US 2013/0074268 A1 · STRUCTURAL PNEUMATIC ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM

Abstract

A pneumatic accumulator integral to a structural member of a person-support apparatus to store air is disclosed. The accumulator serves as a reservoir available for rapid changes in demand for pressurized air, for use by a variety of devices integral or external to the person-support apparatus or for extension and retraction of at least one portion of the person-support apparatus. A pump supplies air to the accumulator. The pump and at least one pressure sensor are in communication with a controller. At least one valve in the fluidic path is in communication with the controller and meters the supply of air. The controller may further be connected with an alarming unit, hospital network, activity log, communication station nurse call system or electronic medical records.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A structural pneumatic accumulator system for use in a person-support structure, comprising:

an accumulator, said accumulator a structural member of said person-support structure;
a pump fluidly connected to said accumulator;
a controller in communication with said pump.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

13/242,199Filed 23 Sep 2011

Published

28 Mar 2013

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

A61G 7/05
Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons: parts, details or accessories of beds
A61G 7/05792
With ventilating means, e.g. mattress or cushion with ventilating holes or ventilators: with low air loss function, e.g. in mattresses, overlays…
A61G 7/012
Having adjustable mattress frame: raising or lowering of the whole mattress frame
A61G 7/05746
With fluid-like particles, e.g. sand, mud, seeds, gel, beads: fluidised by air flow

Structural pneumatic accumulator system

Life of this patent

Structural pneumatic accumulator system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22