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| United States Patent
|
7,337,478 |
| Lake |
March 4, 2008 |
Hospital bed systems
Abstract
A system for mechanically assisted repositioning of a bed-ridden
patient within a hospital-type bed equipped with a moving mattress
pad driven by an electric motor. The mattress pad is formed into a
continuous loop disposed over a plurality of support and drive
rollers. The system is adaptable to existing hospital beds.
| Inventors: |
Lake; Joyce A. (Phoenix,
AZ) |
| Appl. No.:
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11/330,976 |
| Filed: |
January 11, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60643250 |
Jan., 2005 |
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| Current U.S.
Class: |
5/81.1C ;
5/81.1R |
| Current
International Class: |
A61G
7/10 (20060101) |
| Field of
Search: |
5/81.1C,81.1HS,81.1R,922 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent
Documents
Primary Examiner: Santos; Robert G.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Stoneman Volk Patent Group Stoneman; Martin L. Volk, Jr.;
Michael D.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application is related to and claims priority from prior
provisional application Ser. No. 60/643,250, filed Jan. 11, 2005,
entitled "TREADMILL HOSPITAL BED", the content of which is
incorporated herein by this reference and is not admitted to be
prior art with respect to the present invention by the mention in
this cross-reference section.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system, related to mechanically-assisted movement of at least
one individual supported upon at least one hospital-type bed-frame
having at least one head portion, at least one foot portion, and at
least one intermediate portion, said system comprising: a) at least
one resilient pad adapted to comfortably support the at least one
individual; b) wherein said at least one resilient pad comprises at
least one essentially continuous loop having at least one first loop
terminus adapted to reside adjacent the at least one head portion
and at least one second loop terminus adapted to reside adjacent the
at least one foot portion; c) at least one first support adapted to
support said at least one first loop terminus; d) at least one
second support adapted to support said at least one second loop
terminus; e) at least one third support adapted to support said at
least one resilient pad adjacent the at least one intermediate
portion; f) wherein at least one of said at least one first support,
said at least one second support, and said at least one third
support is adapted to rotatably drive said at least one essentially
continuous loop along at least one path extending substantially
between the at least one head portion and the at least one foot
portion of the at least one hospital-type bed-frame; g) at least one
essentially endless belt adapted to fit within said at least one
essentially continuous loop of said at least one resilient pad; and
h) at least one removable attacher adapted to removably attach said
at least one resilient pad to said at least one essentially endless
belt; i) wherein said at least one essentially endless belt is
adapted to movably engage said at least one first support and said
at least one second support.
2. The system according to claim 1 further comprising: a) at least
one motor-driven rotator adapted to rotatably drive at least one of
said at least one first support, said at least one second support,
and said at least one third support; and b) at least one controller
adapted to control the operation of said at least one motor-driven
rotator.
3. The system according to claim 1 wherein: a) said at least one
first support comprises at least one first rolling support adapted
to rotatably support said at least one first loop terminus; and b)
said at least one second support comprises at least one second
rolling support adapted to rotatably support said at least one
second loop terminus.
4. The system according to claim 3 wherein said at least one third
support comprises at least one third rolling support adapted to
rotationally support said at least one resilient pad.
5. The system according to claim 4 wherein: a) said at least one
first rolling support, said at least one second rolling support, and
said at least one third rolling support each comprise at least one
substantially cylindrical member having at least one first end and
at least one second end; b) said at least one first end and said at
least one second end each comprise at least one bearing adapted to
provide rotatable support of said at least one substantially
cylindrical member; and c) said at least one bearing is adapted to
be rigidly mountable to the at least one hospital-type bed-frame.
6. The system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one
essentially endless belt comprises at least one width and at least
one length substantially matching that of said at least one
essentially continuous loop.
7. The system according to claim 2 further comprising: a) at least
one hospital-type bed comprising such at least one hospital-type
bed-frame; b) wherein said at least one hospital-type bed-frame
comprises at least one adjustable articulation having at least one
raised adjusted position and at least one lowered adjusted position.
8. The system according to claim 7 wherein said at least one
controller comprises at least one operation limiter adapted to limit
the operation of said at least one motor-driven rotator when said at
least one hospital-type bed-frame is adjusted to such raised
adjusted position.
9. The system according to claim 7 wherein said at least one
controller comprises at least one manual control adapted to provide
manual control of said at least one motor-driven rotator.
10. A system, related to mechanically-assisted movement of at least
one individual supported upon at least one hospital-type bed-frame
having at least one substantially rectangular-shaped periphery
comprising least one head portion, at least one foot portion, and at
least one intermediate portion extending there between, said system
comprising: a) at least one resilient pad adapted to comfortably
support the at least one individual; b) wherein said at least one
resilient pad comprises at least one essentially continuous loop
having at least one first loop terminus adapted to reside adjacent
the at least one head portion and at least one second loop terminus
adapted to reside adjacent the at least one foot portion; c) at
least one first rolling support, having at least one first axis of
rotation, adapted to rotatably support said at least one first loop
terminus; d) at least one second rolling support, having at least
one second axis of rotation, adapted to rotatably support said at
least one second loop terminus; and e) at least one third rolling
support, having at least one third axis of rotation, adapted to
rotationally support said at least one resilient pad adjacent the at
least one intermediate portion; f) wherein said at least one first
axis of rotation, said at least one second axis of rotation, and
said at least one third axis of rotation are aligned substantially
parallel with the at least one head portion and the at least one
foot portion of the at least one substantially rectangular-shape
periphery; g) wherein at least one of said at least one first
rolling support, said at least one second rolling support, and said
at least one third rolling support is adapted to rotatably drive
said at least one essentially continuous loop along at least one
path of movement substantially perpendicular to said at least one
second axis of rotation, and said at least one third axis of
rotation; h) at least one essentially endless belt adapted to
operate within the at least one essentially continuous loop of said
at least one resilient pad; and i) at least one removable attacher
adapted to removably attach said at least one resilient pad to said
at least one essentially endless belt; j) wherein said at least one
essentially endless belt is adapted to directly engage said at least
one first rolling support and said at least one second rolling
support.
11. The system according to claim 10 further comprising: a) at least
one motor-driven rotator adapted to rotatably drive at least one of
at least one of said at least one first rolling support, said at
least one second rolling support, and said at least one third
rolling support; and b) at least one controller adapted to control
the operation of said at least one motor-driven rotator; c) wherein
said at least one controller comprises at least one manual control
adapted to provide manual control of said at least one motor-driven
rotator.
12. The system according to claim 11 wherein said at least one
motor-driven rotator is adapted to rotatably drive said at least one
first rolling support.
13. The system according to claim 10 wherein: a) said at least one
first rolling support, said at least one second rolling support, and
said at least one third rolling support each comprise at least one
substantially cylindrical member having at least one first end and
at least one second end; b) said at least one first end and said at
least one second end each comprise at least one bearing adapted to
provide free rotation of said at least one substantially cylindrical
member; and c) said at least one bearing is adapted to be mountable
to the at least one hospital-type bed-frame.
14. The system according to claim 10 further comprising: a) such at
least one hospital-type bed comprising at least one hospital-type
bed-frame; b) wherein said at least one hospital-type bed-frame
comprises such at least one head portion, such at least one foot
portion, and such at least one intermediate portion; and c) wherein
said at least one hospital-type bed-frame comprises at least one
adjustable articulation having at least one raised adjusted position
and at least one lowered adjusted position.
15. The system according to claim 14 wherein said at least one
controller comprises at least one operation limiter adapted to limit
the operation of said at least one motor-driven rotator when said at
least one hospital-type bed-frame comprises such at least one raised
configuration.
16. A method, related to mechanically-assisted movement of at least
one individual supported upon at least one hospital-type bed-frame
having at least one head portion, at least one foot portion, and at
least one intermediate portion, comprising the steps of: a)
providing at least one resilient pad adapted to comfortably support
the at least one individual b) arranging such at least one resilient
pad to comprises at least one essentially continuous loop having at
least one first loop terminus adapted to reside adjacent the at
least one head portion and at least one second loop terminus adapted
to reside adjacent the at least one foot portion; c) providing at
least one first support adapted to support such at least one first
loop terminus; d) providing at least one second support adapted to
support such at least one second loop terminus; e) providing at
least one third support adapted to support such at least one
resilient pad adjacent the at least one intermediate portion; f)
mounting each of such at least one first support, such at least one
second support, and such at least one third support to the at least
one hospital-type bed-frame; g) providing at least one rotator drive
adapted to rotatably drive at least one of said at least one first
support, said at least one second support, and said at least one
third support; and h) using such rotator drive to rotate at least
one of such at least one first support, such at least one second
support, and such at least one third support to rotatably drive such
at least one essentially continuous loop along at least one path
extending substantially between the at least one head portion and
the at least one foot portion of the at least one hospital-type
bed-frame; i) wherein such at least one essentially continuous loop
while rotatably driven is adapted to provide such
mechanically-assisted movement of at least one individual supported
upon such at least one hospital-type bed-frame; j) providing at
least one essentially endless belt adapted to fit within said at
least one essentially continuous loop of said at least one resilient
pad; and k) providing at least one removable attacher adapted to
removably attach said at least one resilient pad to said at least
one essentially endless belt; l) wherein said at least one
essentially endless belt is adapted to movably engage said at least
one first support and said at least one second support.
17. The method according to claim 16 further comprising the step of
providing at least one motor and at least one controller adapted to
control the operation of said at least one rotator drive.
18. The method according to claim 16 further comprising the initial
step of providing at least one such at least one hospital-type bed
comprising the at least one hospital-type bed-frame.
Description
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to providing a system for improved management
of weak patients, especially invalid patients and other bed-ridden
individuals having limited independent mobility. More particularly,
this invention relates to providing a system for assisted and
unassisted movement of an individual within a hospital bed.
In general, the care of bed-confined individuals having limited
independent mobility is a physically demanding task. Often, the
movement of the patient within the bed requires strenuous, often
dangerous, lifting of the patient by one or more caregivers.
Management of the bariatric patient is especially difficult, often
requiring several individuals working together to reposition the
patient from a prone to a comfortably inclined position.
Furthermore, the inclined individual has a tendency to gradually
slide downwardly into an uncomfortable position requiring periodic
repositioning, frequently requiring, for heavier patients, the
muscles of several caregivers. Therefore, a need exists for
easy-to-use, economical, and durable systems providing assistance in
repositioning of bed-confined individuals, thus reducing stress
imposed on the patients, nurses, caregivers, or anyone providing
care to the patient.
OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
A primary object and feature of the present invention is to provide
a system to overcome the above-described problems.
Another primary object and feature of the present invention is to
provide a system for mechanically-assisted repositioning of a
bed-confined patient within a hospital-type bed.
It is a further object and feature of the present invention to
provide such a system that is retrofitted to existing hospital-type
beds.
It is another object and feature of the present invention to provide
such a system adaptable for use in nursing homes, hospitals, and
private care homes.
A further primary object and feature of the present invention is to
provide such a system that is efficient, inexpensive, and handy.
Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent
with reference to the following descriptions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a preferred embodiment hereof, this invention
provides a system, related to mechanically-assisted movement of at
least one individual supported upon at least one hospital-type
bed-frame having at least one head portion, at least one foot
portion, and at least one intermediate portion, such system
comprising: at least one resilient pad adapted to comfortably
support the at least one individual; wherein such at least one
resilient pad comprises at least one essentially continuous loop
having at least one first loop terminus adapted to reside adjacent
the at least one head portion and at least one second loop terminus
adapted to reside adjacent the at least one foot portion; at least
one first support adapted to support such at least one first loop
terminus; at least one second support adapted to support such at
least one second loop terminus; at least one third support adapted
to support such at least one resilient pad adjacent the at least one
intermediate portion; wherein at least one of such at least one
first support, such at least one second support, and such at least
one third support is adapted to rotatably drive such at least one
essentially continuous loop along at least one path extending
substantially between the at least one head portion and the at least
one foot portion of the at least one hospital-type bed-frame.
Moreover, it provides such a system further comprising: at least one
motor-driven rotator adapted to rotatably drive at least one of such
at least one first support, such at least one second support, and
such at least one third support; and at least one controller adapted
to control the operation of such at least one motor-driven rotator.
Additionally, it provides such a system wherein: such at least one
first support comprises at least one first rolling support adapted
to rotatably support such at least one first loop terminus; and such
at least one second support comprises at least one second rolling
support adapted to rotatably support such at least one second loop
terminus.
Also, it provides such a system wherein such at least one third
support comprises at least one third rolling support adapted to
rotationally support such at least one resilient pad. In addition,
it provides such a system wherein: such at least one first rolling
support, such at least one second rolling support, and such at least
one third rolling support each comprise at least one substantially
cylindrical member having at least one first end and at least one
second end; such at least one first end and such at least one second
end each comprise at least one bearing adapted to provide rotatable
support of such at least one substantially cylindrical member; and
such at least one bearing is adapted to be rigidly mountable to the
at least one hospital-type bed-frame.
And, it provides such a system further comprising: at least one
essentially endless belt adapted to fit within such at least one
essentially continuous loop of such at least one resilient pad; and
at least one removable attacher adapted to removeably attach such at
least one resilient pad to such at least one essentially endless
belt; wherein such at least one essentially endless belt is adapted
to movably engage such at least one first support and such at least
one second support. Further, it provides such a system wherein such
at least one essentially endless belt comprises at least one width
and at least one length substantially matching that of such at least
one essentially continuous loop.
Even further, it provides such a system further comprising: at least
one hospital-type bed comprising such at least one hospital-type
bed-frame; wherein such at least one hospital-type bed-frame
comprises at least one adjustable articulation having at least one
raised adjusted position and at least one lowered adjusted position.
Moreover, it provides such a system wherein such at least one
controller comprises at least one operation limiter adapted to limit
the operation of such at least one motor-driven rotator when such at
least one hospital-type bed-frame is adjusted to such raised
adjusted position. Additionally, it provides such a system wherein
such at least one controller comprises at least one manual control
adapted to provide manual control of such at least one motor-driven
rotator.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this
invention provides a system, related to mechanically-assisted
movement of at least one individual supported upon at least one
hospital-type bed-frame having at least one substantially
rectangular-shaped periphery comprising least one head portion, at
least one foot portion, and at least one intermediate portion
extending there between, such system comprising: at least one
resilient pad adapted to comfortably support the at least one
individual; wherein such at least one resilient pad comprises at
least one essentially continuous loop having at least one first loop
terminus adapted to reside adjacent the at least one head portion
and at least one second loop terminus adapted to reside adjacent the
at least one foot portion; at least one first rolling support,
having at least one first axis of rotation, adapted to rotatably
support such at least one first loop terminus; at least one second
rolling support, having at least one second axis of rotation,
adapted to rotatably support such at least one second loop terminus;
at least one third rolling support, having at least one third axis
of rotation, adapted to rotationally support such at least one
resilient pad adjacent the at least one intermediate portion;
wherein such at least one first axis of rotation, such at least one
second axis of rotation, and such at least one third axis of
rotation are aligned substantially parallel with the at least one
head portion and the at least one foot portion of the at least one
substantially rectangular-shape periphery; and wherein at least one
of such at least one first rolling support, such at least one second
rolling support, and such at least one third rolling support is
adapted to rotatably drive such at least one essentially continuous
loop along at least one path of movement substantially perpendicular
to such at least one second axis of rotation, and such at least one
third axis of rotation.
In addition, it provides such a system further comprising: at least
one motor-driven rotator adapted to rotatably drive at least one of
at least one of such at least one first rolling support, such at
least one second rolling support, and such at least one third
rolling support; and at least one controller adapted to control the
operation of such at least one motor-driven rotator; wherein such at
least one controller comprises at least one manual control adapted
to provide manual control of such at least one motor-driven rotator.
In addition, it provides such a system wherein such at least one
motor-driven rotator is adapted to rotatably drive such at least one
first rolling support. And, it provides such a system further
comprising: at least one essentially endless belt adapted to operate
within the at least one essentially continuous loop of such at least
one resilient pad; and at least one removable attacher adapted to
removeably attach such at least one resilient pad to such at least
one essentially endless belt; wherein such at least one essentially
endless belt is adapted to directly engage such at least one first
rolling support and such at least one second rolling support.
Further, it provides such a system wherein: such at least one first
rolling support, such at least one second rolling support, and such
at least one third rolling support each comprise at least one
substantially cylindrical member having at least one first end and
at least one second end; such at least one first end and such at
least one second end each comprise at least one bearing adapted to
provide free rotation of such at least one substantially cylindrical
member; and such at least one bearing is adapted to be mountable to
the at least one hospital-type bed-frame. Even further, it provides
such a system further comprising: such at least one hospital-type
bed comprising at least one hospital-type bed-frame; wherein such at
least one hospital-type bed-frame comprises such at least one head
portion, such at least one foot portion, and such at least one
intermediate portion; and wherein such at least one hospital-type
bed-frame comprises at least one adjustable articulation having at
least one raised adjusted position and at least one lowered adjusted
position. Even further, it provides such a system wherein such at
least one controller comprises at least one operation limiter
adapted to limit the operation of such at least one motor-driven
rotator when such at least one hospital-type bed-frame comprises
such at least one raised configuration.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this
invention provides a method, related to mechanically-assisted
movement of at least one individual supported upon at least one
hospital-type bed-frame having at least one head portion, at least
one foot portion, and at least one intermediate portion, comprising
the steps of: providing at least one resilient pad adapted to
comfortably support the at least one individual arranging such at
least one resilient pad to comprises at least one essentially
continuous loop having at least one first loop terminus adapted to
reside adjacent the at least one head portion and at least one
second loop terminus adapted to reside adjacent the at least one
foot portion; providing at least one first support adapted to
support such at least one first loop terminus; providing at least
one second support adapted to support such at least one second loop
terminus; providing at least one third support adapted to support
such at least one resilient pad adjacent the at least one
intermediate portion; mounting each of such at least one first
support, such at least one second support, and such at least one
third support to the at least one hospital-type bed-frame; providing
at least one motor-driven rotator adapted to rotatably drive at
least one of such at least one first support, such at least one
second support, and such at least one third support; and using such
motor-driven rotator to rotate at least one of such at least one
first support, such at least one second support, and such at least
one third support to rotatably drive such at least one essentially
continuous loop along at least one path extending substantially
between the at least one head portion and the at least one foot
portion of the at least one hospital-type bed-frame; wherein such at
least one essentially continuous loop while rotatably driven is
adapted to provide such mechanically-assisted movement of at least
one individual supported upon such at least one hospital-type
bed-frame.
Even further, it provides such a method further comprising the step
of providing at least one controller adapted to control the
operation of such at least one motor-driven rotator. Even further,
it provides such a method further comprising the initial step of
providing at least one the at least one hospital-type bed comprising
the at least one hospital-type bed-frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an existing hospital bed modified
to comprise a patient positioning unit of a hospital bed system in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the motor assembly of
the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the existing hospital bed modified in
accordance with the teachings of the invention.
FIG. 4 shows a vertical sectional view of section 4-4 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 shows a vertical sectional view of the section 5-5 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 shows a vertical sectional view of the section 6-6 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 7 shows a side view of a hospital bed comprising the patient
positioning unit adjusted to an inclined position, according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODES AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF
THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hospital bed modified to
comprise patient positioning unit 102 of hospital bed system 100 in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Patient positioning unit 102 preferably comprises a uniquely
configured mattress pad having a movable upper support surface 108
adapting to assist a caregiver in maneuvering an individual confined
within a hospital-type bed. Turning now to the drawings, in which
like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout
the several views, attention is directed to FIG. 1 in which is seen
a perspective view of a modified hospital bed, identified herein by
the reference letter Q, shown in a flat laying position. Preferably,
hospital bed Q has been modified to comprise patient positioning
unit 102 of the hospital bed system 100, as shown.
The depicted hospital bed Q of FIG. 1 is representative of
commercially available beds used in patient care, having one or more
articulating features adapted to assist in raising and lowering a
patient from flat laying positions to semi-inclined (sitting) or
leg-elevated position. For clarity, structures and components of
hospital bed Q that are independent of the retrofittable embodiments
of the present invention are indicated by a dashed-line depiction.
Preferably, hospital bed Q comprises a generally rectangular
peripheral shape having two generally parallel side portions
adjoining two generally parallel end portions, as shown. Preferably,
one end portion comprises a foot portion, identified herein by the
reference letter A, with the second end portion comprising a head
portion, identified herein by the reference letter B, as shown.
Preferably, each side portion spanning the intermediate distance
between foot portion A and head portion B comprises a structural
frame assembly, most preferably a frame assembly comprising fixed
frame portion C and articulating frame portions D, as shown.
Preferably, each articulating frame portion D is pivotally mounted
to fixed frame portion C to enable a raised (inclined) positioning
of the support mattress and a lowered (flat) positioning of the
support mattress as illustrated in FIG. 1 (at least embodying herein
at least one hospital-type bed comprising such at least one
hospital-type bed-frame, wherein such at least one hospital-type
bed-frame comprises at least one adjustable articulation having at
least one raised adjusted position and at least one lowered adjusted
position). Upon reading the teachings of this specification, those
of ordinary skill in the art will now understand that, under
appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as intended use,
bed manufacturer, bed model, etc., other suitable bed arrangements,
such as, for example, utilizing beds comprising side rails, beds
without articulating features, beds comprising custom designs, etc.,
may suffice.
Unless noted otherwise, the following numerically referenced
components indicate preferred structures and arrangements of patient
positioning unit 102 of the hospital bed system 100. As previously
indicated, preferred embodiments of hospital bed system 100 comprise
patient positioning unit 102 retrofitted to an existing hospital bed
Q, as shown. Alternate preferred embodiments of hospital bed system
100 comprise patient positioning unit 102 as an integrated (factory
supplied) component of hospital bed Q.
Preferably, mattress pad 25 of patient positioning unit 102 is
situated over endless belt 9, as shown. Preferably, mattress pad 25
(at least embodying herein at least one resilient pad adapted to
comfortably support the at least one individual) comprises a
generally rectangular pad formed into a continuous loop, preferably
extending between foot portion A and head portion B, as shown.
Preferably, the continuous loop of mattress pad 25 comprises first
loop terminus 104 adapted to reside adjacent head portion B and
second loop terminus loop 106 adapted to reside adjacent foot
portion A, as shown. Each terminus loop preferably comprises a
transitioning turn of about 180.degree., as shown. Upon reading the
teachings of this specification, those of ordinary skill in the art
will now understand that, under appropriate circumstances,
considering such issues as intended use, design preference, etc.,
other mattress pad features and arrangements, such as, for example,
providing a fastener arrangement at each end of the mattress pad to
assist in forming and maintaining such an essentially continuous
loop, etc., may suffice.
Preferably, while configured to form such a continuous loop,
mattress pad 25 comprises a physical size compatible with
operational requirements of hospital bed Q (e.g. generally matching
the size of the original flat mattress of the bed manufacturer).
Preferably, mattress pad 25 comprises a substantially resilient
construction adapted to provide comfortable bodily support for
extended periods. Preferably, mattress pad 25 comprises a flexible
outer cover encapsulating a flexible and resilient interior core
material. Preferably, substantially entire length of mattress pad 25
is adapted to flexibly bend to facilitate the formation of first
loop terminus 104 and second loop terminus 106 during operation, as
shown.
Preferably, mattress pad 25 is wrapped around endless belt 9, with
the interior of the continuous loop of mattress pad 25 preferably
joined to exterior surface of endless belt 9, as shown. Preferably,
mattress pad 25 is removably fastened to endless belt 9 using at
least one removable fastener, most preferably hook-and-loop fastener
33, as shown. Preferably, endless belt 9 (at least embodying herein
at least one essentially endless belt adapted to operate within the
at least one essentially continuous loop of such at least one
resilient pad) is adapted to be retained on hospital bed Q in a
semi-permanent manner, while mattress pad 25 is adapted to be
removable, on a more frequent basis, for cleaning and replacement.
Preferably, the two interlocking surfaces of hook-and-loop fastener
33 are applied along the peripheral underside edges of mattress pad
25, and the peripheral upper-side edges of endless belt 9,
respectively, as shown. Preferred removable fasteners suitable for
use as hook-and-loop fastener 33 include products manufactured under
the Velcro.TM. brand name. Upon reading the teachings of this
specification, those of ordinary skill in the art will now
understand that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such
issues as intended use, cost, design preference, etc., other
fastener arrangements, such as, for example, mechanical snaps,
zippers, straps, adhesives, etc., may suffice.
Furthermore, upon reading the teachings of this specification, those
of ordinary skill in the art will now understand that, under
appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as intended use,
cost, design preference, etc., other mattress/belt arrangements,
such as, for example, making the belt an integral part of the
mattress (pad), driving the pad in its loop more directly, etc., may
suffice. Preferably, endless belt 9 (or, under appropriate
circumstances, combination pad/belt) is rotationally supporting by
drive shaft 10 and by a free-wheeling bearing shaft 27 located at
the foot and head of hospital bed Q respectively, as shown.
Directing attention to the foot portion A of hospital bed Q, FIG. 1
shows a preferred spacer 2 preferably supporting pillow block 1 that
is preferably mounted to frame D, as shown. Preferably, bearing
shaft 27 comprises a substantially cylindrical-shaped member, as
shown. Preferably, bearing shaft 27 (at least embodying herein at
least one second support adapted to support such at least one second
loop terminus and at least embodying herein at least one second
rolling support) is situated within pillow block 1 and is held in
place by at least one removable retainer, most preferably snap ring
26, as shown. Preferably, pillow block 1 is mounted to articulating
frame portions D to position the rotational axis of bearing shaft 27
(at least embodying herein at least one second axis of rotation) in
a substantially parallel alignment with foot portion A and head
portion B. The above-described bearing and retainer arrangement
allows free rotation of bearing shaft 27, thus the rotation of
endless belt 9 and mattress pad 25 disposed thereon.
Preferably, the bottom of mattress pad 25 (spanning the intermediate
distance between drive shaft 10 and bearing shaft 27) is preferably
supported by a plurality of intermediate roller shaft assemblies,
most preferably by about eight intermediate roller shaft assemblies
identified herein by the assembly reference number 110.
Looking more closely to FIG. 5, roller shaft assembly 110 preferably
comprises roller shaft 28, pilot bearing 29, bushing 30, and pilot
bearing nut 31, as shown. Roller shaft 28 of roller shaft assembly
110 is seen preferably supporting mattress pad 25. Preferably,
roller shaft 28 comprises a substantially cylindrically shaped
member, as shown. Preferably, roller shaft 28 is connected to pilot
bearing 29 at both ends allowing free rolling movement for mattress
pad 25 as well as providing support, as shown. Preferably, pilot
bearing 29 is held in place by a removable fastener, preferably
pilot bearing nut 31, as shown, and is kept in alignment by bushing
30, which is placed accordingly in eight places in existing bed
frame D, as repeatedly shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 6. Preferably,
bushing 30 is positioned within bed frame D to place the rotational
axis of roller shaft 28 (at least embodying herein at least one
third axis of rotation) in a substantially parallel alignment with
foot portion A and head portion B. Upon reading the teachings of
this specification, those of ordinary skill in the art will now
understand that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such
issues as intended use, cost, etc., other intermediate support
arrangements, such as, for example, the use of low-friction panels,
ball-and-cup-type supports, etc., may suffice.
Preferably, the operation of motor assembly 15 (at least embodying
herein at least one motor-driven rotator) is manually controlled
from control panel 32, as shown (at least embodying herein at least
one controller adapted to control the operation of such at least one
motor-driven rotator). Operation of motor assembly 15 preferably
initiates rotation of mattress pad 25 and the linear translation of
the upper patient-supporting surface 108 of mattress pad 25, thus
moving the patient to a selected resting position. Preferably, motor
assembly 15 is adaptable to initiates rotation of mattress pad 25 by
driving any one of the plurality of rolling support assemblies
described herein (at least embodying herein wherein at least one of
such at least one first support, such at least one second support,
and such at least one third support is adapted to rotatably drive
such at least one essentially continuous loop along at least one
path extending substantially between the at least one head portion
and the at least one foot portion of the at least one hospital-type
bed-frame). Most preferably, motor assembly 15 is operationally
coupled to rotate drive shaft 10, as shown (at least embodying
herein wherein such at least one motor-driven rotator is adapted to
rotatably drive such at least one first rolling support).
Attention is now directed to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 to illustrate, in
further detail, the preferred assembly of the motor and motor
mounting device. Preferably, motor bracket 16 is held in place, to
motor 15, by four removable fastener assemblies, preferably
comprising four socket head cap screws 20, four washers 21 and four
nuts 22, as shown. Preferably, motor bracket 16 is then mounted to
support bracket 11 by four removable fastener assemblies, preferably
comprising four socket head cap screws 17, four washers 18, and four
nuts 19, as shown. Support bracket 11, now preferably supporting
motor 15, is then mounted to the existing articulating frame portion
D by three removable fastener assemblies, preferably comprising
three socket head cap screws 12, three washers 13 and three nuts 14,
as shown. Spacer 2 preferably supports bearing pillow block 1 by
mounting directly to existing articulating frame portion D with two
socket head cap screws 6, two washers 7 and two nuts 8, as shown.
Preferably, drive shaft 10 (at least embodying herein at least one
first support adapted to support such at least one first loop
terminus and at least embodying herein at least one first rolling
support) comprises a substantially cylindrically shaped member, as
shown. Preferably, drive shaft 10 is placed on pulley 4 and secured
against spinning by key 5 that is held in place with a set screw, as
shown. Preferably, the second pulley 4 is mounted to motor 15, as
shown. Preferably, both pulleys 4 are operationally coupled by drive
belt 3, as shown. Preferably, drive belt 3 is adapted to provide a
transmission of rotational power between motor 15 and drive shaft 10
(rotation of drive shaft 10 initiating the previously described
rotation of endless belt 9). Preferably, protection shroud 23 is
mounted to support bracket 11, to protect users from personal injury
or harm. Preferably, protection shroud 23 is secured to support
bracket 11 by mechanical fasteners, most preferably comprising about
six metal screws 24.
Preferably, the entire motor assembly including motor 15 is adapted
to move in conjunction with the pivoting movement of existing
articulating frame portion D (such as when the frame is adjusted
upward and downward). For safety purposes, control panel 32
preferably comprises an operational limiter to limit the operation
of motor 15 (and rotation of mattress pad 25) when articulating
frame portion D is adjusted from the flat position of FIG. 1 to the
raised position of FIG. 7 (at least embodying herein wherein such at
least one controller comprises at least one operation limiter
adapted to limit the operation of such at least one motor-driven
rotator when such at least one hospital-type bed-frame is adjusted
to such raised adjusted position). Upon reading the teachings of
this specification, those of ordinary skill in the art will now
understand that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such
issues as intended use, bed design, etc., other operational
arrangements, such as, for example, rotating the mattress while the
bed is configured in a raised position, adapting the controller to
provide limited movement of the mattress when the bed is raised,
etc., may suffice.
Attention is now directed to FIG. 3, which displays a plan view of
existing hospital bed Q indicated by the reference letters A, B, C,
and D, modified to comprise patient positioning unit 102 in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Preferably,
each of the above-described support rollers are preferably
positioned with their individual axes of rotation aligned
transversely to the bed length, i.e., substantially parallel with
head portion B and foot portion A, as shown. This preferred
configuration allows the continuous loop of mattress pad 25 to move
substantially perpendicular to the support rollers, along a linear
path extending substantially between head portion B and foot portion
A as indicated by the arrow depictions (at least embodying herein
wherein at least one of such at least one first rolling support,
such at least one second rolling support, and such at least one
third rolling support is adapted to rotatably drive such at least
one essentially continuous loop along at least one path of movement
substantially perpendicular to such at least one second axis of
rotation, and such at least one third axis of rotation).
Directing attention to FIG. 4, specifically the encircled detail of
the support of drive shaft 10 opposite of motor assembly 15, to keep
drive shaft 10 in place inside of pillow block 1, two snap rings 26
are preferably used, as shown. Preferably, spacer 2 supports bearing
pillow block 1 by mounting directly to existing bed frame D with two
socket head cap screws 6, two washers 7 and two nuts 8, as shown.
Preferably, bearing pillow block 1 is mounted to articulating frame
portion D to place the rotational axis of drive shaft 10 (at least
embodying herein at least one first axis of rotation) in a
substantially parallel alignment with foot portion A and head
portion B, as shown.
Directing attention to FIG. 6, specifically the encircled details of
the support of the bearing shaft 27 on both ends, preferably bearing
shaft is symmetrical in design as can be seen in the details.
Preferably, to maintain bearing shaft 27 in place inside of pillow
block 1, two snap rings 26 are used, as shown. Preferably, spacer 2
is adapted to support bearing pillow block 1 by mounting directly to
existing bed frame D with two socket head cap screws 6, two washers
7 and two nuts 8, as shown.
FIG. 7 is a side view of hospital bed Q comprising patient
positioning unit 102, adjusted to an inclined position, according to
a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Hospital bed system
100 is especially useful in maneuvering an individual to a position
within hospital bed Q that allows the adjusted articulation of frame
portions D. It should be noted that preferred embodiments of patient
positioning unit 102 comprise an alternate preferred location of
control panel 32, drive shaft 10, and motor 15 adjacent foot portion
A, as shown. Upon reading the teachings of this specification, those
of ordinary skill in the art will now understand that, under
appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as intended use,
user preference, etc., other controller arrangements, such as, for
example, providing multiple control points utilizing multiple
controllers, providing automatically actuated controls, wireless
remote control apparatus, etc., may suffice.
In preferred operation, an individual 200 resting on
patient-supporting surface 108 of mattress pad 25 is repositioned by
operating control panel 32 located at foot portion A, as shown.
Preferably, motor 15 slowly turns drive shaft 10 that is
operationally coupled with endless belt 9 and mattress pad 25. The
translational movement of patient-supporting surface 108 by the
rotation of mattress pad 25 moves the supported individual toward
head portion B (or foot portion A as selected) of hospital bed Q.
The fitting of patient positioning unit 102 to hospital bed Q
greatly reduces the physical pulling or tugging to which the
bed-ridden individual is typically subjected. In addition, upon
reading the teachings of this specification, those of ordinary skill
in the art will now appreciate that use of patient positioning unit
102 greatly reduces the potential for injuries and stress to which
the caregiver is otherwise subjected.
Thus, in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present
invention, there is provided, a method, related to
mechanically-assisted movement of at least one individual supported
upon at least one hospital-type bed-frame having at least one head
portion B, at least one foot portion A, and at least one
intermediate portion therebetween, preferably comprising the steps
of:
providing at least one resilient pad (mattress pad 25) adapted to
comfortably support the at least one individual; arranging such at
least one resilient pad to comprises at least one essentially
continuous loop having at least one first loop terminus 104 adapted
to reside adjacent the at least one head portion B and at least one
second loop terminus 106 adapted to reside adjacent the at least one
foot portion A; providing at least one first support (drive shaft
10) adapted to support such at least one first loop terminus 104;
providing at least one second support (bearing shaft 27) adapted to
support such at least one second loop terminus; and providing at
least one third support (roller shaft assembly 110) adapted to
support such at least one resilient pad (mattress pad 25) adjacent
the at least one intermediate portion. In addition, it comprises the
preferred steps of mounting each of such at least one first support,
such at least one second support, and such at least one third
support to the at least one hospital-type bed-frame; providing at
least one motor-driven rotator adapted to rotatably drive at least
one of such at least one first support, such at least one second
support, and such at least one third support; and using such
motor-driven rotator to rotate at least one of such at least one
first support, such at least one second support, and such at least
one third support to rotatably drive such at least one essentially
continuous loop along at least one path extending substantially
between the at least one head portion and the at least one foot
portion of the at least one hospital-type bed-frame; wherein such at
least one essentially continuous loop while rotatably driven is
adapted to provide such mechanically-assisted movement of at least
one individual supported upon such at least one hospital-type
bed-frame.
Even further, it provides such a method further comprising the step
of providing at least one controller adapted to control the
operation of such at least one motor-driven rotator. Even further,
it provides such a method further comprising the initial step of
providing at least one the at least one hospital-type bed comprising
the at least one hospital-type bed-frame.
Although applicant has described applicant's preferred embodiments
of this invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of
this invention includes modifications such as diverse shapes, sizes,
and materials. Such scope is limited only by the below claims as
read in connection with the above specification.
Further, many other advantages of applicant's invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions and
the below claims.
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