Structure to enclose a safe zone on and above a mattress and its support permitting limited movement only of a bedridden patient in the safe zone

Abstract

A device with a support for a mattress to accommodate a person on the mattress which includes a frame work including connectors to secure the framework in upstanding relation peripherally about the mattress; the frame work includes corner posts each extending a generally common distance above the mattress, and members spanning the corner posts defining a safety zone space between the corner posts and between the members and above a mattress on the bed, a net having an inside and an outside surface supported on the frame work and enclosing the space; and structure to attach the net and frame work together; and the net has a normally closed opening provided with a normally closed closure member for the net opening with an operator structure to open and close the opening accessable only from outside of the net.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED EARLIER FILED DOCUMENTS [0001] This invention was the subject of a Disclosure Document filed by the applicant, dated Jun. 5, 2001 by the Applicant under the Disclosure Document Program, Disclosure Document No. 495830. [0002] This invention was disclosed in a provisional patent application filed by your applicant on Apr. 1, 2003 and assigned application No. 60 / 459,484 for a structure to enclose a safe zone on and above a mattress and its support on a bed permitting limited movement only of a bedridden patient; and, the applicant requests and claims priority based upon the disclosures in that provisional application. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] This invention is for a bed and relates, specifically, to a patient confining structure for a bed. The patient confining structure is sometimes referred to herein simply as “the device.”[0004] The bed with which the device may be used is either a conventional one or a more elaborate hospital bed, and, as is conventi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] Generally, the invention provides an improved structure that defines a person-confining-safe-zone above a mattress and its support within which maximum freedom of movement may be enjoyed by the patient on the mattress, albeit a limited freedom. The safety zone above the mattress is about three feet in height at least. It is most useful for those special situations where the person is an elderly or frail patient.

Problems solved by technology

Some are frail and cannot get out of bed while they do have enough energy to roll off of it.

Others are strong enough to get out of bed partway but are so weak they are apt to fall while actually in the act of getting out of the bed.

Yet; others are very weak and, hence, likely to fall immediately or shortly after arising if not attended by another, such as a nurse.

To keep persons from falling from bed, some patients have in the past simply been tethered, which is known to be dangerous, witness the plight of a dog entangled in a chain.

But sleeping on the floor, where there are bugs and whatnot, is, of course, primitive and not tolerated by most civilized persons, whether disabled or not.

These have proven to be dangerous because the limbs of some such patients often become trapped between the mattress and the bed rail, or, indeed in the bed rail itself.

This can cause serious injury and even death.

Moreover, some patients, while physically able to climb up onto bed rails in an effort to get over them, are not able to complete the process of getting out of bed safely.

This often results in such a person finding that the reward for effort expended is but a very precarious perch preceding a serious or deathly fall, There, such unfortunates sometimes balance as best they can on the bed rails and cling for dear life dangerously exhausting themselves, while others just give up and fall injuring themselves.

With such measures there are many well known problems such as: problems of reduced circulation, muscle atrophy, decubitus ulcers, anxiety, feelings of helplessness, injuries from attempts to escape, interference with medical appliances for administering to the patient, hernias, respiratory ills, etc.

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