Patent US4998939A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4998939A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Hospital bed with guard rail actuated safety apparatus
Assignee: R & P JOINT VENTURE AN ILLINOIS PROFIT MAKING JOINT VENTURE OF THOMAS J RING HARVEY
•
Filing: 1988-09-28
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Granted: 1991-03-12
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Expires: 2008-09-28
Abstract
Abstract Guard rail actuated safety apparatus (42, FIG. 1; 89, FIGS. 5A and 5B) is operative to prevent simultaneous lowering of both of a pair of guard rails (26, 28) to inoperative positions in which they are ineffective to prevent a patient from falling off the edge of a patient support assembly 12. In one embodiment, the guard rails are secured together by a cable (44) which holds the guard rails against concurrent lowering. In an electromechanical embodiment, a controller (89, FIG. 5) senses the guard rail (26, 28) position, and blocks the lowering of either guard rail (26, 28) whenever the other is lowered. In addition, or alternatively, the controller (89) actuates a brake 146, sounds an alarm (136), raises the guard rails (26, 28) after a time delay (158), deactuates a drive motor (118) for a movable or adjustable patient support assembly (12) or releases air from a pneumatic mattress (12A'). An attendant detector (141, 143, 138, 140 ) overrides actuation of the selected alarm condition responsive apparatus (146, 148, 150, 152, 154) and rail latch actuators (93, 95, 91, 97) when an attendant is detected alongside the bed (8).
Inventors
- 👤 James W. Potthast
- 👤 Thomas J. Ring
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G7/00; A61G7/05; A61G7/0507; A61G7/0508; A61G7/0509; A61G7/0512; A61G7/0515; A61G7/052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 83
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
In a hospital bed having a frame, a patient support assembly mounted to the frame, a pair of left and right guard rails on opposite left and right sides of the patient support assembly and means for mounting the guard rails to the frame for movement between relatively inoperative and operative positions in which they are relatively less and more effective to restrain the patient against lateral movement off the side of the patient support assembly directly associated therewith, the improvement being a guard rail actuated safety apparatus, comprising: means directly associated with the left guard rail for preventing movement of the left guard rail to a relatively inoperative position when the opposite right guard rail is in a relatively inoperative position; and means directly associated with the right guard rail for preventing movement of the right guard rail to a relatively inoperative position when the left guard rail is in a relatively inoperative position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a hospital bed having a frame, a patient support assembly mounted to the frame, a pair of left and right guard rails on opposite left and right sides of the patient support assembly and means for mounting the guard rails to the frame for movement between relatively inoperative and operative positions in which they are relatively less and more effective to restrain the patient against lateral movement off the side of the patient support assembly directly associated therewith, the improvement being a guard rail actuated safety apparatus, comprising: means directly associated with the left guard rail for preventing movement of the left guard rail to a relatively inoperative position when the opposite right guard rail is in a relatively inoperative position; and means directly associated with the right guard rail for preventing movement of the right guard rail to a relatively inoperative position when the left guard rail is in a relatively inoperative position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The hospital bed of claim ,1 in which both of said guard rail movement preventing means, include means for mechanically interconnecting the left guard rail with the right guard rail.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The hospital bed of claim 2 in which said interconnecting means includes an elongate flexible member having a pair of opposite ends, means for connecting one of said opposite ends to the left guard rail, and means for connecting the other of said opposite ends to the right guard rail.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The hospital bed of claim 3 in which said safety apparatus includes means for mounting said flexible member to said frame for guided, sliding movement relative thereto at a location above the patient support assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The hospital bed of claim 3 in which said safety apparatus includes a pulley-like member mounted to the frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The hospital bed of claim 3 in which said safety apparatus includes means for taking up slack in the elongate flexible member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
The hospital bed of claim 2 in which said interconnecting means includes a pair of left and right blocking members respectively associated with the left and right guard rails, means responsive to the left guard rail being in an inoperative position for moving the right blocking member into a blocking position in which it prevents movement of the right guard rail to the inoperative position, and means responsive to the right guard rail being in an inoperative position for moving the left blocking member into a blocking position in which it prevents movement of the left guard rail to the inoperative position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The hospital bed of claim 7 in which said right guard rail responsive means includes means for mechanically interconnecting the right guard rail with the left blocking member, and said left guard rail responsive means includes means for mechanically interconnecting the left guard rail with the right blocking member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The hospital bed of claim 7 including means for locking said guard rails in their operative position, and in which said blocking member moving means includes means for moving each of the blocking members to a position in which it prevents unlocking of an associated guard rail when an opposite guard rail is in an inoperative position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The hospital bed of claim 1 in which said safety apparatus includes means for disabling both of said guard rail movement preventing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The hospital bed of claim 10 in which said safety apparatus includes means for providing an alarm indication in response to disablement of either of said guard rail movement preventing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The hospital bed of claim 1 in which each of the guard rail movement preventing means includes means for generating an electrical detection signal in response to sensing the oppositely associated guard rail in an inoperative position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The hospital bed of claim 12 in which said sensing means includes an electrical switch associated with each guard rail, and means for actuating the switch in response to the movement of its associated guard rail to an inoperative position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The hospital bed of claim 1 in which each of said guard rail movement preventing means includes means for blocking movement of its directly associated guard rail in response to a sensor electrical signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hospital bed of claim 14 in which said guard rail movement preventing means includes means for deactuating said blocking means in response to an override electrical signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
The hospital bed of claim 1 in which each of said guard rail movement preventing means includes a sensor for detecting when the opposite guard rail is in an inoperative position, and means responsive to said sensor for blocking movement to an inoperative position of at least the guard rail with which it is directly associated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The hospital bed of claim 16 in which said sensor responsive means is responsive to either of said guard rails being in an inoperative position to block movement of both the guard rails from an operative to an inoperative position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The hospital bed of claim 16 in which the safety apparatus including another sensor, and in which said responsive means includes a binary logic gate with a pair of inputs respectively connected with the one and the other of said sensors.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The hospital bed of claim 16 in which said safety apparatus includes means for at least temporarily disabling said movement blocking means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The hospital bed of claim 19 in which the safety apparatus includes an alarm, and means for actuating said alarm in response to disablement of said movement blocking means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
76 words
The hospital bed of claim 1 in which said safety apparatus includes means for detecting when an attendant is standing at either side of the patient support assembly, means for actuating the movement preventing means directly associated with the guard rail at either side to prevent its movement to an inoperative position even if the other guard rail is in an operative position, and means responsive to the attendant detection means for disabling the actuating means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
65 words
The hospital bed of claim 21 in which said safety apparatus includes means for automatically raising the guard rails from an inoperative to an operative position, and means for actuating said guard rail raising means in response to said detecting means failing to detect the presence of an attendant at the side of the patient support assembly to raise the guard rail at said side.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The hospital bed of claim 1 in which said patient support assembly has an adjustable frame, and said safety apparatus includes means responsive to either of said guard rails being in an inoperative position for preventing adjustment of said adjustable frame.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
The hospital bed of claim 1 in which said safety apparatus includes means for preventing translational movement of the hospital bed, and means for actuating said translational movement preventing means in response to either of said guard rails being in an inoperative position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
54 words
The hospital bed of claim 1 in which each of said movement preventing means includes a sensor for detecting whether the guard rail is in an inoperative position, and said safety apparatus includes means for selectively adjusting the sensitivity of said sensing means to detect inoperability at different preselected positions of the guard rail.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a hospital bed having a frame, a patient support assembly mounted to the frame, a pair of left and right guard rails on opposite sides of the patient support assembly and means for mounting the guard rails to the frame for movement between relatively operative and inoperative positions in which they are relatively more and less effective to restrain the patient against lateral movement off the side of the patient support assembly directly associated therewith, the improvement being a guard rail actuated safety apparatus, comprising: an alarm; means for sensing when both of the pair of said guard rails are in a relatively inoperative position; and means responsive to said sensing means for actuating the alarm in response to both of said guard rails being sensed in an inoperative position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a hospital bed having a frame, a patient support assembly mounted to the frame, a pair of left and right guard rails on opposite sides of the patient support assembly and means for mounting the guard rails to the frame for movement between relatively operative and inoperative positions in which they are relatively more and less effective to restrain the patient against lateral movement off the side of the patient support assembly directly associated therewith, the improvement being a guard rail actuated safety apparatus, comprising: an alarm; means for sensing when both of the pair of said guard rails are in a relatively inoperative position; and means responsive to said sensing means for actuating the alarm in response to both of said guard rails being sensed in an inoperative position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
The hospital bed of claim 26 in which said responsive means includes a binary logic gate for providing an actuation signal only when both of the guard rails are sensed as being in an inoperative position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The hospital bed of claim 26 in which said sensing means includes a pair of sensor switches respectively associated with said pair of rails.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
50 words
The hospital bed of claim 26 in which the safety apparatus includes means for preventing translational movement of the bed, and means responsive to said sensing means for actuating said translational movement preventing means to prevent said translational movement when both of said guard rails are in an inoperative position.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
61 words
The hospital bed of claim 26 including means for detecting the presence of an attendant at the side of the patient support assembly, and means responsive to said detecting means for automatically deactuating said alarm while an attendant is being detected at a side of the patient support assembly despite both of the guard rails being sensed in an inoperative position.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
48 words
The hospital bed of claim 26 in which said patient support assembly includes an adjustable frame, and said safety apparatus includes means responsive to said sensing means for preventing adjustment to said adjustable frame when either and when both of said guard rails are in an inoperative position.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The hospital bed of claim 26 in which said safety apparatus actuation means for adjusting the position of said sensing means relative to the guard rails to preselected different inoperative positions.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
197 words
In a hospital bed having a frame, a patient support assembly mounted to the frame, a pair of left and right guard rails on opposite sides of the patient support assembly and means for mounting the guard rails to the frame for movement between relative inoperative and operative positions in which they are relatively less and more effective to restrain the patient against lateral movement off the side of the patient support directly associated therewith, the improvement being a guard rail actuated safety apparatus, comprising: an alarm condition responsive means for initiating patient protection measures; means for sensing when at least one of the guard rails is in an inoperative position; a resettable timer for measuring a preselected time period; means responsive to said sensing means for actuating said timer to initiate measurement of said preselected time period when the at least one guard rail is moved to the inoperative position; means responsive to said sensing means for resetting said timer when the at least one guard rail is moved to an operative position; and means for actuating said alarm condition responsive means in response to lapse of said preselected time period before the timer is reset.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
197 words
In a hospital bed having a frame, a patient support assembly mounted to the frame, a pair of left and right guard rails on opposite sides of the patient support assembly and means for mounting the guard rails to the frame for movement between relative inoperative and operative positions in which they are relatively less and more effective to restrain the patient against lateral movement off the side of the patient support directly associated therewith, the improvement being a guard rail actuated safety apparatus, comprising: an alarm condition responsive means for initiating patient protection measures; means for sensing when at least one of the guard rails is in an inoperative position; a resettable timer for measuring a preselected time period; means responsive to said sensing means for actuating said timer to initiate measurement of said preselected time period when the at least one guard rail is moved to the inoperative position; means responsive to said sensing means for resetting said timer when the at least one guard rail is moved to an operative position; and means for actuating said alarm condition responsive means in response to lapse of said preselected time period before the timer is reset.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The hospital bed of claim 33 in which the alarm condition responsive means includes means for automatically raising of the at least one guard rail to an operative position.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
The hospital bed of claim 34 in which said actuating means includes means for establishing a time delay between lapse of the preselected time period and actuation of said raising means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The hospital bed of claim 33 in which said alarm condition responsive means includes means for providing an audible alarm.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
The hospital bed of claim 33 in which said alarm condition responsive means includes means, when actuated, for preventing adjustment of the patient support assembly relative to the frame.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The hospital bed of claim 33 in which said alarm condition responsive means includes means for preventing translational movement of the frame when actuated.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
58 words
