The disclosure relates in general to beds and, more particularly, to beds having moveable frame components.
Some hospital patients have a tendency to roll out of a hospital bed. Falling from a surface of a normal height bed presents a significant risk of injury. To prevent a patient from falling off the surface of a bed, hospitals and care facilities have used various types of restraints to secure patients. However, patient restraints are no longer a viable option in many hospitals. One widely accepted solution to this problem has been to bring or locate the mattress platform of the bed as close to the surface floor as possible, yet still have the bed be able to raise the mattress platform back to normal bed height if not higher. The construction of an extremely low profile bed is limited by design due to the arrangement of the actuators to achieve angles of lift. When the frame of the bed folds up into itself to minimize the bed frame height in order to bring the patient support platform as close as possible to the floor, the actuators lose most of their vertical force component due to a shallow angle created by the actuators positioning themselves almost horizontally relative to the floor. In addition, often the caster wheels which are needed to move the bed with or without a patient in the bed are placed under the bed deck as well thus limiting the bed's ability to go as low as possible.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved bed system that overcomes one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks or other limitations of the prior art.
The mentioned features and advantages and other features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
The embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a bed adapted to be supported on a floor is provided. The bed comprising a plurality of wheels contacting the floor; a headboard and a footboard, a support deck supported by the plurality of wheels, a first lift system supported by the plurality of wheels, and a second lift system supported by the plurality of wheels. The footboard being spaced apart from the headboard. The headboard and the footboard being supported by the plurality of wheels. The support deck including a head end positioned proximate the headboard and a foot end positioned proximate the footboard, and at least one support surface extending between the head end of the support deck and the foot end of the support deck. The first lift system being operatively coupled to the support deck to raise and lower the support deck relative to the plurality of wheels while the plurality of wheels remain in contact with the floor. The second lift system being operatively coupled to the support deck to raise and lower the support deck relative to the plurality of wheels while the plurality of wheels remain in contact with the floor. The second lift system including a lower frame, an upper frame, and a lifting assembly coupled to the lower frame and the upper frame. The second lift system being moveable from an unexpanded configuration wherein the lower frame and the upper frame are separated by a first separation to a first expanded configuration wherein the lower frame and the upper frame are separated by a second separation due to a downward movement of the lower frame relative to the plurality of wheels and a second expanded configuration due to an upward movement of the upper frame relative to the plurality of wheels.
In one example, the first lift system is operatively coupled to the second lift system to raise and lower the second lift system relative to the plurality of wheels while the plurality of wheels remain in contact with the floor. In another example, the first lift system is further configured to raise and lower at least one of the head end of the support deck and the foot end of the support deck independent of the other of the head end of the support deck and the foot end of the support deck and the second lift system is further configured to raise and lower at least one of the head end of the support deck and the foot end of the support deck independent of the other of the head end of the support deck and the foot end of the support deck. In still a further example, the first lift system does not alter the position of the support deck relative to the second lift system as the first lift system raises or lowers the second lift system relative to the plurality of wheels. In yet still another example, the plurality of wheels define a horizontally extending envelope and wherein when viewed from a top view, both of the first lift system and the second lift system are positioned within the horizontally extending envelope defined by the plurality of wheels. In a further example, the second lift system is configured to raise and lower the support deck independently of the first lift system.
In still yet a further example, the second lift system is supported by the first lift system through a plurality of load cells. In a variation thereof, the upper frame of the second lift system is supported by the lower frame of the second lift system and the lower frame of the second lift system is moveably coupled to the plurality of load cells through a plurality of elongated members. In another variation thereof, the plurality of loads cells supports the second lift system through the upper frame of the second lift system when the second lift system is in the unexpanded configuration and the first expanded configuration and wherein the plurality of load cells supports the second lift system through the lower frame of the second lift system when the second lift system is in the second expanded configuration.
In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a bed adapted to be supported on a floor is provided. The bed comprising a plurality of wheels contacting the floor; a headboard and a footboard, the footboard spaced apart from the headboard, the headboard and the footboard supported by the plurality of wheels; a support deck supported by the plurality of wheels, the support deck including a head end positioned proximate the headboard and a foot end positioned proximate the footboard, and at least one support surface extending between the head end of the support deck and the foot end of the support deck; and a lift system supported by the plurality of wheels. The lift system being operatively coupled to the support deck to raise and lower the support deck relative to the plurality of wheels. The lift system including a head end portion positioned proximate the headboard, a foot end portion positioned proximate the footboard, and a middle portion positioned between the head end portion and the foot end portion. The middle portion having a bottom side relative to the floor, wherein as the lift system raises the support deck from a lowered position to a raised position, the bottom side of the middle portion moves downward. The bottom side of the middle portion remaining the bottom side of the middle portion throughout the movement of the support deck from the lowered position to the raised position.
In one example thereof, the bottom side of the middle portion moves upward prior to moving downward as the lift system raises the support deck from the lowered position to the raised position. In a variation thereof, the lift system includes a first lift system supported by the plurality of wheels and a second lift system supported by the first lift system, the second lift system including a lower frame, an upper frame, and a lifting assembly coupled to the lower frame and the upper frame, the lower frame including the bottom side of the middle portion. In a refinement thereof, as the lift system raises the support deck from the lowered position to the raised position, the second lift system is moved from an unexpanded configuration wherein the lower frame and the upper frame are separated by a first separation to a first expanded configuration wherein the lower frame and the upper frame are separated by a second separation due to a downward movement of the lower frame relative to the plurality of wheels and a second expanded configuration due to an upward movement of the upper frame relative to the plurality of wheels. In another variation thereof, the first lift system is operatively coupled to the second lift system to raise and lower the second lift system relative to the plurality of wheels while the plurality of wheels remain in contact with the floor. In still another variation thereof, the second lift system is configured to raise and lower the support deck independent of the first lift system.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of raising a support deck of a bed having a plurality of wheels supporting the bed relative to a floor is provided. The bed including a lift system supported by a plurality of wheels and operatively coupled to the support deck to raise and lower the support deck relative to the plurality of wheels. The method comprising placing the support deck in a lowered position, wherein a lower portion of the lift system is at a first height from the floor when the support deck is in the lowered position; raising the support deck to a first raised position, wherein the lower portion of the lift system is at a second height from the floor when the support deck is in the first raised position, the second height being higher than the first height; and raising the support deck to a second raised position which is higher than the first raised position, wherein the lower portion of the lift system is at a third height from the floor when the support deck is in the second raised position, the third height being higher than the first height and lower than the second height.
In one example, as the support deck is moved from the lowered position to the second raised position the lift system is spaced apart from the floor. In another example, the support deck remains in a first configuration in the lowered position, the first raised position, and the second raised position. In a further example, the step of raising the support deck to the second raised position includes the steps of: lowering the lower portion of the lift system to the third height; and subsequently raising the support deck to the second raised height. In still another example, the step of raising the support deck to the second raised position includes the steps of: actuating a linear actuator of the lift system; lowering the lower portion of the lift system to the third height during a first travel of the linear actuator; and raising the support deck to the second raised height during a second travel of the linear actuator.
In still another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a bed adapted to be supported on a floor is provided. The bed comprising a plurality of wheels contacting the floor; a headboard and a footboard, the footboard spaced apart from the headboard, the headboard and the footboard supported by the plurality of wheels; a support deck supported by the plurality of wheels, the support deck including a head end positioned proximate the headboard and a foot end positioned proximate the footboard, and at least one support surface extending between the head end of the support deck and the foot end of the support deck; a first lift system supported by the plurality of wheels, the first lift system having a head end positioned proximate the headboard, a foot end positioned proximate the footboard, and a middle portion extending between the head end and the foot end, the first lift system including first means for raising and lowering the support deck; and a second lift system supported by the plurality of wheels, the second lift system having a head end positioned proximate the headboard, a foot end positioned proximate the footboard, and a middle portion extending between the head end and the foot end, the second lift system including second means for raising and lowering the support deck, wherein the second means includes means for adjusting a separation of a lower portion of the second lift system and an upper portion of the second lift system, the means lowers the lower portion of the second lift system and raises the upper portion of the second lift system to increase the separation between the lower portion of the second lift system and the upper portion of the second lift system. In one example, the bed further comprises tensioning means for assisting in reducing the separation between the lower portion of the second lift system and the upper portion of the second lift system. In one variation thereof, the first lift system is operatively coupled to the second lift system to raise and lower the second lift system relative to the plurality of wheels while the plurality of wheels remain in contact with the floor. In another variation thereof, the first lift system is further configured to raise and lower at least one of the head end of the support deck and the foot end of the support deck independent of the other of the head end of the support deck and the foot end of the support deck and the second lift system is further configured to raise and lower at least one of the head end of the support deck and the foot end of the support deck independent of the other of the head end of the support deck and the foot end of the support deck. In another variation thereof, the first lift system does not alter the position of the support deck relative to the second lift system as the first lift system raises or lowers the second lift system relative to the plurality of wheels. In another variation thereof, the plurality of wheels define a horizontally extending envelope and wherein when viewed from a top view, both of the first lift system and the second lift system are positioned within the horizontally extending envelope defined by the plurality of wheels. In another variation thereof, the second lift system is configured to raise and lower the support deck independently of the first lift system
In yet still another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a bed adapted to be supported on a floor is provided. The bed comprising a plurality of wheels contacting the floor; a frame supported by the plurality of wheels, the frame having a top surface; a headboard and a footboard, the footboard spaced apart from the headboard, the headboard and the footboard supported by the plurality of wheels; a support deck supported by the plurality of wheels, the support deck including a head end positioned proximate the headboard and a foot end positioned proximate the footboard, and at least one support surface extending between the head end of the support deck and the foot end of the support deck; and a powered drive system coupled to frame. The powered drive system including a drive system frame; a drive wheel coupled to the drive system frame and moveable between a raised position spaced apart from the floor and a lowered position in contact with the floor, a motor operatively coupled to the drive wheel to power a rotation of the drive wheel, a suspension operatively coupled to the drive wheel, the suspension biasing the drive wheel downward in contact with the floor when the drive wheel is in the lowered position while permitting an upward movement of the drive wheel; and a linear actuator operatively coupled to the drive wheel, the linear actuator having a first length to position the at least one drive wheel in the raised position and a second length to position the at least one drive wheel in the lowered position, the linear actuator maintaining a first orientation relative to the top surface of the frame as the drive wheel is moved between the raised position and the lowered position.
In one example, the drive system frame includes a swing arm, the swing arm supporting the drive wheel when the drive wheel is in the raised position. In a variation thereof, the linear actuator engages the swing arm to raise the drive wheel to the raised position. In a refinement thereof, the swing arm includes an elongated slot which receives a member coupled to the linear actuator, the member being positioned within the elongated slot when the drive wheel is in the raised position. In another refinement thereof the swing arm includes an elongated slot which receives a member coupled to the linear actuator, the member being positioned within the elongated slot when the drive wheel is in the raised position and in the lowered position. In a further refinement thereof, the elongated slot has an open end. In still another variation, the swing arm moves independent of the linear actuator when the drive wheel is in the lowered position. In a refinement thereof, the swing arm includes an elongated slot which receives a member coupled to the linear actuator, the member being positioned within the elongated slot when the drive wheel is in the raised position. In another refinement thereof, the swing arm includes an elongated slot which receives a member coupled to the linear actuator, the member being positioned within the elongated slot when the drive wheel is in the raised position and in the lowered position. In a further refinement thereof, the elongated slot has an open end. In yet still a further variation, the suspension biases the swing arm in a downward direction.
In still yet a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a bed adapted to be supported on a floor is provided. The bed comprising a plurality of wheels contacting the floor; a frame supported by the plurality of wheels; a headboard and a footboard, the footboard spaced apart from the headboard, the headboard and the footboard supported by the plurality of wheels; a support deck supported by the plurality of wheels, the support deck including a head end positioned proximate the headboard and a foot end positioned proximate the footboard, and at least one support surface extending between the head end of the support deck and the foot end of the support deck; and a powered drive system coupled to frame. The powered drive system including a drive unit positioned proximate one of the headboard and the footboard and a drive control unit positioned proximate the other of the headboard and the footboard. The drive unit including a drive wheel moveable between a lowered position in contact with the floor and a raised position spaced apart from the floor. The drive control unit being operatively coupled to the drive unit and including at least one user actuatable input to control at least one movement of the drive unit.
In one example, the drive control unit includes a first user input which causes a rotation of the drive wheel relative to the frame. In another example, the drive control unit includes a second user input which causes the drive wheel to be raised to the raised position. In still another example, the drive control unit includes a third user input which causes the drive wheel to be lowered to the lowered position. In yet still another example, the drive unit includes a drive system frame; a motor operatively coupled to the drive wheel to power a rotation of the drive wheel; a suspension operatively coupled to the drive wheel, the suspension biasing the drive wheel downward in contact with the floor when the drive wheel is in the lowered position while permitting an upward movement of the drive wheel; and a linear actuator operatively coupled to the drive wheel, the linear actuator having a first length to position the at least one drive wheel in the raised position and a second length to position the at least one drive wheel in the lowered position. In a variation thereof, the drive system frame includes a swing arm, the swing arm supporting the drive wheel when the drive wheel is in the raised position. In a refinement thereof, the linear actuator engages the swing arm to raise the drive wheel to the raised position. In a further refinement thereof, the swing arm includes an elongated slot which receives a member coupled to the linear actuator, the member being positioned within the elongated slot when the drive wheel is in the raised position. In another variation, the swing arm includes an elongated slot which receives a member coupled to the linear actuator, the member being positioned within the elongated slot when the drive wheel is in the raised position and in the lowered position. In a refinement thereof, the elongated slot has an open end. In another example, the swing arm moves independent of the linear actuator when the drive wheel is in the lowered position. In a refinement thereof, the swing arm includes an elongated slot which receives a member coupled to the linear actuator, the member being positioned within the elongated slot when the drive wheel is in the raised position. In another refinement thereof, the swing arm includes an elongated slot which receives a member coupled to the linear actuator, the member being positioned within the elongated slot when the drive wheel is in the raised position and in the lowered position. In a further refinement thereof, the elongated slot has an open end. In another variation thereof, the suspension biases the swing arm in a downward direction. In yet another example, the bed further comprises a lift system supported by the plurality of wheels, the lift system operatively coupled to the support deck to raise and lower the support deck relative to the plurality of wheels, the lift system moves the support deck between a first raised position and a first lowered position. In still yet another example, each of the plurality of wheels are caster wheels having a first brake configuration wherein a rotation of the wheel relative to the floor is prevented and a second non-brake configuration wherein the rotation of the wheel relative to the floor is permitted, the placement of the caster wheel in either the first brake configuration or the second non-brake configuration is controlled through a rotation of a mechanical input. In still a further example, each of the plurality of wheels are caster wheels having a first brake configuration wherein a rotation of the wheel relative to the floor is prevented and a second non-brake configuration wherein the rotation of the wheel relative to the floor is permitted, the placement of the caster wheel in either the first brake configuration or the second non-brake configuration is controlled through a powered caster wheel control system supported by the frame and operatively coupled to at least a first caster wheel of the plurality of caster wheels, the powered caster wheel control system comprising a linear actuator; and a mechanical linkage driven by the linear actuator and operatively coupled to a mechanical input of the first caster wheel, the mechanical linkage having a first configuration which places the mechanical input in the first brake configuration, a second configuration which places the mechanical input in the second non-brake configuration, and a third neutral configuration.
Referring to
Exemplary patient supports include mattresses, foam support members, inflatable support members, and other support members that would provide comfort to a patient positioned on the patient support. In one embodiment, the patient support may provide one or more therapies to the patient supported on the patient support. Exemplary therapies include a turning therapy, an alternating pressure therapy, a percussion therapy, a massaging therapy, a low air loss therapy, and other suitable types of therapy. Exemplary patient supports and their operation are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 7,454,809, filed on Dec. 26, 2006, Ser. No. 11/616,127, titled METHOD FOR USING INFLATABLE CUSHION CELL WITH DIAGONAL SEAL STRUCTURE; US Published Patent Application No. 2008/0098532, Ser. No. 11/553,405, filed Oct. 26, 2006, titled MULTI-CHAMBER AIR DISTRIBUTION SUPPORT SURFACE PRODUCT AND METHOD; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/713,856, filed Oct. 15, 21012, titled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS AND METHOD, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.
In the illustrated embodiment, support deck 110 is an expandable support deck. Additional details regarding the expandable support deck are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/208,987, titled BED SYSTEMS AND METHOD, filed Mar. 13, 2014, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
In the illustrated embodiment, bed frame 102 includes a lift system 120. Lift system 120 is configured to raise and lower support deck 110 relative to the wheels 104 and hence relative to floor 106. In one embodiment, lift system 120 is configured to move support deck 110 between a raised position having a first clearance from the floor and a lowered position having a second clearance from the floor, the second clearance being less than the first clearance. In one example, the first clearance is up to about 34 inches from the floor and the second clearance is up to about 12 inches from the floor. In another example, the first clearance is up to about 34 inches from the floor and the second clearance is up to about 10 inches from the floor. In a further example, the first clearance is at least about 34 inches from the floor and the second clearance is up to about 8 inches from the floor. In a still further example, the first clearance is at least 34 inches from the floor and the second clearance is up to about 6 inches from the floor. In yet still a further example, the first clearance is at least 34 inches from the floor and the second clearance is up to about 7 inches from the floor. In still another example, the first clearance is at least 34 inches from the floor and the second clearance is generally equal to a diameter of the plurality of wheels 104. In yet still a further example, the first clearance is up to about 30 inches from the floor and the second clearance is up to about 6 inches from the floor. In one embodiment, in all of the examples provided above, the bed frame 102 remains spaced apart from floor 106 when the support deck is in the lowered position thus permitting bed 100 to be moveable relative to floor 106.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
A linear actuator 190 is coupled to head end base 170 at bracket 192 and first base 154 at bracket 194 (see
Referring to
Referring to
As mentioned herein, by incorporating the rack and pinion arrangement, the stability of bed 100 is increased. The pinion gears 198A, 198B are fixed to axle 200 which is mounted horizontally across first base 154. The pinion gears 198A, 198B ride up in direction 132 and/or down in direction 130 relative gear racks 196A, 196B that are mounted vertically to vertical portions of head end base 170. When a load upon support deck 110 is off center the load is evenly distributed and/or balanced across the pinion gear axle 200 from one pinion gear 198 to the other pinion gear 198 maintaining the parallelism of first base 154 and head end base 170. foot end base 172 and second base 156 are connected further a rack and pinion arrangement like head end base 170 and first base 154 and is driven by a linear actuator like head end base 170 and first base 154.
Referring to
First lift system 158 supports a plurality of load cells 230 (see
Second lift system 160 is also coupled to load cells 230 (see
Referring to
Returning to
Upper frame 252 includes a pair of longitudinally extending members 264A, 264B which extend from a head end to a foot end. Upper frame 252 further includes a head end cross member 266, a foot end cross member 268, and a plurality of mid cross members 270. Upper frame 252 further includes a cross member 272 which is pivotally coupled to support deck 110. Moreover, upper frame 252 includes a first pin 424A and a second pin 426A.
Referring to
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, lifting assemblies 254A, 254B are generally identical. Referring to
The second end 324A of first leg 320A is coupled to a linear actuator 334A. Exemplary linear actuators 290 and 298 are LA 34 available from Linak U.S. Inc. located at 2200 Stanley Gault Parkway in Louisville Ky. 40223. The linear actuator 334A may be actuated to move second end 324A in direction 340 to raise head end 114 of support deck 110 in direction 132 and may be actuated to move second end 324A in direction 342 to lower head end 114 of support deck 110 in direction 130.
In a similar manner linear actuator 334B may be actuated to move second end 324B in direction 342 to raise foot end 116 of support deck 110 in direction 132 and may be actuated to move second end 324B in direction 340 to lower foot end 116 of support deck 110 in direction 130. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
As mentioned herein, the bed frame 102 supports a plurality of barrier components which form a barrier 112 around the support deck 110. Additional details regarding the construction and movement of the plurality of barrier components are provided in provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/208,987, titled BED SYSTEMS AND METHOD, filed Mar. 13, 2014, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
Referring to
As illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
When brackets 262 contacts stop member 604, frame member 254 is locked relative to first lift system 158 and any further actuation of the linear actuators 334 and lifting assemblies 254 result in upper frame 252 being raised in direction 132. In one embodiment, separation 610 is a first distance, such as about 0.5 inches, when stop member 259 contacts frame member 264 and is a second distance, such as 3.0 inches when frame member 254 is moved downward in direction 130 until brackets 262 contacts stop member 604. This movement of frame member 254 in direction 130 allows lower frame 250 and upper frame 252 of second lift system 160 to separate about 3.0 inches allowing the frame member 254 to open and give the actuators 334 a mechanical advantage to increase the overall lift second lift system 160 from about 900 lbs. to about 1350 lbs.
As the lower frame 250 moves in direction 130, upper frame 252 is kept from rising due to the weight/load on the upper lift frame 252. Exemplary loads include the support deck 110, a patient support supported by support deck 110, and a patient supported by support deck 110. Further, support members 612 coupled to frame member 264 contact load cells 230. Thus, load cells 230 supports the weight/load on upper lift frame 252 as lower frame 250 is moved downward.
Once brackets 262 contacts stop member 604, further downward movement of frame member 254 of lower frame 250 in direction 130 is stopped and further actuation of linear actuators 334 and frame member 254 results in upper frame 252 moving upward in direction 132. Referring to
As illustrated in
Referring to
With bed 100 in the arrangement shown in
Referring to
In one embodiment, when bed 100 is moved from the lowered position shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, bed 100 includes a lift system 600 supported by the plurality of wheels 104. Lift system 600 is operatively coupled to the support deck 110 to raise and lower the support deck 110 relative to the plurality of wheels 104. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
A powered caster wheel control system 820 is also provided to actuate hex shaft 802. Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, second end 826 is coupled to a pin 840 which is received in an elongated slot 842 of a transversely extending member 844. Member 844 is coupled to a plurality of wings 846. Each wing is pivotally coupled to respective extensions 806. When linear actuator 822 drives member 844 in direction 850, both of the extensions 806 are rotated in direction 854 which in turn rotates hex shaft 802 in direction 854. When linear actuator 822 drives member 844 in direction 852, both of the extensions 806 are rotated in direction 856 which in turn rotates hex shaft 802 in direction 856.
As shown in
Referring to
An instruction to lower the support deck is received by controller 550, as represented by block 902. In one embodiment, bed 100 includes a control interface that includes an input which when actuated provides an indication to controller 550 to lower support deck 110. Controller 550 records an indication of the load cell 230 values, as represented by block 906. In one embodiment, the indication is a determined weight. In one embodiment, the indication is the individual outputs of the load cells 230. Controller 550 then provides an input to the respective actuators to lower support deck 110, as represented by block 908.
Controller 550 determines if support deck 110 is in the lowered position, as represented by block 910. If not, controller 550 records an updated indication of the load cell values, as represented by block 912. Powered system 500 compares the updated indication of the load cell values to the prior indication of the load cell values and determines if the difference exceeds a threshold value, as represented by block 914. If the threshold value is not exceeded, controller 550 continues to lower support deck 110 as represented by block 908. If the threshold is exceeded, controller 550 halts the lowering of support deck 110 and instructs the actuators to raise support deck 110, as represented by block 916. Further, controller 550 initiates an alarm, as represented by block 918. Exemplary alarms include visual alarms, audio alarms, and tactile alarms.
In one embodiment, when an obstacle is present under bed 100, one of first lift system 158 and second lift system 160 will contact the obstacle as support deck 110 is being lowered. This results in the obstacle supporting part of the weight of support deck 110. This changes the weight being supported by load cells 230 or at least redistributes the weight between the load cells 230.
Referring to
Referring to
Drive control unit 704 controls motorized differential transaxle 722 through a first user input 714 and a second user input 716. Exemplary user inputs include buttons, switches, levers, touch screen, joysticks, and other devices capable of receiving an operator input. In one embodiment, first user input 714 controls motorized differential transaxle 722 to rotate drive wheel 720 in a first direction 730 causing bed 100 to move in a forward direction 732 and at a specified speed (see
Drive control unit 704 further includes a third user input 710 and a fourth user input 712 which control the actuation of a linear actuator 740 to lengthen and shorten the linear actuator, respectively. In one embodiment, third user input 710 is an input to drive control unit 704 to retract linear actuator 740 to shorten linear actuator 740 and fourth user input 712 is an input to drive control unit 704 to lengthen linear actuator 740. As explained herein, the shortening and lengthening of actuator 740 raises and lower, respectively, drive wheel 720. An exemplary linear actuator is Model No. LA23 available from Linak U.S. Inc. located at 2200 Stanley Gault Parkway in Louisville Ky. 40223. Exemplary user inputs include buttons, switches, levers, touch screen, joysticks, and other devices capable of receiving an operator input. In one embodiment, third user input 710 and fourth user input 712 are combined into a single user input device, such as a lever. Moving the lever in a first direction lengthens the actuator 740 while moving the lever in a second, opposite direction shortens the actuator 740.
Referring to
Drive system frame 748 includes a pair of spaced apart mounting frame members 752 which are coupled to frame member 744 and extend downward from frame member 744. Each one of mounting frame members 752 includes an opening 754. Openings 754 are aligned and receive a mounting rod 756. Mounting rod 756 is further received within an opening 758 in swing arm 750. Swing arm 750 pivots about mounting rod 756 in direction 760 and direction 762 to raise and lower drive wheel 720. Mounting rod 756 is held in place with clip pins 766.
Motorized differential transaxle 722 is secured to swing arm 750 by sandwiching a portion 768 of motorized differential transaxle 722 between a mounting face 770 of swing arm 750 and a retaining plate 772. Retaining plate 772 is secured to mounting face 770 of swing arm 750 with retainers 774. One of the drive wheels 720 is removed in
Swing arm 750 includes a lever arm 780 extending upward from swing arm 750. Lever arm 780 includes a retaining member 782 which receives a first end 785 of a compression spring 784. A second end 787 of compression spring 784 is received in a retaining member 786 of frame member 788. In the illustrated embodiment, retaining member 782 and retaining member 786 are cup features which receive compression spring 784. Frame member 788 is coupled to frame member 744.
Compression spring 784 biases swing arm 750 and hence drive wheel 720 in direction 762. Compression spring 784 further acts as a suspension which allows drive wheel 720 to move upward in direction 132 by the rotation of swing arm 750 in direction 760. This allows bed 100 to accommodate uneven spots in floor 106 while maintaining drive wheel 720 in contact with floor 106.
Linear actuator 740 includes a top end 790 and a bottom end 796. The bottom end 796 includes a screw mechanism which allows a length of linear actuator 740 to be shortened or lengthened. Linear actuator 740 is coupled at its top end 790 to frame member 744 through mounting member 792. Linear actuator 740 is held onto mounting member 792 with a retaining clip 794. Linear actuator 740 engages swing arm 750 at the bottom end 796 of linear actuator 740. Bottom end 796 supports an engagement member 798, illustratively a pin and retaining clips. Engagement member 798 is received in elongated slots 928 in arms 924 of swing arm 750. In the illustrated embodiment, elongated slots 928 have an open end 930.
During a normal operation of bed 100, drive wheels 720 are raised relative to floor 106. In one example, drive wheels 720 are held by linear actuator 740 about 0.5 inches above floor 106. This permits bed 100 to be manually rolled about over floor 106. This arrangement is illustrated in
To engage drive wheels 720 with floor 106, an operator actuates fourth user input 712 which is an input to drive control unit 704 to lengthen linear actuator 740. In one embodiment, linear actuator 740 is fully extended when fourth user input 712 is actuated. As linear actuator 740 is lengthened, swing arm 750 is rotated in direction 762 due to the weight of motorized differential transaxle 722 and the partial decompression of compression spring 784. Elongated slots 928 permit linear actuator 740 to be fully extended regardless of when drive wheels 720 contact floor 106.
The elongated slots 928 permit movement between arm 924 and bottom end 796 of linear actuator 740. This configuration allows swing arm 750 to move upward in direction 132 due to a rotation of swing arm 750 in direction 760 without changing a length of linear actuator 740. As illustrated in
Elongated slots 928 further permit linear actuator 740 to maintain a consistent orientation relative to a top surface 922 of frame member 744. As shown in
In one embodiment, when drive wheels 720 engage floor 106, the operator also places the wheels 104 adjacent to drive wheel 720 in a steer mode with the wheels 104 in line with drive wheels 720 (see
While this disclosure includes particular examples, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims.
This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/940,956, entitled BED SYSTEMS AND METHODS, filed Nov. 13, 2015, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/078,991, entitled BED SYSTEMS AND METHODS, filed Nov. 13, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/253,613, titled BED SYSTEMS AND METHODS, filed Jan. 22, 2019, which is divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/405,990, titled BED SYSTEMS AND METHODS, filed Jan. 13, 2017, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/208,987 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,572,735), titled BED SYSTEMS AND METHOD, filed Mar. 13, 2014; which claims the benefit U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/791,496, filed Mar. 15, 2013, titled BED SYSTEMS AND METHOD, the entire disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3823428 | Whyte | Jul 1974 | A |
3958283 | Adams et al. | May 1976 | A |
5636394 | Bartley | Jun 1997 | A |
5692254 | Boettcher | Dec 1997 | A |
5806111 | Heimbrock | Sep 1998 | A |
5899469 | Pinto | May 1999 | A |
5987671 | Heimbrock | Nov 1999 | A |
6016580 | Heimbrock | Jan 2000 | A |
6212714 | Allen et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6256812 | Bartow | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6286165 | Heimbrock | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6321878 | Mobley et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6330926 | Heimbrock | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6357065 | Adams | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6390213 | Bleicher | May 2002 | B1 |
6505359 | Heimbrock | Jan 2003 | B2 |
6588523 | Heimbrock | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6658680 | Osborne et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6668402 | Heimbrock | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6772460 | Heimbrock | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6834402 | Hanson et al. | Dec 2004 | B2 |
6902019 | Heimbrock | Jun 2005 | B2 |
7011172 | Heimbrock | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7100225 | Bailey | Sep 2006 | B1 |
7191854 | Lenkman | Mar 2007 | B2 |
7284626 | Heimbrock | Oct 2007 | B2 |
7311161 | Lee | Dec 2007 | B2 |
7334277 | Johnson | Feb 2008 | B2 |
7406729 | Hornbach | Aug 2008 | B2 |
7419019 | White | Sep 2008 | B1 |
7428760 | McCimmon | Sep 2008 | B2 |
7454809 | Gowda | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7530412 | Heimbrock | May 2009 | B2 |
7533742 | Johnson et al. | May 2009 | B2 |
7676866 | Toms et al. | Mar 2010 | B2 |
7690059 | Lemire et al. | Apr 2010 | B2 |
7805784 | Lemire et al. | Oct 2010 | B2 |
7845032 | Chambers et al. | Dec 2010 | B2 |
7861334 | Lemire et al. | Jan 2011 | B2 |
7913335 | Carr | Mar 2011 | B2 |
7922183 | Figel | Apr 2011 | B2 |
RE43193 | Osborne et al. | Feb 2012 | E |
8151387 | Osborne et al. | Apr 2012 | B2 |
