BED ASSEMBLY
A bed assembly (10) includes a frame (22) which supports four mattress support panels (50-56) which are able to move with pivoting of the various parts of the frame (22). The frame (22) is formed with a plurality of transverse struts (40) which depend from the frame (22). The mattress support panels (50-56) are releasably supported on the struts (40). The panels (50-56) can thus be removed to gain access to the bed components below the platform (20). The frame (22) presents substantially vertical side wall to accommodate a variety of mattresses, including mattresses not specifically designed for the bed (10).
The present invention relates to a bed assembly and to a configurable bed platform or frame.
Modern hospital beds are generally designed to be configurable into a variety of profiles. Typically, they are provided with a plurality of sections which can be tilted or otherwise moved to change a patient's position on the bed. For example, they are usually provided with a back rest section which can pivot from a substantially flat position to a raised sitting position, with a thigh rest section which can be pivoted from a substantially flat position to a knee raised position, and with leg rest section coupled to the thigh rest section and able to be raised with the thigh rest section while keeping the feet in a lower position or while keeping the feet in a raised position.
Beds having such a configurable platform are well known in the art and generally work satisfactorily. However, they often require the use of a specialised mattress designed specifically for that platform. This limits the variety of mattresses to those available from the bed manufacturer or other specialist supplier and does not allow for a user to select other mattresses not specifically designed for the bed.
Furthermore, bed assemblies of this type are becoming increasingly complex, leading to the need to maintain and service an increasing number of components. It is often difficult to gain access to these components, leading to more time consuming and labour intensive servicing.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved bed assembly and configurable platform or frame.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mattress support platform for a bed assembly including a frame provided with internal side walls which provide substantially vertical mattress holding side surfaces, a plurality of support elements coupled to the frame for supporting a plurality of mattress support panels and depending from the frame, and a plurality of hinges on the frame allowing the platform to be configured into a plurality of shapes.
The provision of a frame with substantially vertical mattress holding side surfaces can in practice allow any mattress of complementary dimensions to be supported in the frame, even a mattress which does not fit precisely into the internal space of the frame. Moreover, it is not necessary to use a mattress with particular structural features, as is the case with a number of existing hospital beds. Thus, virtually any mattress could be used, dependent upon the needs of the patient and the wishes of the user. This can be particularly important when it is deemed a patient would benefit from a particular mattress type not supplied by the bed supplier.
The frame preferably provides substantially vertical mattress holding side surfaces around the entire of a mattress reception area of the bed.
The hinges are preferably of a type which have a profile which substantially matches the profile of the remainder of the frame structure, thereby to present a substantially smooth frame, not requiring particular coverings or other measures to protect the patient and staff from sharp profiles and to cover possible areas which can collect dirt and germs.
The frame is preferably formed of struts which have a rounded rectangular outer shape in transverse cross-section. Such a shape provides substantially vertical side walls while still retaining a smooth profile. Other shapes could be used, such as a D-shape, in which the straight portion of the D-shape is located on the inside surfaces of the frame. It is also possible to use struts which are circular or oval in cross-section because these would still provide vertical mattress support surfaces but such shapes are not preferred.
The holding elements are preferably a plurality of transverse struts extending transversally between two opposing side struts of the frame and depending therefrom. Holding elements of this type provide, when the mattress support panels are removed, a substantially unimpeded path to the components of the bed assembly below the platform, which can considerably facilitate servicing of these components as described, for example, in the applicant's co-pending British patent applications filed the same day as the present application.
In the preferred embodiment, the frame is extendable. Advantageously, this is achieved by providing at one end of the frame, usefully the foot end, a telescopic arrangement of extension struts which slide within the frame struts at that end of the frame.
The hinges and depending support elements provide a pivoting arrangement which can increase a separation between adjacent mattress support elements and thus panels when one of the sections is pivoted upwardly, having the effect of lengthening the mattress support area to follow better the stretching of a patient's back during such action. They can also provide for a shortening of a separation between adjacent mattress support elements and thus panels when one of the sections is pivoted downwardly. These features Are described in detail in the following description and covered in the applicant's co-pending British patent application number 0523168.3 filed the same day as the present application.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mattress support platform for a bed assembly including a frame and a plurality of transverse support struts coupled to the frame for holding a plurality of mattress support panels and depending from the frame, and a plurality of hinges on the frame for allowing the frame to be configured into a plurality of shapes.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bed assembly including a platform as specified herein.
Embodiments of the present invention are disclosed below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to
The platform 20 is provided with a frame 22 formed, in this embodiment, of four frame sections 24, 26, 28 and 30 which are coupled to one another by means of hinged joints 32, 34 and 36. The frame 22 is typically made of metal or a metal alloy.
Each frame section 24-30 is provided with an upper frame member having substantially vertical inner side walls 38 (better seen in
The hinges 32, 34 and 36 are provided in the upper frame members 24-30 and enable the frame members to pivot relative to one another about the hinges 32-36, as will be apparent from a consideration of
As can be seen in
At least some of the mattress support panels 50-56 are preferably removable and advantageously made of blow mouldings from any suitable plastics material. The panels 50-56 are rigid.
Cut-outs 60 in the panels 50-56 provide handles for easy removal of the panels 50-56 from the bed 10 and for their handling. There are preferably also provided snap fittings 55 (some of which are visible in
Referring now to
The various sections 24-30 of the frame 22 can be moved in the manner shown by means of one or more actuators provided in the bed assembly 10. The actuators are well known in the art, as is the type of control system used to control them, so they will not be described in further detail herein.
The bed sections 24-30 and actuators allow the bed to be reconfigured from the lying position shown in
Referring now to
The transverse struts 40 which depend from the frame 22 are clearly visible in this Figure. They are provided in number and in location where support is needed for the mattress support panels 50-56 and which allow good access to the bed components underlying the platform 20, as will be more apparent from a consideration of
The back rest section 30, the thigh rest section 26 and the leg rest section 24 are also provided with longitudinally extending strengthening struts 41 between two adjacent transverse struts 40.
It is preferred that the transverse struts 40 are generally rectangular in cross-section as this provides a secure coupling with the snap fasteners provided on the underside of the mattress support panels 50-56.
Referring now to
First and second latches or locks 120 are provided for locking each rod 112 in either the retracted or in the extended positions. The latches 120 could simply be sprung pins fitting into appropriate apertures or bores in the rods 112, 114 or could be screw locks which tighten against the rods 112. The type of latch or lock is not important.
Referring now to
When the bed is in a flat position, depicted by the solid lines in
On the other hand, when the support panel 50 is pivoted to a raised patient sitting position as shown in
There are two primary factors which cause the increase in the distance between the two end walls 62, 66. The first is the curvature of the panels 50, 52 and the fact that the pivoting point is at the sides of the panel. The centre of the panels 50, 52 are substantially below the sides, thereby causing this increase in distance during the pivoting motion. The second factor is that the pivot 32 is raised above even the highest points of the panels 50, 52 (that is above their raised sides) which causes additional movement away from the panel 52 including at the ends 70.
This increase in spacing is advantageous because when a person moves from a lying position to a sitting position the person stretches at the point of bending (that is between the patient's back and lower thighs). Thus, this arrangement follows the extension of the person and therefore makes it much more comfortable to a patient. Prior art beds, which have the pivot points substantially at the level of the mattress support sections and which have mattress support sections which are substantially flat, do not benefit from this increase in spacing between the sections and therefore from any increase in the effective length of the mattress support base. They can provide a pinching effect on the patient.
The reader will appreciate that the two factors mentioned above could be provided independently of one another, although with reduced lengthening effect.
There is an other advantageous feature of this structure of the platform 20, this being at the thigh section 54. As can be seen in
Referring now to
The patient retention panel 80 is coupled to the frame member 30 forming the back rest section of the bed 10 and is able to move therewith, as will be apparent in particular from
As is best appreciated from
As shown in particular in
In this embodiment, the keypad unit 100 is provided with a protruding member 102 which extends beyond the general outer perimeter of the patient support panel 80 and in a direction towards the foot end of the bed 10. The unit 100 is fifted to the patient retention panel 80 so as to move with that panel upon movement of the back rest section 30, 50, in such a manner that it maintains its position relative to the backrest section 30, 50 and hence relative to a patient lying on the bed 10. The unit 100 is located so as to be easily accessible by a patient on the bed by means of the patient's hand at that side of the bed, as shown in particular in
As can also be seen in
The keypad which would be provided in the unit 100 is of a type equivalent to the keypads already used in such beds and therefore is not described in any further detail herein.
Referring in particular to
The preferred structure of the keypad unit 100 facilitates the assembly of the unit 100 to the bed 10 and also enables its easy replacement in case the keypad is in some way damaged during use or shipping.
Claims
1. A mattress support platform for a bed assembly including a frame provided with internal side walls which provide substantially vertical mattress holding side surfaces, a plurality of support elements coupled to the frame for supporting a plurality of mattress support panels and depending from the frame, and a plurality of hinges on the frame allowing the platform to be configured into a plurality of shapes.
2. A mattress support platform according to claim 1, wherein the frame provides substantially vertical mattress holding side surfaces around the entirety of a mattress reception area of the bed.
3. A mattress support platform according to claim 1, wherein the hinges have a profile which substantially matches the profile of the remainder of the frame structure.
4. A mattress support platform according to claim 1, wherein the frame is formed of struts which have a rounded rectangular outer shape in transverse cross-section.
5. A mattress support platform according to claim 1, wherein the support elements are a plurality oftransverse struts extending transversally between two opposing side struts of the frame and depending therefrom.
6. A mattress support platform according to claim 1, wherein the frame is extendable.
7. A mattress support platform according to claim 6, wherein there is provided at one end of the frame a telescopic arrangement of extension struts which slide within corresponding frame struts.
8. A mattress support platform according to claim 1, wherein the hinges and depending support elements provide a pivoting arrangement which can increase a separation between adjacent mattress support elements, and thus any panels supported thereon, when one of the sections is pivoted upwardly.
9. A mattress support platform according to claim 1, wherein the hinges and depending support elements provide a pivoting arrangement which can reduce a separation between adjacent mattress support elements, and thus any panels supported thereon, when one of the sections is pivoted downwardly.
10. A mattress support platform for a bed assembly including a frame and a plurality of transverse support struts coupled to the frame for holding a plurality of mattress support panels and depending from the frame, and a plurality ofhinges on the frame for allowing the frame to be configured into a plurality of shapes.
11. A mattress support platform according to claim 10, wherein the frame provides substantially vertical mattress holding side surfaces around the entire of a mattress reception area of the bed.
12. A mattress support platform according to claim 10, wherein the hinges have a profile which substantially matches the profile ofthe remainder ofthe frame structure
13. A mattress support platform according to claim 10, wherein the struts have a rounded rectangular outer shape in transverse cross-section.
14. A mattress support platform according to claim 10, wherein the frame is extendable.
15. A mattress support platform according to claim 14, wherein there is provided at one end ofthe frame a telescopic arrangement of extension struts which slide within corresponding frame struts.
16. (canceled)
17. A mattress support platform for a bed assembly, the mattress support platform including a frame having:
- a. two or more frame sections, each frame section including: (1) opposing side walls extending lengthwise across the bed assembly, (2) one or more struts extending between the side walls across the width ofthe bed assembly, wherein at least a substantial portion ofthe top surface of each strut is situated below the top of the side walls, whereby the side walls define mattress-holding side surfaces for a mattress resting on the struts;
- b. hinges situated between the side walls ofthe frame sections, the hinges allowing pivoting of the frame sections about axes extending across the width of the bed assembly.
18. The mattress support platform of claim 17 wherein the hinges are situated above the top surfaces of the struts.
19. The mattress support platform of claim 17 further including two or more support panels, each support panel:
- a. being received within one of the frame sections;
- b. having a lower support panel surface resting atop the top surfaces of the struts within the frame section; and
- c. having an upper support panel surface which is concavely depressed across the width of the bed assembly.
20. The mattress support platform of claim 17 further including two or more support panels, each support panel:
- a. being received within one of the frame sections;
- b. having a lower support panel surface resting atop the struts within the frame section;
- c. having an upper support panel surface situated below the top of the sidewalls ofthe frame section wherein the support panel is received.
21. The mattress support platform of claim 17 further including two or more support panels, each support panel:
- a. being received within one of the frame sections;
- b. having a lower support panel surface bearing one or more depressions therein, wherein the struts within the frame section receiving the support panel are received within the depressions.
22. The mattress support platform of claim 17 further including two or more support panels, each support panel:
- a. being received within one of the frame sections;
- b. having a lower support panel surface which removably snap-fits onto the struts within the frame section.
23. The mattress support platform of claim 17 wherein:
- a. the frame sections include: (1) a back rest section, (2) a seat rest section adjacent the back rest section, (3) a thigh rest section adjacent the seat rest section, and (4) a leg rest section adjacent the seat rest section;
- b. each section includes a support panel received therein, the panel including a lower support panel surface fixed against translation atop the struts within the frame section, wherein the panels of the sections are bounded by panel edges;
- wherein:
- (1) when the back rest section is pivoted with respect to the seat rest section from: (a) an orientation wherein the panel ofthe back rest section is at least substantially parallel to the panel of the seat rest section, to (b) an orientation wherein the panel ofthe back rest section is inclined upwardly with respect to the panel of the seat rest section,
- the spacing between the panel edges ofthe panel ofthe back rest section and the panel of the seat rest section increases; and
- (2) when the leg rest section is pivoted with respect to the thigh rest section from: (a) an orientation wherein the panel of the leg rest section is at least substantially parallel to the panel of the thigh rest section, to (b) an orientation wherein the panel ofthe leg rest section is inclined downwardly with respect to the panel of the thigh rest section,
- the spacing between the panel edges ofthe panel of the leg rest section and the panel of the thigh rest section decreases.
24. The mattress support platform of claim 17 wherein:
- a. the frame sections include: (1) a back rest section, (2) a seat rest section adjacent the back rest section, and (3) a thigh rest section adjacent the seat rest section,
- b. each section includes a support panel received therein, the panel including a lower support panel surface situated atop the struts within the frame section, wherein the panels ofthe sections are bounded by panel edges;
- wherein:
- (1) the panel edge ofthe seat rest section situated closest to the thigh rest section is convexly contoured toward the thigh rest section across the width of the bed assembly;
- (2) the panel edge ofthe thigh rest section situated closest to the seat rest section is concavely contoured away from the seat rest section across the width of the bed assembly.
25. The mattress support platform of claim 17 wherein:
- a. the frame sections include: (1) a back rest section, (2) a seat rest section adjacent the back rest section, and (3) a thigh rest section adjacent the seat rest section,
- b. each section includes a support panel received therein, the panel being situated above the struts within the frame section, wherein the panels of the sections are bounded by panel edges;
- wherein the panel edge of the thigh rest section between the thigh rest section and the seat rest section is spaced along the length ofthe bed assembly away from the hinges situated between the side walls of the thigh rest section and the seat rest section.
26. The mattress support platform of claim 17 wherein one or more ofthe frame sections has opposing side walls which are extensible, whereby the length of the frame section may be increased.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 17, 2006
Publication Date: May 7, 2009
Inventors: Stephen Hayes (West Midlands), Stephen Hollyoak (West Midlands)
Application Number: 11/995,971
International Classification: A47C 19/00 (20060101); A47B 7/00 (20060101); A61G 7/002 (20060101);