CA2756079A1

CA2756079A1 - Bed with linen changing means

Info

Publication number: CA2756079A1
Application number: CA2756079A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Vu Nguyen Long Uy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-22
Filing date: 2010-12-21
Publication date: 2011-06-30
Also published as: WO2011077367A4; WO2011077367A1

Abstract

A bed (10) with linen changing means comprises features that allow the mattress linen (120) to be changed and/or occupant's skin in contact with mattress (62) /linen to be aired without requiring an occupant to leave the bed. The bed frame provides a matrix of slats (28) which support the occupant while the mattress is lowered for occupant airing and then extended for linen changing. The mattress comprises a plurality of horizontal mattress sections (63) spaced apart allowing corresponding insertion between the slats until said slats are recessed within the mattress and a user is able to lie comfortably upon raised portions of the mattress. The mattress is supported by a mobile frame apparatus (60) being vertically adjustable via a manually- operated crank (82) and gear assembly (86, 88, 90) such that a caretaker may lower and slide the mattress outward while the bed occupant rests upon the slats, providing easy access to the mattress for purposes of changing bed linens. The mattress is then slid inward and raised back into place to support the occupant.

Description

Description Title of Invention: BED WITH LINEN CHANGING MEANS
Technical Field [1] The present invention relates to bed and mattress specializing for cares of patients who due to certain health conditions are not able to, or are not allowed to, or do not want to, leave the bed when the linen needs to be changed or when airing the areas of skin in contact with mattress/linen is needed. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bed wherein the mattress and support frame can be raised or lowered and extended outward from bed occupant.
Background Art

[2] Bedridden patients, particularly who became paralytic or invalid for a certain time due to diseases or injuries, usually face many problems. One of the problems is the de-velopment of bedsores causative of the body weight on areas of skin in contact with mattress or linen. Such problem is even more serious for patients who are ulcerated or scalded all over. Airing the areas of skin in contact with mattress and linen, including changing linen or mattress, is very important and should be done regularly in order to keep the patient free from skin infection and ulceration.

[3] Bed occupied patients, who are required limitation of his/her body motion because of injuries or medical instruments attached to him/her and who due to diseases or health conditions getting pain with his/her body motion, face problems relating to bed cleaning which requires changing bed linen regularly. The motion of patient's body during bed linen changing process must be minimized for patient's benefit.

[4] Many thoughts & solutions have been made to help nurse/caretaker to change the posture of the patients for easy airing skin and sanitizing the bed.
Generally, prior arts are mostly based on changing patient's posture from lying to sitting, i.e.
changing the bed to be a chair, and nurses/caretakers can support the patent sitting while the bed is made. Nevertheless, strength, cleverness and prudence are still very essential because it involves moving the bedridden patient. In many cases, particularly when the patient is with many injuries, moving usually hurts the patient. Furthermore, there are many cases where the patient cannot be moved since some medical instruments are attached to his/her body for monitoring and treatment.
Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[5] Prior art bed has a configuration, including a frame, mattress support frame, a mattress and a linen sheet. With such the configuration, when airing the areas of skin in contact with mattress/linen or when the bed linen needs to be changed, the bed occupant must leave the bed. That means for bedridden patient who himself/herself cannot move, a nurse, i.e. the one who cares for him/her, must take action to lift him/
her out of the bed surface or to roll him/her to left and right in order to air his/her skin or to change the linen.

[6] A problem with such foresaid action is that it requires training, strength, cleverness and prudence from nurses/caretakers. Another problem with such foresaid action is that it makes the bed occupant uncomfortable, even hurts him/her in case the bed occupant is suffering pain.
Technical Solution

[7] The present invention provides solutions to the above problems by introducing a bed with linen changing means.

[8] The bed with linen changing means comprises features that allow the mattress linen to be changed without requiring an occupant to leave the bed or to be moved.
The bed also allows the occupant's skin area in contact with mattress linen to be aired without requiring the occupant to leave the bed or to be moved. The bed frame provides a matrix of slats which support the occupant while the mattress is lowered and extended for linen changing. The mattress comprises a plurality of horizontal mattress sections spaced apart allowing corresponding insertion between the slats until said slats are recessed within the mattress and an occupant is able to lie comfortably upon raised portions of the mattress. The mattress is supported by a mobile frame apparatus being vertically adjustable via a manually-operated crank and gear assembly such that a caretaker may lower and slide the mattress outward while the bed occupant rests upon the slats, providing easy access to the mattress for purposes of changing bed linens.
The mattress is then slid inward and raised back into place to support the occupant.
Advantageous Effects

[9] An advantageous effect of the present invention is that it allows the mattress linen to be changed without requiring an occupant to leave the bed or to be moved.

[10] Another advantageous effect of the present invention is that it allows the occupant's skin area in contact with mattress linen to be aired without requiring the occupant to leave the bed or to be moved.

[11] The foresaid advantages help to reduce workload of nurses/caretakers when taking care of the bed occupants during medical treatment or home care. The foresaid ad-vantages also help the bed-occupied patients less suffer uncomfortable feelings relating to motion of his/her body during bed sanitizing and medical treatment process.
Description of Drawings

[12] The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in con-junction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

[13] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bed with linen changing means 10 depicting a lowered and extended mattress assembly 62 position, according to a preferred em-bodiment of the present invention;

[14] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bed with linen changing means 10 depicting subjacent positioning of a mattress assembly 62, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[15] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bed with linen changing means 10 depicting a mattress assembly 62 in a raised state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[16] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bed with linen changing means 10 depicting a head board frame assembly portion 26, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[17] FIG. 5 is a cut-away view of a lifting mechanism 80 portion, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[18] FIG. 6a is a perspective view of a lift plate portion 94 of the bed with linen changing means 10 depicting a raised state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[19] FIG. 6b is a perspective view of the lift plate portion 94 of the bed with linen changing means 10 depicting a lowered state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[20] FIG. 7 is a inner side view of a foot board frame assembly portion 24 of the bed with linen changing means 10 depicting lifting mechanism portions 80, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[21] FIG. 8 is a inner side view of a head board frame assembly portion 26 of the bed with linen changing means 10 depicting lifting mechanism portions 80, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[22] FIG. 9 is a cut-away view of a rolling end portion 114, according to a preferred em-bodiment of the present invention;

[23] FIG. 10 is another cut-away view of a rolling end portion 114, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and,

[24] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of linen 120 and mattress assembly 62 portions, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[25] DESCRIPTIVE KEY

[26] 10 bed with linen changing means

[27] 20 upper bed frame assembly

[28] 22 upper side rail frame member

[29] 24 foot board frame assembly

[30] 26 head board frame assembly

[31] 28 support member

[32] 30 locking collar

[33] 31 sliding collar

[34] 40 lower bed frame assembly

[35] 41 lower side rail frame member

[36] 42a head board lower frame end rail member

[37] 42b foot board lower frame end rail member

[38] 43 first clearance slot

[39] 44 second clearance slot

[40] 60 mobile frame assembly

[41] 62 mattress assembly

[42] 63 mattress section

[43] 64 mobile frame member

[44] 65 mattress padding

[45] 66 mobile frame leg

[46] 67 mattress slat

[47] 68 mobile frame caster

[48] 70 mobile frame support member

[49] 72 lifting mechanism rail

[50] 74 third clearance slot

[51] 80 lifting mechanism

[52] 82 hand crank

[53] 84 crank shaft

[54] 85 bracket

[55] 86 gear housing

[56] 88 pinion gear

[57] 90 ring gear

[58] 92 output shaft

[59] 94 lift plate

[60] 96 tie rod end

[61] 98 tie rod

[62] 100 first lifting arm rod

[63] 102 second lifting arm rod

[64] 104 first lifting arm

[65] 106 second lifting arm

[66] 108 first pivot pin

67 PCT/IB2010/055973 [67] 111 second pivot pin

[68] 112 pivot pin aperture

[69] 114 rolling end portion

[70] 116 roller

[71] 120 linen

[72] 122 crease

[73] 150 threaded fastener

[74] 152 nut fastener

[75] 160 occupant Best Mode

[76] The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within FIGS. 1 through 11. However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

[77] The terms 'a' and 'an' herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

[78] The present invention describes a bed (herein described as the 'apparatus') 10, having specialized linen changing means comprising particular features which allow a linen sheet 120 to be applied to a mattress assembly 62 without having a bed occupant 160 vacate the bed apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 comprises a conventional tubular-framed bed structure further comprising an intermediate mobile frame structure which contains and supports the mattress assembly 62 which may be lowered away from an occupant 160 via a lifting mechanism 80 and subsequently extended outwardly to access said mattress assembly 62 to change the linens 120. During said lowering of the mattress 62 and changing of linens 120, the occupant is temporarily supported upon a stationary matrix of support members 28. After changing of the linen 120, the mattress assembly 62 is slid under the occupant 160 and raised to once again support the occupant 160 in a normal manner.

[79] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, perspective views of the apparatus 10 depicting a lowered and extended mattress assembly 62 position, according to a preferred em-bodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus 10 comprises a tubular metal frame bed structure, shown here in a conventional twin-size bed configuration;
however, other standard bed sizes such as single, double, queen, and the like, may also incorporate the teachings of the invention 10 with equal benefit and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 comprises an upper bed frame assembly 20, a 'U'-shaped foot board frame assembly 24, a 'U'-shaped head board frame assembly 26, a lower bed frame assembly 40, and a mobile frame assembly 60. The upper frame assembly 20 comprises a unitary rectangular structure having a plurality of welded or otherwise permanently affixed integral parallel support members 28 which span across a top surface in a coplanar fashion between upper side rail frame members 22. Said support members 28 comprise rigid rectangular members being approximately two-quarters (2/4) of an inch thick, approximately two (2) inches in height, and arranged approximately five (5) inches apart, thereby providing a platform which provides sufficient load-bearing strength so as to temporarily support an occupant 160 while the linens 120 are being changed. Furthermore, top edge portions of said support members 28 are envisioned to be rounded to provide extra comfort to an occupant 160 during the linen 120 changing procedure.

[80] The lower bed frame assembly 40 comprises a rectangular unitary frame similar to the upper frame assembly 20 which provides a mounting means to a lifting mechanism 80 at a foot end portion of the apparatus 10. The lifting mechanism 80 provides a means to lower and raise the mobile frame assembly portion 60 which is positioned between said upper frame assembly 20 and lower frame assembly 40 portions.
Said mobile frame assembly 60 contains, supports, and provides a means to manipulate the mattress assembly portion 62 of the apparatus 10 (see FIGS. 5 through 10).

[81] The upper 20 and lower 40 frame assemblies provide a vertical height adjusting means being adjustably attached to the foot 24 and head 26 frame assemblies via locking collars 30 which are welded to corner areas of said frame assemblies 20, 40.
Said locking collars 30 provide a means to vertically adjustably attach and secure said frame assemblies 20, 40 to the foot board frame assembly 24 and the head board frame assembly 26. Said locking collars 30 comprise hollow cylindrical fittings having inner diameters sized so as to allow sliding insertion of vertical members of the foot 24 and head 26 frame assemblies. Said locking collars 30 further comprise 'L'-shaped or equivalent threaded fasteners 150 to clamp and maintain a desired position of said locking collars 30 upon said foot 24 and head 26 frame assembly members.

[82] The mattress assembly comprises a plurality of parallel and equally-spaced mattress sections 63. Adjacent mattress sections 63 are particularly spaced apart allowing insertion of support member portions 28 in between upon raising the mattress assembly 62 to normal in-use position (see FIG. 3). The raising of the mattress assembly 62 allows the mattress sections 63 to interweave with, and extend slightly above the support members 28, to comfortably support the occupant 160. The apparatus 10 allows a means for the occupant 160 to be supported in a normal manner upon a top surface of said mattress assembly 62, and alternately upon the support member portions 28 at times when the mattress assembly 62 is lowered to change the linens 120. When the mattress assembly 62 is in a raised state, the support members 28 lay between the mattress sections 63 and an occupant 160 is able to lie comfortably upon the mattress sections 63.
[831 The mobile frame assembly 60 is illustrated here being positioned in a lowered and extended state enabling easy changing of the linens 120 while the occupant 160 remains lying upon the support member portions 28 of the upper frame assembly 20.
The mobile frame assembly 60 comprises a rectangular welded mobile frame structure 64 envisioned being made of similar materials as the upper 20 and lower 40 frame as-semblies and having slightly smaller horizontal dimensions with respect to the previously described upper bed frame assembly 20, thereby enabling subjacent insertion beneath said upper bed frame assembly 20 (see FIG. 2). The mobile frame assembly 60 further comprises a pair of welded or otherwise fastened mobile frame support members 70 along foot and a head end portions allowing said mobile frame assembly 60 to slidingly rest upon corresponding lifting mechanism rail portions 72 of the lifting mechanism 80. The mobile frame assembly 60 may be easily slid hori-zontally while being supported by the lifting mechanism rail portions 72 and being co-incidentally rolled along a floor surface via a pair of integral vertical mobile frame legs 66 and a pair of respective mobile frame casters 68 being located at corner positions along a leading edge. Extension of the mobile frame assembly 60 provides exposure of the mattress assembly portion 62 allowing a caregiver to easily change the linens 120.
[841 Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the apparatus 10 depicting subjacent positioning of the mattress assembly 62, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The legs 66 and caster 68 portions of the mobile frame assembly 60 allow horizontal motioning of the mattress assembly 62 across a floor surface and allow a caregiver to position the mattress assembly 62 beneath the upper frame assembly 20 as seen here. Once properly positioned beneath the upper frame assembly 20, the mattress assembly 62 may be lifted via the lifting mechanism 80 to support the occupant 160 (see FIG. 3).
[851 Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of the apparatus 10 depicting the mattress assembly 62 in a raised state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The mattress assembly 62 is to be raised via the lifting mechanism 80, thereby enabling the mattress sections 63 to interweave and extend slightly above the support member portions 28 of the upper frame assembly 20, thereby comfortably supporting the occupant 160 following changing of the linens 120.
[861 The mobile frame assembly 60 and mattress assembly 62 are vertically adjustable by a caregiver via a manually-operated hand crank 82 being operably connected to a crank shaft 84 portion of the lifting mechanism 80 (see FIGS. 5 through 10). The crank shaft 84 is envisioned to be securely affixed to the foot board frame assembly 24 via a common bracket 85 (see FIGS. 5 through 10).
[87] Referring now to FIG. 5, a cut-away view of the lifting mechanism portion 80, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed.
The lifting mechanism 80 comprises a crank shaft 84, a gear housing 86, an output shaft 92, and additional mechanical linkage necessary to motion the mobile frame assembly 60 and mattress assembly 62 (see FIGS. 6a through 10). The gear housing 86 is preferably welded or otherwise rigidly affixed to a lower frame end rail member portion 42b being positioned at a foot end of the apparatus 10. Said gear housing 86 provides safe enclosure of internal mechanical components such as, but not limited to: a pinion gear 88 and a ring gear 90. Said gear housing 86 and internal gears 88, 90 provide a means to redirect a torque being applied to the hand crank 82 and attached vertical crank shaft 84, to the horizontal output shaft 92. Furthermore, the pinion 88 and ring 90 gears provide a conventional torque multiplying gear ratio, thereby proportionally reducing a required force to be applied by the caregiver to the hand crank 82. A proximal end of the output shaft 92 extends horizontally from the gear housing 86 through the foot board lower frame end rail member 42b along a long centerline of the lower frame assembly 40 being anchored at a distal end to a respective head board lower frame end rail member 42a at the head end of the apparatus 10 (see FIG. 3). Said output shaft 92 comprises a pair of integral lift plates 94 being located adjacent to respective lower frame end rail members 42a, 42b (see FIGS. 6a and 6b).
[88] Referring now to FIGS. 6a and 6b, perspective views of a lift plate portion 94 of the output shaft 92 depicting raised and lowered states, according to a preferred em-bodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus 10 comprises a pair of lift plates 94 being welded or otherwise rigidly attached at a center point being located adjacent to each opposite end portion of the output shaft 92. The output shaft conveys a torsional force to both lift plates 94 which in turn is converted into opposing horizontal linear forces being at right angles to said output shaft 92 via a pair of opposed tie rods 98 being affixed to each lift plate 94. Said tie rods 98 are connected to said lift plates 94 using common threadingly adjustable connecting tie rod end components and common threaded fasteners 150 such as screws or bolts. Said tie rods 98 are in turn in mechanical communication with respective first lifting arm rod 100 and a second lifting arm rod 102 portions via insertion of threaded end portions of said tie rods 98 through said lifting arm rods 100, 102 and are secured using common nut fasteners 152.
[89] Referring now to FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, various views of the foot board 24 and head board 26 frame assemblies of the apparatus 10 depicting lifting mechanism portions 80, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The lifting mechanism 80 provides a pair of scissors-type lifting devices at foot and head portions of the apparatus 10. Each scissors-like device comprises first lifting arm 104 and second lifting arm 106 portions being arranged in a diagonal crossing pattern and joined at respective intermediate points using a first pivot pin 108. The operable motioning of the previously described tie rods 98 results in synchronous motioning of said first 100 and second 102 lifting arm rods which are in turn in mechanical commu-nication with the lifting arms 104, 106, as seen in FIG. 9. As the first 100 and second 102 lifting arm rods are motioned toward each other or apart from each other, the lifting mechanism rail 72, which supports the mobile frame support member 70, is cor-respondingly raised and lowered. Said lifting mechanism rails 72 provide a vertical motioning means via sliding collar portions 31 which are welded to each end portion of said lifting mechanism rails 72. The sliding collars 31 are envisioned to be similar in construction to the aforementioned locking collars 30 and provide a vertical sliding connection to the foot 24 and head 26 frame assemblies, thereby enabling the lifting mechanism rail 72 to motion vertically to lift the mobile frame support member portions 70 of the mobile frame assembly 60, and the mattress assembly 62, during use.
[90] Each first lifting arm 104 and each second lifting arm 106 further comprises a rolling end portion 114 at each end portion. Each lifting arm 104, 106 protrudes downwardly through a first clearance slot feature 43 comprising a rectangular opening cut into a top surface of the lower frame end rail members 42a, 42b allowing respective rolling end portions 114 of each arm 104, 106 to motion laterally in a guided manner within each said lower frame end rail members 42a, 42b. In like manner each lifting arm 104, 106 protrudes upwardly through a third clearance slot feature 74 comprising a rectangular opening cut into a bottom surface of a respective lifting mechanism rail 72 allowing said rolling end portions 114 of each arm 104, 106 to motion laterally in a guided manner within said lifting mechanism rails 72.
[91] The rolling end portions 114 located at bottom end portions each lifting arm 104, 106 further comprise axially-mounted cylindrical rollers 116 via inserted first 100 and second 102 lifting arm rods. Said lifting arm rods 100, 102 are inserted through a second clearance slot feature 44 cut along a side surface of each lower frame end rail member 42a, 42b and in turn subsequently inserted into said rolling end 114 and roller 116 portions, thereby providing a rotating axial function which allows motioning of the rolling end portions 114 toward each other or apart from each other to elevate the lifting mechanism rail 72 and the mobile frame support angle member 70.
[92] Each rolling end portion 114 being located at a top end portion of said lifting arms 104, 106, provides axial attachment of the roller 116 via a second pivot pin 111 being inserted through said rolling end portion 114 and the included roller 116 to allow smooth motioning of said rolling end portions 114 within the lifting mechanism rail 72.
[93] Referring now to FIG. 11, a perspective view of linen 120 and mattress assembly 62 portions, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. It is envisioned that the apparatus 10 utilize conventional bed linens 120 having ap-propriate dimensions which correspond to the apparatus 10 to provide a desired fit.
[94] Each mattress section 63 further comprises an upper mattress padding portion 65 and a lower mattress slat 67 being bonded together using common industrial adhesives.
Said mattress padding 65 is envisioned to utilize conventional mattress materials such as cotton batting, foam rubber, natural or synthetic fabric coverings, and the like. Each mattress slat 67 supports a respective mattress section 63 which spans a distance between opposing side mobile frame members 64 of the mobile frame assembly 60 (see FIG. 1). Said mattress slats 67 comprise rigid board-like elements envisioned to be made of wood, metal, fiberglass, or equivalent rigid materials.
[95] Said mattress sections 63 are to be arranged in an equally-spaced manner and bonded to top surfaces of said mobile frame members 64 using common industrial adhesives or equivalent fastening means such as screws or the like.
[96] During installation of said linen 120 upon the mattress assembly 62, it is envisioned that the linen 120 be tucked down in between the mattress sections 63 of the mattress assembly 62 to form respective creases 122, thereby providing smooth engagement of said mattress assembly 62 with the support member portions 28 of the upper frame assembly 20 during upward motioning of the mobile frame assembly 60 (see FIGS.

through 3).
Mode for Invention [97] It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration were shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. It is also envisioned that electric motors and automation options can also be applied to operate the present invention.
[98] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The em-bodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Industrial Applicability [99] The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus 10, it would be utilized as indicated in FIGS.
1, 2, 3, and 4.
[100] The method of utilizing the apparatus 10 may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the apparatus 10 being configured in a desired bed size; applying an initial set of sheet linens 120 to the apparatus 10 by lowering the mobile frame assembly 60 to an elevation below the upper frame assembly 20 by manually turning the hand crank 82; manually extending the mobile frame assembly 60 outwardly to expose the mobile frame assembly 60 and the entire top surface of the mattress assembly 62; covering the mattress assembly 62 with sheet linen 120;
tucking the linen 120 in between mattress sections 63 of the mattress assembly 62 to form a plurality of creases 122; returning the mobile frame assembly 60 to an original position beneath the upper frame assembly 20; raising the mobile frame assembly 60 using the hand crank 82 until the mattress sections 63 of the mattress assembly 62 interweave with the support member portions 28 of the upper frame assembly 20; continuing to raise the mattress assembly 62 until top surfaces of the mattress sections 63 and covering linen 120 portions protrude safely above the support members 28;
placing an occupant 160 upon the apparatus 10 in a normal manner; and, utilizing the apparatus in a similar manner as a conventional bed unit.
[101] The method of changing bed linens 120 while an occupant 160 is utilizing the apparatus 10 may be achieved by performing the following steps: lowering the mobile frame assembly 60 of the occupied apparatus 10 using the hand crank 82 until the mattress sections 63 are sufficiently below the upper frame assembly 20;
allowing the occupant 160 to rest temporarily upon the support member portions 28; manually extending the mobile frame assembly 60 outwardly to expose the used linen 120;
removing said used linen 120 in a normal fashion; covering the mattress assembly 62 with a clean sheet linen 120; tucking the clean linen 120 in between mattress section portions 63 of the mattress assembly 62 to form a plurality of creases 122;
returning the mobile frame assembly 60 to a position beneath the upper frame assembly 20;
raising the mobile frame assembly 60 using the hand crank 82 until the weight of the occupant 160 is lifted off the support members 28 and is resting completely upon the mattress sections 63; utilizing the apparatus 10 in a normal manner until the linen 120 again needs to be changed; repeating the above steps as needed; and, benefiting from a means to change bed linen 120 without disturbing a bed occupant 160 afforded a user of the present invention 10.

