WO1989003666A1

WO1989003666A1 - Stepped bed

Info

Publication number: WO1989003666A1
Application number: PCT/DE1988/000672
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans-Manfred Bopp; Horst Albrecht Knapp
Original assignee: Bopp Hans Manfred
Priority date: 1987-10-31
Filing date: 1988-10-29
Publication date: 1989-05-05
Also published as: DE3739782C1

Abstract

A stepped bed (10) has a support (12) for a mattress, which is subdivided into two support elements (14, 16). The mattress is similarly subdivided into two partial mattresses (18, 20) associated with the two support elements (14, 16). One support element (14) has a support surface for supporting the section of the subject's body extending from the buttocks to the head and the second support element (16) has a support surface for supporting the subject's legs. The height of the second support element (16) can be adjusted relative to the adjacent section of the first support element (14) to permit adaptation to the differences in thigh length between subjects.

Description

Step bed

The invention relates to a step bed with a support device for a mattress.

A device for producing a stepped bed, consisting of a special case with a support device for the lower legs of a test subject, which can be adjusted between a use position and a transport position, is known from DE 29 34 469 C2. There the ^• support device is trained as a dimensionally stable plate ^'det. This device is a portable device that is inserted into a bed. This device has the defect that the support device can be moved in bed, so that the test person is forced to hold the support device with his legs in bed. However, this can lead to leg cramps, which eliminates the desired effect of the step bed.

From DE 31 07 719 AI a transportable device for converting a conventional bed into a step bed is known, which can be changed between an operating position corresponding to the state of use and a reduced transport position, and, if necessary, can be inserted into the bed to be converted is. This device has one in relation to an

REPLACEMENT ATT case as a base plate serving as a height-adjustable support plate, which serves as an increased support surface for the lower legs of a subject compared to the other lying surface of the bed. This device has the same defects as the device known from DE 29 34 469 C2, because like that device it is portable and is therefore not absolutely securely located in a bed.

A device for converting a bed into a step bed is known from DE 31 38 169 C2. This known device has a support plate for the lower legs that is adjustable in height and inclination with respect to a base plate, wherein links which are articulated in pairs and guided in rails between the base plate and the support plate and provided in rails are provided, which are driven by a spindle drive are displaceable and lockable. The handlebars are each designed as a handlebar parallelogram proceeding from a slide guided on the base plate side, to whose one handlebar are articulated toggle levers leading from the central region to the baseplate, on the baseplate pivot point of which the slide can be approached. This device is also a device which can be inserted into a bed and, like the devices described above, for converting a conventional bed into a step bed in the bed

REPLACEMENT LEAF is not safely located at all times. All these known devices accordingly lead to the absurdity of the per se desired effect of a step bed, which consists in eliminating intervertebral pain caused by intervertebral discs or pain in the knee or hip joints by relieving the subject's back. A relieved supine position of a subject is achieved in a known manner in that the subject occupies a position in the step bed in which the thighs form a right angle around the buttocks with the upper body, and at the same time the lower legs form a right angle with the thighs lock in.

In these known step beds there is also the defect that adaptation to the different thigh lengths of the various subjects is achieved only to a limited extent.

The object of the invention is to create a step bed of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the support device assumes a defined and undesired, non-displaceable position in every position of the step bed, so that the test person resting on the step bed becomes full come relieved the relieving supine position can take.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the support device in two support members and the mattress in two of the two supports.

REPLACEMENT LEAF sub-mattresses assigned to position organs is subdivided, wherein the one support element is a support surface for supporting the body section from the buttocks to the head of a subject, and the second support element is height-adjustable relative to the adjacent section of the first support element. The formation of the support device from two support organs results in a step bed, in which the second support member assumes a precisely localized position at all times in relation to the first support member. Each subject can adjust the height of the second support member in relation to at least the portion of the first support member adjacent to the second support member in accordance with an individual thigh length such that the test subject can rest his body parts from the buttocks up on the first support member, with the lower legs simultaneously of the subject on the second support member or on the sub-mattress assigned to the second support member completely relaxed, that is, can rest completely relaxed.

It has proven to be advantageous that the second support member can be adjusted along the adjacent section of the first support member of approximately vertically oriented telescopic guide devices. By means of the telescopic guide devices, the second support member takes a laterally non-slip or

REPLACEMENT LEAF immovable position, so that the subject is not required to hold the second support member with his legs or with his lower legs, which can lead to cramping.

The second support member can have a cover serving as a support surface and an end face facing the first support member, and the partial mattress of the second support member preferably covers the cover and the end face. On. this results in an L-shaped configuration of the partial mattress of the second support member, so that not only the lower legs supported on the cover but also the end face of the second support member are covered by the partial mattress, so that the upper support is also covered Leg rest against the partial mattress of the second support member when the test person on the step bed takes the relaxing, angled, relieved supine position. With such a design of the step bed, the heat environment of the test subject is also maintained in the relieved, angled supine position, so that an unacceptable cooling of the test subject is not to be feared even after a long, relieving supine position.

A hydraulic device is preferably used as the lifting device for lifting the second support member, the hydraulic device having one end at the foot-side transverse part of a frame of the step bed

REPLACEMENT LEAF strengthened and aligned in the longitudinal direction of the step bed, and which is connected at its second end to the first end section of an angle lever linkage, which is mounted with its knee section on an axis arranged in the frame in the transverse direction, the angle lever linkage having its second end section is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner in a guide device provided on a longitudinal wall of the second support member. This hydraulic device is at least one valve-cylinder unit which can be connected to a pressure medium source. The alignment of the hydraulic device in the longitudinal direction of the step bed results in. the possibility to limit the total height of the step bed to a minimum, so that the step bed can also be retrofitted into the frame of a house bed. The angle lever linkage is not only useful for a low overall height of the step bed, but it also serves as a force-boosting lever device. The guide device is at least one fitting which is designed with a longitudinal slot. A hydraulic device is preferably provided in the center of the step bed according to the invention, and two guide devices are provided on the two lateral longitudinal walls, which, with the cover and with the end face of the second support member facing the first support member, form a structural unit in the form of a can form open box downwards.

REPLACEMENT LEAF For tilting the support device from the first and second support member, a second lifting device is preferably provided, which can be fastened by means of a fastening element to the bed frame of a house bed or to the bed adapter of a hospital bed, and the support device is preferably attached to the bed frame of the house bed or . tiltably supported on the support adapter of the support bed. The first and second support members can preferably be tilted together about a transverse axis with respect to the horizontal. The transverse axis is preferably provided in the region of the subject's head. With the second lifting device, it is possible to tilt the support device up by about 10 degrees in the foot area. With a step bed designed in this way, it is possible to carry out "anti-orthostatic" positioning of a test subject. Such an anti-orthostatic positioning is particularly desirable during the sleep phase of the test subject. This positioning increases the blood flow to the brain and improves deep sleep It is also possible that the excretion of urine can be normalized by the possible inclined position of the step bed. In the tilted position the support device can be at least approximately flat. This means that the first and second support members form a flat surface without the formation of a step. Of course, it is also possible to adjust the height of the second support member in relation to the first support member in the tilted position of the step bed.

REPLACEMENT LEAF In the step bed according to the invention, it has proven to be advantageous that the first support member is divided into two supports, the first support supporting the buttocks and torso area of the test subject being stationary on the frame and the second support supporting the shoulder and head areas of the test subject can be pivoted about a transverse pivot axis adjacent to the first support by means of a third lifting device. With a step bed designed in this way, it is not only possible in the position of the step bed which tilts upward in the foot region to "bend up" the area of the first support member on which the subject's head rests, but it is also possible with the step bed oriented horizontally In the stretched-out lying position or in the lying position of the test person, the shoulder and head area of the test person are elevated relative to the trunk area of the test person. Accordingly, with the step bed according to the invention, a test person is able to take on a wide variety of positions take, belsäulenschmerzen to discogenic Wir¬ or eliminate pain in the knee or hip joints. in addition, with the inventive step bed not only quiet relief positions are ingestible, but it is also possible that the subject with the inventive Stufenbe tt ^'leading muscle exercises durch¬ .

REPLACEMENT LEAF In the case of a step bed of the last-mentioned type, the second support with its pivot axis for adapting the bed insert to the body length of various subjects is preferably adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the bed relative to the first support, and the third lifting device is preferably adjustable with one each longitudinal adjustment adjustable coupling element is formed. The reference point in the step bed according to the invention is the area of the subject's buttocks. The coupling element of the third lifting device is, for example, a rod which has a number of spaced-apart holes. Depending on the body length of a subject, the second support is adjusted relative to the stationary first support, "after which the second support, which is pivotable about its pivot axis, is connected to the coupling element of the third lifting device.

At least one intermediate support can be provided between the first and the second support

-be that is longitudinally displaceable on the frame. This intermediate support on the one hand bridges the gap between the first and the second support, so that the first partial mattress assigned to the first support member finds a suitable support everywhere even when the step bed is used for test subjects having a large body length, and on the other hand hinders the intermediate support by its longitudinally displaceable design on the frame

REPLACEMENT LEAF not the folding up of the second support carrying the shoulder and head area of the test subject.

The first lifting device for adjusting the height of the first support member, the second lifting device for adjusting the inclination of the support device and the third lifting device for adjusting the inclination of the second support are preferably connected to a common position-adjustable actuating device. This Betäti¬ is restriction device in the handle area of a Proban¬ to be arranged so that it arbitrary each lying on the stage bed _^ subjects is possible as desired to adjust the first bearing member relative to the second supporting member in the height and / - or the 'inclination of the Support device, ie to adjust the inclination of the step bed as desired and / or to tip up or fold down the second support as desired. The actuating device does not necessarily have to be operable by hand, but it is also possible, for example, to actuate the actuating device with the feet or with the mouth if it is not possible for a test person to operate the actuating device with his hands.

The first, the second and the third lifting device preferably have valve-cylinder units that can be connected to a pressure medium source. Such valve-cylinder units require only a relatively small amount of space, so that they can be accommodated on the step bed without any problems

REPLACEMENT LEAF can. Another advantage of such valve-cylinder units is that they are very robust, so that the step bed has a very long service life. •

Further details, features and advantages emerge from the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the step bed according to the invention shown in the drawing. It shows:

1 is a side view of the step bed, the support device forming an approximately flat horizontal surface,

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the step bed according to FIG. 1, the height of the second support member being adjusted in relation to the first support member of the support device, FIG.

3 shows a section through the second support member of the step bed, the frame of which is shown in sections,

4 is a view of the second support member according to FIG. 3 in the direction of view from above,

5 shows a side view of the step bed according to FIG. 1, the support device being tilted upward in the foot region,

REPLACEMENT LEAF 6 shows a side view of the step bed in a position in which the height of the second support member is adjusted by a small amount relative to the first support member, and in which the first support member with its support is tilted by a certain angle,

Fig. 7 shows a portion of the step bed in the direction of arrow VI of Fig. 6 and

8 is a side view of the step bed shown in sections, the second support being tilted more steeply than in the position shown in FIG. 6.

The figures show a step bed 10 with a support device 12 which has a first support member 14 and a second support member 16. A partial mattress 18 and 20 is assigned to each of the two support members 14 and 16. The first partial mattress 14 is flat and foldable. The second partial mattress 20 is bent in an L-shape. The section 22 spanning a plane with the first partial mattress 18 rests on a cover 24 of the second support member 16. The second partial section 24 of the second partial mattress 20 bears against an end face 26 of the second support member 16 facing the first support member 14. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the second support member 16 has, in addition to the cover 24 and the front

REPLACEMENT LEAF surface 26 also two lateral longitudinal walls 28. Each longitudinal wall 28 is formed with a slot 30 through which an axis 32 extends. The axis 32 is provided in the transverse direction of the step bed and attached to a frame 34. Telescopic guiding devices 36 are provided between the frame 34 and each longitudinal wall 28 and project at least approximately vertically from the frame 34. With the aid of these guide devices 36, the height of the second support member 16 can be adjusted in relation to the first support member 14, which is illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2. For Höhenverstel¬ development of the second support member 16 is a first lifting device 38 is provided, which is for example han¬ delt a valve cylinder unit about ^". The one end of the first lifter 38 is fixed to the frame 34. For this purpose, the frame 34 4, which are provided in the center and which extend in the longitudinal direction of the step bed 10. Between the two fastening plates 40, the first lifting device 38 is pivotably fastened with its one end section The second end section of the first lifting device 38 is connected to an angle lever linkage 42, 44, two levers 42 being fastened to the axle 32 (see FIG. 4), furthermore the linkage levers 44 are attached to the axle 32 , the end portion of the linkage lever 44 facing away from the axis 32 in

REPLACEMENT LEAF a guide device 46 is guided linearly. The axis 32 is designed as a stepped axis in order to be able to connect the linkage levers firmly to the axis 32 in a simple manner. The same applies to the attachment of the linkage levers 42. A shortening or an extension of the first lifting device in the direction of the double arrow 48 results in a pivoting of the angle lever linkage 42, 44 and thus a lifting or lowering of the second support member 16 relative to the first Support organ 14.

For tilting the support device 12 of the step bed 10, as shown in FIG. 5, a second lifting device 50 is provided, which, like the first lifting device 38, is, for example, a valve-cylinder unit. The second lifting device has a fastening element 52, with the aid of which the second lifting device 50 can be fastened to the bed frame 54 of a house bed. Such a bed frame 54 is shown in FIG. However, it is also possible to fasten the second lifting device 50 to the support adapter of a hospital bed with the aid of the fastening element 52. On the side opposite the fastening element 52, the second lifting device 50 is fastened to the frame 34 of the step bed 10. For this purpose, a profile element 56 extends in the central region in the transverse direction of the frame 34, to which the second lifting device 50 is fastened with its end section 58. When tilting the

REPLACEMENT LEAF The support device 12 carries out the frame 34 by means of the second lifting device 50 about a transverse axis 60 a pivoting movement. The transverse axis 60 is provided in the head region of the step bed 10. The transverse axis 60 extends not only through the frame 34, but also through fastening elements 62 which can be fastened to the bed frame 54 of a house bed or to the support adapter of a hospital bed.

The first support member 14 is divided into two supports 64 and 66, the first support 64 being provided in the region of the buttocks and torso of a subject. The first support 64 is arranged in a stationary manner on the frame 34. The second support 66 serves to support the Sc ^'hulter- and head region of a subject. Since 10 subjects with different body lengths are to be accommodated on the step bed, the second support 66 can be adjusted along the frame 34. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the frame 34 has holes 68. The second support 66, of which the frame is shown in sections in FIG. 7, has a tab 70 with downwardly projecting pins 72, which insert into holes 68 of the frame 34. The holes 68 are at a constant distance from one another which corresponds to the distance between the pins 72. In this way, it is possible to adjust the length of the second support 66 in steps corresponding to the spacing of the pins 72. The second support 66 is pivotable about a pivot axis 72, which with

REPLACEMENT LEAF is connected to the tabs 70 or to the frame of the second support 66, as can be seen from FIG. 7. A third lifting device 74 is provided for pivoting the second support 66, ie for tilting the second support 66 up or lowering it, which, like the first and second lifting devices 38 and 50, is one Valve-cylinder unit can act. The third lifting device 74 is designed with a coupling element 76, which can be a rod element provided with holes 78.

The pins 73 have a position which is greater than the height of the frame 34, so that the

Pins 73 with an end portion out of the frame

34 protrude downwards. This end section is formed with a screw thread onto which a wing nut 80 is screwed. With the wing nuts 80 not only the two

Pins 73 and thus the second support 66 on

Frame 34 a suitable distance from the second

Support member 16 attached, but also the first

Support 64 and an intermediate support 82 between the first and second supports 64 and 66.

In the figures, the same individual parts are designated with the same reference numbers.

REPLACEMENT LEAF

Claims

Claims;

1. step bed with a support device (12) for a mattress (18, 20) gekenn¬ characterized in that the support device (12) in two support members (14, 16) and the mattress in two of the two support members (14, 16) assigned Part mattresses (18, 20) is subdivided, the one support member (14) having a support surface for supporting the body section from the buttocks to the head of a subject and the second support member (16) having a support surface for supporting the subject's legs, and that the second The support member (16) can be adjusted in height relative to the adjacent section of the first support member (14).

2. Step bed according to claim 1, characterized in that the second support member (16) along the adjacent section of the first support member (14) and approximately vertically aligned telescopic guide devices (36) is adjustable.

3. Step bed according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second support member (16) has a serving as a support surface cover (25) and a first support member (14) facing end face (26), and that the Teilma¬ tread (20th ) of the second support member (16) covers the lid (25) and the end face (26).

REPLACEMENT LEAF

4. Step bed according to claim 1, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that a hydraulic device serves as a lifting device (38) for lifting the second support member (16), which has one end at the foot-side cross part of a frame (34) of the step bed ( 10) and is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the step bed (10), and which is connected at its second end to the first end section of an angle lever linkage (42, 44) which has its knee section attached to one of the frame (34) in Transverse direction arranged axis (32) is mounted, the angle lever linkage (42, 44) is guided with its second end section in a longitudinally displaceable in a guide device (36) provided on a longitudinal wall (28) of the second support member (16).

5. _{Step bed} according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first _unc i second support member (14, 16) can be tilted together about a transverse axis (60) with respect to the horizontal.

6. Step bed according to claim 5, characterized in that the transverse axis (60) in the region of

The subject's head is provided.

7. Step bed according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a second lifting device (50) is provided for tilting the support device (12) from the first and second support member (14, 16), which means by means of a fastening element.

REPLACEMENT LEAF tes (52) on the bed frame (54) of a house bed, hospital bed or on the support adapter of a hospital bed, and that the support device (12) on the bed frame (54) of the house bed, hospital bed or on the support adapter of the hospital bed is tiltably mounted.

8. Step bed according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first

The support member (14) is subdivided into two supports (64, 66), the first support (64) supporting the buttocks and torso area of the subject being stationary on the frame (34) and the second, shoulder and The head area of the test person carrying support (66) can be pivoted about a transverse pivot axis (72) adjacent to the first support (64) by means of a third lifting device (74).

9. step bed according to claim 8, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the second support (66) with its pivot axis (72) to adjust the step bed to the body length of various subjects in the longitudinal direction of the bed relative to the first support (64) is adjustable, and that the third lifting device (74) is designed with a coupling element (76) that can be adjusted to any longitudinal adjustment.

10. Step bed according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that between the first and the

REPLACEMENT LEAF second support (64, 66) at least one intermediate support (82) is provided, which is adjustable in the longitudinal direction on the frame (34).

11. Step bed according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first lifting device (38) for adjusting the height of the first support member (16), the second lifting device (50) for adjusting the inclination of the support device (12) and the third lifting device ( 74) for adjusting the inclination of the second support (66) are connected to a common, movable operating device.

12. Step bed according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first, the second and the third lifting device (38, 50, 74) with a pressure medium source connectable valve-cylinder units.

REPLACEMENT LEAF