Chair bed

• US 6,336,235 B1
• Filed: 09/05/2000
• Issued: 01/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Ruehl, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRETTEL, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US09/655,127
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 561/6, 561/7, 561/8, 562/4, 561/0, 561/1, 297/64, 297/65, 297/343, 297/354.13
• US Class Current: 5/610
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/32 lying
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/34 sitting
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/20 Displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/74 for anti-shear when adjusting furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/14 Standing-up or sitting-down aids
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/00 Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons stretchers with facilities for picking up patients or disabled persons A61G1/003
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/002 having adjustable mattress frame
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/005 tiltable around transverse horizontal axis, e.g. for Trendelenburg position rocking beds for physical therapy A61H1/003; hanging patient inclined downwardly for drawing him out A61H2203/0493
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/008 tiltable around longitudinal axis, e.g. for rolling
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/012 raising or lowering of the whole mattress frame A61G7/005, A61G7/008 take precedence
• 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 7/02 with toilet conveniences, or specially adapted for use with toilets
• 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 7/0514 mounted to individual mattress supporting frame sections
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/052 characterised by safety means, e.g. to avoid injuries to patient or caregiver
• 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 7/053 : Aids for getting into, or out of, bed, e.g. steps, chairs, cane-like supports
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1021 : Inflatable cushions
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/16 : converting a lying surface into a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/046 : with braking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/04 : Wheeled walking aids for disabled persons A61H3/06 takes precedence

Abstract

A patient support apparatus is provided having a base and a patient support platform having a head portion and a seat portion. The patient support apparatus further includes a plurality of links configured to coordinate movement of the head portion of the patient support platform relative to the seat portion of the patient support platform.

Claims

1. A patient support apparatus comprising

a support including a base and a strut coupled to the base, a platform including a seat portion and a head portion pivotably coupled to the seat portion, the head portion being pivotably coupled to the strut, and

at least one pair of bars pivotably coupled to the support and pivotably coupled to the seat portion, the at least one pair of bars and the strut being configured to automatically coordinate pivoting movement of the head portion relative to the seat portion as the seat portion moves downward toward the base.

2. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein head portion includes a head section and a head frame member, the seat portion includes a seat section and a seat frame member, the head and seat sections cooperate to define a patient support surface, and the seat frame member is pivotably coupled to the head frame member.

3. The patient support apparatus of claim 2, wherein the head frame member includes a first end and a second end longitudinally spaced apart from the first end, the strut is pivotably coupled to the head frame member between the first and second ends.

4. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lock configured to block pivoting movement of the head portion relative to the seat portion.

5. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a movement assist configured to provide energy to assist movement of the head portion relative to the seat portion.

6. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head portion is moveable relative to the seat portion only upon movement of the seat portion relative to the base.

7. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strut has a fixed length during movement of the head frame member.

8. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein seat portion is positioned above the base.

9. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head portion pivots about the strut during pivoting movement of the head portion.

10. The patient support apparatus of claim 9, wherein the head portion includes first and second spaced-apart ends and the head portion is pivotably coupled to strut at a pivot location located between the first and second ends.

11. The patient support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pivot location is spaced apart from the first end of the head portion by a distance that remains constant during pivoting of the head portion.

12. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second pair of bars spaced apart from the first mentioned pair of pairs, wherein second pair of bars are pivotably coupled to the support and pivotably coupled to the seat portion, the support further includes a second strut coupled to the base in a position spaced apart from the first mentioned strut, the head portion is pivotably coupled to second strut, the head portion is pivotably coupled to the strut, the struts and pairs of bars cooperate to coordinate movement of the head portion relative to the seat portion as the seat portion moves downward toward the base.

13. A patient support apparatus comprising

a base,

a patient support platform positioned above the base, the patient support platform including a seat portion and a head portion pivotably coupled to the seat portion,

a plurality of links coupled to the patient support platform and coupled to the base, the head portion being pivotably coupled to at least one of the plurality of links, the plurality of links being configured to automatically coordinate pivoting movement of the head portion relative to the seat portion during upward and downward movement of the seat portion relative to the base, and

a lock configured to block pivoting movement of the head portion relative to the seat portion.

14. The patient support apparatus of claim 13, wherein head portion includes a head section and a head frame member, the seat portion includes a seat section and a seat frame member, the head and seat sections cooperate to define a patient support surface, and the seat frame member is pivotably coupled to the head frame member.

15. The patient support apparatus of claim 14, wherein the head frame member includes a first end and a second end longitudinally spaced apart from the first end, the plurality of lines includes a strut coupled to the base and pivotably coupled to the head frame member between the first and second ends.

16. The patient support apparatus of claim 15, wherein the strut has a fixed length during movement of the head portion.

17. The patient support apparatus of claim 13, wherein the head portion is moveable relative to the seat portion only upon movement of the seat portion relative to the base.

18. A patient support apparatus comprising

a base,

a patient support platform positioned above the base, the patient support platform including a seat portion and a head portion pivotably coupled to the seat portion,

a plurality of links coupled to the patient support platform and coupled to the base, the head portion being pivotably coupled to at least one of the plurality of links, the plurality of links being configured to automatically coordinate pivoting movement of the head portion relative to the seat portion during upward and downward movement of the seat portion relative to the base, and

a movement assist configured to provide energy to assis movement of the head portion relative to the seat portion.

19. The patient support apparatus of claim 18, wherein the plurality of links includes a strut fastened to the base and pivotally fastened to the head portion of the patient support platform.

20. The patient support apparatus of claim 19, wherein the head portion pivots about the strut during pivoting movement relative to the seat portion.

21. The patient support apparatus of claim 19, wherein the plurality of links further includes at least one pair of bars pivotably coupled to the seat portion of the patient support platform.

22. The patient support apparatus of claim 18, wherein the movement assist is coupled to the patient support platform and the base.

23. A patient support apparatus comprising

a base,

a patient support platform including a seat portion and a head portion pivotably coupled to the seat portion,

a plurality of links coupled to the support platform and coupled to the base, the head portion being pivotably coupled to at least one of the plurality of links, the plurality of links being configured to automatically coordinate upward pivoting movement of the head portion relative to the seat portion as the seat portion moves downward toward the base, and

a lock configured to block pivoting movement of the head portion relative to the seat portion.

24. The patient support apparatus of claim 23, wherein the plurality of links includes a strut fastened to the base and pivotally fastened to the head portion of the patient support platform.

25. The patient support apparatus of claim 24, wherein the head portion pivots about the strut during pivoting movement relative to the seat portion.

26. The patient support apparatus of claim 24, wherein the plurality of links further includes at least one pair of bars pivotably coupled to the seat portion of the patient support platform.

27. The patient support apparatus of claim 23, wherein the lock is coupled to the patient support platform and the base.

28. A patient support apparatus comprising

a base,

a patient support platform including a seat portion and a head portion pivotably coupled to the seat portion,

a plurality of links coupled to the support platform and coupled to the base the head portion being pivotably coupled to at least one of the plurality of links, the plurality of links being configured to automatically coordinate upward pivoting movement of the head portion relative to the seat portion as the seat portion moves downward toward the base, and

a movement assist configured to provide energy to assist movement of the head portion relative to the seat portion.

29. The patient support apparatus of claim 28, wherein head portion includes a head section and a head frame member, the seat portion includes a seat section and a seat frame member, the head and seat sections cooperate to define a patient support surface, and the seat frame member is pivotably coupled to the head frame member.

30. The patient support apparatus of claim 29, wherein the head frame member includes a first end and a second end longitudinally spaced apart from the first end, the plurality of lines includes a strut coupled to the base and pivotably coupled to the head frame member between the first and second ends.

31. The patient support apparatus of claim 28, wherein the head portion is moveable relative to the seat portion only upon movement of the seat portion relative to the base.

32. The patient support apparatus of claim 28, wherein the support platform is positioned above the base.

33. The patient support apparatus of claim 28, wherein the plurality of links includes a strut coupled to the base and pivotably coupled to the platform.

34. A patient support apparatus comprising

a base,

a patient support platform including a seat portion and a head portion pivotably coupled to the seat portion, and

a plurality of links coupled to the support platform and coupled to the base, the head portion being pivotably coupled to at least one of the plurality of links, the plurality of links being configured to automatically coordinate upward pivoting movement of the head portion relative to the seat portion as the seat portion moves downward toward the base, the plurality of links including a strut coupled to the base and pivotably coupled to the platform, the head portion of the support platform pivots about an upper end of the strut during movement of the head portion relative to the seat portion.

35. A patient support apparatus comprising

a base,

a patient support platform including a seat portion and a head portion pivotably coupled to the seat portion, and

a plurality of links coupled to the support platform and coupled to the base, the head portion being pivotably coupled to at least one of the plurality of links, the plurality of links being configured to automatically coordinate upward pivoting movement of the head portion relative to the seat portion as the seat portion moves downward toward the base, the plurality of links including a strut coupled to the base and pivotably coupled to the platform, the strut being pivotably coupled to the support platform at connection point spaced apart from a head end of the head portion by a distance that remains constant during movement of the head portion relative to the seat portion.

