Apparatus and method for weighing the occupant of a bed
First Claim
1. A weighing apparatus comprising a plurality of weight sensing elements that each comprises:
- a. at least fluid-filled instruments and an analog to digital converter; and
b. a mounting assembly supporting and holding each weight sensing and being connected directly or indirectly to a bed that is being weighed;
such that, when the bed is solely supported by the weight sensing instruments, any pressure exerted on the fluid-filled instruments is indicative of the weight of the bed and of any objects or living things held or supported by the bed as indicated by the analog to digital converter connected to the fluid-filled instrument.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Weighing apparatus (1) which is comprised of at least two weight sensing elements (12) that are connected to each other by at least one communication cable (48) and are preferably positioned either adjacent to or at each end of bed in order to support bed. In one embodiment, each weight sensing element (12) comprises a weight sensing base (11) and at least a pair of mounting assemblies (7) that may be at or adjacent to the head and foot of bed. Preferably, weight sensing base (11) extends laterally and mounting assemblies (7) extend vertically. Each weight sensing base (11) is supported by the corresponding pair of mounting assemblies (7). The method of operation of weighing apparatus is based on a two-mode operation: TARE mode operation and WEIGH mode operation. The principals of operation of weighing apparatus are a summation of load points that are established when bed, under its own controls, is lowered to a position that allows bed and its contents to rest on weighing apparatus.
23 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A weighing apparatus comprising a plurality of weight sensing elements that each comprises:
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a. at least fluid-filled instruments and an analog to digital converter; and
b. a mounting assembly supporting and holding each weight sensing and being connected directly or indirectly to a bed that is being weighed;
such that, when the bed is solely supported by the weight sensing instruments, any pressure exerted on the fluid-filled instruments is indicative of the weight of the bed and of any objects or living things held or supported by the bed as indicated by the analog to digital converter connected to the fluid-filled instrument. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20)
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15. A method of weighing a patient lying in a bed comprising supporting the bed on fluid filled instruments, determining the tare weight of the bed from the pressure in the fluid-filled instruments, determining the total weight of the bed and the patient from the pressure in the fluid filled instruments supporting the bed and the patient and subtracting the predetermined tare weight to determine the weight of the patient.
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17. Apparatus for weighing a patient in a bed, said apparatus comprising spaced parallel beams, for supporting apparatus above floor, and pressure cylinders, supporting the beams, the patient and the bed when apparatus rests on floor, so that the pressure in the cylinders is indicative of the weight of the bed and the patient.
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18. Apparatus for weighing an occupant of a bed, the apparatus comprising at least a pair of mounting assemblies, for supporting apparatus above floor, and weight sensing base being positioned between the bed and the floor, serving partly as pressure cylinders that support the mounting assemblies, the bed and the occupant when apparatus rests on floor and comprising at least a transducer and a signal conditioner for converting pressure of the pressure cylinders to a digital quantity to be stored in memory and to be proportioned to weight supported by the apparatus.
Specification