Beds – Invalid bed or surgical support – Sectional user supporting surface
Patent
1996-07-08
1997-12-23
Trettel, Michael F.
Beds
Invalid bed or surgical support
Sectional user supporting surface
5617, 55016, A61G 700, A61G 500
Patent
active
056995679
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to support apparatus for supporting a patient at an adjustable position by means of a support member connected adjustably to a supporting structure and in particular but not exclusively to such apparatus comprising a release mechanism for a back rest of a chair bed.
It is known from W094/21209 to provide a support apparatus in the form of a chair bed in which a back rest constitutes a support member which is pivotally adjustable relative to a supporting structure including a seat. An adjustable leg rest and foot rest are additionally provided so that the apparatus can be used either as a bed, chair or wheelchair for a patient.
A locking mechanism is provided to secure the support member in any desired position, a manually operable release mechanism being provided to release the locking mechanism to allow adjustment.
It is also known from W094/09738 to provide a patient transport trolley in which a back rest release mechanism is actuated by movement of an operating element in the form of a lever coupled to the release mechanism by a cable control mechanism.
According to the present invention there is disclosed support apparatus for supporting a patient at an adjustable position comprising a support member connected adjustably to a supporting structure, a handle connected to the support member such that in use an operator gripping the handle may apply an adjusting force to the support member, a locking mechanism for retaining the support member at a required position and a release mechanism operable to release the locking mechanism to allow adjustment, wherein the release mechanism comprises a cable connected to the locking mechanism such that the locking mechanism is releasable in response to the cable being pulled and wherein the cable includes an actuating portion normally extending in proximity to a co-operating portion of the handle such that in use the actuating portion may be clasped to the handle by an operator gripping the co-operation portion of the handle to thereby pull the cable and actuate the release mechanism.
An advantage of such apparatus is that the operator may, in a single movement with one hand, adjust the position of the support member by grasping the handle and cable together. The operator may alternatively choose to grasp the handle at the same location without clasping the cable to the handle so that the handle remains available for use in maneuvering the support apparatus as a whole without releasing the locking mechanism. A further advantage is that the actuating portion may extend alongside a relatively long co-operating portion of the handle so that the location at which the operator grips the handle need not be narrowly defined as in the case of prior art arrangements having localised levers or catches.
Preferably the actuating portion of the cable is enclosed within a flexible extensible sheath.
The operator's fingers are thereby protected from contact with the cable and from abrasion resulting from longitudinal movement of the cable when pulled.
Preferably the handle is tubular, the cable extending through the handle, and the handle is provided with side openings allowing the actuating portion of the cable to extend externally of the co-operating handle portion.
Advantageously the cable comprises at least one further actuating portion extending externally of respective further co-operating handle portions via respective side openings.
The release mechanism may then be actuated using any one of the actuating portions. In particular, by arranging actuating portions on opposite sides of the supporting structure, the operator may select whichever actuating portion is most convenient in a given situation.
Conveniently the release mechanism comprises an operating member coupled to the cable by a resilient coupling and further comprising stop means operable to limit actuating movement of the operating member whereby pulling of the cable to an extent beyond that which is required for the stop means to be engaged by the operating member is accommodated by deform
REFERENCES:
patent: 3886250 (1975-05-01), Bradford
patent: 4222131 (1980-09-01), Holdt et al.
patent: 4346487 (1982-08-01), Holdt et al.
patent: 4751755 (1988-06-01), Carey, Jr. et al.
patent: 5575026 (1996-11-01), Way et al.
United Kingdom Patent Office Report Mar. 15, 1995.
Kalogroulis Alexander Joseph
Sanders Mark Andrew
Keymed (Medical & Industrial Equipment) Ltd.
Trettel Michael F.
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