Blower unit retention apparatus

• US 6,290,194 B1
• Filed: 01/19/1999
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Chaconas, John J., Mueller, Jonathan H., Stolpmann, James R., Dalton, Roger D., Ferdon, Gary W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Braun, Leslie A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DeLuca, J.
• Application Number:
  US09/233,682
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 248/214, 248/346.11, 570/6, 571/0, 571/3, 565/8
• US Class Current: 248/214
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 9/0215 with cooling or heating means electric blankets H05B3/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05769 with inflatable chambers

Abstract

A retention apparatus is provided for mounting a blower unit for an air mattress to a bed frame member. The blower unit retention apparatus includes a pair of retention brackets, each including a U-shaped member having a base portion and a pair of outwardly projecting arms defining a slot for receiving the bed frame member. A locator pin is configured for insertion through oppositely disposed openings formed in the projecting arms of each of the retention brackets for securing the bed frame member between the locator pins and the respective base portions. An upstanding post is mounted to each of the two retention brackets for reception in a corresponding opening in the blower unit housing to secure the blower unit housing to the bed frame member.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with an air mattress supported by a bed frame comprising a bed frame member, the apparatus comprising:

a blower unit adapted to inflate the air mattress; and

at least one retention bracket adapted to support the blower unit, the at least one retention bracket including a base and a pair of outwardly projecting arms extending away from the base, the arms being spaced apart to define a slot configured to receive the bed frame member, a first connector configured to secure the retention bracket to the bed frame member in a cantilevered manner, and a second connector configured to secure the blower unit to the retention bracket.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the arms are each formed to include an opening, the first connector including a pin configured to be inserted through the openings in the arms so that the bed frame member is captured between the base of the retention bracket and the pin.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the arms includes a depending lip portion, the depending lip portions of the projecting arms and the pin of the first connector adapted to capture the bed frame member therebetween.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein first and second spaced apart retention brackets are used to secure the blower unit to the bed frame member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a protective guard coupled to each retention bracket.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the blower unit comprises an outer wall distal from the bed frame member when the blower unit is coupled to the bed frame via the at least one retention bracket, and the protective guard is formed to include a portion extending away from the retention bracket beyond the outer wall of the blower unit.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the protective guard includes a mounting bracket coupled to the retention bracket, and a roller rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the roller includes a rim portion extending beyond the outer wall of the blower unit.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mounting bracket includes a U-shaped member having a base portion coupled to the retention bracket and a pair of legs projecting outwardly from the base portion, and the roller being rotatably coupled between the legs of the mounting bracket.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the legs of the mounting bracket and the projecting arms of the retention bracket are disposed in planes which are substantially normal to each other.

11. An apparatus for use with an air mattress supported by a bed frame comprising a bed frame member, the apparatus comprising:

a blower unit adapted to inflate the air mattress; and

at least one retention bracket adapted to support the blower unit, the at least one retention bracket including a base and a pair of outwardly projecting arms extending away from the base, the arms being spaced apart to define a slot configured to receive the bed frame member, a first connector configured to secure the retention bracket to the bed frame member, and a second connector configured to secure the blower unit to the retention bracket,

wherein the blower unit comprises a opening formed therein, and the second connector includes an upstanding post coupled to the retention bracket for insertion into the opening of the blower unit.

12. An apparatus for use with an air mattress supported by a bed frame comprising a bed frame member, the apparatus comprising:

a blower unit adapted to inflate the air mattress; and

at least one retention bracket adapted to support the blower unit, the at least one retention bracket including a base and a pair of outwardly projecting arms extending away from the base, the arms being spaced apart to define a slot configured to receive the bed frame member, a first connector configured to secure the retention bracket to the bed frame member, and a second connector configured to secure the blower unit to the retention bracket,

wherein first and second spaced apart retention brackets are used to secure the blower unit to the bed frame member, and

wherein the blower unit comprises first and second spaced apart openings, and the second connectors of the first and second retention bracket comprise an upstanding post coupled to each of the first and second retention brackets for insertion into the first and second openings, respectively, to couple the blower unit to the bed frame member.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the blower unit is formed to include two pairs of first and second openings to accommodate variations in spacing between the first and second retention brackets.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second opening in the blower unit is elongated in order to accommodate variations in the spacing between the first and second retention brackets.

15. An apparatus for mounting a blower unit for an air mattress on a bed frame, the apparatus comprising:

at least one retention bracket, each retention bracket including means for detachably securing the retention bracket to a bed frame member in a cantilevered manner, means for detachably securing the blower unit to the retention bracket, and a surface adapted to support the blower unit when the blower unit is detachably secured to the retention bracket.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further including a protective guard coupled to the retention bracket.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the protective guard includes a mounting bracket coupled to the retention bracket, and a roller rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each retention bracket includes a base and a pair of outwardly projecting arms extending away from the base to define a slot to receive the bed frame member, the pair of arms each being formed to include an opening, the means for releasably securing the retention bracket to the bed frame member including a pin configured for insertion through the openings in the arms to couple the retention bracket to the bed frame member.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a tether having a first end coupled to the pin and a second end coupled to the retention bracket.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein each of the projecting arms includes a depending lip portion, the depending lip portions of the projecting arms and the pin adapted to capture the bed frame member therebetween.

21. An apparatus for mounting a blower unit for an air mattress on a bed frame, the apparatus comprising:

at least one retention bracket, each retention bracket including means for detachably securing the retention bracket to a bed frame member, and means for detachably securing the blower unit to the retention bracket,

wherein the means for detachably securing the blower unit housing to the retention bracket includes an upstanding post coupled to the retention bracket for insertion into the blower unit.

22. An apparatus for mounting a blower unit for an air mattress on a bed frame member, the blower unit having an opening formed therein, the apparatus comprising:

a U-shaped member having a base and a pair of outwardly projecting arms extending away from the base to define a slot configured to receive the bed frame member, each of the arms being formed to include an opening therein,

a pin configured to be inserted through the openings formed in the projecting arms to secure the bed frame member between the base and the pin, and

an upstanding post coupled to one of the arms, the post being configured to be inserted into the opening formed in the blower unit.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein each of the arms is formed to include a depending lip portion, the depending lip portions of the arms and the pin adapted to capture the bed frame member therebetween.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, further including a protective guard coupled to the U-shaped member.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the protective guard includes a mounting bracket coupled to the U-shaped member, and a roller rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket.

26. The apparatus of claim 22, further including a tether having a first end coupled to the pin and a second end coupled to the U-shaped member.

27. For use with a bed comprising a mattress and a bed frame supporting the mattress, a blower unit system comprising:

a blower unit adapted to inflate the mattress; and

a support adapted to be coupled to the bed frame such that the support extends away from the bed frame, the blower unit being coupled to and positioned on the support, wherein the support comprises a first retention bracket and a second retention bracket spaced apart from the first retention bracket, and each retention bracket comprises a first connector adapted to couple the retention bracket to the bed frame in a cantilevered manner.

28. The blower unit system of claim 27, wherein each retention bracket comprises a second connector adapted to couple the blower unit to the support.

29. The blower unit of claim 27, wherein the blower unit comprises an outer wall distal from the bed frame when the blower unit is coupled to the bed frame via the support, and the support further comprises a roller that extends beyond the outer wall of the blower unit.

30. For use with a bed comprising a mattress and a bed frame supporting the mattress, a blower unit system comprising:

a blower unit adapted to inflate the mattress; and

a support adapted to be coupled to the bed frame such that the support extends away from the bed frame, the blower unit being coupled to and positioned on the support, wherein the support comprises a first retention bracket and a second retention bracket spaced apart from the first retention bracket, each retention bracket including a connector, and the blower unit comprises first and second spaced apart openings, and the connectors of the first and second retention bracket comprise an upstanding post coupled to each of the first and second retention brackets for insertion into the first and second openings, respectively, to couple the blower unit to the support.

31. The blower unit of claim 30, wherein the panel blower unit comprises two pairs of first and second openings to accommodate variations in spacing between the first and second retention brackets.

32. The blower unit of claim 30, wherein the second opening in the blower unit is elongated in order to accommodate variations in spacing between the first and second retention brackets.

33. For use with a bed having an upper portion, a lower portion, a mattress and a bed frame supporting the mattress, a blower unit system comprising:

a blower unit adapted to inflate the mattress; and

a support adapted to be coupled to the lower portion of the bed such that the support extends away from the lower portion of the bed, the blower unit being coupled to the support, wherein the support comprises a first retention bracket and a second retention bracket spaced apart from the first retention bracket, and each retention bracket comprises a first connector adapted to couple the retention bracket to the lower portion of the bed in a cantilevered manner.

34. The blower unit system of claim 33, wherein each retention bracket comprises a second connector adapted to couple the blower unit to the support.

35. The blower unit system of claim 34, wherein the blower unit comprises first and second spaced apart openings, and the second connectors of the first and second retention bracket comprise an upstanding post coupled to each of the first and second retention brackets for insertion into the first and second openings, respectively, to couple the blower unit to the support.

36. The blower unit of claim 35, wherein the blower unit comprises two pairs of first and second openings to accommodate variations in spacing between the first and second retention brackets.

37. The blower unit of claim 35, wherein the second opening in the blower unit is elongated in order to accommodate variations in spacing between the first and second retention brackets.

38. The blower unit of claim 33, wherein the blower unit comprises an outer wall distal from the lower portion of the bed when the blower unit is coupled to the lower portion of the bed via the support, and the support further comprises a roller that extends beyond the outer wall of the blower unit.

39. For use with a bed having a footprint and comprising a mattress and a bed frame supporting the mattress, a blower unit system comprising:

a blower unit adapted to inflate the mattress; and

a support adapted to be coupled to the bed frame such that the support extends beyond the footprint of the bed, the blower unit being coupled to the support, wherein the support comprises a first retention bracket and a second retention bracket spaced apart from the first retention bracket, and each retention bracket comprises a first connector adapted to couple the retention bracket to the bed frame in a cantilevered manner.

40. The blower unit system of claim 39, wherein each retention bracket comprises a second connector adapted to couple the blower unit to the support.

41. The blower unit system of claim 40, wherein the blower unit comprises first and second spaced apart openings, and the second connectors of the first and second retention brackets comprise an upstanding post coupled to each of the first and second retention brackets for insertion into the first and second openings, respectively, to couple the blower unit to the support.

42. The blower unit of claim 41, wherein the blower unit comprises two pairs of first and second openings to accommodate variations in spacing between the first and second retention brackets.

43. The blower unit of claim 41, wherein the second opening in the blower unit is elongated in order to accommodate variations in spacing between the first and second retention brackets.

44. The blower unit of claim 39, wherein the blower unit comprises an outer wall distal from the bed frame when the blower unit is coupled to the bed frame via the support, and the support further comprises a roller that extends beyond the outer wall of the blower unit.

45. For use with a bed having an upper portion, a lower portion, a mattress and a bed frame supporting the mattress, a blower unit system comprising:

a blower unit adapted to inflate the mattress; and

a support adapted to be releasably coupled to the lower portion of the bed, the blower unit being coupled to the support, wherein the support comprises a first retention bracket and a second retention bracket spaced apart from the first retention bracket, and each retention bracket comprises a first connector adapted to couple the retention bracket to the lower portion of the bed in a cantilevered manner.

46. The blower unit system of claim 45, wherein each retention bracket comprises a second connector adapted to couple the blower unit to the support.

47. The blower unit system of claim 46, wherein the blower unit comprises first and second spaced apart openings, and the second connectors of the first and second retention bracket comprise an upstanding post coupled to each of the first and second retention brackets for insertion into the first and second openings, respectively, to couple the blower unit to the support.

48. The blower unit of claim 47, wherein the blower unit comprises two pairs of first and second openings to accommodate variations in spacing between the first and second retention brackets.

49. The blower unit of claim 47, wherein the second opening in the blower unit is elongated in order to accommodate variations in spacing between the first and second retention brackets.

50. The blower unit of claim 45, wherein the blower unit comprises an outer wall distal from the lower portion of the bed when the blower unit is coupled to the lower portion of the bed via the support, and the support further comprises a roller that extends beyond the outer wall of the blower unit.

51. For use with a bed comprising a mattress and a bed frame supporting the mattress and a support coupled to the bed frame and comprising at least one interactive member, a blower unit comprising:

a blower adapted to inflate the mattress, and

a coupler coupled to the blower and comprising an interactive member that is adapted to interact with the at least one interactive member of the support in order to couple the blower to the support, the interactive member of the coupler adapted to accommodate variations in location of the at least one interactive member of the support.

52. The blower unit of claim 51, wherein the interactive member of the coupler comprise a plurality of spaced apart openings adapted to receive the at least one interactive member of the support.

53. The blower unit of claim 52, wherein the plurality of spaced apart openings comprises at least one elongated opening in order to accommodate variations in spacing between interactive members of the support.

54. The blower unit of claim 51, wherein the interactive member of the coupler comprises two pairs of openings to accommodate variations in spacing between interactive members of the support.