Patent Grant
9713559
The present invention relates to a patient support apparatus, and more particularly to a medical recliner chair.
It is well known in the medical field that a patient's recovery time can be improved if the patient becomes more mobile. However, egress and exit from a traditional hospital bed can be challenging. One step on the pathway to becoming more mobile is to have a patient be transitioned to sitting in a chair, for example a reclining chair, for at least part of the time, which generally provides greater ease of egress and exit.
According to one embodiment, a medical chair is provided that includes a base, a seat, first and second actuators, and a controller. The first actuator is for tilting the seat with respect to the base and the second actuator is for lifting the seat with respect to the base. The controller controls the first and second actuators to move the seat between a sitting position and a standing position. The controller controls this movement in such a way that the seat is both lifted and tilted at the same time as the seat moves from the sitting position to the standing position.
According to another embodiment, a medical chair is provided that includes a base, a wheel coupled to the base, a seat, a brake for the wheel, and a control system. The control system is adapted to move the seat between a sitting position and a standing position in response to a user input. The control system is further adapted to automatically check the status of the brake in response to the user input and prior to moving the seat from the sitting position to the standing position.
According to another embodiment, a medical chair is provided that comprises a base, a seat, a backrest, and a controller. The controller is adapted to control the movement of the seat between a sitting position and a standing position such that the seat is both lifted and tilted at the same time as the seat moves from the sitting position to the standing position. The controller is further adapted to control the pivoting of the backrest with respect to the seat such that the backrest and the seat form a first angle therebetween when the seat is in the sitting position, and the backrest and seat form a second angle therebetween when the seat is in the standing position. The second angle is greater than the first angle.
According to other aspects, the medical chair may remain substantially vertically oriented when the seat is in the standing position.
A pair of arm rests may be included that remain in a substantially constant orientation as the seat moves between the sitting position and the standing position. The arm rests each have a forward portion and a rearward portion, and the forward portion has a higher elevation with respect to the base than the rearward portion.
The controller may be adapted to move the backrest in such a manner that a person's upper body remains generally vertically aligned with the person's hips during movement of the seat from the sitting position to the standing position.
The medical chair may further comprise a wheel coupled to the base, a brake for the wheel, and a brake sensor. The brake sensor is in communication with the controller and the controller is adapted to determine if the brake is in a braked state prior to moving the seat from the sitting position to the standing position and to prevent movement of the seat from the sitting position to the standing position if the brake is indeed in the unbraked state. The controller may additionally or alternatively be adapted to automatically change the brake to the braked state prior to movement of the seat from the sitting position to the standing position.
A leg pivotally mounted relative to the base and the seat may be included that tilts inwardly when the seat is moved from the sitting position to the standing position.
The controller may drive the first and second actuators in a manner that creates a virtual pivot for the seat which is between a back edge of the seat and a front edge of the seat.
In other aspects, the control system prevents movement of the seat from the sitting position to the standing position if the brake is not in the braked state. Alternatively, the control system is adapted to automatically change the brake from the unbraked state to the braked state in response to the user input, and to thereafter move the seat from the sitting position to the standing position.
According to another embodiment, a medical chair includes a base and a pair of arm rests supported by the base for movement between a raised position and a lowered position. At least one of the arm rests has a raised position that is upward and forward (relative to the footprint of the base) from its lowered position to provide support to the patient when exiting the chair.
In one aspect, each of the arm rests has a raised position that is upward and forward from its lowered position to provide support to a patient when exiting the chair. For example, each of the arm rests may be mounted at the base by a slide, such as a linear slide.
In other aspects, each of the arm rests has an arm rest cushion, with the arm rest cushions each having an orientation. The orientations of the arm rest cushions remain generally unchanged when the arm rests are moved between their lowered and raised positions.
In other aspects, the chair may include a pair of locking mechanisms wherein each of the arm rests is lockable in at least one position. Optionally, each of the arm rests is lockable in a plurality of the positions between the lowered and raised positions, including in the raised position.
In a further aspect, the chair also includes a manual releases to release the or each locking mechanism. The chair may include a pair of manual releases to release the locking mechanisms.
In any of the above chairs, the chair may include one or more safety releases that are configured to release the or each locking mechanism when the arm rest or arm rests are lowered and encounter an object. Each arm rest may include a safety release which is configured to release a respective locking mechanism when the respective arm rest is lowered and encounters an object of sufficient stiffness to trigger the safety release. For example, each of the safety releases may comprise a mechanical mechanism, such as a rod or bar, supported at a lower end of the arm rests, and which optionally may extend along the full length of the respective arm rests.
In any of the above chairs, at least one arm rest includes a spring assist to reduce the apparent weight of the at least one arm rest to facilitate movement. For example, the spring assist may comprise a constant force spring, including a coiled plate spring. Further, each arm rest may include a spring assist to lower the apparent weight of the arm rest to facilitate movement.
According to yet other aspects, the chair further includes a lift and a chassis that is supported by the lift, wherein the lift is operable to raise and lower the chassis with respect to the base. The chassis supports the arm rest or rests and a seat section.
In any of the above, the base includes a base frame, and optionally a wheeled base frame.
According to yet another embodiment, a medical chair includes a base and an arm rest supported relative to the base for movement between a raised position and a lowered position. The chair further includes a locking mechanism operable to lock the arm rest in at least one of the raised and lowered positions and a safety release mechanism to prevent the locking mechanism from locking when the arm rest encounters an object while it is being lowered.
For example, the safety release mechanism may include a rod or bar at a lower end of the arm rest. Further, the rod or bar may extend along the full length of the lower end of the arm rest.
Additionally, the locking mechanism may selectively lock the arm rest in a plurality of positions between the lowered and raised positions.
The chair may also include a manual release to release the locking mechanism. Further, the safety release mechanism may be coupled to the manual release mechanism and actuate the manual release mechanism to release the locking mechanism.
In another embodiment, a recliner includes a wheeled base and a support surface, such as a segmented support surface, that is supported on the wheeled base by two X-frames. The X-frames are interconnected by a cross-member offset from the pivot joint of the X frames, which provides a mount for a cylinder actuator, which is coupled to the cross-member on one end and coupled to the base at its opposed end by a pivotal mount so that when it is extended or contracted it unfolds or folds the X frames about their pivot axes to thereby form a lift mechanism for the support surface. One set of the upper pivot and lower pivot points are fixed while the other set is slidably mounted to avoid binding when being folded or unfolded.
In another aspect, a medical recliner includes an arm rest that is guided on a path from a lowered position to a raised position that is upward and forward from the lowered position. Further, the arms rest is lockable in several positions by a locking mechanism to accommodate both ingress and egress. Incorporated into the arm rest is a manual release for the locking mechanism, which allows the caregiver to raise or lower the arm rest. To assist in raising or lowering of the arm rest, the arm rest also incorporates a constant force spring, which reduces the force necessary to raise or lower the arm rest. The upper surface of the arm rest can be lowered so that it is generally planar with or below the seat section to facilitate the lateral transfer of a patient supported on the chair when the support surface of the chair is in a horizontal position.
In yet another aspect, a medical recliner includes a leg rest that includes three nesting sections that are joined and guided by rails. The sections are extended by a scissor mechanism with linkages that are coupled to each section. The first and innermost section is pivotally mounted to the recliner's support surface support frame by a transverse shaft. The innermost section is pivoted about the shaft by an actuator, which mounts to the inner section at its distal end via a transverse rod, which is mounted to the innermost section. The scissor mechanism is secured to the first section at one end by a pin mounted in a slotted bracket to form a sliding joint. The pin then couples to a link that is fixed to the support surface support frame on its opposed end and has a fixed length such that when the first section is rotated about its hinged connection to the support surface support frame by the actuator (which pushes and pulls on the transverse rod), the link pulls or pushes on the pin to cause the scissor mechanism to extend or contract.
The scissor mechanism may be stabilized by two gas springs that help the mechanism collapse and support the intermediate channel while allowing the scissor mechanism to extend and contract. Alternately, the scissor mechanism may be stabilized by guide pins that slidingly engage the underside of two or more sections.
In another embodiment, a medical recliner chair includes a lowered leg rest that has a built in deployment delay, which may be handled electronically. When the chair is in the upright position and a recline button is pressed, the leg rest will not start deploying immediately. This is to allow the patient to adjust the backrest angle a few degrees for comfort purposes while still in an “upright” chair position. Therefore, the actuator that moves the leg rest is not powered until after the back is lowered to a preselected degree.
In other aspects, a medical recliner includes an adjustable arm rest with a locking mechanism that is biased into a locking position and released from its locked position by a handle. For example, the handle maybe coupled to the locking mechanism by a cable so that when the handle is pulled, the cable will release the locking mechanism. The arm rest may also include a mechanical release mechanism, in the form of a rod or bar at its lower end that is also coupled to the locking mechanism so that if an object is below the arm rest when it is lowered and is contacted by the rod, the object will push on the rod which will release the locking mechanism and the arm rest will be free to move up. For example, the rod may extend the full length of the outer lower edge of the arm rest. The arm rest additionally may include a constant force spring that provides an assist to the arm rest so that some of the arm rest weight is borne by the spring.
In yet another aspect, a medical recliner includes a support surface, a lift to raise and lower the support surface, a controller for actuating the lift, and an obstacle detection sensor in communication with the controller, wherein the controller stops the lift from lowering the support surface when an obstacle is detected.
In one aspect, the sensor comprises a pressure sensor, such as a plunger switch.
In another aspect, the medical recliner includes an arm rest, with the sensor mounted to the lower end of the arm rest.
In yet another aspect, the arm rest is movable relative to the support surface.
In yet another aspect, a medical recliner includes with seat and backrests that each have a shell and a foam layer over the shell. In the seat section, the shell forms a recess and a shelf adjacent the recess, which extends laterally under a person's thighs when seated on the seat section. The backrest shell is formed with two forwardly projecting “wings” on either side of the central portion of the backrest shell. The foam is generally uniform in thickness except at the head end of the backrest where it is thickened to form a rounded head rest.
According to yet another embodiment, a medical recliner includes a seat section elevating and tipping forward to help the patient into the upright position. In addition, the arm rests of the arms are curved to provide continuous support to a person when being tilted forward to the egress position. Further, the seat section can be independently raised in a manner that it is higher than the arm rests so that a patient can be more easily rolled, lifted, or otherwise moved from the recliner to a bed, or vice versa. The back, seat and foot sections are also mounted for movement so that they can be arranged generally in a flat or trend position, which can be controlled by a button on the nurse control panel.
In yet another embodiment, a medical chair includes a base, a seat frame, a backrest bracket, an actuator, and a backrest. The backrest bracket is pivotally coupled to the seat frame about a first pivot axis. The actuator is supported on the seat frame and coupled to the backrest bracket, and the actuator is adapted to pivot the backrest bracket about the first pivot axis. The backrest is pivotally coupled to the backrest bracket about a second pivot axis and movable between an upright position and a lowered position. The actuator causes the backrest to pivot about the first pivot axis during a first portion of movement between the upright position and the lowered position, and to pivot about the second pivot axis during a second portion of movement between the upright position and the lowered position.
In other aspects, the first pivot axis is positioned at a location between a front end of the seat frame and a rear end of the seat frame where a patient's buttocks typically is positioned when a patient is seated on the patient support apparatus. The backrest pivots about the first pivot axis exclusively during the first portion of movement, and the backrest pivots about the second pivot axis exclusively during the second portion of movement in at least one form.
In at least one embodiment, the first portion of movement corresponds to movement between the upright position and an intermediate position, and the second portion of movement corresponds to movement between the lowered position and the intermediate position.
The first pivot axis may be positioned forward of a front end of the backrest, and the second pivot axis may be positioned at a higher height than the first pivot axis.
The actuator may include a first end coupled to the seat frame and a second end coupled to a pin, wherein the pin is configured to ride in an elongated channel defined on the seat frame as the backrest pivots between the upright and lowered positions. The elongated channel is straight and oriented generally horizontally. A pin guide member may be fixedly attached to the backrest bracket wherein the pin guide member includes a pin channel defined therein positioned for the pin to ride in during pivoting of the backrest between the upright and lowered positions. The pin channel may include a first section that is arcuately shaped and a second section that is generally straight. Still further, the pin may ride in the generally straight section of the pin channel when the backrest moves between the lowered position and the intermediate position, while the pin rides in the arcuately shaped section when the backrest moves between the intermediate position and the upright position.
A linkage assembly that includes a plurality of links may be included between the backrest and the backrest bracket. The linkage assembly may include a four bar linkage subassembly. The linkage assembly may include a channel link member having an arcuate channel defined therein and configured to allow the pin to ride therein. The pin remains at a first end of the arcuate channel while the backrest pivots between the intermediate position and the lowered position, and the pin moves to a second end of the pin channel when the backrest pivots from the intermediate position to the lowered position. The arcuate channel may include a shape that is substantially the same shape as the arcuately shaped section of the pin channel of the pin guide member. The arcuate channel and the arcuately shaped section of the pin channel are aligned with each other during movement of the backrest between the upright and intermediate positions. The arcuate channel and the arcuately shaped section of the pin channel become misaligned with each other during movement of the backrest between the intermediate and lowered positions.
In another embodiment, a patient support apparatus, such as a medical chair, including a medical recliner chair, includes a base, at least one wheel coupled to the base, and a seat supported by the base. The apparatus further includes a brake system supported at the base, which includes a cable and a brake pedal coupled to a first end of the cable. A second end of the cable is coupled to a brake associated with the wheel, which is configured such that pushing down on the brake pedal allows the mechanical cable to move closer to the brake, and the movement of the mechanical cable closer to the brake causes the brake to brake the wheel.
Optionally, the brake system further includes a toggle plate adapted to hold the brake pedal in either a braked position or an unbraked position while allowing the brake pedal to move there between when an external force is applied to the brake pedal. For example, the external force may be exclusively a downward force.
In another aspect, the apparatus may include a toothed gear coupled to the wheel and a brake pivot positioned adjacent the toothed gear and adapted to pivot into and out of engagement with the toothed gear, with the brake pivot pivoting into engagement with the toothed gear when the pedal is pressed.
Optionally, a brake spring can be positioned inside each of the brake, which is adapted to exert a force on the cable that urges the mechanical cable toward the brake.
The apparatus may include a generally vertical swivel lock pin positioned inside the brake and a swivel lever positioned inside of each of the brake, which is adapted to urge the swivel lock pin upward when the pedal is pressed.
In yet another aspect, the braking system may include an annular castle member with a generally vertical central axis, which is adapted to remain stationary as the wheel swivels about a generally vertical axis. For example, the annular castle member may include an annular ring of alternating slots and projections. Further, the generally vertical axis and the generally vertical central axis are optionally aligned. Additionally, when a swivel lever is present, the swivel lever may urge the swivel lock pin into engagement with the annular castle member.
In another aspect, a swivel spring may be coupled to the swivel lever, which compresses if the swivel lock pin engages one of the projections on the annular castle member when the brake pedal is pressed. The swivel spring may be adapted to not compress if the swivel lock pin extends into one of the slots on the annular castle member when the brake pedal is pressed.
In any of the above, pressing on the brake pedal may prevent the wheels from both rotating and swiveling.
In any of the above, the apparatus is a recliner and includes a backrest pivotal between an upright position and a lowered position.
In any of the above, the apparatus may include a toggle spring coupled to the brake pedal, which is adapted to urge the brake pedal toward an unbraked position.
In any of the above, the apparatus may include two or more wheels, each with a brake.
According to yet another embodiment, a patient support apparatus, for example, a medical chair, including a medical recliner chair, includes a base with caster wheels and a braking system for braking at least one of the caster wheels. The braking system has an actuator for braking the at least one caster wheel and a manually operable input mechanism configured to actuate the actuator. The apparatus further includes a control system having a user interface configured to actuate the actuator. The braking system is configured to allow either the manually operable input mechanism or the user interface to actuate the actuator to thereby lock the at least one caster wheel and to allow either the manually operable input mechanism or the user interface to disengage the actuator to thereby unlock the at least one caster wheel.
In one aspect, the manually operable input mechanism comprises a pedal.
In another aspect, the user interface comprises an electrical operated button.
In yet a further aspect, the actuator drives the manually operable input to actuate the actuator.
According to yet another aspect, the control system includes a solenoid, which when actuate drives the operable input mechanism to actuate the brake.
According to yet another embodiment, a medical chair includes a base having at least one wheel having a brake, a manual braking mechanism for selectively actuating the brake at the wheel, and a control system operable to control the brake in response to a signal or lack of signal at the chair.
In one aspect, the control system includes an actuator, and the actuator coupled to the manual braking mechanism to move the manual braking mechanism to a braking or unbraking position.
For example, the actuator may comprise a solenoid, a center-lock actuator, or other type of actuator which is coupled to the manual braking mechanism.
In another aspect, the control system includes a sensor to generate the signal in response to detecting motion of the chair. The control system is operable to prevent braking of the brake when the sensor detects motion of the chair or operable to actuate the brake when the sensor does not detect motion of the chair. For example, sensor may comprise an accelerometer.
According to yet other aspect, the control system includes a sensor that generates the signal when detecting motion of the chair, with the control system operable to actuate the brake when the signal is not received, for example, after a pre-selected passage of time.
In yet other aspects, the chair further includes a support surface and at least one actuator for adjusting the configuration or orientation of the support surface, and wherein the signal is generated in response to the configuration or orientation being adjusted.
According to another embodiment, a medical chair is provided that includes a seat frame and a backrest. The backrest is pivotally coupled to the seat frame such that the backrest pivots with respect to the seat frame about a first pivot axis during movement of the backrest between an upright position and an intermediate position, and the backrest pivots with respect to the seat frame about a second pivot axis during movement of the backrest between the intermediate position and a lowered position. The first pivot axis is located below a top face of the seat frame.
According to another embodiment, a medical chair is provided that includes a seat frame, a backrest, and a link. The backrest is adapted to pivot with respect to the seat frame about a first pivot axis during movement of the backrest between an upright position and an intermediate position, and to pivot with respect to the seat frame about a second pivot axis during movement of the backrest between the intermediate position and a lowered position. The link is pivotally coupled between the backrest and the seat frame, and the link has a first end coupled to the seat frame at a location aligned with the first pivot axis and a second end coupled to the backrest at a location aligned with the second pivot axis.
According to other embodiments, the second pivot axis is located at a height lower than a height of the first pivot axis when the backrest is in the intermediate position. The second pivot axis may also be located at a position closer to the backrest than the first pivot axis. The first pivot axis may be positioned at a location between a front end of the seat frame and a rear end of the seat frame where a patient's buttocks typically is positioned when a patient is seated on the medical chair.
In other aspects, the medical chair may further comprise a pivot bracket coupled to the backrest, a bearing supported by the bracket, and a channel defined in the seat frame. The bearing is positioned to move within the channel from a first end of the channel to a second end of the channel during movement of the backrest between the upright position and lowered position. The channel may include a first section and a second section that, in combination, form an L-shape. The first section is oriented substantially vertically when the backrest is in the upright position. The bearing is also positioned at a junction of the first and second sections when the backrest is in the intermediate position.
In other aspects, the medical chair includes a backrest actuator coupled between the seat frame and the backrest. The backrest actuator is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, whereby the backrest actuator is in the extended position when the backrest is in the upright position and the backrest actuator is in the retracted position when the backrest is in the lowered position. A controller may also be provided that is adapted to electrically control both the backrest actuator and a seat frame actuator that is adapted to pivot the seat frame. The controller is configured to pivot a rear end of the seat frame initially downwardly and then subsequently upwardly as the backrest pivots downwardly from the upright position to the lowered position.
The first pivot axis may remain stationary with respect to the seat frame during movement of the backrest between the upright position and the intermediate position, and the second pivot axis may rotate about the first pivot axis during movement of the backrest between the upright position and the intermediate position.
A link may be provided between the backrest and the seat frame wherein the link is coupled at a first end to the seat frame at a location aligned with the first pivot axis, and the link is coupled at a second end to the backrest at a location aligned with the second pivot axis.
In other aspects, the backrest pivots with respect to the seat frame exclusively about the first pivot axis during movement between the upright position and the intermediate position, and the backrest pivots with respect to the seat frame exclusively about the second pivot axis during movement between the intermediate position and the lowered position.
