Multi-position support apparatus featuring a movable foot support

• US 20070169267A1
• Filed: 03/08/2007
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vitalgo Systems Limited
• Original Assignee: Ofer Parezky, Ohad Paz
• Inventors: Parezky, Ofer, Paz, Ohad
• Granted Patent: US 8,117,695 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 5/610
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/34 for pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/015 divided into different adjustable sections, e.g. for Gatch position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/02 with toilet conveniences, or specially adapted for use with toilets
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05 Parts, details or accessories of beds devices for prevention against falling out A47C21/08, A47D7/00 ; mattresses A47C27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/053 Aids for getting into, or out of, bed, e.g. steps, chairs, cane-like supports

Abstract

A bed featuring a movable foot support. When the user wishes to stand up from lying down or sitting, the movable foot support moves toward the head of the bed. When the user is brought into a standing position, the movable foot support starts to come down so that the feet of the user are in close proximity to floor level.

Claims

1. A multi-position support apparatus capable of changing its angular position comprising:

a back support, a seat, at least one leg support, and at least one movable foot support;

wherein, the at least one movable foot support moves approximately towards the head of the multi-position support apparatus when the user wishes to stand up from lying down or reclining or sitting, and the at least one movable foot support is approximately touching the floor level when the user is standing up.

2. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one movable foot support comprises a sensor and moves approximately towards the head of the multi-position support apparatus until it approximately reaches the user'"'"'s feet.

3. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 2 wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor.

4. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mattress.

5. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 4 wherein the at least one movable foot support is motorized and is coupled to an engine through slots in the mattress.

6. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one movable foot support is motorized and is coupled to an engine using at least one arm-like extension.

7. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a multi-position support apparatus base, at least one arm support, and an integrated toilet.

8. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one engine for changing the angular position of the multi-position support apparatus; and

at least one control system, whereby the at least one control system controls the at least one engine and the at least one movable foot support, and prevents the apparatus from reaching a predefined angular position.

9. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a controlling device which enables the user to control the multi-position support apparatus.

10. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus comprises at least two engines that change the apparatus angular position;

and wherein the control system allows the user to operate each engine separately or correspondingly.

11. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 8, further comprising at least one sensor;

whereby the at least one movable foot support is motorized and the sensor detects objects and prevents the motorized movable foot support from crushing the detected objects.

12. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 8, further comprising at least one sensor;

whereby the sensor detects objects and prevents the back support from crushing the detected objects.

13. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a parallelogram-based multi-position support apparatus.

14. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the length of the multi-position support apparatus is adjusted to the height of the user.

15. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one part of the multi-position support apparatus is a floating part.

16. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one device for entering an emergency response operation.

17. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an element for customizing and saving operational parameter settings.

18. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adjustable between lying, reclining, and standing positions, and whereby the multi-position support apparatus is generally vertical in its standing position.

19. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adjustable between reclining and standing positions.

20. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adjustable between sitting and standing positions.

21. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising wheels, whereby the wheels enable the multi-position support apparatus to move.

22. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a foldable tray.

23. A multi-position support apparatus capable of changing its angular position, comprising:

a motorized foot support, and a muscle tonus monitoring device;

whereby the motorized foot support is able to move towards the head of the multi-position support apparatus and to move in a perpendicular direction.

24. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 23, further comprising motorized protective barriers.

25. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 23, wherein the motorized foot support comprises a pressure sensor.

26. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a mattress.

27. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 26, wherein the motorized foot support is connected to an operating engine through slots in the mattress.

28. The multi-position support apparatus of claim 23, wherein the motorized foot support is connected to an operating engine using at least one arm-like extension.

29. A method comprising:

accepting a user in a standing position by a multi-position support apparatus;

moving the user into a predefined reclining position;

moving a foot support towards the head of the multi-position support apparatus;

returning the user to a standing position; and

moving the foot support towards the floor.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the reclining position is a lying position.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the step of moving of the user into a predefined reclining position comprises leaning the user backwards, and upon achieving a predefined intermediate reclined angle, moving the user into the predefined reclining position;

and wherein the returning of the user to a standing position comprises moving the user into a predefined intermediate reclined angle, and upon achieving the predefined intermediate reclined angle moving the user into the standing position.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the step of returning of the user to the standing position comprises detecting objects and preventing the multi-position support apparatus from crushing the detected objects.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the step of moving the user into the predefined reclining position comprises detecting objects and preventing the multi-position support apparatus from crushing the detected objects.

34. The method of claim ,29 wherein the foot support is motorized and is moving until it reaches the user'"'"'s feet.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of moving until reaching the user'"'"'s feet further comprises measuring a minimum predefined intensity of resistance from the user'"'"'s legs.

36. The method of claim ,29 wherein the foot support is motorized and is is able to move outside of the multi-position support apparatus.

37. A method comprising:

accepting a user in a standing position by a multi-position support apparatus comprising a movable foot support;

moving the user into a predefined reclining position;

returning the user to a standing position;

recognizing muscle tonus decrease; and

preventing the user from falling.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of preventing of the user from falling further comprises bringing the user back to a reclining position.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of preventing of the user from falling further comprises raising protective barriers.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the movable foot support is motorized;

and wherein the step of preventing the user from falling further comprises pushing the user'"'"'s feet forward.

41. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of preventing of the user from falling comprises the step of pushing the user'"'"'s knees forward.

42. The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of returning the multi-position support apparatus to the reclining position.

43. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of returning the user to the standing position further comprises the step of moving the movable foot support towards the floor.

44. The method of claim 37, wherein the reclining position is a lying position.

45. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of moving the user into a predefined reclining position comprises the steps of leaning the user backwards, and upon achieving a predefined intermediate reclined angle, moving the user into the predefined reclining position;

and

Wherein the step of returning the user to a standing position comprises the steps of moving the user into a predefined intermediate reclined angle, and upon achieving the predefined intermediate reclined angle moving the user into the standing position.

46. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of returning the user to the standing position further comprises detecting objects and preventing the multi-position support apparatus from crushing the detected objects.

47. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of moving the user into the predefined reclining position further comprises detecting objects and preventing the multi-position support apparatus from crushing them.

48. The method of claim 43, wherein the movable foot support is motorized;

and

further comprising the step of moving the motorized movable foot support towards the head of the multi-position support apparatus until it reaches the user'"'"'s feet.