Beds – Invalid bed or surgical support – Vertically movable support for whole body of user
Patent
1994-01-21
1995-10-31
Milano, Michael J.
Beds
Invalid bed or surgical support
Vertically movable support for whole body of user
5607, 5608, A61G 7012
Patent
active
054617405
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a multi-positional bed. Such beds are used in hospitals, and are also used in domestic situations and in homes for the elderly and infirm, where it is necessary to have a bed which can be adjusted to suit a particular individual or which can successively occupy a number of different positions, for example in order to reduce the risk of bed sores.
2. Description of the Related Art
In such beds the mattress rests on a supporting surface which normally consists of three or four sections pivotally connected to one another. In the case of a four-section supporting surface these are, starting from the head end of the bed, a back section, a buttocks section, a thigh section and a calf section. In the case of a three-section supporting surface the thigh and calf sections are replaced by a single section, or the buttocks section is omitted. The sections are connected to one another in such a way as to allow pivotal movement between adjacent sections about parallel axes transverse to the length of the bed. Such beds also normally have provision for the whole supporting surface to be moved vertically between high and low positions. The user normally gets into the bed with the supporting section in its low position (this is particularly convenient when the user is in a wheelchair), and the supporting surface can thereafter be raised so as to make it easier for those attending the user.
Some beds also allow the whole supporting surface to be tilted about the transverse and/or longitudinal axis of the bed. However, when these additional movements are incorporated the resultant mechanism tends to be highly complex and therefore very expensive. It is an object of the present invention to provide a bed in which all the types of adjustment referred to above are present, but which does not require a mechanism of great complexity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a multi-positional bed which comprises at one end thereof a pair of pillars, one at or near each side of the bed, and at the opposite end a single pillar situated substantially on the longitudinal centre line of the bed, a user-supporting frame, and respective mounting means for mounting the frame to each of the pillars, each mounting means being arranged to move lengthwise of the respective pillar independently of the movement of the other mounting means.
Preferably, each of the mounting means comprises at least one universal joint, for example a ball joint. The end of the bed at which the pair of pillars is situated may be the head end, with the single pillar at the foot end, or the pair of pillars may be at the foot end, with the single pillar at the head end.
The mounting means are preferably moved by respective electric motors, and these motors are preferably controlled by a controller which permits pre-programmed and/or programmable control and direct operator control. The user-supporting frame preferably comprises three or four sections pivotally connected to one another as in a conventional multi-positional bed, and pivotal movement of the sections with respect to one another is preferably effected by further electric motors which are under the control of the same controller as that already mentioned.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view taken from the foot end of the bed and one side;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view taken from the head end of the bed and the other side;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation;
FIG. 4 shows, on a larger scale and in side elevation, the detail marked "A" in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 shows, on a larger scale and in side elevation, the detail marked "B" in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a section taken on line X--X in FIG. 5; and
FIG. 7 shows on a larger scale, and in side elevation, the detail marked "C" in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The illustrated bed 10 comprises a lower f
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Milano Michael J.
Theraposture Limited
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