GB2280365A - Beds and backrests therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

A bed has a backrest framework (61) which includes a back support member (63) comprising a generally rectangular frame (64) enclosing a mesh panel (74) or cross bars. A linkage (68, 71, 72, 73) is adjustable for retaining the back support member (63) at the head of the bed in a generally upright position, and at various locations axially spaced from the head of the bed. The back support member (63) is pivotally movable (via (69), (75)) with respect to the linkage which is in turn pivotally mounted to the head of the bed (80, 81, 82, 83). This permits the back support member (63) to be secured in various inclined positions. This arrangement is advantageous in that, if an occupant of a bed wishes to adopt a sitting position, the back support member (63) can be moved out towards the occupant and thus it is not necessary to lift and drag the occupant to the head of the bed. The backrest may also have armrests (fig. 3, not shown). <IMAGE>

Description

BEDS AND BACKRESTS THEREFOR The present invention relates to beds. The invention finds particular, but not exclusive, use in relation to beds intended to be occupied both day and night. Such beds are required in hospitals, nursing homes and the like, and in some domestic homes.

In hospitals, nursing homes etc, occupants of a bed may often be too ill to move from the bed during the daytime. Under these circumstances, such beds are occupied for substantial periods both day and night.

However, whilst the occupant may need to remain in the bed during the daytime, they generally wish to adopt an upright or inclined sitting position, rather than a sleeping position. Often the occupant is too weak to raise his or her own body into the sitting position.

Thus, assistance is required to raise the upper body of the bed occupant and then to pull them up towards the top of the bed. In this way, the occupant may be supported in the sitting position by the bed headboard. This procedure of handling a patient by pulling them up towards the head of the bed is otherwise known as a draglift.

The drag-lift often causes discomfort to the bed occupant. It is also a major cause of back injury to nurses in hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, these difficulties are particularly acute in the domestic situation, where a sick person may be attended by a carer such as a member of the family, for example, who may lack strength and/or proper medical training.

There is also a current trend towards requiring stricter standards for safety of employees in the workplace. As regards the nursing field, EEC Regulations presently in force regarding Manual Handling restrict the amount of weight nurses are permitted to lift.

Hospital beds of the Kingsfund style have tiltable backrests, otherwise known as variable geometry backrests. Such beds are currently available in many hospitals and nursing homes. They are capable of supporting a patient in various positions, between lying horizontally and sitting generally upright. Example backrests include a pillow-carrying grid, having channelled parts which engage vertical frame members at the head of the bed. The channelled parts are adapted to be slidably moveable up and down the frame members so as to present the grid at selected inclined positions with respect to the top surface of the bed.

Thus, such variable geometry or tiltable backrests are useful in that they enable the patient to adopt various selected sitting positions, depending upon which angle of inclination is the most comfortable for them.

As a result of these advantages, such tiltable backrests are widely used in hospitals today.

Nevertheless, existing tiltable backrests are not entirely satisfactory. Whilst they can support a patient's upper body at various selected angles, difficulties arise because the patient must still be pulled up the bed to reach the tilted backrest. As a result, again, nurses and other carers risk injury from the drag-lift. Also, as outlined above, the drag-lift can be uncomfortable for the patient.

Other types of adjustable hospital beds have also been contemplated in the past. For example, GB 759617 (Marriott) discloses a bed in which part of the mattress frame can be adjusted into a position to form a support for the occupant of the bed when sitting up in the bed.

The mattress frame is made in two parts which are pivotally secured together, so that the part near the head of the bed may be tilted upwardly to provide support for an occupant in a sitting position.

A similar arrangement is disclosed in GB 983666 (Nesbit-Evans). In that case, the mattress frame is slidably mounted to the bed frame, and thus the position of the tiltable part of the mattress frame, with respect to the head of the bed, may be adjusted. This may allow for adjustment of the angle of inclination of the tiltable part of the bed.

The present invention seeks to alleviate at least some of the aforementioned problems by providing alternative backrests for supporting an occupant of a bed. With this in mind, in a broad aspect the present invention concerns a tiltable backrest capable of supporting an occupant of a bed in a position spaced from the head of the bed.

Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention provides a backrest for association with a bed, which includes a back support member and means for presenting the member above the top surface of the bed and axially spaced from the head of the bed. Conveniently, means are provided for securing the member in a generally upright position and at least one inclined position, with respect to the top surface of the bed. Suitably, the means for presenting the member above the bed comprise means for securing the member to the bed and means for supporting the member axially spaced from the head of the bed.

In another aspect, the invention concerns a bed which includes a back support member and means for securing the back support member above the top surface of the bed and axially spaced from the head of the bed.

Thus, the present invention provides a significant break-through in that it can allow the position of an occupant of a bed to be adjusted without the need for drag-lifting. According to the present invention, it is possible to present the back support member spaced from the head of the bed. Thus, the carer or nurse need only raise the upper body of the occupant from the horizontal, and then adjust the position of the back support member to bring it towards the occupant. It will be appreciated that it need not be necessary for the carer to support all the occupant's body weight and to pull them up towards the head of the bed, to adjust their position from the sleeping to the sitting position. This is more versatile than many previous proposals which included a tiltable mattress support. Typically, such supports were tiltable about a single axis.Thus, to be comfortable, the occupant would have to be moved along the bed to be at or near this axis.

The present invention is also distinguished from many previous proposals in that the present back support member is presented above the top surface of the bed.

Thus, the support member is not provided by a mattress support. Use of such tiltable mattress supports has limitations in that they require flexible foldable mattresses.

In preferred embodiments, the support means for presenting the member spaced from the head of the bed are adjustable and are thus capable of presenting the member at various selected positions spaced apart along the longitudinal extent of the bed. This is advantageous because the appropriate position for the support member will depend upon the position adopted by the occupant of the bed when in a sleeping position. This, in turn, varies in dependence upon the height of the occupant.

For example, when an occupant is lying down on a bed, their posterior may be in any number of locations spaced from the head of the bed. As their upper body is raised, it is desirable to be able to bring the support member out towards the occupant, so that it can support the occupant without the need for them to move their posterior. For this reason, in preferred embodiments, the support means for presenting the member spaced from the head of the bed is adjustable so as to improve versatility of the backrest. Preferably, locking means are provided for securing the support means in a desired configuration.

In embodiments where adjustable support means are provided for presenting the member spaced from the head of the bed, preferred such means are of telescopic type.

In such embodiments, for ease of use or manufacture, it is preferable to include only a single telescopic linkage between the support member and the bed. Particularly preferred embodiments include a telescopic linkage having a first part for securing with respect to the bed and a second part for securing to the bed support member, conveniently generally centrally located with respect to the width of the member. Suitably, the linkage engages a frame member of the bed, generally at or near the head of the bed. Suitable linkages include locking means for securing the linkage in a desired position. Preferred locking means are biased towards the locked configuration with the support member in a selected position.

As mentioned above, preferably the backrest includes a means for securing the back support member in more than one inclined position on the top surface of the bed and with respect to the head of the bed. This is advantageous in terms of versatility. In some embodiments, pivotally moveable means are provided which permit tilting of the back support member, possibly at various selected angles of inclination.

It is also desirable to be able to move the back support member into an upright position and suitably to the head of the bed particularly at night-time, so that it does not obstruct the top surface of the bed. With this in mind, in preferred embodiments, the backrest is capable of being folded away to the head of the bed.

Preferably, the support means for presenting the member spaced from the head of the bed are pivotally moveable with respect to the bed and with respect to the support member, to allow such folding. In most preferred embodiments, biasing means are provided to rotationally bias the support means with respect to the bed. In this way, the backrest may be biased to a position in which the support member is at the head of the bed.

If desired, for reasons of comfort, the back support member may have a contoured surface for accommodating an occupant's back. In preferred embodiments, the support member includes a panel having a detachable or fixedly mounted molded, or otherwise shaped cushion thereon.

Preferably, the cushion is ergonomically contoured to protrude towards its base (which, in operation, will be located near the top surface of the bed). In use, the protruding part of the cushion may be comfortably accommodated in the small of an occupant's back. The horizontal shaping is concave to accommodate roundness of the back. Suitable cushions may be molded from a foamed material (such as polyurethane) or from a solid plastics material (such as polyethylene) for example.

In some embodiments, the backrest includes armrest members. Thus, preferably the back support member includes sections which, in use, are capable of adopting a position generally parallel to the top surface of the bed. Preferred such armrests are pivotally moveable with respect to the back support member to adopt this position. This may allow for the armrests to be capable of being used when the back support member is inclined at various selected angles.

Suitably means are provided for supporting any such armrests generally parallel to the top surface of the bed, and upwardly spaced therefrom. Preferred such support means include an adjustable linkage between the back support member and an armrest section, and which is capable of adjustment to support the armrest section spaced from the top surface of bed when the back support member is inclined at various selected angles. Such support means for an armrest are preferably of telescopic type.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of adapting a bed having a back support member, which method comprises securing to the bed a means for supporting the back support member above the top surface of the bed and axially spaced from the head of the bed.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first example backrest; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a modification of the Fig. 1 backrest; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a second example backrest.

Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views of a third example backrest; and Fig. 6A, 6B and 7 are enlarged scale views of parts of the backrest of Figs. 4 and 5.

Turning firstly to Fig. 1, this shows a backrest (1) including a back support member (3). The support member (3) comprises a rectangular metallic frame (4) with a central mesh panel (14) for supporting pillows. The member (3) is secured to frame members (17) at the head of a bed via a linkage (8).

In more detail, the linkage (8) includes a telescopic connection (10), comprising a first hollow part (11) and a second part (12) slidably accommodated therein. The second part (12) has a series of spaced apertures engageable with spring biased catch (13). The first part (11) is pivotally mounted at (21) to the bed frame (17) at the head of the bed and spaced from the top surface (2) of the bed. The second telescopic part (12) is pivotally connected at (22) to the back support member (3).

It will be appreciated that the telescopic connection (10) may be adjusted to present the back support member (3) spaced at various distances from the head (17) of the bed by engaging catch (13) in a selected aperture on telescopic part (12). The pivotal connection (22) between the support member (3) and the telescopic connection (10) also allows the back support member (3) to adopt various positions inclined with respect to the bed. Preferably, locking means are provided to secure the support member(s) at a desired inclination.

Provision of the two pivotal connections (21) and (22) also allows the backrest (1) to be folded away when the occupant wishes to lie down on the bed. In this case, the support member (3) will be generally upright and located at the head (17) of the bed.

Thus, by adjustment of the telescopic linkage (10), the support member (3) may be pulled out to reach an occupant of the bed when held upright in a sitting position. As a result, it is not necessary to drag the patient up towards the head of a bed, as required with previous proposals.

In the illustrated embodiment, the backrest member (3) includes two armrest members (27,271), which are pivotally connected to the backrest member (3) at (28,281). The underneath of each armrest member (27,271) is also secured to the frame (4) of the backrest (3) by respective telescopic stays (29,291). Thus, the armrest members (27,271) are pivotally moveable between a first position in which they are alongside the back support member (3), (see armrest (271)) and a second position in which they project therefrom and are arranged generally alongside the top surface of the bed (see armrest (27)).

A modification is illustrated in Fig. 2. Here, the backrest (31) includes a molded cushion (37) secured to the back support member (33). The cushion (37) is molded from a polyurethane or other shapable material such as polypropylene and provides a contoured surface (371) for the occupant. The cushion protrudes towards its base for fitting snugly into the small of the back of an occupant.

This is advantageous in terms of comfort for the user.

Also, it can avoid the need for pillows which slip and slide around and need frequent rearrangement.

A further embodiment is illustrated in Fig. 3. In this case, the back support member (43) is generally as illustrated in the Fig. 1 embodiment. It comprises a frame (44) which includes a central mesh panel (54) and adjustable armrest members (47,471) generally as before.

In this case, the member (43) is secured to the head (57) of the bed via a linkage (48).

In more detail, linkage (48) comprises bars (50,501). Each bar, (50,501) is pivotally mounted at one respective end to the frame (57) at (51) and (511) respectively. At their other ends, the bars (50,501) are pivotally mounted to the back support member (43) at (52,521).

The pivotal arrangements (51), (52) and (511), (521) allow the back support member (43) to be folded away into an upright position alongside the head of the bed (57), which is particularly useful at night-time. They also permit the support member (43) to be presented in various inclined positions and spaced from the head of the bed (57) so as to reach an occupant of the bed.

Various modifications of this illustrated embodiment are possible. For example, bars (50,501) may be replaced with telescopic linkages to improve versatility of the backrest (41). Also, a shaped cushion may be secured to the back support member, as in the previous embodiment.

In addition, if desired the linkage (48) may be replaced to include a single bar (5011) and adapted to engage generally centrally of the back support member (43).

Also, any of the aforementioned embodiments may be adapted to engage with a divan style bed, suitably by securing them to the headboard screws on the bed.

Alternatively, the backrests may be mounted on a wall or floor or otherwise near to a bed rather than being secured to a bed frame.

A further embodiment, which is particularly preferred, is illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, 6A, 6B and 7.

This illustrated embodiment is particularly advantageous in that it includes means for locking the back support member in an inclined position. It also includes means for biasing the support member to its upright position.

It will be appreciated that the previous embodiments, as illustrated, may be modified to include such locking means and/or biasing means.

In more detail, Fig. 4 shows a backrest (61) including a back support member (63), which comprises a generally rectangular frame (64) enclosing mesh panel (74). At the top end of frame (64) there is a cross bar (75). The back support member (63) is secured to frame member (77) at the head of the bed by a support means or linkage (68). The linkage (68) includes a telescopic connection of first and second T-shape frame members (71),(72), which may be secured together in a desired position by catch (73).

The first frame member (71) includes a bar (80), which is pivotally connected to frame member (77) at each side of the bed (at 82). The bar (80) carries projections (81) at each free end. The projections are linked to frame member (77) of the bed by respective tension springs (83). As discussed in more detail below, the springs (83) bias the back support member (63) to a generally upright position. This is shown more clearly in Figs. 6A and 6B.

The second frame member includes a bar (69) which provides a sleeve to rotatably accommodate cross bar (75) of the back support member (63) An important feature of this embodiment is the "stay", illustrated at (70). This comprises a first part (78), pivotally connected to frame member (71) of the telescopic linkage, and a second part (79) pivotally connected to the panel (74). Parts (78),(79) are pivotally connected at (85). The first part (78) carries a hook formation (88) at its free end and the second part (79) is provided with a hook receiving recess (89).

Features of the stay (70) are shown more clearly in Fig.

7. Various examples of such locking stays are currently available.

The apparatus may be employed as follows. When a patient wishes to adopt a sleeping position, the back support member (63) may be retained at the head of the bed, as illustrated in Fig. 4. In this position, the upper part of panel (74) is slightly inclined with respect to the head of the bed. This provides some clearance between the panel (74) and frame member (77) of the bed, to enable a nurse to grip the panel (74) to move it to a position spaced from the head of the bed. When at the head of the bed, spring (83) biases the bar (80) rotationally, to help to retain the back support member (63) in its generally upright position. A projection (93) at the top of the frame member (77) also engages bar (69) when the support member (69) is in this position, as shown in Fig. 4.

The back support member (63) may be presented at various locations spaced from the head of the bed. This is achieved by pulling the base of member (63) from the head of the bed, allowing cross bar (75) to rotate within the sleeve of bar (69). At this stage, bar (80) rotates with respect to frame member (77) and this movement is restrained by spring (83). Catch (73) is withdrawn and frame members (71),(72) of the telescopic linkage are extended to the desired position. The catch (73) is subsequently released to lock frame members (71,72) together. To retain the back support member (63) at a desired inclination, the stay (70) is activated by engaging hook (88) in recess (89). This is shown more clearly in fig. 5.Thus, the illustrated embodiment is particularly advantageous in that the back support member (63) is particularly firmly secured in a position spaced from the head of the bed and can readily withstand application of pressure thereto by an occupant of the bed. Such locking stays may be incorporated in the backrests illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3. Also, any such stay could be adjustable to be lockable in various configurations so as to present the back support member at various angles of inclination.

Various other modifications could be made to the illustrated embodiments. For example, an alternative rotational biasing arrangement could be provided to help retain the support member at the head of the bed. One alternative would be a torsion spring acting between the telescopic linkage and frame member of the bed.

Preferably the spring would be accommodated within the frame member or part of the linkage. In addition, a spring loaded catch or other locking means could be used to retain a back support member in an upright position.

Thus, a catch could be mounted on the frame member at the head of the bed, and arranged to engage an aperture in the back support member.

A further alternative to the illustrated embodiments would be to adapt the upright frame member at the head of the bed to permit it to be axially movable along the length of the bed. For example, the upright frame member could be slidably movable with respect to the longitudinal frame members. Suitably, the back support member would be pivotally mounted to the upright frame member to allow adjustment of the angle of inclination of the back support.

A particular advantage of the present invention is that it allows for ready adaptation of existing beds, particularly of Kingsfund style. Thus, an existing variable geometry headrest may be disassembled, and its grid or mesh panel used as a back support member for a backrest of the present invention. A mechanism providing a means for supporting the grid or mesh panel in the manner of the present invention may then be secured to existing frame members at the head of the bed.

Claims (19)

CLAIMS:

1. A bed having a backrest which comprises a back support member and means for supporting the back support member above the top surface of the bed and axially spaced from the head of the bed.

2. A bed according to claim 1, wherein the support means are adjustable so as to be capable of supporting the back support member at the head of the bed and axially spaced therefrom.

3. A bed according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support means are adjustable so as to be capable of supporting the back support member at at least two locations axially spaced from the head of the bed.

4. A bed according to any preceding claim, wherein the support means are pivotally mounted to one or more frame members of the bed.

5. A bed according to claim 4, having means for rotationally biasing the support means with respect to a frame member of the bed and towards an upright position in which the back support member is at the head of the bed.

6. A bed according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the support means comprise a telescopic linkage having releasable locking means for releasably securing the linkage in a desired configuration.

7. A bed according to any preceding claim wherein the support means are adapted to support the member in one or more inclined positions.

8. A bed according to claim 7 wherein the back support member is pivotally movable with respect to the support means.

9. A bed according to any preceding claim wherein the back support member has a contoured surface for accommodating the back of an occupant of the bed.

10. A bed according to any preceding claim wherein the backrest includes one or more adjustable sections capable of adopting a position generally parallel to the top surface of the bed to provide one or more arm rests for an occupant of the bed.

11. A bed according to claim 10 wherein the or each arm rest section is pivotally mounted to the back support member and means are provided for retaining the or each arm rest section alongside the top surface of the bed.

12. A bed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, any one of the accompanying Figures 1 to 2.

13. A backrest for association with a bed, the backrest comprising a back support member and means for securing the support member with respect to the bed so as to support the member above the top surface of the bed and axially spaced from the head of the bed.

14. A backrest according to claim 13 having adjustable securing means for presenting the back support member at the head of the bed and axially spaced therefrom.

15. A backrest according to claim 13 or 14 having adjustable securing means for supporting the back support member in at least two positions spaced apart along the longitudinal extent of the bed.

16. A backrest according to claim 15 wherein the adjustable securing means includes a telescopic linkage.

17. A backrest according to any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein the securing means are adapted to support the back support member in at least one inclined position.

18. A backrest substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, any one of the accompanying drawings.

19. A method of adapting a bed having a back support member, which method comprises mounting the back support member to the bed with securing means capable of supporting the back support member above the top surface of the bed and axially spaced from the head of the bed.