Abstrict An adjustable bed is particularly adapted for the care of morbidly
obese patients and comprises a ground engaging frame with a mattress
support including a head section, a center section and a foot section
which are hingedly interconnected and have power devices which selectively
drive lift arms to raise and lower the head and foot sections relative
to the center section. To confine the patient on the bed, outwardly
swingable side arms are pivotally connected to the center section
and have catches to selectively lock the side arm in an upright
position against the center section. The side arms are also lockable
in an outwardly swung position and bolsters are set between the
side arm and the mattress to provide additional restive area for
the patient.
Claims What is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:
1. An adjustable bed comprising:
(a) a ground engaging frame;
(b) a mattress support including a head section, a center section,
and a foot section, each section being pivotally interconnected
and having opposite sides;
(c) said center section being mounted to said frame with said head
and foot sections swingably attached to said center section for
respective relative raising and lowering;
(d) a sidearm having one end pivotally attached to said center
section at a side thereof and having a pivot connection with rotation
locking means to selectively position said sidearm in an upright
position against said center section and an outwardly swung position
in an upwardly inclined relation to said center section;
(e) said sidearm having a remote end adapted for providing support
to confine a patient on said bed and to provide additional restive
area when in said outwardly swung position;
(f) said sidearm pivot connection including a bearing support member
and a pivot pin extending through said sidearm one end and said
bearing support;
(g) said bearing support having at least two catch portions thereon;
and
(h) a catch arm affixed to said side arm and having an end portion
receivable in a selected one said catch portion for maintaining
said side arm in a selected one of said upright position and outwardly
swung position.
2. The bed set forth in claim 1 including:
(a) panel members of X-ray passive material respectively mounted
atop said head, center and foot sections and;
(b) spacer members respectively extending between said head, center
and foot sections and mounting said panel members thereabove, thereby
retaining a space therebetween for insertion of X-ray film material.
3. The bed set forth in claim 2 including:
(a) expansible spacer members extending between said foot section
and the panel member therewith and;
(b) said expansible spacer members providing for positioning the
panel member a considerable distance above said foot member for
elevation of the legs of a patient.
4. The bed set forth in claim 3 wherein:
(a) said expansible spacer members include a scissor arrangement
comprising pivotally joined, crossing legs.
5. The bed set forth in claim 1 including:
(a) foot rest members slidably mounted to said foot section for
adjustment to the length of a patient and;
(b) said foot rest members having swingably mounted foot support
portions rotatable over said foot section from the opposite sides
of said foot section.
6. The bed set forth in claim 1 wherein:
(a) said side arm one end is bifurcated and has spaced yoke end
portions;
(b) said bearing support is received between said yoke end portions;
and
(c) said pivot pin extends through said yoke end portions and said
bearing support.
7. The bed set forth in claim 1 wherein:
(a) said catch portions are transverse grooves extending across
said bearing support, said grooves respectively having a flat bottom
portion and spaced sidewalls to bear against said catch arm end
portion.
8. The bed set forth in claim 1 including:
(a) a pair of said side arms mounted on each of said sides and;
(b) a rail member extending between and affixed to the respective
remote ends of said side arms.
9. The bed set forth in claim 1 wherein:
(a) said catch portions are circumferentially spaced grooves formed
in a peripheral surface of said bearing support and extend parallel
to said pivot pin.
10. An adjustable bed for obese patients comprising:
(a) a heavy duty, ground engaging frame having wheels mounted thereto
for movement over a floor surface;
(b) a central pedestal mounted atop said frame;
(c) a mattress support including head, center and foot sections
having opposite sides and hinges swingably interconnecting said
sections;
(d) said central pedestal supporting said center section a distance
above said frame for respective raising and lowering of said head
and foot sections relative to said center section;
(e) panel members of X-ray passive material mounted to said head,
center and foot sections and positioned a distance thereabove by
spacer members for insertion of X-ray film material;
(f) expansible spacer members extending between said foot section
and the panel member thereabove for elevation of the legs of a patient;
(g) foot rests slidably mounted to said foot section for adjustment
to the length of a patient and having swingably mounted foot plates
rotatable over said foot section from the opposite sides of said
foot section;
(h) spaced sidearms on respective sides of said center section
and each having a pivot connection including a bearing support affixed
to said center section with at least two catch portions thereon,
and sidearm end portions swingably connected thereto;
(i) a catch arm mounted to each of said sidearms and having an
end portion receivable in a selected one of said catch portions
to position said sidearms in an outwardly swung position in an upwardly
inclined relation to said center section and;
(j) said sidearms each having remote end portions with rail members
affixed thereto and extending parallel to said center section, said
rail members providing support in said upright position to confine
a patient in said bed and to provide additional restive area in
said outwardly swung position.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to adjustable beds, and in particular to
an adjustable bed specifically adapted for the care of morbidly
obese patients.
The morbidly obese patient; that is, one who weighs over twice
as much as his or her maximum recommended body weight faces particular
problems in hospital care and management. Such patients typically
weigh between 300 and 700 pounds and existing hospital beds are
typically not sufficiently sturdy to support such bulk. Because
of excessive weight, the morbidly obese patient is often subject
to a variety of associated health problems and may be unable to
move from the bed without assistance. The bed thus becomes, in effect,
a semi-permanent home in which the patient eats, sleeps, reads,
watches television, and the like.
Because it is so difficult to transfer such patients from their
beds to patient transport carts, X-ray tables and the like, the
patients are preferably transported in their beds to health care
subfacilities.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The principle objects of the present invention are: to provide
an adjustable bed specifically adapted for use by morbidly obese
patients; to provide such a bed of great structural rigidity and
strength to accomodate patients weighing between 300 and 700 pounds;
to provide such a bed having means for adjusting a mattress and
mattress support in various positions and attitudes for patient
comfort and treatment; to provide such a bed which is easily movable
from hospital rooms to corridors and health care facility rooms
while with the patient thereon, and back again to the patient's
room; to provide such a bed having a portable power means therewith
for powered operation of associated life support systems for the
patient; to provide such a bed having X-ray transparent panels thereon
providing an area for insertion of X-ray film material to accomodate
X-raying the patient while on the bed; to provide such a bed which
accomodates an overhead traction frame for exercise by the patient
and to assist in lifting the patient; to provide such a bed having
a foldable foot rest therewith for comfort of the patient; to provide
such a bed having a foldable step arrangement at the end of a foot
section to facilitate movement onto and off of the bed by a patient;
to provide such a bed having side arms pivotally connected to the
bed and outwardly swingable and having an upright position against
the center section to confine a patient on the bed; to provide such
a bed having the side arm thereof seletively positionable in an
outwardly swung position upwardly inclined relative to the center
section to provide additional restive area for a patient on the
bed; and to provide such a bed which is economical to manufacture,
efficient and sturdy in use, and particularly well adapted for the
proposed use.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent
from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example,
a certain embodiment of this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable bed embodying the
present invention and with a morbidly obese patient reclining thereon.
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the adjustable bed with head
and foot sections in a first movement position.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the adjustable bed with head
and foot sections in a second movement position.
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the adjustable bed with head
and foot sections in a third movement position.
FIG. 5 is a top plan fragmentary view of the adjustable bed showing
details thereof.
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of a foot section of the adjustable
bed and showing an arrangement for raising a foot panel portion.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an adjustment motor means
for tilting the head and foot sections.
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the adjustable bed taken
along lines 8--8 FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the side arm of the bed.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along lines 10--10
FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a greatly enlarged view of the pivot connection between
the side arm and the bed.
FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along lines 12--12 FIG. 11 and
showing the side arm in a first rotational position.
