A patient bed

Abstract

The present invention relates to a patient bed comprising a bed frame (1), a mattress arrangement (2) arranged on the bed frame (1), characterized in that the mattress arrangement (2) comprises a plurality of cell units (3). Each cell unit (3) comprises an inner cup (4) in a shape of a hexagon and an outer cup (5) also in a shape of a hexagon, wherein the outer cup (5) encloses the inner cup (4) and reciprocal movement of the outer cup (5) in relation to the inner cup (4) is provided. An actuator (6) is located in the outer cup (5) and interconnected between the lower base (41) of the inner cup (4) and the upper base (51) of the outer cup (5) so that the reciprocal movement of the outer cup (5) in relation to the inner cup (4) is provided.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to patient beds.Background of the invention

[0002] Typical patient bed is disclosed in the US patent application publication No. US2005 / 0055772. The patient bed comprises a bed frame, a mattress support attached to the bed frame and a mattress resting on the mattress support.

[0003] Therapeutic or patient air beds having multiple air cells disposed in side-by-side relation and forming an air inflated patient support are well known as evidenced by the U.S. patent publication No. US4638519, U.S. patent publication No. US3822425, U.S. patent publication No. US5090077, U.S. patent publication No. US3919730 and by Chinese utility model registration publication No. CN206630801U. In most cases, these air controlled patient support systems are divided into body support segments that are maintained at different pressures to support different parts of a patient's body. For example, the air cells of most therapeutic air bed are arranged into a plurality of segments or air bags, each segment or air bag being maintained at a preselected pressure range for support of a particular portion of the patient's body. It is typical for such therapeutic air beds to have five or more patient body support segments each at different pressures. Similar examples of the patient beds are disclosed the US patent application publication No. US2022 / 0330892 and the US patent publication No. US11,191,687. The US patent publication No. US3,919,730 discloses a body support primarily designed for supporting the human body in a reclining position including a plurality of body supporting elements mounted for retraction from a body engaging position to reduce sensory impulses by relieving body pressures, with each of the body supporting elements consisting of an upper section that conforms to the shape of the body through the provision of a spring biased body engaging member and a lower section for reciprocating the upper section from a body engaging position to a retracted position that includes an inflatable and deflatable air chamber mounted on a generally horizontal frame.

[0004] Therapeutic effect of the prior art therapeutic air beds is restricted by the number of segments to be controlled as well as by the ability of the air, which is compressible fluid, to support the patient. Not always, a necessary support for the patient may be achieved by use of air bags. Hence, this is one of the reasons why air beds are not so common in health care. Addition of segments to support the patient could improve the support of the patient, but then the bed becomes complex and expensive.

[0005] Aim of invention is to design a patient bed able to provide a necessary patient support in a broader range and in the same time maintain acceptable price and complexity or simplicity.Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0007] The aim is reached by a design of a patient bed comprising a bed frame, a mattress arrangement arranged on the bed frame. The mattress arrangement comprises a plurality of cell units.

[0008] Each cell unit comprises an inner cup and an outer cup that encloses the inner cup. The cell unit also comprises an actuator within the cups so that the outer cup is movable up and down in relation to the inner cup. The cell unit is in a shape of a hexagon. The cell unit is surrounded and supported by six adjacent cell units. Each side of the hexagon cell unit is supported by one side of adjacent six cell units. This additional support allows to extend each cell unit in broader range and at the same time provides necessary patient support. The patient bed provides stable patient support.

[0009] The inner cup comprises a lower base in a shape of a hexagon and a hexagon side wall extending from the lower base. The cup is made of rigid material. In addition, the lower base of the inner cup comprises an air outlet so that an air enclosed by the inner cup and the outer cup can escape when the outer cup is moved down or towards the inner cup.

[0010] The outer cup comprises a top base in a shape of a hexagon and a hexagon side wall extending from the top base. The outer cup with its top base and side wall is formed so that the outer cup covers or encloses the inner cup in a slidable manner, in result of which a reciprocal movement of the outer cup in relation to the inner cup is provided. The outer cup is made of rigid material. The hexagon side wall of the inner cup is engaged with the hexagon side wall of the outer cup in slidable manner.

[0011] The actuator of the cell unit is located in the outer cup and interconnected between the lower base of the inner cup and the upper base of the outer cup so that the reciprocal movement of the outer cup in relation to the inner cup is provided. The actuator may be pneumatic or electric.

[0012] The lower base of the inner cup comprises a communication port. The communication port may be an air communication port or an electric communication port. It depends on what kind of actuator is used - pneumatic or electric.Brief description of the drawings

[0013] The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments of the invention. Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a patient bed in a position when all cell units (3) are in a retracted position. Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the patient bed as seen in Fig. 1 in a position, when five out of ten rows of the cell units (3) are in an extended position. Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the cell units (3) as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of the cell unit (3) as seen in Figs. 1 to 3 in a retracted position. Fig. 5 is a cross-section view of the cell unit (3) as seen in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of the cell unit (3) as seen in Figs. 1 to 3 in the extended position. Fig. 7 is a cross-section view of the cell unit (3) as seen in Fig. 6. Detailed description of the embodiments

[0014] The preferred embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the figures to illustrate the objectives, the advantages, and efficiency of the present invention.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a patient bed comprising a bed frame (1), a mattress arrangement (2) arranged on the bed frame (1). The mattress arrangement (2) comprises a plurality of cell units (3). In Fig. 1 it is illustrated when all cell units (3) are in a retracted position. Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the patient bed as seen in Fig. 1, but in a position, when five out of ten rows of the cell units (3) are in an extended position.

[0016] Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the cell units (3) as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. Each cell unit (3) is in the form of a hexagon so that each side from six sides of the cell unit (3) is supported by adjacent cell unit (3). Hence, each cell unit (3) is supported by six adjacent cell units (3) providing increased stability of the mattress arrangement (2) upon movement of said cell units (3).

[0017] Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of the cell unit (3) as seen in Figs. 1 to 3. The cell unit (3) comprises an inner cup (4) and an outer cup (5) partly enclosing said inner cup (4). The inner cup (4) comprises a lower base (41) in a shape of a hexagon and a hexagon side wall (42) extending from the lower base (41). The inner cup (4) is made of rigid material. The outer cup (5) comprises a top base (51) in a shape of a hexagon and a hexagon side wall (52) extending from the top base (51). The outer cup (5) with its top base (51) and side wall (52) is formed so that the outer cup (5) covers the inner cup (4) and reciprocal movement of the outer cup (5) in relation to the inner cup (4) is provided. The outer cup (5) also is made of rigid material. In Fig. 4 the outer cup (5) is almost completely on the inner cup (4) and in this position it is defined that the cell unit (3) is in the retracted position.

[0018] Fig. 5 is a cross-section view of the cell unit (3) as seen in Fig. 4, which in addition illustrates an inner mechanism allowing to move the outer cup (5) in relation to the inner cup (4). The cell unit (3) comprises an actuator (6) located in the outer cup (5) and interconnected between the lower base (41) of the inner cup (4) and the upper base (51) of the outer cup (5) so that the reciprocal movement of the outer cup (5) in relation to the inner cup (4) is provided. The inner cup (4) comprises an air outlet (43) and a communication port (44) located in the lower base (41) of the inner cup (4). Fig. 5 also clearly illustrates that the hexagon side wall (42) of the inner cup (4) is engaged with the hexagon side wall (52) of the outer cup (5) in slidable manner. The actuator (6) is a pneumatic actuator (6) comprising a cylinder (61) and a piston rod (62). The cylinder (61) is attached to the lower base (41) of the inner cup (4) and the piston rod (62) is attached to the top base (51) of the outer cup (5), in result of which a reciprocal movement of the piston rod (62) of the pneumatic actuator (6) provides the reciprocal movement of the outer cup (5) in relation to the inner cup (4).

[0019] Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of the cell unit (3) as seen in Figs. 1 to 3, but in the extended position. Fig. 7 is a cross-section view of the cell unit (3) as seen in Fig. 6, which is in extended position.

[0020] While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments of which have been shown by way of example in the figures and have been described in detail herein, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.List of references

[0021] 1 - a bed frame; 2 - a mattress arrangement; 3 - a cell unit; 4 - an inner cup; 41 - a lower base of inner cup; 42 - hexagon side wall of inner cup; 43 - an air outlet; 44 - an air inlet; 5 - an outer cup; 51 - a top base; 52 - a hexagon side wall of outer cup; 6 - an actuator; 61 - a cylinder; and 62 - a piston rod.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0014]The preferred embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the figures to illustrate the objectives, the advantages, and efficiency of the present invention.

[0015]Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a patient bed comprising a bed frame (1), a mattress arrangement (2) arranged on the bed frame (1). The mattress arrangement (2) comprises a plurality of cell units (3). In Fig. 1 it is illustrated when all cell units (3) are in a retracted position. Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the patient bed as seen in Fig. 1, but in a position, when five out of ten rows of the cell units (3) are in an extended position.

[0016]Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the cell units (3) as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. Each cell unit (3) is in the form of a hexagon so that each side from six sides of the cell unit (3) is supported by adjacent cell unit (3). Hence, each cell unit (3) is supported by six adjacent cell units (3) providing increased stability of the mattress arran...

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to patient beds.Background of the invention

[0002] Typical patient bed is disclosed in the US patent application publication No. US2005 / 0055772. The patient bed comprises a bed frame, a mattress support attached to the bed frame and a mattress resting on the mattress support.

[0003] Therapeutic or patient air beds having multiple air cells disposed in side-by-side relation and forming an air inflated patient support are well known as evidenced by the U.S. patent publication No. US4638519, U.S. patent publication No. US3822425, U.S. patent publication No. US5090077, U.S. patent publication No. US3919730 and by Chinese utility model registration publication No. CN206630801U. In most cases, these air controlled patient support systems are divided into body support segments that are maintained at different pressures to support different parts of a patient's body. For example, the air cells of most therapeutic air bed are arranged into a plurality of segments or air bags, each segment or air bag being maintained at a preselected pressure range for support of a particular portion of the patient's body. It is typical for such therapeutic air beds to have five or more patient body support segments each at different pressures. Similar examples of the patient beds are disclosed the US patent application publication No. US2022 / 0330892 and the US patent publication No. US11,191,687. The US patent publication No. US3,919,730 discloses a body support primarily designed for supporting the human body in a reclining position including a plurality of body supporting elements mounted for retraction from a body engaging position to reduce sensory impulses by relieving body pressures, with each of the body supporting elements consisting of an upper section that conforms to the shape of the body through the provision of a spring biased body engaging member and a lower section for reciprocating the upper section from a body engaging position to a retracted position that includes an inflatable and deflatable air chamber mounted on a generally horizontal frame.

[0004] Therapeutic effect of the prior art therapeutic air beds is restricted by the number of segments to be controlled as well as by the ability of the air, which is compressible fluid, to support the patient. Not always, a necessary support for the patient may be achieved by use of air bags. Hence, this is one of the reasons why air beds are not so common in health care. Addition of segments to support the patient could improve the support of the patient, but then the bed becomes complex and expensive.

[0005] Aim of invention is to design a patient bed able to provide a necessary patient support in a broader range and in the same time maintain acceptable price and complexity or simplicity.Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0007] The aim is reached by a design of a patient bed comprising a bed frame, a mattress arrangement arranged on the bed frame. The mattress arrangement comprises a plurality of cell units.

[0008] Each cell unit comprises an inner cup and an outer cup that encloses the inner cup. The cell unit also comprises an actuator within the cups so that the outer cup is movable up and down in relation to the inner cup. The cell unit is in a shape of a hexagon. The cell unit is surrounded and supported by six adjacent cell units. Each side of the hexagon cell unit is supported by one side of adjacent six cell units. This additional support allows to extend each cell unit in broader range and at the same time provides necessary patient support. The patient bed provides stable patient support.

[0009] The inner cup comprises a lower base in a shape of a hexagon and a hexagon side wall extending from the lower base. The cup is made of rigid material. In addition, the lower base of the inner cup comprises an air outlet so that an air enclosed by the inner cup and the outer cup can escape when the outer cup is moved down or towards the inner cup.

[0010] The outer cup comprises a top base in a shape of a hexagon and a hexagon side wall extending from the top base. The outer cup with its top base and side wall is formed so that the outer cup covers or encloses the inner cup in a slidable manner, in result of which a reciprocal movement of the outer cup in relation to the inner cup is provided. The outer cup is made of rigid material. The hexagon side wall of the inner cup is engaged with the hexagon side wall of the outer cup in slidable manner.

[0011] The actuator of the cell unit is located in the outer cup and interconnected between the lower base of the inner cup and the upper base of the outer cup so that the reciprocal movement of the outer cup in relation to the inner cup is provided. The actuator may be pneumatic or electric.

[0012] The lower base of the inner cup comprises a communication port. The communication port may be an air communication port or an electric communication port. It depends on what kind of actuator is used - pneumatic or electric.Brief description of the drawings

[0013] The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments of the invention. Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a patient bed in a position when all cell units (3) are in a retracted position. Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the patient bed as seen in Fig. 1 in a position, when five out of ten rows of the cell units (3) are in an extended position. Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the cell units (3) as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of the cell unit (3) as seen in Figs. 1 to 3 in a retracted position. Fig. 5 is a cross-section view of the cell unit (3) as seen in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of the cell unit (3) as seen in Figs. 1 to 3 in the extended position. Fig. 7 is a cross-section view of the cell unit (3) as seen in Fig. 6. Detailed description of the embodiments

[0014] The preferred embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the figures to illustrate the objectives, the advantages, and efficiency of the present invention.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a patient bed comprising a bed frame (1), a mattress arrangement (2) arranged on the bed frame (1). The mattress arrangement (2) comprises a plurality of cell units (3). In Fig. 1 it is illustrated when all cell units (3) are in a retracted position. Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the patient bed as seen in Fig. 1, but in a position, when five out of ten rows of the cell units (3) are in an extended position.

[0016] Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the cell units (3) as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. Each cell unit (3) is in the form of a hexagon so that each side from six sides of the cell unit (3) is supported by adjacent cell unit (3). Hence, each cell unit (3) is supported by six adjacent cell units (3) providing increased stability of the mattress arrangement (2) upon movement of said cell units (3).

[0017] Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of the cell unit (3) as seen in Figs. 1 to 3. The cell unit (3) comprises an inner cup (4) and an outer cup (5) partly enclosing said inner cup (4). The inner cup (4) comprises a lower base (41) in a shape of a hexagon and a hexagon side wall (42) extending from the lower base (41). The inner cup (4) is made of rigid material. The outer cup (5) comprises a top base (51) in a shape of a hexagon and a hexagon side wall (52) extending from the top base (51). The outer cup (5) with its top base (51) and side wall (52) is formed so that the outer cup (5) covers the inner cup (4) and reciprocal movement of the outer cup (5) in relation to the inner cup (4) is provided. The outer cup (5) also is made of rigid material. In Fig. 4 the outer cup (5) is almost completely on the inner cup (4) and in this position it is defined that the cell unit (3) is in the retracted position.

[0018] Fig. 5 is a cross-section view of the cell unit (3) as seen in Fig. 4, which in addition illustrates an inner mechanism allowing to move the outer cup (5) in relation to the inner cup (4). The cell unit (3) comprises an actuator (6) located in the outer cup (5) and interconnected between the lower base (41) of the inner cup (4) and the upper base (51) of the outer cup (5) so that the reciprocal movement of the outer cup (5) in relation to the inner cup (4) is provided. The inner cup (4) comprises an air outlet (43) and a communication port (44) located in the lower base (41) of the inner cup (4). Fig. 5 also clearly illustrates that the hexagon side wall (42) of the inner cup (4) is engaged with the hexagon side wall (52) of the outer cup (5) in slidable manner. The actuator (6) is a pneumatic actuator (6) comprising a cylinder (61) and a piston rod (62). The cylinder (61) is attached to the lower base (41) of the inner cup (4) and the piston rod (62) is attached to the top base (51) of the outer cup (5), in result of which a reciprocal movement of the piston rod (62) of the pneumatic actuator (6) provides the reciprocal movement of the outer cup (5) in relation to the inner cup (4).

[0019] Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of the cell unit (3) as seen in Figs. 1 to 3, but in the extended position. Fig. 7 is a cross-section view of the cell unit (3) as seen in Fig. 6, which is in extended position.

[0020] While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments of which have been shown by way of example in the figures and have been described in detail herein, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.List of references

[0021] 1 - a bed frame; 2 - a mattress arrangement; 3 - a cell unit; 4 - an inner cup; 41 - a lower base of inner cup; 42 - hexagon side wall of inner cup; 43 - an air outlet; 44 - an air inlet; 5 - an outer cup; 51 - a top base; 52 - a hexagon side wall of outer cup; 6 - an actuator; 61 - a cylinder; and 62 - a piston rod.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0014]The preferred embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the figures to illustrate the objectives, the advantages, and efficiency of the present invention.

[0015]Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a patient bed comprising a bed frame (1), a mattress arrangement (2) arranged on the bed frame (1). The mattress arrangement (2) comprises a plurality of cell units (3). In Fig. 1 it is illustrated when all cell units (3) are in a retracted position. Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the patient bed as seen in Fig. 1, but in a position, when five out of ten rows of the cell units (3) are in an extended position.

[0016]Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the cell units (3) as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. Each cell unit (3) is in the form of a hexagon so that each side from six sides of the cell unit (3) is supported by adjacent cell unit (3). Hence, each cell unit (3) is supported by six adjacent cell units (3) providing increased stability of the mattress arran...

Claims

1. A patient bed comprising a bed frame (1), a mattress arrangement (2) arranged on the bed frame (1), wherein the mattress arrangement (2) comprises a plurality of cell units (3), characterized in that each cell unit (3) comprises: an inner cup (4) having a lower base (41) in a shape of a hexagon and a hexagon side wall (42) extending from the lower base (41), wherein the inner cup (4) is made of rigid material; an outer cup (5) having a top base (51) in a shape of a hexagon and a hexagon side wall (52) extending from the top base (51), wherein the outer cup (5) with its top base (51) and side wall (52) is formed so that the outer cup (5) covers the inner cup (4) and reciprocal movement of the outer cup (5) in relation to the inner cup (4) is provided, wherein the outer cup (5) is made of rigid material; an actuator (6) located in the outer cup (5) and interconnected between the lower base (41) of the inner cup (4) and the upper base (51) of the outer cup (5) so that the reciprocal movement of the outer cup (5) in relation to the inner cup (4) is provided; wherein the hexagon side wall (42) of the inner cup (4) is engaged with the hexagon side wall (52) of the outer cup (5) in slidable manner, and wherein the lower base (41) of the inner cup (4) comprises an air outlet (43) so that an air enclosed by the inner cup (4) and the outer cup (5) can escape when the outer cup (5) moves towards the inner cup (4).

2. The patient bed according to claim 1, wherein the lower base (41) of the inner cup (4) comprises a communication port (44), wherein the communication port (44) is an air communication port or an electric communication port.

3. The patient bed according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuator (6) is an pneumatic actuator (6) comprising a cylinder (61) and a piston rod (62), wherein the cylinder (61) is attached to the lower base (41) of the inner cup (4) and the piston rod (62) is attached to the top base (51) of the outer cup (5), in result of which a reciprocal movement of the piston rod (62) of the pneumatic actuator (6) provides the reciprocal movement of the outer cup (5) in relation to the inner cup (4).

4. The patient bed according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cell unit (3) is surrounded and supported by six adjacent cell units (3), wherein each side of the hexagon side wall (52) of the outer cup (5) of the cell unit (3) is supported by one side of the hexagon side wall (52) of the outer cup (5) from each of adjacent six cell units (3).

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