Brake assembly for a bed

Abstract
A bed resting on a floor includes a base frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the base frame and configured to engage the floor, a first brake coupled to the base frame, a foot pedal actuator movable between a first position and a second position, and a second brake coupled to the base frame. A linkage is configured to couple the second brake to the first brake so that when the foot pedal actuator is moved to the second position, the first and second brakes both move to a braking position and when the foot pedal actuator is moved to the first position the first and second brakes both move to a releasing position.
Description




BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to long term care beds and particularly to controls for long term care beds. More particularly, the present invention relates to a long term care bed including a bed deck supporting a mattress having a sleeping surface for carrying a long term care resident, the deck and mattress being movable relative to the floor so that the sleeping surface can be lowered to a position adjacent to the floor. The long term care bed also includes spaced-apart brake assemblies that can be simultaneously actuated by a single actuator, an ambulatory assist arm having a grip positioned to lie above the sleeping surface, and side rail extension members for extending the vertical coverage provided by the side rails.




Many hospital beds include a patient-support surface that can be raised and lowered relative to the floor. Adjusting the height of the patient-support surface allows both for maximizing the convenience of caregivers working at the hospital bed and for assisting the ingress and egress of patients to and from the patient-support surface. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,097,939 to Peck et al.; 4,097,940 to Tekulve et al.; 5,317,769 to Weismiller et al.; 5,248,562 to Borders et al.; 3,711,876 to Kirkland et al.; and 4,025,972 to Adams et al., each of which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and each of which discloses a hospital bed or a stretcher having a patient-support surface that can be raised and lowered relative to the floor.




Hospital beds and stretchers are often provided with casters so that the bed can be moved or, particularly for stretchers, so that the stretcher and the resident can be transported. These devices are commonly provided with a caster braking system to prevent movement of the device when the caregiver wishes to keep the device stationary. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,682 to Edgerton, Jr., disclosing a patient-support device having casters and including a braking system for preventing movement of the device.




Hospital beds and stretchers are also typically provided with side guard rails to prevent movement of the patient past the sides of the sleeping surface. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,083,334 to Huck et al. and 3,585,659 and 2,722,017 to Burst et al., each of which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and each of which discloses a patient-support device including side guard rails that extend upwardly past the sleeping surface a fixed distance above the patient-support surface.




Caregivers of long term care facilities work to improve the functional health, dignity, and independence of residents. Resident user profiles suggest that the typical long term care resident is a female around


80


years of age and very frail. The resident has deteriorating physical, mental, visual, and hearing capabilities. Mobility, flexibility, dexterity, and motor skills are significantly impaired. They can often suffer from depression and frustration due to a loss of independence and dignity. However, they strive to live a life that is as normal as possible and they typically appreciate any opportunity to be more independent.




What is needed is a long term care bed having a bed deck carrying a mattress having a sleeping surface that can be raised and lowered over a range of motion and minimizing the distance between the floor and the sleeping surface when the deck is in its lowest position. Such a bed will maximize the ease of ingress and egress of residents to and from the sleeping surface. The long term care bed should also include an effective braking system including a minimal number of parts to minimize the cost and potential for failure of the braking system. The brakes should be activated using a single actuator so that the caregiver does not need to waste time activating and deactivating individual brake assemblies spaced apart around the bed. The long term care bed should additionally be provided with an ambulatory assist arm having a grip positioned to lie above the sleeping surface and side rail extension members providing additional vertical coverage past the tops of the side rail for the resident resting on the sleeping surface.




In accordance with the present invention, a long term care bed is provided. The long term care bed includes a base frame resting on the floor. A plurality of casters is coupled to the base frame and the casters engage the floor. The plurality of casters includes a first caster and a second caster spaced apart from the first caster. A first brake assembly is coupled to the base frame adjacent to the first caster. The first brake assembly includes a pedestal movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position engaging the floor. An actuator is coupled to the pedestal and is movable between a releasing position moving the pedestal to the releasing position and a braking position moving the pedestal to the braking position. A second brake assembly is coupled to the base frame adjacent to the second caster. The second brake assembly includes a pedestal movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position engaging the floor.




A bar couples the second brake assembly to the first brake assembly. Thus, when the actuator is moved to the braking position, the pedestal of the first brake assembly moves to the braking position and the pedestal of the second brake assembly moves to the braking position. When the activator is moved to the releasing position, the pedestal of the first brake assembly moves to the releasing position and the pedestal of the second brake assembly moves to the releasing position.




In preferred embodiments, the long term care bed includes a base frame and an intermediate frame connected to the base frame by a parallelogram mechanism having spaced-apart and generally parallel first and second links. The first link has a first end pivotally coupled to the intermediate frame and a second end pivotally coupled to the base frame. The second link has a first end generally beneath the first end of the first link and pivotally coupled to the intermediate frame and a second end generally beneath the second end of the first link and pivotally coupled to the base frame. The distance that the sleeping surface is spaced apart from the floor is minimized when the intermediate frame is in the lowered position.




The long term care bed also includes an ambulatory assist arm for assisting residents with ingress to and egress from the sleeping surface. The bar is fixed to the intermediate frame and extends generally upwardly, terminating at a grip that is positioned to lie generally above the sleeping surface. The grip is conveniently positioned to provide the resident with a secure brace for supporting the resident's weight during ingress and egress to and from the sleeping surface. In addition, the position of the grip can easily be adjusted while the ambulatory assist arm is mounted to the bed and, if desired, the arm can be easily removed from and replaced onto the bed.




Hospital beds are commonly provided with side rails adjacent to the sides of the bed and extending upwardly past the sleeping surface. These side rails typically have an uppermost top bar and when the side rail is moved to its uppermost raised position, the top bar is a fixed distance above the deck. This distance is established to provide at least a minimum desired vertical coverage above the sleeping surface once a mattress is placed on the deck. However, the thicknesses of mattresses placed on the deck can vary. As a result, the height of the top bar above the deck must be sufficient to provide the minimum desired coverage even above the thickest anticipated mattress.




The present long term care bed, however, is provided with removable and replaceable side rail extensions that can be used to extend the vertical coverage of the side rails past the top bar of the side rail. As a result, the top bar of each side rail of the bed in accordance with the present invention can be limited so that the top bar extends past the sleeping surface only by a distance providing the minimum desired coverage above a thin mattress so that the side rail is shorter than conventional side rails. These shorter side rails provide residents with a more open and comfortable feel than taller side rails. At the same time, if a thicker mattress is placed on the deck, the side rail extension members can be coupled to the side rails so that the side rails together with the extension members provide the desired vertical coverage above the sleeping surface.




The long term care bed includes a drive assembly for moving the intermediate frame between the raised and lowered positions. Control buttons including caregiver control buttons and resident control buttons are coupled to the drive assembly so that activation of the control buttons causes activation of the drive assembly, moving the intermediate frame between the raised and lowered positions.




The control buttons are mounted to the side rails so that the resident control buttons face inwardly toward the deck of the bed and toward the resident and the caregiver control buttons face outwardly toward the caregiver. The resident control buttons are spaced-apart from the top of the side rail by a predetermined distance so that the resident's thumb is positioned adjacent to the resident control buttons when the resident's hand is comfortably resting on top of the side rail. The caregiver control buttons are spaced apart from the top of the side rail by a distance greater than the distance that the resident control buttons are spaced apart from the top of the side rail to minimize the inadvertent activation of the caregiver control buttons by the resident.




