CA2242320A1

CA2242320A1 - Apparatus for handling incapacitated patients

Info

Publication number: CA2242320A1
Application number: CA002242320A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Simon Betson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-12-06
Filing date: 1996-12-06
Publication date: 1997-06-12
Also published as: ATE236604T1; DE69627392T2; EP0957878B1; IL124784A; CN1184944C; EP0957878A1; DE69627392D1; US6289536B1; NZ324431A; KR19990071966A; AU713731B2; IL124784A0; PL327163A1; CN1208340A; NO982611L; BR9611906A; IES80505B2; AU1169497A; DK0957878T3; ES2203724T3

Abstract

A bed (1) has a base frame (2) and a patient support platform (3) on the base frame (2). The patient support platform (3) is movable on the base frame (2).
A drive moves the platform on the base frame (2). The patient support platform (3) comprises a sub-frame (4) with a number of panels which are movable on the sub-frame. A panel drive mechanism is used to move the panels on the sub-frame (4). The panels comprise a central panel with a head panel (6) mounted at one end of the central panel (5) and a foot panel (7) mounted at the other end of central panel. The head panel (6) is pivotally movable relative to the central panel (5). The head panel (6) and central panel (5) are relatively movable between an in-line substantially pro-planar position and an offset position in which the head panel and central panel lie in spaced-apart substantially parallel planes.

Description

APPARAIVUS FOR HANDLING INCAPAC~TATED PATI~NTS

This invention relates to a bed and other ~pclldlu~ for h~n~llin~ of incapacitated patients.

5 The problems associated with the tr~tment and movement of patients into and out of beds are well known. Particularly for severely incapacitated patients, the movement of the patients can cause strain and injury to both the patient and to attendants h~n-llin~ the patient.

It is an object of the present invention to alleviate these problems.

According to the invention, tl~Lere is provided a bed comprising a base frame, a patient support platforrn on the base frame, the patient support platform being movable on the base frame, and platform drive means for movement of the platform on the base frame.

1S In a pl~fell~d embodiment of the invention, there is provided a bed comprising a base frame, a patient support platforrn on the base frame, the patient support platform comprising a sub-frame with a number of parLels which are movable on the sub-frame. arld panel drive means for movement of the parLels on the sub-frame.

20 In a particularly preferred embodiment, the panels comprise a central panel with a head pane mounted at one end of the central panel and a foot panel mounted at the other end of the central panel.

In another embodiment, the head panel is movable relative to the central panel.
Preferably, the head panel is pivotally movable relative to the central panel.

~ Conveniently, the head panel and central panel are relatively movable bet veen an in-line substantially pro-planar position and an offset position in which the head panel and central 30 panel lie in spaced-apart substantially parallel planes.

In a further embodiment, the central panel is pivotally mounted on the sub-frame.

In another embodiment, means is provided for interloeking the head panel and the central panel. Conveniently the head panel and the central panel can pivot together in the interlocked s position on the sub-frame.

In another embodiment. the foot panel is movable relative to the central panel.

In a preferred embodiment, the foot panel is pivotally movable relative to the central panel.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the foot panel is of two-part construction comprising an inner panel and an outer panel~ the inner panel and outer panel being hingedly interconn~cte(l for relative movement of the inner and outer panels bet~,veen an in-line flat position and an angled position.
In another embodiment, a leg support member is mounted at a side of the patient support platform.

Preferably the leg support member is movable bet~,veen a stored position underneath the 20 patient support platform and an engaged position extending ou~vardly of the patient support platform.

Conveniently, the leg support member is pivotally movable on the patient support platform.

~5 In a preferred embodiment, the leg support member is mounted on the head panel.

In another embodiment, the patient support platform is vertically movable on the base frame.

In another embodiment, the patient support platform is pivotally movable relalive to the base ,o frarne. In this way. the patient support platforrn may be tilted about a transverse and/or longitudinal a~is of the patient support platform.

In a pl~r~l.ed embodiment, the drive means is operable to oscillate the patient support platform on the base frame.

s In a particularly preferred embodiment, the drive means comprises a drive motor connected to a drive shaft, one or more drive mechanism mounted on the drive shaft, the or each drive mech~ni~m being operable to engage or disengage with the drive shaft, and drive linka~es connected between the or each drive mechanism and a panel or patient support platform for movement of the panels and patient support platform.

The invention also provides a buggy having a wheeled base and co-operating means for en~ging complementary ~n~ging means on the seat whereby the buggy mav be used tomove the patient seated in the seat to and from the bed.

15 The invention further provides a pedestal having co-operating means for eng~gin~J the complementary eng~ging means provided on the seat whereby the seat and patient may be transferred ~om the buggy to a fixed pedestal.

Advantageously, the invention includes a hoist having co-operating means for en~ging ~he ~o complennent~ry eng~ging means provided on the seat~ the hoist including a wheeled base and lifting means to enable the seat and patient to be lifted into and out of a bath, shower or the like.

The invention will be more clearly understood by the following description of some 75 embodiments thereof, given by way of exarnple only, with reference to the accompanying ~ drawings, in which :-Fig. 1 is a diagrarnrnatic perspective view- of a bed according to the inventionincluding a leg rest extending from the side thereof, ~o Figs. 2 and 3 are schematic plan views of the leg rest in the e~tended and retracted modes respectively;

Fig. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the bed shown in Fig. 1 with the s elements on the upper surface of the bed shown dotted for clarity;

Figs. 5 and 6 are detailed side views of portions of the bed;

Figs. 7 to 9 are diagrammatic perspective views of the bed, showing a patient o support p~atform of the bed in different positions of use;

Figs. 10 to 14 are diagrammatic perspective views of the bed showing a sequence of steps in which the patient support platforrn is manipulated for positioning apatient in an upright sitting position on the patient support platform;

Figures 15 to 19 are diagramrnatic perspective views of the bed similar to Figs.10 to 14 showing a sequence of steps in which the patient support platform is manipulated for positioning a patient in an upright sitting position in a seat for use in a patient h~ncllin,o system according to the invention;
Figs. 20 to 24 are diagrammatic perspective views of the bed showing manipulation of the patient support platform in a number of steps for movement of a patient on the platform bet~,veen an upright sitting position and a supine position on the patient support platform;
2s Figs. 25 to 28 a~e schematic perspective views of the bed showing an alternativemode of operation of the panels of the patient support platforrn;

Figs. 29 and 30 are end elevational views of the bed sho~ing tiltin~ of a patient ,0 support platform of the bed.

wo g7120534 Pcr/l~s6/noo~3 Fig. 31 is an end elevational view illustrating oscillation of the patient support platform of the bed;

Figs. 32 and 33 are side elevational views ill~ ting tilting of the patient support platform;

Fig. 34 is a detail perspective view of a hoist for use with the bed;

Fig. 35 is a detail perspective view of an upper portion of the hoist which is o adapted for use with a lifting bracket;

Fig. 36 is a side elevational view showing a leg of the bed of Fig. l;

Fig. 37 is a side elevational view showing the leg of Fig. 36 in arl extended 1 5 position;

Fig. 38 is a side view of portion of a modified bed;

Fig. 39 is a side view of the bed of Fig. 38 attached to an upright support leg;
Fig. 40 and Fig. 41 are side views of the bed of Fig. 38, showing tilting of thepatient support platform about a transverse axis of the bed;

Fig. 42 is a schematic perspective view of the bed of Fig. 3 8, showing the patient 2s support platforrn legs in a lowered position;

Fig. 43 is a schematic perspective view showing the legs in a raised position;

Figs. 44 and 45 are schematic perspective views showing respectively (a) the front legs in a raised position and the rear legs in a lo-~ered position and (b) the rear legs raised and the front legs lowered:

Fig. 46 and Fig. 47 are schematic perspective views showing the legs arranged for tilting of the patient support platform about a longitudinal axis to one side and the other side respectively;
s Fig. 48 is an exploded schematic perspective view of the base of another bed;

Fig. 49 shows perspective views of a seat and a buggy for use ~ith a patient h~n{llin~ system according to the invention;

Figs. 50 to 5~ are three side views of a connector used in connecting the seat and the buggy for use with the patient handling system;

Fig. 53 is a perspective view of the seat and Fig. 54 is a perspective view of the seat in an upside down position~

Fig. 55 is an elevational view of a pedestal for use with the patient h~n-lling system;

Fig. 56 is a plan view of a pallet for supporting the seat on the bed;

Fig~ 57 is a perspective s~hem~tic view of a hoist for use with the patient h~n~lling system and Fig. 58 is an enlarged view of a cradle forming part of thehoist;
2s Fig. 59 is an exploded side elevational view of another bed Fig. 60 is a side elevational view of the bed of Fig. 57 shown in one position of use;
Fig. 61 is a view similar to Fig. 58 showing the bed in another posilion of use:

WO 97/20534 PCT/~E96/00083 Fig. 62 is an elevational view of a leg me~h~ni.~m for the bed of Fig. ~7; and Fig. 63 is an elevational view of the leg mechanism shown in a collapsed position.

Fig. 64 is a perspective view of a frame portion of a bed;

Fig. 65 is a diagramrnatic perspective view of drive means forrning portion of the I o bed shown in a Fig. 64 with the outer cover removed;

Fig. 66 is a plan view of a drive mechanism forming portion of the drive means;

Fig. 67 is a perspective view of the drive mech~ni~m from one side;
~5 Fig. 68 is a perspective view of the drive mech~ni~m partially ~;.c~c~mhled;

Fig. 69 is a perspective view of the drive mech~ni~m ~ c.c~mhled fùrther;

Figs 70 to 72 are three end views of the drive mech~ni.~m in three different sequences;

Figs. 73 to 75 are side views of the drive mechanism showing the extent of movement generated;
Fig. 76 is an exploded view showing the por~ion of the mechanism including the solenoid block;

Fig. 77 and 78 are side views respectively from both sides of the solenoid blocl~:

CA 02242320 l998-07-06 WO 97/20$34 PCT/IE96/00083 Fig. 79 is a side view showing a breakdown of the individual components of the drive me~h~ni~m; and Fig. 80 is a schematic table showing the sequence of the operating steps of the S mech~ni~m Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a bed according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral l. The bed 1 has a ground eng~ing base frame 2. A
patient support platform 3 is mounted on the base frame 2 and is vertically movable on the o base frame 2 between a lowered position as shown in Fig. 10 and a raised position as shown in Fig. 1.

The patient support platform 3 comprises a sub-frame 4 with a nurnber of panels which are movable on the sub-frame 4. In this case~ the panels comprise a central panel 5. a head panel 15 6 mounted at one end of the central panel 5 and a foot panel 7 mounted at the other end of the central panel 5. It will be noted that the foot panel 7 is of two part construction comprising an inner panel 8 and an outer panel ~ which are hingedly interconnected for relative movement of the inner panel 8 and the outer panel 9 bet~,veen an in-line flat position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and an angled position as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.
~)o The head panel 6 is pivotally movable relative to the central panel S. Thus. the head panel 6 can be pivoted upwardly from a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 1 to a raised inclined position as shown in Fig. 7.

5 The head panel 6 and central panel 5 are also relatively movable between an in-line co-planar position as shown in Fig. 11 and an offset position as shown in Fig. 12 forrning a step 10 between the head panel 6 and central panel 5. Means is provided for interlocl;ing the head panel 6 and central panel 5 in the stepped position shown in Fig. 1 ' so that the head panel 6 and central panel 5 may be pivoted together on the sub-frarne ~ between a generally ,o horizontal position as shown in Fig. 12 and a substantialh, vertical position as shown in Fig.
1~.

WO 97/~!0534 PCT/IEg6/00083 A leg support bracket 12 is pivotally mounted on the head panel 6 for movement between a stored position (Fig. 10) below the patient support platform 3 and engaged position (Fi~. l l) extending outwardly of the patient support platform 3. The leg support bracket 12 is 5 mounted via two hinged rods 13 that slide in two outer tubes 14 which are welded to the head panel 6. This arrangement allows the leg support plate to hinge down and back out of the pick up line between the buggy and the seat as shown in Fig. 10.

In use~ with the panels 5, 6, 8 and 9 in a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 1, the bed 1 10 fiInctions as a conventional bed. 7 he patient support platform 3 can be raised and lowered on the base frame ~ for positioning the patient support platform 3 at anv desirable height wh~ch may be convenient for getting a patient into and out of the bed 1. also for h:~n(llin~ of a patient on the bed l by attendants.

15 For comfort, the head panel 6 may be elevated as shown in Fig. 7 to support a patient in an inclined position for reading or eating for exarnple. Further. the foot panel 7 ma be bent into a cranked position as shown in Fig. 8 to support the patient's legs in a bent position. Further, the foot panel 7 may be raised by pivoting the foot panel 7 on the central panel ~ as shown in Fig. 9 for elevation of a patient's feet. The pillow section of panel 6 is also movable for 20 comfort.

Referring now in particular to Figs. lO to 14, there is shown a sequence of steps for manipulating the panels 5, 6, 8 and 9 to assist in raising a patient from a supine position to an upright seated position for removal of the patient from the bed 1.
Starting from a position as shown in Fig. 10 where the panels 5, 6, g ;3nd 9 are in alignment in a horizontal position. the leg support plate 12 is pivoted upwardly and outwardly ol a side of the patient support platform 3 into a generally horizontal position as shown in Fig. l l. The ~~torso lift ' back rest movements of the head panel 6 bv the electric actuators 19 are controlled 30 electronically. Extending and retracting the actuator to pre-set position one raises znd lo~ers head panel 6 in the torso mode. Extending and retracting the actuators to pre-set position t~o WO 97/2~534 PCT/IE96/00083 raises and lowers the back rest. The panel 6 in the torso mode is secured by the movement of the lifting me~.h~ni.~m into retaining brackets as in Fig. 5. The panel 6 in a bac~ rest mode is secured in a similar manner as in Fig. 6. Ne~ct the patient support platforrn 3 is tilted sideways to assist in turning a patient on to their side and then the base of the support s platforrn 3 is levelled again. The patient is arranged on the patient support platforrn 3 with the upper body of the patient on the head platforrn 6, and the upper legs of the patient bent so that they extend outwardly over the leg support bracket 12 which is raised simultaneously with panel 6 with the lower legs of the patient being folded into a bent position relative to the upper legs, the lower legs Iying on and supported by the leg support bracket 12. Next the o head panel 6 is raised vertically into the stepped conf1guration with the central panel ~ as shown in Fig. 12. The head panel 6 is locked in the stepped position relative to the central panel 5. Then the foot panel 7 is raised into the position shown in Fig. 13 with the inner panel 8 pivoting upwardly into a generally vertical position with the outer panel 9 pivoting relative to the inner panel 8 to lie into an inclined position as shown in Fig. 13. Then, as is shown in Figs .17 and 18, a lifting seat '~50 is placed in position behind the patient with a seat portion resting between the patient and the inner panel 8 and a back of the seat extending upwardly along the patient's back. In this position. the inner panel 8 will lie against and support the upper leg portions of the patient. Next~ the interlocked head panel 6 and central panel S are pivoted upwardly together on the sub-frame 4 as shown in Fig. 12 into ~n upright ~o position.

Simult~neously, the foot panel 7 is lowered and the panels 8~ 9 are returned to the flat horizontal position. In this way, the patient is raised on the bed 1 into an upright seated position in the seat. The patient and seat can then be transferred to a buggy by either lowering the bed or using the lifting facility of the bu~2gy for transfer to a pedestal, shower~
toilet or elsewhere. (The buggy is described later). It ~ill be noted that the step 10 formed between the head panel 6 and central panel ~ facilitates insertion of the seat and engagement of the seat by the buggy or other lifting means. It also positions the patient in the centre of the seat.
,o ~eturning a patient to a supine position on the bed is the reverse of the above-mentioned procedure~ the sequence of the reverse steps being shown in Figs. ~0 to 24.

Referring now to Figs. 29 to 33, tilting movement of the patient support platform 3 on the base frame 2 is shown. Figs. 29 and 30 show tilting of the patient support platform 3 about a longitudinal axis of the bed 1. Fig. 31 shows diagrammatically oscillation of the patient support platform 3 about the longitudinal axis of the bed 1. Figs. 32 and 3, show tilting of the patient support platform 3 about a transverse axis of the bed 1. It will be appreciated that the patient support platform 3 may ~e tilted as shown to improve the comfort of the patient or I o to provide access to or assist in movement of the patient on the patient support platform 3.

Drive means is provided for movement of the panels 5, 6, 8 and 9 on the sub-frame 4 and for movement of the patient support platform 3 on the base frame '~. The design of the bed allows its many movements to be activated by a total of four actuators 19, tw-o controlling the lS base frame and two controlling all upper movements. This is made possible bv the dedicated electronics incorporated in the mini computer control of the system.

Referring now to Figs. 7 to 9, the foot panel 7 is placed in the bent position shown in Figs. 8 and 9 by means of a linkage which is pivotally mounted on the sub-frame 4 and movable by ~o means of a drive linkage which connects the linkage to an associated actuator of the drive means.

Figs. 5 and 6 show the head panel 6 which comprises a generally rectangular frame having scissors lift arms 85, 86 with fixed pivot points 87, 88. Arm 86 has a slidin~ pivot 89 on sub ~s frame 4 and arm g5 has an end 90 which slides into retaining braclcet 9~. It engages bracket 91 only on the scissors lift as shown in Fig. 5.

~ To move the head panel 6 in the inclined position or comfort mode. Iever arrn 9~ piwts about pivot point 96 from its home horizontal position to that sho~n in Fig. 6 ~-hen end B is engaged in bracket 92 as it raises into the maximum 70~ position. End g8 of arrn g6 becomes the pivot point for the panel 6.

During the scissors lift as in Fig. 5, the lever arm 95, end A is upperrnost with end B below the sub frame 4. The same mech~ni~m is of course at the other side.

s Referring to Fig. 5, when the foot panel comes to vertical it locks onto the central panel 5 of sub frarne 4 in order to provide a positive synchronised movement.

A drive linkage 28b connected to a drive mech~nicrn 25 of the drive means is engagable with an associated lug on the foot panel 8 for synchronised rotation of the foot panel 8.

Fig. 1 shows the foot panel 7 comprising the inner and outer panels 8,9 joined bv hinges 110.
The panels 8,9 are generally rectangular in shape.

It will be noted that in Figs. 1 to 6, the panels 5, 6, 8 and 9 are shown ~,vithout associated mattresses for clarity. The mattresses are in two sections, one on panel 6 and one on panels 5, 8 and 9.

Referring now to Figs. 34 and ,5, there is shown a hoist 120 which optionally may be mounted on the sub-frame 4 for movement of a patient into an out of the bed. The hoist 120 ~o comprises a tubular housing 121 which is pivotally mounted by support brackets 122 at a head end 123 of the sub-frarne 4. The brackets 12 ~ are attached to cross members 124 of the sub-frame 4. A lifting rod 125 is slidably mounted within the housing 121 and carries a boom 126 at its upper end. A rotatable pivot arm 128 connects to a lower end of the shaft 125 and is pivotally mounted by a pin 129 on the sub-frame ~. An actuating lug 130 on the ~s arm 128 connects to a drive linkage 28 which is attached to an associated dri~,e mechanism 25 of the drive means for pivoting the arm 128 to produce vertical movement of the shaft 125 for raising and lowering the boom 126 for lifting patients into and out of the bed. A number of rings 13 are provided on an underside of the boom 126 and a safety blanket (not shown) can be suspended from the rings 132 for lifting a patient into or out of the bed.
~o CA 02242320 l998-07-06 Referring again now to Figs 1 to 6, the sub-frarne 4 is mounted on the base frame 2 by means of four legs 172. Pairs of legs at each side of the sub-frarne 4 are interlinked for synchronous operation. Each leg mech~nism is shown in more detail in Figs. 36 and 37. The leg 172 comprises a mounting bracket 173 on an underside of the sub-frarne 4 having an inclined s elongate slot 175. A strut 176 has a lower end 177 pivotally mounted on the base frame 2 and an upper end 178 slidably engages the slot 175 by means of a sliding pin 179 at the upper end 178 of the strut 176. A cranked drive arrn 180 is pivotally mounted interrnediate its ends by a pivot pin 181 on the bracket l 73. Outer ends l 8~, 183 of the drive arm 180 are pivotally connected interrnediate the ends of the strut 176 and to a drive linkage 28 of the dnve means.
lo Operation of the drive means with the associated drive mechanism moves the strut 176 bet~,veen a collapsed position as shown in Fig. 36 and an extended position as shown in Fig.
37 for lowering or raising the sub-frame 4 on the base frame 2. It will be noted that the configuration of the drive rarn 180 and the inclined slot 175 ensures substantially vertical movement.
1~
Fig. 42 is an end view of the bed showing the legs 17'7 supporting the sub-frame 4 in a lowered position. Fig. 44 is a similar view showing the legs 172 in a raised position. It will be noted that the legs 172 at one side of the bed are mounted by hinges 184 to the sub-frarne 4 and base frarne 2 to allow tilting of the patient support platform as shown in Figs. 44 and 45 o about a transverse axis and in Figs. 46 and 47 about a longitlltlin~l axis of the bed by extt-nclin~ and retracting the pairs of legs 172 the ends and sides of the bed 170 respectively.

Referring to Figs. 38 to 41, means for tilting the patient support platform about a transverse axis of the bed is shown. Pairs of legs 190 are pivotally mounted at each end of the sub-frame 4 and are movable by the drive means between a raised stored position and a lowered ground eng~ging position for raising an end of the bed as shown in Figs. 38 to 40. Thus~
tilting of the bed about a transverse axis can be carried out as sho~n in Figs. 40 and 4 l .

Referring now to Figs. 25 to '~8, another bed 200 is shoun. Parts similar to those described 3~ previously are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case. in a sequence which is similar to that described previousl~; with reference to Figs. 10 to 14. the panels ~ 6. 8 and 9 are manipulated for raising a patient from a supine position to an upright seated position without using a seat. In this case, however, the head panel 6 and central panel 5 are m~int~ined in-line as shown in Figs. 27 and 28. This position allows the patient a further option.
s Referring now to Fig. 48, there is shown the base of another bed the upper position of which is largely similar to the beds described previously. In this case, a cross-shaped sub-frarne 224 is mounted on a pedestal-type base frarne 222.

O Referring now to Figs. 49 and 54, there is shown a seat 250 for~se in moving a patient around and it may be used in combination with the beds previously described. A commode style seat (not shown) may also be used for toileting, bathing, and the treatrnent of a patient.
Although not shown, all seats may have safety straps and supports fitted where necessary.
Pick-up points 254 are provided on the seats 250, 252 to facilitate lifting of the seats 250? ~5 by means of a buggy or hoist.

A buggy 260 is also shown in Fig. 4g having a ground-eng~ging wheeled frame ''61 with spaced-apart pick-up arms 262 for eng~ging with the seat 250, as shown by means of bayonet connectors 265. Protective rails 264 retain a patient on the buggy 260 in use. The seat 250 is ~0 also shown in Figs. 53 and 54. The rollers 291 on the base of the seat enable the seat to be moved easily on the seat pallet 292 (see Fig. 56) which has a number of lattices of grooves 293 with hollows at the intersections, which help to move the seat with patient in the direction chosen. The hollows help to control the speed of movement allowing forincremental steps of movement.
Referring now to Fig. 55, there is shown a pedestal 270 for enabling a patient to be securel~, seated in the bathroom? shower? toilet, T.V. room, dining room and elsewhere. A patient is wheeled to the pedestal 270 on the buggy 260 and the seat is transferred from the bugg~ 260 to the pcdestal 270 leaving the buggy 260 available for use with another patient. Two pick up points 254 of the seat 250 are engaged with the bayonet connectors 265 on the pedestal ''70.

Referring now to Fig. 57 and 58, a hoist 280 is shown comprising a ground-~ng~gin~
wheeled base 281 with an upstanding mast 282 on the base 281 with a boom 283 pivoted on the mast 282. A ram 285 is operable to raise and lower the boom 283. A cradle 286 with four slings 289 are en~ hle with the seat 250. The hoist 280 enables a patient to be readily s easily transferred from the buggy 260 to a bath, shower, treatment couch or the like. The slings 289 to the front of the seat connect to two loops fitted to the two seat lifting points.
The rear slings have two adaptors fitted between the li~ing points 254 and pedestal locking mech~ni~m. The seat cannot be disconnected from the buggy until the weight has been transferred to the pedestal. A~m rests can be used to provide comfort and security for the patient while they are in the hoist 280.

Referring now to Figs. 59 and 63 there is shown another bed 300 which is largely similar to the beds described previously and like parts are assigned the same .~rel~;nce numerals. In this case the sub-frame 4 is mounted on the base frame 2 by means of independently collapsible legs 301. Each leg 301 has a mounting bracket 303 slidably and rotatably mounted on an underside of the sub-frame 4 by means of a pair of spaced-apart hinge pins 304 which are slidable and rotatable in associated bushings 305 on the sub-frarne 4. The mounting bracket 303 has an elongate slot 306. A StlUt 307 has a lower end ,08 pivotally mounted on the base frame 2 and an upper end 309 which slidably engages the slot 306 by means of a sliding pin 310 at the upper end 309 of the strut 307. A cranked drive arrn 312 is pi~otally mounted intermediate its ends by a pivot pin 313 on the bracket 303. Outer ends 314. 315 of the drive arm 312 are pivotally conn~cte~1 intermediate the ends of the strut 307 and to a drive linkage 28 of the drive means. Operation of the drive means with the associated drive engage moves the strut 307 between a collapsed position as shown in Fig. 63 and an extended position as ~s shown in Fig. 62 for lowering or raising the sub-frame 4 and hence the patient support platform 3 on the base frarne '~. The sizing of the linkages and arrangement of the slot 306 are such as to ensure substantially vertical movement. The hinge pins 304 allow pivoting of - the sub-frame 4 about a longitudinal axis of the bed. It will be noted that the legs 301 on one side of the bed are also hinged at their lower end as described previously ~ith reference ~:o ,o Fig. 46 and 47 to allow tilting of the sub-frarne 4 about a longitudinal a~is of the bed.

CA 02242320 l998-07-06 The preferred drive mechanism for the operation of the bed 1 is shown in ~igs. 6~ to 80.

The drive means comprises a high torque reversible brake motor 20 mounted centrally between a pair of multi-cam drive housings 21. The motor 20 and housings 21 are mounted at one end of the sub-frarne 4. The motor 20 is connected to drive shafts 23 e~tt?n-ling centrally through each housing ~ 1 for co-operation w;th a plurality, of drive mech~ni~m~ 25 mounted within each housing 21. A drive mer~h~ni~m 25 is shown in detail in Figs. 67 to 79.
Each drive mechSlni~m 25 is operable to engage with or disengage from the drive shaft 23.
Each drive merh~ni~m 25 includes a linear actuator 26 which is pivotable upon engagement 0 of the drive me~hzlni~m 25 to operate an associated drive linkage cormecting each drive meçh~ni~m 25 with an associated panel 5, 6, 8 and 9 for movement of the panels 5. 6, 8 and 9 on the sub-frame 4.

Each drive mec~,h~ni~m 25 is attached to a fixed plate 30 through ~vhich the drive shafts 23 extends through all the units. The drive linkages 28 are connected tO the linear actuators 26 by bolts not shown located in one of holes 31 at ends 32. At the other end 33 of each linear actuator 26 is a hole 34 for the shaft 23. Beneath hole 34 is a slot 3~ which accornmodates a selector 36 which is linearly movable by a spring loaded solenoid 37. At either side of selector 36 are housings 40, 41, one for a brake eng~ina block ~2 and driving block 43.
~o Fixed to the shaft 23 is a drive gear 50, and a braking gear 60 sho~vn only in Fig. 66. Each selector block 36 has a "boomerang~' shaped slot 38, 39 at either side of the block. One slot 38 is the reverse of the other slot 39 so as to give alternative motion and overlapping common positions for the brake and drive to ensure that the linear actuator '6 is controlled either by the drive motion or brake met~,h~ni~m Transfer between the braking and dri~,~ing modes occurs without the linear actuator 26 ever being in a neutral or free movement mode.

Each brake block 42 and drive block 43 has a pin 51 which is engaged in a slot ~8 or slot 39.

The operation of the drive me~,h~ni:~m 25 is shown in Figs. 70-7'2. In Fig. 70, the brake is off ,0 (i.e. tli5l~ng~ged) and the drive is on (i.e. engaged), in that the dri-e block ~3 is engaged with gear 50 and the brake block 42 is seated in the housing ~0. In Fi~. 71, both the brake and WO 97/20~;34 PCT/IE9~;1OQ08 drive are on as the pins 51 of the blocks 42 and 43 are in the common position in the slots 38, 39. In Fig. 72, the drive is off and t~he brake is on. In going in the reverse direction from filll brake to full drive the sequence is the opposite and goes from Fig. 72 to 71 to 70. The mS.xi.,.l,.l. range of travel of the linear actuator 26 relative to the gear wheel 40 is shown in Figs. 73 and 74. Fig. 75 shows in dotted view the position of the drive block 43 in the two extreme positions.

A sensor is provided on the drive mechanism to ensure that when the mech~ni~m stops, the teeth of the brake block 42 or the drive block 43 engages directly onto the gear teeth of the gears 50 and 60.

Fig. 8û illustrates the eight dirr~ positions which the m~rh~ni~m 25 can adopt. In position one shown in Fig. 80, the solenoid is of~, the cam brake is on, the drive is off, the drive shaft is free to drive a further gear 50 and the linear actuator 26 is locked. The 1S mechanism then goes through the sequence indicated until position nine which is a repeat of position one.

It will be appreciated that the invention provides a bed particularly a th~dl)~u~ic bed which facilitates patient comfort and movement of a patient into and out of a bed. Further, the 20 invention also provides an overall patient h~n~lling system for transporting, seating and lifting patients and drive mechanism for the operation of the bed.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

l. A bed (1) comprising a base frame (2); a patient support platform (3) on the base frame (2), the patient support platform (3) being moveable on the base frame (2); platform drive means for movement of the platform (3) on the base frame (2); characterised in that the base frame (2) supports a central panel (5) for supporting the patient's bottom, a second panel (8) and a third panel (9) for supporting the upper and lower parts, respectively, of the patient's legs and a fourth panel (6) for supporting the patient's back, there being drive means for displacing the panels such that in one configuration their upper surfaces lie in a single horizontal plane and in another configuration adjacent panels are inclined with respect to each other, the bed (1) further comprising a leg support (12) which is displaceable into and out of a position in which it forms a local widening of the bed, in which position it can support the lower parts of the patient's legs when the patient is in an attitude in which the legs are straight or are bent and the patient is lying on his side; a patient support (250) having a seat portion and a back portion, the patient support (250) being supported by the bed (11), such that when the patient is in said attitude said seat portion may be interposed between the patient's bottom and upper parts of the legs, on the one hand, and the second panel (8) when upright, on the other hand, with the back portion of the patient support (250) adjacent the patient's back, and the fourth panel (6) may be brought upright by said drive means to cause the patient to adopt a sitting position on the patient support (250).
2. A bed (1) as claimed in Claim 1 characterised by means whereby the fourth panel (6) can be brought into a position in which its upper surface is parallel to, but in a higher plane than, the upper surface of the central panel (5).
3. A bed (1) as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 characterised in that there are means for interlocking the central panel (5) and the fourth panel (6), whereby they may be pivoted together to bring the fourth panel (6) upright.
4. A bed (1) as claimed in any of Claims 1-3 characterised in that the leg support (12) is pivotally mounted on the fourth panel (6).
5. A bed (1) as claimed in Claim 4, characterised in that the pivotal mounting of the leg support (12) is effected by two arcuate rods (13) fixed to the leg support (12) and extending into tubes (14) fixed to the fourth panel (6).
6 A bed as claimed in Claims 4 and 5 in which the leg support (12) is movable simultaneously with the means for movement of the panels (5,6,8,9) on the sub-frame (4), the second panel (8) and the third panel (9) are hingedly interconnected for relative movement of the panels (8,9) between an in-line flat position and an angled position, the panel (8) being pivotally movable relative to the central panel (5), the panels (5, 6, 8 and 9) being operable to be in alignment to define a horizontal position, the panel drive means being operable to raise and lower the fourth panel (6) in a torso mode, in a first pre-set position and raise and lower the fourth panel (6) in an inclined position in a second pre-set position with means being provided to secure the fourth panel (6) in the torso or back-rest positions, the patient support platform (3) being tiltable about a transverse axis so as to assist in turning a patient onto his side, the fourth panel (6) being operable to be raised and locked in the torso mode to form a stepped configuration with the central panel, the second panel (8) is pivotable upwardly into a generally vertical position with the third panel (9) being pivotable relative to the second panel (8) to lie into an inclined position, whereby the patient support (250) may be placed in position behind the patient with a seat portion resting between the patient and the second panel (8) and a back portion extending upwardly along the patient's back, and with the interlocked fourth panel (6) and central panel (5) being operable to be pivoted upwardly on the sub-frame (4) into an upright position whereby the patient is brought into a fourth panel (6) under the influence of the drive means when the fourth panel (6) is moved to a position with its upper surface parallel to but in a higher plane than the upper surfaces of the central panel 5, the second panel 8 and the third panel (9).
7. A bed as claimed in Claims 4, 5 and 6 in which the leg support (12) rotates with the fourth panel (6) when said fourth panel (6) is pivoted upwardly on the sub-frame (4) into an upright position.
8. A bed (1) as claimed in any of Claims 1-7, characterised by the patient support (250) being in an upright position and engaged with a buggy (260) for transporting the patient support (250) away from the bed.
9. A bed (1) as claimed in any of Claims 1-8, characterised in that each panel (5, 6, 8 and 9) consists of a rigid panel base (5', 6', 8' or 9') and a portion of mattress laid on it, these portions being provided by one mattress on the panel bases (5', 8' and 9') of the central panel (5), the second panel (8) and the third panel (9) and another mattress on the panel base (6') of the fourth panel (6).
10. A bed (1) as claimed in any of Claims 1-9 wherein the patient support platform (3) comprises a sub-frame (4) with the plurality of said panels (5,6,8,9) being movable on the sub-frame (4), and panel drive seated position at the side of the bed (1) through the lifting action of the bed.
11. A bed (11) as claimed in any of Claims 1-10 wherein the leg support (12) is mounted at a side of the patient support platform (13), the leg support (12) being movable between a stored position underneath the patient support platform (3) and an engaged position extending outwardly of the patient support (250).
12. A bed as claimed in Claim 11 in which the leg support (12) is mounted on the fourth panel (6), whereby when the patient is arranged on the patient support (250) with the upper body of the patient on the fourth panel (6), the upper legs of the patient are bent so that they extend outwardly over the leg support (12) which is first movable simultaneously and second rotatable simultaneously with the fourth panel (6).