And Lower Body Portions Of User Supported By Adjustable Section Patents (Class 5/618)
  • Patent number: 6793232
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wheelchair for a patient comprising a support frame, at least two main wheels mounted on sides of the support frame and a seat base disposed upon the support frame. Alternatively, a stretcher topping may be mounted upon a laterally slidable storage compartment that may be affixed to the support frame. The stretcher topping includes a seat base assembly having a removable seat panel stacked upon a potty panel with an aperture formed therethrough and opening into the storage compartment. The potty panel allows for evacuation of the patient while resting in the wheelchair. The seat base and the stretcher topping are configured for selectively raising and lowering the patient between first and second levels. At least one security beam is disposed on the wheelchair and may be configured as a hand hold for steadying the patient when transferring onto and off of the seat base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: O-Matic Corp.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Wing
  • Patent number: 6789280
    Abstract: An articulated medical bed for supporting a person in articulated movement is disclosed. The bed comprises a main frame defining a base and an articulated support frame including an upper body section pivotally connected to the base, a seat section pivotally connected to the upper body section and a detachably mounted lower leg section pivotally connected to the seat section. An elongated link member pivotally connects the lower leg section to the base. A glide member is mounted on the seat section and supported for linear movement along the base whereby the seat section is supported for rocking movement about the glide member. A linear actuator is connected to the upper body section for simultaneously actuating the upper body section, seat section and lower leg section in articulated movement. A side rail is supported on the base and includes telescoping inner and outer horizontal rail members extending between vertical rail members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Gerald S. Paul
  • Patent number: 6791460
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a patient comprises a frame, a mattress supported by the frame, and a patient position detection system including an alarm and at least one sensor configured to detect a position of the patient relative to the mattress. The patient position detection system has at least three different modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Dixon, Douglas J. Menkedick, William L. Jacques, James W. Jones, James K. Findlay, Carl W. Riley
  • Patent number: 6789852
    Abstract: A footrest of a reclining chair has a footrest part pivoted to the seat, and an adjusting mechanism joined to the frame of the chair and the footrest part; the adjusting mechanism has a pivotal shaft supported on the frame, first and second controls in the form of a pedal connected with one end of the shaft, connecting rods pivoted to the footrest part and joined to the shaft, and a stopping member connected with the other end of the shaft for helping hold the footrest part in position; the first and the second controls are connected with the shaft such that the footrest part can be angularly displaced to, and secured in a stretched position by depressing the pedal portion of the first control, and such that the footrest part can be moved towards a retreated position by depressing the second control to angularly displace same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Chi-Tzung Huang
  • Publication number: 20040154097
    Abstract: A cantilevered mobile bed/chair apparatus for safely transferring a patient from and to a hospital type bed comprises three hinged together segments forming back, seat and foot platforms operating in conjunction with a four wheeled, rectangular base. The hinged together platforms convert from a fully adjustable chair mode to a bed mode by a first jack located beneath the seat platform. The platforms are raised and lowered by a second jack associated with a telescoping tower attached to an E frame. The telescoping tower is mounted vertically from one side of the rectangular base, and when extended, has a height greater than a hospital bed. The E frame, which supports the platforms, is cantilevered horizontally from the top portion of the telescoping tower, and the height thereof is controlled by the second jack mounted together with the bottom portion of the telescoping tower, to the wheeled base. The side edges of the platforms are beveled or angled downward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Jerry Blevins
  • Publication number: 20040148704
    Abstract: An articulating bed frame includes a main frame; a back section connected to the main frame by first and second linkage assemblies, each of the first and second linkage assemblies being pivotally connected at first and third ends to the back section and pivotally connected at opposing respective second and fourth ends to the main frame; an upper leg section connected to the main frame by a third linkage assembly and a support link assembly, the third linkage assembly being pivotally connected at opposing fifth and sixth ends to the upper leg section and the main frame, respectively, and the support link assembly being rigidly connected at a seventh end to the upper leg section and being slidably and pivotably connected at an opposing eighth end to the main frame; a seat section pivotally connected at opposing ends to the back section and the upper leg section; a lower leg section pivotally connected to the upper leg section and freely supported atop a forward end of the main frame; and, a drive assembly conne
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel R. Tekulve
  • Publication number: 20040148705
    Abstract: A bed having a base, a pedestal oriented between a top side of the base and a patient support deck to facilitate elevational movement of the support deck. The patient support deck includes a seat section which includes a deck plate. A pair of laterally spaced support brackets are provided on the patient support deck. Coupling elements are supported on each of the support brackets. Separate patient supporting devices are configured to operatively connect to a selected one of the two coupling elements is provided. A guideway is provided on each of the support brackets, the guideway supporting a frame and having a track thereon. A receptacle is mounted on the track and for movement relative to the frame, the receptacle being stowable beneath the deck plate and deployable so that the receptacle is oriented immediately below the perineal edge of the seat section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Stryker, Mike Hernandez, William Bleeker, Jeff Lewandowski
  • Patent number: 6763536
    Abstract: Support device can be adjusted by use of a motor and is used for the upholstery of a piece of furniture for sitting and/or laying upon, such as a mattress of a bed. A base may be provided with at least two relatively adjustable support components. The support device may have at least one drive unit detachably connected to the base and provided with a housing having a recess. A rotatably mounted shaft engages with the recess when the drive unit is assembled. The shaft engages with a support component to be adjusted and can be rotated by the drive unit. The drive unit is placed on the shaft from the support side so that the housing of the drive unit is arranged between the support components and the shaft. Thus, the support device has a lower profile than conventional support devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Cimosys AG
    Inventor: Eckhart Dewert
  • Publication number: 20040133983
    Abstract: A patient-support apparatus, such as a surgical table, includes a longitudinally-extending base supported on a floor and a longitudinally-extending deck supported above the base by first and second lift assemblies. The deck is articulatable to support a patient in selected positions. The lift assemblies are extendible in a vertical direction. The base is extendible in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: David C. Newkirk, Richard L. Borders, Richard H. Heimbrock
  • Publication number: 20040133982
    Abstract: In (&agr;, &bgr;) coordinates defined by a back angle &agr; and a knee angle &bgr;, a pattern that connects between a coordinate point (0, 0) at which each of a back bottom and a knee bottom is horizontal and a coordinate point (&agr;0, &bgr;0) which is a final reaching point for a back lift-up operation and at which the back bottom is lifted up by a plurality of points is set, an optimal pattern which provides less slipperiness and less oppressive feeling is acquired beforehand, and a control section moves the back bottom and the knee bottom along the optimal pattern. This reliably prevents a carereceiver from slipping, regardless of subjective judgment by an operator or a carer, at the time of performing a back lift-up operation and back lift-down operation of an electric bed. It is therefore possible to prevent pressure from being applied onto the abdominal region and chest region of the carereceiver, thus relieving the carereceiver and carer of the burden.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Paramount Bed Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Horitani, Hiroshi Nagaoka, Satoru Inoue
  • Publication number: 20040133979
    Abstract: According to an aspect of this disclosure, a surgical table is convertible from a general-purpose surgical table to an orthopedic surgical table. The surgical table includes a base module and a number of modular attachments that couple to the base module to configure the surgical table for various types of orthopedic surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: David C. Newkirk, Richard L. Borders, Richard H. Heimbrock
  • Patent number: 6754923
    Abstract: A surgical table apparatus is provided for supporting a patient before, during, or after a surgical procedure. The surgical table apparatus includes a base and a table top. The table top includes a body support section adapted to support the body of a patient and a leg support section adapted to support the legs of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Borders, Mark Graham, David C. Newkirk, Gary S. Siegle
  • Publication number: 20040103476
    Abstract: The invention provides an articulating bed frame, comprising a stationary base frame having a head end, a foot end, and opposed longitudinal members connecting the same, an articulated moving upper frame mounted on a carriage, having leg support portions and upper body support portions articulated to each other and supported on the carriage traveling in channels attached to the bed frame for longitudinal shifting of the support portions relative to the base frame and a mattress-supporting body attached to the upper frame, the mattress-supporting body being divided into at least a first portion including a body support sub-portion, a thigh support sub-portion and a lower leg support sub-portion, and a second head support portion, wherein the articulated movable frame is connected to linkages causing displacement of the head-support portion, at the neck area of the user, linearly and normal relative to the plane of the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: Hollandia International
    Inventor: Isaac Barcesat
  • Patent number: 6742205
    Abstract: An adjustable padding device for a piece of furniture used for sitting and/or lying upon. The device comprises at least one flat elastically deformable padding element and at least one adjustable supporting device with a base body for supporting the padding element in a flat manner. Adjusting element(s) are provided on the supporting device that are used to adjust the inclination and/or height of at least one part of the supporting device, whereby the padding element is attached to the supporting device and to the adjusting element(s) to form a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Cimosys AG
    Inventor: Eckhart Dewert
  • Patent number: 6742206
    Abstract: A nurse robot has a stand and a supporting assembly. The supporting assembly is mounted on the stand and has a seat, a backrest, a leg plate, step plate, a first driving device and a second driving device. The seat is attached to the stand. The backrest is pivotally attached to one end of the seat plate. The leg plate is pivotally attached to the other end of the seat. The step plate is pivotally attached to the other end of the leg plate. The first driving device is attached to the seat to drive the backrest and the leg plate to pivotally rotate relative to the seat. The second driving device is attached to the leg plate to drive the step plate to pivotally rotate relative to the leg plate. Accordingly, a patient can conveniently move to any desired place without any other person's help.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventor: Tai-Kang Han
  • Patent number: 6739003
    Abstract: There is disclosed a treatment table that has a footbath in the leg section. The treatment table can be positioned in many different configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: John M. Fanuzzi
  • Patent number: 6739004
    Abstract: A rotary actuator, in particular for adjustable articles of furniture, including beds or mattress supports, for incorporation in a structure for adjustment of an element in it, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventors: John Abrahamsen, Finn Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 6735797
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an adjustable bed system is contained within a truck sleeper compartment. The adjustable bed system includes: a base frame; an upper-body frame system and a lower-body frame system, with each frame system being pivotally attached at one end to the base frame and pivotable from a horizontal position to a position which is at an acute angle with the horizontal position; a first adjustable-linkage system adjustably connecting the upper-body frame system to the base frame; and a second adjustable-linkage system adjustably connecting the lower-body frame system to the base frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Thomas P. Long, Paul E. Pottschmidt, Jack E. Haley
  • Patent number: 6725479
    Abstract: A bed having a base, a pedestal oriented between a top side of the base and a patient support deck to facilitate elevational movement of the support deck. The patient support deck includes a seat section which includes a deck plate. A pair of laterally spaced support brackets are provided on the patient support deck. Coupling elements are supported on each of the support brackets. Separate patient supporting devices are configured to operatively connect to a selected one of the two coupling elements is provided. A guideway is provided on each of the support brackets, the guideway supporting a frame and having a track thereon. A receptacle is mounted on the track and for movement relative to the frame, the receptacle being stowable beneath the deck plate and deployable so that the receptacle is oriented immediately below the perineal edge of the seat section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Stryker, Mike Hernandez, Steve Smargiasso, William Bleeker, Jr., Jeff Lewandowski
  • Patent number: 6725474
    Abstract: A hospital bed is provided for support of a patient. The hospital bed may include a base, a movable patient support platform, and a foot rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Dale Foster, Ryan Anthony Reeder, John David Vogel
  • Publication number: 20040064891
    Abstract: A mechanical system for operating the back and knee bottom sections of a bed or the like in an interlocked manner, comprising a back lifting mechanism and a knee lifting mechanism connected with each other by an interlocking means, to ensure that they can be operated in such an interlocked manner that, halfway in the operation for inclining said back bottom section, said knee bottom section reaches the largest inclination angle, and that, before said back bottom section halfway in the action for inclination reaches the largest inclination, said knee bottom section returns to lie flat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Masao Horitani
  • Publication number: 20040060114
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting, and accommodating movement of patients with repetitive motion disorders. A chair of the present design will include a first sliding mechanism with carries a seat member along a range of motion relative to the over-all apparatus frame, and a second sliding mechanism for carrying the frame relative to a base. Either or both sliding mechanisms may be provided with shock absorbing or movement resistance features for further dampening a patient's movements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Robbie Allison, Paul Allison, Lisa Martinez
  • Publication number: 20040055087
    Abstract: A height adjustable bed includes a sliding hinge mechanism for attaching each of two articulated supports to wheeled bases. A linear actuator is connected between an actuating frame that is attached to each of the articulated supports and a horizontal linkage member that is attached to each of the articulated supports. Extension of the linear actuator raises the bed from a low position with assistance of a mechanical advantage provided by a fulcrum between the articulated support and the actuating frame that results from displacement of downward forces from the sliding hinge to the actuating frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Basic American Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John Edgerton
  • Publication number: 20040055088
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame and a deck carried on the frame. The deck includes longitudinally-spaced apart and transversely-extending back, seat, thigh and foot sections, with at least the back, thigh and foot sections articulated relative to the frame. A back section drive is coupled to the back section to raise and lower the back section. A thigh section drive coupled to the back section and the thigh section to initially raise and then lower the thigh section as the back section is raised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Richard H. Heimbrock, Jonathan D. Turner, Kenneth W. Meyer, Bernard F. Voegele
  • Patent number: 6708358
    Abstract: A bed assembly includes a base, a frame supported by the base, a deck supported by the frame, and a unit received in an opening formed in an upwardly-facing top surface of the deck so that the unit is accessible from the top side of the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Hensley
  • Publication number: 20040034935
    Abstract: A multiple level elevating cot adapted to be rolled into emergency vehicles, the cot having a wheeled undercarriage supporting a cot frame having a leading end and a trailing end, and adapted to selectively secure the cot frame in a plurality of elevational positions. The cot frame includes a pair of side extension arms provided between the leading end and the trailing end, each of the side extension arms being adapted to slidably extend outwardly from a stowed position adjacent the cot frame to an extended position substantially perpendicular to the cot frame. The cot frame may form a part of an integral stretcher or may serve as a carrier to which a separable top structure, such as a stretcher/stair chair, may be detachably secured, the cot frame including seats for slidably receiving the top structure and latching means for securing the top structure to the cot frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Richard H. Ferneau, Bret W. Smith, William H Benedict, Eugene VanDyne
  • Publication number: 20040034934
    Abstract: A universal adjustable bed is provided to accommodate twin, twin extra long, full extra long, queen, etc. adjustable beds through a single adjustable bed mechanism which can be accommodated in beds irrespective of the differences in sizes thereof. The adjustable bed mechanism includes headboard and footboard adjusting linkage mechanisms and drive mechanisms therefor with associated head, seat, thigh and foot boards, all unitized in a single assembly which can be “drop-in” assembled to an associated bed foundation. Significantly, the support frame includes locating or connecting points which correspond in transverse distances to like support points of the bed foundation irrespective of the width of the specific bed foundation. In this manner a single universal adjustable bed mechanism can be dropped-in and connected to an appropriate bed foundation to form a bed of virtually any conventional size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Adam Michael Weinman, Geman Borda
  • Patent number: 6694549
    Abstract: A patient support is provided having a frame, a deck positioned on the frame, and a mattress. The deck includes a deck section configured to move relative to the frame. The frame includes a recessed portion configured to receive the deck section during movement of the deck section relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Perez, Sohrab Soltani, James J. Romano
  • Patent number: 6687932
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjusting device which is provided for pivoting a pivotal element of a piece of furniture in relation to a fixed element of the same, said furniture being used in households, work areas and in health care fields. The inventive device comprises a retaining arm (16), an actuating drive (24) held on said retaining arm (16), and an actuating arm (26), whereby the retaining arm (16) and the actuating arm (26) can be moved in relation to one another by the actuating drive (24). The adjusting device (10) is held on the fixed element (18) via a free end of the retaining arm (16) and is held on the pivotal element (12) via a free end of the actuating arm (26). The actuating arm (26) is pivotally connected, via the end thereof situated opposite the free end, to the retaining arm (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Linator GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Bangert, Stefan Hessler, Ingo Uhlenhaut
  • Patent number: 6684427
    Abstract: A patient support is disclosed having an adjustable length deck and a mattress positionable on the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: E. David Allen, Kenneth L. Kramer, Peter M. Wukusick, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich, James M. C. Thomas, Paul M. McDaniel, III, Denis R. Zwink
  • Publication number: 20040016056
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of controlling the lifting of bottom sections of lying furniture such as a bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nagaoka, Masao Horitani, Satoru Inoue
  • Publication number: 20040010851
    Abstract: A coordinative control method for the back and knee bottom sections of a bed or the like, characterized in that when the back bottom section and the knee bottom section are operated in a coordinative manner, the back bottom section or the knee bottom section is actuated for adaptation to ensure that an action can be carried out based on a preset action pattern starting from the present state of positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nagaoka, Masao Horitani, Satoru Inoue
  • Publication number: 20040010850
    Abstract: A method of controlling the coordinative lifting of bottom sections of lying furniture such as a bed that has a back bottom section for lifting the back portion of a lying person and a knee bottom section for lifting his/her knee portion, in which the respective bottom sections can be lifted by the lifting mechanisms respectively provided for them, characterized in that when the back bottom section is pivotally rotated and lifted to be kept inclined from a flat state where all the bottom sections are kept down to lie flat, at first, the lifting of the knee bottom section is started, and that at a time instant adequately later than the time instant when the lifting of the knee bottom section is started, the lifting of the back bottom section is started to ensure that both the bottom sections are lifted up to the respectively preset positions in an coordinative manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nagaoka, Masao Horitani, Satoru Inoue
  • Patent number: 6679555
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a piece of furniture on which to lie or for sitting on with at least one swivel part (12, 14) that is pivotally attached, by way of a torsion bar (20, 22), to the piece of furniture on which to lie or for sitting on, with a housing (26) and with a bearing element (38, 40) accommodated in the housing (26) whereas the bearing element (38, 40) is provided with a recess (66, 68) that partially surrounds the torsion bar (20, 22) and in which the torsion bar (20, 22) may be introduced so that the adjusting device (24) is attached to the torsion bar (20, 22) with positive fit, and with an actuating drive (46, 48) that is accommodated in the housing (26) and acts on the torsion bar (20, 22). The bearing element is connected to the actuating drive (46, 48) which are slidably arranged in the housing (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventor: Christian Bangert
  • Publication number: 20030221258
    Abstract: A method of controlling the coordinative lifting of bottom sections of lying furniture such as a bed that has a back bottom section for lifting the back portion of a lying person and a knee bottom section for lifting his/her knee portion, in which the respective bottom sections can be lifted by the lifting mechanisms respectively provided for them, characterized in that the back bottom section is provided with an external force detecting means for detecting the external force in the sliding direction acting on the back of the lying person when the back bottom section is lifted while the knee bottom section is kept lifted, that when the back bottom section is pivotally rotated and lifted to be kept inclined from a flat state where all the bottom sections are kept down to lie flat, the knee bottom section is also adequately lifted, and that when the external force in the sliding direction acting on the back of the lying person, detected by said external force detecting means, has risen to a preset value, the kn
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nagaoka, Masao Horitani, Satoru Inoue
  • Publication number: 20030208845
    Abstract: The invention relates to profiling beds where sections of the bed can be raised or lowered for the benefit and comfort of the user of the bed. The object of the invention is to prevent a compression of the lower stomach of the user as sections of the bed are raised, an objective met by a construction comprising at least a head and upper body support hingedly connected to a frame, a seat support hingedly connected to the head and upper body support at one end and to the frame at the other, the hinged connections being such that as the head and upper body support is raised about its hinged connection to the base, the seat portion is lowered about its hinged connection to the frame, and the distance between said hinged connections in the longitudinal direction of the bed increasing as the said sections are simultaneously raised and lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Scott Paul Heaton
  • Patent number: 6643873
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame and a deck carried on the frame. The deck includes longitudinally-spaced apart and transversely-extending back, seat, thigh and foot sections, with at least the back, thigh and foot sections articulated relative to the frame. A back section drive is coupled to the back section to raise and lower the back section. A thigh section drive coupled to the back section and the thigh section to initially raise and then lower the thigh section as the back section is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Heimbrock, Jonathan D. Turner, Kenneth W. Meyer, Bernard F. Voegele
  • Patent number: 6640365
    Abstract: An adjustable electric bed includes several bedplates pivotally connected in sequence. One of the bedplates is movable together with a piston rod of an electric cylinder. Connecting elements are pivoted to respective ones of the other bedplates at first ends, and pivoted to a stationary base at second ends. When the piston rod moves, the connecting elements pivot on the bedplates and the base to prop up the bedplates in various positions. A first one of the connecting elements consists of pivotally connected upper and lower parts so that objects accidentally placed under the upper part cannot be damaged by the upper part in adjustment operation of the bed. The other connecting elements are each formed with an elongated hole for the pivotal connection so as not to damage objects or injure user's hands that are placed under them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Kuo-Heey Chang
  • Publication number: 20030177577
    Abstract: A bed frame arrangement which includes a fixed outer bed frame (1) and a movable inner bed frame (2), wherein the movable inner bed frame is displaceably mounted in the outer fixed bed frame (1) through the medium of elongate slide blocks that have a surface layer of low-friction material applied to at least one side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventor: Jan Wall
  • Publication number: 20030177580
    Abstract: A method of controlling the coordinative lifting of bottom sections of lying furniture such as a bed that has a back bottom section for lifting the back portion of a lying person and a knee bottom section for lifting his/her knee portion, in which the respective bottom sections can be lifted by the lifting mechanisms respectively provided for them, characterized in that a pressure detecting means is interposed between the back bottom section and the back of the lying person, and when the back bottom section is pivotally rotated and lifted to be kept inclined from a flat state where all the bottom sections are kept down to lie flat, the knee bottom section is also adequately lifted, wherein the knee bottom section is controlled to decline when the pressure applied from the back bottom section to the back of the lying person and detected by said pressure detecting means has increased to a preset value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nagaoka, Masao Horitani, Satoru Inoue
  • Patent number: 6618882
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a base, a frame coupled to the base, and a deck coupled to the frame. The frame includes a storage portion. The deck includes a head section, a seat section and first and second laterally spaced apart outer leg support sections adjacent the seat section. The seat section and the first and second outer leg support sections being configured to define a central opening therebetween. The apparatus also includes a removable center leg support configured for movement between a first position located within the central opening and coupled to the deck to provide a portion of the deck and a second storage position detached from the deck and located in the storage portion of the frame and below the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Heimbrock, Jonathan T. Turner
  • Patent number: 6584629
    Abstract: In a multifunctional bed in which a variable bed that can be changed into a wheelchair form is fitted in a U-shaped fixed bed, when a seat back portion of the variable bed is laid or raised, the variable bed may assume an unstable position, thus hindering a smooth form change. The present invention provides a multifunctional bed comprising a variable bed 3 that can be changed into a wheelchair form and a fixed bed 2 in which the variable bed 3 can be removably fitted, wherein a holding member is provided between the fixed bed 2 and the variable bed 3, for holding a vertical position of the variable bed 3 relative to the fixed bed 2, and the holding member comprises a vertical pair of guide rails 141, 143 disposed on a left and right inner side surfaces of a notched recess portion 20a of the fixed bed 2 formed so as to appear substantially U-shaped, and guide rollers 131, 133 disposed on both sides of a seat back portion 34 of the variable bed 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tsuji, Hisashi Kataoka, Hiroshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6578216
    Abstract: A bed construction wherein a sleep surface has at least one toroidal shaped section, a toroidal shaped main frame supporting the sleep surface, and a pair of opposing toroidal shaped legs supporting the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.
    Inventor: Jerome K. Aarestad
  • Publication number: 20030106154
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a bendable bottom member of a bed capable of being lifted in the back bottom member and/or the leg bottom member, etc, used for the bendable portion between the back region and the waist region and/or between the wasit region and the leg region, in which a plurality of bars are disposed side by side and connected bendably with each other to allow the whole extent of the connected bars to be shortened and extended and to be curved, so that it can be curved at a moderate curvature more suitable for the bending posture of a human body lying on the bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventor: Hiroshi Takeuchi
  • Bed
    Publication number: 20030093863
    Abstract: This invention relates to a bed for accommodating heavy persons. The bed is particularly for use in hospitals, where heavy patients have to be treated. The invention provides a bed comprising a frame; a central support section mounted on the frame; two opposite end support sections, one being a head section and the other being a foot section, each mounted for pivoting movement relative to the central section; and drive means for driving the end support sections for pivoting movement relative to the central section; wherein the foot section has a platform which extends at an angle to the plane of the section, and the foot section can pivot to a position where the platform is substantially at ground level. In a particularly preferred embodiment the central section is mounted for pivoting movement about a pivot axis at or near to its edge adjacent the foot section and further comprises drive means for driving the central support section for pivoting movement about said pivot axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: Medi-Plinth Healthcare Group Ltd.
    Inventor: Christopher John Grove
  • Publication number: 20030088920
    Abstract: A patient support is disclosed having an adjustable length deck and a mattress positionable on the deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: E. David Allen, Kenneth L. Kramer, Peter M. Wukusick, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich, James M.C. Thomas, Paul J. McDaniel, Dennis R. Zwink
  • Publication number: 20030079290
    Abstract: Support device can be adjusted by use of a motor and is used for the upholstery of a piece of furniture for sitting and/or laying upon, such as a mattress of a bed. A base may be provided with at least two relatively adjustable support components. The support device may have at least one drive unit detachably connected to the base and provided with a housing having a recess. A rotatably mounted shaft engages with the recess when the drive unit is assembled. The shaft engages with a support component to be adjusted and can be rotated by the drive unit. The drive unit is placed on the shaft from the support side so that the housing of the drive unit is arranged between the support components and the shaft. Thus, the support device has a lower profile than conventional support devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Eckhart Dewert
  • Publication number: 20030079289
    Abstract: A bariatric hospital bed with full feature capability to enhance the care and treatment of bariatric patients. Among the features are fully adjustable and retractable siderails, bed raise-and-lower features, head-up and leg-down features for converting to a seated position, as well as Trendelenburg and reverse-Trendelenburg features. An integral scale assembly and radioluscent capabilities with a built'in X-ray tray are also provided together with redundant, easy-access controls in a pendant as well as in both siderails. An improved footboard is also provided for use as both a foot-rest and a step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: JOHN H VRZALIK
  • Patent number: 6550087
    Abstract: A bed assembly includes a base, a frame supported by the base, a deck supported by the frame, and a unit received in an opening formed in an upwardly-facing top surface of the deck so that the unit is accessible from the top side of the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Hensley
  • Publication number: 20030061661
    Abstract: A support apparatus includes a base, a frame coupled to the base, and a mattress supported by the frame. The apparatus also includes a coupler for coupling a power pack to one of the base, the frame and the mattress. The power pack is pivotable between a first area substantially underneath the frame and a second area substantially outside the first area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Borders, David C. Newkirk