Foldout Bed Module

Abstract

A foldout bed module for use in a healthcare facility includes a plurality of service connectors and a foldout bed. The foldout bed has a deck movable between a raised storage position and a lowered use position. The service connectors are normally concealed behind the deck when the deck is in the storage position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Ser. Nos. 60/576,867 filed Jun. 3, 2004; 60/576,868 filed Jun. 3, 2004, and 60/633,476 filed Dec. 6, 2004, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a foldout bed module for use in a healthcare facility, and more particularly to a foldout bed module including a plurality of service connectors and a foldout bed that folds down.

Space within a patient room is always at premium. An extra bed may be moved into the patient room when needed to accommodate a visitor or a family member. Also, during times of high census or emergency, a second patient bed may be moved into the patient room. Extra furniture within the patient room, however, becomes an obstacle for patients, caregivers and visitors. Extra furniture is typically removed from the patient room when not needed to free up the space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises an apparatus that has one or more of the following features or combinations thereof, which alone or in any combination may comprise patentable subject matter.

A foldout bed module for use in a healthcare facility may include a plurality of service connectors to provide services associated with patient care and a hideaway or foldout bed. The foldout bed includes a deck movable between a raised storage or closed position and a lowered use or open position.

The service connectors may include electrical outlets, medical gas outlets, vacuum outlets, and communication ports (such as video, audio, data, etc.). Normally, the deck shields the service connectors from view to provide a pleasing, home-like appearance which is not likely to raise apprehension on the part of a patient or a visitor. A panel may conceal the service connectors when the bed is used as a visitor bed or a chair. The panel may be swung open and slid along a narrow track adjacent a side wall of the foldout bed module to a storage position.

The foldout bed may include a mattress support frame. The mattress support frame may include longitudinally spaced-apart head, seat and leg sections, which are tiltable relative to each other. The mattress support frame may be movable to a chair configuration in addition to a bed configuration to provide an extra chair in the patient room. A siderail may be provided at each side of the deck.

A gas spring or other such means may be provided to assist the movement of the deck during its movement between the storage and use positions. In some embodiments, the bed may include a hydraulic actuator, an electric motor, and the like, to move the deck between the storage and use positions.

A panel or facade may be provided to cover the foldout bed in its storage position. Such a facade may be the underside of the foldout bed. Such a facade may include artwork to create a pleasing appearance. In some embodiments, doors or panels may be provided to cover the foldout bed in its closed position. Such doors or panels may be configured to be swung open and slid along respective narrow tracks adjacent the side walls of the foldout bed module to their storage positions.

A large conference room in a healthcare facility may be equipped with a plurality of such foldout bed modules along one or more of its walls so that the conference room may be quickly converted into a patient ward with multiple patient beds during times of high census or emergency. When closed, the foldout beds are generally undetectable.

The foldout bed module may be incorporated into a modular wall system, such as the one disclosed in PCT/US2005/xxxxxx, entitled “MODULAR SYSTEM FOR CONSTRUCTING HOSPITAL WALLS” (attorney docket number 7175-78000), filed concurrently herewith which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. In such a modular wall system, the foldout bed module may be configured as one of the modules.

Additional features, which alone or in combination with any other feature(s), such as those listed above and those listed in the appended claims, may comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the embodiments as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular wall having a plurality of modules including a foldout bed module, and showing the foldout bed module in an opened position having a foldout bed moved to a lowered use position to provide access to a plurality of service connectors;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the foldout bed module in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the foldout bed module in the opened position in which the bed is moved to a chair configuration;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a patient room showing a conventional hospital bed and a foldout bed shown in phantom;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a conference room in a healthcare facility configured to be quickly converted to a patient ward having a plurality of foldout beds;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 modular wall showing a plurality of frame units, a plurality of hangers received in the associated hanger-receiving openings in the frame units and various modules removably supported by the hangers;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the foldout bed module in a closed position showing a jump seat coupled to the underside of the deck;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the FIG. 7 foldout bed module in the closed position showing the jump seat in an opened position;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a third embodiment of the foldout bed module in a closed position showing four casters coupled to a bottom wall and four casters and two guides coupled to a side wall of the foldout bed module;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the FIG. 9 foldout bed module in the closed position;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the FIG. 9 foldout bed module in the closed position showing the foldout bed module being slid up the stairs on the two guides; and

