GB2614716A - A bed sheet changing apparatus and pressure relief mattress - Google Patents

Abstract

Bed sheet changing apparatus for changing a bed sheet while an infirm or bed-bound individual occupies a bed having a carriage assembly 22 movable along a length of a mattress 12, comprising: movable spacer 24 for adjusting the distance between the surface of the mattress and a portion of the occupant’s body as the carriage moves along the mattress; used bed sheet reclaimer 28 and clean bed sheet dispenser 30 that gathers and dispenses respectively as the carriage moves along the mattress. The spacer may be a body roller, be deformable or have dampening. A care bed may include the bed sheet changing apparatus and a mattress with air pockets, where air pressure may be reduced before the carriage moves along the mattress. Also disclosed is a pressure relief mattress comprising a mattress body having air pockets with associated pump, and a deployable bathing wall disposed around the periphery of the mattress body to form a bathing area for allowing an occupant to be bathed in situ.

Description

A BED SHEET CHANGING APPARATUS AND PRESSURE RELIEF MATTRESS

The present invention relates to a bed sheet changing apparatus for changing a bed sheet while an infirm or bed-bound individual occupies a bed and particularly but not exclusively to a care bed comprising the same.

The present invention also relates to a pressure relief mattress for allowing mattress occupants to be bathed in-situ and particularly but not exclusively to a care bed comprising the same.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Specialist beds for use in clinical, care and hospital settings are known and have been used for many years. In these settings individuals, especially infirm or bed-bound individuals, may spend significant periods of time in bed and are unable to leave the bed readily or easily without assistance.

Bed sheets often need to be changed to maintain the hygiene of both the bed and occupant. Typically, this will involve the occupant leaving the bed, however, there are much more complex and involved processes for infirm or bed-bound individuals. A team of care professionals with specialist skills will usually be required because the infirm or bed-bound individual will need to be moved in-situ around the bed, or be temporarily hoisted out of the bed, to remove and replace sheets. This process requires time and care to reduce the risk of hurting the occupant.

Sheet dispensing apparatus have been incorporated into some specialist beds. One example is a roller disposed at one end of the specialist bed. The roller typically includes a continuous sheet of bed sheet material which is pulled over the surface length of the specialist bed as and when clean sheets are required. While this increases the speed at which soiled sheets are replaced with clean sheets, it still required the infirm or bed-bound individual to be moved in-situ or hoisted.

Infirm or bed-bound individuals may have infectious diseases. Care givers will typically use personal protective equipment (PPE) during the process of changing bed sheets because of the close proximity. These will typically be disposed of after a single use to prevent cross contamination. However, there is still a risk of cross contamination when changing used bed sheets from a number of beds.

Infirm or bed-bound individuals are also required to be washed regularly to help prevent infections and improve hygiene. Traditionally this has been done through giving the cared for individual a sponge bath where they are bathed in-situ on the bed. However, more recently dedicated bathing apparatuses, such as mobile bathing trolleys, have been used. The infirm or bed-bound individual will be moved between their bed and the dedicated bathing apparatus. The care professionals will typically use a hoist to reduce the risk of hurting the cared for individual, but this takes time and specialist skills to avoid injuring the cared for individual.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce or substantially obviate the aforementioned problems.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a bed sheet changing apparatus for changing a bed sheet while an infirm or bed-bound individual occupies a bed, the apparatus comprising: a carriage assembly adapted to be disposed to an end of a mattress of the bed and adapted to be rectilinearly movable along a length of the mattress, the carriage 15 comprising: a movable spacer for adjusting the distance between the surface of the mattress and a portion of the occupant's body as the carriage assembly moves along the mattress; a used bed sheet reclaimer adapted to gather and store the used bed sheet as the carriage moves along the length of the mattress; and a clean bed sheet dispenser adapted to dispense a stored clean bed sheet as the carriage moves along the length of the mattress.

The use of an automated bed sheet changer allows for bed sheets to be changed with minimal human intervention while an individual is still on the mattress. VVhich has the added benefit of improving infection control.

The provision of a movable carriage assembly with a movable spacer, used bed sheet reclaimer and clean bed sheet dispenser reduces the risk of hurting the person on the mattress. The space between the portion of the occupant's body and the surface of the mattress created around the carriage assembly reduces friction on the used sheet.

This also prevents a source a friction from the process of gathering the used sheet.

The term bed-bound individual should not be considered as limited to only individuals who are permanently bed-bound, but should be considered to include individuals with limited mobility, i.e. individuals who require assistance from care givers to leave the bed.

The carriage assembly may move along the longitudinal length of the mattress. Put another way, the carriage assembly moves between the foot of the bed and the head of the bed.

The carriage assembly may move rectilinearly through a defined path along the length of the bed.

The movable spacer extends substantially across the transverse length of the mattress. That is to say that the movable spacer extends substantially from one side of the mattress to the other. By extending across the transverse length of the mattress it is possible to ensure that the occupant interfaces with the movable spacer no matter their position.

The movable spacer may be movable in the sense that it may raise and lower with reference to the carriage assembly or some other point of the apparatus. Alternatively or in combination, it may be movable in the sense that it rotates with reference to the carriage assembly or other point of the apparatus.

The used bed sheet reclaimer extends substantially across the transverse length of the mattress. That is to say that the used bed sheet reclaimer extends substantially from one side of the mattress to the other.

The clean bed sheet reclaimer extends substantially across the transverse length of the mattress. That is to say that the clean bed sheet reclaimer extends substantially from one side of the mattress to the other.

The movable spacer, used bed sheet reclaimer and clean bed sheet reclaimer may be consider to extend perpendicular to the travel of the carriage assembly.

The space formed between the portion of the occupant's body and the surface of the mattress may be substantially formed in the mattress proximate the portion of the occupant's body. This ensures that the patient remains substantially level on the bed.

The movable spacer may comprise at least one body roller for spacing the portion of the occupant's body from the surface of the mattress. The body roller may interface with the portion of the occupant's body and the surface of the mattress. At least two body rollers may be provided. The body rollers may be spaced apart from each other.

The use of a body roller allows for the carriage assembly to move at a constant speed under the occupant's body while reducing frictional forces.

The movable spacer may comprise a deformable portion for interfacing with the portion of the occupant's body. That is to say the movable spacer may comprise a soft and/or pliable portion for interfacing with the portion of the occupant's body. The roller of the body roller may be the deformable portion.

A deformable portion which is soft and/or pliable helps to reduce discomfort or pain the occupant may feel from the automated process of bed sheet changing.

A damper may be provided for dampening the movable spacer. A damper may be provided for each of the body rollers.

Dampers reduce the impact of the movable spacer on the occupant.

At least one bed sheet spacing roller may be provided in the carriage assembly. Preferably, two bed sheet spacing rollers may be provided. The bed sheet spacing roller(s) may be disposed so as to separate the movable spacer from the reclaimed bed sheet and/or the used bed sheet. That is to say the bed sheet spacing roller may be disposed between the movable spacer and the path of bed sheet being dispensed and/or reclaimed so that the movable spacer does not interface directly with the dispensed and/or reclaimed bed sheet.

Preferably, a bed sheet spacing roller is provided for each body roller. Each bed sheet spacing roller is disposed towards a lower end of the corresponding body roller. That is to say that each bed sheet spacing roller is disposed closer to the mattress than the body roller. The bed sheet spacing rollers may interface with the body rollers.

The bed sheet changing apparatus may comprise a carriage guide. The carriage guide may be disposed, in use, along the length of the bed. The carriage guide may comprise at least one guide rail. The carriage guide defines a path for the carriage assembly, and may also restrict the path of the carriage assembly.

The bed sheet changing apparatus may comprise a support frame for disposal on or to a bed. The support frame may be disposed, in use, along the length of the bed. The carriage guide may be disposed on the chassis.

