US3676881A - Bed locking device - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved adjustable hospital bed providing Trendelenburg or Fowler selection includes a bed stabilizing device for roller or caster equipped beds having extensible telescoping leg members which may be extended sufficiently to raise the usual casters from the floor resulting in a solid four-point contact instead of the usual caster-roller contact. The extension is provided by the same means used for raising or lowering the bed.

Description

United States Patent Duprey [4 1 July 18, 1972 [541 BED LOCKING DEVICE 3,478,372 5/l963 Benoit et al ..5/63

[ Inventor: Richard l y Dayville. Conn- FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 lntemyll Corporation, New York. 87,686 10/1957 Netherlands ..$/63 [22] Filed: May 1970 Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg [2 1] Appl. No.: 38,783 Attorney-March, LeFever & Wyatt 57 ABSTRACT [52] [1.8. CI ..5/63, 5/66 1 [5 l Int. Cl. A613 7/00, A47c l9/00 An improved auljwtlflbl'3 hospital bed Providing Trefldelenburg 5 Field f S 230 431 43 5 43 17 1505; or Fowler selection includes a bed stabilizing device for roller 5/62, 63' 2/249, 250 or caster equipped beds having extensible telescoping leg members which may be extended sufficiently to raise the usual 56] Rehnnm Cited casters from the floor resulting in a solid four-point contact instead of the usual caster-roller contact. The extension is pro- ED STATES PATENTS vided by the same means used for raising or lowering the bed 2,841,410 7/1958 Kessler, Jr. et a] ..3l2/250 X 3 China, 6Drawlng figures Patented July 18, 1972 3,676,881

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR RICHARD H. DUPREY MARCH, LEFEVER & WYATT ATTORNEYS Patented July 18, 1972 3,676,881

3 Sheets-Sheet- 2 3Q 72 3Q [/49 [/41 4/0 [W12 FIG.2 T M I LI l '50 I; F|G.3 [H I 35 (p1 I I 44 43 45 V I I aw l FIG.4 l 12 INVENTOR RICHARD H DUPREY BY MARCH, LEFEVER & WYATT ATTORNEYS Patented July 18, 1972 3 Sheets-Shes t :1

ATTORNEYS BED LOCKING DEVICE The present invention relates to beds and in particular to an adjustable bed in which the mattress support member may be adjusted from a normal horizontal position to the Trendelenburg position in which the body is in a straight line inclined between and from the horizontal with the head lower most and with the feet and knees in elevated position with respect to the head. The bed according to the present invention is also adjustable to the Fowler position in which the body lies in a straight line at an incline with respect to the horizontal with the head in elevated position with respect to the feet.

One of the objects according to the present invention is to provide a new and improved adjustable bed which is of simple construction and which is reliable in operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved adjustable bed which may be moved from the horizontal position to either Trendelenburg or Fowler selections.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable bed which includes a new and improved motor and and connecting linkages for adjusting the bed between a horizontal position and either a Trendelenburg or Fowler selection.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable bed with a new and improved position selector by the bed which the operator may move to various positions of adjustment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved stabilizing mechanism whereby any tendency to move or roll is reduced or eliminated while the bed is being occupied or vacated, and thus eliminate resulting accidents.

One such adjustable hospital bed is described and claimed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,478,372, issued Nov. l8, I969.

An adjustable bed constructed in accordance with the present invention includes supporting frames and a mattress support member. The bed further includes means for moving the mattress support member in vertical adjustment. Preferably, the mattress support member is adjusted by means of a drive which cooperates with a pair of adjusting mechanisms, one located at each end of the bed. By means of the drive and the adjusting mechanisms the mattress support member may be moved vertically with respect to the support frame of the bed. The drive selectively actuates one or both adjusting mechanisms by means of a position selector which is interposed between the drive and the adjusting mechanisms. In this manner, the head or the foot end of the bed may be moved vertically according to whether Trendelenburg or Fowler selection is desired. Preferably, both the position selector and the drive are operated from the foot end of the bed from convenience in adjusting the bed.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims Referring to the drawings:

FIG. I is a perspective view partially cut away of an adjustable bed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side-elevation view of the preferred position selector which is interconnected between the drive and the adjusting mechanism whereby the bed may be selectively adjusted according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side-elevation of the position selector illustrated in FIG. 2 after being moved to the inoperative position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the position selector of FIGS. 2 and 3 which is shown in an intermediate position of operation;

FIG. 5 is a side-elevation partially broken away to illustrate the bed ofthe present invention in an adjusted position; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the four foot members of the bed of the invention showing the extendible foot-portion which comprises the stabilizer of the invention.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. I, the bed I according to the present invention includes a mattress support member 2 mounted on upright head and foot frames 3 and 4. In order to achieve the bed adjustments (Trendelenburg or Fowler), the mattress support member is pivotally mounted with respect to the head and foot frame members.

The mattress support member is of suitable construction and preferably may be of angle iron construction so to support the usual mattress and spring combination (not shown). As shown in FIG. I, the mattress support member 2 is partially broken away to illustrate other portions of the bed. It is to be understood that the mattress support member is generally rectangular and it extends around the upper periphery of the bed. Two pairs of support plates 6 located near the head and foot of the mattress support member 2 provide means for pivotally mounting the mattress support member with respect to the head and foot frames 3 and 4.

The head and foot frames are of similar construction and each frame includes a pair of vertically adjustable upright posts 8 with each post having a bottom post member 9 which receives, in telescoping fashion, a top post member I0. By means of these posts the mattress support member 2 may be adjusted to various positions. The posts are held in adjusted position by means of a lift arm [2 in a manner more fully described below. The upright posts 8 are interconnected near their bottom ends by a suitable cross-bar I3 and at their upper ends by a pivot shaft 14. Each pivot shaft I4 extends between and is joumaled into the upper ends of each pair of posts by suitable bearings I6 so that the pivot shaft may rotate on its longitudinal axis. In addition, each pivot shaft receives the support plates 6 for pivotal connection of the mattress support member 2 with respect to the head and foot frames 3 and 4.

From the foregoing description it is to be understood that the mattress support member 2 is adjustable between various vertical positions including Trendelenburg and Fowler selections. Accordingly, each of the head and foot frames 3 and 4 is individually adjustable between upper and lower vertical positions and the mattress support member is pivotally mounted with respect to the head and foot frames.

As best shown is FIG. I, the head and foot frames 3 and 4 move between vertically adjusted positions by means of lift arms 12 rigidly secured to a pivot shaft 14. A lifting force applied to a lift arm produces a lifting of the upper portion 10 of the frame posts 8 with respect to the lower posts 9.

A pair of knee action linkages I7 follow and stabilize the lifting movement of the head and foot frames 3 and 4. The knee action linkages prevent tilting of the mattress support member during lifting. Each knee action linkage 17 includes a lower arm I8 and an upper ann 19. Each upper arm I9 is rigidly connected at one end to a pivot shaft 14 and pivotally connected at its other end 20 to a lower arm l8. Each lower arm is pivotally connected at 21 to its corresponding post 9.

From the foregoing will be observed that by selectively moving the head or foot lift arms 12, the mattress support member may be brought to Trendelenburg or Fowler selection.

According to the present invention, a motor 25 and a position selector mechanism 26 are provided for achieving the foregoing selections. As best shown in FIG. I, the motor 25 typically includes a hand crank 27 and an operating screw 28 located at the foot end of the bed. The operating screw 28 is joumaled into the mattress support member 2 by means of a suitable swivel bearing 29. It will be observed that the operating screw 28 serves to move the head and foot lift arms l2 by means of a block member 30 and a longitudinal drive bar 31. The operating screw threads into the block member 30 which in turn is pivotally secured to the drive bar 31 by a suitable pin 34 and bracket 33. The longitudinal drive bar 31 is mounted at the lower end of the head and foot lift arms 12 by means of a suitable bolt 34 which fits into a slot 35 at the corresponding head and foot ends 36 and 37 of the longitudinal drive bar.

From the foregoing it will be understood that as the operating screw moves the longitudinal bar toward the foot of the bed and slightly upward in the direction of the screw, both the lift arms 12 are raised so to lift the head and foot frame mem bers 3 and 4.

A position selector gate 40 is interposed between the longitudinal drive bar 31 and each lift arm 12. When the position selector gates 40 are in the position shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2, movement of the longitudinal bar toward the foot of the bed is transmitted to the head and foot lift arms I2 thereby to achieve the desired raising of the head and foot vertical frame members 8 and the mattress support member 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each position selector gate 40 includes a gate member 41 which is pivotally connected by a pin 42 to the drive bar 31. A cable 43 with a suitable connector 44 and sheath 45 is used to pivot each gate member 4! from the engaged position (FIG. 2) to the disengaged position (FIG. 3). Conveniently, each cable 43 is available to the operator at a panel 46 and control knobs 47 (FIG. I) installed at the foot of the bed. The front edge (FIG. 3) of each gate member 41 has a notch 47 for firm engagement with the lift arm bolt 34. The bottom edge of each gate member may be recessed at 48 to accommodate the movement of the bolt 34 within the slot 35 (see FIG. A pin 49 and groove 50 (FIG. 3) limit the upward movement of the gate member 41. If desired a spring (not shown) may be used to urge each gate member into the downward position.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 either position selector gate 40 may be moved to an upward position so that lift arm bolt 34 is free to slide respect to the slot 35. When such relative sliding movement occurs then the longitudinal drive bar 31 does not raise the corresponding lift arm 12. Consequently, movement of the operating screw 28 is effective to raise only one end of the bed as shown in FIG. 5. Moreover, when one position selector gate is not engaged (as shown in FIG. 5) the corresponding end of the bed remains in the lowered position. The operation of the bed according to the present invention will be apparent in the foregoing description but for con venience will be summarized below.

As shown in FIG. I the mattress support member 2 is elevated and is in a level position. In order to select a bed position as in FIG. 5 in which the head end of the bed is raised and in which the foot end of the bed is lowered, one would proceed as follows.

The operating screw 28 is manipulated to move the longitudinal drive bar 31 to the rearward most position toward the head end. This action moves the lift arms [2 downwardly and the mattress support member is lowered, i.e., the upper post telescopes entirely into the lower post 9 as shown at the foot end of FIG. 5. In addition, the lift arm bolts 34 disengage from each position selector gate 40 so that one of the gate members may be easily pivoted to an upper position (FIG. 3). In the bed selection to be described the foot gate member 41 is so pivoted to an upper position as illustrated in FIGv 3. Next the hand crank 27 and operating screw 28 (FIG. 5) are turned so to move the longitudinal drive bar 31 toward the foot end of the bed.

As the longitudinal drive bar 3I moves toward the foot of the bed the foot lift arm bolt 34 slides in the foot end slot 35. In other words the foot end lift arm 12 is not raised by the longitudinal drive bar 31, and consequently the foot of the bed remains lowered. As best shown in FIG. 5 it will seem that the lift arm bolt 34 is located in the rearward position with respect to the elongated slot 35. At the same time it will be observed that the foot gate member 41 is pivoted to the inactive or disengaged position.

At the head end of the bed on the other hand, it will be seen in FIG. 5 that the gate member 41 is engaged against the lift arm bolt 34. As a result of such engagement the movement of the longitudinal drive bar 31 has produced a lifting movement in the head lift arm I2. Such lifting movement of the lift arm occurs because the drive bar moves in the general direction of the operating screw 28, i.e., in a forwardly and in an upwardly direction. The pivot bar 31 and the upper head frame posts 10 are lifted vertically as shown in FIG. 5. To lower the head end of the bed, it is necessary only to reverse the rotation of the hand crank and the drive bar 3] will lower lift arm 12 until post 10 telescopes entirely within post 8. After such lowering a new selection for bed position may be made.

Referring now to FIG. 6 there is shown in detail the stabilizing element to which the instant inventive concept is specifically directed.

When operating crank 27 is rotated to a position such that mattress support member 2 is level, casters, or universal rol lers 60, are still in contact with the floor or surface, thus af fording a desired mobility to the bed and its occupant, if any. However, it is often desirable to stabilize the bed against movement in situations when an occupant is leaving the bed or when a patient is getting in. With the instant embodiment this is accomplished by continuing to revolve crank 27 in the lowering direction a few turns such that operating screw 28 and block member 30 forces drive bar 3I further to the rear. Lift arms 12 then cause further rotation to pivot shaft 14 which imparts a further lowering action to upper posts [0 of frame posts 8 with respect to lower posts 9.

When the lowering action has proceeded to a point where the lower extremity of upper posts 10, fitted with a pad member 62 is touching the floor or bearing surface 64, the further rotation of pivot shaft 14 causes a lifting force to he applied to the head and foot frames 3 and 4 through knee action linkages l7, namely lower arms 18, upper arms I9 and pivot pins 21. This lifting action is continued by continued rotation of crank 27 until casters 60, comprising roller 66, covered shank 68, swivel surfaces 70, caster shaft (not shown} and locking nut 72, rotatably affixing casters 60 to cross bars 13, are elevated the desired distance, as at 74, from the floor. The bed is now resting on pad members 62, which may be fabricated ofa non-skidding material, and is completely stable against accidental movement.

Turning crank 27 in the opposite direction first lowers head and foot frames 3 and 4 until casters 60 are in contact with the floor and then the desired head or foot elevation is carried out as described above.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of this invention it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and it is therefore aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A support structure for a member such as a mattress comprising a top cross shaft, a top post connected to each end of said cross shaft and providing a rotatable support for said cross shaft and extending downwardly therefrom, said top post having a bottom end which is adapted to rest on the ground in one support position, a hollow tubular bottom post telescopically engaged over each of said top posts and being movable upwardly and downwardly therealong, a cross bar rigidly connected between said bottom posts at each end, a knee action linkage comprising first and second links pivotally connected together, one of said links being affixed at its outer end to said cross shaft for rotation therewith and the other being pivotally connected to respective ones of said bottom posts, drive bar means connected to said cross shaft to rotate said cross shaft and to move said bottom hollow tubular posts upwardly and downwardly along the respective said top posts, said hollow bottom posts at each end and said cross bar forming a support structure, and roller means connected to said support structure adjacent each bottom post and depending downwardly therefrom, said support structure being movable relatively to said top post by an amount sufficient to position said roller means below the bottom end of said top post to support said structure on said roller means.

2. A support structure according to claim 1, including a mattress support member connected to the upper end of each of said top posts, each of said top posts, said bottom hollow tubular posts, said cross bar and said roller support means comprising a first end support for said mattress support member, and including a second end support including a second top post connected to each side of said mattress support member adjacent the opposite end thereof, a second bottom hollow tubular post telescopically engaged over each of said second top posts, a second cross bar connected between said second bottom tubular posts and second roller means carried on said cross bar and depending downwardly therefrom and being engageable with the ground for supporting the second end of said support structure when said second bottom tubular posts are moved to a predetermined position downwardly.

3. A support structure according to claim 2, wherein said drive bar means includes a longitudinal drive bar extending between said first end support and said second end support, a lift arm connected adjacent each end of said drive bar member and having an opposite end connected to the respective top cross shaft and said second top cross shaft, means connected to said drive bar to shift drive bar to cause rotation of said top cross shaft and said second top cross shaft for changing the elevation of said bottom tubular posts relative to said top posts.

1' t i I

Claims (3)

1. A support structure for a member such as a mattress comprising a top cross shaft, a top post connected to each end of said cross shaft and providing a rotatable support for said cross shaft and extending downwardly therefrom, said top post having a bottom end which is adapted to rest on the ground in one support position, a hollow tubular bottom post telescopically engaged over each of said top posts and being movable upwardly and downwardly therealong, a cross bar rigidly connected between said bottom posts at each end, a knee action linkage comprising first and second links pivotally connected together, one of said links being affixed at its outer end to said cross shaft for rotation therewith and the other being pivotally connected to respective ones of said bottom posts, drive bar means connected to said cross shaft to rotate said cross shaft and to move said bottom hollow tubular posts upwardly and downwardly along the respective said top posts, said hollow bottom posts at each end and said cross bar forming a support structure, and roller means connected to said support structure adjacent each bottom post and depending downwardly therefrom, said support structure being movable relatively to said top post by an amount sufficient to position said roller means below the bottom end of said top post to support said structure on said roller means.

2. A support structure according to claim 1, including a mattress support member connected to the upper end of each of said top posts, each of said top posts, said bottom hollow tubular posts, said cross bar and said roller support means comprising a first end support for said mattress support member, and including a second end support including a second top post connected to each side of said mattress support member adjacent the opposite end thereof, a second bottom hollow tubular post telescopically engaged over each of said second top posts, a second cross bar connected between said second bottom tubular posts and second roller means carried on said cross bar and depending downwardly therefrom and being engageable with the ground for supporting the second end of said support structure when said second bottom tubular posts are moved to a predetermined position downwardly.

3. A support structure according to claim 2, wherein said drive bar means includes a longitudinal drive bar extending between said first end support and said second end support, a lift arm connected adjacent each end of said drive bar member and having an opposite end connected to the respective top cross shaft and said second top cross shaft, means connected to said drive bar to shift drive bar to cause rotation of said top cross shaft and said second top cross shaft for changing the elevation of said bottom tubular posts relative to said top posts.

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