Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02433646 2003-06-26
THERAPEUTIC BEDDING PAD FOR HOSPITAL BEDS
The present invention relates generally to a therapeutic bedding pad for
patient
supports, such as hospital beds, primarily for the health care sector. More
specifically, the
present invention relates to a therapeutic bedding pad designed to fit under
the mattress
of a hospital bed, and over the full length rails thereof, to prevent bed-
ridden patients from
having limbs caught between bed rails and bed frames, orfrom bruising, jamming
or injury,
and which, at the same time, does not interfere with the mechanisms and
functions of the
hospital bed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
It has been previously proposed in hospital nursing homes to provide bed rails
that extend above the mattress level to prevent patients from rolling out of
the bed.
Hospital beds typically include collapsible side guards;, in a parallel
relationship, or
rectangular design, wherein the side guards are split in at least two separate
portions, or
units generally corresponding to the length of each adjustable and articulated
portion of the
mattress support. With such configurations, a rather large gap is left between
adjacent side
guard units to allow articulation of the different sections of the bed
mattress when the side
guards are in the raised position. As a result, serious injuries can occurwhen
limbs orother
parts of the body of a patient enter those gaps and become entrapped or
otherwise caught
between adjacent side guard units. Further, this gap can allow patients to
bury their face
against the mattress as their body slips downward. Trapped persons in this
position do not
have anything to grab to pull themselves upward, and one arm is usually pinned
under their
body. This is especially problematic for bed-ridden patients who are too weak
to pull
themselves from the gap.
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There have been efforts made to overcome the hazard with conventional bed
split side guards. For example, U.S. Patents Nos. 5,381,571 (Gabhart) and
5,485,699
(Gabhart) disclose a movable protective barrier with a lock mounted on the bed
guard so
as to maintain or close the gaps between the split side guards units.
However, such closures merely unsatisfactorily reduce the potential for
patient
injury when the mattress is horizontally positioned, and they become
inappropriate as the
mattress is articulated or secured at different positions. Thus, there remains
a need for a
therapeutic bedding pad for a hospital bed which can prevent bed-ridden
patients from
having limbs caught between bed rails and bed frames, and which, at the same
time, does
not interfere with the mechanisms and functions of the hospital bed. This is
of particular
importance for patients that are spastic, partially disabled, or paralyzed on
one side, for
example.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, a- primary object of the present invention is to provide a therapeutic
bedding pad for a hospital bed which prevents bed-ridden patients from having
limbs
caught between bed rails and bed frames, or from bruising, jamming or injury,
and which,
at the same time, does not interfere with the normal mechanisms and functions
of the
hospital bed.
One aspect of the present invention provides a bedding pad for a hospital bed
having a frame-supported mattress and a bed rail comprising a body portion for
overlying
a bed frame, and positioned underneath the frame-supported mattress, the body
portion
having a head end and a foot end; bumper pads disposed laterally opposite the
body
portion and in parallel relation to sides of the body portion, the bumper pads
being
substantially the same length as the bed rail and capable of fitting over and
substantially
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covering a top surface of the bed rail; and frame attachment means extending
from the
bumper pads to detachably secure the bumper pads to the bed rail and allow for
positioning
of the bumper pads between the bed rail and the mattress, whereby the bumper
pads are,
when secured to the bed rail, capable of corresponding movement with the bed
rail when
the bed rail is moved to an extended or lowered position, and wherein the body
portion has
a total length that is less than a total length of the hospital bed or bumper
pads, so as to
allow an upper portion of the hospital bed to assume an elevated position
relative to a
remainder of the hospital bed without dislodging the bedding pad.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a bedding pad for a hospital
bed having a frame-supported mattress and bed rails comprising a body portion
for
overlying a bed frame, and positioned underneath the frame-supported mattress,
the body
portion having a head end and a foot end; first and second bumper pads
disposed laterally
opposite the body portion and in parallel relation to sides of the body
portion, the bumper
pads being substantially the same length as the bed rails, wherein the first
bumper pad is
fitted over a bed rail and the second bumper pad substantially covers a top
surface of
another bed rail; and frame attachment means extending from the bumper pads to
detachably secure the bumper pads to the bed rails and allow for positioning
of the bumper
pads between the bed rails and the mattress, whereby the bumper pads are, when
secured
to the bed rails, capable of corresponding movement with the bed rails when
the bed rails
are moved to an extended or lowered position, and wherein the body portion has
a total
length that is less than a total length of the hospital bed or bumper pads, so
as to allow an
upper portion of the hospital bed to assume an elevated position relative to a
remainder of
the hospital bed without dislodging the bedding pad.
A further aspect of the present invention provides a bedding pad for a
hospital
bed having a bed rail comprising a body portion for overlying a bed frame of
the hospital
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bed, the body portion having a head end and a foot end; bumper pads disposed
laterally
opposite the body portion and in parallel relation to sides of the body
portion, the bumper
pads being substantially the same length as the bed rail and capable of
fitting over and
substantially covering a top surface of the bed rail; and frame attachment
means extending
from the bumper pads to detachably secure the bumper pads to the bed rail and
allow for
positioning of the bumper pads between the bed rail and the bed frame, whereby
the
bumper pads are, when secured to the bed rail, capable of corresponding
movement with
the bed rail when the bed rail is moved to an extended or lowered position,
and wherein the
body portion has a total length that is less than a total length of the
hospital bed or bumper
pads, so as to allow an upper portion of the hospital bed to assume an
elevated position
relative to a remainder of the hospital bed without dislodging the bedding
pad.
A still further aspect of the present invention provides a bedding pad for a
hospital bed having a bed rail comprising a body portion for overlying a bed
frame of the
hospital bed, the body portion having a head end and a foot end; first and
second bumper
pads disposed laterally opposite the body portion and in parallel relation to
sides of the
body portion, the bumper pads being substantially the same length as the bed
rails,
wherein the first bumper pad is fitted over a bed rail and the second bumper
pad
substantially covers a top surface of another bed rail; and frame attachment
means
extending from the bumper pads to detachably secure the bumper pads to the bed
rails and
allow for positioning of the bumper pads between the bed rails and the bed
frame, whereby
the bumper pads are, when secured to the bed rails, capable of corresponding
movement
with the bed rails when the bed rails are moved to an extended or lowered
position, and
wherein the body portion has a total length that is less than a total length
of the hospital
bed or bumper pads, so as to allow an upper portion of the hospital bed to
assume an
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elevated position relative to a remainder of the hospital bed without
dislodging the bedding
pad.
The therapeutic bedding pad of the present invention has a central body
portion
and two laterally spaced elongated side rail bumper pads attached thereto,
wherein the
body portion of the bedding pad is designed to fit under the mattress of a
hospital bed, and
the opposed side rail bumper pads are designed to cover the full-length side
rails of a
hospital bed, in order to protect the legs and arms of bed-ridden patients
from bruising,
jamming and injuries caused from having limbs caught between the bed rails and
bed
frame. Preferably, the bedding pad of the present invention is made from
flannelette and
1" foam, although it is also possible that foam or padded material encased in,
for example,
plastic (so as to facilitate ease of cleaning) or fabric could also be used.
Ideally, the
material to be used should also be durable, washable and non-abrasive to the
skin of a
patient. The bumper pads of the present invention are soft and padded to
cushion the limbs
of the patient in the bed against contact with the bed rails. Covering the bed
rails should
also reduce minor injuries which result from bumping or scaping the hands,
arms or legs
against the bed rails and possibly pulling out an IV or other tubes attached
to the patient.
This is particularly important for the delirious patient who its tied to and
may be thrashing
against the bed and rails. The present bumper pads also serve to protect the
bed rails to
some extent from the patients and visitors.
In a preferred embodiment, a central portion of the bedding pad of the present
invention that is directly underneath the mattress will measure approximately
two-thirds of
the total bottom length of the mattress and bed it is placed therebetween.
When in place,
the central portion of the bedding pad placed between a mattress and a bed
frame will thus
cover approximately two-thirds of a length of the bed, from the "bottom" of
the bed. In this
manner, particularly with respect to hospital beds, the head of the bed is
thus allowed to
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CA 02433646 2005-04-27
be raised without disturbing, or dislodging, the bedding pad. Generally
speaking, the raising
or lowering of the bottom of the bed does not disturb the bedding pad of the
present
invention in any manner.
In use, the bedding pad of the present invention is, preferably, measured to
fit
the exact width of the bed it is to be placed on, thus allowing the mattress
to fit on top, and
the side rail bumper pads laterally attached thereto, emerge from the
underside of the
mattress so they can be placed over the rails of the hospital bed. In a
preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the side rail bumper pads, when in place
covering the
side rails of the hospital bed, are tied in four places on the outer side of
each side rail to
secure the device in place to the bed frame, and completely cover both sides
of the rails.
The side rail bumper pads can be tied by straps or, more preferably, tie
portions attached
to the material of the side rail protectors. In this manner, the tie portions
on the bumper
pads can be "tied" together to secure the device in place to the bed frame,
much as one
would when tying one's own shoes. It will be appreciated that other types of
frame
attachment means may also be used to secure the bumper pads to the bed frame,
such
as snaps, buttons, buckles or the like.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, when an upper portion of the
bed frame is elevated to a raised position, along with a corresponding upper
portion of the
mattress, the pair of bumper pads coupled to each of the side rails may each
independently
move with the siderails without disturbing or dislodging the bedding pad, if,
for example, the
siderails are switched between a raised patient-restraining position and a
lowered position,
so as to provide easy access for a patient. Further, the bedding pad will not
interfere with
the normal operational mechanisms and functions of the hospital bed.
