Communication and bed function control apparatus

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6486792
  • Patent Number
    6,486,792
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, April 14, 1999
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, November 26, 2002
    21 years ago
Abstract
A communication and control apparatus includes a control unit having a surface accessible to a person on a bed, the control unit being coupled to a portion of the bed, and a plurality of icons located on the surface of the control unit. Each icon represents a separate one of the plurality of controlled functions. The apparatus also includes an indicator associated with each icon, a single select switch located on the surface of the control unit, and at least one adjustment switch located on the control unit to control the function selected using the select switch. The select switch is actuatable to scroll sequentially through the plurality of different functions. The control unit is configured to actuate the indicator corresponding to a function selected as the select switch is actuated to scroll through the plurality of different controlled functions.
Description




BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to a communication and bed function control apparatus for a hospital bed. More particularly, the present invention relates to a controller mounted to an arm assembly which is coupled to a hospital bed frame or to a siderail on the bed to improve access to controls by a person located on the bed.




Several types of controllers are known in the healthcare industry which permit a person located on a hospital bed to activate a number of communication and control functions, such as adjusting the bed, adjusting the mattress, calling the nurse, adjusting the room light or reading light, controlling the T.V. or audio functions, or controlling the telephone. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,592,153; 5,239,300; 5,542,138; and 4,680,790. These controllers typically include one or more push-button or pressure sensitive switches, or voice activated controls, to activate various communication and control functions.




According to one illustrated embodiment of the present invention, a communication and control apparatus is provided for use by person located on a bed to control a plurality of different functions. The apparatus includes a control unit having a surface accessible to the person on the bed. The control unit is coupled to a portion of the bed. The apparatus also includes a plurality of icons located on the surface of the control unit, an indicator associated with each icon, a single select switch located on the surface of the control unit, the select switch being actuatable to scroll sequentially through the plurality of different functions, and at least one adjustment switch located on the control unit to control the function selected using the select switch. Each icon represents a separate one of the plurality of controlled functions. The control unit being configured to actuate the indicator corresponding to a function selected as the select switch is actuated to scroll through the plurality of different controlled functions. The illustrated indicators corresponding to each icon are lights which are illuminated by the control unit when the function associated with the icon is selected using the select switch.




Illustratively, the plurality of functions include at least one of calling a nurse, turning on a light in a room, turning on a reading light, controlling a TV, controlling a radio, placing and receiving telephone calls, controlling drapes, controlling doors, adjusting a height of the bed, adjusting a configuration of an articulating deck on the bed, adjusting a mattress located on the bed, connecting to the Internet, controlling a video game, controlling a clock, and controlling a electronic notebook. The illustrated control unit also includes at least one of a nurse call switch, a speaker, a reading light, a handle coupled to the control unit to permit the person to move the control unit relative to the bed, a telephone, a card reader, a headphone, and touch screen control panel.




According to another illustrated embodiment of the present invention, a communication and control apparatus is provided for use by a person located on a bed to control at least one function. The bed includes a siderail, and the apparatus includes a control unit configured to control the at least one function, and a linkage including an arm having a first end and a second end, a first coupler configured to the first end of the arm to the siderail about two pivot axes, and a second coupler configured to couple the second end of the arm to the control unit about two pivot axes. The control unit is movable from a storage position adjacent to sidewall to a use position spaced apart from the sidewall by the linkage.




Additional features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments 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 drawings in which:





FIG. 1

is a perspective view illustrating a hospital bed with a communication and bed function control apparatus mounted to a frame of the bed adjacent a head end of the bed;





FIG. 2

is an exploded perspective view illustrating an attachment mechanism used to couple an arm assembly of the control apparatus to a corner of the frame of the hospital bed;





FIG. 3

is a sectional view taken along lines


3





3


of

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 4

is a sectional view taken along lines


4





4


of

FIG. 3

illustrating further details of the attachment mechanism;





FIG. 5

is a bottom view of

FIG. 4

;





FIG. 6

is a front view of one embodiment of a control unit of the present invention;





FIG. 7

is a side elevational view of the control unit of

FIG. 6

;





FIGS. 8-11

illustrate other embodiments of control units in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 12

illustrates the control unit of

FIG. 11

mounted to a siderail of a bed with a pivoting and telescoping arm mounting assembly;





FIGS. 13A-19

illustrate additional embodiments of control units of the present invention;





FIGS. 20 and 21

are perspective views of another control unit which includes a plurality of communication and bed function control buttons on one side of the control unit as shown in

FIG. 20 and a

telephone on the other side of the control unit as shown in

FIG. 21

;





