U.S. patent application number 13/196478 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-02 for endboard assembly.
Invention is credited to David W. Hornback, Jack Barney Sing, Robert M. Zerhusen.
Application Number | 20120023659 13/196478 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45525186 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120023659 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zerhusen; Robert M. ; et
al. |
February 2, 2012 |
ENDBOARD ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A person-support apparatus comprises a frame and an endboard.
The frame is configured to move between a substantially horizontal
position and a chair position. The endboard assembly includes a
base coupled to the frame and an endboard removably coupled to the
base. The endboard is coupled to a first portion of the base in a
first position to define a first portion of a perimeter edge of the
frame and coupled to a second portion of the base in a second
position to define a second portion of the perimeter edge of the
frame.
Inventors: |
Zerhusen; Robert M.;
(Cincinnati, OH) ; Sing; Jack Barney; (Batesville,
IN) ; Hornback; David W.; (Brookville, IN) |
Family ID: |
45525186 |
Appl. No.: |
13/196478 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61369910 |
Aug 2, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/12.1 ;
5/658 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 7/053 20130101;
A61G 7/16 20130101; A61G 7/0507 20130101; A61G 7/0506 20130101;
A61G 7/0514 20161101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/12.1 ;
5/658 |
International
Class: |
A47C 17/04 20060101
A47C017/04; A47C 31/00 20060101 A47C031/00 |
Claims
1. A person-support apparatus, comprising: a frame configured to
move between a substantially horizontal position and a chair
position; and an endboard assembly including a base coupled to the
frame and an endboard removably coupled to the base, wherein the
endboard is coupled to a first portion of the base in a first
position to define a first portion of a perimeter edge of the frame
and coupled to a second portion of the base in a second position to
define a second portion of the perimeter edge of the frame.
2. The person-support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the endboard
assists with at least one of ingress and egress to/from a side of
the person-support apparatus when the endboard is in the second
position and the frame is in the substantially horizontal
position.
3. The person-support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the endboard
assists with at least one of ingress and egress to/from an end of
the person-support apparatus when the endboard is in the second
position and the frame is in the chair position.
4. The person-support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first
portion of the base is coupled to an end of the frame and the
second portion of the base is coupled to a side of the frame, the
first portion and the second portion including at least one
receptacle configured to receive a portion of the endboard to
couple the endboard to the base.
5. The person-support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the endboard
includes a first endboard body and a second endboard body, the
first endboard body being configured to overlap a portion of the
second endboard body when the first endboard body and the second
endboard body are in the first position.
6. The person-support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the endboard
includes a first endboard body and a second endboard body, the
first endboard body being configured to overlap the entire second
endboard body when the first endboard body and the second endboard
body are in the first position.
7. The person-support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the endboard
includes a first endboard body and a second endboard body, the
first endboard body and the second endboard body being angled
toward one another when the first endboard body is coupled to the
second portion of the base and the second endboard body is coupled
to a third portion of the base in the second position, the second
portion and the third portion being substantially parallel to one
another and spaced apart.
8. The person-support apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of
the endboard is positioned between a siderail coupled to the frame
and the frame.
9. The person-support apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a
siderail coupled to the upper frame, wherein the endboard is
configured to cooperate with the siderail to define a substantially
continuous height surface to be gripped when at least one of
ingressing and egressing to/from the person-support apparatus when
the endboard is in the second position.
10. An endboard assembly, comprising: an endboard base coupled to
the foot support section of a person-support apparatus, the
endboard base including a lateral portion and first and second
longitudinal portions that extend from the lateral portion and are
spaced apart; a first endboard body coupled to the lateral portion
in a first position and one of the first and second longitudinal
portions in a second position; and a second endboard body coupled
to the lateral portion in a first position and the other of the
first and second longitudinal portions in a second position.
11. The endboard assembly of claim 10, wherein the endboard base
includes a plurality of receptacles configured to removably receive
a portion of the first endboard body and the second endboard body
to removably couple the first endboard body and the second endboard
body to the endboard base
12. The endboard assembly of claim 11, wherein at least one
receptacle on the first longitudinal portion is tilted toward the
second longitudinal.
13. The endboard assembly of claim 10, wherein the lateral portion
defines an end perimeter edge of the person-support apparatus and
the first and second longitudinal portions define first and second
side perimeter edges of the person-support apparatus.
14. The endboard assembly of claim 10 further comprising a locking
mechanism configured to selectively prevent at least one of the
first endboard body and the second endboard body from being removed
from the endboard base.
15. A person-support apparatus, comprising: a frame configured to
move between a planar position and a chair position; an endboard
base including a first portion, a second portion, and a third
portion, the first portion being coupled to an end of the frame,
the second portion extending from the first portion and being
coupled to a first side of the frame, the third portion extending
from the first portion and being coupled to a second side of the
frame, the second portion and the third portion being spaced apart;
a first endboard body coupled to the first portion of the endboard
base in a first position and the second portion of the endboard
base in a second position; and a second endboard body coupled to
the first portion of the endboard base in a first position and the
third portion in a second position, wherein the first endboard body
and the second endboard body are configured to assist a person with
at least one of ingress and egress to/from the person-support
apparatus.
16. The person-support apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a
third endboard body coupled to a second end of the frame opposite
the first endboard body and second endboard body when the first
endboard body and second endboard body are in the first position,
and coupled to the first portion of the endboard base when the
first endboard body and second endboard body are in the second
position.
17. The person-support apparatus of claim 15, wherein a portion of
the first endboard body overlaps a portion of the second endboard
body when the first endboard body and the second endboard body are
in the first position.
18. The person-support apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a
siderail coupled to the frame, at least one of the first endboard
body and the second endboard body are configured to cooperate with
the siderail to define a substantially continuous height surface to
be gripped when at least one of ingressing and egressing to/from
the person-support apparatus.
19. The person-support apparatus of claim 15, wherein at least one
of the first endboard body and the second endboard body assists
with at least one of ingress and egress to/from a side of the
person-support apparatus when the at least one of the first
endboard body and the second endboard body is in the second
position and the frame is in the substantially horizontal
position.
20. The person-support apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a
locking mechanism configured to maintain at least one of the first
endboard body and the second endboard body in at least one of the
first position and the second position.
Description
[0001] This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/369,910 titled ENDBOARD ASSEMBLY filed on
Aug. 2, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to endboards. More
particularly, but not exclusively, one illustrative embodiment
relates to an endboard assembly that can be configured to be used
as an ingress/egress support.
[0003] People can require help when attempting to ingress/egress
to/from a person-support apparatus. While various devices have been
developed, there is still room for improvement. Thus a need
persists for further contributions in this area of technology.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] One illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure can
include a multi-piece endboard assembly that can be configured to
be coupled to an end portion of a person-support apparatus in a
first position to define a portion of a perimeter edge of an upper
frame of the person-support apparatus, and coupled to the end
portion in a second position to be used as an ingress/egress
support.
[0005] Additional features alone or in combination with any other
feature(s), including those listed above and those listed in the
claims and those described in detail below, can comprise patentable
subject matter. Others will become apparent to those skilled in the
art upon consideration of the following detailed description of
illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out
the invention as presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Referring now to the illustrative examples in the drawings,
wherein like numerals represent the same or similar elements
throughout:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a person-support
apparatus with an endboard assembly coupled to a frame of the
person-support apparatus according to one illustrative
embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of an endboard panel of
the endboard assembly of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of the endboard assembly
of FIG. 1 showing a first endboard panel in a first position and a
second endboard panel in a second position;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of the person-support
apparatus of FIG. 1 in a relatively horizontal position with the
first endboard panel in the first position and a second endboard
panel in the second position where it can be used for
ingress/egress to/from the side of the person-support
apparatus;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective side view of the person-support
apparatus of FIG. 1 in a chair position showing the first and
second endboard panels in the second position where they can be
used for ingress/egress to/from the person-support apparatus;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a top view of the endboard assembly of FIG. 1
showing a portion of the first and second endboard panels
overlapping in the first position according to another illustrative
embodiment of the disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a top view of the endboard assembly of FIG. 1
showing the first and second endboard panels having a reduced
thickness and being parallel to one another in the first position
according to yet another illustrative embodiment of the
disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective side view of the endboard assembly
of FIG. 1, showing the first and second endboard panels in the
second position and the headboard coupled to the endboard base
according to still another illustrative embodiment of the
disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a top view of the person-support apparatus of FIG.
1 in the chair position with the first and second endboard panels
in the second position and angled toward one another according to
one illustrative embodiment of the disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a top view of the person-support apparatus of
FIG. 10 with the first and second endboard panels and the siderails
providing a continuous height surface to be gripped according to
one illustrative embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] While the present disclosure can take many different forms,
for the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of
the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments
illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to
describe the same. No limitation of the scope of the disclosure is
thereby intended. Various alterations, further modifications of the
described embodiments, and any further applications of the
principles of the disclosure, as described herein, are
contemplated.
[0018] One illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure can
include a multi-piece endboard assembly that can be configured to
be coupled to an end portion of a person-support apparatus in a
first position to define a portion of a perimeter edge of an upper
frame of the person-support apparatus, and configured to be used as
an ingress/egress support in a second position.
[0019] A person-support apparatus 10 according to one illustrative
embodiment of the current disclosure is shown in FIGS. 1-10. The
person-support apparatus 10 can have a first section F1 or head
support section F1, where the head of a person can be positioned
and a second section S1 or a foot support section S1, where the
feet of the person can be positioned. In one illustrative
embodiment, the person-support apparatus 10 can be a hospital bed.
In some contemplated embodiments, the person-support apparatus 10
can also be a hospital stretcher or an operating table. The
person-support apparatus 10 can include a lower frame 12 or base
12, a plurality of supports 14 coupled with the lower frame 12, and
an upper frame 16 supported on the supports 14 above the lower
frame 12. In some contemplated embodiments, the supports 14 can be
lift mechanisms 14 that can move the upper frame 16 with respect to
the lower frame 12. Also, in some contemplated embodiments, the
person-support apparatus 10 can support a person-support surface 18
thereon.
[0020] The upper frame 16 can include an upper frame base 20, a
deck 22, siderails 24, a headboard assembly 26, and a footboard
assembly 28 as shown in FIGS. 1-10. The upper frame base 20 can be
coupled to the supports 14 and can support the deck 22 thereon. The
deck 22 can include multiple sections that can be movably coupled
to the upper frame base 20 and/or one another and can be configured
to move with respect to the upper frame base 20. In one
illustrative embodiment, the upper frame base 20, the supports 14,
and the deck 22 can be configured to cooperate with one another to
move the deck 22 between a relatively horizontal position as shown
in FIGS. 1, 4, and 8, and a chair position as shown in FIGS. 5, 9,
and 10. The headboard assembly 26 can include a headboard HB1 that
can be coupled to the head support section F1 of the person-support
apparatus 10 and can be configured to define a portion of the
perimeter edge of the upper frame 16.
[0021] The footboard assembly 28 can include a footboard base 30, a
first footboard panel 32, and a second footboard panel 34 as shown
in FIGS. 1-10. The first footboard panel 32 and the second
footboard panel 34 can be configured to cooperate together to form
a footboard. In some contemplated embodiments, the headboard
assembly 26 can be constructed similar to the footboard assembly
28. The footboard base 30 can be coupled to the second section S1
of the upper frame base 20 and can include longitudinal portions 36
that can extend from a lateral portion 38 along the sides of the
upper frame base 20, and a plurality of positioning receptacles 40.
In one illustrative embodiment, the footboard base 30 can be
coupled to the upper frame base 20. In another illustrative
embodiment, the footboard base 30 can be coupled to the deck 22. In
another illustrative embodiment, the footboard base 30 can be
coupled to a foot support section S1 of the upper frame 16 can be
configured to expand and contract to increase and decrease the
length of the upper frame 16, such as, the FlexAFoot.TM. mechanism
sold by Hill-Rom, Inc. In some contemplated embodiments, the
footboard base 30 can be coupled to the extended/retracted portion
of the second section S1. In some contemplated embodiments, the
longitudinal portions 36 can be coupled to the
non-extended/retracted portion of the second section S1 and the
lateral portion 38 can be coupled to the extended/retracted portion
of the second section S1.
