AU2006101052A4 - Television elevating module - Google Patents

Description

15/12/2006 00:06 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 03/16 0 o TELEVISION ELEVATING MODULE

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0 FIELD OF THE INVENTION 0 The present application relates to a television module located at the foot of a bed Sand which provides selective raising of a television display screen from the module for 5 vieving by an occupant of the bed.

O BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The provision of televisions and other similar entertainment units for use by r== O occpants of health care facilities, such as hospitals, aged care hospices and the like, 0 c perorms a useful function in amusing the occupants.

S0 In such facilities, many occupants or patients have limited mobility and are often con 'med to their beds for extended periods of time. The ability to watch a television prolram, movie or the like whilst confined to their bed, provides patients with welcome relif from what can often be a difficult and stressful period in their lives. Similarly, in the ase of occupants of aged care hospices, the ability to watch the television, in particular, current affair programs such as the news, etc, provides them with an important outlet of the world around them and greatly contributes to their quality of life.

In many hospitals, rooms/wards are furnished with a minimal amount of furniture and similar items to maximise utilisation of the available space. Similarly, such a mi imalist approach to furniture assists staff in their daily tasks, as they are able to move subLtantially unimpeded around the wards as they conduct their duties, particularly in casi of an emergency.

For this reason, televisions provided for viewing by the patients are typically mointed by way of a movable ann to the ceiling of the ward such that they can be readily mo'ed into position above the bed for use by the patient, without providing an obstruction to the health care provider in the event of an emergency. Due to this 2 COMS ID No: SBMI-05673020 Received by IP Australia: Time 00:11 Date 2006-12-15 15/12/2006 00:06 15/2/0060006 61-3-99901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PG 41 PAGE 04/16 o requirement, the television is typically limited in size as it Must be of a. size and weight that can be safely supported from the ceiling on the end of a movable arm. Further, wen 0 the television is positioned fbr Use, it is typically located remotely from the occupant of the bed. As a result, picture visibility and resolution of the television screen is typically poor, particularly when the patient is in the bed. All of these issues have the potential to o significantly reduce maximum enjoyment of the device.

o In recent years. the adoption of LCD and plasma screen technology has resulted o in televisions being significantly thinner and having flat panel displays. Such televisions offer a greater versatility with regard to where and how they are positioned within a room, as they no longer require a space having significant depth and stability to accommodate the unit. In this regard, such televisions can now be mounted on a wall or the like which has previously not been possible due to the size and weight of traditional television units.

Whilst televisions employing LCD or plasmna screen technology offer more is variety in the manner in which they can be positioned within a room, in an environiment such as a hospital ward or the like, a wall mounted television may not be practical or desirable. This may be due to a number of reasons, such as the unavailability of a suitable wall proximal the patient's bed; or the angle of inclination of the patient on the bed with respect to the television, or the expense of the television particularly if not wanted by the occupant of the ward.

The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and arc not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art in Australia.

3 COMS ID No: SBMI-05673020 Received by IP Australia: Time 00:11 Date 2006-12-15 15/12/2006 00:06 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 05/16 'e 0 It is an object of the present invention to provide a television arrangement that can provide pt, d visibility ox the telcvivn to the occup:n nf a bed throughout a variety 0 of positions of the occupant and/or configurations of the bed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a television elevating module O for installation at the foot of a bed and enabling selective raising of a television display O screen from a lowered stored position to a raised operative viewing position enabling O viewing of the television screen by a person occupying the bed, the module including:

O

a base structure, a television support by which the television screen is in use supported, a selectively operable elevating mechanism mounted by the base structure and operable for moving the television support and television screen supported thereby from the lowered stored position to its raised operative viewing position, and releasable mounting means for mounting of the base structure to the bed structure, wherein the bed structure has a standard.part thereof which is movable relative to the ground on which the bed is placed as a result of variation of the configuration of the bed structure including variation of the height of occupant support components of the bed and wherein the releasable mounting means includes a mounting fitting complementary to the standard part of the bed structure whereby the television screen can remain in substantially the same position relative to the person occupying the bed throughout ranges of configuration or position of the bed structure so as to remain visible, and whereby the module can be selectively dismounted from the bed structure and mounted to another bed structure having a similar standard part.

4 COMS ID No: SBMI-05673020 Received by IP Australia: Time 00:11 Date 2006-12-15 15/12/2006 00:06 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 06/16 0 0 In a possible embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the standard part comprises a rail extending ocross a foot end of the bed structure and the mounting fitting is complementary to a for-nation of the rail. The formation of the rail may comprise mounting concavities or holes provided by the standard part. The complementary C- 5 mounting fitting may comprise projections which extend from the base structure and tn o which are operative to fit within respective ones of the mounting concavities or holes.

The releasable mounting means may furfher including releasable locking means for oreleasably locking the projections in the complementary concavities or holes to C'l substantially resist inadvertent or unauthorised dismounting of the module from the base structure of the bed.

In one preferred embodiment, the base structure may include an enclosure in which the television screen supported by the television support is substantially totally enclosed when in its lowered stored position and out of which the television screen may be lifted to its raised operative viewing position. The mounting means may be located at the bottom of the enclosure for fitting to the standard part of the bed.

The enclo.ure may have a top cover which is operative to close an open top of the enclosure when the television support and television screen supported thereby is in its lowered stored position within the enclosure. The top cover may be pushed upwardly upon operation of the elevating mechanism to lift the top cover to move out of the path of movement of the television support and television screen supported thereby. The top cover may have an associated closing means which applies a closing force to the top cover when the television support is being retracted from its raised operative viewing position to its lowered stored position within the enclosure whereby the cover adopts its initial position closing the open top of the enclosure.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05673020 Received by IP Australia: Time 00:11 Date 2006-12-15 15/12/2006 00:06 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 07/16

IND

OThrcrghout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" 4r "comprising". 7:11 be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated clement, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

s BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS OBy way of example only, the invention is now described with reference to the Oaccompanying drawings in which: O Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view of a module according to one C',l embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is an underneath perspective view of a releasable mounting means in accordance with an embodincnt of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF THE

INVENTION

Figure I shows a television elevating module 10 in association with a fran e 32 of a bed stnicture 30. The bed structure 30 may be a hospital bed having an occupant support component in the form of a base and/or mattress which is capable of assuming a variety of positions and/or configurations in accordance with the needs of the occupant.

Whilst one form of a bed structure 30 is shown, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the module 10 could be readily adapted to be mounted to a variety of bed structures The module 10 comprises an enclosure 12 in the fonn of a box or housing having a base 13 and a plurality of vertically extending walls 14. The base 13 and walls 14 of the enclosure 12 are arranged to define an internal space I I having an open top. A top cover 15 is hingedly attached to a wall 14 of the enclosure 12 adjacent the open top. The cover 15 is movable between an open position in which the internal space 11 of the 6 COMS ID No: SBMI-05673020 Received by IP Australia: Time 00:11 Date 2006-12-15 15/12/2006 00:06 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 08/16

NO

O enclosure is exposed, and a closed position in which the cover 15 is seated on the upper ends of the walls 14 to close tie space 11.

0An elevating mechanism 18 is provided within the space 11 and mounted to an internal surface of the base 13. The elevating mechanisn 18 is in the form of a single telescopically extendable upright linear lifting mechanism having three telescoping o portions 19a, 19b, 19c. A drive means (not shown) is provided within the lower otelescoping portion 19c and is of a reversible type such that when operated in a first odirection the drive means raises the lifting mechanism 18 to an elevated position (as shown). When operated in a reverse direction, the drive means lowers the lifting mechanism 18 from the elevated position to a stored position where the mechanism 18 is fully enclosed within the enclosure 12. A suitable linear lifting mechanism 18 may be an electric linear actuator or lifting column, e.g. of the kind manufactured by Linak A/S (website: www.linak.com) such as a Linak "Desklift DL3" lifting column. The stroke length of the lifting colun may for example extend the overall length of the column from about 575 mm when fully retracted to about 1250 mm when fully extended.

A television support member 20 is mounted to the upper telescoping portion 19a for receiving the television unit 22 and securing the television unit 22 to the elevating mechanism 18. The support member 20 is in the form of a plate having a substantially flat surface against which the rear of the television unit 22 is mounted. A projection (not shown) may be provided on the surface of the support member 20 to engage with the rear of the television unit 22 to secure the television unit 22 against the support member The television unit 22 preferably employs LCD or plasma screen technology and thereby has a relatively flat screen surface and a relatively thin body in comparison to conventional CRT television sets- The overall width and height of the unit 22 is selected such that it can be accommodated fully within the enclosure 12 when in the stored 7 COMS ID No: SBMI-05673020 Received by 1P Australia: Time 00:11 Date 2006-12-15 15/12/2006 00:06 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 09/16 o position. As discussed above, when the television unit 22 is in the stored position, the cover 15 is seated on the upper edge of the walls 14 of the enclosure 12. In this position, the module 12 represents a single boxed unit containing the television unit 22 and the lifting mechanism 18.

As shown more clearly in Figure 2, a pair of mounting members 24 are secured to othe underside of the base 13. Each mounting member 24 is in the form of a plate 23 0having a mounting rod 21 projecting therefrom. The mounting rod 21 extends a distance ofrom the underside of the base 13 of the enclosure 12 to facilitate mounting of the module 10 to a bed structure 30 in a manner described in more detail below.

A number of slots 25 are formed in the plate 23 to enable the mounting member 24 to be secured to the base 13 of the enclosure 12. Each slot 25 is configured to receive a fastening element 26, such as a screw, to ensure that the mounting member is securely retained in position. To facilitate adjustment of the positions of the mounting rods 21 on the underside of the enclosure 12 to accommodate minor variations in the construction of different bed structures 30, each slot 25 is elongated in a direction substantially parallel to the width of the base 13. In this arrangement, the fastening elements 26 can be loosened and the mounting member 24 shifted to adjust the position of the mounting means 24 longitudinally along the base 13. Following adjustment, the fastening elements 26 can be tightened to secure the mounting members 24 in position.

Referring to Figure 1, the frame 32 of the bed structure 30 has a rail 31 that extends across a foot end of the bed. The rail 31 has a pair of concavities or holes 33 in a top surface thereof which are shaped to receive the mounting rods 21 of the mounting members 24. The module 10 is mounted to the bed structure 30 by aligning the rods 21 with the holes 33 and inserting the rods 21 into the holes 33. This ensures that the COMS ID No: SBMI-05673020 Received by IP Australia: Time 00:11 Date 2006-12-15 15/12/2006 00:06 15/2/0060006 61-3-99901337 PATENT ATTORNEY EERV PG 01 PAGE 10/16 o module extends from the frame 32 in an upward direction with respect to the bed structure 0 To secure the module 10 to the frame 32, a pair of locking elements 34 are provided. T'he looking elements 34 are in the form of screws, such as screws with senlarged heads which are received in threaded bores 35. The threaded bores 35 are o formed in the rail 31 and communicate with the holes 33 and extend in an orthogonal o direction to the holes 33. To securely retain the module 10 in position on the bed

IND

o structure 30, the locking elements 34 are screwed into the bores 35 such that an end of the locking element 34 contacts the surface of the corresponding rod 21 and engages therewith. Such an arrangement resists inadvertent or unauthorised dismounting of the module 10 from the frame 32 of thec bed structure As the module 10 is mounted to the frame 32 of the bed structure 30, any adjustment of the frame 32 by the occupant or ward attendants to vary the height of the bed structure 30 ensures that the module 10 moves together with the frame 32. This in ensures that when the television unit 22 is raised it remains in substantially die same position relative to the occupant throughout changes of configuration or position of the bed structure 30. For example, should the occupant's legs be elevated by raising the frame 32 at the foot region of the bed structure 30, die module 10 will also be raised in accordance with such a movement. Hence, the patient's legs will not obstruct the view of the television unit 22.

In order to access die television unit 22 of the module 10, a control (not shown) is provided which the occupant of the bed or other operator, such as a medical assistant or nurse, operates. By operating the control a signal is sent to the drive means of the module 10 to raise the elevating mechanism 18. The elevating mechanism 18 is extended such that the telescoping portions 1 9a 19c move from a nested configuration to an 9 COMS ID No: SBMI-05673020 Received by IP3 Australia: Time 00:11 Date 2006-12-15 15/12/2006 00:06 15/2/0060006 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PG 11 PAGE 11/16 o extended configuration (as shown) to raise the televisionl unit 22 from the enclosure 12.

o When in the raised position, the screen of the television unit 22 is located above the walls 0 14 of the enclosure 12.

As the elevating mechanism extends, the cover 15 is contacted by the portion 19a so that it pivots into an. open position (Figure out of the path of movement of the osupport member 20 and television unit 22. A runner mnechanism (Diot shown) mnay be o provided on an inside surface of the cover 15 to move along the contact surface of the oN portion 19a to reduce friction between the contacting components. The runner ci mechanism may include a wheel or soft contact portion that bears the force of contact between the components during opening and closing of the cover Following use of the television unit 22, the occupant may operate the control'to send a signal to the drive means to lower the television 22 such that it is returned to its stored position within the space I11 of the enclosure 12.

On receiving such a signal, the drive means operates in a reverse manner lowering the lifting mechanism 18 such that the telescoping portions I19a I 9c retract into a compact nested arrangement. As the television 22 retracts into the enclosure 12, the cover 15 closes to fully enclose the television 22 within the space 11.

The closing mechanism 36 is provided to assist in closing the cover 15. As shown, the closing mechanism 36 is in the form of an elastic string or cord which is attached the cover 15 to apply a constant closing force to the cover 15. When in the open position, the cover 15 is prevented from closing due to the presence of the lifting mechanism 18 and television unit 22 extending from the space 11. However, as the television unit 22 and lifing mechanism 18 are lowered, the closing force applied by the closing mnechanism. 36 causes the cover 15 to ride along the back surface of the portion 19a. When the television unit 22 has been fuilly retracted within the enclosure 12, the COMS ID No: SBMI-05673020 Received by IP Australia: Time 00:11 Date 2006-12-15 15/12/2006 00:06 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 12/16 o cover 15 will have returned to the closed position, where it is seated on the upper edges of the walls 14 of the enclosure 12.

SThe television elevating module 10 of the present invention provides an arrangement by which a television unit 22 can be selectively dismounted from one bed structure and mounted to another bed structure having a similar standard part.

t'4T It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or o modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments Swithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The 0 present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive.

1511 n1 COMS ID No: SBMI-05673020 Received by IP Australia: Time 00:11 Date 2006-12-15

Claims (3)

1. 2. A television elevating module as claimed in claim I wherein the standard part comprises a rail extending across a foot end of the bed structure and wherein the mounting fitting is complementary to a formation of the rail.
2. 3. A module as claimed in claim 2 wherein the formation of the rail comprises mounting concavities or holes provided by the standard part and wherein the 12 COMS ID No: SBMI-05673020 Received by IP Australia: Time 00:11 Date 2006-12-15 15/12/2006 00:06 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 14/16 0 complementay mounting fitting comprises projections which extend fromn the base structure and which are operative to fit within respectivc ones of the mounting concavities or holes, the releasable mounting means further including releasable locking means for releasably locking the projections in the complementary concavities or boles to resist inadvertent or unauthorised dismounting of the module from the base structure of othe bed.
3. 4. A nodule as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the base structure oincludes an enclosure in which the television screen supported by the television support is substantially totally enclosed when in its lowered stored position and out of which the teltvision screen is lifted to its raised operative viewing position, the mounting means being located at the bottom of the enclosure for fitting to the standard part of the bed. A module as claimed in claim 4 wherein the enclosure has a top cover which is operative to close an open top of the enclosure when the television support and television screen supported thereby is in its lowered stored position within the enclosure and which is pushed upwardly upon operating of the elevating mechanism to lift the top cover so that it moves out of the path of movement of the television support and television screen supported thereby, the top cover having an associated closing means which applies a closing force to the cover when the television support is being retracted frorn its raised operative viewing position to its lowered stored position within the enclosure whereby the cover adopts its initial position closing the open top of the enclosure. 13 COMS ID No: SBMI-05673020 Received by IP Australia: Time 00:11 Date 2006-12-15