Multi-position support apparatus featuring a movable foot support
First Claim
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1. Supporting apparatus for supporting a user in one of a plurality of positions, and for moving the user from one position to another, comprising:
- a frame structure including a base for supporting the apparatus on a horizontal surface;
a body support carried by the frame structure and including a back support, a seat pivotally mounted at one end to the back support, and a leg support pivotally mounted to the opposite end of the seat, all having outer surfaces for engaging the user; and
drive means for driving the body support from one of the positions to another;
characterized in that the body support further includes a feet support movable with respect to the leg support to an intermediate location thereon for engaging and supporting the user'"'"'s feet in a selected position, a motor drive for driving said feet support with respect to said leg support to engage the user'"'"'s feet in said selected position, and a pressure sensor carried by said feet support so as to be moved therewith for sensing the pressure applied thereto by the user'"'"'s feet, and for controlling the motor drive in response to said pressure to prevent shifting in position of the user'"'"'s body when the body support moves from one of said positions to another.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bed featuring a movable foot support. When the user wishes to stand up from lying down or sitting, the movable foot support moves toward the head of the bed. When the user is brought into a standing position, the movable foot support starts to come down so that the feet of the user are in close proximity to floor level.
32 Citations
14 Claims
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1. Supporting apparatus for supporting a user in one of a plurality of positions, and for moving the user from one position to another, comprising:
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a frame structure including a base for supporting the apparatus on a horizontal surface; a body support carried by the frame structure and including a back support, a seat pivotally mounted at one end to the back support, and a leg support pivotally mounted to the opposite end of the seat, all having outer surfaces for engaging the user; and drive means for driving the body support from one of the positions to another; characterized in that the body support further includes a feet support movable with respect to the leg support to an intermediate location thereon for engaging and supporting the user'"'"'s feet in a selected position, a motor drive for driving said feet support with respect to said leg support to engage the user'"'"'s feet in said selected position, and a pressure sensor carried by said feet support so as to be moved therewith for sensing the pressure applied thereto by the user'"'"'s feet, and for controlling the motor drive in response to said pressure to prevent shifting in position of the user'"'"'s body when the body support moves from one of said positions to another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Supporting apparatus for supporting a user in a resting position and for moving the user to a vertical standing position, or vice versa, comprising:
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a frame structure including a base for supporting the apparatus on a horizontal surface; a body support carried by said frame structure and including a back support and a leg support both having outer surfaces for engaging the user when supported in said resting position; and drive means for driving said body support to move the user supported thereon from said resting position to said vertical standing position, or vice versa; characterized in that said body support further includes a feet support movable with respect to the lower end of said leg support by said drive means; (a) in a first direction towards said back support to engage the bottom surface of the user'"'"'s feet and thereby to prevent downward sliding of the user when the body support is driven by said drive means from said resting position to said vertical standing position; and (b) in a second direction away from said back support and towards the horizontal surface, when the user is moved to said vertical standing position, while supported by said feet support, to enable the user to easily step away from said supporting apparatus onto said horizontal surface; and further characterized in that said feet support includes a pressure sensor moved with said feet support for sensing the pressure applied thereto by the user'"'"'s feet, and for controlling the drive means in response to said pressure to prevent shifting of the user'"'"'s body when the body support moves from one position to another. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification