Apparatus and method for weighing the occupant of a bed

• US 6,518,520 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2000
• Issued: 02/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Innovative Mobility
• Original Assignee: Innovative Mobility
• Inventors: Jones, John Frederick, Jones, David Lane
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W.
• Application Number:
  US09/538,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20020046886A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 177/136, 177/144, 177/208, 177/209, 177/254, 738/625.81, 738/625.82, 562/0, 562/7
• US Class Current: 177/144
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/445 in a horizontal position

Abstract

Weighing apparatus preferably comprises at least two weight sensing elements that are connected to each other by at least one communication cable. In accordance with this invention, weight sensing elements are preferably positioned either adjacent to or at each end of bed in order to support bed. In a preferred embodiment, each weight sensing element comprises a weight sensing base and at least a pair of mounting assemblies that may be at or adjacent to the head and foot of bed. Preferably, weight sensing base extends laterally and mounting assemblies extend vertically. Each weight sensing base is supported by the corresponding pair of mounting assemblies. In addition, a power cord is used for transferring electrical power to weighing apparatus. A pendant assembly is used for operating weighing apparatus. A pendant cord connects hand-held pendant to both weight sensing elements upon being plugged into either weight sensing element. The method of operation of weighing apparatus is based on a two-mode operation: TARE mode operation and WEIGH mode operation. The principals of operation of weighing apparatus are a summation of load points that are established when bed, under its own controls, is lowered to a position that allows bed and its contents to rest on weighing apparatus.

Claims

1. A weighing apparatus comprising:

at least two weight sensing elements that each comprise at least;

a. a weight sensing base comprising at least one fluid-filled instrument and an analog to digital converter;

b. two mounting assemblies supporting and holding each weight sensing base and being connected directly or indirectly to a bed that is being weighed;

c. a thermostat mounted within the weight sensing base;

d. a heat tape mounted within the weight sensing base; and

e. a transformer connected to the heat tape and to the thermostat and mounted within the weight sensing base;

such that, when the bed is solely supported by the weight sensing base, any pressure exerted on the fluid-filled instruments is indicative of the weight of the bed and of any objects or living things held or supported by the bed as indicated by the analog to digital converted connected to the fluid-filled instrument.

2. The weighing apparatus of claim 1, wherein each weight sensing base comprises a pair of weight sensing instruments each comprising, in addition to the fluid-filled instrument, at least:

a. a foot supporting from below the fluid-filled instrument;

b. a transducer connected at one end via a fitting to top of the fluid-filled instrument and sealed at another end; and

c. a signal conditioner connected to the sealed transducer.

3. The weighing apparatus of claim 2 wherein each fluid-filled instrument comprises:

a. a housing having a bottom and a top opening that is covered by the fitting connecting the housing to the transducer;

b. a flexible diaphragm that is a force-sensing disc having a central hole and that extends across and is attached to the bottom of the housing;

c. a bolt having a head, that is enclosed by the housing, and a body, that extends downwardly from the head into the foot supporting the fluid-filled instrument;

d. a pair of washers, with the first washer being positioned tightly between the flexible diaphragm and the head of the bolt and with the second washer being positioned under and against the flexible diaphragm; and

e. a nut that rests under and against the second washer;

such that the bottom of the housing is sealed off when the fluid-filled instrument is being assembled and before the housing, the fitting and the transducer are filled with fluid and before the transducer is sealed.

4. The weighing apparatus of claim 3, wherein each weight sensing base further comprises:

a. a housing cover, with the fluid-filled instrument extending downward from inside the housing cover; and

b. a horizontal bar, with the horizontal bar and the housing cover forming a hollow enclosing body that encloses the transducer, the signal conditioner, the fitting and part of the housing.

5. The weighing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the flexible diaphragm comprises canvas or re-enforced rubber, the foot comprises a solid plastic, the fining comprises brass or stainless steel, the transducer comprises stainless steel and the housing comprises heat-treated aluminum or stainless steel.

6. The weighing apparatus of claim 2, wherein standard electronic wiring is used to connect the transducer to the signal conditioner.

7. The weighing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the fluid-filled instrument contains instrument oil.

8. The weighing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the signal conditioner includes a Printed Circuit Board comprising Central Processing Unit, Electrically Programmable Read Only Memory, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory and Random Access Memory.

9. The weighing apparatus of claim 1, wherein a power cord is connected to one weight sensing base.

10. The weighing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the weighing apparatus further comprises a pendant assembly that is connected to one weight sensing base and that is used for operating the weighing apparatus.

11. The weighing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pendant assembly comprises:

a. a hand-held pendant which receives data from the signal conditioner and which comprises at least a pendant screen used for demonstrating information and received data and control elements used for controlling operation of weighing apparatus; and

b. a pendant cord that connects the hand-held pendant to the weight sensing element.

12. The weighing apparatus of claim 1, wherein a communication cable connects each pair of weight sensing bases to one another.

13. The weighing apparatus of claim 1, wherein each mounting assembly comprises at least:

a. a mounting base extending upwardly from and above the weight sensing base;

b. a threaded pole having a threaded bottom portion and a threaded top portion being stably mounted via its threaded bottom portion onto and upon the mounting base;

c. a mounting nut having a threaded inner surface and being twisted around threaded top portion of the threaded pole;

d. a nut-bushing having a threaded inner surface and being twisted around threaded top portion of the threaded pole above the mounting nut;

e. a tube positioned upon and onto the mounting base;

f. an end cap, having a downwardly extending open passage, being positioned on top of the tube;

g. a mounting washer positioned above the end cap; and

h. a mounting bolt inserted through the mounting washer and the end cap;

such that the mounting assemblies stably hold the weight sensing base connected to the bed.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a first weight sensing element that includes;

a first base that includes a first fluid-filled instrument and a first analog to digital converter;

a first pair of mounting assemblies connected to the first base;

a second weight sensing element connectable to the first weight sensing element and including;

a second base that includes a second fluid-filled instrument and a second analog to digital converter; and

a second pair of mounting assemblies connected to the second base; and

wherein the first and second weight sensing elements are connectable to a bed having a plurality of wheels using the first and second pairs of mounting assemblies, respectively, and wherein the first and second weight sensing elements engage a floor beneath the bed and weigh the bed in response to the plurality of wheels being retracted.

15. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of weight sensing elements that each include;

a base that includes;

at least one fluid-filled instrument;

an analog to digital converter;

a foot for supporting the fluid-filled instrument;

a fitting connected to the fluid-filled instrument;

a transducer connected to the fitting; and

a signal conditioner connected to the transducer;

wherein the plurality of weight sensing elements are connectable to a bed to allow the bed to be weighed; and

wherein the base of each of said plurality of weight sensing elements further includes;

a thermostat;

a heat tape; and

a transformer connected to the heat tape and to the thermostat.