FIG. 22

illustrates the control unit of

FIGS. 20 and 21

coupled to a siderail of a bed;





FIG. 23

illustrates another embodiment of a control unit in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 24

illustrates the control unit of

FIG. 23

pivotably mounted to a siderail of the bed;





FIGS. 25-27

illustrate further embodiments of control units of the present invention;





FIG. 28

illustrates yet another control unit mounted on a bed siderail;





FIG. 29

illustrates pivotable movement of the control unit of

FIG. 28

relative to the siderail;





FIG. 30

illustrates the control unit fully pivoted away from the siderail by a pivot arm apparatus;





FIGS. 31-35

illustrate another embodiment of a siderail mounted control unit; and





FIG. 36

is a block diagram of a connection to a nurse call system.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




Referring now to the drawings,

FIG. 1

illustrates a hospital bed


10


having a base frame


12


and casters


14


coupled to the base frame


12


. An articulating support deck


16


is coupled to the base frame


12


in a conventional manner. It is understood that the control units of the present invention may be used with any type of bed configuration. The illustrated bed


10


includes a head end


18


and a foot end


20


. A mattress


22


is located on the support deck


16


for supporting a person on the bed


10


. Siderails


24


are located on opposite sides of the mattress


22


in a conventional manner.





FIG. 1

illustrates a communication and bed function control apparatus


30


mounted to an outer frame member


32


of the bed


10


by an attachment mechanism


34


as best illustrated in

FIGS. 2-5

. The communication and bed function control apparatus


30


further includes a first arm


36


connected to a pivot cylinder


38


. A second arm


40


is coupled to first arm


36


by a pivot joint


42


. A flexible tube


42


is coupled to second arm


40


. A curved attachment portion


44


is coupled between the flexible portion


42


and a control unit


46


.




The attachment mechanism


34


shown in

FIGS. 2-5

includes an inner mounting plate


48


having upturned tabs


50


which are formed to include apertures


52


. Attachment mechanism


34


further includes an outer mounting plate


54


having a curved portion


56


formed to include mounting apertures


58


. Outer mounting plate further includes an extended support portion


60


having an aperture configured to receive the cylindrical member


38


so that cylindrical member


38


can pivot about a longitudinal axis


62


as shown by double-headed arrow


64


in

FIG. 2. A

bottom surface of inner mounting plate


48


includes a clamp


72


which is also configured to receive the cylindrical member


38


as shown in FIG.


5


. An adjustment screw


74


is configured to adjust the tightness of clamp


72


on the cylindrical member


38


. Clamp


72


is spaced apart from support portion


60


of the outer mounting plate


54


to hold the cylindrical member


38


for rotation about the longitudinal axis


62


as discussed above.




Fasteners such as bolts


66


are configured to extend through apertures


58


formed in outer mounting plate


50


, through apertures


68


formed in frame member


32


of the bed


10


, and through apertures


52


of inner mounting bracket


48


to secure the attachment mechanism


34


to the bed


10


. Illustratively, nuts


70


hold the bolts


68


in place. It is understood that other types of fasteners including rivets, screws, clamps, etc. may be used to secure the attachment mechanism


34


to the bed


10


.




The control unit


46


is further illustrated in

FIGS. 6 and 7

. The control nit


46


includes a body portion


80


having control buttons


82


including a “select” button


84


, a “−” or down button


86


, and a “+” or up button


88


. Control unit


46


further includes a large aperture


90


configured to define a grip handle


92


. A light


94


is located within the handle


92


to provide light for reading or other activities for the person on the bed


10


. A modular control panel


96


includes indicators or icons


98


for the various control functions performed by the control unit


46


. In addition, volume or level indicators


100


are also provided on the panel


96


. Each of the icons and indicators


98


and


100


may be separately illuminated to provide an indication of which function is being controlled as discussed below.




The bed articulation control indicator


102


is also located on the panel


96


. Separately illuminatable movement levels are shown at


104


,


106


, and


108


. A nurse call button


110


extends across a top edge of the control unit


46


. Nurse call button


110


may be illuminated or made from a different color material, if desired, to make the nurse call button


10


stand out from the remainder of the control unit


46


. Illustratively, the nurse call button


110


is illuminated when it is activated. The location of the nurse call button


110


which extends substantially along an entire top edge of the control unit facilitates activation of the nurse call switch


110


.




A microphone


112


is located on control panel


96


for phone use or for communicating with a remote nurse station. At least one speaker


114


illustratively is located within the control unit


46


. Speakers


114


and microphone


112


permit hands-free use of the telephone or communications with the nurse station. The speakers


114


also provide radio and T.V. audio. A mounting bracket


113


is located on a rear surface


115


of control unit


46


.




When the select button


84


is pressed, the controller scrolls through the various icons


98


on the control panel to provide a visual indication of which function is currently being controlled by the control unit


46


. Once the particular icon


98


is illuminated, adjustments can be made using the up and down buttons


88


and


86


.




Each time a select button


84


is pressed, the controller scrolls to the next function and highlights or illuminates the icon


98


corresponding to the function that is currently being controlled. An LED or other light source is used to provide illumination of the particular icon to provide the indication of the function being controlled. Once the radio icon, television icon, light control icon or other icon is illuminated, the up and down buttons


88


and


86


are pressed to adjust the volume, intensity of the light, etc. Individual level indicators


100


are then separately illuminated to provide an indication of the volume level or intensity level of the light, etc. When the bed functions


102


are selected, an operator presses the “+” up button


88


to raise the identified section of the bed


10


. The “−” down button


86


is pressed to lower the identified section of the bed. Illustratively, buttons


84


,


86


and


88


are momentary contact switches. Therefore, as long as the buttons


86


and


88


are held down, the bed function will continue to operate. When the buttons


86


and


88


are released, the bed function ceases to operate.




Another embodiment of a control unit


120


is illustrated in FIG.


8


. The control unit


120


is illustratively mounted on an arm


122


coupled to the bed


10


in any manner. It is understood that any attachment mechanism or number of arms may be used to mount the control unit


120


to the bed


10


. Control unit


120


includes a body portion


124


formed to include an aperture


126


defining a grip handle


128


along a side of the control unit


120


. A nurse call switch


130


is mounted to a top portion of handle


128


. A nurse call switch


130


may be actuated by a thumb of the operator while the operator is gripping the handle


128


. Nurse call switch


130


is illustratively illuminated when pressed. Control unit


120


includes individual buttons


132


for selecting the T.V., radio, lights, etc for control. Separate up and down buttons


134


and


136


are provided to control the selected function. Articulation control buttons


138


are separate from the other function buttons


132


. The control unit


120


further includes a speaker


140


for hands-free telephone and nurse communication. A light


142


is located within the body portion


124


of control unit


120


adjacent a bottom surface.





FIG. 9

illustrates yet another embodiment of a control unit


144


. The control unit


144


includes a curved support arm


146


coupled to another arm


148


by a pivot connection


150


. A nurse call button


152


, function control switches


154


for the radio, T.V., bed operation, and lighting, and up and down control buttons


156


and


158


are located along a top surface of the arm


146


. When a particular function switch


154


is selected, that selected function is controlled using up and down switches


156


and


158


. A reading light


160


is located within a body portion


162


of the control unit


144


which extends downwardly from the arm


146


. Body portion


162


further includes bed articulation controls


164


. One or more speakers


166


are located within the body portion


162


.





FIG. 10

illustrates still another control unit


168


of the present invention. The control unit


168


includes a curved support arm


170


. A distal end


172


of arm


170


provides a grip handle for movement of the control unit


168


. Function selection switches


174


for T.V., radio, lights, etc. are located on a front surface of the arm


170


facing the operator. Up and down control switches


176


and


178


are also located on the front surface of the control arm


170


for easy access. A nurse call switch


180


is located on a comer portion of the arm


170


. A speaker


182


for hands-free telephone use is located below the nurse call switch


180


within the arm


170


. A body portion


184


is coupled to the arm


170


. Body portion


184


includes bed articulation controls


186


and a light


188


.




Still another control unit


190


is illustrated in

FIGS. 11 and 12

. Control unit


190


is illustratively movable from a first position illustrated by dotted lines


190


in

FIG. 12

in which the control unit


190


provides a central portion of a siderail


192


. In other words, the control unit


190


fits within a gap formed between spaced-apart portions of the siderail


192


when the control unit is in a first storage position. The control unit


190


is coupled to a portion of the siderail


192


by a mounting arm


194


and a pivot connection


196


which is coupled to siderail


192


. Pivot connection


196


and arm


194


are movable to the position shown in

FIG. 12

so that the control unit


190


moves away from the siderail


192


. The arm


194


is a telescoping arm to permit adjustment of the location of the control unit


190


. Control unit


190


is rotatably coupled to an end of the arm


194


. Arm


194


can also pivot away from the bed


10


so that the control unit


190


may be used from outside the bed, such as when an operator is located in a chair next to the bed. The control unit


190


is typically stored in the siderail


192


and is moved outwardly only when desired.




A telephone handset


198


is positioned along top surface


200


of the control unit


90


. Control unit


190


includes a body portion


201


. Separate function selection switches


202


are provided for the T.V., radio, lights, etc. Up and down control switches


204


and


206


are located adjacent the function selection switches


202


. Bed articulation control switches


208


are also located on the body portion


201


. A card reader slot


212


is provided on the body portion


201


. The card reader


212


is used to read a phone card, credit card, or debit card for using the T.V. or telephone. In addition, the reader


212


may be a smart card reader for reading information available on a conventional smart card. A nurse call button


212


extends along the entire front of body portion


201


.




Another embodiment of a control unit


214


is illustrated in

FIGS. 13A and 13B

. As best illustrated in

FIG. 13A

, control unit


214


includes a body portion


216


having a generally cylindrical mounting tube portion


218


configured to mount the control unit


214


to a top rail on a siderail or other device for rotation about a longitudinal axis


220


. Body portion


216


includes a nurse call switch


222


and separate function control switches


224


for T.V., radio, lighting, etc. Separate up and down control switches


226


and


228


are provided to adjust the functions once a particular function is selected using switches


222


as discussed above. Separate bed articulation control buttons


230


are formed on an upper portion of body


216


. A phone


230


is located along mounting tube


218


. A card reader slot


232


is provided above phone


230


.





FIG. 13B

illustrates the control unit


214


mounted to a top bar


234


of a siderail. Control buttons (not shown) are also located on surface


236


of control unit


214


. Therefore, functions such as bed articulation functions may be used when the control unit


214


is pivoted downwardly to a storage position adjacent the siderail.




Another embodiment of a control unit


238


is illustrated in FIG.


14


. Control unit


238


includes a body portion


240


. Body portion


240


includes first and second apertures


242


and


244


configured to define first and second grip handles


246


and


248


to permit gripping of the control unit


238


from either side. A nurse call switch


250


is located along a top surface of the control unit


238


between the first and second grips


246


and


248


. A reading light


252


is located on the control unit


238


between the first and second grips


246


and


248


as shown. Speakers


254


are located adjacent each of the grips


246


and


248


. Control unit


238


further includes function selection switches


256


, up and down control buttons


258


and


260


, and bed articulation control buttons


262


.





FIGS. 15 and 16

illustrate a further control unit


264


. Control unit


264


includes a body portion


266


coupled to a control arm


268


. Illustratively, arm


268


may be mounted to the headboard of the bed via a mechanical clip attachment. A telephone


270


is mounted to a first side of control unit


264


. A speaker


272


and a microphone are also provided for hands-free telephone use. Separate function selection switches


274


and up and down control switches


276


and


278


are located on the body portion


266


of control unit


264


. Bed articulation control switches


280


are also located on the body portion


266


. A nurse call switch


282


is located on a top surface of control unit


264


. A headphone


284


is stored within a receptacle


286


on a second side of the control unit


264


opposite from the phone


270


. Illustratively, a retractable cord


286


connects the headphone


284


to the control unit


264


. The removable headphone


284


may be used with the audio system for watching T.V. or listening to the radio. In addition, the headphone


284


may be used for hands-free telephone or for communication with the nurse station. A phone card reader slot is located beneath the phone


270


.




Another control unit


290


is illustrated in FIG.


17


. Control unit


290


is mounted on arm assembly


292


having a telescoping and rotatable L-shaped member


294


. L-shaped member


294


is rotatable about an axis


293


and movable back and forth in the direction of double-headed arrow


295


to adjust the length of the arm


292


. Control unit


290


is mounted to an arm of the L-shaped member


294


and is rotatable about axis


296


. Control unit


290


includes a body portion


298


having separate bed function selection switches


300


. Up and down control buttons


302


and


304


are located adjacent the bed function selection switches


300


. Bed articulation control switches


306


are also located on the control unit


290


. Body portion


298


of control unit


290


is cantilevered from the arm of L-shaped member


294


so that the body portion


298


overhangs the horizontal support arm


292


. A nurse call button


308


extends along a top surface of the control unit


290


. A reading light


310


is located on a downwardly inclined surface


312


formed on the body portion


298


. A speaker


314


is also located within the body portion.




A further control unit


316


is illustrated in FIG.


18


. Control unit


316


includes a body portion


318


mounted to an arm


320


. Control unit


316


includes a first nurse call button


322


extending along a top edge and top comer of the body portion


318


. A second nurse call button


324


extends along a side edge and bottom comer of the body portion


318


. Separate function control selection switches


326


are provided for selecting functions to be controlled as discussed above. Up and down control switches


328


and


330


are located adjacent the function selection switches


326


. Control unit


316


includes a handle


332


and a reading light


334


located along a bottom surface of body portion


318


. Separate bed articulation control buttons


336


are provided. Control unit


316


further includes a speaker


337


located within the body portion


318


.




An additional control unit


338


is illustrated in FIG.


19


. Control unit


338


includes a body portion


340


. Body portion


340


is mounted to an arm


342


. A nurse call switch


344


extends along a top surface and upper corner of the body portion


340


of the control unit


338


. Separate function selection switches


346


are provided on the body portion


340


to select between various functions to be controlled. A handle


348


is coupled to the body portion


340


. The handle is rotatable about its longitudinal axis as illustrated by double-headed arrow


350


. Rotation of the handle


340


adjusts various selected functions similar to the up and down buttons discussed above. For instance, if a user wants to listen to the radio, the radio selection switch


346


is pressed. Once the radio function is chosen, the operator turns the handle to the left or the right to change stations. Once the station is selected, the radio switch


346


is again pressed. The handle


348


is then used to adjust the volume from a speaker


352


by turning the handle to the left or the right. The handle


348


illustratively rotates less than 360° and activates the up switch or the down switch in an arc based on appropriate ergonomics. The handle


348


is illustratively biased to the center position. Bed articulation control switches


354


are also located on the body portion


340


. In addition, a reading light


356


is located on the control unit


338


.




Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in

FIGS. 20-22

. A control unit


358


includes a body portion


360


having a nurse call switch


362


, function selection switches


364


, and up and down control switches


366


and


368


. A cord


370


is connected to the control unit


358


. A bottom side of the control unit


358


is illustrated in FIG.


21


. The bottom side of the standard telephone handset including a microphone


372


, a speaker


374


, and a touch tone control pad


376


. Bed articulation controls can also be located on the control unit


358


, if desired. Control unit


358


is designed to be stored on a siderail


380


of a bed


10


as illustrated in FIG.


22


. When in the storage position, the user can operate the control function switches. The control unit


358


is removed to use the telephone. Therefore, the control unit


358


is integrated with the bed


10


and bed function controls are located on the back side of the phone. A phone card slot is also located on the control unit


358


. A retention mechanism on the siderail


380


is illustratively configured to hold the control unit


358


within the siderail


380


. The control unit


358


may be held in place by a friction fit connector or by pins or levers which hold the control unit


358


in place and which are released by buttons or handles to remove the control unit


358


.




Another control unit


382


is illustrated in

FIGS. 23 and 24

. Control unit


382


includes a body portion


384


mounted to an arm


386


. Illustratively, the arm


386


is pivotably coupled to a siderail


390


as shown in FIG.


24


. The arm is movable from an upright position shown in

FIG. 24

to a downwardly pivoted storage position in which the control unit


382


is nested within the siderail


390


.




The control unit


382


includes separate function selection switches


392


. Up and down control switches


394


and


396


are also located on the body portion


384


. Speakers


398


are also located on the body portion


384


. A nurse call switch


400


is located along a side of the control unit


382


. Separate bed articulation control switches


402


are also provided. A microphone


404


is included for hands-free telephone and nurse communications.




Yet another control unit


406


is illustrated in FIG.


25


. Control unit


406


includes a body portion


408


mounted to a support arm


410


. Separate function selection switches


412


are located on the body portion


408


. A handle


414


is rotatable about axis


416


to provide high/low or up/down control for each function selected similar to the handle


348


discussed above with reference to FIG.


19


. The handle


414


is coupled to an L-shaped connector member


418


extending downwardly from body portion


408


. A light


420


is formed on a corner of the L-shaped member


418


. A nurse call switch


422


is located on a side edge of the body portion


408


. Nurse call


422


may also be located along a top surface of body portion


408


, if desired. A speaker


424


and separate bed articulation controls


426


are also located on the body portion


408


of control unit


406


. The handle


414


is located in a generally horizontal orientation when in use. The handle


414


permits the operator to move the control unit


406


as well as to adjust the control functions in a manner similar to up and down switches discussed above.




Another illustrated control unit


430


is illustrated in FIG.


26


. Control unit


430


includes a body portion


432


mounted to a control arm


434


. Body portion


432


includes a central aperture


436


and a rotatable grip portion


438


. Grip portion


438


is used to adjust the high/low or up/down controls. Separate function selection switches


440


are located on the body portion


432


. A nurse call switch


442


is located along a top surface of the body portion


432


. Speakers


444


are located on opposite sides of the body portion


432


. In this embodiment, the rotatable control grip


438


is located in a center portion of the control unit


432


. A light


446


is also coupled to the body portion


432


.




Yet another embodiment of the control unit


450


is illustrated in FIG.


27


. Control unit


450


includes a body portion


452


mounted to an arm


454


. Control unit


450


includes separate function control switches


456


and two pairs of up and down controls


458


and


460


on opposite sides of the control unit


450


. Speakers


462


are located near a top portion of control unit


450


. A nurse call switch


464


is located along a top surface of control unit


450


. A light


466


is located along a bottom portion of control unit


450


.




A touch screen control panel


468


is located in a center portion of control unit


450


. A control screen


468


provides flexibility for controlling various types of menu driven functions. Different programs may be installed for operation of different functions. The screen


468


is also used for connection to an Internet site to play video game products. A computer mouse control apparatus or keyboard may be connected to the control unit, if desired. In addition, the control buttons on the control unit


450


may be used to control connection to the Internet or the video games. Control screen


468


may be a television screen, computer screen, or touch screen control panel.





FIGS. 28-30

illustrate a siderail mounted control unit


470


. The control unit


470


is configured to be integrated with the siderail


472


. In a nested storage position shown in

FIG. 28

, the control unit


470


is located adjacent the siderail. Control buttons


474


to control functions of the bed or room, bed articulation, nurse call, telephone, etc. are integrated into the control unit


470


in the manner discussed above. The control buttons


474


are located on a generally planar surface of the control unit


470


that is aligned at a transverse angle relative to a plane of the siderail


472


. Therefore, the control buttons


474


are aligned at an angle toward the head of the person on the bed


10


.




An operator can grip the control unit


470


and pivot control unit


470


outwardly from the siderail


472


as illustrated in FIG.


29


. As shown in

FIG. 30

, a support arm


476


is pivotably coupled to the siderail


472


. A first pivot connection is configured to connect the arm


476


to the siderail


472


about pivot axis


480


. A sleeve


482


is rotatably coupled to mounting portion


478


. Arm


476


is pivotably coupled to sleeve


482


about axis


484


. Therefore, arm


476


can move up and down and forward and backward relative to the siderail


476


as shown in FIG.


30


. An opposite end of arm


476


is pivotably coupled to the control unit


470


. Control unit


470


includes additional controls


486


on an opposite side of the control unit


470


from controls


474


for use when the control unit


470


is in its outwardly extended position. The illustrated siderail


472


includes a cylindrically shaped top rail


473


, a center rail


475


and a bottom rail


477


. The control unit


470


includes a curved top surface


479


configured to receive the curved profile surface of the top rail


471


. The control unit


470


also includes first and second recessed portions


481


and


483


. The first recessed portion


481


is configured to receive the arm


476


when the control unit


470


is moved to the storage position of FIG.


28


. The second recessed portion


483


is configured to receive the center rail when the control unit


470


is moved to the storage position of FIG.


28


.




Another embodiment of the present invention similar to

FIGS. 28-30

is illustrated in

FIGS. 31-35

. A different type of pivot linkage


493


is used to connect a control unit


490


to a siderail


492


. A support channel


494


of linkage


493


is pivotably coupled to the siderail


492


about axis


496


. First and second arms


498


and


500


are pivotably coupled to support channel


494


by pivot connections


502


and


504


, respectively. Arms


498


and


500


can move up and down about pivot axes


502


and


504


, respectively, as illustrated in

FIG. 33

to raise and lower the control unit


490


relative to the siderail


492


. Arms


498


and


500


are also pivotably coupled to flanges


506


on the control unit


490


by connector


509


. Therefore, control unit


490


can rotate about axis


508


relative to arms


498


and


500


. Arms


498


and


500


also pivot about pivot connections


511


and


513


coupled to connector


509


. Linkage


493


therefor permits the control unit


490


to move forward and backward and up and down relative to the siderail


492


. Illustratively, control unit


490


includes function control buttons


510


and bed articulation control buttons


512


. A speaker


514


is coupled to the siderail


492


. A light


516


is located adjacent the speaker


514


. The control unit


490


includes a curved top surface


491


configured to receive the curved profile surface of the top rail of siderail


492


.





FIG. 36

is a block diagram illustrating connection of the various control units to a nurse call interface on the wall of the hospital room. The control units may be either on the left hand or right hand siderail as illustrated at blocks


520


and


522


. The control units are coupled to a communication junction box


524


on the hospital bed


10


. Junction box


524


is coupled to a microcontroller interface


526


which is coupled to a nurse call interface located on the hospital wall as illustrated at block


528


. Therefore, the control units of the present invention can communication with the nurse call system and/or with the electrical communication network of the hospital to transmit and receive information from remote locations.




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



Claims
  • 1. A communication and control apparatus for use by a person located on a bed to control a plurality of different functions, the apparatus comprising:a control unit having a surface accessible to the person on the bed, the control unit being coupled to a portion of the bed; a plurality of icons located on the surface of the control unit, each icon representing a separate one of the plurality of controlled functions; an indicator associated with each icon; a single select switch located on the surface of the control unit, the select switch being actuatable to scroll sequentially through the plurality of different functions, the control unit being configured to actuate the indicator corresponding to a function selected as the select switch is actuated to scroll through the plurality of different controlled functions; and at least one adjustment switch located on the control unit to control the function selected using the select switch.
  • 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an arm assembly having a first end coupled to the control unit and a second end coupled to the bed.
  • 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an attachment mechanism coupled to the arm assembly, the attachment mechanism being configured to secure the arm assembly to a frame member of the bed.
  • 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of functions include at least one of calling a nurse, turning on a light in a room, turning on a reading light, controlling a TV, controlling a radio, placing and receiving telephone calls, controlling drapes, controlling doors, adjusting a height of the bed, adjusting a configuration of an articulating deck on the bed, adjusting a mattress located on the bed, connecting to the Internet, and controlling a video game.
  • 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a nurse call switch coupled to the control unit.
  • 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the control unit includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and first and second side surfaces extending between the top and bottom surfaces, the nurse call switch being located on the top surface of the control unit.
  • 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a portion of the nurse call is also located on one of the first and second side surfaces of the control unit.
  • 8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the control unit includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and first and second side surfaces extending between the top and bottom surfaces, the nurse call along one of the first and second side surfaces of the control unit.
  • 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a speaker coupled to the control unit.
  • 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a reading light coupled to the control unit.
  • 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator corresponding to each icon is a light which is illuminated by the control unit when the function associated with the icon is selected using the select switch.
  • 12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a level indicator light located on the surface of the control unit.
  • 13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a handle coupled to the control unit to permit the person to move the control unit relative to the bed.
  • 14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a reading light coupled to the handle.
  • 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit includes an arm member, and said surface is a top surface of the arm member.
  • 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one adjustment switch includes up and down adjustment switches are located on the surface of the control unit.
  • 17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a rotatable actuator coupled to the control unit, the adjustment switch being located within the rotatable actuator.
  • 18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a telephone coupled to the control unit.
  • 19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a card reader coupled to the control unit.
  • 20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mounting tube coupled to the control unit, the mounting tube being configured to couple the control unit to a bar on the bed for a pivotable movement about a pivot axis.
  • 21. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a headphone coupled to the control unit.
  • 22. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an L-shaped connector pivotably coupled to the control unit and an arm coupled to the second leg of the L-shaped connector, the control unit extending over the arm.
  • 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the arm is a telescoping arm.
  • 24. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising touch screen control panel located on the surface.
  • 25. A communication and control apparatus for use by a person located on a bed to control at least one function, the bed including a frame, a patient support surface supported by the frame, a siderail coupled to the frame and configured to extend above the patient support surface, the apparatus comprising:a control unit configured to control the at least one function; and a linkage including an arm having a first end and a second end, a first coupler configured to couple the first end of the arm to the siderail about two non-parallel pivot axes, a second coupler configured to couple the second end of the arm to the control unit about two non-parallel pivot axes, the control unit being movable from a storage position adjacent to the siderail to a use position spaced apart from the siderail by the linkage.
  • 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the control unit includes a curved top portion configured to receive a top rail of the siderail therein.
  • 27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the control unit includes a recessed portion configured to receive the arm therein when the control unit is in its storage position.
  • 28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the control unit includes a plurality of switches to control a plurality functions, the switches being located on a surface of the control unit that is aligned at a transverse angle relative to a plane of the siderail.
  • 29. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the linkage includes a channel pivotably coupled to the siderail about a first pivot axis, the first end of the arm being pivotably coupled to the channel about a second pivot axis, and a connector pivotably coupled to the control unit about a third pivot axis, the second end of the arm being pivotably coupled to the connector about a fourth pivot axis so that the control unit is movable up and down and side to side relative to the siderail.
  • 30. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the linkage includes two parallel arms connected between the siderail and the control unit.
  • 31. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a speaker coupled to the siderail.
  • 32. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a light coupled to the siderail.
  • 33. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the control unit has a surface accessible to the person on the bed, the control unit further including a plurality of icons located on the surface of the control unit, each icon representing a separate one of a plurality of controlled functions, an indicator associated with each icon, a single select switch located on the surface of the control unit, the select switch being actuatable to scroll sequentially through the plurality of different functions, the control unit being configured to actuate the indicator corresponding to a function selected as the select switch is actuated to scroll through the plurality of different controlled functions, and at least one adjustment switch located on the control unit to control the function selected using the select switch.
  • 34. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the control unit controls a plurality of functions including at least one of calling a nurse, turning on a light in a room, turning on a reading light, controlling a TV, controlling a radio, placing and receiving telephone calls, controlling drapes, controlling doors, adjusting a height of the bed, adjusting a configuration of an articulating deck on the bed, adjusting a mattress located on the bed, connecting to the Internet, and controlling a video game.
  • 35. A communication and control apparatus for use by a person located on a bed to control a plurality of different functions, the apparatus comprising:a control unit having a surface accessible to the person on the bed, the control unit being coupled to a portion of the bed; an indicator configured to represent at least one of the plurality of different functions; at least one select switch located on the surface of the control unit, the at least one select switch being actuatable to scroll sequentially through the plurality of different functions, the control unit being configured to actuate the indicator to represent a function selected as the at least one select switch is actuated to scroll through the plurality of different functions; and at least one adjustment switch located on the control unit in spaced relation to the at least one select switch, the at least one adjustment switch being configured to control the function selected using the at least one select switch.
  • 36. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising a plurality of icons located on the surface of the control unit, each icon representing a separate one of the plurality of different functions.
  • 37. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising a plurality of indicators, each of the plurality of indicators associated with one of the plurality of icons and including a light which is illuminated by the control unit when the function associated with the icon is selected using the at least one select switch.
  • 38. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising a display screen panel located on the surface and including the indicator.
  • 39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the display screen panel comprises a touch screen control panel including the at least one select switch.
  • 40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the display screen panel comprises a touch screen control panel including the at least one adjustment switch.
  • 41. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the plurality of functions include at least one of calling a nurse, turning on a light in a room, turning on a reading light, controlling a TV, controlling a radio, placing and receiving telephone calls, controlling drapes, controlling doors, adjusting a height of the bed, adjusting a configuration of an articulating deck on the bed, adjusting a mattress located on the bed, connecting to the Internet, and controlling a video game.
  • 42. A communication and control apparatus for use by a person located on a bed to control at least one function, the bed including a frame, a patient support surface supported by the frame, a siderail coupled to the frame and configured to extend above the patient support surface, the apparatus comprising:a control unit configured to control the at least one function; an arm having a first end and a second end, the arm being configured to support the control unit above the patient support surface; a first pivot connection configured to operably connect the first end of the arm to the siderail for pivoting movement about a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis, the first pivot axis disposed in non-parallel relation to the second pivot axis; a second pivot connection configured to operably connect the second end of the arm to the control unit for pivoting movement about a third pivot axis and a fourth pivot axis, the third pivot axis disposed in non-parallel relation to the fourth pivot axis; and wherein the first pivot connection and the second pivot connection facilitate movement of the control unit and the arm from a storage position adjacent to the siderail to a use position extending away from the siderail.
  • 43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the control unit includes a curved top portion configured to receive a top rail of the siderail therein.
  • 44. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the control unit includes a recessed portion configured to receive the arm therein when the control unit is in its storage position.
  • 45. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the first pivot connection includes a channel pivotably coupled to the siderail about the first pivot axis, the first end of the arm being pivotably coupled to the channel about the second pivot axis, and the second pivot connection includes a connector pivotably coupled to the control unit about the third pivot axis, the second end of the arm being pivotably coupled to the connector about the fourth pivot axis so that the control unit is movable up and down and side to side relative to the siderail.
  • 46. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the control unit includes a surface accessible to the person on the bed, the control unit further including an indicator configured to represent at least one of a plurality of different functions, and at least one select switch located proximate the surface and being actuatable to scroll sequentially through the plurality of different functions, the control unit being configured to actuate the indicator to represent a function selected as the at least one select switch is actuated to scroll through the plurality of different controlled functions.
  • 47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the control unit further includes at least one adjustment switch to control the function selected using the at least one select switch.
Parent Case Info

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/081,698 filed Apr. 14, 1998.

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Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/081698 Apr 1998 US