GB2495757A

GB2495757A - Bed extension device

Info

Publication number: GB2495757A
Application number: GB1118111.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shirley Ann Basey-Fisher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-10-20
Filing date: 2011-10-20
Publication date: 2013-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 2031-10-20
Also published as: GB201118111D0; GB2495757B

Abstract

A bed extension device consists of a rectangular steel frame (a, b) with one supporting cross member half way along and a steel mesh infill for the base. There are two removable legs (f) at the corners (e) of one side of the frame and loops (c) along the other side which receive brackets (d). Two removable legs support the frame whilst the brackets enable the frame to attach onto the side of an existing bed to provide extra width. The bed extension device can be removed and stored underneath the bed when not required.

Description

A

Bed Width Extension

Description

The bed width extension attaches to the side of a hospital type of profile bed to provide a king sized bed. The purpose of this is to enable another person such as partner or parent to lie next to a sick or disabled person, enabling close contact. This invention would be most useful to bed bound people such as the terminally ill or disabled who are being nursed at home in a profile bed such as a hospital bed provided by their local health service provider. Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings shows an example of a typical hospital bed provided by the health service.

People who are severely disabled, chronically sick or terminally ill sometimes require a hospital/profile bed (which operates electronically to go up and down, tilt and allow the head and feet to be raised) to enable them to be nursed in bed by a nurse or carer. However, they are always single beds and this often means that, in the case of someone suddenly becoming terminally ill, they are then forced to no longer sleep with their partner in a double bed but have to occupy a single bed often in the spare room or lounge to enable them to be cared for. This can have a devastating effect on an already seriously ill person who may be faced with complex health needs and, sometimes, the notion of an untimely death. A couple who would normally sleep together are then forced to retire to separate beds, sometimes in separate rooms.

In some circumstances the sick person's partner may resort to sleeping on a camping bed or bed settee or putting another single bed in the same room as the hospital bed, but this often makes the room very crowded especially if the sick person has mobility equipment in their room. With this invention a couple could sleep together and the bed extension can be unhooked and stored underneath the hospital bed when not in use. This would help to bring about some normality to their lives by maintaining, for example; husband/wife relationship rather than patientlcarer relationship. This bed extension would also be of use in the case of a sick child in hospital or hospice where a parent could get into bed to comfort the child.

The bed width extension consists of a rectangular base with two removable legs on one side and three loops on the other side which hook over two brackets. The two legs support the frame whilst the three brackets enable the frame to attach to an existing bed. This provides a sturdy bed extension, which, although is only 2 foot wide, when joined to an existing bed it produces a five foot wide bed. A mattress of the same thickness then enables the whole bed to be shared by two people. A larger extension would only result in a wider bed which may be may be too big for a regular sized bedroom.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 2 shows the dimensions of the bed width which are (a) 1880mm long by (b) 600mm wide.

The frame of the base is made up of hollow square steel 50mm X 50mm with one cross member half way along the base for support and steel mesh infill upon which the mattress lies. Along one side, 100mm from each end are three loops (c) to hook onto three brackets (d), enabling the frame to be attached to the existing bed. The three brackets hook over the frame of the existing bed and can be left permanently on the existing bed so that the bed extension can just be hooked over the brackets for use. Figure 3 shows a close up of one of the loops and brackets. At two corners on the other side of the frame there are two socket tubes (e) each measuring 40mm in diameter. These receive the two removable legs (f) which are made of tubular steel measuring 33mm diameter and 315mm long, producing a bed height of 315mm. Figure 4 shows a close up of one of the sockets and legs with supporting end plates (g).

When the bed extension is attached to a profile bed, the head and knee raiser, which operates from the centre of the profile bed can still be operated without interference. However, the profile bed cannot be raised or tilted without the bed width extension being removed. When the bed width dxtension is not needed it can be detached by simply unhooking the brackets, removing the legs and sliding it under the existing profile bed for storage. This restores the room around the bed, enabling care to continue.

The bed width extension provides a simple solution to some of the problems experienced by people who are suddenly faced with illness and incapacity by restoring normal sleeping arrangements and enabling closeness between loved ones.

Claims

<claim-text>Bed Width Extension Claims 1. The bed width extension is for use with a hospital/profile bed, transforming the existing bed from a single to a king size bed.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The bed width extension offers a simplistic and affordable solution for the sick or disabled person using a hospital/profile bed at home but wanting to share their bed with their partner.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The bed width extension can be attached or removed from the existing bed quickly and easily and stored neatly underneath the profile hospital/bed.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. Unlike hospital/profile nursing beds which are wider and can be altered to accommodate a person with specific needs such as the bariatric, the bed width extension is specifically designed for another person to sleep alongside a sick or disabled person who has a regular hospital/profile bed.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. Unlike specialist nursing beds such as bariatric beds which are wider, stronger, and expensive, and only prescribed for a particular person's needs, the bed width extension can be used as an optional extra with a regular hospital/profile bed.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Bed Width Extension Amended Claims 1. The bed width extension comprises a frame having, on one longitudinal edge, a means of attaching to an existing hospital profile bed with the use of two attachment and two iernonble legs on the opposite edge with a supporting mesh in the middle to accommodate a mattress.
2. The bed width extension, according to claim 1, will attach to the side of a hospital profile bed using the two hooks which are placed at either end of the hospital profile bed edge and the two legs are then inserted into two receivers in the corners of the opposite edge of the bed width extension to support the frame.
3. The bed width extension, acconting to claim 2, can stay attached to the hospital profile bed without altering and still allowing the profile action of the hospital bed to be used independently from the extension.
4. The bed width extension, according to claim 2, when not iii use can be removed from the hospital profile bed by unhooking it and removing the two legs.I The bed width extension, according to claim 1, can be stored underneath the hospital profilebed whennotin use. * S be" --. n SC' J 0f o 0 .-* * enS</claim-text>