Claims

1/ A bed which comprises a conventional bed frame structure further comprising an intermediate mobile frame structure which contains and supports a mattress assembly which may be lowered away from an occupant via a lifting mechanism in order to air the occupant's skin. During said lowering of the said mattress assembly, the occupant is temporarily supported upon a stationary matrix of support members. After airing the patient, the mattress assembly may be raised to once again support the occupant in a normal manner.

2/ A bedding apparatus, comprising a frame;
a mattress; said frame and said mattress being relatively positioned in a first configuration or in a second configuration;
wherein in said first configuration said mattress is covered with a linen sheet and is placed right below from said frame while an occupant be fully supported by said frame, and in said second configuration said mattress along with said linen sheet is horizontally separated from said frame to expose said mattress along with said linen sheet to allow said linen sheet be removed from said mattress and a fresh one be replaced thereon.

3/ A bed according to claim 2, wherein it comprises an upper frame assembly 20, a foot board frame assembly 24, a head board frame assembly 26, a lower frame assembly 40, a lifting mechanism 80 which moves a lifting mechanism rail portions 72 vertically, a mobile frame assembly 60 which is positioned between said upper 20 and lower 40 frame assemblies and is horizontally slide-ably mounted to said lifting mechanism rail portions 72, a mattress assembly 62 which is supported by the said mobile frame assembly 60, a linen 120 put on said mattress assembly 62. The upper frame assembly 20 further comprises a unitary structure having a plurality permanently affixed integral parallel support members 28 which span across in a coplanar fashion between side rail frame members 22, the lower frame assembly 40 further comprises a unitary frame which provides a mounting means to a lifting mechanism 80 at a foot end portion of the bed.
The said upper 20 and lower 40 frame assemblies further comprise locking collars 30 which are rigidly fixed to their corners. Said locking collars 30 comprise hollow fittings having inner dimensions sized so as to allow sliding insertion of vertical members of the foot 24 and head 26 frame assemblies. Said locking collars 30 further comprise threaded fasteners 150 to clamp and maintain a desired position of said locking collars 30 upon said foot 24 and head 26 frame assembly members.

4/ A bed according to claim 3, wherein the mobile frame assembly 60 comprises a unitary frame 64 having slightly smaller horizontal dimensions with respect to the previously described upper frame assembly 20, a pair of rigidly fixed support members 70 along foot and a head end portions, a pair of integral vertical legs 66 being located at corner positions along a leading edge, and a pair of respective casters 68 fixed to lower ends of the integral vertical legs 66. The said support members 70 is slide-ably mounted to said lifting mechanism rail portions 72.

5/ A bed according to claim 3, wherein the mattress assembly 62 comprises a plurality of parallel and equally-spaced mattress sections 63. Said mattress sections 63 are mounted to said unitary frame 64. Adjacent mattress sections 63 are particularly spaced apart so as to allow insertion of said support member 28 in between upon raising the mattress assembly 62 to normal in-use position. The raising of the mattress assembly 62 allows the mattress sections 63 to interweave with, and extend slightly above the support members 28, to comfortably support the occupant 160. The mattress section 63 further comprises an upper mattress padding portion 65 and a lower mattress slat 67. Each mattress slat 67 supports a respective mattress section 63 which spans a distance between opposing side mobile frame members 64 of the mobile frame assembly 60. Said mattress slats comprise rigid board-like elements.

6/ A bed according to claim 3, wherein the lifting mechanism 80 comprises a hand crank 82, a crank shaft 84, a gear housing 86, an output shaft 92, and additional mechanical linkage necessary to move the said lifting mechanism rails portions 72 vertically when the hand crank 82 is turned. Said gear housing 86 further comprises a pinion gear 88 and a ring gear 90 which provide a conventional torque multiplying gear ratio, thereby proportionally reducing a required force to be applied by the caregiver to the hand crank 82. Said lifting mechanism rails portions 72 further comprise sliding collars 31 rigidly fixed at both ends which are similar in construction to the aforementioned locking collars 30 and provide a vertical sliding connection to the foot 24 and head 26 frame assemblies.

7/ A bed according to claim 3, wherein linen 120 is tucked down in between the mattress sections 63 of the mattress assembly 62 to form respective creases 122. The linen 120 is therefore having greater length than the conventional bed linen.

8/ A bedding apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an assembly for effecting a change of said bedding apparatus from said first configuration to said second configuration or vice versa.