GB2326088A

GB2326088A - inflatable bed sides

Info

Publication number: GB2326088A
Application number: GB9712196A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Anthony Wilkinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-06-12
Filing date: 1997-06-12
Publication date: 1998-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2017-06-12
Also published as: GB2326088B; GB9712196D0

Abstract

Inflatable tube(s) or compartments are fitted to the head, foot and sides of a bed so as to be upstanding around the sides of the bed. The inflatable tube(s) or compartments protect the occupant of the bed from injury, from falling out of bed or from being stuck within the side rails.

Description

1. This invention relates to a device which protects people from injury, and gives safety from the metal or wooden side frames which are often used when nursing patients and is provisionally called "Safe-Sides" 2. Many patients have suffered injury and some fatalities have been reported through the direct use of metal side frames to stop people falling out of bed. The main reasons for this are that patients with Athetoid like movements or those who fit or those who have learning difficulties, are likely to fling their arms and legs around during sleep and seriously injure themselves on the metal or wooden side frames placed upon the bed to protect them from falling out. It has been reported that children often get their head stuck between the bars, and at least one resultant fatal hanging may have occurred.

3. The present invention provides a means for people to be protected from injury by using an inflatable series of tubes or compartments or single tube or compartment which will fit over or envelop or attach to or replace the metal or wooden or other solid structure placed near to or attached to the side or sides or head or foot of a bed, thereby giving safe cushioning from impact and protection from falling through or around or, especially in the case of children, getting their head stuck between the bars 4. The construction of the tubes or tube or compartments or compartment is made from a plastic or rubber or other such material, that, when once welded or sewn or glued or otherwise joined together can be inflated to form the required shape of the safe sides, and the tubes or compartments may be constructed to run either vertically or horizontally along the side of the bed and cover or replace the existing sides.

5. The tubes or tube or compartment or compartments may be round, or rectangular or oval or square in cross section and can be secured to the metal sides by tapes or hook and loop fasteners or form an envelope to slot over the sides or may be so joined together to form a complete independent surround for the bed.

6. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which 7. Figure 1 shows a bed with metal side frames.

8. Figure 2 shows a side frame with the invention fitted 9. Figure 3 shows a cross section of a tube and a cross section of a compartment.

loathe "safe-sides" are inflated by means of an inflation and deflation device which can be plugged into a specific socket, or by such a battery run device, the said device being also capable of deflating the sides, or by a hand or foot operated inflation or deflation device. There may also be the provision for rapidly deflating the "Safe-Sides" by means of a large air outlet fitting or plug which can be removed.

Claims

1. Inflatable means for fitting to a bed so as to be upstanding around the sides, head and foot of the bed and by which someone in the bed is protected from injury by or stuck within surrounding structure of the bed or from falling out of the bed.

2. Inflatable means according to claim 1, wherein said means comprise at least one inflatable tube or compartment.

3. Inflatable means according to claim 2, wherein said means comprise an inflatable series of tubes or compartments which are adapted to form a substantially continuous surround for the bed.

4. Inflatable means according to claim 3, wherein the tubes or compartments are adapted to run horizontally along a side of the bed.

5. Inflatable means according to claim 3, wherein the tubes or compartments are adapted to run vertically along a side of the bed.

6. Inflatable means according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which are adapted to be fitted over, or to envelop, or to be attached to, or to cover solid structure of the bed at or near to, or attached to a side, and/or the head and/or the foot of the bed.

7. Inflatable means according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which are adapted to replace solid structure of the bed at or near to, or attached to a side, and/or the head and/or the foot of the bed.

8. Inflatable means according to claim 7 when appended to claim 3, which form a complete independent surround of the bed.

9. Inflatable means according to any one of claims 2 to 5 and 8, or either of claims 6 and 7 when appended to claim 2, wherein the or each tube or compartment is made from plastic or rubber or other such flexible and impervious material.

10. Inflatable means according to any one of claims 3 to 5 and 8, or either of claims 6, 7 and 9 when appended to claim 3, wherein the tubes or compartments are joined together.

11. Inflatable means according to claim 10, wherein the tubes or components are joined together by being welded, glued or sewn.

12. Inflatable means according to any one of claims 2 to 5, 8, 10 and 11, or any one of claims 6,7 and 9 when appended to claim 2, wherein the or each tube or component is round, or rectangular, or square, or oval in cross-section.

13. Inflatable means according to any one of claims 2 to 5, 8, and 10 to 12, or any one of claims 6,7 and 9 when appended to claim 2, wherein the or each tube or component is secured to structure of the bed by tapes, or by loop and hook fasteners.

14. Inflatable means according to any one of claims 2 to 5, 8, and 10 to 13, or any one of claims 6,7and 9 when appended to claim 2, wherein the or each tube or component is adapted to form an envelope operable to slot over a selected one of the sides.

15. Inflatable means substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings and as shown in Figures 2 and 3 of those drawings.