EP1358824A1 - Locking mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A slightly elastic latch (8) with a hook (12, 13) positioned at one end (22) and a projection (20) with a hole (23) in the center at the opposite end (21) is attached to the head board (5) of the bed. A sliding element (9) is joined to the horizontal bar forming a railing (2) alongside the bed with a u-shaped link (10). When the railing (2) is to be closed, it has to be slightly lifted causing the hook (12, 13) to engage with a recess (15) located at the inner surface of the sliding element (9) when the railing (2) is released. For being opened a handle element (17) at the upper end (22) of the latch (8) is pressed in order to disengage the two parts (8, 9).

Description

The invention relates to a locking device for at least one Lattice brace formed side grille of a bed, in particular a patient and / or Care bed.

Beds, especially hospital and / or nursing beds, have side rails, which are arranged alongside the bed and between the bed frame end pieces are fixed. Such side rails serve primarily to lay in bed To prevent the person from accidentally falling out of bed.

Side rails of the aforementioned type are sufficient from the prior art known and widely used in practice. A generic side rail for beds, in particular for sick and / or nursing beds, disclosed for example, DE 201 12 069. A side rail is shown here, which consists of at least one lattice strut and a connecting element for preference releasable arrangement of the lattice strut on the bed. The detachable arrangement of the Lattice brace is required to keep the patient or whoever is in the Want to put the bed in, to make it easier to get into the bed.

Other solutions known in the art see instead of a detachable one Arrangement of the side rails an insoluble, but adjustable relative to the bed Arrangement before. In such a solution, the side rail can be made from one for the person getting into bed favorable entry position into a final position are spent in which the side rails are then fixed to the bed and they already the safety function described above for the person lying in bed.

Regardless of whether the side rail for a convenient entry into the Bed is adjustable or detachably arranged on the bed, in any case ensure that the side rail in its end position corresponds to the person lying in bed secures against falling out of bed, whereby an unwanted loosening or The side rail must not be moved. For this purpose State of the art locking devices used in or on Side rails or the side rail struts are arranged and a simple Move the side rail from its end position to the entry position should bring about.

A disadvantage of the known locking systems is the fact that these are arranged directly on the side rail itself, which means that the Side rails must be designed accordingly robust. On the one hand, this limits the Material selection for the side rail, on the other hand it is due to the resulting side rail weight of a high effort to the Release the lock and the side rail in the desired position spend. It should also be borne in mind that the side rail and thus also the Locking device due to frequent entering and exiting the bed are exposed to high mechanical stress. The usage Known locking devices are due to the high weight of the Side rails mostly complex and complex, one not properly performed locking of the side rails due to the repeatedly occurring high mechanical load serious safety deficiencies can cause, because an incorrectly secured side rail can be Security function does not do justice.

The object of the invention is therefore, while avoiding the above Disadvantages of providing a locking device that is safe and secure Locking the side rail with simpler at the same time Unlocking option allowed. In addition, the locking device should be such be designed that a variety of different materials for the side rails are usable.

To solve this problem with the invention Locking device for one formed from at least one lattice strut Side rails of a bed, especially a hospital and / or nursing bed proposed which a locking element and an at least partially has a sliding element corresponding to the locking element, wherein the locking element is stationary on the bed and the sliding element relative to Locking element are arranged movably on the lattice strut.

An advantage of the above solution is that it is no longer is necessary, additional fitting technology on the side rail or the To arrange side rails forming grid struts. Instead, there is a split the locking device is provided, wherein a part of the Locking device, namely the locking element, stationary on the bed, preferably at the end of the bed, and the other part of the locking device, namely the sliding element on which the lattice strut is arranged. The sliding element is arranged movable relative to the locking element, so that the Move the lattice strut together with the sliding element relative to the locking element and can thus be moved from an entry position to an end position. In the end position of the lattice strut, also called the closed position, this forms Locking element and the sliding element a force-transmitting unit and thus secure the lattice strut in its position in a simple manner.

The above-described configuration of the locking device also offers the advantage that now a much larger number of different Materials for the side rails or the strut can be used because Fittings or other holding devices on the side rail or the mesh strut themselves are no longer required.

