Patient support apparatus connectors
First Claim
1. A patient support apparatus comprising:
- a patient support surface adapted to support a patient thereon;
an electrical control system adapted to control a plurality of features of the patient support apparatus;
an electrical connector in electrical communication with said electrical control system, said electrical connector integrated into a mattress positioned on said patient support apparatus, and said electrical connector adapted to releasably couple to a complementary connector in order to transfer electrical power therebetween, the complementary connector being electrically coupled to a pedestal that is supportable on the patient support apparatus wherein said pedestal provides a user interface adapted to allow a user to control at least one aspect of the electrical control system; and
a magnet incorporated into said electrical connector, said magnet adapted to releasably hold said electrical connector and the complementary connector together via magnetic coupling and to assist in aligning said electrical connector and the complementary connector.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A patient support apparatus—such as a bed, stretcher, cot, chair, operating table, or the like—includes at least one electrical connector having at least one magnet integrated therein for magnetically retaining the connector with a complementary connector. The connector and the complementary connector may be designed such that they are retained together substantially only by magnetic forces, rather than frictional forces. Multiple magnets may be included within the connectors such that the connectors only couple together in a specific orientation. The connector may connect the patient support apparatus to a mattress positioned thereon, to a wall outlet, to a removable footboard or headboard, to a removable pedestal, or to other devices. The connector may include an internal safety switch that turns on a high voltage connection only when a low voltage connection is established.
53 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A patient support apparatus comprising:
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a patient support surface adapted to support a patient thereon; an electrical control system adapted to control a plurality of features of the patient support apparatus; an electrical connector in electrical communication with said electrical control system, said electrical connector integrated into a mattress positioned on said patient support apparatus, and said electrical connector adapted to releasably couple to a complementary connector in order to transfer electrical power therebetween, the complementary connector being electrically coupled to a pedestal that is supportable on the patient support apparatus wherein said pedestal provides a user interface adapted to allow a user to control at least one aspect of the electrical control system; and a magnet incorporated into said electrical connector, said magnet adapted to releasably hold said electrical connector and the complementary connector together via magnetic coupling and to assist in aligning said electrical connector and the complementary connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification