Patent Description:
In healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, it is commonplace to have to store bed frames while the bed frames are not being used. However, a hospital bed frame occupies a relatively large amount of floor space and if there are a number of bed frames that are not being used, finding adequate floor space to store the bed frames can be problematic.

<CIT> discloses a vertical storage system for storing bed frames. The system disclosed in this document uses a complicated arrangement of winches and pulleys and has a support frame enclosing and surrounding platforms for receiving bed frames. The support frame has four corner posts and the platforms engage with the four corner posts by means of guides which retain the platforms in position within the frame while they are suspended by four chains, one at each corner of the platforms.

The use of a frame and the winch and pulley arrangement limits the flexibility and configurability of the system disclosed in <CIT> and requires four chains to suspend the platforms. In addition, the frame that surrounds the platforms occupies additional space and due to the presence of the support frame it is only possible to load bed frames onto the platforms from one end. Therefore, the storage system of <CIT> is not suited to all storage locations.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for storing vehicles, the apparatus comprising:.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a bed frame storing apparatus according to claim <NUM>.

Advantages of the invention include that by having the mounting device on only one side of the at least one bed supports helps to reduce the space occupied by the apparatus and/or improves access to the apparatus by enabling the apparatus to be configured to have bed frames loaded onto the at least one bed support either from a side or from the front.

Also described is a control unit for controlling operation of a number of apparatus for storing bed frames, the control unit comprising a processor; a selector device for selecting one of a number of apparatus to be operated, the selector device being coupled to the processor; a drive device coupled to the processor and to a motor on each of the apparatus for storing beds; and wherein the processor receives an input from the selector device indicating a selected apparatus to be operated and in response to the received input the processor outputs a first control signal to the drive device, and in response to the control signal, the drive device driving the motor associated with the selected apparatus.

Preferably, the control unit further comprises an activating device coupled to the processor, wherein the processor outputs the first control signal to the drive means when the processor receives an activation signal from the activation device.

The processor may output a second control signal to the drive means when the processor receives a stop signal from a stop device, and in response to the stop signal, the drive means stops driving the motor. The stop signal may be received from at least one of (i) a stop device on the control unit, (ii) a stop device remote from the control unit and the apparatus and (iii) a stop device on the apparatus.

An example of apparatus for storing bed frames in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a bed stacker <NUM> having a base <NUM> and upright support (or mounting device) <NUM> which extends vertically from the base <NUM>. The base <NUM> has a central section <NUM>. A first foot member <NUM> extends out from the central section <NUM> at right angles at one end and at the opposite end a second foot member <NUM> extends out from the base section <NUM> also at right angles and substantially parallel to the first foot member <NUM>. The second foot member <NUM> includes two ramps <NUM> and a guide rail <NUM> is attached to each ramp <NUM>. The guide rails <NUM> extend from the ramps <NUM> towards the first foot member <NUM>. The support <NUM> includes two vertical uprights <NUM>, <NUM> that extend vertically upwards from the central base section <NUM> of the base <NUM>. An upper cross member <NUM> connects the two vertical uprights <NUM>, <NUM>. A motor <NUM> is mounted on the cross member <NUM> and a drive screw <NUM> extends downwardly from the motor <NUM> to a bearing <NUM> located in the central base section <NUM>. The drive screw <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the motor <NUM> so that operation of the motor <NUM> rotates the drive screw <NUM>.

Mounted on the drive screw <NUM> is a lifting member <NUM> which engages with the thread of the drive screw such that rotation of the drive screw <NUM> by the motor <NUM> causes the lifting member <NUM> to be raised or lowered depending on the direction of rotation of the drive screw <NUM> and of the motor <NUM>. For example, the lifting member <NUM> may include a captive nut that is threaded onto the drive screw and is held captive in the lifting member <NUM> so that it cannot rotate with respect to the lifting member <NUM>. Hence, rotation of the drive screw <NUM> will cause linear vertical movement of the lifting member <NUM>.

Fixed to opposite ends of the lifting member <NUM> are two L-shaped bed support members <NUM>. One upright leg of each L-shaped support member <NUM> is fixed to an end of the lifting member <NUM> and the other leg of the L-shaped support member <NUM> supports two bed platforms <NUM>. Between the first L-shaped bed support members <NUM> and the vertical uprights <NUM>, <NUM> are located two further pairs of L-shaped bed support members <NUM>, <NUM>. Each of the L-shaped bed support members <NUM>, <NUM> are identical to the bed support members <NUM>, except that the upright legs of the bed support member <NUM> is longer than the upright legs of the bed support members <NUM> and the upright legs of the bed support member <NUM> are longer than that of the bed support member <NUM>.

As with the bed support members <NUM>, the bed support members <NUM>, <NUM> also each support two bed frame platforms <NUM>, <NUM>. The bed support platforms <NUM> are similar to the bed support platform <NUM> but are slightly longer so that, as shown in <FIG>, the lower end of ramp sections <NUM> of the platforms <NUM> align with the top of ramp sections <NUM> of the platforms <NUM>. The platforms <NUM> are similar to the platforms <NUM>, except that they do not have the ramp sections <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, this enables the platforms <NUM> to locate under the platforms <NUM> with the lower the end of ramp sections <NUM> contacting the ramps <NUM>.

Ridges <NUM> are positioned on the platforms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to retain bed frames <NUM> on the platforms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> when the platforms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are in a raised position.

The upright legs of supports <NUM> are slideably mounted on the inside of the vertical support members <NUM>, <NUM> by means of roller bearings (not shown), the upright legs of the supports <NUM> are slideably mounted on the inside of the upright legs of the support members <NUM> also by means or roller bearings (not shown) and the upright legs of the supports <NUM> are slideably mounted by means of roller bearings (not shown) on the inside of the upright legs of the supports <NUM>. This enables the supports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to slideably move between a lowered (loading) position shown in <FIG> and a raised (storage) position shown in <FIG>. It should also be noted that the upper ends of the vertical sections of supports <NUM>, <NUM> each have a flange <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. Flanges <NUM> on the upper ends of the supports <NUM> overhang the upper ends of the supports <NUM> and the flanges <NUM> on the upper ends of the supports <NUM> overhang upper ends <NUM> of the supports <NUM>.

Hence when the supports <NUM> are moved upwards they will slide relative to the supports <NUM> until the upper ends <NUM> contact the underside of the flanges <NUM> on the support <NUM>. Further movement of the supports <NUM> upwards then moves both the supports <NUM> and the supports <NUM> upwards until the upper side of the flanges <NUM> on the supports <NUM> contact the underside of the flanges <NUM> on supports <NUM>. Continued further movement of the supports <NUM> upwards will then cause all the supports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to slide upwards together relative to the support members <NUM>, <NUM> until the upper sides of flanges <NUM> contact the underside of flanges <NUM> on the upper ends of the vertical supports <NUM>, <NUM>. In this position, the bed stacker <NUM> is in the position shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram showing a control system <NUM> for operating and controlling two bed stackers <NUM> and <FIG> shows a control panel <NUM> for use with the control system <NUM>.

The control system <NUM> includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) processor <NUM> that is powered by a power supply unit <NUM> and has an output <NUM> that controls an inverter drive <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> is turned off and on by means of isolator switch <NUM> on the control panel <NUM>.

The inverter drive <NUM> takes power from the power supply <NUM> on power supply line <NUM> and the processor <NUM> controls the supply of power to two contactors <NUM>, <NUM>. One contactor <NUM> drives the motor <NUM> on a first bed stacker <NUM> and the other contactor <NUM> drives the motor <NUM> on a second bed stacker <NUM>. In addition, the processor <NUM> receives feedback on line <NUM> from the inverter drive <NUM>. The logic of the processor <NUM> is such that only one of the contactors <NUM>, <NUM> can be driven at any one time by the control system <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> receives inputs from push buttons and switch controls <NUM>. The push buttons and switch controls <NUM> are mainly located on the control panel <NUM>. However, there could be other controls not located on the panel <NUM>, such as an emergency stop push button that could be located in any suitable location for emergency stopping of the bed stackers <NUM>. The switches <NUM> located on the control panel <NUM> include a selector switch <NUM> to select either the first or the second bed stacker <NUM>, a bed selector switch <NUM> to select whether the ramps should be in the fully lowered position shown in <FIG>, the fully raised position shown in <FIG> and <FIG> or either of the two intermediate positions where only the platforms <NUM>, <NUM> are in the lowered position or where only platform <NUM> is the lowered position, as shown in <FIG>. The push buttons <NUM> located on the control panel <NUM> include start and stop push buttons <NUM>, <NUM> to start and stop movement of the bed stacker <NUM> that has been selected to the position selected by switch <NUM>, and an emergency stop reset push button <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> also receives inputs from four sensors <NUM>, <NUM> located on each bed stacker <NUM>. The four sensors <NUM>, <NUM> on each bed stacker <NUM> are located on flange <NUM>, the underside of flange <NUM>, the underside of flange <NUM> and on the bottom of the vertical leg of the support <NUM>. These sensors <NUM>, <NUM> indicate to the processor when the ramps are in the fully lowered position shown in <FIG>, when all the ramps are in the fully raised position shown in <FIG> or when the ramps are in either of the two intermediate positions, as explained in more detail below. Therefore, the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> that are on the bottom of the upright leg of the support <NUM> and on the flange <NUM> prevent the motor <NUM> and drive screw <NUM> overrunning after the supports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are in either the fully lowered position or the fully raised position.

In addition, there is also an emergency stop push button <NUM> and if the bed stackers <NUM> are located in a safety cage, guard switches <NUM> can be located on the gates of the safety cage to ensure that the gates are closed when the bed stackers <NUM> are being operated. The emergency stop push button <NUM> and the guard switches <NUM> are connected to the processor <NUM> through a safety relay <NUM>. The safety relay <NUM> is also coupled directly to the inverter drive <NUM> and contactors <NUM>, <NUM> so that in the event of an emergency (that is in the event of either the emergency stop push button <NUM> being activated or a guard switch being activated) the inverter drive <NUM> is stopped immediately by the safety relay and then the contactors <NUM>, <NUM> are stopped by the relay <NUM> to stop the motors <NUM>. The contactors <NUM>, <NUM> are stopped shortly after the inverter drive <NUM> is stopped to minimise the risk of damage to the inverter drive <NUM> during an emergency stop situation. This could occur if the contactors <NUM>, <NUM> are stopped before the inverter drive <NUM>.

In addition, the processor <NUM> also has an output <NUM> to illuminate lamps on the push buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and indicator lamps <NUM>, <NUM> so that an operator has a clear visual indication on the control panel <NUM> of the current operating status of the control unit <NUM> and the bed stackers <NUM>.

Although the control system <NUM> and control panel <NUM> are designed to be used to control two bed stackers <NUM>, they could be modified to control only one bed stacker <NUM> or to control more than two bed stackers <NUM>. This could be done by (a) altering the switch <NUM> so that the number of switch positions corresponds to the number of bed stackers <NUM> to be operated and (b) modifying the control system to include a contactor for each bed stacker <NUM> to be operated. For more than two bed stackers, it would also be necessary to connect the sensors for each additional bed stacker <NUM> to the processor <NUM>. It is also noted that if there is only one bed stacker to be controlled, switch <NUM> is not required.

In use, the power supply unit <NUM> is turned on by turning the isolator switch <NUM> on the control panel <NUM>. This supplies power to the processor <NUM> and to the inverter drive <NUM> and illuminates the power on lamp <NUM>. The inverter drive <NUM> does an internal self-check and feedbacks the result of this check to the processor <NUM> on line <NUM>. The processor <NUM> also checks that the input from the safety relay <NUM> indicates that the emergency stop push buttons <NUM> are operating correctly and the guard switches <NUM> are closed. If feedback from the inverter drive <NUM> is positive and the processor <NUM> confirms that the emergency stop push buttons <NUM> are operating correctly and guard switches <NUM> are closed, the health indicator lamp <NUM> is then illuminated.

When both the lamps <NUM>, <NUM> are illuminated, an operator then selects using the selector switch <NUM> which bed stacker <NUM> is to be operated. After selecting the bed stacker machine to be operated, the user then selects the appropriate bed position using switch <NUM>. After selecting the bed position using switch <NUM>, the user can then press start push button <NUM> which causes the processor <NUM> to illuminate the lamp on push button <NUM> and to operate the inverter drive <NUM> to drive the contactor <NUM>, <NUM> corresponding to the bed stacker <NUM> selected by switch <NUM> to drive the corresponding motor <NUM>. When the selected bed stacker <NUM> has moved to the position selected using the position selector switch <NUM>, the operator can press the push button <NUM> to stop movement of the bed stacker and this causes the lamp on push button <NUM> to be illuminated and the lamp on push button <NUM> to be extinguished. Alternatively, the processor <NUM> will stop movement of the bed stacker <NUM> automatically when the processor <NUM> detects via the signals received from the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> that the bed stacker is in the position selected on switch <NUM>.

In the event that an operator has to stop the bed stacker <NUM> in an emergency, a red emergency stop push button <NUM> is pushed by the operator which causes the safety relay <NUM> to immediately stop the inverter drive <NUM> and to then stop the contactor <NUM>, <NUM> that is being driven by the inverter <NUM>. After the emergency stop button <NUM> has been pressed, the processor will illuminate the emergency stop reset push button <NUM>. Before the bed stacker can be operated again, the reset switch <NUM> must be pressed by an operator to confirm that it is safe to continue operating the bed stacker <NUM>.

To load beds onto the bed stacker <NUM>, a bed frame <NUM> is collapsed to the configuration shown in <FIG> and rolled onto ramp <NUM> and onto the first bed support platform <NUM>. If there is a guard cage or other access controlled perimeter around the bed stacker <NUM>, the operator must exit the enclosed area and close any access doors to close the guard switches <NUM>. The user can then turn on the power supply using isolator switch <NUM>, which illuminates the power on lamp <NUM>. When the processor has received a positive confirmation from the inverter drive <NUM> that it is operational and the push button emergency stop switches <NUM> are operating correctly and the guard switches are closed, the processor <NUM> illuminates the indicator lamp <NUM> and the operator can select the bed stacker to be operated using switch <NUM> and then select position "<NUM>" using the position selector switch <NUM>. When the operator presses the start button <NUM> the processor <NUM> receives this input and controls the inverter drive <NUM> to operate and drive the motor <NUM> corresponding to the bed stacker selected using the relevant contactor <NUM>, <NUM>. When the motor is operated, this turns the jack screw <NUM> which causes the member <NUM> to rise up the jack screw <NUM> and to move the support <NUM> upwards relative to the supports <NUM> until the upper end <NUM> of the support <NUM> contacts the underside of flange <NUM> triggers the sensor on the underside of the flange <NUM>. When the processor <NUM> receives an input from the sensor, or the operator presses the stop button <NUM>, the processor <NUM> stops the inverter drive <NUM> which stops the motor <NUM>.

When the support <NUM> has been raised so that it contacts flange <NUM>, another bed frame can be rolled onto the ramp <NUM> and onto the next bed frame platform <NUM>. The operator can then move the position selector switch <NUM> to the next position "<NUM>", press the start switch, which restarts the motor <NUM> to raise the lifting member <NUM> higher so that both the supports <NUM> and <NUM> are moved upwards together until flange <NUM> contacts flange <NUM> activating the sensor on the flange <NUM>. This indicates to the processor <NUM> to stop the inverter drive <NUM> and motor <NUM>. In this position, bed stacker <NUM> with bed frames <NUM> on platforms <NUM>, <NUM> is in the position shown in <FIG> with both the bed frame platforms <NUM> and <NUM> raised and platform <NUM> still lowered. This enables a further bed frame <NUM> to be rolled onto the platform <NUM>. An operator can then move the selector position switch to position "<NUM>" and then operate the bed stacker <NUM> as before to continue to raise the lifting member <NUM>, and the support <NUM> together with the supports <NUM>, <NUM> until the flange <NUM> contacts the flange <NUM> and the sensor on the flange <NUM> is activated to indicate to the processor that the bed stacker <NUM> is in the fully raised position. The processor <NUM> then switches off the inverter drive <NUM>, thereby stopping the motor <NUM>. This fully raised position is shown in <FIG> and <FIG> and enables a fourth bed frame <NUM> to be rolled onto the ramp <NUM> and stored at floor level underneath the bed platforms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The fourth bed frame <NUM> stored at floor level is maintained in position by the guide rails <NUM>.

In order to remove beds from the bed stacker <NUM> an operator reverses the procedure outlined above by first removing the lower most bed from the bed stacker (that is the bed at ground level) then turning the position switch from position "<NUM>" to position "<NUM>" operating the bed stacker to lower the platforms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> until the platform <NUM> contacts the ramp <NUM>. The bed stacker is then stopped and the bed frame <NUM> on the platform <NUM> can be wheeled off via the ramp <NUM>. If the operator then selects position "<NUM>", the bed stacker can be lowered until the platform <NUM> contacts ramp <NUM> and bed frame <NUM> on the platform <NUM> wheeled off the platform. The last bed frame <NUM> can be removed by turning the position switch to the position "<NUM>" and operating the bed stacker <NUM> to lower platform <NUM> until it lies on top of platform <NUM> at which point the last bed frame <NUM> can be removed from the bed stacker <NUM>.

When the bed stacker <NUM> is in the fully lowered position shown in <FIG>, the supports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are nested within each other and the platforms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> fit on top of each other to create a compact arrangement.

Advantages of the bed stacker <NUM> are that it permits hospital bed frames to be stored more efficiently using vertical space in an area or room and because the bed stacker <NUM> has a support on only one side and the motor and drive gear are located on the support, space occupied by the bed stacker is minimised.

It also has the advantage of not using a complicated winch and pulley arrangement. In addition, depending on the space available, the ramps <NUM> can also be repositioned relatively easily so that bed frames can be rolled onto the ramp at platforms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> from the front, opposite the support <NUM> if there is not sufficient space to roll the beds frames <NUM> onto the platforms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> from the side. Also, by raising the height of the support <NUM> or by lowering it different numbers of beds supports and bed support platforms can be accommodated. Different sizes of bed frames can also be accommodated by changing the length of the vertical sections of the supports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and changing the length or width or separation of the platforms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Bed frame storing apparatus (<NUM>), the apparatus comprising a mounting device (<NUM>); a first bed support (<NUM>) and one or more further bed supports (<NUM>, <NUM>); the first bed support (<NUM>) being mounted on the mounting device (<NUM>) for movement between a loading position and a storage position, each of the one or more further bed supports (<NUM>, <NUM>) being mounted on the first bed support (<NUM>) or one of the one or more further bed supports (<NUM>, <NUM>) for movement between a loading position and a storage position, each bed support (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) being adapted to receive a bed frame (<NUM>), each bed support (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising two support members, the bed support members being adapted to be located under a bed frame (<NUM>), in use, wherein each bed support (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprises a support platform (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) adapted to receive ground engaging members of a bed frame (<NUM>), wherein each support platform (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is mounted on the bed support members of the bed support (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein each bed support (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprises two spaced apart upright members, each upright member being coupled to a bed support member, the upright members of the first bed support being movably mounted on the mounting device (<NUM>), wherein the spacing of the upright members of the or each further bed support (<NUM>, <NUM>) is less than the spacing of the upright members of another bed support (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), such that the upright members of the or each further bed support (<NUM>, <NUM>) are located inside the upright members of the other bed support (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), said first bed support (<NUM>) being the outermost bed support; drive means (<NUM>, <NUM>) mounted on the mounting device (<NUM>) and adapted to move the bed supports (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) between the loading position and the storage position, in use; and wherein the mounting device is located on only one side of the bed supports (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).