The invention generally relates to patient support apparatuses such as hospital beds, and more specifically to patient support apparatuses with at least one auxiliary wheel for improved maneuverability.
Hospital beds or other types of patient support apparatuses are often provided with wheels or casters to facilitate their displacement in different rooms of health care facilities.
In order to ease such displacements, some of the prior art hospital beds that have been proposed are provided with a motorized auxiliary wheel. This auxiliary wheel is generally mounted to the base of the bed and is driven by a motor connected thereto.
In some prior art beds, the motorized auxiliary wheel is a retractable wheel selectively positionable relative to the floor surface. More particularly, such a auxiliary wheel can be raised (retracted) to clear the floor, or lowered (deployed) to engage the floor surface, by activation of control elements. Such a retractable auxiliary wheel tends to be advantageous in many instances since, when it is retracted, it provides with the clearance under the base of the bed that is generally required for ease of use of a wheeled patient table whose base is generally positioned under the base of the bed.
Beds equipped with such retractable auxiliary wheels however tend to present some significant drawbacks. For instance, such hospital beds typically require complex and cumbersome mechanical arrangements and controls thereof.
Such hospital beds may sometimes be used on an uneven floor surface which may have discontinuities such as bumps and holes for example. The floor surface may also be in the form of a ramp, with changes in grade of the floor surface. This may lead to the fact that the auxiliary wheel loses contact with the floor surface, with associated difficulties related to sudden deceleration and/or acceleration of the bed as non-limitative examples.
To overcome this difficulty, several complex arrangements have been designed to prevent the auxiliary wheel from losing contact with the floor surface and still maintains contact with the floor surface even if the floor surface is uneven or has a lower surface where the auxiliary wheel is positioned relative to the other wheels.
Such arrangements are also generally designed to absorb shocks that may be generated by a bump or obstacle under the auxiliary wheel. This may mitigate discomfort for the patient lying in the bed.
Complex and cumbersome spring-based arrangements are typically used to urge the auxiliary wheel in contact with the floor surface when in the lowered position, while still being adapted to absorb shocks generated by bumps.
Various control devices have been proposed in the art to enable a caregiver or operator to safely maneuver and drive a motorized hospital bed. Some prior art control devices use one or two movable handles that can be pushed or pulled to drive the bed forwards or backwards, which requires complex mechanical arrangements. Other control devices require that the caregiver uses both hands to provide the necessary input data through several controls, which can be complex to use and expensive to implement.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to be provided with a hospital bed which would overcome at least one of the above-identified drawbacks.
According to a first aspect, there is provided a wheel assembly connectable to a base of a patient support apparatus having a plurality of casters. The wheel assembly has a fixed portion securable to the base and a pivoting portion pivotally attached to the fixed portion. The wheel assembly also has a wheel operatively connected to the pivoting portion, the wheel being movable between a first deployed position when the pivoting portion is pivoted in a first direction and a second retracted position when the pivoting portion is pivoted in a second opposed direction. The wheel assembly is further provided with a spring assembly mounted between the fixed portion and the pivoting portion for urging the pivoting portion in the first direction to urge the wheel in the first deployed position. The wheel assembly also has an actuator operatively coupled to the fixed portion and to the pivoting portion, the actuator being actuatable between an extended position to urge the pivoting portion in the second direction against an action of the spring assembly to thereby raise the wheel in the second retracted position and a retracted position wherein the actuator allows the action of the spring assembly to urge the pivoting portion in the first direction.
In one embodiment, when the wheel assembly is connected to the base of the patient support apparatus, the first deployed position of the wheel is in contact with the floor and the second retracted position is spaced apart from the floor.
In one embodiment, the wheel assembly further has a motor assembly operatively connected to the wheel for driving the wheel along the floor when extending in the first deployed position. In a further embodiment, the motor assembly is mounted perpendicularly to an axle of the wheel.
In one embodiment, the wheel assembly is further provided with a control device for driving the motor in response to an operator request.
In one embodiment, the fixed portion has a mounting plate securable to the base and two spaced apart flanges extending therefrom and defining a compartment therebetween. The pivoting portion comprises an elongated rotating shaft rotatably mounted between the two flanges and a pivoting arm having a first end secured to the elongated rotating shaft and a second distal end, the second distal end having a wheel mounting portion adapted for receiving an axle of the wheel therethrough.
In one embodiment, the second distal end of the pivoting arm is further provided with a projecting member, the spring assembly being mounted between the fixed portion and the projecting member.
In one embodiment, the actuator comprises a linear actuator, the linear actuator being mounted to push against the projecting member when actuated in the extended position.
In one embodiment, the spring assembly comprises a telescopic tubing and a linear compression spring mounted therewith, the telescoping tubing being secured to the fixed portion.
In one embodiment, the linear actuator has a body and an elongated rod having a distal end. The body is pivotally mounted to the fixed portion, the distal end of the elongated rod being further provided with a support arm having a first end pivotally connected thereto and a second end pivotally connected to the pivoting portion for movably supporting the linear actuator.
In one embodiment, the first end of the support arm connected to the distal end of the elongated rod has a surface projecting therefrom adapted for cooperating with the pivoting portion only when the actuator is actuated in the extended position.
In one embodiment, the wheel has at least one omnidirectional wheel.
According to another embodiment, there is also provided a patient support apparatus provided with a frame, a base having a plurality of casters for supporting the frame on a floor and a wheel assembly connected to the base. The wheel assembly is provided with a fixed portion secured to the base and a pivoting portion pivotally attached to the fixed portion. The wheel assembly is also provided with a wheel operatively connected to the pivoting portion, the wheel being movable between a first deployed position in contact with the floor when the pivoting portion is pivoted in a first direction and a second retracted position spaced apart from the floor when the pivoting portion is pivoted in a second opposed direction. The wheel assembly also has a spring assembly mounted between the fixed portion and the pivoting portion for urging the pivoting portion in the first direction to urge the wheel in the first deployed position in contact with the floor. The wheel assembly further has an actuator operatively coupled to the fixed portion and to the pivoting portion, the actuator being actuatable between an extended position to urge the pivoting portion in the second direction against an action of the spring assembly to thereby raise the wheel in the second retracted position and a retracted position wherein the actuator allows the action of the spring assembly to urge the pivoting portion in the first direction. The patient support apparatus has a motor assembly operatively connected to the wheel for driving the wheel along the floor when in the first deployed position and a control device for driving the motor in response to an operator request.
According to a second aspect, there is provided a wheel assembly connectable to a base of a patient support apparatus having a plurality of casters. The wheel assembly has a supporting structure securable to the base. The wheel assembly also has an actuator mounted to the supporting structure and having a distal end, the actuator being actuatable between a retracted position and an extended position. The wheel assembly further has a wheel operatively connected to the distal end of the actuator, the wheel being movable between a first deployed position when the actuator extends in the extended position, and a second raised position when the actuator extends in the retracted position. The wheel assembly is also provided with a spring assembly operatively mounted between the supporting structure and the wheel for urging the wheel in the first deployed position.
In one embodiment, when the wheel assembly is connected to the base of the patient support apparatus, the first deployed position of the wheel is in contact with the floor and the second retracted position is spaced apart from the floor.
In one embodiment, the supporting structure has an elongated transverse member securable to the base and a mounting plate secured to the elongated transverse member, the actuator being mounted to the mounting plate.
In one embodiment, the actuator comprises a linear actuator.
In one embodiment, the linear actuator has a body secured to the support structure and an elongated rod extending substantially horizontally in a longitudinal direction of the patient support apparatus.
In one embodiment, the wheel assembly further has an intermediate connecting structure pivotally mounted between an axle of the wheel and the supporting structure for operatively connecting the wheel to the supporting structure.
In one embodiment, the spring assembly comprises at least one linear compression spring.
In one embodiment, the spring assembly has a first and a second linear compression springs, a first mounting arrangement for mounting a first end of each of the first and second linear compression springs to the supporting structure and a second mounting arrangement for mounting a second opposed end of each of the first and second linear compression springs to an axle of the wheel.
In one embodiment, the wheel assembly further has a control device operatively connected to the actuator, the control device being actuatable by an operator for selectively moving the actuator between the retracted position and the extended position to thereby move the wheel between the first deployed position and the second retracted position.
According to another embodiment, there is also provided a patient support apparatus provided with a frame, a base having a plurality of casters for supporting the frame on a floor and a wheel assembly connected to the base. The wheel assembly has a supporting structure secured to the base; an actuator mounted to the supporting structure and having a distal end, the actuator being actuatable between a retracted position and an extended position; a wheel operatively connected to the distal end of the actuator, the wheel being movable between a first deployed position in contact with the floor when the actuator extends in the extending position, and a second raised or retracted position spaced apart from the floor when the actuator extends in the retracted position; and a spring assembly operatively mounted between the supporting structure and the wheel for urging the wheel in the first deployed position. The patient support apparatus is also provided with a control device operatively connected to the actuator, the control device being actuatable by an operator for selectively moving the actuator between the retracted position and the extended position to thereby move the wheel between the first deployed position and the second retracted position.
According to a third aspect, in embodiments, there is provided a control handle for a motorized bed having an elongated post provided with a proximal end and a distal end and a connecting element for connecting the proximal end of the elongated post to the bed. The connecting element is configured to enable moving the elongated post between a substantially vertically deployed operative position and a stowed inactive position. The control handle has a handle member secured to the distal end of the elongated post, the handle member having an actuatable trigger for controlling propelling of the bed when the elongated post extends in the deployed operative position.
In one embodiment, the handle member is further provided with a user interface mounted thereto, the user interface being configured for providing bed information to the operator when the elongated post extends in the deployed operative position.
In one embodiment, the user interface is inactivated in the stowed inactive position of the elongated post.
According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a control system for a motorized bed. The control system has a control handle connected to the bed, the control handle having a trigger actuatable between a rest position and a fully actuated position, the trigger further having a first predetermined position between the rest position and the fully actuated position. The control system is also provided with a controller operatively connected to the control handle and a motorized wheel assembly of the bed. The controller is configured to propel the bed when the trigger is activated between the first predetermined position and the fully activated position, the controller propelling the bed at a variable speed according to a current position of the trigger. The controller further prevents propelling of the bed when the trigger is activated below the first predetermined position.
According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a control for a handle of a bed having a trigger operatively mounted with the handle and actuatable between a rest position and a fully actuated position. The control for a handle has a position sensor connected to the trigger for sensing position thereof and providing an output representative of a current position of the trigger. The control for a handle also has a shutter secured to the trigger, the shutter comprising a projecting member moving with the trigger. The control for a handle is further provided with an optical sensor having an optical path and mounted within the handle proximate a distal end of the projecting member of the shutter such that the distal end extends away of the optical path when the trigger extends in the rest position and the distal end extends through the optical path when the trigger is actuated from at least a first predetermined actuated position until the fully actuated position to thereby interrupt the optical path. The optical sensor provides an output representative of a current state of the optical path. The control for a handle is further provided with a controller for controlling a component of the bed according to the output of the position sensor and the output of the optical sensor.
In one embodiment, the controlled component of the bed is a motorized wheel assembly.
According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a user interface for a handle of a motorized patient support apparatus. The user interface has an operating visual indicator mounted on the handle for indicating a current status of the patient support apparatus, the current status being one of an inactive status, a propelled forward status and a propelled backward status. The user interface also has at least one additional visual indicator for indicating at least one initial condition to be executed by the operator.
In one embodiment, the operating visual indicator comprises a set of LEDs mounted adjacent according to a given shape, the LEDs being lid according to a predetermined sequence representative of forward or backward movement of the patient support apparatus.
In one embodiment, the user interface for a handle further has a backwards direction control for enabling backwards movement of the patient support apparatus.
Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration example embodiments thereof and in which:
Referring to
Some of the structural components of the beds 100, 200 or 600 will be designated hereinafter as “right”, “left”, “head” and “foot” from the reference point of an individual lying on his/her back on the support surface of the mattress provided on the bed 100, 200 or 600 with his/her head oriented toward the head end 102 of the bed 100 and the his/her feet oriented toward the foot end 104 of the bed 100. As it will be appreciated, in this context, the “left” and “right” of beds 100 or 200 are respectively on the “right” and “left” of a caregiver or health care professional positioned at the foot end 104 of the bed 100 (or at the food end of beds 200 or) and looking at the individual lying on the bed 100 (i.e. looking towards the head end 102 of the bed 100).
The bed 100 includes a base 106, a patient support assembly 108 and an elevation system 110 operatively coupling the patient support assembly 108 to the base 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 106 is provided with a plurality of casters 150 mounted to the base 106 by pivots (not shown), as known in the art. These casters 150 allow the bed 100 to be moved and maneuvered along a floor, for instance the floor of a health care facility such as a hospital.
The patient support assembly 108 of the bed 100 includes a frame 160 and a patient support surface 162 supported by the frame 160, where the patient support surface 162 is provided with a plurality of adjacent body surfaces for supporting various parts of the body of the patient which can be angled relative to each other, as known in the art. A lying surface such as a mattress or the like (not shown) is typically provided on the patient support surface 162 for receiving the patient thereon.
The bed 100 further includes a patient support barrier system 120 generally disposed around the patient support assembly 108. The barrier system 120 includes a plurality of barriers which extend generally vertically around the patient support assembly 108. The plurality of barriers includes a headboard 122 located at the head end 102 and a footboard 124 disposed generally parallel to the headboard 122 and located at the foot end 104 of the bed 100. The plurality of barriers further includes spaced-apart left and right head siderails 116, 128 which are located adjacent the headboard 122 and spaced-apart left and right foot siderails 130, 132 which are respectively located between the left and right head siderails 116, 128 and the foot end 104 of the bed 100. Each one of the plurality of barriers is moveable between an extended or raised position for preventing the patient lying on the bed 100 from moving laterally out of the bed 100, and a retracted or lowered position for allowing the patient to move or be moved laterally out of the bed 100, as known in the art.
The bed 100 may further include a control interface (not shown) for controlling features of the bed 100. The control interface could be integrated into the footboard 124, into the headboard 122 or into one or more of the siderails 116, 128, 130, 132. Alternatively, the control interface could be provided as a separate unit located near the bed 100 or even at a location remote from the bed 100.
Referring now to
In one embodiment, hospital bed 200 presents a number of structural similarities with hospital bed 100 with respect the general components such as a base 206 (which is similar to base 106 of bed 100), a patient support surface 208 (which is similar to patient support surface 108 of bed 100) and an elevation system 210 (which is similar to elevation system 110 of bed 100). In this embodiments, the wheel assembly 220 is mounted to the base 206 of the patient support apparatus 200. Referring more specifically to
As it should become apparent below, positioning the wheel assembly 220 proximate the foot end 204 while the bed 200 would typically be maneuvered from the opposed head end may improve maneuverability of the bed 200 in easing turns. However, while in the illustrated embodiment, the wheel assembly 220 is mounted at the foot end 204 of the patient support apparatus 200, it will be appreciated that various other arrangements may be considered. For example, the wheel assembly 220 may alternatively be secured to the head transversal base member 246. Additionally, the positioning of the wheel assembly 220 at the proximate foot end 204 or at the head end 202 may advantageously provide space or clearance under the bed 200 (i.e. between the base 206 and the floor), either in a raised or lowered configuration. Such space or clearance may, for instance, allow securely stowing a night table or other medical equipment under the bed 200. In one embodiment, the base 206 is at a vertical distance of 5 inches from the floor. Alternatively, the base 206 could be higher or lower than 5 inches from the floor.
While in some embodiment, it may be advantageous to mount the wheel assembly at the foot end 204 or at the head end 202, in another embodiment, the wheel assembly 220 may also be mounted to an intermediate transversal base member disposed between the foot transversal base member 244 and the head transversal base member 246, for example centrally therebetween. In still a further embodiment, the base 206 may be provided with a single transversal base member to which the wheel assembly 220 may be secured.
As it will be appreciated by the skilled addressee, the wheel assembly 220 can be mounted to the base 206 of the patient support apparatus 200 in a number of ways. As such, securing the wheel assembly using bolts, spot welding, rivets, brazing, soldering, gluing, bonding with an epoxy weld bonding compound, or using nanomaterials or nanoscale sculpting for bonding, or any other means for firmly securing the wheel assembly 220 to the base 206 may be considered.
Turning now more particularly to
Returning to
The wheel assembly 220 also has the pivoting portion 320 pivotally attached to the fixed portion 300. As better shown in
Still referring to
As better shown in
Still referring to
Having described the pivoting portion 320, the spring assembly 350 will now be described with reference to
As stated above, the spring assembly 350 is mounted between the fixed portion 300 and the pivoting portion 320, for urging the pivoting portion 320 in the first direction 342, toward the first deployed position. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the pivoting portion 320 is provided with a pivoting arm 324, as previously described. The second distal end 328 of the pivoting arm 324 is further provided with a projecting member 370 extending upwardly and parallel to the front panel 314 of the fixed portion 300, the spring assembly 350 being mounted between the fixed portion 300 and the projecting member 370, as illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, the spring assembly 350 comprises a linear compression spring 352 mounted in a telescoping tubing 354. The telescoping tubing 354 is rigid but telescopic, and includes a first end 356 secured to the fixed portion 300 of the wheel assembly 220, and a second end 362. The telescoping tubing 354 generally extends in a horizontal plan and perpendicular to the front panel 314 of the fixed portion 300, as best shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the telescoping tubing 354 may be provided with a first 354a and a second tube 354b (better shown in
Still referring to
Conversely, when the linear actuator 380 is in the retracted position (
In the illustrated embodiment, the linear actuator 380 is an electrically actuated actuator and includes a body 382 and an elongated rod 384 having a distal end 386. The linear actuator 380 is pivotally mounted to the fixed portion 300, for example through a mounting bracket 388, as better shown in
The distal end 386 of the elongated rod 384 of the linear actuator 380 is further movably supported with respect to the pivoting portion 320. In one embodiment, a support arm 410 as better seen in
In one embodiment, a pin arrangement 416, 418 is respectively used for each pivot connection between the support arm 410 and the elongated rod 384.
In a further embodiment, the pivot connection to the distal end 328 of the pivoting arm 324 is located distal from the projecting member 370. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot connection to the distal end 328 of the pivoting arm 324 is located at the bottom portion thereof, and the linear actuator 380 is supported above the support arm 410.
In one embodiment, the first end 412 of the support arm 410 connected to the distal end 386 of the elongated rod 384 has a surface 420 projecting therefrom and adapted for cooperating with the pivoting portion 320, but only when the linear actuator 380 is actuated in the extended position, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, the surfaces 420, 422 are flat surfaces adapted to slide on each other during the pivotal rise of the pivoting portion 320. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the projecting surface 420 may be omitted from the support arm 410 and the end surface of the elongated rod 384 of the linear actuator 380 may be used instead to bring it into contact with the facing surface 422 of the projecting member 370 and push against it to pivot the pivoting portion 320 in the second direction 344 against the action of the spring assembly 350.
The skilled addressee will appreciate that this floating mounting arrangement of the linear actuator 380 is of great advantage since it enables to prevent repeated shocks to the elongated rod 384 of the linear actuator 380, which could occur due to floor discontinuities and obstacles.
In another embodiment, the wheel assembly 220 may be motorized to further ease operation of the bed onto which it is mounted, as detailed below. In such an embodiment, the hospital bed 200 is provided with a rechargeable battery that is recharged when the bed is plugged to AC power for operating the bed during its displacement.
Referring again to
In a further embodiment, the motor assembly 430 may be provided with a manual lever 460. In embodiments, the manual lever 460 may be provided as one longitudinal member.
In another embodiment, the manual lever 460 may comprise two longitudinal spaced apart members 461, 462 at a first end and rigidly joined together by a transverse member 463 at a second end. The manual lever 460 that may be manually operated by a user to manually disengage the transmission element 434, such as a gear box from the electrically actuated motor 432. When the transmission element is disengaged, the wheels 340a, 340b are not coupled to the motor assembly 430 and is therefore not prevented from rotating under user force. This may ease operation of the bed 200 in the case the wheels 340a, 340b can not be powered or retracted due to a battery issue.
The skilled addressee will appreciate that in embodiments, where the wheel assembly 220 is provided with a motor assembly 430 operatively connected to the wheels 340a, 340b for driving them along the floor, present a great advantage over the prior art given as the ease of operability of such configuration, which also represents low cost maintenance.
In the illustrated embodiment, the motor assembly 430 is pivotally mounted to the fixed portion 300, for example through a mounting bracket 440, as better shown in
In a further embodiment, the wheel assembly 220 is further provided with a control device (not shown) for driving the motor 432 in response to an operator request, as it will become more apparent upon reading of the following description.
In a further embodiment, the control device is further adapted to selectively move the linear actuator 380 between the retracted position and the extended position to thereby move the wheel 340 between the first deployed position and the second retracted position, as further detailed below. Alternatively, a lever actuatable by foot or hand may be provided to enable an operator to manually raise and lower the wheel 340.
While in the described embodiment the wheel assembly 220 has been described in connection with a motor assembly 430, it will be understood that such a motor assembly 430 is not required. For instance, the wheel assembly 220 previously described may be used as a supplemental non-motorized wheel easing operation of the bed 200 onto which it is mounted, as mentioned above.
It should also be appreciated that the wheel assembly 220 previously described may be mounted on various types of existing hospital beds such the ones illustrated in
The skilled addressee will appreciate that the wheel assembly 220 as described in detail above and the interaction with the floating mounting arrangement of the linear actuator 380 is of great advantage over the prior art since it enables the wheel assembly 220 operability at any given high of the bed 200. Again, the killed addressee will appreciate that positioning the wheel assembly 220 at the proximate foot end or at the head end may advantageously free space under the bed 200, either in a raised or lowered configuration, to securely stow a night table or other medical equipment or systems used for bariatric care under the bed 200.
Referring now to
The wheel assembly 500 has a supporting structure 502 that is securable to the base 206, and comprises an actuating device 522 mounted to the supporting structure 502, as it will become apparent below.
In one embodiment, the supporting structure 502 has a mounting plate 504 (better shown in
In another embodiment, as better shown in
As better illustrated in
Referring now to
The wheel assembly 500 also has a wheel 532 operatively connected to the distal end 526 of the linear actuator 524, as detailed thereinafter. The wheel 532 is movable between a first deployed position when the linear actuator 524 extends in the extended position, as shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the wheel 532 is a conventional wheel but other types of wheels could be used for a specific application to improve maneuverability of the bed. For example, an omnidirectional wheel or a mecanum wheel may alternatively be used. Two wheels coaxially mounted could also be used.
The wheel assembly 500 is provided with a spring assembly 534 (shown in
In a further embodiment described below, the spring assembly 534 has a first and a second linear compression springs 536, 538, each being mounted in a respective telescoping tubing 540, 542.
Still referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the second mounting arrangement 550 has an elongated pin 552 mounted through the axle 546 of the wheel 532 and protruding on either side thereof. The elongated pin 552 is mounted to enable rotation of the wheel 532 therearound. The first and the second telescoping tubings 540, 542 associated with a respective one of the first and second linear compression springs 536, 538 are pivotally attached thereto through their respective first ends. Each of the first and second telescoping tubings 540, 542 are provided with an upper tube 554 and a lower tube 556 adapted to slide in each other to thereby allows a change in the overall length of the corresponding telescoping tubings 540, 542, as it will become apparent below. The first mounting arrangement 548 has an elongated transverse pin 558 mounted through the distal end 526 of the elongated rod 530 of the linear actuator 524 and protruding on either side thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated transverse pin 558 extends perpendicularly to the elongated rod 530, in the horizontal plane. The first and second telescoping tubings 540, 542 are respectively attached to the elongated transverse pin 558 through their respective second ends, on either side of the distal end 526 of the linear actuator 524. The first mounting arrangement 548 is also provided with a first and a second elongated slot 560, 562 provided on a respective one of the flanges 514, 516 defining the compartment 518 in which the linear actuator 524 is mounted. In one embodiment, the first and second elongated slots 560, 562 are parallel to each other in a facing relationship. The first and second elongated slots 560, 562 also extend in the longitudinal direction of the elongated rod 530 of the linear actuator 524.
