EP3225222A1

EP3225222A1 - Adjustable bed

Info

Publication number: EP3225222A1
Application number: EP16305377.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Etienne Yvernault; Jean-Francois Tarsaud; Mikael Maho; Maxime Scolan
Original assignee: Hill-Rom S A S; Hill Rom SAS
Current assignee: Hill Rom Services Inc
Priority date: 2016-03-31
Filing date: 2016-03-31
Publication date: 2017-10-04

Abstract

An adjustable bed (20) includes an occupant support comprising: a deck (34) having an upper body section (44) and a section (46) longitudinally adjacent the upper body section, the upper body section (44) being pivotable relative to the adjacent section (46) between a flat angular orientation and a maximum angular orientation; and a siderail (86) affixed to the upper body section, the siderail including a grip (102). With the upper body section at a flat orientation, the elevation of the grip (102) increases with increasing distance from a head end of the bed. The bed (20) comprises one actuator for pivoting the upper body section (44) relative to the adjacent section (46) and the ground plane, and an interface (280) for allowing a desired value of the angle between the upper body section (44) and the ground plane to be commanded. The interface includes a single-action transition control (2124) for commanding a transition upper body section angle relative to the ground plane.

Description

The present application relates to an adjustable bed having a bed egress and/or ingress (also referred to as bed transition) feature operable by a single-action transition control for placing the bed in a nonemergency state favorable for a patient to exit or enter a bed. The subject matter described herein relates to beds and other occupant supports having a siderail, and particularly to a siderail that facilitates occupant ingress and egress in combination with the single action transition control.
Beds, such as those used in hospitals and other settings, are ordinarily equipped with a deck, a mattress that rests on the deck, and siderails. A common arrangement features four siderails; a head siderail and a foot siderail bordering the mattress along the left lateral side of the bed and another head and foot siderail bordering the mattress along the right lateral side of the bed. Typically such siderails can be raised (deployed) or stored. When raised, a substantial portion of the siderail is above the top of the mattress, making it easy for the bed occupant to discern the location of the lateral edges of the mattress. When a siderail is stored, the top of the siderail is typically vertically below the top of the mattress, which allows the occupant to easily leave or enter the bed. To facilitate ingress and egress from the bed (collectively referred to herein as "transition") the foot siderail is stored and the head siderail is raised. The occupant can then brace herself (or himself) on the head siderail during the transition from or onto the mattress. Beds of the type described above are ordinarily equipped with articulating decks. An articulating deck usually includes three or four longitudinally distributed deck sections. One or more sections are pivotable about a laterally extending axis.
It is desirable to provide a bed whose features are designed with occupant ingress and egress in mind.
One such adjustable bed is known from EP 2275068 . In particular, EP 2275068 discloses an adjustable bed comprising an upper body section and a section immediately adjacent to the upper body section, wherein the upper body section is pivotable relative to the adjacent section about a laterally extending upper pivot axis between a substantially flat angular orientation and a maximum angular orientation of about 65 degrees relative to the ground plane. A siderail is affixed to the upper body section and comprises a grip. The elevation of the grip relative to the ground plane increasing with increasing distance from the head end of the bed. When the upper body section is at an angular orientation of about 35 degrees relative to the ground plane, which is identified as a desirable orientation for facilitating the patient's transition, the grip orientation is approximately parallel to the ground plane. Thus, the grip can offer the patient support and assistance during the transition. However, some patients may still have difficulty standing up from one such bed even when the bed is placed in a configuration providing said desirable orientation of the upper body section.
Assisting patients in moving from a supine position to a sitting position such that they can help themselves out of bed during side egress is typically desirable, in that this may promote a general sense of independence whilst providing an appropriate level of security. Accordingly, a need persists in improving bed features and functions with a view to further facilitating patient egress from adjustable beds that have articulable mattress support decks.
The present invention provides an adjustable bed as set out in claim 1 to which reference should now be made.
Preferred and/or alternative embodiments have one or more of the features set out in the dependent claims to which reference should now be made.
The invention will now be further described by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hospital bed having a transition assist siderail and transition control embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the mattress removed to expose a four-section deck upon which the mattress rests;
FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevation view of a four-section deck;
FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevation view of a three-section deck;
FIGS. 5-7 are a series of side elevation views of the bed of FIG. 1 with an upper body section of the deck at angular orientations of approximately 0, 45 and 65 degrees relative to a ground plane; FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 5 ;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the transition assist siderail of FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a grip portion of the transition assist siderail;
FIG. 10A is a view of a user interface with keys for individually adjusting elevation, profile and angular orientation of the bed to desired setting thereof, and including a single-action transition key;
FIG. 10B is a view of an alternative or supplementary user interface with keys for adjusting profile of the bed to desired setting thereof, and including a single-action transition key;
FIGS. 11A-11D are a sequence of schematic side elevation views showing adjustment of the bed elevation, profile and angular orientation under the control of the single-action transition control; and
FIGS. 12A-12C are a sequence of schematic side elevation views showing a patient transitioning out of an adjustable bed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 1-2 show a bed 20 of the type typically used in hospitals or other health care settings. The bed extends laterally between a left side 22 and a right side 24 and longitudinally from a head end 26 to a foot end 28.
The bed includes a frame 32, an articulable deck 34 and a mattress 36 supported on the deck and having an occupant support side 38 spaced from the deck. The mattress may be sold separately or as part of the bed. Referring additionally to FIGS. 3 and 4 , articulable decks usually include three or four longitudinally distributed deck sections. The four-section deck of FIGS. 2 and 3 includes an upper body section 44, a seat section 46, a thigh section 48 and a calf section 50. The upper body and seat sections collectively define a torso section 54. The thigh and calf sections collectively define a lower extremities section 56. The seat, thigh and calf sections collectively define a lower body section 58. Joints 62, 64, 66 define upper, center and lower laterally extending pivot axes to allow relative pivotability of the deck sections. The three-section deck of FIG. 4 includes an upper body section 72, a center section 74 and a calf section 76. Joints 78, 80 define upper and lower laterally extending pivot axes to allow relative pivotability of the deck sections. In both cases, the upper body section 44 or 72 is pivotable relative to an adjacent deck section (the seat section 46 of FIG. 3 or the center section 74 of FIG. 4 ) about one of the laterally extending pivot axes (i.e. upper pivot axis 62 or 78). Referring momentarily to FIGS. 5 and 7 , the upper body section is pivotable between a substantially flat angular orientation (FIG. 5 ) and a maximum angular orientation (FIG. 7). As used herein, a flat orientation is an orientation substantially parallel to a ground plane 84. The maximum angular orientation is about 65 degrees relative to the ground plane. Typically the maximum angular orientation of 65 degrees has been used for bed transition (i.e. bed egress or ingress). In particular, such angular orientation favors a transfer of the center of gravity of the patient's body towards the patient's feet and, as such, may used to facilitate a patient's ability to sit in bed as if in a chair. It should be noted that not all the deck sections are necessarily pivotable. For example the seat section 46 of FIGS. 2 and 3 may be non-pivotable. Moreover, one or more of the pivot axes may translate during deck articulation.
The bed also includes four siderails: head siderails 86 and foot siderails 88 bordering the mattress along the left and right lateral sides of the bed. Referring principally to FIGS. 5-7 , each head siderail includes a main body 90, a top rail 92, a back border 91, and a bottom border 93. Each foot siderail includes a top perimeter segment 94, a bottom perimeter segment 96, a back perimeter segment 98 and a front perimeter segment 100. The head siderails are affixed to the deck upper body section. As a result the head siderails pivot along with the deck upper body section. The foot siderails are secured to the bed so that they do not pivot along with pivotable movement of a deck section. The four siderails can be raised (also referred to as deployed) or stored. When raised, a substantial portion of the siderail is above the top of the mattress, making it easy for the bed occupant to discern the location of the lateral edges of the mattress. In FIG. 1 both head end siderails and the left foot end siderail are shown in their raised position. When the siderails are stored the top of the siderail is typically below the top of the mattress, which allows the occupant to easily leave or enter the bed. In FIG. 1 the right foot end siderail is shown in its stored position. To facilitate occupant ingress and egress (collectively referred to herein as "transition") the foot siderail is stored and the head siderail is raised as seen in FIG. 1 . The occupant can then brace herself on the head siderail during the transition from or onto the mattress.
The top rail 92 of each head siderail 86 includes a grip 102 (see, for example, figure 5) that has an ascending orientation relative to the deck upper body section 44. As used herein in the context of a feature or portion of the siderail, "ascending" means that with the upper body section at or near a substantially flat orientation, the elevation of the feature (e.g. the grip) relative to the ground plane 84 increases with increasing distance away from the head end 26 of the bed. Equivalently, "ascending" means that the distance between the feature (e.g. the grip) and the deck upper body section increases with increasing distance away from the siderail back border 91 irrespective of the angular orientation of the deck upper body section relative to the ground plane. Specifically, the grip 102 is at an angular orientation α of between about 26 degrees and about 50 degrees relative to the ground plane (when the deck upper body section 44 is substantially flat) or relative to the deck upper body section itself independent of the orientation of the upper body section. Preferably, the angular orientation α of the grip 102 relative to a plane of the deck upper body section, independent of the orientation of the upper body section, is from about 40 degrees to about 50 degrees. In particularly preferred embodiments, the angular orientation α of the grip 102 relative to a plane of the deck upper body section, independent of the orientation of the upper body section, is substantially about 45 degrees.
With the upper body section at an angular orientation of about 45 degrees (FIG. 6 ), which is the orientation judged by the invention of the subject application (rather than the 65 degrees commonly used in known bed transition modes) to be most satisfactory for occupant ingress or egress, the grip orientation is approximately parallel to the ground plane. Without wishing to be bound to theory, this is understood to optimize, from an ergo-therapeutic viewpoint, the support and assistance offered to the patient during the transition. In particular, it is easy to assist the patient in moving from a supine position to a sitting position on a side of the bed, such that the patient can help herself out of bed and stand up. Affording a patient the freedom to do so whilst ensuring at all times an appropriate level of security may desirably enhance the patient's general sense of independence. With the upper body section at its maximum orientation of about 65 degrees (FIG. 7) the grip is at a descending angle β of no more than about 20 degrees relative to the ground plane.