Additional objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:





FIG. 1

is an exploded perspective view of a long term care bed in accordance with the present invention showing a base frame engaging the floor, an intermediate frame coupled to the base frame for upward and downward movement relative to the base frame and to the floor, and a bed deck carried by the intermediate frame, the deck being configured to support a mattress (not shown) for carrying a long term care resident;





FIG. 2



a


is a side elevation view of the bed of

FIG. 1

with portions broken away showing the deck carrying a mattress and the intermediate frame moved to a raised position spaced-apart above the base frame;





FIG. 2



b


is a view similar to

FIG. 2



a


showing the intermediate frame moved to a lowered position resting on the base frame so that the distance between a generally upwardly-facing sleeping surface of the mattress and the floor is minimized;





FIG. 3



a


is a perspective view of an ambulatory assist arm of

FIG. 1

showing a bracket for connecting the ambulatory assist arm to the bed, a handle positioned to lie above the bracket, and a knob beneath the bracket and movable to an adjusting position allowing the handle to rotate relative to the bracket in order to adjust the side-to-side position of the handle relative to the bracket;





FIG. 3



b


is a diagrammatic side elevation view with portions broken away of the ambulatory assist arm connected to the bed;





FIG. 4

is a perspective view of a side rail of the bed of

FIG. 2



b


showing resident control buttons mounted to the side rail and facing inwardly toward the deck, the resident control buttons being generally horizontally aligned and spaced apart from the top of the side rail so that the resident's thumb is positioned adjacent to the resident control buttons when the resident's hand is comfortably resting on top of the side rail;





FIG. 5

is a view similar to

FIG. 4

showing caregiver control buttons mounted to the side rail and facing outwardly away from the deck, the caregiver control buttons being generally horizontally aligned and spaced apart from the top of the side rail by a distance sufficient to minimize the inadvertent activation of the caregiver control buttons by the resident;





FIG. 6

is a sectional view taken along line


6





6


of

FIG. 4

showing the relative positions of the caregiver control buttons and the resident control buttons and showing the contour of the side rail adjacent to the control buttons providing a comfortable “grasping point” for the resident and the caregiver when activating the buttons;





FIG. 7

is a perspective view of a first brake assembly and a second brake assembly of the bed of

FIG. 1

showing a generally horizontal actuator connected to the first brake assembly, a generally horizontal actuator connected to the second brake assembly, and first and second bars connecting the second brake assembly to the first brake assembly so that movement of either actuator operates to lock and release both of the first and second brake assemblies;





FIG. 8

is an end elevation view of the brake assemblies of

FIG. 7

showing the actuators in upward releasing positions and the pedestals of each of the first and second brake assemblies at upward releasing positions spaced apart from the floor;





FIG. 9

is a view similar to

FIG. 8

showing the actuators in the downward braking positions and the pedestals of each of the first and second brake assemblies at downward braking positions engaging the floor;





FIG. 10

is a view similar to

FIG. 2



b


showing first and second side rails, the first side rail including a first embodiment of a side rail extension member coupled to a top bar of the first side rail to extend the vertical coverage provided to the resident (not shown) to minimize the inadvertent movement of the resident past the side of the sleeping surface;





FIG. 11

is an elevation view of the first side rail of

FIG. 10

including a second embodiment of a side rail extension member showing channels of the side rail extension member engaging sides of the side rail and a locking pin of the side rail extension member engaging one of the sides of the side rail to lock the side rail extension member in place on the side rail;





FIG. 12

is a sectional view taken along line


12





12


of

FIG. 11

showing a channel of the side rail extension member engaging one of the sides of the side rail; and





FIG. 13

is a view similar to

FIG. 11

showing the locking pin of the side rail extension member pulled away from the side rail so that the side rail extension member can be easily removed from the side rail.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




A long term care bed


10


includes a base frame


12


and an intermediate frame


14


coupled to base frame


12


by a drive assembly


16


as shown in FIG.


1


. Drive assembly


16


moves intermediate frame


14


between a raised position spaced apart from base frame


12


and spaced apart from the floor


18


beneath base frame


12


, as shown best in

FIG. 2



a


, and a lowered position resting on base frame


12


, as shown best in

FIG. 2



b


. A bed deck


20


is connected to intermediate frame


14


and carries a mattress


22


having a generally upwardly-facing sleeping surface


24


. Thus, as drive assembly


16


moves intermediate frame


14


between the raised position and the lowered position, sleeping surface


24


and a long term care resident (not shown) resting on sleeping surface


24


move relative to base frame


12


and floor


18


.




Deck


20


is an articulating deck including longitudinally spaced-apart head, seat, thigh, and leg sections


26


,


28


,


30


,


32


as shown in FIG.


1


. Head section


26


, thigh section


30


, and leg section


32


are each individually movable relative to one another, relative to seat section


28


, and relative to intermediate frame


14


, and seat section


28


is fixed to intermediate frame


14


by a bar


34


. While deck


20


is an articulating deck having a plurality of movable deck sections


26


,


30


,


32


, it is within the scope of the invention as presently perceived for deck


20


to be a unitary deck having no movable sections, for deck


20


to have only one movable deck section, and for deck


20


to have any desired number of movable deck sections. Thus, any desired type of bed deck can be carried by intermediate frame


14


without exceeding the scope of the invention as presently perceived.




Bed


10


includes a head end


40


, a foot end


42


, a first side


44


, and a second side


46


as shown in

FIG. 1. A

head frame


48


is attached to head end


40


of intermediate frame


14


as shown in

FIGS. 1-3

and a head board


50


is attached to head frame


48


. A bumper


38


is connected to base frame


12


to protect head board


50


and to ensure that head end


40


of bed


10


is always spaced apart from adjacent walls


164


a sufficient distance to allow for the movement of intermediate frame


14


relative to base frame


12


without head board


50


or intermediate frame


14


touching walls


164


near bed


10


. In addition, a foot frame


52


is attached to foot end


42


of intermediate frame


14


and a foot board


54


is attached to foot frame


52


.




Drive assembly


16


includes a driver


56


having a motor


58


attached to head frame


48


and a linear actuator


60


having a length


62


that extends and retracts in response to the operation of motor


58


as shown in

FIGS. 2



a


and


2




b


. It is well known in the hospital bed art that electric drive motors with various types of transmission elements including lead screw drives and various types of mechanical linkages may be used to cause relative movement of portions of hospital beds and stretchers. As a result, the term “driver” and “driver


56


” when used relative to drive assembly


16


in the specification and in the claims is intended to cover all types of mechanical, electromechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic drivers that can extend and retract to raise and lower intermediate frame


14


relative to base frame


12


, including manual cranking mechanisms of all types, and including combinations thereof such as hydraulic cylinders in combination with electromechanical pumps for pressurizing fluid received by the hydraulic cylinders.




Motor


58


of driver


56


is attached to head frame


48


thereby fixing motor


58


relative to intermediate frame


14


and actuator


60


is coupled to motor


58


and to a flange


64


of drive assembly


16


so that as motor


58


causes actuator to extend, flange


64


is pushed away from head frame


48


, and as motor


58


causes actuator to retract, flange


64


is pulled toward head frame


48


. Flange


64


is movable relative to base frame


12


and relative to intermediate frame


14


and drive assembly


16


is configured so that as flange


64


moves relative to head frame


48


, intermediate frame


14


moves relative to base frame


12


between the raised and lowered positions.




Drive assembly


16


further includes spaced-apart, generally parallel, and longitudinally-extending first and second bars


68


,


70


as shown best in FIG.


1


. Bars


68


,


70


are connected to one another by a first brace


72


and a second brace


74


. Flange


64


is fixed to second brace


74


. Thus, as flange


64


is pushed away from or pulled toward head frame


48


, second brace


74


and bars


68


,


70


also move away from or toward head frame


48


as shown in

FIGS. 2



a


and


2




b.






First bar


68


has a first end


76


and a second end


78


as shown in FIG.


1


. First end


76


is connected to a head end shaft


80


by a link


82


fixed to shaft


80


and extending radially outwardly therefrom. Second end


78


is connected to a foot end shaft


84


by a link


86


fixed to shaft


84


and extending radially outwardly therefrom. Likewise, second bar


70


has first and second ends


88


,


90


. First end


88


is connected to shaft


80


by a link


92


fixed to shaft


80


and extending radially outwardly therefrom and second end


90


is connected to shaft


84


by a link


94


fixed to shaft


84


and extending radially outwardly therefrom.




Base frame


12


includes a head end transverse member


110


extending generally transversely between two head end casters


114


,


116


and a foot end transverse member


112


extending generally transversely between two foot end casters


118


,


120


as shown in FIG.


1


. Transversely spaced-apart first and second head end brackets


122


,


124


are fixed to member


110


and extend generally upwardly therefrom and transversely spaced-apart first and second foot end brackets


126


,


128


are fixed to member


112


and extend generally upwardly therefrom.




Drive assembly


16


includes fours sets


130


,


132


,


134


,


136


of parallel links, each set


130


,


132


,


134


,


136


being associated with one of brackets


122


,


124


,


126


,


128


, respectively, as shown in FIG.


