Bariatric transport with improved maneuverability
A bariatric transport is provided. The transport includes a bed area for use by a bariatric patient. The transport further includes a drive assembly that is operable to selectively drive the transport in forward and rearward directions and permit turning of the transport with little or no lateral movement of the transport. Leading and trailing stabilizing wheel assemblies are provided that are selectively moveable into and out of engagement with a supporting floor. Drive devices are also provided to provide selective elevating and lowering of various components of bariatric patient supports.
1. A maneuverable bariatric bed transport adapted for supporting a patient thereon comprising:
a base frame;
a patient support assembly coupled with and overlying the base frame;
a drive assembly coupled with the base frame, the drive assembly including,
at least one drive motor,
first and second drive means connected to the at least one drive motor, and
a pair of drive wheels, each wheel adapted to be independently rotatably actuated by a first or second drive means;
a suspension apparatus for coupling the drive assembly with the base frame and for facilitating at least vertical movement of the drive assembly relative to the base frame; and
a first and second high-low linkage coupled to the base frame and configured to raise and lower the transport;
wherein the suspension apparatus disengages the drive wheels when the base frame is in a raised position.
2. The bariatric bed transport of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least two leading stabilizing wheels coupled to said first high-low linkage; and
at least two trailing stabilizing wheels coupled to said second high-low linkage.
3. The bariatric bed transport of claim 2 , further comprising:
a control system adapted for controlling operation of the drive assembly in response to operator input received by the control system; and
a portable electrical power source for supplying electrical power for operation of the drive assembly and the control system;
wherein the control system and drive assembly together enable driving and steering of the bariatric bed transport in a variety of directions across an underlying surface with support from at least one of the stabilizing wheels.
4. The bariatric bed transport of claim 3 , wherein the control system comprises:
a control module electrically coupled with the first and second drive motors; and
an input device electrically coupled with the control module, the input device being operative to generate a signal for transmission to the control module based on operator input;
wherein the transmitted signal causes the control module to command at least one drive motor of the first and second drive motors to rotate the respective drive wheel in a determined direction of rotation and with a certain torque.
5. The bariatric bed transport of claim 4 , wherein the input device is adapted to accept operator input and initiate movement of the transport selectively in accordance with all of the following options:
(a) one of a forward and rearward direction without any rotation of the transport on the underlying surface,
(b) rotation on the underlying surface with at most slight lateral movement of the transport across the underlying surface, and
(c) one of the forward and rearward direction while rotating the transport on the underlying surface.
6. The bariatric bed transport of claim 1 , wherein the pair of drive wheels is positioned proximate to a point below a center portion of the base frame.
7. The bariatric bed transport of claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly includes first and second drive motors each operably connected to a respective drive wheel.
8. The bariatric bed transport of claim 1 , wherein the power source includes a battery.
9. The bariatric bed transport of claim 1 , wherein the battery includes a rechargeable battery.
10. The bariatric bed transport of claim 8 further comprising a battery charger operatively connected to the rechargeable battery.
11. The bariatric bed transport of claim 3 , wherein the control system includes a joystick for receiving the operator input.
12. A maneuverable bariatric bed transport adapted for supporting a patient thereon comprising:
a base frame;
a patient support assembly coupled with and overlying the base frame, the patient support assembly including,
a head support pivotably coupled to the base frame and extending generally toward a head end of the transport away from the center portion of the base frame and a free end moving generally toward a foot out of the transport in at least one pivoted position of the head support,
an articulating foot support pivotably coupled to the base frame and extending generally toward the foot end from the center portion of the base frame and a free end moving generally toward the head end of the transport in at least one pivoted position of the articulating foot support, the articulating foot support having a second surface formed thereon,
a first actuator for pivoting the head support relative to the base frame, and
a second actuator for pivoting the articulating foot support relative to the base frame; and
a drive assembly coupled with the base frame, the drive assembly including,
at least one drive motor,
first and second drive means connected to the at least one drive motor, and
a pair of drive wheels, each wheel adapted to be independently rotatably actuated by a first or second drive means.
13. The bariatric bed transport of claim 12 further comprising a suspension apparatus for coupling the drive assembly with the base frame and for facilitating at least vertical movement of the drive assembly relative to the base frame.
14. The bariatric bed transport of claim 13 , wherein the pair of drive wheels is positioned proximate to a point below a center portion of the base frame.
15. The bariatric bed transport of claim 14 further comprising:
a pair of leading stabilizing wheels coupled with the base frame such that the pair of leading stabilizing wheels are generally positioned forwardly of the pair of drive wheels; and
a pair of trailing stabilizing wheels coupled with the base frame such that the pair of trailing stabilizing wheels is generally positioned rearwardly of the pair of drive wheels.
16. The bariatric bed transport of claim 12 further comprising a control system including,
a control module electrically coupled with the pair of drive motors, and
an input device electrically coupled with the control module, the input device being operative to generate a signal for transmission to the control module based on the operator input,
wherein the transmitted signal causes the control module to command at least one drive motor of the pair of drive motors to rotate the respective drive wheel in a certain direction of rotation and with a certain torque,
wherein the input device is further adapted to enable variable speed control of the drive assembly based on the operator input received on the input device, and
wherein the input device is further adapted to enable variable speed control of the drive assembly based on one of the operator input received on the joystick and additional operator input received on the input device.
17. The bariatric bed transport of claim 16 , wherein the input device is adapted to accept operator input and initiate movement of the bariatric bed transport selectively in accordance with all of the following options:
(a) one of a forward and rearward direction without any rotation of the transport on the underlying surface,
(b) rotation on the underlying surface with at most slight lateral movement of the transport across the underlying surface, and
(c) one of the forward and rearward direction while rotating the bariatric bed transport on the underlying surface.
18. A maneuverable bariatric bed transport adapted for supporting a patient thereon comprising:
a base frame;
a patient support assembly coupled with and overlying the base frame, the patient support assembly including,
a head support pivotably coupled to the base frame and extending generally toward a head end of the transport away from the center portion of the base frame and a free end moving generally toward a foot out of the transport in at least one pivoted position of the head support,
an articulating foot support pivotably coupled to the base frame and extending generally toward the foot end from the center portion of the base frame and a free end moving generally toward the head end of the transport in at least one pivoted position of the articulating foot support, the articulating foot support having a second surface formed thereon,
a first actuator for pivoting the head support relative to the base frame, and
a second actuator for pivoting the articulating foot support relative to the base frame; and
a drive assembly coupled with the base frame, the drive assembly including,
at least one drive motor,
first and second drive means connected to the at least one drive motor, and
a pair of drive wheels, each wheel adapted to be independently rotatably actuated by a first or second drive means and wherein the pair of drive wheels is positioned proximate to a point below a center portion of the base frame;
a suspension apparatus for coupling the drive assembly with the base frame and for facilitating at least vertical movement of the drive assembly relative to the base frame;
a pair of leading stabilizing wheels coupled with the base frame such that the pair of leading stabilizing wheels are generally positioned forwardly of the pair of drive wheels; and
a pair of trailing stabilizing wheels coupled with the base frame such that the pair of trailing stabilizing wheels is generally positioned rearwardly of the pair of drive wheels; and
a first and second high-low linkage operatively coupled with the base frame and configured for raising and lowering the base frame;
wherein the leading stabilizing wheels are mounted to the first high-low linkage; and
wherein the trailing stabilizing wheels are mounted to the second high-low linkage.
19. The bariatric bed transport of claim 18 wherein the suspension apparatus is configured for disengaging the drive wheels when the base frame is in a raised position.