Patient Bed Extension Accessory for Adjustable Support and Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patient beds are cumbersome due to their large size, making them difficult to maneuver in medical environments, and often require extension to accommodate various patient sizes, which complicates mobility.
Innovation Solution
A bed extension accessory featuring moveable beams and an actuating assembly that allows the patient support surface to be extended or stowed, with connection blocks and an extension plate for secure attachment, enabling adjustable length and width adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the patient bed is made large enough to comfortably support various patient sizes, then patient support capability is improved, but mobility becomes arduous and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The bed is divided into a base bed and an extension accessory that can be separately attached. The extension accessory includes movable beams with locking mechanisms that allow it to be detached and reattached, enabling the bed to be configured in different sizes based on patient needs while maintaining ease of mobility when the extension is removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension accessory incorporates movable beams with locking mechanisms that allow dynamic adjustment between extended and retracted states. The locking bodies can engage with pockets in the beams to secure the extension in place, or be disengaged to allow movement, providing adaptability between support capability and mobility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the patient bed is made large enough to support various patient sizes, then patient support capability is improved, but the bed becomes cumbersome to move through door openings and hallways
Solution Approach 1:
The bed system is segmented into a base unit and an extension accessory. The extension accessory can be detached when not needed, reducing the overall size and complexity for moving through door openings and hallways, while providing extended support capability when attached.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension functionality is extracted as a separate accessory that can be attached or removed independently from the base bed. This allows the bed to be moved in its compact base configuration through narrow passages, with the extension added only when patient size requirements necessitate it.
3Area of stationary object
If the patient bed is extended to accommodate larger patients, then patient support surface area is improved, but maneuverability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The extension accessory uses movable beams with locking mechanisms that allow the support surface area to be dynamically adjusted. When the locking bodies are engaged in the pockets, the extension is secured providing maximum support area. When disengaged, the beams can move freely, reducing the overall footprint and improving maneuverability.
Data Source
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AI summary
An extension accessory (12) for a patient bed (10) includes an extension plate (32) that has a peripheral edge defining a top surface for supporting a patient and a bottom surface with a plurality of holes extending through the top and bottom surfaces. A plurality of connection blocks (28) each include a top block surface (84) spaced from a bottom block surface (82). An engagement profile (30) is between the top block surface (84) and the bottom block surface (82) that is sized to be coupled to a moveable beam (14A, 14B). An opening (94) extends through the top block surface (84), and a plurality of fastening members (105) are each configured to be inserted through one of the holes of the extension plate (32) and the opening (94) of one of the plurality of connection blocks (28).