In other aspects, the medical chair includes a pivot bracket coupled to the backrest, a bearing supported by the bracket, and a channel defined in the seat frame. The bearing is positioned to move within the channel from a first end of the channel to a second end of the channel during movement of the backrest between the upright position and lowered position.
Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components.
Referring to
In addition, chair 20 includes a pair of arm rests 34 that are moveably mounted relative to the base of the chair and further movable in a manner to assist a person exiting the apparatus, such as shown in
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Base 22 includes a plurality of caster wheels 202 (describe below in reference to the braking system) which are mounted for rotation and swivel movement and which are braked by a braking system more fully described in reference to
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Mounted in cavity 68 is a handle 102 and locking mechanism 104 for locking the position of the arm rest with respect to the arm rests slide mount. Handle 102 includes a rocker arm 106, which is pivotally mounted to flange 66a and also coupled to locking mechanism 104 by way of a cable 108. In this manner, when rocker arm 106 is pulled about its pivot axis 110 by pulling on an edge 107 (which is accessible at the side of the arm rest 34 as shown for example in
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In the illustrated embodiment, arm rests 34 are mounted to a linear slide to move in a linear path when moved from their lowered to raised positions, which is angled with respect to base 22. However, a linear slide is just one way to accomplish the final position. Other mechanisms that may be used to achieve this upward and forward motion include a 4-bar linkage, a scissor linkage, rack and pinion, gears, and cams or the like.
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With continued reference to
During the transition of seat section 30 from the sitting position to the standing position (illustrated in
During movement of seat frame 30 between the sitting and standing positions, controller 82 controls the movement of seat frame 30 and lift mechanism 24 such that a virtual pivot point is created at a location generally adjacent the front edge of seat frame 30 where the back of an occupant's knee would typically be located. This location of the virtual pivot point generally aligns the chair motion with the natural pivot point of the occupant and results in motion that essentially mimics the human body motion of standing up. Chair 20 therefore assists an occupant into a standing position in a manner that feels natural and comfortable to the user.
Referring to
In addition, side frame numbers 132 include slotted openings 144 at their respective ends to receive pins 146 of leg rest 32 to thereby pivotally couple leg rest 32 to seat section 30. Additionally, seat frame 130 includes mounting structures 148 for providing a mount for backrest 36, more fully described below.
Mounted to seat frame 130 is a seat base 150, which may be formed from metal, plastic, wood shell, or the like, or a combination thereof. Base 150 forms a recess and a shelf adjacent the recess, which extends laterally under a person's thighs when seated on the seat section. Seat base 150 includes downwardly depending sides 152 which extend over frame 130 and further a forward downwardly depending flange 154, which extends over cross member 138. As best seen in
Backrest 36 is similar formed by a shell (not shown) which forms two forwardly projecting “wings” on either side of a central portion of the backrest shell. The shell is covered by a cushioning layer, such as foam, which is generally uniform in thickness except at the head end of the backrest where it is thickened to form a rounded head rest. Alternately, the cushioning layer may be formed form gel.
Suitable dry polymer gels or gelatinous elastomeric materials for forming the gel core may be formed by blending an A-B-A triblock copolymer with a plasticizer oil, such as mineral oil. The “A” component in the A-B-A triblock copolymer is a crystalline polymer like polystyrene and the “B” component is an elastomer polymer like poly(ethylene-propylene) to form a SEPS polymer, a poly (ethylene-butadyene) to form a SEBS polymer, or hydrogenated poly(isoprene+butadiene) to form a SEEPS polymer. For examples of suitable dry polymer gels or gelatinous elastomeric materials, the method of making the same, and various suitable configurations for the gel layer reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,485,787; 3,676,387; 3,827,999; 4,259,540; 4,351,913; 4,369,284; 4,618,213; 5,262,468; 5,508,334; 5,239,723; 5,475,890; 5,334,646; 5,336,708; 4,432,607; 4,492,428; 4,497,538; 4,509,821; 4,709,982; 4,716,183; 4,798,853; 4,942,270; 5,149,736; 5,331,036; 5,881,409; 5,994,450; 5,749,111; 6,026,527; 6,197,099; 6,843,873; 6,865,759; 7,060,213; 6,413,458; 7,730,566; 7,823,233; 7,827,636; 7,823,234; and 7,964,664, which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Other suitable configurations are described in copending application, entitled PATIENT SUPPORT, Ser. No. 61/697,010, filed Sep. 5, 2012, which has been refiled as U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 14/019,353, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and are commonly owned by Stryker Corp. of Kalamazoo, Mich.
Other formulations of gels or gelatinous elastomeric materials may also be used in addition to those identified in these patents. As one example, the gelatinous elastomeric material may be formulated with a weight ratio of oil to polymer of approximately 3.1 to 1. The polymer may be Kraton 1830 available from Kraton Polymers, which has a place of business in Houston, Tex., or it may be another suitable polymer. The oil may be mineral oil, or another suitable oil. One or more stabilizers may also be added. Additional ingredients—such as, but not limited to—dye may also be added. In another example, the gelatinous elastomeric material may be formulated with a weight ratio of oil to copolymers of approximately 2.6 to 1. The copolymers may be Septon 4055 and 4044 which are available from Kuraray America, Inc., which has a place of business in Houston, Tex., or it may be other copolymers. If Septon 4055 and 4044 are used, the weight ratio may be approximately 2.3 to 1 of Septon 4055 to Septon 4044. The oil may be mineral oil and one or more stabilizers may also be used. Additional ingredients—such as, but not limited to—dye may also be added. In addition to these two examples, as well as those disclosed in the aforementioned patents, still other formulations may be used.
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In a Trendelenburg position, as illustrated in
Patient support apparatus 10 includes a control system 78 (
In one embodiment, controller 82 communicates with individual circuit boards contained within each control panel 80 using an I-squared-C communications protocol. It will be understood that, in alternative embodiments, controller 82 could use alternative communications protocols for communicating with control panels 80 and/or with the other components of control system 78. Such alternative communications protocols includes, but are not limited to, a Controller Area Network (CAN), a Local Interconnect Network (LIN), Firewire, or other serial communications.
Control system 78 may be configured to generate a built in deployment delay for the leg rest, which may be handled electronically. When the chair is in the upright position and a recline button (which may be provided on control panel 80 shown in
Control system 78 may also be configured to form an electric brake. Referring again to
As can be seen in
Brake pedal assembly 208 is positioned near the bottom of the rear side of patient support apparatus 10 where it does not interfere with the ingress and egress of a patient into and out of the patient support apparatus. More specifically, brake pedal assembly 208 is attached to a rear base bar 216 (
Brake pedal assembly 208 is configured such that, when a user pushes pedal 210 completely down to the brake position, it will automatically remain in this brake position until the user supplies additional downward force on pedal 210. When a user supplies the additional downward force, the brake pedal 210 will be released, thereby allowing it to return upward to its unbraked position. Brake pedal assembly 208 therefore automatically toggles brake pedal 210 between the braked (down) and unbraked (up) positions. Moving between these two positions is accomplished by the user applying a first downward force, and then applying a second downward force. The manner in which this function is achieved will now be described in more detail.
As shown in more detail in
Pedal support 220 is pivotally coupled to brake bracket 218 (
An upper horizontal bar 248 is coupled to respective top ends of a pair of pedal springs 252 (
Pedal springs 252 are adapted to urge lower horizontal bar 254 upwards. Because lower horizontal bar 254 is also coupled to a bottom portion of toggle frame 226, pedal springs 252 will urge toggle frame 226 (and toggle finger 228) upwards. This upward force is greater when pedal 210 is in the braked positioned (down) than when pedal 210 is in the unbraked (up) position.
Turning to toggle frame 226, it can be seen that toggle frame 226 includes a pair of spaced apart lower arms 258 that are generally parallel to each other and that extend away from the body of toggle frame 226. Each lower arm 258 includes an arm aperture 260 defined adjacent its distal end. Arm apertures 260 are dimensioned to receive lower horizontal bar 254 of pedal support 220. As lower horizontal bar 254 moves up and down in conjunction with the upward and downward movement of brake pedal 210, so too will toggle frame 226 (because of the connection of lower horizontal bar 254 through arm apertures 260.
Toggle finger 228 of toggle frame 226 is pivotally coupled to toggle frame 226 such that toggle finger 228 is able to pivot about a toggle finger pivot axis 262. The end of toggle finger 228 opposite its pivotal connection to toggle frame 226 is coupled to a roller 264. Roller 264 is secured to toggle finger 228 in a manner that allows it to rotate about a rotational axis 266 that is generally parallel to toggle finger pivot axis 262, and generally orthogonal to the plane defined by toggle plate 222. Roller 264 is positioned to roll within a looped channel 268 defined in toggle plate 222. The interaction of roller 264 within looped channel 268 is what holds brake assembly 212 in the respective braked and unbraked positions, and allows brake pedal 210 to move between these two positions in response to a downward force applied thereon. The manner of this interaction is described in more detail below.
As was noted above, toggle plate 222 is fixedly secured to brake bracket 218 by way of fasteners 236, which also fixedly secure both toggle plate 222 and brake bracket 218 to rear base bar 216 of base 22. More specifically, brake bracket 218 is sandwiched between rear base bar 216 and toggle plate 222. Fasteners 236 may be any suitable fasteners. In the embodiment shown, fasteners 236 have threaded ends to which threaded nuts 270 are attached after the body of fasteners 236 have been inserted through apertures 234 and 250, and corresponding apertures (not shown) in rear base bar 216 (
Toggle frame 226 further includes a pair of upper apertures 272 defined in its respective side members. Upper apertures 272 each receive a guide pin 274. Each guide pin 274 is positioned to ride within a corresponding guide channel 276 defined in toggle plate 222 (
As was noted earlier, the interaction of roller 264 of toggle finger 228 within looped channel 268 ensures that brake pedal 210 remains in either the up or down position, and can be moved between these two positions by a user exerting a downward force on the brake pedal. The manner in which toggle finger 228, roller 264, and channel 268 accomplish this will now be described with respect to
During movement of brake pedal 210 between the braked and unbraked positions, roller 264 moves within looped channel 268 in a direction defined by arrows 296. Thus, as can be seen in
The movement of roller 264 around looped channel 268 is guided by the various walls defining looped channel 268. This can be better understood by describing the movement of roller 264 from an initial position, say, the unbraked position, to the braked position, and back, which will now be done. When brake pedal 210 is in the unbraked position (up), roller 264 is seated in unbraked seat 294. Roller 264 remains in unbraked seat 294 because pedal springs 252 urge toggle frame 226 upwardly, which in turn urges toggle finger 228 and roller 264 upwardly. This upward urging force on roller 264 causes it to remain seated in unbraked seat 294 in the absence of any external forces applied by a user. In other words, left side wall 280 prevents roller 264 from moving leftward (as viewed in
When a user presses on brake pedal 210 and brake pedal 210 is initially in the unbraked position, brake pedal 210 moves downward which, due to the corresponding movement of toggle frame 226 and toggle finger 228, causes roller 264 to move downward (in
When roller 264 is positioned at the lower most portion of left sloped bottom wall 282 (i.e. adjacent stop wall 298—see
When a user wishes to release the brakes from the braked position, the user simply pushes downwardly again on brake pedal 210. This causes roller 264 to move downward out of the brake seat 292 position. This downward movement will continue with little or no lateral movement (as viewed in
When the user releases his or her downward force on brake pedal 210, roller 264 will move upward from the trough position defined at the junction of right side wall 300 and right sloped bottom wall 284, due to the upward urging of pedal springs 252. This upward movement of roller 264 will continue with little or no lateral movement (as viewed in
As was described above, the upward and downward movement of brake pedal 210 causes pedal support arms 240 to also pivot upwardly and downwardly. This upward and downward movement of support arms 240 causes changes in the tension applied to mechanical cables 214 in a manner that will now be described. As can be seen in
Pressing down on the brake pedal 210 to move it to the braked position causes the distance between cable attachments 224 and the cable housings 306 to decrease, thereby allowing the inner cables 302 to slide toward their respective individual brake assemblies 212. Releasing the brake pedal 210 causes the distance between the cable attachments 224 and the cable housing 306 to increase, thereby exerting a pulling force on inner cables 302 that pulls the inner cables 302 away from their respective individual brake assemblies 212. The manner in which this movement of the inner cables 302 causes the individual brake assemblies to actuate and deactuate the brakes will be described in more detail below.
In addition to being able to actuate and deactuate the brakes of patient support apparatus 10 by manually pushing downward on pedal 210, patient support apparatus 10 is also equipped, in at least some embodiments, with an electrical brake. The electrical brake is actuate by way of a user interface, such as a brake button 94 positioned on each of the control panels 80. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two such control panels 80, one on each side of the backrest 36. Pressing the brake button 94 once changes the brake system 200 from its current status (braked or unbraked) to its opposite status. Pressing brake button 94 again changes status of brake system 200 again. The brake button therefore acts as an electronic toggle that, upon repeated pressing, repeatedly switches the brake system 200 between being on and off.
Each brake button 94 is in electrical communication with controller 82 (
The effect on the individual brake assemblies 212 of inner cables 302 being pulled and released by brake pedal 210 can be better understood with respect to
Vertical bore 346 provides a space for internal cable 302 of the corresponding mechanical cable 214 to run. The end of internal cable 302 is attached to reciprocating member 326. Consequently, when cable 302 is pulled away from brake assembly 212 by the releasing of pedal 210, reciprocating member 326 moves upwardly. This upward movement of reciprocating member 326 causes brake pivot 328, which is coupled to reciprocating member 326 by way of a pin 348, to also pivot upwardly about a brake pivot axis 350. Brake pivot 328 includes a plurality of teeth 352 defined on its underside that selectively engage and disengage from a toothed gear 354 that is fixedly, or integrally, coupled to wheels 202. More specifically, when internal cable 302 is pulled away from brake assembly 212 (upwardly in
When a user pushes down on brake pedal 210 to engage brake system 200, the downward movement of pedal 210—as explained above—allows internal cables 302 to move toward brake assemblies 212. More specifically, the downward movement of pedal 210 allows the force of each brake spring 330 to push down its respective reciprocating member 326, which pulls the connected internal cable 302 downward. The downward pushing of spring 330 on reciprocating member 326 also pushes brake pivot 328, causing it to pivot downwardly about pivot axis 350, which brings teeth 352 into engagement with toothed gear 354, and thereby prevents rotation of wheels 202 about their axis 204. Spring 330 therefore stores a greater amount of potential energy when the brakes are disengaged than when the brakes are engaged. The release of this potential energy when brake system 200 is actuated is what provides the motive force for pushing brake pivot 328 into engagement with toothed gear 354.
Swivel bearing 322 enables housing 324 and all of the brake assembly components beneath brake mount 320 to swivel about generally vertical swivel axis 206 (
Swivel lever 332 is also coupled to reciprocating member 326 (
The upward movement of swivel lock pin 336 will drive pin 336 into engagement with annular castle member 340. If pin 336 is aligned with one of the slots 344 defined in castle member 340, the engagement of pin 336 in the slot 344 will prevent the swiveling of the wheel assembly about the vertical swivel axis 206. If pin 336 is not aligned with one of the slots 344, but instead engages all or a portion of one of the projections 342 on annular castle member 340, then swivel spring 334 will be compressed due to the upward movement of the adjacent end of swivel lever 332. While spring 334 remains compressed due to engagement with a projection 342, that particular wheel 202 is not locked against swivel movement. However, as soon as a slight swiveling of that wheel occurs, this will rotate pin 336 with respect annular castle member 340 and will almost immediately cause pin 336 to become aligned with a slot 344. As soon as alignment with a slot 344 occurs, swivel spring 334 will decompress and force pin 336 into the slot 344. That particular wheel 202 will then be locked against swiveling movement. When a user releases brake pedal 210, swivel lock pin 336 will be pulled downward and out of engagement with castle member 340, thereby allowing that particular wheel 202 to swivel again.
Accordingly, the braking system provides a manually operable input mechanism (e.g. brake pedal) and a user interface (e.g. control panel) that can actuate the brake system actuator and further allows either of the manually operable input mechanism and the user interface to actuate the brake system actuator to thereby lock at least one of the caster wheels and to allow either one to release or disengage the actuator to thereby unlock the caster wheels. Thus, the brake system can engage/disengage electrically via the user interface or can engage/disengage based on input from the mechanical foot pedals. Further, the braking system may be configured so that mechanical engagement/disengagement will have precedence over electrical activation or state.
As noted above, the brake mechanism 308 may comprise a center-lock actuator 1108 (
Control system 78 may incorporate electrical feedback, for example, one or more switches or sensors that detect a fault condition, including over-current and/or over-temperature in any of the powered devices, such as the actuators for actuating the brakes. Further, as noted control system 78 may incorporate one or more sensors or switches for brake status feedback, for example to indicate the state of the brake, e.g. brake engaged or disengaged. Based on this feedback, control system 78 can know what state the brake is in and can toggle it accordingly. Therefore the switch mechanism is independent of electrical or mechanical control.
As noted above, electrical actuation of the brakes may be achieved via one or more user interfaces, for example, a button on one or both control panels (80). Electrical actuation of the brakes may also be triggered by a condition at the chair, in other words “auto-braking”. For example, when a certain configuration of the chair is selected, for example, the sit-to-stand configuration described below, or when the chair has been stationary for a predetermined period of time, control system 78 may be configured to actuate the brakes electrically. In addition or alternately, control system 78 may be configured to prevent the chair from moving to a selected configuration when the brakes are not engaged. For example, when the sit-to-stand configuration, described below, is selected and the brakes are not engaged, controller 82 may be configured to prohibit the actuators from moving support surface 21 from the seated position to the sit-to-stand position, for example, until the brakes are engaged.
Optionally, control system 78 may include an indicator 78a, such as a light, including one or more LEDs, to indicate the brake state and provide feedback to the user. For example, the user interface button may include a light to illuminate a specified color that designates one of the brake states or illuminate when the brakes are in a brake engaged state. Alternately, one or more separate lights may be provided, which the control system 78 illuminates in response to detecting the brake is engaged. For example, control system 78 may illuminate one light with one color when the brakes are engaged and another light with another color when they are disengaged.
In yet another aspect, control system 78 may include input from a motion detector 95, such as an accelerometer. The accelerometer may provide a signal to the controller, for example, when the chair is in motion. The controller 82 may then be configured, through hardware or software, to monitor signals from the accelerometer and to disable the electrical brake actuation, for example, by disabling the electric brake user input to prevent braking while the chair is in motion, which could otherwise potentially damage the brake. Alternately, as noted above, controller 82 may be configured, through hardware or software, to monitor signals from the accelerometer and to enable the electrical brake actuation to brake the wheels, for example, after a passage of time to provide “automatic braking”.
As noted above, backrest 36 is adapted to move between a fully upright position 376 (
First pivot axis 370 is located at a height that is slightly lower than a top side of seat 30. First pivot axis 370 is also located in a forward-rearward direction at a location that is in line with where a patient's buttocks would normally rest when the patient is seated in seat 30. This location provides a more comfortable feeling when pivoting the backrest 36 than when a pivot axis is positioned in line with the patient's hips. Second pivot axis 372 is positioned rearwardly of a front end of backrest 36. Second pivot axis 372 is also positioned at a higher elevation than first pivot axis 370 (when backrest 36 is in the fully upright position). During pivoting about first pivot axis 370, second pivot axis 372 initially starts at this higher height, but then pivots to a height that is substantially the same as the height of second pivot axis 372.
The control of the pivoting of backrest 36 is carried out by control system 78 and controller 82 in response to commands received from either of the control panels 80 or the user pendant 84. For example, as shown in
Further, to ease access to pendant 84, pendant 84 maybe mounted on a flexible arm (see e.g.
In response to those commands, controller 82 sends the appropriate control signals to a backrest actuator 88 that is responsible for pivoting backrest 36 up and down. Backrest actuator 88 carries out the pivoting of backrest 36 for the pivoting that occurs about both pivot axes 370 and 372. This pivoting is carried out by the linear extension and retraction of an actuator arm 378 into and out of an actuator body 380 of backrest actuator 88. No other motion of actuator 88 is required to carry out the double pivoting of backrest 36 because, as will be explained in greater detail below, the mechanical design of backrest 36 and its connecting structure to seat frame 28 converts the linear movement of actuator 88 into the appropriate motion for carrying out the double pivoting.
Backrest actuator 88 may be any conventional electrical actuator adapted to extend and retract its arm 378. In the illustrated embodiments, backrest actuator 88 is constructed such that it will automatically retain its current extension or retraction after it is done moving. That is, backrest actuator 88 includes an automatic internal brake that locks it into whatever position it ends up in. This locking feature holds backrest 36 in any of the virtually infinite number of reclined positions between the fully upright position 376 and the fully reclined position.
Backrest 36 is pivotally coupled to seat frame 28 by way of a backrest bracket 382 (
The distal end of backrest actuator 88 is connected to a guide pin 389 that rides in three pairs of different channels that, in combination, effectuate the double pivoting characteristics of backrest 36. More specifically, guide pin 389 rides in a pair of elongated channels 390 defined at a back end of seat frame 28 (
Each pin guide member 398 is fixedly attached to cross bar section 400 of backrest bracket 382. Pin guide members 398 therefore pivot with backrest bracket 384 between the upright position 376 and the intermediate position 374, but remain stationary during pivoting between the intermediate position 374 and the fully reclined position. Each pin channel 396 defined in each pin guide member 398 has two different sections: a straight section 402 and an arcuately shaped section 404 (
As was noted, for each pairing of a pin guide member 398 with a channel link member 394, pin guide member 398 is pivotal with respect to its attached channel link about pivot axis 395 (which extends perpendicularly out of the plane of
From a study of
It can also be seen from a study of
Each channel link member 394 is pivotally coupled to a linkage assembly 406. Linkage assembly 406 includes a four-bar linkage 408 that includes an upper link 410, a lower link 412, a backrest frame link 414, and a rear link 416 (
As noted above, patient support apparatus 10 includes, in some embodiments, exit detection system 96. Exit detection system 96 is adapted to issue an alert when it is armed and a patient on the patient support apparatus 10 is about to exit, or has exited, from seat 30. Exit detection system 96 includes a plurality of binary sensors (not shown) that are arranged in a selected pattern and positioned underneath the cushioning on seat 30. Each sensor is adapted to open or close based upon the presence or absence of sufficient pressure exerted by the weight of the patient on seat 30. The outputs from the individual sensors are fed to controller 82 which, in one embodiment, issues an alert if any of the multiple sensors detects an absence of sufficient pressure. In other embodiments, controller 82 is programmed to only issue an alert if a threshold number of sensors detect an absence of pressure, or if one or more specific patterns of sensors detect an absence of patient pressure.
Exit detection system 96 is controlled by a caregiver through the use of control panels 80. Each control panel 80 includes a button that, when pressed, toggles between arming and disarming exit detection system 96. When disarmed, no alerts are issued by exit detection system 96. When armed, exit detection system issues alerts when controller 82 senses that one or more of the binary pressure sensors under seat 30 have detected an absence of patient pressure.
In an alternative embodiment, control system 78 can be modified to include a wireless or wired transceiver that transmits a signal to a healthcare network, or server on the healthcare network, when a patient exit condition is alerted. When so equipped, patient support apparatus 10 includes a control for enabling the caregiver to select whether the exit alert should remain local, or be transmitted remotely to the network or server.
With reference to
Controller 82 is able to determine four different conditions based on the voltage it detects between lines 1354 and 1356. When this voltage is between a first threshold and zero volts, this is indicative of a short circuit. When this voltage is between the first threshold and a second higher threshold, this is indicative of a person occupying the seat. When this voltage is between the second threshold and a third higher threshold, this is a hysteresis range where the chair is either occupied or unoccupied, depending upon whatever the last immediately previous state of the chair was (occupied or unoccupied). When this voltage is between the third threshold and a fourth higher threshold, this is indicative of a person having left the seat (unoccupied). Finally, when this voltage is between the fourth threshold and a fifth higher threshold, this is indicative of an open circuit. In one embodiment, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth thresholds are 0.23 V, 0.90V, 1.66V, 2.01V, and 3.30V, although it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these are merely illustrative examples and that different thresholds may be used. If controller 82 ever detects that the circuit is open or closed, it is adapted to determine that an error condition exists and to make this information available to a user, such as, for example, by illuminating one or more lights, by recording the error in a memory that can be read by a diagnostic tool, or in still other manners.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Back shell 36a of backrest 36 may also have molded therein or joined therewith a handle 36b to facilitate movement of apparatus, and also a cord wrap structure to manage wires and or cabling.
Referring to
Arm rest 734 is mounted to the chair chassis (e.g. chassis 26 described above) by a slide mount 800 (
Also mounted in cavity 768 is a locking mechanism 804 for locking the position of the arm rest with respect to the slide mount. Locking mechanism 804 includes a body 806, which is mounted to central web 764 of arm rest 734 by fasteners, such as pins, which allow body 806 to move relative to web 764 as described below. Optionally, on or both of the pins may support a spring or springs to bias body 806 in a desired position. Body 806 includes at least one recess 824 (
Optionally, body 806 includes at least a second recess 824a (
Also mounted in cavity 728 is an optional spring 825 to provide an assist by reducing the apparent weight of the arm rest. In the illustrated embodiment, spring 825 comprises a constant force spring. For example, spring 825 may be formed from a rolled ribbon of metal, typically spring steel, which is secured on one end to the web 764, for example by a fastener, and then coiled at its opposed end about a sleeve 825a, which is then coupled to mount 800. For example, mount 800 may include a projecting member 830, such as projecting rod, which extends into and rotatably mounts the sleeve to mount 800 so that the second end of the coil is free to uncoil or recoil as mount 800 moves relative to rods 822. The spring is therefore relaxed when it is fully rolled up. As it is unrolled, a restoring force is generated. Thus, when arm rest 734 is translated along mount 800, spring 824 will generate resistance to reduce the apparent weight of arm rest 734.
Referring to
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, safety mechanism 710 includes a transverse member 712, for example a bar or rod, including a plastic bar or rod, which is mounted to the lower end of a respective arm rest. Optionally transverse member 712 extends the along the entire length of the lower end of the arm rest and further may be relatively flexible so that is will deflect, as will be more fully explained below. Transverse member 712 includes a pair of upwardly extending arms or guides 714a and 714b, which extend into recesses 716a and 716b provided at the lower end of arm rests 734, for example, at the lower edge of central web 764. Upwardly extending arms 714a and 714b include flanges 717a and 717b that retain arms 714a and 714b in recesses 716a and 716b. Recesses 716a and 716b are each shaped to include a shoulder on which flanges 717a and 717b rest when transverse member 712 is in its lowermost position relative to the respective arm rest. Also located in recesses 716a and 716b are springs 718a and 718b. Springs 718a and 718b bias transverse member 712 in a downward direction and are optionally mounted about the upper ends of arms 714a and 714b above flanges 717a and 717b so that they are captured between the top of the recesses (as viewed in
Safety mechanism 710 also includes a detector in the form of switch 720, which is in communication with controller 82 (
In the illustrated embodiment, switch 720 includes a plunger 720a extend toward transverse member 712 so that when transverse member 712 moves upwardly, for example, when it encounters an object, transverse member 712 will press plunger 720a, which causes the switch to open. As noted above, transverse member 712 may be relatively flexible and deflect upwardly between its two ends so that if it encounters an object between arms 716a and 716b, it will still compress plunger 720a and open switch 720. Once switch 720 is opened, controller 82 is configured to terminate power to the lift mechanism actuator (described above) to disable the lift mechanism actuator and stop downward movement of the chair.
Additionally, controller 82 may be configured via software to still allow upward movement and just prevent downward movement and further to move the chair upward once detecting an object to back off the obstruction to provide an auto-backup. Alternately, switch 720 may simply open the circuit between the power supply and the actuators that raise or lower the chair.
The motion interrupt may also cause the controller to generate an indication that an obstruction has been detected. For example, controller 82 may generate a light or icon at one or both control panels (80). Further, controller 82 may cause an audible indication to be generated, for example a ‘chirp’ when the lift down button is pressed and an obstruction is detected. Further, the controller 82 may be configured to generate a visual indication such as by dis-illuminating a downward icon on one or both control panels (80). It should be understood that other safety mechanism for an obstruction detection systems may be used, include capacitive-based or optical-based (e.g. IR).
Referring to
As best seen in
Referring again to
Scissor mechanism 884 is pinned at its distal end and at two intermediate linkages by posts 888 to the underside of sections 870, 872, and 874. The proximal end of scissor mechanism is pinned to a driven plate 890 that is guided along guide tracks formed by two elongated U-shaped brackets 892 by a transverse pin 890a that is mounted to plate 890. Pin 890a is also coupled to links 896 (
As noted above, section 870 is pivotally mounted to the seat frame by brackets 876. To pivot foot rest, the chair includes a linear actuator 990, similar to actuator 90. Actuator 990 is mounted on one end to the seat frame and mounted at its opposed (driving) end to a transverse rod 992, which is supported offset from rod 877 so that when actuator 990 extends its driving end, actuator 990 will push and cause section 870 to pivot about rod 877 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in
Similarly, when actuator 90 contracts its driving end, actuator will pull on rod 992, which will cause section 870 to pivot in a clockwise direction about rod 877 (as view in
Referring again to
Referring to
Wheels 1002 are available from Fallshaw and will, therefore, not be described in great detail herein other than referencing that each wheel includes a mechanical brake actuator 1002 that when pushed downward actuates the caster brake (not shown) and a mounting post 1002b, which mount the wheels to base 1022. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 8,203,297 for further details of caster wheel and its brake, which patent is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Referring to
Referring to
As best seen in
In addition, braking system, 1000 may incorporate a sensor 1052, which is in communication with controller 82, to detect the status of the brakes, for example when the brakes are engaged. As described above, controller 82 may use this information to generate other signals or to disable signals or provide indications, for example, at the control panel to provide visual or audible feedback to the user that the brakes are engaged.
The pivoting of backrest 1236 is carried out automatically by a backrest actuator 1288. Backrest actuator 1288 is pivotally coupled at a first end to backrest 1236 and at a second end to seat frame 1228 (
The transition between pivot axes 1270 and 1272 is accomplished through mechanical structures that will now be described in greater detail. Backrest 1236 includes a pair of backrest brackets 1302 fixedly coupled thereto (
When backrest 1236 moves between the upright position 1276 and the intermediate position 1274, each bearing 1304 rides within first section 1312 of its corresponding channel 1310. When backrest 1236 moves between the intermediate position 1274 and the lowered position 1378, each bearing 1304 rides in the corresponding second section 1314. Bearings 1304 each generally have a dimension equal to the width of the first section of 1312 of channel 1310. The contact of bearings 1304 with the inside edges of first sections 1312 prevents backrest 1236 from pivoting about second pivot axis 1272 while bearings 1304 are positioned within first section 1312. However, while bearings 1304 are positioned within first section 1312, they are generally free to move upward and downward, thereby allowing backrest 1236 to pivot about first pivot axis 1270. When bearings 1304 reach second section 1314, further downward movement of bearings 1304 within the channels 1310 is prevented, and the shape of second section 1314 forces backrest 1236 to switch to pivoting from pivoting about first axis 1270 to pivoting about second pivot axis 1272 for any further downward movement of backrest 1236.
A pair of links 1318 is pivotally coupled between each backrest bracket 1302 and respective sides of seat frame 1228. That is, each link is pivotally coupled at a first end to one of the backrest brackets 1202 and pivotally coupled at a second end to a corresponding side of seat frame 1228. The pivotal coupling of link 1318 to backrest bracket 1302 occurs at a location that is aligned with second pivot axis 1272. The pivotal coupling of link 1318 to seat frame 1228 occurs at a location that is aligned with first pivot axis 1270.
The pivoting of backrest 1236 about first and second pivot axes 1270 and 1272 in the manner described herein is intended to provide the chair occupant with less discomfort (including shear forces) during the transition between the upright and lowered positions, or any positions therebetween. More particularly, the initial pivoting about first pivot axis 1270, which is located generally underneath the occupant's hips, recognizes that the occupant's body—when initially tilting backward from an upright position—tends to pivot about a location generally defined at the interface between the occupant's buttocks and the top face of the seat. In other words, the occupant generally does not pivot backward about his or her hip joint, but rather about an axis that is lower than the hip joint and very close, if not aligned with, first pivot axis 1270. First pivot axis 1270 is therefore positioned in this location in order to match the natural pivoting motion of the occupants body during initial backward movement of the occupant's back.
However, it has been found that after continued backward movement of the occupant's back, the occupant's back tends to switch to a pivoting motion that is more heavily influenced by the occupant's vertebrae straightening out with respect to each other. The location of second pivot axis 1272 at a location rearwardly of first pivot axis 1270 and a higher elevation than first pivot axis 1270 (at least until backrest 1236 reaches its lowered position 1378) tends to more closely align the pivoting motion of backrest 1236 with the pivoting movement of the occupant's back. This alignment helps reduce the shear forces exerted between the occupant's back and the backrest 1236 and/or the re-adjusting that the occupant might tend to desire upon continued backward pivoting of backrest 1236. When the occupant later moves from the lowered position 1378 to the upright position 1276, the pivoting motions of both the occupant's back and backrest 1236 occur in the same reverse order to what has been described, thereby reducing the shear forces and discomfort during the raising of backrest 1236 as well as during its lowering.
As shown in
While several embodiments have been shown and described, the above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert but which can be used independently and/or combined with other features. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.
Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims which follow as interpreted under the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application, entitled MEDICAL SUPPORT APPARATUS, Ser. No. 61/791,255, filed Mar. 15, 2013 (STR03D P410), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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