U.S. patent application number 12/429936 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-29 for expandable overbed table.
This patent application is currently assigned to AMICO CLINICAL SOLUTIONS CORP.. Invention is credited to Erica Berlin, Sarah Corey.
Application Number | 20090266274 12/429936 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41213732 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090266274 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Berlin; Erica ; et
al. |
October 29, 2009 |
EXPANDABLE OVERBED TABLE
Abstract
An overbed table with a primary table top may be expanded
through the deployment of a secondary table top. Advantageously, by
appropriately arranging the position of the manner by which the
secondary table top is mounted to the overbed table, the top
surface of the secondary table top can occupy the same plane as the
top surface of the primary table top. Additionally, the overbed
table may incorporate further features including equipment rails,
power receptacles, networking receptacles and a computing
device.
Inventors: |
Berlin; Erica; (Toronto,
CA) ; Corey; Sarah; (Uxbridge, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RIDOUT & MAYBEE LLP
225 KING STREET WEST, 10TH FLOOR
TORONTO
ON
M5V 3M2
CA
|
Assignee: |
AMICO CLINICAL SOLUTIONS
CORP.
Richmond Hill
CA
|
Family ID: |
41213732 |
Appl. No.: |
12/429936 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61047977 |
Apr 25, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/6 ; 108/28;
108/50.01; 108/50.02; 108/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 23/046 20130101;
A47B 9/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/6 ; 108/80;
108/28; 108/50.02; 108/50.01 |
International
Class: |
A47B 23/06 20060101
A47B023/06; A47B 1/04 20060101 A47B001/04; A47B 9/20 20060101
A47B009/20; A47B 23/00 20060101 A47B023/00; A47B 23/04 20060101
A47B023/04 |
Claims
1. An overbed table comprising: a base; a vertical support with a
first end attached to said base; a primary table top attached to
said vertical support at a second end of said vertical support; and
a secondary table top having a first position in which a top
surface of said secondary table top is coplanar with a top surface
of said primary table top.
2. The overbed table of claim 1 wherein said secondary table top
has a second position in which said top surface of said secondary
table top is perpendicular to said top surface of said primary
table top.
3. The overbed table of claim 2 further comprising a hinge
connecting said secondary table top to said primary table top.
4. The overbed table of claim 1 further comprising a support brace
connecting an underside of said secondary table top to said
vertical support adapted to releasably maintain said secondary
table top in said first position.
5. The overbed table of claim 1 further comprising a support beam
slidably extendable out from a first support position entirely
under said primary table top to a second support position partially
under said primary table top and partially under said secondary
table top.
6. The overbed table of claim 1 further comprising a hinge
connecting said secondary table top to said vertical support
beam.
7. The overbed table of claim 6 wherein said vertical support beam
includes a plurality of locations at which said hinge may be
positioned.
8. An overbed table comprising: a base; a vertical support
including: an inner beam with a first end attached to said base;
and an outer beam with a first end surrounding said inner beam,
said outer beam including equipment rails allowing for attachment
of equipment; and a primary table top attached to said outer beam
at a second end of said outer beam.
9. The overbed table of claim 8 wherein said equipment rails extend
along a length of said outer beam.
10. The overbed table of claim 8 wherein said equipment rails
extend generally perpendicular to a length of said outer beam.
11. The overbed table of claim 8 wherein said equipment rails
comprise extruded aluminum secured to said outer beam.
12. The overbed table of claim 8 wherein said outer beam comprises
an aluminum extrusion arranged to integrally include said equipment
rails.
13. An overbed table comprising a base; a vertical support with a
first vertical support end attached to said base; a primary table
top attached to said vertical support at a second vertical support
end of said vertical support; a power cord terminating at a first
power cord end at a male electrical connector and terminating at a
second power cord end at a power receptacle.
14. The overbed table of claim 13 further comprising a cantilever
support attaching said primary table top to said vertical
support.
15. The overbed table of claim 14 wherein said cantilever support
defines an aperture in which is mounted said power receptacle.
16. The overbed table of claim 14 wherein said primary table top
defines an aperture in which is mounted said power receptacle.
17. The overbed table of claim 13 further comprising: a cord
retractor attached to said overbed table; said power cord
comprising: a retractable power cord portion terminating at a first
retractable power cord portion end at said male electrical
connector and terminating at a second retractable power cord
portion end in said cord retractor; and an internal power cord
portion terminating at a first internal power cord portion end at a
connection to said retractable power cord and terminating at a
second internal power cord portion end at said power
receptacle.
18. The overbed table of claim 17 wherein said cord retractor
comprises: an axle to which said retractable power cord portion is
attached; a biasing component adapted to bias said axle to coil
said retractable power cord portion around said axle.
19. An overbed table comprising: a base; a vertical support with a
first vertical support end attached to said base; a primary table
top attached to said vertical support at a second vertical support
end of said vertical support; a power cord terminating at a first
power cord end at a male electrical connector and terminating at a
second power cord end at a division circuit adapted to provide
power connections to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) receptacle.
20. The overbed table of claim 19 further comprising a cantilever
support attaching said primary table top to said vertical
support.
21. The overbed table of claim 20 wherein said cantilever support
defines an aperture in which is mounted said USB receptacle.
22. The overbed table of claim 20 wherein said primary table top
defines an aperture in which is mounted said USB receptacle.
23. The overbed table of claim 19 further comprising: a cord
retractor attached to said overbed table; said power cord
comprising: a retractable power cord portion terminating at a first
retractable power cord portion end at said male electrical
connector and terminating at a second retractable power cord
portion end in said cord retractor; and an internal power cord
portion terminating at a first internal power cord portion end at a
connection to said retractable power cord portion and terminating
at a second internal power cord portion end at said division
circuit.
24. An overbed table comprising: a base; a vertical support with a
first vertical support end attached to said base; a primary table
top attached to said vertical support at a second vertical support
end of said vertical support; a data cable terminating at a first
data cable end at a male data connector and terminating at a second
data cable end at a data receptacle.
25. The overbed table of claim 24 wherein said data receptacle is
an RJ45 Ethernet port.
26. The overbed table of claim 24 further comprising: a cord
retractor attached to said overbed table; said data cable
comprising: a retractable data cable portion terminating at a first
retractable data cable portion end at said male data connector and
terminating at a second retractable data cable portion end in said
cord retractor; and an internal data cable portion terminating at a
first internal data cable portion end at a connection to said
retractable data cable portion and terminating at a second internal
data cable portion end at said data receptacle.
27. An overbed table comprising: a base; a vertical support with a
first vertical support end attached to said base; a primary table
top attached to said vertical support at a second vertical support
end of said vertical support, said primary table top defining an
aperture; a video display monitor mounted in said aperture; and a
computing device attached to said overbed table, said computing
device including: a central processor; a video processor in
communication with said central processor, said video processor
adapted to provide output to said video display monitor; and an
input component in communication with said central processor.
28. The overbed table of claim 27 wherein said primary table top is
attached to said vertical support in a manner that allows said
primary table top to be tilted away from horizontal.
29. The overbed table of claim 28 further comprising an
accelerometer mounted to said primary table top, said accelerometer
in communication with said video processor to facilitate automatic
orientation, by said video processor, of an image displayed by said
video display monitor, said automatic orientation dependent upon a
direction of tilt of said primary table top.
30. The overbed table of claim 27 further comprising a secondary
table top.
31. The overbed table of claim 27 further comprising a retractable
power cord adapted to provide electrical power to said computing
device.
32. The overbed table of claim 27 further comprising a rechargeable
battery adapted to provide electrical power to said computing
device.
33. The overbed table of claim 27 wherein said input component is
incorporated into said video display monitor so that said video
display monitor is adapted to provide input to said central
processor responsive to a touch on said video display monitor.
34. The overbed table of claim 27 further comprising a translucent
top surface mounted on a top surface of said primary table top.
35. The overbed table of claim 27 wherein said input component
comprises a keyboard.
36. The overbed table of claim 35 further comprising: a shelf
positioned under said primary table top, said shelf sized to
accommodate said keyboard; a sensor adapted to sense a direction in
which said keyboard is extracted from said shelf, said sensor in
communication with said video processor to facilitate automatic
orientation, by said video processor, of an image displayed by said
video display monitor, said automatic orientation dependent upon
said direction.