[0022] The positioning receptacles 40 can be configured to receive
and removably retain a portion of the first footboard panel 32
and/or the second footboard panel 34 therein. In some contemplated
embodiments, the positioning receptacles 40 can include a locking
mechanism (not shown) that can be configured to cooperate with a
portion of the first footboard panel 32 and/or the second footboard
panel 34 to selectively lock the first footboard panel 32 and/or
the second footboard panel 34 to the footboard base 30. In some
contemplated embodiments, the locking mechanism can be similar to
the locking mechanism disclosed in European Patent Application No.
08165200 to Hill-Rom S.A.S. In some contemplated embodiments,
sensors (not shown) can be coupled to the positioning receptacles
40, the longitudinal portion 36 and/or the lateral portion 38 that
can be configured to sense when the footboard is coupled to the
footboard base 30.
[0023] The first footboard panel 32 and the second footboard panel
34 can be configured a number of ways. In one illustrative
embodiment, the first footboard panel 32 and the second footboard
panel 34 can be positioned side-by-side to form a single footboard
as shown in FIG. 1. In another illustrative embodiment, the first
footboard panel 32 and the second footboard panel 34 can include
overlapping portions that can overlap one another as shown in FIG.
6. In some contemplated embodiments, the overlapping portions can
have a reduced thickness. In some contemplated embodiments, the
thickness of the overlapping portions is 1/2 the thickness of the
non-overlapping portions. In another illustrative embodiment, the
first footboard panel 32 and the second footboard panel 34 can be
full sized footboards, i.e., extending from one end of the lateral
portion 38 to the other, with reduced thicknesses as shown in FIG.
7.
[0024] The first footboard panel 32 and the second footboard panel
34 can be coupled to the footboard base 30 and can be configured to
be positioned in a first position and/or a second position. In the
first position, the first footboard panel 32 and the second
footboard panel 34 can be coupled to the lateral portion 38 of the
footboard base 30 and can be configured to cooperate together to
define a portion of the perimeter edge of the upper frame 16. In
one illustrative embodiment, the upper frame 16 can be in the
substantially horizontal position when the first footboard panel 32
and the second footboard panel 34 are in the first position.
[0025] In the second position, the first footboard panel 32 and the
second footboard panel 34 can be coupled to the longitudinal
portions 36 of the footboard base 30 and can be configured to
assist a person ingressing/egressing to/from the person-support
apparatus 10. In one illustrative embodiment, the upper frame 16
can be in the substantially horizontal position and the first
footboard panel 32 and/or the second footboard panel 34 can be
coupled to the lateral portions 38 to assist with ingress/egress
to/from the side of the person-support apparatus 10. In another
illustrative embodiment, the upper frame 16 can be in the chair
position and the first footboard panel 32 and/or the second
footboard panel 34 can be coupled to the longitudinal portions 38
to assist with ingress/egress to/from the side of the
person-support apparatus 10. In some contemplated embodiments, the
first footboard panel 32 and the second footboard panel 34 can be
positionable between the siderail 24 and the upper frame 16 to
prevent interference with the operation of the siderail 24 and
allow the first footboard panel 32 and the second footboard panel
34 to move longitudinally with the foot support section S1. In some
contemplated embodiments, the portion of the first footboard panel
32 and the second footboard panel 34 gripped by the person
ingressing/egressing to/from the person-support apparatus 10 can be
substantially the same height as the upper edge of the siderail 24
as shown in FIG. 10. In some contemplated embodiments, the first
footboard panel 32 and the second footboard panel 34 can be angled
in toward the upper frame 16 as shown in FIG. 9. In some
contemplated embodiments, the first footboard panel 32 and the
second footboard panel 34 can be required to be removed before the
person-support apparatus 10 is able to be moved from the chair
position to the substantially horizontal position. In another
illustrative embodiment, the headboard HB1 can be coupled to the
lateral portion 38 and the first footboard panel 32 and the second
footboard panel 34 can be coupled to the longitudinal portions 36
to reduce gaps between the intermediate siderail 24 and the
headboard HB1 as shown in FIG. 8. In some contemplated embodiments,
instead of using the headboard HB1, the first footboard panel 32
can have a reduced thickness and include two panels positioned
side-by-side and the second footboard panel 34 can have a reduced
thickness and include only one panel to achieve a similar
configuration.
[0026] The first footboard panel 32 and the second footboard panel
34 can include a footboard body 42, a plurality of adjustment pegs
44, a first grip portion 46, and a second grip portion 48 as shown
in FIG. 2. In some contemplated embodiments, the first footboard
panel 32 and the second footboard panel 34 can be similarly
constructed. The footboard body 42 can have an upper portion 50, a
lower portion 52, a first side portion 54, and a second side
portion 56, and can include a first surface 60, a second surface
62, and a perimeter edge 64 extending between the first surface 60
and the second surface 62. Also, in some contemplated embodiments,
a coupler 58 can be located along the second side portion 56 and
can be configured to couple the first footboard panel 32 and the
second footboard panel 34 together. In some contemplated
embodiments, the first footboard panel 32 and the second footboard
panel 34 can be interchangeable. The plurality of adjustment pegs
44 can be located along the lower portion 52 of the footboard body
42. In one illustrative embodiment, the plurality of adjustment
pegs 44 can be three (3) metal rods that can extend from the lower
portion 52 and can be configured to be received within the
positioning receptacles 40 to removably couple the first footboard
panel 32 and the second footboard panel 34 to the footboard base
30.
[0027] The first grip portion 46 can be located along the upper
portion 50 and second grip portion 48 can be located along the
first side portion 54 as shown in FIG. 2. The first grip portion 46
can include a first grip opening 66 that can cooperate with the
perimeter edge 64 to define a first grip 68. The first grip 68 can
be configured to be gripped by a person transporting the
person-support apparatus 10 and/or by a person to remove the first
footboard panel 32 and/or the second footboard panel 34 from the
footboard base 30 when the first footboard portion and/or the
second footboard panel 34 are in the first position. The second
grip portion 48 can be located along the first side portion 54 and
can include a second grip opening 70 that can cooperate with the
perimeter edge 64 to define a second grip 72. The second grip 72
can be configured to be gripped by a person ingressing/egressing
to/from the person-support apparatus 10 when the first footboard
panel 32 and/or the second footboard panel 34 are in the second
position.
[0028] Many other embodiments of the present disclosure are also
envisioned. For example, a person-support apparatus comprises a
lower frame, an upper frame, and an endboard assembly. The upper
frame is movably supported above the lower frame by a support. The
upper frame is configured to move between a substantially
horizontal position and a chair position. The endboard assembly
includes a base coupled to an end of the upper frame and an
endboard coupled to the base. The endboard is coupled to the base
in a first position to define a perimeter edge of the upper frame
and coupled to the base in a second position to assist with
ingress/egress to/from the person-support apparatus.
[0029] In another example, an endboard assembly, comprises an
endboard base, a first endboard portion, and a second endboard
portion. The endboard base is coupled to the foot support portion
of a person-support apparatus. The endboard base includes a lateral
portion and first and second longitudinal portions that can extend
from the lateral portion. The first endboard portion is coupled to
the lateral portion in a first position and one of the first and
second longitudinal portions in a second position. The second
endboard portion is coupled to the lateral portion in a first
position and the other of the first and second longitudinal
portions in a second position.
[0030] Any theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding stated
herein is meant to further enhance understanding of principles of
the present disclosure and is not intended to make the present
disclosure in any way dependent upon such theory, mechanism of
operation, illustrative embodiment, proof, or finding. It should be
understood that while the use of the word preferable, preferably or
preferred in the description above indicates that the feature so
described can be more desirable, it nonetheless can not be
necessary and embodiments lacking the same can be contemplated as
within the scope of the disclosure, that scope being defined by the
claims that follow.
[0031] In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as
"a," "an," "at least one," "at least a portion" are used there is
no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless
specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language
"at least a portion" and/or "a portion" is used the item can
include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated
to the contrary.
[0032] It should be understood that only selected embodiments have
been shown and described and that all possible alternatives,
modifications, aspects, combinations, principles, variations, and
equivalents that come within the spirit of the disclosure as
defined herein or by any of the following claims are desired to be
protected. While embodiments of the disclosure have been
illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing
description, the same are to be considered as illustrative and not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise
forms disclosed. Additional alternatives, modifications and
variations can be apparent to those skilled in the art. Also, while
multiple inventive aspects and principles can have been presented,
they need not be utilized in combination, and various combinations
of inventive aspects and principles are possible in light of the
various embodiments provided above.
* * * * *