Patent Description:
Patient support apparatuses such as healthcare facility beds are typically designed to be moved from one location to another and are therefore typically provided with a frame mounted on four casters or wheels capable of rotation about two rotation axes, namely a horizontal axis allowing the wheel to roll for moving the bed from one location to another, and a vertical axis allowing the wheel to pivot relative to the frame for steering or orienting the bed during movement.

While it is desirable for the wheels to freely rotate about the horizontal and/or vertical rotation axes during movement of the bed, it becomes desirable to prevent rotation movement of the wheels once the bead has reached a desired location, in order to maintain the bed in a desired position and for prevent any unwanted movement thereof.

To prevent such rotation movement of the wheels, a brake system is typically provided. Such a brake system may include a first brake device for blocking rotation of the wheels about the horizontal axis, as well as a second brake device for preventing the wheels from rotating about the vertical axis.

Taking the prior art bed <NUM> shown in <FIG> (PRIOR ART) as an example, the bed <NUM> may be provided with four wheels <NUM> and four individual brake systems <NUM>, each being respectively associated with a corresponding wheel <NUM>. In the illustrated bed <NUM>, the brake system <NUM> includes a brake pedal <NUM> that can be actuated by a user such as a caregiver to control an internal braking mechanism (not shown) mounted with the corresponding wheel <NUM>, where each brake pedal <NUM> only applies the brakes to the specific wheel <NUM> to which it is associated. Prior to moving such a bed, the user must therefore release all four brakes by operating all four pedals <NUM>, and apply all four brakes again by operating all four pedals <NUM> after the bed <NUM> has been moved, if the caregiver wants to lock the four wheels <NUM>.

In other beds of the prior art, a same brake pedal can be associated with two wheels such that only one brake pedal has to be operated to simultaneously prevent rotation of two wheels, while in some other beds, the system includes one pedal per wheel and the brakes can be applied simultaneously to all four wheels by operating any one of four pedals. Other known beds can be provided with a single pedal simultaneously engaging the brakes on the four wheels.

In some instance, it may be desirable to block rotational movement of one or multiple wheels about a single one of the rotation axes (e.g. the vertical rotation axis) while allowing movement of the wheel about the other rotation axis (e.g. the horizontal rotation axis). As such, the healthcare facility bed may be equipped with a three-position control mechanism to select which of the two rotation axes is blocked. In one example of such bed, shown in <FIG> (PRIOR ART) a healthcare facility bed <NUM> is equipped with a typical three-position control mechanism <NUM> that can be operated through a removable brake pedal <NUM> of a brake system <NUM>. When the brake pedal <NUM> is in a BRAKE position, which is illustrated in <FIG>, the four associated wheels <NUM> are simultaneously prevented from rolling about the horizontal axis and swiveling about their vertical axis. The BRAKE position for the brake pedal <NUM> therefore prevents the bed <NUM> from moving forwards, backwards or sideways. When the brake pedal <NUM> is in a NEUTRAL position (not illustrated), the brake pedal <NUM> extends parallel to the ground, and all wheels <NUM> are allowed to roll about the horizontal axis and to swivel about the vertical axis. This NEUTRAL mode thus allows the bed <NUM> to move forwards, backwards or sideways. This mode may be used to maneuver the bed in a tight area. When the brake pedal <NUM> is in a STEER position, illustrated in <FIG>, all wheels <NUM> are allowed to rotate about their respective horizontal axes, the pair of wheels <NUM> located proximate the head end <NUM> of the bed are additionally allowed to swivel around their vertical axes while the pair of wheels <NUM> located proximate the foot end <NUM> of the bed are prevented from swivelling about their vertical axes. These latter wheels <NUM> proximate the foot end <NUM> of the bed are usually locked in a position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bed to facilitate keeping the straight movement direction for the personnel transporting patients along hospital corridors. This mode is generally used when attempting to steer the bed in a desired direction.

In the illustrated embodiment, the brake pedal <NUM> can be operated between the three positions by applying pressure on a corresponding end <NUM>, <NUM> of the pedal <NUM>, as known in the art. Moreover, the brake pedal <NUM> can be removed from the brake system <NUM> once the bed has been locked in the desired position to prevent an unauthorized person from moving the bed.

Various other systems have been proposed in the prior art. However, a common disadvantage of most of the known hospital beds is that the patient or staff members may get injured due to unexpected movement of the bed, if the bed has been moved to a desired location and the staff member forgets to apply the brakes after putting the bed at said location.

To reduce the risk of staff members forgetting to apply the brakes in appropriate circumstances, some brake systems are provided with visual indications allowing a visual check of the status of the brake system. For example, in the brake system shown in <FIG> (PRIOR ART), visual marks on the bed frame <NUM> and on the brake pedal <NUM> allow to quickly check the status of the brake system <NUM>.

However, when brake pedals are removable (e.g. the brake pedal <NUM>) and the brake pedal has been removed to prevent an unauthorized use thereof, it is no longer possible to perform a visual check of the status of the brake system (e.g. brake system <NUM>).

Yet, in some health care environments, the use of removable brake pedals tends to be particularly desirable. For instance, when a bed is used for particular mental health care applications, greater consideration tends to be required. For example, it may be desirable to prevent the patient from changing the mode of the brake pedal to prevent risk of falling or injuries. It would also be desirable to prevent the patient from moving the bed to an undesired position such as in front of the chamber door. For at least these reasons, a brake pedal that is removable from the bed appears to be desirable. However, a known disadvantage of these systems is that staff have to actively remove the brake pedal from the bed and some staff members may forget to remove the pedal after use. When a staff member forgets to remove the brake pedal from the bed, the patient may then move the bed, or even use the pedal as a weapon against other patients or staff members.

Moreover, known systems using a removable pedal have shown that a secure installation of the brake pedal may be a complex task. An incorrect installation of the pedal may be possible and may lead to a failing brake system and/or to misinterpretation of the status of the brake system. <CIT> discloses a patient support comprising a frame, a patient support deck coupled to the frame and configured to support a patient, wheels coupled to the frame to support the patient support on a floor, a securing device removably fasten the patient support to the floor, a guard structure coupled to the frame comprising a substantially continuous body and a gripping portion for the patient and attendant, a controller to enable functionality of the patient support in response to an access control device being unlocked and a brake pedal removable from the patient support by an attendant. Similarly, <CIT> discloses a securing device that can removably fasten the patient support to the floor, a guard structure coupled to the frame comprising a substantially continuous body and a gripping portion for the patient and attendant, a controller to enable functionality of the patient support in response to an access control device being unlocked, and a brake pedal that is removable from the patient support by an attendant. <CIT> discloses a braking system comprising an actuator, a pawl gear coupled to the actuator, and a wheel gear plate. The braking system comprises a brake pad, an outer wheel coupled to the brake pad, and a spring washer plate configured to press the wheel gear plate against the brake pad to prevent rotation of the outer wheel through friction between the wheel gear plate and the brake pad when the pawl gear prevents rotation of the wheel gear plate. <CIT> discloses a caster capable of the mode-conversion comprises an upper fixed member, a lower fixed member, a fixing pin, and a fixation pin transfer tool. The upper fixed member is affixed to a base plate. The lower fixed member is mounted to a frame and rotates on the lower side of upper fixed member. The fixation pin moves by penetrating the lower fixed member. The fixation pin transfer tool makes the fixing pin move by using the rotation of a wheel.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved brake system for a patient support apparatus, such as a healthcare facility bed, that would reduce at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks of known brake systems.

According to a broad aspect, there is provided a patient support apparatus comprising a frame, a plurality of wheels each being configured for rotation about a horizontal axis and a vertical axis when the patient support apparatus is moved along a floor by a user, and a brake system comprising: a braking mechanism to be operatively coupled one of the plurality of wheels, the braking mechanism comprising an outer end, a first coupling portion extending along a longitudinal axis and an inner end for receiving a shaft to connect the braking mechanism to a braking element interacting with the wheel wherein, in a lock position, rotation of the wheel is prevented, and in an unlock position, rotation of the wheel about the horizontal axis and the vertical axis is allowed; an actuating tool comprising an elongated member to be operated by a hand or a foot of the user and a second coupling portion being complementary to the first coupling portion of the braking mechanism, wherein the first and second coupling portions allow removable connection of the actuating tool from the braking mechanism such that the actuating tool is removable by the user from the patient support apparatus, and wherein the first and second coupling portions allow engagement between the actuating tool and the braking mechanism when the actuating tool is connected by the user to the braking mechanism; and an outer sleeve rotatably mounted over the first coupling portion; wherein, when the second coupling portion is connected to the first coupling portion, the actuating tool is pivotable by the user to a first position to urge movement of the braking mechanism to the lock position and to a second position to urge movement of the braking mechanism to the unlock position; and wherein rotatable movement of the outer sleeve with respect to the first coupling portion prevents unauthorized operation of the braking mechanism when the actuating tool is removed from the patient support apparatus.

In one feature, the first and second coupling portions are adapted for allowing engagement between the braking mechanism and the actuating tool to urge movement of the braking mechanism between the first position and the second position upon a pressure of a user on the actuating tool, and the first and second coupling portions are further adapted for allowing disengagement of the actuating tool from the braking mechanism absent pressure by the user.

In another feature, the transverse dimensions of the first coupling portion are greater than the transverse dimensions of the second coupling portion.

In yet another feature, the braking mechanism and the actuating tool are made of plastic.

In still another feature, the first coupling portion is a female coupling portion and the second coupling portion is a male coupling portion.

In a further feature, the first and second coupling portions are flower shaped.

In still a further feature, the patient support apparatus comprises a frame having a first identification mark. In this feature, the braking mechanism further comprises a second identification mark, the first and second identification marks collaborating to indicate the position of the first coupling portion.

In yet a further feature, the actuating tool is comprised of a tubular body.

In an additional feature, the braking mechanism further comprises an outer sleeve rotatably mounted about the first coupling portion.

In yet an additional feature, the patient support apparatus is a bed or a wheelchair.

In another feature, the actuating tool is configured to be operable by a limb of the user.

In yet another feature, when the first coupling is moved to the first position, the rotation of the at least one wheel about the horizontal axis and the vertical axis is prevented.

The brake system of claim <NUM>, wherein the first coupling portion is further movable to a third position for preventing rotation of the at least one wheel about while allowing rotation of the at least one wheel about the horizontal axis.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings.

Further details of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the detailed description included below.

In the following description of the embodiments, references to the accompanying drawings are by way of illustration of examples by which the invention may be practiced. It will be understood that other embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed.

There is disclosed a brake system for a patient support apparatus including at least one wheel. Throughout the present description, the brake system will be described in conjunction with a healthcare facility bed having four wheels but it should be understood that various other types of patient support apparatus may be considered. Similarly, the number of wheels may vary. For example, the patient support apparatus could be provided with three wheels, or with a single wheel.

As will become apparent upon reading the present description, the present brake system may be used in various applications requiring the use of patient support apparatuses. For example, the present brake system could be used in mental healthcare facilities wherein enhanced security considerations are desirable to protect the patients themselves as well as staff members.

Referring to <FIG>, there is shown one embodiment of a brake system <NUM> for a patient support apparatus <NUM> of which only a portion is illustrated. For example, the brake system <NUM> may be used on the prior art bed shown in <FIG> (PRIOR ART), as detailed below.

The brake system <NUM> comprises a braking mechanism <NUM> operatively coupled to at least one corresponding wheel <NUM> of the patient support apparatus <NUM>, and actuating tool <NUM> designed to removably couple the braking mechanism <NUM> for actuating the same, as it will be described in greater detail below. When used on a bed of the type illustrated on <FIG> (PRIOR ART), four distinct braking mechanisms <NUM> may be used, one for each wheel <NUM>, although other arrangements may also be considered. For a non-limiting example, the brake system <NUM> of the present invention could be adapted to control two or more wheels <NUM>. Moreover, the braking mechanism <NUM> may be adapted to provide a typical three-position control mechanism as known in the art as well as other arrangements such as a two-position lock/unlock control mechanism.

Still referring to <FIG>, and referring also to <FIG>, the braking mechanism <NUM> includes a first outer end <NUM> for engaging the actuating tool <NUM> and an opposed inner end <NUM> devised to receive a shaft (not shown) therein to effect operative connection between the braking mechanism <NUM> and a braking element (not shown) interacting with the wheel <NUM>, as it will be described in greater detail below.

Moving from the outer end <NUM> to the inner end <NUM>, the braking mechanism <NUM> includes a first coupling portion <NUM>, a central elongated portion <NUM> and a sleeve portion <NUM> rotatably mounted to the first coupling portion.

With reference to <FIG>, the first coupling portion <NUM> has a flat mating surface <NUM> provided with somewhat of a flower-shaped recess <NUM> defined therein, as well as a shaft <NUM> projecting outwardly from the center of the recess <NUM>. The shaft includes an end <NUM>, the flat mating surface <NUM> and the end <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> being flush with each other.

Still referring to <FIG>, in one embodiment, the central elongated portion <NUM> has a generally tubular shape, as illustrated in <FIG>. The first coupling portion <NUM> is secured at the first end <NUM> of the central elongated portion <NUM>. The second end <NUM> of the central elongated portion <NUM> is devised to receive a shaft (not shown) therein to effect operative connection between the first coupling portion <NUM> and a braking element (not shown) interacting with the wheel <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in one embodiment, at the second end <NUM>, the central elongated portion <NUM> is provided with stop members <NUM> devised to abut on corresponding facing stop members (not shown) on the frame of the patient support apparatus <NUM> to restrain the rotational movement of the braking mechanism <NUM> between the allowed positions. An advantage of such an embodiment may be to help prevent excess pressure being applied on the brake mechanism <NUM> and may reduce the likelihood of breakdown of any of the brake elements.

Referring now to <FIG> and to <FIG>, in one embodiment, the braking mechanism <NUM> is further provided with an identification mark <NUM> affixed on the central elongated portion <NUM> of the braking mechanism <NUM>. This identification mark <NUM>, in collaboration with a set <NUM> of other identification marks affixed on the frame of the bed proximate the corresponding wheel <NUM>, enable to quickly check the status of the braking system <NUM>, even if the actuating tool <NUM> is not in place, which may be of great advantage.

Referring again to <FIG>, in one embodiment, the braking mechanism <NUM> is further provided with an outer sleeve <NUM> rotatably mounted around the first coupling portion <NUM>, the outer sleeve <NUM> being capable of rotation relative to the first coupling portion. In the preferred embodiment, the outer sleeve has a raised portion or tab <NUM> which rotatably engages with the first coupling portion <NUM> to maintain the outer sleeve <NUM> over the first coupling portion <NUM>. This outer sleeve <NUM> arrangement may be of great advantage for some applications since it prevents an unauthorized operation of the braking mechanism <NUM>, to thereby provide a brake system <NUM> that may be seen as tamperproof. Indeed, in one embodiment as the one illustrated in <FIG>, only the outer end <NUM> and the first coupling portion <NUM> of the braking mechanism are accessible to a user since the second end <NUM> and most of the central elongated portion <NUM> are engaged under a portion of the frame of the bed. The outer end <NUM> and the first coupling portion <NUM> of the braking mechanism cannot be operated by hand or with the help of pliers since the rotating outer sleeve <NUM> prevents access and grip to the outer surface <NUM> of the first coupling portion <NUM>. Moreover, the first coupling portion <NUM> being positioned inside the outer sleeve <NUM>, it is designed to be difficult to use, see practically unusable, except with the adapted actuating tool <NUM>. The use of the outer sleeve <NUM> therefore ensures that the position of the braking mechanism <NUM> cannot be adjusted without use of the actuating tool <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the actuating tool <NUM> for actuating the braking mechanism <NUM> will now be described in accordance with one embodiment. In this embodiment, the actuating tool <NUM> includes a second coupling portion <NUM> mounted to an end <NUM> of an elongated member <NUM>, the second coupling portion <NUM> being complementary to the first coupling portion <NUM> of the braking mechanism <NUM>, as it will become apparent below. The elongated member <NUM> acts as a lever to be operated by hand or as a pedal to be operated by foot, to operate the braking mechanism <NUM>. While in the illustrated embodiment, the second coupling portion <NUM> is mounted to the end <NUM> of the elongated member <NUM>, other arrangements may be considered. For example, the second coupling portion <NUM> of the actuating tool could be mounted to a central portion of the elongated member <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the second coupling portion <NUM> has a shape that is complementary to the first coupling portion <NUM> of the braking mechanism <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the second coupling portion <NUM> is thus a male coupling portion and has a flat mating surface <NUM> shaped and sized to mate with the corresponding flat mating surface <NUM> of the female coupling portion <NUM>. The second coupling portion <NUM> also has a flower-shaped projection <NUM> projecting outward from the corresponding flat mating surface <NUM> and devised to fit in the flower-shaped recess <NUM>. A recess <NUM> is provided in the center of the flower-shaped projection <NUM> for receiving the shaft <NUM> of the first coupling portion <NUM> therein. The recess <NUM> has a bottom surface that mates with the shaft <NUM> of the first coupling portion <NUM>. In one embodiment, the shape and size of the recess <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> are chosen so that the shaft <NUM> may snuggly fit into the recess <NUM> when the male coupling portion <NUM> is connected to the female coupling portion <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the flower-shaped recess <NUM> and the flower-shaped projection <NUM> are each respectively provided with <NUM> petals having the same shape. Thus, the actuating tool <NUM> could be mounted with the braking mechanism <NUM> in several positions. The skilled addressee will appreciate that such an arrangement provides a fast and easy way to connect the actuating tool <NUM> to the braking mechanism <NUM> since a precise single orientation of the actuating tool <NUM> with respect to the first coupling portion <NUM> is not required. The skilled addressee will also appreciate that various other configurations of the first and second coupling portions <NUM>, <NUM> may be considered without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the recess <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> may be omitted. While the present description refers to a <NUM>-petal flower shape for the recess <NUM> and the projection <NUM>, it should be understood that the recess <NUM> and the projection <NUM> may have any other adequate mating shape. For example, the recess <NUM> and the projection <NUM> may have a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, a hexagonal shape, etc..

As it is apparent from the present description of <FIG>, the second coupling portion <NUM> is adapted for allowing a removable connection of the actuating tool <NUM> to the braking mechanism <NUM> of the patient support apparatus <NUM>. Such removable connection may be of great advantage for some applications, as detailed below.

In this illustrated embodiment, the first coupling portion <NUM> of the braking mechanism <NUM> is a female coupling while the second coupling portion <NUM> of the actuating tool <NUM> is a male coupling portion. The person skilled in the art will understand that the male and female coupling portions could be reversed so that the male coupling portion could be located on the braking mechanism <NUM> and the female coupling portion could be located on the actuating tool <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG> and also to <FIG> which show the actuating tool <NUM> engaged with the braking mechanism <NUM> in a respective position, the first and second coupling portions <NUM> and <NUM> are adapted for allowing engagement between the braking mechanism <NUM> and the actuating tool <NUM>. When the actuating tool <NUM> is engaged with the braking mechanism <NUM>, i.e. when the projection <NUM> is inserted into the recess <NUM>, upon manual pressure of a user the braking mechanism <NUM> is movably urged or rotated between the lock position and the unlock position previously described.

Once the second coupling portion <NUM> of the actuating tool <NUM> is engaged in the first coupling portion <NUM> of the braking mechanism <NUM>, the rotation of the actuating tool <NUM> in one direction or the other cause a corresponding rotational movement of the first coupling portion <NUM>, as well as of the elongated central portion <NUM> and the shaft (not show) coupled thereto, to urge the brake of the wheel <NUM> between a lock position for locking the wheel <NUM>, or an unlock position for allowing rotation of the wheel <NUM>. In one embodiment, when the first coupling portion <NUM> is in the unlock position, the corresponding wheel <NUM> is allowed to rotate and swivel, while when the first coupling portion <NUM> is in the lock position, the wheel <NUM> is prevented from rotating about its horizontal rotation axis and from swiveling about its vertical rotation axis, as previously described. There may be an additional position allowing rotational movement in the horizontal and vertical axes of two front wheels <NUM>, while only allowing rotation in the horizontal axis in the rear wheels to facilitate steering.

<FIG> illustrate a braking mechanism <NUM> adapted for providing a three-position control as previously described, according to one embodiment. This braking mechanism <NUM> thus allows a lock position and an unlock position, and an additional third position also called the STEER mode. <FIG> shows the braking mechanism <NUM> in the unlock position, <FIG> shows the braking mechanism <NUM> in the STEER position while <FIG> shows the braking mechanism <NUM> in the lock position, as can be shown with the visual triangular mark <NUM> provided on the braking mechanism <NUM>. As it should be apparent, the user can easily operate the braking mechanism <NUM> between each position by rotating the actuating tool <NUM>.

As it is apparent from <FIG>, the first and second coupling portions <NUM> and <NUM> are further adapted for allowing disengagement of the actuating tool <NUM> from the braking mechanism <NUM> absent any pressure by the user, to thereby provide a removable actuating tool <NUM>. This may be of great advantage for preventing unauthorized operation of the braking system <NUM>, as further described below.

Moreover, as it can be understood, a single actuating tool <NUM> is required to move and/or stabilize the patient support apparatus <NUM>. For moving a bed previously in the lock position, the user has to engage the actuating tool <NUM> with the braking mechanism <NUM> to rotate it to the unlock position for each braking mechanism <NUM>, e.g. for the braking mechanism <NUM> of each wheel. The first and second coupling portions <NUM>, <NUM> are particularly designed to ease fast engagement of the actuating tool <NUM> with the braking mechanism <NUM> without specific positioning constraints. Then, the braking mechanism <NUM> can be hand-operated in few seconds. An eventual incorrect installation of the actuating tool <NUM> may not lead to a non-functional or unsafe braking system <NUM>, which may be of great advantage. Moreover, once the braking system <NUM> has been successfully operated, removal of the actuating tool <NUM> from the braking mechanism <NUM> is also very easy thanks to the specially designed first and second coupling portions <NUM> and <NUM>. In this embodiment, installation, actuation and removal of the actuating tool <NUM> are all hand-operated for providing a fast and convenient use thereof. The skilled addressee will nevertheless appreciate that various other arrangements may be considered. For example, the actuating tool may be a pedal operable by foot.

As it should now be apparent to the skilled addressee, although the brake system <NUM> of the invention may be widely used in a great variety of applications, it is particularly well suited for use on healthcare beds or wheelchairs in mental healthcare facilities. Indeed, the present brake system prevents unauthorized operation thereof by an unauthorized person since the brake system cannot be operated without the specially designed actuating tool. The bed can therefore not be displaced by the patient without authorization and remains stable in its position to reduce patient injuries. Moreover, since the actuating tool is removed after use, it cannot be used as a weapon against staff members, as is the case with other prior art designs of actuating pedals. Furthermore, with the identification mark visibly affixed on a part of the brake system that is non removable, visual check of the status of the brake system can be easily performed at all times. The skilled addressee will also appreciate that the present brake system prevents an incorrect installation of the actuation tool with the braking mechanism due to the symmetry of the first and second coupling portions <NUM>, <NUM>, as was the case with some prior art systems.

In one embodiment, the dimensions of the projection <NUM> that protrudes from the surface <NUM> of the actuating tool <NUM> and/or the dimensions of the recess <NUM> present in the coupling portion <NUM> are chosen so that the actuation tool <NUM> automatically disengages from the braking mechanism <NUM> due to the weight of the actuation tool <NUM> as soon as the user releases the actuation tool <NUM>. For example, the transverse dimensions of the recess <NUM> may be greater than those of the projection <NUM> while still allowing the rotation of the coupling portion <NUM> when the projection <NUM> is inserted into the recess <NUM> and rotated. In the same or another embodiment, the length of the portion of the projection <NUM> that is insertable into the recess <NUM> is short enough to allow the automatic disengagement of the actuation tool <NUM> from the coupling portion upon release of the actuation tool <NUM> by the user.

As a result, when the user releases the actuation tool <NUM> while engaged with the coupling portion <NUM>, the actuation tool <NUM> disengages from the braking mechanism <NUM> and falls on the ground. Such an embodiment may prevent a user from forgetting the actuation tool <NUM> since the actuation tool <NUM> cannot remain engaged with the coupling portion <NUM> without any human intervention and since a user will see and/or hear the actuation tool <NUM> fall on the ground.

Claim 1:
A patient support apparatus (<NUM>) comprising a frame, a plurality of wheels (<NUM>) each being configured for rotation about a horizontal axis and a vertical axis when the patient support apparatus is moved along a floor by a user, and a brake system (<NUM>) comprising:
a braking mechanism (<NUM>) to be operatively coupled to a wheel of the plurality of wheels (<NUM>), the braking mechanism (<NUM>) comprising an outer end (<NUM>), a first coupling portion (<NUM>) extending along a longitudinal axis and an inner end (<NUM>) for receiving a shaft to connect the braking mechanism (<NUM>) to a braking element interacting with the wheel (<NUM>) wherein, in a lock position, rotation of the wheel (<NUM>) is prevented, and in an unlock position, rotation of the wheel (<NUM>) about the horizontal axis and the vertical axis is allowed;
an actuating tool (<NUM>) comprising an elongated member (<NUM>) to be operated by a hand or a foot of the user and a second coupling portion (<NUM>) being complementary to the first coupling portion (<NUM>) of the braking mechanism (<NUM>), wherein the first and second coupling portions (<NUM>; <NUM>) allow removable connection of the actuating tool (<NUM>) from the braking mechanism (<NUM>) such that the actuating tool (<NUM>) is removable by the user from the patient support apparatus, and wherein the first and second coupling portions (<NUM>; <NUM>) allow engagement between the actuating tool (<NUM>) and the braking mechanism (<NUM>) when the actuating tool (<NUM>) is connected by the user to the braking mechanism (<NUM>); and
an outer sleeve (<NUM>) rotatably mounted over the first coupling portion (<NUM>);
wherein, when the second coupling portion (<NUM>) is connected to the first coupling portion (<NUM>), the actuating tool (<NUM>) is pivotable by the user to a first position to urge movement of the braking mechanism (<NUM>) to the lock position and to a second position to urge movement of the braking mechanism (<NUM>) to the unlock position; and
wherein rotatable movement of the outer sleeve (<NUM>) with respect to the first coupling portion (<NUM>) prevents unauthorized operation of the braking mechanism (<NUM>) when the actuating tool (<NUM>) is removed from the patient support apparatus.