8240410 | Heimbrock | Aug 2012 | B2 |
8397846 | Heimbrock | Mar 2013 | B2 |
8746710 | Schejbal | Jun 2014 | B2 |
8997282 | Bossingham et al. | Apr 2015 | B2 |
9009888 | Tekulve | Apr 2015 | B1 |
9061547 | Shih | Jun 2015 | B2 |
9271887 | Schejbal | Mar 2016 | B2 |
9572735 | Johnson et al. | Feb 2017 | B2 |
10045893 | Childs | Aug 2018 | B2 |
10219958 | Johnson | Mar 2019 | B2 |
10231889 | Johnson et al. | Mar 2019 | B2 |
10507148 | Johnson | Dec 2019 | B2 |
20010039679 | Heimbrock | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20020043411 | Heimbrock | Apr 2002 | A1 |
20030024048 | Heimbrock | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20030192725 | Heimbrock | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20040093668 | Heimbrock | May 2004 | A1 |
20050072610 | Heimbrock | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050126835 | Lenkman | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20060085913 | Kawakami | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20060169501 | Heimbrock | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20070056141 | Armano | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070136949 | Richards | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070216117 | Figel | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20080000028 | Lemire | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080010748 | Menkedick et al. | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080035396 | Heimbrock | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080098532 | Gowda | May 2008 | A1 |
20080189856 | Toms | Aug 2008 | A1 |
20090077748 | Kim | Mar 2009 | A1 |
20090229050 | Heimbrock | Sep 2009 | A1 |
20090282616 | Carr | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20100005592 | Poulos | Jan 2010 | A1 |
20100132159 | Armano | Jun 2010 | A1 |
20100223728 | Hutchison | Sep 2010 | A1 |
20110113561 | Douglas | May 2011 | A1 |
20110162141 | Lemire et al. | Jul 2011 | A1 |
20110277241 | Schejbal | Nov 2011 | A1 |
20120144586 | Heimbrock | Jun 2012 | A1 |
20130139318 | Paz | Jun 2013 | A1 |
20130160237 | Shih | Jun 2013 | A1 |
20130298331 | Bossingham | Nov 2013 | A1 |
20140047641 | Thodupunuri | Feb 2014 | A1 |
20140215717 | Rigsby | Aug 2014 | A1 |
20140230149 | Schejbal | Aug 2014 | A1 |
20140259413 | Johnson | Sep 2014 | A1 |
20150297432 | Poulos | Oct 2015 | A1 |
20160136022 | Johnson | May 2016 | A1 |
20160136023 | Johnson | May 2016 | A1 |
20170128294 | Johnson et al. | May 2017 | A1 |
20170172821 | Childs | Jun 2017 | A1 |
20190151171 | Johnson et al. | May 2019 | A1 |
20190159949 | Johnson | May 2019 | A1 |
20190167494 | Patmore | Jun 2019 | A1 |
20190201255 | Paul | Jul 2019 | A1 |
20190201256 | Derenne | Jul 2019 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2718539 | Oct 2009 | CA |
101999967 | Apr 2011 | CN |
102247252 | Nov 2011 | CN |
1248231 | Aug 1967 | DE |
9313149 | Oct 1993 | DE |
29820268 | Jan 1999 | DE |
19962079 | Jun 2001 | DE |
0074460 | Mar 1983 | EP |
2353964 | Aug 2011 | EP |
2726982 | May 1996 | FR |
Entry |
---|
U.S. Appl. No. 14/940,956; Non-Final Rejection; dated Jun. 11, 2018. |
U.S. Appl. No. 14/208,987; Non-Final Rejection; dated Aug. 5, 2015. |
U.S. Appl. No. 14/208,987; Final Rejection; dated Feb. 29, 2016. |
U.S. Appl. No. 15/405,990; Non-Final Rejection; dated Feb. 28, 2018. |
U.S. Appl. No. 15/405,990; Final Rejection; dated Jul. 5, 2018. |
EP Supplementary Search Report; European Patent Office; EP Application No. EP14764649; dated Jul. 5, 2016. |
International Search Report and Written Opinion; International Application No. PCT/US2015/060634; dated Feb. 26, 2016. |
International Search Report and Written Opinion; International Application No. PCT/US2014/029069; dated Aug. 7, 2014. |
Lockelec Innovation, Hospital Bed Mover-Lockwood Electric-Innovation, http://lockelec.com.au/health-care/hospital-bed-mover/, 4 pages, available at least as early as Oct. 7, 2014. |
DJ Products, Inc., Cart Pullers, Cart Pushers, Motorized Carts, Powered Carts, Cart Movers, http://www.lindbergh.com/Products/index.html, 3 pages, available at least as early as Oct. 7, 2014. |
Humphries Casters and Supplies, Gzunda Hospital Bed Mover, http://www.electrictuggers.com/more-details.html, 4 pages, available at least as early as Oct. 7, 2014. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20190159949 A1 | May 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62078991 | Nov 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 14940956 | Nov 2015 | US |
Child | 16263475 | US |