New ergonomic mechanism for hospital use

Abstract: The main function of the proposed type of bed for hospital use is to adapt the body of the patient, according to the patient's ailment, to a most comfortable and easy anatomical position by applying the least possible effort. The patient's body may be offset angularly toward any of the two sides of the bed, since the bed surface is divided into crosswise portions fitted with controllable mechanical means enabling them to be raised angularly in respect to the adjacent portions, thus making the bed surface sinuous. Each of the crosswise portions may be unfolded longitudinally and is composed of two wings (4, 5) inserted in the center of their joint area where they are attached freely and independently by means of a central axis (2), in a lower plane and throughout the length of the bed frame (1). Both wings have a concave shape and are totally covered by a flexible sheet resting over the bed surface. Furthermore, they are fitted with flanges (6) extending downward and in opposite directions in respect to the central axis. A mechanical means presses against these flanges, and through their axial attachment each wing is offset in an angle which, in regard to the opposite inactive flange, may achieve a maximum arc of 90°. This enables the patient to be placed in an ideal position according to his attention and rest requirements.

Description: OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The invention refers to a bed for hospital use presenting unique construction characteristics, particularly designed to enable certain therapies to be applied requiring the patients to acquire an uncommon anatomical resting position which they would otherwise be unable to achieve by themselves as a result of their ailment or injury, or, if they are indeed capable, the effort involved would have an adverse effect on their supposedly ailing organism. The bed presents a main feature in that its resting surface is transversely divided into at least two rectangular rotating portions, each rotation axis being located along longitudinal shafts which may or may not coincide with the symmetric longitudinal axis of the bed, so that each portion is provided with movement when driven by respective actuator arms on the edge of which is connected a flexible sheet forming the corresponding transverse portion. As from their rotation centers, each of these actuator arms is fitted with respective lower extensions forming flanges directed downwards and in opposite directions in respect to the shaft, regardless of whether the shaft is central or lateral, with a mechanical means biasing said lower ends or flanges and capable of driving each actuator arm, and consequentiy the corresponding portion, to an angular offset position which, in regard to the opposite inactive portion, is capable of achieving a 90° arch, this being the maximum height which is seldom necessary in view that, as the patient lies in a resting position, the flexible sheet may be stopped at any intermediate point, as circumstances may dictate, by acting on a control which discontinues the pressure applied on the flange. The bed assembly is specifically designed in a way that the patient need not make any effort to move in order to receive the necessary medical treatment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are numerous known types of hospital beds, one of them consisting in a supporting or resting surface divided into transverse portions, each of which provides a means of support for part of the body but which however fails to provide lateral movement of the patient or user according to the patient's occasional requirements. Patent US-A-5.224.228, however, describes a hospital bed comprising arms between which the patient is allowed to change position, namely by moving the patient laterally upon rotation of the arms, the movement of the patient being always achieved along flat surfaces driven by said arms, the rotational center of which corresponding to the symmetric longitudinal axis and coinciding with the principal plane of the bed. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The bed being advocated for use in hospitais, clinics, surgical facilities and geriatric centers presents a resting surface comprising a flexible sheet liable to be moved in an angular direction toward any of the sides of the bed. Said resting surface is formed by a flexible sheet divided into at least two transverse portions. The actuator arms have a concave profile, their longitudinal rotation shafts coinciding or not with the bed's symmetric axis, and the rotation shafts being located under the bed's main plane, i.e. under the frame over which is arranged the resting surface. Thus, movement of the patient comes from acting on the flexible sheet, which becomes anatomically adapted to the various shapes of the patient's body. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to add to the description being presented and to help toward a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention according to a preferred practical embodiment, a set of drawings is attached which form an integral part of the description and wherein the following is represented by way of illustration in a non limiting character: Figure 1 - Shows a perspective view of the frame corresponding to the inventive bed, the bed head and side legs of which are illustrated in dash lines, said frame including the flexible sheet which constitutes the user's support or resting surface and which is affected by a central cut for establishing two transverse portions. Figure 2 - Shows a transverse view of the assembly shown in the preceding figure, illustrating the bed frame, the resting surface, the actuator arms and the mechanical parts for driving the angular rotation of said actuator arms. Figure 3 - Shows a view similar to that of the preceding figure, although one of the actuator arms is provided with angular movement and thus a corresponding lateral tilting of the user resting surface, as shown in dash line. Figure 4 - Shows a further view, similar to the preceding view although revealing the motion of the opposite arm to cause an opposite tilting action of the rest surface. Figure 5 - Shows a perspective view of the mechanical means involved in the angular movement of each of the actuator arms and consequently causing the lateral tilting of the rest surface. Figure 6 - Shows a plan view of the mechanical means shown in the preceding figure. Figure 7 - Shows a partial plan view of a bed in which the rotation center of the actuator arms is offset, in each case, towards the edge of the bed frame, namely separated from the bed's symmetrical axis, although located in a longitudinal direction. Figure 8 - Shows a transverse view of the assembly, corresponding to a variation of the embodiment shown in the preceding figure and revealing one of the actuator arms in an angularly offset position. Figure 9 - Shows a general perspective view of an example of the use of the bed that is the object of the invention. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The inventive bed, as shown in figures 1 to 6, comprises a frame (1) of a rectangular shape fitted with a longitudinal center shaft (2) resting on supports (3) located on a plane lower than that of the frame (1), the bed being divided into at least two transverse portions (a) formed by a flexible sheet (12) on which rests the user or patient, shown in dash line in figures 2, 3, 4 and 8. These portions (a) of the flexible sheet (12) axe related on the underside to respective actuator arms (4) and (5) which intercalate along the length of the longitudinal symmetrical axis (2) attached to the frame (1), where they associate freely or independently, so that, as from said central intercalation point, the actuator arms (4) and (5) extend along their lower end into respective flanges (6) slantingly directed downwards and in the opposite direction and against which acts a mechanical means (b) constituted in each case by a "U" profile (7) attached to each respective flange (6), which profile (7) is fitted with an internally threaded bushing (8) connected to the end of a worm screw (10), the other end of which is related to a motor-reducer (11) fixed to the frame (1), so that rotation of said motor-reducer (11) drives the rotation of the worm screw (10) and thus the pushing or pulling action of profile (7) and consequently the pushing or pulling of the lower flange (6) in actuator arm (4) or (5), causing its rotation and thus the tilting of the resting surface formed by the flexible sheet (12). The actuator arms (4) and (5) integrated in each transverse portion (a) covered by the flexible sheet (12) are associated to the center longitudinal shaft (2) in frame (1), and, through the flanges (6), to the mechanical means (b), in a manner that the shaft (2) provides rotational freedom to the respective actuator arm (4) or (5), and, through the mechanical means (b), movement as required while becoming secured to the position achieved, as shown in figures 3, 4 and 9, the flexible sheet (12) constituting a supporting surface firmly secured to the end and longitudinal edges (4') and (5') of the actuator arms (4) and (5), said flexible sheet (12) covering the overall area of each portion (a) and enabling the patient's body to rest on it. Although the mechanical means (b) driving the respective actuator arm (4) or (5) is shown according to a preferred embodiment, it is obvious that a similar result may be achieved through mechanical means corresponding to some other type of driving force, such as a hydraulic source. Figures 7 and 8 show a variation of the embodiment, wherein the actuator arms are referenced in this case by numerals (13) and (14), these arms being longer that the previous actuator arms (4) and (5), so that the actuator arms (13) and (14) in this new embodiment are freely attached to their respective shafts (15), which act independently and substitute the previously mentioned common central shaft (2). Each said actuator arm (13) and (14) is fitted with a respective flange (6) at its lower end, in addition to mechanical means (b), whereas the lateral shafts (15) , namely the ones offset in respect to the longitudinal symmetrical axis, rest on corresponding supports (16) integral to frame (1), said actuator arms (13) and (14) projecting upwards along grooves (17) in the supporting plane which constitutes the surface (12). Said actuator arms (13) and (14) are attached, through their opposite ends, to a respective arm (19) onto which are secured the edges of the flexible sheet (12), in a manner that, as the mechanical means (b) acts on the respective actuator arms (13) or (14) when applied to the corresponding flange (6), the opposite ends of said actuator arms go up and in turn cause the flexible sheet (12) on which the patient is resting to rise, said sheet being adhered along its edges to said arms (19) on which act said ends of the actuator arms (13) and (14). Finally, figure 9 shows an example of the versatility provided by the transverse portions (a) in regard to the positional options provided to the patient's body, depending on the operation's requirements. Thus, the upper position of the head and torso is substantially slanted, whereas the second section (a) is provided with a reduced tipping action to receive the lower parts of the body, with the patient's legs and feet resting on the flat immobile platform (20) on the back of the frame (1).

Claims: Bed for hospital use comprising a rectangular frame (1) on which a resting surface lies, said resting surface divided into at least two transverse portions (a), the area of each of said transverse portions (a) being covered by a flexible sheet (12) on which a patient can rest, and two actuator arms (4, 5), (13, 14), the flexible sheet (12) being connected to and supported by the edges of said actuator arms (4, 5) , (13, 14) , said actuator arms (4, 5) , (13, 14) being capable of freely and independently rotating relative to a shaft (2, 15) being located in a plane below that one defined by the rectangular frame (1), the bed further comprising mechanical means (b) for providing rotational movement to said actuator arms (4, 5), (13, 14) and for transmitting said rotational movement to the patient as a result of the rotational movement of the flexible sheet (12); the patient thus rotates longitudinally; the mechanical means (b) comprising a motor reducer (11) capable of providing rotation to a worm screw (10) connected to an internally threaded bushing (8) installed in a 'U' profile (7) attached to the lower end of each actuator arm (4, 5), (13, 14).

Inventors: MARINO MARIO HECTOR SILVIO, MARINO, MARIO HECTOR SILVIO, Marino, Mario Héctor Silvio
Applicants: MARINO MARIO HECTOR SILVIO, MARINO, MARIO HECTOR SILVIO
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A61G7
IPC codes: A61G7