1


. Each set


130


,


132


,


134


,


136


includes a first link


138


having a first end


140


pivotally coupled to its respective bracket


122


,


124


,


126


,


128


and a second link


142


having a first end


144


vertically spaced apart beneath first end


140


of first link


138


and pivotally coupled to its respective bracket


122


,


124


,


126


,


128


. A second end


146


of each second link


142


is fixed to its respective shaft


80


,


84


so that shaft


80


,


84


is restrained against rotation relative to link


142


. Thus, as flange


64


is pushed away from head frame


48


, bars


68


,


70


move toward foot end


42


of bed


10


and links


82


,


86


,


92


,


94


move toward foot end


42


of bed


10


and are pushed upwardly by second links


142


as second links


142


are rotated about their respective first ends


144


.




Intermediate frame


14


includes four generally downwardly extending flanges


150


,


152


,


154


,


156


. Second end


146


of each second link


142


is pivotally coupled to its respective flange


150


,


152


,


154


,


156


as shown in FIG.


1


. In addition, a second end


158


of each first link


138


is pivotally coupled to its respective flange


150


,


152


,


154


,


156


and is spaced apart from and positioned to lie above second end


146


of its respective second link


142


. Thus, each set


130


,


132


,


134


,


136


of links defines a parallelogram mechanism connecting intermediate frame


14


to base frame


12


so that as flange


64


of drive assembly


16


moves relative to head frame


48


, flanges


150


,


152


,


154


,


156


of intermediate frame


14


move upwardly and downwardly relative to base frame


12


and floor


18


. Sets


130


,


132


,


134


,


136


of links will be referred to hereinafter as parallelogram mechanisms


130


,


132


,


134


,


136


.




When actuator


60


is extended, maximizing length


62


as shown in

FIG. 2



a


, intermediate frame


14


is in the raised position spaced apart from base frame


12


. Moving actuator


60


to the extended position maximizes the distance between flange


64


of drive assembly


16


and head frame


48


pushing bars


68


,


70


toward foot end


42


of base frame


12


and away from head end


40


of base frame


12


. Pushing bars


68


,


70


toward foot end


42


of base frame


12


pushes links


82


,


86


,


92


,


94


toward foot end


42


, links


82


,


86


and links


92


,


94


pull shafts


80


,


84


, respectively, toward foot end


42


, and the movement of shafts


80


,


84


rotates first and second links


138


,


142


of each parallelogram mechanism


130


,


132


,


134


.


136


upwardly, moving flanges


150


,


152


,


154


,


156


and intermediate frame


14


upwardly.




Moving actuator


60


to the retracted position minimizes the distance between flange


64


of drive assembly


16


and head frame


48


pulling bars


68


,


70


toward head end


40


of base frame


12


and away from foot end


40


of base frame


12


as shown in

FIG. 2



b


. Pulling bars


68


,


70


toward head end


40


of base frame


12


pulls links


82


,


86


,


92


,


94


toward head end


40


, links


82


,


86


and links


92


,


94


push shafts


80


,


84


, respectively, toward head end


40


, and the movement of shafts


80


,


84


rotates first and second links


138


,


142


of each parallelogram mechanism


130


,


132


,


134


,


136


downwardly, moving flanges


150


,


152


,


154


,


156


and intermediate frame


14


downwardly.




When actuator


60


is retracted, minimizing length


62


as shown in

FIG. 2



b


, intermediate frame


14


is in the lowered position having side members


160


,


162


of intermediate frame


14


resting on transverse members


110


,


112


of base frame


12


. It also can be seen that when intermediate frame


14


is in the lowered position, flanges


150


,


152


,


154


,


156


extend downwardly from intermediate frame


14


and past transverse members


110


,


112


of base frame


12


so that second end


158


of first link


138


of each parallelogram mechanism


130


,


132


,


134


,


136


is closer to floor


18


than first end


144


of second link


142


of each parallelogram mechanism


130


,


132


,


134


,


136


.




As described above, bumper


38


is fixed to head end


40


of base frame


12


as shown in

FIGS. 1

,


2




a


, and


2




b


. As intermediate frame


14


moves from the raised position, shown in

FIG. 2



a


, to the lowered position, shown in

FIG. 2



b


, intermediate frame also translates toward head end


40


of bed


10


. Bumper


38


is positioned to lie so that bumper


38


extends farther in the direction of head end


40


of bed


10


than intermediate frame


14


extends at any point during movement of intermediate frame


14


between the raised position and the lowered position. Thus, as shown best in

FIG. 2



b


, bumper


38


operates to space bed


10


a sufficient distance away from a wall


164


adjacent to head end


40


of bed


10


so that intermediate frame


14


can move relative to base frame


12


between the raised position and the lowered position without touching wall


164


.




An ambulatory assist arm


170


is attached to intermediate frame


14


of bed as shown in

FIGS. 1

,


2




a


,


3




a


, and


3




b


. Arm


170


includes a first end


172


coupled to intermediate frame


14


and arm


170


extends generally upwardly therefrom terminating at a grip


174


spaced apart from first end


172


and positioned to lie above sleeping surface


24


of mattress


22


and above side rail


250


as shown in

FIGS. 2



a


and


2




b


. Because first end


172


is coupled to intermediate frame


14


, movement of intermediate frame


14


relative to base frame


12


does not affect the position of grip


174


relative to sleeping surface


24


. However, ambulatory assist arm


170


is rotatable relative to intermediate frame


14


so that the orientation of grip


174


relative to sleeping surface


24


can be adjusted side-to-side as shown, for example, in FIG.


1


.




Grip


174


of ambulatory assist arm


170


provides a secure structure for the resident to hold during ingress to and egress from sleeping surface


24


of bed


10


. Grip


174


is coupled to intermediate frame


14


and moves with intermediate frame


14


and mattress


22


during movement of intermediate frame


14


between the raised and lowered positions so that the resident will have a consistent and reliable support to grasp when entering or exiting bed


10


.




Ambulatory assist arm


170


is mounted to bed


10


by a bracket


310


shown in

FIGS. 3



a


and


3




b


. Bracket


310


includes an upper flange


312


, a body portion


314


extending downwardly from upper flange


312


, and spaced-apart first and second lower flanges


316


,


318


extending inwardly from body portion


314


toward intermediate frame


14


, each flange


316


,


318


terminating in a hook


320


,


322


, respectively. A bar


324


extends outwardly from body portion


314


and a socket


326


is attached to the outward end of bar


324


. First end


172


of ambulatory assist arm


170


is mounted in socket


326


and a set screw


328


can be moved to a locking position fixing ambulatory assist arm


170


relative to bracket


310


, intermediate frame


14


, and sleeping surface


24


. Set screw


328


can be loosened and moved to a releasing position allowing ambulatory assist arm


170


to rotate in socket


326


.




Although the locking mechanism for locking ambulatory assist arm


170


relative to bar


324


and thus to bracket


310


, intermediate frame


14


, and sleeping surface


24


is set screw


328


and socket


326


, the locking mechanism can include a clamp, a spring loaded lock, a locking pin, or any suitable device for fixing ambulatory assist arm


170


relative to bracket


310


and allowing for the adjustment of the position of ambulatory assist arm


170


relative to bracket


310


while bracket


310


is coupled to intermediate frame


14


. Thus, ambulatory assist arm


170


has first end


172


coupled to intermediate frame


14


and grip


174


spaced apart from first end


172


and positioned to lie above sleeping surface


24


. Arm


170


, and thus grip


174


, is fixed relative to intermediate frame


14


when the locking mechanism is in the locking position and is rotatable relative to intermediate frame


14


when the locking mechanism is in the releasing position so that the orientation of grip


174


relative to sleeping surface


24


can be adjusted, even when bracket


310


is mounted to bed


10


.




Seat section


28


includes a plurality of apertures


330


extending generally downwardly as shown in

FIGS. 1 and 3



b


. Pins


332


are mounted to upper flange


312


and extend downwardly therefrom so that when bracket


310


is mounted to bed


10


, pins


332


are received by apertures


330


. In addition, lower flanges


316


,


318


straddle bar


34


connecting intermediate frame


14


to seat section


28


and hooks


320


,


322


hook around intermediate frame


14


as shown best in

FIG. 3



b


. Thus, hooks


320


,


322


engage intermediate frame


14


and cooperate with pins


332


to mount bracket


310


, and ambulatory assist arm


170


, to bed


10


. Although pins


332


extend through apertures


330


to connect bracket


310


to seat section


38


, it is within the scope of the invention as presently perceived to employ hooks that hook over seat section


38


in a manner similar to hooks


320


,


322


over intermediate frame


14


or similar attaching mechanisms to connect bracket


310


to seat section


38


. However, use of pins


332


in apertures


330


provides additional support in the longitudinal direction so that bracket


310


and ambulatory assist arm


170


do not move toward head end


40


or foot end


42


during use.




Bracket


310


is locked to bed


10


using a locking mechanism having a plunger


334


slidably mounted to body portion


314


for movement between an inward locking position engaging bar


34


when bracket


310


is mounted to bed


10


as shown in

FIG. 3



b


and an outward position spaced apart from bar


34


. A cam


336


has a first end engaging plunger


334


and a second end engaging body portion


314


. Cam


336


cooperates with plunger


334


and bracket


310


to hold bracket


310


and, thus, ambulatory assist arm


170


snugly against bed


10


. When plunger


334


is in the locking position, bracket


310


is fixed to bed


10


.




A lever mechanism


338


is coupled to plunger


334


and body portion


314


as shown in

FIGS. 3



a


and


3




b


. Lever mechanism


338


includes a lever


340


movable between a locking position shown in

FIG. 3



b


moving cam


336


and moving plunger


334


against body portion


314


and a releasing position withdrawing plunger


334


outwardly to a position spaced apart from bar


34


of bed


10


. Bracket


310


, and thus ambulatory assist arm


170


, is only loosely connected to bed


10


when plunger


334


is in the releasing position with pins


332


being loosely received in apertures


330


and hooks


320


,


322


loosely engaging intermediate frame


14


so that arm


170


can be easily removed from bed


10


when plunger


334


is in the releasing position.




Ambulatory assist arm


170


is thus easily mounted to bed


10


using bracket


310


as shown in

FIG. 3



b


. When bracket


310


and arm


170


are mounted to bed


10


, set screw


328


can be moved from the locking position to the releasing position allowing aim


170


to be rotated to adjust the orientation of arm


170


relative to sleeping surface


24


as shown in FIG.


1


. If desired, arm


170


and bracket


310


can be easily removed from bed


10


without using tools. To do so, the caregiver simply moves lever


340


of lever mechanism


338


from the locking position to the releasing position withdrawing plunger


334


away from bar


34


so that bracket


310


can be lifted to disengage hooks


322


,


324


from intermediate frame


14


and pins


332


from apertures


330


and then moved outwardly away from bed


10


.




As described above, deck


20


includes longitudinally spaced-apart head, thigh, and leg sections


26


,


30


,


32


, as shown in

FIG. 1

, that are individually movable relative to one another, relative to seat section


28


, and relative to intermediate frame. In addition, intermediate frame


14


is movable relative to base frame


12


between the raised position and the lowered position. Drive assembly


16


can be activated to move intermediate frame


14


relative to base frame


12


and a second drive assembly (not shown) can be activated to move head, thigh, and leg sections


26


,


30


,


32


relative to intermediate frame


14


. Control buttons including resident control buttons


266


and caregiver control buttons


268


are coupled to drive assembly


16


and to the second drive assembly so that activation of buttons


266


,


268


controls the activation of both drive assembly


16


and the second drive assembly. Buttons


266


,


268


are mounted to bed side rails


250


as shown best in

FIGS. 4-6

with resident control buttons


266


facing inwardly toward deck


20


and caregiver control buttons


268


facing outwardly away from deck


20


.




Each side rail


250


includes a top


270


and each resident control button


266


is spaced apart from top


270


of its respective side rail


250


by a distance


272


, as shown in

FIGS. 4 and 6

, so that resident control buttons


266


on each side rail


250


are generally horizontally aligned. Distance


272


is selected so that when the hand of the resident rests on top


270


of side rail


250


, the resident's thumb is comfortably positioned adjacent to resident control buttons


266


as shown in FIG.


4


.




It can also be seen that each caregiver control button


268


is spaced apart from top


270


of its respective side rail


250


by a distance


274


, as shown in

FIGS. 5 and 6

, so that caregiver control buttons


268


on each side rail


250


are generally horizontally aligned. Distance


274


is greater than distance


272


and is selected so that when the hand of the resident rests on top


270


of side rail


250


, the resident's fingers are spaced apart from buttons


268


as shown in

FIG. 5

to minimize the inadvertent operation of buttons


268


by the resident. In preferred embodiments, buttons


266


,


268


are marked with Braille symbols to assist the visually impaired with the operation of bed


10


.




Side rail


250


is shaped as shown best in

FIG. 6

to provide the resident and the caregiver with a comfortable “grasping point” adjacent to buttons


266


,


268


for grasping side rail


250


when operating buttons


266


,


268


. Side rail


250


is generally a first width


276


but is formed to include an undercut portion


278


extending downwardly from top


270


a distance


280


and thinning to a minimum width


282


. Thus, side rail


250


includes a top portion


284


about which the fingers of the resident and the caregiver can curl to grasp top portion


284


of side rail


250


while operating buttons


266


,


268


.




It should also be noted that each side rail


250


includes an inwardly-facing surface


286


facing toward deck


20


and an outwardly-facing surface


288


as shown best in FIG.


6


. In addition, each resident control button


266


includes a button surface


290


and each caregiver control button


268


includes a button surface


292


. Button surfaces


290


of resident control buttons


266


are recessed into side rail


250


relative to inwardly-facing surface


286


to minimize the inadvertent operation of resident control buttons


266


and button surfaces


292


of caregiver control buttons


268


are recessed into side rail


250


relative to outwardly-facing surface


288


to minimize the inadvertent operation of caregiver control buttons


268


.




As described above, casters


114


,


116


,


118


,


120


are coupled to base frame


12


and engage floor


18


as shown in

FIG. 1

so that bed


10


can be moved along floor


18


. Bed


10


also includes a first brake assembly


180


and a second brake assembly


182


as shown in FIGS.


1


and


7


-


9


, each of the first and second brake assemblies


180


,


182


being movable between a releasing position shown in

FIG. 8

allowing free movement of bed


10


along floor


18


and a braking position shown in

FIG. 9

restraining the movement of bed


10


along floor


18


.




First brake assembly


180


includes a tube


184


connected to a plate


176


of base frame


12


and positioned to lie adjacent to a first caster


118


. Tube


184


has a cylindrically-shaped hollow interior region (not shown). A post


186


is slidably received in the interior region of tube


184


so that post


186


can slide axially relative to tube


184


between the upward releasing position shown in FIG.


8


and the downward braking position shown in

FIG. 9. A

pedestal


188


is attached to post


186


so that when post


186


is in the releasing position pedestal


188


is spaced apart from floor


18


and when post


186


is in the braking position pedestal


188


firmly engages floor


18


.




Second brake assembly


182


includes a tube


190


connected to a plate


178


of base frame


12


and positioned to lie adjacent to a second caster


120


. Tube


190


has a cylindrically-shaped hollow interior region (not shown). A post


192


is slidably received in the interior region of tube


190


so that post


192


can slide axially relative to tube


190


between the upward releasing position shown in FIG.


8


and the downward braking position shown in

FIG. 9. A

pedestal


194


is attached to post


192


so that when post


192


is in the releasing position pedestal


194


is spaced apart from floor


18


and when post


192


is in the braking position pedestal


194


firmly engages floor


18


so that pedestal


194


cooperates with pedestal


188


to restrain movement of bed


10


along floor


18


.




Tube


184


of first brake assembly


180


is connected to post


186


by an upper link


210


pivotally coupled to tube


184


and a lower link


212


pivotally coupled to post


186


as shown in

FIGS. 7-9

. Upper link


210


is pivotally coupled to lower link


212


by a pin


214


and upper and lower links


210


,


212


are configured so that when pin


214


is moved to bring links


210


,


212


generally into a linear alignment, as shown in

FIG. 9

, upper and lower links


210


,


212


cooperate to push post


186


and pedestal


188


to the braking position.




Tube


190


of second brake assembly


182


is connected to post


192


by an upper link


216


pivotally coupled to tube


190


and a lower link


218


pivotally coupled to post


192


as shown in

FIGS. 7-9

. Upper link


216


is pivotally coupled to lower link


218


by a pin


220


and upper and lower links


216


,


218


are configured so that when pin


220


is moved to bring links


216


,


218


generally into a linear alignment, as shown in

FIG. 9

, upper and lower links


216


,


218


cooperate to push post


192


and pedestal


194


to the braking position.




First brake assembly


180


further includes a tension spring (not shown) inside tube


184


and post


186


, the tension spring having a first end connected to a bolt


224


extending through tube


184


and a second end connected to a bolt


226


extending through post


186


. The tension spring of assembly


180


yieldably biases post


186


upward toward tube


184


so that pedestal


188


and post


186


are yieldably biased toward the releasing position. Likewise, second brake assembly


182


includes a tension spring (not shown) having a first end connected to a bolt


228


extending through tube


190


and a second end connected to a bolt


229


extending through post


192


. The tension spring of assembly


182


yieldably biases post


192


upward toward tube


190


so that pedestal


194


and post


102


are yieldably biased toward the releasing position.




Upper link


216


is formed to include a stop


222


extending from upper link


216


inwardly toward tube


190


and lower link


212


is formed to include a stop


223


extending from lower link


212


inwardly toward tube


184


as shown in

FIGS. 8 and 9

. When post


192


and pedestal


194


are in the braking position, stop


222


engages tube


190


and stop


223


engages tube


184


as shown best in

FIG. 9

to stop further movement of pin


220


and links


216


,


218


away from the releasing position.




Upper link


210


of first brake assembly


180


is formed to include an actuator


230


fixed to upper link


210


and extending generally upwardly and outwardly therefrom when brake assembly


180


is in the releasing position as shown in FIG.


8


. Actuator


230


terminates at a foot pedal


232


that extends generally horizontally when assembly


180


is in the releasing position. When a caregiver depresses foot pedal


232


, actuator


230


and upper link


210


pivot downwardly relative to tube


184


and pin


214


moves away from the releasing position and toward the braking position until stop


223


of lower link


212


engages tube


184


, pin


214


moves to an “over center position” past a line


225


defined by bolts


224


,


226


, pedestal


188


engages floor


18


, and assembly


180


reaches the braking position shown in

FIG. 9

having actuator


230


extending generally outwardly from upper link


210


.




Lower link


218


of second brake assembly


182


is also formed to include an actuator


234


. Actuator


234


is fixed to lower link


218


and extends generally upwardly and outwardly therefrom when brake assembly


182


is in the releasing position as shown in FIG.


8


. Actuator


234


terminates at a foot pedal


236


that extends generally horizontally when assembly


182


is in the releasing position. When a caregiver depresses foot pedal


236


, actuator


234


pivots downwardly and lower link


218


pivots upwardly relative to tube


190


and pin


220


moves away from the releasing position and toward the braking position until stop


222


engages tube


190


, pin


220


moves to an “over center position” past a line


227


defined by bolts


228


,


229


, pedestal


194


engages floor


18


, and assembly


182


reaches the braking position shown in

FIG. 9

having actuator


234


extending generally outwardly from upper link


216


.




First and second transverse bars


240


,


242


are pivotally coupled to pin


214


of first brake assembly


180


and to pin


220


of second brake assembly


182


as shown in

FIGS. 7-9

. Bars


240


,


242


thus prevent movement of pin


220


independent of pin


214


thereby preventing movement of assembly


180


independent of assembly


182


. As a result, when a caregiver depresses foot pedal


232


of first brake assembly


180


to move assembly


180


from the releasing position to the braking position, pin


214


moves toward the braking position moving bars


240


,


242


and thus pin


220


from the releasing position toward the braking position. As pin


220


moves toward the braking position, post


192


and pedestal


194


are moved by upper and lower links


216


,


218


of second braking assembly from the releasing position to the braking position. Once second braking assembly


182


reaches the braking position, stop


222


engages tube


190


, stop


223


engages tube


184


, and the movement of pin


220


away from the releasing position is stopped, stopping the movement of bars


240


,


242


, stopping the movement of pin


214


, and thus stopping the movement of first braking assembly away from the releasing position.




To move first brake assembly


180


from the braking position of

FIG. 8

to the releasing position of

FIG. 8

, the caregiver can simply lift foot pedal


232


, thereby swinging upper link


210


upwardly and pulling pin


214


outwardly so that upper and lower links


210


,


212


cooperate to pull post


186


into tube


184


, thereby pulling pedestal


188


away from floor


18


from the braking position toward the releasing position. In addition, second brake assembly


182


is provided with an auxiliary pedal


238


appended to upper link


216


and extending away from lower link


218


as shown in FIG.


7


. When the caregiver depresses auxiliary pedal


238


, pin


220


moves outwardly and upper and lower links


216


,


218


cooperate to pull post


186


into tube


184


, thereby pulling pedestal


188


away from floor


18


and toward the releasing position. As described above, bars


240


,


242


connect pin


214


of first brake assembly


180


to pin


220


of second brake assembly


182


so that moving first brake assembly


180


from the braking position to the releasing position automatically moves second brake assembly


182


from the braking position to the releasing position.




Thus bed


10


includes first brake assembly


180


coupled to base frame


12


adjacent to first caster


118


as shown in

FIGS. 7-9

. Assembly


180


includes pedestal


188


movable between the releasing position spaced apart from floor


18


and the braking position engaging floor


18


. Bed


10


also includes second brake assembly


182


coupled to base frame


12


adjacent to second caster


120


. Assembly


182


includes pedestal


194


movable between the releasing position spaced apart from floor


18


and the braking position engaging floor


18


. Assembly


180


includes actuator


230


movable between the releasing position and the braking position. Assembly


182


is coupled to assembly


180


so that when actuator


230


is moved to the braking position, pedestal


188


of assembly


180


moves to the braking position and pedestal


194


moves to the braking position. In addition, when actuator


230


is moved to the releasing position, pedestal


188


of assembly


180


moves to the releasing position and pedestal


194


of assembly


182


moves to the releasing position.




Bed


10


additionally includes side rails


250


, as shown in

FIGS. 2



a


,


2




b


, and


10


-


13


, pivotally coupled to intermediate frame


14


for movement between a lowered position as shown (in phantom) in

FIG. 10 and a

raised position as shown in

FIGS. 2



a


,


2




b


, and


10


. Side rails


250


are positioned to lie adjacent to sides


252


,


254


of sleeping surface


24


to minimize the inadvertent movement of the resident past the sides


252


,


254


and off of sleeping surface


24


.




Each side rail


250


includes a top bar


256


positioned to lie along one of sides


252


,


254


and above sleeping surface


24


when side rail


250


is in the raised position as shown in FIG.


10


. Side rails


250


are coupled to intermediate frame


14


so that top bar


256


is a fixed distance


258


above deck


20


when side rail


250


is in the raised position.




On conventional hospital beds, the distance between the top of the side rail when the side rail is in its uppermost position and the resident-support deck is established so that a minimum amount of “vertical coverage” is provided along the sides of the sleeping surface between the sleeping surface and the top of the side rail. The distance between the top of the sleeping surface and the top of the side rail is established to minimize the inadvertent movement of the resident over the side rail and off of the sleeping surface. However, the thicknesses of mattresses, and thus the distance between the top of the deck and the sleeping surface, varies for different types of mattresses placed on the deck. Thus, designers typically design side rails so that the distance between the top of the side rail and the deck is large enough that sufficient coverage is provided between the sleeping surface and the top of the side rail even with the thickest mattress expected for use on the bed. As a result, when thinner mattresses are installed on the deck, the distance between the sleeping surface and the top of the side rail is excessive.




Side rails


250


of bed


10


provide less vertical coverage than typically found as described above. Instead, top bar


256


is spaced apart from deck


20


by distance


258


which provides insufficient coverage above sleeping surface


24


when thick mattresses are installed on deck


20


. As a result, when thinner mattresses are installed on deck


20


, the resident on sleeping surface


24


has a more open and comfortable environment that is more like the environment that the resident experiences at home.




When a thicker mattress is installed on deck


20


, additional vertical coverage is provided by installing a side rail extension member


260


,


344


onto each side rail


250


as shown for one of side rails


250


in

FIG. 10

having a first embodiment of a side rail extension member


260


connected to side rail


250


and in

FIGS. 11-13

showing a second embodiment of a side rail extension member


342


connected to side rails


250


. When one of side rail extension members


260


,


344


is attached to side rail


250


, side rail


250


and side rail extension member


260


,


344


cooperate to provide vertical coverage above sleeping surface


24


. Side rail extension member


260


, for example, has a top bar


262


spaced apart from deck


20


by a distance


264


shown in

FIG. 10

when side rail


250


is in the raised position so that use of side rail extension member


260


provides additional vertical coverage equivalent to a distance


266


.




Side rail extension member


260


is fastened to top bar


256


of side rail


250


as shown in

FIG. 10

when a thick mattress is placed on deck


20


so that sufficient vertical coverage can be provided above sleeping surface


24


. When a thinner mattress is installed on deck


20


, side rail extension member


260


is easily removed so that top bar


256


of side rail


250


defines the full extent of vertical coverage provided by side rail


250


along sides


252


,


254


of sleeping surface


24


. Thus, side rail extension member


260


can be connected to top bar


256


of side rail


250


to extend generally upwardly therefrom. However, side rail extension member


260


is removable from top bar


256


when sleeping surface


24


is configured so that distance


258


between top bar


256


and sleeping surface


24


provides sufficient vertical coverage along sides


252


,


254


and above sleeping surface


24


.




Side rail extension member


260


can be fastened to side rail


250


using fasteners


342


such as bolts or pins as shown in FIG.


10


. However, ease of installation and removal is enhanced using the second embodiment of a side rail extension


344


as shown in

FIGS. 11-13

. Side rail


250


includes a first side bar


346


extending generally downwardly from top bar


256


and a second side bar


348


spaced apart from first side bar


346


and extending generally downwardly from top bar


256


and side rail extension member


344


connects to first and second side bars


346


,


348


.




Side rail extension member


344


includes a top bar


350


, a first side bar


352


extending generally downwardly from top bar


350


, and a second side bar


354


spaced apart from first side bar


352


and extending generally downwardly from top bar


350


as shown in

FIGS. 11 and 13

. A first channel member


356


is placed over first side bar


352


and a second channel member


358


is placed over second side bar


354


. Channel member


356


engages first side bar


346


of side rail


250


and channel member


358


engages second side bar


348


when side rail extension member


344


is installed on side rail


250


as shown in

FIGS. 11 and 12

.




A bolt


360


is threadably received by a downwardly-extending portion


362


of channel member


358


so that when side rail extension member


344


is placed on side rail


250


and bolt


360


is moved to engage second side bar


348


of side rail


150


, bolt


360


cooperates with first and second channel members


356


,


358


to fix side rail extension member


344


to side rail


250


. However, side rail extension member


344


is easily removed from side rail


250


simply by withdrawing bolt


360


away from side bar


348


of side rail


250


and lifting side rail extension member


344


away from side rail


250


.




Thus, when a thin mattress


22


is carried by deck


20


so that the distance from top bar


256


to sleeping surface


24


provides at least the desired amount of vertical coverage minimizing the inadvertent movement of the resident from sleeping surface


24


, side rail


250


can be used without a side rail extension member


260


,


344


providing the resident with a comfortable “open” feel denied to the resident when taller side rails


250


are used. However, if mattress


22


is thick so that insufficient vertical coverage is provided by side rails


250


alone, side rail extension member


344


can be mounted to side rail


250


to extend the extent of vertical coverage simply by placing side rail extension member


344


on side rail


250


so that channel member


356


,


358


engage side bars


346


,


348


, respectively, and then moving bolt


360


into engagement with second side bar


348


.




Bed


10


includes features suited for regular daily use by the general resident population of a long-term care facility. In particular, bed


10


is easy to operate both by the geriatric population and the nursing aide staff. Bed


10


will permit safe and easy positioning and egress, thereby enhancing the independence of residents. In addition, bed


10


reduces the amount of manual lifting done by the staff through easy egress and operation of the bed while they assist residents with their activities of daily living. Resident egress is assisted through the lower height of the sleeping surface


24


achieved at the lowered position than is found on conventional beds, through side rails


250


, and through ambulatory assist arm


170


.




Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to a certain preferred embodiment, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.



Claims
  • 1. A bed resting on a floor, the bed comprising:a base frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the base frame and configured to engage the floor, the plurality of casters including a first caster and a second caster spaced apart from the first caster, a first brake assembly coupled to the base frame adjacent to the first caster, the first brake assembly including a first pedestal movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the floor, and an actuator movable between a releasing position and a braking position to move the first pedestal between its releasing and braking positions, respectively, a second brake assembly coupled to the base frame adjacent to the second caster, the second brake assembly including a second pedestal movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the floor, the base frame including a hollow first tube configured to extend downwardly adjacent to the first brake assembly and a hollow second tube configured to extend downwardly adjacent to the second brake assembly, the first brake assembly including a first post slidably received in the first tube, a first link pivotally coupled to the first post, a second link pivotally coupled to the first tube, and a first pin pivotally coupling the first link to the second link, the first pedestal being coupled to the first post, the second brake assembly including a second post slidably received in the second tube, a third link pivotally coupled to the second post, a fourth link pivotally coupled to the second tube, and a second pin pivotally coupling the third link to the fourth link, the second pedestal being coupled to the second post, and a bar coupled between the second brake assembly and the first brake assembly so that when the actuator is moved to the braking position, the first pedestal of the first brake assembly moves to the braking position and the second pedestal of the second brake assembly moves to the braking position and when the actuator is moved to the releasing position the first pedestal of the first brake assembly moves to the releasing position and the second pedestal of the second brake assembly moves to the releasing position, the bar including a first end coupled to the first pin and a second end coupled to the second pin.
  • 2. The bed of claim 1, wherein the first link of the first brake assembly is formed to include a foot pedal configured to extend generally horizontally when the first brake assembly is in the releasing position so that when the foot pedal is depressed, the first and second pedestals each move toward the braking position.
  • 3. The bed of claim 1, wherein the first, second, third and fourth links are U-shaped each have first and second arm members configured to extend on opposite sides of the first and second tubes and first and second posts.
  • 4. The bed of claim 3, wherein the bar is coupled to the first pin adjacent the first arm members of the first, second, third and fourth links.
  • 5. The bed of claim 4, further comprising a second bar coupled to the second pin adjacent the second arm members of the first, second, third and fourth links.
  • 6. A bed resting on a floor, the bed comprising:a base frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the base frame and configured to engage the floor, the plurality of casters including a first caster and a second caster spaced apart from the first caster, a first brake assembly coupled to the base frame adjacent to the first caster, the first brake assembly including a first pedestal movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the floor, and an actuator movable between a releasing position and a braking position to move the first pedestal between its releasing and braking positions, respectively, a second brake assembly coupled to the base frame adjacent to the second caster, the second brake assembly including a second pedestal movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the floor, the base frame including a hollow first tube configured to extend downwardly adjacent to the first brake assembly and a hollow second tube configured to extend downwardly adjacent to the second brake assembly, the first brake assembly including a first post slidably received in the first tube, the first pedestal being coupled to the first post, the second brake assembly including a second post slidably received in the second tube, the second pedestal being coupled to the second post, a bar coupled between the second brake assembly and the first brake assembly so that when the actuator is moved to the braking position, the first pedestal of the first brake assembly moves to the braking position and the second pedestal of the second brake assembly moves to the braking position and when the actuator is moved to the releasing position the first pedestal of the first brake assembly moves to the releasing position and the second pedestal of the second brake assembly moves to the releasing position, a first spring having a first end coupled to the first tube and the second end coupled to the first post of the first brake assembly, and a second spring having a first end coupled to the second tube and a second end coupled to the second post of the second brake assembly, the first and second springs being configured to bias the first and second pedestals to the releasing positions, the first and second pins being movable by the actuator to an over center position relative to the first and second springs,respectively, when the pedestals are moved to the braking positions.
  • 7. A bed resting on a floor, the bed comprising:a base frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the base frame and configured to engage the floor, the plurality of casters including a first caster and a second caster spaced apart from the first caster, a first brake assembly coupled to the base frame adjacent to the first caster the first brake assembly including a first pedestal movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the floor, an actuator movable between a releasing position and a braking position to move the first pedestal between its releasing and braking positions, respectively, a first upper link pivotally coupled to the base frame, a first lower link pivotally coupled to the first pedestal, and a first pin pivotally coupling the upper link to the lower link, a second brake assembly coupled to the base frame adjacent to the second caster, the second brake assembly including a second pedestal movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the floor, a second upper link pivotally coupled to the base frame, a second lower link pivotally coupled to the second pedestal, and a second pin pivotally coupling the second upper link to the second lower link, and a bar coupled between the second brake assembly and the first brake assembly so that when the actuator is moved to the braking position, the first pedestal of the first brake assembly moves to the braking position and the second pedestal of the second brake assembly moves to the braking position and when the actuator is moved to the releasing position the first pedestal of the first brake assembly moves to the releasing position and the second pedestal of the second brake assembly moves to the releasing position.
  • 8. The bed of claim 7, wherein the actuator is coupled to the first upper link of the first brake assembly and further comprising a second actuator coupled to the second lower link of the second brake assembly so that movement of either of the first and second actuators to the braking position causes the first and second pedestals to move to the braking positions and movement of either of the first and second actuators to the releasing position causes the first and second pedestals to move to the releasing positions.
  • 9. The bed of claim 8, wherein movement of the first actuator to the braking position automatically causes movement of the second actuator to the braking position.
  • 10. The bed of claim 7, wherein the first lower link of the first brake assembly is formed to include a stop and the second upper link of the second brake assembly is formed to include a stop.
  • 11. The bed of claim 7, further comprising an auxiliary pedal coupled to the first upper link, the auxiliary pedal being configured to release the first and second pedestals from the braking positions when the auxiliary pedal is actuated.
  • 12. A bed resting on a floor, the bed comprising:a base frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the base frame and configured to engage the floor, a first brake coupled to the base frame, the first brake being movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the floor, a foot pedal actuator movable between a first position and a second position to move the first brake between its releasing and braking positions, respectively, a second brake coupled to the base frame, the second brake being movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the floor, and a pair of parallel linkages configured to couple the second brake to the first brake so that when the foot pedal actuator is moved to the second position, the first and second brakes both move to the braking position and when the foot pedal actuator is moved to the first position the first and second brakes both move to the releasing position.
  • 13. The bed of claim 12, wherein the foot pedal actuator is located adjacent the first brake.
  • 14. The bed of claim 12, wherein the first and second brakes each include a pedestal movable between the releasing position and the braking position.
  • 15. The bed of claim 12, wherein the base frame includes a hollow first tube configured to extend downwardly adjacent to the first brake and a hollow second tube configured to extend downwardly adjacent to the second brake, the first brake including a first post slidably received in the first tube and a first pedestal coupled to the first post, and the second brake including a second post slidably received in the second tube and a second pedestal coupled to the second post.
  • 16. The bed of claim 15, further comprising a spring located in the first tube and having a first end coupled to the first tube and a second end coupled to the first post, the spring being configured to bias the first and second brakes toward the releasing positions.
  • 17. The bed of claim 15, further comprising a first spring having a first end coupled to the first tube and the second end coupled to the first post of the first brake, and a second spring having a first end coupled to the second tube and a second end coupled to the second post of the second brake, the first and second springs being configured to bias the first and second pedestals to the releasing positions.
  • 18. The bed of claim 17, wherein the first and second pins are movable to an over center position relative to the first and second springs, respectively, when the first and second brakes are moved to the braking positions.
  • 19. The bed of claim 12, further comprising a first upper link pivotably coupled to the base frame, a first lower link pivotably coupled to the first brake, and a first pin configured to pivotably couple the first upper link to the first lower link, and a second upper link pivotably coupled to the base frame, a second lower link pivotably coupled to the second brake, and a second pin configured to pivotably couple the second upper link to the second lower link.
  • 20. The bed of claim 19, wherein the first lower link is formed to include a stop and the second upper link is formed to include a stop.
  • 21. A bed resting on a floor, the bed comprising:a base frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the base frame and configured to engage the floor, a first brake coupled to the base frame, the first brake being movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the floor, a first foot pedal actuator located adjacent to the first brake and movable between a first position and a second position to move the first brake between its releasing and braking positions, respectively, a second brake coupled to the base frame, the second brake being movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the floor, a second foot pedal actuator located adjacent the second brake, and a linkage configured to couple the second brake to the first brake so that when the foot pedal actuator is moved to the second position, the first and second brakes both move to the braking position and when the foot pedal actuator is moved to the first position, the first and second brakes both move to the releasing position.
  • 22. A bed resting on a floor, the bed comprising:a base frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the base frame and configured to engage the floor, a first brake coupled to the base frame, the first brake being movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the floor, a foot pedal actuator movable between a first position and a second position to move the first brake between its releasing and braking positions, respectively, a second brake coupled to the base frame, the second brake being movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the floor, the base frame including a hollow first tube configured to extend downwardly adjacent to the first brake and a hollow second tube configured to extend downwardly adjacent to the second brake, the first brake including a first post slidably received in the first tube, a first pedestal coupled to the first post, a first link pivotally coupled to the first post, a second link pivotally coupled to the first tube, and a first pin configured to pivotally couple the first link to the second link, the second brake including a second post slidably received in the second tube, a second pedestal coupled to the second post, a third link pivotally coupled to the second post, a fourth link pivotally coupled to the second tube, and a second pin configured to pivotally couple the third link to the fourth link, and a linkage configured to couple the second brake to the first brake so that when the foot pedal actuator is moved to the second position, the first and second brakes both move to the braking position and when the foot pedal actuator is moved to the first position the first and second brakes both move to the releasing position, the linkage including a first end coupled to the first pin and a second end coupled to the second pin.
  • 23. The bed of claim 22, wherein the first link of the first brake is formed to include the foot pedal actuator.
  • 24. The bed of claim 22, wherein the first, second, third and fourth links are U-shaped.
  • 25. A bed resting on a floor, the bed comprising:a base frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the base frame and configured to engage the floor, a first brake coupled to the base frame, the first brake being movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the floor, a foot pedal actuator movable between a first position and a second position to move the first brake between its releasing and braking positions, respectively, a second brake coupled to the base frame, the second brake being movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the floor, a linkage configured to couple the second brake to the first brake so that when the foot pedal actuator is moved to the second position, the first and second brakes both move to the braking position and when the foot pedal actuator is moved to the first position the first and second brakes both move to the releasing position, a first upper link pivotally coupled to the base frame, the foot pedal actuator being coupled to the first upper link, a first lower link pivotally coupled to the first brake, a first pin configured to pivotally couple the first upper link to the first lower link, a second upper link pivotally coupled to the base frame, a second lower link pivotally coupled to the second brake, a second pin configured to pivotally couple the second upper link to the second lower link, and a second foot pedal actuator coupled to the second lower link.
