END PANEL FOR A PATIENT-SUPPORT APPARATUS

Abstract

An end panel 312 for a patient-support apparatus 310 includes a main portion 316 and one or more movable portions 330, 332. The movable portions 330, 332 are movable to provide a barrier 318 in a gap between a siderail 360 of the patient-support apparatus 310 and the main portion 316 of the end panel 312.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a patient-support apparatus including an embodiment of a footboard according to the present disclosure, the footboard having a siderail portion pivotable about a vertical axis from a stowed position to a use position, the siderail portion of the footboard extending laterally outwardly from the end panel;

FIG. 2 is a view of the embodiment of the end panel of FIG. 1 with a siderail portion in a use position and a body of the footboard shown in cross-section;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the patient-support apparatus of FIG. 1 with the siderail portion of the end panel in a use position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a patient-support apparatus similar to the patient-support apparatus of FIG. 1, the patient-support of FIG. 4 including another embodiment of an end panel, the end panel including a plurality of retractable webs and a coupler configured to engage a siderail of the patient-support apparatus such that the webs extend from the end panel to the siderail to form a barrier therebetween;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the patient-support apparatus of FIG. 4 with a foot section of the patient-support apparatus articulated downwardly from a horizontal position, the webs of the end panel extending during articulation of the foot section;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an end panel for a patient-support apparatus, the end panel including a body and two extenders, the extenders movable relative to the body to form a siderail as shown in phantom;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the end panel of FIG. 6 with the extender at the bottom of the page extended from the body to form a barrier;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of a patient-support apparatus with the end panel of FIGS. 6 and 7 positioned on the patient-support apparatus, a extender on the left side of the figure in an extended position;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an end panel similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8, the end panel of FIG. 9 including a body, a first extender which extends relative to the body, and a second extender that extends relative to the first extender;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a patient-support apparatus including the end panel of FIG. 10 mounted on the patient-support apparatus, the first and second extenders of the end panel in their respective retracted positions;

FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10, the end panel shown in FIG. 11 having extenders of the end panel in their a respective extended positions, the first extender engaged with a portion of a frame of the patient-support apparatus and the second extender engaged with a bracket coupled to a siderail of the patient-support apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the patient-support apparatus of FIG. 11, FIG. 12 showing the second extender the engaged with the bracket on the inside of a siderail of the patient-support apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the end panel of FIG. 11, the end panel mounted on a moving portion of a frame of a patient-support apparatus with the first extender of the end panel engaged with a fixed portion of the foot deck and the moving portion of the frame extended relative to the fixed portion to cause the first extenders of the end panel to extend relative to a main portion of the end panel;

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the first and second extenders of the end panel of FIGS. 11-13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the second extender of the end panel of FIGS. 11-14 engaged with a portion of the first extender;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coupler configured to be attached to a fixed portion of a frame of a patient-support apparatus, the coupler configured to receive an engagement pin of a first extender of an end panel;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, the coupler shown in an engaged position in FIG. 17;

FIG. 18 is an exploded assembly view of the coupler of FIGS. 16 and 17;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the coupler of FIGS. 16-18, the cross-section take along lines 19-19 in FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of an end panel including a main portion and two moving portions pivotable relative to the main portion between a stowed position and a use position wherein the moving portions are positioned alongside a surface of the patient-support apparatus to form a barrier;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a portion of a patient-support apparatus including still yet another embodiment of an end panel having a main portion and two moving portions pivotable between a stowed position and a use position wherein the moving portions are positioned alongside a patient-support surface of the patient-support apparatus to form a barrier;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 12;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the end panel and frame of FIG. 13;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bracket configured to coupled to a siderail of a patient-support apparatus and a second extender of the end panel to hold the second extender in position such that the first and second extenders form a barrier between a siderail and an end panel of a patient-support apparatus;

FIG. 25 is an exploded assembly view of the bracket of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the bracket of FIG. 24 with a clamp in a closed position;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 26, the clamp in a released position in FIG. 27;

FIG. 28 is an exploded assembly view of another embodiment of a bracket similar to the bracket of FIG. 24;

FIG. 29 is another exploded assembly view of the bracket of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a portion of a patient-support apparatus including an end panel having a extender which moves from a stowed position to a plurality of use positions including a barrier position shown in solid in FIG. 30 and a shelf position shown in phantom in FIG. 30;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 30; FIG. 31 showing another embodiment of an end panel having a extender, the extender of FIG. 31 having an adjustment mechanism positioned at the end opposite the vertical pivot axis of the moving portion;

FIG. 32 is an end view of the patient-support apparatus of FIG. 31, the end panel having two extenders shown in a stowed position in solid and in a shelf position in phantom;

FIG. 33 is an exploded assembly view of the extender of FIGS. 31 and 32 the extender including an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the orientation of the extender and a pivot axis positioner for positioning the extender relative to the fixed portion of the end panel;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustment mechanism of FIGS. 30-33;

FIG. 35 is a partially exploded assembly view of the end panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 36 is an exploded assembly view of a portion of the end panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view a portion of the end panel of FIG. 1 showing the engagement of a slider with a track;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a detent assembly of the end panel of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 39 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 38 with the detent mechanism engaged.

Claims

1. An end panel for a patient-support apparatus, the end panel comprising a main portion configured to engage a frame of the patient-support apparatus to form a boundary structure, the main portion comprising a generally vertical surface having a curvilinear profile when viewed along a generally vertical axis and a generally horizontal slot formed in the generally vertical surface, andan extender movable relative to the main portion to increase the size of the boundary structure, the extender comprising a generally vertical surface parallel to the generally vertical surface of the main portion and a guide engaged with the slot to support the extender relative to the main portion for movement relative thereto.

2. The end panel of claim 1, wherein movement of the extender relative to the main portion forms a boundary adjacent a longitudinal side of a mattress supported on the patient-support structure.

3. The end panel of claim 1, wherein the extender comprises a first portion movable relative to the main portion and a second portion which is engaged with the first portion and extendable relative thereto.

4. The end panel of claim 3, wherein the first portion comprises a first panel and a second panel, the first and second panels including tracks, wherein the second portion is received between the first and second panels, the second portion including guides received in the tracks to guide movement of the second portion relative to the first portion.

5. The end panel of claim 1, wherein the extender comprises a generally planar flange configured to extend between a frame of the patient-support apparatus and a mattress supported on the patient-support apparatus.

6. A patient-support apparatus comprising a frame including a first patient-support section and a second patient-support section movable relative to the first patient-support section to vary a size of a patient-support surface,a barrier structure comprising (i) a main portion configured to coupled to the second patient-support section, and (ii) a moving portion engaged with the main portion and movable relative thereto, the moving portion configured to engage the first patient-support section to expand the barrier structure when the second patient-support section is moved relative to the first patient-support structure.

7. The patient-support apparatus of claim 6, wherein the main portion comprises a generally vertical surface having a curvilinear profile when viewed along a generally vertical axis and a generally horizontal slot formed in the generally vertical surface, and the moving portion comprises an extender movable relative to the main portion to increase the size of the boundary structure, the extender comprising a generally vertical surface parallel to the generally vertical surface of the main portion and a guide engaged with the slot to support the extender relative to the main portion for movement relative thereto.

8. The patient-support apparatus of claim 7, wherein the extender comprises a first portion movable relative to the main portion and a second portion which is engaged with the first portion and extendable relative thereto.

9. The patient-support apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first portion of the extender comprises a first panel and a second panel, the first and second panels including tracks, wherein the second portion is received between the first and second panels, the second portion including guides received in the tracks to guide movement of the second portion relative to the first portion.

10. The patient-support apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first portion further comprises an engagement pin and the first patient-support section further comprises a coupler configured to receive the engagement pin to couple the first portion of the extender to the first patient-support section.

11. The patient-support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the patient-support apparatus further comprises a siderail spaced apart from the main portion of the barrier structure and a bracket releasably coupled to the siderail, the bracket including a clamp configured to receive the second portion of the extender to position the extender to occupy a gap between the siderail and the main portion of the barrier structure.

12. The patient-support apparatus of claim 11, wherein the clamp is spring biased and includes an actuator to overcome the spring bias to release the clamp.

13. The patient-support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the coupler includes a slide movable between a closed position and an open position.

14. The patient-support apparatus of claim 13, wherein the slide is spring biased to the closed position.

15. An end panel for a patient-support apparatus, the end panel comprising a first portion configured to engage a portion of the patient-support apparatus to form a barrier;a second portion coupled to the first portion and movable relative thereto between a first position adjacent the first portion and a second position wherein the second portion is positioned adjacent a patient-support surface and configured to extend vertically above the patient-support surface to form a barrier, anda detent assembly configured to maintain the second portion in the second position.

16. The end panel of claim 15, wherein the second portion pivots relative to the first portion about a generally vertical axis.

17. The end panel of claim 15, wherein the detent assembly comprises a receiver coupled to the first portion, a generally vertical pivot shaft defining a pivot axis coupled to the second portion, the pivot shaft including a cross-member, the cross-member engaging the receiver when the second portion is in the second position.

18. The end panel of claim 17, wherein the second portion is movable along the pivot axis to disengage the cross-member from the receiver to release the second portion.

19. The end panel of claim 15, wherein the detent assembly comprises (i) a first plate comprising a tab, the first plate coupled to the first portion and (ii) a second plate comprising a slot configured to engage the tab when the second portion is in the second position.

20. The end panel of claim 19, wherein the second portion is movable along the pivot axis to disengage the slot from the tab to release the second portion.

21. The end panel of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the second portion is engaged with at least a portion of the first portion in the first position.

22. The end panel of claim 15, wherein the second portion translates relative to the first portion.

23. The end panel of claim 22, wherein the first portion comprises a track and a slider engaged with the track and slidable along the track, the slider including a pivot support configured to support the second portion for pivotable movement relative thereto.

24. The end panel of claim 15, wherein the second portion is pivotable about a generally horizontal axis between a vertical configuration and a horizontal configuration.

25. An end panel for a patient-support apparatus, the end panel comprising a main portion comprising a generally horizontal slot positioned on an outwardly facing surface,a slide member engaged in the slot of the main portion and movable within the slot relative to the main portion, the slide member including a retainer for retaining the slide member in the slot and a pivot pin defining a generally vertical pivot axis,a barrier member supported on the pivot pin and pivotable about the pivot axis between a first position wherein a first surface of the barrier member is generally parallel to the outwardly facing surface of the main portion and a second position wherein the first surface is generally perpendicular to the outwardly facing surface of the main portion, the first surface positioned to engage a mattress of the patient-support apparatus, anda detent assembly interposed between the barrier member and the slide member, the detent assembly configured to retain the barrier member in the second position.

26. The end panel of claim 25, wherein the barrier member is configured to extend above an upwardly facing surface of the mattress to form a barrier when the barrier member is in the second position.

27. The end panel of claim 25, wherein the barrier member is formed to include a handle.

28. The end panel of claim 25, wherein the slide member is restrained from movement relative to the main portion when the barrier member is retained in the second position by the detent assembly.

29. The end panel of claim 25, wherein the detent assembly is configured such that the barrier member is retained in a position by the force of gravity on the barrier member.

30. The end panel of claim 29, wherein the detent assembly is released by lifting the barrier member.

31. The end panel of claim 30, wherein the barrier member is pivotable about a generally horizontal axis between a vertical configuration and a horizontal configuration.

32. An end panel for a patient-support apparatus, the end panel comprising a main portion configured to mount to a frame of a patient-support apparatus, andan extender coupled to the main portion and configured to be coupled to a siderail of the patient-support apparatus to enclose a gap between the main portion and the siderail, the extender being spring retractable.

33. The end panel of claim 32, wherein the extender comprises a fabric web coupled to a spring retractor, the spring retractor biased to retract the fabric.

34. The end panel of claim 33, wherein the extender comprises a plurality of fabric webs, each fabric web coupled to a separate spring retractor, the spring retractors biased to retract the fabric.

35. The end panel of claim 34, wherein the extender further comprises a grip configured to couple to the siderail, wherein each web is coupled to the grip.

36. A patient-support apparatus comprising a frame including a first patient-support section and a second patient-support section movable relative to the first patient-support section to vary a size of a patient-support surface, andan end panel comprising a main portion configured to mount to a frame of a patient-support apparatus, and an extender coupled to the main portion and configured to be coupled to a siderail of the patient-support apparatus to enclose a gap between the main portion and the siderail, the extender being spring retractable.

37. The patient-support apparatus of claim 36, wherein the extender extends and retracts with movement of the second patient-support section.

38. The end panel of claim 37, wherein the extender comprises a fabric web coupled to a spring retractor, the spring retractor biased to retract the fabric.

39. The end panel of claim 38, wherein the extender comprises a plurality of fabric webs, each fabric web coupled to a separate spring retractor, the spring retractors biased to retract the fabric.

40. The end panel of claim 39, wherein the extender further comprises a grip configured to couple to the siderail, wherein each web is coupled to the grip.