EP0635250A1

EP0635250A1 - Bed construction with an anti bed-sore movable netting panel

Info

Publication number: EP0635250A1
Application number: EP94830222A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gianfelice Falabrino
Original assignee: Mobilsanitas SpA
Current assignee: Mobilsanitas SpA
Priority date: 1993-06-23
Filing date: 1994-05-13
Publication date: 1995-01-25
Also published as: ITMI930517U1; ITMI930517V0; IT230304Y1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bed construction (1), with a movable netting panel (3), for preventing bed-sores from forming, comprising a bearing framework (2), to which there is connected a netting panel (3), including a central portion (4) and, on the two sides (5,6) thereof, side portions (5,6) pivoted along longitudinal axes.

The bed construction (1) is characterized in that it comprises height setting elements (10,11) operating on spaced points of the central portion (4) in order to change the laying plane.

Sliding rollers (20) are moreover provided, supported by the longitudinal members (21) of the framework (2) and engaging with cross tracks (22) arranged at the side portions (5,6).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bed construction, including a movable netting panel, for preventing bed-sores from occurring.
As is known, a very important problem related to patients restrained for long times in a bed, is that of the bed-sores, which are formed on those regions of the patient body which are pressed for a long period of time, by the weight of the body itself, against the bed mattress.
In order to solve the above problem, there have been already designed bed constructions, in which the netting panel comprises three elements, which are mutually pivoted along longitudinal axes, comprising a central portion, coupled to complex driving systems, adapted to change the slanted attitude thereof, as well as side portions which, on a side, are pivoted to the central portion and, on the opposite side, are pivoted to connecting rods coupled to the bed framework.
This approach, however, is not satisfactory since it does not allow to obtain a proper displacement of the side portions and, moreover, originates great difficulties in making the bed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a bed construction, including a movable netting panel, for preventing bedsores from occurring, which affords the possibility of easily displacing the bed side portions, by construction wise simple elements, which, in operation, cause the side portions to forcibly assume the desired slanted attitude.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a bed construction which is very safe and reliable in operation and which, moreover, allows to obtain a programmed handling or displacement so as to allow to change, at preset times,the position of the patient.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a bed construction, including a movable netting panel, which can be easily made starting from easily commercially available elements and materials and which, moreover, is very competitive from a mere economic standpoint.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a bed construction, including a movable netting panel, for preventing bed-sores from occurring, comprising a bearing framework, to which is connected a netting panel, including a central portion and, on the two sides thereof, side portions pivoted along longitudinal axes, and characterized in that said bed construction further comprises height setting elements operating on spaced points of said central portion in order to change its laying plane, sliding rollers being furthermore provided supported by longitudinal members of said framework and engaging with cross tracks arranged at said side portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of a bed construction including a movable netting panel, for preventing bed-sores from occurring which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative example, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the bed construction according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a front view of the subject bed construction, with the netting panel thereof arranged in a horizontal position;
Figures 3 and 4 are two further front views illustrating two possible positions of the netting panel, with its portions in a mutually slanted condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the bed construction according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated at the reference number 1, comprises a bearing framework, indicated at 2, which can have any suitable configuration like those which are conventionally used in hospitals and the like.
On the bearing framework 2 there is supported a netting panel 3, comprising a central portion 4 and two adjoining side portions 5 and 6 which are pivoted to said central portion so as to be able of turning about a longitudinal axis, with respect to the extension of the netting panel.
The main feature of the present invention is that there are provided means for driving or displacing the netting panel, so as to prevent bed-sores from occurring, which comprise height setting elements, operating on said central portion and which include a first driving element 10 and a second driving element 11 engaging with the central portion 4 at two mutually spaced points, so as to change the laying plane depending on the mutual position of the two driving elements.
The mentioned driving elements, which can comprise pneumatic cylinders or rack mechanical means or other equivalent means, are arranged so as to allow a broad slanting variation, with a comparatively small displacement.
To that end, the first driving element 10 is connected to the central portion 4 near the pivoting region of the side portion 6, by making a specific reference to the drawing, whereas the second driving element 11 engages with a central part of the central portion 4.
A further main feature of the invention is that the side portions 5 and 6 are supported, near the outer region thereof, by supporting rollers 20 which are connected to the longitudinal members 21 of the bed framework, and which engage with sliding tracks 22 arranged at the side portions 5 and 6.
With the disclosed construction, accordingly, it is possible to change the slanted attitude of the central portion 4, whereas the side portions5 and 6 pivoted to said central portion 4 are automatically arranged with the slanting set by the arrangement of the central portion, which slides on the rollers 21 which simply bear said central portion with a mutual sliding possibility.
Thus, the netting panel can be driven with very simple means, while affording a possibility of adjusting according to a set program the displacement of the driving elements 10 and 11 which, depending on the mutual height assumed thereby, will allow the bed to be arranged at any desired or required positions, such as a horizontal position, as the driving elements are arranged at the same height, or allowing to arrange the bed in a slanted position either toward a side or toward the other, depending on the mutual position assumed by the two driving elements.
From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
In particular, the fact is to be pointed out that a bed construction has been provided which is very functional from an operating standpoint, and in which it is possible to obtain, in an automatic manner, the displacement of the patient so as to prevent bed-sores from occurring, an this owing to the possibility of easily properly arranging the side portions of the netting panel, by using simple bearing elements as the mentioned sliding rollers.
The invention, as disclosed, is susceptible to several modifications and variations, all of which will come within the scope of the inventive idea
Moreover, all of the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.
In practicing the invention, the used materials, provided that they are compatible to the intended use, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, according to requirements.

Claims

A bed construction, including a movable netting panel, for preventing bed-sores from occurring, comprising a bearing framework, to which is connected a netting panel, including a central portion and, on the two sides thereof, side portions pivoted along longitudinal axes, and characterized in that said bed construction further comprises height setting elements operating on spaced points of said central portion in order to change its laying plane, sliding rollers being furthermore provided supported by longitudinal members of said framework and engaging with cross tracks arranged at said side portions.
A bed construction, according to Claim 1, characterized in that said height setting elements comprise driving elements operating on two points of said central portion, and which are mutually spaced in the width direction.
A bed construction, according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the first of said driving element is coupled to said central portion, near the pivoting region to one of said side portions, whereas the second of said driving elements engages with an intermediate part of said central portion.
A bed construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said driving elements can be actuated according to a program.