FIG. 13 is a sectional view after FIG. 12 and showing the side
arm pivot connection in a second rotational position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention is
disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed
embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied
in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional
details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting,
but merely as a basis for the claims, and as a representative basis
for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
Referring to the drawings in more detail:
For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper",
"lower", "right", "left", "rear",
"front", "vertical", "horizontal",
and derivitives thereof, shall relate to the invention as oriented
in FIG. 1 however, it is to be understood that the invention may
assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly
specified to the contrary.
The reference numeral 1 generally designates an adjustable bed
embodying the present invention. The adjustable bed 1 comprises
a floor engaging frame 2 and a mattress support 3 having a head
section 4 center section 5 and a foot section 6 pivotally interconnected.
Foot rests 7 provide patient comfort and a foldable foot step arrangement
8 facilitates ease of entry and exit from the bed 1.
Side arms 9 are pivotally connected to opposite sides of the center
section 5 and include rotation locking means at positions to provide
support to confine a patient 10 on the bed and to selectively provide
additional restive area.
The frame 2 is a stationary, ground engaging structure adapted
to support the patient 10 and the mattress support 3 above the ground
or floor surface. In the illustrated example, the frame 2 includes
a pair of parallel, longitudinally extending side rails 13 and 14
which are interconnected at the head of the frame by a laterally
extending cross member 15. End posts 16 are affixed to opposite
ends of the side rails 13 and 14 and have wheels 17 pivotally affixed
to lower ends thereof. The wheels 17 are preferably provided with
brakes 18 to selectively prevent inadvertent movement over the floor
surface. Upright end members 19 have open lower ends which telescope
over the end posts 16 and have upper ends with hand holds 20 affixed
thereto to facilitate movement of the bed 1 as when wheeling the
bed from room to room and through corridors and the like for movement
of the patient 10.
Upper ends of the end members 19 are preferably provided with spring
loaded end caps 22 which depress to provide access to the open interior
of the respective end member 19 for insertion of an overhead traction
frame 23 FIG. 4. The traction frame 23 has a lift mechanism 24
for exercise of the patient or to assist and ease the patient into
and off of the bed. Alternatively, intravenous administration equipment
supports (not shown) may be inserted in the end members 19.
Transverse cross braces 26 and 27 extend between the side rails
13 and 14 at medial locations for mounting the mattress support
3. A platform 29 FIG. 8 extends between the side rails 13 and
14 headwardly of the cross brace 27 for support of a battery pack
means described below.
As best shown in FIG. 5 each of the sections 4 5 and 6 of the
mattress support 3 has a generally rectangular shape, and includes
a rigid, peripheral frame 30 such as of angle beam elements with
interconnected end and side members 31 and 32. A flat plate or sheet
33 overlies each of the peripheral frames 30 and is attached thereto
by suitable fasteners, and preferably by means which will not interfere
with the comfort of the bed, such as welds disposed along the frame
30 on the interior side or bottom of the sheet 33. Each of the mattress
sections 4 5 and 6 also includes a medial brace member 35 extending
between the end members 31 of the respective frames 30.
In the illustrated example, hold downs 37 such as for restraining
straps (not shown) to prevent harm to the patient are affixed to
each of the side members 32 of the peripheral frame 30 of the head
section 4 and the foot section 6.
The adjacent end members 31 of adjoining sections 4 5 and 6 are
reinforced by angle beams 39 FIG. 8 for additional structural
rigidity. The angle beams 39 are L-shaped in cross section and have
one web disposed against the end member 31 and the other web contacting
the bottom side of the flat plate or sheet 33 and extending along
the end edge thereof. The adjacent frame end edges of the head section
4 and foot section 6 are interconnected to the center section 5
by respective piano hinges 41. Outwardly extending hinge plates
42 extend over a portion of the end of the flat plate or sheet 33
and have fasteners extending therethrough and securing the hinge
plates 42 to the associated web portions of the angle beams 39.
The entire interconnected mattress support 3 is positioned above
the frame 2 by spaced pedestals 44 and 45 FIG. 8 each including
an upright plate portion 46 and opposite side gussets 47. The upper
edge of the plate portion 46 is secured throughout most of the length
thereof to the flat plate or sheet 33 of the center section 5 thereby
supporting the mattress support 3 a distance above the frame 2 for
positioning the patient 10 at a normal bed height and permitting
downward swinging or lowering of the foot section 6 to a sufficient
angle for comfort. Spaced lift means 50 respectively extend between
the frame 2 and the head and foot sections 4 and 6 for tilting the
head and foot sections 4 and 6 with respect to the center section
5. In the illustrated example, each lift means 50 includes a motor
51 rotatably driving a jack screw 52. The illustrated motor 51 is
operable in either rotational direction. One end of the helical
jack screw 52 is mounted in a transmission 53 FIG. 7 and is operably
connected therewith whereby activation of the electric motor 51
rotates the screw 52. The other end of the screw 52 is threadably
connected in an elongate sleeve member 54 having a plurality of
anti-friction balls mounted on the interior portion thereof which
engage the root of the screw 52 for smooth, secure engagement therewith.
Rotation of the screw 52 in one direction pulls the sleeve 54 convergingly
toward the motor 51 and rotation of the screw in the opposite direction
pushes the sleeve divergingly apart from the motor. Pin and clevis
hinge connections 55 respectively at opposite ends of the lift means
50 connect the motor 51 to the respective cross brace 26 or 27 and
the end of the sleeve member 54 to the frame brace member 35. Thus,
operation of the respective lift means 50 at the head and foot sections
4 and 6 causes same to pivot about the respective hinges 41 and
move either upwardly or downwardly as selected. Each motor 51 and
transmission 53 include internal braking means whereby the jack
screw 52 is nonrotatable in the transmission 53 except when the
motor 51 is actuated. Each of the motors 51 is electrically connected
with a circuit arrangement for selectively activating each of the
motors and controlling the direction of rotation thereof. Preferably,
each motor is activated by current of 12 volts DC. A hand held switching
controller 57 is provided for operation of the motors 51 and has
push button switches 58 therein for manipulation.
A battery pack 60 is positioned on one end of the platform 29 and
connected by suitable circuitry to a battery charger. Switches activated
by the controller 57 route electricity to the motors 51 for activation
thereof. An outlet socket associated with the battery pack 60 permits
battery powered operation of life support systems such as resuscitators
and the like. A diagnostic indicator panel in a battery pack cover
member 61 provides indication of battery charging and battery low
voltage levels and additionally may include a buzzer for emission
of a tone to indicate inadvertent disconnection of the battery pack
60 from a wall socket. If life support equipment, such as a resuscitator
has electrical circuit lines thereof routed through the battery
pack 60 such a buzzer would announce disconnection from the building
power supply.
To permit the taking of X-ray photographs of the patient 10 while
the patient is on the bed 1 provision is made for placement of
X-ray film material between the head, center and foot sections 4
5 and 6 and the patient 10 whereby the metal material of the sections
4 5 and 6 does not interfere with the X-ray photograph. In the
illustrated example, panel members 63 of X-ray passive material,
such as wood particle board are mounted in overlying relation to
the respective head, center and foot sections 4 5 and 6 and positioned
a distance thereabove by spacers 64 thereby creating a cavity 65
between the panel members 63 and the associated section 4 5 or
6. The spacers 64 are arranged to provide unimpeded access to the
cavity 65 for insertion of X-ray film material such as cassettes
(not shown) for X-ray examination of thoracic, abdominal and leg
regions.
Expansible spacers 67 are positioned between the panel member 63
and the underlying foot section 6 to permit elevated positioning
of the patient's legs. In the illustrated example, FIG. 6 the expansible
spacers 67 include leg members 68 and 69 fixed together at a pivot
70 in a scissor jack arrangement. A lower end 71 of the leg 68 and
an upper end 72 of the leg 69 are pivotally connected at fixed locations
respectively to the foot section plate or sheet 33 and the panel
member 63. An upper end 74 of the leg 68 is pivotally connected
in a sliding hinge 75 to the lower surface of the panel member 63.
A lower end 76 of the leg 69 has a roller 77 mounted thereon. The
roller 77 is selectively engageable with a stop block 79 normally
in the path of travel of the roller 77. The stop block 79 has an
inclined ramp surface 80 on an upper portion thereof.
To elevate the panel member 63 of the foot section 6 from a down
position, FIG. 3 to an up position, FIG. 2 the panel member 63
is grasped and pulled upwardly, urging the roller 77 over the ramp
surface 80. The panel member 63 is then released so that the roller
77 rolls toward and engages the stop block 79 to prevent further
movement, thereby positioning the panel member 63 in an upward or
extended position. To return the panel member 63 to a lowered position,
the panel member 63 is merely grasped and tilted to the left, FIG.
6 to draw the roller 77 upwardly and over the stop block 79 whereupon
the panel member 63 can be lowered.
The foot rests 7 are provided for comfort of the patient 10 when
the foot section 6 is in a downwardly tilted position, FIGS. 3 and
4. The foot rests 7 include a support structure 82 and rotatable
foot members 83. The support structure 82 has a cross bar 84 extending
transversely underneath the foot section 7 and arm members 85 connected
to opposite ends thereof and extending upwardly of the panel member
63 and any mattress and placed thereon. Respective pins 86 extending
upwardly from the arm members 85 provide a rotatable connection
for the foot members 83 which are in the form of plates and have
an upholstered surface for comfort. As shown in connection with
FIG. 5 the foot members 83 are swingable on the pins 86 from a
position over the foot section 6 to a stowed position aligned longitudinally
forwardly or rearwardly with the bed.
Preferably, the foot rests 7 are adjustable longitudinally on the
foot section 6 to adapt to the length of a particular patient 10
and in the illustrated example, have a spring loaded engagement
pin 87 with a pawl end (not shown) extending through the lower portion
of each arm member 85 and engageable with a selected one of a series
of apertures 88 in the side members 32 of the frame 30 of the foot
section 6. To adjust the foot section 7 to the height or length
of a particular patient, the spring loaded engagement pins 87 of
each arm member 85 are grasped and pulled outwardly and the foot
rests 7 slid toward the head or foot end as necessary. Once properly
positioned, the engagement pins 87 are released to snap into apertures
generally aligned thereunder and thereby lock the foot rests 7 into
position.
The foldable foot step arrangement 8 is affixed to the end of the
foot section 6 to facilitate entry and exit of the patient 10 from
the bed 1. The step arrangement 8 comprises a hingedly interconnected
parallelogram frame arrangement which 8 automatically extends and
stows as the foot section 6 is lowered and raised, FIGS. 2 3 and
4.
The side arms 9 are positioned on opposite sides of the center
section 5 and are rotatable toward and away from the center section
5 for purposes later described. Referring to FIGS. 9 through 13
the side arms each include spaced arm members 95 and 96 respectively
having a lower end 97 and an upper or remote end 98 with the lower
end 97 having a pivotal connection 99 to the center section 5. In
the illustrated example, the arm lower end 97 is bifurcated and
forms a yoke structure with spaced bushings 100 and 101 connected
thereto. The bushings 100 and 101 straddle a bearing housing 103
affixed to a tang 104 projecting from the peripheral frame side
member 32. The bearing housing 103 is substantially cylindrical
in shape and has an outer surface 106 and an interior bore 107 through
the cylindrical axis thereof. Transverse grooves 109 and 110 extend
the length of the bearing housing 103 at approximately 35 degrees
and 80 degrees lines of radius respectively from a vertical line
extended through the axis of the bearing housing 103. Each of the
grooves 109 and 110 includes a flat bottom portion 112 and opposite,
steep wall portions 113 providing an interior abutment edge between
the bottom portion 112 and each wall portion 113. A pivot pin 115
extends through the aligned bushings 100 and 101 and the bearing
housing 103 thereby pivotally connecting the respective arm members
95 and 96 to the center section 5 for rotation about a longitudinal
axis aligned with the length direction of the bed 1 and toward and
away from the bed side.
The yoke or bifurcation inlet 116 includes an upper portion 117
and aligned bores extend through the arm end portions disposed from
the bushings 100 and 101. To lock the side arm members 95 and 96
at a selected rotational position relative to the bearing housing
103 the arm members 95 and 96 each include catch arms 119 comprising
elongate, relatively flat bars of sturdy material, such as steel,
having one end portion 120 receivable in a selected one of the grooves
109 or 110 and an upper end portion 121 to provide a lever for moving
the end portion 120 into and out of engagement in the selected groove
109 or 110. An intermediate portion 122 of the catch arm 119 has
a cylindrical bushing 123 fixed thereto, as by welding, with the
bushing 123 having a through bore 124.
A pivot pin 125 extends through the bifurcated catch arm ends at
the inlet upper portion 117 and through the bushing bore 124 to
hingedly connect the catch arm 119 to the arm member 95 or 96. Outwardly
of the bushing 123 the catch arm 119 extends substantially radially
to clear a portion of the arm member at the top of the bifurcation
inlet 116 and then curves to substantially parallel, yet slightly
diverge from the associated the arm member 95 or 96 FIG. 10. A
biasing member, such as a coil spring 127 has one end received
in a recess in the arms 95 and 96 and the other end free to engage
the surface of the catch arm 119 FIG. 10 to urge the catch arm
end portion 120 into engagement with a selected groove 109 or 110.
Connecting the spaced catch arms 119 of the respective arm members
95 and 96 a cross bar 128 extends between the upper end portions
121.
A side arm rail 130 is attached to the remote ends 98 of the arm
members 95 and 96 to provide a comfortable confining and resting
surface for the patient 10. In the illustrated example, the side
arm rail 130 is an elongate, continuous loop of tubular material
affixed, as by welding, to the upper or remote ends 98.
In the use of the side arm arrangement 9 the cross bar 128 is
grasped and pulled or pushed toward the bed and the side arm rail
130 is grasped and manipulated to rotate the side arm arrangement
9 in the desired direction. With the position of the grooves 109
and 110 the arm members 95 and 96 can be swung to a straight up
or upright position and the catch arm end portion 120 received in
the groove 109 to lock the side arm arrangement 9 at the upright
position to confine a patient 10 on the bed 1. To provide additional
restive area for the patient, the process can be repeated and the
catch arm end portion 120 engaged in the groove 110 thereby affixing
the side arm arrangement 9 at an outwardly swung position, FIGS.
1 10 and 13 in approximately 45 degree relationship.
To complete the adjustable bed 1 a two-piece mattress is emplaced
and has a combination center and head section mattress 132 and a
foot section mattress 134. Preferably, a bolster 135 of triangular
cross section is emplaced in the open area created by the side arms
9 in the outwardly swung position, FIG. 1 to provide additional
restive area and support for the patient 10. Because of the great
bulk of the morbidly obese patient and particularly the great width
in the hip area of some morbidly obese women, the additional space
or restive area acquired by affixing the side arms 9 at the outwardly
swung position is of great benefit to provide comfort for the patient.
Preferably, the adjustable bed 1 has standard size transverse dimensions
to accomodate passage through a normal width hospital door and the
bed cannot normally pass therethrough with the side arms 9 in the
outwardly swung position. To permit passage, the bolster 135 is
simply lifted out and the side arm 9 swung to the upright position,
FIG. 2 thereby providing confining support for the patient during
movement and transport through corridors to various medical treatment
rooms and the like.
It is to be understood that while one form of the invention has
been illustrated and described, it is not to be limited to the specific
form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown except insofar
as set forth in the following claims. |