MXPA00001939A - Air supply apparatus for an air mattress - Google Patents

Abstract

A fluid supply apparatus (10) includes a housing (12), a fluid supply (114) located within the housing (12), a first hanger (60) coupled to the housing (12), and a second hanger (62) coupled to the housing (12). The first hanger (60) is configured to couple the housing (12) to a footboard (82) in a first orientation, and the second hanger (62) is configured to couple the housing (12) to the footboard (82) in a second orientation.

Description

AIR SUPPLY APPARATUS FOR AN AIR MATTRESS BACKGROUND AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an air supply apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved air supply apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid to desired pieces of equipment, such as air cushion, therapy devices, or other components of a bed. Although the illustrated embodiments of the present invention describe air blowers, it is understood that the present invention may also be useful with other types of fluid. The air supply apparatus of the present invention is used to provide air or another type of fluid to an air cushion, to support a patient and to provide therapy to a patient. The air supply apparatus includes a housing that can be located on the floor adjacent a bed to control the air cushion or therapy device. In addition, the air supply apparatus can be attached to a footboard of the bed in two different orientations, REF .: 32918 depending on the configuration of the stirrup and the wishes of a caregiver. The illustrated air supply apparatus includes a blower motor or compressor to supply air to the mattress or therapy device. The air supply apparatus further includes a controller for providing rotation, percussion and vibration therapies and for adjusting the pressure within the air bladders in the mattress to improve patient comfort. The illustrated controller includes a microprocessor located within the housing of the air supply unit. The processor stores data related to the therapies performed. This stored data can be downloaded through an output port located in the housing to a printer or computer. In other words, the air supply apparatus of the present invention includes a controller that has a memory that stores the particular key attacks or therapies provided to a patient by the device. This historical information can then be printed or downloaded to a computer to analyze the data. A control panel of the air supply apparatus is located in the housing. Several menus are displayed in the control panel. The features and therapies are controlled by a touch screen panel that provides increased flexibility of menu-driven functions in comparison to membrane switches typically used in air supply control panels. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a fluid supply apparatus is provided for supplying fluid to a therapy device in a bed having a stirrup. The apparatus includes a housing, a fluid supply located within the housing, a first hanging support coupled to the housing and a second hanging support coupled to the housing. The first pendant support is configured to couple the housing to a stirrup in a first orientation; and the second suspension bracket is configured to couple the housing to the bracket in a second orientation. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second suspension brackets are pivotably coupled to a rear wall of the housing. The housing is formed to include a first and second depressed portions adjacent to the rear wall that are configured to receive the first and second hangers, respectively, in storage positions, pivoted downwardly. The first and second hanger brackets are located inwardly from the rear wall of the housing when the first and second hanger brackets are in the storage positions. Also in the illustrated embodiment, the first hanging support includes a first and a second separate arm coupled on a housing pivot. First and second arms each include a hook portion configured to engage an upper edge of the bracket for coupling the housing to the bracket. A transverse bar engages between the first and second arms of the first hanging support. The transverse bar is formed to include notched portions configured to engage the second hanger when the second hanger is in an outwardly rotatable position relative to the housing to retain the second hanger in a position to engage the stirrup. The second suspension bracket includes first and second arms pivoted to the housing and a U-shaped portion coupled between the first and second arms to define a hook configured to engage an upper edge of the bracket. A protective coating is located on the U-shaped portion of the second hanging support. The arms of the first hanging support have a longer length than the arms of the second hanging support. The arm of the first hanging support is also further separated from the arms of the second hanging support. According to another aspect of the present invention, a fluid supply apparatus for controlling a therapy device is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, a fluid supply located within the housing, a processor located within the housing, and a touch screen control panel coupled to the housing. The fluid supply is configured to be coupled to the therapy device. The processor is configured to be electrically coupled to the therapy device. The touch screen control panel is electrically coupled to the processor to receive inputs from the operator to control the therapy device. In the illustrated embodiment, a memory is located within the housing. The memory is coupled to the processor to store data related to the inputs of the touch screen. A communication port is also coupled to the housing. The communications port is coupled to the processor and is configured to be coupled to a computer to download information from the memory to the computer. The communications port is also configured to be coupled to a printer to print information stored in the memory. The computer can also transmit information related to the therapy device to the processor. The computer transmits a menu to control the therapy device to the processor that is to be displayed on the touch screen control panel. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a fluid supply apparatus for a therapy device is provided. The apparatus includes a housing formed to include an elongated slot configured to define a storage receptacle, a fluid supply located within the housing, and a controller located within the housing. The fluid supply is configured to be coupled to the therapy device, and the controller is coupled to the fluid supply. In the illustrated embodiment, a user manual is configured to be inserted in the storage receptacle. The groove is formed adjacent to the bottom end of the housing below the fluid supply. The housing includes a front cover and a rear cover configured to be coupled together to define the housing. A first portion of the groove is formed by the first sleeve, and a second portion of the groove is formed by the second sleeve. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a fluid supply apparatus for controlling the therapy device is provided. The apparatus includes the housing, a fluid supply located within the housing, a processor located within the housing, the processor that is configured to be electrically coupled to the therapy device, and a memory located within the housing. The fluid supply is configured to be coupled to the therapy device, and the memory is coupled to the processor for storing data. The apparatus also includes a control panel coupled to the housing. The control panel is electrically coupled to the processor to receive inputs from the operator to control the therapy device. The apparatus further includes a communications port coupled to the housing. The communications port is coupled to the processor and is configured to be coupled to the computer to download information from the memory to the computer. The computer is also configured to transfer information related to the therapy device to the processor. The additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art, upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as it is currently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The detailed description refers particularly to the appended figures in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating an air supply apparatus of the present invention coupled to an air cushion by a supply hose of air. Figure 2 is a perspective view, with parts separation of the air supply apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view, with parts separation of a rear cover assembly of a housing of the air supply apparatus; Figure 4 is a perspective view, with part separation of a mounting of a large hanging support for mounting the air supply apparatus to a footboard of a bed in a first orientation; Figure 5 is a perspective view with part separation of a small hanger mounting assembly for mounting the air supply apparatus on the footboard of the bed in a second orientation; Figure 6 is an elevation, side view, with separate portions, illustrating the air supply apparatus mounted on a footboard of a bed in a first orientation by the large hanging support assembly; Figure 7 is a side elevation view, with separate portions, illustrating the air supply apparatus mounted on the footboard of the bed in the second orientation by mounting the small hanging support; Figure 8 is an elevational, rear view taken along lines 8-8 of Figure 1, with separate portions, illustrating additional details of the small pendant mounting assembly coupled to the bracket; and Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating additional details of the air supply apparatus.

DESCRIPTION DETA-LADA OF THE DRAWINGS With reference now to the drawings, the Figure 1 illustrates an air supply apparatus 10 of the present invention that includes a housing 12 having a lower section 14 for receiving a blower motor and a touch screen control panel 16 for controlling the operation of the power supply apparatus 10 air and therapies that are performed in a therapy device such as an air mattress 18. The air supply apparatus 10 is coupled to the mattress 18 in a pneumatic manner by the air supply tube 20. A controller of the air supply apparatus 10 is also electrically coupled to the therapy device 18 by an electrical wire running through the air supply hose 20. Additional details of the therapy mattress are described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 917,145, owned by the assignee of the present application, the description of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, the valve assembly for controlling therapies and air flows to various air bladders within the mattress 18 is described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 093,303, owned by the assignee of the present invention, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. The details of the air therapy apparatus 10 are illustrated in Figures 2-8. Referring now to Figure 2, the housing 12 includes a front cover assembly 22 and a rear cover assembly 24. Each of the front and rear sheath mounts 22 and 24 is formed to include a handle portion 26 for transporting the housing 12. The front sheath assembly 22 includes the section 14 for receiving the blower motor or other fluid supply (not shown). The front cover assembly 22 also includes a control panel 16 that is illustratively a control panel control panel that can be employed with a soft cloth. The touch screen control panel 16 is operated by an operator touching the desired portions of the control panel display 16. The touch screen control panel 16 provides increased flexibility for menu-driven functions as compared to the switches membrane type that are typically used in air supply housings. The function control buttons 28 are located adjacent to the control panel 16. The control buttons 28 illustratively include a CPR button, a maximum inflation button, an alarm silence button, and a therapy on / off control button. The front and rear sheath assemblies 22 and 24 are coupled together by suitable fasteners 30 to form the housing 12.

The filter cover 32 is located on an air intake portion of the housing 12. The elongated T-shaped foot 32 slides in the T-shaped slot 34 formed towards opposite sides of the front cover assemblies 22 and 24. back The foot 32 supports the housing 12 on the floor. The air supply apparatus 10 further includes an inlet flange 34 and an energy cord 36 having any desired length. The magnetic clip mounts 34 include magnets 40 configured to be coupled to any metal member in the bed frame. The clips 34 retain the energy cord 36 in a position out of the way. The power cord 36 includes a plug 42 at one end and a connector 46 of the power cord at the other end. The connector 44 is configured to be coupled to a connector 46 of an air supply apparatus 10. The front and rear sheath mounts 22 and 24 are each formed to include an elongated slot 48 and 50, respectively. The slot 48 is completely opened through the first sleeve assembly 22. Slot 50 terminates in a terminal wall 52 in a rear cover assembly 24. The slots 48 and 50 cooperate to define an article receiving slot for retaining articles such as a user manual 54 that can be inserted into the slot 58 in the direction of the object 56 and stored for convenience. The user manual 54 provides instructions for the operation of the air supply apparatus 10. Referring now to Figure 3, a battery assembly 58 is located within the housing 12. The air supply apparatus 10 includes a first large suspension bracket assembly 60 coupled to the housing 12 and a second suspension bracket assembly 62, smaller that also engages the housing 12. In Figure 4, the large suspension bracket assembly 60 is illustrated. The pendant mount assembly 60 includes a first and a second separate mounting arm 64, each having a hook portion 66 couple to couple the housing to a stirrup 82 of a bed (not shown) as discussed below. The hooks 66 are covered by a protective coating. The large suspension bracket assembly 60 also includes a cross bar 68 coupled to the arms 64. The cross bar 68 is formed to include two notched portions 70. The arms 74 are each formed to include an opening 72 configured to receive a tang 74 for coupling the arms 64 to brackets 76 of the hanging supports. The pins 74 extend through the openings 75 formed in flanges 77 spaced from the brackets 76. The brackets 76 of the pendant brackets include a first pair of openings 78 to allow the "hanger bracket assembly 60 to engage the housing 12. with suitable fasteners 80 shown in Figures 3 and 6. It is understood that four of these fasteners 80 are used to couple the hanger bracket assembly 60 to the housing 12. The large hanger bracket assembly 60 can be moved from a pivotally mounted position. , which extends upwards shown in Figures 2 and 6 to mount the housing 12 to a bracket 82 of a bed (not shown) .When in the pivotally upward position shown in Figures 2 and 6, the assembly 60 of the large suspension bracket is positioned so that the hooks 66 extend over and engage a terminal, upper edge 84 of the bracket 82. The mounting 60 of large pendant brackets is particularly important. It is useful in stirrups that include control panels 86 integrated in the bracket 82 to control the functions of the bed. The bracket 82 may also include a steering wheel panel 88 that provides access to further control the functions. Since the arms 64 are separated by a relatively wide distance the caregiver can still operate the controls 86 or controls under the flying panel 88 while the housing 12 is mounted on the bracket 82. When not in use, the mounting 60 of the large suspension bracket is pivotably mounted downward relative to the housing 12 to the storage position shown in Figure 7. In this storage position, the arms 64 and the hooks 66 are stored within the depressions 90 formed on opposite sides of the housing 12, so that the complete, hanging support assembly 60 is positioned inwardly from a rear wall 92 of the housing 12. In FIG. 5, the small hanging support assembly 62 is better illustrated. The suspension bracket assembly 62 includes opposite support arms 94 each formed to include an opening 96 configured to receive a pin 98 for attaching the hanger bracket 62 to the brackets of the assembly 100. Specifically, the pins 98 extend to through the openings 102 formed in spaced tabs 104 of the brackets of the assembly 100. The hanging support assembly 62 also includes a U-shaped section 106 that is covered illustratively by a protective coating to prevent deterioration of the bracket 82. The brackets assembly 100 are configured to be coupled to the housing 12 by fasteners 108 as best shown in Figure 6. The small suspension bracket assembly 62 can be moved from a storage position, pivoted downwardly shown in Figure 6, in which the arms 94 and the U-shaped portion 106 are located within a depression 110 of the housing 12, so that the mound The complete suspension bracket 62 is located inwardly from the rear wall 92 of the housing 12. The suspension bracket 62 can also be moved to an upwardly pivoted orientation shown in Figure 7 to couple the housing 12 to the upper end 84 of the stirrup 82 in a second orientation. In the mounting position illustrated in Figure 7, the support arms 94 of the hanger bracket 62 engage the notch portions 70 formed in the cross bar 68 of the hanger bracket assembly 60 as best shown in Figure 8. Therefore , the crossbar 68 prevents the small suspension bracket assembly 62 from pivoting further upwardly in the direction of the arrow 111 in Figure 7 to retain the housing 12 in the bracket 82. As shown in Figure 9, the air supply apparatus 10 includes a controller such as a microprocessor 112 coupled to the touch screen control panel 16 and a fluid supply 114 such as a blower motor, compressor, etc. As discussed above, the noise supply 114 is coupled to the therapy device 18 by the tube 20. The processor 112 is also coupled to the therapy device 18 by the electrical wire 116 to provide electrical control signals to the therapy device. 18 and to receive signals from the therapy device 18, if applicable. A memory 118 is also coupled to the processor 112 within the housing 12. The processor 112 is configured to provide a menu driven display on the touch screen 16 to allow a caregiver to provide various therapies to a patient in the therapy device 18. For example, for mattress 18, rotation, percussion, duration or combinations of these therapies may be provided. In addition, various pressure settings can be provided for air bladders within the mattress 18 to reduce the pressure on the patient. The processor 112 stores each screen pressure made by an operator on the control panel 16 in a history buffer 118. Therefore, all of the key pressures input to the touch screen control panel 16 are stored within the the memory 118. The air supply apparatus 10 includes a communication port 120 coupled to the housing 12 to allow the housing 12 to be coupled directly to a printer or computer 122. Illustratively, port 120 is a serial port coupled to housing 12 and processor 112. Therefore information related to therapies provided to the patient or to all entries entered by the operator can be downloaded to the printer or computer 122. In addition, Menus, therapies or other information may be loaded by the processor 112 from the computer 122. It is understood that the computer 122 may be at a site or at a remote location connected via a computer network or telephone line. Therefore, the operation of the air supply apparatus 10 can be monitored, or controlled from a remote location, if desired. Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain illustrated embodiments, there are variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of the present invention as described and defined in the following claims. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the present invention is the conventional one for the manufacture to which it refers. Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property:

Claims (35)

1. CLAIMS 1. A fluid supply apparatus for supplying fluid to a therapy device in a bed having a stirrup, the apparatus is characterized in that it comprises: a housing; a fluid supply located within the housing; a first hanging support coupled to the housing, the first hanging support that is configured to couple the housing to the abutment in a first orientation; and a second hanger bracket coupled to the housing, the second hanger bracket being configured to engage the housing to the bracket in a second orientation, the second orientation being different from the first orientation, so that the first and second hanger brackets place the housing in different locations in relation to the abutment.
2. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second hanging supports are pivotably coupled to a rear wall of the housing.
3. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the housing is formed to include a first and a second recessed portion adjacent to the rear wall configured to receive the first and second hangers, respectively, in storage positions pivoted downwardly. or
4. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the first and second hanging supports are placed inwardly from the rear wall of the housing when the first and second hanging supports are in the storage positions.
5. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first suspended support includes a first and second separate arms coupled pivoted to the housing. The first and second arms each include a hook portion configured to engage an upper edge of the bracket for coupling the housing to the bracket.
6. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that it further comprises a crossbar coupled between the first and second arms of the first hanging support.
7. 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the cross bar is formed to include notch portions configured to engage the second hanger when the second hanger is in a pivoted position outwardly relative to the housing to retain the second hanger. hanging bracket in a position to attach the bracket.
8. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the second suspension bracket includes a first and second arms coupled on pivot to the housing and a U-shaped portion coupled between the first and second arms to define a hook configured to attach an upper edge of the stirrup.
9. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises a protective coating located on the U-shaped portion of the second hanging support.
10. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first hanging support includes a first and a second separate arms pivotally coupled to the housing and the second hanging support assembly includes a third and a fourth arms coupled on pivot to the housing.
11. 11. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the first and second arms have a length greater than the third and fourth arms.
12. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the first and second arms are additionally separated from the third and fourth arms.
13. 13. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second suspension brackets can be pivotably mounted each with respect to the housing from a mounting portion pivoted upwardly to a storage position pivotally mounted downward, first pendant support including a transverse bar configured to block the pivoting movement of the second pendant beyond the transverse bar when the first pendant is in a storage position pivoted downward.
14. 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a processor located within the housing, the processor that is configured to be electrically coupled to the therapy device, and a touch screen control panel coupled to the housing, the touch screen control that electrically couples to the processor to receive the operator inputs to control the therapy device.
15. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing is formed to include an elongated slot configured to define a storage receptacle.
16. 16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that it also comprises a user manual configured to be inserted in the storage receptacle.
17. 17. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the groove is formed adjacent to one end of the bottom of the housing below the fluid supply.
18. 18. A fluid supply apparatus for controlling a therapy device, the apparatus comprising: a housing, a fluid supply located within the housing, the fluid supply that is configured to be coupled to the therapy device; a processor located within the housing, the processor that is configured to be electrically coupled to the therapy device; and a touch screen control panel coupled to the housing, the touch screen control panel that is electrically coupled to the processor to receive inputs from the operator to control the therapy device.
19. 19. The apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a memory located within the housing, in the memory that is coupled to the processor for storing data related to the inputs from the touch screen control panel.
20. 20. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that it also comprises a communications port coupled to the housing, the communication port that is coupled to the processor and that is configured to be coupled to a computer to download information from the memory to the computer.
21. In addition, it comprises a communications port coupled to the housing, the communication port that is coupled to the processor and configured to be coupled to a printer to print information stored in the memory.
22. 22. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that it further comprises a communication port to the housing and the processor, the communications port that is configured to be coupled to a computer to allow the computer to transfer information related to the therapy device to the processor.
23. 23. The apparatus according to claim 22, characterized in that the computer transmits a menu for controlling the therapy device to the processor to be displayed on the touch screen control panel.
24. 24. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that it further comprises a first hanging support coupled to the housing, the first hanging support that is configured to couple the housing to the abutment in a first orientation, and a second hanging support coupled to the housing, the second hanging bracket that is configured to couple the housing to the bracket in a second orientation.
25. 25. A fluid supply apparatus for a therapy device, the apparatus is characterized in that it comprises: a housing formed to include an elongated slot configured to define a storage receptacle for retaining an auxiliary article therein; a fluid supply located within the housing, the fluid supply that is configured to be coupled to the therapy device; and a controller located within the housing, the controller that is coupled to the fluid supply.
26. 26. The apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that the auxiliary article or accessory is a user manual configured to be inserted in the storage container.
27. 27. The apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that the groove is formed adjacent the end of the bottom of the housing.
28. 28. The apparatus according to claim 27, characterized in that the groove is formed in the housing below the fluid supply.
29. 29. The apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that the housing includes a first sheath and a second sheath configured to be coupled together to define the housing, a first portion of the groove that is formed by the first sheath and a second portion of the sheath. slot that is formed by the second sleeve.
30. 30. The apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that it further comprises a first hanging support coupled to the housing, the first hanging support that is configured to couple the housing to the stirrup in a first orientation, and a second hanging support coupled to the housing, the second pendant bracket that is configured to couple the coupling to the bracket in a second orientation.
31. 31. A fluid supply apparatus for controlling a therapy device, the apparatus is characterized in that it comprises: a housing, a fluid supply located within the housing, the fluid supply that is configured to be coupled to the therapy device; a processor located within the housing, the processor being configured to be electrically coupled to the therapy device; a memory located within the housing, the memory that is coupled to the processor for storing data; a control panel coupled to the housing, the control panel that is electrically coupled to the processor to receive inputs from the operator to control the therapy device; and a purto of communications coupled to the housing, the communication port that is coupled to the processor and that is configured to be coupled to a computer to download the information from the memory to the computer.
32. 32. The apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that the communications port is also configured to be coupled to a printer, to print information stored in the memory.
33. 33. The apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that the computer is configured to transfer information related to the therapy device to the processor.
34. 34. The apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that the control panel is a touch screen control panel.
35. 35. The apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that it further comprises a first hanging support coupled to the housing, the first hanging support that is configured to couple the housing to the bracket in a first orientation, and a second hanging support coupled to the housing, the second hanging bracket that is configured to couple the housing to the bracket in a second orientation. AIR SUPPLY APPARATUS FOR A MATTRESS OF -r "AIR SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A fluid supply apparatus (10) includes a housing (12), a fluid supply (114) located within the housing (12), a first suspension bracket (60) coupled to the housing (12), and a second suspension bracket (62) coupled to the housing (12). The first pendant support (60) is configured to couple the 10 housing (12) to the bracket (82) in a first orientation, and the second suspension bracket (62) is configured to couple the housing (12) to the bracket (82) in a second orientation. fifteen