The hospital bed of claim 33 in which said sensing means includes a pair of sensors for respectively sensing when either of said pair of guard rails is in an operative position, and said timer actuating means includes means for actuating said timer only when both of said sensors detect both the guard rails in an inoperative position.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a hospital bed having a frame, a patient support assembly mounted to the frame, a pair of left and right guard rails on opposite sides of the patient support assembly and means for mounting the guard rails to the frame for movement between relatively inoperative and operative positions in which they are relatively less and more effective to restrain the patient against lateral movement off the side of the patient support assembly directly associated therewith, the improvement being a guard rail actuated safety apparatus, comprising: means for initiating at least one patient protection measure in response to an alarm condition; means for sensing when at least one of the pair of guard rails is in its operative position; means for detecting the presence of a person standing adjacent the at least one guard rail; means responsive to both the sensing means and the detecting means for actuating the alarm condition responsive means in response to the at least one guard rail being in an inoperative position except when the presence of a person standing next to the at least one guard rail is being detected.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a hospital bed having a frame, a patient support assembly mounted to the frame, a pair of left and right guard rails on opposite sides of the patient support assembly and means for mounting the guard rails to the frame for movement between relatively inoperative and operative positions in which they are relatively less and more effective to restrain the patient against lateral movement off the side of the patient support assembly directly associated therewith, the improvement being a guard rail actuated safety apparatus, comprising: means for initiating at least one patient protection measure in response to an alarm condition; means for sensing when at least one of the pair of guard rails is in its operative position; means for detecting the presence of a person standing adjacent the at least one guard rail; means responsive to both the sensing means and the detecting means for actuating the alarm condition responsive means in response to the at least one guard rail being in an inoperative position except when the presence of a person standing next to the at least one guard rail is being detected.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
The hospital bed of claim 40 in which said alarm condition responsive means includes an audible alarm.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
33 words
The hospital bed of claim 40 in which said alarm condition responsive means includes means for preventing adjustment of the patient support assembly relative to the frame in response to an alarm condition.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
The hospital bed of claim 40 in which said alarm condition responsive means includes means for preventing translational movement of the frame.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
42 words
The hospital bed of claim 40 in which said detecting means comprises an electromechanical switch connected to the frame, and an actuator to be engagable by a person's body for actuating the switch when standing alongside the at least one guard rail.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
54 words
The hospital bed of claim 40 in which said detecting means includes a light source, a photosensor, and means for mounting the light source and photosensor to the frame in a location for light to pass therebetween except when blocked by the presence of a person standing alongside the at least one guard rail.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
57 words
The hospital bed of claim 45 in which said mounting means includes means for mounting the source and sensor for movement between at least one operative position in which they extend laterally from the side of the patient support assembly to an inoperative position in which they are located adjacent the side of the patient support assembly.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hospital bed of claim 40 in which said detecting means comprises a foot actuatable switch positionable on the floor adjacent the side of the patient support assembly.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
57 words
The hospital bed of claim 40 in which said detecting means includes a switch, means for actuating the switch through interaction with a person standing adjacent the at least one guard rail, and means for automatically moving the switch to a nonactuated state when a person is not present and no longer interacting with the actuating means.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
15 words
The hospital bed of claim 40 in which said detecting means includes a proximity sensor.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a hospital bed having a frame, a patient support assembly mounted for adjustable movement relative to the frame, a pair of left and right guard rails on opposite left and right sides of the patient support assembly and means for mounting the guard rails to the frame for movement between inoperative and operative positions in which they are relatively less and more effective to restrain the patient against lateral movement off the side of the patient support assembly directly associated therewith, the improvement being a guard rail actuated safety apparatus, comprising: means for preventing adjustment of the patient support assembly relative to the frame; means for sensing when at least one of said guard rails is in an inoperative position; and means responsive to said sensing means for actuating the adjustment preventing means.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a hospital bed having a frame, a patient support assembly mounted for adjustable movement relative to the frame, a pair of left and right guard rails on opposite left and right sides of the patient support assembly and means for mounting the guard rails to the frame for movement between inoperative and operative positions in which they are relatively less and more effective to restrain the patient against lateral movement off the side of the patient support assembly directly associated therewith, the improvement being a guard rail actuated safety apparatus, comprising: means for preventing adjustment of the patient support assembly relative to the frame; means for sensing when at least one of said guard rails is in an inoperative position; and means responsive to said sensing means for actuating the adjustment preventing means.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
40 words
The hospital bed of claim 50 including an electrical motor and in which the patient support assembly is mounted for movement powered by the electrical motor, and said movement preventing means includes means for terminating electrical power to the motor.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
31 words
The hospital bed of claim 50 in which said patient support assembly has an articulated frame mounted for adjustable movement, and said preventing means includes means for preventing said adjustable movement.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
29 words
The hospital bed of claim 50 in which said patient support assembly is mounted for manual adjustment, and said movement preventing means includes means for preventing said manual adjustment.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
40 words
The hospital bed of claim 50 in which said safety apparatus includes means for providing an alarm indication, means for disabling the adjustment preventing means, and means responsive to said disablement of the adjustment preventing means for actuating the alarm.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
38 words
The hospital bed of claim 50 in which said safety apparatus includes means for preventing translational movement of the frame across the floor surface, and means responsive to the sensing means for actuating said translational movement preventing means.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
52 words
The hospital bed of claim 50 in which said adjustment preventing means includes a jam member for blocking movement of an adjustment mechanism, and means for mechanically linking the jam member for movement into a jam position in response to movement of the at least one guard rail into an inoperative condition.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a hospital bed having a frame, a patient support assembly mounted to the frame, a pair of left and right guard rails on opposite left and right sides of the patient support assembly, and means for mounting the guard rails for movement between relatively inoperative and operative positions in which they are relatively less and more effective to restrain the patient against lateral movement off the side of the patient support assembly directly associated therewith, the improvement being a guard rail actuated safety apparatus, comprising: a remotely engagable braking apparatus mounted to the frame to selectively restrain translational movement of the frame across a floor surface; and means connected with the braking apparatus and responsive to the at least one guard rail being in an inoperative position to automatically engage the braking apparatus.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a hospital bed having a frame, a patient support assembly mounted to the frame, a pair of left and right guard rails on opposite left and right sides of the patient support assembly, and means for mounting the guard rails for movement between relatively inoperative and operative positions in which they are relatively less and more effective to restrain the patient against lateral movement off the side of the patient support assembly directly associated therewith, the improvement being a guard rail actuated safety apparatus, comprising: a remotely engagable braking apparatus mounted to the frame to selectively restrain translational movement of the frame across a floor surface; and means connected with the braking apparatus and responsive to the at least one guard rail being in an inoperative position to automatically engage the braking apparatus.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hospital bed of claim 57 in which said braking apparatus includes a member which moves into a position of interaction with a floor surface to restrain movement.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
41 words
The hospital bed of claim 57 including rolling mounting members attached to the frame to facilitate translational movement thereof across a floor surface, and in which said braking apparatus includes means for interacting with at least one of said rolling members.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
40 words
The hospital bed of claim 57 in which said safety apparatus includes means for providing an alarm, and means for enabling the alarm providing means in response to movement of the at least one guard rail into an inoperative position.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
25 words
The hospital bed of claim 60 in which the alarm providing means includes means powered by the translational movement of the frame only when enabled.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hospital bed of claim 57 in which said brake engaging means includes a mechanical linkage connected between the at least one guard rail and the braking apparatus.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
57 words
The hospital bed of claim 57 in which said braking apparatus includes an electromechanical brake actuator, and said engaging means includes an electrical sensor for detecting when the at least one guard rail is in an inoperative position, and means responsive to the electrical sensor to apply an actuation signal to the electromechanical brake actuator connected thereto.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
148 words
In a bed with a frame, a patient support assembly mounted to the frame and having a pressurizable member of a medical apparatus for interacting with the patient's body resting thereon, a pair of left and right guard rails opposite left and right sides of the patient support assembly and means for mounting the guard rails for movement between relatively inoperative and operative positions in which they are relatively less and more effective to restrain a patient against lateral movement off a side of the patient support assembly directly adjacent thereto, the improvement being a guard rail actuated safety apparatus, comprising: means for depressurizing said pressurizable member; means for sensing when at least one of the guard rails is in an inoperative position; and means responsive to said sensing means detecting a guard rail in an inoperative position for actuating said depressurizing means to depressurize said pressurizable member.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
148 words
In a bed with a frame, a patient support assembly mounted to the frame and having a pressurizable member of a medical apparatus for interacting with the patient's body resting thereon, a pair of left and right guard rails opposite left and right sides of the patient support assembly and means for mounting the guard rails for movement between relatively inoperative and operative positions in which they are relatively less and more effective to restrain a patient against lateral movement off a side of the patient support assembly directly adjacent thereto, the improvement being a guard rail actuated safety apparatus, comprising: means for depressurizing said pressurizable member; means for sensing when at least one of the guard rails is in an inoperative position; and means responsive to said sensing means detecting a guard rail in an inoperative position for actuating said depressurizing means to depressurize said pressurizable member.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
44 words
The hospital bed of claim 64 in which said pressurizable member has holes therein for impingement of pressurized air against the patient's body, said medical apparatus includes means for pressurizing said pressurizable member, and said depressurizing means includes means for deactuating the pressurizing means.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
21 words
The hospital bed of claim 64 in which said depressurizing means includes means for selectively venting said pressurizable member to atmosphere.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
26 words
The hospital bed of claim 64 in which said pressurizable member has a pair of flexible members which are selectively pressurized to turn the patient's body.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
35 words
The hospital bed of claim 64 in which safety apparatus includes means for initially preventing said pressurizable member from being pressurized if the at least one of the guard rails is in an inoperative position.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
36 words
The hospital bed of claim 64 in which said safety apparatus includes an alarm, and means for actuating the alarm in response to the at least one of the guard rails being in an inoperative position.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
30 words
The hospital bed of claim 69 in which said safety apparatus includes means for disabling said alarm when the medical apparatus is not being operated to pressurize the pressurizable member.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a hospital bed having a frame, a patient support assembly mounted to the frame a pair of left and right guard rails on opposite left and right sides of the patient support assembly and means for mounting the guard rails for movement between relatively inoperative and operative positions in which they are relatively less and more effective to restrain the patient against lateral movement off the side of the patient support assembly adjacent thereto, the improvement being a guard rail actuated safety apparatus, comprising: means for sensing when a guard rail is placed into an inoperative position; means for raising the guard rail to an operative position; and means responsive to the sensing means for actuating said raising means.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a hospital bed having a frame, a patient support assembly mounted to the frame a pair of left and right guard rails on opposite left and right sides of the patient support assembly and means for mounting the guard rails for movement between relatively inoperative and operative positions in which they are relatively less and more effective to restrain the patient against lateral movement off the side of the patient support assembly adjacent thereto, the improvement being a guard rail actuated safety apparatus, comprising: means for sensing when a guard rail is placed into an inoperative position; means for raising the guard rail to an operative position; and means responsive to the sensing means for actuating said raising means.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
32 words
The hospital bed of claim 71 in which said responsive means includes a time delay apparatus for delaying a preselected time period after sensing of a guard rail in an inoperative position.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
44 words
The hospital bed of claim 71 including an attendant detector, and in which said actuating means includes means responsive to said attendant detector for disabling actuation of the raising means in response to detection of an attendant at the side of the patient support.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
17 words
The hospital bed of claim 71 in which said safety apparatus comprises only mechanical parts and mounts.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
15 words
The hospital bed of claim 71 in which said raising means includes an electrical motor.
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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) | 1994-03-11 | 1994-09-10 | 1995-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-11 | 1998-09-10 | 1999-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-11 | 2002-09-10 | 2003-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |