Patent Publication Number: US-2011072584-A1

Title: Cable conduit for hospital bed

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/960,303, filed Dec. 19, 2007, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,849,539, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, and which claimed priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/871,017, filed Dec. 20, 2006, 60/884,793, filed Jan. 12, 2007, and 60/956805, filed Aug. 20, 2007, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure is related to patient-support apparatuses having deck sections which move relative to a support frame. More specifically, the present disclosure is related to a modularly constructed patient-support apparatus with compound movement of deck sections relative to a support frame. 
     Patient-support apparatuses, such as hospital beds, for example, are known to include deck sections which move relative to a support frame to reposition a person reclining on the bed. Movement of a head deck section is known to correspond with movement of a person from a lying position to a position with their back raised about their hips. In some cases, a seat section will also move relative to the support frame to rotate the person&#39;s thighs about their hips. This is known to help prevent the person from sliding toward a foot end of the bed. When the seat section and head section are each articulated, a person may experience discomfort due to compression of the abdomen when the two sections are raised. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure comprises one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter: 
     According to the present disclosure, a patient-support apparatus embodied as a bed includes a support frame and a plurality of deck sections supported on the frame and moveable relative thereto. The patient-support apparatus includes a first deck section and a second deck section pivotable relative to the support frame about a first pivot axis. The patient-support apparatus further includes means for translating the first pivot axis along a longitudinal axis of the support frame such that the pivot axis moves away from the first deck section as the second deck section pivots upwardly relative to the support frame. In an illustrative embodiment, the means for translating the first pivot axis comprises a first carriage movable along a longitudinal axis of the support frame, a first actuator coupled to the support frame and the first carriage such that the first actuator is operable to move the carriage along the longitudinal axis of the support frame. The second deck section may be pivotably coupled to the carriage at a first pivot support which defines the first pivot axis. When the second deck section is pivotably coupled to the carriage, the second deck section may be coupled to the support frame by a link pivotably coupled to the second deck section and pivotably coupled to the support frame. The link may urge the second deck section to pivot as the carriage moves. 
     Also according to the present, a drive system for a deck section of a patient-support apparatus may comprise an actuator configured to be coupled to a first portion of the patient-support apparatus and a carriage coupled to the actuator. The carriage may include a plurality of roller brackets, a crossbar coupled to the roller brackets, and a plurality of rollers rotatably coupled to each of the roller brackets. Each roller may be rotatable about a respective axis. The axes of rotation of the rollers may cooperate to define a first plane. The actuator may extend and retract along an extension axis that is generally parallel to the first plane. The carriage may include a pivot support defining a pivot axis. The pivot support may be configured to support a deck section of the patient-support apparatus. When the carriage includes a pivot support, the pivot axis may translate in a second plane generally parallel to the first plane. The rollers of the carriage may be configured to be supported on the first portion of the patient-support apparatus. 
     In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a patient-support apparatus may comprise a support frame, a first carriage, a first actuator coupled to support frame in the first carriage, and a first deck section movable relative to the support frame. The first actuator may be operable to move the first carriage along a longitudinal axis of the support frame. The first deck section may be pivotably coupled the carriage at a first pivot support and coupled to the support frame such that movement of the carriage translates the first pivot support along support frame and the first deck section is urged to pivot. The first deck section may pivot about the translating first pivot support as the first pivot support translates. The patient-support apparatus may be configured such that the first actuator does not pivot relative to the support frame as it extends and retracts. 
     The support frame may comprise to generally parallel longitudinal channels and a plurality of cross-members coupled to each of the longitudinal channels. The carriage may be configured to move along the longitudinal channels. The first actuator may be coupled to one of the cross-members to move the carriage relative to the support frame. In an illustrative embodiment, the carriage may comprise a pair of roller brackets, a crossbar coupled to the roller brackets, and a plurality of a rollers rotatably coupled to each of the roller brackets. The rollers may be configured to be received in longitudinal channels. The first actuator may be coupled to the crossbar such that extension of the first actuator moves the carriage away from the first cross-member. 
     The rollers of the carriage may each rotate about a respective rotation axis. The rotation axes may cooperate to find a first plane. The carriage may move in the first plane along the direction generally parallel to longitudinal axis of the support frame. 
     The first deck section may be coupled to the support frame by a link. The link may be pivotably coupled the first deck section and pivotably coupled to the support frame. The link may act on the first deck section as the carriage moves along longitudinal axis of the support frame to thereby cause the first deck section to pivot relative to the carriage. 
     The patient-support apparatus may further comprise a second carriage movable along the longitudinal axis of the support frame. The second carriage may be driven by a second actuator coupled to the support frame and the second carriage. The patient-support apparatus may further comprise a second deck section pivotably coupled to the support frame and coupled to the second carriage support such that movement of the second carriage urges the second deck section to pivot relative to the support frame. 
     Additional features, which alone or in combination with any other feature(s), including those listed above and those listed in the claims, may comprise patentable subject matter and 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 
       The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a patient-support apparatus including aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lift system head end lift system of the patient-support apparatus of  FIG. 1  with portions of the lift system omitted; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a patient-support platform of the embodiment of patient-support apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded assembly view of a portion of the patient-support platform of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded assembly view of the patient-support platform of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the patient-support platform of  FIG. 3  with deck sections of the patient-support platform positioned in a lowered position; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the patient-support platform of  FIG. 6 , the perspective taken from the below the platform on the patient left side of the platform; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of the patient-support platform of  FIG. 3  with various deck sections of the patient-support platform positioned in a raised position; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the patient-support platform of  FIG. 8 , the perspective taken from the below the platform on the patient left side of the platform; 
         FIG. 10A  is a portion of a schematic diagram of the electrical system of the embodiment of patient-support apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10B  is a portion of a schematic diagram of the electrical system of the embodiment of patient-support apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 10C  is a portion of a schematic diagram of the electrical system of the embodiment of patient-support apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     According to the present disclosure, a patient-support apparatus  10  embodied as a bed includes a patient-support platform  28  supported on two lift systems  32 ,  34  and movable vertically to change the elevation of the patient-support platform  28 . Illustratively, bed  10  may be used either in a home or in an institution such as a hospital or nursing facility, for example. Bed  10  includes a panel  20  positioned near a head end  12  of the bed and a similar panel  22  positioned near the foot end  14  of the bed. In addition, a side rail  24  is positioned at the patient right  16  of the bed  10  and a second side rail  26  is positioned at the patient left  18  side of the bed  10 . Illustratively, a pendant  27  is coupled to siderail  26 . Pendant  27  is a user input device for an occupant of bed  10  or a caregiver to activate the various drives and functions of bed  10 . It should be understood that the reference to “head and” and “foot end” of the bed  10  are provided for clarity in understanding the various figures and do not refer to any particular point or structure unless otherwise noted. Generally, a person occupies a bed such as bed  10  in a supine position and reference to patient right  16  and patient left  18  provide a basis for understanding the various figures. 
     Patient-support platform  28  includes a head deck section  38 , a seat deck section  40 , and a foot deck section  42  which are each supported on a frame  44  (seen best in  FIG. 5 ). Deck sections  38 ,  40  and  42  are each pivotable relative to frame  44  to vary the position of a patient-supported thereon. In the illustrative embodiment, bed  10  further includes a mattress  30  which is supported on the deck sections  38 ,  40  and  42  and on which a patient is supported. 
     Foot end lift system  32  and head and lift system  34  each support frame  44  and are operable to raise and lower the respective ends of the patient-support platform  28 . Foot end lift system  32  includes a user input panel  46  which may be used by a caregiver to deactivate the various drives of the bed  10  to lockout movement of the seat deck section  40 , head deck section  38 , and/or the lift systems  32 ,  34 . Head end lift system  34  is substantially similar to the foot end the system  32 , however it should be noted that head end lift system  34  has the user input panel  46  omitted. The following discussion will describe the structure of the foot end lift system  32  and it should be understood that head end lift system  34  is a similar structure. While in the illustrative embodiment only lift system  34  includes user input panel  46 , it should be understood that the system  32  could also include a user input panel  46  in some embodiments. Similarly, it should be understood that user input panel  46  may be omitted from both of the lift systems  32  and  34  in some embodiments and the user input devices could be positioned elsewhere on patient-support apparatus  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the general operation of the lift system  34  involves the movement of supports  94  and  96  within tubes  90  and  92  respectively. The lift system  34  includes a pair of tethers coupled to supports  94  and  96  respectively. A winder supported on a carriage  52  of lift system  34  winds the tethers upon a spool which thereby shortens the length of the tethers. This causes the tubes  90  and  92  and carriage  52  to move vertically upwardly along the direction of arrow  550  and the supports  94  and  96  to extend from the tubes  90  and  92 . The patient-support platform  28  is supported at each end by one of the lift systems  32  and  34 . Movement of the patient-support platform  28  to change the elevation of the platform is effectuated by the two winders in the respective lift systems  32  and  34 . The carriage  52  and platform  28  are vertically lowered along the direction of arrow  550  when the tether is unwound from the spool. 
     Further discussion of the operation of the lift systems is disclosed in a patent application titled LIFT SYSTEM FOR A PATIENT-SUPPORT APPARATUS filed Dec. 19, 2007, having an attorney docket number 7175-204397 and an application Ser. No. 11/960,254, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. In general, various configurations of a controller  156  are used to control the operation of the bed  10  based on the power available to the system. Various configurations of controller are available from Linak U.S., Inc. of Louisville, Ky. For example, a part number CB6036 controller from Linak is configured for mains power of 120 VAC at 60 Hz. A part number CB6035 from Linak is configured for mains power of 230 VAC at 50 Hz. A CB6037 from Linak is configured for 100 VAC at 50 Hz. Each of these units converts power from mains to operate the DC drive system of the bed. In addition, each of the systems includes a battery charger to charge a standby battery which may be used when the bed  10  is disconnected from mains. 
     Frame  44  includes a left rail  402  and a right rail  404  and a pair of cross-members  406  and  408  which are coupled to the rails  402  and  404 . In the illustrative embodiment, cross-members  406  and  408  are coupled to rails  402  and  404  by a plurality of bolts  410  which are secured with a plurality of nuts  412 . Frame  44  further includes a pair of carriage assemblies  414  and  416  which are movable relative to the rails  402  and  404  along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  418  of frame  44 . Carriage  414  is configured to cause pivoting of seat section  40  relative to frame  44 . Similarly, carriage  416  is configured to cause pivoting of head section  38  relative to frame  44 . 
     A first actuator  420  is coupled to cross-member  406  by a bolt  422  secured by a nut  424 . A second actuator  426  is secured to cross-member  408  by another bolt  422  secured by a nut  424 . Extension and retraction of actuator  420  causes carriage  414  to move relative to frame  44 . Similarly, extension and retraction of actuator  426  causes carriage  416  to move relative to frame  44 . In the illustrative embodiment, the actuator  426  is part number LA27-U038-00 and actuator  420  is part number LA27-U039-00 both of which are available from Linak U.S., Inc. of Louisville, Ky. 
     Each of the carriages  414  and  416  has a similar structure. The carriages include first and second roller brackets  428  and  430 . A crossbar  432  spans the width of frame  44  and connects roller brackets  428  and  430 . Each roller bracket  428  and  430  includes a plurality of roller bearings  434  onto which a roller  436  is positioned. In the illustrative embodiment each carriage includes two rollers  436  positioned on each side of the carriage  414 ,  416 . Two of the rollers  436  are received in channel  402  and two of the rollers  436  are received in the channel  404  such that carriages  414  and  416  are supported on frame  44  through the interface of rollers  436  with channels  402  and  404 . Actuators  420  and  426  are secured to crossbars  432  via a bolt  422  secured by a nut  424 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a conduit  438  is supported on frame  44  and supports various cables which extend between the foot end lift  32  and the head end lift  34 . A cable  440  communicates between the controller  156  (shown diagrammatically in  FIG. 11 ) and the actuator  420 . Another cable  442  communicates between the controller and actuator  426 . A cable  444  communicates between the user input panel  46  via a connector  445 , a pendant connector  446  coupled to the pendant  448 , and the controller  156 . Yet another cable  450  communicates between a pair of battery connectors  452  and controller  156 . Still another cable  447  communicates between controller  156  and foot end lift system  32 . Each of these cables is positioned in conduit  438  to reduce the potential for entanglement with the moving portions of bed  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , deck sections  38 ,  40  and  42  are simple assemblies which provide support for mattress  30 . Head deck section  38  and foot deck section  42  each have a common frame  454  which includes a pair of side members  456 ,  456  positioned on either side of the frame  454 . A plurality of slats  458  span the width of frame  454  and are coupled to the side members  456 ,  456 . In the illustrative embodiment, the slats  458  are welded to the side members  456 . Each section  38  and  42  further includes a mattress retainer  460  secured to the sections  38  and  42  by a plurality of bolts  462  and nuts  464 . Mattress retainer  460  is configured with multiple holes  466  such that mattress retainer  460  can be secured to sections  38  and  42  in a plurality of positions. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , mattress retainer  460  is secured in a first position which supports a first mattress length. The mattress retainer  460  can be secured using the alternative holes to support and retain a mattress having a length greater than the first length. The frame  44  may be coupled to lift systems  32  and  34  in multiple positions to accommodate the multiple lengths of mattress as well. 
     Deck sections  38  and  42  each further include a pair of brackets  466 ,  466 . The brackets  466  are configured to engage a support structure  468  configured to support the deck  42 . Brackets  466  are formed to include a channel  470  which in which a crossbar  472  of support structure  468  is received. When the crossbar  472  is positioned in the channel  470  at a first end  474  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the foot end of foot deck section  42  is maintained in a lowered position relative to the frame  44 . When the crossbar  472  is positioned in the end  476  of channel  470 , the foot end of foot deck section  42  is raised relative to the seat section  40  as is known in the art. Thus, the seat deck section  40  and foot deck section  42  are positionable to elevate a patient&#39;s legs relative to the frame  44  to achieve a vascular position, for example. Support structure  468  includes a pair of arms  478 ,  478  coupled to crossbar  472  and pivotably coupled to the rails  402  and  404  of frame  44  by bolts  480 , washers  482  and nuts  484 . 
     Frames  454  further include a pair of brackets  486 ,  486  which facilitate pivotable coupling of sections  38  and  42  to other portions of the patient-support platform  28 . Head deck section  38  is pivotably coupled to the carriage  416  by a plurality of bolts  488 , washers  490 , and bolts  492 . A link  494  is pivotably coupled to each of the brackets  486  by a bolt  496  and a nut  498 . Each link  494  is also coupled to a pivot support  512  coupled to a respective rail  402  or  404  of frame  44  by a bolt  500 , washer  502 , washer  504  and a nut  506 . Pivot supports  512 ,  512  cooperate to define a pivot axis  514 . Thus, head deck section  38  is pivotably coupled to the carriage  416  and coupled to the support frame  44  by the pivotable links  494 ,  494 . Roller brackets  428 ,  428  of carriage  416  are formed to include pivot supports  508 ,  508  to which brackets  486 ,  486  are secured. The two pivot supports  508 ,  508  cooperate to define a pivot axis  510 . 
     Seat deck section  40  includes a pair of side members  518 ,  518  with a plurality of slats  458  spanning the width of section  40 . Slats  458  are welded to the side members  518 . Seat deck section  40  further includes two brackets  520  and  522  coupled to the underside of the slats  458 . Each of the brackets  520  and  522  are coupled to a respective pivot support  524 ,  526  of rails  402  and  404 . Pivot supports  524  and  526  cooperate to define a pivot axis  528  about which seat deck section  40  pivots relative to frame  44 . Brackets  520  and  522  are each secured to a pivot support  524  or  526  by a bolt  488 , washers  490 , and nut  492 . 
     Brackets  486 ,  486  of foot deck section  42  are each coupled to a respective one of the brackets  520  or  522  of seat deck section  40  by a bolt  488 , washers  490 , and nut  492 . Thus, foot deck section  42  is pivotable relative to seat deck section  40 . 
     Seat deck section  38  is coupled to carriage  414  by a pair of links  530 ,  530  which are each coupled to one of the brackets  520 ,  522  respectively by a bolt  488 , washers  490 , and nut  492 . Roller brackets  428 ,  428  of carriage  414  formed to include pivot supports  516 ,  516  which cooperate to define a pivot axis  518 . Links  530 ,  530  are each pivotably coupled to one of the pivot supports  516 ,  516  by a bolt  488 , washers  490 , and nut  492 . Links  530 ,  530  are therefore pivotable relative to both the seat deck section  40  and the carriage  414 . 
     Actuators  420  and  426  each extend and retract along their axis, parallel to the longitudinal axis  418  of the frame  44 . Referring to  FIGS. 6-9 , the movement of various portions of patient-support platform  28  is illustrated. As actuator  426  extends, carriage  416  moves along the rails  402  and  404 . Thus, pivot axis  510  translates along frame  44 . Links  494 ,  494  act on head deck section  38  causing head deck section  38  to pivot about axis  510  as actuator  426  extends from the position shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  to the position shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Links  494 ,  494  also pivot about axis  514 . Carriage  416  moves in a plane along the rails  402  and  404  in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis  418 . The plane in which the carriage moves is defined by the axes of rotation of each of the rollers  436  which cooperate to define the plane. By maintaining the movement of the carriage  416  in a plane, the actuator  426  is only loaded along the extension axis of the actuator. This reduces the strength required necessary for the actuator to support a side load, thereby reducing the size and cost of the actuator. 
     Also, movement of carriage  416  results in movement of head deck section  38  away from seat deck section  40  as head deck section  38  moves because the pivot axis translates. This reduces the potential for abdominal discomfort for a patient supported on bed  10  when both the head deck section  38  and the seat deck section  40  are raised at the same time. 
     Articulation of the seat deck section  40  relative to the frame  44  also takes advantage of planar movement of carriage  414  similar to the planar movement of carriage  416  to reduce the size and cost of actuator  420 . As carriage  414  moves along rails  402  and  404 , links  530 ,  530  act on seat deck section  40  to cause section  40  to pivot about axis  528  between the position shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  and the position shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Pivoting of the seat section  40  also causes foot deck section  42  to pivot relative to seat deck section  40  and on support structure  468  relative to frame  44 . 
     Having a “knock-down” type construction, bed  10  is suitable for use in a home as the various portions of bed  10  can be disassembled and assembled with the use of standard tools. Thus, frame  33 , lift systems  32  and  34  and deck sections  38 ,  40  and  42  can be shipped separately and assembled on site. In general, articulating beds employing compound movement of deck sections relative to a frame are bulky and difficult to use in a non-institutional environment. Also, bed  10  is configured with pivot points inboard from the edges of the various deck sections which reduces the potential for bunching of bed linens about the pivots when the bed linens are used for an extended period. Because the carriages  414  and  416  effectuate movement of deck sections  38 ,  40  and  42  above frame  44  with no swinging movement of linkages below the frame  44 , platform  28  can be lowered very near to the floor such that the risk of falls for a person exiting bed  10  is reduced. 
     Although certain illustrative embodiments have been described in detail above, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of this disclosure as described and as defined in the following claims.