U.S. patent application number 10/729590 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-26 for hospital bed table with a video display.
Invention is credited to Frenkel, William, Schoenbach, Stanley F..
Application Number | 20040163574 10/729590 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32871792 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040163574 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schoenbach, Stanley F. ; et
al. |
August 26, 2004 |
Hospital bed table with a video display
Abstract
A display assembly includes a screen adapted to display images
and a support structure holding the screen and being adapted to
selectively rotate the screen and to mount the screen, either
temporarily or permanently, to a platform such as a table. The
system further includes a case mounted on the support structure
with electronic circuitry receiving and processing incoming
electronic signals and sending corresponding signals to the screen
for display. The screen can be rotated between an upright position
in which the images are visible and a rest position in which the
images are not visible.
Inventors: |
Schoenbach, Stanley F.;
(Bronx, NY) ; Frenkel, William; (Riverdale,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GOTTLIEB RACKMAN & REISMAN PC
270 MADISON AVENUE
8TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
100160601
|
Family ID: |
32871792 |
Appl. No.: |
10/729590 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60431460 |
Dec 6, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
108/50.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 23/046
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/050.01 |
International
Class: |
A47B 037/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A table and display assembly comprising: a table having a
platform; and display system coupled to said platform and including
signal receiving and processing circuitry and a screen connected to
said circuitry and adapted to receive video signals and to display
images corresponding to said video signals.
2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said display system includes a
pivoting arm attached to said screen to pivot said screen between a
viewable position and a rest position.
3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said screen is facing the
platform in said rest position.
4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said system includes a clamp for
selectively installing and removing said system from said
table.
5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said table is a bedside
table.
6. A display system comprising: a support structure; a screen
adapted to receive signals and to display images from said signals,
said screen being attached to said support structure; and a
mounting member adapted to hold said support structure, said
mounting member including coupling means for coupling to a
platform.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein said screen is a flat screen.
8. The system of claim 6 wherein said support structure includes a
first arm secured to said mounting member.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein said support structure includes a
second arm mounted between said first arm and said screen.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein said support structure includes a
bracket supporting said screen, said second arm being coupled to
said bracket.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein said support structure is
adapted to provide rotation of said screen along at least one
axis.
12. The system of claim 10 wherein said support structure is
adapted to rotate said screen along two axes independently.
13. The system of claim 6 further comprising a case attached to
said support structure and electronic circuitry disposed in said
case and adapted to receive signals and to transmit said signals to
said screen.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein said electronic circuitry is a
PC.
15. The system of claim 6 wherein said support structure includes
an arm adapted to rotate said screen selectively between a first
and a second position, said first position defining an operating
position in which images are viewed and a second position in which
the screen is positioned so that the images are not visible.
16. The system of claim 6 wherein said mounting member includes a
vertical pole, and coupling members for coupling said pole to a
bedside table.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to application S. No.
60/431,460 filed on Dec. 6, 2002 and incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] This invention pertains to a table adapted for positioning
above a hospital bed and incorporating a video display. The display
is movable between an upright or operational position and a
horizontal position.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Hospital patients frequently require access to TV services
and other forms of entertainment and means of occupying their time,
especially if they are bed-ridden. Some hospitals have rooms
equipped with wall-mounted TVs. Other hospitals use television
stands (See, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,405) that can
position a TV near a hospital bed.
[0006] However, even with these types of stands, the patients are
dissatisfied since they desire other systems that, in addition, to
TV services, may provide other functions, such as an interactive
PC-type system with entertainment software, including Internet
access. Moreover, since patients also require a table for eating,
TV stands further clutter the space around the patient's bed and
make it difficult for the patient, doctors, nurses, visitors to
move around.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In view of the above, a table is provided in the present
invention that includes a video display associated with a PC-type
controller. The table is preferably mounted on a rolling frame and
is constructed and arranged so that it is positioned over a
hospital bed so that it can be used by a patient. With the present
modification, the patient can use the table for normal activities
and in addition allows the patient to watch tv programs on the
video display, or use the controller together with a keyboard to
operate various software and/or access the Internet.
[0008] Preferably, a table and display assembly according to this
invention includes a table having a platform; and display system
attached said platform and including a case with signal receiving
and processing circuitry and a screen connected to said circuitry
and adapted to receive video signals and to display images
corresponding to said video signals. The display system may include
a pivoting arm attached to said screen to pivot said screen between
a viewable position and a rest position, with the screen facing the
platform in the rest position.
[0009] The system also includes a mounting member such as a clamp
for selectively installing and removing said system from said
table.
[0010] Preferably the table is a bedside table used in a
hospital.
[0011] In another aspect of the invention, a display system
includes a support structure; a screen adapted to receive signals
and to display images from said signals, said screen being attached
to said support structure; and a mounting member adapted to mount
said support structure on a platform.
[0012] Preferably. the screen is a flat screen.
[0013] The support structure may includes a first arm secured to
said mounting member and a second arm mounted between said first
arm and said screen. The support structure may include a bracket
supporting said screen, said second arm being coupled to said
bracket.
[0014] Preferably the support structure is adapted to provide
rotation of said screen along at least one axis, and preferably two
axes, independently.
[0015] The system further includes a case attached to said support
structure and electronic circuitry disposed in said case and
adapted to receive signals and to transmit said signals to said
screen. Preferably the electronic circuitry is a PC.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a table constructed in
accordance with this invention with the display in the open
position;
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a side elevational view of the table of FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
constructed in accordance with this invention with the display in
the open position;
[0019] FIG. 4 shows a side elevational view of the table of FIG. 3
with the display in the closed position;
[0020] FIG. 5 shows a side elevational view of a table with an
alternate embodiment of the invention; and
[0021] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.
5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the table T has a U-shaped
configuration having a base B mounted on coasters, an upright U and
a platform P. The height of the platform P can be changed in the
usual manner by adjusting the length of the upright U to allow the
platform P to be positioned in a cantilevered fashioned over a
hospital bed (not shown). These types of tables are available from
several suppliers.
[0023] A video assembly 10 is attached to the table. It includes an
LCD video display 12, a control module 16, a tuner section 14 and a
support structure 18 that supports these elements on the table.
Preferably the video display includes integral speakers (not shown)
to allow the patient to hear the audio portion of the respective
program. Alternatively, external speakers may be provided.
[0024] The tuner section 14 allows a patient to select the program
that he wants to watch and provides audio-video signals to the
video display 12. Preferably the following components may be
used.
[0025] The LCD video display 12 could be a 15" flat plasma screen
monitor made by Amptron-Model No. LSEX-TA or equivalent.
[0026] The control module 16 could be a thin client computing
appliance such as a `EON ANYTHING BOX` made by Neoware, or
equivalent.
[0027] The tuner section 14 could be Viewsonic Model No.VBSOHRTV or
equivalent.
[0028] Obviously other components may be used as well.
[0029] These components are electrically connected to each other by
cables that have been omitted for the sake of clarity. In addition,
the tuner section 14 is also connected by a suitable cable to an
external video signal source to provide the video programs and to
an ac outlet to provide power to the assembly.
[0030] The support structure 18 includes a bracket 3, an L-shaped
arm 13 and a lower arm 1A. These elements are channels made of
steel, aluminum or other similar material that is strong enough to
support the display assembly. The channels provide internal
pathways which can be used to run the cables interconnecting the
components described above.
[0031] The bracket 3 is provided with a mounting leg 20. The
mounting leg 20 is secured rigidly to the bottom surface of
platform P by screws 6 and a mounting plate 5.
[0032] Attached laterally to the bracket 3 is a housing 2. This
housing 2 is sized and shaped to hold the tuner section 16 as
shown. The front portion of the housing is open to allow the tuner
section 16 to be readily removed by the patient or an
attendant.
[0033] Lower arm 1A has a pivoting joint or bushing 1B (including
screw 7) that joins it to the lower end of bracket 3. The opposite
end of the lower arm 1A supports a housing 4. This housing 4 holds
the control module 14. The housing 4 is provided with cutouts that
allow the removal of the control module 14. Preferably, the bottom
of the housing 4 is provided with one or more holes (not shown).
The cables connected to the control module 14 pass through these
holes and are connected to the control module 14. The joint 1B
allows the arm 1A and the housing 4 to pivot with respect to the
bracket 3 by up to 90 degrees to allow the insertion and/or removal
of the cables from the control module 14.
[0034] The arm 13 has a joint or bushing 28 (including a standard
screw 7A) at its lower end to pivotally connect it to the bracket
3. The upper end of the arm 13 is provided with two swivel-type
joints or bushings 30 and 32. Joint 30 is directly attached to the
arm 13 while joint 32 is attached to a mounting plate 34. The
mounting plate is attached to the back of display 12. The joints
28, 30, and 32 provide several degrees of movement for the display
12. First, the display 12 can move from a vertical or open position
shown in FIG. 1 to a closed or rest position shown in FIG. 2 (at
12A) by pivoting the arm 13 at joint 28. This motion is indicated
in FIG. 2 by arrow Z. The open position is the operational position
of the display because it can be viewed in this position by the
patient. The display 12 can be pivoted to the closed position when
the patient does not desire to see a program.
[0035] Additionally, the display 12 can be pivoted along joint 30
slightly up and down with respect to the bracket 3 as indicated by
arrow X in FIG. 1. The position of the display can also be adjusted
laterally by pivoting it along joint 32 as indicated by arrow Yin
FIG. 1.
[0036] If desired the components 12, 14, 16 can be adapted to
provide the patient access to the Internet. For this purpose, the
system may also include a keyboard (not shown).
[0037] FIGS. 3 and 4 show an alternate embodiment of the invention.
In this embodiment, a table T1 is provided with a platform P1
supporting a TV display assembly 100. The assembly 100 includes
three components: a support structure 110, a PC case 112 and a
video display 114.
[0038] The support structure includes a clamp assembly 120. The
clamp assembly 120 includes a top horizontal member 122, a bottom
horizontal member 124 and a vertical member 126 connecting the two
horizontal members. Two or more bolts (not shown) are used to clamp
the two horizontal members 122, 124 to the platform P1.
[0039] Of course, other structures may be used to attach the
display system to the table platform.
[0040] The support structure 110 further includes a lower arm 130,
an L-shaped upper arm 132 and a mounting bracket 134. The lower arm
130 is connected to the clamp 120 and is joined to the upper arm
132 by a bushing 136 that allows the upper arm 134 to pivot with
respect to the lower arm 130 along a horizontal axis. The upper arm
132 is connected to the bracket 134 by a bushing 138 that allows
the bracket to pivot about a horizontal I axis. The bracket 134
includes a third bushing 140 that allows a portion 142 of the
bracket to pivot with respect to the arm 132 about a vertical axis.
This portion 142 is secured to, and supports the display 114. The
bushings 138, 140 allow the display 114 to be positioned at a
comfortable viewing angle. The bushing 136 allows the display to be
pivoted between the upright position shown in FIG. 3 and a
horizontal, or rest position shown in FIG. 4 in which the display
can be resting on the platform P1.
[0041] The case 112 is similar to a standard PC case and is
attached to the lower arm 130 and/or clamp 120. The case has
several cutouts 142. The case 112 is used to hold a PC circuitry
144 including a mother board, CD and DVD drives, etc. (not shown).
A CD disc, a DVD disc or other similar media may be inserted
through cutouts 142. The case is also provided with a card reader
146 that may be coupled to the PC circuitry 144 through a USB port
or other similar means (not shown). This reader allows a patient or
other individuals to order services on line, to provide an
identification means for certain restrictive functions, etc.
[0042] The video display 114 is pivotable between two positions, as
described above, and may be provided with a video camera 148 with a
built-in microphone and a touch screen 150. The touch screen 150
allows the patient to generate commands for the PC circuitry 144.
The video display 114 may be an LCD type, a plasma type or other
similar screen that is relatively thin and has a low power
consumption. The connectors between the display 114 and the PC
circuitry 144 are passed through the support structure 110. The
assembly may also be provided with a wired or wireless keyboard
and/or mouse.
[0043] A major difference between the two embodiments is that in
the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the table is constructed at
the same time and integral with the display assembly. In the
embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 the screen assembly can be added to an
existing bedside table by the clamp 120. Another difference is that
in the first embodiment, a thin or flat screen is provided with
receives analog TV signals from the tuner 16. In the second
embodiment, the display 114 is computer-type monitor that receives
signals from the PC circuitry 144. The signals may be received
through a cable connection, via a wired or wireless
interconnection, etc. If a tuner is necessary, it is incorporated
into the PC circuitry 144.
[0044] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of the invention, In
this embodiment a standard table T is provided with the usual base
B and platform P. The platform P can be shifted vertically in the
usual manner. The base B is formed with support legs L mounted on
casters C. In this embodiment, the display assembly 200 includes a
horizontal base plate 210 with one or more casters 212. The base
plate is secured to the legs L by two tie members 214. The base
plate 210 supports a pole 216 having a circular cross-section. The
pole 216 may have other cross-sections as well. Mounted on the pole
is a support sleeve 218 that is slidable on the pole 216 and is
clamped to the platform P. The purpose of the support sleeve is to
secure the pole 216 in the vertical position shown.
[0045] Above platform P, there is a second sleeve 220 supporting a
bracket 222. The second sleeve 220 can be positioned vertically at
will along the pole 216 ti thereby position display 226. The
bracket 222 is connected to the second sleeve 220 through two
bushings or joints 228, 230 that allow the display 226 to be
rotated slightly either up or down, or sideways, as desired by the
patient. Also mounted on the pole is a PC case 232 similar to the
case 112. The PC circuitry is disposed in the PC case 232.
[0046] In all the embodiments discussed above, the PC circuitry is
disposed in its own case. In some instances, the PC circuitry may
be integrated into the display 114, 226, in which the respective PC
case may be omitted.
[0047] The display assembly described herein has several advantages
over the prior art, as follows. While existing TVs are placed far
away from the patient, the present screen can be located close to
the patient so that the patient can see it easier. In addition, the
touch screen further facilitates interaction between the patient
and the system.
[0048] While most prior art TV screens consist of large, power
hungry CRT tubes, the present display preferably consists of a flat
panel screen that uses less energy, requires less space and is
easily movable within the hospital room by a patient, nurse,
attendant, etc.
[0049] The invention provides a PC that can be used not only for
communications, entertainment, (e.g., IP telephony, conferencing,
Internet access, games) etc. by the patient, but may also be used
to transmit and receive information by other bedside personnel.
[0050] The embodiments of FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 5 can be easily
implemented by incorporating the display into a new table or by
mounting it on an existing table.
[0051] While wall mounted TVs are permanent fixtures, the present
display assembly can be easily placed into any hospital removed,
and removed to storage at will. Moreover, the assembly can be made
modular so that some patients may need and receive only TV service,
other patients may be provided a PC programmed to provide
conferencing, telephone communications, and/or other
functionality.
[0052] The invention allows a hospital to get a high speed (such as
T1) digital connection and to distribute services to the patient
bedside, including TV services and other services through its
internal secure network. In this manner, the hospital can also
provide high speed and secure data transmission to the patient
bedside to be used by health professionals as well.
[0053] In addition to the functions described above, the display
assembly can be used to provide other functions and services. As
described above, the assembly can be used to provide IP telephony.
Through this protocol, the patient can talk to various friends and
relatives. Moreover, with the use of the camera 148, the
participants in a telephone conversation or conference can also see
each other (assuming, of course, that the other parties also have
suitable cameras). However, the system can be used to provide a
three-way communication between the patient, hospital personnel (a
nurse, a doctor, etc.) and an interpreter. Thus, if the patient and
the doctor do not share a language, they can talk to each other
through an interpreter. While a voice-only connection may be
sufficient, the use of video and voice connection is much more
convenient in such a situation. Moreover, similar communications
may be established with other third parties, such as insurance
carriers. An important variation on this function is to provide
communication with a deaf person through a sign-language
interpreter. In another variation, the assembly includes a Braille
keyboard so that it can be operated by a blind patient.
[0054] The assembly may also be used to provide the patient with
means of checking his bill, means of asking questions from the
administration, means of receiving messages from the administration
or medical staff, means of checking out from the hospital, etc.
[0055] The display assembly has been described in conjunction with
a hospital bed. The display assembly may also be mounted on another
type of table used in other environments, such as courts, law
offices, immigration services, etc.
[0056] While the invention has been described with reference to
several particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these
embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the
invention. Accordingly, the embodiments described in particular
should be considered as exemplary, not limiting, with respect to
the following claims.
* * * * *