GB2432111A

GB2432111A - Adjustable bed

Info

Publication number: GB2432111A
Application number: GB0521006A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Shine Mathew; Philip Kunnumpuram Varghese
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-10-15
Filing date: 2005-10-15
Publication date: 2007-05-16
Also published as: GB0521006D0

Abstract

A bed 10 for accommodating users of different physical dimensions is described. The bed 10 comprises a frame 12 and a mattress support 14. The frame and the mattress support each have a length and a width, at least one of ideally both the length and the width of the frame and the mattress support being adjustable. The length and width adjustment is preferably provided by a sliding telescopic framework (figs 3-7) controlled by hydraulic rams. An independent claim is included for a bed providing support for left and right legs which can be elevated independently of one another.

Description

1 2432111

IMPROVED BED

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved bed, particularly to a bed for accommodating users of different physical dimensions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional hospital beds are of a standard size and are designed to accommodate the physical dimensions, that is height or body mass, of most potential users. A draw back of this generic design is that the tilting or raising mechanism, used to lift part of the mattress to permit a patient to sit-up in bed or raise part of their anatomy, may not be located in the correct position with respect to the patient. Accordingly, to sit up in such a bed, a patient may have to be moved up or down the bed, a movement which may have associated risks. Furthermore, the conventional bed is sized to be suitable for most but not all users and can be uncomfortably small if the user is extremely obese.

A further drawback of the conventional bed is that if only one lower limb requires to be raised, conventional hospital beds cannot facilitate this and additional equipment such as a leg sling is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bed for accommodating users of different physical dimensions, the bed comprising: a frame; and a mattress support; wherein, the frame and the mattress support each have a length and a width, at least one of the length and/or the width of the frame and the mattress support being

adjustable.

Preferably, both the length and width of the frame and the mattress support are adapted to be adjustable.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a bed that is adjustable in terms of its length and/or width.

When the bed is used in a hospital, for example, the size of the bed can be adjusted to suit the physical dimensions of a new patient. A correctly sized bed facilitates the raising and lowering of parts of the patient's anatomy with minimum discomfort to the patient, and provides ease of access to the patient for both medical staff and hospital equipment.

Preferably, the frame has a first side and a second side, and a first end and a second end, at least one of each end and side having a telescopic arrangement to permit the desired extension of each side and end to be selected.

Preferably, the mattress support comprises an upper body support portion and a lower body support portion.

Preferably, the upper body support portion is operatively associated with a first end of the frame and the lower body support portion is operatively associated with a second end of the frame.

Preferably, the upper body support portion and the first end of the frame can be adjusted independently of the lower body support portion and the second end of the frame.

The length and width of the frame may be adjusted by mechanical means. Alternatively, the length and width of the frame may be adjusted by electrical or hydraulic means.

Preferably, at least one of the upper body support portion of the mattress support and the lower body support portion of the mattress support comprise a plurality of telescopic members to permit the length and width of each support portion to be adjusted.

The mattress support may be adapted to be adjusted manually. Alternatively, the length and width of each support portion is adapted to adjust automatically or semi-automatically in response to adjustments in the dimensions of the frame.

Preferably, the upper body support portion is moveably associated with the frame, such that the upper body support portion can be moved between a lowered position, which, in use, permits a patient's upper body to lie flat on the bed and a tilted position in which the user is partially or fully sitting up in bed.

Preferably, the upper body support portion is pivotally associated with the frame.

Preferably, the lower body support portion is moveably associated with the frame to permit, in use, a patient's lower body to be raised or lowered with respect to the frame.

Preferably, the lower body support portion is pivotally associated with the frame.

Preferably, the lower body support portion is arranged such that, in use, one of the patient's legs can be raised independently of the other leg.

Preferably, the upper body support portion and the lower body support portion are pivoted with respect to the frame by hydraulic means.

Preferably, the bed frame comprises at least one leg, the at least one leg being adapted to be moved between a maximum extension and a minimum extension such that a desired height of the frame is selectable.

Addition of height adjustment provides a bed which is adjustable in all three dimensions.

Preferably, the at least one leg is telescopic.

Preferably, there are a plurality of legs.

Preferably, the legs are arranged such that one end of the bed can be raised independently of the other end.

Preferably, the mattress support is releaseably mounted to the frame.

Preferably, the mattress support is releaseably mounted to the frame such that the mattress support can be raised with respect to the frame. Most preferably, the mattress support can be raised and rotated with respect to the frame. Such a system permits a patient to be rotated with respect to the frame to an orientation in which the patient is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame and partially overhangs the edge of the frame, permitting the patient to be translated onto equipment such as X-ray or scanning equipment without the need for the patient to be removed from the bed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bed comprising: a frame; and a mattress support, including a left leg support portion and a right leg support portion for, in use, supporting a user's left or right leg respectively; wherein the bed is arranged such that one leg support portion can be elevated independently of the other leg support portion.

By virtue of the present invention, there is provided an improved bed, which permits adjustment of the bed to an appropriate size to accommodate the physical dimensions of a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the bed of Figure 1, showing the mattress support in an elevated configuration; Figure 3 is a top view of the frame of the bed of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic top view of the frame and mattress support of the bed of Figure 1, shown at maximum width and maximum length, Figure 5 is a schematic top view of the frame and mattress support of the bed of Figure 1, shown at minimum width and maximum length; Figure 6 is a schematic top view of the frame and mattress support of the bed of Figure 1, shown at minimum width and minimum length; and Figure 7 is an end view of the frame of the bed of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a size adjustable bed, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, for use in a hospital. The bed 10 comprises a frame 12, a mattress support 14 and a mattress 16. The frame 12 includes four legs 18.

As can be seen from Figure 1, the mattress support 14 and the mattress 16 are adapted to be raised such that a mattress upper portion 20 can be raised to support the upper body of a user, permitting the user to sit up in the bed 10, and a mattress lower portion 22 can elevate the user's lower limbs. As shown in Figure 1, the mattress lower portion 22 is divided into a left leg support portion 22a and a right leg support portion 22b, which can be raised and lowered independently of each other.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a side view of the bed 10 of Figure 1. The upper mattress support 24, which supports the mattress upper portion 20, is raised and lowered by means of a first hydraulic ram 26. The lower mattress support 28 which supports the mattress lower portion 22 is divided into left and right leg support sections 28a, 28b. These support sections 28a, 28b are raised and lowered by means of second and third hydraulic rams 30, 32.

The first, second and third hydraulic rams, 26, 30, 32 are mounted on size adjustment bars 34, which are used to adjust the width and length of the frame 12.

The size adjustment bars 34 can be seen more clearly on Figure 3, a top view of the bed frame 12 of Figure 1.

The frame 12 comprises a left side 36, a right side 38, an upper end 40 and a lower end 42. Each of the sides and ends, 36-42, comprises a central member 44 made of box section steel and a pair of sliding members 46, 48, also of box section steel, but sized to slide within the central member 44. This arrangement gives the sides and ends 36-42 a telescopic arrangement.

The movement of the sliding members 46, 48 in and out of their respective central member 44 is controlled by the adjustment bars 34. The adjustments bars 34 comprise a length adjustment bar 50 and a width adjustment bar 52. Both adjustment bars 50, 52 comprise a central tubular section 54 having an internal thread and first and second bars 56, 58 each of which has an external thread adapted to engage in a threaded relationship with the internal thread on the central tubular section 54. Each bar 56, 58 is rotatably connected to one of the sides or ends 36-42.

To adjust the size of the frame, the bars 56, 58 are rotated with respect to the central tubular sections 54 by handles 60. As one of the handles 60 are rotated, the length or width of the frame 12 is altered. For example, if handle 60a is rotated counter clockwise, the associated bar 56 would rotate out of the central tubular section 54 of the width adjustment bar 54 and push the frame right side 38 away from the frame left side 36, increasing the width of the bed.

Telescopic members are also used for the mattress support. Figures 4, 5 and 6 show schematic top view representations of the frame 12 and the mattress support 14 in various configurations. The adjustment bars 34 are not shown on Figures 4, 5 and 6 for clarity. As discussed, the mattress support 14 comprises an upper mattress support 24 and a lower mattress support 28, the lower mattress support 28 being divided into a left leg support portion 28a and a right leg support portion 28b.

The upper and lower mattress supports 24, 28 are connected at one end by pivot points 60 to the left and right sides of the frame 36, 38. The other end of the upper mattress support 24 rests on a pair of stops 62 which are mounted to the upper frame end 40. Similarly, the lower mattress support 28 rests on four stops 64, mounted to the lower frame end 42. These stops 62, 64 are in use when the mattress support 14 is in the lowered configuration. When one or both of the upper and lower mattress supports 24, 28 is in a raised configuration, the upper or lower mattress support 24, 28 pivots about pivot points 60 and the hydraulic rams 26, 30, 32 support the free ends of the mattress support 14.

As can be seen, the mattress support 14 comprises a number of longitudinal telescopic members 66 and a number of transverse telescopic members 68.

As the width of the frame 12 is increased, the width of the mattress support 14 will also increase automatically because the pivot connection 60, joining two of the centrally located transverse members "68a" and "68b" to the frame 12, releaseably fixes the members 68a, 68b to the frame 12.

The stops 62, 64 only grip the mattress support 14 in the horizontal plane. This means that as the length of the bed is adjusted, the stops 62, 64 pull or push the transverse members 68 with which they are engaged. The transverse members 68 backed on the longitudinal members 66 increasing or decreasing the length of the mattress support 14. The stops 62, 64 do not, however, prevent the ends of the mattress support 14 from being elevated by the hydraulic rams 26, 30, 32.

Each of the lower mattress support portions 28a, 28b for the left and right leg are further divided into upper leg and lower leg regions divided by transverse members "68x" and "68y". This division permits each lower mattress support portion 28a, 28b to pivot about its transverse member 68x, 68y and fully support a user with a leg bent at the knee. This arrangement can be seen in Figure 1. The location of the transverse members 68x, 69y, and accordingly, the location of the knee bend can be adjusted by moving the transverse members 68x, 68y towards or away from the end 42 of the bed 10.

The configuration shown in Figure 4 has maximum width and maximum length, in Figure 5 the configuration has minimum width and maximum length and Figure 6 has minimum width and minimum length.

As the configuration is reduced from that shown in Figure 4 to Figure 6, the gaps between the longitudinal members 66 has to be reduced. This is done manually by sliding each longitudinal member 66 with respect to the transverse members 68 to which it is attached. The telescopic longitudinal members 66 are attached to the transverse members 68 by a hook (not shown) at each end of the longitudinal member 66, which hooks over a transverse member 68.

Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown an end view of the bed frame 12. This is shown to explain how the bed 10 is raised or lowered. Each of the legs 18 is telescopic, and comprises an inner member 70, which slides within an outer member 72. The bed 10 is raised or lowered by a hydraulic ram 74 the upper end of which acts on a support 76. Support 76 is also adapted to support the end of the length adjustment bar 50 and connects the bar 50 to the frame 12. The lower end of the hydraulic ram 74 acts on a cross member 78, which is engaged with the leg inner members 72. The height adjustment mechanism also includes braces 80 pivotally attached to the support 76 and the leg inner member 72.

The cross member 78 and the braces 80 are also telescopic and adjust in length with the changes in height and width of the bed 10.

Various modifications and improvements may be made to the embodiment previously described without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a system of automatically adjusting the length of the mattress support, and/or the gap between the longitudinal members as the width is increased or decreased, could be implemented.

Those of skill in the art will recognise that the above described embodiment of the invention provides an improved bed which permits adjustment of the bed to an appropriate size to accommodate the physical dimensions of a user.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A bed for accommodating users of different physical dimensions, the bed comprising: a frame; and a mattress support; wherein, the frame and the mattress support each have a length and a width, at least one of the length and/or the width of the frame and the mattress support being

adjustable.

2. The bed of claim 1, wherein both the length and width of the frame and the mattress support are adapted

to be adjustable.

3. The bed of either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the frame has a first side and a second side, and a first end and a second end, at least one of each end and side having a telescopic arrangement to permit the desired extension of each side and end to be selected.

4. The bed of any preceding claim, wherein the mattress support comprises an upper body support portion and a lower body support portion.

5. The bed of claim 4, wherein the upper body support portion is operatively associated with a first end of the frame and the lower body support portion is operatively associated with a second end of the frame.

6. The bed of claim 5, wherein the upper body support portion and the first end of the frame can be adjusted independently of the lower body support portion and the second end of the frame.

7. The bed of any preceding claim, wherein the length and/or width of the frame is adjusted by mechanical means.

8. The bed of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the length and/or width of the frame is adjusted by electrical or hydraulic means.

9. The bed of any of claims 4 to 6, wherein at least one of the upper body support portion of the mattress support and the lower body support portion of the mattress support comprise a plurality of telescopic members to permit the length and width of each support portion to be adjusted.

10. The bed of any preceding claim, wherein mattress support is adapted to be adjusted manually.

11. The bed of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the length and width of each support portion is adapted to adjust automatically or semi-automatically in response to adjustments in the dimensions of the frame.

12. The bed of any of claims 4, 5, 6 or 9, wherein the upper body support portion is moveably associated with the frame, such that the upper body support portion can be moved between a lowered position, which, in use, permits a patient's upper body to lie flat on the bed and a tilted position in which the user is partially or fully sitting up in bed.

13. The bed of claim 12, wherein the upper body support portion is pivotally associated with the frame.

14. The bed of any of claims 4, 5, 6, 9, 12 or 13, wherein the lower body support portion is moveably associated with the frame to permit, in use, a patient's lower body to be raised or lowered with respect to the frame.

15. The bed of claim 14, wherein the lower body support portion is pivotally associated with the frame.

16. The bed of any of claims 4, 5, 6, 9 or 12 to 15, wherein the lower body support portion is arranged such that, in use, one of the patient's legs can be raised independently of the other leg.

17. The bed of either of claims 13 or 15, wherein the upper body support portion and/or the lower body support portion are pivoted with respect to the frame by hydraulic means.

18. The bed of any preceding claim, wherein the bed frame comprises at least one leg, the at least one leg being adapted to be moved between a maximum extension and a minimum extension such that a desired height of the

frame is selectable.

19. The bed of claim 18, wherein the at least one leg is telescopic.

20. The bed of either of claims 18 or 19, wherein there are a plurality of legs. S 17

21. The bed of any of claims 18 to 20, wherein the legs are arranged such that one end of the bed can be raised independently of the other end.

22. The bed of any preceding claim, wherein the mattress support is releaseably mounted to the frame.

23. The bed of claim 22, wherein the mattress support is releaseably mounted to the frame such that the mattress support can be raised with respect to the frame.

24. The bed of claim 23, wherein most preferably, the mattress support can be raised and rotated with respect to the frame.

25. A bed comprising: a frame; and a mattress support, including a left leg support portion and a right leg support portion for, in use, supporting a user's left or right leg respectively; wherein the bed is arranged such that one leg support portion can be elevated independently of the other leg support portion.