Electrical connector assembly suitable for a bed footboard

• US 7,986,242 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2007
• Issued: 07/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Jacques, William L., Dixon, Stephen A., Wilker, Jack Jr., Findlay, James K., Osborne, Eugene E., Menkedick, Douglas J., Jones, James W., Riley, Carl W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Hung T.
• Application Number:
  US11/774,744
• Publication Number:
  US 20080010747A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,478 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/664, 340/665, 340/666, 340/667, 340/686.1, 340/686.2, 340/521, 542/4, 560/0, 561/1, 561/3, 561/7, 561/8
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/20 Displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/32 for force
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/34 for pressure
• 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 7/015 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 7/0513 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: A61G 7/0528 Steering or braking devices for castor wheels
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5224 for medical use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6315 allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating connection for coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R12/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 5/94 with alarm means

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly includes a first connector subassembly associated with a removable component, and a second connector subassembly associated with a host component to which the removable component is removably connectable. One and only one of the first and second connector subassemblies is floatable relative to its associated component.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly, comprising:

a first connector subassembly associated with a removable component;

a second connector subassembly associated with a host component to which the removable component is removably connectable;

one and only one of the first and second connector subassemblies being floatable relative to its associated component.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the floatable subassembly is the second subassembly.

3. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the host component is a bed frame and the removeable component is a footboard.

4. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the first subassembly comprises a first connector alignment apparatus and a first electrical connector secured thereto and substantially stationary relative thereto, and wherein the second subassembly comprises a second connector alignment apparatus and a second electrical connector secured thereto and substantially stationary relative thereto.

5. The connector assembly of claim 4 wherein the host component is a bed frame and the removeable component is a footboard.

6. The connector assembly of claim 4 wherein floatability of the floatable subassembly is effected by and limited by at least one of a pair of features selected from the group consisting of:

a) a fastener extending through an oversized opening in the connector alignment apparatus of the floatable subassembly and connected to the component associated with the floatable subassembly; and

b) a post projecting from the connector alignment apparatus of the floatable subassembly and into an oversized aperture in the component associated with the floatable subassembly.

7. The connector assembly of claim 6 wherein the post and the oversized aperture limit rotation of the alignment apparatus about the fastener.

8. A hospital bed including the electrical connector assembly of claim 1.

9. The hospital bed of claim 8, the bed including:

a frame;

a footboard removable from the frame;

a first connector alignment apparatus substantially immovably secured to the footboard;

a first electrical connector substantially immovably secured to the first connector alignment apparatus;

a second connector alignment apparatus floatingly connected to the frame;

a second electrical connector substantially immovably secured to the second connector alignment apparatus;

the first and second electrical connectors including mating features to facilitate alignment of terminals on one of the electrical connectors with sockets on the other of the electrical connectors.