US3913153A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic controls for a hospital bed
Assignee: Hill Rom Co Inc
•
Filing: 1974-08-09
•
Granted: 1975-10-21
•
Expires: 1994-08-09
Abstract
Abstract Improved electronic controls for an adjustable hospital bed incorporating various logic devices. These devices result in the concurrent operation of several motors in response to the activation of a single switch to produce a desired bed configuration. The motors may operate simultaneously or sequentially depending upon the particular selection and the involved circuit logic. Moreover, the logic allows the position of one adjustable bed portion to prevent the functioning of the motor for another bed portion. The circuit logic may also preclude the operation of a motor absent the secure engagement of mechanical parts. Further, the logic circuitry permits switches on the selection panel to control one adjustable bed portion, but over different ranges. This becomes particularly advantageous where one switch also operates a different bed portion.
Inventors
- 👤 James S Adams
- 👤 William M Stevens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G7/00; A61G7/002; A61G7/018
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 77
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
In an adjustable bed of the type having: a. a bed portion movable to a plurality of at least three positions, and b. an electric motor for moving said bed portion from one of said positions to another, the improvement which comprises: A. first selection means for selecting between at least two of said positions of said bed portion; B. second selection means for selecting between at least two of said positions of said bed portion, at least one of said positions selectable by said first selection means not being selectable by said second selection means; and C. logic means coupled between said electric motor and said first and second selection means for actuating said motor in response to said first or said second selection means to move said bed portion to a selected position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
In an adjustable bed of the type having: a. a bed portion movable to a plurality of at least three positions, and b. an electric motor for moving said bed portion from one of said positions to another, the improvement which comprises: A. first selection means for selecting between at least two of said positions of said bed portion; B. second selection means for selecting between at least two of said positions of said bed portion, at least one of said positions selectable by said first selection means not being selectable by said second selection means; and C. logic means coupled between said electric motor and said first and second selection means for actuating said motor in response to said first or said second selection means to move said bed portion to a selected position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
ceases to actuate said knee motor at least when said knee portion raises to 15*; and b. when the lowering of said head portion is chosen on said head selection means, actuates said knee motor to lower said knee portion when said head portion is 30* or lower.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
ceases to actuate said knee motor at least when said knee portion raises to 15*; and b. when the lowering of said head portion is chosen on said head selection means, actuates said knee motor to lower said knee portion when said head portion is 30* or lower.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said bed portion has a continuous range of positions with all of the positions within said range being selectable by said first selection means and a portion of said range of positions being seLectable by said second selection means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
when said bed portion reaches said predetermined position, reversing said motor to operate in a second direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
when said bed portion reaches said predetermined position, reversing said motor to operate in a second direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
when the lowering of said head portion is chosen on said head selection means, actuating said head motor to lower said head portion and, when said head portion is in a predetermined portion of its range of movement, actuating said knee motor to lower said knee portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
when the lowering of said head portion is chosen on said head selection means, actuating said head motor to lower said head portion and, when said head portion is in a predetermined portion of its range of movement, actuating said knee motor to lower said knee portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein, said bed portion being a first bed portion and said electric motor being a first electric motor, a. said bed includes a second bed portion movable over a continuous range of positions and a second electric motor for moving said second bed portion from one of said positions of said second bed portion to another; and b. said logic means in response to said second selection means actuates said second motor to move said second bed portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement of claim 3 wherein said logic means is electronic logic means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
The improvement of claim 3 wherein said first bed portion is a knee portion, said second bed portion is a head portion and said second selection means actuates said first electric motor to raise said knee portion to no higher than about 15* and actuates said first motor to lower said knee portion when said head portion is at or below about 30*.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement of claim 5 wherein said first and said second selection means each includes at least one manually activated on-off switch and a bed portion position-indicating switch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
The improvement of claim 3 wherein said electronic logic means includes switching means for controlling the flow of electricity through said electric motors, and wherein both said selection means and said logic means, with the exception of said switching means, only include components operating at voltages below about 25 volts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement of claim 7 wherein said switching means includes triacs coupled to said electric motors and reed relays coupled to said triacs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
9 words
The improvement of claim 7 including ground test means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement of claim 7 wherein said electronic logic means, with the exception of said switching means, includes components selected from the group consisting of inverters, and AND, NAND, OR, and NOR gates.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
The improvement of claim 7 in a bed which includes a bed elevation portion, an elevation motor for moving said elevation portion, and an elevation selection means coupled to said logic means, said logic means, in response to said elevation selection means, actuating said elevation motor to move said elevation bed portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
52 words
The improvement of claim 11 further including a bed-flat selection means coupled to said logic means, said logic means in response to said bed-flat selection means actuating said head motor to lower said head portion, said knee motor to lower said knee portion, and said elevation motor to raise said elevation portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
The improvement of claim 3 wherein said first and second motors being reversible, said logic means includes ambiguity control means for precluding the actuation of said first or said second motor when said logic means in response to selections on said selection means would actuate said first or said second motor respectively to operate simultaneously in both its forward and reverse directions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
80 words
The improvement of claim 3 wherein said first and second motors being reversible, said selection means includes indicating means for developing an indication of when said first or second bed portions has reached the end of its range of positions and said logic means includes avoidance means for precluding the actuation of said first or second motors, respectively, except in a direction to move said first or second bed portions respectively, away from the end of its range of positions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement of claim 2 including lockout means for precluding actuation of said motor in response to the selection on either of said selection means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
167 words
In an adjustable bed of the type having: a. first and second bed portions, each of said bed portions being movable to a plurality of positions; and b. an electric motor for moving said first bed portion from one position to another; the improvement comprising: A. selection means for selecting between said positions of said first bed portion; B. indicating means for developing an indication of whether the position of said second bed portion is in a first or in a second set of positions, said first and second sets of positions (a) being mutually exclusive, (b) including all the positions of said second bed portion, and (c) each containing at least one position; and C. logic means coupled between said electric motor and said selection means and said indicating means for actuating said motor in response to said selection means to move said first bed portion to a selected position only when the position of said second bed portion is in said first set of positions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
167 words
In an adjustable bed of the type having: a. first and second bed portions, each of said bed portions being movable to a plurality of positions; and b. an electric motor for moving said first bed portion from one position to another; the improvement comprising: A. selection means for selecting between said positions of said first bed portion; B. indicating means for developing an indication of whether the position of said second bed portion is in a first or in a second set of positions, said first and second sets of positions (a) being mutually exclusive, (b) including all the positions of said second bed portion, and (c) each containing at least one position; and C. logic means coupled between said electric motor and said selection means and said indicating means for actuating said motor in response to said selection means to move said first bed portion to a selected position only when the position of said second bed portion is in said first set of positions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement of claim 16 wherein said first bed portion has a continuous range of positions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement of claim 17 wherein said second bed portion has a continuous range of positions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
The improvement of claim 18 wherein said second bed portion is the head portion of the bed and said first set of positions includes those with elevation of 30* or less and said second set of positions includes all those with elevation above 30*.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement of claim 19 wherein said selection means includes on-off switches and bed portion position-indicating switches and said indicating means includes position-indicating switches.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement of claim 19 which includes lockout means for precluding actuation of said motor in response to the selection of a position on said selection means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
48 words
The improvement of claim 19 wherein said logic means includes switching means for controlling the flow of electricity through said electric motor and wherein said selection means and said logic means, with the exception of said switching means, includes only components operating at voltages below about 25 volts.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement of claim 22 wherein said switching means includes triacs coupled to said motors and read realys coupled to said triacs.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement of claim 23 wherein said logic means includes components selected from the group consisting of inverters, and AND, OR, NAND, and NOR gates.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
51 words
The improvement of claim 19 wherein, said motor being a reversible motor, said logic means includes ambiguity control means for precluding the actuation of said motor when said logic means in response to selections on said selection means would actuate said motor to operate in both its forward and reverse directions.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
9 words
The improvement of claim 19 including ground test means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