The grip 102 is longitudinally bordered by a siderail back portion 106 located behind the grip (i.e. in a direction back towards the head end of the bed) and extending longitudinally toward the back border 91. The front end of the back portion 106 is a back transition region 108 that blends with the grip and has a descending orientation. As used herein in the context of a feature or portion of the siderail, "descending" means that with the upper body section at or near a substantially flat orientation, the elevation of the feature (e.g. the back transition region 108) relative to the ground plane 84 decreases with increasing distance away from the head end 26 of the bed. Equivalently, "descending" means that the distance between the feature (e.g. the back transition region) and the deck upper body section decreases with increasing distance away from the back border 91 of the siderail irrespective of the angular orientation of the deck upper body section relative to the ground plane. The grip is also bordered by a siderail front portion 110 located in front of the grip. At least part of the front portion, e.g. the part neighboring the grip has a non-ascending orientation. The grip has an effective length L (FIG. 5A ) between the siderail back portion 106 and the front portion 110.
As shown in FIGS. 5-7 the forwardmost extremity of the siderail (i.e. the end closest the foot end of the bed) defines an egress (or ingress) plane 114 (during occupant ingress or egress the foot siderail 88 on the side of the bed used for ingress or egress would be in its stored or lowered position). With the upper body section at an orientation compatible with occupant ingress or egress, preferably an orientation of about 45 degrees (FIG. 6), the grip is at a height and at a longitudinal location that renders it accessible to and useable by an occupant transitioning into or out of the bed. In the illustrated siderail the extremity of the grip closest to the egress plane is spaced from the egress plane by a distance D_E no greater than about two times the effective length L of the grip. The distance D_E is taken in a direction parallel to the ground plane.
Referring principally to FIG. 8 the laterally inner and outer flanks of the grip have a shallow, elongated, serpentine shaped recess 138 with tapered termini 140. The recess offers the bed occupant a tactile clue as to the location of the grip portion of the siderail.
FIG. 9 shows a cross sectional view of the grip taken in the directions 9-9 of FIG. 8 . The grip has an approximately circular cross section whose diameter D_G is selected to be compatible with the size of a human hand so that the occupant can use the grip effectively to assist her transition into and out of the bed. A diameter D_G in the range of about 1.9 to about 4.1 centimeters (cm) is considered to be reasonably well sized. Cross sectional geometries other than the illustrated geometry can be used if desired.
The front transition portion of the illustrated head siderail 86 comprises a front transition region 112 and a nose 116 (see, for example, figure 5). The nose 116 is that portion of the head siderail that cooperates with the back perimeter segment 98 of the longitudinally neighboring foot siderail 88 to define an inter-rail space 126 when both siderails are raised. As is evident from FIGS. 5-7 different portions of the nose engage in such cooperation with the back segment 98 depending on the orientation of the upper body deck section. The nose blends into and extends ahead of the front transition region 112. The juncture or inflection 122 between the nose and the front transition region is a concave-up juncture. Not all siderails will necessarily have a front portion with a distinctly identifiable nose and front transition region. Moreover, beds having only one siderail, such as siderail 86, on each side of the bed will not have a nose as defined herein.
The inter-rail space has a meanline 128. The inter-rail space has a dimension D, measured perpendicular to the meanline, that may vary as a function of distance along the meanline. Transnationally recognized regulations published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and in existence on the filing date of this application specify that the dimension D be no less than 25 millimeters (mm) and no more than 60 mm.
The siderail also includes a boost surface 130 (see, for example,figure 5). The boost surface faces toward the grip 102 and is located in front of the grip. As seen best in FIG 5A the boost surface has an ascending angular orientation σ steeper than the orientation α of the grip. The boost surface orientation is between about 43 degrees and about 63 degrees relative to the ground plane (when the deck upper body section is substantially flat) or relative to the deck upper body section itself independent of the orientation of the deck upper body section. The bed occupant can push against the boost surface with her hand, when necessary, to boost or push herself toward the head end of the bed.
