Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application

200920181787.0 filed December 23, 2009.

Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to a bariatric bed. Specifically, some embodiments describe a width extension device for a bariatric bed.

Background

[0003] Usually, the width of a bed is fixed, designed for people of average build. For obese people, typical beds are not wide enough for them to lie down or turn around, causing much inconvenience. A custom-made bed specifically designed for an obese person may be expensive, both in terms of cost and space. Since the number of obese people is limited, it would be inefficient to use beds designed specifically for obese people.

Summary

[0004] One purpose of some embodiments described herein is to provide an adjustable width extension device in bariatric beds.

[0005] In some embodiments, the bariatric bed includes a width extension disposed on a bed edge rail of the bariatric bed. The width extension includes an extension side rail and at least one lateral width tube. The extension side rail is slidably connected to the bed edge rail through one or more lateral width tubes. The outside end of the lateral width tube is connected to the extension side rail and the inner end of the lateral width tube is inserted inside a bed lateral tube to form an extendable section. After being extended, at least one of the lateral width tubes can be locked into position relative to the bed lateral tube by using a locking device.

[0006] In some embodiments, the locking device is installed on the lateral width tube. The locking device includes a lock pin, a link, a pushrod, and a return spring. The lateral width tube and the bed lateral tube include lock pin holes. The lock pin holes may be aligned with each other after extension. The lock pin directly faces at least one lock pin hole. The link pivots at a pivot inside the lateral width tube. The link is connected to the lock pin through a connection near a first end of the lock pin and near a proximal end of the lock pin. The link is connected to the pushrod through a connection near the other end of the link and near the proximal end of the push rod. The distal end of the push rod extends through the lateral width tube and a side hole of the extension side rail. The locking device includes a return spring near the distal end of the push rod. Under normal conditions, the return spring pushes the push rod outward, or in a distal direction, bringing the lock pin to an extended position that locks the width extension assembly in position. When pressed, the push rod moves inward, or proximally, and moves the lock pin into a retracted position to unlock the width extension.

[0007] In some embodiments, the push rod is shaped like a "Z."

[0008] In some embodiments, the outer end of the push rod includes a push button.

[0009] In some embodiments, the width extension includes one or more slats between the extension side rail and the bed edge rail. The slats may each include a hook on each end of the slat. The hooks may hook onto the extension side rail and the bed edge rail respectively.

[0010] In some embodiments, the width extension includes a mattress retainer at the head and foot end or attached somewhere along the length of side rail 1 of the bariatric bed.

[0011] The extension side rail may include an assist rail .

[0012] In some embodiments, the extension side rail includes two or more segments. Each segment is connected to the extension side rail through at least one lateral width tube. At least one of the lateral width tubes has a locking device which locks the width extension.

[0013] In one embodiment, the extension side rail is divided into a first segment, a second segment, a third segment, and a fourth segment. The head end of the first segment holds a mattress retainer. The first segment is connected to the bed edge rail through three lateral width tubes. In addition, there are four slats between the first segment and the bed edge rail. There is also an assist rail attached to the first segment.

[0014] The second segment is connected to the bed edge rail through two lateral width tubes. There may be two slats between the second segment and the bed edge rail.

[0015] The third segment is connected to the bed edge rail through two lateral width tubes. There may be two slats between the third segment and the bed edge rail.

[0016] The fourth segment is connected to the bed edge rail through three lateral width tubes 2 with two slats. The foot end of the fourth segment may hold a mattress retainer. There is also an assist rail attached to the fourth segment. Each segment has a locking device which locks a lateral width tube 2 relative to the bed edge rail when the push rod is extended.

[0017] Embodiments of the bed include the extension side rail, the lateral width tube, and the locking device. The width extension can be used to extend the width of the bed to suit an individual user. When not needed, the width extension can retract to return the bed to normal size. The width extension can help save space and cost as well as allow the bed to fit through narrower doorways.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a bariatric bed with a width extension.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a top view of one embodiment of a segment of a extension side rail for a width extension.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a front cross section view of the segment of FIG. 2 with a locking device in an extended position.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a front cross section view of the segment of FIG. 2 with the locking device in a retracted position.

Detailed Description

[0022] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the operation of one embodiment of a bariatric bed 100 with a width extension when in use.

[0023] The width extension is attached to the bed edge rail 10. The width extension includes an extension side rail 1 and one or more lateral width tubes 2. The extension device, in some embodiments, is attached to both sides of the bed, one on each side. The extension side rail 1 is connected to the bed edge rail 10 through the lateral width tube 2. The distal end of the lateral width tube 2 is connected to the extension side rail 1. The proximal end of the lateral width tube 2 may be inserted into a bed lateral tube 20. The lateral width tube 2 and the bed lateral tube 20 together form an extendable push rod. When the width extension is in an extended position, at least one of the lateral width tubes 2 can be locked onto the bed lateral tube 20 by using a locking device 30. The lateral width tube 2 can be pulled out from the bed lateral tube 20 to an extended position. The lateral width tube 2 can be locked in position relative to the bed lateral tube 20 by the locking device 30 to extend the width of the bed. When extra width in the bed 100 is not needed, the locking device 30 can be unlocked and the lateral width tube 2 can move relative to the bed lateral tube 20 to return the bed 100 to normal size. With this retractable width extension, the space needed and the costs required for providing a bed capable of accommodating large people are greatly reduced.

[0024] The structure and the installation of the locking device 30 vary. In one embodiment, the locking device 30 is installed on the lateral width tube 2. The locking device 30 includes a lock pin 31, a link 32, a push rod 33, and a return spring 34. The lateral width tube 2 and the bed lateral tube 20 may each include a lock pin hole 21. The lock pin holes on the lateral width tube 2 and the bed lateral tube 20 correspond to each other and are aligned when the width extension is in an extended position. The lock pin 31 is aligned with the lock pin hole 21 on the lateral width tube 2 such that the lock pin 31 may extend through the lock pin hole 21. The link 32 is connected to the lateral width tube 2 by a pivot 35. The link 32 may be connected near one end of the link 32 to the top end of the lock pin 31. The link 32 may be connected near its other end to the proximal side of the push rod 33. The lateral end of the push rod 33 may extend through the distal end of the lateral width tube 2 and a side hole 15 of the extension side rail 1. The return spring 34 may be disposed on the distal end of the push rod 33. The push rod 33 may be shaped like a "Z" for easy installation in the interior of the lateral width tube 2. A push button 36 on the outer end of the push rod 33 may be included to facilitate unlocking of the width extension.

[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the push rod 33 is not pressed, the return spring 34 is biased to push the push rod 33 outward, or in a distal direction, bringing the lock pin 31 to an extended position through the lock pin hole 21 of the lateral width tube 2 and into the lock pin hole (not shown) of the bed lateral tube 20, to lock the width extension into position. Thus, the lateral width tube 2 and the bed lateral tube 20 are secured in position relative to one another, and the width of the bariatric bed 100 is extended.

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates the locking device 30 in an unlocked state. When depressed, the push rod 33 moves inward, or proximally, and moves the lock pin 31 to a retracted position away from the pin hole of the bed lateral tube 20 and into the lateral width tube 2. The lateral width tube 2 is free to slide inside the bed lateral tube 20 in response to the locking device being in an unlocked state and the width of the bed may be reduced. [0027] In some embodiments, the width extension includes one or more slats 4 to position and secure the extension side rail 1 relative to the bed edge rail 10. The two ends of each slat 4 take the shape of a hook 41. The two hooks 41 of the slat 4 may be hooked onto the extension side rail 1 and the bed edge rail 10 respectively.

[0028] In some embodiments, the extension side rail 1 includes a mattress retainer 5 on the head and foot end of the extension side rail 1. The mattress retainer 5 helps stablize the mattress relative to the extension side rail 1. In certain

embodiments, an assist rail 6 is attached to the extension side rail 1 to help the user of the bed get up or lie down.

[0029] To facilitate articulation of the bariatric bed 100, the extension side rail 1, in some embodiments, is divided into two or more segments. Each segment may be connected to the bed edge rail 10 through at least one lateral width tube 2. At least one of the lateral width tubes 2 in each segment may include a locking device 30 to secure the segment relative to the bed edge rail 20 in response to extension of the push rod 33. In one embodiment, the extension side rail 1 is divided into a first segment 11, a second segment 12, a third segment 13, and a fourth segment 14. The head end of the first segment 11 holds one of the mattress retainers 5. The first segment 11 is connected to the bed edge rail 10 through three lateral extension tubes 2. In addition, in one embodiment there are four slats 4 between the first segment 11 and the bed edge rail 10. There is also an assist rail 6 attached to the first segment 11.

[0030] The second segment 12, in one embodiment, is connected to the bed edge rail 10 through two lateral width tubes 2. There may be two slats 4 between the second segment 12 and the bed edge rail 10. [0031] In one embodiment, the third segment 13 is connected to the bed edge rail 10 through two lateral width tubes 2. There may be two slats 4 between the third segment 13 and the bed edge rail 10.

[0032] In one embodiment, the fourth segment 14 is connected to the bed edge rail 10 through three lateral width tubes 2 with two slats 4. The foot end of the fourth segment 14 holds a mattress retainer 5. There may also be an assist rail 6 attached to the fourth segment. Each segment may include a locking device which locks the lateral width tube 2 relative to the bed lateral tube 20 in response to extension of the push rod 33.

[0033] In embodiments of the bariatric bed 100, the extension side rail 1 is fastened to the side of the bed 100 through one or more lateral width tubes 2 and one or more locking devices 30 to extend the width of the bariatric bed 100. Embodiments of the bariatric bed 100 may include different specific structures of locking devices, and different arrangements of extension side rails 1, including the specific shape of the extension side rail 1 , whether the extension side rail 1 is divided into segments, the number of segments, and the inclusion of slats 4, mattress retainers 5, and assist rails 6.

[0034] What is claimed is: