Beds – Bedclothing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-25
2002-09-24
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Bedclothing
C005S486000, C005S494000, C005S495000, C005S496000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06453492
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to linens for use in emergency transportation such as for ambulance and also in hospitals. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an expandable sheet for use on a stretcher/gurney.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hospital sheets are typically of the kind that simply drape over the mattress of a hospital bed and must be manually folded underneath the mattress. Such sheets are also typically sized for use on hospital beds and are therefore not suitable for use on portable gurneys/stretchers.
Sheets have been specifically designed for use on portable gurneys/stretchers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,227,218 discloses a cover sheet for hospital bed examination tables or portable gurneys having a pocket at each for snugly fitting around the bed or gurney. U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,425 discloses a disposable sheet fitted for use on a gurney/stretcher which has flaps on either side for the easy transportation of a patient from the gurney/stretcher and onto a hospital bed.
While such sheets are useful for providing a protective layer over a support surface of a hospital bed, examination table or portable gurney/stretcher they often have the problem of being caught within the folding mechanism of such support surfaces. Furthermore, a separate sheet or blanket is required to cover the patient which can also slip off of the support surface and get caught in the wheels or folding mechanism of the gurney/stretcher.
There is therefore a need to develop a simple and cost efficient sheet for use in covering the supporting surface of an examination table, hospital bed or gurney/stretcher which obviates at least one problem of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a novel expandable sheet for use to cover the supporting surface of an examination table, hospital bed or portable gurney/stretcher. The expandable sheet comprises a sheet having a length and width adapted to accommodate and be placed on the mattress of an examination table, hospital bed or portable gurney/stretcher to prevent such mattress from being soiled, the sheet having a width dimension and length dimension and at least one end of the width dimension being pleated such that its held substantially adjacent to the mattress and can be expanded over the entire examination table, hospital bed or portable gurney/stretcher.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention is an expandable sheet for use over the mattress of an ambulance/paramedic portable gurney/stretcher.
Preferably, the expandable sheet is pleated on both sides of the width dimension and held substantially adjacent the mattress such that the sheet can be lo expanded from either one or both sides to completely cover a patient resting on the mattress. In a preferred embodiment, the pleats are staggered so as to easily and rapidly expand the sheet on either or both sides as required.
The sheet may be fabricated to have substantially equal width and length dimensions or alternatively, a greater width dimension than length dimension or a greater length dimension than width dimension.
As provided, the expandable sheet of the present invention is kept clean and intact as it does not drag on the ground and it is kept away from the folding and portability mechanisms provided on examination tables, hospital beds and gurneys/stretchers such that it won't get caught in any such mechanisms. In this manner the sheet is kept clean and out of the way. Furthermore, the sheet can be easily grasped by emergency or medical personnel and easily expanded to cover a patient on the gurney/stretcher to keep them warm and more comfortable. The expandable portions can also be grasped by emergency or medical personnel to lift a patient from the gurney/stretcher.
The sheet of the present invention can be fabricated to be washable or alternatively and preferably, disposable. Furthermore, the sheet can be made as a layered sheet to include at least one plastic layer which is liquid impermeable and/or alternatively the sheet may also or instead include at least one padded layer for extra absorbency and additional warmth.
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patent: 4698862 (1987-10-01), Mairs
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patent: 5615425 (1997-04-01), Corente
patent: 5669089 (1997-09-01), Dees
patent: 5749112 (1998-05-01), Metzler
patent: 5950261 (1999-09-01), Hay et al.
patent: 6122783 (2000-09-01), Herndon et al.
Browne Lynne H.
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
Hewitt James M
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