When a person wishes to leave or enter the bed, the foot siderail on one lateral side of the bed is placed in its stored position and the head siderail is placed in its raised position as seen in FIG. 1 . As a result, the grip 102 is at a higher elevation than the occupant support side 38 of the mattress. Both siderails on the laterally opposite side of the bed are preferably in their raised positions. The deck upper body section is pivoted to about 45 degrees, although occupant egress and ingress can also be accomplished at other orientations of the upper body section. The other sections of the deck are typically oriented so that the support side of the mattress portion that overlies those deck sections defines a surface that is approximately flat and approximately parallel to the ground plane.
Preferably, in the four-section articulable deck 34 of the bed 20, starting from an exemplary initial configuration (see FIG. 11A ) wherein all four sections 44, 46, 48 and 50 have a non-null angular orientation relative to the ground plane 84, the seat section 46 is brought into a substantially flat orientation, as illustrated in FIG. 11B . This may be achieved by actuation of an intermediate frame on which the articulable deck 34 is mounted and which, as will be explained below, is moveably connected to the base frame 32. Further, the thigh section 48 and the calf section 50 are brought in substantial alignment with the seat section 46 by pivoting about the center pivot axis 64 and the lower pivot axis 66, respectively, as shown in FIG. 11C. Thus, the lower body section 58 in its entirety is brought into a substantially flat configuration. In addition, and more preferably simultaneously, the upper body section 44 is pivoted about the upper pivot axis 62 to an angular orientation of about 45 degrees relative to the ground plane 84 and the plane defined by the other three sections 46, 48 and 50 of the articulable deck 34.
As an alternative, in a bed comprising a three-section articulable deck of the type illustrated schematically in FIG. 4, starting from an exemplary initial configuration wherein all three sections 72, 74 and 76 have a non-null angular orientation relative to the ground plane, the center section 74 is preferably brought into a substantially flat orientation, for example by actuation of the intermediate frame on which the articulable deck 34 is mounted. Further, the calf section 76 is brought in substantial alignment with the center section 74 by pivoting about the lower pivot axis 80. Thus, a lower body section comprising both center section 74 and calf section 76 as a whole is brought into a substantially flat configuration. In addition, and more preferably simultaneously, the upper body section 72 is pivoted about the upper pivot axis 78 to an angular orientation of about 45 degrees relative to the ground plane 84 and the plane defined by the other two sections 74 and 76 of the articulable deck.
The person may then use the grip to assist her transition into or out of the bed. With the upper body section 44 or 72 at about a 45 degree orientation the grip 102 is approximately parallel to the ground plane, which is a particularly desirable orientation for allowing the patient to brace herself during the transition. In practice, with the upper body section at about a 45 degree orientation the patient lying in bed (see FIG. 12A ) can more easily turn to lie on her side and bring the knees towards her torso and off the side of the bed (see FIG. 12B ). From this position, with the assistance of the grip 102 in a substantially flat orientation, the patient may more conveniently move her torso away from the upper body section 44 and sit up on the bed 20 (see FIG. 12C ). This configuration is thus particularly advantageous from an ergo-therapeutic viewpoint.
However, it will be appreciated that, if the upper body section 44 is at other orientations, the grip 102 will still be at an orientation that offers some degree of support and assistance for the transitioning individual. As already noted, the occupant can also use the boost surface 130 to boost herself toward the head end of the bed when necessary.
The articulated deck is mounted on an intermediate frame (see FIGS. 11A-11D ). Links and intermediate frame actuators (not visible) moveably connect the intermediate frame to the base frame. Links and deck actuators, also not visible, moveably connect at least some of the deck sections to the intermediate frame. The actual physical configuration, construction, quantity and arrangement of the frames, deck, links and actuators may differ from the configurations shown in the illustrations without affecting the applicability of the subject matter claimed herein. Collectively, the links and actuators comprise an adjustment system for adjusting various settings of the occupant support to desired settings. These settings include:

1) the elevation H of the intermediate frame as determined by the height of a reference datum R on the intermediate frame;
2) the deck angular orientation 6; and
3) the deck profile, which can be substantially planar (FIGS. 11C and 11D ) or can be non-planar ( FIGS.11A and 11B ).

In order to further facilitate side egress of the patient from the bed 20, once the articulable deck 34 is in the configuration of FIG. 11C , the elevation H of the intermediate frame is preferably reduced, such that the articulable deck 34 and the mattress 36 are lowered closer to the ground plane, as shown in FIG. 11 D. The downward movement of the intermediate frame may be controllably interrupted by a user. As an alternative, the final elevation H of the intermediate frame may be pre-set based on individual patient characteristics (such as height and weight) or it can be a pre-established working height suitable for a large proportion of the patient population.
Using a user interface described below, a user can individually or separately adjust the elevation H, angular orientation θ and profile. For beds having an extendable foot section, the user interface and corresponding links or actuators may also individually or separately adjust the foot section extension position. That is, each adjustment can be made without affecting any of the other adjustments and, with only limited exceptions, the ability to make an adjustment is not a function of the state of adjustment of the other features. One of these exceptions is that the maximum achievable angular orientation θ may be a function of bed elevation. Specifically, the ability to achieve the maximum angular orientation can be limited if the bed is at a low elevation; additional adjustment toward the full angular orientation may be achievable only after the elevation is increased.
If the mattress is an adjustable firmness mattress, the adjustable settings also include the firmness of the mattress. The adjustable settings typically include a "normal" firmness mode, which inflates the mattress according to the weight in the bed and the positions of the deck sections, and a "max inflate" mode which inflates the bed to a maximum setting. If the mattress is an adjustable firmness mattress, the adjustment system includes the compressor and/or aspirator unit for the inflatable mattress.
Referring additionally to figures 1 and 10A , the bed also includes one or more user interfaces such as the interface 280 on siderail 86. Other user interfaces 380 may also be present on other siderails or on other parts of the bed, such as on the foot pendant. The user interface shown in FIG. 10A allows a user to individually command desired values of the adjustable settings of the occupant support. Keys 282, 284 adjust the elevation H of the occupant support. Keys 286, 288 adjust the angular orientation θ. Keys 292, 294 adjust the profile by pivoting the thigh and calf sections 48, 50 keys 296, 298 adjust the profile by pivoting the deck upper body section 44. Additional keys (not shown) may adjust the position of the foot section extension if the bed includes one.
Although the interface 280 is depicted as a keypad with keys, other types of interfaces such as foot pedals may also be used.
A controller 2120 such as a microprocessor receives the user's commands from the user interface(s) and controls operation of the actuators to effect the commanded adjustments.
Using the above described keys a user can exercise individual control over the adjustable settings of the occupant support. For example the user can use the elevation keys 282, 284 to adjust the elevation H without affecting the angular orientation θ or can use the angular orientation keys 286, 288 to adjust the angular orientation without affecting mattress firmness, and so forth.
The bed also includes a single-action transition control 2124 in the form of a key 2126 on user interface 280. Although the transition control 2124 is shown as a key, the transition control may take other physical forms. The transition control, when pressed by a user, issues a command to the controller to place the occupant support in a transition configuration. The transition configuration settings are settings that facilitate ingress and/or egress (i.e. transition) of a bed occupant from or to the bed. The transition control is referred to as a single action control because a single action, such as a user applying pressure on the key 2126, affects all the adjustments defined by the transition configuration.
The transition configuration is defined by at least a transition elevation setting and a transition profile setting. The transition elevation setting may or may not depend on the initial elevation of the bed as described in more detail below. The transition elevation setting can either be pre-set by a caregiver for each patient so as to take account of individual patient characteristics (including height and weight), or it can be a pre-established working height satisfactory to a large proportion of the patient population. The preferred transition profile setting is a profile with the upper body or back section 44 at approximately 45° the horizontal with the seat 46, thigh 48 and calf sections flat and parallel to the horizontal (see FIG. 11C ). In response to a user's application of pressure to the transition control 2126, the bed 20 is brought into the transition configuration illustrated in FIG. 11 D. This is achieved by adjusting as many of the adjustable settings of the bed 20 as required depending on the initial configuration, an example of which is shown in FIG. 11A . In a preferred embodiment, in response to a user's application of pressure to the transition control 2126 the elevation H, the angular orientation 9 and deck profile are adjusted as illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11D and described above.
FIG. 10B show a variant of a user interface 280' which may be provided on an inner surface of a siderail or on another part of the bed 20 directly accessible by the patient. One such interface 280' typically comprises only a sub-set of the keys available in the user interface 280 described above. By way of example, as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10B , the user interface 280' may comprise keys 296', 298', to adjust the profile by pivoting the deck upper body section and keys 292', 294', to adjust the profile by pivoting the thigh and calf sections. Further, the user interface 280' comprises another single-action transition control 2124' in the form of a key 2126'. This key has the same function as the key 2126 in the user interface 280 described above.

Claims

An adjustable bed including an occupant support comprising:
an articulable deck having an upper body section and a section longitudinally adjacent the upper body section, the upper body section being pivotable relative to the adjacent section about a laterally extending upper pivot axis between a substantially flat angular orientation and a maximum angular orientation; and

a siderail affixed to the upper body section, the siderail including a grip, such that with the upper body section at or near a substantially flat orientation, the elevation of the grip relative to a ground plane increases with increasing distance from a head end of the bed,

the bed further comprising at least one actuator for controllably pivoting the upper body section relative to the adjacent section and the ground plane, and an interface for allowing a desired value of the angle between the upper body section and the ground plane to be commanded, wherein the interface includes a single-action transition control for commanding a transition upper body section angle relative to the ground plane.
An adjustable bed according to claim 1 wherein the transition upper body section angle is substantially 45 degrees.
An adjustable bed according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an orientation of the grip relative to a plane of the upper body section is from about 40 degrees to about 50 degrees, such that such, when the upper body section is pivoted to the transition upper body section angle the elevation of the grip is substantially parallel to the ground plane.
An adjustable bed according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an orientation of the grip relative to a plane of the upper body section is about 45 degrees.
An adjustable bed according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a mattress supported on the deck, the mattress having an occupant support side spaced from the deck; the grip being at a higher elevation than the occupant support side when the siderail is deployed.
An adjustable bed according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the siderail comprises a boost surface having an orientation such that with the upper body section at or near a substantially flat orientation, the elevation of the boost surface relative to the ground plane increases with increasing distance away from the head end of the bed at a greater rate than the elevation of the grip.
An adjustable bed according to any preceding claim wherein the bed includes actuator means for controllably adjusting a deck elevation above the ground, a deck profile, deck orientation angle relative to the ground plane and the transition upper body section angle, and an interface for allowing desired values of the deck elevation, deck profile, a deck angular orientation and transition upper body section angle to be individually commanded.
An adjustable bed according to claim 7 wherein the section longitudinally adjacent the upper body section comprises a seat section, a thigh section and a calf section, the thigh section being pivotable relative to the seat section about a center pivot axis and the calf section being pivotable relative to the thigh section about a lower pivot axis, and wherein the single-action transition control controls the actuator means to:
i. place the seat section in an angular orientation substantially parallel to the ground plane;

ii. place the thigh section and the calf section substantially in alignment with the seat section and parallel to the ground plane;

iii. place the upper body portion in the transition upper body section angle.
An adjustable bed according to claim 7 wherein the section longitudinally adjacent the upper body section comprises a center section and a calf section, the calf section being pivotable relative to the center section about a lower pivot axis, and wherein the single-action transition control controls the actuator means to:
i. place the seat section in an deck angular orientation substantially parallel to the ground plane;

ii. place the calf section substantially in alignment with the seat section and parallel to the ground plane;

iii. place the upper body portion in the transition upper body section angle.
An adjustable bed according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the single-action transition control controls the actuator means to further adjust the deck elevation above the ground to a transition elevation setting selected by user.
An adjustable bed according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the single-action transition control controls the actuator means to further controllably adjust the deck elevation above the ground to a pre-established transition elevation setting.
A method of automatically placing an adjustable bed in a bed transition configuration, the bed comprising an articulable deck having: an upper body section; a section longitudinally adjacent the upper body section; and a siderail affixed to the upper body section, the siderail including a grip such that with the upper body section at or near a substantially flat orientation, the elevation of the grip relative to a ground plane increases with increasing distance from a head end of the bed; the method comprising, in response to a single user's command:
adjusting an orientation angle of the adjacent section relative to the ground plane such that the adjacent section is substantially parallel to the ground plane;

pivoting the upper body section relative to the adjacent section and the ground plane to a transition upper body section angle relative to the ground plane such that the elevation of the grip is substantially parallel to the ground plane.
A method according to claim 12, wherein the transition upper body section angle is substantially 45 degrees.
A method according to claim 12, further comprising adjusting a deck elevation to a transition elevation setting selected by user or to a pre-established transition elevation setting.
A method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the steps of adjusting the orientation angle of the adjacent section and pivoting the upper body section relative to the adjacent section and the ground plane are carried out simultaneously.