The present disclosure is related to patient-support apparatuses. More specifically, the present disclosure is related to a person-support apparatus with siderails movably coupled thereto.
A patient-support apparatus can include a frame with siderails coupled thereto. The siderails can be configured to, for example, locate the edge of the person-support apparatus and/or assist with ingress/egress to/from the person-support apparatus. The siderails can be moveable between a first position or deployed position and a second position or storage position with respect to the frame. While various person-support apparatuses have been developed, there is still room for improvement. Thus a need persists for further contributions in this area of technology.
The present disclosure includes one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter.
In one illustrative embodiment, the siderail configured to move between a storage position and a first deployed position where the siderail body is a first lateral distance from the upper frame and a second deployed position where the siderail body is a second lateral distance from the upper frame.
Additional features alone or in combination with any other feature(s), including those listed above and those listed in the claims and those described in detail below, can comprise patentable subject matter. Others will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
Referring now to the illustrative examples in the drawings, wherein like numerals represent the same or similar elements throughout:
While the present disclosure can take many different forms, for the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. No limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Various alterations, further modifications of the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the disclosure, as described herein, are contemplated.
In one illustrative embodiment, the siderail configured to move between a storage position and a first deployed position where the siderail body is a first lateral distance from the upper frame and a second deployed position where the siderail body is a second lateral distance from the upper frame.
A person-support apparatus 10 according to one illustrative embodiment of the current disclosure can be shown in
The upper frame 16 can include an upper frame base 20, a deck 22, a plurality of siderails 24, and endboards EB1 as shown in
The plurality of siderails 24 can include a head siderail 32 or headrail 32 and a foot siderail 34 or footrail 34. The head siderail 32 can be coupled to the head section 26 of the deck 22 and the foot siderail 34 can be coupled to the upper frame base 20 proximate to the foot section 28. It should be appreciated that the headrail 32 can be coupled to the upper frame base 20 proximate the head section 26. It should also be appreciated that the foot siderail 34 can be coupled to the upper frame base 20 proximate to the seat section 30 or coupled to the deck 22 proximate the foot section 28 or seat section 30. The headrail 32 can and the footrail 34 can be similarly constructed and can both include a siderail body 36, a siderail latch 38, first and second support arms 40 and 42, and a siderail base assembly 44. It should be appreciated that the headrail body and the footrail body can be shaped differently. It should also be appreciated that in one illustrative embodiment, portions of the headrail 32 and the footrail 34 can resemble portions of the siderails disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0169268 by Lemire et al. published on Jul. 26, 2007. For the sake of brevity, the elements of the headrail 32 and the footrail 34 will be described together below.
The siderail body 36 can be coupled to the siderail base assembly 44 by the first and second support arms 40 and 42 and can be configured to be moved between first and second deployed positions or raised positions and a storage position or lowered position with respect to the upper frame 16. The siderail body 36 can include a first siderail surface 46, a second siderail surface 48, a siderail perimeter edge 50, a siderail grip portion with a grip opening 52, an overlapping portion 54, a latch opening 56, support arm openings 58 as shown in
The siderail latch 38 can be configured to allow the siderail 24 to be maintained in a specific position, such as, for example, the deployed positions and/or the storage position. It should be appreciated that the siderail latch 38 can be similar to the locking mechanism disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0169268 by Lemire et al. published on Jul. 26, 2007. The siderail latch 38 can include a locking arm 66, a latch spring 68, a locking cog 70, and a handle 72 as shown in
The latch spring 68 can be configured to bias the locking arm 66 toward the first locking arm position. The latch spring 68 can be coupled within the inner chamber 60 at a first spring joint 80 and can be coupled to the locking arm 66 at a second spring joint 82 as shown in
The locking cog 70 can be configured to maintain the position of the siderail body 36 with respect to the upper frame 16 when the locking cog 70 is in a first locking cog position and allow the siderail body 36 to move with respect to the upper frame 16 when the locking cog 70 is in a second locking cog position. The locking cog 70 can be coupled to one of the first and second support arms 40 and 42 and can be positioned within the inner chamber 60 as shown in
The handle 72 can be movably coupled within the inner chamber 60 at a first handle joint 90 and can be configured to move between a first latch position or locked position and a second latch position or unlocked position. The handle 72 can include a grip portion 92 and a handle protrusion 94 as shown in
The first and second support arms 40 and 42 can be movably coupled to the siderail body 36 via the siderail latch 38 and movably coupled to the siderail base assembly 44 as shown in
The first and second support arms 40 and 42 can include a support arm body 96, an upper shaft 98, and a lower shaft 100 as shown in
The upper shaft 98 of the first support arm 40 can rotate about a first rotational axis R1 with respect to the siderail body 36 and the upper shaft 98 of the second support arm 42 can rotate about a second rotational axis R2 with respect to the siderail body 36 as shown in
The upper shaft 98 can include a first upper shaft end 106 that can be coupled to the first support arm surface 102 and a second upper shaft end 108 that can be coupled to the siderail latch 38 as shown in
The lower shaft 100 can be configured to rotate with respect to the siderail base assembly 44 between the deployed position and the storage position. The lower shaft 100 can include a first lower shaft portion 110 with a first end 112, a second end 114, and a follower 116 or protrusion 116, and a second lower shaft portion 118 with first end 120, a spring seat 122, and a second end 124 as shown in
The siderail base assembly 44 can be coupled to the upper frame 16 and the first and second support arms 40 and 42 and can include a siderail base frame 126, a guide assembly 128, and a dampening system 130 as shown in
The guide assembly 128 can include guide springs 144 and guides 146 and can be configured to help move the siderail body 36 between a first lateral position and a second lateral position with respect to the siderail base assembly 44. The guide springs 144 can be configured to be positioned between the front base frame surface 132 and the back base frame surface 134 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6-17. The guide springs 144 can be helically shaped and the second lower shaft portion 110 can pass through the center thereof. The guide springs 144 can be configured engage the back base frame surface 134 and the spring seat 122.
The guides 146 can be coupled to the guide mount portions 140 of the siderail base frame 126 and can be configured to cooperate with the protrusions 116 on the lower shaft 100 to move the siderail body 36 along the lateral axis Y1 between a first lateral position and a second lateral position and between the deployed and storage positions. It should be appreciated that the guides 146 can be integrated into the upper frame base 20. The guides 146 can include a guide opening 148 that can define a guide path 150 as shown in
The first radial slot 154 can extend from the lateral slot 152 and can be spaced a distance FR1 from the first lateral slot end 162 as shown in
The second radial slot 156 can extend from the second lateral slot end 160 as shown in
The dampening system 130 can include shaft links 166, a damper link 168, a damper spring 170, and a damper 172 as shown in
The damper link 168 can include a first link end 186, a second link end 188, and a first spring joint 190 as shown in
The damper spring 170 can be coupled to the damper link 168 at the first spring joint 190 and coupled to the siderail base frame 126 at a second spring joint 194 as shown in
The damper 172 can be coupled to one of the shaft links 166 at the first damper joint 174 and coupled to the siderail base frame 126 at a second damper joint 196 as shown in
In operation, the siderail body 36 can be in the storage position with respect to the upper frame 16 and the protrusions 116 on the lower shafts 100 can be positioned proximate the first lateral slot ends 158 of the guides 146. A user can grip the siderail body and move the siderail body 36 and first and second support arms 40 and 42 laterally along the lateral axis Y1 with respect to the siderail base assembly 44. As the siderail body 36 moves laterally, the protrusions 116 on the lower shafts 100 can move along the lateral slots 152 of the guides 146. Depending on the desired lateral position of the siderail body 36 with respect to the upper frame 16, the protrusions 116 can be moved a distance FR1 from the first lateral slot ends 158 to access the first radial slots 154 or moved from the first lateral slot ends 158 to the second lateral slot ends 160 to access the second radial slots 156. Once the protrusions 116 are proximate the first radial slots 154 or the second radial slots 156 the siderail body 36 can be rotated from the storage position to the deployed position. As the siderail body 36 is rotated, the upper shaft 98 can rotate the locking cog 70 about the first rotational axis R1 and the lower shafts 100 can rotate about the third and fourth rotational axis R3 and R4. As the lower shafts 100 rotate, the protrusions 116 can move along the one of the first radial slots 154 toward the first radial slot end 162 and the second radial slots 156 toward the second radial slot end 164. When the protrusions 116 are positioned in the first radial slot end 162 or the second radial slot end 164, the locking cog 70 can engage the locking arm 66 to maintain the siderail body 36 in the deployed position.
To move the siderail body 36 from the deployed position to the storage position, the handle 72 of the siderail latch 38 can be actuated and can cause the locking arm 66 to move from the first locking arm position to the second locking arm position. When the locking arm 66 is in the second locking arm position the locking cog 70 is able to rotate and the siderail body 36 and first and second support arms 40 and 42 can be moved toward the storage position. As the siderail body 36 moves toward the storage position, the lower shafts 100 can rotate about the third and fourth rotational axis R3 and R4 and can cause protrusions 116 to move along one of the first radial slots 154 and the second radial slots 156 from the first radial slot end 162 or second radial slot end 164, respectively, toward the lateral slot 152. Once the protrusions 116 are in the lateral slots 152, the siderail body 36 can be moved laterally along the lateral axis Y1 to the storage position such that the protrusions 116 are positioned proximate the first lateral slot ends 158.
A siderail 524 according to another illustrative embodiment of the current disclosure can be shown in
The lateral translation mechanism 532 can couple the siderail base frame 126 to the upper frame 16 and can include lateral members 534, slides 536, and locking mechanisms 538 as shown in
The locking mechanism 538 can be coupled to the slides 536 and can be configured to selectively maintain the position of the slide 536 with respect to the lateral members 534. In one illustrative embodiment, the locking mechanism 538 can include a wedge 540 positioned in an opening 542 in the slide 536 that can be configured to engage recessed portions 544 in the lateral members 534 to selectively maintain the position of the slide 536 and siderail base frame 126 with respect to the lateral members 534 as shown in
The siderail latch assembly 538 can include a lateral latch system 548 configured to allow the siderail 524 to move between a first lateral position and a second lateral position. It should be appreciated that the siderail latch assembly 38 described above can be configured to include the lateral latch system 548. The lateral latch system 548 can include a handle 550 and a cable 552 that can be surrounded by an outer cover 554. It should also be appreciated that the cable 552 can pass through a portion of the siderail body 36 and can be routed using routing clips 556 as shown in
The cable 552 can be coupled to the handle 550 and the locking mechanism 538 and can be configured to actuate the locking mechanism 538 when the handle 550 is moved from the first handle position to the second handle position as shown in
Many other embodiments of the present disclosure are also envisioned. For example, a siderail assembly for a patient-support apparatus including a frame and defining a head end, a foot end longitudinally spaced-apart therefrom, and two laterally spaced-apart sides, comprises a siderail body and a movement assembly. The movement assembly is coupled to the siderail body and is configured to be coupled with the frame of the patient-support apparatus. The movement assembly is configured so that the siderail body moves relative to the frame about a generally laterally-extending axis between a lowered position, a first raised position, and a second raised position laterally spaced apart from the first raised position.
In another example, a siderail assembly for a patient-support apparatus including a frame and defining a head end, a foot end longitudinally spaced-apart therefrom, and two laterally spaced-apart sides extending therebetween, comprises a siderail body and a movement assembly. The movement assembly is coupled to the siderail body and to the frame. The movement assembly is configured to guide movement of the siderail body relative to the frame about a generally laterally-extending axis between a first lowered position and a first raised position, and between a second lowered position and a second raised position. The movement assembly includes a guide assembly having a follower and a guide. The follower is coupled with the siderail body for movement coordinated therewith. The guide is fixed relative to the frame. The follower engages the guide during at least a portion of the movement of the siderail body. The guide includes a first guide plate and a second guide plate. The first guide plate is configured to be removably coupled relative to the frame. The first guide plate includes a first track defining a first stop and a second stop. The follower engages the first stop when the siderail body is in the first raised position and the follower engages the second stop when the siderail body is in the first lowered position. The second guide plate is configured to be removably coupled to the bracket. The second guide plate includes a second track defining a third stop and a fourth stop. The follower engages the third stop when the siderail body is in the second raised position and the follower engages the fourth stop when the siderail body is in the second lowered position.
In another example, a guide assembly configured to guide the movement of a siderail of a patient-support apparatus having a frame comprises follower and a guide. The follower is coupled to the siderail and is configured to guide the movement of the siderail. The guide is fixed relative to the frame. The guide includes a guide plate having an edge defining a channel. The edge defines a first position, a second position, and a third position, and a first stop adjacent the first position, a second stop adjacent the second position, and a third stop adjacent the third position. A portion of the follower is received by the channel as the follower guides the movement of the siderail. The follower engages the first stop when the siderail is in a first position. The follower engages the second stop when the siderail is in a second position spaced apart from the first position. The follower engages the third stop when the siderail is in a third position spaced apart from each of the first and second positions. The edge defines a first channel portion between the first stop and the third stop and a second channel portion between the second stop and the third stop. The edge is configured so that at least a portion of the first channel portion is distinct from at least a portion of the second channel portion.
In another example, a patient-support apparatus includes a frame and a siderail coupled to the frame for movement relative thereto. The patient-support apparatus comprises a guide assembly. The guide assembly is coupled to the siderail and to the frame. The guide assembly includes a follower and a guide. The follower is coupled to the siderail for movement coordinated therewith between a first position, a second position spaced apart from the first position, and a third position spaced apart from each of the first position and the second position. The guide is fixed relative to the frame. The guide includes a first camming surface and a second camming surface. The first camming surface is engaged by the follower during at least a portion of the movement of the follower relative to the guide between the first position and the third position. The second camming surface is engaged by the follower during at least a portion of the movement of the follower relative to the guide between the second position and the third position. At least a portion of the second camming surface is distinct from at least a portion of the first camming surface.
In yet another example, a method for configuring the movement of a siderail body of a siderail assembly on a patient support apparatus including a frame comprises the steps of: determining the desired movement of the siderail body relative to the frame; selecting, from among a plurality of guide plates, a guide plate configured to cooperate with a follower of the siderail mechanism to permit the desired movement of the siderail body relative to the frame; and installing the selected guide plate in the siderail assembly.
In yet another example, a siderail assembly for a patient-support apparatus including a frame, the patient-support apparatus defining a head end, a foot end longitudinally spaced-apart therefrom, and two laterally spaced-apart sides extending therebetween, comprises a siderail body and a translation assembly. The translation assembly is coupled to the siderail body and to the frame. The translation assembly is configured to permit generally lateral translation of the siderail body relative to the frame between a first position and a second position spaced apart from the first position. The translation assembly includes a locking mechanism movable between a locking position blocking translation of the siderail body relative to the frame in at least one direction and a release position permitting translation of the siderail body relative to the frame in the at least one direction. The locking mechanism is configured to block the translation of the siderail body relative to the frame at any selected position between the first position and the second position.
In still another example, a patient-support apparatus defining a head end, a foot end longitudinally spaced-apart therefrom, and first and second laterally spaced-apart sides extending therebetween, comprises a frame, a first siderail body, and a second siderail body. The first siderail body is coupled to the first side of the frame by a first mounting assembly for movement relative to the frame about a generally laterally-extending axis between a lowered position, a first raised position, and a second raised position laterally spaced apart from the first raised position. The second siderail body is coupled to the second side of the frame by a second mounting assembly for movement relative to the frame about a generally laterally-extending axis between a lowered position, a first raised position, and a second raised position laterally spaced apart from the first raised position. The first siderail body is spaced apart from the second siderail body by a first distance when the first siderail body is in its first position and the second siderail body is in its first position and the first siderail body is spaced apart from the second siderail body by a second distance greater than the first distance when the first siderail body is in its second position and the second siderail body is in its second position.
Any theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding stated herein is meant to further enhance understanding of principles of the present disclosure and is not intended to make the present disclosure in any way dependent upon such theory, mechanism of operation, illustrative embodiment, proof, or finding. It should be understood that while the use of the word preferable, preferably or preferred in the description above indicates that the feature so described can be more desirable, it nonetheless can not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same can be contemplated as within the scope of the disclosure, that scope being defined by the claims that follow.
In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” “at least a portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.
It should be understood that only selected embodiments have been shown and described and that all possible alternatives, modifications, aspects, combinations, principles, variations, and equivalents that come within the spirit of the disclosure as defined herein or by any of the following claims are desired to be protected. While embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same are to be considered as illustrative and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Additional alternatives, modifications and variations can be apparent to those skilled in the art. Also, while multiple inventive aspects and principles can have been presented, they need not be utilized in combination, and various combinations of inventive aspects and principles are possible in light of the various embodiments provided above.