Hospital bed

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/370,272, filed Aug. 9, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,345, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/009,522, filed Jan. 20, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,888, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/755,480, filed Nov. 22, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,997, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/277,243, filed Jul. 19, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,279, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/234,403, filed Apr. 28, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,126, and a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/230,061, filed Apr. 21, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,406, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/186,657, filed Jan. 25, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,666, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth in their entirety.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,672,849; 5,483,709; 5,337,845, 5,335,651; 5, 370,111; and 5,117,521 are hereby incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to hospital beds, and more particularly to hospital beds which convert from a bed configuration to a chair configuration and which, in doing so, provide for patient egress from the foot end of the bed and access to an onboard patient care module.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During a patient's stay in a hospital, the patient is normally confined to his or her hospital bed for some period of time, at least initially. During this portion of the patient's hospital stay, all of the care functions provided by attending physicians, nurses and the like are provided to the patient as he or she resides on the hospital bed.

Since the patient is not ambulatory during this period of his or her stay, the patient is unable to leave the hospital bed and travel to, for example, the bathroom. Thus, attending personnel must provide the patient with a bedpan for use on the bed. As is appreciated, use of a bedpan on a hospital bed by a patient who is in a generally supine position is difficult and cumbersome, at best.

It has therefore been an objective of the present invention to provide a hospital bed which includes an on-board toilet module which permits use by a patient in a conventional manner as opposed to the difficulties encountered with use of a traditional bedpan.

Hospital beds which convert to a chair configuration have been known for some time. Particular types of chair beds which provide for convenient and ready egress of a patient from the foot end of the bed when the bed is configured into a chair configuration are disclosed in co-pending applications Ser. Nos. 08/234,403 and 08/186,657 assigned to the assignee of the present invention. In those applications, chair beds are disclosed which have vacatable foot sections which, when the patient support platform is lowered to a lowermost position, allow the patient's feet to rest directly on the floor. Sideguards/handrails are provided on the foot end of the bed and are convertible from pivoting footboard halves for grasping by a patient to aid in egressing from the chair configured bed and in moving from a sitting position to a standing position. The patient can manipulate the vertical control of the hospital bed to assist the patient in moving from a stooped position to an upright position.

Another objective of the present invention has been to provide a hospital bed which provides for repositioning sideguards/handrails which are located at the foot end of the bed to a position intermediate the foot end and head end casters such that any downward load applied by a patient to the sideguards/handrails is applied intermediate the head and foot end casters in order to optimize the stability of the bed as a patient egresses from the bed and moves from a sitting position to a standing position.

In a chair bed of the type as disclosed in co-pending applications Ser. Nos. 08/234,403 and 08/186,657, the patient may have occasion to move from the chair configured bed to a patient care module positioned at the foot end of the bed, such as, for example, an exerciser, a scooter or walker, a toilet or a wheelchair, as disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 08/230,061 also assigned to the assignee of the present invention. It would be helpful if structure were provided to help guide and stabilize the patient as the patient moves from the chair configured bed to the patient care module.

It has therefore been yet another objective of the present invention to provide apparatus for stabilizing and guiding a patient from a chair configured hospital bed to a patient care module positioned at the foot end of the hospital bed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention attains the stated objectives by providing, in a preferred embodiment, a hospital bed comprising a base with casters, a main frame mounted above the base, a patient support platform longitudinally movably mounted on the main frame and including a leg panel, and a toilet module disposed beneath the patient support platform and normally concealed by the leg panel. The patient support platform and toilet module are configured such that when the patient support platform is moved toward a head end of the bed the leg panel retracts from over the toilet module exposing the toilet module for use by a patient. The leg panel pivots downwardly after retracting from over the toilet module, and the patient support platform further includes an upwardly pivoting head panel, the bed being configured such that when the leg panel is pivoted downwardly the head panel is pivoted upwardly, the bed assumes a chair position.

The patient support platform further includes a pair of bolsters, one of which is located outboard of each lateral edge of the leg panel. The leg panel and bolsters are configured such that after the leg panel has been pivoted downwardly the bolsters provide side support to a patient moving from the patient support platform to the toilet module and back.

The main frame of the hospital bed of the present invention includes a pair of spaced, longitudinal, generally parallel rails, with each of the rails having a foot end which diverges laterally outwardly. The laterally outwardly divergent foot ends of the main frame rails provide structure for guidingly docking therebetween a rollable patient care module, for example toilet, wheelchair or the like, to the main frame.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a hospital bed is provided which comprises a base having head and foot ends and casters mounted on the head and foot ends, a main frame mounted above the base, a patient support platform longitudinally movably mounted on the main frame, and a pair of pivoting footboard halves operably mounted to the patient support platform one of which is located on each lateral side at a foot end thereof. The footboard halves when oriented laterally to the bed function together as a footboard and when oriented longitudinally to the bed function separately as sideguards/handrails. The base and footboard halves are configured such that when the patient support platform is moved toward a head end of the bed the footboard halves are retracted to between the foot end casters and the head end casters. The patient support platform includes a downwardly pivoting leg panel and an upwardly pivoting head panel. The bed is configured such that when the patient support platform is moved toward the head end of the bed, the leg panel is pivoted downwardly and the head panel is pivoted upwardly, such that the bed assumes a chair position. A patient egressing from the chair configured bed and moving from a sitting position to a standing position while utilizing the sideguards/handrails applies a downward force via the sideguards/handrails intermediate the foot end casters and the head end casters, thus providing for maximum stability.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a hospital bed comprises a base with casters, a main frame mounted above the base, and a patient support platform mounted on the main frame and including a seat panel, a downwardly pivoting leg panel and an upwardly pivoting head panel, and a pair of bolsters one of which is located outboard of each lateral edge of the leg panel. The bolsters are movable from a position forward of and in a plane defined by the seat panel to a position above and along each lateral edge of the seat panel when the leg panel is pivoted downwardly and the head panel is pivoted upwardly to provide arm rests for a patient situated atop the bed configured as a chair.

According to yet a further aspect of the present invention, a hospital bed comprises a base with casters, a main frame having head and foot ends mounted above the base, a patient support platform having head and foot ends longitudinally movably mounted on the main frame and including a downwardly pivoting leg panel and an upwardly pivoting head panel. The patient support platform is configured such that when the patient support platform is moved toward a head end of the main frame the leg panel pivots downwardly and the head panel pivots upwardly, the bed thereby assuming a chair position. A frame is mounted to the head of the main frame and the foot end of the main frame and extends along and over the patient support platform. A traveling harness is mounted to the frame and is adapted to be secured to a patient. The traveling harness provides security and stability to a patient as the patient egresses from the bed configured as a chair and moves from a sitting position to a standing position and onto a patient care module positioned at the foot end of the main frame.

According to still a further aspect of the present invention, the frame mentioned above is mounted to the head end of the main frame and is operably mounted to the foot end of the patient support platform. The frame is operable to extend and retract along the length thereof as the patient support platform extends and retracts on the main frame. The frame is an orthopedic frame which maintains a relative distance between the frame and a patient on the patient support platform as the platform extends and retracts.

In order to carry out the longitudinal movement of the patient support platform and the pivotal movement of the leg panel, the present invention provides a first piston and cylinder drive for moving the patient support platform longitudinally toward the head end of the bed, and a second piston and cylinder drive for pivoting the leg panel downwardly after the patient support platform has traveled a predetermined distance toward the head end of the main frame in order to first clear the onboard patient care module. The leg panel comprises a calf panel pivoted relative to the main frame and a foot panel pivoted to the calf panel. A first linkage is operable between the foot and calf panels for pivoting the foot panel relative to the calf panel, and a second linkage is operable between the calf panel and the main frame for pivoting the calf panel relative to the main frame, with both the linkages being actuated by the second piston and cylinder drive.

The first linkage comprises a first link having first and second ends, the first end being pivoted to the foot panel, a second link having first and second ends, the first end being pivoted to the second end of the second link, the second end having a protuberance thereon, the second link being pivoted to the calf panel intermediate the first and second ends, and a roller operably connected to the first piston and cylinder drive and normally contacting the second link intermediate the first and second ends. When the first piston and cylinder drive is actuated the roller rides along the second link towards the protuberance; the second link rotates in response thereto causing a force to be applied to the first link which moves the foot panel downwardly relative to the calf panel. The first linkage further includes a spring operable between the foot panel and the first end of the second link.

The second linkage comprises at least a second roller operably connected to the first drive, the calf panel including a roller bearing plate for the second roller to roll along and bear against, the roller bearing plate supporting the calf panel on the second roller. When the first drive is actuated the second roller rides along the roller bearing plate toward an end thereof. When the second roller rolls off the end of the roller bearing plate, the calf panel is permitted to move downwardly relative to the main frame. The roller bearing plate further includes a ramp commencing at the end thereof, and when the second roller rolls off the end the second roller rolls along the ramp.

One advantage of the present invention is that a hospital bed is provided which includes an onboard toilet module which permits use by a patient in a conventional manner as opposed to the difficulties encountered with use of a traditional bedpan. The toilet module can be carried by the bed full-time in an onboard manner. No lengthening of the bed is required however as the toilet module fits within the footprint of a standard 93 inch long hospital bed.

Another advantage of the present invention is that a hospital bed is provided with pivoting footboard halves which are located at the foot end of the bed and which are utilizable as sideguards/handrails when a patient egresses the chair configured bed, which sideguards/handrails are repositionable prior to patent egress such that the downward load applied by the patient on the sideguards/handrails is applied intermediate the head and foot end casters thus optimizing the stability of the bed during patient egress therefrom.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that apparatus is provided for use in conjunction with a bed which converts to a chair for stabilizing and guiding a patient from the chair configured bed to a patient care module positioned at the foot end of the bed.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that in a hospital bed which converts to a chair, bolsters are provided adjacent the lateral edges of the leg panel which, when the leg panel is dropped to form a chair, are repositionable upwardly and rearwardly to over the lateral edges of the seat panel thereby providing convenient armrests for the patient in the chair configured bed.

The bed is transformed into an ambulatory/rehabilitation type bed by selecting an ambulatory/rehabilitation module with which to retrofit the bed from the group consisting of a rollable exerciser module for docking to a foot end of the bed for rehabilitation, a combination rollable scooter and walker dockable to the foot end of the bed for providing an independent means of ambulation, a rollable toileting module dockable to a foot end of the bed, a wheelchair module dockable to a foot end of the bed and a wireless nurse call/patient follower module providing an ambulatory patient a means of locating a nurse as well as providing staff a means of locating a patient. The foot end cavity of the modular bed advantageously provides space for receiving thereat the ambulatory/rehabilitation module which is selected from the group consisting of an exerciser module, walker module, toilet module and wheelchair module which are dockable thereto to aid a patient in ambulations and rehabilitation.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent during the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings herein, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is a side elevational view of the hospital bed of the present invention;

FIG. 1A

is a view similar to

FIG. 1

but with the patient support platform shown in a lowermost position and with the head panel pivoted upwardly and the leg panel pivoted downwardly;

FIG. 2

is a view taken along line

2

—

2

of

FIG. 1

;

FIG. 3

is the encircled area of

FIG. 1

shown enlarged;

FIG. 4

is a view taken along line

4

—

4

of

FIG. 3

;

FIG. 5

is a view similar to

FIG. 2

but just of the seat, thigh and leg panels;

FIG. 6

is a view taken along line

6

—

6

of

FIG. 5

;

FIGS. 7A-F

are views taken along line

7

A—

7

A of

FIG. 5

during downward pivoting of the leg panel;

FIGS. 8A-F

are views taken along line

8

A—

8

A of

FIG. 5

also during downward pivoting of the leg panel;

FIGS. 9A-B

are views taken along line

9

A—

9

A of

FIG. 5

during initial retraction of the patient support platform;

FIG. 10

is a view similar to

FIG. 1A

but with the thigh and leg panels pivoted upwardly;

FIG. 11

is a perspective view of a bolster and associated orthopedic frame and foot gate sockets;

FIG. 12

is a perspective of the hospital bed of the present invention shown in conjunction with a wheelchair;

FIG. 13

is a perspective view of the hospital bed of the present invention shown in conjunction with a toilet module and a patient safety harness;

FIG. 14

is a perspective view of the hospital bed of the present invention shown in conjunction with a mobile power column;

FIG. 15

is a perspective view of an alternative form of bolster;

FIGS. 15A-B

are perspective views of a hospital bed incorporating the bolsters of

FIG. 15

;

FIG. 16

is a perspective view of the foot end of the main frame with preferred embodiments of the toilet module, toilet module latches and foot gates;

FIG. 17

is a view taken along line

17

—

17

of

FIG. 16

;

FIG. 18

is a view taken along line

18

—

18

of

FIG. 16

;

FIGS. 19A-E

are sequence side elevation views of the bed of the present invention;

FIGS. 20A-20E

illustrate the bed configured as an ambulatory/rehabilitation bed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference first to

FIG. 1

, there is illustrated a hospital bed

10

according to the present invention. The bed

10

comprises, generally, a base

12

, a main frame

14

mounted above the base

12

, and a patient support platform

16

movably mounted on the main frame

14

.

Referring now to

FIGS. 1-6

, it will be seen that the base

12

of hospital bed

10

includes a pair of frame members

20

,

20

each of which includes a first longitudinally oriented section

22

, a first laterally outwardly diverging section

24

, a second longitudinally oriented section

26

and a second laterally outwardly diverging section

28

. Base

12

of hospital bed

10

is of extended length and defines a “Y” shape, the opening of which is toward the foot end of the bed

10

. The advantages of the extended length and foot facing “Y” will be subsequently described.

At the head end of the base

12

there is a transverse member

30

connected to the head ends of the longitudinally oriented sections

22

,

22

of the base frame members

20

,

20

. On the laterally outward ends of the transverse member

30

are head end casters

32

. Mounted on the foot ends of sections

28

,

28

of the frame members

20

,

20

of the base

12

are foot end casters

34

.

The main frame

14

includes a pair of longitudinally oriented rails or frame members

40

which span the length of the bed

10

. Connected to the head end of each of the rails

40

is a transverse cross member

42

from which extends upwardly a headboard

44

. A pair of braces

46

,

46

connect the head ends of the rails

40

to the head end cross member

42

. At the foot end of the main frame

14

each of the rails

40

include a laterally outwardly diverging section

48

. Pivotally attached to the ends of each of the sections

48

is a pivoting footboard half

50

. Pivoting footboard halves or foot gates

50

,

50

, when oriented transversely to the length of the bed

10

, function together as a footboard. When the pivoting footboard halves

50

,

50

are pivoted toward the head end of the bed

10

to a position generally parallel the length of the bed

10

, the footboard halves

50

,

50

function separately as sideguards/handrails for aiding a patient in egressing from the bed

10

when the bed

10

is configured as a chair. The main frame

14

is of extended or full length and has advantages which likewise will be described.

