AU2015291562B2

AU2015291562B2 - Side-rail arrangement with synchronism

Info

Publication number: AU2015291562B2
Application number: AU2015291562A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Henrik DOHMANN; Jurij Mylnikow; Benjamin Pradel; Olaf Steuernagel
Original assignee: Stiegelmeyer GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Stiegelmeyer GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2014-07-16
Filing date: 2015-07-09
Publication date: 2017-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-09
Also published as: PL3169295T3; CA2951752C; DE202014103282U1; AU2015291562A8; AU2015291562B8; EP3169295A1; EP3169295B1; AU2015291562A1; CA2951752A1; WO2016008475A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a side-rail arrangement (10) for mounting on a hospital bed and/or care bed (1), having a movable side-rail element (20), comprises in the longitudinal direction of the bed and at opposite ends bearing regions (22, 22') which are movably mounted relative to holding elements (30, 30'). In the event of a relative movement of a bearing region (22) to the associated holding element (30), the side-rail arrangement (10) is designed to cause a traction in a traction element (50), wherein the traction in turn causes or supports a relative movement of the bearing region (22') of the other end of the side-rail element (20) relative to the associated holding element (30').

Description

SIDE-RAIL ARRANGEMENT WITH SYNCHRONISM

The present invention pertains to a hospital and/or nursing-care bed with a side rail arrangement and to a side rail arrangement for mounting on a corresponding bed. A side rail is often required on hospital or nursing-care beds to prevent a person from falling or rolling out of the bed unintentionally. The side rail extends along at least one of the long sides of the bed and can be brought into an in-use position or into a not-in-use position. When the rail is in the in-use position, it is expected to protect the corresponding long side of the bed or at least part of it. In the not-in-use position, the long side is freed, so that the user can get out of bed without hindrance. In this case the side rail should not project above the mattress on the bed, because this would cause an unpleasant pressure on the upper legs of the person sitting on the edge of the bed. In this sense, the side rail arrangement should be structurally as compact as possible when in the not-in-use position. The "conversion" from the not-in-use to the in-use position and back again should be as easy and intuitive as possible, so that a technically untrained person can do it without any special instructions. The possibility of incorrect operation should be excluded.

Against the background of these requirements, the problem on which the invention is based is to achieve a corresponding improvement of known embodiments. This problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Preferred elaborations are described in the subclaims.

According to one aspect there is provided a side rail arrangement for mounting on a hospital and/or nursing-care bed, with a movable side rail element comprising bearing regions at the ends opposite each other in the longitudinal direction of the bed, which regions are movably supported relative to holding elements, wherein — the side rail arrangement is set up to produce traction in a traction element when there is relative movement between a bearing region and the associated holding element; — wherein the traction brings about or supports relative movement between the bearing region of the other end of the side rail element and its associated holding element wherein the side rail element comprises a hand railing or a telescoping element, which is connected at a fastening point to a vertically oriented section of the traction element. A side rail arrangement for mounting on a hospital and/or nursing-care bed comprises a movable side rail element, which comprises bearing regions at the ends of the bed opposite each other in the longitudinal direction of the bed, these regions being supported movably relative to holding elements. The side rail arrangement is set up to generate traction in a traction element when relative movement occurs between a bearing region and the associated holding element. The traction results in and/or supports relative movement between the bearing region at the other end of the side rail element and its associated holding element. The traction comprises in particular a pulling movement, i.e., a local displacement of the traction element. In this way, a movement can be transferred by way of the traction element from one end of the side rail element to the other in either direction by an amount equal to the distance by which the side rail element on the side in question has moved relative to the associated holding elements. Unequal movement is an indication that the side rail element is canting (or beginning to cant) inside the guide. When a lifting movement is exerted, the forces building up in the traction element create a compensating force on the side rail element at the end which is lower at the time in question.

Certain sections of the traction element are preferably aligned with the longitudinal direction of the side rail element.

The side rail arrangement preferably comprises a guide with a plurality of deflection points, especially deflection pulleys, which are supported on the side rail element in such a way that, when the side rail arrangement is properly mounted on the bed, the traction element has at least one section which is aligned essentially vertically, wherein this vertical section of the traction element is provided with a catch point, which is arranged in a stationary position relative to the holding elements. The traction element is supported by the deflection points (or pulleys). As a result, the side rail element can be easily moved vertically. Because the deflection points are preferably supported inside the side rail element, a compact design is obtained, which nevertheless allows the side rail element to move over a long distance.

Alternatively, a guide for the traction element comprises a plurality of deflection points, especially deflection pulleys, which are supported on at least one beam which is in a stationary position relative to the holding elements, in such a way that, when the side rail arrangement is properly mounted on the bed, the traction element has at least one section which is aligned essentially vertically, wherein, in the vertical section, the traction element is provided with a catch point, which is connected to the side rail element. This embodiment involves a variant in which the deflection pulleys are attached to the frame of the bed or to an adapter or adapters attached to the frame. Thus it is possible for the side rail arrangement to be implemented easily.

Two of the previously mentioned catch points are preferably arranged at opposite ends of the side rail element. As a result, it is possible with only one traction element, which is preferably guided from one end to the other and back again in the longitudinal direction of the side rail element, to prevent the side rail element from tilting and jamming when it is lifted off-center, i.e., either when it is lifted higher at the head end or when it is lifted higher at the foot end.

In preferred elaborations, the traction element can comprise a wire, a belt, a toothed belt, a chain, or the like. This is preferably a flexible element with high tensile strength and preferably low elasticity. The traction element can comprise a set of teeth to increase the synchronism. In this case, at least two of the deflection pulleys of the side rail element can comprise teeth to engage with the traction element and also an additional set of teeth, which engages with a toothed rack. The toothed rack is stationary relative to the holding elements, so that the gear wheel (i.e., the toothed deflection pulley) can roll over the toothed rack. As a result of the synchronous movement of the toothed deflection pulleys, the side rail element is able to move in particular vertically without twisting.

In another preferred embodiment, the side rail element comprises a telescoping element or a hand railing, which is movably supported so that it can be pulled, preferably vertically pulled, relative to the side rail element. Thus the area protected by the side rail arrangement can be increased without the height of the side rail being increased correspondingly when in the notin-use position.

The side rail element can comprise in particular a telescoping element or a hand railing which is connected at one fastening point to a vertically oriented section of the traction element. Thus the movement of the side rail element relative to the holding elements is coupled to the relative movement between the telescoping element and the side rail element. Thus, with only one movement, the side rail element can be moved into its closed position (i.e., the in-use position), and simultaneously the telescoping element can be extended. The user can grip either the telescoping element or the side rail element to suit his preference. The point at which the telescoping element is attached to the traction element is preferably different from the point at which the traction element is attached to the holding element.

Catch positions can also be provided to keep the side rail element and/or the hand railing in the in-use position and/or in the extended state and/or in at least one intermediate position. As a result, the user is given the possibility of the using the side rail in intermediate positions.

The side rail element can also comprise a telescoping element or a hand railing comprising a lower edge, which, in the non-extended state of the telescoping element, lies below the upper edge of the main body of the side rail element. The main body of the side rail element is understood as the one-piece component constituting the main surface of the side railing arrangement. When the telescoping element is raised into the extended position, a gap is created between the upper edge of the side rail element and the lower edge of the telescoping element. This gap, for safety reasons, may not be greater than 120 mm. Because of the structure described, the distance over which the telescoping element can be moved can be greater than the amount cited without the gap exceeding the limit of 120 mm.

In particular, a spring, preferably a tension spring, can be connected at one end to the traction element and at the other end to the side rail element and set up so that, when the side rail element is lowered, the spring will absorb its potential energy and store it, wherein the direction in which the tension of the spring acts is oriented in particular in the longitudinal direction of the side rail. As a result, it is easier for the user to raise the side rail element. The side rail element, furthermore, is considerably longer in its longitudinal direction than in its height direction, i.e., the direction in which the beam 21 is oriented.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following on the basis of figures: -- Figure 1 shows a bed with a side rail arrangement, wherein the side rail arrangement is in the in-use position on one of the long sides of the bed and in the freed [i.e., not-in-use] position on the other side; -- Figure 2 shows the bed of Figure 1, wherein the side rail arrangement is in the in-use position at the head end along the forward part of the long side; -- Figure 3 shows a bed with an alternative embodiment of the side rail arrangement; -- Figure 4 shows a detail of the movable side rail element with the deflections of the cable; -- Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the drive mechanism; — Figure 6 shows a view of the side rail arrangement, in which the covers on the beams 21 have been removed; — Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment; — Figure 8 shows the detailed view A of the profile of the hand railing according to Figure 6; and — Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of another alternative embodiment.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a bed 1, in particular a hospital or nursing-care bed, in which two side rail arrangements are arranged on each of the two long sides of the bed; the two side rail arrangements on one side cooperate to protect the entire long side in question, so that a person lying in the bed cannot fall out of it when the bed, in particular the side rail arrangement is in its in-use position. At the head end, a head part 2 is arranged, and at the opposite end, i.e., the foot end, a corresponding foot part is present.

