EP0951892A2 - Bed, particularly for communities, of the type with bed-plane articulated structure and means for the movement and control of at least said bed-plane - Google Patents

Abstract

Bed for communities, of the type with bed-plane articulated structure and means for its movement and control, made up of a base provided with small wheels and relative common stop, from which, fulcrumed on the side, arms also of the electrically moved type protrude, as supports of a frame, made up of headboard and footboard complete with a blanket-holding projecting plane, to which frame an articulated bed-plane with foldable sides, and consisting of four elements, three of which are reclinable, by position adjustment electromechanical means, respectively made up a back element, a relax element hinged to the centre element fixed on the frame, and a foot element hinged to said relax element is associated, and also in which both in correspondence of the extrados of at least one side, and preferably of the extrados of a footboard, control boards for the also independent movement and the frame and the articulated bed-plane control are provided.

Description

The present invention has for object a bed, particularly for communities, of the type with bed-plane articulated structure and means for the movement and control of at least said bed-plane.

The invention, finds particular even if not exclusive application in the field of technical furniture for hospital sectors, such as specifically hospitals, clinics and nursing homes for long-stay in hospital and old-age homes and anyway all those cases in which an easy means for the transportation and a more comfortable as well as therapeutical stay in bed of the patients must be available.

Prior art.

The traditional hospital bed is known. It is generally made up of a rigid frame, mostly in metal, to which, in correspondence of the ends, a headboard and a footboard are associated. Most of the presently available beds also are of the technical type, that is they must satisfy generally standard special requirements, required by the hospitals. This is the case, for example, of beds lowerly provided with wheels for allowing the movement from a place to another, as well as when needed, some lateral retaining means are required, which substantially have a safety function, preventing the patient from accidentally coming out the bed-plane perimeter, as for instance for retaining the old patients.

Also the fact that the frame may be differently structured for allowing the movement of the patient's resting plane, such as for example from a former coplanar position to a different one, by lifting an end respect to the other, or alternatively both of them according to the patient's needs, is known.

A traditional resting plane, both for hospital beds and domestic use, concerns all the surface delimited by the bed frame and is made up of one, but also of more, sometimes interconnected and elastically yielding sub-structures. This is the case of the traditional bedspring, where the mesh ends, periferically, are either engaged along the bed frame, or alternatively along the perimeter of at least a second dynamical frame which interacts with said first one, which in this case is static. These solutions, have remained almost unchanged for years, up to now, when those skilled in the art found their absolute inadequacy. With the purpose of solving some of the problems deriving from the previous solutions, some more advanced beds were manufactured, which in place of the traditional bedspring mesh, proposed the use of transversal staves, slightly convex, whose ends are engaged in corresponding sheaths, inserted along the internal perimeter of a support frame, or alternatively engaged above or beneath this same. But the use of this solution in hospital beds is not at all allowed, mainly because in the specifications it is generally that the bed should be subjected to a washing and sterilisation process. Consequently the use of metal bedsprings, which together with the other parts could be easily subjected to such operation, was always the preferred condition.

The technical needs of some particular hospital sectors, such as for example the case of intensive care and long-stay wards, where the conventionally manufactured bed is completely unsuitable. In this case, in fact, contrarily to the traditional beds, it should be provided with a plane which can be adjusted in more points, so that we have some mattress support planes, subdivided in two or at the most three elements one hinged to the other, respectively one corresponding to the back, and one for the footboard - in a longer or shorter version - which also includes the part in contact with the pelvis. Alternatively, comprising a third element less long than the previous ones and which interposing between the two, touches with its end the centre section for the pelvis area.

The invention concerns that category of beds having articulated, adjustable planes, to which the attention of those skilled in the art is presently directed. Traditionally for example, the back's adjustment is obtained in a very easy way, by steadily fulcruming an end of the dynamical frame along the intrados of the static frame longitudinal members. For what concerns the movement of the back comprising a dynamical frame, giving a higher or lower inclination respect to the bedspring remaining part, it is ensured by also electromechanical different devices which may work both on the element connecting the dynamical frame part to that of the static frame, and alternatively comprise some also automatically operated lever devices, on one side engaged along the back's dynamical frame, while the opposite end is hinged to the static frame.

The traditional planes, which up to now have characterised such beds, have a common origin, so that they are made up of a metal flat bedspring varnished with epoxidic resins. The drawback of such structure substantially consists in that it does not allow, like the other metal solutions, a satisfactory treatment in autoclave, and anyway because of the frequent washing with detergents and disinfectants tends to wear in short time. Secondly, a the structure wear may be mainly noticed in the long-stay beds, under effect of the natural contact with physiological liquids, such as for example, the urine. A third problem found, not less important than the previous ones is that the patients, forced in bed for long periods, may be subject to the formation of bedsores, particularly undesired and painful.

For obviating these problems, a first foreign Company of the field, already replaced the traditional metal bedspring with a thermoformed plane in plastic material. This latter, when it needs to be removed, is simply laid on a corresponding perimetral metal frame, which being movable acts as a support, associated to the bed static structure according to the known art. A second characteristic is the particular shape of the panels which make up the articulated plane, which have a series of openings for the mattress aeration from the bottom upwards and viceversa, and a series of protrusions, which allow to keep the mattress slightly lifted respect to the plane. Said symmetrical protrusions placed in parallel rows, are spaced by openings, and by longitudinal staves, in this case two, which subdivide said protrusions in three rows, realising between these latter some also longitudinal aeration channels.

Among the drawbacks found, there is the so called - shirt effect - a phenomenon typically found not only in the articulated beds, but also in the seatings. Such phenomenon, following the back inclination respect to the remaining body part which remains flat, causes the localised lifting of the patient's clothes, mainly in the lumbar area, leaving a part of the body bare and thus particularly subject to air currents and anyway to a fast temperature change. Besides, because the partial rising of the patient is frequent, more times a day, for example when the meal is served, as much frequent is the possibility of being subject to a fast cooling of the body part which remains bare, which may cause, mainly in the patients who are staying in hospital for a long time, some intramuscular pains, as for example backpain.

A second but not less important aspect, concerns the patient's position. This even if locally adjustable by operating on the bed planes, may never be optimised, mainly because of the articulation insufficiency provided along the traditional bed-planes which support the mattress. It is the frequent case, for example, of the patient having his back risen, who being in such a condition, tends to slide forward. Such position will progressively be unsuitable and uncomfortable as long as the patient remains in this situation, up to being forced to go back again to his former position exerting a force with his articulations, and in particular with his arms, along the bed edges. A second negative aspect concern the hypothesis in which the patient, when he has risen, should then lay horizontally. In such case the patient is forced to rise his body to go back to his former position. This aspect is not so inconvenient if the patient is strong, but is becomes difficult when the patient if old is disabled. In this case the intervention of at least a nurse is necessary for helping him to go back to his former position and allowing him a correct rest.

A purpose of the present invention is also that of obviating the above mentioned drawbacks.

This and other purposes are reached with the present invention according to the characteristics as in the enclosed drawings, solving the mentioned problems by means of a bed, particularly for communities, of the type with bed-plane articulated structure and means for the movement and control of at least said bed-plane, made up of a base provided with pivoting small wheels and relative common stop, from whose base, fulcrumed on the side, arms also of the electrically moved type protrude, as supports of a frame, made up of headboard and footboard complete with a blanket-holding projecting plane, to which frame an articulated bed-plane with relative foldable sides, and consisting of four elements, three of which are reclinable, by position adjustment electromechanical means, respectively made up a back element, a relax element hinged to the centre element fixed to the frame, and a foot element hinged to said relax element is associated, and also in which both in correspondence of the extrados of at least one side, and preferably of the extrados of a footboard, control boards for the also independent movement and the control of at least the frame and the articulated bed-plane to it associated are provided.

Advantages.

Thus, through the considerable creative contribution whose effect is an immediate technical progress different advantages are obtained. In the first place, we may mention that a particularly functional bed, provided with an unusual bed-plane adjustment ability is obtained. It practically derives from that it is possible intervening on three reclinable elements, obtaining some particularly ergonomical positions and optimising their therapeutical aims. For what concerns the interaction of the back with the relax element, proportionally to the lifting rate, it allows at least to reduce even if not to eliminate the shirt effect, avoiding the patient to slide forward and have his clothes in disorder. Such facilitation derives from that in spite of the risen position, it also possible to avoid the forward sliding of the mattress, that is towards the footboard, being it able to touch the foot element which stops its advancement. This condition also eases the return of the bed-mattress group to its former position, allowing the bed to return to its former look, without being disordered and without resorting to the aid of an assistant.

Further qualities are ascribable to that the frame is provided with extractable ends, as footboard supports, obtaining a bed lengthened shape, unusual respect to the standard dimensions, as well as, always for what concerns the footboard, to that a comfortable shelf with relative side for the blanket holding is provided, thus always remaining at hand's reach. Such condition results particularly useful both when the bed is moving, and when it is stopped. In the first case, in fact, the blankets are not uncomfortable for the patient, while in the traditional solutions, the nurse had to lay them on the bed and thus on the same patient, causing him much unease and pain and increasing the sheets weight. In the second case instead, they are visible and always ready to use, also in rooms without available cabinets, avoiding the nurses or the assistants to make difficult researches.

Other specialities may be also ascribable to the special interaction of the bed base with the bed-plane, which allows the lifting or viceversa of said plane, independently of the bed-plane articulation adjustment, as well as of the sides, which, in this case, being basculating, may take at least three positions, one of which is lifted, the other intermediate and one is completely lowered, and all this is still independent of the bed-plane position.

Finally the shape of the sole bed-plane is particularly designed for giving a better ergonomics, easing the surfaces aeration with the advantage of the patient's correct rest.

These and other advantages will appear from the following detailed description of an embodiment preferred solution with the aid of the enclosed schematic drawings, whose execution details are not to be considered as limitative but are only given as examples.

Drawings.

Figure 1., shows a group side view, with the frame and relative bed-plane in a lowered position, being set against the bed base.

Figure 2., shows again a group side view, but with the frame and relative bed-plane in a lifted position, distant from the bed base, whose articulated plane is shown according to one of the possible configurations.

Figure 3., sows a bed group view, seen from the headboard.

Figure 4., shows a transversal sectional view of the sole bed-plane.

Figure 5., is plan view of the bed plane-frame group, to which a relative headboard and a footboard are associated.

Figure 6., is a plan view of the sole bed base for the frame support and movement and of the relative bed-plane associated with it.

Figure 7., is a detailed view of the bed group, seen in correspondence of a corner.

Figure 8., is a perspective view of the sole articulated bed-plane.

Figures 9. and 9a, are some perspective views of a headboard/footboard, respectively assembled and disassembled.

Finally, Figures 10. to 21., suppose some control boards with the display of the different positions which the frame may take as well as the different shapes of the bed-plane.

Description of a possible solution.

Also referring to the figures, it may be noticed that a bed (A), particularly intended for the hospital sector, is essentially made up of a frame (1), consisting of two parallel longitudinal members (1¹), whose ends, placed perpendicularly, respectively engage a headboard (2) and a footboard (3). Said frame, is provided with a dynamical end, meaning that it may allow the bed (A) lengthening, by pulling the footboard (3) toward itself, from a position (b) to a more backed position (b¹). This is made possible, providing the interaction, provided in correspondence of one end of the longitudinal members (1¹), of two longitudinal member segments (1²), which being coaxial are extractable from the first ones, engaging the footboard (3). Some locking means, not shown, or other similar means aimed at increasing the friction in order to stabilise said footboard (3) position, once the desired distance is reached, may be provided co-operating with them.

For what concerns the headboard (2) and the footboard (3), it may be noticed that they are obtained by substantially assembling two elements. respectively a base cross member (4) with a panel overhanging the same(5). While the cross member (4), provides the "C" shaped ends (4¹), the upper panel (5) has on the side some rounded handles (5¹), between which a full centre portion (6) is interplaced. In the case of the footboard (3), said full centre portion (6), on the panel extrados, realises a blanket holding plane (6¹), being of the hinged type, along the base, to said centre portion (6) or providing suitable reciprocal joint means, in this case for being removed. The panel (5) joining to the lower cross member (4), is ensured by two pins (7), one for each side and rather developed, which are vertically inserted with one end along the panel (5) ends, on the other side they coaxially concern a bushing (8), which crossing said "C" shaped ends (4¹), holds in place some wheels (9) which being protruding have the function of buffers.

To the thus obtained frame (1), a bed-plane (a¹) is associated, which is aimed at supporting the patient during the interposition of a suitable mattress. Said bed-plane (a¹), is substantially made up of four elements, interconnected to one another, and respectively a first one, rather wide (10¹) made up of the back element, a second one (10²), made up of the fixed centre element, a third one (10³), made up of the relax element, and finally a fourth element (10⁴), made up of the foot element. All four of these elements, respectively, (10¹, 10², 10³ and 10⁴), may be of the type obtained by plastic material moulding, and include on the surface some lowered areas, co-operating with some openings, respectively, first cross members (11¹), interplaced, and openings (11²) longitudinally developed next to the sides of said elements. Each element is further provided along its sides of at least a corresponding handle (12), and only in the case of the foot element (10⁴), the end transversal section, is in contact with a raising (13) which acts as a stop at least for the mattress, avoiding the same to slide when, said bed-plane (a¹) results tilted. For what concerns the bed-plane (a¹) articulation, it may be further noticed that the centre element (10²), is fixed being engaged to the frame longitudinal members (1¹). Respect to the same (10²) a first element, so called back (10¹) is hinged which results thus liftable from a horizontal plane to a tilted plane with maximum opening corner of about 70°. On the other side, always respect to the fixed centre element (10²), a relax element (10³), which is also movable from a horizontal plane to a tilted plane with maximum opening corner of about 40°, in opposition respect to the back element (10¹) is hinged. Finally, the fourth element (10⁴), or foot element. This latter is hinged on a side to the previous one (10³), and may be lifted from the former horizontal plane to a second always horizontal plane, but at a different height respect to the previous one. Finally, always such element (10⁴) may also be tilted, on the front side, by suitable supporting means. For what concerns the electromechanical or eventually manual means for moving said elements (10¹, 10³ and 10⁴), these are housed in the area underlying said bed-plane (a¹) and may interact for obtaining some also specifical configurations independently of one another, easing not necessarily synchronous adjustments of the single elements.

With the purpose of delimiting said bed-plane (a¹) retaining seat, and in such case also with a safety function, said bed-plane (a¹) is supported by lateral sides (16). More in detail, said sides (16) are four, placed two by two and opposite to one another, touching the longitudinal side both of the back element (10¹) and of the foot element (10⁴). Even more in detail, on the back element underlying side (10¹), and on the foot element (10⁴) underlying side, some arms (14), respectively a couple of arms (14), for each longitudinal side, both of the back element (10¹) and, still, of the foot element (10⁴) are externally fulcrumed. The arms (14) hinging to the sub-structure of the concerned elements, is obtained by the localised interposition of a "U" shaped bracket (15), previously fixed on the concerned element extrados and along the edge. Thus, the lower end of each arm (14), being substantially "L" shaped, transversally contacts said "U" shaped bracket (15), and being it restrained by restraining means, consequently allows its rotation. On the other side, the two arms (14) which support the corresponding side (16) obtain a kind of parallelogram, allowing the side (16) to be moved, always horizontally, from a low position to a high one, passing through an intermediate position.
All the bed (A) structure, more in detail of the bed-plane (a¹) and supporting frame group, is supported by a bed base (a²), of the movable type. This latter, rather dimensionally reduced and widely retained within the limits defined by the bed-plane (a¹) perimeter, provides a longitudinally developed centre portion (17) inside or under which some electromechanical movement mechanisms, which determine the movement, also independent or synchronous of two articulations, (18) and (18¹) which respectively support the front and back part of the bed-plane (a¹) frame (1) group, are provided associated. At the top end, respect to said centre portion (17), some transversal elements (19), which lowly, at their ends, engage some small wheels (20), whose stopping is operated by a single-control pedal (21) placed on a side of said bed base (a²), are provided.
Finally, the movement, both of the sole bed-plane (a¹), and in particular of the single articulations (10¹, 10³ e 10⁴) by acting on the elements which form it, and the movement of the bed-plane (a¹) frame (1) group, realised by the bed base (a²), is ensured by one or more gear motors eventually co-operating with hydraulic or pneumatical systems, interlocked to a logic unit which determines, by suitable transmissions, its single movements. Said program and control logic unit (22), eventually also subdivided in two co-operating units, is placed along the extrados of at least one of the external elements of the bed (A) and provides in addition to the operational single buttons (22¹) also some icons (22²) displaying the thus provided specifical function and configuration.

Claims (16)

1. Bed, particularly for communities, of the type with bed-plane articulated structure and means for the movement and control of at least said bed-plane, characterised in that it provides a base (a2), provided with pivoting small wheels (20) and relative common stop, from which base, fulcrumed on the side, arms (18) and (19) also of the electrically moved type protrude, as supports of a frame (1), made up of headboard (2) and footboard (3) to which an articulated bed-plane (a1) with relative foldable sides (16), and consisting of four elements, three of which are reclinable (10¹, 10³ and 10⁴), respectively made up a back element (10¹), a relax element (10³), hinged to the centre element (10²) fixed on the frame, and a foot element (10⁴), hinged to said relax element (10³) is associated.
2. Bed structure, according to claim 1., characterised in that the movement, both of the sole bed-plane (a¹), and in particular of the single articulations (10¹, 10³ e 10⁴) by acting on the elements which form it, and the movement of the bed-plane (a¹) frame (1) group, realised by the bed base (a²), is ensured by one or more gear motors eventually co-operating with hydraulic or pneumatical systems, interlocked to a logic unit which determines, by suitable transmissions, its single movements.
3. Bed structure, according to claims 1. and 2., characterised in that said program and control logic unit (22), eventually also subdivided in two co-operating units, is placed along the extrados of at least one of the external elements of the bed (A) and provides in addition to the operational single buttons (22¹) also some icons (22²) displaying the thus provided specifical function and configuration.
4. Bed structure, according to previous claims, characterised in that the frame, consists of two parallel longitudinal members (1¹), whose ends, placed perpendicularly, respectively engage a headboard (2) and a dynamical footboard (3), which may be extended from a position (b) to a more backed position (b¹), providing the interaction, provided in correspondence of one end of the longitudinal members (1¹), of two longitudinal member segments (1²), which being coaxial are extractable from the first ones, engaging the footboard (3).
5. Bed structure, according to previous claims, characterised in that the headboard (2) and the footboard (3) are obtained by substantially assembling two elements. respectively a base cross member (4) with a panel overhanging the same(5).
6. Bed structure, according to previous claims, characterised in that the cross member (4), provides the "C" shaped ends (4¹), while the upper panel (5) has on the side some rounded handles (5¹), between which a full centre portion (6) is interplaced, and in which the panel (5) joining to the lower cross member (4), is ensured by two pins (7), one for each side, which are vertically inserted with one end along the panel (5) ends, on the other side they coaxially concern a bushing (8), which crossing said "C" shaped ends (4¹), holds in place some buffer wheels (9).
7. Bed structure, according to previous claims, characterised in that in the footboard (3), said full centre portion (6), on the panel extrados, realises a blanket holding plane (6¹), being of the hinged type, along the base, to said centre portion (6) or providing suitable reciprocal joint means, in this case for being removed.
8. Bed structure, according to previous claims, characterised in that to the thus obtained frame (1), a bed-plane (a¹), substantially made up of four elements, interconnected to one another, and respectively a first one, rather wide (10¹) made up of the back element, a second one (10²), made up of the fixed centre element, a third one (10³), made up of the relax element, and finally a fourth element (10⁴), consisting of the foot element, all of the type obtained by plastic material moulding, including on the surface some lowered areas, co-operating with some openings, respectively, first cross members (11¹), interplaced with openings (11²) longitudinally developed next to the sides of said elements.
9. Bed structure, according to previous claims, characterised in that the elements (10¹, 10³ and 10⁴) are provided along the sides, of at least a corresponding monolithic handle (12), and only in the case of the foot element (10⁴), the end transversal section, has a raising (13) which acts as a stop.
10. Bed structure, according to previous claims, characterised in that respect to the fixed centre element (10²), being engaged to the longitudinal members (1¹), a back element (10¹) is hinged, which thus results liftable from a horizontal plane to a tilted plane with maximum opening corner of about 70°, on the other side, always respect to the fixed centre element (10²), a relax element (10³), which is also movable from a horizontal plane to a tilted plane with maximum opening corner of about 40°, in opposition respect to the back element (10¹) is hinged.
11. Bed structure, according to previous claims, characterised in that a fourth element (10⁴), or foot element is hinged on a side to the relax element (10³), and may be lifted from the former horizontal plane to a second always horizontal plane, but at a different height respect to the previous one. Finally, always such element (10⁴) may also be tilted, on the front side, by suitable supporting means.
12. Bed structure, according to previous claims, characterised in that the electromechanical or eventually manual means for moving said elements (10¹, 10³ and 10⁴), are housed in the area underlying said bed-plane (a¹) and may act for obtaining some also specifical configurations independently of one another, easing not necessarily synchronous adjustments of the single elements.
13. Bed structure, according to previous claims, characterised in that said bed-plane (a¹) is supported by lateral sides (16) in a number of four, placed two by two and opposite to one another, touching the longitudinal side both of the back element (10¹) and of the foot element (10⁴).
14. Bed structure, according to previous claims, characterised in that on the back element underlying side (10¹), and on the foot element (10⁴) underlying side, some arms (14), respectively a couple of arms (14), for each longitudinal side, both of the back element (10¹) and, still, of the foot element (10⁴) are externally fulcrumed; said arms (14) hinging to the sub-structure of the concerned elements, is obtained by the localised interposition of a "U" shaped bracket (15), previously fixed on the concerned element extrados and along the edge, so that the lower end of each arm (14), being substantially "L" shaped, transversally contacts said "U" shaped bracket (15), while on the other side, the two arms (14) which support the corresponding side (16) obtain a kind of parallelogram, allowing the side (16) to be moved, always horizontally, from a low position to a high one, passing through an intermediate position.
15. Bed structure, according to previous claims, characterised in that the bed-plane (a¹) and supporting frame (1) group, is supported by a bed base (a²), of the movable type, dimensionally reduced and widely retained within the limits defined by the bed-plane (a¹) perimeter, comprising a longitudinally developed centre portion (17) inside or under which some electromecanical movement mechanisms, which determine the movement, also independent or synchronous of two articulations, (18) and (18¹) which respectively support the front and back part of the bed-plane (a¹) frame (1) group, are provided associated.
16. Bed structure, according to previous claims, characterised in that at the top end, respect to said centre portion (17), some transversal elements (19), which lowly, at their ends, engage some small wheels (20), whose stopping is operated by a single-control pedal (21) placed on a side of said bed base (a²), are provided.

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