Patient Bed Siderail Linkage for Pinch-Free Compact Stowing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing siderail mechanisms for medical beds are inefficient due to multiple-step operations, require significant lateral space, and create pinch points during movement, which can lead to injuries and operational difficulties in limited medical facility settings.
Innovation Solution
A movable siderail apparatus with upper and lower pivots and a guiding mechanism that allows for rotational movement in a vertical plane parallel to the bed, eliminating pinch points by maintaining obtuse angles between support arms and the siderail edge, and enabling lateral movement towards the bed during rotation, thus reducing the overall width when stowed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional clock-type swing mechanism is used for siderail movement, then the siderail can be raised or lowered by rotation, but pinch points are created between the siderails and the arms during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the movement plane from a vertical plane (traditional clock-type swing) to a horizontal plane. The siderail moves laterally away from and toward the bed frame while maintaining its height, eliminating the vertical rotation that creates pinch points between arms and siderail edges.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple-step operation is used for siderail movement, then the siderail can be positioned accurately, but the operation becomes inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple movement functions into a single lateral sliding motion. The siderail simultaneously achieves positioning and movement in one continuous horizontal action, eliminating the need for separate steps of raising/lowering and positioning that characterize traditional mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If traditional siderail mechanism is used, then the siderail can be raised and lowered, but significant lateral space is required for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the siderail movement from vertical rotation requiring lateral clearance to horizontal sliding that occurs within the existing lateral footprint. The guiding mechanism enables the siderail to move laterally away from and toward the bed frame without requiring additional lateral space for the movement arc.
4Device complexity
If the siderail is moved in a single vertical plane, then the mechanism is simple, but pinch points are created during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a horizontal movement dimension while maintaining structural simplicity. The guiding mechanism consists of straightforward horizontal guides that enable lateral sliding motion, keeping the overall mechanism simple while eliminating pinch points by avoiding vertical rotation during movement.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a movable siderail apparatus (5) for use with a patient support apparatus. The siderail apparatus (5) is configured to move the siderail body (14) associated therewith in a clock-type swing movement relative to the patient support apparatus. Two or more support arms (20) are disposed between the intermediate frame or the deck support of the patient support apparatus and the siderail body (14), each support arm (20) having two pivots (30, 40), a first (40) rotatably connecting it to the intermediate frame or deck support and a second (30) rotatably connecting it to the siderail body (14), thereby enabling the siderail body (14) to be raised or lowered vertically by a rotation substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the patient support apparatus. In a first preferred embodiment, the angles defined between each support arm (20) and a lower edge of the siderail (9) are substantially obtuse during rotational movement of the siderail (9). In a second preferred embodiment, a guiding mechanism (110) is operatively connected to the cross-member (70) and two or more lower pivots (40), such that the guiding mechanism (110) provides means for lateral movement of the siderail (9) toward and away from the support apparatus.