Patent Application
20140239680
The present invention relates to a convertible multifunction overbed table and chair, more specifically, the present invention relates to a patient support apparatus, that may be used as an overbed table, provide storage for the patient's personal effects, provide organization of the patient's medical charts, securely store a supplemental oxygen bottle, provide an elevated platform for intravenous fluids, be used as a walker, be used as a straight chair and converted to a transport wheelchair.
The present application contains similar subject matter as registered patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,105, APPARATUS COMBINING OVERBED TABLE, IV STAND, WALKER AND SEAT, which is filed by the same applicant as the present application on Aug. 26, 1994. The disclosure therein incorporated by reference.
Floor space in patient facilities including, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and even home based convalescence, is always at a premium. Healthcare patients require a myriad of equipment for proper treatment and once all of the equipment is in place, there may be limited space for additional amenities, visitors, or even professional staff to conduct their duties. Also, due to the medical environment and the overall high cost of healthcare, medical equipment and furnishing are quite expensive. Hospitals typically cannot afford to purchase a complete set of equipment and furnishings for each patient bed or potential patient. While each bed will likely be equipped with an overbed table, it would be unusual to provide that same number of wheel chairs, walkers, or IV stands. Circumstances may arise where the need for furnishings may exceed the number available, or it may be inconvenient for the medical staff to leave a patient unattended to retrieve the desired furnishing. Additionally, many medical service providers require that admitted patients are transported by the staff while they are within the building, requiring that a wheelchair is located to transport a patient for x-rays, lab work or when being discharged from the facility.
What are needed are multipurpose medical furnishings that minimize room floor space usage and can be converted for more than one function in the medical environment.
The present invention is a convertible multifunction overbed table and chair, or more specifically, the present invention is a medical furnishing that serves as an adjustable overbed table in a first configuration and a wheeled transport chair in a second configuration. The present invention may also serve as a medical staff work station, provide storage of patient records and medical charts, storage for the patient's personal effects, personal mirror, IV stand, catheter bag stand, secure storage for portable oxygen, and serve as a patient walker.
A first embodiment of the present invention, or convertible multifunction overbed table and chair, has a wheeled base portion with upright supports and a rotatable L-shaped table/chair portion. The wheeled base has a low profile to extend under a patient's bed; a width somewhat wider than the table/chair portion and extends away from the upright supports to create a stable base for the device. The wheels are a caster arrangement that allows for easy multi-directional movement when the present invention is configured as an overbed table. The rear casters are locked into a rear facing rolling position when configured as wheeled chair.
When the device is configured as an overbed table, the overbed table includes a horizontal support surface that can accommodate a food tray and other patient personal care items. In one embodiment, the horizontal surface includes a raised edge to contain items that may be predisposed to roll on a flat surface and contain any spilled liquids. In another embodiment, the horizontal surface includes one or more cup holders or indentations to support and stabilize standard sized cups and drink containers. In yet other embodiments, the cup holders are configured for large sized containers, the cup holders are adjustable or the cup holders include a dampening or compressible material to securely hold cups or drink containers having various diameters.
One embodiment of the present invention includes a five-sided box at the proximal end of the horizontal support surface, or the end nearest to the upright supports. The box having a capacity for storage of the patient's regularly used personal effects, such as, writing materials, books or magazines, lotion, lip balm, toothbrush, snacks and the like. The bottom inside surface of the box is elevated above the horizontal support surface or table to prevent entry of spilled liquids into the box. This arrangement makes clean-up easier and minimizes damage to the patient's personal effects in the event of a spill. The top outside surface of the box forms a horizontal surface where medical staff can fill out patient charts, prepare medications, or setup IV fluid bags. The top surface may also include a raised edge to contain spills or prevent supplies from falling off.
Table height is adjustable to accommodate various bed heights and patient preferences. The height adjustment is accomplished by releasing a trigger mechanism that is accessible to a person standing opposite the extended table. In one embodiment, the table height is incrementally adjustable in one inch division from between 30 inches to 46 inches above the floor. In another embodiment of the present invention the table height is infinitely adjustable between a first height and a second height. In one embodiment of the present invention the table height adjustment is manual where the user must support and move the weight of the table from a first position to a second position. Another embodiment includes a counter-balance spring that aids both elevating and lowering the table height.
One embodiment of the present invention is convertible from a table to the wheel chair configuration by releasing the trigger mechanism and allowing the table portion to descend to the lowest position. The bottom position is indicated when the leading edge of the seat portion makes contact with the base portion. The user can then grasp the table at the cantilevered or distal end and rotate the table upward toward the vertical supports; the table will rotate approximately 100 degrees until proper alignment is achieved and the seat lowers into a secured position. The lowering of the seat also lowers direction lock mechanisms for the rear caster assemblies; the lock mechanisms may engage the rear casters directly upon lowering or when the wheeled chair is rolled forward and the casters are aligned into a parallel rear-facing configuration. The locked rear-facing caster configuration allows a person pushing the chair to steer effectively and maximizes the wheeled chair wheelbase, improving stability and overall safety. The rear casters may also include a rolling lock mechanism that is activated by the user's toe.
