Deployable Endboard Footboard for Assisted Bed Egress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing person-support apparatuses, such as hospital beds and stretchers, often require improved ingress/egress assistance as current devices like grab bars and handles are insufficient for efficient entry and exit, particularly when transitioning between horizontal and chair configurations.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a dual endboard assembly with a first endboard body that rotates between two orientations and a second endboard body that moves between a storage and deployed position, utilizing movement mechanisms with locking systems and grip portions to facilitate safe and assisted ingress/egress in various configurations of the person-support apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional grab bars and handles are used for ingress/egress assistance, then the device structure remains simple, but the assistance effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The footboard is designed with dynamic movement capability, allowing it to rotate between a first position (parallel to longitudinal axis) and a second position (perpendicular to longitudinal axis). This dynamic repositioning enables the footboard to provide effective assistance during different phases of ingress/egress operations, resolving the contradiction between assistance effectiveness and structural simplicity by introducing controlled motion rather than complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The endboard assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural component of the person-support apparatus, provides ingress/egress assistance when rotated to the second position, and maintains spatial clearance when in the first position. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address various operational needs without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Reliability
If the footboard is positioned to assist ingress/egress, then assistance effectiveness improves, but spatial clearance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The footboard's ability to rotate between two distinct positions enables it to dynamically adjust its spatial occupation. When ingress/egress assistance is needed, it rotates to the second position providing optimal assistance. When not in use, it rotates to the first position maintaining spatial clearance, thus resolving the contradiction between assistance effectiveness and spatial clearance requirements
Data Source
AI summary
An endboard for a person-support apparatus comprises an endboard assembly including a first endboard body rotatably coupled to a frame and a second endboard body rotatably coupled to the first endboard body by a locking mechanism. The second endboard body is configured to be movable between a storage position and a deployed position with respect to the first endboard body. The locking mechanism is configured to selectively maintain the second endboard body in at least one of the storage position and the deployed position with respect to the first endboard body. The second endboard body is configured to assist a person during at least one of ingress and egress to/from the frame when the second endboard body is in the deployed position.