Hospital bed mechanisms

Abstract

A bed includes a pivotable push handle coupled between posts located at an end of the bed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A pivotal push handle apparatus for a hospital bed, the apparatus comprising: 
 first and second spaced apart posts located at an end of a bed, the first and second posts each having a top end portion;    first and second corner connectors provided on the top end portions of the first and second spaced apart posts, respectively; and    a push handle pivotally coupled between the first and second corner connectors for movement between a first position wherein the push handle is substantially perpendicular to the first and second posts, and a second position wherein the push handle is located between the first and second posts.    
     
     
         2 . The handle apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the push handle comprises a tray.  
     
     
         3 . The handle apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the push handle includes a substantially rectangular shaped structure that is pivotably coupled to the first and second corner connectors about a first side thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The handle apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the push handle includes first and second grip apertures located along a second side opposed to the first side.  
     
     
         5 . The handle apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second grip apertures are adjacent first and second corners of the push handle, respectively.  
     
     
         6 . The handle apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the push handle includes a raised outer peripheral edge.  
     
     
         7 . The handle apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the push handle includes a hollow portion and a biased locking mechanism which locks the push handle in one of a plurality of pivotal positions relative to the first and second posts.  
     
     
         8 . A pivotal push handle apparatus for a hospital bed apparatus, the apparatus comprising: 
 first and second spaced apart posts located at an end of a bed, the first and second posts each having a top end portion;    first and second corner connectors provided on the top end portions of the first and second spaced apart posts;    a push handle pivotally coupled between the first and second corner connectors; and    an arm disposed within the push handle and extending between the first and second corner connectors, the arm being movable between a locking position wherein the arm inhibits rotation of the push handle, and an unlocked position wherein the arm permits rotation of the push handle.    
     
     
         9 . The handle apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the arm includes a first tab and a second tab, the first tab being received by a notch formed in the first corner connector and the second tab being received by a notch formed in the second corner connector when the arm is in the locking position.  
     
     
         10 . The handle apparatus of  claim 8 , further including a spring disposed within the push handle for biasing the arm toward the locking position.  
     
     
         11 . The handle apparatus of  claim 8 , further including an actuator connected to the arm, the actuator extending through an opening formed in the push handle.  
     
     
         12 . A pivotal push handle apparatus for a hospital bed, the apparatus comprising: 
 first and second spaced apart posts located at an end of the bed, each post having a longitudinal axis;    first and second corner connectors connected to the first and second spaced apart posts, respectively, the first and second corner connectors each including a first end connected to a post and a second end; and    a push handle pivotally coupled between the second ends of the first and second corner connectors, the second ends extending into the push handle.    
     
     
         13 . The handle apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first end of each corner connector is axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of a spaced apart post.  
     
     
         14 . The handle apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the second ends of the corner connectors are axially aligned and directed toward one another.  
     
     
         15 . A bed comprising: 
 a pair of support tubes located at an end of the bed;    a carriage movably coupled to the support tubes;    a frame coupled to the carriage, the frame including a patient support surface; and    a mechanism configured to raise and lower the frame including a first component fixedly coupled to the carriage, a second component movably coupled to the first component, and a third component coupled between the first component and one of the support tubes;    wherein actuation of the mechanism by movement of the second component causes movement of the frame relative to the support tubes.    
     
     
         16 . The bed of  claim 15 , wherein movement of the second component by a first amount causes movement of the first component relative to the second component by a first distance and movement of the frame relative to the support tubes by a second distance that is greater than the first distance.  
     
     
         17 . The bed of  claim 16 , wherein the second distance is approximately twice the first distance.  
     
     
         18 . The bed of  claim 16 , wherein the second distance is approximately four times the first distance.  
     
     
         19 . The bed of  claim 15 , further including a pair of caster assemblies connected to the support tubes, each caster assembly including a first portion coupled to a respective support tube for rotation about a first axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the respective support tube, a second portion extending laterally from the first portion to define a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and a caster connected to the second portion for rotation about the second axis.  
     
     
         20 . The bed of  claim 19 , wherein the first portion is substantially cylindrical and includes a lower end directed away from the respective support tube, the second axis being disposed between the lower end and the support tube.  
     
     
         21 . The bed of  claim 19 , wherein the caster assembly further includes a brake for engaging a floor to inhibit movement of the bed assembly, the brake being movable between a first position wherein the brake is substantially disposed within the first portion of the caster assembly, and a second position wherein the brake extends from the first portion to engage the floor.  
     
     
         22 . The bed of  claim 21 , wherein the caster assembly further includes a spring connected to the first portion, the spring being configured to bias the brake toward the second position.  
     
     
         23 . The bed of  claim 15 , further including a siderail connected to the frame, the siderail having a frame that extends substantially continuously between the head end and a foot end.  
     
     
         24 . The bed of  claim 15 , further including a control for actuating the mechanism, the frame including a recess for receiving the control.  
     
     
         25 . The bed of  claim 24 , wherein the control includes a pivotable stand that is movable between a first position wherein the stand is substantially parallel to the control, and a second position wherein the stand extends at an angle from the control to support the control at an angle relative to the frame.  
     
     
         26 . A bed comprising: 
 a patient support surface including a head insert having a bottom surface, and a seat insert having a bottom surface;    a perimeter frame including a head section for receiving the head insert, a seat section for receiving the seat insert, and a first pair of hinges connected between the head section and the seat section;    a support frame configured to support the perimeter frame; and    a mechanism coupled to the support frame for articulating the support frame such that the head section and the seat section of the perimeter frame pivot toward and away from one another about a pivot axis extending through the first pair of hinges, the pivot axis being disposed above the bottom surfaces of the head insert and the seat insert.    
     
     
         27 . The bed of  claim 26 , wherein the patient support surface further includes a foot insert, and the perimeter frame further includes a foot section for receiving the foot insert, the foot section being pivotally coupled to the seat section by a second pair of hinges.  
     
     
         28 . The bed of  claim 26 , wherein the head insert includes a sidewall that extends upwardly relative to the head insert bottom surface and a flange that extends from an upper edge of the sidewall about the perimeter of the head insert.  
     
     
         29 . The bed of  claim 28 , wherein the seat insert includes a sidewall that extends upwardly relative to the seat insert bottom surface and a flange that extends from an upper edge of the seat insert sidewall about the perimeter of the seat insert.  
     
     
         30 . The bed of  claim 26 , wherein the head section includes a flange for supporting the head insert bottom surface and the seat section includes a flange for supporting the seat insert bottom surface.