Communication and bed function control apparatus

Abstract

A control apparatus is provided for use by a person located on a bed to control at least one function. The bed includes a frame, and a patient support surface supported by the frame. The apparatus includes a control unit configured to control the at least one function.

1 . A control apparatus for use by a person located on a bed to control at least one function, the bed including a frame, and a patient support surface supported by the frame, the apparatus comprising: 
 a control unit configured to control at least one function; and    a handle portion including a longitudinal axis, the handle portion being supported by the control unit for rotation about the longitudinal axis and operable to control the at least one function upon rotation of the handle.    
     
     
         2 . The control apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable handle portion is configured to provide an up and down control for the at least one function.  
     
     
         3 . The control apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is supported by an arm coupled to the bed, the arm being configured to support the control unit above the patient support surface.  
     
     
         4 . The control apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein handle is spaced apart from the control unit.  
     
     
         5 . The control apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a device coupled to the control unit and configured to permit voice communication with another person.  
     
     
         6 . The control apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of select switches located on the control unit, each select switch representing a separate one of a plurality of controlled functions, the handle being operable to control a function selected using one of the plurality of select switches.  
     
     
         7 . The control apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls a plurality of functions including at least one of calling a nurse, turning on a light in a room, turning on a reading light, controlling a TV, controlling a radio, placing and receiving telephone calls, controlling drapes, controlling doors, adjusting a height of the bed, adjusting a configuration of an articulating deck on the bed, adjusting a mattress located on the bed, connecting to the Internet, and controlling a video game.  
     
     
         8 . The control apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is formed to include a central aperture, the handle portion being located within the central aperture.  
     
     
         9 . The control apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a reading light coupled to one of the control unit and the handle portion.  
     
     
         10 . The control apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit includes a housing having a plurality of side surfaces, each side surface including a perimeter edge, and further comprising a nurse call button located on one of the side surfaces of the housing and extending along the perimeter edge.  
     
     
         11 . A control apparatus for use by a person located on a bed to control at least one function, the bed including a frame, and a patient support surface supported by the frame, the apparatus comprising: 
 a control unit configured to control at least one function; and    a reading light coupled to the control unit.    
     
     
         12 . The control apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a handle portion including a longitudinal axis, the handle portion being supported by the control unit for rotation about the longitudinal axis and operable to control the at least one function upon rotation of the handle.  
     
     
         13 . The control apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the control unit is supported by an arm coupled to the bed, the arm being configured to support the control unit above the patient support surface.  
     
     
         14 . The control apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a device coupled to the control unit and configured to permit voice communication with another person.  
     
     
         15 . The control apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the control unit controls a plurality of functions including at least one of calling a nurse, turning on a light in a room, turning on the reading light, controlling a TV, controlling a radio, placing and receiving telephone calls, controlling drapes, controlling doors, adjusting a height of the bed, adjusting a configuration of an articulating deck on the bed, adjusting a mattress located on the bed, connecting to the Internet, and controlling a video game.  
     
     
         16 . The control apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the control unit includes a housing having a plurality of side surfaces, each side surface including a perimeter edge, and further comprising a nurse call button located on one of the side surfaces of the housing and extending along the perimeter edge.  
     
     
         17 . A control apparatus for use by a person located on a bed to control at least one function, the bed including a frame, and a patient support surface supported by the frame, the apparatus comprising: 
 a control unit configured to control at least one function, the control unit including a housing having a plurality of side surfaces, each side surface including a perimeter edge; and    a nurse call button located on one of the side surfaces of the housing and extending along the perimeter edge.    
     
     
         18 . The control apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the nurse call button extends outwardly beyond the perimeter edge of the housing.  
     
     
         19 . The control apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the nurse call button is located at a corner of the housing so that the nurse call button extends along two adjacent side surfaces of the housing.  
     
     
         20 . The control apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising handle portion including a longitudinal axis, the handle portion being supported by the control unit for rotation about the longitudinal axis and operable to control the at least one function upon rotation of the handle.  
     
     
         21 . The control apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the control unit is supported by an arm coupled to the bed, the arm being configured to support the control unit above the patient support surface.  
     
     
         22 . The control apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a device coupled to the control unit and configured to permit voice communication with another person.  
     
     
         23 . The control apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the control unit controls a plurality of functions including at least one of calling a nurse upon actuation of the nurse call button, turning on a light in a room, turning on a reading light, controlling a TV, controlling a radio, placing and receiving telephone calls, controlling drapes, controlling doors, adjusting a height of the bed, adjusting a configuration of an articulating deck on the bed, adjusting a mattress located on the bed, connecting to the Internet, and controlling a video game.  
     
     
         24 . The control apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a reading light coupled to the control unit.