EP3315107B1

EP3315107B1 - Barrier for a bed

Info

Publication number: EP3315107B1
Application number: EP17197988.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Edward Lymn
Original assignee: Benmor Medical (uk) Ltd; BENMOR MEDICAL UK Ltd
Current assignee: Benmor Medical (uk) Ltd; BENMOR MEDICAL UK Ltd
Priority date: 2016-10-25
Filing date: 2017-10-24
Publication date: 2020-05-13
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-24
Also published as: GB2559104A; AU2017251675A1; GB201617948D0; EP3315107A1; GB2559104B; AU2017251675B2

Description

The present invention relates to a barrier assembly for a bed, and in particular to a barrier assembly comprising a safety rail for preventing a patient from rolling out of a hospital bed.
Various types of safety rail are known for use with hospital beds. Due to the need to frequently move patients in and out of bed, and also to administer care to a patient, it is highly desirable for safety rails to be moveable so that a patient can either exit the bed, or so that a healthcare professional can gain access to the patient.
Traditionally, safety rails are provided at both sides of the bed and can be moved from an upper position for preventing a patient rolling out of the bed to a lower position allowing a patient to exit the bed. Various examples are known where the safety rail simply slides from the upper to lower position. However, this causes problems when in the lower position because the safety rail hinders access to the underside of the bed. This is especially problematic for beds which include controls under the bed, for example to allow the bed to be raised or lowered. In this case, if the safety rail is in the lower position the controls are not easily accessible.
It would, therefore, be desirable for the safety rail to be stowed under the bed in a horizontal rather than vertical orientation. With this in mind, safety rails are known that pivot and then slide under the mattress support of the bed so that they do not hinder access to the patient or exit of the patient from the bed, but at the same time, are out of sight and do not hinder access to the underside of the bed. However, the mechanisms by which these safety rails operate are complicated and cumbersome. This is especially compounded by the need for the safety rails to at least partially collapse in order for safety rails from each side of the bed to fit under the mattress support at the same time and in order that the safety rails take up as little space as possible when in a stowed position. This means that in order to move the safety rail from the upper position, a number of steps have to be performed. For example, the safety rail must be collapsed, rotated and then slid under the mattress support. The mechanisms for collapse of the safety rail are particularly problematic and often require locks to be manually released and/or triggers to be actuated. Thus, operation of such known mechanisms can be complex and time consuming, whilst being susceptible to mechanical failure.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to seek to alleviate the above identified problems.
According to the present invention there is provided a barrier assembly for a bed, comprising: - one or more support rails extendable, in use, laterally from a stowed position to a deployed position; a pivot mechanism provided at a distal end of the one or more support rails; one or more barrier rail elements, coupled to the pivot mechanism for movement from a substantially horizontal plane to a substantially vertical plane; wherein when in a substantially horizontal plane, the barrier rail elements are themselves movable in the plane of the one or more support rails between an extended position and a retracted position such that the width of the bed can be changed with the barrier rail elements moveable between upright or underbed stowed configurations in both wide and narrow bed width configurations wherein the pivot mechanism comprises a barrier rail support having an outer sleeve member coupled at or adjacent the distal end of the one or more support rails, and an inner rotatable rod member which rotates with the barrier rail elements, and wherein the barrier rail elements are movable through the barrier rail support when in the plane of the one or more support rails.
In this way, the present invention provides a barrier assembly that can be readily deployed, for varying widths of the bed used therewith. In this regard, the stowed position/retracted position is preferably under the bed and the deployed position/extended position is extended from the side of the bed. The stowed position and the retracted position may be the same position. However, alternatively, the support rails may not be fully stowed to allow the width of the bed to be extended.
Remarkably, the present invention allows the width of the bed to be changed with the barrier rail elements moveable between upright or underbed stowed configurations in both wide and narrow bed width configurations, and in any position therebetween.
Preferably, one or more of the barrier rail elements are moveable, preferably slidable, within one or more of the support rails.
Preferably, two or more of the barrier rail elements are moveable, preferably slidable, within one or more of the support rails.
Preferably, one or more of the support rails are moveable, preferably slidable, within one or more bars, preferably transverse bars, of the frame of a bed.
Preferably, one or more of the barrier rail elements are moveable, preferably slidable, within one or more the bars, preferably transverse bars, of the frame of a bed.
Preferably, one or more of the barrier rail elements are moveable, preferably slidable, through one or more apertures in a bar, preferably a longitudinal bar, of the frame of a bed.
In this respect, it will be appreciated that a longitudinal bar of the frame of a bed is a bar positioned at about 90° to a transverse bar positioned across the frame of a bed.
The provision of the pivot mechanism provides for a simple and reliable mechanism for deploying and stowing the barrier assembly.
The inner rotatable rod member may be a continuous member with one or more barrier rail elements rotatable therewith. Alternatively, the inner rotatable rod member may comprise a plurality of rod members, with one or more barrier rail elements rotatable with each rod member.
Multiple rod members can continue to work as a single rod member if they are each attached via the barrier rail elements to a single handle. Alternatively, if there is provided more than one pivot mechanism, more than one support rail, and the handle is provided in two or more parts, then different parts of the barrier can be stowed leaving the remainder of the barrier in a vertical orientation. This alternative arrangement may be beneficial for, for example, enhanced access and/or safety reasons if the bed is being used in an extended width configuration.
The barrier rail elements are movable through the barrier rail support when in the plane of the one or more support rails. In this way the compactness of the assembly is enhanced, allowing the barrier rail elements themselves to be stowed neatly and conveniently under the bed frame.
Preferably, the barrier rail elements are configured to rotate with the inner rod member. As such, a barrier, formed from interconnected barrier rail elements, pivots as one with the inner rod member for reliable operation.
Preferably, the barrier rail elements are slidable through the inner rod member. This enables the barrier rail elements to rotate with the inner rod member and to pass through it to be readily stowed and deployed.
Preferably, one end of one or more of the barrier rail elements is profiled to engage with a formation in the outer sleeve member. In this way, the movement of the barrier rail elements can be carefully controlled between locked and rotational configurations.
Preferably, the formation in the outer sleeve member comprises an aperture into which a locking protrusion on the barrier rail element end engages to lock the barrier rail element at about 90° to the orientation of the support rail. As such, the safety of the barrier assembly can be assured by allowing the barrier assembly to be stowed and deployed only when desired and authorised. The locking protrusion may be a pin-like member.
Preferably, one or more of the barrier rail elements comprises a stop for preventing removal of the barrier rail element from the barrier rail support.
Preferably, the profiled barrier rail element end has a stepped profile to present a stop thereby preventing removal of the barrier rail element from the barrier rail support. Again, this ensures safe and reliable operation of the assembly.
Preferably, when in a vertical orientation the profiled barrier rail element end has sufficient vertical movement within the barrier rail support to clear the locking protrusion from the aperture in the outer sleeve member. In this way, movement of the different components of the barrier assembly is carefully controlled thereby affording safer and more reliable operation.
Preferably, the outer sleeve member has a slot for each barrier rail element, the slot extending over about 90° to allow the barrier rail elements to rotate about 90° between substantially vertical and horizontal positions. In this manner, the movement of the barrier rail elements is further controlled and guided.
Preferably, the assembly comprises a top rail formed of a resilient material.
Preferably, the top rail forms a handle or arm rest.
Preferably, the top rail comprises a rib for providing a snap fit with the barrier rail support.
Preferably, the support rails are extendable to various positions which allows the width of the bed to be altered for different purposes. Further, this feature allows a person attending the patient to get as close as possible without having to lean over a hard support.
Preferably, the barrier assembly comprises a mattress support panel.
Preferably, the barrier assembly comprises a mattress support panel positioned between two or more of said support rails.
Preferably, the mattress support panel is a lateral mattress support panel and is for forming part of a larger mattress support panel in combination with another mattress support panel provided on a frame of a bed.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bed comprising one or more barrier assemblies as described herein.
Within this specification, the term "about" means plus or minus 20%, more preferably plus or minus 10%, even more preferably plus or minus 5%, most preferably plus or minus 2%.
It will be appreciated that reference to "one or more" includes reference to "a plurality".
Within this specification embodiments have been described in a way which enables a clear and concise specification to be written, but it is intended and will be appreciated that embodiments may be variously combined or separated without parting from the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:-

Figures 1A to 1D show cut-away perspective views of a section of a barrier assembly in accordance with the present invention in four stages of stowage;
Figures 2A to 2D show close up cut-away perspective views of a pivot mechanism of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows a perspective underside view of the barrier assembly of the present invention in a transport mode;
Figure 4 shows a perspective underside view of the barrier assembly of the present invention in an extended width mode;
Figures 5A to 5C show side views of operation of a barrier assembly handle in accordance with the present invention;
Figures 6A and 6B show perspective underside views of a barrier assembly in accordance with the present invention;
Figures 7A to 7E show perspective views of a pair of barrier assemblies of the present invention in various stages of movement from a vertical position to a stowed horizontal position; and
Figure 8 shows a bed comprising two pairs of barrier assemblies of the present invention.

As shown in cut-away Figures 1A to 1D, the present invention concerns a barrier assembly 1, comprising support rails 2 that are coupled to a bed frame 3, in such a manner that they can extend laterally outwardly from the side of the bed frame 3. In the embodiment shown, the support rails 2 slide within transverse bars 21 of the bed frame 3, but alternative arrangements are feasible. This is shown with particular reference to Figures 3, 4 and 7A to 7E from which it will also be seen that whilst the outer barrier rail elements 7a are also slidable within the bars 21 (since they are slidable within the support rails 2), the inner barrier rail elements 7b are not slidable within the bars 21; however, they are slidable through apertures 25 in a side bar 26 of the frame 3.
The bed frame 3 includes a central mattress support panel 23 for supporting a mattress. The barrier assembly may include a panel 22, forming a lateral mattress support panel 22, positioned between the support rails 2, which extends the central mattress support panel to the barrier rail support 4. The lateral mattress support panel also hides from view at least part of the barrier rail elements 7 when in a stowed position.
At the distal ends of the support rails 2 is provided a pivot mechanism in the form of barrier rail support 4 that comprises an outer sleeve member 5 and an inner tube, rod or bar member 6, shown in Figures 2A to 2D. The outer sleeve member 5 is coupled to the support rails 2 and the inner rod member 6 can rotate within the outer sleeve member 5.
Barrier rail elements 7 rotate with the inner rod member 6 and can slide through the barrier rail support 4 as shown in Figures 2A to 2D.
In Figures 1A and 2A, the barrier rail elements 7 are in a vertical position with the support rails 2 extended from under the bed frame. As such the bed can have an extended width depending, for example, upon the requirements of the patient and carer with the barrier rail elements raised and pivotable at any such width.
As shown in Figure 2A, the end of each barrier rail element is profiled so that it includes a locking protrusion 8 which can be in the form of a pin that engages an aperture/notch 9 (as shown in Figure 2C) in the outer sleeve when in a vertical orientation. This locks the barrier rail elements in the vertical orientation.
The profiled end of the barrier element is also stepped to form a stop 10 that limits the extent to which each barrier element can be retracted from the inner tube member 6 barrier rail support, which is internally formed with a corresponding formation 11.
As shown in Figure 1B, the process of stowing the barrier assembly is commenced by pushing the assembly laterally inwardly so that the support rails 2 can be slid within the bed frame 3, if required.
The handle 12 is then lifted slightly to disengage the locking protrusion 8 from aperture 9 so as to allow the barrier rail elements 7 to pivot with inner rod member 6 away from the vertical position, as shown in Figures 1C and 2B. The abutment of surfaces 10 and 11 affords just enough vertical displacement of the profiled end within the barrier rail support to disengage the locking protrusion 8 from aperture 9 and to allow the barrier rail elements 7 to pivot. The barrier rail elements 7 are moveable along a slot 20 formed in the outer sleeve member 5.
When horizontal, the barrier rail elements 7 are in the same orientation as the support rails, and are aligned with apertures 13 in the outer sleeve member 5 so that they can slide through the barrier rail support. They can slide either into channels formed by the support rails 2 as shown in Figure 1D or simply into the space under the bed. When in this orientation, the handle 12 can be pushed to drive the barrier rail elements 7 as shown in Figures 1D and 2D towards a fully stowed state. It will be understood that the entire barrier assembly 1 can also be left extended without the barrier rail elements 7 raised to extend the width of the bed.
With the arrangement of the present invention, the barrier assembly can be deployed and stowed in one simple fluid movement of laterally urging the mechanism towards or away from the side of the bed whilst lifting the handle 12 to release the pivoting mechanism. The barrier assembly can be raised or lowered with the bed being at any width, with the bed in a flat or articulated position and with the bed at any height.
With reference to "vertical" and "horizontal" herein, it will be appreciated that "vertical" is understood to mean at 90° to the plane of the mattress support panel/surface 23 or bed frame 3 and "horizontal" is understood to mean parallel to the plane of the mattress support panel 23 or bed frame 3.
Figures 3 and 4 show the assembly in transport and extended width modes, respectively. To change the effective width of the bed, sprung locking pin 14 needs to be withdrawn from one of many apertures 15 in a locking bar 16 that slides under the bed. A spring 18 is provided for biasing a handle 17 into a stowed position under the barrier rail support 4. This is shown with particular reference to Figures 6A and 6B. It will be appreciated that the handle 17 can be used to move the support rails 2 within the lateral bars 21.
Figures 5A to 5C show top rail handle 12 having a slight protrusion or rib 19 which, when pushed into contact with the barrier rail support 4, will engage therewith and then snap over the barrier rail support to stow the barrier rail elements 7 in place. The top rail handle 12 is preferably formed of a resilient material, for example, a foam or plastic material that allows it to snap fit over the barrier rail support.
The inner rotatable rod 6 may be a continuous member or can be provided as multiple individual rod members such that one or more barrier rail elements 7 are attached to each individual rod member. The rod members can continue to work as a single rod member if they are attached via the barrier rail elements 7 to a single handle 12. Alternatively, if there is provided more than one pivot mechanism, more than one support rail 2, and the handle 12 is provided in multiple parts then different parts of the barrier can be stowed leaving the remainder in a vertical orientation.
Figures 7A to 7E show a pair of barrier assemblies 1 in various stages of movement from a vertical position (Figure 7A) to a stowed horizontal position (Figure 7E). In order to show the frame 3 and transverse bars 21 in further detail, the mattress support panel 23 has been omitted.
With reference to Figure 8, there is shown a bed 24 comprising two pairs of barrier assemblies 1.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications are covered by the appended claims.

Claims

A barrier assembly (1) for a bed, comprising:-
one or more support rails;

a pivot mechanism (5,6) provided at a distal end of the one or more support rails;

one or more barrier rail elements (7), coupled to the pivot mechanism for movement from a substantially horizontal plane to a substantially vertical plane;

wherein when in a substantially horizontal plane, the barrier rail elements are themselves movable in the plane of the one or more support rails between an extended position and a retracted position such that the width of the bed can be changed with the barrier rail elements movable between upright or underbed stowed configurations in both wide and narrow bed width configurations,

wherein the pivot mechanism comprises a barrier rail support (4) having an outer sleeve member (5) coupled at or adjacent the distal end of the one or more support rails, and an inner rotatable rod member (6) which rotates with the barrier rail elements, and wherein the barrier rail elements (7) are movable through the barrier rail support (4) when in the plane of the one or more support rails (2), characterised in that the one or more support rails (2) are extendable, in use, laterally from a stowed position to a deployed position.
A barrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the barrier rail elements (7) are configured to rotate with the internal rod member (6).
A barrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the barrier rail elements (7) are slidable through the inner rotatable rod member (6).
A barrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein one end of one or more of the barrier rail elements is profiled to engage with a formation (9) in the outer sleeve member (5).
A barrier assembly according to claim 4, wherein the formation in the outer sleeve member (5) is an aperture (9) into which a locking protrusion (8) on the barrier rail element end engages to lock the barrier rail element (7) at about 90° to the orientation of the support rail (2).
A barrier assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the barrier rail elements (7) comprises a stop (10) for preventing removal of the barrier rail element from the barrier rail support.
A barrier assembly according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the profiled barrier rail element end has a stepped profile to present a stop (10) preventing removal of the barrier rail element from the barrier rail support (4).
A barrier assembly according to claim 7, wherein when in a vertical orientation the profiled barrier rail element end has sufficient vertical movement within the barrier rail support (4) to clear the locking protrusion (8) from the aperture (9) in the outer sleeve member (5).
A barrier assembly according to any one preceding claim, wherein the outer sleeve member (5) has a slot (20) for each barrier rail element (7), the slot extending over about 90° to allow the barrier rail elements (7) to rotate about 90° between substantially vertical and horizontal positions.
A barrier assembly according to any preceding claim comprising a top rail (12) formed of a resilient material and having a rib (19) for providing a snap fit with the barrier rail support (4).
A barrier assembly according to any preceding claim comprising a mattress support panel (22).
A barrier assembly according to claim 11, wherein the mattress support panel (22) is positioned between two or more support rails (2).
A bed (24) comprising one or more barrier assemblies according to any preceding claim.