Patent Grant
11813214
The present invention relates to a patient support apparatus with a lift assembly for raising or lowering a patient support apparatus deck relative to a floor surface. More specifically, the present invention relates to a patient support apparatus with a lift assembly that can lower the patient support apparatus deck to a very low height while achieving a sufficient range of travel to reach a working height where a caregiver can access the patient at a height that is comfortable for the caregiver.
A lift mechanism is described that is compact at a very low height while still providing a long range of travel to raise the patient support apparatus deck to a height that is suitable for caregivers. Further, the lift mechanism is configured so that it can raise or lower one end of the patient support apparatus to orient the patient support apparatus deck in a Trendelenburg or reverse Trendelenburg position.
In one form, a patient support apparatus includes a base, a frame supported relative to a floor by the base, with the frame configured to support a deck for supporting a patient thereon. The patient support apparatus further includes a lift assembly for raising or lowering the frame relative to the base. The lift assembly includes a leg assembly coupled to the frame and to the base, and further an actuator. The leg assembly includes at least one leg, with the actuator coupled to the leg with a first lever and coupled the base with a second lever.
In one aspect, the lifting leg includes an upper pivot connection to the frame, a lower pivot connection to the base, and a folding pivot axis between the upper and lower pivot connections, with the first lever coupled to the lifting leg at the folding pivot axis.
In a further aspect, the lower pivot connection comprises a sliding pivot connection, with the sliding pivot connection sliding along a long axis of the base.
According to another aspect, the first lever comprises an offset frame. The offset frame is mounted about the folding pivot axis and pivotally mounted to the lower pivot connections.
In yet a further aspect, the offset mount comprises a pair of spaced plates, with the plates supporting a transverse pin, and the actuator pivotally coupled to the transverse pin.
According to another aspect, the lift assembly includes a head end leg assembly and a foot end leg assembly. The head end leg assembly is independent from the foot end leg assembly.
In a further aspect, each of the head end leg assembly and a foot end leg assembly includes a lifting leg and an actuator.
In yet another embodiment, wherein the frame has a foot end and a head end. The lifting leg of the head end leg assembly is pivotally mounted at a fixed pivot connection at or near the head end of the frame, and the lifting leg of the foot end leg assembly is pivotally mounted at a movable fixed pivot connection at or near the foot end of the frame.
In a further aspect, the fixed pivot connection is offset below the frame.
In yet further aspects, wherein the movable pivot connection is offset below the frame.
In one aspect, wherein each of the head end leg assembly and the foot end leg assembly includes a pair of the lifting legs.
In yet a further aspect, wherein each of the actuators is mounted in a respective leg assembly between a first lever and a second lever. The first levers comprise offset frames, which are pivotally mounted between the pair of the lifting legs of the respective leg assembly.
According to yet a further aspect, wherein the offset frames each comprise a pair of spaced plates. Each of the pair of spaced plates supports a transverse pin, with the actuators pivotally coupled to the transverse pins.
In yet further aspects, the head end leg assembly and the foot end leg assembly each have an inverted Y-shaped configuration when the lift assembly moves the frame to a raised position.
In yet further aspects, the head end leg assembly and the foot end leg assembly each have an upright Y-shaped configuration when the lift assembly moves the frame to a raised position.
In another embodiment, a patient support apparatus includes a base, the base having a base frame, a support frame supported relative to the base, and the support frame configured to support a deck for supporting a patient thereon. The apparatus further includes a head end actuator, a foot end actuator, and a lift assembly for raising or lowering the frame relative to the base. The lift assembly includes a head end leg assembly and a foot end leg assembly. Each of the leg assemblies has a Y-shaped configuration when the frame is raised and is folded when the frame is lowered. The head end leg assembly and the foot end leg assembly each have a pair of lifting legs. The lifting legs are pivotally mounted at their upper ends to the frame and pivotally mounted at their lower ends to the base. Each of the lifting legs has a folding pivot axis, and each of the head end and foot end actuators have a lower pivot connection below the base frame and an upper pivot connection above the folding pivot axis of a respective pair of lifting legs of the lifting legs.