A pair of parallelogram linkages

60

,

60

movably mount the main frame

14

to and above the base

12

. Each parallelogram linkage

60

includes upper and lower links

62

,

64

having lower ends pivotally connected to a bracket

66

mounted to member

30

of base

12

at pivots

68

,

70

respectively. The links

62

,

64

are pivoted at their upper ends to a bracket

72

mounted to each main frame rail

40

at pivots

74

,

76

. Brackets

72

are pivoted to the rails

40

at pivots

78

. Main frame

14

pivots at the pivots

78

,

78

relative to the linkage

60

and hence base

12

thus providing Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg movement of the main frame

14

and hence the patient support platform

16

. A pair of gas springs

80

,

80

are located beneath rail

40

of main frame

14

and have cylinder ends connected to the lower end of each bracket

72

and piston rod ends connected to each rail

40

. The two pairs of gas springs

80

,

80

provide rotational resistance to the main frame

14

when positioned in the Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg positions and any position in between. Gas springs

80

may be actuated by any conventional means.

A hydraulic piston and cylinder

82

has a cylinder end pivotally connected between the sections

22

of the base frame members

20

at pivot

84

and a piston rod end pivotally connected between the upper links

62

of each parallelogram linkage

60

at a pivot connection

86

. Pivot

86

is located between a pair of triangular plates

87

,

87

both of which are mounted to a pair of cross braces

88

,

88

spanning between and connected to upper links

62

,

62

of the parallelogram linkages

60

,

60

. Extension and retraction of the piston and cylinder

82

moves main frame

14

upwardly and downwardly relative to the base

12

.

The patient support platform

16

includes a head panel

90

, a seat panel

92

, a thigh panel

94

and a leg panel

96

. Head panel

90

and seat panel

92

are hinged at pivot points

98

,

98

. Seat panel

92

and thigh panel

94

are hinged at pivot points

100

,

100

.

Leg panel

96

comprises a calf panel

102

, a foot panel

104

and a pair of lateral side bolsters

106

,

106

. Lateral side bolsters

106

,

106

are pivoted to thigh panel

94

at outboard pivots

108

and inboard pivots

110

. Inboard pivots

110

also serve to pivot calf panel

102

to thigh panel

94

. Foot panel

104

is pivoted to the calf panel

102

via pivots

112

.

Seat panel

102

is mounted upon a carriage

120

which includes a pair of rollers

122

,

122

on either lateral side thereof. Each pair of rollers

122

,

122

rolls within an inwardly facing channel

124

secured to an inboard side of each rail

40

of the main frame

14

(FIG.

6

).

A piston and cylinder

126

has a cylinder end

126

a

pivotally connected to the forward end of main frame

14

at pivot

128

and a piston rod end

126

b

pivotally connected between a pair of links

130

,

130

at

132

. Each of the links

130

,

130

is pivotally connected at a pivot

134

to a torque plate

136

which itself is fixedly secured to the head panel

90

. Extension and retraction of the piston and cylinder

126

thus serves to extend toward the foot end and retract away from the foot end the patient support platform

16

along the main frame

14

, as well as to pivot downwardly and upwardly the head panel

90

. Head panel

90

is additionally connected to the main frame

14

via a pair of links

138

,

138

each of which has a head end

138

a

pivotally connected to the main frame

14

at a pivot

140

and a foot end

138

b

pivotally connected to the head panel

90

at a pivot

142

. A bracket

144

depends from the seat panel

92

and carries an upper roller

146

and a lower roller

148

. The piston rod

150

of the piston and cylinder

126

resides between the rollers

146

,

148

, the rollers providing support against upward and downward deflections of the rod

150

. The full stroke of the piston and cylinder

126

is 18 inches. Thus, when the patient support platform

16

is in the normally horizontal and extended (retracted) attitude, rod

150

and hence pivot

132

are fully extended. Retraction of the pivot

132

18 inches toward the head end of the bed

10

via the piston and cylinder

126

results in 12 inches of travel of the patient support platform

16

on the main frame

14

toward the head end of the bed

10

, with 6 inches of motion being lost between pivots

132

and

134

. Six inches of relative travel between the pivots

132

and

134

results in the head panel

90

being pivoted to the full up position via the torque plates

136

,

136

(FIG.

1

A); likewise, 12 inches of travel of the pivot

134

and hence pivot

98

results in the links

138

,

138

driving the head panel

90

to the full up position (also FIG.

1

A). The combination of torque plates

136

,

136

in conjunction with links

138

,

138

provides for efficient upward pivoting of the head panel

90

, as torque plates

136

,

136

are most effective during initial upward pivoting of head panel

90

whereas links

138

,

138

are most efficient during final upward pivoting of the head panel

90

.

Referring now to FIGS.

5

and

8

A-F, a second carriage

160

is provided for actuation of the leg panel

96

. Carriage

160

comprises a transverse member

162

and a longitudinal plate member

164

mounted on each lateral end

162

a,

162

b

of the transverse member

162

. One roller

166

of a pair of rollers

166

,

166

is mounted on each end

164

a,

164

b

of each of the longitudinal members

164

,

164

. Each of the two roller pairs

166

,

166

rolls within one of the channels

124

,

124

secured to each of the rail members

40

,

40

of the main frame

14

. A piston and cylinder

168

has a cylinder end

168

a

pivotally connected to a bracket

170

at

172

, which bracket

170

is secured to the underneath side of the seat panel

92

. The piston rod end

168

b

of the cylinder

168

is pivotally secured to the cross member

162

at

174

. A plate

176

is fixedly secured to the cross member

162

inboard of each plate

164

. Each plate

176

carries a roller

178

. Each roller

178

rides along and in contact with a roller bearing surface or plate

180

, which itself is a part of a vertically oriented downwardly extending plate

182

connected to each lateral edge

102

a,

102

b

of the calf panel

102

. The plate

182

further includes an upwardly angled ramp

184

commencing at a head end edge

186

of the roller bearing plate

180

. Ramp

184

is actually one side of a channel

188

including an opposite side

190

. Calf panel

102

is supported on rollers

178

,

178

by virtue of the fact that each roller bearing plate

180

bears down upon and against one of the rollers

178

. Each roller

178

is operable to roll along its respective roller bearing plate

180

as the piston and cylinder

168

extends and retracts. As each roller

178

rolls past each edge

186

of each plate

180

the calf panel

102

is permitted to pivot downwardly relative to the main frame

14

, the operation of which will be described subsequently.

Referring now to FIGS.

5

and

7

A-F, a first link

200

has a first end

200

a

pivoted to the foot panel

104

at pivot

202

. A second link

204

has a first end

204

c

pivoted to the second end

200

b

of link

200

at

206

, and a protuberance

208

on a second end

204

b.

Link

204

is pivoted to a bracket

205

mounted on the calf panel

102

at pivot

210

. A plate

212

is fixedly secured to cross member

162

of the carriage

160

. Pivotally mounted on the plate

212

is a roller

214

. Roller

214

normally contacts the lower edge

204

c

of link

204

near the pivot

206

when the patient support platform

16

is in a generally horizontal attitude. Retraction of the piston and cylinder

168

causes the roller

212

to travel along the lower edge

204

c

of link

204

toward the protuberance

208

. Further travel of the roller

214

causes the foot panel

104

to pivot downwardly relative to the calf panel

102

, the operation of which will be described subsequently. A gas spring

216

has a piston rod end

216

a

pivotally mounted to the foot panel

104

at

218

and a cylinder end

216

b

pivotally mounted to the link

204

at the pivot

206

. Gas spring

216

is normally under compression; that is to say, gas spring

216

has a tendency to extend itself.

Describing now the operation of the leg panel

96

, and referring now specifically to

FIGS. 7A-F

, the patient support platform

16

begins in the normally horizontal, planar attitude. Initial retraction of the piston and cylinder

168

causes the roller

214

to ride along the underneath side

204

c

of the link

204

. Continued retraction of the piston and cylinder

168

causes the roller

214

to contact the protuberance

208

on link

204

. Further retraction of the piston cylinder

168

causes the link

204

to begin rotating counterclockwise about pivot

210

due to the action of roller

214

on protuberance

208

, and the action of the gas spring

216

upon link

204

. Counterclockwise rotation of link

204

exerts a downward force on foot panel

104

via the connection therebetween by link

200

.

Referring now to

FIGS. 8A-F

, which correspond in time sequence to

FIGS. 7A-F

, as the piston and cylinder

168

retracts, the carriage

160

travels toward the head end of the bed

10

. Rollers

178

,

178

which support the calf panel

102

as the roller bearing plates

180

,

180

bear thereupon, travel toward the head end edges

186

,

186

of the roller bearing plates

180

,

180

. As each roller

178

rolls past each edge

186

, gravity allows the calf panel

102

to begin dropping downwardly by pivoting at pivot

110

as the channels

188

,

188

collapse downwardly onto the rollers

178

,

178

, the rollers

178

,

178

rolling upwardly relative to the ramps

184

,

184

each of which is one side of the channels

188

,

188

.

Thus, complete retraction of the cylinder

168

results in the condition shown in

FIGS. 1A

,

7

F and

8

F wherein the foot panel

104

has been pivoted relative to the calf panel

102

by slightly more than 90°, and wherein the calf panel

102

has been pivoted relative to the thigh panel

94

by approximately 90°. And, full retraction of the piston and cylinder

126

causes the patient support platform

16

to be translated toward the head end of the bed

10

and the head panel

90

to be pivoted to the upwardmost position (FIG.

1

A). Thus, in this configuration, the bed

10

is configured as a chair.

Referring now to

FIG. 13

, the hospital bed

10

of the present invention is shown with a toilet module

230

used in conjunction therewith. Toilet module

230

includes a toilet portion

232

, a seat portion

234

and casters

236

. The seat

236

can conveniently slidably engage the sections

48

,

48

of the rails

40

,

40

of the main frame

12

. The toilet

232

may then be rolled underneath the seat

234

. Alternatively, the assembled seat

234

and toilet

232

may remain attached to the main frame

40

, and carried with the bed

10

as an onboard toilet module. Toilet module

230

conveniently fits within the footprint of the standard 93 inch length hospital bed

10

, thus requiring no lengthening of bed

10

, and is normally concealed by the leg panel

96

. In use of the hospital bed

10

with the toilet module

230

, the bed would be in its normally horizontal attitude with the leg section

96

concealing the module

30

and the patient

262

lying supine upon the mattress

238

atop the patient support platform

16

. A preferable mattress for use with the hospital bed

10

of the present invention is disclosed in application Ser. No. 08/234,403. Piston and cylinder

126

is then energized to translate the entire patient support platform

16

towards the head end of the bed

10

relative to the main frame

14

. Head panel

90

pivots upwardly during this retraction as described above. Once the patient support platform

16

has been fully retracted atop the main frame

14

as detected by appropriate sensors known to those skilled in the art, appropriate control circuitry and the like, likewise known to those skilled in the art, energizes piston and cylinder

168

. Since the patient support surface

16

has been fully retracted prior to activation of downward pivoting of the foot and calf panels

104

and

102

respectively, the foot end edge

240

of foot panel

104

has cleared the head end edge

242

of the toilet module

230

, the dimension of the toilet module

230

from head end edge

242

to foot end edge

244

being slightly less than the 12 inches of horizontal travel traversed by the patient support

16

on the main frame

14

. Pivoting of the foot panel

104

relative to the calf panel

102

and pivoting of the calf panel

102

relative to the thigh panel

94

then proceeds as discussed above in connection with the discussion of

FIGS. 7A-F

and

FIGS. 8A-F

, respectively. As described in applications Ser. Nos. 08/234,403 and 08/186,657, the patient support platform

16

is lowerable to a lowermost position to allow a patient's feet to rest directly on the floor. Bed controls, known to those skilled in the art, may be located on the foot gates

50

,

50

as illustrated at

400

, on the standard sideguards

402

as illustrated at

404

, or both to allow for manipulation of the bed

10

.

Once the patient's feet are securely placed on the floor, the patient can employ the vertical lift piston and cylinder

82

, activated by patient controls

400