Bed having electrical communication network

• US 20060253982A1
• Filed: 07/17/2006
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brad Wilson, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, Jeffrey A. Heyser, Jim Stolpmann, John Vodzak, Joseph A. Kummer, Ken Chambers, Ken Smith, Mike Frondorf, Roger Dalton, Tanya Taber
• Original Assignee: Brad Wilson, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, Jeffrey A. Heyser, Jim Stolpmann, John Vodzak, Joseph A. Kummer, Ken Chambers, Ken Smith, Mike Frondorf, Roger Dalton, Tanya Taber
• Inventors: Kummer, Joseph A., Vodzak, John, Branson, Gregory W., Meyer, Eric R., Smith, Ken, Wilson, Brad, Stolpmann, Jim, Chambers, Ken, Dalton, Roger, Taber, Tanya, Heyser, Jeffrey A., Frondorf, Mike
• Granted Patent: US 7,451,506 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 5/600
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/34 for pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/36 for motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/42 for inclination
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/00 Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons stretchers with facilities for picking up patients or disabled persons A61G1/003
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/002 having adjustable mattress frame
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/005 tiltable around transverse horizontal axis, e.g. for Trendelenburg position rocking beds for physical therapy A61H1/003; hanging patient inclined downwardly for drawing him out A61H2203/0493
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/008 tiltable around longitudinal axis, e.g. for rolling
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/012 raising or lowering of the whole mattress frame A61G7/005, A61G7/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/015 divided into different adjustable sections, e.g. for Gatch position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/018 Control or drive mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0507 Side-rails
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0514 mounted to individual mattress supporting frame sections
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0527 Weighing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/053 Aids for getting into, or out of, bed, e.g. steps, chairs, cane-like supports
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05776 with at least two groups of alternately inflated chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1021 Inflatable cushions

Abstract

A bed, including a bedframe to support a mattress. The bed includes an electrical communication network.

Claims

1. A bed, including a bedframe to support a mattress, comprising:

a peer to peer network, coupled to the bedframe;

a master processor, configured to perform a function related to operation of the bed, the master processor being electrically coupled to the peer-to-peer network; and

a slave processor configured to perform a function related to operation of the bed, the slave processor being electrically coupled to the master processor.

2. The bed of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of slave processors each configured to perform a dedicated function during operation of the bed, the plurality of slave processors being electrically coupled to the master module.

3. The bed of claim 2, wherein the master processor is permanently coupled to the bedframe.

4. The bed of claim 3, further comprising a master/slave network, wherein the slave processor is coupled to the master processor through the master/slave network.

5. The bed of claim 1, comprising a slave module, including the slave processor, wherein the slave module is removably coupled to the bedframe.

6. The bed of claim 1, comprising a master module, including the master processor, and a slave module, including the slave processor, wherein the master module and the slave module are each removably coupled to the bedframe.

7. The bed of claim 1, wherein the bed comprises a master module, including the master processor, a plurality of slave processors, each of the plurality of slave processors configured to perform a function related to operation of the bed, and a plurality of slave modules each including a slave processor.

8. The bed of claim 7, wherein the master module and each of the plurality of slave modules are removably coupled to the bedframe.

9. The bed of claim 7, wherein the master module includes one of the plurality of slave processors.

10. The bed of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of slave processors is configured to perform a function related to the operation of the mattress.

11. The bed of claim 10, wherein one of the plurality of slave processors is configured to perform a function related to a foot portion of the mattress.

12. The bed of claim 10, wherein one of the plurality of slave processors is configured to perform a function related to pulmonary rotational therapy.

13. The bed of claim 10, wherein one of the plurality of slave processors is configured to perform a function related to treatment therapy.

14. The bed of claim 10, wherein one of the plurality of slave processors is configured to perform a function related to pulmonary pulsation therapy.

15. A bed, including a bedframe to support a mattress, comprising:

a peer to peer network, coupled to the bedframe;

a master module, including a master processor configured to perform a function related to operation of the bed, the master processor being electrically coupled to the peer-to-peer network; and

a plurality of slave modules, each of the plurality slave modules including a slave processor each electrically coupled to the master module, each of the plurality of slave processors configured to perform a function related to operation of the bed.

16. The bed of claim 15, wherein the master module is permanently coupled to the bedframe.

17. The bed of claim 15, wherein the master module is removably coupled to the bedframe.

18. The bed of claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of slave modules are removably coupled to the bedframe.

19. The bed of claim 18, wherein one of the plurality of slave processors is configured to perform a function related to a foot portion of the mattress.

20. The bed of claim 19, wherein one of the plurality of slave processors is configured to perform a function related to pulmonary rotational therapy.