Patent Publication Number: US-6216291-B1

Title: Enclosure bed apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to enclosure beds. More particularly, the present invention relates to frames of end bars that are adapted for attachment to the frame of the hospital bed. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In medical treatment situations, it is sometimes necessary to physically restrain certain patients in order to provide protection for themselves and/or others. For example, adults and children having dementia, psychiatric or mental disorders, or other kinds of physical and/or mental problems may need to be restrained. In the past, these people have been physically restrained by using ties, straps or vests. However, the use of these kinds of restraints can cause severe discomfort and can impede emergency treatment. In addition, these kinds of restraints must frequently be removed during the day for a variety of reasons, such as to allow the person to exercise his or her muscles, or to clean or feed the person. 
     One alternative to using physical restraints involves the use of an enclosure bed. Typically, the enclosure bed includes a supporting framework and a knitted covering which is fitted over the sides and the top of the framework. The knitted covering is provided with zippered areas which can be readily opened and closed in order to provide access to the interior of the enclosure. Thus, the enclosure bed provides a more humane, safe and less restrictive environment for the person. 
     Unfortunately, a major problem with the use of such enclosure beds is the inability to move the enclosure bed after it is installed. Typically, specialized personnel must be called in so as to move the enclosure bed. In certain circumstances, the enclosure bed must be disassembled so that the hospital bed (on the interior of the enclosure bed) can be moved. In other circumstances, in order to move a patient from the enclosure bed to another location, the patient would have to be lifted and transferred to a mobile bed. The difficulty in actually moving the enclosure bed has discouraged the use of such enclosure beds. 
     In the past, various U.S. patents have issued relating to such enclosure beds. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,387, issued on Feb. 10, 1987 to Bondy et al., teaches an enclosure for a bed which provides protection for patients. The enclosure is formed of a supporting framework and an associated covering provided with suitably arranged zippered areas for achieving access to the patient from the exterior of the enclosure. The frame of the enclosure bed has a rectangular structure which is designed so as to rest flatly upon a floor. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,925, issued on Jan. 31, 1995, to R. L. Vail, teaches an improved bed enclosure which is provided with a unique supporting structure which increases the vertical stability of the bed enclosure. The bed enclosure includes a frame having at least four upright side posts, each including an upper portion and a lower portion. The frame also includes upper frame support members interconnecting the upper portions of the side posts together and lower frame support members interconnecting the lower portions of the side posts together. The frame defines a pair of generally vertical side walls of a predetermined length and a pair of opposing end walls of a predetermined width. At least one support leg associated with each of the side walls is secured to the lower portion of the side posts and is engageable with the floor at a point spaced outwardly from the respective side wall. A bar extends in a horizontal orientation so as to rest flatly upon the floor. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,732, issued on Jul. 28, 1998 to R. L. Vail describes another type of bed enclosure which is provided with a side rail which is movably mounted to the frame of the bed enclosure by a hinge assembly. The bed enclosure includes side posts having bottoms which support the enclosure directly upon the floor. The hospital bed is retained on the interior of the bed enclosure. The wheels of the hospital bed will reside independently upon the same floor upon which the bottoms of the side posts reside. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an enclosure bed which is mobile with the hospital bed. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an enclosure bed that can be easily assembled and disassembled. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an enclosure bed which does not require specialized labor for movement or assembly. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide an enclosure bed which facilitates the ability to install the mattress within the enclosure. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an enclosure bed which has a lower frame adapted to be connected to a standardized hospital bed frame. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an enclosure bed apparatus comprising a bed having a mattress supported on a bed frame, an enclosure frame extending over the mattress, an enclosure affixed to the enclosure frame so as to extend over and around the mattress. The bed frame has wheels rotatably connected at a bottom thereof so as to rollably support the mattress on a floor. The enclosure frame has a lower portion and legs. The lower portion is affixed to the bed frame such that a bottom of the legs is supported a distance above a bottom of the wheels and above the floor. 
     In the present invention, a clamp is connected to the lower portion of the enclosure frame. The clamp engages the bed frame at an area below the mattress and above the wheels. The lower portion of the enclosure frame comprises a lower structure connected to the legs and has a generally rectangular configuration. In particular, this lower structure includes cross members affixed respectively to legs at opposite ends of the frame, and longitudinal members affixed respectively to the cross members and extending therebetween in a generally parallel relationship. Each of the longitudinal members comprises a pair of end sections affixed to respective cross members and extending inwardly therefrom and a central section affixed to the pair of end sections and overlying at least a portion of the end sections. The clamp includes a pair of clamps which are connected to the central section and have a portion extending downwardly therefrom. This portion extending downwardly is adapted to be secured to the bed frame. In particular, each of the clamps has a generally L-shaped configuration with a threaded end. A nut is engaged with the threaded ends so as to compressively secure the bed frame against the central section of the longitudinal members. 
     In the present invention, the enclosure is a canopy having a plurality of side walls and a bottom and a top interconnected together. The top extends over an upper structure of the enclosure frame. The plurality of side walls are affixed to the legs and extend respectively therebetween in generally vertical planes. The bottom extends between the legs and above the lower portion of the enclosure frame. In particular, the bottom is interposed between the mattress and the bed frame. Each of the plurality of side walls has a netting in zippered connection with a remainder of the side wall. At least one of the side walls has a zippered slit opening on an exterior surface of the side wall so as to allow access to the three-dimensional interior space within the enclosure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational partially exploded view of the enclosure bed in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a partially exploded end view showing the enclosure bed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a partially exploded upper perspective view showing the enclosure bed in accordance with teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a further exploded upper perspective view of the enclosure bed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is an isolated exploded upper perspective view showing the enclosure frame of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the enclosure bed apparatus  10  in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The enclosure bed apparatus  10  includes a bed  12 , an enclosure frame  14  and an enclosure  16 . The bed  12  includes a mattress  18  supported on a bed frame  20 . Wheels  22  and  24  are rotatably mounted to a bottom of the bed frame  20  so as to rollably support the mattress  18  on a floor. The enclosure frame  14  extends over the mattress  18 . The enclosure frame  14  has a lower portion  26  that is affixed to the bed frame  20  such that a bottom  28  of the legs  30  and  32  of the enclosure frame  14  are supported a distance above the bottom of the wheels  22  and  24  and above the floor. Enclosure  16  is affixed to the enclosure frame  14  so as to extend over and around the mattress  18 . 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the bed  12  is a hospital bed of a standard configuration. This hospital bed  12  is commonly known as a Trendelenburg bed. The mattress  18  is typically placed on a flat surface  34  between the base board  36  and the head board  38 . Pivotal linkages  40  and  42  are connected to the upper frame  44  of hospital bed  12  so as to manipulate and adjust the position of the patient on the bed  12 . Suitable pivotal movement of the linkages  40  and  42  can cause the head board  38  or the base board  36  to move upwardly and downwardly. Linkages  40  and  42  are pivotally connected to bottom frame  46 . Bottom frame  46  is rotatably connected to wheels  22  and  24 . The bottom frame  46  includes a horizontal bar  48  onto which the lower portion  26  of the enclosure frame  14  is connected. 
     As can be seen in FIG. 1, the lower portion  26  of the enclosure frame  14  includes a longitudinal member  50  extending between legs  30  and  32 . Longitudinal member  50  includes end sections  52  and  54  and central section  56 . The ends of the central section  56  will overlie the inward ends of the end sections  52  and  54 . As such, the central section  56  is particularly adapted so as to be placed onto the horizontal bar  48  of the bottom frame  46  of hospital bed  12 . Clamps  58  and  60  are connected to the central section  56  and will engage the horizontal bar  48  of the bottom frame  46  of hospital bed  12  so that the enclosure frame  14  is fixedly secured onto the bed frame  20  of hospital bed  12 . 
     As can be seen in FIG. 1, since the bottoms  28  of the respective legs  30  and  32  are located above the bottom of the wheels  22  and  24 , the enclosure frame  14  can be moved, along with the hospital bed  12 , to a desired location. A close proximity of the bottoms  28  to the floor upon which the wheels  22  and  24  roll assures the structural stability of the enclosure frame  14  in the event of unusual forces being placed upon the enclosure frame  14  by a patient within the enclosure  16 . 
     The enclosure  16  has a top  62 , side walls  64 ,  66  and  68  and a bottom  70 . The opposite side walls of side wall  68  is not shown in FIG.  1 . The top  62 , the side walls  64 ,  66  and  68 , and the bottom  70  are securely interconnected together. In normal use, the bottom  70  will be interposed between the mattress  18  and the upper frame  44  of hospital bed  12 . 
     As can be seen in FIG. 1, the side wall  68  includes a netting  72  which is secured by zipper  74  to the remainder  76  of side wall  68 . Zipper  74  is positioned around the side wall  68  so as to allow for the easy attachment and removal of the netting  72 , as desired. For example, if it is necessary to completely replace, to wash or to repair the netting  72 , the zipper  74  can simply be unzipped, around its periphery, so as to allow the easy removal of the netting  72 . A  45  degree tapered area  78  is positioned at one corner of the netting  72  so as to prevent access to the flap of the zipper  74 , by the patient on the interior of the enclosure  16 . 
     In FIG. 1, it can be seen that zippered slits  80  and  82  are formed in the side wall  68 . Zippered slits  80  and  82  can be suitably manipulated so as to allow access to the three-dimensional interior of the enclosure  16 . As such, if necessary, IV bags can be connected to a patient on the interior of the enclosure  16  through the zippered slits  80  and  82 . 
     In normal installation, the top  62  will reside over the upper structure  84  of enclosure frame  14 . The side walls  64 ,  66  and  68  will reside around the legs  30  and  32  of the enclosure frame  14  and extend in a generally vertical plane around the sides and ends of the enclosure frame  14 . 
     In FIG. 1, it can be seen that Styrofoam tubes  86  and  88  are placed over and around the side bar  90  of the upper structure  84  of enclosure frame  14 . Similarly, a Styrofoam tube  92  is placed over and around the leg  30  of the enclosure frame  14 . Another Styrofoam tube  94  is placed over and around the leg  32 . The Styrofoam tubes  86 , 88 , 92  and  94  will reside on the interior of the enclosure  16  and will serve to prevent injury to the patient. 
     FIG. 2 is an end view of the enclosure bed apparatus  10  of the present invention. In FIG. 2, it can be seen that the hospital bed  12  resides between the legs  32  and  100  of the enclosure frame  14 . Also, it can be seen that a cross member  102  extends between the legs  32  and  100 . An end bar  104  will extend between legs  32  and  100  at the upper structure  84  of the enclosure frame  14 . A Styrofoam tube  106  extends around the end bar  104 . A Styrofoam tube  108  extends around the leg  100 . Importantly, it can be seen that the bottoms  28  of legs  32  and  100  reside above the bottoms of the wheels  24  and  110  of the hospital bed  12 . 
     The enclosure frame  14  is secured to the frame  20  of the hospital bed  12  by affixing the longitudinal members  50  and  112  to the bottom frame  46  of the hospital bed  12 . A more detailed explanation as to how this connection is made will be found hereinafter. 
     The enclosure  16  shows its side wall  66 . Side wall  66  includes a netting  114  which is secured to the remainder  116  of the side wall  66  through the use of zipper  118 . An tapered area  120  is formed on the side wall  66  so as to prevent access to the flap of the zipper  118  by a patient on the interior of the enclosure  16 . 
     FIG. 3 shows the manner in which the enclosure frame  14  is secured to the frame of the hospital bed  12 . In particular, the longitudinal member  50  is clamped onto the bottom frame  46  of the hospital bed  12 . Another longitudinal member  112  is secured to a corresponding portion of the frame  20  of hospital bed  12 . The enclosure frame  14  shows its upper structure  84  as having side bars  90  and  124  and end bars  104  and  126  arranged in a generally rectangular configuration. Legs  30 ,  32 ,  128  and  100  extend downwardly from this upper structure  84 . The top  62  of the enclosure  16  will reside over the upper structure  84 . Side wall  66  will reside in a vertical plane between the legs  32  and  100 . Side wall  68  will reside in a vertical plane between the legs  30  and  32 . Opposite side wall  64  will reside in a vertical plane between legs  14  and  128 . Opposite side wall  130  will reside in a vertical plane between legs  128  and  100 . The bottom  70  of the enclosure  16  can be placed over the flat surface  34  of the hospital bed  12 . The mattress  18  can then be placed onto the inner surface of the bottom  70  of enclosure  16 . The head board  38  and the base board  36  will reside within the three-dimensional interior of the enclosure  16 . 
     Importantly, as was stated herein previously, the hospital bed  12  is capable of pivotal movement so as to raise or lower the respective base board  36  and head board  38 . So as to accommodate such pivotal moving, the material on the bottom  70  of the enclosure  16  will have a greater area than the area of a horizontal plane extending between the legs  30 ,  32 ,  100  and  128 . This excess material will accommodate the pivotal movement of the hospital bed  12 . 
     In FIG. 4, the specific arrangement of the clamps which are used to secure the enclosure frame  14  to the hospital bed  12  is particularly illustrated. In particular, in FIG. 4, it can be seen that the longitudinal member  50  has its end sections  52  and  54 . The central section  56  is welded onto the inner ends of the end sections  52  and  54  so as to overlie such end sections. This overlying relationship is necessary so that the central section  56  will be in a suitable position for residing onto the horizontal bar  48  of the bottom frame portion  46  of the hospital bed  12 . The end section  52  can be secured to an arm  140  extending inwardly from the cross member  142  by the use of a pin  144 . In other words, the opening at the end of the arm  140  can simply be slidably received within the open end  146  of the end section  52 . When a hole on the end of end section  52  corresponds to the hole in the arm  140 , the pin  144  can be inserted therein so as to securely mount the longitudinal member  50  onto the cross member  142 . A similar arrangement is found in association with the opposite end section  54 . A pin  148  can be used to secure the end section  54  onto the arm  150  extending inwardly from the cross member  102 . A similar form of attachment applies to the other longitudinal member  112 . Each of the longitudinal members  50  and  112  extends inwardly from the sides of the enclosure frame  14  so as to correspond in proper location with the bottom frame  46  of hospital bed  12 . 
     The central section  56  of longitudinal member  50  is secured to the horizontal bar  48  through the use of brackets  152  and  154 . Each of the brackets  152  and  154  has a L-shaped configuration. Each of the brackets  152  and  154  is a clamp which has a threaded end  156  and  158 , respectively. The threaded ends  156  and  158  are inserted through respective holes formed in the central section  56  of longitudinal member  50 . Nuts  160  and  162  are threadedly secured to the threaded portions  156  and  158  respectively, so as to suitably tighten the brackets  152  and  154  over and around the horizontal bar  48  of bottom frame  46 . A similar arrangement occurs with respect to the other longitudinal member  112  with respect to its connection to the opposite horizontal bar associated with bottom frame  46  of hospital bed  12 . 
     FIG. 5 shows, in particular, the arrangement of the enclosure frame  14 . Enclosure frame  14  includes the upper structure  84  and the lower portion  122 . The upper structure  84  includes side bars  90  and  124  and end bars  126  and  104  connected together in a generally rectangular configuration. So as to facilitate assembly, the tubes which form the side bars  90  and  124  can be inserted into pins  170  and  172  formed at the respective ends of the end bar  104 . Similarly, pins  174  and  176  can be inserted and affixed to the interior of the tubes which form the legs  32  and  100 . Similarly, the end bar  126  also has pins  178  and  180  which can be inserted into the open ends of the tubes forming the side bars  90  and  124 . Similarly, pins  182  and  184  can be inserted into the open ends of legs  30  and  128 . As such, the upper structure  84  of the enclosure frame  14  can be easily assembled and connected together. Various fasteners can be used so as to securely retain the respective pins within the interiors of the respective tubes. As described herein previously, Styrofoam tubes  86  and  88  are fitted onto the side bar  90 . Another Styrofoam tube  106  is fitted onto the end bar  104 . A Styrofoam tube  108  is fitted onto the leg  100 . The illustration of the Styrofoam tubes  86 ,  88 ,  106  and  108  is for the purpose of illustration. In actual practice, such Styrofoam tubes will be affixed also onto the end bar  126 , onto the side bar  124  and onto the legs  30 ,  32  and  128 . 
     The lower portion  122  of the enclosure frame  14  is made up of cross members  102  and  142 . Cross member  102  is fixedly secured to the legs  32  and  100 . So as to facilitate assembly, the cross member  102  has transverse seats for feet  200  and  202  affixed at opposite ends thereof. Foot  200  includes a pin  204  which can be affixed into the interior of the tube forming leg  32 . Similarly, foot  202  has a pin  206  that can be received within the interior of the tube forming the leg  100 . Arms  150  and  208  extend transversely outwardly from a side of the cross member  102  in a suitable position for connection to the end sections  54  and  210  of longitudinal members  50  and  112 . The cross member  142  will have a similar construction so as to facilitate connection to the legs  30  and  128 . 
     In FIG. 5, the longitudinal member  50  has its central section  56  in a position for receipt of the brackets  152  and  154 . A similar arrangement applies to the central section  220  of longitudinal member  112 . Brackets  222  and  224  can be affixed onto the central section  220  of longitudinal member  112 . As such, the brackets  152 ,  154 ,  222  and  224  will be in a suitable position for engaging the horizontal bar  48  associated with the bottom frame  46  of hospital bed  12 . Replacement of the brackets in this position assures the stability of the enclosure frame  14  once it is placed upon the frame of the hospital bed  12 . 
     By allowing the enclosure bed apparatus  10  of the present invention to roll with the hospital bed, it is not necessary for specialized personnel to be called so as to facilitate either the disassembly of the enclosure bed or the transport of the enclosure bed. Also, it is not necessary to disassemble the enclosure bed for the purposes of moving a patient from one location or another. The patient can remain upon the same mattress during transport. Additionally, any danger from the patient can be avoided since the patient remains within the enclosure bed during transport. 
     The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.