For one embodiment of the present invention, in order to change the device from the chair configuration to a table configuration, it is necessary to raise the chair to its top position using a handle that is built into the front of the patient storage compartment. When the chair structure encounters the top crossbar it will automatically begin to rotate to the table configuration and lock into a secure position once a horizontal orientation is achieved.
In one embodiment, the underside surface of the table forms the seat back and slopes backward approximately 10 degrees from an upright position. The seat bottom is configured to slope from front to back about 10 degrees. In other embodiments, the degree of incline for the seat back and bottom are set at different angles to improve user comfort. In yet other embodiments, the degree of incline for the seat back and bottom are adjustable.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the leading edge of the seat bottom is approximately 19 inches above the floor and 17 inches above foot rests incorporated into the top surface of the rolling support base. The seat width is limited to prevent overloading the device; a first embodiment, will not allow persons over approximately 250 pounds to use the device. It is contemplated that other embodiments of the present invention will have increased structural support, increased base and seat dimensions, allowing larger persons to use the device. The seat assembly is non-upholstered ergonomically contoured plastic that can be easily cleaned and disinfected. In another embodiment, the bulk of the components for the entire assembly may be fabricated using plastics and other materials having anti-bacterial properties. It is contemplated the larger components of present invention may be fabricated using methods such as rotary molding or laid up using a last or molds as required. Materials may be a plastic or composite material, such as, fiberglass, carbon fiber, Kevlar® or similar materials know or yet to be developed.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a hook is integrated into the leading edge of the seat near the center. It is anticipated that the hook may be used for a Foley catheter bag or for attaching personal items or other patient support devices.
In one embodiment of the present invention a space is provide in the support base between the footrest platforms. The space allows a patient to back up until the base of the seat touches the lower legs and allows the user to, comfortably and safely, lower into the chair. Proper alignment when preparing to be seated may also be accomplished by having the wheeled chair rolled into a position directly behind the patient and touching the patient's legs.
In yet another embodiment, a cross bar connects the upper ends of the vertical base support structure. The cross bar serves as a mechanical stop for the step back when configured as a wheeled chair. In one embodiment, one or more hooks are connected or formed integrally with the cross bar and may be used for attaching intravenous fluid containers.
In other embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of storage compartments are available. A first embodiment includes the five sided compartment described as patient personal storage near the proximal or supported end of the table. When the device of the present invention is configured as a table, the box is oriented in a horizontal position, however when the device is configured into a chair, the storage compartment is rotated, open side up, into a vertical orientation on the back of the seat with accessibility from behind the seat between the vertical support members. The direction of rotation insures that any items stored in the compartment are secure when changing device configurations. In another embodiment, additional storage is incorporated into the support base between the vertical support base uprights. This storage is in a vertical configuration and may be used to store personal effects, patient records or medical charts. In one embodiment this compartment includes an area contoured to securely hold a cylindrical oxygen bottle. In yet another embodiment, additional storage is provided in the support base below the table or seat in a horizontal configuration forming a basin or tray between the caster rails. This storage is larger and may be used during a patient's stay in the medical facility or may be used to transport the patient's personal effects or luggage from the facility to a vehicle.
In one embodiment, personal use mirrors are incorporated into the outside surface of the vertical support members, allowing the patient to perform basic personal hygiene and observe activity occurring behind them.
In another embodiment of the present invention, vertical handles are formed into, or attached to, the upright vertical support members. The handle may be used by medical staff or another person when moving the device or when transporting a patient in the wheeled chair configuration. The handles may also be used by a patient when using the device for support when standing or walking within the medical facility. It is contemplated that other embodiments of the present invention include a horizontal push or support handle.
In another embodiment, a dowel or pole is formed into the upper portion of at least one of the vertical support members allowing the user to mount an infusion pump or other medical devices having brackets configured to attach to the pole of a standard IV stand. In yet another embodiment accessory mounting or attachment holes are formed into the vertical support members.
In embodiment of the present invention, the table/chair portion may be separated from the support base structure by loosening set screws on each side of the vertical uprights of the base support structure, raising the table/chair portion to the highest position and sliding it forward away from the uprights. Disassembly may be beneficial for packaging, or during transport, storage or when cleaning.
The following description of the embodiments can be understood in light of the Figures, which illustrate specific aspects of the embodiments and are part of the specification. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the embodiments. In the Figures the physical dimensions of the embodiment may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same element, and thus their descriptions may be omitted.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure.
As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In describing and claiming the present disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with definitions set out below. As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and the grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method processes. A number used to represent a feature of the present invention may be repeated throughout the series of drawings and represents the same feature in each figure.
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In view of the foregoing, those having ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate the advantages provided by the features of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the above mentioned arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications or alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.