As better shown in
Still referring to
As it should now be apparent, when the linear actuator 524 is in the extended position as illustrated in
When the linear actuator 524 is retracted in the retracted position, the retraction of the distal end 526 of the elongated rod 530 of the linear actuator 524 slidably drives the associated transverse pin 558 in the first and second elongated slots 560, 562, towards an end 578 opposed to the distal end 576 thereof, as illustrated in
In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), the linear actuator 524 of the actuating device 522 may be replaced by a cable arrangement having a retracted position and a released position, and operating substantially similarly to the linear actuator 524 described above. For example, the cable may have a distal end directly operatively connected to the axle 546 of the wheel 532 while being mounted on a pulley located above the wheel 532, to thereby pull substantially vertically on the wheel 532 against the action of the spring assembly 534.
In a further embodiment, the wheel assembly 500 is further provided with a control device (not shown) operatively connected to the actuating device 522, the control device being actuatable by an operator for selectively moving the actuating device 522 between the retracted position and the extended position to thereby move the wheel 532 between the first deployed position and the second retracted position, as it will more detailed below.
While the previously described additional wheel assembly 500 is mainly devised, in one embodiment, to be used as a non-motorized wheel, the skilled addressee will appreciate that it can also be envisaged to provide propelling means for driving the wheel 532. In this case, a motor assembly may conveniently be operatively connected to the wheel 532, for example through a mounting bracket attached to the supporting structure 502. A motor wheel may also be considered to propel the wheel assembly 500.
It should now be appreciated that the wheel assembly 500 previously described may be mounted on various types of existing hospital beds such the one illustrated in
Accordingly, in a further embodiment, referring again to
The skilled addressee will appreciate that having the wheel assembly 500 in the center of the hospital bed 200 or other patient support apparatus has a great advantage over the prior art beds, as it may function as a pivotal point and its operation may facilitate turning the hospital 360 degrees and perform maneuvers in restraint spaces. Such positioning of the wheel assembly 500 also improves maneuverability of the hospital bed.
Additionally, the wheel assembly 500 is operable in either in a raised or lowered configuration of the hospital bed 200, while advantageously allows for free space under the bed 200 to securely stow a night table or other medical equipment, even when even when the hospital bed 200 is lowered to its lowermost position, as better seen in
According to yet another embodiment and referring back to
The skilled addressee would appreciate that a hospital bed 200 or other patient support may be provided by a combination of one or more wheel assemblies 220 (motorized or non-motorized) as described in detail above and a wheel assembly 500, as better seen in
As mentioned above, a control device may be used to operate the wheel assembly 220 or the wheel assembly 500. In the case both the wheel assembly 220 and the wheel assembly 500 are mounted on the bed 200, a single control device may be used. Alternatively, two distinct control devices may be considered to provide independent control. Furthermore, for both the wheel assembly 220 and the wheel assembly 500, it may be considered to provide an automatic control or a manual control such as a handle or a pedal to raise and deploy the wheel 340 of the wheel assembly 220 and the wheel 532 of the wheel assembly 500 upon a request from an operator. A control button provided on a control interface may also be provided for raising and lowering the wheels.
The control device may also be provided in a touchscreen, in a handle of the hospital bed or it may be mounted in the frame or chassis of the hospital bed.
Referring again to
In yet another embodiment, each of the foot actuated levers 582 may further have a third drive or steer position. In this steer position, each of the casters 250 is unbraked and free to rotate in the longitudinal direction of the bed 200, while being prevented from freely rotating around its vertical axis. When the lever 582 is operated in this steer position, the wheel 340 of the wheel assembly 220 and the wheel 532 of the wheel assembly 500 are driven in the lowered deployed position to be ready for use, as further detailed below. In an alternative embodiment, the wheel 340 of the wheel assembly 220 and the wheel 532 of the wheel assembly 500 are controllably driven in the lowered deployed position when the casters 250 are not in the brake position. The three-position operation may however be preferred since it may ease manipulation of the hospital bed 200 for manually adjusting displacement inside a room in the release position without the wheel 340 of the wheel assembly 220 and the wheel 532 of the wheel assembly 500 deployed on the floor. In one embodiment, once the hospital bed 200 has been propelled to its final location, the caregiver or operator can use the release or the brake position and the wheel 340 of the wheel assembly 220 and the wheel 532 of the wheel assembly 500 will be placed in their respective retracted position. As it should become apparent, in one embodiment, the motor 432 driving the wheel 340 of the wheel assembly 220 may only be operated when the wheel 340 is deployed on the floor and the brake system 580 is not in the brake position. Furthermore, the motor 432 driving the wheel 340 of the wheel assembly 220 may also be prevented from operating by the controller when the hospital bed 200 is connected to an electrical plug.
Referring now to
Still referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the patient support surface 662 includes a plurality of body support panels which are distinct from each other and are adapted to be angled relative to each other. Specifically, the patient support surface 662 includes an upper body support panel or backrest 664, a lower body support panel 668, and first and second core support panels 670, 672 located between the backrest 664 and the lower body support panel 668. More specifically, a first core support panel 670 is located adjacent the backrest 664 and a second core support panel 672 is located adjacent the lower body support panel 668. Specifically, each one of the backrest 664, the lower body support panel 668 and the first and the second core support panels 670, 672 includes a central panel section 680a-680d and a pair of opposite side panel sections 682a-682d and 683a-683d (only side panel section 683d being numbered), which are selectively movable towards and away from the central panel sections 680a-680d to thereby respectively decrease or increase the width of the bed 600.
Alternatively, each one of the backrest 664, the lower body support panel 668 and the first and second core support panels 670, 6722 could instead include a single side panel section (e.g. the backrest 664 would include only one of side panel section 682a or 683a).
In embodiments, the side panel sections 682a-682d and 683a-683d are movably connected to the frame 661 via one or more elongated slide members (not shown) which are slidably received in a corresponding elongated sleeve (not shown) disposed transversely to the bed 600 and secured to the frame 661. In one embodiment, the slide members (not shown) may be provided with rollers (not shown) to facilitate their movement within the sleeve (not shown).
It will be appreciated that the support apparatus 200, such as a hospital bed or a bariatric bed 600 is generally similar to the bed illustrated and disclosed in International PCT Application No. PCT/IB2018/058586, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Referring now to
For example, an inclination of the handle members 622 towards each other from about 4 to 15 degrees may be preferred to obtain a more ergonomic grip. An inclination of about 11 degrees may be most preferable.
In one embodiment, the trigger 624 may be configured to provide different mechanically actuated control positions in order to facilitate the maintaining, the increasing or the reducing of the speed of the propelling bed 600. The speed changes and varies in linear fashion. The skilled addressee would appreciate that such mechanically actuated control positions and the sensibility of the trigger 624 may be programmed into the trigger, or may be adjusted by the user by calibrating the handle members 622, for instance by using a calibrating interface as better seen in
As detailed above, the position of the wheels may be controlled through the use of a user actuatable lever. In a further embodiment, the vertically deployed operative position of the elongated post 614 may be monitored, either as a condition for the position of the wheels either for further monitoring and control. For example, a position sensor (not shown) may be mounted within the connecting element 620. In one embodiment, the controller prevents any action of the motor assembly until the elongated post 614 is not in the operative deployed position.
The handle member 622 is further provided with a user interface 700 mounted thereto, the user interface 700 being configured for providing bed information to the operator when the elongated post 614 extends in the deployed operative position, as detailed below. In one embodiment, the user interface 700 is inactivated in the stowed inactive position of the elongated post 614. In a further embodiment, the user interface 700 is provided on the uppermost portion 626 of the handle member 622, the uppermost portion 626 having an uppermost surface 628 extending in a substantially horizontal plane in order to be easily visible to the operator driving the bed 600. User interface comprises LEDs that can be on/off to provide information to the user. The user interface 700 may also be configured to communicate with a patient surveillance station (not shown) and/or sound an alarm in the case of an emergency.
In a further embodiment, two similar active handles can be provided. A switch proximate the handles, for example at the head end of the bed, may be used to select which handle is the active control handle. Only the active handle would have the LEDs turned on. The bed may be operable with only the one active handle, the other handle becoming passive.
The handle members 622 may be further provided with a backwards direction control 710 having a specific LED, such as “R”, which would light up showing that backwards direction control 710 has been activated. The backwards direction control may be activated by a user by simply using the user's thumb finger. The skilled addressee would appreciate that the motorized bed 600 can easily be controlled by a user with only one hand.
Referring now to
The controller 802 is configured to propel the hospital bed 600 when the trigger 624 may be activated between a first predetermined position and a fully activated position, the controller 802 propelling the hospital bed 600 at a variable speed according to a current position of the trigger 624, or according to mechanically actuated control positions, as mentioned above. The controller 802 is further configured for preventing propelling of the hospital bed 600 when the trigger 624 is activated below the first predetermined position, i.e. between the rest position and the first predetermined position. As it should be apparent to the skilled addressee, this configuration is advantageous to prevent the hospital bed 600 from moving in case of undesired contact with the trigger 624. Moreover, unwanted electrical noise that may affect the controller 802 may also be reduced. The first predetermined position may be defined with a mechanical arrangement or a mechanically actuated control position in the trigger 624, as detailed below, but could also be implemented by software, either preprogrammed into the controller or adjusted by the user by interacting with the user interface.
Referring now to
The control 820 for a handle 610 also has a shutter 824 secured to the trigger 624, the shutter 824 comprising a projecting member 826 moving with the trigger 624, better shown in
The control 820 for a handle 610 further has a controller (not shown) for controlling a component of the hospital bed 600 according to the output of the position sensor 822 and the output of the optical sensor 828. As it should now be understood, such control 820 for a handle 610 may be used for propelling a bed 600 provided with a wheel assembly 220 that is motorized similar to the one described therein. In this case, in one embodiment, the level of depression of the trigger 624 is proportional to the voltage delivered to the motor 432 driving the wheel 340 of the wheel assembly 220, and the speed of the hospital bed 600 is controlled by the operator according to operation of the trigger 624. The skilled addressee would appreciate that the level of depression of the trigger 624 may be directly or indirectly correlated to the voltage delivered to the motor 432. Pressing on the trigger may increase or decrease the voltage delivered to the motor 432, depending of the preferred configuration of the operator.
In the illustrated embodiment, the trigger 624 is mounted as a pivot with respect to the handle member 622 but it should be mentioned that other arrangements may be used. For example, the trigger 624 may move between the rest position and the fully actuated position according to a translation of the trigger 624 inside the handle member 622. In this case, the projecting member 826 and the optical sensor 828 are configured accordingly.
In a further embodiment, the control 820 for a handle 610 previously described may also be used for controlling other components of the hospital bed 600. For example, the control 820 may be configured with a handle having inputs devised to move the various portions of the deck such as the backrest portion thereof as a non-limitative example. The first predetermined voltage acting as a threshold before operating movements of the bed 600 may reduce discomfort to the patient that may be caused due to inadvertent contact with the trigger. All of the portions of the deck could also be controlled through a single handle having the control previously described. In such an embodiment, the user interface may be provided with additional controls for selecting one of the portions to be actuated.
Referring now to
The user interface 700 is further provided with at least one additional visual indicator 704 for indicating at least one initial condition to be executed by the operator. In the illustrated embodiment and as previously described above, the braking system 580 has first to be deactivated for enabling propelling of the bed 600. The additional visual indicator 704 thus illustrates a braking foot actuated lever, as a means to inform the operator of the action to be performed or having being performed as required with corresponding colors or visual information. Various colors and flashing effects can be used according to information provided on labels affixed on the hospital bed 600 proximate the control handle 610 to provide the operator with information on the operation of the hospital bed 600.
In a further embodiment, the user interface 700 is also provided with a battery level visual indicator 706 for indicating the remaining level of the battery to the operator. In the case the battery level would not be sufficient for the desired propelled trip, the operator is clearly informed before beginning the trip. Moreover, while driving the hospital bed 600 from one location to another, the operator is still well aware of the evolution of the battery level in real time, without having to check this information at a location not visible from the control handles 610. Several other specific visual indicators may also be added to the user interface 700, as required by a specific application, in order to visually provide all the necessary information to the operator at the point of operation of the handle 610, even during displacement of the bed 600.
Referring back to
Referring to
In this embodiment, the maximum speed and acceleration at which the bed can be propelled may be adjusted by the user. Indeed, a nominal linear acceleration, a nominal forward maximum speed and a nominal backward maximum speed are predetermined and used by the controller to propel the bed according to the user input. In the illustrated example, both the forward and backward speeds can be adjusted between three levels, which substantially correspond to 33%, 67% and 100% of the nominal maximum speeds respectively. The skilled addressee would appreciate that other forward and backwards levels may also be preferred, and such interface may be configured to provide for such adjustments as so desired.
In one example, the nominal forward maximum speed may be 0.8 m/s while the nominal backward maximum speed may be 0.4 m/s. Each user can then easily select the maximum speed at which the bed will be moved. Acceleration sensitivity may also be adjusted by the user. In this case, the linear acceleration is chosen such that the maximum speed will be attained after an initial period of time, 10 seconds for example, in the case the user operates the trigger to its maximum position. This may improve the patient comfort in reducing jerks and sudden movements. Other acceleration profiles may also be used as well as the initial period of acceleration. Once the trigger has been operated for more than the initial period of time, the maximum speed may be attained with the trigger operated to the maximum position.
As it should be understood, in a preferred configuration, when the user releases the trigger 624, the bed should be stopped. In order to prevent sudden stops that may be uncomfortable for the patient, a controlled stop may be implemented. For example, a linear deceleration ramp may be implemented so as to slow the wheel gradually and provide the controlled stop. In one embodiment, the controller controls the motor propelling the wheel so as to stop the bed after a braking distance of 1 meter maximum, in accordance with the nominal maximum speed that has been selected previously. In a further embodiment, the slope of the ground may be taken into consideration for the controlled stop of the bed. In the case the ground is inclined downwardly, a longer braking distance may be used to prevent slipping of the wheel on the ground and therefore provide a more effective stop of the bed. In such an embodiment, an inclinometer or accelerometer mounted on the bed may be used for monitoring the slope of the ground.
Referring now to
The embodiments described above are intended to be exemplary only. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.
The present application is a 371 of International Application PCT/IB2021/055961 filed on Jul. 2, 2021, which claims benefit to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/047,601 filed on Jul. 2, 2020, these applications being incorporated herein by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/IB2021/055961 | 7/2/2021 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63047601 | Jul 2020 | US |