In one aspect, the head end leg assembly and the foot end leg assembly each have an inverted Y-shaped configuration when the lift assembly moves the support frame to a raised position.
In another aspect, the lifting legs of the head end leg assembly are pivotally mounted at fixed pivot connections at or near the head end of the frame. The lifting legs of the foot end leg assembly are pivotally mounted at movable pivot connections at or near the foot end of the frame.
In a further aspect, the fixed pivot connections are offset below the frame.
In yet another aspect, the movable pivot connections are offset below the frame.
According to yet another aspect, each of the actuators is mounted in a respective leg assembly between a first lever and a second lever, with the first levers comprising pivotal frames. Each of the pivotal frames is mounted between the pair of the lifting legs of the respective leg assembly.
In another embodiment, a patient support apparatus includes a frame supported relative to a floor, with the frame configured to support a cushion for supporting a patient thereon. The patient support apparatus further includes a lift assembly for raising or lowering the frame relative to the floor. The lift assembly includes lifting legs coupled to the frame and an actuator. The actuator includes a body and an extendable member, with the body and extendable member defining a stroke length. The actuator is mounted in the lifting assembly between two mounts over distance less than the stroke length of the actor to thereby reduce the installation length of the actuator.
In one aspect, the lifting legs include a pair of head end lifting legs and a pair of foot end lifting legs. The head end lifting legs each have a head end crank arm. The foot end lifting legs also each have a foot end crank arm. One of the mounts is coupled to one of the pairs of the lifting legs, and another of the mounts is coupled to its respective crank arm.
According to another aspect, one of the mounts comprises an offset mount having an offset portion offset along the stroke axis of the actuator to thereby reduce the installation length of the actuator.
In further aspect, the offset mount includes a frame structure with a first connection mounted to one end of the actuator and a second connection spaced from the first connection. The second connection is coupled to the respective crank arms.
In a further embodiment, the offset mount further comprises a pair of spaced webs. The spaced webs are each mounted to the respective crank arms on one end thereof and mounted to the frame structure on opposed end thereof. For example, the frame structure may form a box.
According to yet another embodiment, the patient support apparatus further comprises a plurality of bearings, with the lift assembly raising the frame relative to the bearings.
In another aspect, the cushion comprises a mattress.
In yet another embodiment, the actuator comprises a first actuator, with the lift assembly further comprising a second actuator. The second actuator is mounted between another of the pairs of the lifting legs and their respective crank arms.
Optionally, the second actuator includes a stroke length and is mounted between the other pair of lifting legs and its respective crank arms over distance less than the stroke length of the second actuator to thereby reduce the installation length of the second actuator.
In a further aspect, the frame has a foot end and a head end with the head end lifting legs pivotally mounted at a fixed pivot axis at or near the head end of the frame. The foot end lifting legs are pivotally mounted at a fixed pivot axis at or near the foot end of the frame. The first actuator is mounted at an upper end of the head end lifting legs, with the second actuator mounted at an upper end of the foot end lifting legs.
In yet further aspects, each of the pairs of lifting legs includes a cross-member joining the respective upper ends of the lifting legs. The first actuator is mounted to the cross-member of the head end lifting legs, and the second actuator is mounted to the cross-member of the foot end lifting legs.
In one aspect, the crank arms are pivotally mounted to medial portions of their respective lifting legs.
In yet a further embodiment, the patient support apparatus further includes a base, with the crank arms pivotally mounted to the base at one end thereof and pivotally mounted at their opposed ends to their respective lifting legs.
According to yet a further aspect, the lifting legs are pivotally and slidably mounted to the base at their respective lower ends. Additionally, the lifting legs and the crank arms have a Y-shaped configuration when the lift assembly moves the frame to a raised position. Further, the lifting legs and the crank arms may align in a common plane when the lift assembly moves the frame to a lowermost position.
According to yet another embodiment, a patient support apparatus includes a base and a frame supported relative to the base, with the frame configured to support a cushion for supporting a patient thereon. The patient support apparatus further includes a lift assembly for raising or lowering the frame relative to the base. The lift assembly includes a pair of head end lifting legs, a pair of foot end lifting legs, a foot end crank arm associated with each of the foot and lifting legs, and a head end crank arm associated with each of the head end lifting legs. The lifting legs are pivotally mounted at their upper ends about fixed pivot axes to the frame and pivotally and slidably mounted at their lower ends about sliding pivot axes to the base. The crank arms are pivotally mounted to the base at one end thereof and pivotally mounted at their opposed ends to their respective lifting legs. Further, the lifting legs and the crank arms form a Y-shaped configuration when the lift assembly moves the frame to its raised position.
In one aspect, the fixed pivot axes align in a common plane when the lift assembly moves the frame to its lowermost position.
In another aspect, the lift assembly further includes a head end actuator and a foot end actuator. One end of the foot end actuator is mounted to the foot end lifting legs, and one end of the head end actuator is mounted to the head end lifting legs.
In yet a further aspect, another end of the head end actuator is coupled to the head end crank arms, and another end of the foot end actuator is coupled to the foot end crank arms.
In yet a further aspect, each of the actuators includes a body with an extendable member. Each body and its respective extendable member define a stroke length between their respective attachment points. Each actuator is mounted between its respective pair of lifting legs and its respective crank arms over distance less than the stroke length to thereby reduce the installed length of each actuator.
For example, the actuator may comprise a cylinder, such as electric or pneumatic cylinder, with the cylinder including the body and extendable member.
According to yet another embodiment, a patient support apparatus includes a base with a plurality of bearings, a frame supported relative to base, with the frame configured to support a cushion for supporting a patient thereon, and a lift assembly for raising or lowering the frame relative to the base. The lift assembly is configured to lower the frame between an upper most position and a lowermost position wherein the frame is less than 13 inches, and optionally less than 12 inches, off the floor, and wherein the clearance beneath the frame is sufficient, for example about 5 to 6 inches above the floor, to allow a base of an overbed table or a patient lift to be extended under the patient support apparatus.
According to yet another embodiment the patient support apparatus includes a base with a plurality of bearings, a frame supported relative to the base, with the frame configured to support a cushion for supporting a patient thereon, and a lift assembly for raising or lowering the frame relative to the base. The lift assembly includes a pair of head end lifting legs pivotally mounted at their upper ends at fixed pivot axes to the frame and a pair of foot end lifting legs pivotally mounted at their upper ends at fixed pivot axes to the frame. The lifting legs are pivotally and slidably mounted at their lower ends at slidable pivot axes to the base so that when the frame is lowered the lower ends of the lifting legs move inwardly toward the middle of the frame.
In one aspect, the base defines an upper boundary and a lower boundary. When the frame is moved to its lowermost position, the lifting legs lie in the base and between the upper boundary and the lower boundary.
In a further aspect, the lift assembly includes crank arms pivotally mounted at fixed pivot axes to each of the lifting arms. For example, the crank arms may be pivotally mounted to medial portions of their respective lifting legs. Further, the crank arms may be pivotally mounted to the base at one end thereof and pivotally mounted at their opposed ends to their respective lifting legs.
In a further aspect, the fixed pivot axes align in a common plane when the frame is lowered to its lowermost position.
According to yet another embodiment, a patient support apparatus includes a base, a frame supported relative to the base, with the frame configured to support a cushion for supporting a patient thereon, and a lift assembly for raising or lowering the frame relative to the base. The lift assembly includes a pair of head end lifting legs pivotally mounted at their upper ends to the frame and at their low ends to the base. The lift assembly further includes a pair of foot end lifting legs pivotally mount at their upper ends to the frame and at their lower ends to the base. A pair of actuators is mounted to the lifting legs for moving the lifting legs, with the actuators not mounted to the frame wherein the forces of the actuators are applied to the lifting legs and not applied to the frame.
In one aspect, the base includes base frame members that define an upper boundary and a lower boundary. When the frame is moved to its lowermost position, the lifting legs lie between the base frame members and between the upper boundary and the lower boundary.
In yet another aspect, the lift assembly further includes crank arms pivotally mounted at fixed pivot axes to each of the lifting legs. When the frame is moved to its lowermost position, the lifting legs and the crank arms lie between the base frame members and between the upper boundary and a lower boundary.
According to yet another form invention a method of raising or lowering the deck the patient support apparatus between a full height position and a low height position relative to the floor, while maintaining clearance between the deck and the floor when in the low height position, includes the steps of providing an actuator with a stroke length, extending the actuator to raise the deck or retracting the actuator to lower the deck, and mounting the actuator in the patient support apparatus between two mounts that are spaced less than the stroke length of the actuator to reduce the installation length of the actuator.
In yet another embodiment, a method of raising or lowering the deck of a patient support apparatus between a full height position and a low height position relative to a base supported on a floor, while maintaining clearance between the deck and the floor when in the low height position, includes the steps of mounting the deck relative to the base with independent head and foot end leg assemblies and folding the leg assemblies inward into the base when lowering the deck to its low height position.
These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiment and the drawings.
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 is capable 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
As best seen in
Base 12 is a wheeled base with a plurality of caster wheels 15 to facilitate movement of the bed across a floor surface. In the illustrated embodiment, deck 16 includes a plurality of articulating deck sections 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e. It should be understood, however, that the number of deck sections may vary. Each deck section may be articulated by an actuator (not shown) to raise or lower the deck sections, for example, to orient the deck sections in a flat configuration or in a chair configuration (and various other configurations in between). The construction of any of base 12, lift assembly 18, support frame 14, the headboard 10a, footboard 10b, and/or the side rails may take on any known designs, such as, for example, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,690,059 issued to Lemire et al., and entitled HOSPITAL BED, commonly assigned to Stryker Corp., the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference herein in its entirety; or U.S. Pat. No. 8,689,376 entitled PATIENT HANDLING DEVICE INCLUDING LOCAL STATUS INDICATION, ONE-TOUCH FOWLER ANGLE ADJUSTMENT, AND POWER-ON ALARM CONFIGURATION, also commonly assigned to Stryker Corp., the complete disclosure of which is also hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The construction of any of base 12, lift assembly 18, support frame 14, the headboard 10a, footboard 10b, and/or the side rails may also take on forms different from what is disclosed in the aforementioned patent and patent publication.
Lift assembly 18 is configured so that when lift assembly 18 is moved to its lowermost configuration lift assembly 18 may be substantially contained in or fully contained in base 12. Additionally, when lift assembly 18 is moved to its lowermost configuration, such as shown in
Referring again to
To move lifting legs 20, 22 between their fully extended configuration, such as shown in
For example, brackets 44a, 44b, 50a and 50b may be formed from angle members, with one leg of the angle member joined, for example, by welding to the respective cross-members (44, 48) and the other leg joined, for example, by welding to the respective crank arm (32, 34).
In the illustrated embodiment, transverse mounts 40, 46 have a V-shaped configuration with horizontal transverse members 40a, 46a, which provide the mounting surface for the respective actuator and a pair of arms 40b, 46b, which are mounted to the opposed ends of the respective transverse member (40a, 46a). Arms 40b, 46b are then mounted to the upper ends of lifting legs 20, 22 by way of laterally extending brackets 40c, 46c, which are joined with the respective legs, for example by welding. In the illustrated embodiment, brackets 40c, 46c are formed from bars, though it should be understood that other forms may be used, such tubular members.
Similarly each transverse member 40a, 46a may be formed from a solid member, such as bar or a tubular member. In the illustrated embodiment, transverse members 40a, 46a are formed from a non-circular bar or rod. Arms 40b, 46b may be formed from plates or channels, which as noted, are joined with the ends of the respective transverse member, for example by welding. The upper ends of the actuators are mounted to the transverse members 40a, 46a by a pair of plate brackets 36a 38a, which have non-circular openings to receive the non-circular bar or rod so that brackets 36a, 38a can apply a moment to each transverse member 40a, 46a when the actuator is extended or retracted.
Similarly, as noted, the lower ends of actuators 36, 38 are mounted to cross-members 44 and 48 by mounts 52. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, each actuator 36, 38 includes a body 66 and extendable member 68, such as an electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic cylinder, which define a stroke length as measured from their proximate end to their distal end (distal end of extendible member). Angled ends 62a, 64a are may be positioned so that they contact and bear against the bodies of the actuators. As would be understood, frame structure 62, therefore, moves the mounting point of the actuators from their distal ends to a location offset inward along the longitudinal axis (stoke axis) of the actuator so that the installed length is less that the stroke length the actuator.
As noted above, the lower ends of lifting legs 20, 22 are mounted to base 12 by sliding pivot connections 26. As best seen in
When frame 14 is in its lowermost position (
Optionally, base members 12a are reinforced by transverse members 12b, which are joined with the underside of base members 12a for example, by welding. For example, suitable transverse members 12b include tubular members (as shown), angle members, channel members or the like. In this manner, when lift assembly 18 is in its lowermost configuration, many of the components of the lift assembly (lifting legs, crank arms) are lowered into the space defined between base members 12a and above transverse members 12b. Additionally, when lift assembly 18 is in its lowermost configuration, the distance from the top of the deck (shown in
Referring again to
Referring to
As would be understood, because the head end and foot end lifting legs are independent, they can be independently moved to raise or lower the head or foot ends of the support frame to move the deck in a Trendelenburg or reverse Trendelenburg position. Additionally, the speeds of each actuator can be independently controlled. For example, suitable actuators include Linak actuators, such as model number LA 40, or Ilcon actuators. For example, the actuators may include sensors or magnets to measure the speed of the actuator so that, as noted, the actuation and speed of each actuator may be independently installed.
Referring to
Referring to
As best seen in
Referring again to
In this manner, when actuators 136, 138 are extended, they will lift frame 114 (and hence the deck) and rotate the cranks to move the lifting legs 120, 122 along their sliding pivot connections to where they are almost vertical. When actuators 136, 138 are retracted, they will pull on frame 114 (and hence the deck) and rotate the cranks to move the lifting legs 120, 122 along their sliding pivot connection inward towards the middle of base 112 and fold relative to frame 114 and base 112. The upper ends of both pairs of legs may be joined or connected by a transverse member 140 to thereby form an inverted U-shaped leg assembly.
To move lifting legs 120, 122 between their fully extended configuration, such as shown in
Each crank 132, 134 has generally C-shaped configuration with a transverse member and two projecting arms that are fixedly mounted to a pair of respective lifting legs, and furthermore optionally mounted to a lower portion of its respective pair lifting legs. The upper end of head end actuator 136 is mounted to frame 114, for example, by a pair of brackets 136a, and optionally directly to the transverse frame member 114a at the head end of the frame 114. The lower end of head end actuator 136 is similarly coupled to crank 132. Therefore, when actuator 136 is extended, the force from the actuator will apply a lift force to the support frame and a moment on head end lifting legs 120 to thereby cause sliding pivot connections 126 to move outwardly along base 112 and cause legs 120 to straighten. Similarly, the upper end of foot end actuator 138 is mounted to frame 114 by way of brackets 138a, and optionally directly to the transverse frame member 114a at the foot end of the frame 114. The lower end of foot end actuator 138 is then coupled to the foot end crank 134. Again, when actuator 138 is extended, the force from actuator 138 will apply a lifting force to frame 114 and a moment to lifting legs 122. In this manner, when actuators 136 and 138 extend or contract to push or pull on frame 114 and cranks 132 and 134, lifting legs 120, 122 will raise or lower frame 114.
In the illustrated embodiment, head end lifting legs 120 also include arms 120a, which are pivotally mounted at fixed pivot connections at their upper ends to legs 120 and pivotally mounted at their lower ends at fixed pivot connections to base 112. Arms 120a have inwardly offset portions to accommodate the inwardly offset of legs 120, which are mounted by sliding pivot connections to the inside of base 112, similar to the previous embodiment.
As best seen in
When frame 114 is in its lowermost position (
Optionally, base members 112a are reinforced by transverse members 112b, which are joined with the underside of base members 112a for example, by welding. For example, suitable transverse members 112b include tubular members (as shown), angle members, channel members or the like. When lift assembly 118 is in its lowermost configuration, all of the head end lift assembly components are lowered into the space defined by base members 112a, transverse members 112b, and the head end of base 112. Similarly, when lift assembly 118 is in its lowermost configuration, all of the foot end lift assembly components are lowered into the space defined by base members 112a, transverse members 112b, and the foot end of base 112. In this manner, when lift assembly 118 is in its lowermost position, the distance from the top of the litter deck (shown in phantom in
Referring to
For ease of description, reference is made to the head end portion of lifting assembly 218. Further, several of the components are removed for clarity. Referring again to
In this manner, when lifting legs 220 are folded relative to the frame or base, the lower pivot connections (formed by bearings 226) will move inwardly toward the middle of the base. By the same token, when lifting legs 220 are unfolded relative to the frame or base, the lower pivot connections (formed by bearings 226) will move outwardly toward the ends of the base, leaving a space which is sufficient to allow a fluoroscope device to be inserted between the base and the frame of the patient support.
To move lifting legs 220 between their fully extended configuration, such as shown in
Referring to
To pivotally mount pins 256a to transverse member 244, the offset mount includes a pair of links 255, which couple to the pivot pins 256a, and which in turn are pivotally mounted to transverse member 244 by way of brackets 254a and 254b, which are welded or otherwise secured to transverse member 244. The opposed end of actuator 236 is mounted in a second box 262, which is secured to the upper end of lifting legs 220. Box 262 confines actuator 236 and retains the actuator in a generally parallel relationship to lifting legs 220. Box 262 is secured to transverse member 240 of lifting legs 220, for example, by welding, and also helps support the opposed end of the actuator by way of brackets 258, through which guide pins 256a extend and are guided.
Brackets 258 include longitudinal openings 258a, which form guide tracks along which guide pins 256a are moved when actuator 236 is extended or contracted. In the illustrated embodiment, box 262 includes a pair of extended parallel flanges 262a, 262b that support brackets 258 and, further, include additional brackets 263a, 263b, which support bushings 264a, 264b to pivotally mount box 262 to the upper end of brackets 254a and 254b, which as noted are mounted to transverse member 244.
Box 262, therefore, forms a pivotal link of fixed length between the end of actuator (and the upper ends of lifting legs 220) and cranks arms 232, while link 255 forms a pivotal link with varying length between the extendible rod of actuator 236 and crank arms 232. Thus, in contrast to the first embodiment, where the actuator pushes directly on the crank arm, actuator 236 pushes on the crank arm via a pivotal link. The addition of this additional pivotal link allows the actuation force to be significantly lower when the lift assembly approaches its fully extended position such as shown in
As noted above, the lower ends 220a of lifting legs 220 are mounted to the base by sliding pivot connections 226, which can be formed by bushings roller wheels (226a). Further, legs 220 and crank arms 232 will fold so that they lie in a plane defined by the base members and, further, so that they lie between an upper plane or boundary and a lower plane or boundary defined by the base members. Similarly, when the frame is in its lowermost position, the frame members of the frame are also aligned in the base between the base members. Further, the frame members are located between the upper and lower boundaries defined by the base members and generally aligned in the same plane as lifting legs 220 and crank arms 232. As a result, the fixed pivot connections and sliding pivot connections will all lie in the same plane.
Referring to
As would be understood, because the head end and foot end lifting legs are independent, they can be independently moved to raise or lower the head or foot ends of the frame to move the deck in a Trendelenburg or reverse Trendelenburg position. Additionally, the speeds of each actuator can be independently controlled. For example, suitable actuators include Linak actuators, such as model number LA 40, or Ilcon actuators. For example, the actuators may include sensors or magnets to measure the speed of the actuator so that, as noted, the actuation and speed of each actuator may be independently installed.
Referring to
Referring to
As best seen in
As will be more fully described below, lift assembly 318 is configured to raise or lower frame 314 (and deck 316) from a high height position to a lowermost position while also being able to move the frame between Trendelenburg position and a reverse Trendelenburg position all while providing a clearance under the frame 314. Further, lift assembly 318 is configured so that when lift assembly 318 is moved to its lowermost configuration, lift assembly 318 may be substantially contained between the upper and lower planes of the base frame (described more fully below) of base 312. For example, the lowermost portion of lift assembly 318 extends no more than 2 to 3 inches, optionally no more than about 2 inches below the lower plane of the frame 340 of base 312, which facilitates patient support apparatus 310 achieving a low height, while still providing sufficient clearance or space to allow an overbed table or patient lift to move under base 312 even when the frame is in its lowermost position, as more full described below in reference to
For example, in the illustrated embodiment, patient support apparatus 310 may be configured so that the distance from the top of deck 316 to the supporting floor is less than 14 inches, less than 13 inches, less than 12 inches, and optionally about 10 inches. Further, when the Fowler (head end section of the deck) is raised, the seat section of the deck can be lowered to about 8 inches off the floor. Additionally, when lift assembly 318 is moved to its lowermost configuration, such as shown in
Referring again to
Similarly, legs 322 are pivotally mounted at their upper ends to frame 314 by pivot connections 328, which also may be formed by pivot shafts journaled in bushings supported by deck 314. Further, similar to the head end legs 320, pivot connections 328 of foot end legs 322 are located in downwardly depending arms 314b, which extend outwardly from frame 314. However, pivot connections 324 are moving pivot connections to accommodate the differential movement of the two leg assemblies. The moving pivot connections may be provided by a slotted opening in each arm 314b or by links (not shown), with each link pivotally coupled on one end to an upper end upper of respective leg 322 and pivotally coupled at an opposed end to a respective downwardly depending arm 314b.
Alternately shown in
Lower ends of legs 322 are similarly coupled to base 312 by sliding pivot connections 326. Each sliding pivot connection 326 includes a sliding block 326a, which is slidably mounted on a longitudinal frame member 346 of base 312 and which supports a pair of outwardly depending pivot shafts or pins 326b, to which each respective leg 320, 322 is rotatably mounted to thereby form the sliding pivot connections 326. Further, as will be more fully described, sliding pivots connections 326 couple to actuator frames 350, which transmit the forces from the actuators to the respective lifting legs of the lift assembly 318.
In the illustrated embodiment, base 312 includes a base frame 340, which is formed by head end and foot end frame members 342 and 344, which are interconnected by longitudinal frame member 346. Longitudinal frame member 346 forms a beam, as noted, along which sliding pivot connections 326 move or translate when legs 320, 322 pivot about their respective pivot axes, as described more fully below. Frame members 342 and 344 provide mounts for caster wheel assembly 315 and the actuator frames 350 described below. The upper plane of base frame 340 is defined by the upper surfaces of frame members 342, 344 and of longitudinal frame member 346, which lie in a common plane. And the lower plane of base frame 340 is defined by the lower surface of longitudinal frame member 346. As noted above, when lift assembly 318 is in its fully folded configuration and frame 314 is in its lowermost position, lift assembly 318 is substantially contained between the upper and lower planes of base frame 340 to form a compact lift assembly, which allows the deck and frame 314 to move to a low height, as described above.
For ease of description, reference will be made to the head end frame 342, head end actuator frame 350, and head end actuator 370, but it should be understood that the foot end frame 344, foot end actuator frame 350, and foot end actuator 370 have the same arrangement, but in the illustrated embodiment are a mirror image of the head end arrangement. Therefore, when not specifically mentioned, like parts at the foot end are numbered in the drawings with the same numerals as the head end.
Referring to
Actuator 370 is coupled between base 312 and lifting leg 320 by two levers, with one lever eccentrically coupled to the lifting leg 320 about its folding pivot axis 320a to apply forces to the lifting leg 320 above its folding pivot axis 320a and the other lever coupled to base 312. The second lever extends beneath the lower plane of base frame 340, and further mounts the end of the respective actuator 370 about pivot axis 354a, which is outside the footprint of caster wheel assemblies 315. The levers thus allow a longer actuator to be used, and therefore provide a greater stroke. Further, they remove the torque from the frame 314 and base 312, and instead apply the torque to leg assembly 318a, 318b.
Both levers are formed by an actuator frame 350. Actuator frame 350 is pivotally mounted between enlarged ends 342b of base frame 340. Actuator frame 350 is also pivotally coupled to both legs 320 via pivotal frame 357 (described below) and, as noted, provides a mount for the actuator 370. As best seen in
Base member 352 extends between enlarged ends 342b of head end frame member 342 and is pivotally mounted between enlarged ends 342b by pivot connections 354, which are formed by bolts or pins that extend through downwardly depending flanges 342c of enlarged ends 342b. As will be more fully described below, each base member 352 forms the lever between the actuators 370 and the base 312.
Pivotal frame 357 includes an offset frame 360, which is rotatably mounted between frame members 356 by pair of transverse cylindrical members 358. Cylindrical members 358 are journaled or otherwise rotatably mounted to the respective ends of frame members 356, for example, by shaft and bushing mounts 364 and, further, are fixedly coupled to legs 320 about the legs central or medial folding pivot axis 320a.
Offset frame 360 is formed by a pair of spaced apart plates 360a and 360b, which are rigidly coupled to the distal ends of cylindrical members 358, such as by welds or fasteners (or formed therewith), to form a rigid rotating frame. Plates 360a and 360b are joined together at their upper ends by a transverse member 360c and pivotally mounted at their lower ends to sliding pivot connection 326 (
Referring to
Referring again to
In the reverse, when patient support apparatus 310 is in its high height position, and actuators 370 are retracted, pivotal frames 357 will pivot away from the center of the patient support apparatus 310 (the head end pivotal frame 357 will pivot toward the head end of the patient support apparatus 310, and the foot end pivotal frame 357 will pivot toward the foot end of the patient support apparatus 310). The pivoting of the pivotal frames 357 away from the center of the patient support apparatus 310 will cause legs 320 and 322 to pivot about sliding pivot connections 326 and about pivot connections 324 and 328, with sliding pivots 326 sliding toward the center of the patient support apparatus 310, to thereby lower frame 314. If the actuators at both the head end and foot end are actuated to extend or retract at the same speed, frame 314 will raise or lower parallel to the floor surface.
Should actuators 370 be driven at different speeds or one is driven to extend while the other actuator is contracted, frame 314 may be tilted, for example, into Trendelenburg or reverse Trendelenburg position. For example, when frame 314 is raised to its high height as shown in
As best seen in
Referring to
Further, as best seen in
As best seen in
Referring to
Referring to
In addition, as best seen in
As noted above one set of pivot connections 324, 328 may be movable. For example, when inverted, the movable pivot connections may include links pivotally mounted to the respective base frame member 342 or 344 or may be provided by the sliding pivot connections described above in reference to
In the illustrated embodiment, the actuators comprise linear actuators with motors. Further, the motors are arranged in a plane that is perpendicular to the to the floor surface. With the present construction, however, the orientation of the motors may be rotated 90 degrees, so that the motor is arranged in a plane that is parallel to the floor surface.
Referring to
Though not described in each instance, it should be understood that the structural components of the frame, the deck, and the lift assembly may be formed from metal structural members that are either welded (as noted in some cases) or fastened together, e.g. by bolts, rivets, pins, or screws or the like, or simply mechanically interlocked (as noted above in reference to some of the brackets). Further, features on one embodiment may be combined with features of another embodiment or embodiments. Additionally, it should be understood that the actuators may be controlled to extend or contract independently, for example, so that they can raise or lower one end of the patient support apparatus to orient the patient support apparatus deck in a Trendelenburg or reverse Trendelenburg position.
Directional terms, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and “outwardly,” are used to assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to packages of any specific orientation(s).
Various alterations and changes can be made to the above-described embodiments 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 and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. 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.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No. 16/241,278, filed Jan. 7, 2019, entitled PATIENT SUPPORT LIFT ASSEMBLY (P-A 467B), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/133,835, filed Apr. 20, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,172,753, entitled PATIENT SUPPORT LIFT ASSEMBLY (P-467A), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional App. Ser. No. 62/149,963, filed Apr. 20, 2015, entitled PATIENT SUPPORT LIFT ASSEMBLY (P-467), which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220071822 A1 | Mar 2022 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62149963 | Apr 2015 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16241278 | Jan 2019 | US |
| Child | 17529660 | US | |
| Parent | 15133835 | Apr 2016 | US |
| Child | 16241278 | US |
