Patient repositioning apparatus

Abstract

A patient handling system comprising a patient support apparatus having a patient support surface, a component, and a force generating device inducing movement or assisting in movement of the component, and a sheet for covering at least a portion of the patient support surface, and the sheet coupled to the component wherein when the force generating device is operated to induce movement or assist in movement of the component, the movement induces the sheet to move relative to the patient support surface.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A patient handling system comprising:
 a patient support apparatus having a patient support surface, a component, and a force generating device inducing movement or assisting in movement of said patient support surface relative to said component; and   a sheet for covering at least a portion of said patient support surface, and said sheet coupled to said component wherein when said force generating device is operable to induce movement or assist in movement of said patient support surface relative to said component said movement induces said sheet to move relative to said patient support surface.   
     
     
         9 . The patient handling system according to  claim 8 , wherein said patient support comprises a bed. 
     
     
         10 . The patient handling system according to  claim 9 , wherein said patient support surface comprises a mattress, said bed further comprising a mattress support, said force generating device comprising a motor for raising said mattress support relative to said component. 
     
     
         11 . The patient handling system according to  claim 10 , wherein said component comprises a base. 
     
     
         12 . The patient handling system according to  claim 11 , wherein said base comprises a wheeled base. 
     
     
         13 . The patient handling system according to  claim 10 , wherein said bed includes a headboard, said sheet coupled to said component through said headboard. 
     
     
         14 . The patient handling system according to  claim 10 , wherein said sheet is coupled to said component via a tether. 
     
     
         15 . The patient handling system according to  claim 14 , wherein said mattress support supports a guide to direct said tether in a path from said sheet to said component. 
     
     
         16 . The patient handling system according to  claim 15 , wherein said guide comprises a pulley. 
     
     
         17 . The patient handling system according to  claim 14 , wherein said tether is coupled to said sheet via a clamp. 
     
     
         18 . The patient handling system according to  claim 14 , wherein said sheet is coupled to said component via a pair of tethers. 
     
     
         19 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method of moving a patient supported on a patient support apparatus, the patient support apparatus having a patient support surface with a sheet overlying at least a portion of the patient support surface and having a component, the patient support surface being movable relative to the component, and the sheet having a head end, said method comprising:
 coupling the head end of the sheet to the component; and   moving the patient support surface relative to the component, said moving inducing movement in the sheet relative to the patient support surface to thereby move the patient relative to the patient support surface.   
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein said moving the component includes moving the component using a powered force producing device, such as a motor. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein said moving the component includes raising the patient support surface relative to the component. 
     
     
         29 - 33 . (canceled)