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the foldout bed module in a closed position showing four casters coupled to a bottom wall and four stowaway casters coupled to a side wall of the foldout bed module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As shown in FIG. 1, modular wall 20 includes a plurality of modules 22 including a foldout bed module 24. The foldout bed module 24 includes a housing or shell 26, a plurality of service connectors 28 and a hideaway or foldout bed 30. The foldout bed 30 includes a deck 50 coupled to the shell 26 for pivoting movement between a lowered use position shown in FIG. 1 where the deck 50 extends generally horizontally from the foldout bed module 24 and a raised storage position shown in FIG. 2 where the deck 50 is received in a deck-receiving space or cavity 54 in the shell 26. The deck 50 is movable between the lowered use position and the raised storage position in a manner similar to the movement of a well-known hideaway or Murphy bed. In the illustrated embodiment, the wall 20 is of the type disclosed in the aforesaid PCT/US2005/xxxxxx (attorney docket number 7175-78000).

As indicated above, extra furniture within a patient room 32 becomes an obstacle for the patient, caregivers and visitors. The foldout bed 30, however, can be moved to the raised storage position as shown in FIG. 2 to free up the floor space in the patient room 32. The bottom surface 76 of the deck 50 may be adorned with artwork 86 (best shown in FIG. 2) to provide a facade similar to that of a hotel or a family room so that the patient, family members and visitors find the hospital environment less intimidating. In some embodiments, the foldout bed module 24 may include a pair of doors or panels (not shown) for enclosing the foldout bed 30. Each door may swing open and slide along a narrow track adjacent a side wall 58, 60 of the shell 26 to a storage position. In some embodiments, an overhead garage door-type rollable door or panel (not shown) may be provided to enclose the foldout bed 30.

The shell 26 includes a back wall 56, side walls 58, 60, a top wall 62 and a bottom wall 64. The deck-receiving space 54 is bounded by the side walls 58, 60, the top wall 62 and the bottom wall 64. The front edges of the walls 58-64 define a forwardly facing surface 66. When the bed 30 is closed, the bottom surface 76 of the deck 50 is generally flush with the forwardly facing surface 66 of the shell 26 so as to appear as a continuous part thereof as shown in FIG. 2.

The deck 50 includes a head end 70, a foot end 72, an upwardly facing surface 74 and the downwardly facing surface 76. A mattress 78, such as, for example, an air mattress, rests on the upwardly facing surface 74 of the deck 50. A plurality of straps (not shown) secure the mattress 78 to the deck 50 to hold it in place when the deck 50 is raised. It is understood that although straps (not shown) are used in the illustrated embodiment to secure the mattress 78 to the deck 50, other suitable fasteners may very well be used. Some example of such fasteners are Velcro strips, loop and tie fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, clips, snaps, zippers, etc. A lower portion 106 of the shell 26 houses equipment 108 such as, for example, a compressor, a motor, a controller, tubing, valves, etc. for inflating the air mattress 78.

It is contemplated that a plurality of hinges (not shown) near the head end 70 of the deck 50 couple the deck 50 to the shell 26 so that the deck 50 pivots relative to the shell 26 about a first laterally extending axis 80 between the raised storage position and the lowered use position. A retainer or latch (not shown) holds the deck 50 in the deck-receiving cavity 54 when the deck 50 is raised. In the lowered use position, the deck 50 extends generally outwardly from the shell 26, and the head end 70 of the deck 50 is positioned near the back wall 56 of the foldout bed module 24. The deck 50, when in the lowered use position, is configured to be pulled outwardly to give a caregiver access to a patient's head.

A pair of legs 82 are pivotally coupled to the deck 50 near the foot end 72 to pivot between a raised storage position where the legs 82 lie in respective leg-receiving cavities (not shown) in the downwardly facing surface 76 of the deck 50 and a lowered use position where the legs 82 extend generally perpendicularly to the downwardly facing surface 76 of the deck and rest on a floor 68 of the patient room 32 to support the foot end 72 of the deck 50. Illustratively, hinges (not shown) near the foot end 72 couple the legs 82 to the deck 50 so that the legs 82 pivot relative to the deck 50 about a second laterally extending axis 84. In some embodiments, the height of the deck 50, when the deck 50 is in the lowered use position, is adjustable. In such event, a bracket (not shown) pivotally supporting the head end 70 of the deck 50 and the legs 82 supporting the foot end 72 of the deck 50 are vertically adjustable.

