Abstract:
A bed system. The bed system including a mattress, and a frame having a channel extends horizontally from a first side to a point between the first side and a second side. The channel comprising a track configured to receive a bed pan. The mattress having an aperture positioned vertically over the channel.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/338,007 filed on May 18, 2016. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to bed systems. 
         [0003]    The sick and the elderly are sometimes bedridden, incontinent, or otherwise incapable of normal use of rest room facilities. In such cases where possible medical staff assist in the otherwise normal use of a rest room, some patients are required to use a bed pan or a diaper. Either option can have inconvenient, embarrassing, and injurious psychological effects. 
         [0004]    Diapers can cause rashes and sores if worn for too long a period of time. A bed pan is typically used by having medical personnel place the bed pan between the patient and the bed. The patient may then either recall the medical personnel to remove the bed pan immediately after use or in some situations may be forced to remain with the bed pan for a prolonged period while awaiting the return of the medical personnel. If a patient has difficult moving on their own, has seizures or is unconscious, there may be unfortunate spillage unto the bed. This would force medical personnel to bathe the patient, replacing the bed linens, and returning the patient to the bed. This process is difficult physically and psychologically for both the patient and the medical personnel. Therefore, it is desirable to have a device by which a patient may relieve themselves independently, without assistance, and without the risk of spills. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of bed systems now present in the known art, the present invention provides a frame comprising a first frame sidewall and an opposing second frame sidewall. The first frame sidewall further comprising a channel with a distal end and an open end disposed along the first frame sidewall. The channel extends from the first frame sidewall toward the second frame sidewall. The channel comprising a track configured to slidably receive a bed pan. A mattress comprising an upper surface and an aperture configured such that when placed upon the frame the aperture is in vertical alignment over the channel wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when the user needs to relieve themselves. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the bed system. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the frame of an embodiment of the bed system. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the bed system with an embodiment of the plug being inserted therein. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the bed system with an embodiment of the insert being inserted therein. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the bed system with an embodiment of the guard being inserted therein. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the bed system with an alternate embodiment of the guard being inserted therein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the bed pan receiving bed. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. Unless specifically limited to a single unit, “a” is intended to be equivalent to “one or more” throughout the present disclosure. 
         [0014]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the bed system. The bed system  100  comprises a frame  101  having a first frame sidewall  102  and an opposing second frame sidewall  103 . The first frame sidewall  102  further comprises a channel  104  with a distal end  105  and an open end  106  disposed along the first frame sidewall  102 . The channel  104  extends from the first frame sidewall  102  towards the second frame sidewall  103 . In the shown embodiment, the channel  104  has a track  107  configured to slidably receive a bed pan  108 . The bed system  100  further comprises a mattress  109  having an upper surface  110  and an aperture  111  configured such that when placed upon the frame  101  between the sidewalls  102 ,  103 , the aperture  111  is in vertical alignment over the channel  104 . A cover  113  is adapted to be placed over the bed pan  108  when the bed pan  108  is not in use. 
         [0015]    The channel  104  extends in a U-shape but in other embodiments is shaped differently such as a rectangle. The channel has a distal end  105  configured in this embodiment to be in vertical alignment below the aperture  111 . However, in other embodiments the channel  104  and thereby the distal end  105  are extended further, in some embodiments abutting the second frame sidewall  103 . In some embodiments, the cover  113  is placed atop the bed pan  108  when the bed pan  108  is not in use. In other embodiments, the cover  113  is placed atop the distal end  105  and in yet other embodiments is place atop a portion of the channel  104 . 
         [0016]    The mattress  109  has a filling configured to support a person in a comfortable manner. Embodiments of the mattress  109  use foam, pocketed coil springs, and gel as well as other suitable types of filling known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. While in the shown embodiment the aperture  111  is in vertical alignment over the distal end  105  other embodiments place the aperture  111  in vertical alignment over other portions of the channel  104 . Embodiments of the upper surface  110  are made of fabric, vinyl, and other suitable materials known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0017]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a perspective view of the frame of an embodiment of the bed system. The bed pan  108  has a base  201  with a sidewall  202  along the perimeter of the base  201  extending upwards therefrom forming an interior volume with an open upper end. The sidewall  202  has a flange  203  and a handle  204  affixed to the sidewall  202 . Some embodiments of the bed pan  108  do not have a handle  204 . The bed pan  108  is slidably received by the track and the flange  203  rests upon the track. The flange  203  in some embodiments is configured to act as a seat. 
         [0018]    In the illustrated embodiment, the frame  101  is a rectangular metal bed on wheels with adjustable side rails. The frame  101  has a horizontal slat  205  extending from the first frame sidewall  102  to the second frame sidewall  103  configured to support the mattress  109  thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, the horizontal slat  205  is a planar member, however, in other embodiments the horizontal slat  205  is tubular. In yet other embodiment the horizontal slat  205  is other suitable shapes known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the frame  101  is a power frame capable of raising and lowering portions of the frame  101 . Other embodiments of the frame  101  use other suitable shapes, materials and modifications known to persons of ordinary skill in the art such as vibration motors. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the bed system with an embodiment of the plug being inserted therein. A plug  301  is dimensioned to fill the aperture  111  such that the plug  301  is flush with the upper surface  110 . The plug  301  is configured to support a person in conjunction with the mattress  109 . The plug  301  has the same filling and upper surface  110  material as the mattress  109  in some embodiments. The plug  301  when inserted into the aperture  111  rests upon the cover in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the plug  301  rests upon the channel and in yet other embodiments the plug  301  rests upon the bed pan. 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the bed system with an embodiment of the insert being inserted therein. The waterproof insert  401  is removably affixable to the aperture  111  and has an open upper end and an open lower end. The insert  401  is configured to line the aperture  111 . In some embodiments, the insert  401  is a flexible plastic funnel. In other embodiments, the insert  401  is a rigid plastic cylinder with a flange. In yet other embodiments, other suitable shapes and materials known to persons of ordinary skill in the art is used. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there is shown a perspective view of the guard inserted into the bed system, and a perspective view of an embodiment of the bed system with an alternate embodiment of the guard being inserted therein, respectively. The guard  502  comprising a rigid curved member  503  removably affixable to the insert  501 . In embodiments with the guard  502  the insert  501  is made of a rigid material. The insert  501  has an aperture  505  configured to receive a protrusion  504  of the member  503 . The guard  502  is adapted to accommodate men by directing urination into the bed pan. In the illustrated embodiment, the member  503  is shaped as a half dome, however, in other embodiments other suitable shapes known to persons of ordinary skill in the art are used such as conical and polyhedral shapes. 
         [0022]    In use the bed system is adapted to allow a bed ridden person to normally rest upon the bed, but when needed use the aperture and bed to relieve themselves without embarrassment or outside assistance. In embodiments with a plug and insert, a bed ridden person lays normally upon the plug without need to avoid the aperture or feel discomfort at its presence and as needed remove the plug and place the insert into the aperture. Male patients also at this time use the guard. 
         [0023]    It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0024]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.