US4534077A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hospital bed having safety mechanism
Assignee: BLOOMCRAFT Inc
•
Filing: 1983-10-03
•
Granted: 1985-08-13
•
Expires: 2003-10-03
Abstract
Abstract A hospital bed is provided with a safety mechanism for preventing the upper frame from moving with respect to the lower frame when an object or person is wedged therebetween. The safety mechanism includes an elongate detection device such as an air-tight, flexible tube or a ribbon switch. It is mounted to one of the frames so that a person wedged between the frames will contact it prior to incurring serious injury. The detection device is connected to a switch which deactuates the bed raising/lowering motor.
Inventors
- 👤 Kelly D. Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:36
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C19/00; A47C19/04; A47C19/045; A61; A61G; A61G7/00; A61G7/002; A61G7/012; A61G2203/00; A61G2203/70; A61G2203/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
In a hospital bed including a stationary frame, a movable frame for supporting a mattress and patient, and a motor for effecting vertical movement of said movable frame with respect to said stationary frame, the improvement comprising an elongate detection device mounted to one of said frames for detecting the presence of a person or object between said frames, said elongate detection device being an air-tight flexible tube which is compressible against said one of said frames, and means responsive to said detection device for preventing said motor from moving said movable frame closer to said stationary frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
In a hospital bed including a stationary frame, a movable frame for supporting a mattress and patient, and a motor for effecting vertical movement of said movable frame with respect to said stationary frame, the improvement comprising an elongate detection device mounted to one of said frames for detecting the presence of a person or object between said frames, said elongate detection device being an air-tight flexible tube which is compressible against said one of said frames, and means responsive to said detection device for preventing said motor from moving said movable frame closer to said stationary frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said detection device is mounted to the upper surface of said stationary frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1 including a plurality of elongate detection devices mounted to one of said frames, said means for preventing said motor from moving said movable frame being responsive to all of said detection devices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement as defined in claim 3 wherein said detection devices are mounted to substantially all surfaces of one of said frames where a person could become wedged between said frames.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said detection devices is connected, respectively, to respective normally closed switches, said normally closed switches being connected in series between a bed controller and said bed motor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improvement as defined in claim 5 wherein said bed controller includes up and down control buttons, said switches being connected in series between said down control button and said bed motor, said up control button being connected directly to said motor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said means responsive to said detection device cause said movable frame to move away from said stationary frame upon one's contacting said detection device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said tube includes first and second ends, said first end being closed and said second end having an air line extending therefrom, and a limit switch connected to said air line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said tube has a trapezoidal cross section defined in part by a relatively large surface and a relatively small surface parallel thereto, said relatively large surface bearing against said one of said frames.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3533095A
Cited
DE2144205A1
Cited
US3874728A
Cited
US4025972A
Cited
US4067005A
Cited
US4463463A
Cited
US4403214A
Cited
US4407030A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-08-12 | 1989-02-11 | 1989-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-08-12 | 1993-02-11 | 1993-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-08-12 | 1997-02-11 | 1997-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |