Invalid bed

Aug. 17, 1965

Filed Dec. 4, 1963

A. M. WARRICK

INVALID BED

3,200,416

Sheets-Sheet 1

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45·

INVENTOR.

BY

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Aug. 17, 1965

A. M. WARRICK

INVALID BED

3,200,416

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Aug. 17, 1965

A. M. WARRICK

3,200,416

Filed Dec.

INVALID BED

4, 1963

Sheets-Sheet 3

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INVENTOR.

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United States Patent Office

3,200,416

Patented Aug. 17, 1965

3,200,416 INVALID BED

Arthur M. Warrick, 1945 E. 71st St., Cleveland, Ohio Filed Dec. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 327,897

Claims. (Cl. 5—62)

This invention relates generally to invalid beds and more particularly to a novel and improved invalid bed provided with power means to independently tip the bed laterally about its longitudinal axis or longitudinally about a lateral axis so that a patient can adjust the bed to substntially any desired position for comfort or convenience.

It is often necessary for invalids to remain in bed for extended periods of time. In such cases it is often very difficult to remain comfortable since certain areas of the body are subjected to unrelieved pressure for considerable periods of time and the patient is severely restricted in his ability to change positions to relieve such pressures. In a bed incorporating this invention patient controlled power means are provided to adjust lateral tipping of the bed. Also, the patient can adjust the bed within the range from a head low position to a substantially vertical position from which the patient can easily walk away from the bed if he is ambulatory and later return to the bed without the difficulty of climbing or being lifted thereinto. Because the patient can adjust the bed without assistance it is possible for the patient to easily find the bed position which will give him the most comfort. Also, the fact that the patient can operate the bed without assistance greatly relieves the attending care which must be provided, often at considerable expense and difficulty.

The bed incorporating this invention is also provided with means to raise the knees of the patient to substantially any desired position and to laterally support the patient on the bed when in positions other than the horizontal position.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a novel and improved invalid bed which is adjustable laterally about its longitudinal axis and independently adjustable longitudinally about a lateral axis so that the bed can be moved to substantially any desired position for comfort of the patient.

_ It is another important object of this invention to provide an invalid bed according to the preceding object wherein power means operable by the patient are provided to position the bed.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an invalid bed according to any of the preceding objects incorporating means to raise the knees of the patient.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an invalid bed according to any of the preceding objects provided with adjustable support means to laterally support the patient when the bed is tipped about its longitudinal axis.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an invalid bed according to any of the preceding objects which can be moved to a vertical position to allow the patient to enter or leave the bed without assistance in a standing position.

Further objects and advantages will appear from the following description and drawings;

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an invalid bed incorporating this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view with parts removed illustrating the structural arrangement of the support structure;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation illustrating the power mechanism for tipping the bed around the lateral axis;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-section taken along 4—4 of FIGURE 3 illustrating the structural detail of the pivot of the bed upon the pivot yoke and the power mechanism for laterally tipping the bed about its longitudinal axis;

FIGURE 5 is a bottom view of the bed platform;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary side elevation with parts 5 removed illustrating the structure for adjusting the knee position of the patient;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the mounting and adjustment of the lateral supports; and,

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary perspective view partially IQ in section illustrating the knee adjusting mechanism in one raised position.

An invalid bed, according to this invention, comprises three basic assemblies. A base 10 adapted to be supported on a floor, a pivot yoke 11 journaled on the base 15 10 and a patient receiving bed platform 12 journaled on the pivot yoke 11.

The frame 10, in the illustrated embodiment of this invention, is formed of tubular members welded to form a horizontal substantially rectangular frame 13 having 20 side elements 14 joined at one end by a lateral strut 16. At a point spaced from the foot end of the frame 13 the side elements are connected by a lateral bar 17 which cooperates with the strut 16 to form a rigid rectangular structure. Rollers 18 are mounted at the foot 25 end of the frame and casters 19 are mounted at the head end so that the bed may be moved about easily. The rollers 18 are non-swivelling and the casters 19 are full swivelling. Screw jacks 20 are provided, at the head end of the frame, which can be screwed down to lift 30 the weight off of the casters 19 when the frame is to be locked against rolling movement. Since the rollers 18 cannot swivel, jacks at the foot end are not required.

A pedestal for the pivot yoke is formed of vertically extending tubular struts 21 and 22 extending upwardly 35 and inwardly from each of the side elements 14, as best illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4. The lower ends of the struts 21 and 22 are welded at spaced points along the associated side elements 14 and the upper ends are welded, to bearing sleeves 23. A pivot shaft 24 mounted on the 40 pivot yoke is journaled at its ends in the bearing sleeves 23 so that the yoke is pivotally mounted on the frame 10 for rotation about a horizontal axis extending laterally relative to the frame. The struts 21 are in a vertical plane so that they will not interfere with movement of 45 the bed to the vertical position.

Preferably, the pivot yoke 11 is formed as a tunnel structure closed at its ends by end plates 26 and closed on its lower side by a bottom plate 27. This provides a lightweight rigid structure. Stub shafts 28 are provided 50 on each end plate 26 to journal the platform 12 for rotation about an axis extending along the longitudinal axis of the platform.

The platform 12 is preferably formed of light metal, such as aluminum, and is provided with a base plate 29 55 and side plates 31. A hinge member 32 is mounted on the base plate adjacent to the foot of the platform, as best illustrated in FIGURE 3. A second hinge member 33 is mounted on the platform adjacent the other end of the yoke 11 so that the platform is supported on spaced 60 hinges for lateral tipping about the axis of the stub shafts 28.

Two separate motor drives are provided to control the position of the platform 12. An electric motor and gear reduction unit 34 is mounted on a motor plate 36 welded 65 to one of the side elements 14 and the lateral bar 17.

Preferably, the motor unit 34 is of the type having an integral gear reduction having an output of about one revolution per minute and arranged so that the gear reduction is self-locking. A crank arm 37 is mounted on. 70 the output shaft of the motor drive 34 and is connected to the pivot yoke 11 by a drive link 38. Thus, as the motor drive 34 is operated the pivot yoke 11 and in turn

3,200,416 the platform 12 are tipped about the axis of the shaft 24. The proportions of the crank 37 and the drive links 38 along with the pivot at 39 mounting the drive link on the pivot yoke are arranged so that in one dead center position of the linkage, illustrated by the phantom illustration of the pivot at 39a, the platform 12 is tipped with the head down at an angle of about 15° and in the other extreme position of the linkage at 396 the platform is tipped to the vertical position with the foot end thereof adjacent to the floor 40. Therefore, operation of the motor drive 34 rotates the platform between its two extreme positions and automatically serves to limit the possible travel of the platform without requiring limit switches or the like.

To control the lateral position of the platform a second motor drive unit 41 is mounted on the bottom plate 27 of the pivot yoke 11. Hereagain, the motor drive should include an electric motor and a gear reduction having an output of about one revolution per minute wherein the gear reduction is self-locking when the motor 41 is not operating. The hinge 33 is formed with a depending portion having a slot 42, best illustrated in FIGURE 4. A crank arm 43 mounted on the output shaft of the motor drive 41 extends into the slot 42 so that rotation of the crank arm produces lateral tipping of the platform with respect to the pivot yoke. Here again, the crank arm 43 is proportioned with respect to the hinge 33 so that the maximum lateral tipping of the platform is about 15° to either side of the horizontal position. Since each of the drives is self-locking the platform 12 is locked in the desired position as soon as the respective drive is stopped. Also, since separate motor drives 34 and 41 are provided to control the pivotal movement about the lateral axis of the shaft 24 and the longitudinal axis of the stub shafts 28, respectively, complete independent adjustment of the position of the platform is provided so that the patient may adjust the platform position to any desired position within the range of adjustment.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the switches for control of the two motor drives 34 and 41 are preferably mounted on a support arm 44 hinged on one side of the platform 12 and extending to the position above the patient within easy reach. The arm 44 is hinged so that it can be tipped out of the way when required. Two switches 46 and 47 are mounted on the arm 44. Preferably, both switches are normally off double throw reversing switches so that rocking movement of the switch in one direction causes the associated motor to rotate in a corresponding direction and rocking movement of the switches in the opposite direction causes opposite rotation of the associated motor.

The switch 46 is mounted laterally with respect to the platform 12 and is connected to control the motor drive 41. The switch 47 is mounted longitudinally of the platform 12 and is connected to control the motor drive 34. The wiring for the motor drives and the switches has not been shown since reversing circuits are well known in the field of motor controls. However, the switch 46 is preferably connected so that pressing of the left side of the switch will cause tipping of the platform 12 to the left and pressing of the right side of the switch will cause movement toward the right. Similarly, the switch 47 should be connected so that pressing of the foot end of the switch causes the foot end of the platform 12 to be lowered and pressing of the head end of the switch causes movement of the platform to lower the head end thereof.

The shaft 24 is longitudinally spaced from the foot end of the platform a distance at least substantially equal to the vertical height of the pivot shaft 24 so that the foot end of the platform will be immediately adjacent to the floor 40 when the platform is moved to the vertical position illustrated in phantom in FIGURE 3. This requires that the pivot shaft 24 be located closer to the foot end of the platform then the head end and would result in rather large loads on the drive linkage if a spring 48 were not provided to balance the eccentric load. The spring 48 is connected between a mounting bracket 49 on the pivot yoke 11 and the motor plate 36. The spring 48 is sized to provide a counterclockwise force, as viewed in FIGURE 3, which tends to counter balance the weight of the patient when the platform is in the horizontal position.

This counterbalancing force decreases as the platform is tipped down toward the vertical position, however, at this same time such movement reduces the effect of the eccentric load on the platform so proper counterbalancing ₁₀ is maintained and a minimum load is applied to the drive linkage.

Adjustment of the knee position is provided so that the patient may raise or lower the knees for comfort. A first plate 51 is connected by hinges 52 to the base plate 29 15 of the platform at a location immediately below the patient’s hips. A second plate 53 is connected by hinges 54 to the first plate 51 and in turn by hinges 56 to a third plate 57. A pair of arms 58 are provided on the end of the second plate 53 adjacent to the hinges 56 20 which extend down through longitudinal slots 59 in the base plate 29, as best illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 8. The lower ends of the arms 58 are each connected to a cable 61 wrapped around a crankshaft 62 journaled for rotation on the platform 29 and extending laterally with 25 respect thereto. A crank handle 63 is detachably connected to the ends of the shaft 62 so that rotation of the crank 63 in one direction causes the cable to be wound around the shaft to pull the arms 58 toward the shaft and rotation in the opposite direction allows the arms 30 58 to move toward the foot end of the platform.

The arms 58 extend laterally and downwardly with respect to the plate 53 so that a force couple is produced when the cables are tightened, which causes the second plate 53 to tip in a counterclockwise direction as viewed 35 in FIGURE 6 as the arms 58 move along the slots 59 toward the shaft 62. This causes the two plates 51 and 53 to fold and raise toward the phantom position of FIGURE 6. The amount that the plates 51 and 53 raise, of course, is determined by the amount of rotation of the 40 crank 63. Therefore, the position of the plates and in turn the amount the knees of a patent are raised is easily controlled. The third plate 57 slides up along the bottom plate 59 when the knees are raised and moves back down to the foot position when the plates are lowered to the horizontal position.

⁴⁵ Preferably, a simple ratchet (not shown) locks the shaft 62 in the adjusted position and is of the type which can be easily released when it is desired to lower the plates 51 and 53. Also, the crank 63 can be attached to either end of the shaft 62 so that the adjustment can be •'° provided from either side of the platform. Suitable padding 64 is fastened to the base plate 29 and to the plates 51, 53 and 57. Preferably, a foam type padding is used which is covered by a plastic or rubber water_rr proof material for ease of cleaning. Also, the sides 31 •^JJ preferably covered with a suitable padding 65.

To provide the patient with lateral support when the platform 12 is tipped laterally a pair of adjustable chest support elements 66 are used. These chest support elements have a similar structure and are best illustrated in θθ FIGURE 7. The supports 66 are formed by bending a piece of sheet metal with a relatively sharp bend at its upper end 67 so that two leg portions 68 and 69 are provided. Each leg portion 68 and 69 is formed with a laterally extending flange 71 and a boss 72. The supports ⁶⁵ 66 are proportioned so that they may be inserted up through the platform 29 through longitudinal slots 73 and then moved longitudinally along the slots to any desired position. Two pair of slots 73 are provided along _θ each side of the bed platform so that the lateral spacing between the support 66 can be changed by selecting the proper slot.

Mounted along each of the slots is an angle member 74 and a central U-shaped angle member 76 which are posi75 tioned so that they provide opposed flanges 77 spaced be3,2ι low and adjacent to each of the slots 73. The angle members 74 and 76 terminate at a point spaced from the end of the slots 73 so that the support 66 can be inserted and then moved along the slots with the lateral flanges 71 between the flanges 77 and the base plate 29. The flanges 77 are formed with notches 78 which receive the bosses 72 and lock the supports in the adjusted position. To move the supports 66 along the slots it is merely necessary to squeeze the two legs 68 and 69 toward each other and when the support is properly positioned the spring back of the support causes the bosses 72 to move into the notches 78 and lock the support in the adjusted position. Preferably, thin padding is mounted on the upper end of the supports. These chest supports are normally positioned between the patient’s arms and chest to prevent the patient from sliding sideways when the bed is tipped about its longitudinal axis.

The lower end of the platform has a width approximately the width of the patient’s lower body and the side plates 31 provide lateral support for the patient’s legs when the platform is tipped. The upper end of the platform is wider than the lower end and the side plates are low so that they do not interfere with arm movement.

A foot plate 79 is provided at the foot end of the platform so that the patient is supported by his feet as the platform is moved toward the vertical position and to provide a comfortable platform for stepping into and out of the bed if the patient is ambulatory. This foot plate is located closely adjacent to the floor when the platform is in the vertical position so that the patient can easily step into and out of the bed as desired.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention illustrated, it is to be understood that various modifications and rearrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as de- gg fined in the following claims.