Patent Publication Number: US-2012023659-A1

Title: Endboard assembly

Description:
This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/369,910 titled ENDBOARD ASSEMBLY filed on Aug. 2, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This disclosure relates generally to endboards. More particularly, but not exclusively, one illustrative embodiment relates to an endboard assembly that can be configured to be used as an ingress/egress support. 
     People can require help when attempting to ingress/egress to/from a person-support apparatus. While various devices have been developed, there is still room for improvement. Thus a need persists for further contributions in this area of technology. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     One illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure can include a multi-piece endboard assembly that can be configured to be coupled to an end portion of a person-support apparatus in a first position to define a portion of a perimeter edge of an upper frame of the person-support apparatus, and coupled to the end portion in a second position to be used as an ingress/egress support. 
     Additional features alone or in combination with any other feature(s), including those listed above and those listed in the claims and those described in detail below, can comprise patentable subject matter. Others will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the illustrative examples in the drawings, wherein like numerals represent the same or similar elements throughout: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective side view of a person-support apparatus with an endboard assembly coupled to a frame of the person-support apparatus according to one illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective side view of an endboard panel of the endboard assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of the endboard assembly of  FIG. 1  showing a first endboard panel in a first position and a second endboard panel in a second position; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective side view of the person-support apparatus of  FIG. 1  in a relatively horizontal position with the first endboard panel in the first position and a second endboard panel in the second position where it can be used for ingress/egress to/from the side of the person-support apparatus; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective side view of the person-support apparatus of  FIG. 1  in a chair position showing the first and second endboard panels in the second position where they can be used for ingress/egress to/from the person-support apparatus; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the endboard assembly of  FIG. 1  showing a portion of the first and second endboard panels overlapping in the first position according to another illustrative embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the endboard assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the first and second endboard panels having a reduced thickness and being parallel to one another in the first position according to yet another illustrative embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective side view of the endboard assembly of  FIG. 1 , showing the first and second endboard panels in the second position and the headboard coupled to the endboard base according to still another illustrative embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the person-support apparatus of  FIG. 1  in the chair position with the first and second endboard panels in the second position and angled toward one another according to one illustrative embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the person-support apparatus of  FIG. 10  with the first and second endboard panels and the siderails providing a continuous height surface to be gripped according to one illustrative embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     While the present disclosure can take many different forms, for the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. No limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Various alterations, further modifications of the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the disclosure, as described herein, are contemplated. 
     One illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure can include a multi-piece endboard assembly that can be configured to be coupled to an end portion of a person-support apparatus in a first position to define a portion of a perimeter edge of an upper frame of the person-support apparatus, and configured to be used as an ingress/egress support in a second position. 
     A person-support apparatus  10  according to one illustrative embodiment of the current disclosure is shown in  FIGS. 1-10 . The person-support apparatus  10  can have a first section F 1  or head support section F 1 , where the head of a person can be positioned and a second section S 1  or a foot support section S 1 , where the feet of the person can be positioned. In one illustrative embodiment, the person-support apparatus  10  can be a hospital bed. In some contemplated embodiments, the person-support apparatus  10  can also be a hospital stretcher or an operating table. The person-support apparatus  10  can include a lower frame  12  or base  12 , a plurality of supports  14  coupled with the lower frame  12 , and an upper frame  16  supported on the supports  14  above the lower frame  12 . In some contemplated embodiments, the supports  14  can be lift mechanisms  14  that can move the upper frame  16  with respect to the lower frame  12 . Also, in some contemplated embodiments, the person-support apparatus  10  can support a person-support surface  18  thereon. 
     The upper frame  16  can include an upper frame base  20 , a deck  22 , siderails  24 , a headboard assembly  26 , and a footboard assembly  28  as shown in  FIGS. 1-10 . The upper frame base  20  can be coupled to the supports  14  and can support the deck  22  thereon. The deck  22  can include multiple sections that can be movably coupled to the upper frame base  20  and/or one another and can be configured to move with respect to the upper frame base  20 . In one illustrative embodiment, the upper frame base  20 , the supports  14 , and the deck  22  can be configured to cooperate with one another to move the deck  22  between a relatively horizontal position as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 , and  8 , and a chair position as shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  9 , and  10 . The headboard assembly  26  can include a headboard HB 1  that can be coupled to the head support section F 1  of the person-support apparatus  10  and can be configured to define a portion of the perimeter edge of the upper frame  16 . 
     The footboard assembly  28  can include a footboard base  30 , a first footboard panel  32 , and a second footboard panel  34  as shown in  FIGS. 1-10 . The first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  can be configured to cooperate together to form a footboard. In some contemplated embodiments, the headboard assembly  26  can be constructed similar to the footboard assembly  28 . The footboard base  30  can be coupled to the second section S 1  of the upper frame base  20  and can include longitudinal portions  36  that can extend from a lateral portion  38  along the sides of the upper frame base  20 , and a plurality of positioning receptacles  40 . In one illustrative embodiment, the footboard base  30  can be coupled to the upper frame base  20 . In another illustrative embodiment, the footboard base  30  can be coupled to the deck  22 . In another illustrative embodiment, the footboard base  30  can be coupled to a foot support section S 1  of the upper frame  16  can be configured to expand and contract to increase and decrease the length of the upper frame  16 , such as, the FlexAFoot™ mechanism sold by Hill-Rom, Inc. In some contemplated embodiments, the footboard base  30  can be coupled to the extended/retracted portion of the second section S 1 . In some contemplated embodiments, the longitudinal portions  36  can be coupled to the non-extended/retracted portion of the second section S 1  and the lateral portion  38  can be coupled to the extended/retracted portion of the second section S 1 . 
     The positioning receptacles  40  can be configured to receive and removably retain a portion of the first footboard panel  32  and/or the second footboard panel  34  therein. In some contemplated embodiments, the positioning receptacles  40  can include a locking mechanism (not shown) that can be configured to cooperate with a portion of the first footboard panel  32  and/or the second footboard panel  34  to selectively lock the first footboard panel  32  and/or the second footboard panel  34  to the footboard base  30 . In some contemplated embodiments, the locking mechanism can be similar to the locking mechanism disclosed in European Patent Application No. 08165200 to Hill-Rom S.A.S. In some contemplated embodiments, sensors (not shown) can be coupled to the positioning receptacles  40 , the longitudinal portion  36  and/or the lateral portion  38  that can be configured to sense when the footboard is coupled to the footboard base  30 . 
     The first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  can be configured a number of ways. In one illustrative embodiment, the first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  can be positioned side-by-side to form a single footboard as shown in  FIG. 1 . In another illustrative embodiment, the first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  can include overlapping portions that can overlap one another as shown in  FIG. 6 . In some contemplated embodiments, the overlapping portions can have a reduced thickness. In some contemplated embodiments, the thickness of the overlapping portions is ½ the thickness of the non-overlapping portions. In another illustrative embodiment, the first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  can be full sized footboards, i.e., extending from one end of the lateral portion  38  to the other, with reduced thicknesses as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     The first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  can be coupled to the footboard base  30  and can be configured to be positioned in a first position and/or a second position. In the first position, the first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  can be coupled to the lateral portion  38  of the footboard base  30  and can be configured to cooperate together to define a portion of the perimeter edge of the upper frame  16 . In one illustrative embodiment, the upper frame  16  can be in the substantially horizontal position when the first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  are in the first position. 
     In the second position, the first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  can be coupled to the longitudinal portions  36  of the footboard base  30  and can be configured to assist a person ingressing/egressing to/from the person-support apparatus  10 . In one illustrative embodiment, the upper frame  16  can be in the substantially horizontal position and the first footboard panel  32  and/or the second footboard panel  34  can be coupled to the lateral portions  38  to assist with ingress/egress to/from the side of the person-support apparatus  10 . In another illustrative embodiment, the upper frame  16  can be in the chair position and the first footboard panel  32  and/or the second footboard panel  34  can be coupled to the longitudinal portions  38  to assist with ingress/egress to/from the side of the person-support apparatus  10 . In some contemplated embodiments, the first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  can be positionable between the siderail  24  and the upper frame  16  to prevent interference with the operation of the siderail  24  and allow the first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  to move longitudinally with the foot support section S 1 . In some contemplated embodiments, the portion of the first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  gripped by the person ingressing/egressing to/from the person-support apparatus  10  can be substantially the same height as the upper edge of the siderail  24  as shown in  FIG. 10 . In some contemplated embodiments, the first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  can be angled in toward the upper frame  16  as shown in  FIG. 9 . In some contemplated embodiments, the first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  can be required to be removed before the person-support apparatus  10  is able to be moved from the chair position to the substantially horizontal position. In another illustrative embodiment, the headboard HB 1  can be coupled to the lateral portion  38  and the first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  can be coupled to the longitudinal portions  36  to reduce gaps between the intermediate siderail  24  and the headboard HB 1  as shown in  FIG. 8 . In some contemplated embodiments, instead of using the headboard HB 1 , the first footboard panel  32  can have a reduced thickness and include two panels positioned side-by-side and the second footboard panel  34  can have a reduced thickness and include only one panel to achieve a similar configuration. 
     The first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  can include a footboard body  42 , a plurality of adjustment pegs  44 , a first grip portion  46 , and a second grip portion  48  as shown in  FIG. 2 . In some contemplated embodiments, the first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  can be similarly constructed. The footboard body  42  can have an upper portion  50 , a lower portion  52 , a first side portion  54 , and a second side portion  56 , and can include a first surface  60 , a second surface  62 , and a perimeter edge  64  extending between the first surface  60  and the second surface  62 . Also, in some contemplated embodiments, a coupler  58  can be located along the second side portion  56  and can be configured to couple the first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  together. In some contemplated embodiments, the first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  can be interchangeable. The plurality of adjustment pegs  44  can be located along the lower portion  52  of the footboard body  42 . In one illustrative embodiment, the plurality of adjustment pegs  44  can be three (3) metal rods that can extend from the lower portion  52  and can be configured to be received within the positioning receptacles  40  to removably couple the first footboard panel  32  and the second footboard panel  34  to the footboard base  30 . 
     The first grip portion  46  can be located along the upper portion  50  and second grip portion  48  can be located along the first side portion  54  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The first grip portion  46  can include a first grip opening  66  that can cooperate with the perimeter edge  64  to define a first grip  68 . The first grip  68  can be configured to be gripped by a person transporting the person-support apparatus  10  and/or by a person to remove the first footboard panel  32  and/or the second footboard panel  34  from the footboard base  30  when the first footboard portion and/or the second footboard panel  34  are in the first position. The second grip portion  48  can be located along the first side portion  54  and can include a second grip opening  70  that can cooperate with the perimeter edge  64  to define a second grip  72 . The second grip  72  can be configured to be gripped by a person ingressing/egressing to/from the person-support apparatus  10  when the first footboard panel  32  and/or the second footboard panel  34  are in the second position. 
     Many other embodiments of the present disclosure are also envisioned. For example, a person-support apparatus comprises a lower frame, an upper frame, and an endboard assembly. The upper frame is movably supported above the lower frame by a support. The upper frame is configured to move between a substantially horizontal position and a chair position. The endboard assembly includes a base coupled to an end of the upper frame and an endboard coupled to the base. The endboard is coupled to the base in a first position to define a perimeter edge of the upper frame and coupled to the base in a second position to assist with ingress/egress to/from the person-support apparatus. 
     In another example, an endboard assembly, comprises an endboard base, a first endboard portion, and a second endboard portion. The endboard base is coupled to the foot support portion of a person-support apparatus. The endboard base includes a lateral portion and first and second longitudinal portions that can extend from the lateral portion. The first endboard portion is coupled to the lateral portion in a first position and one of the first and second longitudinal portions in a second position. The second endboard portion is coupled to the lateral portion in a first position and the other of the first and second longitudinal portions in a second position. 
     Any theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding stated herein is meant to further enhance understanding of principles of the present disclosure and is not intended to make the present disclosure in any way dependent upon such theory, mechanism of operation, illustrative embodiment, proof, or finding. It should be understood that while the use of the word preferable, preferably or preferred in the description above indicates that the feature so described can be more desirable, it nonetheless can not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same can be contemplated as within the scope of the disclosure, that scope being defined by the claims that follow. 
     In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” “at least a portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary. 
     It should be understood that only selected embodiments have been shown and described and that all possible alternatives, modifications, aspects, combinations, principles, variations, and equivalents that come within the spirit of the disclosure as defined herein or by any of the following claims are desired to be protected. While embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same are to be considered as illustrative and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Additional alternatives, modifications and variations can be apparent to those skilled in the art. Also, while multiple inventive aspects and principles can have been presented, they need not be utilized in combination, and various combinations of inventive aspects and principles are possible in light of the various embodiments provided above.