Bed control apparatus

• US 6,320,510 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2000
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Douglas J. Menkedick, Eugene E. Osborne, Jack Wilker Jr, James K. Findlay
• Original Assignee: Douglas J. Menkedick, Eugene E. Osborne, Jack Wilker Jr, James K. Findlay
• Inventors: Findlay, James K., Osborne, Eugene E., Menkedick, Douglas J., Wilker, Jack Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US09/737,111
• Publication Number:
  US 20010001235A1
• Time in Patent Office: 341 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/572, 340/825.36, 340/664, 340/665, 340/666, 340/667, 340/686.1, 340/562, 5/600, 5/618, 5/624
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/44 for weight
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/72 for collision prevention
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/723 Impact absorbing means, e.g. bumpers or airbags
• 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 7/0513 covering particular sections of the bed, e.g. one or more partial side-rail sections along the bed
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0524 characterised by integrated accessories, e.g. bed control means, nurse call or reading lights
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0527 Weighing devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5224 for medical use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement

Abstract

A bed includes a base, a support surface coupled to the base, and a controller configured to control at least one function. A control panel is coupled to the controller. At least one lockout switch is coupled to the controller.

Claims

1. A bed comprising:

a base;

a support surface coupled to the base;

a controller configured to control an entertainment device including at least one of a television, a radio, a stereo, a video player, and a computer;

an entertainment control panel coupled to the controller, the entertainment control panel including inputs to permit an operator to control operation of the entertainment device; and

a lockout switch coupled to the controller, the lockout switch being configured to disable the entertainment control panel when the lockout switch is actuated.

2. The bed of claim 1, further comprising an indicator light coupled to the controller, the indicator light being illuminated when the lockout switch is actuated.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the indicator light is coupled to a siderail of the bed spaced apart from the lockout switch.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lockout switch is coupled to a footboard of the bed.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a cover coupled to the footboard, the lockout switch being concealed beneath the cover.

6. A bed comprising:

a base;

a support surface coupled to the base;

a controller configured to control a plurality of functions including at least one of a night light, a back light, a head articulation actuator, a knee articulation actuator, a hi/lo actuator, and an entertainment device;

a control panel coupled to the controller, the control panel including a plurality of inputs to permit an operator to control the plurality of functions;

a plurality of lockout switches coupled to the controller, the controller being configured to disable operation of selected functions by the control panel upon actuation of corresponding lockout switches; and

an indicator located on the bed spaced apart from the plurality of lockout switches, the indicator being configured to provide an indication when at least one of the lockout switches is actuated to disable operation of at least one of the functions.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the indicator is coupled to a siderail of the bed.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the plurality of lockout switches are located on a footboard of the bed.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of lockout switches includes a light located adjacent the lockout switch to indicate when the lockout switch is actuated.

10. An apparatus for aligning a first electrical connector electrically coupled to a control panel located on a removable member of a bed with a second electrical connector electrically coupled to a controller on the bed, the apparatus comprising:

a first connector alignment apparatus having a connector receiving portion configured to secure the first electrical connector to the first connector alignment apparatus;

a second connector alignment apparatus having a connector receiving portion configured to secure the second electrical connector to the second connector alignment apparatus;

a first fastener configured to couple the first connector alignment apparatus to the removable member of the bed; and

a second fastener configured to couple the second connector alignment apparatus to a frame of the bed, one of the first and second connector alignment apparatuses including at least one alignment post, and the other of the first and second connector alignment apparatuses including at least one aperture configured to receive the alignment post therein as the removable member is installed on to the frame of the bed to align the first and second electrical connectors before the first and second connectors are mated.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the frame of the bed includes at least one post extending away from the frame by a distance greater than a height of the second connector alignment apparatus, and the removable member of the bed is formed to include an aperture configured to receive the post on the frame of the bed to provide an initial alignment between the removable member and the frame as the removable member is installed on to the frame.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein one of the first and second connector alignment apparatuses includes first and second spaced apart alignment posts and the other of the first and second connector alignment apparatuses includes first and second spaced apart apertures configured to receive the first and second alignment posts, respectively, therein.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the alignment post includes a tapered head portion and the aperture includes a tapered lead-in surface to facilitate insertion of the alignment post into the aperture.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first and second electrical connectors are each formed to include a flange, and wherein the connector receiving portions of the first and second connector alignment apparatuses each include a central post, at least one spring arm extending away from the central post, and a head configured to engage the flange of the electrical connector to retain the electrical connector within the connector receiving portion.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the head includes a ramp surface configured to engage the electrical connector so that the at least one spring arm is flexed upon insertion of the electrical connector into the connector receiving portion.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first and second electrical connectors are each formed to include a pair of spaced apart mounting apertures, the connector receiving portions of the first and second connector alignment apparatuses each being formed to include a pair of spaced apart posts configured to receive the mounting apertures of electrical connectors to align the electrical connectors relative to the first and second connector alignment apparatuses.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first fastener is configured to provide a rigid connection between the first connector alignment apparatus and the removable member and the second fastener is configured provide a loose connection between the second connector alignment apparatus and the frame to permit limited movement of the second connector alignment apparatus relative to the frame.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the frame of the bed is formed to include at least one aperture, and the second electrical connector alignment apparatus includes at least one retention post configured to be inserted into the at least one aperture of the frame, the at least one aperture of the frame being larger than the at least one retention post to permit limited movement of the second connector alignment apparatus relative to the frame of the bed.

19. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first electrical connector includes at least one alignment post and the second electrical connector includes an aperture configured to receive the alignment post of the first electrical connector therein to provide further alignment between the first and second electrical connectors.

20. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first and second connector alignment apparatuses include keys.