Patient support apparatus with braking system
First Claim
1. A method of actuating a brake on a caster wheel of a patient support apparatus to stop motion of the apparatus, the patient support apparatus including a support frame and a plurality of caster wheels supporting the frame, a patient support surface supported by the support frame, a manually operable brake for manually braking one or more of the caster wheels, and a manual brake activation handle or pedal for manually operating the manually operable brake, the patient support apparatus further including an actuator for selectively outputting a driving force and a control system, said method comprising:
- electrically coupling the control system to the actuator;
generating an actuating signal with said control system;
transmitting the actuating signal to the actuator to thereby actuate the actuator to generate a driving force;
mechanically coupling the actuator with the manually operable brake wherein the driving force generated by the actuator actuates the manually operable brake to thereby brake the caster wheel; and
mechanically coupling the actuator with the manual brake activation handle or pedal wherein the driving force of the actuator moves the manual brake activation handle or pedal between a first position and a second position when the actuator actuates the manually operable brake to brake the caster wheel.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A patient support apparatus includes a patient support surface, a manually operable brake operatively associated with the patient support surface, a manual brake activation handle or pedal for manually operating the manually operable brake, and an electrically powered actuator. The actuator is mechanically coupled to the manually operable brake and to the manual brake activation handle or pedal, and actuates the manually operable brake and moves the manual brake activation handle or pedal from a first position to a second portion in response to a signal at the patient support apparatus.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of actuating a brake on a caster wheel of a patient support apparatus to stop motion of the apparatus, the patient support apparatus including a support frame and a plurality of caster wheels supporting the frame, a patient support surface supported by the support frame, a manually operable brake for manually braking one or more of the caster wheels, and a manual brake activation handle or pedal for manually operating the manually operable brake, the patient support apparatus further including an actuator for selectively outputting a driving force and a control system, said method comprising:
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electrically coupling the control system to the actuator; generating an actuating signal with said control system; transmitting the actuating signal to the actuator to thereby actuate the actuator to generate a driving force; mechanically coupling the actuator with the manually operable brake wherein the driving force generated by the actuator actuates the manually operable brake to thereby brake the caster wheel; and mechanically coupling the actuator with the manual brake activation handle or pedal wherein the driving force of the actuator moves the manual brake activation handle or pedal between a first position and a second position when the actuator actuates the manually operable brake to brake the caster wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A patient support apparatus comprising:
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a patient support surface, said patient support surface being configured to move across a floor or ground surface; a manually operable brake operatively associated with said patient support surface; a manual brake activation handle or pedal for manually operating the manually operable brake; and an electrically powered actuator mechanically coupled to said manually operable brake and to said manual brake activation handle or pedal, and said electrically powered actuator actuating said manually operable brake and moving said manual brake activation handle or pedal from a first position to a second portion in response to a signal at said patient support apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification