Brake assisted steering system for a wheeled bed

A brake assisted steering system for controlling movement of, and in combination with, a bed including a frame and at least one wheel connected to the frame, said brake assisted steering system comprising:

• a) at least one lever;
• b) at least one brake mechanism positioned adjacent said at least one wheel;
• c) means for coupling said at least one hand lever to said at least one brake mechanism whereby said at least one hand lever is movable between a first position in which said at least one brake mechanism is disengaged from the at least one wheel whereby the at least one wheel is free to rotate and a second depressed position in which a force is applied by said hand lever through said coupling means to said brake mechanism causing said at least one brake mechanism to engage the at least one wheel and slow down or halt rotation of the at least one wheel;
• d) said the at least one wheel is pivotally connected to the frame by a caster and said at least one brake mechanism is pivotally connected to the caster;
• e) said at least one brake mechanism includes a pivotal member pivotally connected to said caster and positioned adjacent the at least one wheel, said pivotal member being connected to and caused to pivot by said coupling means, said at least one brake mechanism further including a brake pad connected to an end of said pivotal member opposite said connection to said coupling means for engaging the at least one wheel when said at least one brake mechanism is in said second position;
• f) said pivotal member includes a first recess and said brake mechanism further includes a loop extending through said first recess and connected to said coupling means;
• g) said coupling means is a cable wire, said cable wire being pivotally connected to said loop;
• h) said brake mechanism further includes a return mechanism for pivoting said brake mechanism back to said first position upon release of said force on said at least one hand lever;
• and
• i) said caster is U-shaped and includes a back wall and said return mechanism includes a pin extending through the back wall for connection with said pivoting member, an adjustable stopper slidably positioned on said pin, and a first spring encircling said pin and positioned between the back wall and said adjustable stopper on a side of the back wall opposite said pivoting member, wherein said first spring is tensioned when said pivoting member is caused to pivot towards the at least one wheel and said first spring is able to recoil upon removal of said force on said hand lever thereby pivoting said brake assembly away from the at least one wheel and into aid first position.

A brake assisted steering system for controlling movement of, and in combination with, a bed including a frame and at least one wheel connected to the frame, said brake assisted steering system comprising:

• a) at least one lever;
• b) at least one brake mechanism positioned adjacent said at least one wheel;
• c) means for coupling said at least one hand lever to said at least one brake mechanism whereby said at least one hand lever is movable between a first position in which said at least one brake mechanism is disengaged from the at least one wheel whereby the at least one wheel is free to rotate and a second depressed position in which a force is applied by said hand lever through said coupling means to said brake mechanism causing said at least one brake mechanism to engage the at least one wheel and slow down or halt rotation of the at least one wheel;
• and
• d) a stopper positioned around said coupling means adjacent said connection to said at least one hand lever and a second spring encircling said coupling means and positioned between said connection and said stopper wherein application of said force to said at least one hand lever causes said coupling means and said stopper to be moved towards said at least one hand lever thereby tensioning said second spring and removal of said force causes said first spring to recoil and apply a force against said stopper causing said stopper and coupling means to return to said first position.

A brake assisted steering system for use in controlling movement of a bed including a frame and first and second wheels extending from the frame, said brake assisted steering system comprising:

• a) a first hand lever;
• b) a second hand lever;
• c) a first brake mechanism positioned adjacent the first wheel;
• d) a second brake mechanism positioned adjacent the second wheel;
• e) first means for coupling said first hand lever and said first brake mechanism;
• f) second means for coupling said second hand lever t said second brake mechanism whereby said first hand lever is movable between a first position in which said first brake mechanism is disengaged from the first wheel thereby allowing the first wheel to rotate and a second depressed position in which a force is applied to said first brake mechanism causing said first brake mechanism to engage the first wheel thereby slowing down or preventing rotation of the first wheel and said second hand lever is movable between a first position in which said second brake mechanism is disengaged from the second wheel allowing the second wheel to rotate and a second depressed position in which a force is applied to said second brake mechanism causing said second brake mechanism to engage the second wheel thereby slowing down or preventing rotation of the second wheel;
• and
• g) a stopper positioned around said first coupling means adjacent said connection to said first hand lever and a second spring encircling said first coupling means and positioned between said connection and stopper wherein application of said force to said first hand lever causes said first coupling means and said stopper to be moved towards said first hand lever thereby tensioning said second spring and removal of said force causes said second spring to recoil and apply a force against said stopper causing said stopper and first coupling means to return to said first position.