The improvement of claim 19 which, said selection means being a first selection means, includes a second selection means coupled to said logic means, said logic means actuating said motor in response to said second selection means independently of the position of said second bed portion.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
65 words
The improvement of claim 19 in a bed which, said motor being a first motor, includes a second reversible electric motor coupled to said logic means wherein said second motor operates to move said second bed portion between its positions and wherein said logic means, in response to a selection on said first selection means, actuates said second motor to move said second bed portion.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
82 words
The improvement of claim 28 wherein said first bed portion is the knee portion of said bed, said second bed portion is the head portion of said bed, and said bed includes an elevation portion, a reversible elevation motor coupled to said logic means, and elevation selection means coupled to said logic means, said logic means, in response to a selection on said elevation selection means, actuating said elevation motor to move said elevation bed portion over a continuous range of positions.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
54 words
The improvement of claim 29 including a bed-flat selection means coupled to said logic means, said logic means, in response to a selection on said bed-flat selection means, actuating said head motor to lower said head portion, said knee motor to lower said knee portion, and said elevation motor to raise said elevation portion.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
170 words
The Improvement of claim 29 including a. indicating selection means for developing an indication of when said head portion reaches an end of its range of positions, when said knee portion reaches an end of its range of positions and when said elevation portion reaches an end of its range of positions, and b. logic avoidance means for, when said head portion is at an end ot its range of positions, precluding actuation of said head motor except in the direction to move said head portion away from said end of its range of positions; when said knee portion is at an end of its range of positions, precluding actuation of said knee motor except in the direction to move said knee portion away from said end of its range of positions; and, when said elevation portion is at an end of its range of positions, precluding actuation of said elevation motor except in the direction to move said elevation portion away from said end of its range of positions.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
106 words
In an adjustable bed of the type having: a. a first and a second bed portion, said first and second bed portions being movable to a plurality of positions; and b. a first and a second electric motor for moving said first and second bed portions respectively from one position to another, the improvement which comprises: A. selection means for selecting between the position of said first bed portion; and B. logic means coupled between said selection means and said first and second motors for actuating, in response to said selection means, said first and second motors to move said first and second bed portions, respectively.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
106 words
In an adjustable bed of the type having: a. a first and a second bed portion, said first and second bed portions being movable to a plurality of positions; and b. a first and a second electric motor for moving said first and second bed portions respectively from one position to another, the improvement which comprises: A. selection means for selecting between the position of said first bed portion; and B. logic means coupled between said selection means and said first and second motors for actuating, in response to said selection means, said first and second motors to move said first and second bed portions, respectively.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement of claim 32 wherein said logic means actuates said first and second motors sequentially.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
64 words
The improvement of claim 32 wherein both said first and said second bed portions have a continuous range of positions; said selection means selects a direction of movement of said first bed portion; said first and second motors are reversible; and said logic means, in response to said selection means, actuates said first motor to move said first bed portion in the selected direction
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
46 words
The improvement of claim 34 which, said selection means being a first selection means, includes a second selection means coupled to said logic means, said logic means, in response to a selection on said second selection means, actuating said first but not said second electric motor.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
118 words
The improvement of claim 35 wherein: a. said first bed portion is the head portion of said bed and said first motor is a head motor; b. said second bed portion is the knee portion of said bed and said second motor is a knee motor; and c. said logic means in response to a selection on said first selection means to lower said head portion, actuates said knee motor to lower said knee portion when said head portion is elevated 30* or less, and said logic means in response to a selection on said first selection means to raise said head portion actuates said knee motor to raise said knee portion to no higher than 15* elevation.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement of claim 35 wherein said logic means is electronic logic means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement of claim 37 wherein said first and second selection means includes on-off switches and bed portion position-indicating switches.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improvement of claim 35 including first lockout means for precluding actuation of said first motor in response to said first selection means and second lockout means for precluding actuation of said second motor in response to said second selection means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
55 words
The improvement of claim 35 in which said logic means includes switching means for controlling the flow of electricity through said first and second electric motors and wherein said first and second selection means and said logic means, with the exception of said switching means, includes only components operating at voltages below about 25 volts.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement of claim 40 wherein said switching means includes triacs coupled to said Motors and reed relays coupled to said triacs.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement of claim 41 wherein said electronic logic means, with the exception of said switching means, includes components selected from the group consisting of inverters and NAND, AND, NOR and OR gates.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
43 words
The improvement of claim 35 wherein said logic means includes ambiguity control means for precluding the actuation of any particular motor when selections on said selection means would result in the actuation of said particular motor in both its forward and reverse directions.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
9 words
The improvement of claim 35 including ground test means.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
74 words
The improvement of claim 35 wherein said bed includes an elevation portion with a continuous range of positions, a reversible elevation motor coupled to said logic means to raise and lower said elevation portion; and elevation selection means for choosing a direction of motion of said elevation portion, said logic means in response to a selection on said elevation selection means actuating said elevation motor to move said elevation portion in the direction chosen.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
45 words
The improvement of claim 45 including bed-flat selection means, said logic means in response to said bed-flat selection means actuating said head motor to lower said head portion said knee motor to lower said knee portion and said elevation motor to raise said elevation portion.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
170 words
The improvement of claim 45 including a. indicating selection means for developing an indication of when said head portion reaches an end of its range of positions, when said knee portion reaches an end of its range of positions and when said elevation portion reaches an end of its range of positions, and b. logic avoidance means for, when said head portion is at an end of its range of positions, precluding actuation of said head motor except in the direction to move said head portion away from said end of its range of positions; when said knee portion is at an end of its range of positions, precluding actuation of said knee motor except in the direction to move said knee portion away from said end of its range of positions; and, when said elevation portion is at an end of its range of positions, precluding actuation of said elevation motor except in the direction to move said elevation portion away from said end of its range of positions.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
101 words
In an adjustable bed of the type having: a. a bed portion movable to a plurality of positions; and b. a reversible electric motor for moving said bed portion from one of said positions to another, this improvement comprising: A. selection means for selecting between said position of said bed portion; B. indicating means for developing an indication of when said bed portion is at a predesignated position; and C. logic means coupled between said motor and said selection means and indicating means for, when said bed portion is not in said predetermined position and in response to said selection means:
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
101 words
In an adjustable bed of the type having: a. a bed portion movable to a plurality of positions; and b. a reversible electric motor for moving said bed portion from one of said positions to another, this improvement comprising: A. selection means for selecting between said position of said bed portion; B. indicating means for developing an indication of when said bed portion is at a predesignated position; and C. logic means coupled between said motor and said selection means and indicating means for, when said bed portion is not in said predetermined position and in response to said selection means:
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improvement of claim 48 wherein, when said bed portion is in said predetermined position prior to a selection on selection means, said logic means, in response to said selection means, actuates said motor to operate in said second direction.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
45 words
The improvement of claim 49 wherein said bed portion has a continuous range of positions, said predetermined position is at one end of said range of positions, and said indicating means is a limit switch actuated when said bed portion is in said predetermined position.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improvement of claim 50 wherein the operation of said motor in said second direction in response to said selection means places the top of said bed at a non-zero angle with respect to the surface on which it sets.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
46 words
The improvement of claim 51 wherein sAid motor operating in said first direction raises said bed; said improvement further includes alternate selection means coupled to said logic means; and said logic means, in response to said alternate selection means, actuates said motor to lower said bed.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
134 words
The improvement of claim 52 in a bed which further includes a movable head portion with a continuous range of positions; a movable knee portion with a continuous range of positions; a reversible head motor coupled to said logic means and connected to said head portion for moving said head portion over its range of positions; a reversible knee motor coupled to said logic means and connected to said knee portion for moving said knee portion over its range of positions; knee selection means coupled to said logic means; and head selection means coupled to said logic means, said logic means, in response to said knee selection means actuating said knee motor to move said knee portion and in response to said head selection means, actuating said head motor to move said head portion.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
188 words
In an adjustable bed of the type having: a. a head portion, a knee portion, and an elevation portion, each of said portions being movable over a continuous range of positions; b. a reversible head motor for moving said head portion, a reversible knee motor for moving said knee portion, and a reversible elevation motor for moving said elevation portion; and c. head selection means for choosing the direction of movement of said head portion, knee selection means for choosing the direction of movement of said knee portion, and elevation selection means for choosing the direction of movement of said elevation portion, the improvement which comprises electronic logic means coupled between said head, knee, and elevation motors and said head, knee and elevation selection means for: A. actuating said elevation motor when a direction of movement of said elevation portion is chosen on said elevation selection means to move said elevation portion in the chosen direction; B. actuating said knee motor when a direction of movement of said knee portion is chosen on said knee selection means to move said knee portion in the chosen direction; and C.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
188 words
In an adjustable bed of the type having: a. a head portion, a knee portion, and an elevation portion, each of said portions being movable over a continuous range of positions; b. a reversible head motor for moving said head portion, a reversible knee motor for moving said knee portion, and a reversible elevation motor for moving said elevation portion; and c. head selection means for choosing the direction of movement of said head portion, knee selection means for choosing the direction of movement of said knee portion, and elevation selection means for choosing the direction of movement of said elevation portion, the improvement which comprises electronic logic means coupled between said head, knee, and elevation motors and said head, knee and elevation selection means for: A. actuating said elevation motor when a direction of movement of said elevation portion is chosen on said elevation selection means to move said elevation portion in the chosen direction; B. actuating said knee motor when a direction of movement of said knee portion is chosen on said knee selection means to move said knee portion in the chosen direction; and C.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
53 words
The improvement of claim 54 which includes a bed-flat selection means wherein said logic means upon the activation of said bed-flat selection means actuates said head and knee motors to move said head and knee portions to their lowest positions and said elevation motor to move said elevation portion to its highest position.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
50 words
The improvement of claim 55 which further includes Trendelenberg selection means wherein said logic means in response to the activation of said Trendelenberg selection means actuates said elevation motor to place the top of said bed at a non-zero angle with respect to the surface on which said bed sets.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement of claim 56 wherein said logic means: a. when the raising of said head portion is chosen on said head selection means,
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
75 words
The improvement of claim 57 which includes head lockout means for precluding actuation of said head motor in response to the selection of a direction on said head selection means, elevation lock-out means for precluding actuating of said elevation motor in response to a direction selected on said elevation selection means, and knee lock-out means for precluding actuation of said knee motor in response to the selection of a direction on said knee selection means.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
48 words
The improvement of claim 58 wherein said logic means includes switching means for controlling the flow of electricity through said electric motors and wherein said selection means and said logic means, with the exception of said switching means, only includes components operating at voltages below about 25 volts.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
68 words
The improvement of claim 59 wherein said logic means includes ambiguity control means for precluding the actuation of any particular motor if said logic means in response to a first selection made on said selection means would actuate said particular motor in a first direction and in response a second selection made on said selection means would actuate said particular motor in the reverse of said first direction.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement of claim 60 wherein each of said selection means includes at least one manual on-off switch and one bed portion position-indicating switch.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
118 words
The improvement of claim 61 wherein said elevation selection means includes a. a first manual on-off switch and said logic means actuates said elevation motor to raise said elevation bed portion only during the time of a selection being made on said first switch, and b. a second manual on-off switch and said logic means actuates said elevation motor to lower said elevation portion from the time of a selection being made on said second switch until said elevation portion reaches the lower limit of its range of positions or until the making of a selection on any manual switch in response to which said logic means would actuate said elevation motor to raise said elevation bed portion.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
170 words
The improvement of claim 62 including: a. indicating selection means for developing an indication of when said head portion reaches an end of its range of positions, when said knee portion reaches an end of its range of positions and when said elevation portion reaches an end of its range of positions: and b. logic avoidance means for when said head portion is at an end of its range of positions, precluding actuation of said head motor except in the direction to move said head portion away from said end of its range of positions; when said knee portion is at an end of its range of positions, precluding actuation of said knee motor except in the direction to move said knee portion away from said end of its range of positions; and, when said elevation portion is at an end of its range of positions, precluding actuation of said elevation motor except in the direction to move said elevation portion away from said end of its range of positions.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement of claim 63 wherein said logic means with the exception of said switching means includes components selected from the group consisting of inverters and AND, OR, NAND and NOR gates.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement of claim 64 wherein said switching means includes reed relays coupled to said gates and triacs coupled between said reed relays and said motors.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
9 words
The improvement of claim 65 including ground test means
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |