GB2260263A

GB2260263A - Nursing bed with toilet amenity

Info

Publication number: GB2260263A
Application number: GB9121394A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Rochat Phillips
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-10-09
Filing date: 1991-10-09
Publication date: 1993-04-14
Anticipated expiration: 2011-10-09
Also published as: GB9121394D0; GB2260263B

Abstract

A bed has hinged sections, head section 1, foot section 3, and a middle section 2, (in some examples the middle section may be composed of two sections hinged together) the whole being covered with a mattress suitably partitioned for the movements necessary. These sections are connected together so that their relative angular dispositions can be varied by a motor unit to facilitate the use of the toilet pot arrangement. The bed and mattress have a removable part 4 which is withdrawn by a motor, its place being taken by a toilet pot 5. After use, the movement is reversed, returning the pot 5 to its original position and restoring the portion 4 removed, to leave the bed in its usual rest position. <IMAGE>

Description

NURSING BED WITH TOILET AMENITY This invention relates to the provision of mechanised sanitary pot facilities in a nursing bed.

The need of providing frequent or unpredictable bedpan or toilet facilities for aged or chronically ill persons is the reason why many such persons have to be cared for in public institutions or nursing homes rather than private homes. Current methods, which usually involve lifting the patient or getting them out of bed, are uncomfortable to use and often mean that 24hr supervision is required.

According to the present invention such a nursing bed comprises a rectangular frame fitted with casters on which supports three or in some cases four sections connected together by hinges, the axis of the hinges being in a transverse direction relative to the bed so that the relative slopes of the different sections of the bed can be varied, the hinged sections being covered by a mattress, suitably modified and partitioned, the whole arrangement being principallyMbut not exclusively to facilitate the use of the toilet pot or similar non-flushing receptacle which is introduced into an aperture, in a suitable position in the bed, by mechanical or other means subsequent to the removal of a portion of the mattress by similar mechanical or other means.

All the movements are reversible and may be initiated by the operation of a switch, handle, lever, or foot pedal according to whether the source of power for actuation is manual, foot, hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows the side elevation of a nursing bed showing the head section 1 elevated, the centre section 2 tilted, sloping downwards towards the head, the foot section 3 lowered, sloping towards the foot of the bed and a view of the toilet pot or similar receptacle 5 (in this example a commode pot) in the non-operational position. The main support frame of the bed 9 has four casters and is fabricated from rectangular hollow section steel. The three sections 1, 2 & 3 which are hinged together, are fabricated mainly of rectangular hollow section steel and have infills of wire mesh to support a mattress 10.

The figure shows the motor unit 6 which powers the main bed movements through a system of links. In this example the motor power ia transmitted to the link system via an acme thread and nut, the whole being set in motion by the occupant of the bed or attendant by operating a switch. The bed movements have variable limits controlled by micro switches.

Figure 2. is an elevation with the bed in a level position looking in the direction of arrow A. showing the mechanism (somewhat simplified), for removal of a section of the mattress 4 to allow receptacle 5 to be inserted in its place.

The figure also shows the motor unit 7 which powers the mechanism shown in this Figure 2 c. 8 is a washable water resistant flexible pad which acts as a seal for the receptacle when in the non-operational position.

Claims

1. A nursing bed comprising a rectangular frame fitted with casters on which supports three or in some cases four sections connected together by hinges, the axis of the hinges being in a transverse direction relative to the bed so that the relative slopes of the different sections of the bed can be varied, the hinged sections being covered by a mattress, suitably modified and partitioned, the whole arrangement being principally but not exclusively to facilitate the use of the toilet pot or similar non-flushing receptacle which is introduced into an aperture, in a suitable position in the bed, by mechanical or other means subsequent to the removal of a portion of the mattress by similar mechanical or other means. All the movements are reversible and may be initiated by the operation of a switch, handle, lever, or foot pedal according to whether the source of power for actuation is manual, foot, hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical.

2. A nursing bed as claimed in (1) but such that the varying of the slope of the bed can be carried out independently of the toilet pot movements.

3. A nursing bed in which the mattress on its supporting three or section frame is caused by mechanical means to move as one whole excluding section 4 which is left in such a position or moved to such a position that the mattress on its frames can be brought to rest over the toilet pot in such a way that it fills the aperture left by the removal of

4.