  • 26. The bed of claim 25, wherein movement of the first foot pedal actuator to the braking position automatically causes movement of the second foot pedal actuator to a braking position.
  • 27. A bed resting on a floor, the bed comprising:a base frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the base frame and configured to engage the floor, a first brake coupled to the base frame, the first brake including a first brake member movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the floor and a first foot pedal movable between a first position and a second position to move the first brake member between its releasing and braking positions, a second brake coupled to the base frame, the second brake assembly including a second brake member movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the floor and a second foot pedal movable between a first position and a second position to move the second brake member between its releasing and braking positions, and a linkage configured to couple the second brake to the first brake so that when the first and second foot pedals are moved to the second position, the first and second brake members both move to the braking position and when the first and second foot pedals are moved to the first position, the first and second brake members both move to the releasing position.
  • 28. The bed of claim 27, wherein the linkage is coupled to the first and second foot pedals.
  • 29. The bed of claim 27, wherein the first brake further includes a pair of links coupled to the base frame and the first brake member, and the linkage is coupled to the pair of links.
  • 30. The bed of claim 29, wherein the first brake further includes a pin pivotably coupling the pair of links together and the linkage is coupled to the pair of links by the pin.
  • 31. The bed of claim 27, wherein the base frame includes a longitudinal axis and the first and second foot pedals are laterally spaced apart.
  • 32. The bed of claim 28, wherein the first foot pedal is pivotably coupled to the first brake member.
  • 33. A bed resting on a floor, the bed comprising:a base frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the base frame and configured to engage the floor, a first brake coupled to the base frame, the first brake including a first brake member movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the floor and a first foot pedal movable between a first position and a second position to move the first brake member between its releasing and braking positions, the first brake further including a first link coupled to the base frame, a second link coupled to the first brake member, and a pin pivotably coupling the first link to the second link, a second brake coupled to the base frame, the second brake including a brake member movable between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the floor, and a linkage configured to couple the second brake to the first brake so that when the first foot pedal is moved to the second position, the first and second brake members both move to the braking position and when the first foot pedal is moved to the first position, the first and second brake members both move to the releasing position, the linkage being directly coupled to the first foot pedal.
  • 34. The bed of claim 33, wherein the linkage is pivotably coupled to the first and second links by the pin.
  • 35. The bed of claim 33, wherein the first foot pedal is directly coupled to the linkage by the pin.
  • 36. The bed of claim 33, wherein the second brake further includes a second foot pedal movable between a first position and a second position to move the second brake member between its releasing and braking positions.
  • 37. The bed of claim 36, wherein the linkage is directly coupled to the second foot pedal.
  • 38. The bed of claim 33, wherein the first link is pivotably coupled to the base frame at a first pivot location.
  • 39. The bed of claim 38, wherein the second link is pivotably coupled to the first brake member at a second pivot location.
  • 40. The bed of claim 39, wherein the first and second pivot locations cooperate to define a line and the pin crosses the line during movement of the first brake member between the releasing position and the braking position.
  • 41. The bed of claim 33, wherein the base frame includes a tube and the first brake member is slidably coupled to the tube.
  • 42. The bed of claim 41, wherein the first link is coupled to the tube.
  • 43. A bed resting on a floor, the bed comprising:a base frame including first and second tubes having open lower ends, a plurality of casters coupled to the base frame and configured to engage the floor, a first brake including a first brake member slidably coupled with the first tube of the base frame to move between a releasing position and a braking position in contact with the floor and a first actuator coupled to the first brake member below the open lower end of the first tube, the first actuator being movable between a first position and a second position to move the first brake member between the releasing and braking positions, the first actuator including a first link and a pin pivotably coupling the first link to the first brake member, a second link pivotably coupled to the first tube of the base frame and pivotably coupled to the first link, and a foot pedal rigidly coupled to the first link, a second brake including a second brake member slidably coupled with the second tube of the base frame to move between a releasing position and a braking position in contact with the floor, and a linkage configured to couple the second brake to the first brake so that when the first actuator is moved to the second position, the first and second brake members both move to the braking position and when the first actuator is moved to the first position, the first and second brake members both move to the releasing position.
  • 44. The bed of claim 43, wherein the first brake further includes a pin pivotably coupling the linkage to the first and second links.
  • 45. The bed of claim 43, wherein the second brake further includes a second actuator coupled to the second brake member below the open lower end of the second tube, the second actuator is movable between a first position and a second position to move the second brake member between the releasing and braking positions.
  • 46. The bed of claim 45, wherein the second actuator includes a first link pivotably coupled to the second tube of the base frame, a second link pivotably coupled to the first link, and a pin pivotably coupling the second link to the second brake member.
  • 47. The bed of claim 46, wherein the second actuator further includes a foot pedal rigidly coupled to the first link.
  • 48. A bed resting on a floor, the bed comprising:a base frame including first and second tubes having open lower ends, a plurality of casters coupled to the base frame and configured to engage the floor, a first brake including a first brake member slidably coupled with the first tube of the base frame to move between a releasing position and a braking position in contact with the floor and a first actuator coupled to the first brake member below the open lower end of the first tube, the first actuator being movable between a first position and a second position to move the first brake member between the releasing and braking positions, the first actuator including a first link and a pin pivotably coupling the first link to the first brake member, a second link pivotably coupled to the first tube of the base frame and pivotably coupled to the first link, and a pedal rigidly coupled to the second link, a second brake including a second brake member slidably coupled with the second tube of the base frame to move between a releasing position and a braking position in contact with the floor, and a linkage configured to couple the second brake to the first brake so that when the first actuator is moved to the second position, the first and second brake members both move to the braking position and when the first actuator is moved to the first position, the first and second brake members both move to the releasing position.
  • 49. The bed of claim 48, wherein the first brake further includes a pin pivotably coupling the linkage to the first and second links.
  • 50. The bed of claim 48, wherein the second brake further includes a second actuator coupled to the second brake member below the open lower end of the second tube, the second actuator is movable between a first position and a second position to move the second brake member between the releasing and braking positions.
  • 51. The bed of claim 50, wherein the second actuator includes a first link pivotably coupled to the second tube of the base frame, a second link pivotably coupled to the first link, and a pin pivotably coupling the second link to the second brake member.
  • 52. The bed of claim 51, wherein the second actuator further includes a foot pedal rigidly coupled to the second link.
  • 53. A bed resting on a floor, the bed comprising:a base frame including first and second tubes having open lower ends, a plurality of casters coupled to the base frame and configured to engage the floor, a first brake including a first brake member slidably coupled with the first tube of the base frame to move between a releasing position and a braking position in contact with the floor and a first actuator coupled to the first brake member below the open lower end of the first tube, the first actuator being movable between a first position and a second position to move the first brake member between the releasing and braking positions, the first actuator including a first link and a pin pivotably coupling the first link to the first brake member and a second link pivotably coupled to the first tube of the base frame and pivotably coupled to the first link, a second brake including a second brake member slidably coupled with the second tube of the base frame to move between a releasing position and a braking position in contact with the floor, and a linkage configured to couple the second brake to the first brake so that when the first actuator is moved to the second position, the first and second brake members both move to the braking position and when the first actuator is moved to the first position, the first and second brake members both move to the releasing position, the linkage being pivotably coupled to the first and second links.
  • 54. The bed of claim 53, wherein the first actuator further includes a foot pedal rigidly coupled to one of the first and second links.
  • 55. The bed of claim 53, wherein the second brake further includes a second actuator coupled to the second brake member below the open lower end of the second tube, the second actuator is movable between a first position and a second position to move the second brake member between the releasing and braking positions.
  • 56. The bed of claim 55, wherein the second actuator includes a first link pivotably coupled to the second tube of the base frame, a second link pivotably coupled to the first link, and a pin pivotably coupling the second link to the second brake member.
  • 57. The bed of claim 56, wherein the linkage is pivotably coupled to the first and second links of the second actuator.
  • 58. A bed resting on a floor, the bed comprising:a base frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the base frame and configured to engage the floor, a first brake including a first brake member slidably coupled to the base frame to move between a releasing position and a braking position in contact with the floor and a first foot pedal pivotably coupled to the first brake, the first foot pedal being movable between a first position and a second position to move the first brake between the releasing and braking positions, a second brake including a second brake member slidably coupled to the base frame to move between a releasing position and a braking position in contact with the floor, the second brake further including a second foot pedal, and a linkage configured to couple the second brake assembly to the first brake so that when the first foot pedal is moved to the second position, the first and second brake members both move to the braking position and when the first foot pedal is moved to the first position, the first and second brake members both move to the releasing position.
  • 59. The bed of claim 58, wherein the first brake further includes a first link pivotably coupled to the base frame.
  • 60. The bed of claim 59, wherein the first brake further includes a second link pivotably coupled to the first link and the first brake member.
  • 61. The bed of claim 58, wherein the base frame includes a tube and the first brake member is slidably coupled to the tube.
  • 62. The bed of claim 58, wherein the base frame includes a longitudinal axis and the first and second foot pedals are laterally spaced apart.
  • 63. A bed resting on a floor, the bed comprising:a base frame including a longitudinal axis, a plurality of casters coupled to the base frame and configured to engage the floor, the plurality of casters cooperating to define a caster perimeter that defines a caster footprint area of the floor when projected on the floor, a first brake including a brake member slidably coupled to the base frame to move between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the caster footprint area of the floor and an actuator configured to move between first and second positions to move the first brake member between the releasing and braking positions, a second brake including a second brake member slidably coupled to the base frame to move between a releasing position spaced apart from the floor and a braking position in contact with the caster footprint area of the floor, the first and second brakes being longitudinally spaced apart from the plurality of casters, and a linkage configured to couple the second brake to the first brake so that when the actuator is moved to the first position, the first and second brake members both move to the releasing position and when the actuator is moved to the second position, the first and second brake members both move to the braking position.
  • 64. The bed of claim 63, wherein the plurality of casters are spaced apart from the longitudinal axis by a first distance, the first and second brakes are spaced apart from the longitudinal axis by a second distance, and the second distance is equal to the first distance.
  • 65. The bed of claim 63, wherein the first brake is positioned between two of the plurality of casters.
  • 66. The bed of claim 63, wherein the base frame includes a longitudinal axis and the first and second brakes are laterally spaced apart.
  • 67. The bed of claim 63, wherein the base frame includes first and second tubes, the first brake member is slidably coupled with the first tube, and the second brake member is slidably coupled to the second tube.
Parent Case Info

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/263,511, filed Mar. 5, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,767, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/770,547, filed Dec. 3, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,452.

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Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/263511 Mar 1999 US
Child 09/772787 US