37. The overbed table of claim 27 further comprising a button
located on said primary table top, said button in communication
with said video processor to facilitate orientation, by said video
processor, of an image displayed by said video display monitor,
said orientation toggled responsive to receipt of an indication of
a press on said button.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/047,977, filed Apr. 25, 2008, the
contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present application relates generally to healthcare
patient room furniture and, more specifically, to an overbed
table.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Overbed tables are generally used in hospitals and nursing
homes to provide a patient with a surface to utilize while lying in
bed or seated in a chair. Overbed tables are often mounted on
casters or rollers, which allow the table to be easily moved
around. The overbed table typically has an over-hanging table top
and a low-profile base. The low profile allows the base to slide
under a bed allowing the over-hanging table top to be positioned
close to the user. The over-hanging table top can typically be
raised and lowered to a height that is comfortable and convenient
to the user.
SUMMARY
[0004] An overbed table with a primary table top may be expanded
through the deployment of a secondary table top. Advantageously, by
appropriately arranging the position of the manner by which the
secondary table top is mounted to the overbed table, the top
surface of the secondary table top can occupy the same plane as the
top surface of the primary table top.
[0005] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention
there is provided an overbed table. The overbed table includes a
base, a vertical support with a first end attached to the base, a
primary table top attached to the vertical support at a second end
of the vertical support and a secondary table top having a first
position in which a top surface of the secondary table top is
coplanar with a top surface of the primary table top.
[0006] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention
there is provided an overbed table. The overbed table includes a
base, a vertical support and a primary table top. The vertical
support includes an inner beam with a first end attached to the
base and an outer beam with a first end surrounding the inner beam,
the outer beam including equipment rails allowing for attachment of
equipment. The primary table top is attached to the outer beam at a
second end of the outer beam.
[0007] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention
there is provided an overbed table. The overbed table includes a
base, a vertical support with a first vertical support end attached
to the base, a primary table top attached to the vertical support
at a second vertical support end of the vertical support, a power
cord terminating at a first power cord end at a male electrical
connector and terminating at a second power cord end at a power
receptacle.
[0008] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention
there is provided an overbed table. The overbed table includes a
base, a vertical support with a first vertical support end attached
to the base, a primary table top attached to the vertical support
at a second vertical support end of the vertical support, a power
cord terminating at a first power cord end at a male electrical
connector and terminating at a second power cord end at a division
circuit adapted to provide power connections to a Universal Serial
Bus (USB) receptacle.
[0009] In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention
there is provided an overbed table. The overbed table includes a
base, a vertical support with a first vertical support end attached
to the base, a primary table top attached to the vertical support
at a second vertical support end of the vertical support, a data
cable terminating at a first data cable end at a male data
connector and terminating at a second data cable end at a data
receptacle.
[0010] In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention
there is provided an overbed table. The overbed table includes a
base, a vertical support with a first vertical support end attached
to the base, a primary table top attached to the vertical support
at a second vertical support end of the vertical support, the
primary table top defining an aperture, a video display monitor
mounted in the aperture and a computing device attached to the
overbed table. The computing device includes a central processor, a
video processor in communication with the central processor, the
video processor adapted to provide output to the video display
monitor and an input component in communication with the central
processor.
