Foot controls for a bed

• US 6,978,500 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2003
• Issued: 12/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Osborne, Eugene E., Suttman, Glenn C., Wilker, Jack Jr., Visca, Matthew, Koenig, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shackelford, Heather
• Assistant Examiner(s): Saldano, Lisa M.
• Application Number:
  US10/740,169
• Publication Number:
  US 20040128765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 560/0, 561/1, 561/0, 561/6
• US Class Current: 5/600
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 19/045 with entire frame height or inclination adjustments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1115 Monitoring leaving of a patient support, e.g. a bed or a wheelchair
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6891 Furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/12 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/16 Touchpads
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/20 Displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/34 for pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/36 for motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/40 for distance
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/44 for weight
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/726 for automatic deactivation, e.g. deactivation of actuators or motors
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/74 for anti-shear when adjusting furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/00 Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons stretchers with facilities for picking up patients or disabled persons A61G1/003
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/001 with means for turning-over the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/002 having adjustable mattress frame
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/005 tiltable around transverse horizontal axis, e.g. for Trendelenburg position rocking beds for physical therapy A61H1/003; hanging patient inclined downwardly for drawing him out A61H2203/0493
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/008 tiltable around longitudinal axis, e.g. for rolling
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/012 raising or lowering of the whole mattress frame A61G7/005, A61G7/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/015 divided into different adjustable sections, e.g. for Gatch position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/018 Control or drive mechanisms
• 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 7/051 : pivoting sideward
• 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 7/0514 : mounted to individual mattress supporting frame sections
• 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 7/0527 : Weighing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0528 : Steering or braking devices for castor wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/053 : Aids for getting into, or out of, bed, e.g. steps, chairs, cane-like supports
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05715 : with modular blocks, or inserts, with layers of different material
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05769 : with inflatable chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0755 : for the legs or feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/08 : Apparatus for transporting beds
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/445 : in a horizontal position

Abstract

A bed for a person is provided. The bed includes a frame, a deck, and a mattress. The bed further includes a plurality of foot-operated controls configured to control features of the bed.

Claims

1. A patient support comprising:

a frame;

a deck supported by the frame;

a mattress supported by the deck;

a first actuator configured to move at least a portion of the frame;

a second actuator configured to move at least a portion of the deck relative to the frame; and

a foot-operated control supported by the frame, the foot-operated control including a first pedal configured to pivot between a first position and a second position below the first position in order to control movement of the first actuator, and a second pedal positioned in spaced relation to the first pedal, the second pedal configured to pivot between a first position and a second position below the first position in order to control movement of the second actuator.

2. The patient support of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a base frame and an intermediate frame supported by the base frame, and the first actuator is configured to move the intermediate frame relative to the base frame.

3. The patient support of claim 2, wherein the deck includes a head section configured to pivotally move relative to the intermediate frame, and the second actuator is configured to move the head section relative to the intermediate frame.

4. The patient support of claim 3, further comprising:

a third actuator coupled to the deck;

the foot-operated control including a third pedal positioned in spaced relation to the second pedal, the third pedal configured to pivot between a first position and a second position below the first position in order to controi movement of the third actuator;

the deck further including a seat section configured to pivotally move relative to the intermediate frame; and

wherein the third actuator is configured to move the seat section relative to the intermediate frame.

5. The patient support of claim 3, further comprising:

a third actuator coupled to the intermediate frame;

the foot-operated control including a third pedal positioned in spaced relation to the second pedal, the third pedal configured to pivot between a first position and a second position below the first position in order to simultaneously control movement of the first actuator and the third actuator;

the base frame having first and second ends and the intermediate frame having first and second ends;

the first actuator being positioned to move the first end of the intermediate frame relative to the first end of the base frame; and

the third actuator being positioned to move the second end of the intermediate frame relative to the second end of the base frame.

6. The patient support of claim 5, wherein the third pedal is configured to place the intermediate frame in one of Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg positions.

7. The patient support of claim 3, further comprising:

a third actuator coupled to the deck;

the foot-operated control including a third pedal positioned in spaced relation to the second pedal, the third pedal configured to pivot between a first position and a second position below the first position in order to control movement of the third actuator;

the deck further including a retractable foot section and a seat section positioned intermediate the head section and the foot section; and

wherein the third actuator is configured to extend and retract the foot section relative to the intermediate frame.

8. The patient support of claim 3, further comprising:

a third actuator coupled to the deck;

the deck further including a seat section configured to pivotally move relative to the intermediate frame; and

the foot-operated control including a third pedal positioned in spaced relation to the second pedal, the third pedal configured to pivot between a first position and a second position below the first position in order to simultaneously control movement of the second actuator and the third actuator, thereby simultaneously placing the head section and the seat section in desired positions.

9. The patient support of claim 1, wherein the first actuator is configured to move between first and second positions, movement of the first pedal to the first position controls movement of the first actuator to the first position, and movement of the first pedal to the second position controls movement of the first actuator to the second position.

10. The patient support of claim 9, wherein the second actuator is configured to move between first and second positions, movement of the second pedal to the first position controls movement of the second actuator to the first position, and movement of the second pedal to the second position controls movement of the second actuator to the second position.

11. The patient support of claim 1, wherein the first and second actuators are electrically powered.

12. The patient support of claim 1, wherein the first pedal is configured to move to a third position between the first position and the second position and the first pedal is configured to maintain the position of the first actuator when in the third position, and the second pedal is configured to move to a third position between the first position and the second position and the second pedal is configured to maintain the position of the second actuator when in the third position.

13. The patient support of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of wheels supporting the frame on the floor.

14. A patient support comprising:

a frame;

a deck supported by the frame;

a mattress supported by the deck;

an actuator configured to move at least one of a portion of the frame and a portion of the deck; and

a plurality of spaced, independently operable controls, each of the controls configured to provide a dedicated function and including a pedal supported by the frame for movement about a pivot axis between a first position and a second position below the first position, at least one of the pedals configured to move the actuator in a first direction when the pedal is in the first position and to move the actuator in a second direction when the pedal is in the second position.

15. The patient support of claim 14, wherein each of the controls includes a field sensor configured to detect a change in field caused by a change in position of the pedal.

16. The patient support of claim 15, wherein each of the controls further includes a magnet coupled to the pedal and the field sensor is configured to detect a change in position of the magnet caused by a change in position of the pedal.

17. The patient support of claim 16, wherein the pedal includes a pedal portion positioned to be acted upon by the person'"'"'s foot and the pivot axis is positioned between the pedal portion and the magnet.

18. The patient support of claim 14, wherein each of the controls includes an electrical switch configured to detect a change in position of the pedal.

19. The patient support of claim 14, wherein the frame includes a base frame and an intermediate frame supported by the base frame, and the actuator is configured to move the intermediate frame relative to the base frame.

20. The patient support of claim 14, wherein the deck includes a head section configured to pivotally move relative to the intermediate frame, and the actuator is configured to move the head section relative to the intermediate frame.

31. The patient support of claim 14, wherein the pedal is supported for movement upwardly from a neutral position to the first position and for movement downwardly from the neutral position to the second position.

21. A patient support comprising:

a frame including a base frame and an intermediate frame supported by the base frame;

a deck supported by the intermediate frame, the deck including a head section supported for pivotal movement relative to the intermediate frame, a foot section supported for movement relative to the intermediate frame, and a seat section supported for pivotal movement relative to the intermediate frame and positioned between the head section and the foot section;

a mattress supported by the deck;

a first actuator configured to move the intermediate frame relative to the base frame;

a second actuator configured to move the head section relative to the intermediate frame;

a first foot-operated control including a first pedal configured to control movement of the first actuator, the first pedal supported by the base frame and configured to pivot between a first position and a second position below the first position; and

a second foot-operated control positioned in spaced relation to the first foot-operated control and including a second pedal configured to control movement of the second actuator, the second pedal supported by the base frame and configured to pivot between a first position and a second position below the first position.

22. The patient support of claim 21, wherein the first actuator is configured to move between first and second positions, movement of the first pedal to the first position controls movement of the first actuator to the first position, and movement of the first pedal to the second position controls movement of the first actuator to the second position.

23. The patient support of claim 22, wherein the second actuator is configured to move between first and second positions, movement of the second pedal to the first position controls movement of the second actuator to the first position, and movement of the second pedal to the second position controls movement of the second actuator to the second position.

24. The patient support of claim 21, wherein the first and second actuators are electrically powered.

25. The patient support of claim 21, further comprising a housing supported by the base frame and the first and second pedals are coupled to the housing.

26. The patient support of claim 25, wherein each of the first and second foot-operated controls further includes a field sensor coupled to the housing to detect a change in a field caused by movement of the respective first and second pedals.

27. The patient support of claim 26, wherein each of the first and second foot-operated controls further includes a magnet coupled to each of the first and second pedals, each of the field sensors is configured to detect a change in position of the magnet caused by movement of the respective first and second pedals.

28. The patient support of claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of foot-operated controls includes a biaser positioned to urge the pedal to a third position between the first and second positions.

29. The patient support of claim 21, further comprising:

a third foot-operated control positioned in spaced relation to the first and second foot operated controls and including a CPR pedal supported by the base frame and configured to pivot between a first position and a second position below the first position;

the mattress comprising an inflatable air mattress; and

wherein movement of the CPR pedal to the second position causes the second actuator to place the head section in a lowered position and causes inflation of the air mattress to a predetermined maximum pressure.

30. The patient support of claim 29, further comprising:

a third actuator configured to move the seat section relative to the intermediate frame; and

wherein movement of the CPR pedal to the second position further causes the third actuator to place the seat section in a lowered position.