Huntleigh Technology Limited

J Nesbit Evans & Co. Ltd.

Stephen Hayes

Stephen Hollyoak

Robert Hugh Jones

Stephen Holl-Yoak

Stuart Jones

A pedal () is formed from a single molding and includes first and second arms (), each provided with an over molded marker (). The pedal () has two fittings () for coupling with a brake actuator rod () and a coupling member () respectively. A castor () includes a wheel () which can rotate about a bushing () and a coupling shaft (). Within the shaft () there is provided a brake mechanism for locking the wheel (). A base frame () for a bed includes longitudinal and transverse struts () arranged in a rectangular form, with four castors () and four associated pedal assemblies (). Two actuator rods () are provided, one for each pair of opposing pedal assemblies (), while two connecting elements () are provided, one for each pair of side-by-side pedal assemblies (). All the pedals and thus all the brake mechanisms are coupled to one another through the two actuator rods () and two coupling elements (). When one pedal () is actuated all the castors will either be locked or will all be released by a single operation.

Bed castor and brake assembly

The patient monitoring system comprises at least one load cell element () mounted in relation to a support surface, the load cell element () determining movement of a person on a support surface. The movement is determined based on a reference () measured using the load cell element () when the person is positioned on the support surface in a reference position and the subsequent load changes determined using the load cell element in relation to the reference. If the load change exceeds a pre-defined threshold, an alarm () is activated. The user is able to set the threshold value of the alarm system according to the physical condition of the patient. For example, in some cases it is necessary to he notified about any movements and in others only major movements are of interest. The patient monitoring system is able to provide a flexible means of monitoring of a patient by a nurse or carer.

Patient monitoring system

A hinge assembly (-) for a frame assembly () of for example, a hospital bed, has a smooth outer form which substantially conforms to the outer size of frame assembly struts to which it couples. The hinge assembly (-) has its components located internally and provides at least one reliable electrically conductive path therethrough so as to provide an electrical connection between frame struts (-) coupled together by the hinge (-), avoiding the need for electrical wires. There are provided angle markers on the hinge to indicate the degree of rotation of the hinge halves ().

Hinge for bed frame assembly

A bed assembly includes a wheeled base, a sub-frame and mattress support frame. The sub-frame supports a plurality of electrically operated actuators which provide for raising and lowering of the bed. The bed can be lowered to a first low position in which the bed frame is around 38 to 45 centimeters above floor height and to a lower position in which the frame is around 30 centimeters above floor height. The bed is lowered to the first height upon receipt of a first command input and can only be lowered below that first height upon receipt of a second control input distinct from the first control input. Preferably, the bed is lowered at a slower speed from the first low height to its lowermost position.

Bed control procedure

A bed assembly () includes a frame () which supports four curved mattress support panels (-) which are able to move with pivoting of the various parts of the frame (). The curved panels (-) better conform to a patient's body shape and provide an effective lengthening of the mattress support (-), particularly when the back rest () is raised to a sitting position. The support panels (-) are located below the pivot points of the frame (), which further enhances the lengthening effect. The assembly also includes first and second patient retention panels () with complementary edges () which can slide over one another. A key pad unit () protrudes from the retention panel () at a convenient patient position and can be gripped by a patient's hand.

Bed assembly

A profiling bed or similar support surface having a back section, seat section, thigh and calf section convertible to a chair configuration. The back section is mounted on an angled slide to retract as it is rotated. The angle of the slide also provides upward lift of the back section as it is retracted and rotated. This combination of movements mimics the way a person's tissues stretch when they move to a sitting position, reducing pressure and shear. At the same time, the thigh section can be rotated to an incline and the calf section either raised into a horizontal configuration or lowered to a chair configuration during movement of the thigh section. In another embodiment the thigh section is also mounted on a slide to retract towards the foot end as it is rotated to an incline, providing reduction of abdominal strain and increased comfort.

Profiling bed

Hospital bed

A patient support comprising a frame supporting a translucent support surface elevated above the frame by frame members The members support an x-ray cassette tray for sliding movement along the length of the frame The x-ray cassette trays can be loaded onto the members from either or both the head and foot ends of the frame All of the patient support surface can be covered by the x-ray cassettes. In use, the x-ray cassette tray is pulled out from the members and loaded with an x-ray cassette The handle is pulled out from within the tray and locked into position against latch The tray is then slid back onto the members and the position of the cassette within the tray is indicated by the position of the indicator visible along the side of the frame

Patient support including x-ray cassette support with position indicator

A patient support apparatus comprises a base frame ( ) supporting radius arms ( ) on either side. The radius arms ( ) support an upper frame ( ), via cross tubes ( ). Linear actuators ( ) act on the cross tubes ( ) to raise, lower or tilt the upper frame ( ). Further linear actuators ( ) are provided to profile platform sections ( ). The actuators, their control systems, power and other functions e.g. patient weighing, air pumps, lights are all mounted centrally on the upper frame and housed within a single housing located almost entirely within the upper frame. The location of the actuators and housing provide a very low minimum height of the patient support apparatus, the single housing eliminating trailing cables and wires and ensuring easy cleaning and maintenance.

Patient support

An accident and emergency trolley supports and transports a patient, and includes a surface overlying an upper frame which is supported on a base frame in order to be raised and lowered relative to the base frame. The upper frame is mounted at its periphery on opposed radius arms connected to respective first and second actuators, which are operated by foot-operated pedals. The pedals are disposed on one or either side of the trolley such that operation of any single pedal enables the trolley to be raised at either end or both ends simultaneously. The opposed radius arms provide an uninterrupted window under the trolley allowing for X-ray/imaging.

Accident and emergency trolley

A vertically adjustable and tiltable bed frame has two actuators which may be used simultaneously or independently to tilt the frame and which also may be used to raise and lower the frame. A level sensor is connected to the actuators so that if the tilt varies from the adjusted and desired position, one or other actuator is adjusted to restore the desired tilted position.

Vertically adjustable and tiltable bed frame

An adjustable bed comprises a frame having a backrest arranged to be lifted by an actuator via a crank, and a thighrest similarly arranged to be lifted by an actuator. A legrest is freely pivoted to the thighrest. The angles of the parts are sensed and maintained in proportion by control means, so that as, for example, the backrest angle is steepened, the thighrest is also raised proportionately, but to less extent, taking the legrest with it.

Growing community of inventors

Dudley, United Kingdom

Stephen Hayes