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US 2012/0066920 A1Published application
Autoleveling methods, devices and systems
AssigneeRaffel Systems, LLC
InventorsPaul Stangl, Ken Seidl, Ed Nowak
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides methods, devices, and systems for autoleveling of an apparatus. In particular, the invention provides devices and systems for autoleveling support apparatuses, such as hospital-type beds, and methods of use thereof.
Claims18
A device comprising a position feedback device, processor, and integration circuitry configured for integration with control circuitry of a support apparatus;
- wherein said device detects deviations in position of said support apparatus and directs a lift mechanism of said support apparatus to correct a deviation.
A method of autoleveling a support apparatus comprising
- (a) providing:
- (i) a support apparatus, wherein said support apparatus comprises:
- (A) a support surface;
- (B) a position adjustment system comprising:
- two or more actuator-driven lift mechanisms, control unit, and control circuitry connecting said control unit to said actuator driven lift mechanisms;
- and
- (ii) an autoleveling device, wherein said autoleveling device comprises an inclinometer, processor, and integration circuitry;
- (b) attaching said autoleveling device to said support apparatus, wherein said inclinometer detects the degree of inclination of said support surface;
- (c) integrating the integration circuitry of said autoleveling device into the control circuitry of said support apparatus;
- (d) detecting the degree of inclination of said support surface of said support apparatus;
- (e) comparing the detected degree of inclination of said support surface to a reference inclination;
- and
- (f) providing means for directing said position adjustment system, wherein such means adjusts the height of one or more actuator-driven lift mechanisms to correct any deviation between said detected degree of inclination and said reference inclination.
10 more elements
A method of retrofitting a support apparatus with autoleveling functionality comprising:
- (a) providing:
- (i) a support apparatus, wherein said support apparatus comprises:
- (A) a support surface;
- (B) a position adjustment system comprising:
- two or more actuator-driven lift mechanisms, control unit, and control circuitry connecting said control unit to said actuator driven lift mechanisms;
- and
- (ii) an autoleveling device, wherein said autoleveling device comprises an inclinometer, processor, and integration circuitry;
- (b) attaching said autoleveling device to said support apparatus;
- (c) integrating the integration circuitry of said autoleveling device into the control circuitry of said support apparatus, thereby integrating said autoleveling device into the position adjustment system of said support apparatus, wherein the processor of said integrated autoleveling device is configured to:
- (i) receive control instructions from said control unit to said actuator-driven lift mechanisms;
- (ii) set a reference inclination based on said control instructions, user input, and/or an absolute reference;
- (iii) detect degree of inclination of said support surface of said support apparatus;
- (iii) compare the detected degree of inclination of said support surface to said reference inclination;
- and
- (iv) direct said position adjustment system to adjust the height of one or more actuator-driven lift mechanisms to correct any deviation between said detected degree of inclination and said reference inclination.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.