This invention relates generally to beds and, more particularly, to convalescent beds. Most particularly, the invention relates to an assist handle assembly for use with articulated beds.
Assists handles are well known. Such handles are typically associated with beds to aid an occupant in entering and exiting the bed. Some assist handles function as guardrails to prevent the bed occupant from falling out of the bed. A popular convalescent bed has a sleep surface frame that can be articulated between elevated and lowered positions. The sleep surface typically includes head, knee and foot sections that can be raised and lowered independently of one another. On such a bed, it is desirable that the assist device be attached to the sleep surface frame so that the device moves with the frame as the surface is articulated.
What is needed is an assist handle assembly that can easily be retrofit to the sleep surface frame of an existing articulating bed.
The present invention is directed towards an assist handle that can easily be retrofit to the sleep surface frame of an existing articulating bed. The handle comprises an assist handle, a handle mount that is adapted to be supported by the bed for supporting the assist handle for movement relative to the bed, and one or more latch configurations for latching the assist handle in one or more fixed positions relative to the bed.
Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
Now with reference to the drawings, there is illustrated in
The assist handle 12 may be any form of assist device. However, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the assist handle 12 has at least two spaced apart members, wherein a first member 18 and a second member 20 that orbits about the first member 18 when the assist handle 12 is moved relative to the handle mount 14. For example, the assist handle 12 can be in the form of an inverted U-shaped tubular structure, as illustrated in
The handle mount 14 includes a bracket 28 that is adapted to be supported by the bed 82, most preferably by the sleep surface frame 84 of the bed 82. The bracket 28 has a hole 30 therein for receiving the first member 18 of the assist handle 12. The handle mount 14 may include one or more plates and most preferably includes an upper plate 32 and a lower plate 34 spaced apart from the upper plate 32. The plates 32, 34 have aligning holes 36, 38 therein, as shown more clearly in
The assist handle 12 has a member 50 that is adapted to mate with the hole 30 in the handle mount 14. The mating member 50 can be made of plastic and affixed to the first member 18 of the assist handle 12. The mating member 50 preferably has flats 52 and curved surfaces 54 that correspond to the flat sides 46 and curved sides 48 defining the hole 36 in the upper plate 32. A radially extending generally cylindrical flange 56 is disposed above the mating member 50. A partial annular groove 58 is defined between the curved surfaces 54 and the flange 56. The flange 56 restricts the travel of the first member 18 of the assist handle 12 through the sleeve 40. The annular groove 58 is sized to receive the flat sides 46 defining the hole 36 in the upper plate 32. Upon inserting the mating member 50 in the hole 36 and rotating the assist handle 12, the flat sides 46 are trapped in the annular groove 58 and the curved sides 48 interfere with the flat sides 46 to prevent the mating member 50 from being removed from the hole 36.
It should be appreciated that the hole 36 and the mating member 50 may be any suitable shape to interlock the assist handle 12 and the handle mount 14. Although the interlocking structure is preferred, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art of the invention that the hole 36 and mating member 50 can be generally cylindrical or some other shape that does not result in an interlocking relationship therebetween.
The second member 20 of the assist handle 12 is adapted to cooperate with the latch configurations 16 to latch the assist handle 12 in one or more fixed positions. The latch configuration 16 can be any suitable latch device. For example, the latch configuration 16 can include a receiver 60 for receiving the second member 20, as shown in
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the latch configurations 16 are made of a rigid plastic, preferably by injection molding. The latch configurations 16 have a back side, which preferably has a threaded hole 76 therein and a tab 78 extending therefrom. A threaded member 79 engages the threaded hole 76 to secure the latch configuration 16 to a supporting surface. The tab 78 prevents the latch configuration 16 from pivoting on the threaded member 79.
The handle mount 14 is preferably secured to a mounting channel 80 with a latch configuration 16 disposed on the channel 80 at opposing sides of the mount 14, as shown in
The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.
This application is a continuation of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/450,786, filed on Feb. 28, 2003.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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