Rotatable bed

Abstract

The present invention relates to a patient bed at least comprising: a) a rotatable bed base; b) a bed chassis carrying the bed base, and c) four bed legs carrying the bed chassis, the four bed legs operates as in a four-post lifting trestle fashion, where the bed base is rotatable relative to the bed chassis and where the bed chassis is provided with means configured to rotate the bed base horizontally by being in rotatable engagement with the rotatable bed base.

Description

1 / 13 146591PCRotatable BedTechnical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a patient bed at least comprising a rotatable bed base.Background art

[0002] The process of transferring patients in and out of bed is a critical aspect of patient care, particularly in medical and caregiving environments. Traditional beds often pose significant challenges for both patients and caregivers, leading to potential risks and inefficiencies. Patients with limited mobility, whether due to age, injury, or illness, frequently experience discomfort and even pain during these transfers. Caregivers, on the other hand, face the physical strain of lifting and manoeuvring patients, which can result in musculoskeletal injuries and increased fatigue. These challenges underscore the need for innovative solutions that can enhance the safety, comfort, and efficiency of patient transfers.

[0003] "From the patent literature, specialised patient beds equipped with mechanisms for raising and lowering the back section and similar features are known. Notably, WO 2012031159 A2 discloses a bed in which a portion is both rotatable and vertically adjustable in sections. WO 2018022635 Al describes a bed comprising a bed surface that may be articulated and rotated (see the drawings), and a control assembly (164) located in the fixed frame and in communication with a remote control (190).Summary of the invention

[0004] In response to these issues, rotatable beds with have been designed specifically to facilitate easier and safer patient transfers. This invention aims to address the limitations of conventional beds by incorporating a novel mechanism that allows a bed base to rotate relative to the bed chassis, thereby simplifying the process of moving patients in and out of bed. The rotatable bed base not only improves the overall patient experience but also reduces the physical burden on2 / 13 146591PC caregivers, promoting a safer and more effective caregiving environment.

[0005] According to the present invention, it is provided a patient bed at least comprising: a) a rotatable bed base; b) a bed chassis carrying the bed base, and c) four bed posts carrying the bed chassis, the four bed posts operates as a four-post automotive lift, where the bed posts are configured to be vertically and linearly raised thereby lifting the chassis and thus the bed base, where the bed base is rotatable relative to the bed chassis and where the bed chassis is provided with means configured to rotate the bed base horizontally by being in rotatable engagement with the rotatable bed base. The means configured to rotate the bed base horizontally can be a linear to rotary motion converter where a first linear actuator is connected to the bed chassis and the rotary element is connected with the bed base.

[0006] In another aspect of the invention the means configured to rotate the bed base horizontally can be a rack and pinion where the rack is connected to the bed chassis and the pinion is connected to the bed base.

[0007] In yet another aspect of the invention the means configured to rotate the bed base horizontally is a rotary actuator where the driving means is connected to the bed chassis and the rotating element is connected to the bed base in a direct drive fashion.

[0008] In one aspect of the invention the bed base at least comprises: a foot section, a leg section, a seat section and a backrest section, where the foot section is in hinged engagement with the leg section, the leg section is in hinged engagement with the seat section and the seat section is in engagement with the backrest section, so that the distal head section relative to the seat section can be raised and lowered vertically and so that the distal foot section relative to the seat section can be raised and lowered vertically.3 / 13 146591PC

[0009] The backrest section can be fixed to a second actuator and the second actuator is also in engagement with the chassis of the bed, thereby providing a backrest section that can be raised from horizontal position and be lowered back too horizontal position.

[0010] A third actuator can be in engagement with the leg section via a crank connection fixed to a crankshaft where the crankshaft is fixed to the leg section and the leg section is in engagement with the foot section, so that the leg section can be lowered vertically, and the foot section will be horizontal.

[0011] In one aspect of the invention a fourth actuator is fixed to a jack section at one end of the patient bed and a fifth actuator is fixed to a jack section at the opposite end of the patient bed relative to the fourth actuator, where both jack sections are resting on ground and the fourth and the fifth actuator is in engagement with the chassis of the bed in a vertical manner, thereby enabling jacking the chassis relative to the jack sections.

[0012] The present invention also provides use of a bed for patients in health institutions according to the aspects of the patient’s bed above.

[0013] Further features and advantages will be apparent from the appended patent claims.Brief description of the drawings

[0014] The present invention will be readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0015] Fig. 1 shows a patient bed from below where only a first actuator for rotating a bed base is shown;

[0016] Fig 2 shows an example of a driving mechanism for rotation of the rotating bed base, where linear movement is converted to rotational movement in a rack and pinion fashion;

[0017] Fig 3 shows the patient bed of figure 1 in an angle from below;

[0018] . Fig 4 shows a detail of a raceway and low friction elements in engagement;

[0019] Fig 5 shows the patient bed of figure 1 from above;4 / 13 146591PC

[0020] Fig 6a shows the patient bed from above without the first actuator and with a third and fourth actuator configured to raise and lower sections of the bed base;

[0021] Fig 6b shows the fourth and the fifth actuator in detail;

[0022] Fig 7 shows details of the third actuator;

[0023] Fig 8 shows details of the fourth actuator;

[0024] Fig 9 shows details of the third actuator, note that the split of the bolt connecting with a connecting rod is not intended and is due to a technical error;

[0025] Fig 10 shows the patient bed from above with all actuators in place, i.e. in operational mode;

[0026] Fig 11 shows the patient bed from below with all actuators in place, i.e. in operational mode;

[0027] Fig 12 shows details of the patient bed seen from below;

[0028] Fig 13 shows the patient bed from an end side;

[0029] Fig. 14 shows a detail of the patient bed from the underside showing clearance between jack section and chassis of the bed;

[0030] Fig 15 shows details of the patient bed seen from below;

[0031] Fig 16a - fig 16c: shows the patient bed from above where the rotational bed base is in three different positions;

[0032] Fig 17a - Fig 17c shows the patient bed with the rotational ed base adapted for a patient sitting, i.e. backrest section is raised, and leg section is lowered.Detailed description of the invention

[0033] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] The bed base of the patient bed is vertically movable. The bed base which rests on a chassis can be lifted in the same manner as a four- post automotive lift, structurally, the bed’s chassis resembles the drive- on platform used in a four-post automotive lift.

[0035] The patient bed consists of four vertical posts where two posts at each end of the patient bed is connected by horizontal beams, forming a sturdy frame. The lifting is operated by linear actuators. The linear actuators can be hydraulically driven, and, in that case, hydraulic5 / 13 146591PC cylinders can be attached to the posts and connected to a hydraulic pump or alternatively one linear actuator can be connected to each of the two horizontal beams. Between the opposing two posts at each end of the patient bed it is arranged a bed chassis carrying a bed base. When the pump is activated, it pushes hydraulic fluid into the cylinders, causing them to extend and lift the bed chassis and thereby also lifting the bed base.

[0036] In one embodiment, all actuators can be electrically driven. Electric actuators offer a range of advantages; they can be equipped with control units and communication modules that enable easy remote control and monitoring. In one embodiment, the patient bed 100 includes five electric actuators, one or more interface units between the actuators, and a remote control. There may be one interface unit that includes a communication module and one control unit that communicates wired or wirelessly with a remote control. The communication module communicates with all the actuators and sends control signals for the operational operation of the actuators.

[0037] Alternatively, a more distributed solution can be used where the remote control communicates directly with each actuator, and each actuator is equipped with a control unit and a communication module.

[0038] Using the remote control, the bed base of the patient bed can be rotated horizontally to both sides, see figs. 16a - 16c. The bed base can be rotated between - 3 degrees and 3 degrees, g ranges between 80 - 120 degrees. In figures 16a - 16c, beta is 110 degrees. The remote control can control sections of the bed base to form a backrest 307, a seat section 306, and a footrest section 304. The sections of the bed base can include a backrest section 307, a seat section 306, a leg section 305, and a footrest section 304. The raising and lowering of the sections in the bed base are managed by a second 601 and a third actuator 602.

[0039] The bed base can be raised and lowered by a jack arrangement located at each end of the bed. The arrangement includes two actuators. Both actuators 901a, 901b can be electric and thus controlled by a remote control. The actuators are synchronized with each other to ensure that6 / 13 146591PC the bed base is raised and lowered horizontally. In one embodiment, the remote control is directly programmable; in another embodiment, the remote control can be firmware updated.

[0040] Further detail of the patient bed 100 will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. For illustrative purposes some of the figures don’t show all elements of the patient bed 100.

[0041] Figure 1 - 5 shows the patient bed only with one first actuator 105. The first actuator engages with a pinion as shown in figure 1, 2, 3 and 5, in the figures the actuator is a rack. The pinion 202 is in direct communication with the bed base 301 (ref. Fig. 17a and Fig. 17c), whilst the actuator 105 is connected with the chassis 102 of the patient bed. The rack 201 is in engagement with the pinion 202, thereby creating a rack and pinion system. The rack and pinion system converting linear motion to rotational motion, thereby providing a rotational bed base 301. To stabilize the bed base 301 with the pinion 202 the chassis 102 is provided with a raceway 103, and the bed base is provided with low friction elements which rests on the raceway 103. This enables horizontal support of the bed base 301 and low friction rotation of the bed base. The low friction elements can be a number of wheels 401a, 401d which is configured to roll on the raceway like it is shown in figure 4. Typically four wheels 401a, 401d will be sufficient however the number of wheels is a matter of design by testing. The first actuator 105 can be electrically driven and thereby be operated remotely by a remote control.

[0042] Figure 6a - 9 shows the patient bed without the rack and pinion system, thereby visualising a second 601 and a third actuator 602. The second actuator is fixed to the chassis 102 and to the head section 307 of the rotational bed base 301, to lift and lower the head section 307. The second linear actuator 601 can be electrically driven and thereby be remotely controlled. It can also be hydraulically or pneumatically driven. Figure 8 shows how the second actuator is fixed with the chassis 102 and a crossbar of the backrest section 307.

[0043] The third actuator 602 is fixed to the chassis 102 and to the footrest section 304 and the leg section 305 of the rotational bed base 301, to7 / 13 146591PC lift and lower the footrest section 304. Figure 7 and 9 shows the connection between the third actuator 602 and the leg and footrest section. The driving element 604 which is enabled to move linearly is in engagement with a connecting rod 703 rotationally hinged to a crankshaft 704 converting linear motion to rotational motion and thereby providing lifting and lowering of the leg section 305 and the footrest section 304 of the bed base 301.

[0044] The third linear actuator can be electrically driven. It can also be hydraulically or pneumatically driven.

[0045] Figure 10 - 17c shows the patient bed 100 with all five actuators in place. In addition to the above-mentioned actuators the patient bed 100 includes actuators for lifting and lowering the bed base. Note that the bed base 301 rests on the raceway 103 of the chassis, so by lifting and lowering the chassis 102 the bed base 301 follow the movement of the chassis synchronously. Lifting and lowering the chassis is managed by a fourth 901a and fifth actuator 901b. The fourth and the fifth actuator operates very similar to a four-post lifting trestle. The vertically movable part consists of the chassis. The jack lifting arrangement 101 rests on the floor. The jack lifting arrangement consists of the fourth 901a and the fifth 901b actuator, The bottom part of the fourth 901a and the fifth actuator 901 is connected to the jack lifting arrangement which rests on the floor, whilst the upper end of the fourth 901a and the fifth actuator 901b is connected to a horizontal crossbar of the chassis 102 positioned at the headboards of the patient bed 100. Figure 15 shows a clearance between the jack arrangement which includes bed wheels 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d and which rests on the floor and the chassis 102. Four vertical posts of the jack arrangement 100 and the chassis 102 collaborates in a telescopic fashion thereby enabling a stabilised lifting and lowering of the chassis 102 and the bed base 301.

[0046] Figure 16a - 17c focuses on the rotational aspects of the bed base. Figure 16a shows the bed base 301 in an outer position - / 30from being parallel to the chassis 102. The rack is shown to be at its outer position. In this particular set up the - / 30is -110°and the stroke of the8 / 13 146591PC rack is X2, where X2 in this set up is 288mm. The necessary stroke of the rack depends on the gear exchange ratio of the rack and pinion system.

[0047] Figure 16b shows the bed base in its normal position where the bed base 301 is parallel to the chassis. The stroke of the rack is here xl which with the gear ratio of the figure equals to 178mm.

[0048] Figure 16c shows the bed base 301 in an outer position 3 ° from being parallel to the chassis 102. The rack is shown to be at its inner position. In this particular set up the 30is 110°and the stroke of the rack is X0, where X0 with this gear ration is 68mm.

[0049] Figure 17a shows the patient bed 100 from above with the bed base301 rotated approximately 90° relative to the chassis 102. The bed base 301 is joined into a chair shape using the second 601 and third actuators 602. Figure 17b shows a cross-section A - A viewed from the headboard towards the folded bed base 301. Figure 17c shows the patient bed 100 seen from the side and against the back of the backrest section 307 of the bed base.9 / 13 146591PC10 / 13 146591PC11 / 13 146591PC

Claims

12 / 13 146591PCClaims1. A patient bed (100) at least comprising: a) a rotatable bed base (301); b) a bed chassis (102) carrying the rotatable bed base (301), and c) four bed posts carrying the bed chassis (102), the four bed posts operates as a four-post automotive lift , where the bed posts are configured to be vertically and linearly raised thereby lifting the chassis (102) and thus the bed base (301), where the bed base (301) is rotatable relative to the bed chassis (102) and where the bed chassis (102) is provided with means (105, 201, 202) configured to rotate the rotatable bed base (301) horizontally by being in rotatable engagement with the rotatable bed base (301).

2. A patient bed (100) according to claim 1 where the means (105, 201, 202) configured to rotate the rotatable bed base (301) horizontally is a linear to rotary motion converter where a first linear actuator (201) is connected to the bed chassis (102) and the rotary element is connected with the rotatable bed base (301).

3. A patient bed (100) according to claim 1 where the means (105, 201, 202) configured to rotate the rotatable bed base (301) horizontally is a rack and pinion (201, 202) where the rack (201) is connected to the bed chassis (102) and the pinion (202) is connected to the rotatable bed base (301).

4. A patient bed (100) according to claim 1 where the means (105, 201, 202) configured to rotate the bed base (301) horizontally is a rotary actuator where the driving means (105, 201, 202) is connected to the bed chassis (102) and the rotating element (202) is connected to the rotatable bed base (301) in a direct drive fashion.

5. A patient bed (100) according to any one of claims 1 - 4 where the rotatable bed base (301) at least comprises: a foot section (304), a leg section (305), a seat section (306) and a backrest section (307), where the foot section (304) is in hinged engagement with the leg section (305), the leg section (305) is in hinged engagement with the seat section (306) and the seat section (306) is in engagement with the backrest section (307), so that the distal head section relative to the seat section (306) can13 / 13 146591PC be raised and lowered vertically and so that the distal foot section (304) relative to the seat section (306) can be raised and lowered vertically.

6. A patient bed (100) according to claim 5 where the backrest section (307) is fixed to a second actuator (601) and the second actuator (601) is also in engagement with the chassis of the bed (102), thereby providing a backrest section (307) that can be raised from horizontal position and be lowered back too horizontal position.

7. A patient bed (100) according to claim 5 where a third actuator (602) is in engagement with the leg section (305) via a crank connection fixed to a crankshaft where the crankshaft is fixed to the leg section (305) and the leg section (305) is in engagement with the foot section (304), so that the leg section (305) can be lowered vertically, and the foot section will be horizontal.

8. A patient bed (100) according to anyone of the previous claims where a fourth actuator (901a) is fixed to a jack section at one end of the patient bed (100) and a fifth actuator (901b) is fixed to a jack section at the opposite end of the patient bed (100) relative to the fourth actuator (901a), where both jack sections are resting on ground and the fourth (901a) and the fifth actuator (901b) is in engagement with the chassis of the bed (102) in a vertical manner, thereby enabling jacking the chassis (102) relative to the jack sections.

9. A patient bed (100) according to anyone of the previous claims where the actuators are electrically operated.

10. A patient bed (100) according to claim 9 where the actuators includes communication modules and control modules enabling the operation of the actuators to be operated remotely.

11. A patient bed (100) according to claim 9 where the actuators are in communication with a control unit attached to the patient bed (100) and where the control unit includes a communication interface for communication with a remote control.

12. Use of a bed (100) for patients in health institutions according to claim 1 -

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