Invalid bed system
First Claim
1. A warning system for a hospital bed comprising a hospital bed, said hospital bed including at least two opposed side rails, a weight sensitive electric switch located on the top of at least one side rail, a first electric warning device located in the vicinity of said hospital bed, a second electric warning device located at a desired location, a source of electric power, means for selectively connecting said source of power to either of said warning devices or for connecting said source of power to both said first warning device and said second warning device upon said weight switch being activated, a patient call button, means for connecting said patient call button to said selective connecting means so said patient call button can be used to selectively connect said source of electric power to both said first electric warning device and said second electric warning device or only to said first electric warning device or only to said second electric warning device, a third warning device, said weight sensitive switch including a first pair of contacts and a second pair of contacts, said first pair of contacts being closed upon sensing a first predetermined force and said second pair of contacts being closed upon sensing a second predetermined force, said second predetermined force being greater than said first predetermined force, and means connecting said third warning device to said source of electric power when said second pair of contacts close.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An alarm system for an invalid in a hopsital bed includes electric switches placed on top of the side rails and foot rail so that a force applied to any of said switches by a patient results in activation of a warning device. In addition, means is provided for selectively illuminating the hospital bed. Two basic configurations of electric switches are provided, both of which are characterized by the provision of a first switch member which is actuated by light pressure or force, and a second switch member which is actuated by heavier pressure, e.g. when the patient attempts to climb or crawl out of the bed, which could result in injury to the patient due to a fall from the bed to the floor. The switch members when actuated serve to close electric circuits which may sound a buzzer, and/or a call bell, and/or illuminate the bed, so that a nurse or attendant is amply alerted to give attention to the patient.
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Citations
15 Claims
- 1. A warning system for a hospital bed comprising a hospital bed, said hospital bed including at least two opposed side rails, a weight sensitive electric switch located on the top of at least one side rail, a first electric warning device located in the vicinity of said hospital bed, a second electric warning device located at a desired location, a source of electric power, means for selectively connecting said source of power to either of said warning devices or for connecting said source of power to both said first warning device and said second warning device upon said weight switch being activated, a patient call button, means for connecting said patient call button to said selective connecting means so said patient call button can be used to selectively connect said source of electric power to both said first electric warning device and said second electric warning device or only to said first electric warning device or only to said second electric warning device, a third warning device, said weight sensitive switch including a first pair of contacts and a second pair of contacts, said first pair of contacts being closed upon sensing a first predetermined force and said second pair of contacts being closed upon sensing a second predetermined force, said second predetermined force being greater than said first predetermined force, and means connecting said third warning device to said source of electric power when said second pair of contacts close.
- 10. In a hospital having a bed with at least one rail, a nurse'"'"'s station located at a distance from said bed, a wall terminal in proximity to said bed and means connecting said wall terminal to said nurse'"'"'s station, the warning system combination of first and second elongated pressure sensitive switches on top of said rail, said first pressure sensitive switch being actuatable by light pressure, said second pressure sensitive switch being actuatable by heavy pressure, a first warning device at said nurse'"'"'s station, a first lead connecting said first warning device to said connecting means, a control box, a second warning device in said control box, a second lead connecting said control box to said switches, and a third lead connecting said control box to said wall terminal, so that actuation of said first switch serves to actuate said first warning device and actuation of said second switch serves to actuate said second warning device.
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15. In a hospital having a bed with at least one rail, a nurse'"'"'s station located at a distance from said bed, a wall terminal in proximity to said bed and means connecting said wall terminal to said nurse'"'"'s station, the warning system combination of first and second elongated pressure sensitive switches on top of said rail, said first pressure sensitive switch being actuatable by light pressure, said second pressure sensitive switch being actuatable by heavy pressure, a first warning device at said nurse'"'"'s station, a first lead connecting said first warning device to said connecting means, a second warning device at said nurse'"'"'s station, and a second lead connecting said second warning device to said connecting means so that actuation of said first switch serves to actuate said first warning device, and actuation of said second switch serves to actuate said second warning device.
Specification