HOSPITAL-TYPE BED

Abstract: A hospital-type bed to give people nursing care at home comprises a frame (2), a bed section (1) which is made up of segments (1a, 1b) and is fitted so as to be detachable from the frame (2). For moving the bed section (1) in the vertical direction between a low and a high position two lever systems (5-7) are connected to one another by at least one connecting rod (9) and these lever systems (5-7) can be operated by an operating device (15). In order to be able to dismantle the bed in a few minutes into a number of components which can be stacked to give one ore more units which can be manoeuvered easily, each lever system (5-7) forms part of a separate segment (1a, 1b) of the bed section (1) and is detachably connected to the frame (2), the correcting rod (9) between the lever systems (5-7) being detachable.

Description: The invention relates to a low-high nursing bed comprising a wheeled frame at the lower part of the bed, a mattress platform at the upper part of the bed, said platform being made up of segments, two lever systems extending on both sides of the bed between the frame and the mattress platform for moving the matress platform in the vertical direction between a low and a high position, said lever systems being connected to one another by at least one connecting rod and an operating device for operating the lever systems. A bed of this type is known from EP-A-0183371. Low-high beds are generally known and are frequently used in hospitals and nursing homes. The high position is used in order to be able to treat and wash patients easily, while the low position is the normal use position in which the patient can easily get out of his or her bed. There is a tendency to let the people who need nursing care stay in a hospital or nursing home for a shorter time and to let them be given some of the nursing care at home. At home there is also a need for a bed which can be brought into a low and a high position. The bed known from said EP-A-0183371 is used for persons who are unable to turn or move themselves in bed. The mattress platform comprises a center section and two side section which can tilt with respect to the center section. The center section and side sections cannot be easily dismantled from each other. Each lever system is connected to both side sections as well as to the center section of the mattress platform. One of the links of the lever systems may be disconnected so that the platform can be caused to tilt bodily in a lateral sense. This known low-high bed cannot be dismantled or cannot easily be brought into a form in which it can be transported to flats or other dwellings. The objective of the invention is to overcome this drawback and to provide a low-high bed which is robust and servicable in the use position and can be dismanteled in a few minutes into a number of components, which components can be stacked to give one or more units which can be manouvered easily. According to the invention the nursing bed indicated in the introduction is characterized for this purpose in that the segments of the mattress platform are easily detachable from each other, the parting line between the segments extending in a direction substantially transverse to mattress platform, that each lever system forms part of one segment of the mattress platform and comprises a transverse rod which is rotatably attached to a segment and which is provided close to both ends with end levers, which have an easily detachable hinge connection with the frame, and that the connecting rod between the lever systems is easily detachable. An assembled bed can be dismantled in a short time by removing the connecting rod(s), disconnecting the mattress platform with lever systems from the frame and sliding the segments apart. Preferably the end levers have a transverse pin at the end, which pins each engage as clamps in an opening which has been hollowed out in a plastic bearing block of the frame. US-A-4685160 discloses a low-high nursing bed comprising a mattress platform detachably secured to a frame at the upper side of the bed, two wheeled lever systems for moving the frame as well as the mattress platform in the vertical direction between a low and a high position, said lever systems being connected to one another by connecting means and an operating device for operating the lever systems. The mattress platform is comprised of pivotally connected non-detachable segments and the frame consists of detachable segments, each of the wheeled lever systems form part of a frame segment. Since the position of the frame is at the upper side of the bed, this known nursing bed construction is relative complicate and differs substantially from the bed construction according to the present invention. One of the lever systems can be moved between two end positions, which correspond to the low and the high bed position, by means of a unit to be operated mechanically (manually or motorized), electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically. The frame can serve as support for the other components in the dismantled state if the length of the frame is considerably shorter than the length of the bed section but somewhat greater than the length of one bed section segment. Clamping devices, which are detachably clamped around the connecting rod and project, with a hinge pin, through openings in the connecting rod and intermediate levers of the lever systems, can be used to connect the ends of the connecting rod to the lever systems. The invention will now be illustrated in more detail with the aid of the figures, in which an exemplary embodiment is shown. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the high position of the assembled low-high bed. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the low position of this bed, one part being perceived as being broken away. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the dismantled state of the bed. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of dismantled components of the bed stacked on top of one another. Figure 5 shows a detail of the bearing mounting of the bed section on the frame on a larger scale. Figure 6 shows a detail of an end of a connecting rod on a larger scale. Figure 7 shows a side view of a telescopically adjustable rod which is used in an alternative embodiment to position the bed with the foot end higher than the head end or vice versa. Figure 8 is a cross-section along the line VIII-VIII in Figure 7. The low-high bed shown comprises a bed section 1 and a mobile frame 2. As can be seen in particular in Figure 3, the bed section 1 consists of two segments 1a and 1b which can be coupled to one another in that pins 3 of the segment 1b can be pushed into tubular sections 4 of the segment 1a to provide a fit. Each segment 1a, 1b has a lever system which consists of a transverse rod 5, two intermediate levers 6 and two end levers 7. The transverse rod 5 of each lever system is rotatably connected at both ends to a rod 8 welded to the particular segment. In all cases two intermediate levers 6 of two segments 1a, 1b are connected to one another by a connecting rod 9. The connection is detachable in that a clamping device 10 clamped around the connecting rod is pushed, by means of a hinge pin 11, through openings in a fork-shaped end of the rod 9 and in an end of the intermediate lever 6 positioned in the fork. The clamping devices 10 can easily be loosened. The frame 2 is provided at each corner with a vertical rod 12, the free end of which has a plastic bearing block 13. This block 13 has a receiving opening 14 which merges into a V-shaped top surface of the block 13. Each end lever 7 has a pin 7a which is clamped detachably and rotatably in the opening 14 of a bearing block 13. The segment 1b is provided with an operating device 15 in the form of a rod 16, which is operated mechanically, electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically and is movable and lockable between a pushed-in position, in which the bed section 1 assumes a high position (Figure 1), and a pushed-out position, in which the bed section 1 assumes a low position (Figure 2). The connecting rods 9 serve to transmit the movement of the lever system of the segment 1b to the lever system of segment 1a. Each segment 1a, 1b has a detachable end board 17, 18. It will be clear that the assembled bed can be dismantled within a short time by removing the connecting rods 9, pulling the bed section 1 upwards to release it from the frame 2, sliding the segments 1a, 1b apart and detaching the end boards 17, 18. These components can be combined into a small package (see Figure 4) or packed in boxes which can be carried easily. At the intended place of use, the components can be joined together in a very short time to give an assembled low-high bed. No tools are needed for dismantling and assembling. The bed according to the invention is, in particular, very suitable for loan stores and for incidental users with little storage space (home nursing care, sickbay on ships and the like); however, use in old people's homes, nursing homes and hospitals can result in advantages. The characteristics are completely identical to a normal low-high hospital-type bed, so that all customary nursing actions are possible without subjecting patient and nursing staff to undue strain. The bed can be supplied including a mattress in two boxes weighing about 25 kg per box. Figure 1 shows that the bed section segment 1a has a so-called back support section 19 which can be locked in various positions. The locking mechanism is designed such that unlocking with the aid of the lever 20 can take place only if the back support section is not under load. Figures 7 and 8 show a telescopically adjustable rod which, in place of the connecting rods 9 in the embodiment according to Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, connects the lever systems to one another. In the alternative embodiment, each of these lever systems has only one lever 6, the telescopic rod extending between the levers 6. The rod comprises an inner tube 21 and an outer tube 22, each of which is provided with a welded connecting rod 23 and 24 respectively. The inner tube has a number of notches 25 in which a locking boss 26 can engage. This boss is hingeably connected at 27 with two lugs 28, 29, which are welded to the outer tube 22. Between these lugs the outer tube 22 is provided with a slit to permit passage of the boss 27. By means of a spring 30, the boss 27 can be pulled into the locking position, in which the tubes 21 and 22 are locked relative to one another. By manually hinging the boss into the unlocked position, the tubes 21 and 22 can be slid relative to one another. When the boss is released, it will spring into the first notch 25 which passes the slit in the outer tube. By sliding the tubes 21 and 22 into and out of one another, the connection between the two lever systems becomes shorter or longer and the bed assumes an oblique position with the head end higher or lower than the foot end. Various modifications of the construction described and drawn are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims: 1. Low-high nursing bed comprising a wheeled frame (2) at the lower part of the bed, mattress platform (1) at the upper part of the bed, said platform being made up of segments (1a, 1b), two lever systems (5-7) extending on both sides of the bed between the frame and the mattress platform for moving the mattress platform in the vertical direction between a low and a high position, said lever systems being connected to one another by at least one connecting rod (9) and an operating device (15) for operating the lever systems, characterized in that the segments (1a, 1b) of the mattress platform are easily detachable from each other, the parting line between the segments extending in a direction substantially transverse to the mattress platform, that each lever system (5-7) forms part of one segment of the mattress platform and comprises a transverse rod (5) which is rotatably attached to a segment and which is provided close to both ends with end levers (7), which have an easily detachable hinge connection with the frame, and that the connecting rod (9) between the lever systems is easily detachable. 2. Low-high nursing bed according to claim 1, characterized in, that the end levers (7) have a transverse pin (7a) at the end, which pins each engage as clamps in an opening (14) which has been hollowed out in a plastic bearing block (13) of the frame. 3. Low-high nursing bed according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the length of the frame (2) is considerably shorter than the length of the bed section (1) but somewhat greater than the length of one bed section segment (1a, 1b). 4. Low-high nursing bed according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that clamping devices (10), which are detachably clamped around the connecting rod and project with a hinge pin (11) through openings in the connecting rod (9), and intermediate levers (6) are used to connect the ends of the connecting rod (9) to the lever systems (5, 6, 7).

Inventors: HOGEVEEN, GERRIT JAN
Applicants: AUTOMOBIELBEDRIJF UNIHEF B.V.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A61G7
IPC codes: A61G7, A47C19