Bed transfer system
First Claim
1. A machine for moving a bed, the machine comprising:
- a bed engagement portion comprising a pair of horizontally oriented jaws that extend forwardly from the front of the engagement portion; and
a base portion supporting the bed engagement portion and comprising a drive wheel, a support wheel, and a locking mechanism, wherein the support wheel is pivotal about a vertical axis, wherein the locking mechanism electrically actuates between a locked position that prevents the support wheel from pivotally displacing about the vertical axis and an unlocked position that allows the support wheel to pivotally displace about the vertical axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a powered hospital bed mover or bed transfer system. The bed mover includes a bed attachment mechanism that is vertically displaceable relative to a base that includes an electrically powered drive wheel and a pair of support castors. The attachment mechanism includes a pair of horizontally oriented jaws with jaw openings that face away from each other. Each jaw includes a contact switch in its bottom surface and a contact switch in its jaw opening. The contact switches indicate to the mover and its user that the mover is properly engaged with the frame of a hospital bed. The jaws are horizontally displaceable and diverge from each other to engage vertical frame members of a hospital bed. A control panel has a joystick adapted to control the speed and direction of travel for the mover. The control panel also has controls for actuating the jaws, changing the elevation of the attachment mechanism, and locking at least one of the support castors. The control panel is hinged to the mover such that it may pivot outwardly away from the mover. A hinged panel also is provided to allow the pivoting of the drive wheel about a vertical pivot axis.
116 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A machine for moving a bed, the machine comprising:
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a bed engagement portion comprising a pair of horizontally oriented jaws that extend forwardly from the front of the engagement portion; and a base portion supporting the bed engagement portion and comprising a drive wheel, a support wheel, and a locking mechanism, wherein the support wheel is pivotal about a vertical axis, wherein the locking mechanism electrically actuates between a locked position that prevents the support wheel from pivotally displacing about the vertical axis and an unlocked position that allows the support wheel to pivotally displace about the vertical axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A machine for moving a bed, the machine comprising:
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a bed engagement portion; a base portion supporting the bed engagement portion and comprising a drive wheel, a support wheel, and a locking mechanism, wherein the support wheel is pivotal about a vertical axis, wherein the locking mechanism actuates between a locked position that prevents the support wheel from pivotally displacing about the vertical axis and an unlocked position that allows the support wheel to pivotally displace about the vertical axis; and a contact switch adapted to indicate engagement with the bed wherein the actuation of the contact switch results in the locking mechanism actuating to the unlocked position.
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8. A machine for moving a bed, the machine comprising:
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a bed engagement portion; a base portion supporting the bed engagement portion and comprising a drive wheel; a first contact switch adapted to indicate engagement of the bed engagement portion with the bed; and a second contact switch adapted to indicate proper elevation of the bed engagement portion relative to the bed.
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9. A machine for moving a bed, the machine comprising:
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a bed engagement portion; and a base portion supporting the bed engagement portion and comprising a drive wheel assembly and a housing, wherein the drive wheel assembly is pivotal about a vertical axis and generally resides within the housing, wherein the housing includes a hinged portion that is caused to pivot when encountered by a portion of the drive wheel assembly when the drive wheel assembly is pivotally displaced about the vertical axis. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A machine for moving a bed, the machine comprising:
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a vertically disposed bed engagement portion with a housing comprising a top surface and a back surface; a base portion supporting the bed engagement portion and comprising a drive wheel; and a control panel comprising a horizontal surface generally flush with the top surface of the housing; a vertical surface generally flush with the back surface of the housing; and at least one control mounted on the control panel, wherein the control panel is pivotal relative to the housing so as to project beyond the back surface of the housing when pivoted. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification