Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for covering a surface of a support that is mounted on a frame. Said device comprises a first means for delivering a cover that is embodied in the form of a textile web to the support surface as well as a second means for receiving the cover. A section of the cover extending between the first and the second means is guided over the support surface while the first and the second means are mounted below a level defined by the support surface.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is the US National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2006/061727 filed Apr. 21, 2006 and claims the benefits thereof. The International Application claims the benefits of German application No. 10 2005 019 151.7 filed Apr. 25, 2005, both of the applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to an apparatus for covering a support surface of a support which is provided on a frame. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    DE 102 26 231 B3 discloses a hospital bed or nursing bed including a holding apparatus in the form of a lattice for holding a mattress. A top side of the mattress which is held on the holding apparatus forms a support surface for a patient. In order to cover the support surface with a bedsheet, said bedsheet is normally thrown over the mattress and spread out. The bedsheet is stretched out, taut at the edges, pulled over the sides of the mattress and jammed in between mattress and holding apparatus. When bedsheets are changed, a bedsheet encompassing the mattress must be pulled off the mattress again. Covering the conventional patient bed is costly in terms of effort and time. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,794,313 discloses an apparatus for turning a patient who is located on a patient bed for an x-ray apparatus. In the case of the known apparatus, a roller mechanism is provided in each case at each of the longitudinal sides of the patient bed. A roller cloth is held on the roller mechanism. By means of the roller mechanism, the roller cloth and hence the patient situated thereon can be moved transversely relative to the longitudinal sides across the patient bed. As a result of a combination of a rotation of a turning roller of the roller mechanism, said turning roller being oriented towards the patient bed, and the movement of the roller cloth in the direction of the turning roller, the patient can be turned on the patient bed. The roller mechanisms which are situated at the longitudinal sides, in particular the turning roller, hamper the accessibility to the patient bed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention addresses the problem of overcoming the disadvantages in the prior art. In particular, provision is made for a simple apparatus by means of which a support surface can be covered at particularly low cost in terms of effort and time. 
         [0006]    This problem is solved by the claims. 
         [0007]    According to the invention, an apparatus for covering a support surface provides for a first means for supplying a cover to the support surface, said cover having the form of a textile sheet, and a second means for receiving the cover, wherein a section of the cover, said section running between the first and second means, is guided over the support surface, and wherein the first and the second means are attached below a level which is defined by the support surface. For the purpose of covering, the section which is situated on the support surface can be received by the second means and, at the same time, a part of the cover which is supplied by the first means can be pulled over the support surface. Furthermore, in order to prevent unwanted slipping, the cover can be fixed by means of the first and second means. The first and the second means allow the support surface to be covered in a particularly simple manner. Covering can be carried out in a manner which is particularly quick and at little cost in terms of effort. 
         [0008]    The first and the second means are attached below a level which is defined by the support surface. The first and the second means can be provided at end sides of the support surface, said end sides being perpendicular to the longitudinal sides. Furthermore, the first and the second means can be arranged such that they do not project from the support surface or the frame below the level. It is thus possible to ensure that access to the support surface is not compromised by the first and the second means. 
         [0009]    The first and/or the second means can be attached to the frame, in particular to a part of the frame which can be moved with the support. In this case, the support can be e.g. a mattress which is held on the frame. The support can also be at least partially rigid. In this case, it can be e.g. a transportation couch for ambulances, an operating table or similar. The rigid support can be made of e.g. plastic, metal, wood, etc. The rigid support can also feature cushioning. In the case of the at least partially rigid support, the first and/or the second means can also advantageously be attached to the support itself. As a result of attaching the first and/or the second means to the frame and/or the support, it is possible to avoid any unwanted movement of the first and/or the second means. The operation of the apparatus and the covering of the support surface of the support can be simplified further. 
         [0010]    An embodiment of the invention provides for the inclusion of conveying means for automatically conveying the cover from the first means to the second means over the support surface. A manual, electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic drive mechanism can be used for the automatic conveyance. For example, a crank handle or an electromotor can be used. The conveying means can include rollers for conveying the cover. The conveying means can also include a rotatable roller on which the cover can be rolled up. In this case, when covering, the cover can be rolled up on a roller which is held by the second means, and pulled over the support surface thus. Corresponding to the length which has been rolled up, the cover is supplied to the support surface by the first means. The conveying means allow the support surface to be covered in a particularly simple, time-saving and effort-saving manner. 
         [0011]    The apparatus can include provision for a stretching means for generating a stretching force which acts on the cover. Because the first and the second means are attached below a level which is defined by the support surface, the cover is stretched over the support by the stretching force. Any undesired slipping of the cover on the support surface can be avoided. The cover can be held in a consistently taut state on the support surface. 
         [0012]    An embodiment of the invention provides for the inclusion of a sensor means for detecting an occupancy state of the support. The sensor means is advantageous if the covering of the support surface takes place semi-automatically or fully automatically under electronic control. If the sensor means detects that the support is occupied, the conveying means can be deactivated, for example, such that a covering process cannot be carried out. Particularly safe operation can be ensured as a result of using a sensor means. 
         [0013]    The cover can be manufactured from a fabric, paper or plastic. Fabric covers are particularly suitable for multiple use. It is particularly easy to clean surfaces made of plastic covers, even when they are guided over the support surface. Paper covers can be used, for example, if re-use of the cover is not anticipated. 
         [0014]    The cover can have an RFID transponder (radio frequency identification transponder) attached thereto. The RFID transponder can hold information about the suitability and type of use of the cover. Furthermore, the RFID transponder can also store information concerning the date of manufacture, the use-by date and/or the owner, and the date of the last cleaning in the case of covers which can be used more than once. Information which can be used for inventory management purposes can be stored on the RFID transponder. The information held on the RFID transponder can be read using a readout entity which is provided at the apparatus. 
         [0015]    According to a further embodiment of the invention, a lifting entity is provided for lifting a body which is lying on the support. In particular, the lifting entity is advantageous in the case of nursing beds and patient beds for bedridden patients. Removing the patient from the bed or lifting the patient can be simplified considerably. In the case of the apparatus according to the invention, by means of which the cover can be pulled over the support surface, lifting the body from the support is sufficient. The cover can be passed between body and support surface. The support surface can be covered in a manner which is particularly simple and economical in terms of time. 
         [0016]    The support can be part of a couch, in particular a patient couch, or a bed, in particular a hospital bed or nursing bed. The couch can be part of a medical or associated technical apparatus, e.g. an x-ray device. It can be a couch for the purpose of examination, therapy or transport. The bed can be used in the context of medical facilities, nursing facilities and in the private or commercial sector, e.g. in hotels and similar. The support can be provided for holding any body, in particular a human body or parts thereof. 
         [0017]    According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first means and/or the second means feature(s) a holder for holding a part of the cover which is not guided over the support surface. Said part of the cover can be wound onto a roller held and on the holder. The holder can be a u-form or v-form basin which corresponds to the dimensions of the roller and in which the roller can be placed. The holder can also feature retainers which can hold pins or bolts which project parallel with the rotational axis of the roller. The roller can also be held on a bar or shaft which is held by the retainers. As an alternative to a cover which is wound in the form of a roller, the cover can be provided in bays, in folded form, and held in a suitable manner by the holder. 
         [0018]    A quantity of cover which is sufficient for multiple coverings of the support surface can be held on the holder. It is not necessary for the cover to be transported to or away from the support surface before or after each covering. The overall time required for covering the support surface, including the transportation of the cover, can be reduced. 
         [0019]    Means for sterilizing or disinfecting the cover can be provided at the holder. Any growth of bacteria and microbes, particularly in the case of used covers held by the second means, can be suppressed. 
         [0020]    According to an embodiment of the invention, a detection means is provided for detecting a quantity of the cover which is held on the holder. Provision can also be made for a warning generation means for generating a warning when the quantity of the cover falls below or exceeds a predetermined limit value. 
         [0021]    According to a further embodiment of the invention, provision is made for a computer for controlling and/or monitoring the first means, the second means, the stretching means, the conveying means, the sensor means, the lifting entity, the detection means and/or the warning generation means. The covering of the support can be automated and simplified by means of a computer. 
         [0022]    According to the invention, provision is further made for a changing entity comprising an apparatus for covering a support surface in accordance with the invention and a mobile changing apparatus for changing a cover which is held on at least one of the holders. The changing entity is advantageous both by virtue of the advantages of the inventive apparatus and because the change of the cover which is held on the holder can be simplified by means of the changing apparatus. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in greater detail below with reference to the drawings, in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  shows an apparatus according to the invention, said apparatus being attached to a patient bed, 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  schematically shows a covering process for the support surface using the apparatus as per  FIG. 1 , and 
           [0026]      FIGS. 3 to 5  schematically show the functionality of a mobile changing entity. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  shows an apparatus according to the invention, said apparatus being attached to a patient bed. The patient bed includes a frame  1  and an entity which is attached thereto for the purpose of holding a mattress  2 . The top side of the mattress  2  defines a support surface  3  for holding a patient, who is not shown. A first means  4  for supplying a cover  5 , which has the form of a textile sheet, to the support surface  3  is provided at a part of the frame  1  which extends downwards from the mattress  2 . A second means  6  for receiving the cover  5  is provided at a further part of the frame  1  which extends downwards. The first means  4  and the second means  6  are attached below a level N which is defined by the support surface  3 . The first means  4  and the second means  6  feature a first holder  7  and second holder  8  respectively. A first part  9  of the cover  5  which is held by the first holder  7  is wound onto a first roller  10 . A second part  11  of the cover  5  is fastened to a second roller  12  which is held by the second holder  8 . The reference sign  13  designates a control unit. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  schematically shows a covering process for the support surface  3  using the apparatus as per  FIG. 1 . A direction of rotation is designated by the reference sign D. A length of the support surface  3  is designated by the reference sign  1 . During the covering process, the cover is moved on the mattress  2  in a direction of movement R. 
         [0029]    The function of the apparatus is as follows: 
         [0030]    In order to cover the mattress  2  using a section of the cover  5  of the first part  9 , said section corresponding to the length  1 , the second roller  12  which is held on the second holder  8  is rotated counterclockwise in the direction of rotation D by means of a conveying means which is not shown. As a result of the rotation, the second part  11  which is fastened to the second roller  12  is wound onto the second roller  12 . At the same time, the section of the cover  5  is unwound from the first roller  10  and pulled over the mattress  2  in the direction of movement R. When the whole section of the cover  5  is located on the mattress  2 , the winding onto the second roller  12  can be stopped and the covering process terminated. 
         [0031]    The conveying means can be a crank handle, which is connected to the second roller  12  via a drive mechanism, for turning the second roller  12 . The crank handle can be connected to a shaft, to which the second roller  12  is attached, of the second holder  8 . An electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic drive mechanism can be provided instead of the crank handle. 
         [0032]    The first holder  7  can be designed in the form of a basin in which the first roller can be placed. The first holder  7  can also be a shaft or similar, on which the first roller  10  can be held. As a result of the rotation of the second roller  12  in the direction of rotation D, the section of the cover  5  is unwound from the first roller  10  and pulled onto the support in the direction of movement R. It is also possible for the first roller  10  of the first holder  7  to be rotated synchronously with the second roller  12 , wherein lengths of the cover  5  which are wound onto the second roller  12  correspond to those which are unwound from the first roller  10 . 
         [0033]    In order to prevent slipping or creasing of the cover  5  on the support surface  3 , provision can be made for a stretching means (not shown) for generating a stretching force which acts on the cover  5 . The stretching force can be generated, for example, because a predetermined tensile force is required for unrolling the cover  5  from the first roller  10 . If the tensile force is exceeded as a result of rotating the second roller  12  in the direction of rotation D in the context of covering, the section of the cover  5  is supplied to and pulled over the mattress  2  under the influence of the tensile force. The stretching which is caused by the tensile force can also be maintained after the covering process by fixing the second roller  12  in order to prevent it from turning against the direction of rotation D. The stretching force can also be generated after the covering process by fixing the first roller  10  and the second roller  12  in order to prevent any rotation and lowering the first holder  7  and/or the second holder  8  vertically. In order to generate the stretching force, it is also possible to fix the first roller  10  and to further rotate the second roller  12  by a predetermined amount in the direction of rotation D. Provision can also be made for an additional deflecting roller. After fixing the first roller  10  and the second roller  12 , the deflecting roller can be moved such that a stretching force is generated in a longitudinal direction of the cover  5 . 
         [0034]    The occupancy state of the support surface  3  of the patient bed can be detected by means of a sensor means (not shown). The sensor means can be a pressure sensor, for example. It is also possible to determine the occupancy state by means of a camera. The detected occupancy state can be supplied to the control unit  13 . If the support surface  3  is occupied, the conveying means is automatically deactivated by the control unit  13  such that the covering process cannot be executed. In addition, the camera can also be used for monitoring the covering process. The first means  4  and/or the second means  6  can also include detection means (not shown) for detecting a quantity of the cover which is held on the first roller  10  and/or the second roller  12 . Using the detection means, it is possible to determine e.g. the diameter of the first roller and/or second roller including the first part  9  and/or second part  11  which is held thereon. The diameter can be used as a measure for the quantity of the cover. The diameter can also be used to determine the cover length of the first part  9  and/or the second part  11 . The cover length can also be determined by means of a wheel over which the cover  5  is guided. In this case, the wheel rollers in contact with the cover during the covering process, wherein the cover length can be determined on the basis of the circumference of the wheel and the number of rotations. Markings which can be detected optically, electrically or magnetically can also be provided on the cover for determining the cover length. The weight of the first roller  10  and/or the second roller  12 , including the first part  9  or second part  11  which is held thereon, can also be used as a measurement for the amount of the cover. 
         [0035]    If the amount of the cover held on the second roller  12  exceeds a predetermined value, the conveying means can be disabled e.g. by means of the control unit such that no further cover process can be executed. Similarly, the conveying means can be disabled if the amount of the cover held on the first roller  10  falls below a predetermined value. This can occur, for example, if the cover length of the first part  9  held on the first roller  10  is less than the length  1  which is at least required for a covering process. If the predetermined value is exceeded or not met respectively, a warning can be generated by means of a warning generation means. The warning can be output as an optical and/or acoustic warning by the warning generation means. 
         [0036]    The control unit  13  can be used for controlling and/or monitoring the first means  4 , the second means  6 , the stretching means, the conveying means, the sensor means, the detection means and/or the warning generation means. A computer can be provided for the same purpose. The covering process can be automated by means of the control unit  13  or the computer. For the purpose of executing the processes which are required in the context of covering, e.g. activating the conveying means, stretching the cover  5 , etc., provision can also be made for a manually operated hand control, e.g. a remote control. 
         [0037]    In the case of a facility such as e.g. a hospital or similar, the computer or the control unit  13  can be connected to a central computer via a data network. Occupancy states, cover quantities, etc. can be captured by the central computer. The covering processes can be controlled and coordinated centrally. The cover quantities which are captured can be used for the purposes of inventory management or stock keeping for covers  5 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 3 to 5  schematically show the functionality of a mobile changing entity  14 . The changing entity  14  features an operating unit  15  and a movable holder entity  17  which is attached to a telescopic arm  16 . The reference signs v and h designate a vertical and a horizontal direction. 
         [0039]    The telescopic arm  16 , the holder entity  17  and a drive apparatus (not shown) for moving the changing apparatus  14  can be controlled by a user by means of the operating unit  15 . The holder entity  17  can be moved in the vertical direction v by means of the telescopic arm  16 . The telescopic arm  16  can also be moved up and down in the horizontal direction h. Movement of the telescopic arm  16  and the holder entity  17  can be effected mechanically, electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically. An energy source such as a battery or a fuel cell, for example, can be provided for supplying energy to the changing entity  14 . 
         [0040]    When the second roller  12  is removed from the second holder  8  using the changing entity  14 , this is positioned at the second means  6  in a first step as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The holder entity  17  is then moved to a suitable position for holding the second roller  12  by means of a movement in the vertical direction v and/or the horizontal direction h. In a second step, the second roller  12  is held by the holder entity  17 , e.g. by a grasping device, as shown in  FIG. 4 . After the second roller  12  has been removed from the second holder  8 , the holder entity  17  with the second roller  12  held thereon is moved, by retracting the telescopic arm  16 , to a transport position which is suitable for transportation by means of the changing entity  14  as shown in  FIG. 5 . A second roller  12  which does not have a cover  5  wound thereon can likewise be supplied to the second holder  8  by means of the changing entity  14 . In this case, the holder entity  17  with the empty second roller  12  held thereon is positioned at the second means  6  and at the second holder  8 , and the second roller  12  is supplied to the second holder  8 . Removal of an empty first roller  10  and a supply of a first roller  10  with a cover  5  wound thereon can take place analogously. 
         [0041]    Using the above described embodiments of the invention, it is possible significantly to simplify the covering of the support surface  3 . Instead of throwing over, spreading out and encompassing the support surface  3  using a conventional bedsheet, the cover  5  need merely be conveyed forwards by at least the length  1  using the apparatus according to the invention. This can be performed automatically or largely automatically. The cost in terms of effort and time for covering the support surface can be significantly reduced.