Claims
- 1. A device for moving a hospital bed comprising:
a body; a motor driven wheel coupled to the body; and a hitch coupled to the body and adapted for engaging the hospital bed.
- 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising an electric motor coupled to the driven wheel for providing a driving force to the driven wheel.
- 3. The device of claim 2 further comprising a handle, wherein the handle is coupled to the body and adapted to be rotated between a first position for forward movement and a second position for reverse movement of the electric motor.
- 4. The device of claim 2 further comprising a brake activated when the electric motor is not in forward or reverse.
- 5. The device of claim 2 further comprising an electric control for accepting inputs from the operator and activating and controlling the electric motor.
- 6. The device of claim 5 further comprising a battery coupled to the body for providing power to the electric motor when activated by the electric control.
- 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the driven wheel is steerable.
- 8. The device of claim 1 further comprising a steering device adapted to pivot the driven wheel about a vertical axis.
- 9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of free turning wheels coupled to the body for providing stability to the body.
- 10. The device of claim 1 wherein the hitch includes at least one telescoping arm adapted to extend away from the body and engage a frame of the hospital bed.
- 11. The device of claim 10 wherein the hitch is automated.
- 12. The device of claim 11 wherein the automated hitch is electrically moved.
- 13. The device of claim 10 wherein the at least one telescoping arm may move horizontally.
- 14. The device of claim 1 wherein the hitch is adapted to transfer the weight of the hospital bed to the driven wheel.
- 15. The device of claim 1 further comprising a dynamic braking system.
- 16. A method for moving a hospital bed, the method comprising using a device having a body, a motor driven wheel coupled to the body, and a hitch coupled to the body and adapted for engaging the hospital bed.
- 17. A method for moving a hospital bed with a motorized device, the method comprising:
maneuvering the device into position next to the hospital bed; hitching the device to the hospital bed; and moving the hospital bed with the device.
Parent Case Info
[0001] The present application claims priority from a U.S. Provisional Application having Serial No. 60/336,352, filed on Oct. 26, 2001, and entitled “Hospital Bed Power-Assist.”
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60336352 |
Oct 2001 |
US |