Patient support apparatus

• US 20060031991A1
• Filed: 08/24/2005
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Genesys Cloud Services Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Inventors: Patmore, Kevin, Childs, William D., McDaniel, Richard L., Petrowski, Michael J., Shiery, Jeffrey C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,412,735 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 5/611
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0212 2 pairs having wheels within a pair on the same position in longitudinal direction, e.g. on the same axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/015 divided into different adjustable sections, e.g. for Gatch position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0503 Holders, support devices for receptacles, e.g. for drainage or urine bags hanging-up devices for infusion A61M5/1414
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0507 Side-rails
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0509 sliding or pivoting downwards

Abstract

A patient support apparatus includes a base, a litter frame, and an elevation mechanism interconnecting the base to the litter frame and being configured to effect changes in elevation of the litter frame relative to the base. The elevation mechanism includes a pair of hydraulic actuators, each actuator covered by a telescoping shroud. The telescoping shroud is connected to the base and to the litter frame by a number of biased catches. The litter frame includes a pair of laterally spaced and longitudinally extending support rails and a plurality of laterally extending support rails interconnecting the longitudinally extending support rails so that the litter frame has a rectangular configuration. The litter frame includes a thigh section configured to be raised and lowered by use of one of a manually pumped hydraulic actuator or a gas-spring assisted lever actuator.

Claims

1. A patient support apparatus, comprising:

a base;

a litter frame;

an elevation mechanism interconnecting said base and said litter frame and being configured to effect changes in elevation of said litter frame relative to said base, said elevation mechanism including a pair of longitudinally spaced and independently operable extendable and retractable actuators; and

a telescoping shroud covering at least one of said actuators, the telescoping shroud including a plurality of shroud segments, the shroud segments being graduated in size for nesting, an uppermost shroud segment including a plurality of biased catches for engaging an upper mount plate attached to the litter frame, a lowermost shroud segment including a plurality of attachment elements for engaging the base, and intermediate shroud segments including an inwardly directed lip at one of an upper and a lower end and an outwardly directed lip at the other of the upper and lower end for engaging the inwardly directed lip of an adjacent shroud segment, the uppermost and lowermost shroud segments including one of the inwardly and outwardly directed lips for engaging an adjacent shroud segment.

2. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the intermediate shroud segments including outwardly extending tabs to aid proper stacking by preventing a shroud segment from remaining in place as the elevation mechanism is lowered.

3. A patient support apparatus, comprising:

a base;

a litter frame;

an elevation mechanism interconnecting said base and said litter frame and being configured to effect changes in elevation of said litter frame relative to said base;

said litter frame having a head end and a foot end, said litter frame including a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending support rails and plural laterally extending support rails interconnecting said longitudinally extending support rails, said laterally extending support rails being mounted to said elevation mechanism;

a support deck mounted on said litter frame and comprising at least a thigh section, the thigh section being pivotally mounted to the litter frame and configured for movement between a lowered and a raised position;

a gas spring mounted on said litter frame and connected between said litter frame and a portion of said thigh support;

a gatch control mechanism for raising and lowering the thigh section, the gatch control mechanism including a trigger-activation handle connected to said gas spring for locking and releasing said gas spring, and an actuation handle pivotally connected to said litter frame and connected to said portion of said thigh support for raising and lowering said thigh support.

4. The patient support apparatus of claim 3, wherein the gas spring is extendable and retractable, said gas spring including a selective locking mechanism for locking said gas spring at selected extended and retracted positions.

5. The patient support of claim 4, wherein said trigger-activation handle is connected to said selective locking mechanism on said gas spring and said actuation handle is pivotally connected to said litter frame and connected to said portion of said thigh support for effecting a manual raising and lowering of said thigh support assisted by extension and retraction of said gas spring.