Hospital bed with a weight-distributing lever system

• US 4,559,656 A
• Filed: 12/28/1982
• Issued: 12/24/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Company Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Company Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Foster, L. Dale
• Primary Examiner(s): Dorner, Kenneth J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRETTEL, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US06/454,000
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 5/66-69, 5/90, 5/236 R, 5/236 B, 5/238, 5/239, 5/241, 5/284, 5/421, 5/423, 5/506, 5/191, 128/70, 297/284, 297/458, 297/459
• US Class Current: 5/236.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/015 divided into different adjustable sections, e.g. for Gatch position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0573 with mattress frames having alternately movable parts adjustable mattress frames A61G7/015

Abstract

A bed uniformly distributes the weight of a bed-ridden patient to minimize the occurrence of bedsores. The bed comprises a frame and a plurality of support assemblies mounted on the frame. Each support assembly comprises a plurality of elongate support slats extending transversely of the fore-aft direction, and a pair of transversely spaced lever modules carrying opposite ends of the slats. Each lever module comprises a plurality of levers which are so mounted as to be swung in response to the downward action of heavier portions of the patient, whereupon opposite ends of the levers swing upwardly to transfer some of that weight to the lighter portions of the patient'"'"'s body. The levers disposed on one side of the bed are rotatable relative to the corresponding levers on the opposite side of the bed, whereby the support slats may assume positions inclined relative to horizontal and thereby maintain a greater degree of contact with the patient. The area immediately beneath the slats is vacant, whereby an air-circulating channel can be formed for circulating drying/warming air to the patient. Moisture can gravitate from the patient into the channel and be collected upon a moisture collector for removal. Some of the support modules can be mounted for movement relative to an articulated bed frame in the fore-aft direction to avoid colliding with the frame and/or one another as the bed is articulated upwardly. A highly porous mattress can be utilized which facilitates the upward circulation of air to the patient and the downward gravitation of moisture away from the patient.

Claims

1. A bed comprising:

a frame including a head section mounted for articulation,

motor-driven means for articulating said head section,

a plurality of support assemblies mounted on said frame and spaced apart in the fore-aft direction of said bed, at least one of said support assemblies being mounted on said head section, each support assembly comprising;

a plurality of elongate support elements extending transversely of said fore-aft direction and spaced apart in said fore-aft direction, and

a pair of transversely spaced lever modules carrying opposite ends of said transverse support elements by a pivotable connection, each lever module comprising;

a first lever swingable about a transversely extending first axis disposed intermediate its ends, and

a pair of second levers mounted on said first lever on opposite sides of said first axis, each of said second levers being swingable relative to said first lever about a transversely extending second axis disposed itermediate its ends;

each lever module being interconnected with the other lever module solely by said pivotably connected transverse support elements so that the first and second levers of each lever module of said pair of modules is swingable relative to the corresponding first and second levers, respectively, of the other lever module of said pair.

2. A bed according to claim 1, wherein said first and second axes of each lever module of said pair is aligned with said first and second axes of the other lever module of said pair.

3. A bed according to claim 1, wherein said frame includes non-porous floor means and non-porous upright walls positioned beneath said transverse support elements and between said transversely spaced lever modules to define a channel beneath said transverse support elements.

4. A bed according to claim 3, including air circulating means for circulating air into said channel and upwardly through said transverse support elements.

5. A bed according to claim 4, wherein said air circulating means includes a heater for heating the circulated air.

6. A bed according to claim 4, wherein said air circulating means is mounted on said frame.

7. A bed according to claim 3, including an open pore mattress mounted on said transverse support elements, said mattress conducting air and moisture between said channel and a patient on said mattress.

8. A bed according to claim 3, wherein said upright wall means comprise strips of resilient non-porous plastic foam.

9. A bed according to claim 3, including a moisture collector removably disposed in said channel for collecting moisture falling through said transverse support elements.

10. A bed according to claim 9, wherein said moisture collector comprises an absorbent pad.

11. A bed according to claim 10, wherein said pad is disposed in a flexible container.

12. A bed according to claim 1, wherein each said lever module of said pair includes a pair of third levers mounted on each second lever on opposite sides of said second axis, each of said third levers being swingable about a transversely extending third axis disposed intermediate its ends, said third levers of one lever module of said pair being swingable independently of the third levers of the other lever module of said pair.

13. A bed according to claim 12, wherein said third levers each carry the ends of two of said transverse support elements, the latter each being swingable relative to said third lever about a transversely extending fourth axis.

14. A bed according to claim 13, wherein each of said transverse support elements comprises a flat slat.

15. A bed according to claim 13, wherein said first, second, third and fourth axes are defined by horizontal pivot pins.

16. A bed according to claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a plurality of mutually articulated sections including said head section, and means for adjustably swinging said sections, each of said swingable frame sections carrying at least one of said support assemblies.

17. A bed according to claim 16, wherein both lever modules of at least one of said pair of lever modules have their first levers mounted for translating movement relative to said frame in said fore-aft direction, and means for displacing said first levers in said fore-aft direction in response to articulation of said swingable sections.

18. A bed according to claim 17, wherein said frame includes a non-swingable seat section, the support assemblies disposed immediately adjacent opposite ends of said seat section having their first levers translatable away from said seat section when said swingable sections are swung upwardly.

19. A bed according to claim 1, including means for dampening the movements of said levers.

20. A bed according to claim 19, wherein said dampening means comprises resilient plastic foam engaging at least some of said levers.

