Hospital bed communication and control device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A control apparatus for use on a bed, the apparatus comprising:
- a control module having at least one input to perform at least one function;
an articulating arm assembly having a first end coupled to the control module, a second end and a pivot barrel coupled to the second end of the articulating arm assembly; and
a securing mechanism configured to couple the articulating arm assembly to the bed, the securing mechanism including an opening to receive the pivot barrel to couple the pivot barrel to the securing mechanism for pivotable movement about an axis of rotation, the securing mechanism including an adjustable clamp having first and second clamping portions which substantially surround a portion of the pivot barrel and an adjustment mechanism configured to provide relative movement between the first and second clamping portions to adjust the pressure applied by the clamp to the pivot barrel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communication and control device for attachment to the head end of a hospital bed for positioning a voice activated communication and control module adjacent a patient'"'"'s head. The device comprises an arm having first, second and third arm segments, with first and second articulating joints connecting the first and second and second and third arm segments respectively. A securing mechanism releasably secures the first arm segment to the bed, and a third articulating joint connects the first arm segment to the securing mechanism. The first articulating joint accommodates electrical transmission wire substantially within the joint.
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Citations
105 Claims
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1. A control apparatus for use on a bed, the apparatus comprising:
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a control module having at least one input to perform at least one function; an articulating arm assembly having a first end coupled to the control module, a second end and a pivot barrel coupled to the second end of the articulating arm assembly; and a securing mechanism configured to couple the articulating arm assembly to the bed, the securing mechanism including an opening to receive the pivot barrel to couple the pivot barrel to the securing mechanism for pivotable movement about an axis of rotation, the securing mechanism including an adjustable clamp having first and second clamping portions which substantially surround a portion of the pivot barrel and an adjustment mechanism configured to provide relative movement between the first and second clamping portions to adjust the pressure applied by the clamp to the pivot barrel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A bed assembly comprising
a bed having a foot end and a head end that moves relative to the foot end and a control apparatus including a control module having at least one input, and an articulating arm assembly having a first end coupled to the control module and a second end coupled to the head end so that the control module and articulating arm assembly move with the head end, the articulating arm assembly includes a first arm segment having a first end coupled to the head end and a second end spaced apart from the first end, a second arm segment having a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end and coupled to the control module, a first articulating joint connected to the second end of the first arm segment and the first end of the second arm segment, and a second articulating joint connected to the first end of the first arm segment, and the first articulating joint permits the second arm segment to rotate relative to the first arm segment about a first axis of rotation and the second articulating joint permits the first arm segment to rotate about a second axis of rotation, the control apparatus further including a securing mechanism adapted to couple to the bed, the second articulating joint being a pivot barrel coupled to the second end of the articulating arm assembly, and the securing mechanism including an adjustable clamp configured to apply pressure to the pivot barrel.
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17. A bed assembly comprising:
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a bed having a first side, a second side, a foot end, and a head end that moves relative to the foot end and a control apparatus including a control module having at least one input to perform at least one function, an articulating arm assembly having a first end coupled to the control module and a second end coupled to the head end so that the control module and articulating arm assembly move with the head end, the articulating arm assembly including a first arm segment, a second arm segment that is movable relative to the first arm segment, and a pivot barrel coupled to the first arm segment, and a securing mechanism coupling the articulating arm assembly to the bed, the securing mechanism including an opening for receiving the pivot barrel to couple the pivot barrel to the securing mechanism for pivotable movement about an axis of rotation, the articulating arm assembly being movable relative to the securing mechanism from a first position in which the control module extends over the bed to lie between the first and second sides and a second position in which the control module extends outwardly beyond one of the first and second sides of the bed so that the control module is accessible from a chair located beside the bed, the control apparatus further including a mechanical stop coupled to the pivot barrel, and the mechanical stop cooperating through the securing mechanism to limit pivotable movement of the articulating arm assembly relative to the securing mechanism.
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18. A bed assembly comprising:
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a bed having a first side, a second side, a foot end, and a head end that moves relative to the foot end and a control apparatus including a control module having at least one input to perform at least one function, an articulating arm assembly having a first end coupled to the control module and a second end coupled to the head end so that the control module and articulating arm assembly move with the head end, the articulating arm assembly including a first arm segment, a second arm segment that is movable relative to the first arm segment, and a pivot barrel coupled to the first arm segment, and a securing mechanism coupling the articulating arm assembly to the bed, the securing mechanism including an opening for receiving the pivot barrel to couple the pivot barrel to the securing mechanism for pivotable movement about an axis of rotation, the articulating arm assembly being movable relative to the securing mechanism from a first position in which the control module extends over the bed to lie between the first and second sides and a second position in which the control module extends outwardly beyond one of the first and second sides of the bed so that the control module is accessible from a chair located beside the bed, the securing mechanism including an adjustable clamp configured to apply pressure to the pivot barrel. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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- 22. The bed assembly of claims wherein the first and second arm segments and the first and second articulating joints have interconnected hollow interiors and an electrical connector extends through these hollow interiors from the control module.
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24. A control apparatus for use on a bed, the apparatus comprising:
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a control module having at least one input to perform at least one function; an articulating arm assembly having a first end coupled to the control module and a second end, the articulating arm assembly including a first arm segment, a second arm segment that is movable relative to the first arm segment, and a pivot barrel coupled to the first arm segment; a securing mechanism configured to couple the articulating arm assembly to the bed, the securing mechanism including an opening to receive the pivot barrel to couple the pivot barrel to the securing mechanism for pivotable movement about an axis of rotation; and a mechanical stop coupled to the pivot barrel, the mechanical stop cooperating through the securing mechanism to limit pivotable movement of the articulating an assembly relative to the securing mechanism, and the securing mechanism including an adjustable clamp configured to apply pressure to the pivot barrel. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A bed assembly comprising:
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a bed having a foot end and a head end that moves relative to the foot end and a control apparatus including a module being positioned to lie over the bed and having at least one input on the module activated directly by a patient on the bed to perform at least one function and an arm having a first end coupled to the module and a second end directly secured to the head end so that the module and arm move with the head end and can be moved relative to the head end, the control apparatus further including a securing mechanism configured to couple the arm to the head end of the bed, the arm further including an articulating joint coupled to the securing mechanism, and the securing mechanism including an adjustable clamp surrounding the articulating joint. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A bed assembly comprising:
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a bed having a foot end and a head end that moves relative to the foot end and a control apparatus including a module being positioned to lie over the bed and having at least one input on the module activated directly by a patient on the bed to perform at least one function and an arm having a first end coupled to the module and a second end directly secured to the head end so that the module and arm move with the head end and can be moved relative to the head end, the arm being an articulating arm, the articulating arm including a first arm segment having a first end coupled to the head end of the bed and a second end, a second arm segment having a first end and a second end, a first articulating joint coupled to the first end of the first arm segment and to the head end of the bed, and a second articulating joint coupled to the second end of the first arm segment and the first end of the second arm segment, the control apparatus further including a securing mechanism configured to couple the articulating arm to the head end of the bed, and the securing mechanism including an adjustable clamp having first and second clamping portions which each surround a portion of the first articulating joint and an adjustment mechanism configured to provide relative movement between the first and second clamping portions to adjust the pressure applied by the adjustable clamp to the first articulating joint. - View Dependent Claims (47)
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48. A bed assembly comprising,
a bed having a foot end and a head end that moves relative to the foot end and a control apparatus including a module having at least one input to perform at least one function and an arm having a first end coupled to the module and a second end coupled to the head end so that the module and arm move with the head end, the arm including multiple arm segments that allow for rotational adjustment of one arm segment with respect to another arm segment about a fixed axis on one arm segment, the control apparatus further including a securing mechanism configured to couple the arm to the head end of the bed, the arm further including an articulating joint coupled to the securing mechanism, and the securing mechanism including an adjustable clamp surrounding the articulating joint.
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65. A bed assembly comprising
a bed having a foot end and a head end that moves relative to the foot end and a control apparatus including a module having at least one input to perform at least one function and an arm having a first end coupled to the module and a second end coupled to the head end so that the module and arm move with the head end, the arm including multiple arm segments that allow for rotational adjustment of one arm segment with respect to another arm segment about a fixed axis on one arm segment, the arm including a first arm segment having a first end coupled to the head end of the bed and a second end, a second arm segment having a first end and a second end, a first articulating joint coupled to the first end of the first arm segment and to the head end of the bed and a second articulating joint coupled to the second end of the first arm segment and the first end of the second arm segment, the control apparatus further including a securing mechanism configured to couple the arm to the head end of the bed, and the securing mechanism including an adjustable clamp having first and second clamping portions which each surround a portion of the first articulating joint and an adjustment mechanism configured to provide relative movement between the first and second clamping portions to adjust the pressure applied by the adjustable clamp to the first articulating joint.
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67. A bed assembly comprising:
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a bed having a foot end and a head end that moves relative to the foot end and a control apparatus including a module being positioned to lie over the bed and having at least one input to perform at least one function and an arm having a first end coupled to the module and a second end coupled to the head end so that the module and arm move with the head end, wherein the coupling of the arm to the head end permits rotation of the arm relative to the head end, the control apparatus further including a securing mechanism configured to couple the arm to the head end of the bed, the arm further including an articulating joint coupled to the securing mechanism, and the securing mechanism including an adjustable clamp surrounding the articulating joint. - View Dependent Claims (68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84)
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85. A bed assembly comprising:
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a bed having a foot end and a head end that moves relative to the foot end and a control apparatus including a module being positioned to lie over the bed and having at least one input to perform at least one function and an arm having a first end coupled to the module and a second end coupled to the head end so that the module and arm move with the head end, wherein the coupling of the arm to the head end permits rotation of the arm relative to the head end, the arm being an articulating arm, the articulating arm including a first arm segment having a first end coupled to the head end of the bed and a second end, a second arm segment having a first end and a second end, a first articulating joint coupled to the first end of the first arm segment and to the head end of the bed, and a second articulating joint coupled to the second end of the first arm segment and the first end of the second arm segment, the control apparatus further including a securing mechanism configured to couple the articulating arm to the head end of the bed, and the securing mechanism including an adjustable clamp having first and second clamping portions which each surround a portion of the first articulating joint and an adjustment mechanism configured to provide relative movement between the first and second clamping portions to adjust the pressure applied by the adjustable clamp to the first articulating joint. - View Dependent Claims (86)
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87. A bed assembly comprising:
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a bed having a foot end, a head end that moves relative to the foot end, a head end edge extending along a portion of the head end, and first and second sides connected to the head end edge and a control apparatus including a module being positioned to lie over the bed and having at least one input on the module activated directly by a patient on the bed to perform at least one function and an arm having a first end coupled to the module and a second end coupled at the head end edge so that the module and arm move with the head end, the control apparatus further including a securing mechanism configured to couple the arm to the head end of the bed, the arm further including an articulating joint coupled to the securing mechanism, and the securing mechanism including an adjustable clamp surrounding the articulating joint. - View Dependent Claims (88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103)
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104. A bed assembly comprising:
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a bed having a foot end, a head end that moves relative to the foot end, a head end edge extending along a portion of the head end, and first and second sides connected to the head end edge and a control apparatus including a module being positioned to lie over the bed and having at least one input on the module activated directly by a patient on the bed to perform at least one function and an arm having a first end coupled to the module and a second end coupled at the head end edge so that the module and arm move with the head end, the arm being an articulating arm, the articulating arm including a first arm segment having a first end coupled to the head end of the bed and a second end, a second arm segment having a first end and a second end, a first articulating joint coupled to the first end of the first arm segment and to the head end of the bed, and a second articulating joint coupled to the second end of the first arm segment and the first end of the second arm segment, the control apparatus further including a securing mechanism configured to couple the articulating arm to the head end of the bed, and the securing mechanism including an adjustable clamp having first and second clamping portions which each surround a portion of the first articulating joint and an adjustment mechanism configured to provide relative movement between the first and second clamping portions to adjust the pressure applied by the adjustable clamp to the first articulating joint. - View Dependent Claims (105)
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Specification