slot 493 is offset outwardly from the footboard panel at the bottom to hold the base of the table against the footboard panel during storage, as is shown in FIG. 49. FIG. 50 shows the table at an intermediate position during elevation. - The top of
bracket 492 has opposing shoulders or stops 492 b and 492 c for supporting the table in the inboard and outboard positions. - FIGS. 52 and 53 show different views of
footboard assembly 146. Eachfootboard panel 178 is pivotable about a vertical axis, such asaxis 496 by ahinge 497. Adetent mechanism 498 is operable by activation of a mechanical release by afoot pedal 499 for selectively fixing the footboard panel in three positions as shown particularly in FIG. 52. As shown generally in FIG. 53, and in greater detail in FIG. 54, anarm 495, fixed tofoot pedal 499, pivots relative to agate frame member 501 to raise a spring-biaseddetent member 507 out of the one ofindents frame plate 513, in which it is positioned. - In a normal position, as represented by the solid lines, the footboard panels are in line and adjacent to the foot of the bed. When pivoted 90°, the panels or gates extend outwardly from the foot of the bed in what will be seen to be a “hand rail” position. When the panel is in this position, the table may be positioned outboard from the foot of the bed, not unlike the outboard position when the footboard panel is in the normal position, or alternatively, out from the corner of the bed, as shown in dashed lines at the top of FIG. 52.
-
Panel 178 is further pivotable another 90° to a side position, generally normal to the side of the bed. The table is positionable along the side of the bed, overguard rail 196 when it is lowered. - The requirement for having pivoting footboard gate panels is evident in FIG. 55, which figure shows a bed platform partially raised toward a standing position, as is described in the previously referenced patent to Ferrand. When used to stand the bed up, the footboard gate panels must be opened to allow for the foot of the bed to be lowered toward the floor. Also, by locking the footboard panels in the “hand rail” position, a patient getting in or out of the bed while the platform is in the standing position can use the footboard panels as supports or handrails to provide stability. The foot-end hand rails are positioned for convenient use during this procedure as well.
- FIGS.56-60 illustrate a latching
assembly 452 for holdingfootboard panels Assembly 452 is controlled by ahandle 453 that allows the two panels to swing independently when it is pulled outwardly from its position in the base ofpanel 178, as shown. Handle 453 is connected to apivot rod 454 that has mounted on it two latch mechanisms, such aslatch mechanism 455. -
Latch mechanism 455 includes a mountingbracket 456 that is mounted on a footboardgate frame member 457.Pivot rod 454 extends pivotably through a hole, not shown, in the bracket. Aslot 456 a guides the travel of afirst guide pin 458 that extends through it. Asecond guide pin 459, spaced fromslot 456 a is fixedly mounted tobracket 456. Alatch plate 460 rests onbracket 456 and has aslot 460 a through whichsecond guide pin 459 extends.Plate 460 also has a hole, not shown, through whichfirst guide pin 458 extends. -
Plate 460 extends through aslot 178 a in the side ofpanel 178, and when in the closed or locked position, also extends through acorresponding slot 178 a′ in the other panel. Thedistal end 460 b ofplate 460 is formed as a laterally extending hook that extends through acorresponding slot 461 a of aframe member 461.Pivot rod 454 extends through acorresponding slot 460 c in the plate that allows movement of the plate relative to the rod. - An
eccentric drive arm 462 is fixedly mounted to the rod. Adrive link 463 is pivotally connected at one end toarm 462 and attached tofirst guide pin 458 at the other end. When the pivot rod is rotated,latch plate 460 is moved in line withslots panel 178 in a storage position,hook end 460 b engages the edge offrame member 461, as is shown in FIG. 59. When the handle is pulled out, as shown in FIG. 56, the hook end disengagesframe member 461, allowing the two footboard gates to swing open. - 3. Stand-Up Board
- It will be noticed in FIG. 55 that a
stand board assembly 500 is mounted to the foot of the platform. Astand board 502 is mounted on aframe 503 to extend above the top surface of the mattress. The structure of the stand board assembly is shown more clearly in FIGS. 61-64.Frame 503 includes a pair oflegs openings platform extension portion 112. Each leg has a mountinghole 510 and 511 for receipt of a securingpin 512 that is positioned in one of the associated positioning holes 514, 515 and 516 or 517, 518 and 519 in acorresponding side plate - A fixed
stand board plate 523 is fixedly attached tolegs board 502 is pivotally mounted to the tops oflegs pivot rod 525. -
Board 502 is pivotable from an upright position, shown in FIG. 61 to a storage or collapsed position shown in FIG. 63. A pair ofpivot locking members 527 are elongate and have closedslots 528 through whichrod 525 extends. It will be noted that the slot extends close to the lower end of the member, but only midway up it. When the stand board is in the upright position,member 527 is in a lock position in whichrod 525 is in the upper end of the slot. The member is held in this position by gravity and extends along both the stand board and the fixed plate. - When
members 527 are raised to an unlock position, the locking member is pivotable aboutrod 525, thereby also allowingstand plate 502 to pivot. FIG. 62 shows the locking member in the unlock position, and pivoting withstand board 502 relative to fixedplate 523. The position of the stand board when fully pivoted to the storage position is shown in FIG. 63. - Positioning holes514 and 517,
holes 515 and 518, and holes 516 and 519 are correspondingly positioned so thatstand board 502 may be positioned at various angles relative to the platform. FIG. 64 illustrates, in a view opposite to the view of FIG. 63, in phantom and solid lines the various angles that the stand board may have. The position of the stand board in solid lines corresponds to an angle greater than 90°, so that when the mattress is tilted just shy of 90° from the floor, the stand board will be approximately parallel to the floor. In the opposite position shown, corresponding to the position shown in FIG. 63, the stand board is substantially normal to the platform. An intermediate position is also available, as shown. - 4. Headboard
- FIGS. 65 and 66 illustrate a
headboard assembly 148 made according to the invention. This assembly includesbase end board 188 having raisedside portions intermediate portion 188 c. The side portions extend well above the mattress of the bed, as shown in FIG. 1, and the intermediate portion preferably extends below the level oftop plate 115 when the bed is in the lowest position. Aremovable panel 190 fills the space left open byintermediate portion 188 c and is fixedly positionable on the intermediate portion, as shown in FIG. 65.Panel 190 preferably conforms with the size and shape ofend board 188 to form a uniform head board assembly. - As shown in FIG. 66
panel 190 is removable fromend board 188. To accomplish this,panel 190 has a pair of subtendinglegs mating holes respective wings side portions slots end board 188. - Also, to facilitate removal of the end panel, it preferably has means for gripping the panel, such as by an
elongate hand slot 542. - With the embodiment of the footboard panel illustrated,
legs 533 and 544 preferably correspond in size and length tolegs panel 190 may be used in lieu ofstand board assembly 500. The use ofpanel 190 as a stand board is illustrated in FIG. 67. It could also be made angularly adjustable using the same structure as provided for the stand board assembly. - As has been described with reference to FIG. 1, located in each corner of the bed, imbedded in the edges of the foot and head boards, are equipment support assemblies, such as
assemblies Assembly 176′ associated with the foot board will typically not haveequipment support apparatus 184, as it is generally to be used for traction or other heavy types of equipment. - The structure of
equipment support assembly 176 is shown in further detail in FIGS. 68-79. In FIG. 68, achannel base member 550 is fixedly mounted in a side portion ofbase board 188 of thehead board assembly 148. It has a square cross section, as shown in FIG. 70 and has a series of downwardly angled, generally triangle shapedopenings 552. Eachopening 552 extends from acorner 550 a to the middle of a side, such asside 550 b. Each triangular opening terminates in arecess 552 a at its lowest point, and has upwardly directed sides formed byupper edge 550 c andlower edge 550 d. The base member ends in atop opening 550 e positioned below the top surface of the base head board. - Intermediate
hollow rod 186 is disposed withinbase member 550, as shown in FIG. 70 for sliding vertically. Apin 555 is mounted in abushing assembly 556 attached to the bottom end ofrod 186 to extend radially from the rod, as shown particularly in FIGS. 76-79. The rod is rotated so thatpin 555 is moved fromrecess 552 a to the corner of the base member, as shown in FIG. 71. In this position the intermediate rod can be freely moved up and down relative to the base member. As shown in FIG. 77, abushing 556 is mounted in the base ofrod 186 which applies a counterclockwise torque to the rod relative to the base member. This torque urgespin 555 into thetriangular openings 552 and once in an opening, toward the associatedrecess 552 a. This causes the intermediate rod to be somewhat self positioning if allowed to rotate inbase member 550 while being lifted. If the rod is not allowed to rotate, it can be lifted freely to any position. When being lowered, the pin will further be directed into a triangular opening recess by the angle ofedges - Referring to FIG. 76
bushing assembly 556 includes abase unit 557 having ananchor pin 558 in the lower portion. Abase section 557 a is hollow and has an exterior constructed to fit intobase member 550 and yet too large forintermediate bar 186. The base unit has anupper portion 557 b sized to fit withinbar 186, as shown in FIG. 77. The upper portion os also hollow and has oppositecircumferential slots - A
hollow insert unit 559 has alower portion 559 a that fits intoupper portion 557 b of the base unit.Pin 555 extends throughlower portion 559 a sufficiently far to also extend throughslots intermediate bar 186, as has been discussed. - The
upper portion 559 b of the insert unit is in the form ofresilient fingers 559 c.Upper portion 559 b is releasably insertable in asnap bushing 562, abase end 562 a having acavity 562 b conforming with the upper portion.Insert unit 559 is held in place on inner shoulder 557 e between the upper and lower portions by aspring 560 that is attached topins assembly 556 so thatpin 555 is given a counter clockwise torque, from a perspective above the assembly. This causespin 555 to rotate intorecesses 552 inbase member 550 as has been described. -
Support assembly 176 is stored in a collapsed position withupper bar 182 positioned ininsert unit 559, as is shown in FIG. 77.Bushing assembly 556, attached tointermediate bar 186, is seated in the bottom ofbase member 550. Whenupper bar 182 is lifted out of the headboard,intermediate bar 186 rises with it, due to the connection provided byinsert unit 559 in cavity 186 c of the intermediate bar. - When
pin 555 enters thefirst opening 552, the intermediate bar rotates under the torsion ofspring 560 into the associatedrecess 552 a. This stops the initial upward travel of the intermediate bar at a position suitable for attaching traction equipment to the top of it. Further upward force onupper bar 182 releases it from the intermediate bar, as shown in FIG. 78. -
Snap bushing 562 extends up into the bottom end ofupper bar 182 to anupper end 562 c from which it extends back down to atrigger 562 d. This trigger extends out through an opening 182 b in the side of the upper bar. As the upper bar is pulled up out ofintermediate bar 182, the trigger is deflected inwardly as it passes through aspacer bushing 564 at the top of the intermediate bar. After it passes the spacer bushing it snaps back out through opening 182 b. The upper bar is held in an extended position, as shown in FIG. 79, by the seating oftrigger 562 d on the top ofspacer bushing 564. - As has been mentioned, mounted in the top of
upper rod 182 isequipment support apparatus 184. The upper end ofrod 182 has aslot 182 a that receives opposing, generally planar,equipment support arms rod 182 for pivoting about apivot rod 572 between a storage position inslot 182 a, as is shown in FIG. 72, and an equipment support position, as is shown in FIGS. 2, 68 and 74. The distal ends of the arms have anupwardly opening slot 570 a and 571 a. At an intermediate location along the underside of the arms areintermediate slots - As is shown particularly in FIG. 75, the distal ends of
arms rod 182. The arm distal ends thereby pass throughspacer bushing 564 readily. However,curved protrusions 570 c and 571 c extend outwardly from the sides of the arms opposite from the direction they pivot away from the top ofrod 182. These protrusions are sized to engagebushing 564 whenrod 182 is lifted out ofintermediate rod 186. When the protrusions engage the bushing they are forced intoslot 182 a, and this forces the tops of the arms out ofslot 182 a in order to accommodate passage of the protrusions past the bushing. - This automatic extension of the equipment support arm ends is illustrated in FIGS.72-74. In FIG. 72, the tops of the arms, housed in
slot 182 a, have passed throughbushing 564, butprotrusions 570 c and 571 c have not contacted the bushing. In FIG. 73, the protrusions have contacted the bushing and have been forced into the slot, thereby moving the tops of the arms out of the slot. The arms are then moved into a full open position, determined by the contact of the arms on the lower edge of the slot, by gravitational or manual pull to the position shown in FIG. 74. - As is shown in FIG. 75, when
arms limit pin 573 prevents the arms from pivoting past the vertical position. - It will also be noted that the very tip of
upper rod 182 has a hollowcylindrical handle 574 mounted to it. This handle also preferably has in inward directedupper lip 574 a and opposingholes 574 b and 574 c. The lip and holes provide means for gripping the top ofrod 182 with a finger when the handle is in a storage position flush with or below the top surface of the headboard, as is shown in FIGS. 65 and 66. - Referring now to FIGS.80-84, a
traction pole assembly 1100 is shown.Assembly 1100, shown in exploded view in FIG. 80, includes a short heavy-duty pole 1102 used for an anchor or base to which traction apparatus, not shown, is secured.Assembly 1100 is mounted in acorner section 1104 of a foot board frame, similar toequipment support assembly 176 just described.Corner section 1104 has ahollow channel 1104 a sized to snugly receive apillar 1106. At the top ofcorner section 1104 is acircular opening 1104 b sized to slidingly receivepole 1102. Just below the top and extending around three adjacent sides of the corner section is acutout 1104 c sized to receive aU-shaped release handle 1108. Apartition 1110 closes the bottom end ofchannel 1104 a and provides a support for the bottom ofpillar 1106. -
Pillar 1106 also defines achannel 1106 a extending through its length that is sized to slidingly receivepole 1102. Ahorizontal slot 1106 b extending through aside face 1106 c is sized to receive abottom plate 1112 that forms a floor in the channel.Side 1106 c of the pillar has fourparallel flanges 1106 d-1106 g extending perpendicularly from it and along the length of the pillar, as shown.Coaxial holes 1106 h-1106 k are positioned in these flanges just below the top of the pillar to support apivot pin 1114. A generallysquare opening 11061 extends throughpillar side 1106 c just above the line ofpin 1114, as shown particularly in FIGS. 81-84. - A
lever 1116 is pivotably supported onpin 1114, as is abias spring 1118.Spring 1118biases lever 1116 toward a pole-engaging or holding position, as shown in FIG. 83. The lever has an upwardly extendingarm 1116 a, a horizontally extending, pole-engagingarm 1116 b, also referred to as holding means, and a downwardly extendingpivot base 1116 c.Base 1116 c has a lateral pivot bore 1116 d that receivespin 1114 and is elongate vertically, as shown particularly in FIG. 83. On the bottom insidesurface 1116 e of base 1116 c, that is, thesurface facing pillar 1106, there is aridge 1116 f also referred to as a foot. -
Pole 1102 is hollow and cylindrical, with open ends. Thelower end 1102 a has four equally spaced slots, such asslot 1102, sized to receive the edges of upwardly extending wings, such aswing 1120 a of abushing 1120.Bushing 1120 supportspole 1102 and in turn is attached to and supported on a pop-up spring 1122. The bottom ofspring 1122 rests on and is attached tobottom plate 1112.Wings 1120 a of the bushing are sized to slide down the corners ofpillar channel 1106 a, which channel has a square cross section in a horizontal plane. These wings then, when in position on the bottom of the pole, keep the pole in alignment in the pillar and keep the pole from rotating. - Mounted on
bushing 1120 is a one-inch long, 900 gauss reed-switch magnet 1124. This magnet activates a magneticallysensitive reed switch 1126 mounted topillar 1106 just abovebottom plate 1112. Whenpole 1102 is in a recessed or storage position, as shown in FIG. 83, the magnet is close to the reed switch, causing the switch to close. The reed switch assembly thus functions as asensor 1128 for determining whether the traction pole is in the recessed position, a first state, or in a raised position above the recessed position, a second state. The use of this sensor, like other sensors built into the bed, is described below in the section having the heading Multifunction Control System. -
Pole 1102 also has small, circumferentially opposed slots, such asslot 1102 c nearupper end 1102 d. Each slot receives abiased tongue 1130 a of acap 1130 that is thereby fixedly positioned withinupper end 1102 d of the pole. The cap simply closes the end of the pole and provides a smooth surface that is safe to handle. - An
upper bushing 1132 is fixedly mounted in the upper end ofchannel 1106 a of the pillar. The pillar has opposite lateral slots, such asslot 1106 d, adjacent to the upper edge of the pillar. These slots receive corresponding biased tongues, such astongue 1132 a, which secure the bushing in the pillar.Bushing 1132 has an innercircular channel 1132 b sized to slidingly receivepole 1102. This bushing thus stabilizes the pole withinpillar 1106. - Disposed intermediate the ends of
pole 1102 are axially spaced-apart, circumferentially elongatelock slots arm 1116 b oflever 1116, as shown in FIGS. 81 and 83. When the lever engages a lock slot, the pole is locked in vertical position relative to the pillar and end frame. However, in this configuration,lever 1116 may be moved vertically in a range of movement defined by the height P ofpivot bore 1116 d. - When
pole 1102 is in the recessed position, as shown in FIG. 81, the pole top cannot be manually grasped. Pop-upspring 1122 holds the pole and lever combination in a slightly raised position withpin 1114 nested in the bottom ofpivot bore 1116 d and pole-engagingarm 1116 b of the lever extends intolock slot 1102 e. By pullingside wings release handle 1108, which handle has aU-shaped finger loop 1108 c extending from abase portion 1108 d,upper arm 1116 a of the lever, which extends throughloop 1108 c, is pulled away from the pole. This pulls pole-engagingarm 1116 b out ofslot 1102 e, allowingspring 1122 to popupper end 1102 d of the pole up above the top ofend frame section 1104, to the position shown in FIG. 82. - It will be noted that when the lever is pivoted with the pivot pin in the bottom of
pivot bore 1116 d, the lever is free to rotate in the space betweenpillar side 1106 c and the opposing face of the end frame section. - With the top of the pole now extending above the top of the end frame, the pole may be manually grasped and raised until pole-engaging
arm 1116 becomes aligned with and snaps intolock slot 1102 f under the force ofbias spring 1118, as is shown in FIG. 83. Pop-upspring 1122 is held in tension when the pole is raised to this level, so there is a downward force on the pole. In this deployed or support position of the pole,pivot pin 1114 is in the lower portion ofpivot bore 1116 d of the lever. The pole and lever are also in what is referred to as a release position. - When the pole is released, the downward force of
spring 1122 pulls the pole along with now attachedlever 1116 to a slightly lower position relative topillar 1106. The pole then ends up in the position shown in FIG. 84, also referred to as a lock position. In this position,pivot pin 1114 is now in the upper portion ofpivot bore 1116 d. If the lever is pivoted aboutpin 1114 by outward pull onhandle 1108,ridge 1116 f onpivot base 1116 c of the lever immediately contacts a blockingportion 1106 m onside 1106 c of the pillar. The lever thus cannot be pivoted when the pin is in the upper portion of the pivot bore.Portion 1106 m is also referred to as an element, which along withridge 1116 f are referred to as preventing means. - When the pole is in the lock position shown in FIG. 84 then, an attendant or other person cannot inadvertently pull
release handle 1108. The release mechanism (handle 1108 and lever 1116) is thereby defeated by this structure, making the position of the traction poles very secure. - In order to lower the traction pole it is simply a process of reversing the previously described steps used to deploy the pole. That is, the pole is raised slightly from the lock position shown in FIG. 84 to the release position shown in FIG. 83. With the pivot pin now in the lower portion of the pivot bore, the lever is free to pivot about the pin. This is accomplished by pulling the release handle away from the pole while holding the pole in this raised position. This pulls the lever away from the holding position. While holding the release handle out, pole-engaging
arm 1116 b is held out ofslot 1102 f, and the pole is lowered. The release handle is then released.Bias spring 1118 pullslever 1116 and handle 1108 back toward the holding position. If it is desired to store the traction pole, the top of the pole is pushed down against the force ofspring 1122. The end ofarm 1116 b rides on the surface of the pole, as shown in FIG. 82, untilupper lock slot 1102 e is encountered. The pole is now returned to the storage position shown in FIG. 81. - It is seen that
traction pole assembly 1100 provides a traction or heavy equipment pole that is very convenient, easy to use, and further provides the benefit of locking out the function of the release handle when the pole is deployed, thereby preventing inadvertent lowering of the pole during use. - 5. Weight-Sensing System
- FIGS.85-92 illustrate
weigh system 133. The mechanical structure is shown in plan view in FIG. 85.Weigh frame 132 is shown supported onbase frame 142. The weigh frame is formed ofstructural members central support 134 at the head of the bed tolateral supports - Each support includes a
load cell 576 mounted in ablock 578, as is shown in isometric view in FIG. 86 and in cross-section along lines 88-88 and 89-89 in FIGS. 88 and 89, respectively, forlateral foot support 136.Block 578 is elongate and is supported at one end on abase plate 580 and ashim 581 by suitable bolts. The other end supports awing 140 a of the structural member, as shown. The load cell is mounted centrally in the block, with conventional structure to generate an electrical signal onwires 582 representative of the weight supported by the block. The generation of the weight signal is based on a bridge network having fixedresistors - FIG. 90 shows in a simplified, symbolic drawing the overall structure of
weigh system 133. The load cells associated with each ofsupports digital converters - A more detailed diagram is shown in FIG. 91. This diagram shows an
amplifier CPU 593 is connected to various accessories, including memory devices, such as hard andfloppy disk drives input device 600, such as a keyboard, is used to input calibration information. Amonitor display 601 provides a visual display of data and instructions for inputting calibration data. Based on movement of the patient, as described below, the CPU generates a pre-exit alarm and an exit alarm onoutput devices - The operation of weigh system13 is provided in FIG. 92. When the bed is first installed the weigh system is calibrated by placing a standard weight at three spaced-apart locations on the mattress. The mattress should be placed in a horizontal orientation in order to avoid unusual torques on the load cells. The locations are arbitrary, but for the best results they should be as far apart as possible. In each instance, the total weight equals the sum of the weights read by the three sensors. The basic equation for each sensor is
- y[i]=g[i](x−h[i]) (1)
- where y=patient weight, x=the A/D converter output, and g[i] and h[i] are constants. In words, x is a sensed value proportional to the total weight sensed by the load cell, h[i] is the sensed value corresponding to the weight of the bed without a patient, and g[i] is a constant to convert the digital signal into a weight unit of measure, such as pounds.
- Initially, then, three equations are formed by removing all patient loading. The three equations are
0 = g[1](x[0,1] − h[1]) (2) 0 = g[2](x[0,2] − h[2]) (3) 0 = g[3](x[0,3] − h[3]) (4) These equations reduce to h[1] = x[0,1] (5) h[2] = x[0,2] (6) h[3] = x[0,3]. (7) - With a standard weight applied to the three locations, three more equations are derived based on the equation for total sensed loading (patient) weight
- y=y[1]+y[2]+y[3]. (8)
-
- where x[j,1] for j,i=1,2,3 are the respective A/D converter readings and y is the standard weight.
- Using a standard Gauss-Jordan or other appropriate elimination method, equations (5)-(7) and (9)-(11) are solved to obtain values for g[1], g[2], g[3], h[1], h[2], and h[3].
- When a patient is initially put in the bed, the patient's weight is measured and set equal to yo. Thereafter, the dynamic weight of the patient, y, is measured. In determining if the patient has left the bed, the ratio of measured weight to original weight is determined and compared to a constant E[1], which is some value less than one, such as 0.75. This value can be adjusted to make the system appropriately sensitive. It should not be set to activate the exit alarm if the patient momentarily unweights the bed, such as by shifting position or holding on to the guard rails or traction equipment.
- While a change in total weight flags an exit condition, a change in weight distribution flags a pre-exit condition, such as a patient positioned next to a side or end of the bed. If the patient is lying in the middle of the bed, y[1]=y[3], or y[1]−y[3]=0, where y[1] and y[3] correspond to the two laterally spaced load cells at the foot of the bed. If the patient moves to the left or to the right, y[1]−y[3]<>0. Thus, a pre-exit condition exists when
- where E[2] is a constant nominally set to 1.00, and adjusted to make the system more or less sensitive. Although logic would seem to indicate that the constant should have a value less than 1.00, since some of the weight will be on the head load cell, i.e., y[2]>0, experience indicates that the dynamics of the system require the value suggested.
-
-
- When the mattress is articulated, the center of mass of both the bed and the patient move. It may be desirable to alter the values of the constants corresponding to the configuration of the articulated bed, although this has not been determined at the time of this writing.
- After a pre-exit or exit alarm has sounded, the system preferably waits for the nurse or other attendant to reset the alarm. This requires an acknowledgement that the alarm has occurred. Once reset, the system returns to a monitoring procedure until the next alarm condition is identified.
- 6. Control Unit
- FIGS.93-100 illustrate the structure of portable “saddle-bag”
controller 200. Outer, nurse-operated, and inner, patient-operatedcontrol panels resilient membrane 606.Panels support portion 606 a. Mounted behindpanel 201 is ahousing 608 containing acircuit board 610 on which are mountedLEDs 612 and other conventional circuit components, not shown. The circuit board includes an embedded metallic ground plane 614. Similarly, behindpanel 202 is mounted ahousing 616, also enclosing acircuit board 618 withLEDs 620 and embeddedground plane 622. - The backs of
housings strips rail 195 shown in FIG. 95. - The housing backs also have mating cones and cavities, such as
cone 627 andcavity 628. This provides for alignment of the housings when they are folded against each other. The outer edges of the housings also preferably haverecesses channels controller 200 when mounted on a rail, with a fragmentary section removed to show the structure adjacent to the guard rail. -
Channels corresponding ridge 195 a in the guard rail for preventing pivoting of the controller when buttons are pushed. Ifmembrane 606 requires sufficient stretch when the controller is positioned on a guard rail, the resulting friction grip has been found to adequately support the controller without engagingridge 195 a. A control andpower cord 630 joinsouter housing 608 to the bed CPU. -
Outer panel 201 has a plurality of flexible control buttons, such asbutton 632. Similarly,inner panel 202 has buttons, such asbutton 634. When pressed, these buttons have conductive hidden surfaces that contact a conductor array on the corresponding circuit board to function as a switch using well known techniques. - FIGS.96-99 illustrate how the circuit boards are attached to
membrane 606. FIG. 96 shows an exploded view of the membrane,circuit board 618 andhousing 616. The inside surface of the membrane has a plurality of elongate tabs, such astab 636, that extend toward the circuit board. The circuit board has corresponding slots, such asslot 637, sized to snugly receive the tabs. FIGS. 97 and 98 show the position of the circuit board relative to a tab prior to and after installation. - It is found that if the circuit board side edge is positioned under the corresponding portion of a
lip 606 b that extends inwardly aroundpanel 202 and then pivoted down, the tabs readily feed into the slots, initially by a top corner, after which they are easily manually pulled through. Conventional cylindrical pillars are found to be very difficult to align with corresponding circular holes in the circuit board. Thus, the circuit board of the invention is substantially easier to install. - FIG. 99 shows a simplified cross-section of
controller 200 in a folded position, as it would appear when wrapped around a guard rail. Anelectrical conductor ribbon 635 wraps around the arch formed bysupport portion 606 a. Preferably the stretch has a channel formed in it to accommodate this conductor ribbon. Theupper margins channel 636 conforming to the curve of the guard rail. - The housings are fastened to
membrane 606 by legs, such aslegs feet corresponding apertures 638 and 639 in the respective circuit boards. The outer housing margin is pulled against the outer surface oflip 606 b to form a seal. - Light is transmitted from LEDs mounted on the circuit boards in two ways. In both ways, openings, such as
openings membrane 606. - In positions corresponding to the LEDs and associated button, the membrane is formed as a bridge, such as
bridge 606 c. These bridges serve three functions. They support the button in suspension over the circuit board; they are flexible, allowing the buttons to be pressed against the circuit board; and by the thinness of them, light from the LEDs is transmitted through them, illuminating the margins of the buttons. - Illumination of legends on the membrane are provided by the same circuit board structure. However, instead of leaving the membrane thin, since flexibility is typically not desirable in these locations, a relatively rigid and transparent plastic filler, such as
filler 642, as a backing to support the otherwise flexible bridge. In this way, the continuity of the membrane is maintained, while providing illumination in rigid regions. - 7. Transport Guide Wheels
- FIGS.101-104 illustrate
guide wheel assembly 162. There is a guide wheel assembly on each side of the bed, and they are connected together byactuator rod 163, manually controlled byfoot pedal lever 164. As is conventional,lever 164 has opposingpedals guide wheel 646 from a storage position shown in FIG. 101, to an engaged position shown in FIG. 103. The guide wheel is mounted to asupport rod 648 extending slidingly through anopening 650 a in aflange 650 b of awheel mounting frame 650. The top of the rod passes through asecond opening 650 c in anupper flange 650 d.Flange 650 d has a mass sufficient to counter the weight ofwheel 646 when the wheel is in the storage position. Adisk 652 is attached to the rod betweenflanges compression spring 653 is positioned aroundrod 648 and betweendisk 652 andflange 650 d. The spring urgesdisk 652 towardflange 650 b, and thereby, urgeswheel 646 towardflange 650 b, and thereby toward the floor when the wheel is in the engaged position. -
Wheel mounting frame 650 is coupled toactuator rod 163 via amechanical linkage system 654 connected to anarm 650 e subtending fromflange 650 b towardwheel 646. Asleeve 656 is connected to the back ofwheel mounting frame 650 and receivesactuator rod 163 for pivoting of the guide wheel thereabout. - A
wheel link 658 is pivotally attached at apivot pin 659 to the bottom ofarm 650 e. The opposite end is attached at apivot pin 657 to a generallytriangular coupling plate 660 pivotally mounted bypivot pin 661 to bedframe side rail 152. Aspacer block 662 is fixedly mounted to the bed rail betweenplate 660 and the rail, and has asloping surface 662 a with arounded bulge 662 b. Atension spring 663 is connected at one end to pivotpin 657 and at the other end to a mountingpin 667 fixedly attached to the distal end ofspacer block 662. A connectinglink 664 also is pivotally connected at apivot pin 665 to a third point oncoupling plate 660, as shown, and has a roundedrecess 664 a conforming withrounded bulge 662 b. - The opposite end of connecting
link 664 is pivotally attached by apivot pin 666 to the end of an arm 668 a of a V-shapeddrive link 668. The base ofdrive link 668 is fixedly attached toactuator rod 163. - The
other arm 668 b has apin 669 attached to it so that it extends outwardly. The pin engages an L-shapedslot 670 in anupstanding arm 671 a of a castor-actuating plate 671.Plate 671 has elongate, horizontal slots, such asslot 671 b that receive mountingpins 672.Plate 671 thus rides onpins 672 during horizontal movement of the plate during actuation of the guide wheel assembly bypedal lever 164. - The distal ends of
plate 671 have avertical slot 671 c. A castor-actuatingrod 674 is attached to aradially extending arm 675, the distal end of which is attached to apin 676 that slides up and down inslot 671 c. Movement ofrod 674 secures the corner castors, such ascastor 678 by means of acastor actuator 679, as is conventionally known, and commercially available. - In operation, the guide wheels are normally stored in the storage position shown in FIG. 101. The counterweight of
flange 650 d keeps the wheels from swinging down toward the floor andspring 663 is relaxed. Also, in this mode, castor-actuating plate 671 is in the left-most position, as viewed in the figure, and the V-shaped drive link is in the position shown, withpin 669 in the upper portion ofslot 670.Arm 675 is in a position rotated to the left, which locks the castors in position.Connecting link 664 is in an extended position againstsurface 662 a of the spacer block withrecess 664 a engaged bybulge 662 b.Foot pedal lever 164 is in a generally horizontal position. - To engage the guide wheels,
pedal lever 164 is rotated clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 101, by applying force to pedal 644. This rotatesactuator rod 163 and V-shapedlink 668 clockwise.Pin 669 pushes against the side of L-shapedslot 670, sliding castor-actuating plate 671 to the right. This rotatescastor rod 674 counterclockwise, freeing the castors to pivot. Whenarm 668 b pivots far enough down, pin 669 slides out ofslot 670, and movement ofplate 671 stops. - During this movement,
coupling plate 660 pivots clockwise, causingframe 650 andguide wheel 646 to pivot counterclockwise, lowering the wheels until they come in contact with the floor. This is an intermediate position in which thewheel support rod 648 is not quite vertically disposed, but in which spring 663 is generally aligned overpivot pin 661. - As the pedal lever is pushed further, the wheel is rolled along the floor, with the weight of the
bed causing spring 653 to compress, so that downward pressure is applied on the guide wheels, and it is maintained in contact with the floor. This assures the traction necessary for guiding the bed while the castors are free-wheeling. When this position of the wheel is reached,coupling plate 660 has pivoted further, so thattension spring 663 has moved overpivot pin 661 of the coupling plate, and thereby locks the plate in this position. The spring force and leverage prevents counterclockwise rotation ofcoupling plate 660, and thereby, raising of the wheel. A boss orflap 660 a extends out from the plane ofcoupling plate 660 so thatwheel link 658 engages it and is stopped from further rotational movement in this direction. This final position is shown in FIG. 103. Reverse movement of the pedal lever returns the wheel to the storage position, and locks the castors. - It has been found that movement of a bed having a freely pivoting castor at each corner is very difficult to control, particularly when the bed is moved along straight stretches, such as along a corridor. By adding a fifth wheel and preferably a sixth wheel to the bed frame, which wheels are secured in alignment for motion along the longitudinal length of the bed, the bed is much easier to control.
- 8. Guard Rail Elevation System
- FIGS.105-108 illustrate
guard rail assembly 192 havingguard rail 195 andelevator mechanism 197 housed in housing 199 (as is shown in FIG. 1). FIG. 106 shows assembly 192 in a raised or barrier position withouthousing 199. FIG. 108 shows it in a lowered or storage position, and FIG. 107 shows it in an intermediate position. FIG. 105 is an isometric view of the assembly of FIG. 107. -
Mechanism 197 includes atelescoping mounting assembly 682, anenergy storage assembly 683, and alock assembly 684. The telescoping assembly includes abase member 685 fixedly mounted toplatform panel 109.Base member 685 includessleeves plate 688. A pair of cable anchor blocks 689 and 690 are mounted to the outer surfaces ofsleeves plate 688. Hollow, tubularintermediate members sleeves members members sleeves - The inside edges of the upper ends of the stabilizing members have
plates pulleys plate 699 having upwardly extendingbars hole 702. Aset 704 ofcoil leaf springs rod 709 betweenbars plate 688, as shown. A second pair ofpulleys bars spring set 704, and in line withpulleys - Upper, tubular
inner telescoping members guard rail 195. The lower ends are received, slidingly in the upper ends ofintermediate members members bars - Mounted between
bars lock assembly 684. This assembly locks the position of the guard rail relative tointermediate members trigger plate 718 is mounted between the upper ends ofbars Plate 718 is accessible through hand holes in the guard rail housings, such ashole 720 shown in FIG. 1. Attached to the edges of the sides ofplate 718 aretrigger cables 721 and 722. These cables extend down alongbars small pulleys brace bar 727 extends between the lower ends ofbars bar 727 are spring-biasedpins holes 715 a and 716 a and into aligned holes inbars hole 702. The pins are connected tocables 721 and 722 byconnectors 731 and 732. - By manually pivoting
trigger plate 718,cables 721 and 722 are pulled upwardly. This in turn pullspins holes 702, releasing theupper members intermediate members - To the outer lower ends of
bars cables blocks upper pulleys lower pulleys pulleys - Additionally, the
set 704 of springs act to store energy when the guard rail is lowered and return the energy when it is raised. As shown in FIG. 106, when the guard rail is in the fully raised position,bottom plate 699, adjacent to which the springs are mounted, is adjacent to plate 688 to which the spring ends are fastened and which is fixed relative to the bed platform. When the trigger is activated and the guard rail lowered,plate 699 drops belowplate 688, causing the springs to uncoil. When the guard rail is in the lowest position,plates intermediate members sleeves base member 685 which is mounted to the side of the platform tray. The top of the guard rail is thus below the top surface of the platform, making the mattress and patient fully accessible. - When it is desired to return the guard rail to the raised position, the reverse procedure is followed. The trigger is activated to release the guard rail. A manual force is applied to lift the guard rail. The stored energy of the springs is applied in a direction to also raise the guard rail, assisting in returning the springs to a fully coiled condition. As the guard rail is raised, the springs recoil, thereby recovering the spring energy. Thus, the person raising the guard rail only has to apply a force corresponding to the weight of the guard rail less the spring force. This makes an otherwise heavy guard rail relatively manageable, both as to the “braking” force applied by the springs during lowering of the guard rail, and as to the “assisting” force applied when the guard rail is raised, permitting single-handed operation.
- 9. Swing Arm Extension Brace
- Finally, FIGS. 109 and 110 illustrate an improvement on the apparatus for supporting the bed platform above the base frame, and in particular in the preferred bed, above the weigh frame. FIG. 109 shows a side view of
bed 100 withplatform 106 articulated in a low sitting position.Supporting apparatus 122 has the capability of moving the platform toward the head of the bed, in order to maintain the position of the patient relative to the head of the bed. When such a low position is used,drive support 124 andswing arm 126 extend toward each other at a very wide relative angle. This angle puts substantial stress on these support arms. - In order to reduce the amount of stress, a
means 740 for transferring weight directly from the platform to the weigh frame is provided. As can be seen most clearly in FIG. 110,platform 106 is hingedly attached to swingarm 126 by ayoke 742.Yoke 742 is pivotable relative to the swing arm aboutpivot 744 and is hinged relative to the platform about ahinge axis 746. The yoke thus functions generally as a universal joint coupling the swing arm to the platform.Drive cylinder 124 is then pivotally attached to the upper end of the swing arm near the yoke. -
Yoke 742 includes downwardly extendingshoulders weigh frame rails shoulders covers platform 106 be laterally supported horizontally, i.e., without any roll. This puts both ofcovers swing arm 126 and drivecylinder ram 124 can thereby be reduced, since a substantial amount of force is removed from them through the use of weight-transferring means 740. - 10. Platform Joint
- A bed according to the present invention also has a joint between platform panels that varies the distance between the panels as the angle between the panels varies. One embodiment of this feature of the invention is shown in FIG. 111 as a
partial bed 820.Bed 820 includes a generally upwardly directed support surface orplatform 822 formed of a first,back panel 824 and a second,seat panel 826.Panels adjacent edges panels -
Bed 820 also includes, typically, additional panels joined topanels mattress cushion 825, of some form is supported on the platform, as shown in dash-dot outline in FIG. 115. - These other panels do not require the length-varying features provided by the present invention to the extent the seat joint does. Thus, although the invention is described herein specifically with reference to the seat joint, it will be understood that it can be applied equally well to other joints, and can be readily designed to provide different amounts of expansion or contraction of the joint, or different positions of the axis of panel rotation.
-
Joint 828 forms what may be considered to be an expanding hinge. Thus, instead of hinging each panel at a common axis, they are hinged aboutrespective axes -
Panels axis 831 of rotation, identified specifically in FIG. 115. This axis coincides with the hip joint of aperson 833 supported on the bed. As a result, axes 830 and 832 move along anarc 835, shown in dashed lines in FIGS. 113-115. - The structure of joint828 includes a
drive assembly 834 for pivoting the two panels relative to each other, and a separation-varyinghinge assembly 836 for varying the distance between the adjacent edges of the two panels, on each end of joint 828. The structure of one set ofassemblies -
Drive assembly 834 includes twosupport members 838 and twosupport members 840 fixedly attached to and extending downwardly from the underside ofpanels extension rod 846 is attached at one end to block 844 and passes through a bore, not shown, inblock 842. Ahydraulic drive cylinder 848, attached at one end to block 842, drivesrod 846 outwardly or inwardly to vary the separation betweenblocks - Slidingly mounted on
rod 846 is abase member 850. A first pair oflink arms base member 850 for pivoting about anaxis 856 adjacent to block 844, as shown. The upper ends ofarms panel 824 for pivoting abouthinge axis 830. Similarly, a second pair oflink arms base member 850 for pivoting about anaxis 858 adjacent to block 842 and topanel 826 for pivoting aboutaxis 832. - Link arms852-855 also have corresponding facing and meshing
pinions 852 a-855 a, respectively. The teeth of these pinions mesh asarms axes - The operation of
bed 820, and more specifically, joint 828, is illustrated by the progression in relative angular displacement ofpanels panels adjacent edges pinions 852 a-855 a are meshed at the lower ends of the arc of teeth. Also, link arms 852-855 are in a generally upright orientation. - As
drive cylinder 848 extendsrod 846 out,panel 824 pivots upwardly aboutaxis 830, as shown by the progression illustrated by FIGS. 114 and 115, asaxis 830 moves alongarc 835. FIG. 114 represents what may be considered an intermediate sitting position withadjacent edges adjacent edges person 833 sitting inbed 820 is shown in FIG. 115. - The link arms also pivot about the
respective axes axis 830 moving inarc 835 which is defined by the dimensions of arms 852-855. The two panels in effect both rotate aboutaxis 831 and move away from acenterline 862 of joint 828. Thepinions 852 a-855 a extend along a sufficient arc to allow for the relative movement of the panels through a desired range of angles. This angle is also limited by the length of arms 852-855, since asaxes line 864 passing throughaxes centerline 862. - It will also be appreciated that the joint expansion described and corresponding to the progression through FIGS.113-115, when reversed, results in a joint contraction. Also, by simply reversing the alignment of the upper ends of arms 852-855, so that
arms axis 830 andarms axis 832, and extending the lengths of the arms with a reverse bend so thataxes - FIGS.117-121 illustrate a
bed 870 that is another embodiment of the invention. The structure ofbed 870 is preferred to that ofbed 820 due to its mechanical simplicity and ease of manufacture.Bed 870 has some basic structural elements that are the same as those ofbed 820. Thus, for simplifying the description of the bed, those structural features that are the same are given the same reference numbers as are used forbed 820. In this regard,bed 870 includesplatform 822 comprisingpanels support mattress 825.Drive assembly 834 includessupport members blocks Extension rod 846 is driven bycylinder 848 for varying the separation between the blocks. - A seat joint872 is different than seat joint 828 described above.
Joint 872 includeslink arms panels axes Axes arc 835 as the panels rotate aboutaxis 831.Link arm 874 is connected at an intermediate point to abase member 878 for pivoting about anaxis 880.Link arm 876 is connected at a lower end 876 b tobase member 878 for pivoting about anaxis 882 so that the link arms cross, as shown. -
Lower end 874 b oflink arm 874 extends belowbase member 878 and is connected to one end of acoupling arm 884 for pivoting relative to the coupling arm. The other end ofarm 884 is connected for pivoting to linkarm 876 intermediate the link arm ends. The coupling arm functions as a coupling means similar topinions 852 a-855 a ofjoint 828. This link arm, in combination with the connections between the lower ends of the link arms and the base member, assure that the link arms move concurrently in opposite rotation directions when the associatedpanels - The operation of
bed 870 is similar to the operation ofbed 820, as is shown by FIGS. 117-121. FIGS. 117 and 118 show in isometric view and FIGS. 119-121 show in side view different operative positions ofpanel 824 relative topanel 826. FIG. 119 shows the platform in a reclining position, FIG. 120 shows the back panel in a slightly inclined position, and FIG. 121 shows the back panel in a nearly upright, sitting position. The function ofbed 870 is very similar to the function ofbed 820. - It will be noted that
arm 874 has a general arched form extending away fromcoupling arm 884. The arch provides additional clearance allowing the panels to be placed at a more transverse angle, as shown in FIG. 121.Link arm 876 has a bend at the point of connection of the coupling arm. This structure of joint 872, including the dimensional lengths of and connections between the respective linkages, is selected so that both panels move substantially equivalently as the relative angles between the panels is changed. By varying the relative dimensions of these elements, other relative changes are possible. - 11. Hydraulic Valve
- FIGS.122-125 illustrate a
hydraulic valve 910 made according to another aspect of the invention. FIG. 124 in particular illustratessimplistically valve 910 relative to apartition 912 that divides a firstfluid chamber 914 from a secondfluid chamber 916.Valve 910 controls the flow of fluid between these two chambers. The form and structure of the chambers and partitions is according to the requirements of each particular application. -
Valve 910 includes ahousing 918 defining alongitudinal bore 920 including achannel 920 a in anend 918 a extending intochamber 916 and through which fluid flows.Bore 920 terminates with an enlargedcylindrical chamber 920 b in anend 918 b opposite fromend 918 a. Next tochamber 920 b is a threadedintermediate chamber 920 c.Channel 920 a terminates at aport 922 at the tip ofhousing end 918 a. An opening or slit 924 extends through the side ofhousing end 918 a parallel with a channellongitudinal axis 926.Slit 924 has a uniform width along its length axially. Two opposingoutlet ports housing 918, are spaced fromslit 924, and provide fluid communication betweenchamber 914 andchannel 920 a. -
Valve 910 also includes aplunger 932 sized to be received inbore 920. It includes agate end 932 a that moves slidingly and sealingly inchannel 920 a. Ashaft 932 b adjacent to gate end 932 a has a reduced diameter, thereby forming afluid passageway 934 between thewalls forming channel 920 a and shaft 934 b. Asection 932 c also slidingly and sealingly moves throughchannel 920 a and defines the end ofpassageway 934. Anenlarged cylinder end 932 d is received inchamber 920 b. An intermediate threadedcylinder portion 932 e is threadedly received withinchamber 920 c. - Rotation of
plunger 932 relative tohousing 918 is provided by amotor 936, such as a stepper motor that provides precise control of plunger rotation. The plunger thus advances along axis 926 a known amount for each rotation. As is seen in FIGS. 126A-126C in particular, this changes the axial position of plunger gate end 932 a an incremental amount, thereby opening orclosing slit 924 by the same amount. The size of the slit that is unrestricted bygate end 932 a thus varies linearly with movement of the plunger alongaxis 926. - FIG. 124 shows plunger932 in its fully extended position. The plunger extends sufficiently through
end port 922 to open the port slightly. This position is used when it is desired to allow a relatively large flow of fluid. - FIG. 126A shows an enlarged view of the portion of
valve 910 associated withchannel 920 a, similar to FIG. 124 except that gate end 932 a is just even with the distal end ofhousing 918, thereby closingport 922 and leavingslit 924 open with a length L. As the plunger is withdrawn or moved to the left as viewed in these drawings, slit 924 is closed a predetermined amount for each rotation of the plunger in threadedchamber 920 b. - FIG. 126B shows gate end932 a in an intermediate position, having moved a distance P1 equal to a length L1 that slit 924 is closed. When the plunger is withdrawn a distance P2, the slit is closed by a length L2 equal to L and equal to P2, as shown in FIG. 126C. The reverse procedure opens the slit to increase fluid flow linearly with the axial displacement of the plunger along
axis 926. - FIG. 127 is a perspective view of a
hospital bed 940, similar tobed 100 shown in FIG. 1, having a hydraulic system with avalve 910.Bed 940 includes abase frame 942 supported on a floor. Aplatform 944 on which is positioned amattress 946 supports a person.Platform 944 is divided into a plurality of panels, such aspanels circuit 954 shown in FIG. 128. The bed also contains hydraulic circuits likecircuit 954 for controlling movement of the platform generally. For instance,hydraulic cylinders - Referring specifically to FIG. 128,
hydraulic circuit 954 includes ahydraulic cylinder 960 havingfluid ports hydraulic line 966 connectsports respective check valves Line 966 connects the two check valves to adirectional valve 972 that selectively connects apressure source 974 and an unpressurizedfluid reservoir tank 976 to checkvalves valve 978 is positioned inline 966 betweendirectional valve 972 andtank 976.Valve 978 is thus usable for controlling fluid flow fromcylinder 960 regardless of whether the cylinder is being extended or retracted, as determined by the position ofdirectional valve 972. Since the check valves are either open or closed, they do not provide for variation in the fluid flow rate through them. In this configuration, only one regulating valve is required to control operation of the cylinder in either direction. -
Valve 978 is preferably the same asvalve 910 described with reference to FIGS. 122-126. Insuch use chamber 914 corresponds to the line coupled to the directional valve andchamber 916 corresponds to the line coupled to the tank. In this configuration the exposed face of enlarged gate end 932 a has low pressure fluid applied to it. It will also be noted that the pressure of fluid inpassageway 934 is applied to the opposing faces of the inside ofend 932 a andseal 932 c. The valve is thereby pressure-balanced. As a result, a smaller torque (less energy) is required to turnplunger 932, permitting a more light-weight, less-expensive drive motor 936. A bed control system can then control the speed of movement of all of the parts of a bed platform by coordinating the positions of the respective plungers in each of the regulating valves. - This configuration has a further advantage of providing a backup for the in-line check valve. If the check valve fails, the regulating valve can be closed to hold the position of the associated support member. Additionally, when
enlarged end 932 a is extended out ofend port 922, fluid passes through the port allowing the valve to be flushed with fluid. This allows any particles in the fluid to flow through the valve, thereby reducing the likelihood of clogging. Further, the valve can be made in a sufficiently small size to mount unobtrusively under the bed platform. This design is then compact and lightweight, and allows use of a smaller cylinder than would otherwise be required. - 12. Platform Support
- Referring now to FIGS.129-132, a
bed 1150 made according to another aspect of the invention has an improved three-axis support system 1152. This support system is mounted on abase frame 1154 for supporting aplatform 1156. This base frame is substantially the same asweigh frame 132 shown in FIG. 85.Platform 1156 includes acentral seat panel 1158 and head andfoot panels 1160 and 1162, respectively.Panels 1158 and 1160 are coupled together by an expanding platform joint, such as joint 828 as described with reference to FIGS. 115-116 or joint 872 described with reference to FIGS. 117-121. This joint, referred to as joint 828 for consistency, is not shown in FIG. 129 for simplicity of illustration, but is shown in FIGS. 130-132. -
Support system 1152 includes a fixed-length swing arm 1164 formed ofparallel members 1165 and 1166.Arm 1164 is pivotally mounted at alower end 1164 a to the foot end ofbase frame 1154 for pivoting about anaxis 1167. Theupper end 1164 b is attached to a universal joint 1168, also referred to as means for allowing pivoting of the swing arm relative to the platform.Joint 1168 includes a base plate 1170 connecting the upper ends ofmembers 1165 and 1166. An upwardly openingyoke 1172 is pivotingly coupled to base plate 1170 andpivot disk 1174, as shown, for lateral pivoting of the platform about anaxis 1176. Upwardly extendingarms panel 1158 for pivoting aboutlateral axis 1178. Joint 1168 thus provides pivoting abouttransverse axes - A
main cylinder ram 1180 is pivotably connected at alower end 1180 a tobase frame 1154 at the head of the bed for pivoting about anaxis 1181. Theupper end 1180 b is pivotably connected betweenswing arm members 1165 and 1166 via a mountingassembly 1182 attached to the two members, for pivoting about anaxis 1183. Mountingassembly 1182 is positioned well below the upper end of the swing arm, and preferably is between one-fourth and one-half the way down from the upper end. - A pair of hydraulically driven
side arms lower ends members 1165 and 1166, respectively, for pivoting about acommon axis 1187. Upper ends 1184 b and 1186 b are pivotably attached to the foot-end edge ofpanel 1158 for pivoting about anaxis 1188. The lower ends of the side arm, similar to the ram connection, are preferably mounted to the swing arm members between one-fourth and one-half the length of the swing arm up from the lower end of the swing arm. As will be seen with reference to FIGS. 130-132, this provides a significant amount of movement of the side arms with the swing arm, yet still provides sufficient separation from joint 1168 to provide a stable base for supportingplatform 1156. It is also preferable to mount the side arms lower on the swing arm than the point of attachment of the upper end of the ram in order to provide an increased range of movement through use of the side arms, and to provide a broader overall base of support for the platform. - The hydraulic cylinders in
ram 1180 andside arms hydraulic system 1190 having circuits similar tocircuit 954 described previously with reference to FIGS. 127 and 128.System 1190, controlled by acontroller 1192 contained in ahousing 1193, generally includes the elements of a conventional hydraulic system as described in the noted figures. In particular,system 1190 preferably includes alinear valve 978 for each circuit, as described previously with reference tocircuit 954 shown in FIG. 128. These valves are driven by suitable stepper motors, not specifically shown. - FIG. 130 shows
bed 1150 withplatform 1156 supported in a level and partially raised position. With a relatively small amount of shortening of the length ofram 1180, less than ten percent of its length in FIG. 130, the platform is lowered to about one-fourth the distance frombase frame 1154, as shown in FIG. 131. If the ram was attached to joint 1168, it would have been necessary to shorten the length of the ram by about twenty percent. It can thus be seen that by mounting the upper end of the ram down about one third of the way from the upper end of the swing arm, approximately twice the movement of the upper end of the swing arm, and therefore the platform is achieved. However, the ram must be made more robust in order to take the increased forces resulting from the corresponding reduced angle between the swing arm and the ram. - It will also be observed that it was only necessary to shorten the length of the side arms slightly in order to maintain the platform in a level orientation during movement to the lowered position. FIG. 132 shows the orientation of the platform if the lengths of the side arms are held constant and the ram is shortened. The head of the platform angles down about ten degrees. If the lower ends of the side arms were mounted on the frame, they would not lower with the swing arm, and less lowering of the bed would have been possible. Thus, a greater range of movement of the ram is available than would be possible if the swing arms were mounted on the frame or at the bottom of the swing arm.
- It will also be noted that the side arms and the universal joint are connected to opposite edges of
seat panel 1158. The orientation of the platform is controlled by simply adjusting the orientation of the single seat panel. The orientation of the head and foot panels is provided by separate, independently controlled hydraulic arms, omitted from the drawing for simplicity of illustration. The seat panel is therefore controlled much more simply. - 13. Multifunction Control System
- The present invention also provides for coordination between the changing of various features on a bed in order to assure proper patient treatment and safety. FIG. 133 illustrates a processor-controlled, feature-
interlock system 1000 providing this coordination.System 1000 is driven by acontroller 1001 including a conventional microprocessor orCPU 1002 accessing ROM and RAM memories shown generally at 1004. Commands for controlling processor-controlled features of the bed are input by various input devices shown generally at 1006. These typically include a patient or bed-side control unit, such ascontrollers control unit 180 in the foot board panel shown in FIG. 1 and which includes a character display, not specifically identified. - Various sensor switches, shown generally at1008, are used to determine whether various features are in respective first states. As was discussed with reference to FIG. 80, an example of such a sensor is a magnetic-field sensitive reed switch for determining whether a traction pole-is in a fully recessed, storage position, i.e., a first state, or is not in this position, such as when it is raised for use as a traction anchor. In the preferred embodiment of the bed, when the traction pole is deployed, various mattress or platform movements are not allowed, such as side tilt, lateral rotation, and stand-up. These latter movements are considered changeable features of the bed, and are shown generally at 1010.
- If the change in the selected feature is not allowed, it is preferable that suitable alarms, shown generally at1012 be provided to notify the user. These may include an audio or
tone alarm 1013, a simplevisual alarm 1014, such as a warning light, or averbal display 1014, which typically includes LEDs or LCDs to form a phrase of alphanumeric characters describing the alarm condition. This latter display is preferably in thefoot board display 180 accessible to nurses and other attendants. -
System 1000 also includesconventional sensor switches 1008 used to determine the state of the retractable steering wheels, side guardrails, standup stabilizers (not shown), foot board equipment table and, as has been mentioned, the foot board traction poles. The following table lists various selectable actions that can be taken with regard to the bed, and an associated list of conditions required in order for the action to be taken, or used to determine whether or how the action is to be taken.TABLE DESIRED ACTION REQUIRED CONDITION(S) A. Elevation and Articulation If Foot-end Traction Pole is Change up, (Proceed at Slower Linear and Angular Rates). B. Change Pitch Steering Wheels are Retracted. Side Rails are Up. Foot-end Traction Pole is Down. C. Change Roll Down-hill Side Rails are Up. (side tilt) Footboard Equipsient Table is Stored. Foot-end Traction Support Poles are Down. D. Put Mattress Platform in Steering Wheels are Retracted. Standup Position Side Rails are Up. Standup Stabilizers are installed. Foot-end Traction Poles are Down. E. Standup Preparation Standup Stabilizers are installed. Foot-end Traction Poles are Down. F. Foot Up/Down Footboard Equipment Table is Stored. G. Knee Up/Down Footboard Equipment Table is Stored. H. Head Up/Down Footboard Equipment Table is Stored. I. Trendelenburg Position Footboard Equipment Table is Stored. (OK with confirmation) J. Deploy Foot-end Traction Mattress Air Flow On. Support Pole - It is seen that
system 1000 provides variations in a general method of controlling the bed. Basically, when a command is entered to produce a desired action, a determination is made as to whether there is an associated condition that must be satisfied. If there is, the associated sensor is used to determine the state of the conditioning feature. If the condition is satisfied the action is taken, If not, the action is not taken. - If not taken, then either an alarm is generated and no action is taken, the action is taken in a modified form, or the action is taken if the user confirms that it is desired to take the action in spite of the coexisting condition. These steps are more specifically detailed in the accompanying flow chart shown in FIGS. 134A and 134B.
- The system is started and initialized at a
start step 1018. Initially, aclearing procedure 1020 determines whether a required condition of an action has changed after the action has taken place. This prevents the defeat of the interlock system by changing the state of a required condition to a forbidden state after performing the desired action. In this procedure, the various state sensor switches are monitored, as is represented bystep 1022. For purposes of simplicity the various well known steps of sequencing through a series of elements until the routine has been applied to all them is not illustrated. It will be understood that such common steps are followed even though not specifically identified in this flow chart. - For each sensor output, a determination is made at
step 1024 as to whether the associated feature is in a potential alarm condition. That is, if the feature must be in a first state in order to allow the change of a second feature and the first feature is not in the first state, then a potential alarm condition exists. If it does, then a check must be made of the status of the associated second feature atstep 1026. - If the second feature is in changed state that would not be allowed if the first feature is not in the first state, as determined in
step 1028, then an alarm condition exists. An existing function, such as a change in the pitch of the mattress, is then stopped atstep 1030 and an alarm generated atstep 1032. The alarm continues and the function remains terminated until the offending condition no longer exists. This is determined atstep 1034 where, if no alarm condition exists, a determination is made as to whether an alarm is already on. If so, it is terminated atstep 1036. If not, and after any alarm is terminated, the procedure moves to themain interlock procedure 1038 which is activated when change commands are entered into the system. - The first step,
step 1040, in the interlock procedure is to monitor the input of commands by a user to change a feature of the bed. As shown in the above table, the available commands include change in elevation, change in pitch or roll of the mattress, change in the foot, knee and head sections of the mattress, move to a standup or trendelenburg position, as well as others. - If no command is being input, as identified by
step 1042, then a determination is made atstep 1044 as to whether an associated alarm is on. If it is, it is terminated atstep 1046. Then, if all command inputs have been scanned, as determined atstep 1048, the procedure returns to step 1022 to begin the process over again. Each command input preferably is scanned every 120 milliseconds. If all of the command inputs have not been scanned, then processing returns to step 1040. - If it is determined in
step 1042 that a command is being input, then a look-up table is used to determine what, if any associated feature conditions need to be checked. The sensor inputs for these features are monitored atstep 1050 and a determination is made atstep 1052 as to whether any of them are not allowed. Again, if there is no alarm condition, and an alarm is not on for the condition, as determined atstep 1054, then the feature is changed according to the command atstep 1056. If an alarm exists then it is stopped atstep 1058 and then the feature is changed. Processing then goes to step 1048 to see if additional command inputs are to be scanned, as described previously. - If an alarm condition exists as determined in
step 1052, then a determination is made instep 1060 as to whether this is a situation in which the requested feature change is allowed if the user confirms that the change should be made in spite of the offending condition. If it is permitted with confirmation, then the input is checked to see if a confirmation is entered duringstep 1062. If confirmation is input, such as by reentering the command, or inputting the command continuously for a period of time, such as 5 seconds, then the feature is changed according to the command, as provided instep 1056. An example of this situation is where the equipment table on the footboard is deployed over the bed and a command is entered to position the mattress in a Trendelenburg position. In such a case, there is a continuing need for use of the equipment table, so movement is allowed after confirmation that the attendant is aware of the existence of the table while the mattress position is being changed. - If an alarm condition still exists after
steps - Otherwise, a determination is made as to whether an alarm already exists, as provided in
step 1064. If not, a timed alarm is generated atstep 1066 and processing returns to step 1048 to scan any other command inputs. If it is determined instep 1064 that an alarm already exists, then in step 1068 a determination is made as to whether the alarm has existed long enough, preferably for a total time of 30 seconds. If the time has not elapsed, processing returns to step 1048 directly. If the time period for the alarm has elapsed, the alarm is terminated asstep 1070 before returning tostep 1048. - Returning to step1060, if the offending condition is not allowed, even with confirmation, then a determination is made at
step 1072 as to whether the feature can be changed in a way altered from the intended or usual way of making the change. If not, the procedure advances to step 1064 to provide an alarm. If so, then the feature is changed in the altered manner atstep 1074, and processing then continues atstep 1048. As shown in the above table, an example of this is where the traction pole is up. It is assumed that the patient is being put in traction, and therefore the changes in bed positioning is provided at slower linear and angular rates than would normally be the case. - The above procedures provide for coordinated changes in the features, which typically are functions for moving the mattress or changing the inflation of the mattress. Where certain conditions require that no changes be made at all, such as when the patient is in traction, then these procedures accommodate that. Also, where certain conditions could result in an accident to equipment, the bed or the patient, then these procedures provide a way to prevent them from occurring. Further, various approaches are provided, depending on the nature of, significance of, or relationship between the respective features. This provides for flexibility in the way different offending conditions are handled. The result is a safer bed and more effective treatment of the patient.
- It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that many variations in form and detail may be made in the preferred embodiments as illustrated and described above without varying from the spirit and scope of the invention that the claims define or are interpreted or modified according to the doctrine of equivalents. The preferred embodiments of the various features of the invention are thus provided for purposes of explanation and illustration, but not limitation.
Claims (291)
1. A bed comprising:
means for defining an upwardly facing support surface;
an inflatable mattress supported on said support surface; and
means for controlling fluid flow relative to said mattress comprising:
a first valve assembly having a first valve seat and a first valve member movable relative to said first valve seat,
a second valve assembly having a second valve seat and a second valve member movable relative to said second valve seat,
said first and second valve assemblies being configured to vary fluid flow through each valve seat in proportion to the relative position of the respective valve member to said valve seat, and
means coupled to said first and second valve assemblies for moving said first valve member in a first direction relative to said first valve seat while concurrently moving said second valve member in a second direction relative to said second valve seat, the movement in said first and second directions producing increasing restriction to fluid flow in one of said valve seats and decreasing restriction to fluid flow in the other of said valve seats.
2. A bed according to wherein said first and second valve seats are coaxial.
claim 1
3. A bed according to further comprising means movable relative to said valve members for defining a channel, containing said second valve seat, and extending through said first valve member, said first valve member controlling fluid flow around said channel-defining means adjacent to said first valve seat and said second valve member controlling fluid flow through said channel.
claim 2
4. A bed according to wherein said first and second valve members are mounted fixedly relative to each other.
claim 3
5. A bed according to wherein said means defining a channel includes a first tubular element for supporting said first valve member, and a second tubular element disposed slidably and matingly relative to said first tubular element for supporting said second valve seat.
claim 4
6. A bed according to further comprising means for limiting the travel of said first tubular element relative to said second tubular element.
claim 5
7. A bed according to wherein said travel-limiting means includes a protrusion extending from one of said first and second tubular elements, and an edge of said other of said first and second tubular elements positioned to be contacted by said protrusion.
claim 6
8. A bed according to wherein said first tubular element extends away from said second tubular element beyond said first valve member and said second valve member is attached to said first tubular member, and said second valve member seats in said second valve seat when said first tubular element is moved away from said second valve seat.
claim 7
9. A bed according to further comprising means for limiting the travel of said first valve member relative to said second channel means.
claim 3
10. A bed according to wherein said first and second valve members are mounted fixedly relative to each other.
claim 2
11. A bed according to wherein said first and second valve seats are in opposing relationship, said first and second valve members are disposed substantially between said first and second valve seats, and said moving means moves said valve members between said first and second valve seats.
claim 10
12. A bed according to wherein said mattress comprises at least one bladder having a width less than the width of said mattress and a length less than the length of said mattress, said one bladder being associated with a first body part supportable substantially completely by said one bladder when said bladders in said first set are maintained at a first pressure and supportable substantially completely by at least one bladder in another set when said bladders in said first set are maintained at a second pressure substantially less than the pressure in said bladders of said other set; and
claim 1
control means for controlling said application of fluid at first and second pressures for first and second periods of time, respectively, such that said first body part is alternately supported substantially directly on said first set of bladders and supported substantially indirectly by adjacent body parts supported on other sets of bladders.
13. A bed comprising an air distribution system; means for defining an upwardly facing support surface; and an inflatable mattress supported on such support surface formed of individual inflatable cells, said air distribution system comprising:
a housing for defining a first chamber to be in communication with a source of pressurized fluid, a second chamber in communication with said inflatable cell, a first fluid-flow port providing fluid communication between said first and second chambers, and a second fluid-flow port spaced from and in opposing relationship with said first fluid-flow port for exhausting fluid from said first chamber;
a first valve member movable relative to said first fluid port for controlling fluid flow between said first and second chambers;
a second valve member fixed relative to said first valve member and movable relative to said second fluid port for controlling fluid flow out of said second chamber; and
actuator means coupled to said first and second valve assemblies for moving said first and second valve members between said first and second fluid ports.
14. A method of supporting a person on an inflatable cell of a mattress comprising the steps of:
providing communication between a source of fluid under a positive pressure and the inflatable cell through an inlet fluid-flow port;
providing communication between a negative pressure destination for fluid and the inflatable cell through an outlet fluid-flow port; and
varying the amount of fluid passing through the second fluid flow port.
15. A method according to further comprising the step of maintaining the inlet fluid-flow port substantially unrestricted.
claim 14
16. A method according to further comprising the step of varying the amount of fluid passing through the inlet fluid-flow port.
claim 14
17. A method according to wherein said steps of varying said amount of fluid passing through the inlet and the outlet fluid-flow ports are performed simultaneously.
claim 16
18. A method according to wherein the variation in fluid flow through the inlet varies inversely proportionally to the variation in fluid flow through the outlet.
claim 17
19. A method according to wherein said steps of varying the amount of fluid passing through the inlet and the outlet fluid-flow ports are performed independently.
claim 16
20. A bed comprising:
means for defining an upwardly facing support surface;
a mattress having an inflatable cell supported on said support surface;
a source of fluid at a first pressure;
a fluid destination at a second fluid pressure less than said first pressure;
a housing having
a first valve seat defining a first fluid flow port providing communication
between fluid at said first pressure and an inflatable mattress cell, and
a second valve seat spaced from said first valve seat and defining a second fluid flow port providing communication between said cell and said fluid destination;
a first valve member movable relative to said first valve seat for varying fluid flow from said source through said first fluid port to said cell;
a second valve member movable relative to said second valve seat for varying fluid flow from said cell through said second fluid port to said fluid destination;
first actuator means responsive to a first control signal and coupled to said first valve member for moving said first valve member relative to said first valve seat; and
second actuator means coupled to said second valve member for moving said second valve member relative to said second valve seat in response to a second control signal;
said first and second actuator means being independently controllable for controlling, in combination, the fluid pressure in said cell.
21. A bed comprising:
means for defining an upwardly facing support surface;
a mattress having an inflatable cell supported on said support surface;
a housing having a first wall;
a replaceable valve cartridge coupling a source of fluid and said cell comprising:
a first fluid-flow element defining a fluid-flow path,
a valve seat in fluid communication with said fluid-flow path,
a valve member movable along a valve axis relative to and sealingly engageable with said valve seat for restricting fluid flow through said valve seat, one of said valve seat and valve member being fixed relative to said first fluid-flow element, said valve member being manually engageable for securing and removing said valve cartridge relative to said first wall, and
means for moving said valve member relative to said valve seat; and
means for attaching said first fluid-flow element to said first wall by applying force on said first fluid-flow element along said valve axis.
22. A bed according to wherein said valve seat is fixed to said first fluid-flow element in said first fluid-flow path and faces toward said first wall, and said valve member is disposed between said valve seat and said first wall and is attached to said extension member by a shaft extending through said valve seat.
claim 21
23. A bed according to wherein said first wall has a first fluid port, said fluid flow path of said first fluid-flow element being in fluid communication with said first fluid port when said valve cartridge is secured to said first wall.
claim 21
24. A bed according to wherein said housing includes a second wall spaced from said first wall, and having an opening sized to receive said cartridge.
claim 21
25. A bed according to further comprising means for sealing said cartridge relative to said second wall opening.
claim 24
26. A bed according to further comprising a second valve seat providing fluid communication between sail first fluid-flow path and said exterior of said first fluid-flow element, and a second valve member movable relative to said second valve seat, one of said second valve seat and said second valve member being positioned relative to the one of said first valve seat and said first valve member for movement relative to said first fluid-flow element.
claim 25
27. A bed according to wherein said first and second valve seats are fixed relative to said first fluid-flow element, and said first and second valve members are fixed relative to each other, said first valve member and second valve member being movable between a first position in which said first valve seat is closed and said second valve seat is open, and a second position in which said first valve seat is open and said second vale seat is closed.
claim 26
28. A bed according to wherein said second valve seat is positioned between said position of said first and second walls when said cartridge is fixed to said first wall.
claim 26
29. A bed comprising:
means for defining an upwardly facing support surface;
a mattress having an inflatable cell supported on said support surface;
a housing having a first wall;
a replaceable valve cartridge for coupling a source of pressurized fluid to said cell, comprising:
a first fluid-flow element defining a fluid-flow path,
a valve seat in fluid communication with said first fluid-flow path,
a valve member movable along a valve axis relative to and sealingly engageable with said valve seat for restricting fluid flow through said valve seat, one of said valve seat and valve member being fixed relative to said first fluid-flow element,
an extension member fixed relative to said other of said valve seat and valve member and manually engageable for securing and removing said valve cartridge relative to said first wall,
said first fluid-flow element and said extension member being structured to provide for said transference of force between said extension member and said first fluid-flow element when force is applied to said extension member relative to the first fluid-flow element along said valve axis, and
means for controlling movement of said valve member relative to said valve seat; and
means for attaching said first fluid-flow element to said first wall by applying force on said extension member along said valve axis relative to said first fluid-flow element.
30. A bed according to wherein said valve seat is fixed to said first fluid-flow element in said first fluid-flow path and faces away from said extension member, and said valve member is disposed between said valve seat and said first wall and is attached to said extension member by a shaft extending through said valve seat.
claim 29
31. A bed according to wherein said first wall has a first fluid port, said fluid flow path of said first fluid-flow element being in fluid communication with said first fluid port when said valve cartridge is secured to said first wall.
claim 29
32. A bed according to wherein said housing includes a second wall spaced from said first wall, and having an opening sized to receive said cartridge.
claim 29
33. A bed according to further comprising means for sealing said cartridge relative to said second wall opening.
claim 32
34. A bed according to wherein said sealing means includes a second valve seat forming said second wall opening, a second valve member fixed relative to said cartridge, and means for moving said second valve member relative to said second value seat when said cartridge is fixed relative to said first wall.
claim 33
35. A bed according to wherein said second wall is fixed relative to said first wall, said second valve member is fixed on said extension means, and said means for moving said first valve member relative to said first valve member concurrently moves sail second valve member relative to said second valve seat.
claim 34
36. A bed comprising:
means for defining an upwardly facing support surface;
a mattress having an inflatable cell supported on said support surface; and
a valve assembly for controlling the flow of fluid to said cell, comprising:
a housing having a first wall, and a second wall defining a fluid-flow port spaced from said first wall and in communication with said cell,
a base member positionable through said fluid-flow port,
means for attaching said base member to said first wall,
a valve member mounted and movable relative to said base member and said second wall for selective fluid sealing engagement with said fluid-flow port, and
means for moving said valve member relative to said fluid-flow port.
37. A bed according to further comprising an extension member fixed relative to said valve member, extending through said fluid-flow port, and movable with said valve member relative to said base member, said extension member being manually engageable for securing and removing said base member relative to said first wall.
claim 36
38. A bed according to wherein said base member and extension member are structured to provide for said transference of force between said extension member and said base member when force is applied to said extension member relative to said base member.
claim 37
39. A bed according to wherein said base member is attachable to said first wall by applying force on said extension member toward said base member.
claim 38
40. A bed according to wherein said base member and extension member are tubular and extend coaxially along an axis passing through said fluid-flow port.
claim 37
41. A bed according to wherein said extension member and base member have respective surfaces in contact during movement of said extension member relative to said base member to form a fluid seal.
claim 40
42. A bed according to further comprising means for limiting said travel of said extension member relative to said base member.
claim 41
43. A bed according to wherein said travel-limiting means includes a protrusion extending from one of said extension member and said base member, and an edge of the other of said extension member and said base member is positioned to be contacted by said protrusion.
claim 42
44. A bed according to 41 wherein said first wall has a second fluid-flow port, said base member and extension member defining a fluid-flow path in communication with said second fluid-flow port and extending through said first fluid-flow port when said base member is attached to said first wall.
45. A bed according to any of claims 1, 13, 21 or 36 wherein said means for defining an upwardly facing support surface has a longitudinal axis generally parallel to a support plane for a torso of a person disposed in a supine or prone position on said support surface; said bed further comprising:
a base frame supportable relative to a floor; and
means for supporting said platform relative to said base frame comprising means defining three axes of pivoting of said platform relative to said frame, characterized in that none of said three axes are perpendicular to said platform plane, and on each axis there exists a first point that is closest to a first of said other axes and a second point, spaced from said first point, that is closest to the second of said other axes, and means for pivoting said platform independently about each of said three axes for varying the pitch, roll and distance of said platform relative to said base frame.
46. A bed comprising:
means for defining an upwardly facing support surface;
a mattress having a plurality of inflatable cells supported on said support surface; and
a modular connector system for forming a sealed passageway between two of said cells comprising:
a receptacle mounted to one of said cells and having an inner cavity, extending between the interior and the exterior of said one cell, with first and second open ends, and a lip extending inwardly around said receptacle first open end and defining an opening,
a disk positioned in said inner cavity of said receptacle adjacent to said receptacle first open end and sealingly positionable against said lip for closing said receptacle first open end when positioned against said lip, and
an insert mounted to another of said cells having a main portion with an inner cavity defining an insert passageway, extending between said interior and exterior of said other cell, with first and second open ends, a shoulder extending outwardly from adjacent to said insert first open end, said main portion being sized to be received in said second open end of said receptacle with said second open end of said insert spaced from said lip, said space between said lip and said insert second end defining a chamber in which said disk is captured with said disk being movable between a first position against said lip and a second position spaced from said lip,
the disk and insert second end being structured to allow fluid flow between said insert and said disk when said disk is in said second position, and sealingly engages said lip when said disk is in said first position, said modular system forming a check valve preventing fluid flow through said insert when said disk is in said first position, and allowing fluid to flow through said insert when said disk is in said second position.
47. A bed according to wherein said second end of said receptacle has a second lip extending inwardly about said second opening, with said disk being positionable in a third position sealingly against said second lip when said insert is not positioned fin said receptacle, thereby preventing fluid flow through said receptacle.
claim 46
48. A bed according to further comprising a reducer having a passageway that is reduced relative to said passageway of at least one of said insert and said receptacle, and means for sealingly securing said reducer to said one of said insert and said receptacle.
claim 46
49. A bed according to wherein said reducer has an outwardly extending flange and at least one of said insert and said receptacle has a groove in said respective inner cavity sized to receive said flange.
claim 48
50. A bed according to wherein said insert has said groove adjacent to said first end.
claim 49
51. A bed according to wherein said receptacle has said groove in said opening of said lip.
claim 49
52. A bed comprising:
means for defining an upwardly facing support surface;
a mattress supported on said support surface and having first and second inflatable cells, said first inflatable cell having a wall defining an inlet for receiving pressurized fluid;
an outlet coupling member spaced from said first cell inlet for transmitting fluid input through said first cell inlet;
the second inflatable cell having an inlet for receiving fluid for inflating said second cell; and
means selectively connectable to said outlet coupling member for joining said second cell inlet to said outlet coupling member, whereby fluid received in said first cell inlet is also received in said second cell.
53. A bed according to wherein said coupling member includes valve means for closing said coupling member when said joining means is not joining said second cell inlet to said outlet coupling member.
claim 52
54. A bed according to wherein said valve means includes a check valve that is defeated when said joining means is joining said second cell inlet to said outlet coupling member.
claim 53
55. A bed according to wherein said first cell has a second inlet for receiving pressurized fluid for inflating said first cell, said bed further comprising conduit means providing fluid communication between said first inlet and said outlet coupling member, whereby said first cell is not inflated by pressurized fluid received in said first inlet.
claim 52
56. A bed according to wherein said outlet coupling member includes:
claim 52
a receptacle having an inner cavity with first and second open ends providing a fluid passageway, and a lip extending inwardly around said receptacle first open end, said lip having an opening;
a disk positioned in said inner cavity of said receptacle adjacent to said receptacle first open end and sealingly positionable against said lip for closing said receptacle first open end when positioned against said lip; and
means for capturing said disk in said inner cavity; and
wherein said joining means includes an insert attached to said second cell and having a main portion with an inner cavity defining an insert passageway with first and second open ends, a shoulder extending outwardly from adjacent to said insert first open end, said main portion being sized to be received in said second open end of said receptacle with said second open end of said insert spaced from said lip, said space between said lip and said insert second open end defining a chamber in which said disk is captured, with said disk being movable between a first position against said lip and a second position spaced from said lip;
the disk and insert second open end being structured to allow fluid flow between said insert and said disk when said disk is in said second position, and sealingly engages said lip when said disk is in said first position, and thereby forming a check valve preventing fluid flow through said insert when said disk is in said first position, and allowing fluid to flow through said insert when said disk is in said second position.
57. A bed comprising:
means for defining an upwardly facing support surface with at least two openings;
means for providing fluid communication between a source of fluid and said openings;
a first inflatable cell having a wall supported relative to said support surface over said openings;
a first inlet coupling member mounted to said first cell wall adjacent to a first of said openings, said first inlet coupling member being selectively securable to said one opening for providing fluid communication between said panel opening and the interior of said first cell;
a second inlet coupling member mounted to said first cell wall adjacent to said second opening, said second inlet coupling member being selectively securable to said second opening for providing fluid communication between said panel opening and the interior of said first cell;
an outlet coupling member mounted to said first cell wall spaced from said first and second inlet coupling members;
conduit means disposed within said first cell walls providing fluid communication between said second inlet coupling member and said outlet coupling member, whereby said first cell is not inflated by pressurized fluid received in said second inlet coupling member;
a second inflatable cell supported relative to said support surface and having an inlet for receiving pressurized fluid for inflating said second cell; and
a third inlet coupling member in fluid communication with said second cell inlet and Selectively connectable to said outlet coupling member for joining said second cell inlet to said outlet coupling member, whereby fluid received in said second inlet coupling member is conducted into said second cell.
58. A bed according to wherein said first cell is part of a mattress supported on said platform means and having an upper surface for supporting a person, and said second cell is a restraining cushion having a first side that is generally orthogonal to and longer than a second side when viewed from an end of said mattress, said restraining cushion being selectively positionable on said mattress with one of said first and second sides on said mattress and said other of said first and second sides facing inwardly toward a person supported on said mattress, whereby said restraining cushion is positionable at different positions along a person's body for providing different amounts of space for a person supported on said mattress.
claim 57
59. A bed comprising:
means for defining at least two panels that are relatively pivotable about a pivot axis;
a mattress having at least one inflatable cell supported on each of said panels;
a first housing mounted to a first one of said two panels and defining a first fluid-flow path in fluid communication with said cell supported on said first panel, said first housing having a first fluid-flow port;
a second housing mounted to said second one of said two-panels for pivoting about said pivot axis relative to said first housing, said second housing defining a second fluid-flow path in fluid communication with said cell supported on said second panel and having a second fluid-flow port generally facing said first fluid-flow port;
means joining said first and second fluid-flow ports for communicating said first fluid-flow path with said second fluid-flow path; and
means supported relative to at least one of said first and second housings for maintaining said duct means generally in alignment between said first and second fluid-flow ports during relative pivoting of said first and second housings.
60. A bed according to wherein said maintaining means is a membrane extending between said first and second housings, said membrane being attached along one edge to at least one of said first and second housings adjacent to said pivot axis, and having an opening through which said communicating means extends.
claim 59
61. A bed according to wherein said communicating means is a bellows to allow extension or retraction in length between said first and second openings.
claim 60
62. A bed according to wherein said bellows has alternating sections of relatively large cross-sectional area and relatively small cross-sectional area, said membrane opening conforming generally to the size of said bellows at a section having a small cross-sectional area.
claim 61
63. A bed according to wherein said first housing further defines a third fluid-flow passageway and has a third fluid-flow port in communication with said third fluid-flow passageway, said third fluid-flow port being positioned distally of said pivot axis relative to said first fluid-flow port; and said second housing further defines a fourth fluid-flow passageway and has a fourth fluid-flow port in communication with said fourth fluid-flow passageway, said fourth fluid-flow port being positioned distally of said pivot axis relative to said second fluid-flow port and generally facing said third fluid-flow port; said bed further including a second bellows extending between said third and fourth fluid-flow ports, said membrane including a second opening through which said second bellows extends, said second opening conforming to a section of said second bellows having a relatively small cross-sectional area.
claim 62
64. A bed according to wherein each bellows has a plurality of sections with a reduced cross-sectional area, said maintaining means including a plurality of said membranes with first and second openings, each opening receiving a different section of said first and second bellows having a relatively small cross-sectional area.
claim 63
65. A bed according to wherein said mattress includes a plurality of inflatable cells supported on each of said panels, wherein an inflatable mattress comprising first and second separately inflatable cells having contiguous faces extending, when inflated, obliquely relative to said support surface, with said Contiguous face of said first cell extending over said contiguous face of said second cell; and
claim 59
means for securing said first and second cells to said defining means with said first cell partially supported on said second cell when a person is supported on said mattress.
66. A bed comprising:
means for defining at least two panes that are relatively pivotable about a pivot axis;
a mattress having at least one inflatable cell supported on each of said at least two panels;
a first housing mounted to a first one of said two panels and defining a first fluid-flow path, said first housing having a first fluid-flow port and a second fluid-flow port spaced from said first fluid-flow port, both said first and second fluid-flow ports being in communication with said first fluid-flow path;
a second housing mounted to a second one of said two panels and defining a second fluid-flow path having a third fluid-flow port in communication with said second fluid-flow path and generally facing said second fluid-flow port;
means joining said second and third fluid-flow ports for communicating said first fluid-flow path with said second fluid-flow path;
first means for coupling said first fluid-flow path to said cell supported on said first panel; and
second means for coupling said second fluid-flow path to said cell supported on said second panel.
67. A bed according to wherein each of said first and second coupling means comprise valve means for varying the amount of fluid flowing between the respective one of said first and second fluid-flow paths and said associated mattress cell.
claim 66
68. A bed according to wherein said mattress sections each include a plurality of cells, and wherein each of said first and second coupling means comprises a valve for each mattress cell.
claim 67
69. A bed according to wherein said first housing defines a third fluid-flow path, a fourth fluid-flow port, and a fifth fluid-flow port spaced from said fourth fluid-flow port, both said fourth and fifth fluid-flow ports being in communication with said third fluid-flow path, and said fifth fluid-flow port being positioned distally of said pivot axis relative to said second fluid-flow port; and said second housing defines a sixth fluid-flow port, said sixth fluid-flow port being positioned distally of said pivot axis relative to said third fluid-flow port and generally facing said fifth fluid-flow port; said bed further including a second one of said communicating means extending between said fifth and sixth fluid-flow ports.
claim 67
70. A bed according to wherein each of said valve means also couples the respective one of said third and fourth fluid-flow paths to the respective cell.
claim 69
71. A bed according to wherein each valve means couples the respective one of said first and second paths to both the associated cell and the associated one of said third and fourth paths.
claim 70
72. A bed according to wherein each valve means couples the respective one of said third and fourth paths through the respective one of said first and second paths to the associated cell.
claim 70
73. A bed according to wherein each valve means comprises channel means coupling the respective one of said third and fourth paths with the associated cell.
claim 72
74. A bed according to wherein each housing has a first wall separating said first path from said associated cell and having a seventh fluid-flow port coupling said first path with said associated cell, and a second wall spaced from said first wall, separating said first and second paths, and having an eighth fluid-flow port; and said valve means comprises a base member defining a Valve-flow path-extending through said base member, and positionable through said seventh fluid-flow port, means for attaching said base member to said second wall with said eighth fluid-flow port in fluid communication with said valve-flow path, a first valve member mounted and movable relative to said base member and said first wall for engaging selectively and sealingly said seventh fluid-flow port, and means controllable for moving said valve member relative to said seventh fluid-flow port.
claim 73
75. A bed according to wherein said valve means further includes a second valve member movable With said first valve member for closing said valve-flow path when said seventh fluid-flow port is open.
claim 74
76. A bed according to wherein said valve means for varying said amount of fluid flowing between said first fluid-flow path and said associated mattress cell includes:
claim 70
a first valve assembly having a first valve seat providing fluid communication between said first fluid-flow path and said associated mattress cell, and a first valve member movable relative to said first valve seat;
a second valve assembly having a second valve seat providing fluid communication between said third fluid-flow path and said associated mattress cell, and a second valve member movable relative to said second valve seat;
the first and second valve assemblies being structured for varying fluid flow through each valve seat in proportion to the relative position of the respective valve member to said valve seat; and
means coupled to said first and second valve assemblies for moving said first valve member in a first direction relative to said first valve seat while concurrently moving said second valve member in a second direction relative to said second valve seat, said movement in said first and second directions producing increasing restriction to fluid flow in one of said valve seats and decreasing restriction to fluid flow in the other of said valve seats.
77. A bed according to wherein said valve means for varying said amount of fluid flowing between said first and third fluid-flow paths and the associated mattress cell includes:
claim 70
a first valve seat providing fluid communication between said first fluid-flow path and said associated mattress cell;
a first valve member movable relative to said first valve seat for controlling fluid flow between said first fluid-flow path and said associated mattress cell;
a second valve seat in opposing relationship with said first valve seat and providing fluid communication between said third fluid-flow path and said associated mattress cell;
a second valve member fixed relative to said first valve member and movable relative to said second valve seat for controlling fluid flow between said associated mattress cell and said third fluid-flow path; and
means for moving said first and second valve members between said first and second valve seats.
78. A bed according to wherein said valve means for varying said amount of fluid flowing between said first fluid-flow path and the associated mattress cell includes:
claim 70
a first valve seat providing fluid communication between said first fluid-flow path and said associated mattress cell;
a first valve member movable relative to said first valve seat for controlling fluid flow between said first fluid-flow path and said associated mattress cell;
a second valve seat providing fluid communication between said third fluid-flow path and said associated mattress cell;
a second valve member movable relative to said second valve seat for controlling fluid flow between said associated mattress cell and said third fluid-flow path;
first means responsive to a first control signal and coupled to said first valve member for moving said first valve member relative to said first valve seat; and
second means responsive to a second control signal and coupled to said second valve member for moving said second valve member relative to said second valve seat,
the first and second moving means being independently controllable for controlling, in combination, fluid pressure in said cell.
79. A bed according to wherein said first housing has a wall extending along said first fluid-flow path, and said associated valve means comprises a replaceable valve cartridge having a first fluid-flow element defining a fluid-flow passageway, a valve seat in fluid communication with said first fluid-flow passageway, a valve member movable along a valve axis relative to and sealingly engageable with said valve seat for restricting fluid flow through said valve seat, one of said valve seat and valve member being fixed relative to said first fluid-flow element, said valve member being manually engageable for securing and removing said valve cartridge relative to said wall, and actuator means for moving sail valve member relative to said valve seat; and said bed further comprising means for attaching said first fluid-flow element to said wall by applying force on said first fluid-flow element along said valve axis.
claim 67
80. A bed according to wherein said first housing has a wall extending along said first fluid-flow path, and said associated valve means comprises a replaceable valve cartridge having a first fluid-flow element defining a fluid-flow passageway, a valve seat in fluid communication with said fluid-flow passageway, a valve member movable along a valve axis relative to and sealingly engageable with said valve seat for restricting fluid flow through said valve seat, one of said valve seat and valve member being fixed relative to said first fluid-flow element, an extension member fixed relative to said other of said valve seat and valve member and manually engageable for securing and removing said valve cartridge relative to said wall, said first fluid-flow element and said extension member being structured to provide for said transference of force between said extension member and said first fluid-flow element when force is applied to said extension member relative to said first fluid-flow element along said valve axis, and means for controlling movement of said valve member relative to said valve seat; and said bed further comprising means for attaching said first fluid-flow element to said wall by applying force on said extension member along said valve axis relative to said first fluid-flow element.
claim 67
81. A bed according to wherein said first housing has a first wall, and a second wall saving a fluid-flow port spaced from said first wall and in communication with said first fluid-flow path; and said associated valve means comprises a base member positionable through said fluid-flow port, means for attaching said base member to said first wall, a valve member mounted and movable relative to said base member and said second wall for engaging selectively and sealingly said fluid-flow port, and means controllable for moving said valve member relative to said fluid-flow port.
claim 67
82. A bed according to wherein said second housing further has an outlet port in fluid communication wish said second fluid-flow path and spaced from said third fluid-flow port; said bed further comprising:
claim 66
a valve member mounted pivotably relative to said second housing for pivoting about a pivot axis between a normal position in which said valve member sealingly closes said outlet port, and a release position in which said valve member is spaced from said outlet port, and thereby allowing fluid in said second fluid-flow path to flow through said outlet port;
first means for securing said valve member in said normal position; and
second means for securing said valve member in said release position.
83. A bed comprising:
means for defining an upwardly facing support surface;
a mattress supported on said support surface and having first and second inflatable cells;
a housing for defining a first fluid-flow path, and having a first fluid-flow port in communication with said first fluid-flow path, and an upper wall adjacent to said inflatable cells, said first fluid flow path being adjacent to said upper wall, said housing further defining a second fluid-flow path and having an intermediate wall positioned between said first and second fluid-flow paths, and a second fluid-flow port in communication with said second fluid-flow path; and
means for coupling selectively said first and second fluid-flow paths to a cell.
84. A bed according to wherein said intermediate wall is spaced from said upper wall, and said second fluid-flow path is disposed below said first fluid-flow path.
claim 83
85. A bed according to wherein said coupling means comprises a base member positionable through said first fluid-flow port, means for attaching said base member to said intermediate wall, a valve member mounted and movable relative to said base member and said first wall for engaging selectively and sealingly said first fluid-flow port, and means controllable for moving said valve member relative to said first fluid-flow port.
claim 84
86. A bed according to wherein said second fluid-flow path is also adjacent to said upper wall and said intermediate wall extends generally vertically between said first and second fluid-flow paths.
claim 83
87. A bed according to wherein said coupling means comprises:
claim 83
a first valve assembly having a first valve seat providing fluid communication between said first fluid-flow path and said associated mattress cell, and a first valve member movable relative to said first valve seat;
a second valve assembly having a second valve seat providing fluid communication between said second fluid-flow path and said associated mattress cell, and a second valve member movable relative to said second valve seat;
the first and second valve assemblies being structured for varying said fluid flow through each valve seat in proportion to said relative position of said respective valve member to said valve seat; and
means coupled to said first and second valve assemblies for moving said first valve member in a first direction relative to said first valve seat while concurrently moving said second valve member in a second direction relative to said second valve seat, the movement in said first and second directions producing increasing restriction to fluid flow in one of said valve seats and decreasing restriction to fluid flow in said other of said valve seats.
88. A bed according to wherein said coupling means comprises:
claim 83
a first valve seat providing fluid communication between said first fluid-flow path and said associated mattress cell;
a first valve member movable relative to said first valve seat for controlling fluid flow between said first fluid-flow path and said associated mattress cell;
a second valve seat in opposing relationship with said first valve seat and providing fluid communication between said second fluid-flow path and said associated mattress cell;
a second valve member fixed relative to said first valve member and movable relative to said second valve seat for controlling fluid flow between said associated mattress cell and said third fluid-flow path; and
means for moving said first and second valve members between said first and second valve seats.
89. A bed according to wherein said coupling means comprises:
claim 83
a first valve seat providing fluid communication between said first fluid-flow path and said associated mattress cell;
a first valve member movable relative to said first valve seat for controlling fluid flow between said first fluid-flow path and said associated mattress coil;
a second valve seat providing fluid communication between said second fluid-flow path and said associated mattress cell;
a second valve member movable relative to said second valve seat for controlling fluid flow between said associated mattress cell and said second fluid-flow path;
first means responsive to a first control signal and coupled to said first valve member for moving said first valve member relative to said first valve seat; and
second means responsive to a second control signal and coupled to said second valve member for moving said second valve member relative to said second valve seat;
the first and second moving means being independently controllable for controlling, in combination, said fluid pressure in said cell.
90. A bed according to wherein said coupling means comprises a replaceable valve cartridge having a fluid-flow element defining a fluid-flow passageway, a valve seat in fluid communication with said fluid-flow passageway and one of said first and second fluid-flow ports, a valve member movable along a valve axis relative to and sealingly engageable with said valve seat for restricting fluid flow through said valve seat, one of said valve seat and valve member being fixed relative to said fluid-flow element, said valve member being manually engageable for securing and removing said valve cartridge relative to one of said walls, means for moving said valve member relative to said valve seat; and said bed further comprising means for attaching said fluid-flow element to said one wall by applying force on said fluid-flow element along said valve axis.
claim 83
91. A bed according to wherein said coupling means comprises a replaceable valve cartridge having a fluid-flow element defining a fluid-flow passageway, a valve seat in fluid communication with said fluid-flow passageway, a valve member movable along a valve axis relative to and sealingly engageable with said valve seat for restricting fluid flow through said valve seat, one of said valve seat and valve member being fixed relative to said fluid-flow element, an extension member fixed relative to said other of said valve seat and valve member and manually engageable for securing and removing said valve cartridge relative to said wall, said fluid-flow element and said extension member being structured to provide for the transference of force between said extension member and said fluid-flow element when force is applied to said extension member relative to said fluid-flow element along said valve axis, and means for controlling movement of said valve member relative to said valve seat; and said bed further comprising means for attaching said fluid-flow element to said wall by applying force on said extension member along said valve axis relative to said fluid-flow element.
claim 83
92. A bed according to wherein said housing further has an outlet port in fluid communication with one of said first and second fluid-flow paths and spaced from said corresponding one of said first and second fluid-flow ports; said bed further comprising a valve member mounted pivotably relative to said housing for pivoting about a pivot axis between a normal position in which said valve member sealingly closes said outlet port, and a release position in which said valve member is spaced from said outlet port, thereby allowing fluid in said one fluid-flow path to flow through said outlet port;
claim 83
first means for securing said valve member in said normal position; and
second means for securing said valve member in said release position.
93. A bed comprising:
means for defining an upwardly facing support surface;
a mattress having an inflatable cell supported on said support surface;
a housing to define a fluid plenum in communication with said air mattress and having an outlet port;
a valve member mounted pivotably relative to said housing for pivoting about a pivot axis between a normal position in which said valve member sealingly closes said outlet port, and a release position in which said valve member is spaced from said outlet port, and thereby allowing fluid in said plenum to flow through said outlet port;
first means for securing said valve member in said normal position; and
second means for securing said valve member in said release position.
94. A bed according to wherein said securing means comprises first stop means engageable with said housing for maintaining said valve member in said normal position, said valve member being movable relative to said housing along said pivot axis for disengaging said stop means relative to said housing.
claim 93
95. A bed according to wherein said housing further defines an exhaust chamber in communication with said air mattress and an exhaust port, and said valve member includes a duct and an external port for providing an exhaust passageway from said exhaust port to said external port spaced from said exhaust port, said duct being in communication with said exhaust port when said valve member is in said normal position, and being spaced from said exhaust part when in said release position.
claim 94
96. A bed according to wherein said securing means comprises second stop means engageable with said housing for maintaining said valve member in the release position, said second stop means engaging said housing when said valve member is moved along said pivot axis for disengaging said first stop means.
claim 94
97. A bed comprising:
a platform with an upper surface;
a mattress supported on said platform upper surface for supporting a person, said mattress including a plurality of sets of separately inflatable cells distributed along said upper surface, with each of said sets including at least one cell, and each of said cells having an inlet for inflating said cell;
a plurality of sets of means for producing a flow of air, with each set of producing means having at least one of said producing means, and with each of said producing means being mounted relative to said platform and having an inlet for receiving air and an outlet for outputting air having pressure greater than the pressure at said inlet; and
a plurality of duct means with each duct means being for coupling a set of producing means to said inlet of each of said cells in only one of said sets of cells, whereby there is a one-to-one correspondence between said sets of cells and said sets of producing means.
98. A bed according to wherein at least one set of producing means includes a plurality of producing means coupled in series, whereby the maximum pressure produced by said set of producing means is greater than the maximum pressure of each individual producing means.
claim 97
99. A bed according to wherein said platform includes a plurality of relatively movable panels, and each of said panels includes at least one of said sets of cells, and each of said sets of producing means is fixedly mounted relative to the one of said panels supporting the associated set of cells.
claim 97
100. A bed according to wherein each of said panels supports a plurality of sets of cells and has fixedly mounted under it the corresponding plurality of sets of producing means.
claim 99
101. A bed according to wherein at least one of said producing means in at least one of said sets of producing means is responsive to a control signal for producing the output air at a selected pressure, said bed further comprising means for generating said control signal to be representative of said selected pressure.
claim 98
102. A bed according to wherein each of said producing means in each of said sets is responsive to a respective control signal for producing said selected pressure independent of the pressures produced by the other sets of producing means.
claim 101
103. A bed according to wherein said one producing means is a fan having a motor that rotates at a speed proportional to said applied voltage and the resulting cell pressure is proportional to the motor rotational speed, whereby said control signal is the applied voltage, and said selected pressure is produced by applying the applied voltage at a level that produces said selected pressure.
claim 101
104. A bed according to wherein said generating means includes means for determining the applied voltage appropriate for producing a selected pressure.
claim 103
105. A bed according to further comprising baffle means disposed in each of said duct means for reducing said transmission of sound waves through said duct means into said cells.
claim 103
106. A bed according to wherein said baffle means each comprises a resilient flap extending into said associated one of said duct means, said flap being unattached along at least one edge for bending when a pressure differential exists on opposite sides of said flap.
claim 105
107. A bed according to wherein said baffle means each substantially closes said associated one of said duct means when no pressure differential exists on opposite sides of said flap.
claim 106
108. A bed according to wherein each of said duct means comprises a passageway extending through the platform associated with and supporting each cell inflated by said duct means, said bed further comprising gate means slidable relative to said associated platform between a first position in which said passageway is closed and a second position in which said passageway is open.
claim 97
109. A bed according to wherein each of said duct means includes means for sealing each of the associated passageways relative to said upper surface when each associated gate means is in said first position for preventing cleansing fluids applied to said upper surface from passing through said passageway.
claim 108
110. A bed according to wherein said duct means includes means for securing said associated cell to said passageway and said gate means anchors said connector means in said passageway when said gate means is in said second position.
claim 108
111. A bed according to wherein said gate means is slidable to a third position in which said gate means releases said securing means and said securing means must be removed from said passageway before said gate means can be slid to said first position.
claim 110
112. A bed according to wherein said sets of cells include a plurality of sets of primary cells having an upper surface for supporting a person and a plurality of sets of base cells laterally supporting said primary cells, with at least one of said sets of primary cells and said sets of base cells laterally supporting said at least one set of primary cells being inflated by different ones of said sets of producing means.
claim 97
113. A bed according to further comprising baffle means disposed in at least one of said duct means for reducing the transmission of sound waves through said one duct means into said cells.
claim 97
114. A bed comprising:
a platform with an upper surface;
a mattress supported on said platform upper surface for supporting a person, said mattress including at least one inflatable cell having an inlet for inflating said cell;
means for producing a flow of air at a pressure greater than ambient air pressure;
duct means coupling said producing means to said cell inlet, said duct means including a passageway extending through said platform; and
gate means slidable relative to said platform between a first position in which said passageway is closed and a second position in which said passageway is open.
115. A bed according to wherein said gate means includes means for sealing said passageway relative to said upper surface when said gate means is in said first position for preventing cleansing fluids applied to said upper surface from passing through said passageway.
claim 114
116. A bed according to wherein said duct means includes means for securing said inlet of said cell to said passageway and said gate means anchors said securing means in said passageway when said gate means is in said second position.
claim 114
117. A bed according to wherein said gate means is slidable to a third position in which said gate means releases said securing means and said securing means must be removed from said passageway before said gate means can be slid to said first position.
claim 116
118. A bed according to wherein said securing means has an end that extends into said passageway and has a flange element extending laterally of said end, and said gate means comprises plate means slidable below and parallel to said upper surface wherein said plate means has an oblong opening having an enlarged end sized to freely receive said end of said securing means, including said flange element, said opening further having a locking end with a reduced dimension appropriate for engaging said flange element when said end of said securing means extends into said enlarged end of said opening and said plate means is slid from said third position in which said enlarged end of said opening is in line with said passageway with said end of said securing means in said opening to said second position in which said locking end is in line with said passageway and said flange element is engaged by said plate means.
claim 117
119. A bed according to wherein said gate means comprises plate means slidable below and parallel to said upper surface wherein said sealing means comprises a plug that matingly fits into said passageway, said plate means including means for resiliently urging said plug toward said upper surface.
claim 115
120. A bed according to wherein said urging means comprises a resilient member fixed at one end to said plate means and fixed at the other end to said plug.
claim 119
121. A bed according to further comprising baffle means disposed in said duct means for reducing said transmission of sound waves through said duct means into said cell.
claim 114
122. A bed comprising:
a generally planar platform formed as a plurality of relatively articulatable panels, each panel having an upper surface and a lower surface;
a mattress supported on said platform upper surface for supporting a person, said mattress including a plurality of sets of separately inflatable cells distributed along said upper surface of each of said panels, with each of said sets including at least one cell, and each of said cells having a lower surface supported on a panel upper surface and an inlet located in said lower surface for inflating said cell;
each of said panels having passageways extending between said upper and lower surfaces in line with said cell inlets;
hollow connectors attached to said cells in line with said inlets for conducting air into said cells, said connectors having a flange end spaced from said cells with a flange extending laterally from said flange end;
a fan for each set of cells mounted relative to said lower surface of the panel supporting the associated set of cells, each of said fans rotating at a speed proportional to the level of an applied voltage, whereby the pressure in the associated set of cells is directly proportional to the level of the applied voltage;
a duct coupling each fan outlet to said lower end of said passageways of said cells inflated by said fan;
control means for applying an applied voltage to each fan corresponding to a target air pressure for the associated set of cells; and
plate means associated with each passageway and slidable relative to the associated panel, each of said plate means including an oblong opening having an enlarged end sized to freely receive said flange end of the associated one of said connectors, said opening further having an anchoring end with a reduced dimension appropriate for engaging said flange when said flange end of said connector extends into said enlarged end of said opening and said plate means is slid from a position in which said enlarged end of said opening is in line with said passageway to a position in which said anchoring end is in line with said passageway and said flange is engaged by said plate means.
123. A bed according to wherein one of said panels is a seat panel having sets of cells for supporting the seat of a person supported on said mattress, and at least one of said sets of said sells supported on said seat panel is inflated by two of said fans coupled in series, whereby the cell pressure produced by said two series-coupled fans is greater than the cell pressure produced by each individual fan.
claim 122
124. A method of inflating a plurality of cells of a mattress supported on a bed platform comprising the steps of:
dividing the plurality of cells into exclusive sets of cells;
mounting one fan means for each set of cells under the platform and under the associated cells;
coupling each fan to the associated set of cells; and
applying a voltage to each fan for inflating the associated set of cells.
125. A method according to where the cell pressure is directly proportional to the voltage applied to the associated fan means, and wherein said method further comprises the steps of selecting a different cell pressure and changing the applied voltage to a voltage appropriate for producing the different cell pressure.
claim 124
126. A bed comprising:
first means for defining an upwardly facing support surface;
a mattress supported on said support surface;
a frame extending in a generally vertical plane mounted relative to an end of said first defining means and having horizontally spaced, generally vertically extending channels;
a table positionable adjacent to said channels and having a guide element extending into each channel, which guide elements are slidable relative to said channels for moving said table between a storage position in which said guide elements are positioned in lower regions of said channels, and a raised position in which said guide elements are positioned at upper regions of said channels;
means for coupling said table to said guide elements for pivoting said table about a pivot axis between an upright position in which said table is generally vertically disposed and a lowered position in which said table is generally horizontally disposed; and
first means for limiting said pivoting of said table relative to said channels in a first direction.
127. A bed according to further comprising second means for limiting said pivoting of said table relative to said channels in a second direction opposite from said first direction.
claim 126
128. A bed according to further comprising a base for supporting said first defining means, and second means mounting said frame to said base for pivoting about a generally vertical axis whereby the position of said table when in a lowered position is adjustable relative to said base.
claim 126
129. A bed comprising:
a platform supported above a floor and having a foot end and opposite sides;
an inflatable mattress supported on said platform and having a predetermined thickness, an upper surface, and a foot end on said foot end of said platform;
a stand-up board extending between said sides of said platform; and
means for mounting said stand-up board on said foot end of said platform adjacent to said mattress, said mounting means being adjustable for varying said angle of said stand-up board relative to said platform.
130. A bed according to wherein said mounting means is releasable for removing said stand-up beard from said platform.
claim 129
131. A bed according to further comprising means for moving said stand-up board from a support position in which said stand-up board extends above said mattress for contact by said feet of a person when said platform is tilted up with said foot end down, and a storage position in which said stand-up board is positioned below said upper surface of said mattress.
claim 129
132. A bed according to further comprising a frame supported on said platform, and said moving means includes hinge means coupling said board to said frame and means for securing said board in said support position.
claim 131
133. A bed according to wherein said hinge means includes a hinge rod about which said panel pivots, said moving means further including a slide member having a slot through which said rod extends, said slide member being movable relative to said rod between a support position in which said panel is prevented from moving on said hinge means and a hinge position in which said panel is allowed to pivot on said rod.
claim 132
134. A bed comprising:
a platform supported above a floor and having a foot end and opposite sides;
an inflatable mattress having a predetermined thickness supported on said platform and having a foot end on said foot end of said platform;
a stand-up board extending between said sides of said platform;
means for mounting said stand-up board on said foot end of said platform adjacent to said mattress; and
means for moving said stand-up board from a support position in which said stand-up board extends above said mattress for contact by said feet of a person when said platform is tilted up with said foot end down, and a storage position in which said stand-up board is positioned below the upper surface of said mattress.
135. A bed according to wherein said stand-up board further includes a frame supported on said platform, and said moving means includes hinge means coupling said stand-up board to said frame and means for securing said stand-up board in said support position.
claim 134
136. A bed according to wherein said hinge means includes a hinge rod about which said stand-up board pivots, said moving means further including a slide member having a slot through which said rod extends, said slide member being movable relative to said rod between a support position in which said stand-up board is prevented from moving on said hinge means and a hinge position in which said stand-up board is allowed to pivot on said rod.
claim 135
137. A bed comprising:
a platform supported relative to the floor and having opposite ends and opposite sides extending between said ends, and having an upper surface on which a person is supported above the floor;
a base end board mounted adjacent to and extending generally along the length of one end of said platform, said base end board having a side portion adjacent to each side of said platform, and an intermediate portion between said side portions, said side portions extending above said upper surface of said platform and said intermediate portion extending upwardly to a level below said level of said side portions;
a panel positionable above said intermediate portion and extending upwardly adjacent to said side portions of said end board; and
means for supporting said panel on said end board with said panel being manually removable from said position above said intermediate portion of said end board for providing access to said platform over said intermediate portion of said end board.
138. A bed according to wherein said end board and panel have conforming surfaces.
claim 137
139. A bed according to further comprising means for supporting said panel on an end of said platform.
claim 137
140. A bed according to further comprising means for tilting said platform toward a vertical orientation with the end on which said panel is supported being lower than the other end, and wherein said means for supporting said panel on said end of said platform supports said panel transverse to said upper surface of said platform, said end of said platform on which said panel is supported being said lower end, whereby a person supported on said platform stands on said panel when said platform is in a tilted position.
claim 139
141. A bed according to wherein at least one side portion of said base end board has an upper surface and an opening in said surface; said bed further comprising extendable support bar means mounted in said side portion of said base end board and having an upper end, said bar means being extendable between a recessed position in which said upper end is disposed adjacent to said board opening, and a raised position in which said upper end is supported substantially above said board opening with said bar means extending through said board opening.
claim 137
142. A bed comprising:
means having opposite ends and being supported above a floor for supporting a person;
a board mounted adjacent to one end of said supporting means and extending above said one end of said supporting means, said board having ends at spaced locations along said one end and a predetermined thickness adjacent to at least one end of said board, said one end of said board having an upper surface and an opening in said upper surface; and
support bar means mounted in said one end of said board and having an upper end, said bar means being extendable between a recessed position in which said upper end is disposed adjacent to said board opening, and a raised position in which said upper end is supported substantially above said board opening with said bar means extending through said board opening.
143. A bed according to wherein said upper end of said bar means is disposed substantially below said upper surface when said upper end is in said recessed position, said bar means further having means mounted on said upper end providing for engagement by the hand of a person for raising said bar means to said raised position.
claim 142
144. A bed according to further comprising equipment support means mounted to said bar means for collapsing along said bar means for storage when said bar means is in said recessed position, and for extending outwardly from said bar means when said bar means is raised sufficiently to position said support means above said upper surface of said board.
claim 142
145. A bed according to further comprising means for extending said support means outwardly from said bar means when said support means is raised through said board opening.
claim 144
146. A bed according to wherein said opening is of a predetermined size that is greater than said size of said bar means and said extending means includes leverage means mounted to said support means and engageable by said opening when said support means is collapsed along said bar means for extending said support means outwardly as said leverage means passes through said opening.
claim 145
147. A bed comprising:
a base supportable on a floor;
a frame supported on and extending upwardly above said base when said base is on a floor;
support bar means mounted to said frame and having an upper end, said bar means being extendable between a recessed position in which said bar means is disposed adjacent to said frame, and a raised position in which said upper end is supported substantially above said bar means; and
equipment support means mounted to said bar means for collapsing along said bar means for storage when said bar means is in said recessed position, and for extending outwardly from said bar means when said bar means is raised sufficiently to position said support means above said frame.
148. A bed according to wherein said frame includes an upper opening through which said bar means extends, said bed further comprising means for extending said support means outwardly from said bar means when said support means is raised through said opening.
claim 147
149. A bed according to wherein said opening is of a predetermined size that is greater than said size of said bar means and said extending means includes leverage means mounted to said support means and engageable by said frame means when said support means is collapsed along said bar means for extending said support means outwardly as said leverage means passes through said opening.
claim 148
150. A bed comprising:
an elongate platform for supporting a person;
an end frame mounted relative to an end of said platform;
an elongate equipment support member mounted on said end frame for movement relative to said end frame;
means movable relative to said end frame for holding selectively said support member substantially in a fixed position relative to said end frame when said holding means is in a holding position; and
means selectively operable for preventing movement of said holding means from said holding position, and thereby preventing inadvertent movement of said support member from said fixed position.
151. A bed according to wherein said preventing means is further movable relative to said holding means between a first position preventing movement of said holding means from said holding position and a second position allowing movement of said holding means away from said holding position.
claim 150
152. A bed according to wherein said preventing means comprises an element mounted relative to said end frame, said element being positioned adjacent to said holding means when said preventing means is in said first position and said element is spaced from said holding means when said preventing means is in said second position, whereby said element prevents movement of said holding means from said holding position when said element is adjacent to said holding means.
claim 151
153. A bed according to wherein said holding means comprises a lever pivotable relative to said end frame to said holding position for engaging said support member when said support member is in said fixed position and said element is in said second position, said element preventing pivoting of said lever from said holding position when said element is in said first position.
claim 152
154. A bed according to wherein said element is fixed relative to said end frame, and said holding means and said support member are movable together relative to said end frame with said lever in said holding position.
claim 153
155. A bed according to further comprising a manually engageable handle mounted on said end frame and movable for moving said lever relative to said holding position, and said handle is not movable relative to said end frame when said preventing means is in said first position.
claim 154
156. A bed according to wherein said lever pivots about a pin fixed to said end frame, said lever having a slot through which said pin extends for allowing movement of said lever relative to said pin and in line with the length of said support member and thereby allowing movement of said lever relative to said element.
claim 155
157. A bed according to wherein said holding means is movable by moving said support member longitudinally relative to said end frame.
claim 154
158. A bed according to further comprising a manually engageable handle mounted on said end frame and movable for moving said holding means relative to said holding position, said handle not being movable relative to said end frame when said preventing means is preventing movement of said holding means from said holding position.
claim 150
159. A bed comprising:
an elongate platform configured to support a person and having a foot end;
a foot board mounted adjacent to said foot end of said platform and having a chamber and a stop element adjacent to said chamber;
a cylindrical equipment support pole mounted in said chamber of said foot board for movement longitudinally relative to said foot board between a storage position in which said pole is recessed in said foot board and a support position in which a portion of said pole extends above said foot board;
a pivot pin mounted to said foot board adjacent to said stop element; and
a lever having a pole-engageable arm and a foot, said lever being mounted in said foot board for pivoting about said pin relative to a holding position in which said arm engages said pole for holding said pole relative to said lever in said support position, said lever further being movable for a limited distance relative to said pin while in said holding position together with said pole between a lock position in which said foot engages said stop element, preventing said lever from pivoting from said holding position and a release position in which said foot does not engage said stop element and allows pivoting of said lever away from said holding position, thereby removing said pole-engageable member from engagement with said pole, and releasing said pole for movement away from said support position.
160. A bed according to further comprising a handle mounted on said foot board and manually moveable for moving said lever relative to said holding position, said handle not being movable relative to said foot board when said ever is in said lock position, and being movable relative to said foot board when said lever arm is in said release position.
claim 159
161. A bed comprising:
a base frame;
a platform configured to support a person;
means disposed at only three substantially horizontal, spaced-apart positions for supporting said platform on said base frame; and
a load cell mounted on each of said supporting means for sensing the weight supported by the respective supporting means.
162. A bed comprising:
a base frame;
a platform configured to support a person;
means disposed at a plurality of space-apart positions for supporting said platform on said base frame;
means for sensing said weight supported by each supporting means of a person supported on said platform;
means responsive to said weight supported by each of said supporting means for determining said position of said person on said platform.
163. A bed according to wherein said platform has opposite ends and opposite sides extending between said ends and an upper surface configured to support a person; said bed further comprising:
claim 162
a base end board mounted on said base frame adjacent to and extending generally along said length of one end of said platform, said base end board having a side portion adjacent to each side of said platform, and an intermediate portion between said side portions, said side portions extending above said upper surface of said platform and said intermediate portion extending upwardly to a level below the level of said side portions;
a panel positionable above said intermediate portion and extending upwardly adjacent to said side portions of said end board; and
means for supporting said panel on said end board with said panel being manually removable from said position above said intermediate portion of said end board for providing access to said platform over said intermediate portion of said end board.
164. A bed according to wherein said platform has opposite ends; said bed further comprising:
claim 162
a board mounted to said base frame adjacent to one end of said platform and extending above said one end of said platform, said board having an upper surface and an opening in said upper surface; and
extendable support bar means mounted in said board and having an upper end, said bar means being extendable between a recessed position in which said upper end is disposed adjacent to said hoard opening, and a raised position in which said upper end is supported substantially above said board opening with said bar means extending through said board opening.
165. A bed comprising:
a platform configured to support a person;
a bar mounted relative to said platform;
means for adjusting a feature of the person's environment; and
a control unit mountable on said bar for controlling said adjusting means, including:
a first housing having a front face and a rear face,
a first control mounted in said front face of said housing,
a web having first and second oppositely disposed margins, said web being attached to said housing along said first margin, and
means for attaching said web along said second margin relative to said housing, there being a sufficient distance between said first and second margins to wrap around said bar with said second margin attached relative to said housing.
166. A bed according to wherein said web is resilient and said attaching means is sufficiently strong to attach said second margin of said web relative to said housing with said web in tension.
claim 165
167. A bed according to wherein said web is integral with said front face of said housing.
claim 166
168. A bed according to further comprising a second housing attached to said second margin of said web and having a front face and a rear face, said rear faces of said housings being adjacent to each other when said web is wrapped around said bar, and a second control mounted in said front face of said second housing.
claim 167
169. A bed according to wherein said attaching means attaches said first housing to said second housing.
claim 168
170. A bed according to wherein said first and second housings have tops and said web extends from said top of said first housing to said top of said second housing.
claim 169
171. A bed according to wherein at least one of said first and second controls has at least one display for displaying information and said front face is generally disposed in a plane, and said display is positioned at an angle transverse to said plane of said front face.
claim 170
172. A bed according to wherein said display is recessed behind said plane of said front face.
claim 171
173. A bed according to wherein said first and second housings are structured to form with said web a cavity for receiving said bar.
claim 169
174. A bed comprising:
means for supporting a person;
a bar mounted relative to said platform means;
means controllable for adjusting a feature of the person's environment; and
a control unit mountable on said bar for controlling said adjusting means, including:
a first housing having a front face and a rear face,
a first control mounted in said front face of said housing,
a second housing having a front face and a rear face, and
means for attaching said first housing and said second housing to said bar with said rear face of said first housing facing said rear face of said second housing.
175. A bed according to wherein said attaching means provides pivoting of said first housing relative to said second housing.
claim 174
176. A bed according to further comprising means for attaching said first housing to said second housing with said rear face of said first housing facing said rear face of said second housing when said first housing and second housing are attached to said bar.
claim 175
177. A bed comprising:
a frame configured to support a person above a floor;
a plurality of support wheels supporting said frame on the floor; and
a guide wheel assembly comprising:
a guide wheel,
means for mounting said guide wheel relative to said frame with said guide wheel contacting the floor, and
means for coupling said guide wheel to said mounting means for resiliently urging said wheel sufficiently toward the floor for maintaining said wheel in contact with the floor while said support wheels support said frame on the floor.
178. A bed according to wherein said frame is elongate, and said mounting means mounts said guide wheel for rotation about an axis transverse to said length of said frame.
claim 177
179. A bed according to wherein said mounting means further comprises means for retracting said guide wheel to a position above the floor.
claim 178
180. A bed comprising:
a frame configured to support a person above a floor;
a plurality of support wheels supporting said frame on the floor; and
a guide wheel assembly comprising:
a guide wheel, and
means for mounting said guide wheel relative to said frame with said guide wheel contacting the floor, including means for retracting said guide wheel from a guide position in contact with the floor to a retracted position above the floor.
181. A bed according to wherein said wheel is rotatable about a wheel axis and said retracting means is operable for pivoting said wheel about a pivot axis spaced from said wheel axis.
claim 180
182. A bed according to wherein said retracting means is further operable for returning said wheel from said retracted position to said guide position.
claim 180
183. A bed according to further comprising means for pivoting said support wheels about a vertical axis, and means for locking simultaneously said support wheels in a fixed position relative to said vertical axis.
claim 180
184. A bed according to wherein said retracting means includes manually actuatable lever means for pivoting said guide wheel, said lever means also being coupled to said locking means for locking said support wheels when said guide wheel is in said guide position, and unlocking said support wheels when said guide wheel is in said retracted position.
claim 183
185. A bed comprising:
means for supporting a person;
a base member mountable relative to said supporting means;
a guard rail for providing a barrier to a person exiting said supporting means;
means for mounting said guard rail to said base member for vertically changing the elevation of said guard rail between a barrier position above the level of said platform means, and a storage position below the level of said platform means; and
energy storage means coupling said guard rail and said base member for storing energy when said guard rail is lowered from said barrier position toward said storage position, and for releasing the energy by applying an upward force on said guard rail when said guard rail is raised toward said barrier position.
186. A bed according to wherein said base member includes a first guide means and said mounting means includes a first member slidable vertically relative to said guide means with said first member moving downwardly guided by said guide means when said guard rail is lowered, and said energy storage means includes coil spring means having a first end coupled to said guard rail and a second end coupled to said base member.
claim 185
187. A bed according to wherein said mounting means further includes a second guide means coupled to said first member and a second member connected to said guard rail and slidable vertically relative to said first member wherein said second member moves downwardly guided by said second guide means when said guard rail is lowered, said mounting means further including cable means coupling said first member, second member and base member for transferring energy between said first and second members as said guard rail is moved vertically between said barrier position and said storage position.
claim 186
188. A bed according to further comprising lock means for locking said first member relative to said second member.
claim 187
189. A bed according to wherein said lock means includes a resilient arm fixed relative to one of said first and second members and coupling means for coupling selectively said arm relative to said other of said first and second members, and means for flexing said arm and thereby uncoupling said arm relative to said other member, thereby allowing movement between said first and second members.
claim 188
190. A bed according to wherein said guard rail includes a bar; said bed further comprising a control unit mountable on said bar for controlling functions comprising:
claim 185
a first housing having a front face and a rear face;
first controls mounted in said front face of said housing;
a web having first and second oppositely disposed margins, said web being attached to said housing along said first margin; and
means for attaching said web along said second margin relative to said housing, there being a sufficient distance between said first and second margins to wrap around said bar with said second margin attached relative to said housing.
191. A bed comprising:
a platform configured to support a person;
a base member mountable relative to said platform;
a guard rail for providing a barrier to a person exiting said platform;
elevation changing means mounting said guard rail to said base member for vertically changing the elevation of said guard rail between a barrier position above the level of said platform, and a storage position below the level of said platform; and
lock means for locking said guard rail relative to said base member, including (a) means for coupling selectively said guard rail and said mounting means, (b) a lock member movable between a lock position in which said guard rail is locked in position relative to said base member and an unlocked position in which said guard rail is movable relative to said base member, (c) trigger means, and (d) cable means coupling said rigger means to said lock member, said trigger means being operable for moving said lock member between said lock position and said unlocked position.
192. A bed according to wherein said guard rail includes a bar; said bed further comprising a control unit mountable on said bar for controlling functions comprising:
claim 191
a first housing having a front face and a rear face;
first controls mounted in said front face of said housing;
a web having first and second oppositely disposed margins, said web being attached to said housing along said first margin; and
means for attaching said web along said second margin relative to said housing, there being a sufficient distance between said first and second margins to wrap around said bar with said second margin attached relative to said housing.
193. A bed comprising:
means for supporting a person;
a base member fixedly mountable relative to said supporting means;
a guard rail for providing a barrier to a person exiting said supporting means; and
mounting means mounting said guard rail to said base member for vertically changing the elevation of said guard rail between a barrier position above the level of said supporting means, and a storage position below the level of said supporting means, including a sleeve member fixedly attached to said base member and having a vertically disposed first passageway, a hollow first shaft slidingly received in said first passageway of said sleeve member, a second shaft fixedly attached to said guard rail and slidingly received in said first shaft, and means coupling said sleeve member, first shaft and second shaft for moving said first shaft relative to said sleeve member and relative to said second shaft when said guard rail is moved relative to said base member.
194. A bed according to wherein said first shaft is at a raised position relative to said sleeve member when said guard rail is in said barrier position, and is at a lowered position relative to said sleeve member when said guard rail is in said storage position.
claim 193
195. A bed according to wherein said first shaft has a lower end extending below said sleeve means and an upper end extending above said sleeve means, said bed further comprising means for coupling said lower end of said first shaft and said sleeve member for storing energy when said guard rail is lowered from said barrier position toward said storage position, and releasing the stored energy by applying an upward force on said first shaft relative to said sleeve member when said guard rail is raised toward said barrier position.
claim 194
196. A bed according to wherein said coupling means further includes cable means coupling said sleeve member, first shaft and second shaft for transferring energy between said first and second members as said guard rail is moved vertically between said barrier position and said storage position.
claim 195
197. A bed comprising:
a frame supported on a floor;
a platform configured to support a person;
means for supporting said platform on said frame, including first and second hydraulic ram means, each ram means having opposite ends attached to said frame and said platform, respectively, with the respective ends of said first and second ram means attached to said frame being spaced apart, said first and second ram means being operable for lowering said platform toward a lowered position adjacent to said frame; and
means for transferring weight from said platform directly to said frame when said platform is in a lowered position.
198. A bed according to wherein said transferring means transfers weight from said platform to said frame for a range of positions of said platform along said frame.
claim 197
199. A bed according to wherein said first and second ram means are operable for moving said platform relative to said frame along said range of positions.
claim 198
200. A bed according to wherein said transferring means includes a rail mounted to one of said platform and frame and a weight-transferring member mounted to the other of said platform and frame, with said rail moving relative to said weight-transferring member during movement of said platform relative to said frame along said range of positions.
claim 199
201. A bed according to further comprising:
claim 197
a plurality of support wheels for supporting said frame on the floor;
a guide wheel;
means for mounting said guide wheel relative to said frame with said wheel contacting the floor on which said frame is supported; and
means for coupling said guide wheel to said mounting means for resiliently urging said wheel sufficiently toward the floor for maintaining said wheel in contact with the floor while said other wheels support said frame on the floor.
202. A bed according to further comprising:
claim 197
a plurality of support wheels for supporting said frame on the floor;
a guide wheel; and
means for mounting said guide wheel relative to said frame with said guide wheel contacting a floor on which said frame is supported, including means for retracting said guide wheel from a guide position in contact with the floor to a retracted position above the floor.
203. A bed comprising:
a platform configured to support a person, and including first and second panels having respective upwardly facing support surfaces and adjacent edges; and
means for varying the angle of said first panel relative to said second panel and changing the distance between said respective adjacent edges of said first and second panels.
204. A bed according to wherein said means for varying and changing includes a first means for pivoting said first panel relative to said second panel, and a second means for varying the distance between said respective adjacent edges of said first and second panels.
claim 203
205. A bed according to wherein said first means pivots said first panel relative to said second means.
claim 204
206. A bed according to further comprising a third means for pivoting said second panel relative to said second means.
claim 204
207. A bed according to wherein said second means comprises a first arm coupled to said first means, a second arm coupled to said second panel, and means for coupling said first arm to said second arm.
claim 204
208. A bed according to wherein said first and second arms are pivotably mounted to a base member and said coupling means controls the relative movement of said first and second arms.
claim 207
209. A bed according to wherein said coupling means comprises a link interconnecting said first and second arms.
claim 208
210. A bed according to wherein said coupling means comprises a first pinion fixedly attached to said first arm and a second pinion fixedly attached to said second arm, said first and second pinions having meshing teeth.
claim 208
211. A bed according to wherein said second means further includes a first support member extending away from said first panel and a second support member extending away from said second panel with each support member having a distal portion spaced from said respective panel, and a fourth means for varying the distance between said respective distal portions of said support panels.
claim 208
212. A bed according to wherein said varying and changing means rotates said first panel about an axis of rotation spaced from said first panel.
claim 203
213. A bed according to wherein said varying and changing means also rotates said second panel about said axis of rotation.
claim 212
214. A bed according to wherein said axis of rotation is also spaced from said second panel.
claim 213
215. A bed according to wherein said axis is spaced above said first panel.
claim 212
216. A bed according to wherein said axis corresponds to the position of the hip joint of a person supported on said platform.
claim 215
217. A bed according to wherein said varying and changing means varies the angle and changes the distance concurrently.
claim 203
218. A bed according to wherein said varying and changing means joins said first and second panels together.
claim 203
219. A bed according to further comprising:
claim 203
a base frame supportable relative to a floor;
a swing arm for supporting said platform above said frame;
means for allowing pivoting of said platform relative to said swing arm;
a first adjustable-length arm opposing said swing arm and extending between said frame and said allowing means;
second and third adjustable-length arms extending between said frame and said platform spaced from said allowing means, and having upper ends spaced from said allowing means and pivotally attached relative to said platform; and
means for varying the lengths of said first, second and third arms independently for pivoting said platform about three transverse axes.
220. A bed according to wherein each of said panels has an edge opposite from the respective adjacent edge, and said allowing means is coupled to said adjacent edge of one of said first and second panels and said second and third arms are both coupled to said opposite edge of said one panel.
claim 219
221. A bed comprising:
means for defining an upwardly facing support surface, including first and second panels having respective adjacent edges; and
means for rotating said first panel relative to said second panel about an axis of rotation spaced from said first panel.
222. A bed according to wherein said rotating means also rotates said second panel about said axis of rotation.
claim 221
223. A bed according to wherein said axis of rotation is also spaced from said second panel.
claim 221
224. A bed according to wherein said axis is spaced above said first panel.
claim 221
225. A bed according to wherein said axis corresponds to the position of the hip joint of a person supported on said bed.
claim 224
226. A bed according to further comprising:
claim 224
a base frame supportable relative to a floor;
a swing arm for supporting said defining means above said frame;
means for allowing pivoting of said defining means relative to said swing arm;
a first adjustable-length arm opposing said swing arm and extending between said frame and said allowing means;
second and third adjustable-length arms extending between said frame and said defining means, and having upper ends spaced from said allowing means and pivotally attached relative to said defining means; and
means for varying the lengths of said first, second and third arms independently for pivoting said defining means about three transverse axes.
227. A bed according to wherein each of said panels has an edge opposite from the respective adjacent edge, and said allowing means is coupled to said adjacent edge of one of said first and second panels and said second and third arms are both coupled to said opposite edge of said one panel.
claim 226
228. A bed comprising:
a platform configured to support a person, and including first and second panels having respective upwardly facing support surfaces and adjacent edges;
a first support member extending from said first panel and having a distal portion spaced from said first panel;
a second support member extending from said second panel and having a distal portion spaced from said second panel;
adjustable-length rod means pivotably connected to said respective distal portions for varying the distance between said respective distal portions;
a base member carried on said rod means;
a first arm having a first end pivotably connected to said first panel and a second end pivotably connected to said base member;
a second arm having a first end pivotably connected to said second panel and a second end pivotably connected to said base member; and
means for coupling said first arm to said second arm for providing corresponding movement of said first and second arms relative to said base member.
229. A bed according to wherein said coupling means comprises a link interconnecting said first and second arms.
claim 228
230. A bed according to wherein said coupling means comprises a first pinion fixedly attached to said first arm and a second pinion fixedly attached to said second arm, said first and second pinions having meshing teeth.
claim 228
231. A hydraulic valve for controlling fluid flow between two chambers comprising:
means for defining a channel for conducting fluid between said two chambers and including a restricted opening through which fluid flows;
means movable relative to said defining means for varying the size of said opening through which fluid flows; and
means for moving linearly one of said defining means and said varying means relative to the other;
said opening having a cross-sectional area through which fluid flows that varies linearly as said defining means and said varying means move linearly relative to each other.
232. A hydraulic valve according to wherein said defining means and said varying means are movable along a channel axis and said opening extends along said axis.
claim 231
233. A hydraulic valve according to wherein said opening has a uniform width along said axis.
claim 232
234. A hydraulic valve according to wherein said defining means includes a port separate from said opening in fluid communication with said channel and one of said two chambers, and said varying means is movable relative to said port and extends sealingly into said port when said opening is at least partially restricted.
claim 231
235. A hydraulic valve for controlling fluid flow between two chambers comprising:
a housing for defining a channel for conducting fluid between said two chambers, including a protrusion extending into one of said chambers and in which said channel exists, said protrusion having an opening through which fluid flows;
a gate member for restricting selectively said opening; and
means for moving linearly one of said gate and said housing relative to the other;
said opening having an unrestricted cross-sectional area that varies linearly as said gate and said housing move linearly relative to each other.
236. A hydraulic valve according to wherein said housing and said gate member are movable along a channel axis and said opening extends axially along a predetermined length.
claim 235
237. A hydraulic valve according to wherein said opening has a uniform width along at least a portion of its length.
claim 236
238. A hydraulic valve according to wherein said housing includes a port separate from said opening and in fluid communication with said channel and one of said two chambers, and said gate member is movable relative to said port and extends sealingly into said port when said opening is at least partially restricted.
claim 235
239. A hydraulic valve for controlling fluid flow between two chambers comprising:
a housing for defining a cylindrical channel for conducting fluid along a channel axis between the two chambers, including a protrusion extending into one of the chambers and in which said channel exists, said protrusion having an open end and a restricted slit adjacent to said open end, said slit extending through said channel wall with a uniform width along said channel axis for conducting fluid between the one chamber and said channel;
a plunger disposed in said channel and having an enlarged end for closing said open end, and a reduced-diameter shaft extending from said enlarged end in said channel for allowing fluid to flow in said channel between said shaft and said channel wall, said plunger being movable along said channel axis for varying the size of said slit through which fluid flows, said enlarged end sealing said open end of said channel during movement of said plunger; and
means for moving linearly said plunger along said channel axis, whereby the size of said slit through which fluid flows varies linearly as said plunger is moved linearly along said channel axis.
240. A bed comprising:
a platform configured to support a person;
a base frame supported on a floor for supporting said platform; and
means for moving hydraulically at least a portion of said platform relative to said frame;
said moving means comprising a hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic fluid, and a valve for regulating the flow of fluid relative to said cylinder;
said valve comprising:
means for defining a channel having an opening extending along an axis for conducting fluid;
means movable along said axis relative to said defining means for varying the proportion of said opening through which fluid flows; and
means for moving said varying means relative to said defining means with the size of said opening through which fluid flows varying linearly with movement of said varying means.
241. A bed according to wherein said valve opening has a uniform width along said axis.
claim 240
242. A bed according to wherein said defining means includes a port separate from said opening in fluid communication with said channel, and said varying means is movable relative to said port and extends sealingly into said port when said opening is at least partially restricted.
claim 240
243. A bed according to wherein said varying means includes a gate member extendable from a closed position closing said opening and said port to an open position beyond said port in which said opening and at least a portion of said port are unrestricted.
claim 242
244. A bed according to further comprising:
claim 240
a swing arm for supporting said platform above said frame;
means for allowing pivoting between said platform and said swing arm;
a first adjustable-length arm including one of said hydraulic cylinders, opposing said swing arm, and extending between said frame and said allowing means;
second and third adjustable-length arms, each including one of said hydraulic cylinders, and extending between said frame and said platform, and having upper ends spaced from said allowing means and pivotally attached relative to said platform;
said moving means being controllable for varying the lengths of said first, second and third arms independently for pivoting said platform about three transverse axes.
245. A bed according to wherein said platform includes first and second panels having respective upwardly facing support surfaces and adjacent edges; said bed further comprising means coupled to said moving means for varying the angle of said first panel relative to said second panel and changing the distance between said respective adjacent edges of said first and second panels.
claim 240
246. A bed comprising:
a platform configured to support a person;
a base supported on a floor for supporting said platform; and
means for moving hydraulically at least a portion of said platform relative to said base;
said moving means comprising a hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic fluid, and a valve for regulating said flow of fluid relative to said cylinder;
said valve comprising:
means for defining two fluid chambers;
a housing having a wall defining a cylindrical channel for conducting fluid along a channel axis between said two chambers, including a protrusion extending into one of said chambers and in which said channel exists, said protrusion having an open end and a restricted slit adjacent to said open end, said slit extending through said channel wall with a uniform width along said channel axis for conducting fluid between said one chamber and said channel;
a plunger disposed in said channel and having an enlarged end for closing said open end, and a reduced-diameter shaft extending from said enlarged end in said channel for allowing fluid to flow in said channel between said shaft and said channel wall, said enlarged end being movable along said channel axis for varying said size of said slit through which fluid flows, said enlarged end sealing said open end of said channel during movement along said slit; and
means for moving linearly said plunger along said channel axis, whereby said proportion of said slit through which fluid flows varies linearly as said plunger is moved linearly along said channel axis.
247. A bed according to wherein said plunger further comprises a flange attached to said shaft opposite from said open end for sealing said passageway relative to said channel, said fluid applying offsetting forces to said flange and to said enlarged end.
claim 246
248. A bed according to wherein said moving means further includes an unpressurized reservoir of hydraulic fluid and said one chamber is in direct fluid communication with said reservoir, said enlarged end thereby receiving reduced fluid pressure.
claim 247
249. A bed comprising:
a platform configured to support a person;
a base frame supported on a floor for supporting said platform; and
means for moving hydraulically at least a portion of said platform relative to said frame, said moving means comprising:
a hydraulic cylinder,
hydraulic fluid,
a directional valve for controlling said extension and retraction of said cylinder,
a reservoir for containing a supply of hydraulic fluid, and
a regulating valve coupled between said directional valve and said reservoir for regulating the flow of fluid between said cylinder and said reservoir.
250. A bed according to wherein said regulating valve comprises:
claim 249
means for defining a channel having an opening extending along an axis for conducting fluid;
means movable along said axis relative to said defining means for varying the proportion of said opening through which fluid flows; and
means for moving said varying means relative to said defining means with the size of said opening through which fluid flows varying linearly with movement of said varying means.
251. A bed according to further comprising:
claim 250
a swing arm for supporting said platform above said frame;
means for allowing pivoting of said platform relative to said first member;
a first adjustable-length arm including one of said hydraulic cylinders, opposing said swing arm, and extending between said frame and said allowing means; and
second and third adjustable-length arms, each including one of said hydraulic cylinders, and extending between said frame and said platform spaced from said allowing means, and having upper ends spaced from said allowing means and pivotally attached relative to said platform;
said moving means being controllable for varying the lengths of said first, second and third arms independently for pivoting said platform about three transverse axes.
252. A bed according to wherein said platform includes first and second panels having respective upwardly facing support surfaces and adjacent edges; said bed further comprising means coupled to said moving means for varying the angle of said first panel relative to said second panel and changing the distance between said respective adjacent edges of said first and second panels.
claim 250
253. A bed comprising:
a base frame supportable relative to a floor;
a platform configured to support a person;
a fixed-length swing arm having a lower end pivotably attached to said frame and an upper end coupled to said platform for supporting said platform above said frame;
means for allowing pivoting of said platform relative to said swing arm;
a first adjustable-length arm opposing said swing arm and extending between said frame and said allowing means;
second and third adjustable-length arms extending between said frame and said platform and having upper ends spaced from said allowing means and pivotably attached relative to said platform; and
means for varying the lengths of said first, second and third arms independently for pivoting said platform about said three transverse axes.
254. A bed according to wherein said second and third arms have lower ends attached pivotably to said swing arm at least one-fourth the length of said swing arm from said lower end of said swing arm.
claim 253
255. A bed according to wherein said first arm has a lower end pivotably attached to said frame and spaced from said lower end of said swing arm, and an upper arm pivotably attached to said swing arm.
claim 253
256. A bed according to wherein said upper end of said first arm is attached to said swing arm at least one-fourth the length of said swing arm from said upper end of said swing arm.
claim 255
257. A bed according to wherein said upper end of said first arm is attached closer to said upper end of said swing arm than said lower ends of said second and third arms are attached to said swing arm.
claim 256
258. A bed according to wherein said platform comprises a plurality of relatively articulatable panels and said upper ends of said second and third arms and said allowing means are attached to a first one of said panels.
claim 257
259. A bed according to wherein said first panel and a second one of said panels have respective upwardly facing support surfaces and adjacent edges; said bed further comprising means for varying the angle of said first panel relative to said second panel and changing the distance between said respective adjacent edges of said first and second panels.
claim 258
260. A bed according to wherein said allowing means is coupled to said adjacent edge of said first panel.
claim 259
261. A bed comprising:
a base frame supportable relative to a floor;
a platform for supporting a person;
a swing arm having a lower end pivotably attached to said frame and an upper end coupled to said platform for supporting said platform above said frame;
a first length-adjustable arm having a lower end pivotably attached to said frame and spaced from said lower end of said swing arm, and an upper arm pivotably attached to said swing arm;
means for allowing pivoting of said platform relative to said swing arm;
second and third adjustable-length arms extending between said frame and said platform spaced from said allowing means, and having upper ends spaced from said allowing means and pivotably attached relative to said platform; and
means for varying the lengths of said first, second and third arms independently for pivoting said platform means about three transverse axes.
262. A bed according to wherein said second and third arms have lower ends attached pivotably to said swing arm at least one-fourth the length of said swing arm from said lower end of said swing arm.
claim 261
263. A bed according to wherein said upper end of said first arm is attached to said swing arm at least one-fourth the length of said swing arm from said upper end of said swing arm.
claim 261
264. A bed according to wherein said upper end of said first arm is attached closer to said upper end of said swing arm than said lower ends of said second and third arms are attached to said swing arm.
claim 263
265. A bed according to wherein said platform means comprises a plurality of relatively articulatable panels and said upper ends of said second and third arms and said allowing means are attached to a first one of said panels.
claim 264
266. A bed according to wherein said first panel and a second one of said panels have respective upwardly facing support surfaces and adjacent edges; said bed further comprising means for varying the angle of said first panel relative to said second panel and changing the distance between said respective adjacent edges of said first and second panels.
claim 265
267. A bed according to wherein said allowing means is coupled to said adjacent edge of said first panel.
claim 266
268. A method for controlling a changeable feature of a bed having multiple changeable features and a controller for changing the features, comprising the steps of:
receiving a feature command for changing a first feature of the bed;
associating with the first feature a second feature having first and second alternative states;
determining whether the second feature is in the first state; and
changing the first feature according to the command if the second feature is in the first state; and
changing a feature of the bed in a first way that is different than said step of changing the first feature according to the command, if the second feature is in the second state.
269. A method according to wherein said step of changing a feature of the bed that is different comprises generating an alarm indicating that the second feature is in the second state.
claim 268
270. A method according to said step of generating further comprises the step of displaying a phrase stating that the second feature is in the second state.
claim 269
271. A method according to wherein said step of receiving comprises receiving a feature command for changing the first feature in a selected way, and said step of changing a feature of the bed in a first way comprises changing the first feature in a way different than the selected way.
claim 268
272. A method according to wherein the selected way for changing the first feature is for changing the first feature at a selected rate, and said step of changing the first feature in a different way comprises changing the first feature at a rate different than the selected rate.
claim 271
273. A method according to wherein said step of changing a feature of the bed that is different comprises receiving a confirming command requesting the change of the first feature while the second feature is in the second state, and in response to the received confirming command, changing the first feature while the second feature is in the second state.
claim 268
274. A method according to wherein said step of receiving a confirming command comprises the step of receiving the feature command a second time.
claim 273
275. A method according to wherein said step of receiving a confirming command comprises the step of continuously receiving the feature command for a minimum period of time.
claim 273
276. A method according to wherein said step of associating includes associating with the first feature a third changeable feature of the bed also having first and second alternative states, and said step of determining include determining whether the third feature is in the first state, said step of changing the first feature comprises changing the first feature if both of the second and third features are in the respective first states, and said step of changing a feature of the bed in a first way comprises changing a feature of the bed in a first way that is different than said step of changing the first feature according to the command if both of the second and third features are in the respective second states.
claim 268
277. A method according to further comprising the step of changing a feature of the bed in a second way that is different than said step of changing a feature of the bed in a first way if the second feature is in the first state and the third feature is in the second state.
claim 276
278. A method according to wherein said step of receiving comprises receiving a feature command for changing the first feature in a selected way, and said step of changing a feature of the bed in a second way comprises changing the first feature in a way different than the selected way.
claim 277
279. A method according to wherein said step of changing a feature of the bed in a second way comprises receiving a confirming command requesting the change of the first feature while only one of the second and third features is in the respective first state, and in response to the received confirming command, changing the first feature according to the feature command while only one of the second and third features is in the respective first state.
claim 277
280. A bed comprising:
a first feature associated with the bed and being changeable between first and second states;
a second feature also associated with the bed and being changeable between first and second states;
means for manually inputting commands, including a feature command for changing said first feature; and
a controller coupled to said first and second features and said inputting means for determining whether said second feature is in the first state, for changing said first feature according to the input command if said second feature is in the first state, and for changing a feature of the bed in a first way that is different than changing said first feature according to the input command if said second feature is in the second state.
281. A bed according to wherein said bed further comprises means responsive to an alarm signal for generating an alarm indicating that said second feature is in the second state, and said controller changes a feature of the bed in a first way by generating the alarm signal when an input feature command is received and said second feature is in the second state.
claim 280
282. A bed according to wherein said generating means generates the alarm by displaying a phrase stating that said second feature is in the second state.
claim 281
283. A bed according to wherein said inputting means is for inputting a feature command for changing said first feature in a selected way, and said controller changes a feature of the bed in the first way by changing said first feature in a way that is different than the selected way if said second feature is in the second state.
claim 280
284. A bed according to wherein the selected way for changing said first feature is for changing said first feature at a selected rate, and said controller changes said first feature at a rate different than the selected rate.
claim 283
285. A bed according to wherein said inputting means is also for inputting a confirming command requesting the change of said first feature while said second feature is in the second state and said controller changes a feature in the first way by receiving an input confirming command, and in response to the received confirming command, changing said first feature while said second feature is in the second state.
claim 280
286. A bed according to wherein said inputting means is for inputting the confirming command by inputting the feature command a second time.
claim 285
287. A bed according to wherein said inputting means is for inputting the confirming command by inputting the feature command continuously for a minimum period of time.
claim 285
288. A bed according to wherein said bed further comprises a third changeable feature also having respective first and second alternative states, and said controller is further responsive to the received feature command for determining the state of said third changeable feature, changes said first feature according to the command if both of said second and third features are in the respective first states, and changes a feature of the bed in the first way if both of said second and third features are in the respective second states.
claim 280
289. A bed according to wherein said controller changes a feature of the bed in a second way that is different than the first way if said second feature is in the first state and said third feature is in the second state.
claim 288
290. A bed according to wherein said inputting means is further for inputting a feature command for changing the first feature in a selected way, and said controller changes a feature of the bed in the second way by changing said first feature in a way different than the selected way if said second feature is in the first state and said third feature is in the second state.
claim 289
291. A bed according to wherein said inputting means is further for inputting a confirming command requesting the change of said first feature while only one of said second and third features is in the respective first state, and said controller changes a feature of the bed in the second way by receiving an input confirming command and changing said first feature while only one of said second and third features is in the respective first state.
claim 289
Priority Applications (3)
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US10/227,691 US6668408B2 (en) | 1988-03-23 | 2002-08-26 | Patient care system |
US10/730,453 US6941598B2 (en) | 1988-03-23 | 2003-12-08 | Patient care system |
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US08/162,514 US5802640A (en) | 1992-04-03 | 1993-12-03 | Patient care system |
US08/831,319 US5906016A (en) | 1988-03-23 | 1997-04-01 | Patient care system |
US31813599A | 1999-05-25 | 1999-05-25 | |
US09/862,545 US6438776B2 (en) | 1992-04-03 | 2001-05-22 | Patient care system |
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US08/825,761 Expired - Lifetime US5906017A (en) | 1992-04-03 | 1997-04-03 | Patient care system |
US09/862,545 Expired - Fee Related US6438776B2 (en) | 1988-03-23 | 2001-05-22 | Patient care system |
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US10/730,453 Expired - Fee Related US6941598B2 (en) | 1988-03-23 | 2003-12-08 | Patient care system |
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- 1994-12-03 CN CN94119377A patent/CN1131019C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-12-03 CN CNA200310102914A patent/CN1500455A/en active Pending
- 1994-12-05 EP EP94309020A patent/EP0656183B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-12-05 RU RU94042913/14A patent/RU94042913A/en unknown
- 1994-12-05 JP JP6300933A patent/JPH07255793A/en active Pending
- 1994-12-05 DE DE69428093T patent/DE69428093T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-12-05 EP EP06076863A patent/EP1754427A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1994-12-05 DE DE69434865T patent/DE69434865T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-12-05 EP EP01104352A patent/EP1101481B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1997
- 1997-04-01 US US08/831,319 patent/US5906016A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-04-03 US US08/825,761 patent/US5906017A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2001
- 2001-05-22 US US09/862,545 patent/US6438776B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2002
- 2002-08-26 US US10/227,691 patent/US6668408B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2003
- 2003-12-08 US US10/730,453 patent/US6941598B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2004
- 2004-10-26 JP JP2004311457A patent/JP4087832B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2006
- 2006-06-13 JP JP2006163634A patent/JP2006297123A/en active Pending
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2007
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1101481B1 (en) | 2006-10-11 |
EP0656183B1 (en) | 2001-08-29 |
US5906016A (en) | 1999-05-25 |
DE69428093T2 (en) | 2002-03-21 |
EP1754427A2 (en) | 2007-02-21 |
JP2005087747A (en) | 2005-04-07 |
EP0656183A3 (en) | 1997-07-23 |
JPH07255793A (en) | 1995-10-09 |
CA2135243A1 (en) | 1995-06-04 |
US5802640A (en) | 1998-09-08 |
DE69434865D1 (en) | 2006-11-23 |
CN1146329A (en) | 1997-04-02 |
JP4087832B2 (en) | 2008-05-21 |
JP2006297123A (en) | 2006-11-02 |
CN1500455A (en) | 2004-06-02 |
US20040139546A1 (en) | 2004-07-22 |
CN1131019C (en) | 2003-12-17 |
DE69434865T2 (en) | 2007-02-01 |
JP2007313348A (en) | 2007-12-06 |
EP1754427A3 (en) | 2007-12-19 |
US6668408B2 (en) | 2003-12-30 |
US6438776B2 (en) | 2002-08-27 |
EP1101481A3 (en) | 2003-07-23 |
RU94042913A (en) | 1996-10-20 |
EP0656183A2 (en) | 1995-06-07 |
US6941598B2 (en) | 2005-09-13 |
EP1101481A2 (en) | 2001-05-23 |
DE69428093D1 (en) | 2001-10-04 |
US5906017A (en) | 1999-05-25 |
US20030051292A1 (en) | 2003-03-20 |
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