Patient support apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017079434-A1
Application number	US-201615267493-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 16, 2016
Priority date	Sep 21, 2015
Publication date	Mar 23, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A patient support apparatus including a seat section, a backrest section that is movable relative to the seat section, and an arm supported relative to the seat section. The arm is adapted to move between a first position adjacent the seat section for use as an arm rest for a person sitting on the patient support apparatus to a raised second position adjacent the backrest section. The arm and the backrest section are coupled together when the arm is in the raised second position wherein the arm moves with the backrest section.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A patient support apparatus comprising:
a seat section; a backrest section, the backrest section movable relative to the seat section; and an arm supported relative to the seat section, and the arm being adapted to move between a first position adjacent the seat section for use as an arm rest for a person sitting on the patient support apparatus to a raised second position adjacent the backrest section, and the arm and the backrest section being coupled together when the arm is in the raised second position wherein the arm moves with the backrest section.

2 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the arm and the backrest section are selectively releasably coupled together when the arm is in the raised second position.

3 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the backrest section comprises a stop.

4 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a chassis frame, the chassis frame supporting the seat section and the backrest section, and the arm being pivotally mounted to the chassis frame or the seat section.

5 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising a stationary member mounted to the chassis frame, and the arm being rotatably mounted about the stationary member to thereby pivotally mount the arm to the chassis frame.

6 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the arm in the first position.

7 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a plunger.

8 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising a chassis frame supporting the seat section, the chassis frame comprising a stationary member, the arm rotatably mounted about the stationary member to thereby pivotally mount the arm to the chassis frame, and wherein the plunger selectively engages the stationary member to thereby lock the arm in at least the first position.

9 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the arm includes an arm frame, the arm frame including a pivot member, the pivot member of the arm frame rotatably mounting the arm about the stationary member of the chassis frame, and the plunger mounted in the pivot member of the arm frame.

10 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising a release mechanism, such as a handle, the handle coupled to the plunger to selectively actuate the locking mechanism.

11 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the handle is mounted to the arm frame.

12 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the backrest section is configured to tilt relative to the seat section between a first angle and a second angle, wherein the raised second position comprises a first raised unlocked position of the multiple unlocked raised positions generally aligning the arm with the backrest section when the backrest section is at the first angle, further comprising a second raised unlocked position of the multiple unlocked raised positions generally aligning the arm with the backrest section when the backrest section is at the second angle.

13 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the arm and the backrest section are selectively releasably coupled together when the arm is in the first raised unlocked position and when the arm is in second raised unlocked position.

14 . A patient support apparatus comprises:
a seat section; a pivotal backrest section wherein the backrest section can tilt relative to the seat section between a seated position and a reclined position; a chassis frame supporting the seat section and the backrest section; and an arm, the arm having a curved upper surface forming an arm rest, the curved upper surface being generally parallel to a path formed by a point on the backrest section when the backrest section is tilted between the seated position and the reclined position wherein the distance of a shoulder of a person sitting in the patient support apparatus to the curved upper surface of the arm remains generally the same regardless of the position of the backrest section.

15 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the curved upper surface includes one or more curved regions.

16 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the arm is pivotally mounted to the chassis frame or the seat section.

17 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the seat section includes a cushion, and wherein the arm is pivotally mounted to the chassis frame about a pivot axis located below the cushion.

18 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the seat section is pivotally mounted to the chassis frame.

19 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the arm includes a cushioning material to form the arm rest, the cushioning material optionally comprising a biocompatible material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer or a urethane foam.

20 . A patient support apparatus comprises:
a seat section; a pivotal backrest section; a chassis frame supporting the seat section and the backrest section, the backrest section and the seat section supported to tilt relative to the chassis frame; a base adapted to support the chassis frame on and to raise the chassis frame relative a floor surface; and an arm supported by the chassis frame, the arm having an upper surface forming an arm rest, the upper surface having an orientation relative to the floor surface, and the orientation of the arm rest remaining generally constant when the backrest section is tilted, when the seat section is tilted, or when the chassis frame is raised relative to the floor so as to provide a stable surface for a person seated in the apparatus and when the person is exiting the apparatus.

21 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the upper surface includes one or more curved regions.

22 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the arm is mounted to the chassis frame.

23 . The patient support apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the arm includes a cushioning material to form the upper surface, the cushioning material optionally comprising a biocompatible material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer or a urethane foam.

24 . A method of using an arm on a recliner chair, the recliner chair having a seat section and a tiltable backrest section, said method comprising:
pivotally mounting the arm to the recliner; selectively locking the arm in an armrest position adjacent the seat section; when unlocked from the armrest position, selectively pivoting the arm to a raised position adjacent the backrest section; and when the backrest section is tilted away from the seat section, coupling the arm to the backrest section wherein the arm moves with the backrest section.

Assignees

• Stryker Corp

Inventors

• Paul Anish
• Cutler Matthew A
• Konopacz Kaitlin Therese
• Hough Christopher Stuart
• Upchurch Joseph Adam

Classifications

• A47C1/024

  the parts, being the back-rest, or the back-rest and seat unit, having adjustable inclination · CPC title

• A47C3/20

  Chairs or stools with vertically-adjustable seats · CPC title

• A61G5/14

  Standing-up or sitting-down aids · CPC title

• A47C1/03 Primary

  the parts being arm-rests · CPC title

• A47C7/006

  with castors · CPC title