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In a preferred embodiment, the bumper pads are designed differently, wherein
one bumper pad is open-ended, so as to allow a foam insert (placed within the
bumper
pad) to go completely up the inside of the rail, over the top, and dawn the
outside of the rail,
thus completely covering the entire top portion of the bed rail, and
protecting body limbs
that swing over the rail from injury. The opposite bumper pad, by contrast,
features a
closed end construction, whereby the foam inserted in this end of the bumper
pad goes up
only the inside of the rail, and extends above the top portion of the rail to
cover the top of
the rail, but does not completely extend over and down the outside portion of
the rail.
1 ~ In an alternative embodiment, both bumper pads are open-ended, so as to
allow a foam insert (placed within the side rail pad) to go completely up the
inside of each
of the bumper pads, over the top, and down the outside of the rail, thus
completely covering
the entire top portion of the bed rails.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention will be further described with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the bedding pad of the
present
invention in place on a hospital bed, with the mattress removed;
FIG. 2 is a left side perspective view of the embodiment of the bedding pad of
the
present invention illustrated in Figure 1 in place on a hospital bed, with the
mattress removed;
CA 02433646 2003-06-26
FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the bedding pad of the
present
invention in place on a hospital bed, with the mattress placed thereon so as
to
receive a patient; and
FIG. 4 is a left side perspective view of another embodiment of the bedding
pad of the
present invention in place on a hospital bed, Which illustrates the present
invention remaining in place and not interfering with hospital bed functions,
despite the head and foot of the hospital bed being raised, and the left side
rail
down.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Illustrated in Figure 1 there is depicted a standard hospital bed (1)
comprising
side rails (3) a headboard (5), a footboard ('7) and a bed frame (9). The
bedding pad of the
present invention has a central body portion (11 ) and two laterally spaced
elongated side
rail bumper pads (13,15) attached thereto, wherein the body portion (11) of
the bedding
pad is designed to fit under the mattress of a hospital bed (in this Figure,
the hospital bed
is shown without the mattress in place), and the opposed side rail bumper pads
(13,15) are
designed to cover the full-length side rails (3) of the hospital bed. As can
be seen in Figure
1, a total length of the body portion (11 ) will cover approximately two-
thirds of a total length
of the bed, a top portion of the body portion designated as (10). The side
rail bumper pads
(13,15) in this embodiment are designed differently, wherein one side rail
bumper pad (13)
is open-ended, so as to allow a foam insert (placed within the side rail pad)
to go
completely up the inside of the rail, over the top, and down the outside of
the rail (3), thus
completely covering the entire top portion of the bed rail, and protecting
body limbs that
swing over the rail from injury. The opposite side rail bumper pad (15), by
contrast, features
a closed end construction, whereby the foam inserted in tlhis end of the rail
pad goes up
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CA 02433646 2003-06-26
only the inside of the rail (3) , and extends above the top portion of the
rail to cover the top
of the rail, but does not completely extend over and down the outside portion
of the rail.
Figure 2 illustrates a left side perspective view of the embodiment
illustrated in
Figure 1, with the hospital bed again shown without the nnattress in place. In
this Figure,
it can be clearly seen how the side rail bumper pads (indic:ated as "13" in
this Figure) can
be secured with, in this embodiment, tie portions (17) attached to the
material of the side
rail pads. In this manner, the tie portions (17) on the side rail pads can be
"tied" to the side
rails (3) of the bed frame to secure the bedding pad thereao.
Referring to Figure 3, illustrates a top perspective view of the embodiment
illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, but with the mattress (19) placed on the
mattress deck. ~nce
the mattress is in place, it can be seen that the body portion of the bedding
pad is
underneath the mattress (19).
Referring to Figure 4, there is illustrated the standard hospital bed (1 )
featured
in Figs.1-3, comprising side rails (3) a headboard (5), a footboard (7), and a
mattress (19).
Figure 4 further illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention,
showing an upper
portion of the bed frame (21 ) in a raised position along with a corresponding
upper portion
(23) of the mattress, and which shows one of the siderail:> (3) on one side of
the bed in a
lowered position so as to provide easy access for a patient, and further
showing the
corresponding siderail bumper pad (13) attached to the siderail (3) and swung
to a lowered
position. Further, although the present invention is disclosed in the context
of a bed in a
hospital environment, it will be understood that it is equally applicable to a
bed, stretcher,
gurney, wheel chair, or other patient support, in other environments-such as a
patient's
home, a nursing home, a convalescent home, etc. In this embodiment, the pair
of siderail
bumper pads (13,15) coupled to the side rails (3) may each independently move
with the
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siderails (3) when switched between the raised patient-re:>training position
shown in Figs.
1, 2, and 3 and the lowered position shown in Fig. 4. In this manner, it can
be seen that,
when the side rail bumper pads (13,15) are secured to the side rails by the
tie rail portions
shown in Figure 2, the bedding pad of the present invenl;ion does not
interfere with the
normal mechanisms and functions of the hospital bed, yet remains in place.
The foregoing are exemplary embodiments of the present invention and a
person skilled in the art would appreciate that modification; to these
embodiments may be
made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
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