Attachment system for patient support apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing patient support apparatuses lack an efficient attachment system that allows for secure coupling of a surface assembly to a frame assembly while permitting sliding engagement as the frame articulates between multiple positions.

Innovation Solution

The attachment system includes straps extending from the surface assembly, strap connectors coupled to the straps, and mating connectors on the frame assembly. The straps are configured to extend along the side surfaces and engage with the mating connectors, maintaining engagement while allowing sliding movement as the frame articulates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the surface assembly is rigidly coupled to the upper frame, then the coupling strength is improved, but the ability to accommodate frame articulation and prevent bunching deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling strengthVSAvoidability to accommodate frame articulation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system transitions from a rigid coupling to a dynamic coupling that allows relative movement. The straps are configured to extend along the side surfaces of the frame and permit sliding engagement between the surface assembly and the upper frame as the frame articulates between multiple positions, enabling the system to adapt to changing geometric relationships while maintaining coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system uses flexible straps instead of rigid connectors. The straps extend from the surface assembly along the side surfaces of the frame and engage with mating connectors, providing a flexible connection that can accommodate the frame's articulation movements without causing bunching or excessive tension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If the surface assembly is allowed to slide freely on the upper frame, then the ability to accommodate articulation is improved, but the coupling strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate frame articulationVSAvoidcoupling strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is segmented into multiple components: straps extending from the surface assembly, side surfaces of the frame, and mating connectors. This segmentation allows the system to maintain coupling strength through distributed attachment points while accommodating articulation through the configured extension paths of the straps along the frame's geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The straps act as intermediary elements between the surface assembly and the upper frame. They mediate the relationship by extending along the side surfaces and engaging with mating connectors, allowing the surface assembly to remain coupled to the frame while accommodating relative movement during articulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If conventional attachment methods are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to prevent bunching and improve patient comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment system complexityVSAvoidbunching and patient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system utilizes the three-dimensional geometry of the frame by extending straps along the side surfaces rather than using simple planar attachment. This dimensional approach allows the straps to follow the frame's contours during articulation, preventing bunching while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250127307A1Attachment system for patient support apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.04.24 HILL ROM SERVICES INC

AI summary

A support apparatus includes an upper frame having an upper support surface and first and second side surfaces. A surface assembly includes an outer ticking, first straps extending from the outer ticking proximate to a head end, second straps extending from the outer ticking proximate to a foot end, and a strap connector coupled to a distal end of each of the first and second straps. Mating connectors are coupled to at least one of the upper frame and the outer ticking. The first and second straps extend along the first and second side surfaces to engage with the mating connectors to couple the surface assembly to the upper frame. An engagement between the strap connectors and the mating connectors is maintained while permitting a sliding engagement between the upper support surface and the outer ticking as the upper frame articulates between multiple positions.