Frame mounted overbed table

[0001] The present invention relates to devices such as overbed tables. More particularly, the present invention relates to frame mounted overbed tables that are configured for movement relative to a patient support such as a hospital bed.

[0002] A number of different types of overbed tables are known. There are, for example, the overbed tables illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,473,997, 4,715,295, 3,854,428, 2,357,588, 2,352,837, 2,346,919, and 2,329,902; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/211,451, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The present invention comprises one or more of the following features or combinations thereof. An overbed table or device is supported on a base that is mounted in a selected fixed position on the frame of a bed. The table is movable between a position in front of the patient and a position at the foot end of the bed. The device may comprise a base for mounting on a bed frame, a first arm, a second arm, and a table. The first arm pivots relative to the base and the second arm pivots relative to the first arm. A lock or pivot lock may illustratively be positioned between the base and the first arm, the pivot lock locking against pivoting movement of the first arm relative to the base.

[0004] The table may illustratively pivot relative to the second arm about a vertical axis. The table also may illustratively pivot about the second arm's longitudinal axis such that the table can assume a substantially vertical position.

[0005] A display may be mounted on the table and may be configured to fold into a storage position, becoming a part of the tabletop surface. The display may be interactive, and may be configured for use by a patient or a caregiver.

[0006] The base is illustratively substantially “L”-shaped, and comprises a mount leg for mounting on the bed frame and an extension leg extending outwardly at an angle relative to the mount leg. The pivot lock may illustratively comprise a handle for movement between a locked position and an unlocked position, the unlocked position permitting movement of the first arm relative to the base. The pivot lock can be placed in the locked position when the first arm extends at 0 and 90-degree angles relative to the patient support device frame.

[0007] Additional features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

[0015] An overbed table 10, as shown in FIG. 1, is mounted on frame 12 of a patient support device 14. Illustratively, overbed table 10 is mounted on frame 12 with fasteners 16 and a bracket 18, as can be seen in FIGS. 1–3, however, it should be understood that other constructions and mounting methods are within the scope of the disclosure.

[0016] Overbed table 10, as shown in FIG. 2-3, includes a base 20, a first arm 22 pivotably mounted to base 20, and a second arm 24 pivotably mounted to first arm 22. Base 20 is mounted at a selected fixed longitudinal position, with considerations being made for the particular configuration of frame 12 and the desired range of movement of overbed table 10. A tabletop 26 is illustratively coupled to second arm 24 at a substantially central portion on the bottom of tabletop 26, indicated generally by the number 28 (FIG. 2).

[0017] In the illustrative constructions of overbed table 10, overbed table 10 can be moved between a position near the foot of the patient support device to a patient-use position, shown in FIG. 1 (and in phantom in FIG. 6), wherein tabletop 26 is in front of the patient's upper body. Additionally, tabletop 26 may be pivoted away from patient support device 14 for use by a care giver (not shown). Such movement is facilitated by the pivoting of second arm 24 about vertical axis 32 relative to first arm 22, and the pivoting of first arm 22 about vertical axis 30 relative to base 20. Attaching an overbed table 10 directly to a frame member 38 frees floor space around a patient support device 14, and prevents hang-ups that could occur from conventional overbed tables having supportive bases positioned under the patient support device, thereby facilitating the patient's control of the overbed table 10.

[0018] In the illustrative embodiments, base 20 comprises a mount leg 34 and an extension leg 36 that extends at an angle relative to mount leg 34. As shown in the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 6, extension leg 36 extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal frame member 38 of patient support device frame 12, and a channel 40 is formed between extension leg 36 and frame member 38. Illustratively, channel 40 opens toward the foot end of patient support device 14.

[0019] Another embodiment of base 20 is shown in FIGS. 2-3, wherein extension leg 36 extends substantially orthogonally from mount leg 34. In all of the illustrative embodiments, mount leg 34 and extension leg 36 are formed of tubular beams having rectangular cross-sections, the mount leg 34 and extension leg 36 being welded to each other. It should be understood, however, that other constructions are within the scope of the disclosure, and that the construction of base 20 can be modified as needed depending on the frame to which overbed table 10 will be mounted. For example, base 20 and first arm 22 may be adjustably extensible as indicated by arrows 21, 23, respectively, in FIG. 3. Such extensible adjustment permits flexibility in the use of overbed table 10.

[0020] As can be seen in FIG. 4, a pivot lock 40 is provided between distal end 42 of extension leg 36 and first arm 22. Pivot lock 40 illustratively comprises a handle 44 pivotable about a pivot pin 46 that is coupled to first arm 22. As handle 44 is pulled upwardly in the direction 48, shown in FIG. 4, lifter 50 is caused to pivot about pivot pin 46 and consequently push downwardly on collar 52. Because collar 52 is supported by extension leg 36 of base 20, the downward motion of lifter 50 against collar 52 causes first arm 22 to lift or move vertically upwardly relative to collar 52. Consequently, shaft 54, which is coupled to first arm 22, moves upwardly through bore 56 (which is formed in distal end 42 of extension leg 36).

[0021] As shaft 54 is urged upwardly through bore 56, key 58 moves upwardly out of slot 60 and into space 62, wherein key 58 can rotate freely. Illustratively, a second slot (not shown) is formed in distal end 42 of extension leg 36 at a 90° angle relative to slot 60, thereby providing a second locked position wherein rotation of first arm 22 relative to base 20 is prevented.

[0022] As can be seen in FIG. 4, lifter 50 is formed to include a rounded corner 64, which facilitates the movement of lifter 50 relative to collar 52 when handle 44 is moved upwardly in the direction 48. Additionally, lifter 50 is substantially horseshoe-shaped such that it embraces central sleeve 66 on at least two sides, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. Illustratively, when handle 44 is actuated and first arm 22 lifts vertically relative to base 20, first arm 22 is pivotable about vertical axis 30. Upon the release of handle 44, key 58 will rest or slide in space 62 on rim 68 until key 58 passes over a slot such as slot 60, as described above, at which time key 58 drops into the slot.

[0023] Pivot lock 40 is configured to lock first arm 22 relative to base 20 such that overbed table can be positioned at the foot of a patient's bed, or above the patient's legs as shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, pivot lock 40 is also configured to lock first arm 22 in a substantially orthogonal position relative to patient support device frame member 38, as can be seen in FIGS. 2-3, such that overbed table 10 can be used by a care giver standing adjacent the patient support device (not shown).

[0024] In the illustrative embodiment, a distal end 70 of first arm 22 has a column 72 attached thereto, as can be seen in FIGS. 2-3. Column 72 is illustratively welded to first arm 22, however it should be understood that other constructions are within the scope of the disclosure. Column 72 extends substantially upwardly from first arm 22, and second arm 24 extends substantially horizontally from column 72. In the illustrated embodiment, second arm 24 includes a downwardly extending sleeve 74. As can be seen in FIG. 1, sleeve 74 moves vertically relative to column 72 in the direction indicated by arrows 78, and vertical lock 76 locks sleeve 74 against vertical movement relative to column 72. Vertical lock 76 may be constructed according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,295, or any other method known in the art.

[0025] It should be understood that other locks may be used in place of pivot lock 40 and/or vertical lock 76. For example, friction bands, spring wrap clutches, and other selectively lockable devices are capable of use as either of the locks 40, 76 of present disclosure. Each lock may take a variety of forms and permit infinitely variable positioning, or have specific locking positions.

[0026] Sleeve 74 and column 72 are also illustratively constructed to permit rotation relative to each other about axis 32, as can been seen in FIGS. 2 and 6. Such a construction permits tabletop 26 to be positioned in a variety of locations for additional uses by both the patient and the care giver.

[0027] One embodiment of second arm 24, shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, permits rotation about axis 80 such that tabletop 26 can pivot into a foot board position, as shown in FIG. 6. Such a position permits transfer of a patient, or emergency full-body access of the patient. In the horizontal use position, shown in phantom in FIG. 6, tabletop 26 is also rotatable over a range of 350 degrees about vertical axis 82, providing further positions in which tabletop 26 may be located, and permitting the use of tabletop 26 by a caregiver as well as by the patient.

[0028] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a display 84 is shown integrated into the overbed table 10. Display 84 is illustratively constructed such that it can be folded down and incorporated as a portion of the tabletop 26. In such an embodiment, display 84 may be interactive, may be used as a television screen, or may be configured for additional use by the care giver when tabletop 26 is rotated away from the patient. Further embodiments and constructions for an integrated display 84 can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/211,451, filed on Aug. 2, 2002. In such an embodiment, wires 86 can be routed through overbed table 10 and illustratively through pivot lock 40 as can be seen in FIG. 5.

[0029] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have herein been described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0030] There is a plurality of advantages of the present invention arising from the various features of the overbed table described herein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the overbed table of the present invention may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of an overbed table that incorporate one or more of the features of the present invention and fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.