36. A patient support apparatus comprising

a base,

a patient support platform including a seat portion and a head portion hinged to the seat portion, the head and seat portions being configured to move between a bed position with the head portion coplanar to the seat portion and a chair position with the head portion tilted upward relative to the seat portion, and

a plurality of links coupled to the support platform and coupled to the base, the head portion being pivotally fastened to a first link of the plurality of links, the plurality of links being arranged to simultaneously coordinate movement of the head portion to the chair position with lowering of the seat portion toward the base.

37. The patient support apparatus of claim 36, wherein the head portion of the patient support platform pivots about an upper end the first link during lowering of the seat portion toward the base.

38. The patient support apparatus of claim 37, wherein the head portion includes a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end and the head portion is pivotally fastened to first link at a pivot location between the first and second ends.

39. The patient support apparatus of claim 38, wherein the pivot location is spaced apart from the first end of the head portion by a distance that remains constant as the head portion pivots about the first link.

40. The patient support apparatus of claim 36, wherein the first link is fastened to the base.

41. The patient support apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first link is rigidly fastened to the base.

42. The patient support apparatus of claim 36, wherein the base, patient support platform, and plurality of links are configured to permit egress from a longitudinal side of the seat portion of the patient support platform.

43. The patient support apparatus of claim 36, wherein the head portion is hinged to the seat portion at a hinge location and a portion of the head portions moves relative to the hinge location during movement of the head portion to the chair position.

44. The patient support apparatus of claim 36, wherein at least two of the plurality of links are pivotally connected to the seat portion.

45. The patient support apparatus of claim 36, wherein the at plurality of links includes at least a pair of first links pivotally fastened to the head portion and base, at least a pair of second links pivotally connected to the seat portion, and at least a pair of third links pivotally connected to the seat portion.

46. A patient support apparatus comprising

a base,

a patient support platform including a seat portion and a head portion that cooperate to define a patient support surface positioned above the base, the head portion being hinged to the seat portion below the patient support surface, and

a plurality of links coupled to the patient support platform and coupled to the base, the head portion being pivotally fastened to at least one of the plurality of links, the plurality of links being configured to simultaneously coordinate pivoting movement of the head portion relative to the seat portion during respective raising and lowering of the patient support surface.

47. The patient support apparatus of claim 46, wherein the head portion of the patient support platform pivots about an upper end the first link during lowering of the seat portion toward the base.

48. The patient support apparatus of claim 47, wherein the head portion includes a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end and the head portion is pivotally fastened to first link at a pivot location between the first and second ends.

49. The patient support apparatus of claim 48, wherein the pivot location is spaced apart from the first end of the head portion by a distance that remains constant as the head portion pivots about the first link.

50. The patient support apparatus of claim 46, wherein the first link is fastened to the base.

51. The patient support apparatus of claim 46, wherein the first link is rigidly fastened to the base.

52. The patient support apparatus of claim 46, wherein the base, patient support platform, and plurality of links are configured to permit egress from a longitudinal side of the seat portion of the patient support platform.

53. The patient support apparatus of claim 46, wherein the head portion is hinged to the seat portion at a hinge location and a portion of the head portions moves relative to the hinge location during movement of the head portion to the chair position.

54. The patient support apparatus of claim 46, wherein at least two of the plurality of links are pivotally connected to the seat portion.

55. The patient support apparatus of claim 46, wherein the at plurality of links includes at least a pair of first links pivotally fastened to the head portion and base, at least a pair of second links pivotally connected to the seat portion, and at least a pair of third links pivotally connected to the seat portion.

56. A patient support apparatus comprising

a base,

a patient support platform including a seat portion and a head portion that cooperate to define a patient support surface, the head portion being hinged to the seat portion to move between a raised bed position and a lowered chair position, and

a plurality of links coupled to the patient support platform and coupled to the base, the plurality of links being configured to simultaneously coordinate pivoting movement of the head portion relative to the seat portion during movement between the raised bed position and the lowered char position, the base, patient support platform, and the plurality of links being configured to permit egress of a patient from a longitudinal side of the seat portion when in the lowered chair position.

57. The patient support apparatus of claim 56, wherein the head portion is hinged to the seat portion at a location positioned below the patient support surface.

58. The patient support apparatus of claim 56, wherein the plurality of links includes a strut fastened to the base and the head portion pivots about the strut when the head and seat portions move between the chair and bed positions.

59. The patient support apparatus of claim 58, wherein the head portion is pivotally fastened to the strut.

60. The patient support apparatus of claim 58, wherein the strut is rigidly fastened to the base.