Mattress apparatus having a siderail down sensor

• US 6,021,533 A
• Filed: 08/25/1997
• Issued: 02/08/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Chambers, Kenith W., Mensching, Kerry J., Ellis, Craig D., Glover, Stephen E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grosz, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US08/917,145
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 5/600, 5/424, 5/425, 5/430, 5/940, 5/713
• US Class Current: 5/600
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/32 lying
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/20 Displays or monitors
• 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 7/0506 Head or foot boards head or foot boards for comfort or ergonomics A47C19/022
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0507 Side-rails
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0509 sliding or pivoting downwards
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/052 characterised by safety means, e.g. to avoid injuries to patient or caregiver
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0524 characterised by integrated accessories, e.g. bed control means, nurse call or reading lights
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05769 with inflatable chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/103 Transfer boards

Abstract

A mattress apparatus is provided for use on a bed frame having at least one siderail movable from an up position to a down position. The apparatus includes a support surface, an electrical controller configured to control the support surface, and a siderail down sensor configured to be coupled to one of the bed frame and siderail. The siderail down sensor is electrically coupled to the controller. The siderail down sensor is configured to generate an output signal indicating that the siderail of the bed frame is in the down position.

Claims

1. A mattress apparatus for use on a bed frame having at least one siderail movable from an up position to a down position, the apparatus comprising:

a support surface;

an electrical controller configured to control the support surface; and

a siderail down sensor configured to be coupled to one of the bed frame and siderail, the siderail down sensor being electrically coupled to the controller, the siderail down sensor being configured to generate an output signal indicating that the siderail of the bed frame is in the down position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the siderail down sensor includes a mercury switch.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the siderail down sensor includes a ball switch.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes an accelerometer.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the siderail down sensor includes a switch and an attachment mechanism configured to couple the sensor to the bed frame adjacent the siderail, the siderail being configured to actuate the switch and generate an output signal as the siderail moves from an up position to a down position.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch of the siderail down sensor is configured to be closed when the siderail is in the up position.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the siderail down sensor includes first and second plates slidable relative to each other, the first and second plates being spring biased together to clamp the siderail down sensor to the siderail.