Pivoting Bed Assist Handle Assembly for Unobstructed Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assist handle designs for beds, such as hospital and nursing home beds, are either too rigid and cumbersome or too heavy, making them difficult to attach and remove, and they often obstruct access to the bed occupant, which is aesthetically unappealing and complicates sheet changes.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible assist handle assembly with adjustable attachment arms and pivotable support arms that can be easily repositioned and locked, allowing the handle to be raised or lowered to accommodate user needs, providing both support and unobstructed access to the bed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid frame member is bolted or welded directly to the bed frame, then the assist handle provides stable support, but it hinders access to the bed occupant and makes it difficult to assist or treat the occupant
Solution Approach 1:
The assist handle is designed with pivotable support arms that can rotate between a raised position (providing support) and a lowered position (providing access). This dynamic configuration allows the handle to transition between providing stable support and facilitating access to the bed occupant, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If permanent-fixture side rails are installed on the bed frame, then the assist handle provides continuous support, but it causes considerable difficulty during the changing of sheets and blankets on the bed
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable support arms allow the assist handle to be lowered when not in use, clearing the path for sheet and blanket changes. This dynamic design maintains continuous support capability while eliminating the obstruction problem during bed maintenance activities.
3Ease of operation
If retractable bedrail devices that rotate around a single axis are used, then the device can be easily stowed to render the top surface of the bed more easily accessible, but the design is limited to single-axis rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms are configured to rotate about different axes, providing multi-directional movement capability. This enhances the adaptability of the device while maintaining the ability to easily stow the assist handle for bed surface accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Assist handle assemblies and beds with an assist handle assembly are presented herein. In one embodiment, an assist handle assembly includes a mounting frame for attaching to a support platform. A first support arm is pivotably attached to the mounting frame to rotate about a first axis. A second support arm is pivotably attached to the mounting frame to rotate about a second axis, which is different from the first axis. The first and second support arms remain substantially parallel while rotating about respective axes between various positions. In another embodiment, a bed assembly includes a bed frame with a mounting frame attached thereto. First and second support arms are pivotably attached to the mounting frame at first and second locations, respectively, to rotate between raised and lowered positions. A handle with an arcuate body is pivotably attached to the first and second support arms, maintaining a constant concave-down orientation.