CA2122686A1 - Articulating bed - Google Patents

Abstract

An articulated bed comprising: a central platen comprising a headboard end, a footboard end, a first side platen edge and a second side platen edge; a headboard frame pivotally connected to the headboard end of the central platen at a headboard frame pivot point with a central platen headboard bar linkage, a footboard frame pivotally connected to the footboard end of the central platen at a footboard frame pivot point with a central platen footboard bar linkage: a first side platen hinged to the first side platen edge of the central platen, connected to the headboard frame with a first side platen headboard bar linkage and connected to the footboard frame with a first side platen footboard bar linkage; a second side platen hinged to second side platen edge of the central platen, connected to the headboard frame with a second side platen headboard bar linkage and connected to the footboard frame with a second side platen footboard bar linkage; and means for articulating at least one of the central platen headboard bar linkage and the central platen footboard bar linkage.

Description

~12268~

ARTICULA~ING BED

r~ n o~ $R~ ~ ,02~
~ ho pr~sent inven~lon rel~te~ to varlou~ appar~tu~ and ~ethod~
~or rotatlng bedridden indl~ , and morQ particul~rly to an i~.v~' bed util$zing a mech~nical nethod o~ ~anipulatinq a multlpls part platen, articulatlng und4r the patlent to mechanically ~nd aut~mat~ cally rOtate the bedrldd~n per~on from 41de to ~de to eliminate prolong~d t;Q~ compr8~8~0n ~nd A~h~ -~C~rdlov~ r activity th~us}.ou~ the body o~ the lndividual.

sr^,~o~u or ~ INV~t~ION

Accordlng t~ traditional, prior art method~ o~ turn~ng people, lS most people ars phys~cally lifted and turned by hand, and propped up wlth plllows, or rotated in ~p~cial bed~ whic~ r-quir~ ths patient t~ ~ str~pped into the devic~ ~ i. B., t~e Striksr Bed).
turnlng i8 rl~ky to the ~are glver, frsquently re6u~t~ng in lowe~ bac~ ~tre6~ or oth~r damag~. In addition, dU~ to ho~pital overloading, the turnlng i8 o~ten delayed, or not accompl~hed in a ti~ely mann~r, leadlng to problem~ to the b~dridden patient.
Other sy~toms currently in u~e include watQrbeds; probl~m~
are: ~. do not pro~ide gros~ bod~ motion: 2. thQ patlents may not be abls to tolHrate th~ buoysnt rocklng motion of the bed; 3. the w~ter~ed is notorlously di~ficult rOr patient trsns~r ~to and from ~ 21~2~

the bed): 4. a w~terbed is ex~remely heavy, 5, waterh~q cannot pr~vide rell~f for thin or o~e~e patient~, (common co~pllcat~on~ of quadr~pl8gia) 5 6. ~mall area6 o~ 6~n cove~n~ bony protuberance~
can ~tlll be ~o~promlsed heC~ e ot the t~ns1o~ in the our~ac~ of the water ~illed mattre6~.
Anoth~r co~mon ~yst~m i6 the alternatlng air pump ma~ oo, con~i~ting o~ p~ l row~ ot pliant plastic tubes att~c~e~ along the edg~s o~ the mattr~ss. The tubes aro alt~rnated ~n th~lr ion ~ tllat ev~ry other tube 1~ e~E~rlzed and ~hsn 10 d~fl~ted in tl~ed cycle. ~ dQvice will provl~e ~omQ reli~f from p~a ~ o sore~. Pro~lem3: 1. doe~ not provide groe~ ~ody motion;

2. relle~ on llnQ power ror op~atlon 3. no~ v~ry effective ~or t:;hin p~ti-nt~; and 4. n~t co~fort~ble., Th- third ~yste~ i~ Flotation. Thi~ co~q1 ~ts of a very 15 ~ iv- sy~tem of pump~ng alr, alternating the ln~latlon of a ~er~ es o~ ow sacs upon w~lch tne ~er~on i~ . L~.
~roble~s: 1. doe~ not p~ovi~e gro~ body motion 2. ~o~e co~ e-",~
are con~u~able: 3. reli~ on line po~or for oper~tion: 4.
e~ onal1y e~l~e~.~;ve to operat~ and maintain, and difficult to 20 opernte.

~ pRY 0~ v~E~QE
The prQsen~ inv~ntion i8 ~irected to an articul~t~d ~ed compri~ing: a cen~l platen co~pr~in~ a hs~d~o~rd end, a footboard Qnd, a fir~t side platen edg~ and a ~Ao~nd eid~ plat~n edg~; a ~ oArd ~rame pl~o~ally co~ ed to t~e ~ 'h~rd end Or ~1.22~g6i the ~.,LLal platen at a he~ho~rd frame pivot polnt with a central platen h~-~hoArd bar lin~g~; a ~ootboard frame pivotally c~nQcted to the ~ootboard end of the cQntral pl~ten at a footboard frame pivot point with a ce.,L.~l platen footboard bar ~nk~g~; a ~ir~t 5 sid~ platen h1nge~ to the fir~t side pla~en ~dgs o~ thQ c~L~l plA~Qn, ~Q~ ted to the he~hoArd frame wi~h a first ~id4 plat~n o~ d ~ar linkage and ~."~q~-~e~ to the footboard ~ram~ with a rirst side platen footboard bar linkage: a ~Q~ ~ide platen hinged to n~-on~ side plat~n edge of tho ~ L~l plat~n, ~ o--~ed to th~ h~ho~rd fr~e with a ~econd side platen ~~ ~bo~d bar 11n~ and oo~ected ~o the footboard trame wlth a ~conA ~ide platen foot~oard bar linkage; and m~n~ for articulating at lea~t one of ~he c~LLal platen he~ho~rd bar linkage and ~h~ c platsn ~ootboard bar l~n~q~.
ThQ y.enen~ invention, "ARTI~ULATING BEDI~ ha6 ~liminated all of the problem6 found in the previous device~ di6~l~CCQ~ above, and the ben~its are as ~ollow~:
prov~d~s gross body motlon by turning the patient ~owly ~nd safely:
ZO provide~ a r$gld sur~ace for ease of transfer, m~y be alt6rnatlng cu..~ or ~attery pOWQr8d:
llqht, frame can be fitted wlth ca~ters for mobility;
i~ equally e~fective wlth normal, thln or obese patlent~:
i5 si~pl~ to operate on an auto~atic or self-directed 5 r~h~ le;

===~=~

2122~86 m~ltlple option~ include, head raiser, foot ralser, built in b~d pRn;
due to built in rigidity, and ro~ating 6ide platen~, ~o 6ide rAils are required, th~re~ore no pinch point ~ e.. the rotatlng b ~ed and ~tat~o~ry longit~ln~l part~; and bed ca~ be fitted with a ~en~Ant~m for varying platen ~levat~on to ~ult care gi~er.
othsr ob~scts, advantag~ and featur~ of the ~ .t inventlon w~ll be more r~adily appreciated and und~r~Lood when con~idered in conjun~tion with th~ follow~ng det~ d de~cr~ptlon and drawlng6.

~T~ r.~ Q~ Q~ D~e~g~
The~- and other a8pe~t8 of the lnvention are appar~nt ~rom the purely ex~plary, and ~herefore not r~tricti~e, ~bod~m~nt~
illu~tr~ted in the ~ollowing drawing~, in which:
Figure 1 ill4~L~es a ei~pllf~ line ~lr,~ end ~iew o~ th~
m~ - B ~ rort mechA~m ~6~emb1~d in acco~dance with the pro~ent in~ention to simply dem n~L~u~e the ac~ion of the ind~v dual member~ ~ the meoh~ qr, the maLLLe~s ~ yO~t meC~h~iBm i~l ~3hown rotated in an angle o~$ o~ ls~el:
Figure 2 illu~trates a ~i~w taken ~ro~ th~ ~d ~howlng the mattr~s ~ t me~ni~m rotated ~l~c~w~e and ~howing ths ~ra~e, th~ platen sections, with t~elr att~hpn ~"~'l~ member~, a potentis~ actu~tor, and th~ three bar linkages;
-=

2l2~8~

Flgure 3 illu~tr~te~ a view taX~n ~rom th~ snd ~howing th~
ma~r6~8 ~u~pG- L m~ch~n~ rotated to thQ lev~l or flat posit~on and ~howing t~e frame, the platen ~ction~, ~ith their att~h-~
~u~pGL~ membsr~, a potential actuator, and the three bar linkagss;
Figure 3A illu~trate~ a ~iew taken rro~ th~ r~ght ~i~Q ~howing the ~wo snd frame~, ~h~ho~rd and foot board), ths platen ~ection~
$n thQ ~lat or level po6ition, and the dynamie ~G~ ~ m~ber~
~tt~c~e~ to th~ nU~O~ L platens:
Figu~ 4 illu8trat~8 a view t~Qn ~ro3 th~ end ahowing the ma~L~_s -~.polL ~eoh~ni~m rotated counterolo~ise snd showing ~h~
f~am~, the platen sQctions, with their att~hs~ a~ orL me~berOE, a potential actuator, and the three bar linkages:
~ igure 5 illustrates a cross ~ection of th~ articulation polnt "A" ~howing thQ opening ror a ca~l~ to thQ patlent allowlng tractlon durlng artioulation;
Figur~ 6 illustrates a Main ~L~ m Rou~in~ according to the ~L'~ t ~nventlon;
Figur~ 7 illustrates a Turn Routin~ ~ccordlng to the ~rc- ~t ~ "~" n I ~
Flgur~ ust~atQs an Angle Poeition Routin~ (AP ~outine) according to the ~-3_nL inv~ntion;
Figur 9 illustrates a Lev~l Rout~ne according to the ~ .,t in~ent~on:

Flgure 10 illu~tra~es a Manual Switch Routlne (~W Routln~) acco~ding to the ~e~n~ inv~ntion Flgure 11 lllustrat~ a Head ral~er Routlne (~R Routin~) according to th~ y.l~Fo~t invention;
Flgu~e 12 the lsyout for th~ P~nel ~ccording to ~he pre~ent ~nv~ntion:
5Figur- 13 illu~trates an end view of ~n embodl~ent acco~din~
to the pr-~sn~ invention;
F~gur~ 14 illu-~trates a partlal cros~ ~oct~ view of the ~mbodlment Bhown in ~igur~ 13;
Figu~e lS illust~ate6 a vlew o~ an ~m~od~ent ~c~o~ing to the 0~L; n~ invontion;
Flgure 1~ illuBt~ates a partial side vls~ o~ a portion o~ ~n -O~bodi~Ont a~ording to th~ e-nt inv~nt~on;
Flgure 17 ill~trates a ~eL6~ ive vi~w of a portion o~ an embodim~nt accordlng to the ~.e~ nYention:
15Flg4re 18 illu~tr~tes ~n ~nd vi~w of a portion of an ~mbod~ent according to ~h-o ~ t inv~ntion Figure lg illustrat~s an snd view o~ a portion o~ an embod~ment ~ccording to the ~ ..L invention:
~lgure 20 illu~trate6 an end vi~w o~ a h$nge accord~ng to th~
present inv-nt~on:
Figure 21 ill~t~d~e~ an embod~ent of a ~u~LL~l p~nel according to the ~ ..L inventlon;
Flgur~ 2ZA, 22B and ~2c illustrate end Vi~W8 d~p$cting thQ
movem~nt o~ thQ ~ection~;
25Figure 23 illustratQs t~e key~ on ~hQ ~G.~L~l panQl shown ~n ~igur~ tl7 and ~12268~

Flgures 24A and 24B illu~trate li~ht emitting ~ on the cGIJLrol psnol 8hown in Figur~ 2~.

~6~n~ o~ ~u~ OD~NT~
All th~ 0~A~ Qmbodim~nts can b~ made using ~ol.~enLin~1 S comro~n~ and ~ oo~A~ e~ without und~e ex~eLimentatlon. All the ~-1 r~l o~e~ e~bodimcnt~ are useful .
The inv~ntion and ~arious advant~ s detail~ thereof are a~lP~ d P~ore fully b~low wit~ r~fe.~ o Qxemplary embodi~nt~
and ~ith th~ ~ ~ d of th~ drawings. In sach o~ the drawings, part~ 0 the ~ame a~, or equivalen~ to each oth~r, are r~f~t~ 6d r~n~ y.
~ bed to Pnh~o~ the comfort and health o~ bedrlddsn persons, both at home and in ho~p1ta1, wlth an art1c~lPting malLl~3~ ~urface especia11y designQd to automati~lly and sa~e1y r~poaition tho bedridden per~on 50 a~ to optimize health and i~rend~nce, lnc~ A~n~ tha vlrtual ~l$minat~on o~ bed sores (~sc~h~tu~ r~) and other t~R~e and o~g~n ~g~r~ration. ~his is aCcompl{~h~ Wlth an art1c~lAted pl~ten tmaLL~a ~prnrt) which $~ a ~igid, ~ti~en~ ~urraco compo~ed of thre~ 1ongit~ n~l part~ Led and ~tached to 10ng~t~l~in~l ~t~uctural members. Th~ platan parts _nd thelr re~peetive ~L~Lu.al membe~e ~re ~"5~ d Lhe~ ~y two 10ngit~l nal ~lng~5 -Complex angular conrigurations ar~ ach1~v~d by three ~ar~ q~ nn~o~tBd to ~ach end of the platen~, or th~ir atta~e~
~tructural me~ber~. one bar link ig ~tt~nhed ~o each p1aten p~rt ~ 2122686 end. Each s~t of three bar lin~ge~ arc hlnged in such a way that a plvoted c~nter ~ection O~Q~fi the outer pl~ten part~ into ~
predetermin~d angular relatio~h1p with the center platen. The three ~ar llnkage~ at each end of the longlt~L~;n~l plat~n parts are ~lx~d to rlgid frames. An ac~uator cA~ rotation of the o~l~r~l plate~ which in turn cau~es relatlve rotation of the out~id~
platens in order to ~ o~ the bOdy of the psr~on when ~ot~ted ~rom ~ide to 61d~. Th~ uch that the ~t~psr the an~le, the greater the ~up~u~ provided by the outsr pla~en parts. The cent~r of rotation of the c~ntral platen i~ the ~ xlm~t~ ~cl.L~r line of the pe~on~ body lying centered on a ~a~tre~ nuy~OYL~ ~y the central platen. ~h~re~ore, an addittQ~l benefi~ i8 ~hat the p8r90n can be ln traction wh11e belng rotated. In thl6 w~y, minimal for~e is requlr~d to rotate the body and rotntion can b~
made to ocaur gui~Xly or ex~remely ~lowly at the per~on's di~cr~tion, wlth the use of an opt,~ n~l comput~rized con~vller.
~here i~ littl~ or no qen~atlon of mo~ion to the body ~rom ~clng movQd by th~s ~echanis~. ~here is al~o no ~hear ~orce applied to the ~in ~e~ th~ ~ody do~s not tran~late relative to the m~LL~.6~ during motion. ~hi~ rotatlon can be co,.~lled with a programmable mi~r~p~ u~ ba6.~d ~o..~Loller and ~sroc~Ated cu~tom softwars or with t~e us~ o~ ~ ~in~le 6witch inter~ac~.
~ he ~ e~ inven~ion rel~ts~ to an im~G~ed ~ed, and more part~e~ rl y to a bed which ig adapt~d for use with bedridden 2~ person~ who rcquire turning to minimize prolonged tie6~a compres~ion ~.e. paraplegic~, guadriplegic~, M~ patiQnts, ce~tain ~x~
.

burn pati~nts, or any other ~ eona WhO are unabl e to turn themselves for any rea~on). ~rn;n~ o~ thQBe indi~ ff i~ o~ten regulred ~o~ ths preven~on o~ decubltu~ ulcer6 ~he~F~res), for the e~h~n~^~ent of tha circulatory ey~tems, re~piratory 8y8tem, and the 5 intern~l orgsns. This device ws~ d~ oFed with a ~ensitivity tow~rd- human neQdq, ~peclfically ~or tho~e people leaving the cr~t~cal car~ environment and rein~o~rating with society a~ter csta~trophlc ln~ury. The n~ed~ of the a~ ,v qusdripleglo in a home satt~ng can be q tre~endou6 p~y5ic~1 an~ emot~ UL~. on lo the ~amily. A~ a res~lt of their in~uri~ or ~ h~ litie~, th~y ~re su~ceptible to a lot of p~o~lom~ lc to th~ enforced sedent~ry life-style, not the least of wh~ch iB ~C'l~tU~ UlCer8.
nAc~h~tu~ ulcers i8 a condition in which the ~kin dic~ a~ ~ re~ult of belng l~;q~ blood ~low Iprolong~d t~FU~ compre~ion t~i~ condition~. This dead ~ls~ue i ~lo~ d off leav$ng a hol~
tin the wor~t ca~es) and creates an ideal path for op~ tic in~e~t~on. An ahle-bodi~d p~rson~ will move per;o~ y whlle 81~BP$ng~ and thi~ random ~otio~ ..L~ ~he ~kin in any one ~rea ~rom L,~ -k~ n~ down. Thi~ inventlon atte~pt~ to ~imic the ~ody' 8 .l~ur~l ..4ctu~..al motion by ma~or repo~itionlng (mass body ~ovement), ~uf~lci~nt to rediotribute ~kin lo~A;~. The ~otion $~
timed, rather th~n random, and the rate is ad~ustable to p~rmit tho accom~odat$on o~ a wide variety of ~ F~nq p~t~ern~. Tho t~t units were u~ed by quadriplegic~ who would othQr~ise have regu~ed extend-d ho~pital c~re or constant attsntion ~t ho~. Due to thQ
motions prov$ded by this ar~te~ t~ng b~d, the~e b~drid~en ~L~

~12~8~

have ~ d fewer akin proble~ and oth~r related complication~
such as ~welllng of llmbs, and urinary ~nd c~rdiov~c~ r infection~. Hospital~ will app~y thi~ LG~ nO1 OgY to improv~
pationt c~r~, reduc~ car~ co~t and lower the t n~ d~nc~ of back problem~ ~n thelr nur~ing sta~.
A b~d con~tructed according to the pres~nt invent~on i~
generally .'~_ _lbed a~ being compri~ed of an ~rt~ Ated pl~ten whlch i~ d~in~d here as a rlgid 6t~fen~ ~urface. ~hl~ surf~c~
act~ ~o ~ u~L a ma~ . The m~L~3~ may bo ~n s~veral part8 a~ shown in Flg 1, 2, 3, 3~, ~nd ~, item~ numbersd 15, 16 and 16 or as a single unlt. The articulated platen $~ con~truc~sd o~ three part~ 2, 2' and 3 and i9 c~r~hl q of co~ti n--~ c~mpl~Y, hl e con~igurations~
The pl~ten p~r~o 1, 2 and 2~ ar~ O~---.F,,~Q~ to two loRg~t~A~n~l ~lnge~ D and D' whic~ are ~..r.~c~ed to th~ inner ~dge~ of 2 and 2', an~ the outer edge~ o~ 1. D and D~ are th~ platen art~ tion polnt~.
Th8 compl~x cQnfigurations are adhi~ved by thre~ .F~-.L~d b~r 1~ n~g~ 3, 4 and 4~ hinged $n ~uch a way that ~ pivot~d ~.L~
20 platon section 1 e~rqt t~ bar l~nkages 4 ~nd 4~ $nto a predetermlned ~ngular relat~nqhl~ with the center platen 60ctlon 1, which in turn cG..~Lol th~ po~ltion o~ platen pArt~ 4 and 4~.
Art~tl~tion points A, s ~nd s' are ri~idly f$xed to r~c~ rame 9. An actu~tor 13 c~ rotation of bar llnXage z5 3 whie~ in turn ~ e~ r~l~tive rotation of b~r linkage~ 4 and 4', and platen parts 2 and 2~ ~bout point~ s and s', and c, C' 2~2~8~

r~cc~ively. Rotat~onal polnts C, C' and D, ~' will translat~ in space. ~he rotational point A i~ the approximate center lin~ o~ a body 19 lylng centered on a mattreQ~ 6upported by platen part l.
I~ thi~ way, minimal f~rce is requ$red ~o rotatQ the ~od~ and rotation aan be ~ad~ to occur rap~dly or extremely ~lowly thro~g~
th~ el~L~ c ~ontrolllng m~c~ntqm. Thsre i6 l~ttl~ or no 6ensatlon of motion to the body ~rom bsing movsd by thl~ ~e~h~ m.
There i6 ~lso no ~hcaring force spplied to the ~kin ~ 6~ the body ~e~ not translate relative to t~e mattre~ during mot~on. A~
~0 platen part 1-~' cont;~e~ to rQtate clockwise, platen part ~' cont;n~ to rotate counter~loc~wise unt~l a 90 ~e,~e~ angle ~or~s at art~ tion point D' a~d plat~n part 2' a~d it~ r~l~tive mattres~ section l~' ~irmly su~puLLæ the body at the st~ ~-R~ point o~ rotation.
An important consideration in thi6 im~G.~d bed d~sign i~ best shown ln Fig. 5, ~ith re~er~nce ~o Fig~ 2. A very comp~t~nt ~tructural ~ction is develop~d between the varioue pin jolnt~d soctiQns att~c~e~ ~o th~ thrse bar ll~k~q 3, 4 and 4', their loc~ condt~ions o~ attachm~nt to the ~rame 9 (articula~on points A, B, and B') and their mPr.hA~ I attachment to in~ert blocX~ 5, 5', 6 and S', whlch are ~irmly ~ into th~ platen ~t~uc~ural m~m~er~ 7, 7', 8 and 8', Thi~ struct~ral arr~ngement ~G~ atn~
th~ b~d from longitu~ n~l mo~sment ~liminat~ng the need for addi~ tatt~ry mechanical ~_e~L~ints. The po~ts 17 are ~ecs~ry only to obtain com~or~able h~ights ror the car~ g~ver, and ae ~n attrac~v~ co~ple~ent wlth mat~ p~e~ to cover the ~t~2686 h~ho~d ~nd foot board to covcr thc com~ole..~ and tran~ition the unit into an attractiYe piecs of furn~ture. ~he mini~um structural integrity i~ maint~in~ whlle the plat~n 18 lsvel, and in ~act the ~tructural int~grlty of th~ ~yste~ incr~se~ w$th incre-oin~
rotational angle, as the sec~ion modulus increa~e6 with ~ncrea~es in ~ot~t~n~l angle. ~hs ~ u~ ~tructural integrlt~ i~
mainta~nPd whlle the platen 18 ~evel, and option6 such a~ the head and leg raise~ can ~e added wi~hout a~ecting this ln~egrity.
Sinc~ there are no othe~ me~h~ l cu,.~r~int6 required, the big lo advantag~ i6 excellent ~c~e~ of thc care ~iver to tho patient, and afsty a~ there are no po~hl~ pinch points ~etw~en dynamic member~ and stationary member6.
In FIG. 5, with re~ere~ce to Fig 2, 3, and 4, Polnt A i8 constructèd as follows: C~ ra~e 9, an e~r~ed clev~ ~ection lS lQ 1~ ed to ~, a hollow pin 14 ~u~o~Led by the clevi~ 10, ~or-a the bar linkaqe 3 and is co..E~ructed of a }ubx~cated n~ ~aterial ~or wear ~UL~06QS whil~ ~hQ bar l1n~9 rotates the pla~en. A6 mention~d previously, art~c~ tion point A i6 ~n line with the pati~nts body, th~ hollow pin 14 allowe cable~ to pa~ through th~ head ~ra~ and ~oot ~ram~, enablinq the pat1ent to be rlP~P~ in traction while b~ing rotated. The di~t~ncs lnitlatlng at articul~tion point A and ~ c~ r to ~nd terminating at the lin~ ~o~nor-ting D and D~ may be adju6~able ~o en~ur~ tha~ the patien~g ~c~ al body line is in lin~ with A to suit the above men~1o~e~ traction situation.
~OMPUTER CONTROLS: el~c~ron~cs ~12~8~
Thia im~L~ articulat~ng bed ~e~ gn utilizes a hybrid dlgital~analog converter to detsrmine rotational sp~d and position. The actuator i6 ~ervo cG--~Loll~d by thQ ~$~-v~4~ 0r to allow for oohstant rotat1 nn~l ~p~d under varylng load condition~ as the body i6 LUL IIC~ . ~hre~ BeparatQ timer Fig . 12 ad~uatmQnts allo~ th~ user to predsfine the amount of tim~ spent in any o$ thxe~ poa~1hle pooltion6. Setting th~ timer to "O" dw~ll tims for any on~ po~;ition will caul;e th~ con~ ller to move tho platen in ~uch a way a~ to by-~a66 that pooitlon. ThQ aeceleration and the ~aximum ~p~ed~ are ad~u~table. ~nd~r ~ ~m ~ L.ol, the platen will 'tsoft" start and "so~t'l 6~0p to reduc~ inert1al j~rring of the use~. The ~nd ang~e in th~ t~o ~id~ ~aying po~ition~ is ad~ustable by t~o controls. When setting the mos~ comfortable ~ngl~, the motor will "servo" or mov~ to mat~h the ao~ u sett$ngs.
AUTOMATIC Col.lKOL. The cor.~uller will determin~ w~en to otart th~ rotat1on ba~ed upon th~ settlngs 0~ the timers and ~ngle ~ettings. No other input i~ ~eguired a~ th~ ~oh~ e ie repeated until the c~ oller enters an error condition or is LU~ed Of~.
~ANUA~ CONTROL. A Single switch lnter~ace (via a pen~nt pu~h button, not ~hown) i6 integral to th~ fu~ction of the devic~.
Auto~atic ~er~Lion can be ~ n at any time by a momentary ~slection o~ thi~ ~itoh. Tha u~er can cause th~ bed to ro~a~ to the next po~ition or to any inter~ediate position by activat~n~
thi~ con~r~l.

~ 2~22~86 pANE~ ~G2~KQL. The main cv.-L.ol panel Flg. 12 h~ the three tim~r and two angle ~nobs as well a~ an ON/OFF, AU~o~MANUAL and JOG
po~it~on ~witch~s. An atten~ont ha~ complQt~ control ov~r tho runction of the J~ed through this pan~l. The Fonr~nt pu6h button 1 connected by a removahle ~ or at thl~ panel. Addltionally, any ~ingle 6Witc~ interface including environm~ntal cu..~ r6 can b~ att~e~ at this ~o~n~ction for tho~ users unable to U6B the ~n~nt push button.
Att~ arQ Fig. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, whlch show in block ~o for~ Ql6~L~GI~ic routines ~or the foIlowing: P~g. 6 Main ~oy~f Flg. 7 Tu~n Routine, Fig. 8 ~ngle Po~tion Routine ~AP Routine), ~ig. 9 L~vel ~outlne, Fig 10 Manual Switch Rou~in~ tsw Routine), and Fig. 11 Head raiG~r Routine (~R Routl~e). Accord~ngly, ther~
has b~n ~r~ nov~l and improved bed, thi~ ART~CULaTING I~ED
FOR PREVENTION OF ~W~l'l'US ULCERS of~ers a number of advantage~ as ~c~ib~d in detail above.
Referrlng to Figur~ 13, bar ~nk~30 3 ean bQ ext--An~e~ gO tha~
lt rotat~ betw~en two flx~d ~u~ 6. By extan~in~ bar lin~g~ 3 to rotate betwe~n two ~ixcd ~po,L~ in the bottom ~ramc, phyA~ical CO~petQnCy ~nd integrity of the ~LL~UL~1 ~ec~ion i6 ~hA~o~
~ f~rrlng to ~igure ~4, the c~nL~dl platen ~ bo~rd ~ar l1n~ge 3 can ~ ~een to rotate ~out th~ hA~ho~rd rramc plvot point in an ~liqr6~ position ad~ac~nt the h--~h~A~rd ~ra~e be~w~On ~ fir~t parallel he~ho~rd ~ul,~o~L 11~ and a c~C~n~ parallel ha~bo~d ~ po~L 120. Si~ilarly, the c6..L~Al platen footboard bar l~n~æ,~ c~n ~ constrained to tuLa~ about the rootbcard ~Fam-~ G ~ ~

pivot point in an aligned po61t~on sd~ac~t the ~oot~oard fr~m~betwoen a flrst parallel footboard ~ o~L and a n~cor.~ parall~l footbo~rd r~ L.
R~rring to F~gurs 15, ~lu~inum ~xt~l~nn~ ar~ used for ~
platen 6eg~ent~. ~wo SBgment~ can ~Q ~oined back to ~ac~ to form the c-nter plate~ 1 and indiv~ually form ~ide plat~na 2 and 2'.
Ref~rring to Figure 16, ths head gatch f~atu~e (r~ tl~ the head of th~ p~tient) i8 ~hown. The platen s~tlon~ are po~lt;~A
~ n a ~lat pocition. In this eD~odiment, th~ platen are provided with a hinge that i6 acr~ss the oth~r plain and ~er~ l Pr to t~e living hinge axi6. The ~tru~ures to '~ the bed are guid~d by the extrud~d leg6 of the plat~n ~ections.
Rer~rring to Figure 17, no rixed ~ub fram~ are ~ r~d.
Furth~r, no flx~d structural ~ide rail~ are required ~sc~t~-~ o~ the inhsr~nt rigidi~y o$ the working part~ wh~ch are ~ r~ in thc head and ~oot board~ of t~e b~d.
R fe~r~ng to Figure 18, a ~lot ~or _ con~ ol~o polymQ~lc "living hingQ" 130 can b~ provided aQ an int~gral part of the platen ~xtru~ion. All o~ the ~ Y~L me~ber~ ~or the pl~ten ~ction~ ~re part o~ th~ extruslon- A 6ingls ~ctio~ will ~ ' L
400 ro~ n in the middle of ~ 78~ length.
Re~err~ng to Figure 19, the 610t for the polymeric hinge 130 can be elaen wlth great~r detail. A 8U~ fr~m~ ~or thB pla~en~ chn b~ provid~ d~2~ired althoug~ it ~ 8 not retgulred.
2S R~rri~g to Figure 20, the con~ o~q polymeric hing~ 160 ~ ~
cUstom ~q~l~ne~ and .:~LL~ d for ~hi~ ~ppl~cAt~on. It ~6 ~aay to ~ 6 ~ ~

in~t~ll ~nd r~Fl AÇ- by merely ~liding it into or out o~ t~
e~udad slots 130. The cont imtol~a polymertc hing~ 160 ~ff Yery ~lony, ha~ a long llfe, is ab~olut~ly sllent, and n~ver need~ to be lubricat~d.
R~ferr~nq to Flgure 21, the ~ t invention ~ the ~irst compute~ized bed. Further, the ~r-~nt in~cntion i~ ~ho flr~t computerized lateral t~r~ bed. ~uL~,er~ors, the pr~nt inv~ntion i~ th~ firet computerized lateral turning bed ~tr~e~
~ith ~ hoR~ gatch (head r~P~ng sectlon).
The foot boRrd ~o~t~;~e the miar~ 5~ baOB~ ~A~n ~Gn~oller board. The actuator6 which co~Ltol t~Q rota~ xi~
of tha bed are located in thQ ~oot and ~ead board6. TheB~
actu~tor6 ~re ~o~ -e_~ed to th~ center ~ect~on o~ the pl~ten. This allowo the c-nter o~ction to rot~te plw or minuo (~ 30 ~th~rty) deg~ hil~ the ~p~L~ ate outer ~ectlon rotate~ up to ~u~p~.
and cont~in the sleeper. Th~ provide~ a surface to tr~n~f weight onto, a~ well a~ ~L_vanL~ the ~ser trom ~ n~ Ou~ of the bed. T~e ~nd Viow8 d~pi cting t~e mov~ment of the oec~ion~ ar~
lllu~tr~t~d in Fig~. 2Z~ 22B and 22C.
The co~ ol p~nel functlons a~ the opera~or intsr~ace. It contains a micro c~ ull~r which c4..LLols the LCD ~rlPy~ LED
~n~ tor~, and the ~y~rd. It conncct~ to a motor ~ rol board via a ~erial com~unication lin~.
Re~erring to Figure 23, the ~..tLol panel ~ey8 have embedded ~nap ~oms ~witches for rel~a~le and tactile operatlon. Each owltch ha~ an ~con depicting its function. Re~erring to Figure~ 24A an~

~l22~8~

24B, thers ar~ LED'~ which light up ~arPn~;n~ on th~ mo~8 o~
operation.
Referrlng again to FigurQs 1-4, a6 platen part 1-~' cont~n~
to rota~e cl oc~w~ ~e, plat~n par~ 2' can continu~ to rot~te ~u,.Lel~ockwi~ until an a~gle of up to 90 degre~ ~orm~ ~t art~ tlon poin~ D' and platen part 2' an~ it6 rslativ~ maLL~
~ctlon 16' su~fioien~ly ~up~or~s ths body at t~e steepe~t point of rotation to ~ e.-L skin shearing. Thls rotation can ~e c~.-L~olled with a pr~ mmable mic~u~ro~e~or b~sed co"L.oller and ~F60~t~d 0 cuotom ~oftwqre and/or wit~ the use of a single ~witch ints~ace.
The ~ e..~ invention provides all of thQ rsquirsmen~s for th~
rsduct~on and p e~enLion of d~cubitus ulcers (h~Qre~) and incr~ased overall hea~th a~ long a~ ~o~e ~asic pri n~ rl es ar~
understood and adhered to. The cA~e~ of he~ e~ can ~e eliminated in a ~imple manner. The ~ecret is to mim~c the body's natural tenA-~y to move around whlle ~leeping. Any cata~r~ic in~ ury or any ~ A Fq which re~ es t~is motion can only hav~ a negatl~e effect ~pon over~ll health.
The pr~n~ invention i~ 8~ ~ pp~ wlth a aom~Ler co-,L~ oll~r which will allow ~ost u~ers to ach~eve oomplsSe ~L~ m from ni~ht-tim~ ~tt~ t~, and a larger degree of i~sp~n~e~. The m~L~a~
of the ~r~ t invQntio~ ar~ e~ and there~y rsposition~ the user onto a partial ~ide lay~ng position. Weight is redl~tributed from lo~de~ ~reas ~o ~ o~ a~eas und~r a tlmed e~ le whlch i6 25 completely ~ruy.alamabl~ (time, angle ~nd ~peed), ~nd automatic.

~ 2 ~ g~
The pre~ent invention look~ like a normal bed, with a h~A~hoard, foot ~oard and m~ . HCWe~, located under the mattrRs~ ~ection i6 a ~ra~s (rc~ Q~ to a5 the platen) tncluding three ~ctlon6 ~oined togethsr w~th flexible joints~
The ~ ^nt i~vention is a 12 ~olt ~o~ ~ Q~ device and is Bupplled ~ith it6 o~n separate power 6upply. ~hls include8~ a) a weathe~l~of hox, ~) a 12 ~olt ~ealed lead acia bat~ry, c) a 12 volt, 1 ~p ~mart ch~rger, d) a 15 amp circuit br~aker and e) an ontoff swltch. To operate the b~d, plug ~hQ AC power w~re lnto a lC w~ 6L. Thi~ po~ thQ ~att~ry charg~r. Plug the 12 volt wire into ~he socket in t~e bottom ~h~nel of eith~r the head or foot board, which ever ~8 Cl oRest to the power ~upply. Turn tne power ~witch to on. The pow~r ~lght on t~e ~.G~t,LUl panel wlll l$ght up. In tlle event of a power ~ailure the battery ~,ckltr ~
~upply power to the bed for a p~riod of 2 to 10 day~ ~pe~ n~ on the freguency o~ turninq.
The pre~ent inven~ion i6 egu~ pped with a manual o~e~aL~ ng mode. To ent~r the manual operating mode depr~as the "NaN-- ~w~tch.
Thi6 will ~et the front panel sta~us to the follow~ng:
~CD: Blank Auto LE~: o~f Manual IED: on Error ~ED: ~ n~Dnt on ~rror condition~) Power l,ED: on ZS In th~ manu~l mode, the opelration c~f t~e bed i~ co~ d by the rotate r~ ght and rot~e left 6w~ tch~s on tlle front panel . The ~12~G~6 .

rot~t1~Ql switchQ~ are u~d to rotate th~ bed leSt or rlgh~ a ~ull spe~d. The co,.Lrvller will ~top operation o~ th~ actuator when the ~wltch ia relea~ed o~ until a limlt switch ~s actlvatefl.
~ he ~rs~ent invention i~ e~p~ with an auto~atic operatinq S mode. To ent~r the automatic ~ ing mods ~epre~ the 'I~U~O"
~wi~ch. Thi~ co~mand will ~tart the auto mode. ~hi6 ~ill 8et the front panel s~atus to the follow~ng:
LC~: rem~ining ti~e before next action Auto LED: on ~anu~l LED: o~f Error LED: (~p~ent on error conditions) ~ower LED: on ~he ~sd 1~ th~n col-L~olled autom~cAlly acco~ding to the ~u~L~
4~r~Lional parameters. The p~ram~ter6 are eyr~ e~ $n more detail ~n the ~ec~on on ~oy~amming ~cr~ion. In auto~tic mode, the bed ~ovement ~w~tche~ ~i.e., rotate left, rot~te rig~t~ ~re not funct~o~l. D~ ing elther of the6Q ~witche6 ln th~ automatic mods wlll not ~od~ a ~ o~e.
Wh~n th~ automatic mode i8 ent~red, the c~..L~ol algorithm will be inltiated from the current po6ition of the bed. For ~YA~r~e, if the bed h~R ~een manua}ly ~otated to any position to the l~ft, the ~G~ ol algorithm will start at tbe Left Dwell Point. The ~ mm1ng ~witche6 will be actlve, and a~y par~meter~ WhlCh ar~
mod~ied and ~aved while in t~e ~u~omatic mode will b~ e~fective i~m~di~t~ly, PROG3~I~G OPERATION
~ y..c.mmlng of the varioue pa~amster~ is acco~pl~sh~ ~y u~lng the switche~, LED'~ ~nd LCD Ai~;pl~y a5 outllned below. There iB a visibl~ ~E~ with t~xt on th~ Control Panel for each para~etor which can be modified by the ~Q-~uL For th~ purpo~e of opera~ing the ~rF.~nt invention, the l~ft and right ~n~l~a aro determ;~ to be the slde that thQ user is rotated ~o, with the u~er~s feRt at the cG"~.ol panel end. The list cf parameters ~ollows.
Left Dwell: t~ls 1~ th~ perlod of time which ths bed remains at the loft ~ngle position. Thi~ period i6 adjus~able from O
minutes to 4:00 hour~.
Cent~r Dw~ this i~ th~ period of ti~e which ~h~ bed remain~
at tne center tflat) po61tion. Slmilar~y, thi6 p~riod o~ timo i~
ad~u~table from O minutes to 4:00 hours~
~ight ~well: thl~ i6 the period of tlme which the bsd re~aln~
at th~ rlght arlgle po~it~on. Again, th$~a perlod cf time i~
ad~ust~ble f~om O ~inutes to 4:00 houro.
Le~t AnglQ: thls i6 the angl~ to whlch th~ bed w111 rotate to in the 1~t positlon. It is adjus~a~1e rrom 1 ~gree to 30 ~y L ~CO ~
Rlght Angle: thls is the ang1e to which the bed w111 rotate to in the right po-~ition. s; 11A~Y, it i~ nd~u~table from 1 degree to 30 dG.~
Sp~ed: this is ~he relati~e 6peed at which the bed will 2S rotate. It i5 ~d~usta~1~ from 15~ to 100S.

~ G 8 ~

~he swit~h~ that are used for carrying out t~e ~,~gL~in~
op~ratlon include PROG; Enter~ the P~uy~mming mode;
Up Arrow: Increases t~e ~alue o~ thQ para~eter:
Down Arrow: Decrease6 the value of the para~eter:
Next: ~elects the nQxt parameter:
8ave: ~aves the n~w parameters; and Quit: c~cel~ the ~ro~mming mod~ ~ithout saving ~hAn~R~ -Th~ ~og~_mm~ng modQ can be initiated at ~ny tlm~. All o~ the othsr operational switche~ w~ll remain activ~ when the ~ u~-amming mode ha_ ~tarted.
The ~-G~m~ing made i5 lnitiated by pres~ing ~h~
~itch, and hol~ng for 3 s~cnn~q. The left dwell parameter ~nd tim~ ~ED~ w$11 llght up, and th~ LCD ~l~rlay will show the ~ L
va~ue o~ thi~ p~rameter. ThQ u~e~Lor can then use the up arrow to lnc~eas~ the pars~etsr or the dawn arrow to decrease ths param~ter.
Pre~in~ the "Next'l switch will then cycle th~ u~L~Lu~ to the center dwell paramQter, and the c~nter and ~ime ~EDs will light up.
~O Agaln, ~he LCD di~play wi~l show the existing value of the parameter.
The v~-~Lor can then cycle ~u~i, all of the para~e~er~ in Pi~ r ~nshion by pr~6in~ the "NQxt" switch. When the last par~meter (i.e., 0p~cd) i8 being di6plAyed, the ~hRe~?nt operation o~ the "Next~ ~witch will cycle ~ack to the le~t par~meter.

ThO OP-r~tOr Can ~X~t ~rOm th~ ~U~mm~ng mOde ~t anY t1m~S bY
Pre~F~n~ eit~er th~ "SaV~" BWitCh Or the I~QU~tll ~WitCh. Th~ ~SaV~
gWitCh Wi11 ~aVe th~ UPdated Par~mete~8 intO EPROM fQr fUt~1re U~e.
The "~t" E~wltch will ond ~hs ~r~y~ ing mode W1thOUt ~aVing anY
5 mOdifiCat1On~ tO the P~rameter~.
After r1ni6h1ng the ~,~Y~m~ing, a11 Paralqet~r I.EDB W~ 11 be o~f. If the operat;or exit~ ~10CJLC~ ng in the manu~l mod~, then the LCD will 4e blank. AltBrnatively~ if the o~e~L~ eY~ts ~.ey~omm1ng tn ~h~ automatic mOde~ then the L~D wlll ~how th~ time ~e~alning in th~ ~YLe~-~ pooitlon. The user F~O~ no~ be tran~fsrred onto, or o~f o~, tho bed unle~s t~o bed i~ levQl and the ce~ oller i9 OfL or in the m~nual mode.
Thi~ lm~ a art~c~ ting bed ~ ign utilize~ pul~o width modulation to deter~ine ro~tiQn~l sp~cd and po~ition. $ho actuator i5 ~ervo co"L,ollcd by ~e mi~.op ~_o~or to allow ~or ~o1,L~ hl~ rota~;on~l ~p~ed u~der varylng load conditlons a8 the ~ody i~ tu~n~d. Setting the timer to ~O" dwell time ~or ~ny ono po~it~on will cau~c the ov..L~ull~r to mvv~ t~e platen in euch a way a~ to by-pasa that po~ltion. Tha accelerat~on snd tho m~ximu~
~c~ are ad~u6ta~1e- Under ~.uylam CU~L~O1~ the platen will ~soft" ~tart ahd "~o~t" 6top to reduce inerti~l ~ar~ing o~ the u~er. Ih- end angl~ in the two oide laying po~it~Qn8 i~ ~djustable by two ~.L~ vlB .
Numerou~ mo~ tion~ and variatlon6 are po~.ihl~ ln additlon 25 ~o t~08e sp~cifically describod above. Accordingly, ~h~ ~cope Or 2122~86 .

the pr~ 91n~ lnvention i8 de~lned only by the following clai~, For ex~mpl~, there are alternative dr~ve poQ~hlli~es for actuating the dynamic port~ons of the bed. one such alte~native i8 pl~ a ~ear segment on the bo~tom of element 3 and ~oun~ing a worm gear and a ~m~ll driv~ motor ln the guide at the bottom of the fr~me.
The rG~eyoing descr~ption~ o~ pre~erred e~bod~ments a~e p~oYided by way of $11ustration. ~ractice of the present in~ention i~ no~ li~it~d there~o and variation~ therefrom will be L.O~ y apparent to the skilled without de~iating from the spirit o~ the ~L~_e~lt invention.
Whilo there is shown and descr~b~d here~n certain epe~ 1c combinations embodying thie invention for th~ purpose of clar~ty o~
undero~ 1 n~ the ~a~e i6 to be con~idered as ~llustra~iY~ in charactQr, it being und~l~tGo~ that only pre~erred embodiments have bcen shown and descriked. It will be m~nifest to those ~kl~led 1~
the art that certain ~r3ee~ variou~ modific~tions and re~rrangements of t~e parts may be m~de without depArting fro~ th~
spirlt and ~cope of th~ underl~ing inventiYe CQ~ and that the ~am~ i~ not limited to t~e partlcular ~orms hersln ~hown and d~ lb~d .--F~ o~ar as indicated ~n t~e 3cope of the c~alm~.
~he ~ntire~y o~ ~eL~hing clt~d above or ~e70w i8 e~e _ly 25 i~;Or~O~d~.~ld h~reih by ref~re..a~

Claims (8)

1. An articulated bed comprising:
a central platen comprising a headboard end, a footboard end, a first side platen edge and a second side platen edge;
a headboard frame pivotally connected to the headboard end of the central platen at a headboard frame pivot point with a central platen headboard bar linkage;
a footboard frame pivotally connected to the footboard end or the central platen at a footboard frame pivot point with a central platen footboard bar linkage;
a first side platen hinged to the first side platen edge of the central platen, connected to the headboard frame with a first side platen headboard bar linkage and connected to the footboard frame with a first side platen footboard bar linkage;
a second side platen hinged to second side platen edge of the central platen, connected to the headboard frame with a second side platen headboard bar linkage and connected to the footboard frame with a second side platen footboard bar linkage; and means for articulating at least one of the central platen headboard bar linkage and the central platen footboard bar linkage.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the central platen headboard bar linkage rotates about the headboard frame pivot point in an aligned position adjacent the headboard frame between a first parallel headboard support a second parallel headboard support.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the central platen foot board bar linkage rotates about the footboard frame pivot point in an aligned position adjacent the footboard frame between a first parallel footboard support and a second parallel footboard support.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first side platen is continuously hinged to the first side platen edge of the central platen with a continuous polymeric hinge and the second side platen is continuously hinged to the second side platen edge of the central platen with a continuous polymeric hinge.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a programmable microprocessor based controller.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 Wherein said programmable microprocessor based controller controls said apparatus based on a set of variables, said set of variable comprising:
a left dwell period of time during which the apparatus remains at a left angle position, a center dwell period of time during which the apparatus remains at a center position, a right dwell period of time during which the apparatus remains at a right angle position, a left angle which determines the left angle position, a right angle which determines the right angle position, and speed.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a separate power supply comprising:
a weatherproof box:
a 12 volt sealed lead acid battery;
a 12 volt, 1 amp, smart charger;

a 15 amp circuit breaker; and an on/off switch.

8. An apparatus comprising:
a central platen comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a first side platen edge and a second side platen edge;
a first frame pivotally connected to the proximal end of the central platen with a central platen proximal bar linkage;
a second frame pivotally connected to the distal end of the central platen with a central platen distal bar linkage;
a first side platen hinged to the first side platen edge of the central platen, connected to the first frame with a first side platen proximal bar linkage and connected to the footboard frame with a first side platen distal bar linkage;
a second side platen hinged to the second side platen edge of the central platen, connected to the proximal frame with a second side platen proximal bar linkage and connected to the footboard frame with a second side platen distal bar linkage; and means for articulating at least one of the central platen proximal bar linkage and the central platen distal bar linkage.