Figure 2 shows a side rail arrangement 10 in the foreground and another one at the head end in its in-use position. A side rail element 20 of the side rail arrangement 10 has been pulled upward. The upper edge of the side rail is now at least 12 cm, preferably at least 14 cm, above the mattress (not shown). This height guarantees that, under normal conditions, no one can fall out of the bed unintentionally. Because two side rail arrangements are arranged along the side of the bed, it is possible to protect the head end of the bed (i.e., in the in-use position) and to leave the foot end unprotected (i.e., in the not-in-use position). Thus a person can get out of the bed after sliding down toward the foot end. At the same time, however, the head end is protected by the side railing arrangement, which is in the in-use position. It is frequently desired to secure precisely the head end, so that it is possible to prevent the upper body of a person from rolling out of bed first, in which case he/she might hit his/her head on the floor.

Each of the four side rail arrangements is preferably identical in design. Two beams 21 (see Figure 6) of the movable side rail element 20 are attached by way of holding elements 30, 30' to the frame 5 of the bed. The two beams 21 have a vertical dimension of at least about 30 cm, and the two beams 21 are connected to two bars 12, which have a height of approximately 120 mm. Between the bars there is a gap 13 (in the vertical direction) of 120 mm or less. If the gap 13 is greater than 120 mm, it would be possible for a child, for example, to push his/her head through or for a person to get his/her arms or legs caught in it. The movable side rail element 20 is made as a one-piece unit and consists preferably of the two beams 21 and the bars 12. Covers 26 (see Figure 2) are arranged in front of the beams 21 so that the mechanism shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5 cannot be seen. Alternatively, the side rail element can comprise a continuous plate or grid structure or the like, which extends, for example over the entire length of the side rail arrangement minus the areas required for the bearing regions. A comparison of Figure 2 with Figure 3 reveals that the side rail element 20 comprises an extendable hand railing 60. Profiled sections 65 of the hand railing 60 are guided in guides of the side rail element 20; these sections allow the hand railing 60 to be pulled upward over a distance of at least 10 cm. There are three different variants of the hand railing: First there is an embodiment (not shown) in which a hand railing of this type is not used. Second, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, there is an embodiment in which the movement of the main body of the side rail element 20 relative to its holding element 30 is independent of the movement of the hand railing 60. That is, the user can, independently of the position of the main body of the side rail element 20, determine whether the hand railing 60 should be collapsed or extended. In a third embodiment, furthermore, there is a direct and/or indirect coupling of the extension movement of the hand railing 60 from the main body of the side rail element 20 to the movement of the side rail element 20 relative to its holding elements 30. This third embodiment will be explained first below.

Figure 4 shows a part of the side rail arrangement in which the covers 26 in front of the beams 21 have been removed. On the right side, the head part 2 of the bed is shown, which is attached to the bed frame 5. The bed frame therefore also serves as a carrier for the holding element 30. The holding element 30 comprises for this purpose an angle plate (see Figure 6), to which a section of tubing 31 is attached, preferably welded. A guide 25, especially a guide tube, is permanently connected to the side rail element 20, and it is guided in a sliding manner inside the tube section 31 of the holding element 30, so that the side rail element 20 can be moved vertically over a distance of 25 cm, preferably of at least 20 cm. Figure 4 shows an intermediate position. A traction element 50, such as a wire cable in particular, is attached to a fastening point 56 of the holding element 30. The routing of the cable forming the traction element 30 is shown schematically in Figure 5, wherein the side rail arrangement is in its not-in-use position. Each end of the traction element 50 is attached to a fastening point 56 of the side rail element 20, these points being attached permanently to the frame 5 of the bed. The traction element 50 runs first from the fastening point 56 on the right vertically downward, until it reaches the lower end of the side rail element 20, where a deflection pulley 55 is located. The traction element 50 passes around the deflection pulley 55 and runs toward the other end of the side rail element 20, where it passes around another deflection pulley 55 and then runs to the upper end of the side rail element 20; there it is passes 180° around yet another deflection pulley 55 then runs back to the lower end, where it is deflected back to the first longitudinal end of the side rail element 20. Because the configurations of the deflection pulleys 55 at the two ends of the side rail element 20 are identical, the same deflections occur at both ends of the rail element before the ends of the cable arrive back at the fastening points 56 to which they are attached. Identical fastening points 56 are provided at the two axial ends of the side rail element 20. To facilitate the mounting of the steel cable, it is possible, in a preferred embodiment, to provide a tumbuckle in the horizontal section of the cable 50. This connection can be provided in particular in the area of the spring 70.

All six deflection pulleys 55 are supported on the movable side rail element 20. When the side rail element 20 is now moved upward (see the vertical arrows above the ends of the side rail element), the traction element 50, lying parallel between the ends of the side rail element 20, moves in the directions shown by the arrows. When the side rail element 20 is lifted in the middle, only insignificant forces built up within the traction element. When the user grips the side rail off center and then exerts a lifting force on one side, as indicated by the force FI, a large asymmetric force is exerted on the traction element at point PI. As previously described, the traction element 50 is guided to the other end of the side rail element 20 and is attached permanently there to the frame of the bed 1 at the fastening point 56. These force conditions have the result of producing an upward-directed force on the deflection pulley 55 designated P2, and this opposes a tilting or jamming of the side rail element 20. In this way, the force acting vertically upward on the side rail element 20 at point P2 compensates for the asymmetric force FI at the other end of the side rail element 20. Thus, as a result of the way in which the cable is guided, it is possible for the user to grip the side rail arrangement even at an off-center point and to move it without it becoming tilted or jammed. The length of the arrows symbolizes the speed of the movement. Thus the hand railing 60 moves at twice the speed of the main body of the side rail element 20 relative to the bed frame.

Figure 5 also shows the hand railing 60, which is supported within the main body of the side rail element 20. Profiled guide sections 65 of the hand railing 60 are supported inside the guides 25 of the side rail element 20 (see Figure 4). The hand railing 60 is connected by connecting rods 67 to the traction element 50 at fastening points 66, and the previously described displacements which occur when the main body of the side rail element 20 is lifted have the effect that, when the cited main body 20 is lifted, the hand railing 60 is pushed out of it. In addition, Figure 5 shows a tension spring 70, one end of which is connected to the traction element 50, while the other end is supported on the side rail element 20. In the position shown, the side rail arrangement 10 is in the down, not-in-use position, and thus the tension spring 70 is stretched out. When the side rail element 20 is moved upward, the tension spring 70 is relaxed, gives back the force absorbed when the side rail was lowered, and thus reduces the force required to life the side rail element 20. The energy which is absorbed during the lowering movement, furthermore, has the result that the side rail element does not simply drop down without any resistance.

The previously described connection by way of the connecting rod 67 from the hand railing 60 to the traction element 50 at the fastening point 66 is optional. If this connecting rod 67 is not present, the user can actuate the hand railing 60 independently of the position of the main body of the side rail element 20 relative to the frame 5 of the bed. This situation is shown in Figure 6. To hold the hand railing 60 in the upper, i.e., extended, position, catches are provided (not shown). By means of actuators 68 arranged in the hand railing 60, the catches can be released. For this purpose, Bowden cables (not shown), which are connected to the actuators 68, are guided through the interior of the profded sections 65 and connected to locking bars (not shown), which lock when the hand railing 60 is raised and which can be released by the Bowden cables.

The relevant specifications require that a side rail must end at least 220 mm above the level of the mattress to prevent reliably the occupant from falling out. Nevertheless, there are persons who feel constricted when the side rail is this high. These persons may believe that a low side rail provides enough safety for them. For this reason, the above-described side rail offers two different height settings. The side rail arrangement, when in its in-use position, ends at a height of 280 mm above the mattress support when the hand railing 60 is not extended. The mattress lies on the mattress support. At an average mattress thickness of 140 mm, the conditions required by the specifications are not yet fulfilled. For this reason, the hand railing 60 is used, which, in the extended state, ends at a height of 400 mm above the mattress support. Because the hand railing 60 acts as a side rail, the specified conditions can thus be satisfied.

Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of the mechanism for preventing jamming with two pulleys 59, each of which is supported on the side rail element 20. An endless belt passes around these pulleys 59 to bring about their synchronous movement. This belt acts as a traction element. In addition, other traction elements are attached at their first ends to the side rail element 20 and at their other ends to stationary points so that, as previously described, the side rail element 20 is prevented from tilting and jamming. In yet another alternative (not shown), it is possible to use one or preferably two Bowden cables to transfer the forces.

Figure 8 shows a variant of a detail of Figure 6. Here a lower edge 69 of the hand railing in its unextended state lies below the upper edge 29 of the side rail element 20. The lower edge 69 and the upper edge 29 preferably extend over the entire length of the side rail 10 in its longitudinal direction. As previously explained, the gap 14 (see Figure 6) between the hand railing 60 and the main body of the side rail element 20 may not be greater than 120 mm, because otherwise there could be the risk of injury. Because of the previously described downward projection 69 of the hand railing 60, the gap 14 present after the hand railing 60 has been extended is reduced even though the railing is extended by the same amount, which leads to a corresponding increase in the maximum extension of the hand railing 60.

In the embodiment of Figure 9, two pulleys 55 are supported on the side rail element 20, each of which preferably has a first set of teeth, which are in contact with the traction element 50, which is preferably configured as a toothed belt. In addition, the pulleys 55 comprise a (second) set of teeth, which are in contact with the toothed racks 90, which for their own part are permanently mounted on the holding elements. Because the traction element is routed in such a way that it crosses itself, as shown, the side rail element 20 will travel in parallel fashion in analogy to the description given above.

In another alternative embodiment, in contrast to what has been explained above, it is not necessary for the deflection pulleys to be supported on the movable side rail element 20. Instead, some or all of the pulleys can be mounted on the beam 21 and/or on a part of the frame of the bed and/or on holding elements attached to the bed. Because, as previously described, what is important is the transfer of the movement from the bearing region 22, 22' to the holding element 30, 30', the result is the same when the pulleys are mounted in stationary fashion on the frame 5 of the bed.

The terms "above", "below", and "in the vertical direction", etc., always pertain to a side rail arrangement which is properly mounted on the bed. A slanted position of the bed frame is not considered here. In the description of the side rail arrangement, mention has been made of its beams and bars. These are not essential to the invention, however, because what is important is only the arrangement of the moving parts relative to the side rail element.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A side rail arrangement for mounting on a hospital and/or nursing-care bed, with a movable side rail element comprising bearing regions at the ends opposite each other in the longitudinal direction of the bed, which regions are movably supported relative to holding elements, wherein — the side rail arrangement is set up to produce traction in a traction element when there is relative movement between a bearing region and the associated holding element; — wherein the traction brings about or supports relative movement between the bearing region of the other end of the side rail element and its associated holding element wherein the side rail element comprises a hand railing or a telescoping element, which is connected at a fastening point to a vertically oriented section of the traction element.
2. A side rail arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a guide for the traction element comprises a plurality of deflection points, in particular deflection pulleys, which are supported on the side rail element in such a way that, when the side rail arrangement is properly mounted on the bed, there is at least one section of the traction element in which the traction element is oriented essentially vertically, wherein, in the vertical section, a fastening point is provided on the traction element, which fastening point is in a stationary position relative to the holding elements.
3. A side rail arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a guide for the traction element comprises a plurality of deflection points, in particular deflection pulleys, which are supported on at least one beam stationary with respect to the holding elements in such a way that — when the side rail is properly mounted on the bed, there is at least one section of the traction element in which the traction element is oriented essentially vertically, wherein, in the vertical section, a fastening point is provided on the traction element, which fastening point is connected to the side rail element.
4. A side rail arrangement according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the side rail arrangement comprises two of the cited fastening points, which are arranged in particular on the opposite ends of the side rail element.
5. A side rail arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the traction element comprises a wire, a steel cable, a belt, a toothed belt, a chain, or the like.
6. A side rail arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side rail element is supported movably relative to the side rail element.
7. A side rail arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the side rail element is supported movably with freedom of vertical movement relative to the side rail.
8. A side rail according to any one of the preceding claims 2-7, wherein catch points are provided to hold the side rail element and/or the hand railing in the in-use position and/or in the extended state and/or in at least one intermediate position.
9. A side rail according to any one of the preceding claims 2-8, wherein the side rail element comprises a telescoping element or a hand railing, which comprises a lower edge, which, in the unextended state of the telescoping element, lies under the upper edge of the main body of the side rail element.
10. A side rail arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a spring, in particular a tension spring, is connected at one end to the traction element and at the other end to the side rail element and is set up to absorb and store the potential energy of the side rail element when it is lowered, wherein in particular the direction in which the spring tension acts is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the side rail arrangement.
11. A hospital and/or nursing-care bed with a side rail arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims.