Abstract
A patient support apparatus comprises a deck extension assembly having a handle or more handles located on the support frame. The deck extension part is configured to extend and retract relative to the support frame by pulling the handle easily by one hand and with exerting minimum force that is necessary to extend the patient support deck.
Claims
1. An extension assembly of an upper frame of a patient support deck comprising a guiding profile of the upper frame of the patient support deck arranged on at least one end of the upper frame of the patient support deck to be coupled to the extension assembly, a telescopically moving connecting member firmly coupled to a bearing crossbar of a footboard under which a handle for controlling the extension assembly is located and where the telescopically moving connecting member slides into the guiding profile of the upper frame of the patient support deck, wherein the telescopically moving connecting member comprises a rocker arm in a hollow part of the telescopically moving connecting member, wherein the rocker arm comprises a latch on at least one end of the rocker arm which passes through at least one retaining hole of the latch, wherein the at least one retaining hole of the latch is located in the guiding profile of the upper frame of the patient support deck, the rocker arm further comprising at least one pivot, wherein the rocker arm turns over the pivot, wherein the handle is hung on an opposing end of the rocker arm, wherein the handle controls the entire extension assembly of the upper frame of the patient support deck.
2. The extension assembly of the upper frame of the patient support deck according to claim 1, wherein the guiding profile of the upper frame (4) of the patient support deck comprises the at least one retaining holes of the latch.
3. The extension assembly of the upper frame of the patient support deck according to claim 1, wherein the telescopically moving connecting member is located in the guiding profile of the upper frame of the patient support deck and moves telescopically horizontally in the guiding profile of the upper frame of the patient support deck.
4. The extension assembly of the upper frame of the patient support deck according to claim 1, wherein the telescopically moving connecting member comprises the at least one retaining hole for the latch.
5. The extension assembly of the upper frame of the patient support deck according to claim 1, wherein the telescopically moving connecting member extends the upper frame of the patient support deck.
6. The extension assembly of the upper frame of the patient support deck according to claim 1, wherein the telescopically moving connecting member comprises the rocker arm with the pivot and the latch at least on one side of the rocker arm, wherein the telescopically moving connecting member or the rocker arm comprises at least on one side the handle for controlling the extension assembly.
7. The extension assembly of the upper frame of the patient support deck according to claim 1, wherein the guiding profile of the upper frame of the patient support deck and the telescopically moving connecting member have square, or rectangle, or circle, or convex polygon, or conic shape.
8. The extension assembly of the upper frame of the patient support deck according to claim 1, wherein the handle is coupled to the rocker arm.
9. The extension assembly of the upper frame of the patient support deck according to claim 6, wherein coupling of the handle has shape of S-member.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a front view of the footboard of the patient support deck, the bearing crossbar of the footboard and the handle of the locking mechanism for extending the patient support deck.
[0024] FIG. 2 is an axonometric view of a part of the patient support apparatus with upper frame and the lower frame of the patient support apparatus, where the lower frame is equipped with castors and the upper frame of the patient support apparatus is coupled to the lower frame of the patient support apparatus using scissor lifting mechanism. The upper frame of the patient support apparatus is shown in the extended position therefore the footboard is moved away from the standard length of the upper frame of the patient support deck. The handles of the locking mechanism of the extension assembly of the patient support deck are shown under the bearing crossbar of the footboard of the patient support.
[0025] FIG. 3 is an axonometric view of the foot part of the patient support apparatus with a section view of the extension assembly of the upper frame of the patient support deck also showing the locking mechanism for retaining the desired extension length.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a side view of the section of the extension assembly of the patient support deck showing also the handle for handling the extension assembly.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a side section view of coupling the handle by help of the S-member.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a side section view of the locking mechanism of the extension assembly on the opposite end of the telescopically moving connecting member.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the locking mechanism of the extension assembly of the patient support deck including the handle.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a side view of the foot part of the upper frame of the patient support apparatus with section view of the extension assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1 a footboard of the patient support apparatus 1 is shown, in another embodiment a headboard of the patient support apparatus can be shown, hereinafter as footboard only. The footboard 1 is coupled to the bearing crossbar 3 of the footboard 1, which is a part of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck. The handles 2 of the locking and control mechanism of the extension assembly of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck are shown below the bearing crossbar 3 of the footboard 1. These handles 2 are preferably interconnected together so that mechanism of both arms of the extension assembly of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck, which is not shown in this figure, could be released or retained. In other embodiment, one handle 2 is located under the bearing crossbar 3 of the footboard 1, which is coupled to both arms of the telescopically moving connecting member 5 of the extension assembly of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck. In another embodiment, handles 2 are located above the bearing crossbar 3 of the footboard 1 or between the bearing crossbar 3 and the footboard 1 or one handle 2 can be located outside the footboard 1 or the bearing crossbar 3 of the footboard 1. The handles 2 are preferably made from metals and coated by plastic material, or made from plastic material only, metal, or rubber. In the preferred embodiment, one handle 2 for both telescopically moving connecting members 5 of the extension assembly of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck is located under the bearing crossbar 3 of the footboard 1.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 2 a part of the patient support apparatus with upper frame and lower frame is shown. The lower frame comprises a base of the patient support apparatus with castors. Both frames of the patient support apparatus are coupled to scissor lifting mechanism for moving the patient support deck relative to ground. In another embodiment, both frames can be coupled to different mechanism for moving the patient support deck relative to ground (e.g. electric or hydraulic lifting columns etc.). FIG. 2 also shows a part of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck. The upper frame 4 of the patient support deck comprises two metal profiles running in a parallel way relative to each other, where the telescopically moving connecting member 5 of the extension assembly of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck enters into these profiles at least on one end of these profiles. The telescopically moving connecting member 5 also comprises two metal profiles running in a parallel way relative to each other but the diameter of these profiles is less than the internal bore of the profiles of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck to enter in. The telescopically moving connecting member 5 of the extension assembly enters into the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck by one end where the telescopically moving connecting member 5 moves between maximum and minimum extension position. On the other end the telescopically moving connecting member 5 is coupled firmly to the bearing crossbar 3 of the footboard 1, under which the handle or handles 2 for handling and controlling the extension assembly of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck are located. The telescopically moving connecting member 5 of the extension assembly of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck moves horizontally and telescopically in the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck from a position fully retracted into the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck to a position fully extended from the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck. The extension assembly, which is not shown in this figure, is inside the telescopically moving connecting member 5 and enables a caregiver to extend the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck by several lengths up to the fully extended position. The maximum extended position of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck depends direct proportionally on the length of the telescopically moving connecting member 5 and a number of retaining holes 9 for the latch 7 (not shown in this figure), in which the extension assembly is locked. Preferably, the length thus can be extended randomly in different distances depending on the structure of the patient support apparatus and distances of the individual retaining holes 9 (e.g. extension by 15, 20, 30 cm, 50 cm.) The extension of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck is done by help of the handle or handles 2 located preferably under the bearing crossbar 3 of the footboard 1 by pulling the handle or handles 2 toward a caregiver. The profile of the telescopically moving connecting member 5 is preferably hollow and comprises the extension assembly of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck (not shown in this figure), which enables releasing of the telescopically moving connecting member 5 and extraction or extension of the telescopically moving connecting member 5 into the desired position as well as consequent retaining of the telescopically moving connecting member 5 in the desired extended position or in the retracted position.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 3 a part of the end of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck and a section view of the telescopically moving connecting member 5 with extension assembly of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck is shown. In the preferred embodiment, the telescopically moving connecting members 5 are two, one telescopically moving connecting member 5 is on each of the opposite ends of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck and comprises mechanism inside which enables to extend the patient support deck by the length of the telescopically moving connecting member 5. The telescopically moving connecting member 5 is firmly coupled to the bearing crossbar 3 of the footboard 1 on one end and on the opposite end comprises the sliding runner 16 (not shown in this figure). The sliding runner 16 (not shown in this figure) is designed for sliding movement of the telescopically moving connecting member 5 in the opposite finishing of the profile of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck. The extension assembly of the patient support deck enables movement of the telescopically moving connecting member 5 between the extended or extracted position and the retracted position. When pulling out the telescopically moving connecting member 5 the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck extends by different lengths. In the contrary, by pushing the telescopically moving connecting member 5 into the profile of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck the extension of the deck shortens and the patient support apparatus has standard length. Referring to this figure, the telescopically moving connecting member 5 is preferably hollow metal profile comprising at least one rocker arm 6 with the latch 7 on one end. The rocker arm 6 is at least on one end supported by freely inserted flexible member 13, which is free braced between the end of the rocker arm 6 and the internal upper side of the telescopically moving connecting member 5 as shown in the FIG. 3. The telescopically moving connecting member 5 comprises, at least on one end, the retaining hole 9, which the latch 7 of the rocker arm 6 with dampening member 8 of the latch (not shown) goes through. The retaining hole 9 for passing of the latch 7 shaped as the latch 7 is located on the bottom side of the telescopically moving connecting member 5 so that the latch 7 of the rocker arm 6 could pass through the telescopically moving connecting member 5 and could retained the telescopically moving connecting member 5 outside the profile of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck. In addition, the FIG. 3 shows that the control handle 2 of the extension assembly is coupled to the telescopically moving connecting member 5 by help of S-member 10 which is coupled to the bearing crossbar 3 of the footboard 1 and the telescopically moving connecting member 5 by handle pivot 11. The handle pivot 11 is coupled to the bearing crossbar 3 in the upper S-shaped curving in the place where the telescopically moving connecting member 5 joins the bearing crossbar 3 such that the catch of the S-member 10 could touch down on the opposite side of the rocker arm 6, which is outside the telescopically moving connecting member 5. The rocker arm 6 of the telescopically moving connecting member 5 comprises at least one pivot point which is not shown.
[0034] The FIG. 3 also shows that both telescopically moving connecting members 5 of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck are controlled by handles 2. Both handles 2 are coupled to the telescopically moving connecting members 5 and the extension assemblies by using S-members 10. The FIG. 3 shows that both handles 2 are mutually connected by connecting rod 12, which connects both S-members 10 of both handles 2 so that in case of need movement could be transferred from one handle 2 to another handle 2. Thus controlling force is transmitted from one mechanism to the other one which enables the caregiver to easily control and handle the extension of the patient support deck by one hand and one handle 2. In another embodiment, only one handle 2 can be located under the bearing crossbar 3 of the footboard 1 either in the middle under a part of the bearing crossbar 3 or under the entire bearing crossbar 3 of the footboard 1.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 4 a side view of the extension assembly of the patient support deck together with mechanism for controlling by handle 2 is shown. The FIG. 4 shows section view of profile of the telescopically moving connecting member 5, which is in parallel a part by which the patient support apparatus is extended depending on the length of extraction. The telescopically moving connecting member 5 comprises in its internal space the rocker arm 6, which comprises the flexible member 13 of the rocker arm 6 at least on one end. The flexible member 13 comprises a spring which is free inserted between the internal side of the telescopically moving connecting member 5 and the upper surface of the rocker arm 6. The flexible member 13 of the rocker arm 6 creates adherence pressure of the rocker arm 6 to the latch 7. The rocker arm 6 is in contact with S-member 10 at least on one end, which is coupled by handle pivot 11 in the space between the anchoring of the bearing crossbar 3 of the footboard 1 and the telescopically moving connecting member 5. The S-member 10 can be also free hung on the rocker arm 6 as a hook. Preferably, the rocker arm 6 is shaped as a rod with a protrusion on the bottom side, or also the pivot 14 of the rocker arm 6, on which the force is transmitted to the latch 7 that comprises the dampening member 8. By pushing the handle 2 the hook like end of the S-member 10 touches down the rocker arm 6 and thus raises up the latch 7, by which the telescopically moving connecting member 5 is in parallel released from the retained position. Consequently after such release, pulling of the handle 2 toward a caregiver enables the telescopically moving connecting member 5 to move free or sliding outside the profile of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck, which enables a caregiver to extend then patient support apparatus by needed length. The length of extension is limited by the length of the telescopically moving connecting member 5, which is inside the profile of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck. The telescopically moving connecting member 5 can extract partially or in its entire length, or cannot be extracted at all. After releasing the latch 7 of the telescopically moving connecting member 5 and pressing the telescopically moving connecting member 5 via the handle 2 the telescopically moving connecting member 5 can be retracted partially or entirely into the original position which is preferably the standard length of the patient support apparatus.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 5 a side view of fixation of the handle 2 of the extension assembly of the patient support deck that is located outside of the telescopically moving connecting member 5 is shown. The handle 2 is preferably a part of the S-member 10, which is coupled by handle pivot 11 in the space between the anchoring of the bearing crossbar 3 of the footboard 1 and the telescopically moving connecting member 5. Such location enables the S-member 10, which is S or hook shaped, to hand on to the rocker arm 6 inside the telescopically moving connecting member 5, which enables the handle 2 to control the internal locking mechanism of the telescopically moving connecting member 5. Transmitting the force from S-member 10 of the handle 2 to the rocker arm 6 causes hitting metal to metal thus creating noise which is eliminated by dampening member 15, which is located between the internal side of the S-member 10 and the edge of the telescopically moving connecting member 5. In other embodiments, the dampening member 15 can be a spring or flexible rubber member or can be located in the form of rubber on the hook of the S-member 10.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 6 an opposite side section view of the locking mechanism of the extension assembly of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck is shown. The telescopically moving connecting member 5 is located in the profile of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck, which comprises the sliding runner 16 on at least one end. The sliding runner 16 causes easy and smooth movement of the telescopically moving connecting member 5 in the profile of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck after releasing of the latch 7 of the rocker arm 6, which is together with the rocker arm 6 outside the telescopically moving connecting member 5. The FIG. 6 shows that the retaining hole 9 shaped as the latch 7 of the rocker arm 6 is not only in the bottom side of the telescopically moving connecting member 5, but also on the bottom side of the profile of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck. This retaining hole 9 retains extended position of the telescopically moving connecting member. The latch 7 is a part of at least one end of the rocker arm 6, which is a part of the telescopically moving connecting member 5. The rocker arm 6 is preferably free inserted into the internal profile of the telescopically moving connecting member 5, where the flexible member 13 of the rocker arm 6 is located vertically free between the end of the rocker arm 6 and the upper side of the telescopically moving connecting member 5, which creates adherence pressure on the latch 7 of the rocker arm 6. Preferably, the latch 7 of the rocker arm 6 comprises the dampening member 8 on the bottom side of the latch 7 where the edge for falling into the retaining hole 9 of the latch 7. The dampening member 8 of the 7 is made from plastic material or rubber, which dampens any appropriate friction areas or surfaces of the mechanism. In another embodiment, the mechanism of the latch 7 can be organized sidewise or upside down. The latch 7 has a shape of cross, but preferably can have square, or rectangle, or circle, or round, or star shape. The dampening member 8 copies all the above said possible shapes of the latch 7.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 7 a bottom view of the part of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck with a part of locking mechanism of the extension assembly is shown. The FIG. 7 also shows part of the bearing crossbar 3 of the footboard 1 together with one handle 2, which releases and extends the patient support deck, preferably the handles 2 are two. The bottom view shows that the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck has perforated holes on the bottom side of the profile, which serves as retaining holes 9 for the latch 7. The FIG. 7 obviously shows that at least one latch 7 goes through the retaining hole 9 for retaining of the telescopically moving connecting member 5 which extends the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck. The FIG. 7 shows the telescopically moving connecting member 5 fully retracted into the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck, it means that the extension of the patient support deck is in the retracted position and the patient support apparatus ha standard length given by the manufacturer. The upper frame 4 of the patient support deck has preferably four retaining holes 9 for the latch 7, however in another embodiment a random number of retaining holes can be on the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck depending by which length the patient support apparatus needs to be extended. The FIG. 7 shows three retaining holes 9 according to which the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck can be extended depending in which retaining hole 9 of the latch 7 the extension assembly will be retained. The shown fourth retaining hole serves as a retaining hole 9 for the entire extension assembly.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 8 a side view of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck in the extended position is shown, also showing extension assembly of the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck. The telescopically moving connecting member 5 enters the upper frame 4 of the patient support deck and thus extends the patient support apparatus by desired length. The extension assembly comprises the telescopically moving connecting member 5, which is coupled to the bearing crossbar 3 of the footboard 1. The telescopically moving connecting member 5 is a hollow profile comprising the rocker arm 6 which has at least one pivot 14. The pivot 14 is preferably located proportionally in the given point so that the latch 7 can be raised as the latch 7 secures the position of the extension assembly of the patient support apparatus. The pivot 14 of the rocker arm 6 is preferably a protrusion on the rocker arm 6, in other embodiments it can be a pin located proportionally between the rocker arm 6 and the telescopically moving connecting member 5. The pivot 14 of the rocker arm 6 is roughly in one third of the rocker arm 6 between the latch 7 and the control mechanism of the handle 2. The upper frame 4 of the patient support deck has a hole which the telescopically moving connecting member 5 enters into.
[0040] It is to be appreciated that the terms “include”, “includes”, and “including” have the same meaning as the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, and “comprising”.
[0041] Several embodiments have been discussed in the descriptions. The embodiments discussed herein are not intended to be exhaustive. The terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than limitations.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0042] 1 footboard (of the patient support apparatus)
[0043] 2 handle/handles
[0044] 3 bearing crossbar (of the footboard of the patient support apparatus)
[0045] 4 upper frame (of the patient support deck)
[0046] 5 telescopically moving connecting member (extension part)
[0047] 6 rocker arm
[0048] 7 latch (of the rocker arm)
[0049] 8 dampening member (of the latch)
[0050] 9 retaining hole (for the latch)
[0051] 10 S-member
[0052] 11 handle pivot
[0053] 12 connecting rod (connecting both control members)
[0054] 13 flexible member (of the rocker arm)
[0055] 14 pivot (of the rocker arm)
[0056] 15 dampening member of S-member (spring)
[0057] 16 sliding runner