A bed sheet anchor unit may be provided at the end of the bed. A bed sheet anchor unit may be disposed to either end of the bed. One anchor may correspond with the used bed sheet reclaimer. That is to say that the bed sheet may extend between the used bed sheet reclaimer and the corresponding bed sheet anchor. Another anchor may correspond with the clean bed sheet dispenser. That is to say that the bed sheet may extend between the clean bed sheet dispenser and the corresponding bed sheet anchor.

The anchors provide tension to the new and used bed sheets.

The used bed sheet reclaimer may be disposed towards one end of the carriage assembly. The clean bed sheet dispenser may be disposed towards the other end of the carriage assembly.

The used bed sheet reclaimer and clean bed sheet dispenser may be disposed between two body rollers of the movable spacer. The movable spacer may be disposed on the carriage assembly in a position which creates enough space to form a recess in the mattress for both the used bed sheet reclaimer and clean bed sheet dispenser.

A motor for driving the carriage assembly along the length of the mattress may be provided. A motor may directly drive the carriage assembly.

A transmission may couple the motor of the carriage assembly to the used bed sheet reclaimer and/or the clean bed sheet dispenser. The motor and transmission may control the speed so that the components are synchronised.

A motor may be provided for both the used bed sheet reclaimer and the clean bed sheet dispenser.

A motor may drive the used bed sheet reclaimer to gather the used bed sheet. This motor may drive the motion of the carriage assembly.

The used bed sheet reclaimer may be rotationally connected to the carriage assembly.

The used bed sheet reclaimer may comprise a storage roller rotationally connected to the carriage assembly. The rotational connection allows the used sheet to be stored in a rolled-up configuration.

The clean bed sheet dispenser may be rotationally connected to the carriage assembly. The clean bed sheet dispenser may comprise a storage roller rotationally connected to the carriage assembly. The rotational connection allows the new sheet to be stored in a rolled-up configuration.

A replaceable bed sheet cartridge may be provided. The replaceable bed sheet cartridge may comprise a storage space, preferably comprise a storage roller for rotational connection to the carriage assembly.

The motor(s) may drive the storage roller(s) The motor may selectively drive at least one of the used bed sheet reclaimer or the clean bed sheet dispenser. Preferably the motor drives the used bed sheet reclaimer.

The used bed sheet reclaimer may be provided by a replaceable bed sheet cartridge. The clean bed sheet dispenser may be provided by a replaceable bed sheet cartridge.

In a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a care bed comprising the bed sheet changing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention.

The care bed comprises a bed frame and an air mattress with a plurality of air pockets.

The term care bed should be taken to include any bed which is used in a clinical care, hospital care or elderly care setting, especially any bed which is used for infirm individuals, bed-bound individuals or individuals which spend enough time in bed where there is a risk of developing pressure sores and pressure ulcers.

Additionally, the mattress may be considered a mattress designed for pressure relief, for example mattresses designed to reduce or avoid the formation of bed sores and pressure ulcers, i.e. a pressure relief mattress.

An air pump may be provided. The air pressure within the air pockets may be controllable through the air pump.

The bed sheet changing apparatus may comprise a control unit. The control unit may be connected to and control the air pump. The air pressure within at least some of the air pockets may be reduced as the carriage assembly moves along the mattress. The control unit may be adapted to control the air pressure within the air pockets proximate the carriage assembly.

Air pockets may be formed from elongate air cylinders arranged in a parallel relationship. The air cylinders may form the inners of the pressure relief mattress.

In a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a pressure relief mattress for allowing mattress occupants to be bathed in-situ, the convertible pressure relief mattress comprising: a mattress body for disposal to a care bed, the mattress body comprising a plurality of air pockets for providing pressure relief to the mattress occupant; an air pump for controlling the air pressure within the air pockets of the mattress body; and a bathing wall disposed around the periphery of the mattress body and connected thereto, wherein the bathing wall is movable between an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration.

The provision of a pressure relief mattress that can be readily converted to a bath allows for infirm or bed-bound individuals to be bathed in-situ. This reduces human intervention with the cared for individual because there is no need for multiple carers, experienced with hoists or training in the use of hoists.

The pressure relief mattress may be considered a convertible pressure relief mattress because it moves between two different modes of operation, i.e. a pressure relief mode and a bathing mode.

The mattress body and bathing wall form an inner surface to the bathing area. The mattress body and bathing wall are sealingly connected. That is to say that a connection between the mattress body and bathing wall is water-tight.

The bathing wall may be an inflatable bathing wall. In the deployed configuration the bathing wall is inflated.

The air pump may be connected to the inflatable bathing wall. A controllable valve may connect the air pump to the inflatable bathing wall.

A drain for draining the bathing area defined by the deployed bathing wall and mattress body may be provided. The drain may be formed through the mattress body. The drain may be provided with a cover which prevents digits, such as fingers or toes, from getting caught but allows used wastewater to be removed.

Water drainage channels may be provided in the mattress body. The water drainage channels may be connected to the drain.

The drain may be connectable to a wastewater water tank and/or a wastewater conduit within a building.

The bathing area may be supplied with clean water from a clean water tank or a water outlet within a building, such as a faucet.

Temperature controlled air may be supplied to the bathing area of the pressure relief mattress. This allows heated or cooled air to be supplied to the occupant.

A removable bathing cover may be provided. The removable cover may be removably connected around a portion of the bathing wall. The removable cover may cover a portion of the bathing area, for example it may not cover a head area.

A floatable head brace may be provided. That is to say a head brace which is suitable for supporting the occupants head and is capable of floating or adding additional buoyance to the occupant's head is provided.

The head brace may be an inflatable head brace. The head brace may be coupled to the air pump. A controllable valve may be provided to control the inflation of the head brace.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a care bed comprising the pressure relief mattress according to the third aspect of the present invention.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a care bed for use in clinical, elderly care or hospital settings comprising at least one of a bed sheet changing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention and a pressure relief mattress according to the third aspect of the present invention.

An ultraviolet light for sanitising may be provided. The ultraviolet light may sanitise the mattress of a care bed.

A clean water tank may be provided. A heater may be provided in the clean water tank.

A cleaning solution tank may be provided.

A soap and clean water mixing tank may be provided.

A fluid dispenser may be provided for dispensing a fluid in the bathing area. The fluid dispenser may be supplied from both the clean water tank and/or the cleaning solution tank or the soap and clean water mixing tank.

In any aspect of the present invention the care bed may be considered a care pod. The care pod may be provided with a pod wall extending from the bed frame. The pod wall may provide a semi-enclosed space around the mattress. For example, the pod wall may comprise a head wall extending from the head of the bed, a foot wall extending from the foot of the bed and a cover wall extending between the distal ends of the head and foot walls. Put another way the pod wall may be a U-shaped wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a care bed comprising the bed sheet changing apparatus; Figure 2 shows a perspective of the care bed with the carriage assembly moving towards one end under an occupant, but with the occupant removed; Figure 3 shows a cross sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the care when the carriage assembly is in a position away from a mattress; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a care bed comprising a pressure relief mattress with an undeployed bathing wall; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a care bed in Figure 5 with a deployed bathing wall; and Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a care bed in Figure 6 with a removable cover in place

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a care bed comprising a bed sheet changing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is generally indicated at 10.

The care bed 10 includes a mattress and a frame. In Figures 1 to 4 the mattress is shown as a simple rectangular polygon with rounded corners 12. In the embodiment shown, the mattress 12 is a pressure relief mattress, the mattress comprises a plurality of air pockets (not shown). The air pockets are cylinders extending transversely across the width of the mattress.

A controller and air pump (not shown) are also provided. The air pump is connected to the plurality of air pockets and provides the necessary air pressure to keep the mattress inflated. A controllable valving system may be provided to allow the controller to control the air pressure in one or more of the air pockets.

A bed sheet changing apparatus is provided with the care bed 10.

A support frame 14 is provided. The body of the support frame is formed from two elongate frame elements 15, each elongate frame element 15 is spaced from a longitudinal side of the mattress 12. The elongate frame elements are substantially parallel with each other and substantially parallel with the longitudinal sides of the mattress 12. The support frame 14 is preferably affixed to the care bed frame or an element of the care bed.

In the current embodiment the two elongate frame elements are longer than the longitudinal length of the mattress 12. The two elongate frame elements extend further past the end so that the carriage assembly can be moved to a position away from the mattress 12.

At each end portion of each elongate frame element 15 is a substantially vertical frame element.

A first bed sheet anchor 16 is disposed to one end of the mattress 12, in this embodiment the foot of the mattress. The first bed sheet anchor 16 is mounted to the support frame 14 through the substantially vertical frame elements.

A second bed sheet anchor 18 is disposed to the end of the mattress 12 opposite the first bed sheet anchor 16, in this embodiment the head of the mattress. The second bed sheet anchor 18 is mounted to the support frame through the substantially vertical frame elements.

In the current embodiment the bed sheet anchors 16, 18 are fixedly mounted to the chassis, i.e. they do not rotate. However, in other embodiments the bed sheet anchors 16, 18 may be rotatably mounted.

In the current embodiment, each bed sheet anchor 16, 18 has a bed sheet attachment means for securely holding an end of a bed sheet. In some embodiments there may be a storage space to store a roll of bed sheets.

Two carriage guides 20 are provided, in the current embodiment these are guide rails. Each guide 20 is fixedly attached to a portion of one of the elongate frame elements 15. In the current embodiment a side of elongate frame element 15 closest to the mattress 12.

Two spaced apart parallel carriage plates 22 form the carriage assembly. A carriage plate 22 is disposed to either side of the mattress 12 and run substantially parallel with the longitudinal side of the mattress 12 and the elongate frame elements 15.

A movable spacer is provided by two body rollers 24. An axle of each body roller extends transversely across the mattress 12 and between the carriage plates 22. The ends of each axle are disposed in elongate slots in the plates. The elongate slots allowing for vertical movement of the body rollers.

Each body roller includes a roller portion which is made from a material which is soft and provides comfort to an occupant of the bed. The roller portion must be able to rotate so that it can move while in contact with a portion of the person's body. Either the whole of the body roller may rotate, i.e. the axle is not fixed, or only the roller portion, i.e. the axle is rotationally fixed.

In the current embodiment, compression springs 26 act as dampers for the body rollers.

A used bed sheet reclaimer 28 is provided towards one end of the carriage assembly.

The used bed sheet reclaimer 28 extends transversely across the mattress 12 and between the carriage plates 22. The used bed sheet reclaimer 28 comprises a rotatable storage roller.

A clean bed sheet dispenser 30 is provided towards the end of the carriage assembly opposite the end of the used bed sheet reclaimer 28. The clean bed sheet dispenser 30 extends transversely across the mattress 12 and between the carriage plates 22.

The clean bed sheet dispenser 30 comprises a rotatable storage roller.

Both the clean sheet dispenser 30 and used sheet reclaimer 28 are disposed between the two body rollers 22.

Both the used bed sheet reclaimer 28 and clean bed sheet dispenser 30 are replaceable bed sheet cartridges. The reclaimer and dispenser 28,30 are removable from the carriage assembly, this allows for the storage rollers to be changed when needed.

The storage rollers for the used bed sheet reclaimer 28 and the clean bed sheet dispenser 30 are driven by motors. In the current embodiment, each storage roller is coupled to its own motor 32 through a transmission. However, in other embodiments a single motor may drive the storage rollers for both the used bed sheet reclaimer 28 and clean bed sheet dispenser 30 through a transmission.

It should be understood that in the embodiments shown the reclaimer 28 and dispenser 30 are sized to store a single length of bed sheet.

Briefly turning to the initial set up of the care bed with bed sheet changing apparatus. That is to say the first set up where there is presently no bed sheet on the mattress 12.

The carriage assembly is moved towards a position in which it is spaced away from an end of the mattress 12, such as that shown in Figure 4. A cover 34 is removed to access the space for the used bed sheet reclaimer 28 and clean bed sheet dispenser 30.

A clean bed sheet dispenser 30, with a clean bed sheet stored on the storage roller, is coupled to the carriage assembly. One end of the clean bed sheet is coupled to one of the bed sheet anchors 16, the bed sheet anchor which is towards the same end as the clean bed sheet dispenser 30. Once coupled, a portion of clean bed sheet 36 is exposed, the remaining being stored in the storage roller to be dispensed in the future.

The clean sheet dispenser 30 may be driven by the motor to increase tension in the sheet.

In the initial set up, the used bed sheet reclaimer 28 is provided with a clean bed sheet stored on the storage roller. The reclaimer 28 is coupled to the carriage assembly. One end of the clean bed sheet is coupled to the other bed sheet anchor 18, i.e. the bed sheet anchor towards the other end of the bed. During this process the clean bed sheet 38 is unrolled and rests on a top surface of the mattress 12. The used sheet reclaimer 28 may be driven by the motor to increase tension in the sheet on top of the mattress. In this way there is a clean sheet ready for receiving a bed occupant.

Briefly turning to the operation of the bed sheet changing apparatus after the initial set up has been completed and the bed sheet 38 is a used bed sheet.

An operator of the bed, be it the occupant themselves, a care giver or similar, may start the process of automated bed sheet changing with the occupant in position.

Once the process has been initiated, the air pockets within the mattress 12 are partially deflated. This lowers the bed occupant and allows the mattress 12 to be more easily deformed.

Once deflated by a predetermined amount, the carriage assembly moves from one end of the support frame 14 to the other, i.e. it moves along the mattress 12. While the carriage assembly moves along the mattress, the body rollers 24 will come into contact with the body of the occupant and move underneath the occupant. This creates a space between the surface of the mattress and portion of the occupant's body about the body roller 24. Put another way, components of the carriage assembly form a transverse recess in the mattress 12 which moves with the carriage assembly. Figures 2 and 3 show the space created by the body rollers during the process.

As the carriage assembly moves and the body rollers create the space, the motor 32 drives the used bed sheet reclaimer 28 to roll the used bed sheet 38 on to the storage roller. At the same time the clean bed sheet 36 is dispensed from the storage roller in the clean bed sheet dispenser 30. The clean bed sheet dispenser 30 may be driven by a separate motor or by a transmission which couples one rotation to another or it may freely rotate.

The speed of the carriage assembly matches the speed at which the used bed sheet 38 is reclaimed or retrieved. In some embodiments, the motor controlling the used sheet reclaimer may be the driving motor for the carriage assembly. In the other embodiments, the carriage assembly may be driven directly; in such cases the speeds would be synchronised.

Both storage rollers of the reclaimer 28 and dispenser 30 rotate in the same direction, and in synch. The body rollers 24 rotate in the opposite direction to the storage rollers.

That is to say the body roller counter rotates with reference to the used bed sheet reclaimer and the clean sheet dispenser.

Once the carriage assembly has moved to the end of the bed opposite the starting end, it will have gathered and stored the used sheet 38 onto the storage roller and the clean sheet 36 is now in position over the mattress 12 and in contact with the occupant of the bed.

The end of the used sheet 38 is removed from the anchor 18. The remaining used sheet 38 is rolled into the used sheet reclaimer 28. The reclaimer 28 cartridge is then removed and replaced with a bed sheet cartridge which contains a clean bed sheet. The clean bed sheet is then attached to the anchor 18.

The process is repeated but in the opposite direction when the once clean bed sheet is considered used. In such cases the previous clean bed sheet dispenser 30 becomes a used sheet reclaimer, and the previous used bed sheet reclaimer becomes a clean bed sheet dispenser. To put it another way, the function of each (reclaimer or dispenser) alternates based on the direction of travel of the carriage assembly.

Referring to Figures 5 to 7, a care bed comprising a pressure relief mattress according to an aspect of the present invention is generally indicated at 50.

A bed frame having a mattress support 52 and plurality of legs 53 form the care bed 50. Each leg may have ground bearing wheels which are lockable. In some embodiments a cover 54 is provided. The cover extends from one end of the bed frame to the other. Sanitizing UV lights are provided in the cover, or in other positions in different embodiments.

A pressure relief mattress 56 is disposed on the upper surface of the mattress support 52. A plurality of horizontal air cylinders 58 in a transverse parallel arrangement are provided to form the mattress body. The horizontal air cylinders 58 are secured together through a joining means, for example welded together.

The horizontal air cylinders 58 are connected to an air pump (not shown) through controllable valves (not shown). The air pump and controllable valves provide a way to alternate the air pressure within the air cylinders.

An inflatable bathing wall 60 is provided around the periphery of the mattress body. In the current embodiment, a plurality of stacked air cylinders 61 form the inflatable wall 60. Each stacked air cylinder 61 is fluidically connected so that air may flow between the cylinders 61.

Figure 5 shows the inflatable wall 60 in an undeployed position. In the undeployed position the top of the inflatable wall 60 is substantially flush with the top of the horizontal air cylinders 58. That is to say that the top of the inflatable wall 60 does not extend past the upper extent of the air cylinders 58.

Figures 6 and 7 show the inflatable wall 60 in a deployed position. In the deployed position the stacked air cylinders 61 are inflated which results in the inflatable wall 60 extending above the mattress body.

A bathing area 63 is formed between stacked air cylinders 61 of the inflatable wall 60 and the horizontal air cylinders 58 of the mattress body.

An inflatable head brace 62 is also provided. Figure 5 shows the head brace in an undeployed position. In the undeployed position the head brace forms a pillow.

The inflatable head brace 62 comprises a pillow body formed by horizontal air cylinders 64 and a head bracing wall 65. The head bracing wall 65 is best seen in its deployed position in Figures 6 and 7. The head bracing wall 65 is formed from a plurality of stacked air cylinders which extend substantially around the periphery of the pillow body 64. A neck receiving space is formed in the bracing wall 65 for receiving the neck of the bed occupant.

The inflatable head brace provides a means to assist in floating the head of the bed occupant.

In Figure 5, the mattress may be considered as operating in pressure relief mode because the inflatable wall 60 and head brace 62 are in undeployed positions. In this mode the air pump and controllable valves alternate the air pressure in some of the air cylinders to relieve pressure on portions of the occupant's body. The air pump also supplies air to the pillow body.

In Figures 6 and 7 the mattress may be considered as operating in bathing mode because the inflatable wall 60 and head brace 62 are in deployed positions, i.e. the wall and brace have been inflated. Controllable valves are used to selectively supply air from the air pump to the inflatable bathing wall 60 and head bracing wall 65.

A bathing area cover 66 may be provided. The cover is removable attached to the top of the inflatable bathing wall 60 once it is in the deployed position. The cover provides an open space, proximate the head brace.

A drain (not shown) is provided in the mattress body for draining water from the bathing area. The drain may extend from one side of the mattress body to the other.

In the current embodiment, two movable water tanks 68 are provided. One water tank serves as a source of clean water for bathing the occupant while the other water tank serves as a wastewater tank which is connected to a drain provided in the mattress body. In other embodiments, bathing water may be supplied directly from building services and wastewater may be routed directly to wastewater services within the building.

An air conditioning system may also be provided with the care bed 50. The air conditioning system supplied may be used to supply temperature-controlled air to the bathing area, such as warm air or cold air.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (25)

1. CLAIMS1 A bed sheet changing apparatus for changing a bed sheet while an infirm or bed-bound individual occupies a bed, the apparatus comprising a carriage assembly adapted to be disposed to an end of a mattress of the bed and adapted to be rectilinearly movable along a length of the mattress, the carriage comprising: a movable spacer for adjusting the distance between the surface of the mattress and a portion of the occupant's body as the carriage assembly moves along the mattress; a used bed sheet reclaimer adapted to gather and store the used bed sheet as the carriage moves along the length of the mattress; and a clean bed sheet dispenser adapted to dispense a stored clean bed sheet as the carriage moves along the length of the mattress.
2. 2. A bed sheet changing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the movable spacer comprises at least one body roller for interfacing with the portion of the occupant's body and the surface of the mattress.
3. 3. A bed sheet changing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which at least two body rollers are provided
4. 4. A bed sheet changing apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, in which a portion of the movable spacer is deformable for providing a soft surface to interface with the portion of the occupant's body.
5. 5. A bed sheet changing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a damper is provided for dampening the movable spacer.
6. 6. A bed sheet changing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the movable spacer deforms a portion of the mattress about the portion of the occupant's body.
7. 7. A bed sheet changing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a carriage guide adapted to be disposed along the length of the bed and adapted to guide the carriage assembly.
8. 8. A bed sheet changing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a support frame for disposal on or to a bed.
9. 9. A bed sheet changing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a bed sheet anchor unit for anchoring the clean or used bed sheet.
10. 10. A bed sheet changing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the used bed sheet reclaimer is disposed towards one end of the carriage assembly and the clean bed sheet dispenser is disposed towards the other end of the carriage assembly.
11. 11. A bed sheet changing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a motor to drive the carriage assembly along the length of the mattress.
12. 12. A bed sheet changing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the used bed sheet reclaimer is rotationally connected to the carriage assembly and the clean bed sheet dispenser is rotationally connected to the carriage assembly.
13. 13. A bed sheet changing apparatus as claimed in claim 12, in which a motor is coupled to the used bed sheet reclaimer and the clean bed sheet dispenser, the motor being coupled by the transmission.
14. 14. A bed sheet changing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the used bed sheet reclaimer and the clean bed sheet dispenser is a replaceable bed sheet cartridge for dispensing a clean bed sheet and/or reclaiming a used bed sheet, the replaceable bed sheet cartridge comprising a storage space for storing a clean and/or used bed sheet.
15. 15. A care bed comprising a bed sheet changing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim and a mattress with a plurality of air pockets.
16. 16. A care bed as claimed in claim 15, in which the air pressure inside at least some of the plurality of air pockets is controllable to reduce the air pressure before the carriage assembly moves along the mattress.
17. 17. A care bed as claimed in claim 16, in which the air pressure inside the air pockets proximate the carriage assembly is controlled as the carriage assembly moves along the length of the mattress.
18. 18. A pressure relief mattress for allowing mattress occupants to be bathed in-situ, the pressure relief mattress comprising: a mattress body for disposal to a bed, the mattress body comprising a plurality of air pockets for providing pressure relief to the mattress occupant; an air pump for controlling the air pressure within the air pockets of the mattress body; and a bathing wall disposed around the periphery of the mattress body and connected thereto, wherein the bathing wall is movable between a undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein in a deployed configuration a bathing area is formed between the bathing wall and mattress body.
19. 19. A pressure relief mattress as claimed in claim 18, in which the bathing wall is an inflatable bathing wall.
20. 20. A pressure relief mattress as claimed in claim 19, in which the air pump is connected to the inflatable bathing wall through a controllable valve.
21. 21.A pressure relief mattress as claimed in any of claims 18 to 20, further comprising a drain for draining the bathing area defined by the deployed bathing wall and mattress body.
22. 22.A pressure relief mattress as claimed in any of claims 18 to 21, further comprising a removable cover connectable around a portion of the bathing wall.
23. 23. A pressure relief mattress as claimed in any of claims 18 to 22, further comprising a floatable head brace for providing a means to support and float the head of the occupant.
24. 24. A pressure relief mattress as claimed in claim 23, in which the floatable head brace is an inflatable head brace.
25. 25. A care bed for use in clinical, elderly care or hospital settings comprising at least one of a bed sheet changing apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14 and a pressure relief mattress as claimed in any of claims 18 to 24.