[0011] Other aspects and features of the present invention will
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review
of the following description of specific embodiments of the
invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Reference will now be made to the drawings, which show by
way of example, embodiments of the invention, and in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates, in a perspective view, an overbed table
with an adjustable vertical support having an outer beam extrusion
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates, in an exploded view, a portion of the
overbed table of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates, in a sectional view, the outer beam
extrusion of the overbed table of FIG. 1 with vertical equipment
rails according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates, in a perspective view, the outer beam
extrusion of the overbed table of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates the sectional view of the outer beam
extrusion of FIG. 3 with a vertical equipment rail adapter
disengaged from the vertical equipment rails;
[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates the sectional view of the outer beam
extrusion of FIG. 3 with the vertical rail adapter engaged to the
vertical equipment rails;
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates, in a perspective view, the outer beam
extrusion of FIG. 6 with the vertical rail adapter engaged to the
vertical equipment rails;
[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates, in a perspective view, the overbed table
of FIG. 1 with additional horizontal equipment rails installed
thereon according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates, in a perspective view, an overbed table
with a secondary table top in a lowered position according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 10 illustrates, in a profile view, the overbed table of
FIG. 9 with the secondary table top in the lowered position;
[0023] FIG. 11 illustrates, in a profile view, the overbed table of
FIG. 9 with the secondary table top in a raised position;
[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates, in a plan view from beneath the primary
table top, the overbed table of FIG. 9 with the secondary table top
in the lowered position;
[0025] FIG. 13 illustrates, in a plan view from beneath the primary
table top, the overbed table of FIG. 9 with the secondary table top
in a raised position;
[0026] FIG. 14 illustrates, in a profile view, an overbed table
with various receptacles provided in a cantilevered support;
[0027] FIG. 15 illustrates, in a perspective view, an overbed table
with placement of various receptacles distinct from the placement
in FIG. 14;
[0028] FIG. 16 illustrates, in a perspective view, an overbed table
with a primary table top and a secondary table top, where a video
display monitor has been embedded into the primary table top
according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0029] FIG. 17 illustrates, in a perspective view, an overbed table
with a primary table top, a secondary table top and an adjustable
vertical support, where a computer monitor is embedded in the
primary table top and a swing out keyboard attaches to the
adjustable vertical support.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Conventional overbed tables with expandable tabletops use
sliding surfaces in which one surface will slide out from beneath
another. An example of a conventional overbed table with expandable
tabletop is the PatientMate.RTM. Jr. overbed table marketed by
Hill-Rom of Batesville, Ind. This type of overbed table results in
two surfaces on different planes. The dual plane tabletop requires
lifting when moving objects from one surface to another; such a
task could be difficult with a patient with reduced mobility or
strength. The sliding design also allows for dirt to collect
between the two tabletops, and greased rails required in the design
make infection control and cleaning difficult. While the overbed
table in U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,997 issued Dec. 12, 1995 to Solomon et
al. (hereinafter "Solomon") uses a single pivotal support, rather
than hinges, for the secondary surface, the result is still two
table surfaces on different planes, as well as a hidden surface
near the pivot point. Unfortunately, the hidden surface is
difficult to clean and may allow dirt to collect. When the
secondary surface of the design in Solomon is pivoted out from
beneath the primary surface and engaged, the result is an awkwardly
shaped surface that does not provide full support to such objects
as food trays, as shown in FIG. 2 of Solomon, and could easily
allow objects to fall off.
[0031] Healthcare facilities often use extruded aluminum equipment
rails attached to walls to allow for the attachment of accessories
such as healthcare equipment, storage baskets and shelving, thereby
allowing for superior equipment management. The accessories may be
attached to the equipment rails with use of adapters. Accessories
can be attached to the equipment rails or removed from the
equipment rails, thereby making the equipment rail system fully
customizable to meet the requirements of a user.
[0032] In an overbed table with a secondary table top that, when
engaged, has a top surface in the same plane as a top surface of a
primary table top may have many advantages. The primary table top
may be supported at one end by a vertical beam and supported along
its length toward the other end by a cantilever support. The
secondary table top may be attached, by hinges, to an edge of the
primary table top closest to the vertical beam. Locking support
hinges may be attached beneath the secondary table top and secured
to the vertical beam, giving load support when the secondary table
top is to be employed.
[0033] Both the primary table top and the secondary table top are
may be fully exposed to allow for easy cleaning. Consequently,
aspects of the overbed table designs disclosed herein may be
considered to provide improved protection against infection when
compared to previous multiple table top overbed table designs.
Because the top surface of the primary table top and the top
surface of the secondary table top are co-planar, the patient can
slide, rather than lift, objects from the primary table top to the
secondary table top to, for example, make room for a food tray on
the primary table top. The secondary table top may also be seen to
provide a surface that can be reserved for healthcare staff, to be
used as a writing surface for charting or to place such objects as
medication and clipboards.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, an overbed table 20 has a wheeled base
19, which has a long base support 21. At each end of the base
support 21, there are two castor supports 22 branching outwards. At
the end of each castor support 22 there is a castor 23. The exact
length of the base support 21 and exact length and angle of the
castor supports 22 from the base support 21 can be configured by a
designer to optimize stability while retaining a compact
footprint.
[0035] One end of the long base support 21 supports a bottom end of
an upstanding adjustable vertical support 24. The adjustable
vertical support 24 includes an inner beam 25, an outer beam 26 and
a plurality of Teflon.RTM. sliders 30 (FIG. 2) between the inner
beam 25 and the outer beam 26. The Teflon.RTM. sliders 30 keeps the
outer beam 26 from contacting the inner beam 25 when the outer beam
26 is raised or lowered. Additionally, the Teflon.RTM. sliders 30
allow for smooth movement of the outer beam 26 relative to the
inner beam 25.
[0036] The length of the vertical support 24 may be increased
through the application of an upwards force. This upwards force
does not require a handle to be engaged since, as a safety
precaution, hospitals require an overbed table to rise
automatically responsive to upwards force caused by contact from a
patient bed whose height above floor level is being increased. If a
lever was required, then there would be a risk of sandwiching a
patient between the overbed table and the bed.
[0037] In contrast, the length of the vertical support 24 may be
decreased only upon the release of an internal locking mechanism
(not shown) in conjunction with application of a downwards force.
For the example overbed table of FIG. 1, the internal locking
mechanism may be released responsive to an upward force on a
release handle 27, which is positioned at a top end of the outer
beam 26.
[0038] A cantilever support 28 (see FIG. 2) extends out from, and
is attached to, the top of the outer beam 26, parallel with the
base support 21. A primary table top 29 is fastened to the
cantilevered support 28.
[0039] The outer beam 26 may be, for example, made from extruded
aluminum with a cross-section as shown in FIG. 3. A pair of
vertical equipment rails (an exemplary one of which is identified
by reference number "32" in FIG. 3) are located on either side of
the outer beam 26 and run the full length of the outer beam 26, as
shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrate the cross-section of
the outer beam 26, as illustrated in FIG. 3, with the addition of a
vertical rail adapter 33. In FIG. 5, the vertical rail adapter 33
is illustrated loosely fit to the vertical equipment rails 32. In
FIG. 6, the vertical rail adapter 33 is illustrated locked into
place within the vertical equipment rails 32. The vertical rail
adapter 33 has a set of locking teeth 31 and a locking screw 34. In
FIG. 5, the set of locking teeth 31 are illustrated as having been
closed by loosening the locking screw 34 on the vertical rail
adapter 33. In the position illustrated in FIG. 5, the locking
teeth 31 can move within a gap 35 between the vertical equipment
rails 32. FIG. 6 illustrates the locking screw 34 having been
tightened, thereby raising the locking teeth 31 inside the
equipment rails 32 and securing the vertical rail adapter 33 in
place. The locking screw 34 can be loosened to allow the position
of the vertical rail adapter 33 to be adjusted vertically along the
vertical equipment rails 32, or to allow the vertical rail adapter
33 to be removed completely.
[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates, in a perspective view, the outer beam 26
of FIG. 6 with the vertical rail adapter 33 engaged to the vertical
equipment rails 32.
[0041] FIG. 8 shows an overbed table distinct from the overbed
table of FIG. 1 in that an outer beam 37 does not have the extruded
vertical equipment rail 32 familiar from the outer beam 26 of the
overbed table of FIG. 1, but instead has horizontal equipment rails
38 secured to an exterior of the outer beam 37. The horizontal
equipment rails 38 allow for specific horizontal rail adapters 39
(similar to the vertical rail adapter 33) to be attached or
removed, thereby allowing the overbed table of FIG. 8 to be
customized with equipment and accessories. An example accessory, a
basket 36, is illustrated in FIG. 8 ready to be attached to the
horizontal rail adapters 39 on one of the horizontal equipment
rails 38.
[0042] Some existing overbed tables, for example, the Tru-Fit.TM.
overbed table marketed by Stryker Corp. of Kalamazoo, Mich., offer
storage compartments and shelving as manufacturer-specific
attachments for the specific overbed tables. Such
manufacturer-specific attachments attach to respective overbed
tables in manners distinct from the manner in which accessories
attach to generic hospital wall-based equipment rail systems.
Accordingly, manufacturer-specific storage compartments and
shelving generally do not allow the user to easily customize the
overbed table and, if the storage compartments on the overbed table
are removed there is no other use for the storage compartments.
Furthermore, not having the compartments easily removable from the
overbed table makes it difficult to have the storage compartments
clean and sterilized for infection control purposes.
[0043] Clearly, the provision of either the vertical equipment
rails 32 or the horizontal equipment rails 38 arranged according to
a hospital equipment rail standard offers advantages over
manufacturer-specific attachment systems.
[0044] FIG. 9 illustrates an overbed table 40 as the overbed table
of FIG. 1 with a secondary table top 41 located on an exterior of
the outer beam 26. A pair of hinges 43 attach the secondary table
top 41 to the vertical support 24 end of the primary table top 29.
A cut out 42 in the secondary table top 41 allows the user access
to the release handle 27. Referring to FIG. 10, an extensible
locking support brace 44 is attached to the outer beam 26 and to an
under side of the secondary table top 41. As illustrated in FIG.
10, the secondary table top 41 is not engaged and, accordingly,
hangs to the side of the overbed table 40. When the secondary table
top 41 is lifted so that a top surface of the secondary table top
41 is co-planar with a top surface of the primary table top 29, as
shown in FIG. 11, a lock (not shown) in the locking support brace
44 engages to hold the secondary table top 41 in place. The locking
support brace 44 helps to transfer forces from loads placed on the
secondary table top 41 to the outer beam 26. Lowering the secondary
table top 41 involves lifting the secondary table top 41 to a
position wherein the top surface of the secondary table top 41 is
slightly above the horizontal, thereby disengaging the locking
support brace 44 and allowing the secondary table top 41 to be
lowered to the side of the overbed table 40 as shown in FIG. 10. A
base front 45, at the end of the long base support 21 that is
distal from the adjustable vertical support 24 may be weighted
accordingly to keep the overbed table 40 stable when the secondary
table top 41 has been engaged and has received a load. The two
wheels located at the vertical support 24 end of the overbed table
can be made to extend outwards beyond the vertical support 24 to
give even more stability to the overbed table when weight is
applied to the secondary surface.
[0045] Illustrated in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 is another embodiment of
the overbed table 40, which involves use of a slide support beam 47
to support the secondary table top 41. When the secondary table top
41 is lifted so that the top surface of the secondary table top 41
is co-planar with the top surface of the primary table top 29, the
slide support beam 47 may be manually extended out from a first
position, illustrated in FIG. 12, wherein the slide support beam 47
is entirely under the primary table top 29 to a second position,
illustrated in FIG. 13, wherein the slide support beam 47 is
partially under the primary table top 29 and partially under the
secondary table top 41. The slide support beam 47 thereby maintains
the secondary table top 41 in a horizontal position and helps to
transfer the force of loads placed on the secondary table top 41 to
the cantilevered support 28 and/or the primary table top 29.
Subsequently, the slide support beam 47 may be retracted to the
first position under the primary table top 29, as illustrated in
FIG. 12, thereby allowing the secondary table top 41 to be lowered.
Optionally, the slide support beam 47 may be provided with a lock
(not shown) to maintain the slide support beam 47 in the second
position.
[0046] While the secondary table top 41 of the overbed table 40 of
FIG. 9 is hinged to the primary table top 29, a person of ordinary
skill in the art will understand that there are additional manners
in which the secondary table top 41 may attach to the overbed table
40. For example, the secondary table top 41 may swivel out from
beneath the primary table top 29 to the out side of the vertical
support 24.
[0047] Furthermore, while the advantages of the top surface of the
secondary table top 41 being coplanar with the top surface of the
primary table top 29 have been disclosed, the secondary table top
41 may be provided with a vertical adjustment independent of the
primary table top 29, thereby allowing the secondary table top 41
to be adjusted to a vertical height above the wheeled base 19 that
is distinct from the vertical height of the primary table top 29.
For example, a hinge (not shown) may connect the secondary table
top 41 to the outer beam 26 of the vertical support beam 26.
Furthermore, the outer beam 26 of the vertical support beam may
include a plurality of locations at which the hinge may be
positioned.
[0048] Conventional overbed tables do not provide receptacles of
any type. A patient in a bed who wishes to use a laptop computer or
another electronic device will often find that the closest wall
socket is out of easy reach. Furthermore, the wall sockets often
have important equipment already connected (such as monitors,
lights and nurse call systems). Healthcare facilities typically do
not wish for patients to connect their personal equipment to
in-room wall sockets, since such wall sockets are often installed
for use in case an emergency arises that requires electrical
power.
[0049] Currently, most healthcare facilities do not offer much more
than a television in a patient room. Computers with access to the
internet are being used more frequently as a form of entertainment
and as a communication tool. New hospitals are being constructed
with wireless data networking in the patient rooms, thereby
allowing for patients and family to "stay connected" while the
patient recovers.
[0050] FIG. 14 illustrates the overbed table 40 of FIG. 9 with a
power receptacle 50, a USB receptacle 49 and an Ethernet port 48
built into the cantilevered support 28. An internal power line (not
shown) feeds down inside the inner beam 25 of the vertical support
24 to a cord retractor 52 where the internal power line connects to
a retractable power cord (not shown).
[0051] The cord retractor 52 may include an axle (not shown), to
which the retractable power cord is attached, and a biasing
component (not shown) adapted to bias the axle to coil the
retractable power cord around the axle for storage.
[0052] An end of the retractable power cord that is not connected
to the internal power line ends in a male electrical connector 53.
The retractable power cord can be pulled from within the cord
retractor 52 and plugged into a female electrical connector, i.e.,
an electrical wall socket. The male electrical connector 53 may be
unplugged from the wall socket and the retractable power cord
retracted back into the cord retractor 52 when power is not needed.
As will be known by a person of ordinary skill in the art,
electrical plugs and their sockets differ by country in shape, size
and type of connectors.
[0053] Internal to the cantilevered support 28, a division circuit
(not shown) may receive power from the internal power line and
provide power to the power receptacle 50 and the USB receptacle
49.
[0054] In a fashion similar to the internal power line, an internal
data cable may run from the Ethernet port 48 down inside the inner
beam 25 of the vertical support 24 to the cord retractor 52. At the
cord retractor 52, the internal data cable may connect to a
retractable data cable (not shown). The retractable cable may be
pulled from the cord retractor 52 and plugged into a wall data
receptacle, thereby allowing the Ethernet port 48 to be used for
network access.
[0055] FIG. 14 shows one possible embodiment for this invention,
but there are many different possible locations for the power
receptacle 50, the USB receptacle 49 and the Ethernet port 48
including, but not restricted to, under the primary table top 29,
above the primary table top 29 and built flush within the surface
of the primary table top 29. FIG. 15 illustrates an overbed table
60 with a primary table top 69 into which has been embedded a
receptacle prism 84 incorporating a power receptacle, a USB
receptacle and an Ethernet port.
[0056] A laptop computer system could be used on an overbed table,
but such a system would not be protected from liquids or other such
debris, would carry a risk of theft, and would take up a large
portion of an overbed table surface, even when not in use.
[0057] To address some of the drawbacks of using a laptop computer
system on an overbed table, it is proposed to incorporate a
computing device in an overbed table. FIG. 16 illustrates an
example of an overbed table 80 incorporating a computing device.
The computing device may include at lease one output component,
such as a video display monitor 62 embedded within an aperture
defined by a primary table top 51. The surface of the primary table
top 51 may comprise glass or another hard, translucent material
that allows the user to clearly see the monitor 62. The computing
device may also include at lease one input component, such as a
keyboard 64 embedded within the primary table top 51. For an
alternative or additional input component, the monitor 62 may
comprise a touch screen device. For an alternative or additional
input component, the primary table top 51 may include touch pad
(not shown).
[0058] The computing device may receive electrical power via an
internal power line (not shown) that feeds through the vertical
support to the cord retractor 52 where the internal power line
connects to a retractable power cord (not shown). An end of the
retractable power cord that is not connected to the internal power
line ends in the male electrical connector 53. The retractable
power cord can be pulled from within the cord retractor 52 and
plugged into a female electrical connector, i.e., an electrical
wall socket. The computing device may also include a rechargeable
battery to facilitate operation of the computing device when a wall
socket is out of reach of the retractable power cord or is
otherwise unavailable.
[0059] Other typical computing device components are not shown, but
may include a processor, a read only memory, a random access
memory, a power supply, etc., all of which may be contained within
a housing. The housing may be, for example, attached to the
underside of the primary table top 51. The housing may be, for
example, attached to the vertical support 66. The power supply of
the computing device may receive power via an internal power line
connected, at the cord retractor 52, to a retractable power cord
that may be plugged into a wall socket, as discussed
hereinbefore.
[0060] To facilitate viewing by the patient, the primary table top
51 may be attached to the vertical support 66 in a manner that
allows the patient to tilt the plane of the primary table away from
a horizontal orientation.
[0061] An embodiment of an overbed table 90 that incorporates a
computing device is illustrated in FIG. 17. The overbed table 90 of
FIG. 17 includes a primary table top 54 having a built-in monitor
56. The computing device may include a video processor for
controlling output to the monitor 56. Since the primary table top
54 does not incorporate a keyboard, a standard keyboard 57 may be
provided on an articulated arm 58 attached to a vertical support
86.
[0062] In comparison to the overbed table 80 of FIG. 16, the
overbed table 90 of FIG. 17, through the lack to specific keyboard
location, may be used from either long edge of the primary table
top 54. Accordingly, one or more accelerometers may be mounted to
the primary table top 54 or built into the monitor 56 so that the
orientation of the primary table top 54 may be detected and
communicated to the video processor so that the video processor may
appropriately adjust the orientation of an image displayed on the
monitor 56. Alternatively, the orientation of the display on the
monitor 56 may be controlled manually, for example, by the patient
pressing a button (not shown).
[0063] In a further alternative embodiment, the primary table top
54 may include a shelf (not shown) mounted to its underside, for
providing a storage area for the keyboard 57. A switch (not shown)
built into the shelf may facilitate detection of a side of the
primary table top 54 at which the keyboard 57 is being extracted
from the shelf. Responsively, an indication of the side of the
primary table top 54 at which the keyboard 57 is being extracted
may be communicated to the video processor so that the video
processor may appropriately adjust the orientation of an image
displayed on the monitor 56.
[0064] For both the overbed table 80 of FIG. 16 and the overbed
table 90 of FIG. 17, a secondary table top 55 may be fixed on a
horizontal plane so that the patient can place a drink, books or
other such objects on the secondary table top 55 while using the
computing device. Furthermore, the keyboard 57 may be sealed for
ease of cleaning and protection from liquids.
[0065] In review, conveniently, an overbed table with a vertical
equipment rail system integrated along its main support beam allows
for accessories, such as storage compartments, intravenous (IV)
hooks and cord wraps, to be attached. The result is an overbed
table that is customizable to suit the needs of patients and
healthcare staff. An accessory with the appropriate adapter may be
compatible with, and transferable to, other equipment rail systems
within a given healthcare facility.
[0066] Furthermore, a patient may use features built-in to the
overbed table, such as power receptacles, data ports and Universal
Serial Bus (USB) receptacles, to power, charge or network-connect
personal productivity or entertainment equipment (laptop computer,
digital media player, cell phone, etc.). The power receptacles and
USB receptacles may receive power via an internal power cord with a
connection to a retractable power cord, which the healthcare staff
can safely plug into an appropriate wall socket.
[0067] Additionally, a computer may be built-into the overbed
tabletop. Such a computer may have a flat screen monitor built-in
to the overbed tabletop and a touch screen keyboard similar to
those found on tablet computers or cell phones.
[0068] The above-described embodiments of the present application
are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and
variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those
skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the
application, which is defined by the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *