Method of making and using a patient support apparatus having a motorized drive assembly

• US 7,530,412 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2007
• Issued: 05/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Webster, Thomas M., Vogel, John D., Heimbrock, Richard H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARCE, MARLON ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US11/874,273
• Publication Number:
  US 20080035396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.1, 180/65.3, 180/19.1, 5 8/61, 560/1, 560/2, 561/0
• US Class Current: 180/65.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0225 other configuration, e.g. odd number of wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0243 with lockable swivel action, e.g. fixing castor in certain direction locking of castor swivel action in general B60B33/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0268 having deployable or retractable wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0275 having driven wheels, e.g. motorised
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0287 having brakes, e.g. slowing down and/or holding details of brake actuators on castors B60B33/0078; brakes on hand carts B62B5/04; brakes in general F16D49/00 - F16D65/853
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/018 Control or drive mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0528 Steering or braking devices for castor wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/08 Apparatus for transporting beds
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/068 with switches mounted on a handlebar, e.g. for motorcycles, fork lift trucks, etc.

Abstract

A patient support apparatus has a lower frame and an upper supported above the lower frame and movable relative to the lower frame. A plurality of casters are coupled to the lower frame. A wheel is movable relative to the lower frame between a lowered position engaging the floor and a raised position spaced from the floor. A drive assembly is coupled to the wheel and is operable to drive the wheel to propel the patient support apparatus along the floor. A foot pedal is coupled to the lower frame and is movable to raise and lower the wheel relative to the floor.

Claims

1. A method of making a patient support apparatus for transporting a patient along a floor, the method comprising:

making a frame,

coupling a plurality of casters to the frame,

coupling to the frame a wheel that is movable relative to the frame between a first position engaging the floor and a second position spaced from the floor,

coupling a drive assembly to the frame and to the wheel, the drive assembly being operable to drive the wheel to propel the patient support apparatus along the floor,

coupling a controller to the drive assembly,

coupling a push handle to the frame, wherein coupling the push handle to the frame comprises coupling the push handle to the frame so that the push handle is pivotable relative to the frame,

coupling a control to the push handle and coupling the control to the controller so that movement of the control provides a signal to the controller via at least one wire routed from the control through the push handle.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising routing the at least one wire through a hollow tube portion of the push handle.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising routing the at least one wire through a bend at a region defining an intersection of a first portion and a second portion of the push handle.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising routing the at least one wire through the push handle such that the at least one wire exits the push handle through a bottom portion of the push handle.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising routing the at least one wire to the controller along portions of the frame.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising routing the at least one wire through a bend at a region defined by an intersection of a generally vertically-extending portion of the push handle and a generally horizontally-extending portion of the push handle.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing a mattress in a position be supported by the frame.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling a battery to the controller.

7. A method of making a patient support apparatus for transporting a patient along a floor, the method comprising:

making a frame,

coupling a plurality of casters to the frame,

coupling to the frame a wheel that is movable relative to the frame between a first position engaging the floor and a second position spaced from the floor,

coupling a drive assembly to the frame and to the wheel, the drive assembly being operable to drive the wheel to propel the patient support apparatus along the floor,

coupling a controller to the drive assembly,

coupling a push handle to the frame,

coupling a control to the push handle and coupling the control to the controller so that movement of the control provides a signal to the controller via at least one wire routed from the control through the push handle, and

routing the at least one wire through a bend at a region defined by an intersection of a generally vertically-extending portion of the push handle and a generally horizontally-extending portion of the push handle, wherein coupling the push handle to the frame comprises coupling the push handle to the frame so that the generally horizontally-extending portion extends generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the frame.

10. A method of making a patient support apparatus for transporting a patient along a floor, the method comprising:

making a frame,

coupling a plurality of casters to the frame,

coupling to the frame a wheel that is movable relative to the frame between a first position engaging the floor and a second position spaced from the floor,

coupling a drive assembly to the wheel, the drive assembly being operable to drive the wheel to propel the patient support apparatus along the floor,

providing a rotary switch to signal operation of the drive assembly, the rotary switch having a rotatable member that is rotatable from a neutral position in a forward direction to provide a first signal associated with propelling the patient support apparatus forwardly and that is rotatable from the neutral position in a rearward direction to provide a second signal associated with propelling the patient support apparatus rearwardly, and

providing a spring to bias the rotatable member toward the neutral position.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein providing the spring comprises placing the spring at a location spaced from the rotatable member.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising orienting the rotary switch so that the rotatable member is rotatable about an axis extending generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the frame.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a user-engageable piece that is movable by a user to rotate the rotatable member.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising coupling the engageable piece to the rotable member to rotate therewith.