U.S. patent number 3,795,284 [Application Number 05/214,806] was granted by the patent office on 1974-03-05 for portable support and weigher for a bed patient.
This patent grant is currently assigned to SAID Mracek by said Bauer. Invention is credited to Ronald J. Bauer, Milo F. Mracek.
United States Patent |
3,795,284 |
Mracek , et al. |
March 5, 1974 |
PORTABLE SUPPORT AND WEIGHER FOR A BED PATIENT
Abstract
A normally deflated, readily flexible, inflatable pad which
underlies a bed patient can be inflated to raise the bed patient
and to gently but firmly hold that bed patient in raised position.
When that inflatable pad is inflated, it defines a recess at the
lower surface of the center thereof into which the supporting
surface of a portable support can be moved; and that inflatable pad
and that portable support can thereafter hold the bed patient at a
desired level relative to the bed on which that inflatable pad
normally rests. When the supporting surface of the portable support
subsequently is removed from the recess at the lower surface of the
center of the inflatable pad, that inflatable pad can be deflated
to lower the bed patient. A pressure transducer, between the
supporting surface and the carrier therefor, develops a signal
while that supporting surface underlies and holds the inflatable
pad and the bed patient; and a readout responds to that signal to
indicate the weight of that bed patient.
Inventors: |
Mracek; Milo F. (Creve Coeur,
MO), Bauer; Ronald J. (Florissant, MO) |
Assignee: |
SAID Mracek by said Bauer
(N/A)
|
Family
ID: |
22800483 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/214,806 |
Filed: |
January 3, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
177/144; 177/245;
177/210R |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01G
19/445 (20130101); A61G 7/0527 (20161101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01G
19/00 (20060101); G01G 19/44 (20060101); A61G
7/05 (20060101); G01g 003/12 (); G01g 019/52 () |
Field of
Search: |
;177/132,144,208,210,245 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,125,025 |
|
Aug 1968 |
|
GB |
|
1,125,670 |
|
Mar 1962 |
|
DT |
|
Primary Examiner: Tomsky; Stephen J.
Assistant Examiner: Witkowski; Stanley J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rogers, Ezell and Eilers
Claims
What we claim is:
1. A portable support which is movable relative to a bed and which
can be moved into position immediately adjacent said bed to weigh a
bed patient lying on a pad on said bed without requiring said bed
patient to get out of said bed and which comprises a carrier that
is held at the approximate level of said bed on which said bed
patient is lying, a supporting surface overlying but being
vertically movable relative to said carrier, a pressure transducer
intermediate said carrier and said supporting surface which
responds to the application of a weight to said supporting surface
and to the resulting tendency of said supporting surface to move
downwardly relative to said carrier to develop a signal, and a
readout which responds to said signal from said pressure transducer
to indicate the value of said weight applied to said supporting
surface, said pad having means to define a recess that is
dimensioned to accommodate said carrier and said supporting
surface, said carrier and said supporting surface being movable
horizontally relative to said bed and said pad to move into
position within said recess and thus into position beneath said bed
patient but above said bed, thereby enabling the weight of said bed
patient and of said pad but not the weight of said bed to be
applied to said supporting surface and thus to said pressure
transducer, means on said portable support holding said carrier as
an end-supported load-supporting cantilever for said supporting
surface and for said pad and for said bed patient whenever said
carrier is positioned within said recess in said pad and said pad
is resting on said supporting surface, said carrier and said
supporting surface being able to support said pad and said bed
patient without having to support said bed, thereby enabling said
pressure transducer to sense and respond to the combined weights of
said supporting surface and pad and bed patient but not to the
weight of said bed.
2. A portable support as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pad is an
inflatable pad that is interposed between said bed and said bed
patient, wherein said inflatable pad is inflatable to raise said
bed patient relative to said bed, wherein said inflatable pad
defines said recess whenever it is inflated, and wherein said
carrier and said supporting surface support said inflatable pad to
support and weigh said bed patient.
3. A portable support as claimed in claim 1 wherein means on said
portable support can be actuated to cause said carrier and said
supporting surface to move vertically relative to said bed to raise
and lower said bed patient relative to said bed, and wherein said
pressure transducer will respond to the raising of said bed patient
by said carrier and said supporting surface to develop said
signal.
4. A portable support as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means on
said portable support permit said carrier and said supporting
surface to move in the horizontal direction, relative to other
portions of said portable support, from a position displaced
laterally from said bed patient to said position within said recess
beneath said bed patient.
5. A portable support as claimed in claim 1 wherein said portable
support includes a wheel-equipped chassis, wherein said carrier and
said supporting surface normally overlie and are in register with
said wheel-equipped chassis, and wherein said means on said
portable support permit said carrier and said supporting surface to
move in the horizontal direction, relative to other portions of
said portable support, to said position within said recess beneath
said bed patient.
6. A portable support as claimed in claim 1 wherein said supporting
surface has means thereon to carry objects connected to said bed
patient by hoses, and wherein carrying means is bodily movable with
said supporting surface.
7. A portable support as claimed in claim 1 wherein lifting means
can raise and lower said carrier relative to said bed and can
thereby raise and lower said supporting surface and said bed
patient relative to said bed.
8. A portable support as claimed in claim 1 wherein lifting means
can raise and lower said carrier relative to said bed and can
thereby raise and lower said supporting surface and said bed
patient relative to said bed, and wherein stabilizing legs are
movable into engagement with the floor to stabilize said portable
support.
9. A portable support as claimed in claim 1 wherein lifting means
can raise and lower said carrier relative to said bed and can
thereby raise and lower said supporting surface and said bed
patient relative to said bed, wherein stabilizing legs are movable
into engagement with the floor to stabilize said portable support,
and wherein further means move said stabilizing legs into
engagement with said floor before said lifting means raises said
carrier.
10. A portable support as claimed in claim 1 wherein lifting means
can raise and lower said carrier relative to said bed and can
thereby raise and lower said supporting surface and said bed
patient relative to said bed, wherein stabilizing legs are movable
into engagement with the floor to stabilize said portable support,
wherein further means move said stabilizing legs into engagement
with said floor before said lifting means raises said carrier, and
wherein said further means includes a scissors jack and a
lost-motion connection associated with said scissors jack.
11. A portable support as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pressure
transducer has a movable element that has a range of movement in
the order of a fraction of an inch, whereby said portable support
can be used to weigh a bed patient having a limb in the traction
frame.
12. A portable support as claimed in claim 1 wherein lifting means
can raise and lower said carrier relative to said bed and can
thereby raise and lower said supporting surface and said bed
patient relative to said bed, wherein stabilizing legs are movable
into engagement with the floor to stabilize said portable support,
and wherein further means move said stabilizing legs into
fully-extended position before said lifting means can begin to
raise said carrier.
13. A portable support which is movable relative to a bed and which
can be moved into position immediately adjacent said bed to weigh a
bed patient lying on a pad on said bed without requiring said bed
patient to get out of said bed and which comprises a carrier that
is held at the approximate level of said bed on which said bed
patient is lying, a supporting surface overlying but being
vertically movable relative to said carrier, a pressure transducer
intermediate said carrier and said supporting surface which
responds to the application of a weight to said supporting surface
and to the resulting tendency of said supporting surface to move
downwardly relative to said carrier to develop a signal, a readout
which responds to said signal from said pressure transducer to
indicate the value of said weight applied to said supporting
surface, said pad having means to define a recess that is
dimensioned to accommodate said carrier and said supporting
surface, and links pivotally securing said supporting surface to
said carrier, said links and said carrier and said supporting
surface coacting to constitute a four-bar linkage mechanism, said
carrier and said supporting surface being movable horizontally
relative to said bed and said pad to move into position within said
recess and thus into position beneath said bed patient but above
said bed, thereby enabling the weight of said bed patient and of
said pad but not the weight of said bed to be applied to said
supporting surface and thus to said pressure transducer,means on
said portable support holding said carrier as an end-supported
load-supporting cantilever for said supporting surface and for said
pad and for said bed patient whenever said carrier is positioned
within said recess in said pad and said pad is resting on said
supporting surface, said carrier and said supporting surface being
able to support said pad and said bed patient without having to
support said bed, thereby enabling said pressure transducer to
sense and respond to the combined weights of said supporting
surface and pad and bed patient but not to the weight of said bed.
Description
This invention relates to improvements in portable supports for bed
patients. More particularly, this invention relates to improvements
in portable supports for bed patients who must be handled with
care.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a
portable support for use with bed patients who must be handled with
care.
The present invention provides a normally deflated, readily
flexible, inflatable pad which can overlie a mattress on a bed and
underlie a bed patient. The material of which that inflatable pad
is made is so thin and flexible that the bed patient can rest on
that inflatable pad without discomfort, even when that inflatable
pad is deflated. As that inflatable pad is inflated it will gently
but firmly elevate the bed patient until the bed patient is several
inches above the mattress. The portions of the inflatable pad which
are not overlain by the bed patient will tend to inflate before the
remaining portions of that inflatable pad can become inflated. This
means that the perimetral portions of the inflatable pad will tend
to inflate before the central portion of that inflatable pad can
become inflated; and the prompt inflation of those perimetral
portions will enable the inflatable pad to cradle the bed patient,
and thereby avoid any tendency of the bed patient to roll, as that
inflatable pad is being inflated. Once the inflatable pad has been
inflated, it will constitute a firm supporting surface for the bed
patient. When that inflatable pad is to be deflated, the weight of
the bed patient will deflate the central portion of that inflatable
pad before the perimetral portions of that inflatable pad become
deflated. This means that the perimetral portions of the inflatable
pad will tend to cradle the bed patient, and thereby avoid any
tendency of the bed patient to roll, as that inflatable pad is
being deflated. It is, therefore, an object of the present
invention to provide an inflatable pad which is made from a thin
and flexible material, which can be inflated to consitute a firm
supporting surface for a bed patient, and which permits the
perimetral portions thereof to tend to cradle the bed patient
during the inflation and deflation of that inflatable pad.
One preferred embodiment of portable support provided by the
present invention can be used as a lifting device for a bed
patient, as a weighing device for a bed patient, and as a
transporting device for a bed patient. That portable support has a
carrier and a supporting surface which can be moved into position
beneath an inflatable pad on which a bed patient is resting; and
that carrier and supporting surface can be raised upwardly to lift
the bed patient. As the bed patient is lifted, a weighing mechanism
intermediate the supporting surface and carrier will develop a
signal which will indicate the total weight of the inflatable pad,
of the bed patient, and of his attire. Because the weight of the
inflatable pad and attire will be essentially constant, any changes
in the indicated weight will reflect changes in the weight of the
bed patient. Also, if desired, while the bed patient is in lifted
position, the bed mattress can be turned over, or reversed end for
end, to make it more comfortable for the bed patient. Further,
while the bed patient is in lifted position, he or she can be moved
around within a given area by moving the portable support around
within that given area. It is, therefore, an object of the present
invention to provide a portable support which can be used as a
lifting device for a bed patient, as a weighing device for a bed
patient, and as a transporting device for a bed patient.
The said one preferred embodiment of a portable support has a
wheel-equipped chassis and has a carrier and a supporting surface
that can be moved laterally away from that wheel-equipped chassis
and into position beneath the inflatable pad on which a bed patient
is resting, that can be raised upwardly to lift the bed patient,
and that can be moved back into position adjacent that
wheel-equipped chassis to move the bed patient into position
adjacent that wheel-equipped chassis. The width of that
wheel-equipped chassis is narrower than the width of an average
door in a hospital or nursing home; and hence that preferred
embodiment of portable support can be used to transport a bed
patient between various rooms or areas in a hospital or nursing
home. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide a portable support with a relatively narrow, wheel-equipped
chassis which has a carrier and a supporting surface that can be
moved laterally away from that wheel-equipped chassis and into
position beneath an inflatable pad on which a bed patient is
resting, that can be raised upwardly to lift the bed patient, and
that can then be moved back into position adjacent that
wheel-equipped chassis to move the bed patient into position
adjacent that wheel-equipped chassis.
The weight of a bed patient will apply a downwardly acting force to
the carrier and supporting surface of the said one preferred
embodiment of portable support -- as that carrier and supporting
surface lift that bed patient; and that downward force will develop
a rotative moment which will tend to cause that portable support to
tilt. Any such tilting will be prevented by stabilizing legs which
are carried by that portable support and which move laterally of
that portable support to engage the floor at points below the bed
patient. Those stabilizing legs will automatically move into
stabilizing position before the carrier and supporting surface can
start to lift the bed patient, and those stabilizing legs will
automatically move into retracted position when that carrier and
supporting surface are lowered to their normal positions. When the
stabilizing legs are in stabilizing position, the total width of
the portable support is greater than the width of an average door
in a hospital or nursing home; but,when those stabilizing legs are
in retracted position, the total width of the portable support is
less than the width of such a door. As a result, the present
invention provides a portable support which is narrow enough to
pass through the average-width doors of a hospital or nursing home,
and yet is sufficiently stable to enable the carrier and supporting
surface thereof to be moved laterally away from it and into
position beneath an inflatable pad to lift that inflatable pad and
a bed patient resting thereon. It is, therefore, an object of the
present invention to provide a portable support which is narrow
enough to pass through the average-width doors of a hospital or
nursing home, and yet is sufficiently stable to enable the carrier
and supporting surface thereof to be moved laterally away from it
and into position beneath an inflatable pad to lift that inflatable
pad and a bed patient resting thereon.
A less expensive portable support, which can lift an inflated pad
and a bed patient resting thereon, can be provided by making that
portable support with a base that always underlies the carrier and
supporting surface of that portable support. The base of that
portable support will fully prevent any tilting of that portable
support when the carrier and supporting surface lift an inflatable
pad and a bed patient resting thereon. The opposite ends of that
inflatable pad will extend outwardly beyond the sides of that
portable support, and will thereby keep that portable support from
being moved endways through an average-width door of a hospital or
nursing home; and the length of that portable support is greater
than the width of such a door. As a result, that portable support
is unable to pass through an average-width door of a hospital or
nursing home while it is supporting an inflated pad and a bed
patient thereon. However, that portable support can be freely moved
around within any given space or room while it is supporting an
inflated bed and a bed patient thereon, and it can be moved through
an average-width door of a hospital or nursing home whenever it is
not supporting an inflated pad. That embodiment of portable support
can lift and lower an inflated pad and a bed patient thereon, can
weigh that bed patient, and can move that bed patient around within
a given space or room. It is, therefore, an object of the present
invention to provide a portable support with a base that always
underlies the carrier and supporting surface of that portable
support and which can raise and lower that carrier and supporting
surface to lift and lower an inflated pad and a bed patient
thereon.
An even less expensive portable support, which can hold an inflated
pad and a bed patient resting thereon, can be provided by making
that portable support with a base that always underlies the carrier
and supporting surface of that portable support and by making that
carrier and supporting surface stationary relative to that base.
The carrier and supporting surface of that portable support can be
moved into position beneath an inflated pad and a bed patient
thereon; and then the bed can be lowered to enable the weight of
the inflated pad and of the bed patient to be transferred to that
carrier and supporting surface. At such time, when the weight of
the inflated pad and of the bed patient can be noted; and the
portable support can be moved around within a given space or room
to move the bed patient around within that space or room.
Subsequently, when it is desired to have the bed again support the
inflated pad and the bed patient, the carrier and the supporting
surface of the portable support will be moved into position above
the bed, and then that bed will be raised upwardly until it engages
and supports the inflated pad and the bed patient thereon. It is,
therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a portable
support with a base that always underlies the carrier and
supporting surface of that portable support and that holds the
carrier and supporting surface stationary relative to that
base.
The supporting surfaces of the various portable supports provided
by the present invention are equipped with fittings that enable
them to support bottles of blood, plasma, glucose, saline solution,
or the like, or to hold receptacles which are attached to catheters
or tubes within the bed patient. As a result, the various portable
supports provided by the present invention can be used to weigh bed
patients and to move those bed patients around within a given space
or room without any need of interrupting the flow of blood, plasma,
glucose, saline solution, or the like into the bed patient, and
without any need of interrupting the flow of fluids from the bed
patient. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide a portable support with a supporting surface which has
fittings that enable it to support bottles of blood, plasma,
glucose, saline solution, or the like, or to hold receptacles which
are attached to catheters or tubes within the bed patient.
The weighing mechanism, in each of the portable supports provided
by the present invention, need only weigh the inflatable pad, the
bed patient, and the bed patient's attire. Because the inflatable
pad is light in weight and because the patient's attire is light in
weight, the bed patient's weight constitutes the greatest
proportion of the total weight sensed by the weighing mechanism.
Such an arrangement is far more desirable than is an arrangement
wherein the bed, as well as the bed patient, must be weighed;
because in the former arrangement the weight of the bed patient is
a very high percentage of the total weight, whereas in the latter
arrangement the weight of the bed patient is a much smaller
percentage of the total weight. It is, therefore, an object of the
present invention to provide a portable support which only weighs
an inflatable pad, a bed patient on that inflatable pad, and the
attire of that patient.
The weighing mechanism in each of the portable supports of the
present invention does not require much vertical movement of the
supporting surface of that portable support, and thus does not
require much vertical movement of the inflatable pad or of the bed
patient. This is desirable, because it permits a bed patient to be
weighed even though some of his or her limbs are held by traction
frames, and even though the upper portion of the bed patient is
encased within an oxygen tent. It is, therefore, an object of the
present invention to provide a portable support which utilizes a
weighing mechanism that does not require much vertical movement of
the supporting surface of that portable support.
The various portable supports provided by the present invention
make it possible for one person to lift a bed patient and to move
that bed patient around within a given space or room. Also, those
portable supports make it possible for that one person to
accurately weigh that bed patient. Further, those portable supports
make it possible for that one person to do any or all of those
things without causing any discomfort to that bed patient. It is,
therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a portable
support which makes it possible for one person to lift a bed
patient, to move that bed patient around within a given space or
room, and to accurately weigh that bed patient without causing any
discomfort to that bed patient.
The various portable supports provided by the present invention can
be used to monitor the weight of a bed patient on a periodic or
continuous basis. Where any of those portable supports is used to
monitor the weight of a bed patient on a periodic basis, that
portable support will be caused to recurrently hold that bed
patient above the bed long enough to enable a reading of his or her
weight to be taken. Where any of those portable supports is used to
monitor a bed patient's weight on a continuous basis, that portable
support will be caused to continuously hold the bed patient. In all
events, the bed patient is held in a comfortable position while
being weighed. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention
to provide a portable support which can monitor the weight of a bed
patient on a periodic or continuous basis.
The normally deflated, readily flexible, inflatable pad provided by
the present invention has a passage therethrough in register with
the rectal area of a bed patient. That passage permits a bedpan to
be placed beneath the rectal area of the bed patient whenever the
inflatable pad is inflated to lift the bed patient above the level
of the bed. Such an inflatable pad makes it possible for the waste
products of the bed patient to be collected with an absolute
minimum of discomfort for that bed patient. It is, therefore, an
object of the present invention to provide a normally deflated,
readily flexible, inflatable pad that has a passage therethrough in
register with the rectal area of a bed patient.
Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention
should become apparent from an examination of the drawing and
accompanying description.
In the drawing and accompanying description several preferred
embodiments of the present invention are shown and described but it
is to be understood that the drawing and accompanying description
are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the
invention and that the invention will be defined by the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the drawing,
FIG. 1 is a partially broken, plan view of one preferred embodiment
of portable support that is made in accordance with the principles
and teachings of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the right-hand end of the portable
support shown in FIG. 1, as it appears when the righthand wing
thereof is in its lowered position,
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the portable support shown in
FIG. 1,
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inflated pad which can be used
with the portable support shown in FIG. 1,
FIG. 5 is an elevational view, on a larger scale, of part of the
supporting surface and inflated pad of the portable support shown
in FIG. 1, and is taken along the plane indicated by the line 5--5
in FIG. 2,
FIG. 6 is a sectional view, on a scale intermediate those of FIGS.
1 and 5, of a portion of the portable support of FIG. 1, and it is
taken along the plane indicated by the line 6--6 in FIG. 3,
FIG. 7 is a sectional view, on a scale intermediate those of FIGS.
5 and 6, of a further portion of the portable support of FIG. 1,
and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 7--7 in FIG.
1,
FIG. 8 is a sectional view, on a scale intermediate those of FIGS.
1 and 7, through another portion of the portable support of FIG. 1,
and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 8--8 in FIG.
3,
FIG. 9 is a sectional view, on a scale intermediate those of FIGS.
1 and 8, through the portable support of FIG. 1, and it is taken
along the plane indicated by the line 9--9 of FIG. 3,
FIG. 10 is a sectional view, on the scale of FIG. 9, through a
portion of the portable support of FIG. 1, and it is taken along
the plane indicated by the line 10--10 in FIG. 9,
FIG. 11 is a partially broken away, partically sectioned view, on
the scale of FIG. 9, through the portable support of FIG. 1, and it
is taken along the plane indicated by the line 11--11 in FIG.
1,
FIG. 12 is a further sectional view, on the scale of FIG. 9,
through the portable support of FIG. 1, and it is taken along the
plane indicated by the line 12--12 in FIG. 11,
FIG. 13 is another sectional view, on the scale of FIG. 9, through
the portable support of FIG. 1, and it is taken along the plane
indicated by the line 13--13 in FIG. 11,
FIG. 14 is yet another sectional view, on the scale of FIG. 9,
through a portion of the portable support of FIG. 1, and it is
taken along the plane indicated by the line 14--14 in FIG. 9,
FIG. 15 is a sectional view, on a scale larger than the scale of
FIG. 5, through another portion of the portable support of FIG. 1,
and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 15--15 in
FIG. 9,
FIG. 16 is a sectional view, on a scale close to that of FIG. 5,
through a further portion of the portable support of FIG. 1, and it
is taken along the plane indicated by the line 16--16 of FIG.
9,
FIG. 17 is a sectional view, on the scale of FIG. 16, through the
structure shown in FIG. 16, and it is taken along the plane
indicated by the line 17--17 in FIG. 16,
FIG. 18 is a sectional view, on the scale of FIG. 16, of the
structure shown in FIG. 17, and it is taken along the plane
indicated by the line 18--18 in FIG. 17,
FIG. 19 is another sectional view, on the scale of FIG. 16, through
the structure shown in FIG. 17, and it is taken along the plane
indicated by the line 19--19 in FIG. 17,
FIG. 20 is a force diagram which shows forces adjacent one of the
levers in the structure of FIG. 17,
FIG. 21 shows the electrical circuit of the portable support of
FIGS. 1-20,
FIG. 22 is an elevational view of a portion of a second preferred
embodiment of portable support which differs from the portable
support of FIGS. 1-20 by having a crank, rather than a motor, to
raise and lower the carrier and supporting surface thereof,
FIG. 23 is a plan view of a third preferred embodiment of portable
support,
FIG. 24 is an elevational view of the rear of the portable support
shown in FIG. 23,
FIG. 25 is a partially broken-away, partially sectioned,
elevational view of the left-hand end of the portable support of
FIG. 23,
FIG. 26 is a partially broken-away, partially sectioned elevational
view of a fourth preferred embodiment of portable support,
FIG. 27 is a plan view of a portion of the portable support shown
in FIG. 26,
FIG. 28 is a schematic showing of the pneumatic system used in the
various portable supports of FIGS. 1-27,
FIG. 29 is a side elevational view of a disposable bedpan which is
usable with the inflatable pad of FIG. 4, and
FIG. 30 is an end elevational view of the bedpan of FIG. 29 in use
with that inflatable pad.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1-20, the numeral 40 generally denotes a chassis
for one preferred embodiment of portable support that is made in
accordance with the principles and teachings of the present
invention. As indicated particularly by FIGS. 1-4 and 9, that
chassis is prismatic in form, is defined by horizontally extending
and vertically extending structural members, and is enclosed by
exterior walls which are secured to those structural members.
Casters 42, of standard and usual design, are secured to the bottom
of the chassis 40 adjacent the four corners thereof; and those
casters are equipped with latches. When those latches are released,
the chassis 40 can be wheeled in any direction to any desired
position within a hospital or nursing home; but, when those latches
are set, the chassis 40 will remain stationary.
The numeral 44 denotes two channels which have slots 46 in the
upper surfaces thereof; and those channels are located adjacent the
bottom of the chassis 40. As indicated particularly by FIGS. 2 and
9, the channels 44 incline downwardly at a shallow angle from the
left-hand or rear face of the chassis toward the right-hand or
front face of that chassis. Elongated stabilizing legs 48, which
are shown in FIG. 10 as hollow beams of rectangular cross section,
are slidably mounted within the channels 44. Rollers 50 are
rotatably mounted at the front ends of the stabilizing legs 48; and
elongated racks 52 are provided on the upper surfaces of those
stabilizing legs. Those racks extend upwardly through, and above
the levels of, the slots 46 in the channels 44, as indicated
particularly by FIGS. 9 and 10.
The numeral 53 denotes a supporting sub-frame which is mounted at
the inner face of the front end of the chassis 40, as indicated
particularly by FIGS. 9 and 15. An elongated shaft 54 is mounted in
bearing blocks 55 which are part of the supporting sub-frame 53,
and which are shown particularly by FIG. 15. That shaft is close
to, and extends parallel to, the lower part of the front of the
chassis 40, as indicated particularly by FIG. 9. Pinions 56 are
fixedly secured to the outer ends of the shaft 54; and those
pinions mesh with, and drive, the racks 52 on the upper surfaces of
the stabilizing legs 48, as indicated by FIGS. 1-3 and 9.
The numeral 58 denotes a pivot which is mounted in the supporting
sub-frame 53; and that pivot is shown particularly by FIGS. 9 and
15. A gear segment 60, with slotted arms 62, is rotatably mounted
on the pivot 58; and that gear segment is shown particularly by
FIGS. 9, 14 and 15. Pins 64 are carried by the lower ends of the
slotted arms 62 of gear segment 60; and those pins project both
outwardly and inwardly of those arms, as shown particularly by FIG.
15. Pins 66 are secured to the sub-frame 53, and they project
outwardly beyond both sides of that sub-frame at a point below the
level of the pivot 58, as shown particularly by FIGS. 9 and 15; and
the opposite ends of those pins receive the lower ends of helical
extension springs 68. The upper ends of those helical extension
springs are held by the pins 64 in the slotted arms 62 of gear
segment 60, as shown particularly by FIGS. 9, 14 and 15.
Stops 69 are formed on the sub-frame 53 at the approximate level of
the axis of the shaft 58, as shown particularly by FIGS. 9 and 15.
Those stops are in the paths of the confronting ends of the pins 64
on the gear segment 60; and those stops limit rotation of that gear
segment in the counter clockwise direction in FIG. 9. The helical
extension springs 68 bias the pins 64 on the gear segment 60 away
from the stops 69 whenever that gear segment is in the solid-line
position shown in FIG. 9, but those helical extension springs bias
those pins toward those stops whenever that gear segment is in the
dotted-line position shown in FIG. 9.
The numeral 70 denotes a shaft which is rotatably supported within
bearings that are located in the supporting sub-frame 53 above the
level of the bearing blocks 55, as shown particularly by FIGS. 9
and 15. A pinion 72 is fixedly mounted on, and thus will rotate
with, the shaft 70; and a pinion 74 is fixedly mounted on, and thus
will rotate with, the shaft 54. The teeth on the pinions 72 and 74
mesh with each other; and the teeth on the pinion 72 mesh with the
teeth on the gear segment 60. As a result, rotation of that gear
segment in the counter clockwise direction in FIG. 9 will effect
counter clockwise rotation of the shaft 54. Coversely, clockwise
rotation of that gear segement will effect clockwise rotation of
that shaft.
The numeral 76 denotes a bushing which is mounted in the supporting
sub-frame 53, as shown particularly by FIG. 9; and that bushing
rotatably supports one end of an elongated lead screw 78. That lead
screw is horizontally disposed, and it extends from the front of
the chassis 40 toward the rear of that chassis, as shown by FIG. 9.
A bearing housing 80, which is supported by the chassis 40, has a
bearing therein that rotatably supports the rear end of the lead
screw 78. A flexible coupling 82 connects the rear end of that lead
screw to the output shaft of a reversible gear motor 84. That gear
motor is mounted on a suitable supporting element within the
chassis 40, as indicated particularly by FIGS. 9 and 11.
The numeral 86 generally denotes a slide which has a straight rear
edge, but which has a front edge that is defined by
rearwardly-inclined converging surfaces, as indicated by FIGS. 1,
12 and 14. The central portion of the slide 86 has a cylindrical
passage 87 through it that has an inner diameter which is larger
than the diameter of the lead screw 78, as shown particularly by
FIG. 14. The slide 86 has horizontally directed arms 88, as shown
particularly by FIGS. 1 and 14; and those arms have slots therein,
as shown by FIG. 15. Projections 90, which are shown particularly
by FIGS. 11-13, extend outwardly from the opposite sides of the
slide 86. Slotted bosses 92 are formed on the upper surface of the
guide 86 adjacent the front edge of that upper surface, as shown
particularly by FIGS. 11-13.
Guide channels 94 are fixedly mounted within the chassis 40; and
those guide channels extend from the front to the rear of that
chassis adjacent the inner surface of the sides of that chassis, as
shown particularly by FIGS. 11-13. Those guide channels receive and
guide the projections 90 on the slide 86, and thus help guide
movement of that slide. A double pole, single throw limit switch 95
is mounted on the chassis 40 in position to be actuated by the
slide 86 as that slide moves into the position of FIGS. 11 and 12.
A double pole, single throw limit switch 97 is mounted on that
chassis in position to be actuated by that slide as that slide
moves into the solid-line position of FIG. 9. A follower block 96,
that is shown particularly by FIGS. 9, 14 and 15, has an internal
thread which mates with the thread of the lead screw 78. Pins 98
are fixedly secured to, and extend outwardly from, both sides of
the follower block 96, as shown particularly by FIGS. 14 and 15.
Those pins are disposed within, and are confined and guided by, the
slots in the slotted arms 88 of the slide 86.
Slotted bosses 100 are formed on a portion of the chassis 40
adjacent the rear of the chassis, as shown particularly by FIGS. 9,
11 and 12. Those slotted bosses are located at the same approximate
level as the slotted bosses 92 on the slide 86; and those slotted
bosses are in general alignment with the slotted bosses 92.
The numeral 102 generally denotes a platform which is rectangular
in plan and in elevation, and which can be moved from the lowered
position of FIG. 9 to the raised position of FIG. 11. Slotted
bosses 104 are provided at the underside of the platform 102,
adjacent the front of that platform, as indicated by FIGS. 9 and
11. Slotted bosses 105 are provided at the underside of the
platform 102, adjacent the rear of that platform, as indicated by
FIGS. 9 and 11.
The numeral 106 denotes channels which are carried by the platform
102 at the top thereof; and those channels extend from the front to
the rear of that platform, and they are located adjacent the
opposite sides of that platofrm. As shown particularly by FIG. 16,
the channels 106 have flanges which extend short distances
downwardly at the opposite sides of the platform 102. Screws 107
extend through those flanges and seat in threaded openings within
the opposite sides of the platform 102, as shown by FIG. 16, to
fixedly secure the channels 106 to that platform. Elongated slides
108 are dimensioned to fit within the channels 106, as indicated
particularly by FIGS. 11 and 16-19; and those elongated slides are
generally C-shaped in cross section but have thick webs. Recesses
are formed in the upper and lower surfaces of the thick webs of the
elongated slides 108 to accommodate rollers 110. Those rollers
engage the confronting faces of the upper and lower flanges of the
channels 106, and thereby facilitate ready telescoping movement of
those slides relative to those channels. The numeral 112 denotes a
generally rectangular carrier which has a length just shorter than
the length of the platform 102, and which has a width that is
slightly greater than the width of the platform 102, as shown
particularly by FIGS. 16 and 17. The sides of the platform 112 are
offset slightly upwardly and are disposed within the slides 108, as
indicated particularly by FIGS. 16 and 17. Rollers 114 are disposed
within recesses in the upper and lower surfaces of the sides of the
carrier 112; and those rollers engage the confronting surfaces of
the upper and lower flanges of the elongated slides 108. As a
result, the carrier 112 can freely telescope relative to the slides
108, while the slides 108 telescope freely relative to the channels
106. All of this means that the carrier 112 can be shifted
forwardly from the position of FIG. 9, wherein it is in register
with the platform 102, to the position of FIGS. 1, 2 and 11,
wherein it is disposed wholly forwardly of that platform.
Hinge plates 116 are pivotally secured to the carrier 112 by hinge
pins 118, as shown particularly by FIGS. 16 and 17. One set of
hinge plates 116 is disposed adjacent the rear edge of the carrier
112 and extends lengthwise of that carrier, while a second set of
those hinge plates is disposed adjacent the front of that carrier
and also extends lengthwise of that carrier -- all as indicated by
FIGS. 9 and 17. A generally rectangular supporting surface 120 is
secured to the upper ends of the hinge plates 116 by hinge pins
119, as shown by FIGS. 9 and 17. That supporting surface overlies
the carrier 112; and the edges thereof extend short distances
outwardly beyond the edges of that carrier.
The carrier 112 has spaced, upstanding ribs 113, and also has a
perimetral upstanding flange. Those ribs and that flange stiffen
and reinforce that carrier, and thereby enable that carrier to be
sturdy and strong although light in weight. The supporting surface
120 has spaced, downwardly extending ribs 121 plus a downwardly
extending perimetral flange. Those ribs and that flange stiffen and
reinforce that supporting surface, and thereby enable that
supporting surface to be sturdy and strong although light in
weight.
The numeral 122 denotes a pressure transducer of standard design
and construction, and that pressure transducer is supported by the
carrier 112 adjacent the geometric center of that carrier. The
numeral 123 denotes an insert of hard material in the underface of
the supporting surface 120; and that insert is in register with the
movable element of the pressure transducer 122. The upper surface
of that movable element is spherical in configuration to enable it
to have point contact with the hard insert 123; and such contact is
desirable because it will make certain that the pressure transducer
is centrally loaded by a single concentrated load.
The hinge plates 116, the carrier 112 and the supporting surface
120 essentially act as a four-bar, linkage mechanism which is
arranged as a quadrilateral, which has the opposite sides thereof
parallel, and which defines equal oblique angles and equal acute
angles; and this is desirable, because such linkage mechanism
enables all of the weight of the supporting surface 120 and of
anything and anyone resting thereon to be concentrated at the hard
insert 123 as a vertically directed load. In this way, the portable
support of the present invention obviates the cost and the
potential errors inherent in the use of a plurality of pressure
transducers or load-sensing cells which have the outputs thereof
suitably totaled. Any internal loads which develop in the four-bar,
linkage mechanism will be in static equilibrium, and thus will
produce no significant rotation in the load which is concentrated
at the hard insert 123. Further, because any displacement of the
center of gravity of the supporting surface 120 and of anything and
anyone resting thereon relative to the hard insert 123 will merely
produce a variation in the internal loads in the hinge plates 116
of the four-bar, linkage mechanism, it is not necessary that the
said hard insert be at the precise geometric center of the
supporting surface 120, and it is not necessary that the pressure
transducer 122 be at the precise geometric center of the carrier
112.
The only disturbance forces which could tend to decrease the
accuracy of the weight-indicating signals developed by the pressure
transducer 122 would be those caused by friction. The numeral 115
in FIG. 20 denotes an arrow which represents a horizontally
directed frictional force that is the product of a down-wardly
acting force -- represented by the arrow 127 -- and its associated
coefficient of friction; and that horizontally directed frictional
force acts at a small radial distance -- indicated by the numeral
129 -- below the center line of a hinge pin 119. That horizontally
directed frictional force will develop a resistive moment of force
that will have to be overcome by the load applied to the supporting
surface 120; but that resistive moment of force will be essentially
insignificant because the diameter of the hinge pin 119 is very
small, and because the surface of that hinge pin and of the
complementary opening in the hinge plate 116 will be smooth, hard
and lubricated. The overall result is that the four-bar, linkage
mechanism enables the pressure transducer 122 to indicate the total
weight of the supporting surface 120 and of anything and anyone
resting thereon with a high degree of repeatable accuracy. The
pressure transducer 122 has a movable element which moves only a
very small fraction of an inch as a bed patient is being weighed.
If desired, that pressure transducer could be a resistance-type
load-sensing cell or could be a piston of a hydraulic
weight-sensing system.
A flexible insulated conductor 124 extends from the pressure
transducer 122 to and through a grommet 126 in the carrier 122, and
then extends to and through a grommet 128 in the upper surface of
the platform 102, as shown by FIG. 9. That conductor extends to a
digital readout and transducer supply 236 which is shown in FIG.
21. The portion of the flexible conductor 124 which is intermediate
the grommets 126 and 128 preferably is made so it tends to assume a
generally helical configuration, as shown by FIG. 9; because such a
configuration enables that conductor to accommodate movement of the
carrier 112 and of the supporting surface 120 from the position
shown in FIG. 9 to the position shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 11. In FIG.
1, the conductor 124 is shown as being absolutely straight; but
even when the supporting surface 120 is in the position shown in
FIGS. 1, 2 and 11, the conductor 124 will have some slack in
it.
The numeral 130 denotes a handle that is fixedly secured to the
rear edge of the supporting surface 120; and that handle resembles
an inverted U in elevation, as shown particularly by FIG. 3. That
handle can be used to apply forces to the supporting surface 120
which will cause that supporting surface and the carrier 112 to
move from the retracted position of FIG. 9 to the moved position of
FIGS. 1, 2, and 11. Conversely, the handle 130 can be used to apply
forces to the supporting surface 120 which will cause that
supporting surface and the carrier 112 to move from the moved
position of FIGS. 1, 2 and 11 to the retracted position of FIG.
9.
The supporting surface 120 has sockets 131 secured thereto adjacent
one edge thereof; and those sockets can releasably receive hangers
132. Those hangers can be used to support containers, such as the
container 256 in FIG. 2, for blood, plasma, glucose, saline
solution, or the like. The supporting surface 120 also is provided
with several headed pins 134, as indicated by FIGS. 1-3 and 17. In
addition, the supporting surface 120 has sockets 125 therein which
can releasably receive the hangers 132.
Referring to FIGS. 9 and 11, the numeral 136 denotes a lever which
has two end plates that are held in fixedly spaced relation by two
connecting plates 137. The end plates of the lever 136 are disposed
a short distance inwardly of the inner faces of the sides of the
platform 102; and the connecting plates 137 of that lever extend
lengthwise of that platform.
Pins 138 rotatably secure the upper ends of the end plates of the
lever 136 to the slotted bosses 105, and thus to the platform 102,
as shown by FIGS. 9 and 11. Pins 140 rotatably secure the lower
ends of the end plates of the lever 136 to the slotted bosses 92 of
the slide 86, as shown by FIGS. 9 and 11.
The numeral 142 denotes a lever which is essentially identical with
the lever 136 -- having two end plates and two connecting plates
143. The end plates of the lever 142 are disposed outwardly of the
end plates of the lever 136 but inwardly of the inner surfaces of
the sides of the platform 102, and the connecting plates 143 of the
former lever extend longitudinally of that platform. As shown
particularly by FIG. 9, portions of the end plates of the levers
136 and 142 are cut away to reduce the weights of those levers.
Pins 144 rotatably secure the lower ends of the end plates of the
lever 142 to the slotted bosses 100 of the chassis 40. Pins 146
slidably and rotatably secure the upper ends of the end plates of
the lever 142 to the slotted bosses 104 of the platform 102.
An elongated pivot 148 extends through the end plates of the lever
136 and are secured to the end plates of the lever 142. That pivot
holds the levers 136 and 142 in assembled relation with each other,
while permitting those levers to rotate relative to each other
about the geometric centers thereof. The slide 86, the levers 136
and 142, and the platform 102 essentially act as a scissors-type
jack.
The numeral 150 denotes a wing which is shown in plan view in FIG.
1 and in side view in FIG. 3. A similar wing 164 is shown in plan
view in FIG. 1, in end view in FIG. 2, in side view in FIG. 3, and
in section in FIG. 6. A hinge 151 has one plate thereof secured to
the chassis 40, and has the other plate thereof secured to the
under surface of the wing 150; and that hinge permits that wing to
be rotated into and out of the dotted-line and solid-line positions
in FIG. 3. Similarly, a hinge 161 has one plate thereof secured to
the chassis 40, and has the other plate thereof secured to the
under surface of the wing 164; and that hinge permits that wing to
be rotated into and out of the dotted-line and solid-line positions
in FIG. 3.
The wing 150 has slots 152 in the sides thereof, and the wing 164
has slots 162 in the sides thereof. As shown particularly by FIG.
6, the wing 164 has a bar-like latch 174 therein, and that latch
has a recess therein. A pin 165 has the inner end thereof disposed
within the recess in the latch 174, and it has the outer end
thereof extending outwardly of the slot 162. A helical compression
spring 176 urges the pin 165 outwardly into locking position within
the slot 162. The head of the pin 165 is undercut to provide a
small-diameter portion which can slide freely through the slot 162;
but a shoulder 167 on that pin is too large to fit into the
normal-width portion of that slot, and can only fit into
larger-diameter openings at the ends of that slot.
When the wing 164 is in the dotted-line position in FIG. 3, the
bar-like latch 174 will be located wholly out of the chassis 40 and
will be wholly within the wing 164; and the shoulder 167 of the pin
165 will be in the large-diameter opening at that end of the slot
162 which is most remote from the hinge 161. At such time, the wing
164 can be rotated freely into and out of the dotted-line position
in FIG. 3. When the wing 164 is to be set in the solid-line
position in FIG. 3, that wing will be raised to that position; and
then the pin 165 will be pushed inwardly, against the pressure of
the spring 176, and that pin will be moved to the solid-line
position in FIG. 6. As the pin 165 is moved from the dotted-line
position to the solid-line position in FIG. 6, the bar-like latch
174 will move into position within the chassis 40, and will thereby
hold the wing 164 in horizontal position -- thereby enabling that
wing to constitute an extension of the upper surface of the chassis
40. As the bar-like latch 174 reaches the limit of its inner
movement, the shoulder 167 of the pin 165 will respond to the
spring 176 to move into the large-diameter opening at that end of
the slot 162 which is closest to the pivot 161. The wing 164 will
have two bar-type latches 174, two pins 165, two springs 176, and
two slots 162; and those latches, pins, springs and slots will be
in register with each other. The wing 150 will have two slots 152
which will perform the functions performed by the slots 162, will
have two pins 154 which will perform the functions of the pins 165,
will have two springs, not shown, which will perform the functions
of the springs 176, and will have two bar-type latches, not shown,
which will perform the functions of the bar-type latches 174. As a
result, the wing 150 can be latched in the solid-line position in
FIG. 3, or can be unlatched and moved into the dotted-line position
in FIG. 3.
The numeral 156 denotes an arm which is rotatably secured to the
wing 150 by a pivot 158; and the numeral 160 denotes a second arm
which is rotatably secured to that wing by a pivot 159. The numeral
166 denotes an arm which is rotatably secured to the wing 164 by a
pivot 168; and the numeral 170 denotes a second arm which is
rotatably secured to that wing by a pivot 172. The outer edge of
the wing 164 is open in nature so the arms 166 and 170 can be
rotated into the positions indicated by FIGS. 1 and 2. Similarly,
the outer edge of the wing 150 is open in nature so the arms 156
and 160 can be rotated into positions comparable to the positions
occupied by the arms 166 and 170 in FIG. 1. Conversely, the arms
166 and 170 can be rotated outwardly to positions comparable to the
positions occupied by the arms 156 and 160 in FIG. 1.
As shown particularly by FIG. 7, the arm 166 has a button 178 with
a reduced diameter upper end; and a helical compression spring
urges that reduced diameter upper end upwardly into the opening 179
or into the opening 181 in the wing 164. Whenever the arm 166 is in
the retracted position shown by FIG. 1, the reduced diameter upper
end of the button 178 will extend into and be held by the opening
181. However, whenever the arm 166 is in its extended position, the
reduced diameter upper end of the button 178 will extend into and
be held by the opening 179. The arm 170 carries a button 180 with a
reduced diameter upper end; and that reduced diameter upper end
will be in the forwardmost opening 182 whenever that arm is in the
retracted position shown in FIG. 1, but will be in the other
opening 182 whenever that arm is in its extended position.
The arm 156 has a button 155 which is comparable to the button 178
in FIG. 7, and that button will be disposed in the forwardmost
opening 149 of the wing 150 whenever that arm is in its retracted
position. However, the reduced diameter upper end of the button 155
will be in the other of the openings 149 in the wing 150 whenever
the arm 156 is in its extended position. Similarly, the arm 160 is
provided with a button 153 that can be identical to the button 178
of FIG. 7. That button will have the reduced diameter upper end
thereof disposed within the rearmost of two openings 157 in the
wing 150 whenever the arm 160 is in its retracted position, but
will have that reduced diameter upper end in the other of the
openings 157 whenever that arm is in the extended position shown by
FIG. 1.
Whenever the wing 150 is moved into and latched in the solid-line
position of FIG. 3 and the arms 156 and 160 are in the retracted
positions wherein they extend part-way into that wing, and whenever
the wing 164 is moved into and latched in the solid-line position
of FIG. 3 and the arms 166 and 170 are in the retracted positions
wherein they extend part-way into that wing, those wings will
moderately increase the effective length of the portable support of
FIGS. 1-20. If the effective length of that portable support needs
to be increased even further, the arms 156 and 166 can be moved
into, and locked in, the positions shown by FIG. 1; and the arms
166 and 170 also can be moved into, and locked in, their extended
positions. On the other hand, if the effective length of the
portable support support should be decreased to a minimum, the
wings 150 and 164 can be rotated into the dotted-line positions
shown by FIG. 3.
Bumpers 184 of the resilient material are provided at the outer
corners of each of the wings 150 and 164. Those bumpers will keep
those corners from directly engaging the edges of any doorways
through which the portable support of FIGS. 1-20 is moved. Because
the chassis 40 is narrower than the width of an average-width door
in a hospital or nursing home, the portable support of FIGS. 1-20
can easily be moved into and out of most spaces and rooms in a
hospital or nursing home.
The numeral 188 in FIG. 3 denotes a door of a compartment, within
the chassis 40, which accommodates a storage battery 192. A pull or
other handle 190 is provided to enable the door 188 to be opened to
check, or to service, the battery. The numeral 194 in FIG. 3
denotes a door to a further compartment within the chassis 40; and
a pull or knob 196 is provided on that door to facilitate the
opening of that door.
The numeral 198 denotes an electric motor which is mounted within
the chassis 40; and the numeral 200 denotes an air compressor which
also is mounted within that chassis. A belt 202 connects a pulley
on the shaft of the motor 198 to a pulley on the shaft of the air
compressor 200. The numeral 201 in FIGS. 3 and 28 denotes a
manually operated valve; and that valve is mounted on a control
panel 252 on the chassis 40. One port of that valve is connected to
the outlet of the compressor 200 by a pressure regulator 203, a
second port of that valve is connected to flexible hoses 222 and
226, a third port of that valve is connected to the inlet of the
compressor 200 by an adjustable valve 205, and the fourth port of
that valve is connected to an air filter 199. Whenever the movable
element of the valve 201 is in the position shown by FIG. 28 and
the motor 198 is operated, the compressor 200 will draw air
inwardly through the air filter 199 and the valve 201 and the
adjustable valve 205, will compress that air, and will then cause
that air to flow through the pressure regulator 203 and the valve
201 to the hoses 222 and 226. However, when the movable element of
the valve 201 is rotated ninety degrees in the clockwise direction,
the outlet of the compressor 200 will be connected to the air
filter 199 by the pressure regulator 203 and that valve, and the
hoses 222 and 226 will be connected to the inlet of that compressor
by that valve and by the adjustable valve 205. Consequently, at
such time, operation of the motor 198 will cause the compressor 200
to withdraw air from the hoses 222 and 226 and to discharge that
air through the air cleaner 199; and that air cleaner will tend to
act as a silencer.
Referring particularly to FIG. 4, the numeral 204 denotes an
inflatable pad which is made from a readily flexible material that
is essentially air-impervious and that is essentially insensitive
to sterilization media and body fluids. That inflatable pad
includes an upper surface, a lower surface and a multitude of drop
threads which extend between and interconnect those upper and lower
surfaces; and some of those drop threads are shown by FIG. 3. The
inflatable pad 204 also includes sides and ends which make that
inflatable pad air-tight. Handles 206 are provided on the sides and
ends of the inflatable pad 204 to facilitate the lifting and
handling of that inflatable pad. In fact, those handles make it
possible to use that inflatable pad as a stretcher on which persons
can be transported by hand. A passage 208 is provided through the
inflatable pad 204; and that passage will be located in register
with the rectal area of a bed patient resting on that inflatable
pad. The passage 208 will be large enough to permit body wastes to
pass freely through it into a bedpan or other receptacle located
below it, but will be small enough to enable the adjacent portions
of the inflatable pad to provide support for the bed patient.
The numeral 210 denotes a commercially available, low pressure,
quick-disconnect fitting at one end of the inflatable pad 204; and
that fitting is hermetically sealed whenever it does not have a
complementary commercially available, low pressure,
quick-disconnect fitting connected to it. Such a complementary
commercially-available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting is
provided at the free end of each of the flexible hoses 222 and 226.
The connecting of the complementary commercially available, low
pressure, quick-disconnect fitting, at the free end of either of
those flexible hoses, to the commercially-available, low pressure,
quick-disconnect fitting 210 will permit air to be introduced into
or withdrawn from the inflatable pad 204.
Flexible straps 212 are secured to the inflatable pad 204, adjacent
the sides of that inflatable pad; and the free ends of those straps
have openings 213 therein which can telescope over the heads of the
headed pins 134 on the supporting surface 120. Whenever the straps
212 have the openings 213 in the lower ends thereof telescoped over
the heads of the headed pins 134, the inflatable pad 204 will be
held against shifting relative to the supporting surface 120.
The numeral 214 denotes an inflatable spacer which underlies one
end of the inflatable pad 204. That inflatable spacer has an upper
surface, a bottom surface, a multitude of drop threads which extend
between and interconnect those surfaces, sides and ends. Some of
the drop threads of that inflatable spacer are shown in FIG. 3. The
inflatable spacer 214 is provided with a commercially available,
low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting 218; and that fitting is
hermetically sealed whenever it does not have a complementary
commercially available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting
connected to it. Such a complementary commercially available, low
pressure, quick-disconnect fitting is provided at the free end of
each of the flexible hoses 222 and 226. The connecting of the
complementary commercially available, low pressure,
quick-disconnect fitting, at the free end of either of those
flexible hoses, to the commercially-available, low pressure,
quick-disconnect fitting 218 will permit air to be introduced into
or withdrawn from the inflatable spacer 214. The numeral 216
denotes an inflatable spacer which underlies the other end of the
inflatable pad 204. The inflatable spacer 216 has an upper surface,
a lower surface, a multitude of drop threads which extend between
and interconnect those surfaces, sides and ends. In addition, the
inflatable spacer 216 has a commercially available, low pressure,
quick-disconnect fitting 220; and that fitting is hermetically
sealed whenever it does not have a complementary commercially
available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting connected to it.
Such a complementary commercially available, low pressure,
quick-disconnect fitting is provided at the free end of each of the
flexible hoses 222 and 226. The connecting of the complementary
commercially available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting, at
the free end of either of those flexible hoses, to the commercially
available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting 220 will permit
air to be introduced into or withdrawn from the inflatable spacer
216.
The inflatable pad 204 and the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 could
be made of different materials, and they could be made in different
ways. For example, that inflatable pad and those inflatable spacers
could be made of dacron, nylon, fiber glass and many other
filaments, single or stranded; and that inflatable pad and those
inflatable spacers could be made in the same way in which the
Goodyear Aerospace Corporation makes the three-dimensional
structural fabrics which it sells under the mark AIRMAT.
Whenever the inflatable pad 204 and the inflatable spacers 214 and
216 are deflated, they are very flexible and pliable, and they will
occupy very little space. As a result, they can underlie a bed
patient without causing that bed patient any discomfort. Whenever
that inflatable pad and those inflatable spacers are fully
inflated, they are quite firm, and they can provide full support
for a bed patient. Whenever the inflatable pad 204 is just
partially inflated, it will provide a gentle, cradle-like
cushioning action for the bed patient.
The inflatable pad 204 can be dimensioned to have an inflated
thickness within a range of 2 to 6 inches. Similarly, each of the
inflatable spacers 214 and 216 can be dimensioned to have an
inflated thickness within a range of 2 to 6 inches. As a result,
inflating of the inflatable pad 204 and of the inflatable spacers
214 and 216 can gently but firmly raise a bed patient a distance of
from 4 to 12 inches above the level of the mattress on a bed. As
the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 are inflated, they will raise
the inflated pad 204 upwardly relative to that mattress; and,
depending upon the inflated thicknesses of those inflatable
spacers, the central portion of that inflatable pad can be raised
from 2 to 6 inches from that mattress.
The inflated thickness of each of the inflatable spacers 214 and
216 is greater than the height of the bedpan 258 shown in FIG. 3.
As a result, that bedpan can be freely moved into position below
the passage 208 in the inflatable pad 204, and can subsequently be
freely removed from position below that passage. Also, the inflated
thickness of each of the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 is greater
than the combined heights of the supporting surface 120 and of the
carrier 112, as shown by FIG. 2. Consequently, that carrier and
that supporting surface can readily be telescoped into the space
between the upper surface of the mattress and the lower surface of
the inflatable pad 204.
If desired, one or the other of the inflatable spacers 214 and 216
could be left in deflated condition. Where that was done, the
inflatable pad 204 would incline at a gentle angle relative to the
mattress of the bed; and hence, a gentle inclination of the bed
patient's body, either with the head down or with the head up,
could easily be attained. That inclination could be maintained as
long as desired, and it could be attained and maintained without
any discomfort to the bed patient. All that need be done is to
inflate the inflatable pad 204, and thereafter to inflate the
desired inflatable spacer 214 or 216. As that inflatable spacer was
inflated, the adjacent end of the inflatable pad 204 would raise
upwardly; and that inflatable pad would be so stiff that it would
gently but firmly raise all portions of the bed patient's body to
the desired inclination.
The flexible hose 222 has one end thereof connected to the valve
201 by piping and a T-junction 223, as shown by FIG. 1. Normally
that flexible hose is held within a hose compartment 224 within the
chassis 40; and normally the door of that hose compartment is
closed. However, that door is readily openable to permit the
flexible hose 222 to be withdrawn from that compartment, and to
have the commercially available, low pressure, quick-disconnect
fitting at the free end thereof connected to the commercially
available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting 210 on the
inflatable pad 204 or to either of the commercially available, low
pressure, quick-disconnect fittings 218 and 220 on the inflatable
spacers 214 and 216. Similarly, the flexible hose 226 has one end
thereof connected to the valve 201 by piping and the T-junction
223, as shown by FIG. 1. Normally that flexible hose is held within
a hose compartment 228 within the chassis 40; and normally the door
of that hose compartment is closed. However, that door is readily
openable to permit the flexible hose 226 to be withdrawn from that
compartment, and to have the commercially available, low pressure,
quick-disconnect fitting at the free end thereof connected to the
commercially available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting 210
on the inflatable pad 204 or to either of the commercially
available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fittings 218 and 220 on
the inflatable spacers 214 and 216.
Referring particularly to FIG. 21, the numeral 230 denotes an
electric plug which can be plugged into the standard and usual
electric outlet in the wall of a room in a hospital or nursing
home. An overload device 232 is connected between one prong of the
plug 230 and a connector strip 233; and the other prong of that
plug is directly connected to a connector strip 235. A lamp 234 has
the terminals thereof connected to the connector strips 233 and
235, and thus will be illuminated whenever the plug 230 is plugged
into the appropriate electric outlet. One terminal of the digital
readout and transducer supply 236 is directly connected to the
connector strip 235, while the other terminal of that digital
readout and transducer supply is connected to the connector strip
233 by one pole of a double pole, double throw switch 238. A DC
power distribution and charger 240 has the input terminals thereof
directly connected to the connector strips 233 and 235; and hence
that DC power distribution and charger will develop a DC voltage at
the output thereof whenever the plug 230 is plugged into an
appropriate electric outlet.
The storage battery 192 has the positive terminal thereof directly
connected to the positive output terminal of the D.C. Power
Distribution And Charger 240; and it has the negative terminal
thereof connected to the negative terminal of that D.C. Power
Distribution And Charger by an overload device 242. A voltmeter 244
is connectable across the terminals of the storage battery 192 by a
single pole, single throw switch 245. The positive output terminal
of the D.C. Power Distribution And Charger 240 is connected to the
two stationary contacts adjacent the other pole of the double-pole
double-throw switch 238. That other pole is connected to one pole
of a double-pole double-throw reversing switch 246, and also is
connected to one terminal of the motor 198 by a single-pole
single-throw switch 250. The other pole of the double-pole
double-throw reversing switch 246 and the other terminal of the
motor 198 are connected to the negative output terminal of the D.C.
Power Distribution And Charger 240 by the overload device 242. The
limit switch 95 selectively connects the right-hand contacts of the
double-pole double-throw reversing switch 246 to the terminals of
the gear motor 84; and the limit switch 97 selectively connects the
left-hand contacts of that double-pole double-throw reversing
switch to these terminals.
The control panel 252 has a knob which can be used to set the
movable contacts of the double-pole double-throw switch 238 in
their upper position, in their lower position, or in an open
position. That control panel also has a knob which can be used to
set the movable contacts of the double-pole double-throw reversing
switch 246 in their left-hand positions, in their right-hand
positions, or in an "off" position. In addition, that control panel
has an actuator to selectively close the switch 250 and an actuator
to selectively close the switch 245. Furthermore, that control
panel has actuators that can be used to reset the overload devices
232 and 242. Moreover, the control panel 252 has a knob which can
be used to set the valve 201 in its "inflate" or "deflate"
position. Also, that control panel has the lamp 234 and the
voltmeter 244 incorporated therein.
The numeral 254 denotes a display panel which is located on the
chassis 40 in the position shown by FIG. 1. That display panel
includes the digital readout of the digital readout and transducer
supply 236. That readout will display in digital form the value of
any weight which rests upon the supporting surface 120, and thereby
acts upon the pressure transducer 122.
To use the portable support of FIGS. 1-20, the operator will
release the latches on the casters 42 of that portable support, and
will then move that portable support into position where it is
alongisde of, and parallel with, a bed on which an inflatable pad
204, with its inflatable spacers 214 and 216, underlies a bed
patient. At such time, that inflatable pad and those inflatable
spacers will be in their deflated conditions. Also, at such time,
the slides 108 will be fully retracted within the channels 106 on
the platform 102, and the sides of the carrier 112 will be fully
retracted within the slides 108; and latches, not shown, will hold
that carrier in that position. Consequently, the supporting surface
120 and the carrier 112 will be directly above, and in register
with, the platform 102 and the chassis 40, as shown particularly by
FIG. 9.
After the chassis 40 has been moved into position wherein it is
alongside of, and parallel with, the bed, the operator will set the
latches on the casters 42. Also, the operator will open the hose
compartment 224 and will connect the commercially available, low
pressure, quick disconnect fitting at the free end of the flexible
hose 226 to the commercially available, low pressure, quick
disconnect fitting 210 of the inflatable pad 204. In addition, the
operator will set the valve 201 in its inflate position, and will
set the switches 238 and 250 to energize the motor 198. As air from
the compressor 200 passes into the inflatable pad 204, that
inflatable pad will gently but firmly raise the bed patient. The
perimetral portions of that inflatable pad will become inflated
before the portions which are overlain by the bed patient are
inflated; and those perimetral portions will act to gently cradle
the bed patient and prevent that bed patient from rolling. Very
quickly, the air within the inflatable pad 204 will cause that
inflatable pad to lift the bed patient and to provide a gentle but
firm support for all portions of his or her body. During the
inflation of the inflatable pad 204, the operator of the portable
support does not have to touch the bed patient and hence the
lifting of that bed patient can be accomplished without any
discomfort to the bed patient. Thereafter, the motor 198 will be
de-energized until the commercially available, low pressure, quick
disconnect fitting at the free end of the flexible hose 222 is
disconnected from the commercially available, low pressure, quick
disconnect fitting of the inflatable pad 204 and is connected to
the commercially-available, low pressure, quick disconnect fitting
218 of the inflatable spacer 214, and until the commercially
available, low pressure, quick disconnect fitting on the free end
of the flexible hose 226 is connected to the commercially
available, low pressure, quick disconnect fitting 220 of the
inflatable spacer 216. At such time, the motor 198 will be
re-energized until both of those inflatable spacers are fully
inflated. The operator does not need to touch the bed patient as
those inflatable spacers are inflated; and hence the bed patient
can be raised from four to twelve inches above the level of the
mattress without having anyone touch him. As the inflatable spacers
214 and 216 are inflated, they will develop a space between the
mattress and the undersurface of the central portion of the
inflatable pad 204 which ahs a height greater than the distance
between the bottom of the carrier 112 and the top of the supporting
surface 120.
Once the inflatable pad 204 and the inflatable spacers 214 and 216
have been inflated, the operator the open switch 250, and will set
the switches 238 and 246 so they energize the gear motor 84 in the
raising direction. That gear motor will cause the lead screw 78 to
rotate and cause the follower block 96 to move to the left in FIG.
9; and, as that follower block so moves, it will cause the pins 98
thereon to coact with the slots in the upper ends of the slotted
arms 62 of the gear segment 60 to start that gear segment rotating
in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9. As that gear segment
rotates in that direction, it will rotate the pinion 72 in the
clockwise direction, and thus will cause the pinion 74, the saft
54, and the pinions 56 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction.
Such rotation of those pinions will cause the racks 52 and the
stabilizing legs 48 to shift to th right in FIG. 9. As the gear
motor 84 continues to drive the lead screw 78, the free ends of the
stabilizing legs 48 will approach the floor on which the chassis 40
is resting; and the rollers 50 of those stabilizing legs will move
into firm engagement with that floor.
At such time, the gear segment 60 will be in the dotted-line
position in FIG. 9; and the follower block 96 will be immediately
adjacent the central portion of the slide 86. Continued rotation of
the lead screw 78 by the gear motor 84 will cause the left-hand
face of that follower block to engage the right-hand face of the
central portion of the slide 86; and that follower block will force
that slide to move out of the solid-line position toward the
dotted-line position in FIG. 9. Such movement of the slide 86 will
shift the slotted bosses 92 to the left, and will thereby force the
levers 136 and 142 to act as a scissor jack and to raise the
platform 102 upwardly. As the lower ends of the end plates of the
lever 136 are shifted to the left, the upper ends of the end plates
of the lever 142 will move to the left; and such movement will be
permitted by the elongated slots in the slotted bosses 104 at the
under surface of the platform 102. When the carrier 112 and the
supporting surface 120 reach a level corresponding to the space
between the mattress and the lower surface of the inflatable pad
104, the operator will open the switch 246 to de-energize the gear
motor 84.
Thereupon, the operator of the portable support will release the
latches, not shown, which normally hold the carrier 112 in the
retracted position of FIG. 9, and will grasp the handle 130 and
push that handle toward the bed patient. The force applied to the
handle 130 will cause the supporting surface 120 and the carrier
112 to move relative to the slides 108; and the rollers 114 within
the recesses at the sides of that carrier will facilitate such
movement. Either simultaneously with the movement of the carrier
112 relative to the slides 108, or after that movement has been
completed, those slides will move relative to the channels 106. The
movement of the supporting surface 120 and the carrier 112 will be
continued until that supporting surface and that slide are in
position between the mattress and the central portion of the
inflatable pad 204. The handle 130 will engage the confronting side
of the inflatable pad 204, and will thereby halt further
telescoping movement of the supporting surface 120 and of the
carrier 112 into the space defined by the mattress and by the
central portion of the inflatable pad 204. At the time the handle
130 engages the confronting side of the inflatable pad 204, the
other end of the supporting surface 120 will project beyond the
opposite side of that inflatable pad. As the carrier 112 and the
supporting surface 120 are moved into the fully extended position
of FIG. 1, the operator will actuate latches, not shown, which will
releasably hold that carrier and that supporting surface in that
fully extended position.
If the bed patient is receiving blood, plasma, glucose, saline
solution, or the like, a hanger 132 can be set in position within
one of the sockets 131 of the supporting surface 120. Thereafter,
the bottle 256 of blood, plasma, glucose, saline solution, or the
like can be suspended from that hanger. This means that the bed
patient can be lifted without any interruption in the ingress of
necessary fluids into his or her body. If the bottle 256 was
located on the opposite side of the bed, the hanger 132 would be
set in one of the sockets 125 in the supporting surface 120. If any
tubes extend from the body of the bed patient to containers
supported by the bed or on the floor beneath the bed, those
containers can be suspended from hangers, such as the hangers 284
in FIGS. 23-25. Those hangers can be suitably supported by the
sockets 125 or 131 of the supporting surface 120. This means that
the bed patient can be lifted without any interruption in the
egress of fluids from his or her body.
A this time, the weight of the bed patient will be borne by the
mattress through the medium of the inflatable pad 204 and of the
inflatable spacers 214 and 216. Consequently, no substantial
rotative moment will be applied to the portable support. However,
because the stabilizing legs 48 extend outwardly to the right of
the chassis 40 in FIG. 2, and thus underlie the carrier 112, the
supporting surface 120, and the inflatable pad 204, that portable
support is capable of withstanding any rotative moments which could
be applied to it by that inflatable pad and by the bed patient
thereon.
To effect lifting of the bed patient, the operator need only
re-close the switch 246 to re-energize the gear motor 84 in the
lifting direction. The renewed rotation of the lead screw 78 will
cause the follower block 96 to shift the slide 86 further toward
the dotted-line position shown in FIG. 9; and, as that slide
continues to move toward that dotted-line position, the levers 136
and 142 will continue to act as a scissors jack, and thus will
raise the platform 102 even further. The connecting plates 137 and
143, respectively, of the levers 136 and 142 and the elongated
pivot 148 stabilize the platform 102 as that platform is being
lifted. If any additional stabilizing of that platform should be
desired, the depending sides of that platform could coact with the
structural members of the chassis 40 to provide that additional
stabilizing. The platform 102 need only be raised far enough to
enable the support surface 120 to bear the full weight of the
inflatable pad 204 and of the bed patient. Because the movable
element of the pressure transducer 122 does not permit the
supporting surface 120 to move very far downwardly relative to the
carrier 112, the platform 102 need only be lifted a short distance
to enable the full weight of the inflatable pad 204 and of the bed
patient to be borne by the supporting surface 120. The digital
readout and transducer supply 236 will produce an immediate readout
of the weight of the inflatable pad 204 and of the bed patient; and
hence the weight of the bed patient can be quickly ascertained.
If the operator of the portable support of FIGS. 1-20 merely wished
to weigh the bed patient, that operator would then shift the
double-pole double-throw switch 246 to the lowering position. The
resulting opposite rotation of the lead screw 78 would move the
follower block 96 toward the right in FIG. 9, and thus would permit
the weight of the supporting plate 120, of the carrier 112, of the
platform 102, and of the levers 136 and 142 to shift the slide 86
toward the solid-line position in FIG. 9. At the time the
supporting surface 120 had lowered the inflatable pad 204
sufficiently to enable the inflated spacers 214 and 216 to again
rest upon the mattress of the bed, the switch 246 could be
re-opened to de-energize the gear motor 84; and then a pull on the
handle 130 could cause the slides 108 to telescope back into the
channels 106 and could cause the sides of the carrier 112 to
telescope back into those slides. Before that pull was applied to
the handle 130, any hangers 132 which had been inserted within the
sockets 125 or 131 of the supporting surface 120 would be removed,
and any hangers 286 which had been secured to that supporting
surface would have been removed.
Once the supporting surface 120 and the carrier 112 have been moved
out from the space between the mattress and the bottom of the
inflatable pad 204, the hoses 222 and 226 could be connected,
respectively, to the inflatable spacers 214 and 216. Thereupon, the
valve 201 could be shifted to its deflate position; and the motor
198 could be re-energized. At such time, the compressor 200 would
draw air from those inflatable spacers via the hoses 222 and 226,
the T-junction 223, the valve 201 and the valve 205; and it would
expel that air via pressure regulator 203, the valve 201 and the
silencer 199. After the inflatable spacers have been deflated, the
hose 226 will be disconnected from the inflatable spacer 216, and
the hose 222 will be disconnected from the inflatable spacer 214
and then connected to the inflatable pad 204. After that inflatable
pad has been deflated, the hose 222 will be disconnected from that
inflatable pad; and then the motor 198 can be de-energized. At this
time, the hoses 222 and 226 will be folded and stored,
respectively, within the hose compartments 224 and 228.
The valve 205 will preferably be set to limit the pressure at the
inlet of the compressor 200 to a value less than one-tenth of a
pound per square inch below atmospheric pressure. Where that is
done, the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 and the inflatable pad 204
will be readily flexible after they are fully deflated. If,
however, a "hard" vacuum were to be developed within the inflatable
spacers 214 and 216 and in the inflatable pad 204, those inflatable
spacers and that inflatable pad would tend to become quite
stiff.
By using the compressor 200 to deflate the inflatable spacers 214
and 216 and the inflatable pad 204, the present invention attains
two important advantages. First, it provides prompt deflation of
those inflatable spacers and of that inflatable pad. Second, it
expels the air at a point which is displaced from the bed patient,
and it tends to minimize the noise made by the expelled air.
As the rotation of the lead screw 78 in the lowering direction
caused the follower block 96 to move toward its solid-line position
of FIG. 9, and thus permitted the slide 86 to move toward its
solid-line position in FIG. 9, that follower block caused the pins
98 carried thereby to re-enter the slots in the upper ends of the
slotted arms 62 of the gear segment 60. That gear segment remained
in the dotted-line position in FIG. 9 after the pins 98 had moved
to the left, and out of engagement with the slotted arms of that
gear segment; because the helical extension springs 68 applied
forces to that gear segment which held the pins 64 on that gear
segment in engagement with the stops 69 on the supporting sub-frame
53. The pins 64 and the stops 69 are disposed so the slots in the
upper ends of the slotted arms 62 of the gear segment 60 will be in
register with the pins 98 on the follower block 96 when the
follower block moves from the dotted-line position toward the
solid-line position in FIG. 9.
Continued rotation of the lead screw 78 in the lowering direction
will cause the follower block 96 go act through the pins 98 thereon
to rotate the gear segment 60 in the clockwise direction, and will
thereby cause the shaft 54 and the pinions 56 thereon to rotate in
the clockwise direction. That rotation will force the stabilizing
legs 48 to move back into retracted position within the channels
44. Such retraction will make the overall width of the portable
support of FIGS. 1-20 small enough to permit that portable support
to pass freely through average-width doorways in hospitals and
nursing homes.
As shown by FIG. 9, the follower block 96 is spaced an appreciable
distance from the central portion of the slide 86 whenever the
platform 102 is in its fully lowered position. That distance
enables the follower block 96 to move far enough to act through the
gear segment 60, the pinions 72 and 74 and the pinions 56 to move
the stabilizing legs 48 into engagement with the floor before the
slide 86 can apply lifting forces to the scissors jack constituted
by the levers 136 and 142. This is important; because it enables
those stabilizing legs to move into position to resist any tilting
of the chassis 40 before any appreciable tilting forces are applied
to that portable support. It should also be noted that the gear
segment 60 will remain in the dotted-line position in FIG. 9, and
hence the stabilizing legs 48 will remain solidly in engagement
with the floor, until after the scissors jack, constituted by the
levers 136 and 142, has permitted the platform 102 to move into its
fully lowered position. This is important; because it enables those
stabilizing legs to remain in stabilizing position until the
platform 102 returns to its fully lowered position. All of this
means that the stabilizing legs 48 will be solidly in engagement
with the floor whenever the platform 102 is out of its fully
lowered position.
If an operator merely wished to use the portable support of FIGS.
1-20 to effect lifting of a bed patient to enable the bedpan 258 to
be set in position beneath the passage 208 in the inflatable pad
204, the platform 102 would not have to be raised. The gear motor
84 would not have to be actuated; and hence the stabilizing legs 48
would not be moved into engagement with the floor. Instead, the
hoses 222 and 226 would be appropriately connected to the
inflatable spacers 214 and 216 and to the inflatable pad 204; and
the motor 198 would be energized to cause successive inflation of
that inflatable pad and of those inflatable spacers. Once that
inflatable pad and those inflatable spacers had been fully
inflated, the bedpan 258 could be set in position beneath the
passage 208 which extends through the inflatable pad 204.
Because the inflatable pad 204 underlies all portions of the bed
patient's body, the weight of that bed patient's body is
distributed over that inflatable pad, and no part of the bed
patient's body experiences uncomfortable pressures. Consequently,
the bed patient can be supported comfortably in elevated position
above the bedpan 258 for whatever length of time is necessary. This
is in contrast to the usual situation wherein a large part of the
weight of the bed patient's body is concentrated on that portion of
the body which directly engages the bedpan.
Because the weight of the bed patient's body is wholly supported by
the inflatable pad 204, no part of the weight of that bed patient's
body need be supported by the bedpan 258. As a result, that bedpan
could be made of light-weight material, and it could be made so it
was readily disposable. In fact, the bed-pan could be made as a
thin-walled receptacle, with an air-tight cover, which had no
visual resemblance to the standard and usual bedpan. By using a
disposable bedpan, the unpleasant task of cleaning that bedpan can
be obviatd.
If an operator wishes to use the portable support of FIGS. 1-20 to
transport a bed patient to another area of a room or to a different
room of a hospital or nursing home, the wings 150 and 164 will be
raised to, and latched in, the solid-line positions of FIG. 3.
Also, the arms 156 and 160 will be rotated to,and locked in, the
extended positions of FIG. 1. The openings 213 at the free ends of
the straps 212 will be telescoped over the heads of the headed pins
134, and then the compressor 200 will be used to successively
inflate the inflatable pad 204 and the inflatable spacers 214 and
216. Thereupon, the gear motor 84 will be energized to successively
cause the stabilizing legs 48 to solidly engage the floor, and then
to cause the platform 102 to rise upwardly to the level at which
the supporting surface 120 and the carrier 112 can be telescoped
into the space between the mattress and the under surface of the
inflated pad 204. Thereafter, the gear motor 84 will be
re-energized to cause the platform 102 to lift the inflatable pad
204 and the bed patient thereon above the level of any side rails
or guards on the bed. At this time, a retracting pull can be
applied to the handle 130 to cause the slides 108 to telescope
within the channels 106 and to cause the sides of the carrier 112
to telescope within those channels. The supporting surface 120, and
the inflated pad 204 with the bed patient thereon, will be above,
and in register with, the chassis 40. The gear motor 84 will be
energized in the lowering direction to cause the platform 102 to
return to the fully lowered position of FIG. 9, and to cause the
stabilizing legs 48 to move to the fully retracted position of FIG.
9. Thereupon, the latches on the casters 42 can be released so the
portable support can be wheeled around within the room or into
other rooms.
It should be apparent from the foregoing that the portable support
of FIGS. 1-20 can be used to weigh a bed patient without requiring
anyone to touch that bed patient and without requiring that bed
patient to move any part of his or her body. It also should be
apparent that the said portable support can be used to raise that
bed patient upwardly into position to use a bedpan without anyone
touching that bed patient and without requiring that bed patient to
move any part of his or her body. In addition, it should be
apparent that the said portable support can be used to lift a bed
patient out of bed and onto that portable support without anyone
touching that bed patient and without requiring that bed patient to
move any part of his or her body. Moreover, it should be apparent
that the said portable support can be used to do all three of these
things without anyone touching that bed patient and without
requiring that bed patient to move any part of his or her body.
The inflatable pad 204 becomes so rigid, whenever it is fully
inflated, that it can provide full support for the body of a bed
patient -- even when only a portion of the center of that
inflatable pad is underlain and raised upwardly by the supporting
surface 120. As a result, that supporting surface can coact with
that inflatable pad to provide full support for a bed patiet.
However, if the bed patient is to be transported to different areas
within a room or to different rooms within a hospital or nursing
home, it will usually be desirable to provide additional stability
for the inflated pad 204 by providing full support for the inflated
spacers 214 and 216. To provide that full support, it is only
necessary to rotate the wings 150 and 164 from the dotted-line to
the solid-line positions of FIG. 3, and to rotate the arms 156 and
160 to the extended positions shown in FIG. 1. If the inflated
spacer 216 rests wholly upon the chassis 40 and the wing 164, the
arms 166 and 170 need not be moved to their extended positions.
However, if the inflated spacer 214 rests wholly upon the chassis
40 and the wing 150, the arms 166 and 170 should be rotated to
their fully extended positions to provide full support for the
inflated spacer 216. At such time, the arms 156 and 160 can be
retracted into position adjacent the wing 150 -- to reduce the
effective overall length of the chassis 40. When the portable
support of FIGS. 1-20 is to be used to transport a bed patient to
different areas within a room or to different rooms within a
hospital or nursing home, it will usually be desirable to
completely deflate the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 and then to
partially deflate the inflated pad 204. That partial deflation
should leave enough air in the inflatable pad 204 to enable that
inflatable pad to gently cradle the bed patient, and also to hold
the openings 213 at the free ends of the straps 212 in engagement
with the headed pins 134. Where such partial deflation is provided,
the bed patient will safely rest in comfort atop the portable
support of FIGS. 1-20.
If the inflatable pad 204 is deflated to the extent that an end
thereof tends to sag downwardly between the arms 156 and 160 or to
sag downwardly between the arms 166 and 170, additional support
will be provided for that end. That additional support could be
provided by sturdy straps connected to, and stretched tightly
between, those arms.
Referring particularly to FIG. 22, the numeral 260 generally
denotes the chassis of a second preferred embodiment of portable
support that is made in accordance with the principles and
teachings of the present invention; and that portable support can
be made very similar to the portable support of FIGS. 1-20.
Specifically, the portable support 260 can have casters 42,
channels 44, stabilizing legs 48, a shaft 54, pinions 56, a gear
segment 60, pinions 72 and 74, a lead screw 78, a slide 86, a
follower block 96, a platform 102, channels 106, slides 108, a
carrier 112, a supporting surface 120, a pressure transducer 122, a
handle 130, and wings 150 and 164. In addition, the portable
support of FIG. 22 will have a motor 198, a compressor 200, an air
valve 201, and flexible hoses 222 and 226. However, the portable
support of FIG. 22 will not have the gear motor 84 of the portable
support of FIGS. 1-20; and, instead, the former portable support
will have a flexible shaft 262 connected to the lead screw 78, and
will have a handle 264 connected to the rotatable element of that
flexible shaft. The handle 264 is located at the exterior of the
chassis 260; and it can easily be operated by the person in the
hospital or nursing home who operates the portable support of FIG.
22. Because it does not have the gear motor 84 of the portable
support of FIGS. 1-20, the portable support of FIG. 22 can have a
simpler control panel 252 and a simpler electric circuit.
The operation and use of the portable support of FIG. 22 will be
identical to those of the portable support of FIGS. 1-20, except
for the fact that the crank 264 must be rotated to cause the
stabilizing legs 48 to move outwardly and contact the floor and
then to cause raising of the platform 102, of the carrier 112 and
of the supporting surface 120. Conversely, the crank 264 must be
operated to lower the platform 102, the carrier 112 and the
supporting surface 120, and then to effect retraction of the
stabilizing legs 48 within the channels 44. Because the portable
support of FIG. 22 does not have the gear motor 84 of the portable
support of FIGS. 1-20, it is less expensive than the latter
portable support.
Referring particularly to FIGS. 23-25, the numeral 270 generally
denotes the chassis of a third preferred embodiment of portable
support that is made in accordance with the principles and
teachings of the present invention. That portable support has a
base which includes two elongated tubular beams 274 and 275; and
FIG. 24 shows those elongated tubular beams as being rectangular in
cross section. The space between those elongated tubular beams is
enclosed by a bottom plate, a top plate 279, and sides to define a
space 277 in which the deflated pad 204 and the attached deflated
spacers 214 and 216 can be stored whenever they are not in use. As
shown particularly by FIG. 23, the top plate 279 extends outwardly
beyond the sides of the beams 274 and 275. Casters 272 of standard
and usual design are secured to the lower surface of the top plate
279 adjacent the sides of the beams 274 and 275 to enable the
portable support of FIGS. 23-25 to be moved around within a room or
between rooms in a hospital or nursing home.
The portable support of FIGS. 23`25 includes an upright portion 281
which is rigidly secured to the beams 274 and 275 of the base.
Beams 283 extend forwardly from the upper part of the upright
portion 281 to underlie and support a carrier, not shown, which can
be essentially similar to the carrier 112 of the portable support
of FIGS. 1-20. However, the beams 283 will hold the carrier fixedly
spaced in position ahead of the upright portion 281. Hingedly
secured to that carrier is a supporting surface 120 which can be
essentially identical to the supporting surface 120 of the portable
support of FIGS. 1-20. A handle 276 is secured to the upright
portion 281 of the portable support of FIGS. 23-25; and that handle
can be used to move that portable support within a room or between
rooms of a hospital or nursing home. A diaphragm pump and electric
motor therefor are denoted by the numeral 292, and they are used in
lieu of the compressor 200 and the motor 198 of the portable
support of FIGS. 1-22.
Stops 278 are provided on the upper face of the supporting surface
120; and those stops will engage the sides of an inflatable pad 204
whenever the carrier and the supporting surface 120 of the portable
support of FIGS. 23-25 have been fully telescoped into the space
between the upper surface of a mattress and the lower surface of
the central area of that inflatable pad. Headed pins 280 are
secured to the front edge of the supporting surface 120, and also
to the rear faces of the stops 278. Those headed pins can
accommodate the openings 213 in the free ends of the straps 212 of
the inflatable pad 204. As shown particularly by FIGS. 23-25,
hangers 284 can be pivotally secured to the supporting surface 120
at any of the four corners of that supporting surface. Those
hangers can support containers into which fluids can drain from
hoses attached to the bed patient. When the hangers 284 are not
being used, they can be rotated into positions parallel to the
front or rear edges of the supporting surface 120. Sockets 285
adjacent the rear edge of that supporting surface can receive
projections 287 on the lower surfaces of the hangers 284 to hold
those hangers parallel to that rear edge. Also, as indicated by
FIGS. 24 and 25, upwardly directed hangers 282 can be set in
sockets 289 in the supporting surface 120; and those hangers can be
used to support bottles of blood, plasma, glucose, saline solution,
or the like.
Because the carrier of the portable support of FIGS. 23-25 is
fixedly spaced in position ahead of the upright portion 281, that
portable support does not utilize a lead screw 78, a slide 86, a
platform 102, channels 106, slides 108, levers 136 and 142, or a
gear motor 84. Because that portable support has the base thereof
underlying the carrier thereof -- to prevent tilting of that
portable support -- that portable support does not require a gear
segment 60, pinions 56, 72 and 74, channels 44, and stabilizing
legs 48. As a result, the portable support of FIGS. 23-25 is less
expensive than the portable support of FIGS. 1-20.
The portable support of FIGS. 23-25 has a display panel 286 and a
control panel 288. The display panel 286 has a digital readout
which is part of a digital readout and transducer supply that is
comparable to the digital readout and transducer supply 236 of FIG.
21. A pressure transducer, not shown, which can be identical to the
pressure transducer 122 of FIGS. 9 and 21 will be interposed
between the supporting surface 120 and the carrier, not shown, of
the portable support of FIGS. 23-25. That pressure transducer will
respond to the combined weight of the supporting surface 120, of
the inflatable pad 204, of the inflatable spacers 214 and 216, of
the bed patient, and of the bed patient's clothing to develop a
signal which corresponding to that combined weight. Because the
portable support of FIGS. 23-25 does not use the gear motor of the
portable support of FIGS. 1-20, the control panel 288 can be
simpler than the control panel 252 of the latter portable
support.
The portable support of FIGS. 23-25 is intended for use with a bed
290 which can elevate or lower the springs and the mattress
thereof. In using that portable support, an inflatable pad 204 with
its attached inflatable spacers 214 and 216 will be placed atop
that mattress and beneath a bed patient; and then that inflatable
pad will be secured to the supporting surface 120 by connecting the
straps 112 to the pins 280 on the stops 278 and on that supporting
surface. The inflatable pad 204 and the inflatable spacers 214 and
216 will be inflated by appropriate actuation of valve 201 and of
the diaphragm pump and electric motor 292. Thereafter, the bed 290
will be actuated to move the top of the mattress to the approximate
level of the bottom of the carrier, not shown, of that portable
support. Thereupon, the handle 276 will be gripped, and a force
will be applied to it, to cause the portable support to move
forwardly toward the bed 290 until the carrier and the supporting
surface 120 have moved into position below the central portion of
the inflated pad 204.
At this time, the bed 290 will be actuated to lower the mattress
downwardly out of engagement with the inflated spacers 214 and 216.
As that mattress is moved downwardly, the combined weight of the
bed patient, of the inflated pad 204, of the inflated spacers 214
and 216, and of the clothing of the bed patient will be borne by
the supporting surface 120. The pressure transducer 122 of the
portable support of FIGS. 23-25 will respond to that combined
weight to cause the digital readout and transducer supply 236 of
that portable support to display a digital value corresponding to
that combined weight. Subsequently, the bed 290 will be actuated to
raise the mattress upwardly to engage and raise the inflated
spacers 214 and 216; and, at such time, the portable support of
FIGS. 23-25 can be moved a short distance away from that bed; and
the valve 201 and the diaphragm pump and electirc motor 292 can be
used to deflate the inflated spacers 214 and 216 and then deflate
the inflated pad 204.
If the portable support of FIGS. 23-25 is to be used to enable the
bed patient to use a bedpan, that portable support will be moved
close to the bed 290, and the valve 201 and the diaphragm pump and
electirc motor 292 will be used to successively inflate the
inflatable pad 204 and the inflatable spacers 214 and 216. Once
that inflatable pad and those inflatable spacers have been
inflated, the bed patient will have been raised above the surface
of the mattress of the bed 290, and the bedpan can be inserted in
appropriate position beneath the passage 208 through that inflated
pad. Thereafter the two portions of a split sheet can be moved
apart to expose the upper portion of the opening 208.
If the portable support of FIGS. 23-25 is to be used to transport a
bed patient within a given room or space, the inflatable pad 204
and the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 will be inflated, and then
that portable support will have the carrier and the supporting
surface 120 thereof telescoped into the space beneath the central
portion of that inflated pad. Thereafter, the bed 290 will be
actuated to lower the mattress thereof downwardly and away from the
inflated spacers 214 and 216. At such time, the bed patient and the
inflated pad 204 will be wholly supported by the supporting surface
120 of that portable support; and then the latches on the casters
272 can be released to permit that portable support to be moved
around within that given room or space. Although the portable
support of FIGS. 23-25 can pass through average-width doorways of
hospitals and nursing homes, that portable support will be unable
to do so when it is holding the inflated pad 204. However, that
portable support can be freely moved around within a given room or
space within a hospital or nursing home.
Referring particularly to FIGS. 26 and 27, the numeral 300 denotes
the chassis of a fourth preferred embodiment of portable support
that is made in accordance with the principles and teachings of the
present invention. That portable support has a base which can be
identical to the base of the portable support of FIGS. 23-25, and
it has an upright portion 301 which is generally similar to that of
the portable support of FIGS. 23-25. Casters 302 are provided
adjacent the four corners of the base of the chassis 300; and, when
the latches on those casters are released, the portable support of
FIGS. 26 and 27 can be moved freely within a given room or space in
a hospital or nursing home, or between rooms or spaces within such
hospital or nursing home.
The portable support of FIGS. 26 and 27 differs from the portable
support of FIGS. 23-25 in that the supporting surface of the latter
portable support can not be moved upwardly or downwardly.
Specifically, the supporting surface 120 of the portable support of
FIGS. 26 and 27 is hinged to a carrier 304 which is fixedly secured
to the upper end of a plunger 306. That plunger can be driven
upwardly and downwardly relative to a cylinder 308 by the lead
screw of a screw jack; and that lead screw is connected to a motor
312 by a gear bod 310. Actuation of the motor 312 in the raising
direction will cause the lead screw to drive the plunger 306, and
hence the carrier 304 and the supporting surface 120, upwardly.
Conversely, actuation of that motor in the lowering direction will
cause the lead screw to lower the plunger 306, and hence the
carrier 304 and the supporting surface 120.
Stops 305 are provided atop the supporting surface 120; and those
stops can be essentially identical to the stops 278 of the portable
support of FIGS. 23-25. Headed pins on those stops and headed pins,
not shown, on the front end of the supporting surface 120 can
releasably receive the straps 212 of an inflated pad 204 or of the
inflated pad 320 shown in FIG. 26. The inflated pad 320 differs
from the inflated pad 204 in that it i formed to have inflatable
spacers integral with it rather than attached to it. The inflatable
pad 320 has a commercially available, low pressure, quick
disconnect fitting 322 through which air can be introduced into, or
through which air can be withdrawn from, the inflatable pad
320.
Hangers 314 can be pivoted to the supporting surface 120, as
indicated particularly by FIGS. 27; and those hangers can be
identical to the hangers 284 in FIGS. 23-25. The supporting surface
120 has sockets 315 adjacent the rear edge thereof to receive and
hold projections on the lower edge of the hangers 314. Also, the
supporting surface 120 has sockets 317 therein into which hangers,
such as the hangers 282 of FIGS. 24 and 25, can be inserted.
A control panel 316 is provided at one side of the top of the
vertical portion 301 of the chassis 300; and a display panel 318 is
provided adjacent the other side of the top of that vertical
section. The control panel 316 can be comparable to the control
panel 252 of FIG. 3; because, although the portable support of
FIGS. 26 and 27 does not have the stabilizing legs 48 of the
portable support of FIGS. 1-20, it does have the motor 312 which
requires the same switches and knobs that are required by the gear
motor 84 of the portable support of FIGS. 1-20. The display panel
318 will include a digital readout; and that digital readout can be
identical to the digital readout of the digital readout and
transducer supply 236 of FIG. 21. That digital readout and
transducer supply will be connected to a pressure transducer which
is located between the supporting surface 120 and the carrier
304.
The portable support of FIGS. 26 and 27 has handles 324 secured to
the vertical portion 301 of the chassis 300 thereof. Those handles
permit that portable support to be moved around within aroom or
space in a hospital or nursing home or to be moved between rooms or
spaces in that hospital or nursing home. As shown by FIG. 26, those
handles are U-shaped but are inverted, and they extend uwardly from
the vertical portion 301 of the chassis 300.
The portable support of FIGS. 26 and 27 can be used in somewhat the
same manner in which the portable support of FIGS. 23-25 can be
used. However, instead of requiring the bed to be raised or
elevated to place the carrier 304 and the supporting surface 120 in
register with the space between the mattress and the bottom of the
central portion of the inflatable pad 320, the portable support of
FIGS. 26 and 27 can move that carrier and that supporting surface
vertically into register with that space. Thereafter that portable
support can be moved toward the bed to telescope that carrier and
supporting surface into that space. That portable support can
subsequently lift the inflatable pad 320 and the bed patient
thereon; and the base of that portable support will underlie the
carrier 304 and fully prevent any tilting of that portable
support.
The pneumatic system shown in FIG. 28 is very useful in locations
where air is an acceptable fluid for pneumatic systems. In the
event any of the portable supports of the present invention were to
be used in a location where air was not an acceptable fluid for
pneumatic systems, a tank of helium, nitrogen, carbon dioxide or
other essentially inert and non-toxic gas could be connected to the
port of valve 201 to which the air filter 199 is normally
connected. Where that was done, and where the movable element of
that valve was in the position shown by FIG. 28, operation of the
motor 198 would inflate the inflatable pad 204 and the inflatable
spacers 214 and 216 with the gas from that tank. Subsequently, when
that inflatable pad and those inflatable spacers were to be
deflated, that tank would be disconnected from that port, and the
air cleaner 199 would be re-connected to that port. Thereafter, the
movable element of the valve 201 would be rotated ninety degrees in
the clockwise direction in FIG. 28, and then the motor 198 would be
energized.
Where any of the portable supports of FIGS. 1-20, 22, 23-25 and 26
and 27 is used to determine the relative weight of a bed patient,
the readings obtained from the digital readout of the digital
readout and transducer supply 236 can be used directly. However,
where that portable support is used to determine the net weight of
a bed patient, the sum of the weights of the supporting surface
120, of the bed patient's attire, of the inflatable pad, of any
sheets or blankets, of any hangers and bottles -- including the
contents thereof and any hoses attached thereto, and of any hangers
and receptacles -- including the contents thereof and any hoses
attached thereto, must be deducted from the readings obtained from
that digital readout. In either case, the pressure transducer 122
and the digital readout provide repeatable values that are accurate
within small fractions of a pond.
The provision of the arms 166 and 170 in addition to the arms 156
and 160 enables the portable support of FIGS. 1-22 to be moved into
engagement with either side of the bed on which the bed patient is
resting. Similarly, the provision of the sockets 125 in addition to
the sockets 131 enables that portable support to be moved into
engagement with either side of that bed. As a result, that portable
support can be moved into position adjacent the side of a bed with
a minimum amount of maneuvering.
When the inflatable pad 204 is used to raise a bed patient, the
inflatable spacers 214 and 216 will preferably be inflated
simultaneously. Similarly, when that inflatable pad is used to
lower a bed patient, the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 will
preferably be deflated simultaneously. Simultaneous inflation or
deflation of those inflatable spacers is easily attained by
connecting one of the flexible hoses 222 and 226 to one of those
inflatable spacers and by connecting the other of those flexible
hoses to the other of those inflatable spacers.
If desired, an internal passage could be provided between the
inflatable pad 204 and the inflatable spacer 214; and, similarly,
an internal passage could be provided between that inflatable pad
and the inflatable spacer 216. Such internal passages would enable
the inflatable pad 204 and the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 to
become inflated or deflated substantially simultaneously. In all
cases where the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 are effectively
isolated from the inflatable pad 204, that inflatable pad will be
inflated before either of those inflatable spacers is inflated, but
that inflatable pad will be deflated after both of those inflatable
spacers have been deflated.
Where the inflatable pad 204 is used to raise a bed patient so a
bedpan, such as the bedpan 258 in FIG. 3, can be moved laterally
into position beneath the opening 208 of that inflatable pad, it is
necessary to use a split sheet atop that inflatable pad or to roll
the sheet out of register with the opening 208. In any instances
where it would be undesirable to use a split sheet atop the
inflatable pad 204 or would be undesirable to roll the sheet out of
register with the opening 208, the sheet can be loosened
sufficiently to permit it to be pressed downwardly through the
opening 208, as shown particularly by FIG. 30. Specifically, a
sheet 342 can have the central portion thereof loosened
sufficiently to enable that central portion to be pressed
downwardly through the opening 208 of the inflatable pad 204 and to
be pressed into engagement with the mattress which underlies the
inflatable spacers 214 and 216 of that inflatable pad.
Thereafter, a disposable bedpan 330 can be set in position within
the upper part of the opening 208, as shown by FIG. 30. That
disposable bedpan has a semi-rigid frame 332 which is equipped with
a splash shield 334 at one end thereof. When that disposable bedpan
is to be used, that splash shield will be moved upwardly into the
solid-line position of FIG. 29 so it can perform its intended
function. However, when the disposable bedpan 330 is to be stacked
with similar disposable bedpans, during shipment and storage, that
splash shield will be moved downwardly in the dotted-line position
of FIG. 29. The disposable bedpan 330 has a flexible bottom 336
with an opening at the approximate center thereof; and a specimen
collector 338 has the neck-like upper portion thereof connected to
that opening in liquid-tight manner. The junction 340 between the
neck of the specimen collector 338 and the flexible bottom 336 is
made strong enough to prevent accidental separation of that
specimen collector from that flexible bottom; but that junction is
made weak enough so it can be torn by the application of a firm
pull to the neck-like upper portion of that specimen collector. The
specimen collector 338 is flexible; and that specimen collector and
the flexible bottom 336 will readily fold when the disposable
bedpan 330 is to be stacked with similar disposable bedpans.
In using the disposable bedpan 330, the central portion of the
sheet 342 will be loosened sufficiently to enable that central
portion to be passed downwardly into the opening 208 in the
inflatable pad 204. Thereafter, the disposable bedpan 330 will have
the specimen collector 338 and the flexible bottom 336 thereof
moved downwardly into the space defined by the central portion of
the sheet 342; and that specimen collector can be set in the
position shown by FIG. 30. At such time, the semi-rigid frame 332
of that disposable bedpan will be caused to rest on those portions
of the inflatable pad 204 which define the upper edge of the
opening 208. The semi-rigid frame 332 is made so it will
substantially fill the upper part of the opening 208 in the
inflatable pad 204, and so it will receive full support from those
portions of the inflatable pad 204 which define that opening.
Any waste matter from the bed patient will be collected and held by
the flexible bottom 336 of the disposable bedpan 330. When the need
for that disposable bedpan has ended, that disposable bedpan will
be lifted upwardly out of the space within the opening 208; and,
thereupon, that waste matter will pass downwardly into and be held
by the specimen collector 338. The upper end of that specimen
collector will then be suitably sealed -- as by a clip, a short
length of twine or otherwise; and a firm pull on the neck-like
upper portion of that specimen collector will cause the junction
340 to tear. Thereafter, that specimen collector can be sent to a
laboratory for testing of the waste matter therein, or that
specimen collector and its contents can be placed in a suitable
waste-disposal mechanism. The rest of the disposable bedpan 330
will be disposed in a container for dirty used objects. The sheet
342 will then be tightened; so the portion thereof which was
disposed within the opening 208 will lie in taut condition above,
and adjacent to, that opening.
To use the disposable bedpan 330, the legs of the bed patient must
be moved sufficiently to free the central portion of the sheet 342
and to permit the insertion of that bedpan into the upper portion
of the opening 208. Subsequently, the legs of the user must agin be
moved to permit removal of that bedpan from the upper portion of
the opening 208, and to permit smoothing out of the sheet 342.
However, the amount of movement which must be imparted to the legs
of the bed patient can be quite limited; and hence that movement
need not impose any strain on the bed patient. Moreover, any strain
which might be imposed on the bed patient would be smaller than the
strain which would be involved in rolling the sheet out from under
the bed patient.
By using the disposable bedpan 330, it is possible to free the
personnel of a hospital or nursing home from the unpleasant job of
cleaning bedpans. Moreover, by using a specimen collector 338 with
a relatively small neck-like upper portion, it is possible to
reduce the volume of unpleasant odors which otherwise would tend to
permeate the air. In addition, by making the specimen collector 338
readily detachable from the flexible bottom 336 of the disposable
bedpan 330, the present invention facilitates the collecting and
holding of specimens of waste material.
In any instances where the inflated thickness of the inflatable pad
204 is great enough to permit the flexible bottom 336 to be fully
opened, the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 need not be inflated.
However, in most instances, it will be desirable to inflate both of
those inflatable spacers -- thereby providing enough room in the
flexible bottom 336 to open fully, and thus be able to receive and
hold all waste products which it receives from the bed patient.
Whereas the drawing and accompanying description have shown and
described several preferred embodiments of the present invention,
it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
changes can be made in the form of the invention without affecting
the scope thereof.
* * * * *