When the legs 82 are received in the leg-receiving cavities in the deck 50, downwardly facing surfaces of the legs 82 are generally coplanar with the downwardly facing surface 76 of the deck 50 so as to appear as a continuous part thereof. Retainers or locks (not shown) hold the legs 82 in the leg-receiving cavities. Latches (not shown) lock the legs 82 in the lowered use position where the legs 82 rest on the floor 68 to support the foot end 72 of the deck 50.

As shown in FIG. 3, the deck 50 includes an articulating mattress support frame 90 in the illustrated embodiment. The mattress support frame 90 includes longitudinally spaced apart head, seat and foot sections 92, 94, 96, which are tiltable relative to each other. The articulating mattress support frame 90 is configured to be movable from a coplanar bed configuration shown in FIG. 1 to an articulated chair configuration shown in FIG. 3. In the chair configuration, the bed 30 provides an extra chair for a visitor or a patient. The bed 30 includes a pair of siderails 98 on the opposite sides of the deck 50. The siderails 98 act as arm rests in the chair configuration. It will be appreciated that a variety of mechanisms may be used to provide for articulation of the head and foot sections 92, 96 relative to the seat section 94. Such mechanisms are widely known in the art to convert the beds to chairs. U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,903 illustrates a bed that is convertible to a chair, and is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

A gas spring or other such means (not shown) may be provided to assist in the movement of the deck 50 between the storage and use positions. It will be appreciated that the deck 50 may be supported by springs, counter balance mechanisms, hydraulic actuators, gas springs, and the like to assist the caregiver in moving the deck 50 between the storage and use positions. In some embodiments, an actuator (not shown) such as, for example, an electric motor, may be provided to move the deck 50 between the storage and use positions.

Each siderail 98 is movable between a storage position below the deck 50 and a use position alongside the deck 50 as shown in FIG. 1 and 3 with respect to the right siderail 98. A footboard 100 may be coupled to the deck 50 near the foot end 72. An overhead light 102 is located on the back wall 56 of the shell 26. A switch (not shown) for operating the overhead light 102 may be located on one of the side walls 58, 60 of the shell 26. In some embodiments, the overhead light 102 is automatically turned on the when the deck 50 is lowered to the use position.

The service connectors 28 are mounted on the back wall 56 of the shell 26 near the head end 70 of the deck 50 to provide one or more services to a patient supported on the deck 50. Some of the service connectors 28 are electrical power outlets 112 to supply electrical power. Some of the service connectors 28 are medical gas outlets 114 to provide medical gases, such as, for example, any one or more of oxygen, nitrogen, and air. Some of the service connectors 28 are negative pressure outlets 116 to supply vacuum. Some of the service connectors 28 are data communication ports 118 to transmit data, such as, for example, any one or more of audio data, video data, and informational data. A plurality of service lines and conduits are routed from equipment located remotely from the patient room to the associated service connectors 28. The service lines may be routed through one or more of the ceiling, the floor or the walls of the patient room 32.

The service connectors 28 are normally concealed behind the deck 50 when the deck 50 is the raised storage position as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, a panel 120 is provided to conceal the service connectors 28 when the foldout bed 30 is used as a visitor bed or chair. When the service connectors 28 are needed, the panel 120 is configured to be swung open and slid along a narrow track adjacent a side wall 58, 60 of the foldout bed module 24 to a storage position. Alternatively, a pull down screen (not shown) or an overhead garage door-type rollable door or panel (not shown) may be used to conceal the service connectors 28 when the foldout bed 30 is used as a visitor bed or chair. Such a screen may be mounted to the underside of the top wall 62.

As shown in FIG. 1, the back wall 56 includes a rail or slide 122 for supporting, for example, bottles for bodily fluids (not shown), accessory baskets (not shown) etc. The rail 122 allows the bottles, baskets etc. to be repositioned along the rail 122. The back wall 56 may include communication equipment (not shown) such as, for example, a phone, a nurse call button, code buttons, and the like near the head end 70 of the bed 30.

Illustratively, the shell 26 is about 4 feet (about 1.2 meters) wide, 8 feet (about 2.4 meters) high and 1 foot (about 0.30 meters) deep; the lower portion 106 is about 4 feet (about 1.2 meters) wide, 2 feet (about 0.60 meters) high and 1 foot (about 0.30 meters) deep; the legs 82 are about 2 feet (about 0.60 meters) high, and the deck 50 is about 6.5 feet (about 1.95 meters) long. When the deck 50 is lowered to a horizontal position, the head end 70 of the deck 50 extends about 1 foot (about 0.30 meters) into the shell 26 and the rest of the deck 50 extends about 5.5 feet (about 1.65 meters) outside the shell 26.

As shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the foldout bed module 24, the modules 22 forming the wall 20 include a reading light module 130, a monitor module 132, a folding overbed table module 134 and drawer modules 136 in the illustrated embodiment. The modules 130-136 are stacked vertically next to the bed 30 as shown in FIG. 1. The reading light module 130 includes a reading light 140 supported by an articulating arm assembly 142. The monitor and entertainment module 132 includes a monitor 144 supported by an articulating arm assembly 146. The overbed table module 134 includes an overbed table 148 supported by an articulating arm assembly 150. The articulating arm assemblies 142, 146 and 150 are each configured to support the associated reading light 140, monitor 144 and overbed table 148 for movement between a storage position and a use position.

The articulating arm assembly 142 includes a first radial arm 160 pivotable outwardly from a wall member 162, and a second radial arm 164 carried by and pivotable on the first radial arm 160. The reading light 140 is supported on the second radial arm 164. The articulating arm assembly 146 includes a first radial arm 170 pivotable outwardly from a wall member 172, a second radial arm 174 carried by and pivotable on the first radial arm 170 and a third radial arm 176 carried by and pivotable on the second radial arm 174. The monitor 144 is supported on the third radial arm 176. The articulating arm assembly 150 includes an outer telescopic arm 180 pivotable outwardly from a wall member 182, an inner telescopic arm 184 slidably received in the outer telescopic arm 180 for axial movement along a longitudinal centerline of the outer telescopic arm 180, and a radial arm 186 carried by and pivotable on the inner telescopic arm 184. The overbed table 148 is supported on the radial arm 186.

The outer appearance of the modular wall 20 is similar to that of hotel or family room type furniture, yet the modular wall 20 is configured to provide various services needed for patient care. The outer surfaces of the modular wall 20 may be made of wood or have a faux-wood finish to them. The modular wall 20 may be adorned with intricate trim. Thus, when the modular wall 20 is incorporated into a patient room, the overall appearance of the room is relaxing, friendly and welcoming for the patient and other family members who may be spending significant amounts of time in the room.

FIG. 4 shows the patient room 32 having the foldout bed module 24 incorporating the foldout bed 30. In addition, the patient room 32 includes a conventional patient bed 42, a toilet room 44, a counter 46 and a sink 48. The foldout bed 30 provides an extra bed for a second patient in the room 32 during times of high census or emergency. The extra bed is also available for use by a family member or a visitor. The foldout bed 30 can be moved to a chair configuration (as best shown in FIG. 3) to provide a chair in the patient room 32. The foldout bed 30 can be closed to free up the floor space in the room 32 when not needed. FIG. 5 shows a large conference room 190 in a healthcare facility. The conference room 190 has a large conference table 192 and a plurality of foldout bed modules 24 incorporating the foldout beds 30 along one or more of its walls 194, so that the conference room 190 may be quickly converted into a patient ward with multiple patient beds during times of high census or emergency. When closed, the foldout beds 30 are out of the way.

In the illustrated embodiment, the foldout bed module 24, the reading light module 130, the monitor module 132, the overbed table module 134 and the drawer modules 136 form the modular wall 20 in a hospital or a healthcare facility. Illustratively, the wall 20 is of the type disclosed in the aforesaid PCT/US2005/xxxxxx, (attorney docket no. 7175-78000). As shown in FIG. 6, the wall 20 includes a plurality of infrastructure components 202. The infrastructure components 202 include a plurality of frame units 204 and a plurality of supporting members 206. In the illustrated embodiment, the supporting members 206 are hangers configured to be detachably coupled to the frame units 204.

Each frame unit 204 includes a pair of vertical members 208 and a pair of horizontal members 210 extending between the vertical members 208 near the top and the bottom of the frame units 204 to form a generally rectangular structure with an open space or cavity 214 in the middle that extends between the front and back sides of the frame unit 204. The center-to-center spacing between the vertical members 208 of a frame unit 204 is about 2 feet (about 0.60 meters). The center-to-center spacing between the horizontal members 210 is about 8 feet (about 2.40 meters). In those locations of the infrastructure components 202 where the pass-through modules 24 are present, the frame members 210 adjacent the floor 46 are omitted. Illustratively, the vertical and horizontal members 208, 210 are made from tubular members having generally rectangular cross section.

Illustratively, the vertical members 208 of each frame unit 204 have a first plurality of connection points 212 facing the front side of the frame unit 204 and a second plurality of connection points 212 facing the back side of the frame unit 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the first plurality of connection points 212 are a first plurality of hanger-receiving openings 212 extending along the depth dimension facing the front side of the frame unit 204 and the second plurality of connection points 212 are a second plurality of hanger-receiving openings 212 extending along the depth dimension facing the back side of the frame unit 204. The hanger-receiving openings 212 are sized and shaped to receive the hangers 206. When inserted, the hangers 206 fit into the hanger-receiving openings 212 in the frame units 204 so that they firmly lock in place. Illustratively, both the hangers 206 and the hanger-receiving openings 212 are generally rectangular in cross section. The hangers 206 extend generally horizontally away from the frame units 204 in a cantilevered fashion. The lengths of the hangers 206 generally match the depth of the respective modules 22 supported by such hangers 206.

The center-to-center lateral spacing between the hanger-receiving openings 212 in the vertical members 208 of each frame unit 204 along the width dimension or the x-axis is fixed. Illustratively, the center-to-center lateral spacing between the hanger-receiving openings 212 is about 2 feet (about 60 centimeters). The center-to-center vertical spacing between the hanger-receiving openings 212 in the vertical members 208 of each frame unit 204 along the height dimension or the z-axis is also fixed. Illustratively, the center-to-center spacing between the hanger-receiving openings 212 along the height dimension is about 2 feet (about 60 centimeters). Thus, the hanger-receiving openings 212 form a 2 feet-by-2 feet (about 0.60 meters-by-about 0.60 meters) grid in the illustrated embodiment.

The modules 22 have a width substantially equal to a discrete multiple, including one, of the predetermined lateral spacing between the hanger-receiving openings 212 (2 feet or about 0.60 meters in the illustrated example). Also, the modules 22, have a height substantially equal to a discrete multiple, including one, of the predetermined vertical spacing between the hanger-receiving openings 212 (2 feet or about 0.60 meters in the illustrated example). A first plurality of modules 22 may be supported by the hangers 206 on the front side of the frame units 204. A second plurality of modules 22 may be supported by hangers 206 on the back side of the frame units 204. Each module 22 includes a pair of oppositely disposed guide tracks (not shown) near the upper and lower ends of the module 22. The guide tracks slidably receive the hangers 206 secured to the frame units 204. Latches (not shown) may secure the modules 22 to the hangers 206.

The lower horizontal member 210 of each frame unit 204 has a pair of vertically extending through openings 220 for securing the frame unit 204 to a floor 222 of the healthcare facility. Likewise, the upper horizontal member 210 of each frame unit 204 has a pair of vertically extending through openings 220 for securing the frame unit 204 to a ceiling 224 of the healthcare facility where the frame unit 204 extends from the floor 222 to the ceiling 224. Any suitable fasteners 226, such as studs, pins, screws or nuts and bolts, may be used for securing the frame units 204 to the floor 222 and to the ceiling 224. In the FIG. 8 embodiment, the frame units 204 are secured to a base board 228, instead of the floor 222, so that the modules 22 can be protected, for example, from mops, floor cleaning equipment etc. The base board 228 is, in turn, secured to the floor 222. In those locations of the infrastructure components 202 where the pass-through modules are present, the lower horizontal frame members 210 and the base board 228 adjacent the floor 222 are omitted.

In the illustrative embodiment, each frame unit 204 is coupled to the adjoining frame units 204 on either side thereof. In addition, the frame unit 204 closest to an existing conventional wall of the healthcare facility is secured thereto. To this end, the vertical members 208 of each frame unit 204 have a plurality of laterally extending through openings 232. Any suitable fasteners 234, such as studs, pins, screws or nuts and bolts, may be used for securing each frame unit 204 to the adjoining frame units 204 on the opposite sides thereof and to the adjoining existing conventional wall.

Utility lines 242 may be routed from the mechanical room of the healthcare facility into the patient room 32. These utility lines 242 may typically be routed through one of the floor 222, the ceiling 224 or the wall 20 of the patient room 32. The horizontal members 210 have vertically extending through slots or cutouts 240 through which utility lines 242 enter the open space or the cavity 214 defined by the frame members 208, 210. The utility lines 242 are then routed from the open space 214 to the associated modules 22. Illustratively, the utility lines 242 include data lines, gas lines, vacuum lines, AC/DC power lines, hot and cold water lines and plumbing lines.

In addition, laterally extending through openings (not shown) may be formed in the vertical members 208 of the frame units 204 for passing the utility lines 242 from an open space 214 in one frame unit 204 to an open space 214 in the next adjacent frame unit 204 on either side thereof. From the open spaces 214 in the next adjacent frame units 204, the utility lines 242 are then routed to the associated modules 22. The open space 214 in the frame units 204 may be filled with sound and/or thermal insulation material. Thus, the modular wall 20 comprises a plurality of frame units 204 configured to form a grid of vertically and laterally spaced apart wall spaces having a predetermined height and a predetermined width, and a plurality of modules 22, such as the modules 24, 130, 132, 134, and 136, are positioned in the associated wall spaces.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of the foldout bed module 24. Like elements in the two embodiments have generally similar reference numbers. Thus, in the second embodiment, numeral 324 designates the foldout bed module, numeral 330 designates the foldout bed, numeral 350 designates the deck, numeral 376 designates the bottom surface of the deck, and numeral 386 designates the artwork, and so on. A jump seat 300 is coupled to the bottom surface 376 of the deck 350. The jump seat 300 provides a temporary seating surface for a patient, caregiver or visitor when the foldout bed 330 is in the closed position as shown, for example, in FIGS. 7 and 8. This eliminates the need for a separate chair in the room 32 that would need to be moved out to free up the floor space in the room 32.

The jump seat 300 includes a seat portion 302 coupled to the bottom surface 376 of the deck 350 by hinges 304 for movement between a raised closed position shown in FIG. 7 and a lowered opened position shown in FIG. 8. The closed and opened positions of the seat portion 302 are also referred to herein as the storage and use positions, respectively. The bottom surface 376 of the deck 350 includes a seat-receiving cavity 306 for receiving the seat portion 302 when the seat 300 is closed. When the seat 300 is closed, a bottom surface 308 of the seat portion 302 is generally flush with the bottom surface 376 of the deck 350 so as to appear as a continuous part thereof. A cushion 310 is coupled to an upper surface 312 of the seat portion 302 by suitable fasteners, such as straps, Velcro strips, and the like, to hold the cushion 310 in place when the seat portion 302 is raised. A pair of retainers 314 holds the seat portion 302 in the seat-receiving cavity 306 when the seat 300 is closed. A handle 316 is coupled to the bottom surface 308 of the seat portion 302 to facilitate opening and closing of the jump seat 300.

FIGS. 9-11 are a diagrammatic representation of a third embodiment of the foldout bed module 24. Like elements in the various embodiments have generally similar reference numbers. Thus, in the third embodiment, numeral 424 designates the foldout bed module, numeral 426 designates the shell, and numerals 456, 458, 460, 462 and 464 respectively designate the back wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, the top wall and the bottom wall of the shell 426. The foldout bed module 424 incorporates a foldout bed. However, the foldout bed is not shown in FIGS. 9-11 for clarity of illustration.

Four casters 400 are coupled to the bottom wall 464 of the shell 426 adjacent to the four corners thereof. The casters 400 facilitate movement of the foldout bed module 424 along a floor 402 when the foldout bed module 424 is to be moved in an upright position as shown, for example, in FIG. 10. Each caster 400 includes a wheel 404 that has a portion protruding from the bottom wall 464 of the shell 426 to engage the floor 402. In the illustrated embodiment, a majority of each caster 400 is located inside the shell 426 to shield it from view. In some embodiments, the casters 400 are ball casters. The casters 400 permit movement of the foldout bed module 424 in all directions when the foldout bed module 424 is upright.

Four casters 406 are coupled to the right side wall 460 of the shell 426 as shown, for example, in FIG. 10. Two casters 406 are coupled to the right side wall 460 near a top end 408 of the shell 426, and two casters 406 are coupled to the right side wall 460 near a bottom end 410 of the shell 426. Casters 406 facilitate movement of the foldout bed module 424 along the floor 402 when the foldout bed module 424 is to be moved with its right side wall 460 facing the floor 402. Each caster 406 includes a wheel 412 having a portion that protrudes from the right side wall 460 of the shell 426. A majority of each caster 406 is located inside the shell 426 to shield it from view. In some embodiments, the casters 406 are ball casters. The casters 406 permit movement of the foldout bed module 424 in all directions when the foldout bed module 424 is on its side. Although the casters 406 are shown attached to the right side wall 460, they may very well be attached to the left side wall 458 as shown, for example, in FIG. 12 or the back wall 456 of the shell 426.

Two plates or guides 414 are coupled to the right side wall 460 of the shell 426. The guides 474 extend generally parallel to the height dimension of the shell 426 between the casters 406 at the opposite ends 408, 410 of the shell 426. The lateral spacing between the guides 414 is about the same as the lateral spacing between the casters 406. The guides 414 facilitate movement of the foldout bed module 424 when the foldout bed module 424 is to be moved up or down stairs 416 with its right side wall 460 facing the stairs 416 as shown in FIG. 10. Handles 418 are coupled to the shell 426 near top and bottom corner edges 420 to assist in movement of the foldout bed module 424 along the floor 402 or up and down the stairs 416.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic representation of a fourth embodiment of the foldout bed module 24. Like elements in the various embodiments have generally similar reference numbers. Thus, in the fourth embodiment, numeral 524 designates the foldout bed module, numeral 526 designates the shell, and numerals 556, 558, 560, 562 and 564 respectively designate the back wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, the top wall and the bottom wall of the shell 526. The foldout bed module 524 incorporates a foldout bed. However, the foldout bed is not shown in FIG. 12 for clarity of illustration. The fourth embodiment 524 is generally similar to the third embodiments 424.

Four casters 500 are coupled to the bottom wall 564 of the shell 526 adjacent to the four corners thereof. The casters 500 facilitate movement of the foldout bed module 524 along a floor 502 when the foldout bed module 524 is to be moved in an upright position. Each caster 500 includes a wheel 504 that has a portion protruding from the bottom wall 564 of the shell 526 to engage the floor 502. A majority of each caster 500 is located inside the shell 526. In some embodiments, the casters 500 are ball casters. The casters 500 permit movement of the foldout bed module 424 in all directions when the foldout bed module 524 is upright.

Four casters 506 are coupled to the left side wall 558 of the shell 526. Two casters 506 are coupled to the left side wall 558 near a top end 508 of the shell 526 by a top mounting assembly 570, and two casters 506 are coupled to the left side wall 558 near a bottom end 510 of the shell 526 by a bottom mounting assembly 570. The top and bottom mounting assemblies 570 are generally mirror images of each other. Each mounting assembly 570 includes a mounting plate 572 coupled to the left side wall 558 by hinges (not shown) for movement between a storage position (not shown) and a use position shown in FIG. 12. In some embodiments, the casters 506 are ball casters. The casters 506 permit movement of the foldout bed module 524 in all directions when the foldout bed module 524 is on its side.

The left side wall 558 includes a plate-receiving cavity 576 for receiving the mounting plate 572 when the mounting plate 572 is moved to the storage position. When the mounting plate 572 is moved to the storage position, a bottom surface of the mounting plate 572 is generally flush with the left side wall 558 so as to appear as a continuous part thereof. A retainer (not shown) holds the mounting plate 572 in the plate-receiving cavity 576 when the mounting plate 572 is moved to the storage position. A latch (not shown) locks the mounting plate 572 in the use position.

Casters 506 facilitate movement of the foldout bed module 524 along the floor 502 when the foldout bed module 524 is to be moved with its left side wall 560 facing the floor 502. Although the casters 506 are shown attached to the left side wall 558, they may very well be attached to the right side wall 560 as shown in FIGS. 9-11 or the back wall 556 of the shell 526. Handles 518 are coupled to the shell 526 near top and bottom corner edges 518 to assist in movement of the foldout bed module 524 along the floor 502 or up and down stairs. Unlike the foldout bed module 424, the foldout bed module 524 does not include guides. However, the foldout bed module 524 may very well be modified to include guides.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have herein been described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

There is a plurality of advantages of the present invention arising from the various features of the embodiments described herein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the present invention may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of a device that incorporates one or more of the features of the present invention and fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A foldout bed module for use in a healthcare facility, the foldout bed module comprising a plurality of service connectors and a foldout bed, the foldout bed including a deck movable between a raised storage position and a lowered use position.

2. The foldout bed module of claim 1, wherein the service connectors comprise any one or more of electrical outlets, medical gas outlets, vacuum outlets, and communication ports.

3. The foldout bed module of claim 1, wherein the service connectors are concealed behind the deck when the deck is the storage position.

4. The foldout bed module of claim 1, wherein the foldout bed module includes a panel movable between a first position hiding at least some of the service connectors from view and a second position allowing access to the service connectors.

5. The foldout bed module of claim 1, wherein the deck includes longitudinally spaced apart head, seat and leg sections, which are tiltable relative to each other, and the deck is movable from a generally coplanar bed configuration to an articulated chair configuration.

6. The foldout bed module of claim 1, wherein the foldout bed module includes a jump seat coupled to a bottom surface of the deck and movable between a raised storage position and a lowered use position.

7. The foldout bed module of claim 6, wherein the bottom surface of the deck includes a seat-receiving cavity to receive the jump seat when the jump seat is in the storage position.

8. The foldout bed module of claim 7, wherein a bottom surface of the jump seat is substantially flush with the bottom surface of the deck when the jump seat is received in the seat-receiving cavity.

9. The foldout bed module of claim 6, further comprising a cushion coupled to an upper surface of the jump seat.

10. The foldout bed module of claim 1, wherein the foldout bed module includes a plurality of casters coupled to a bottom wall of the foldout bed module.

11. The foldout bed module of claim 1, wherein the foldout bed module includes a plurality of casters coupled to a side wall of the foldout bed module.

12. The foldout bed module of claim 11, wherein the casters are coupled to the side wall by a mounting assembly, and the mounting assembly is movable between a storage position where the casters are facing inwardly and a use position where the casters are facing outwardly.

13. The foldout bed module of claim 12, wherein the side wall includes a mounting assembly-receiving cavity to receive the mounting assembly when the mounting assembly is in the storage position.

14. The foldout bed module of claim 13, wherein an outwardly facing surface of the mounting assembly is substantially flush with an outwardly facing surface of the side wall when the mounting assembly is in the storage position.

15. The foldout bed module of claim 1, wherein the foldout bed module includes at least one guide coupled to a side wall of the foldout bed module and extending generally along a height dimension of the foldout bed module.

16. The foldout bed module of claim 1, wherein the foldout bed module forms a portion of a modular wall in a healthcare facility, the modular wall comprises a plurality of frame units configured to form a grid of vertically and laterally spaced apart wall spaces having a predetermined height and a predetermined width, and the foldout bed module is positioned in one of the wall spaces.

17. A foldout bed module for use in a healthcare facility comprising a foldout bed having a deck movable between a raised storage position and a lowered use position and a jump seat coupled to a bottom surface of the deck and movable between a raised storage position and a lowered use position.

18. A conference room in a healthcare facility comprising a plurality of foldout bed modules arranged along a wall of the conference room, each foldout bed module comprising a plurality of service connectors and a foldout bed including a deck movable between a raised storage position and a lowered use position.

19. A modular wall in a healthcare facility comprising:

a plurality of frame units configured to form a grid of vertically and laterally spaced apart wall spaces having a predetermined height and a predetermined width, and

a foldout bed module positioned in one of the wall spaces to form a portion of the modular wall, the foldout bed module comprising a plurality of service connectors and a foldout bed, the foldout bed including a deck movable between a raised storage position and a lowered use position.

20. The modular wall of claim 19, wherein each frame unit has a plurality of connection points spaced apart from each other by a predetermined height and a predetermined width to form a grid, and the foldout bed module is coupled to at least one of the connection points.

21. The modular wall of claim 20, wherein the foldout bed module has a width substantially equal to a multiple, including one, of the predetermined width and having a height substantially equal to a multiple, including one, of the predetermined height.

22. The foldout bed module of claim 19, comprising a reading light module positioned in one of the wall spaces next to the bed.

23. The foldout bed module of claim 19, comprising a monitor module positioned in one of the wall spaces next to the bed.

24. The foldout bed module of claim 19, comprising an overbed table module positioned in one of the wall spaces next to the bed.

25. The foldout bed module of claim 19, comprising a storage module positioned in one of the wall spaces next to the bed.

26. The foldout bed module of claim 19, comprising a computer module positioned in one of the wall spaces next to the bed.