Pivoting Siderail Over-Bed Table to Cut Bed Clutter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional over-bed tables in healthcare and home care settings are heavy, complex, require effort to attach and detach, and contribute to clutter due to their size and permanence or non-permanence.

Innovation Solution

A combined siderail/over-bed table unit that can pivot to serve as both a siderail and an over-bed table, with a permanent connection to the bed frame, allowing for easy conversion between the two functions without increasing the bed's footprint or weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a permanently affixed over-bed table is used, then the table is always available for use, but the weight and complexity of the bed increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of tableVSAvoidcomplexity of bed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The siderail is designed to perform dual functions: serving as a protective siderail during patient care and transforming into an over-bed table when needed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate permanently affixed table, reducing bed complexity while maintaining table availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a permanently affixed over-bed table is used, then the table is always available for use, but the weight of the bed increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of tableVSAvoidweight of bed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The siderail structure is engineered to serve as both a protective barrier and a functional table surface. By integrating the table function into the existing siderail mass rather than adding a separate table structure, the design provides table availability without proportionally increasing bed weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a non-permanently attachable table is used, then the bed structure remains simple, but effort is required to attach and detach the table

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of bedVSAvoideffort to attach and detach table

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The siderail incorporates a drop-side mechanism with latches that allows dynamic transformation between siderail and table configurations. This dynamic design enables easy conversion between functions through simple latch operation, eliminating the effort required to attach and detach separate tables while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If a C-shaped over-bed table is used, then the table is easy to position and reposition, but it expands the footprint of the bed and contributes to facility clutter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of positioning tableVSAvoidfootprint of bed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The table surface is designed to nest within or alongside the bed structure when not in use. The C-shaped configuration allows the table portion to tuck under the bed or align with the siderail profile, minimizing the expanded footprint and reducing facility clutter while maintaining ease of positioning when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS9492340B2Combined siderail and over-bed table

Publication Date: 2016.11.15 HILL ROM SERVICES INC

AI summary

A combined siderail/over-bed table unit 42 for a bed 20 has a table position in which at least part 62 of the unit overlies a mattress region 48 of the bed thereby serving as an over-bed table and also has a siderail position allowing the unit to serve as a siderail.