Retractable bed

Claim 2

A hospital bed comprising: a. a first frame having head and foot ends and parallel, spacedapart longitudinal members; b. means supporting said frame above a floor and parallel thereto; c. a mattress support frame having a head section and a seat section, said head section being pivotally connected to said seat section; d. means slidably supporting said mattress support frame above said first frame, said supporting means being adapted to permit said mattress support frame to slide longitudinally relative to said first frame; e. first linkage means pivotally connected between said first frame and said head section whereby the longitudinal position of said mattress support frame is varied in accordance with the inclination of said head section so that the head end of said head section remains in a substantially constant longitudinal position relative to the first frame at any inclination of said head section; f. second linkage means fastened to said head section below the plane of said head section; g. a first actuator operatively connected to said second linkage means for pivoting the head section relative to said seat section; and h. a first actuator support means pivotally supporting said first actuator whereby said first actuator is permitted to pivot about an axis to accommodate variations in height of said second linkage means as the inclination of the head section is varied.

Claim 3

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first actuator comprises: i. a reversible electric motor; ii. a reduction gearbox coupled to said electric motor and having a threaded output shaft; iii. a nut threadably engaged on said output shaft; iv. a rod fixed at one end to said nut, said rod being driven linearly by said nut upon actuation of said motor, said rod being pivotally connected at its opposite end to said second linkage means; and v. control means including a switch for actuating said motor.

Claim 4

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for slidably supporting said mattress support frame comprises: i. a pair of elongated U-sectioned tracks respectively secured to the inner sides of the said longitudinal members of said first frame; ii. a second frame having longitudinal side members; iii. at least two rollers rotatably mounted on each of said side members, said rollers being confined within said U-sectioned tracks and movably supporting said second frame to move longitudinally relative to said first frame.

Claim 5

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first linkage means comprises a pair of radius arms, each of said radius arms being pivotally attached at one end to the head end of said first frame and at the opposite end to said head section at points intermediate the transversely extending ends of said head section.

Claim 6

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second linkage means comprises: a pair of opposed brackets rigidly attached to the respective opposite sides of said head section adjacent said seat section; a transversely extending bar fixed to said plates below said head section; a crank fixed at one end to said bar, and extending downwardly from the bar; a pivot pin attached to the other end of said bar; and said rod of said first actuator having a slot accommodating said pin for sliding movement therein longitudinally of said rod.

Claim 7

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises a pivotal support frame for supporting said head section with the head section in a generally horizontal position, said pivotal support frame comprising: a transversely extending elongated first portion upon which said head section rests; a pair of opposed second portions extending from the ends of said first portion and pivotally attached to said first frame near the head end thereof; stop means for holding said pivotal support frame in a position in which said second portions are generally vertical and said first portion is substantially horizontal; and a handle attached to one of said second portions for rotating said pivotal support frame out of engagement with said head section to thereby permit said head section to be lowered.

Claim 8

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 1 wherein said axis of said first actuator sUpport means is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bed.

Claim 9

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 4 wherein the second linkage means comprises: a pair of opposed brackets rigidly attached to the respective opposite sides of said head section adjacent said seat section; a transversely extending bar fixed to said plates below said head section; a crank fixed at one end to said bar, and extending downwardly from the bar; a pivot pin attached to the other end of said bar; and said rod of said first actuator having a slot accommodating said pin for sliding movement therein longitudinally of said rod.

Claim 10

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second linkage means comprises: a pair of opposed brackets rigidly attached to the respective opposite sides of said head section adjacent said seat section; a transversely extending bar fixed to said plates below said head section; a crank fixed at one end to said bar, and extending downwardly from the bar; a pivot pin attached at its other end; and said rod of said first actuator having a slot accommodating said pin for sliding movement therein longitudinally of said rod.

Claim 11

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 9 wherein said first linkage means comprises: a pair of radius arms, each of said radius arms being pivotally attached at one end to the head end of said first frame and at their opposite ends to said head section at points intermediate the transversely extending ends of said head section.

Claim 12

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 10 which further comprises: a pivotal support frame for supporting said head section with the head section in a generally horizontal position, said pivotal support frame comprising: a transversely extending elongated first portion upon which said head of opposed second portions extending from the ends of said first portion and pivotally attached to said first frame near the head end thereof; stop means for holding said pivotal support frame in a position in which said second portions are generally vertical and said first portion is substantially horizontal; and a handle attached to one of said second portions for rotating said pivotal support frame out of engagement with said head section to thereby permit said head section to be lowered.

Claim 13

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 11 wherein said axis of said first actuator support means is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bed.

Claim 14

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises: a generally rectangular thigh section pivotally connected at a first side to the side of said seat section remote from said head section; and a generally rectangular foot section pivotally connected to a second side of said thigh section parallel to said first side.

Claim 15

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 13 and which further includes a second actuator for pivoting said thigh section relative to said seat section, said second actuator comprising: i. a reversible electric motor; ii. a reduction gearbox coupled to said electric motor and having a threaded output shaft; iii. a nut threadably engaged on said output shaft; iv. a rod fixed at one end to said nut, said rod being driven linearly by said nut upon actuation of said motor, said rod being operatively connected at its opposite end to said thigh section; and v. control means including a switch for actuating said motor.

Claim 16

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 14 which further includes: a pair of opposed plates rigidly attached to the respective opposite sides of said thigh section adjacent said seat section; a transversely extending bar fixed to said plates below said thigh section; a crank fixed at one end to said bar, said crank having a pivot pin coupled to its other end; said rod of said second actuator having an aperture for receiving said pivot pin.

Claim 17

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 15 which further includes a second actuator support means for pivotally supporting said second actuator whereby said second actuator is permitted to pivot about an axis to accommodate variations in height of said crank as the inclination of said thigh section is varied.

Claim 18

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 16 which further includes a support for said foot section, said support comprising: a pair of spaced-apart parallel bars having a first end pivotally attached to the underside of said foot section adjacent said thigh section, each of said bars having a roller rotatably attached at the other end of said bars for rolling on an upper surface of one of said longitudinal members, said parallel bars extending from said first end downwardly and towards said foot portion, and each of said bars having a series of notches along an upwardly facing edge; a generally U-shaped notch-engaging member having legs with free ends and a straight portion between said legs, said notch-engaging member being pivotally connected at its free ends to the sides of said foot section at substantially the longitudinal center of said sides of said foot section, said straight portion of said notch-engaging member being adapted to releasably fit into said notches to retain said foot section at a predetermined angle to said thigh section.

Claim 19

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 2 wherein said rod is provided with a pair of spaced-apart stops which are adjustably attached to said rod, said stops being positioned to operate said switch when said head section reaches predetermined limits of travel.

Claim 20

A hospital bed comprising: a. a first frame having head and foot ends and parallel, spaced-apart longitudinal members; b. means supporting said frame above a floor and parallel thereto; c. a mattress support frame having a head section and a seat section, said head section being pivotally connected to said seat section; d. means slidably supporting said mattress support frame above said first frame, said supporting means being adapted to permit said mattress support frame to slide longitudinally relative to said first frame; e. first linkage means pivotally connected between said first frame and said head section whereby the longitudinal position of said mattress support frame is varied in accordance with the inclination of said head section so that the head end of said head section remains in a substantially constant longitudinal position relative to the first frame at any inclination of said head section; f. second linkage means fastened to said head section below the plane of said head section; g. a first actuator attached to said means for slidably supporting said mattress support frame whereby said actuator travels longitudinally to follow the longitudinal travel of said mattress support frame, said first actuator being operatively connected to said linkage means for pivoting said head section relative to said seat section.

Claim 21

A hospital bed comprising: a. a first frame having head and foot ends and parallel, spaced-apart longitudinal members; b. means supporting said frame above a floor and parallel thereto; c. a mattress support frame having a head section and a seat section, said head section being pivotally connected to said seat section; d. means slidably supporting said mattress support frame above said first frame, said supporting means being adapted to permit said mattress support frame to slide longitudinally relative to said first frame; e. first linkage means pivotally connected between said first frame and said head section whereby the longitudinal position of said mattress support frame is varied in accordance with the inclination of said head section so that the head end of said head section remains in a substantially constant longitudinal position relative to the first frame at any inclination of said head section; f. second linkage means fastened to said head section below the plane of said head section; g. a first actuator attached to said means for slidably supporting said mattress support frame whereby said actuator travels longitudinally to follow the longitudinal travel of said mattress support frame, said first actuator being operatively connected to said linkage means for pivoting said head section relative to said seat section.

Claim 22

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 19 wherein said first actuator is pivotally supported about an axis to permit it to accommodate variations in height of said second linkage means as the inclination of the head section is varied.

Claim 23

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 19 wherein said first actuator comprises: i. a reversible electric motor; ii. a reduction gearbox coupled to said electric motor and having a threaded output shaft; iii. a nut threadably engaged on said output shaft; iv. a rod fixed at one end to said nut, said rod being driven linearly by said nut upon actuation of said motor, said rod being pivotally connected at its opposite end to said second linkage means; and v. control means including a switch for actuating said motor.

Claim 24

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 19 wherein said means for slidably supporting said mattress support frame comprises: i. a pair of elongated U-sectioned tracks respectively secured to the inner sides of the said longitudinal members of said first frame; ii. at least two rollers rotatably mounted on each of said side members, said rollers being confined within said U-section tracks and movably suppoRting said second frame to move longitudinally relative to said first frame.

Claim 25

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 19 wherein said first linkage means comprises a pair of radius arms, each of said radius arms being pivotally attached at one end to the head end of said first frame and at the opposite end to said head section at points intermediate the transversely extending ends of said head section.

Claim 26

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 19 wherein the second linkage means comprises: a pair of opposed brackets rigidly attached to the respective opposite sides of said head section adjacent said seat section; a transversely extending bar fixed to said plates below said head section; a crank fixed at one end to said bar, and extending downwardly from the bar; a pivot pin attached to the other end of said bar; and said rod of said first actuator having a slot accommodating said pin for sliding movement therein longitudinally of said rod.

Claim 27

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 19 which further comprises a pivotal support frame for supporting said head section with the head section in a generally horizontal position, said pivotal support frame comprising: a transversely extending elongated first portion upon which said head section rests; a pair of opposed second portions extending from the ends of said first portion and pivotally attached to said first frame near the head end thereof; stop means for holding said pivotal support frame in a position in which said second portions are generally vertical and said first portion is substantially horizontal; and a handle attached to one of said second portions for rotating said pivotal support frame out of engagement with said head section to thereby permit said head section to be lowered.

Claim 28

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 19 wherein said first actuator is pivotally supported about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bed to permit said first actuator to accommodate variations in height of said second linkage means as the inclination of the head section is varied.

Claim 29

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 23 wherein the second linkage means comprises: a pair of opposed brackets rigidly attached to the respective opposite sides of said head section adjacent said seat section; a transversely extending bar fixed to said plates below said head section; a crank fixed at one end to said bar, and extending downwardly from the bar; a pivot pin attached to the other end of said bar; and said rod of said first actuator having a slot accommodating said pin for sliding movement therein longitudinally of said rod.

Claim 30

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 21 wherein said second linkage means comprises: a pair of opposed brackets rigidly attached to the respective opposite sides of said head section adjacent said seat section; a transversely extending bar fixed to said plates below said head section; a crank fixed at one end to said bar, and extending downwardly from the bar; a pivot pin attached at its other end; and said rod of said first actuator having a slot accommodating said pin for sliding movement therein longitudinally of said rod.

Claim 31

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 28 wherein said first linkage means comprises: a pair of radius arms, each of said radius arms being pivotally attached at one end to the head end of said first frame and at their opposite ends to said head section at points intermediate the transversely extending ends of said head section.

Claim 32

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 29 which further comprises: a pivotal support frame for supporting said head section with the head section in a generally horizontal position, said pivotal support frame comprising: a transversely extending elongated first portion upon which said head section rests; a pair of opposed second portions extending from the ends of said first portion and pivotally attached to said first frame near the head end thereof; stop means for holding said pivotal support frame in a position in which said second portions aRe generally vertical and said first portion is substantially horizontal; and a handle attached to one of said second portions for rotating said pivotal support frame out of engagement with said head section to thereby permit said head section to be lowered.

Claim 33

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 19 which further comprises a generally rectangular thigh section pivotally connected at a first side to the side of said seat section remote from said head section; and a generally rectangular foot section pivotally connected to a second side of said thigh section parallel to said first side.

Claim 34

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 31 and which further includes a second actuator for pivoting said thigh section relative to said seat section, said second actuator comprising: i. a reversible electric motor; ii. a reduction gearbox coupled to said electric motor and having a threaded output shaft; iii. a nut threadably engaged on said output shaft; iv. a rod fixed at one end to said nut, said rod being driven linearly by said nut upon actuation of said motor, said rod being operatively connected at its opposite end to said thigh section; and v. control means including a switch for actuating said motor.

Claim 35

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 32 which further includes: a pair of opposed plates rigidly attached to the respective opposite sides of said thigh section adjacent said seat sections; a transversely extending bar fixed to said plates below said thigh section; a crank fixed at one end to said bar, said crank having a pivot pin coupled to its other end; said rod of said second actuator having an aperture for receiving said pivot pin.

Claim 36

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 33 which further includes a second actuator support means for pivotally supporting said second actuator whereby said second actuator is permitted to pivot about an axis to accommodate variations in height of said crank as the inclination of said thigh section is varied.

Claim 37

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 34 which further includes a support for said foot section, said support comprising a pair of spaced-apart parallel bars having a first end pivotally attached to the underside of said foot section adjacent said thigh section, each of said bars having a roller rotatably attached at the other end of said bars for rolling on an upper surface of one of said longitudinal members, said parallel bars extending from said first and downwardly towards said foot portion, and each of said bars having a series of notches along an upwardly facing edge; a generally U-shaped notch-engaging member having legs with free ends and a straight portion between said legs, said notch-engaging member being pivotally connected at its free ends to the sides of said foot section at substantially the longitudinal center of said sides of said foot section, said straight portion of said notch-engaging member being adapted to releasably fit into said notches to retain said foot section at a predetermined angle to said thigh section.

Claim 38

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 21 wherein said rod is provided with a pair of spaced-apart stops which are adjustably attached to said rod, said stops being positioned to operate said switch when said head section reaches predetermined limits of travel.

Claim 39

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first frame is movable between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, and said means for supporting said frame above a floor and parallel thereto comprises: a. a lower frame; b. first and second link means pivotally connected to said lower frame and said first frame on mutually parallel sets of axes, said axes including a first pair of parallel axes containing pivot points at which said first and second links are connected to said first frame, said first and second link means being adapted to maintain said first frame substantially parallel to said lower frame in any position of said first frame between said uppermost and lowermost positions; C. a crank fixed to one of said first and second link means, said crank having an end which is positioned such that when said first crank frame is in said uppermost position, said end is above a plane containing said first pair of axes; d. a second actuator means operatively connected to said end of said crank for pivoting said first and second link means, to thereby adjust the height of said first frame relative to said lower frame.

Claim 40

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 37 which further includes a second support means for pivotally supporting said second actuator on said first frame, whereby said second actuator is permitted to pivot about an axis to accommodate variations in height of said crank.

Claim 41

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 38 wherein said second actuator comprises: i. a reversible electric motor; ii. a reduction gearbox coupled to said electric motor and having a threaded output shaft; iii. a nut threadably engaged on said output shaft; iv. a rod fixed at one end to said nut, said rod being driven linearly by said nut upon actuation of said motor, said rod being pivotally connected at its opposite end to said crank; and v. control means including a switch for actuating said motor.

Claim 42

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 19 wherein said first frame is movable between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, and said means for supporting said frame above a floor and parallel thereto comprises: a. a lower frame; b. first and second link means pivotally connected to said lower frame and said first frame on mutually parallel sets of axes, said axes including a first pair of parallel axes containing pivot points at which said first and second link means are connected to said first frame, said first and second link means being adapted to maintain said first frame substantially parallel to said lower frame in any position of said first frame between said uppermost and lowermost positions; c. a crank fixed to one of said first and second link means, said crank having an end which is positioned such that when said first frame is in said uppermost position, said end is above a plane containing said first pair of axes; and d. a second actuator means operatively connected to said end of said crank for pivoting said first and second link means, to thereby adjust the height of said first frame relative to said lower frame.

Claim 43

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 40 which further includes a second actuator support means for pivotally supporting said second actuator on said first frame whereby said second actuator is permitted to pivot about an axis to accommodate variations in height of said second linkage means as the inclination of the head section is varied.

Claim 44

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 41 wherein said second actuator comprises: i. a reversible electric motor; ii. a reduction gearbox coupled to said electric motor and having a threaded output shaft; iii. a nut threadably engaged on said output shaft; iv. a rod fixed at one end to said nut, said rod being driven linearly by said nut upon actuation of said motor, said rod being pivotally connected at its opposite end to said crank; and v. control means including a switch for actuating said motor.

Claim 45

A hospital bed of adjustable height comprising: a. a lower frame; b. a first frame, said first frame being movable between an uppermost position and a lowermost position; c. first and second link means pivotally connected to said lower frame and said first frame on mutually parallel sets of axes, said axes including a first pair of parallel axes containing pivot points at which said first and second link means are connected to said first frame, said first and second link means being adapted to maintain said first frame substantially parallel to said lower frame in any position of said first frame between said uppermost and lowermost positions; d. a crank fixed to one of said first and second link means, said crank having an end which is positioned such that when said first frame is in said uppermost position, said end is above a plane containing said first pair of axes; e. actuator means operatively connected to said end of said cranks for pivoting said first and second link means to thereby adjust the height of said first frame relative to said lower frame; and f. actuator support means pivotally supporting said actuator on said first frame, said actuator being coupled only to said actuator support means and to said end of said cranks so that said actuator is permitted to pivot about an axis to accommodate variations in height of said crank as the first and second link means are pivoted.

Claim 46

A hospital bed of adjustable height comprising: a. a lower frame; b. a first frame, said first frame being movable between an uppermost position and a lowermost position; c. first and second link means pivotally connected to said lower frame and said first frame on mutually parallel sets of axes, said axes including a first pair of parallel axes containing pivot points at which said first and second link means are connected to said first frame, said first and second link means being adapted to maintain said first frame substantially parallel to said lower frame in any position of said first frame between said uppermost and lowermost positions; d. a crank fixed to one of said first and second link means, said crank having an end which is positioned such that when said first frame is in said uppermost position, said end is above a plane containing said first pair of axes; e. actuator means operatively connected to said end of said cranks for pivoting said first and second link means to thereby adjust the height of said first frame relative to said lower frame; and f. actuator support means pivotally supporting said actuator on said first frame, said actuator being coupled only to said actuator support means and to said end of said cranks so that said actuator is permitted to pivot about an axis to accommodate variations in height of said crank as the first and second link means are pivoted.

Claim 47

A hospital bed of adjustable height is claimed in claim 43 wherein said actuator means comprises: i. a reversible electric motor; ii. a reduction gearbox coupled to said electric motor and having a threaded output shaft; iii. a not threadable engaged on said output shaft; iv. a rod fixed at one end to said nut, said rod being driven linearly by said nut upon actuation of said motor, said rod being pivotally connected at its opposite end to said crank; and v. control means including a switch for actuating said motor.

Claim 48

A hospital bed as claimed in claim 19 which further includes a high-low mechanism for adjusting the height of said first frame between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, said high-low mechanism comprising: a. a lower frame; b. first and second link means pivotally connected to said lower frame and said first frame on mutually parallel sets of axes, said axes including a first pair of parallel axes containing pivot points at which said first and second link means are connected to first frame, said first and second link means being adapted to maintain said first frame substantially parallel to said lower frame in any position of said first frame between said uppermost and lowermost positions; c. a crank fixed to one of said first and second link means, said crank having an end which is positioned such that when said first frame is in said uppermost position, said end is above a plane containing said first pair of axes; d. a second actuator means operatively connected to said end of said cranks for pivoting said first and second link means to thereby adjust the height of said first frame relative to said lower frame; and e. a second actuator support means for pivotally supporting said second actuator on said first frame, whereby said second actuator is permitted to pivot about an axis to accommodate variations in height of said crank as the first and second link means are pivoted.