21. A bed comprising:

a frame including;

a stationary seat section;

a head section and a thigh section aritculatedly connected to opposite ends of said seat section, and

a leg section articulatedly connected to said thigh section,

means for articulating said head, thigh and leg sections relative to said seat section,

a plurality of support assemblies mounted on said head, thigh, and leg sections, each support assembly comprising;

a plurality of slats extending transversely of the fore-aft direction of the bed, and

a pair of transversely spaced lever modules carrying opposite ends of said slats, each lever module comprising;

a first lever pivotable about a transversely extending first axis disposed intermediate its ends,

a pair of second levers mounted on said first lever on opposite sides of said first axis, each of said second levers being pivotable relative to said first lever about a transversely extending second axis disposed intermediate its ends,

a pair of third levers mounted on each of said second levers on opposite sides of said second axis, each of said third levers being pivotable relative to said second levers about a transversely extending third axis disposed intermediate its ends, and

two of said slats being mounted on each of said third levers and defining the sole means of directly interconnecting said third levers, each slat being pivotable relative to its respective third lever about a transversely extending fourth axis;

said first, second and third levers of each lever module of said pair of modules being rotatable relative to the corresponding first, second, and third levers, respectively, of the other lever module of said pair of modules,

the ones of said lever modules located immediately adjacent said seat section having their first levers mounted for translating movement relative to said frame, and means for displacing said last-named first levers away from said seat section in response to upward articulation of said head and thigh sections.

22. A bed according to claim 21, wherein said frame includes non-porous floor means and upright walls on at least said seat and thigh sections and positioned beneath said slats to define a channel beneath said slats, and air circulating means for circulating air into said channel and upwardly through said slats.

23. A bed according to claim 21, including means for dampening the movements of said levers and said slats.

24. A bed according to claim 23, including a moisture collector removably disposed in said channel for collecting moisture falling through said slats.

25. A bed comprising:

a frame,

a plurality of support assemblies mounted on said frame and spaced apart in the fore-aft direction of said bed, each support assembly comprising;

a plurality of elongate support elements extending transversely of said fore-aft direction and spaced apart in said fore-aft direction, and

a pair of transversely spaced lever modules carrying opposite ends of said transverse support elements, each lever module comprising;

a first lever swingable about a transversely extending first axis disposed intermediate its ends, and

a pair of second levers mounted on said first lever on opposite sides of said first axis, each of said second levers being swingable relative to said first lever about a transversely extending second axis disposed intermediate its ends;

the first and second levers of each lever module of said pair of modules being swingable relative to the corresponding first and second levers, respectively, of the other lever module of said pair,

said frame comprising a plurality of mutually articulated sections, and means for adjustably swinging said sections, each of said swingable frame sections carrying at least one of said support assemblies,

both lever modules of at least one of said pair of lever modules having their first levers mounted for translating movement relative to said frame in said fore-aft direction, and

means for displacing said first levers in said fore-aft direction in response to articulation of said swingable sections.

26. A bed according to claim 25, wherein said frame includes a non-swingable seat section, the support assemblies disposed immediately adjacent opposite ends of said seat section having their first levers translatable away from said seat section when said swingable sections are swung upwardly.

27. A bed comprising:

a frame,

a plurality of support assemblies mounted on said frame and spaced apart in the fore-aft direction of said bed, each support assembly comprising;

a plurality of elongate support elements extending transversely of said fore-aft direction and spaced apart in said fore-aft direction, and

a pair of transversely spaced lever modules carrying opposite ends of said transverse support elements, each lever module comprising;

a first lever swingable about a transversely extending first axis disposed intermediate its ends, and

a pair of second levers mounted on said first lever on opposite sides of said first axis, each of said second levers being swingable relative to said first lever about a transversely extending second axis disposed intermediate its ends;

the first and second levers of each lever module of said pair of modules being swingable relative to the corresponding first and second levers, respectively, of the other lever module of said pair, and

means for dampening the movements of said levers comprising resilient plastic foam engaging at least some of said levers.

28. A bed comprising:

a frame including

a stationary seat section,

a head section and a thigh section articulatedly connected to opposite ends of said seat section, and

a leg section articulatedly connected to said thigh section,

means for articulating said head, thigh and leg sections relative to said seat section,

a plurality of support assemblies mounted on said head, thigh, and leg sections, each support assembly comprising

a plurality of slats extending transversely of the fore-aft direction of the bed, and

a pair of transversely spaced lever modules carrying opposite ends of said slats, each lever module comprising

a first lever pivotable about a transversely extending first axis disposed intermediate its ends,

a pair of second levers mounted on said first lever on opposite sides of said first axis, each of said second levers being pivotable relative to said first lever about a transversely extending second axis disposed intermediate its ends,

a pair of third levers mounted on each of said second levers on opposite sides of said second axis, each of said third levers being pivotable relative to said second levers about a transversely extending third axis disposed intermediate its ends, and

two of said slats being mounted on each of said third levers, each slat being pivotable relative to said third levers about a transversely extending fourth axis;

said first, second , and third levers of each lever module of said pair of modules being rotatable relative to the corresponding first, second, and third levers, respectively, of the other lever module of said pair of modules,

the ones of said lever modules located immediately adjacent said seat section having their first levers mounted for translating movement relative to said frame, and

means for displacing said last-named first levers away from said seat section in response to upward articulation of said head and thigh sections.

29. A bed according to claim 28, including means for dampening the movements of said levers and said slats.

30. A bed according to claim 29, including a moisture collector removably disposed in said channel for collecting moisture falling through said slats.