Another significant advantage of the locking device according to the invention is easier and safer thanks to the secure and firm locking Unlocking option given. This is achieved in that the Sliding element by simply pulling up or pushing the lattice strut in the closed position can be moved. As soon as the sliding element Closure position reached is at least partially corresponding to the trained locking element formed a force-transmitting unit, which an unwanted moving back of the sliding element and thus the Lattice strut prevented. The lattice strut is therefore fixed in its position and can cannot be solved unintentionally. To remove the lattice strut if necessary To move the locking position, it is only necessary that To release locking element and the sliding element from each other and that To release the sliding element again, so that it moves together with the lattice strut can be.

The locking element is designed to be resilient in the manner of a leaf spring and arranged in a recess on the bed end piece. At one end the connecting element has a holding means designed as a projection, the in the closed position of the locking element and sliding element in a Recessed slide element protrudes. The holding element in turn has a barb-shaped extension which in the closed position of Locking element and sliding element one in the recess of the Undercut provided sliding element engages behind.

If the sliding element moves from a non-closed position into the closed position brought the locking device, so it slides on the stationary end of the bed arranged locking element over. In the course of this gliding past the locking element arranged on one side of the bed end piece is resilient pushed aside. For this purpose, the holding means of the Locking element on its facing away from the barb-shaped extension Page a guide contour, which together with the sliding element in the manner of a Interacts cam arrangement. Is the sliding element then as far as Locking element passed that that formed as a projection Snap the holding element into a recess provided in the sliding element can, the locking element springs back and presses the holding element into the mentioned recess in the sliding element. That in the recess of the Preventing sliding element of the locking element protruding an unwanted sliding back of the sliding element in the starting position, as it rests on the holding element and is held by it.

To return the sliding element to its non-locking position move, the locking element against its spring force is so far move that the holding element out of the recess of the sliding element again is pivoted out and thus releases the sliding element. To prevent, that such pivoting of the locking element occurs unintentionally provide the holding element with a barb-shaped extension, which in Locked position of locking and sliding element one in the recess of the undercut provided for the sliding element. This backhand thus ensures that the locking element is not inadvertently released of the sliding element can be pivoted. Rather, it is required that Lattice strut and thus the sliding element against the direction in which it is should be spent to travel a short distance so far that the Gripping the undercut through the barb-shaped extension is released. If this has happened, the locking element can counteract move its spring force and the sliding element are released overall.

The amazingly simple construction of the invention Locking device will meet the highest demands both in terms of Ease of use as well as all safety-related aspects. The Dimensioning of the sliding element and locking element is such designed that the locking element in the closed position at least one Load of 750 N. On the other hand, however, an effort is not necessary more than 10 N required, the locking element against its spring force to pivot so as to slide the sliding element for moving the lattice strut release. The locking device according to the invention consists in Difference to those known from the prior art Locking devices only from two components, namely the Sliding element and the lever-shaped, spring-elastic locking element that interacts with the sliding element and in the closed position trained power transmission unit.

According to a further feature of the invention, the locking element formed in one piece from plastic. This enables a simple type of Manufacturing, for example by injection molding. In addition, the choice of Plastic material specified the spring elasticity of the locking element and be determined exactly. Additional spring devices are therefore not required.

According to a further feature of the invention, the locking element a handle for a needs-based release of the locked position of Locking element and sliding element. This handle protrudes at least Part of the in the bed end piece for receiving the locking element provided recess and is therefore accessible from the outside. This enables simple and convenient operation of the locking element.

According to a further feature of the invention, the lattice strut is by means of a connecting element rotatably mounted on the sliding element on the end face of the Lattice strut arranged. Here are the connecting element and the lattice strut arranged longitudinally displaceable relative to each other. This rotatable and longitudinally displaceable arrangement of the lattice strut on the sliding element makes it possible in advantageously that for a displacement of the lattice strut first one End of the strut in the desired position and then the other End of the strut can be brought into the same position. It is not required the lattice strut as a whole, d. H. both ends of the lattice strut in only to move it into the desired position with a single move. This on the one hand opens up improved ease of use, on the other hand here due to the mechanical load on the lattice struts, which is caused by an adjustment the same can be reduced, since both ends are independent of each other can be moved to the desired position in a simple manner.

To form the rotatable and movable arrangement of the strut on Sliding element is provided a connecting element, which on its Lattice strut side is rotatably arranged on the sliding element and on its side facing the lattice strut via only radial forces receiving bearing is connected to the lattice strut.

Overall, the invention makes it easy to use, but at the same time one Locking device ensuring secure and firm locking proposed that essentially consist of a sliding element on the one hand and a Locking element on the other hand. The locking element is there stationary on the bed, preferably at the bed end piece, and the sliding element relative to Locking element movably arranged on the lattice strut. For every end A strut of a side rail is a separate locking device to provide, being the rotatable and slidable connection of Lattice strut and sliding element that allows at both ends of the Lattice strut each provided locking device one after the other actuate.

Fig. 1:

in einer Seitenansicht das erfindungsgemäße Verriegelungselement;

Fig. 2:

in einer Draufsicht das erfindungsgemäße Verriegelungselement;

Fig. 3:

in einer dreidimensionalen Ansicht das erfindungsgemäße Verriegelungselement;

Fig. 4:

in einer Seitenansicht das erfindungsgemäße Gleitelement;

Fig. 5:

in einer Draufsicht das erfindungsgemäße Gleitelement;

Fig. 6:

in einer teilgeschnittenen Seitenansicht die erfindungsgemäße Verriegelungseinrichtung in Verschlußstellung;

Fig. 7:

in einer teilgeschnittenen Seitenansicht die erfindungsgemäße Verriegelungseinrichtung in entsicherter Stellung;

Fig. 8:

in einer teilgeschnittenen Seitenansicht die erfindungsgemäße Verriegelungseinrichtung in entriegelter Stellung und

Fig. 9:

in einer teilgeschnittenen Seitenansicht die erfindungsgemäße Verriegelungseinrichtung in Endstellung.

Further advantages and features of the invention result from the following description. Show:

Fig. 1:

in a side view the locking element according to the invention;

Fig. 2:

in a plan view the locking element according to the invention;

Fig. 3:

in a three-dimensional view the locking element according to the invention;

Fig. 4:

in a side view the sliding element according to the invention;

Fig. 5:

in a plan view the sliding element according to the invention;

Fig. 6:

in a partially sectioned side view the locking device according to the invention in the closed position;

Fig. 7:

in a partially sectioned side view the locking device according to the invention in the unlocked position;

Fig. 8:

in a partially sectioned side view of the locking device according to the invention in the unlocked position and

Fig. 9:

in a partially sectioned side view the locking device according to the invention in the end position.

The figures 1 to 3 show the locking element 8. It is preferably made of plastic and has one essentially elongated, lever-like shape. At one end 21 of the Locking element 8, a dome 20 is provided, which a Through hole 23 for receiving a not shown in the figures Has fastening screw. In the area of the cathedral 20 opposite End 22, the locking element 8 has a holding means 12. This is after Kind of a projection formed, which can be seen in particular Fig. 3 can. The holding element 12 in turn has a barb-shaped extension 13, which, which will be explained in more detail below, in Closed position of the locking element in the cavity 15 of the Undercut 14 provided sliding element 9 engages. On his that Barb-shaped extension 13 facing away from the holding means 12 Guide contour 18, which as part of a locking process with the Sliding element 9 cooperates in the manner of a cam arrangement.

The locking element 8 is resilient, the Spring elasticity can be varied by choosing an appropriate plastic can. Of course, it is also possible to use materials other than plastic use, however, it is crucial that the locking element on the one hand is resilient and on the other hand absorb high forces in the longitudinal direction can.

The locking element 8 also has a handle 17 which is also arranged in the region of the end 22. The handle 17 is used Release one formed between locking element 8 and sliding element 9 Locking, which will be described in more detail in the following figures.

The figures 4 and 5 show the sliding element 9 according to the invention, FIG. 4 being a Side view and Fig. 5 shows a plan view. The sliding element 9 is in the essentially designed as a cuboid hollow body which has a cavity 15 encloses. 5, the top of the Sliding element 9 has a recess 25 through which the cavity 15 is accessible from the outside. The cavity is towards the underside of the sliding element 9 15 designed open, so that from here, the cavity 15 from the outside is accessible. This connection can in particular the FIGS. 6 to 9 are removed, in which a connecting element 10 is shown, the based on the figures 6 to 9 from the right and based on FIG. 4 from below protrudes into the cavity 15. For the rotatable arrangement of the Connecting element 10 on the sliding element 9 is a bore 24 in the sliding element 9 provided, through which one for the arrangement of the connecting element 10 corresponding fastener, for. B. one secured at each end Pin, is guided. The fastener stored in the bore 24 forms the Pivot point 16, around which the connecting element 10 relative to Sliding element 9 is pivotable.

The figures 6 to 9 show the locking device 1 according to the invention, wherein 6 the closed position, FIG. 7 the unlocked position, FIG. 8 the unlocked position and FIG. 9 the end position of the locking device 1 shows.

The locking element 8 is in a recess 7 of a bed end piece 5 used. At one end 21, the locking element is by means of a Fastening screw connected to the bed end piece 5, which Locking element for a secure and precisely fitting arrangement Bed end piece 5 has aligned dome 20, which in the corresponding trained recess 7 protrudes.

The locking element 8 is resilient in the manner of a leaf spring formed so that the other end 22 of the locking element 8th provided holding means 12 are pivoted into the recess 7 can. Such pivoting is shown in FIG. 8.

The bed end piece 5 is provided with a slide rail 6. Within this Slide rail 6, the sliding element 9 is guided. This can be done at the drawing level can be moved back and forth as desired.

The sliding element 9 is in turn one with the lattice strut 2 of a side rail Bed connected, for which a connecting element 10 is provided. The Connecting element 10 is rotatable at one end on sliding element 9 stored. The other end of the connecting element 10 has guide extensions 11, which in guides 4 of an end cap 3 inserted into the lattice strut are guided longitudinally. This type of arrangement enables one Longitudinal displacement of the lattice strut 2 relative to the connecting element 10 on the one hand and a rotatably mounted arrangement of the lattice strut 2 around the Pivotal point 16 relative to the grid element 9 on the other hand.

In the illustration shown in FIG. 6, the locking device is in its Locked position in which the locking element 8 and the sliding element 9 form a force-transmitting unit. This results from the fact that Holding means 12 of the locking element 8 by the in the top of the Sliding element 9 formed recess 25 into the cavity 15 of the Slide element 9 protrudes. One facing downwards in the drawing plane Moving the sliding element 9 is thus prevented since the sliding element 9 from Holding means 12 is prevented from shifting in position. In this position the lattice strut 2 cannot be moved unintentionally or into that shown in FIG End position are spent. Locking element 8 and sliding element 9 are dimensioned such that the locking device 1 at least one Load of 750 N.

In order to be able to move the lattice strut 2, the To release locking device 1. For this purpose, the lattice strut is 2 First raise it slightly by such a distance that the barb-shaped extension 13 which in the closed position of the Locking device formed in the cavity 15 of the sliding member 9 Undercut 14 engages behind, is released. How far the lattice strut 2 goes must be moved up to the barb-shaped extension 13th release depends on the dimensioning of the undercut 14 and of the extension 13, a few millimeters being sufficient. The Interaction of undercut 14 and barb-shaped extension 13 has not the task of absorbing loads on the lattice strut 2, but rather this arrangement serves to secure the locking device 1, because achieved by this configuration that the locking element 8 is not unintentionally pivoted into the recess 7 and the Locking device can be brought into the unlocked position. First if the lattice strut 2 is raised slightly and thus the holding means 12 or Locking element 8 are released, the lever-shaped Locking element 8 against its spring force into the recess 7 are pivoted and thus completely release the sliding element 9. This Factual context is shown in Fig. 8.

To simply pivot the locking element 8 to unlock the To ensure locking device 1, the locking element 8 via a handle 17 which protrudes from the recess 7 in the bed end piece 5 and is accessible from the outside. Depending on the distance from that Fastening point of the locking element 8 in the region of one end 21 and the arrangement of the handle 17 and that from this distance resulting leverage is the elasticity of the locking element 8 such chosen that pivoting of the locking element 8 into the recess 7 possible with only a small amount of force that does not exceed 10 N. is. The invention advantageously ensures Locking device 1 thus the safe and firm arrangement of the lattice strut 2 on the one hand, as well as the less forceful unlocking of the Locking device 1 on the other hand.

Fig. 9 shows the lattice strut 2 or the locking device 1 in the end position. This end position is only shown in principle in FIG. 9. In practice lets the strut 2 move much further down, preferably up to the area of the bed mattress so that an entry into the bed or an exit out of bed in a simple way and without being hampered by the Lattice brace is possible.

Each lattice strut 2 has one at each of its ends locking device 1 according to the invention, due to the rotatable and longitudinally displaceable arrangement of the lattice strut 2 on the sliding element 9 both locking devices 1 of a lattice strut 2 are to be released together, rather, the locking device 1 according to the invention only allows that one end of the strut and then the other end of the strut method. This makes it easy and safe to use guaranteed.

Around the lattice strut 2 from an end position into that shown in FIG. 6 To move the locking position, the lattice strut 2 is only to be raised and in to spend the desired locking position. Here, the sliding element 9 guided past the locking element 8 within the slide rail 6. The most Retaining means 12 designed guide contour 18 acts with the sliding element 9 together in the manner of a cam arrangement, so that the locking element 8 when the sliding element 9 is raised automatically against its spring force in the Recess 7 is pressed. Is the sliding element 9 sufficiently far Locking element 8 is passed, the locking element 8 retract due to its spring force, the holding element 12 by the Recess 25 protrudes into the cavity 15 of the sliding element 9. This Position corresponds to that in Fig. 7. Now the lattice strut only needs to be released and lowered slightly so that to secure the Locking device 1 the barb-shaped extension 13 the undercut 14 engages behind in the sliding element 9.

In the event that a side rail of a bed consists of several individual Lattice struts exist only for the top lattice strut to provide locking devices according to the invention. The below the top lattice brace any other lattice braces provided by distance-variable fasteners to be attached to the top strut. For this purpose there are in particular formed from wire or thread Fasteners on which are guided within the slide rail 6 and by means of of those that follow the uppermost lattice strut to the top Lattice strut can be attached.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

locking device

2

lattice strut

3

endcap

4

guide

5

Bettendstück

6

slide

7

recess

8th

locking element

9

Slide

10

connecting element

11

Guide extension

12

holding means

13

barb-shaped extension

14

undercut

15

cavity

16

pivot point

17

handle

18

guide contour

20

cathedral

21

The End

22

The End

23

Through Hole

24

drilling

25

recess

Claims (12)

Locking device for at least one lattice strut (2) formed side rail of a bed, in particular a patient and / or Care bed, comprising a locking element (8) and at least one partially designed to correspond to the locking element (8) Sliding element (9), wherein the locking element (8) stationary on the bed and the sliding element (9) is movable relative to the locking element (8) on the Lattice strut (2) are arranged. Locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (8) and the sliding element (9) form a force-transmitting unit in the closed position. Locking device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking element (8) is resilient in the manner of a leaf spring. Locking device according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking element (8) has at one end (22) a holding means (12) which is designed as a projection and which in the closed position of the locking element (8) and sliding element (9) a recess (15) formed in the sliding element (9) protrudes. Locking element according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means (12) has a barb-shaped extension (13) which, in the closed position of the locking element (8) and sliding element (9), is provided in the cavity (15) of the sliding element (9) Undercut (14) engages behind. Locking element according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means (12) on its side facing away from the barb-shaped extension (13) has a guide contour (18) which interacts with the sliding element (9) in the manner of a cam arrangement. Locking element according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (8) has a handle (17) for releasing the locking position of locking element (8) and sliding element (9) as required. Locking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (8) is formed in one piece from plastic. Locking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (8) is arranged in a recess (7) on the bed end piece (5). Locking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding element (9) is guided in a sliding rail (6) which is arranged on the bed end piece (5) and which has a corresponding opening for the holding means (12) of the locking element (8) to protrude through , Locking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding element (9) is arranged on the end face of the lattice strut (2) by means of a connecting element (10) rotatably mounted on the sliding element (9). Locking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (8) and the lattice strut (2) are arranged to be longitudinally displaceable relative to one another.

Images