TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is related to methods and systems for providing hospital-bed like capabilities for a typical at home bed to be used with patients who are treated at home, but who have acuity levels similar to hospitalized patients. More specifically, the present disclosure is related to providing lifting mechanisms, siderail mechanisms, and equipment support structures to be used with a typical at home bed.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is related to a bed assembly. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a bed assembly that is compatible with a traditional consumer bed and can enhance the traditional consumer bed so it provides features of a traditional hospital bed. Such features include the ability to elevate the head section of the traditional consumer mattress using a mattress support having inflatable air bladders.

Extended hospitalization of a patient is an ongoing challenge due to the high cost incurred by the patient and the hospital. At-home care is also challenging due to the high cost, difficulty, and complexity of equipping the home for patient care. While several systems and methods exist for equipping the home for patient care, opportunity exists for continued development in this area.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure includes one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a modular system for upgrading a home bed having a mattress to move portions of the bed, includes a head end articulator, a siderail and a control box. The head end articulator includes a lower plate, an upper plate pivotably coupled to the lower plate, and an expandable structure operable to move the upper plate relative to the lower plate to pivot the upper plate and cause a head end of the mattress to raise. The siderail is supported from the upper plate to move with the upper plate as the upper plate moves relative to the lower plate. The control box is operable to control the operation of the head end articulator.

In some embodiments, the modular system further comprises a user interface supported on the siderail.

In some embodiments, the user interface includes user inputs to control the operation of the head end articulator.

In some embodiments, the control box includes a power supply, a controller, and a compressor.

In some embodiments, the power supply provides a low wattage power source for supporting equipment.

In some embodiments, the modular system includes an egress handle.

In some embodiments, the egress handle clamps to a frame of the bed.

In some embodiments, the egress handle clamps to a foundation of the bed.

In some embodiments, the control box is mounted to a headboard of the bed.

In some embodiments, the modular system further comprises a suspension system for supporting medical equipment adjacent the bed.

In some embodiments, the modular system comprises an overhead arm.

In some embodiments, the overhead arm is supported from the upper plate.

In some embodiments, the overhead arm includes a threaded portion that passes through a portion of the plate and is secured to the plate by the threaded portion.

In some embodiments, the overhead arm is supported by a tapered fit connection.

In some embodiments, the upper plate includes a cup and a portion of the overhead arm is received in the cup.

In some embodiments, the siderail is further supported from the lower plate.

In some embodiments, the siderail is telescopically adjustable.

In some embodiments, the siderail is pivotably coupled to the lower plate.

In some embodiments, the siderail comprises a siderail body that is supported by lockable ball joints such that the siderail body can be adjusted to multiple orientations relative to the mattress.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a modular system for upgrading a home bed having a mattress to move portions of the bed, the modular system comprises a head end articulator, a siderail, and a control box. The head end articulator includes a lower plate, an upper plate pivotably coupled to the lower plate, and an inflatable structure positioned between the upper plate and the lower plate. The inflatable structure operable to move the upper plate relative to the lower plate to pivot the upper plate and cause a head end of the mattress to raise. The siderail is supported from the upper plate to move with the upper plate as the upper plate moves relative to the lower plate. The control box operable to control the operation of the head end articulator.

In some embodiments, the modular system further comprises a user interface supported on the siderail.

In some embodiments, the user interface includes user inputs to control the operation of the head end articulator.

In some embodiments, the control box includes a power supply, a controller, and a compressor.

In some embodiments, the power supply provides a low wattage power source for supporting equipment.

In some embodiments, the modular system includes an egress handle.

In some embodiments, the egress handle clamps to a frame of the bed.

In some embodiments, the egress handle clamps to a foundation of the bed.

In some embodiments, the control box is mounted to a headboard of the bed.

In some embodiments, the modular system further comprises a suspension system for supporting medical equipment adjacent the bed.

In some embodiments, the modular system comprises an overhead arm.

In some embodiments, the overhead arm is supported from the upper plate.

In some embodiments, the overhead arm includes a threaded portion that passes through a portion of the plate and is secured to the plate by the threaded portion.

In some embodiments, the overhead arm is supported by a tapered fit connection.

In some embodiments, the upper plate includes a cup and a portion of the overhead arm is received in the cup.

In some embodiments, the siderail is further supported from the lower plate.

In some embodiments, the siderail is telescopically adjustable.

In some embodiments, the siderail is pivotably coupled to the lower plate.

In some embodiments, the siderail comprises a siderail body that is supported by lockable ball joints such that the siderail body can be adjusted to multiple orientations relative to the mattress.

In some embodiments, the modular system further comprises a foot end articulator that includes a lower plate, an upper plate pivotably coupled to the lower plate, and an inflatable structure positioned between the upper plate and the lower plate. The inflatable structure operable to move the upper plate relative to the lower plate to pivot the upper plate and cause a head end of the mattress to raise.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a connector securing the head end articulator to the foot end articulator to prevent movement therebetween.

Additional features, which alone or in combination with any other feature(s), such as those listed above and/or those listed in the claims, can comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the embodiments as presently perceived.

