Pediatric bed

Claim 2

A pediatric bed comprising, in combination: a support base; an enclosure means; and means for raising and lowering said enclosure means relative said base, said enclosure means including a pair of end panels, sides, and body support platform, at least one of said sides being slidable relative said support platform and movable between a first position wherein the top margin of said side is at or below said body support platform during at least a range of positions of said enclosure means relative said support base, a second position wherein the top margin is substantially above said body support means regardless of the position of said enclosure means relative said support base, and a third position intermediate said first and second positions; and latch means for releasably positioning said sides in said positions.

Claim 3

The pediatric bed according to claim 1 wherein said side when positioned in said third position has its upper portions extending generally vertically upwards, and when positioned in said second position has a first portion extending generally vertically upwards, and a second portion above said first portion sloped inwardly over said body support platform.

Claim 4

The pediatric bed according to claim 2 wherein both said sides are slidable relative said support platform independently of each other.

Claim 5

The pediatric bed according to claim 1 wherein the top margin of said movable slide is at or below said body support platform regardless of the position of said enclosure means relative said support base when said side is in said first position.

Claim 6

The pediatric bed according to claim 1 wherein said side is disposed in a generally horizontal fashion beneath said platform means when positioned in said first position.

Claim 7

The pediatric bed according to claim 1 wherein said body support platform includes a back support portion and leg support portion hingedly related to each other, said leg support portion having an upper and lower support portion hingedly related to each other, each of said supports being movable for joint or relative rotation with respect to each other about a horizontal axis.

Claim 8

The pediatric bed according to claim 6 wherein said upper and lower leg portions are positionable relative to each other in an angular relationship at a fixed degree so that when said leg support portion is rotated, the upper and lower legs of a patient occupying said bed will be bent at a preselected angle.

Claim 9

The pediatric bed according to claim 7 wherein means of providing for maintaining said leg support portion at a desired angle for rotation relative to the horizontal.

Claim 10

The pediatric bed according to claim 8 wherein said means is comprised of a brace mounted at one end to said leg support portion and swingable downwardly so that its lower end abuts against said frame to maintain said leg support portion at an elevated position angularly related to the horizontal.

Claim 11

The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said end panels are transparent, at least one of said end panels being detachably connected to said enclosure means without requiring the utilization of mechanical fasteners.

Claim 12

The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said end panels are comprised of a generally rigid plastic, at said least one of said end frames including means for holding the edge of said paNel to prevent removal thereof, said panel being flexible to permit insertion and removal from said holding means.

Claim 13

The improvement according to claim 11 wherein at least one of said panels include one or more openings, said openings being closed by detachable caps which permit the attachment and introduction of environmental control means into the bed atmosphere.

Claim 14

The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said sides are comprised of a mesh-like, see-through material which is resiliently yieldable, said sides including a pair of opposed side margins comprised of semi-rigid stripping, said end frames including guide means operatively associated with said stripping and latch means to confine the movement of said sides between said positions.

Claim 15

In an improved pediatric bed having a pair of end frames interconnected to each other, a pair of sides interconnected to said end frames, and a body support platform means having a mattress thereon, the improvement comprising: at least one of said sides being slidably mounted to said end frames and movable between a first position wherein the top margin of said side is at or below said platform means, a second position wherein the top margin is substantially above said platform means, and a third position intermediate said first and second positions; and latch means for releasably positioning said side in said positions, said side when positioned in said third position having its upper portion extending generally vertically upwards, and when positioned in said second position having a first portion extending generally vertically upwards, and a second portion above said first portion sloped inwardly over said body support platform means, said sides being comprised of a mesh-like, see-through material which is resiliently yieldable, said movable side including a pair of opposed side margins comprised of semi-rigid stripping, said end frames including guide means operatively associated with said stripping, said guide means being comprised of a pair of rails, one on each end frame, said semi-rigid stripping including a plurality of ring means operably associated with said rails.

Claim 16

In an improved pediatric bed having a pair of end frames interconnected to each other, a pair of sides interconnected to said end frames, and a body support platform means having a mattress thereon, the improvement comprising: at least one of said sides being slidably mounted to said end frames and movable between a first position wherein the top margin of said side is at or below said platform means, a second position wherein the top margin is substantially above said platform means, and a third position intermediate said first and second positions; and latch means for releasably positioning said side in said positions, said side when positioned in said third position having its upper portion extending generally vertically upwards, and when positioned in said second position having a first portion extending generally vertically upwards, and a second portion above said first portion sloped inwardly over said body support platform means, said sides being comprised of a mesh-like, see-through material which is resiliently yieldable, said movable side including a pair of opposed side margins comprised of semi-rigid stripping, said end frames including guide means operatively associated with said stripping, said guide means being comprised of a pair of rails, one on each end frame, said semi-rigid stripping including a plurality of ring means operably associated with said rails.

Claim 17

The improvement according to claim 14 wherein said movable side is generally disposed in a horizontal fashion beneath said platform means when positioned in said first position.

Claim 18

In an improved pediatric bed having a pair of end frames interconnected to each other, a pair of sides interconnected to said end frames, and a body support platform means having a mattress thereon, the improvement comprising: at least one of said sides being slidably mounted to said end frames and movable between a first position wherein the top margin of said side is at or below said platform means, a second position wherein the top margin is substantially above said platform means, and a third position intermediate said first and second position; and latch means for releasably positioning said side in said positions, said side when positioned in said third position having its upper portion extending generally vertically upwards, and when positioned in said second position having a first portion extending generally vertically upwards, and a second portion above said first portion sloped inwardly over said platform means, said sides being comprised of a mesh-like, see-through material which is resiliently yieldable, said movable side including a pair of opposed side margins comprised of semi-rigid stripping, said end frames including guide means operatively associated with said stripping, said upper margin of said movable side being comprised of a generally tubular member extending the width of said sides, said latch means including a gripping member associated with said tubular member and engageable with stop means on said guide means to lock said movable side selectively in one of said positions, said gripping members being slidable between an extended position wherein said gripping member extends into engagement with said stop means to prevent further lowering mOvement of said side below said particular position and a retracted position wherein said gripping members are retracted longitudinally with respect to said stop means to release said gripping member from said stop means to permit adjustment of the height of said side.

Claim 19

In an improved pediatric bed having a pair of end frames interconnected to each other, a pair of sides interconnected to said end frames, and a body support platform means having a mattress thereon, the improvement comprising: at least one of said sides being slidably mounted to said end frames and movable between a first position wherein the top margin of said side is at or below said platform means, a second position wherein the top margin is substantially above said platform means, and a third position intermediate said first and second position; and latch means for releasably positioning said side in said positions, said side when positioned in said third position having its upper portion extending generally vertically upwards, and when positioned in said second position having a first portion extending generally vertically upwards, and a second portion above said first portion sloped inwardly over said platform means, said sides being comprised of a mesh-like, see-through material which is resiliently yieldable, said movable side including a pair of opposed side margins comprised of semi-rigid stripping, said end frames including guide means operatively associated with said stripping, said upper margin of said movable side being comprised of a generally tubular member extending the width of said sides, said latch means including a gripping member associated with said tubular member and engageable with stop means on said guide means to lock said movable side selectively in one of said positions, said gripping members being slidable between an extended position wherein said gripping member extends into engagement with said stop means to prevent further lowering mOvement of said side below said particular position and a retracted position wherein said gripping members are retracted longitudinally with respect to said stop means to release said gripping member from said stop means to permit adjustment of the height of said side.

Claim 20

The improvement according to claim 16 wherein said latch means is comprised of a pair of rods mounted within said tubular member, for telescoping movement relative thereto, said tubular member including a pair of axially spaced, longitudinally extending slots, each of said rods including a latch pin extending radially therefrom for projection respectively through said slots, said pins when positioned axially outwards in abutment with the outer wall of each of said slots positioning said latch means in said extended position for engagement with one of said stop means to lock said side in one of said positions, said posts when moved axially inwardly toward each other in abutment with the inner walls of said slots positioning said latch means in said retracted position to release said side for sliding movement in said guide means.

Claim 21

The improvement according to claim 17 wherein said latch means includes means for biasing said rods outwardly into said extended position.

Claim 22

The improvement according to claim 18 wherein said biasing means is comprised of spring means operable betweens said rods urging said gripping members outwardly.

Claim 23

The improvement according to claim 16 wherein said guide means is comprised of a rail mounted on each side of said end frame to space said side margins inwardly from said end frames, said gripping members being comprised of a recess extending axially inwards from the outer end of each rod and adapted to enclose a portion of said rails, the cross-sectional width of said recess being less than the cross section of said rails, said stop means comprising a notch engageable by said recesses on said gripping member when in said extended position to prevent further vertical movement of said side, said notch being disengaged by said gripping members when said members are in said retracted position.

Claim 24

The improvement according to claim 20 wherein said rods are rotatable jointly about their axis when said rods are in said retracted position between a first position wherein said recesses are in alignment with said rails to permit said rods to be extended into said notches and a second position wherein said recesses are misaligned with said rails to prevent said rods from extending into said notches.

Claim 25

The improvement according to claim 21 wherein said rods when in said retracted position are frictionally engaged with said rails to prevent said side from being lowered in the absence of a positive external force.

Claim 26

The improvement according to claim 16 wherein said tubular member extends beyond said rails and includes a pair of aligned openings for receipt of said rails.

Claim 27

In an improved pediatric bed having a pair of end frames interconnected to each other, a pair of sides connected to said end frames, and a body support platform means having a mattress thereon, the improvement comprising: at least one of said sides being slidably mounted to said end frames and movable between a first position wherein the top margin of said side is at or below said platform means, a second position wherein the top margin is substantially above said platform means, and a third position intermediate said first and second position; and latch means for releasably positioning said sides in said positions, said side when positioned in said third position having its upper portion extending generally vertically upwards, and when positioned in said second position having a first portion extending generally vertically upwards, and a second portion above said first portion sloped inwardly over said platform means, said sides being comprised of a mesh-like, see-through material which is resiliently yieldable, said mesh-like material being permeated with openings dimensionally small enOugh to prevent the insertion of an infant''s finger therethrough, said movable side including a pair of opposed side margins comprosed of semi-rigid stripping, said end frames including guide means operatively associated with said stripping.

Claim 28

In an improved pediatric bed having a pair of end frames interconnected to each other, a pair of sides connected to said end frames, and a body support platform means having a mattress thereon, the improvement comprising: at least one of said sides being slidably mounted to said end frames and movable between a first position wherein the top margin of said side is at or below said platform means, a second position wherein the top margin is substantially above said platform means, and a third position intermediate said first and second position; and latch means for releasably positioning said sides in said positions, said side when positioned in said third position having its upper portion extending generally vertically upwards, and when positioned in said second position having a first portion extending generally vertically upwards, and a second portion above said first portion sloped inwardly over said platform means, said sides being comprised of a mesh-like, see-through material which is resiliently yieldable, said mesh-like material being permeated with openings dimensionally small enOugh to prevent the insertion of an infant''s finger therethrough, said movable side including a pair of opposed side margins comprosed of semi-rigid stripping, said end frames including guide means operatively associated with said stripping.

Claim 29

In an improved pediatric bed having a base frame mounted on casters; at least one generally upstanding end post affixed to each end of said base frame; an enclosure means suspended from said end posts, said enclosure means comprising a pair of end frames rigidly interconnected to each other, each of said frames being mounted to each of said posts respectively, side means interconnected to said end frames; means for raising and lowering said enclosure means relative to said base frame; and a body support means suspended from said enclosure means; the improvement comprising: said body support means comprising a rigid generally rectangular support frame connected at each end to said end frames, said support frame being adjustable to permit raising or lowering each end thereof jointly or independently of each other with respect to said enclosure means.

Claim 30

In an improved pediatric bed having a base frame mounted on casters; at least one generally upstanding end post affixed to each end of said base frame; an enclosure means suspended from said end posts, said enclosure means comprising a pair of end frames rigidly interconnected to each other, each of said frames being mounted to each of said posts respectively, side means interconnected to said end frames; means for raising and lowering said enclosure means relative to said base frame; and a body support means suspended from said enclosure means; the improvement comprising: said body support means comprising a rigid generally rectangular support frame connected at each end to said end frames, said support frame being adjustable to permit raising or lowering each end thereof jointly or independently of each other with respect to said enclosure means.

Claim 31

The improvement according to claim 25 wherein said support frame includes means extending longitudinally from each end thereof and operatively associated with means on said end frames for support of said support frame, said end frames including means for adjusting the vertical orientation of said support frame.

Claim 32

The improvement according to claim 26 wherein said means on said end frame is comprised of a plate mounted on each side of said end frame and having a vertically oriented elongated slot there in, said slot having an upper and lower enlarged aperture, the diameter of which exceeds the width of said slot, said longitudinally extending means including lock means for selectively locking said extension means selectively in one of said apertures to position said respective support frame ends in one of said upper or lower positions.

Claim 33

The improvement according to claim 27 wherein said lock means is comprised of a connector member affixed to the outer end of said longitudinally extending means on each corner of said support frame, each of said connector members including a midportion inserted within said plate slots and having a first cross-sectional portion exceeding the diameter of said slot, and a second cross-sectional portion less than the diameter of said slot, said second portion when aligned in said slot permitting free vertical movement of said connector member in said slot, said first portion when aligned in one of said enlarged apertures preventing vertical displacement of said connector member in said slot.

Claim 34

The improvement according to claim 28 wherein said connector members are attached to said longitudinally extending means for endwise movement relative thereto to selectively permit movement of said connector members endwise so that the second portion of said connector members is positionable in said slot or aperture.

Claim 35

The improvement according to claim 29 wherein the cross-sectional diameter of one of said apertures in said plates is greater than the maximum cross-sectional diameter of said connector members to permit endwise insertion of said connector members through said plates.

Claim 36

The improvement according to claim 28 wherein a generally U-shaped handle bar is connected at each end to a pair of connector members on each end of said bed to permit simultaneous endwise movement of said pair of connector members relative to said plates.

Claim 37

The improvement according to claim 28 wherein said plates include one or more apertures positioned vertically intermediate said upper and lower enlarged apertures to permit greater flexibility in vertically adjusting the position of each end of said body support means.

Claim 38

In an improved bed having a body support means including a mattress support frame, and a mattress mounted on said mattress frame, the improvement comprising: said mattress comprising a back support portion and leg support Portion hingedly related to each other, said leg support portion having an upper and lower leg support portion hingedly related to each other, each of said supports being movable for joint or relative rotation with respect to each other about a horizontal axis, said mattress support frame including an adjustable back support subframe and an adjustable leg support subframe, said subframes being rotatable relative to each other for corresponding movement of said mattress support portions, wherein the underside of said mattress includes a generally continuous groove dimensioned to receive said mattress frame so that said mattress and frame appear to be unitary.

Claim 39

In an improved bed having a body support means including a mattress support frame, and a mattress mounted on said mattress frame, the improvement comprising: said mattress comprising a back support portion and leg support Portion hingedly related to each other, said leg support portion having an upper and lower leg support portion hingedly related to each other, each of said supports being movable for joint or relative rotation with respect to each other about a horizontal axis, said mattress support frame including an adjustable back support subframe and an adjustable leg support subframe, said subframes being rotatable relative to each other for corresponding movement of said mattress support portions, wherein the underside of said mattress includes a generally continuous groove dimensioned to receive said mattress frame so that said mattress and frame appear to be unitary.

Claim 40

The improvement according to claim 33 wherein said leg support subframe is comprised of an upper leg portion and a lower leg portion, said upper and lower leg portions being adjustable endwise to adapt to patients of various sizes, said mattress including hinge means between said corresponding upper and lower leg support portions adapted to adjust to the endwise positioning of said upper and lower leg support subframe.

Claim 41

The improvement according to claim 34 wherein the underside of said mattress is comprised of plastic, and said hinge means intermediate said upper and lower leg support portions are characterized as a plurality of longitudinally spaced living hinges permitting said mattress to bend at the position of a patient''s knees at selected dimensional endwise positions of said leg support sub-frame.

Claim 42

The improvement according to claim 33 wherein the underside of said mattress is comprised of plastic and said hinge intermediate said back support portion and upper leg portion is characterized as at least one living hinge extending laterally the width of said mattress to permit bending of said mattress portions relative to each other as said back support subframe is rotated angularly relative to said enclosure means.

Claim 43

The improvement according to claim 36 wherein said back support subframe includes one or more handles extending laterally therefrom to permit manual rotational adjustment of said back support subframe, said mattress including one or more recesses in its underside for receipt of said handles.

Claim 44

The improvement according to claim 33 wherein said mattress includes means on its underside for retaining the edges of a sheet in a tight fashion.

Claim 45

The improvement according to claim 38 wherein said retention means is comprised of a generally continuous gripping member disposed along the periphery of the underside of said mattress for detachably anchoring the peripheral edges of a sheet thereto.

Claim 46

The improvement according to claim 39 wherein said mattress includes a second generally continuous groove disposed in the underside thereof positioned outwardly from said first groove adjacent the peripheral edge of said mattress, said retention means including elongated channel portions disposed in said groove for snug engagement therewith to anchor said channel means in said groove, said channel means including a pair of inwardly bent finger-like portions resiliently biased against each other to permit insertion of the edges of a sheet therebetween for gripping same to retain said sheet to said mattress.

Claim 47

The improvement according to claim 40 wherein said channel portions are comprised of extruded plastic.

Claim 48

In an improved bed having a body support means including a mattress support frame, and a mattress mounted on said mattress frame, the improvement comprising: said mattress comprising a back support portion and leg support portion hingedly related to each other, said leg support portion having an upper and lower leg support portion hingedly related to each other, each of said supports being movable for joint or relative rotation with respect to each other about a horizontal axis, the upper portion of said mattress being comprised of a foam cushion and the bottom portion being comprised of plastic, the overall profile of said mattress being extremely low to facilitAte bending without wrinkling.

Claim 49

In an improved bed having a body support means including a mattress support frame, and a mattress mounted on said mattress frame, the improvement comprising: said mattress comprising a back support portion and leg support portion hingedly related to each other, said leg support portion having an upper and lower leg support portion hingedly related to each other, each of said supports being movable for joint or relative rotation with respect to each other about a horizontal axis, the upper portion of said mattress being comprised of a foam cushion and the bottom portion being comprised of plastic, the overall profile of said mattress being extremely low to facilitAte bending without wrinkling.

Claim 50

The improvement according to claim 42 wherein said bottom portion of said mattress includes a flat upper surface, said foam portion being affixed to said upper surface, the overall combined height of said cushion and support portion being less than 3 inches.