US20060038098A1 - Medical accessory support - Google Patents

Abstract

An accessory support apparatus for use with a patient support includes a handle positioned adjacent an end of the patient support. A coupler is configured to couple the handle to the patient support. An accessory is coupled to the handle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/602,903, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/874,486, filed Jun. 5, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,206, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/209,379, filed on Jun. 5, 2000, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to patient support and transport devices such as hospital beds, carts, chairs, and stretchers. More particularly, the present invention relates to supports that couple medical accessories to patient supports.
• The treatment of patients, whom are restricted to hospital beds, carts, stretchers and other patient support and transport devices, may require the administration of medications intravenously using IV bags supported by IV poles with or without infusion pumps and, in some cases, the administration of supplemental oxygen. It is known to provide patient supports having IV pole supports. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,319,816 and 5,407,163.
• In an illustrated embodiment of the present invention, an accessory support apparatus for use with a patient support comprises a body including a plurality of accessory couplers, a coupler configured to couple the body to the patient support for pivotable movement about an axis of rotation, and a latch configured to lock the body selectively in one of a plurality of different positions relative to the patient support.
• In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a push handle coupled to one of the accessory couplers. The push handle includes a grip portion to permit a caregiver to move the patient support. In another illustrated embodiment, an IV pole is coupled to the push handle.
• In another illustrated embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for use with a patient support comprises a first member coupled to the patient support, a second member movably coupled to the first member, and a handle coupled to the first member. The second member includes an item holder.
• In an illustrated embodiment, the first member is an outer telescoping member and the second member is an inner telescoping member which is movable relative to the outer telescoping member to adjust a position of the inner telescoping member. The apparatus also includes a coupler configured to lock a position of the inner telescoping member relative to the outer telescoping member.
• In another illustrated embodiment, the handle is movable relative to the first member. A stop is illustratively coupled to the first member, and the handle is movable between the stop and the patient support. In one embodiment, the handle is configured to surround the first member. Therefore, the handle is slidable over the first member to permit the caregiver to adjust a position of the handle to a desired position on the first member.
• In yet another illustrated embodiment, an apparatus for use with a patient support comprises a push handle including a grip portion to permit a caregiver to move the patient support, a coupler configured to couple the push handle to the patient support, and an IV pole coupled to the push handle.
• In an illustrated embodiment, the push handle includes an outer telescoping member and the IV pole is an inner telescoping member which is movable relative to the outer telescoping member to adjust a position of the inner telescoping member relative to the push handle. In one embodiment, the push handle includes a grip portion which is movable relative to the outer telescoping member.
• In another illustrated embodiment, a body is coupled to the push handle. The coupler is configured to couple the body to the patient support for pivotable movement about an axis of rotation. A latch is configured to lock the body selectively in one of a plurality of different positions relative to the patient support.
• Additional features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a hospital bed, a pair of accessory supports coupled to a frame of the hospital bed, and several IV poles coupled to the accessory supports;
• FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one of the accessory supports ofFIG. 1 and a portion of the frame of the hospital bed showing the accessory support including a body positioned above the portion of the frame and a clutch positioned beneath the portion of the frame;
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the frame and accessory support taken along line3-3 ofFIG. 2;
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the accessory support showing the accessory support including a latch in a “locked” position;
• FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the accessory support and a portion of the frame of the hospital bed showing, in phantom, a plurality of positions in which the accessory support is lockable relative to the hospital bed;
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an oxygen tank holder and a push handle coupled to an accessory support;
• FIG. 7 is a perspective exploded view of an alternative embodiment accessory support; and
• FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment IV pole.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• As shown inFIG. 1, a hospital bed orpatient support10 is provided along with accessory supports12,14 coupled tohospital bed10 and a plurality ofaccessories16 coupled to supports12,14. Thehospital bed10 includes apatient support surface18 and aframe20. Theframe20 includes a plurality ofapertures24 formed in itsupper surface22 as shown inFIG. 2. Theapertures24 inframe20 act as couplers which assist in coupling accessory supports12,14 tohospital bed10. In the illustrated embodiment, theapertures24 are formed in two corners offrame20 atbracket coupling locations23 as shown inFIG. 1.Multiple apertures24 are formed in each of thesebracket coupling locations23 so that accessory supports12,14 may be coupled to frame20 in a plurality of positions as shown, for example, inFIG. 5.
• The accessory supports12,14 include a plurality ofcouplers25,26,27 which assist in coupling theaccessories16 tohospital bed10. Thesecouplers25,26,27 interact withaccessories16 so that accessory supports12,14support accessories16 as shown inFIG. 1.Typical accessories16 may include IV pole/handle devices, IV poles, handles, infusion pumps, and oxygen tank holders as shown inFIGS. 1 and 6. In addition, other accessories (not shown) such as voice actuated patient control units, computer equipment, monitor screens, traction equipment, and patient assist bars may be coupled to supports12,14.
• Each of the accessory supports12,14 includes abody36 having spaced-apart upper andlower surfaces38,40, spaced-apart end surfaces42,44 extending between upper andlower surfaces38,40, and spaced-apart side surfaces46,48 extending between upper andlower surfaces38,40 andend surfaces42,44 as shown, for example, inFIGS. 2 and 3. In the illustrated embodiment, all of these surfaces are flat planar surfaces except for thelower surface40. Thelower surface40 includes astep50 which defines first andsecond portions52,54 ofbody36, havingheight dimensions56,58, respectively. In alternative embodiments, the lower surface of the body is a substantially flat planar surface.
• Each of the accessory supports12,14 also includes a coupler orpivot post60 and a retainer orlatch62 configured tocouple body36 of accessory supports12,14 toframe20. Thepivot post60 defines anaxis64 about which accessory support12,14 rotates relative toframe20 as shown, for example, inFIG. 5. Thepivot post60 permits theaccessory support12,14 to rotate aboutaxis64 to a desired position andlatch62 locks theaccessory support12,14 in the desired position as shown inFIG. 3.
• As shown inFIG. 2, thepivot post60 includes anupper portion66 coupled to thebody36 ofaccessory support12,14 and a threadedlower portion68 spaced apart frombody36. In the illustrated embodiment, theupper portion66 of thepivot post60 is press fit into abore70 formed in thebody36 and thelower portion68 extends throughbracket coupling location23.
• Theframe20 at eachbracket coupling location23 includes spaced-apart upper andlower walls72,74 and aside wall76 extending between the upper andlower walls72,74 as shown inFIG. 2. The plurality ofapertures24 formed in theframe20 at eachbracket coupling location23 include apivot post aperture78 extending between upper andlower walls72,74 and first, second, third, and fourthlatch position apertures80,82,84,86 formed in theupper wall72 as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3.
• Eachpivot post60 of accessory supports12,14 is positioned in a respectivepivot post aperture78. Abushing87 is also positioned in eachpivot post aperture78 betweenpivot post60 andframe20. Eachbushing87 includes acylindrical sleeve88 positioned inpivot post aperture78 and anannular disk90 positioned betweenupper wall72 offrame20 andlower surface40 ofbody36 ofaccessory support12,14 as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. Thebushings87 minimize the contact betweenframe20 and accessory supports12,14 to minimize wear offrame20 and accessory supports12,14. In the illustrated embodiment, thepivot post60 includes a uniform diameter along its length. In alternative embodiments, the pivot post includes a diameter that varies along its length. For example, in alternative embodiments, the portion of pivot post positioned in the body of the accessory support may be smaller in diameter than the portions of the pivot post that are positioned outside of the accessory support. In such an alternative embodiment, it will be appreciated that the larger diameter portion of the pivot post defines a shoulder which abuts the lower surface of the body of the accessory support.
• Threadedlower portion68 ofpivot post60 is coupled to frame20 by anut92, clutch94, andwasher96, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. Thenut92, as shown inFIG. 3, is screwed ontolower portion68 of pivot post60 to securewasher96 and clutch94 betweennut92 and thelower wall74 offrame20.Clutch94 includeswashers98 and aresilient pad110 that is positioned between thewashers98. In preferred embodiments,resilient pad110 is made from a fiber, plastic, or resinous material. In alternative embodiments, the clutch is replaced by a bushing or bearing.
• A caregiver may increase or decrease the resistance to relative pivoting movement ofsupports12,14 andframe20 by tightening or looseningnut92. When supports12,14 are not locked bylatch62 relative to frame20, clutch94 holdssupports12,14 in a desired position with respect tobed10, but still allowssupports12,14 to pivot aboutaxis64 in response to a sufficient amount of force applied tosupports12,14 or to any of the equipment oraccessories16 coupled tosupports12,14. Accordingly, ifsupports12,14 are not secured bylatch62 and are subjected to incidental contact, such as being struck by or striking an object, supports12,14 will yield by pivoting aboutaxis64 to prevent or minimize damage to supports12,14 and to anyaccessories16 or equipment carried bysupports12,14.
• As previously mentioned, thelatches62 ofsupports12,14 assist in fixing the position ofsupports12,14 relative to frame20. Each spring-biasedlatch62 includes alocking pin112, ahandle114 coupled to lockingpin112, aposition pin113 coupled to lockingpin112, and aspring116 as shown inFIGS. 2-4. The locking pins112 are received inlatch position apertures80,82,84,86 offrame20 to lock the position ofsupports12,14 in a selected location relative tobed10.
• Eachsupport12,14 includes alatch aperture118 extending between upper andlower surfaces38,40 ofbody36 ofsupport arm12,14 for receivinglocking pin112 andspring116 as shown inFIGS. 2-4. Thespring116 biases thelocking pin112 downwardly indirection120 so that lockingpin112 is biased downwardly indirection120 into alatch position aperture80,82,84,86 offrame20 when thelocking pin112 is lined up with alatch position aperture80,82,84,86.
• Thelatch aperture118 offrame20 and lockingpin112 are shaped to aidspring116 in biasinglocking pin112 downwardly indirection120. Eachlatch aperture118 includes a larger diameter,lower portion122 and a smaller diameter,upper portion124 separated from thelarger diameter portion122 by a steppedsurface126. Each lockingpin112 includes a larger diameter,lower portion128 and a smaller diameter,upper portion130 separated from thelarger diameter portion128 by a steppedsurface132. Thelocking pin112 is inserted into the lower opening ofaperture118 so that the steppedsurfaces126,132 of theaperture118 and lockingpin112, respectively, oppose or face each other and entrapspring116.
• Thehandle114 assists a user in moving thelocking pin112 between a locked position, as shown inFIG. 4, wherein thelocking pin112 extends into alatch position aperture80,82,84,86 offrame20 to lock the position of thesupport12,14 relative to thebed10 and an unlocked position wherein thelocking pin112 does not extend into alatch position aperture80,82,84,86 offrame20 to permitsupport12,14 to be pivoted aboutaxis64 relative to thebed10. As shown inFIG. 3, handle114 is coupled to an upper end of lockingpin112 to assist a user in movinglocking pin112 vertically indirections120,121 and aboutaxis64 indirections134,136.
• Theposition pin113 maintains thelocking pin112 in the unlocked position. As best shown inFIG. 2, theposition pin113 is coupled to thesmall diameter portion130 of lockingpin112.First portion52 ofsupport12,14 is formed to include aslot138 that intersectslatch aperture118 and is sized to receiveposition pin113.Slot138 is open atupper surface38 ofbody36 ofsupport12,14 and extends intobody36. In the illustrated embodiment,slot138 extends between and is open at side surfaces46,48 ofbody36.
• In the locked position, shown inFIG. 3, the lockingpin112 is positioned in alatch position aperture80,82,84,86 and theposition pin113 is positioned inslot138. Thespring116urges locking pin112 downwardly indirection120 to assist in maintaininglocking pin112 in the locked position. To move thelocking pin112 from the locked position to the unlocked position, a user grabs handle114 and moves thelocking pin112 andposition pin113 upwardly indirection121 until lockingpin112 is not positioned in alatch position aperture80,82,84,86 and theposition pin113 is not positioned inslot138.
• The user then rotates thehandle114 so that thelocking pin112 stays in the unlocked position as shown inFIG. 2. Once lockingpin112 andposition pin113 are removed fromaperture80,82,84,86 andslot138, respectively, the user may rotate thehandle114 in eitherdirection134,136 so thatposition pin113 is not aligned withslot138. When theposition pin113 is rotated in this manner, the user may release handle114 and thespring116 will urgeposition pin113 downwardly indirection120 so thatposition pin113 abuts theupper surface38 ofbody36 ofsupport12,14 as shown inFIG. 2. When theposition pin113 abuts theupper surface38 ofbody36, the lockingpin112 is held in its unlocked position above thelower surface40 ofbody36 ofsupport12,14. It will be appreciated that, when lockingpins112 are in their unlocked positions, the locking pins112 may protrude slightly beneath thelower surface40 ofsupport12,14 without locking the position ofsupports12,14 relative to frame20 due to the thickness ofannular disk90 ofbushings87.
• After lockingpin112 is placed in the unlocked position, thesupport12,14 may be pivoted aboutaxis64 to a desired position relative to frame20.Supports12,14 are individually positioned about their respective pivot axes64 in one of a plurality of positions as shown inFIGS. 1 and 5.FIG. 1 shows onesupport12 extending substantially transversely out to the side ofbed10 and theother support14 extending longitudinally away from the end ofbed10. A caregiver moves supports12,14 to the side ofbed10 when increased access to a patient's head located at the head end ofbed10 is desired and when increased access to theequipment16 supported bysupports12,14 is desired by the caregiver standing alongsidebed10. Fourlatch position apertures80,82,84,86 are provided in the illustrated embodiment. However, in alternative embodiments, any number of latch position apertures can be used as desired to provide for any number of positions wherein the position of the accessory support is fixed relative to the frame.
• Once the caregiver sets the desired position of thesupport12,14 relative to frame20, the lockingpin112 is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position. To move thelocking pin112 from the unlocked position to the locked position, the user raises thehandle114 indirection121, rotates thehandle114 in eitherdirection134,136 until theposition pin113 is aligned withslot138, and then releases thehandle114 or permits thespring116 to bias thehandle114 downwardly indirection120 so that theposition pin113 is positioned inslot138 and lockingpin112 is positioned in alatch position aperture80,82,84,86 or is abuttingupper wall72 offrame20. If thelocking pin112 is abuttingupper wall72 offrame20, thesupport12,14 may be moved aboutaxis64 until thelocking pin112 lines up with alatch position aperture80,82,84,86 andspring116biases locking pin112 intoaperture80,82,84,86. Thelatch position apertures80,82,84,86 are arranged along a circular arc having a center that is coincident with thepivot axis64. Thus, rotating thesupport12,14 will result in thelocking pin112 lining up and extending into one of theapertures80,82,84,86. The lower end of lockingpin112 includes achamfer142 that assists lockingpin112 in “finding” and extending into alatch position aperture80,82,84,86.Position pin113 is merely one example of a key structure that may be used to hold lockingpin112 in its locked and unlocked positions. In alternative embodiments, the position pin may be another type of structure such as a lug formed separately from or integrally with the locking pin.
• The shape of theframe20 and the adjacent structure ofbed10 are factors in determining the range through which supports12,14 may pivot. In addition, the size and shape of theaccessories16 and other equipment coupled tosupports12,14 may affect the range of motion through which supports12,14 may pivot. That is, the range that eachsupport12,14 may pivot aboutaxis64 relative tobed10 could be limited by contact of thesupport12,14 or the accessories/equipment16 coupled to support12,14 with theframe20 ofbed10 or against the adjacent bed structure. In alternative embodiments, the shape of the frame is varied to increase or decrease the pivotal range of the accessory supports.
• As previously mentioned,couplers25,26,27 are provided to assist incoupling accessories16 tobed10. Thecoupler25 of accessory supports12,14 is aclamp150. Theclamp150 is defined by first andsecond jaws164,166 having aninner clamp surface151 defining aslot152. Theclamp150 further includes a threadedaperture154 extending between side surfaces46,48 ofbody36 and a threadedstud156. Theslot152 opens into upper andlower surfaces38,40 andend surface42 ofbody36 and includes first and secondnarrow sections158,160 and acircular section162 positioned between thenarrow sections158,160. The firstnarrow section158 opens intoend surface42 ofbody36 and thecircular section162 and secondnarrow section160 are positioned between the end surfaces42,44 and side surfaces46,48 ofbody36. The threadedaperture154 extends through the firstnarrow section158 ofslot152.
• To usecoupler25, anaccessory16 is positioned incircular section162 ofslot152 and thestud156 is threaded into threadedaperture154 to cause theinner clamp surface151 ofjaws164,166 to abut and holdaccessory16. The position of the accessory16 relative to theaccessory support12,14 is established by holding the accessory16 in the desired position and then threading thestud156 into theaperture154 to clampaccessory16 in the desired position. To remove the accessory16 fromcoupler25 or merely change the position of the accessory16 relative to theaccessory support12,14, thestud156 is unthreaded until the accessory16 can be moved. Ahandle168 is coupled tostud156 to assist a user in gripping and rotating thestud156.
• Thecoupler26 of accessory supports12,14 includes afirst aperture170 opening intoupper surface38 ofbody36, second andthird apertures172,174 opening intoside surface46 ofbody36, and first andsecond pins176,178 as shown inFIG. 2. Thefirst pin176 is positioned in third aperture174 as shown inFIG. 3, to establish the relative vertical position of anaccessory16 andaccessory support12,14. To usecoupler26, anaccessory16 that includes anaperture179 is positioned infirst aperture170 such that theaccessory16 abuts and rests on thefirst pin176. Thesecond pin178 is then inserted intosecond aperture172 andaperture179 to fix the rotational position ofaccessory16 andaccessory support12,14. In alternative embodiments, neither the first nor second pins is used and the accessory is held in the accessory support by its weight. In additional alternative embodiments, only one of the first and second pins is used.
• Thecoupler27 includes anaperture180 opening intoupper surface38 ofbody36 ofaccessory support12,14. To usecoupler27, anaccessory16 is simply positioned inaperture180. Once theaccessory16 is positioned inaperture180, the accessory is free to rotate relative toaccessory support12,14 about its longitudinal axis.
• Although circular shapedsection162 andapertures170,172,174,180 are illustrated forcouplers25,26,27, in alternative embodiments, the sections and apertures may have different cross sectional shapes that are complementary to the cross sectional shape of the accessories to be received therein. In alternative embodiments, the accessories can extend partially or completely through the supports.
• As shown inFIGS. 1 and 6, theaccessories16 include an IV pole/handle device182, anIV pole184, aninfusion pump186 coupled toIV pole184, an IV pole188 (shown in phantom), anoxygen tank holder190, and ahandle192. The IV pole/handle device182 includes elongated inner andouter telescoping members194,196, ahandle198, and hooks210. Theouter member196 of IV pole/handle device182 is positioned incoupler25 so thatclamp150 may compressouter member196 to couple IV pole/handle device182 to accessory supports12,14 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 3. Theouter member196 of IV pole/handle device182 includes anaperture197 in whichinner member194 of IV pole/handle device182 is positioned as shown inFIG. 3.
• Thehooks210 are configured to hold medical supplies and accessories such as IV solution containers. Thehooks210 are coupled to the upper end ofinner member194 so that thehooks210 move withinner member194 relative toouter member196 between a lower position (shown in solid lines inFIG. 1) and an upper position (shown in phantom lines inFIG. 1).
• Thehandle198 includes a contouredgrip portion212 and asleeve214 that extends fromgrip portion212 downwardly to accessory supports12,14. Thegrip portion212 andsleeve214 are positioned overouter member196 of IV pole/handle device182 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 3. Theouter member196 of IV pole/handle device182 provides a structural member that permits a caregiver to grasp thegrip portion212 and push or maneuverbed10. In preferred embodiments, thegrip portion212 andsleeve214 are made of a resilient material such as rubber.
• Theoxygen tank holder190 includes a coupler orrod216 and a metal basket oroxygen tank support218 as shown inFIG. 6. Themetal basket218 is configured to receive and support an oxygen tank220 (in phantom). Therod216 is coupled to an upper portion of themetal basket218 and is configured to be positioned in one of thecouplers25,26,27 of accessory supports12,14.
• Thehandle192, shown inFIG. 6, includes astructural member222, agrip portion224, and asleeve226. Thestructural member222 is configured to be positioned incouplers25,26,27 so thathandle192 may be coupled to accessory supports12,14. Thegrip portion224 andsleeve226 are positioned aroundstructural member222. In preferred embodiments, thegrip portion224 andsleeve226 are made from a resilient material, such as rubber, and thestructural member222 is made of a rigid metal material.
• As shown inFIG. 1,bed10 further includesend bumpers228 andside bumpers230 configured to minimize or prevent damage to walls, doors, and other objects whenbed10 is moved. Each ofend bumpers228 includes aroller232 in a mountingbracket234 that couplesroller232 to supportcoupling location23 offrame20. Each of the mountingbrackets234 include a pin oraxle236 about whichrollers232 are permitted to rotate.Side bumpers230 each includerollers242 coupled to pivotpost60 of accessory supports12,14 as shown, for example, inFIG. 3. The upper, lower, andside walls72,74,76 offrame20 define anopening238 in whichside bumper230 is positioned as shown inFIG. 1. Eachside bumper230 includes anaperture240 in which pivot post60 andcylindrical sleeve88 ofbushing87 are positioned. In preferred embodiments, therollers232,242 are made of a rubber or plastics material.
• Another embodiment of anaccessory support250 is shown inFIG. 7.Accessory support250 includes abody252, anarm254, a hinge orcoupler256 that pivotably couples thearm254 tobody252, a threadedstud258 pivotably coupled tobody252, and anut260. Thebody252 includes anupper surface262, alower surface264, aside surface266 extending between upper andlower surfaces262,264, and anend surface268. Theside surface266 includes astep270 separating theside surface266 into first and secondside surface portions272,274. Thearm254 is coupled to thebody252 at the intersection of thestep270 and firstside surface portion272. Thearm254 includes anupper surface276, alower surface278, an inner side surface280, anouter side surface282, and anend surface284.
• Thecoupler256 permits arm254 to pivot about anaxis286 between a closed position (solid lines inFIG. 7) whereinarm254 abutsbody252 and an open position (phantom lines inFIG. 7). In the closed position, the inner side surface280 ofarm254 faces toward secondside surface portion274 ofbody252. Thebody252 andarm254 each include semicircular-shapedrecesses288,290, respectively, in the secondside surface portion274 ofbody252 and inner side surface280 ofarm254. In the closed position, thesemicircular recesses288,290 ofbody252 andarm254, respectively, define acircular aperture292 extending between upper andlower surfaces262,264 ofbody252 and upper andlower surfaces276,278 ofarm254.
• Body252 further includes a stud-receivingaperture294 in theend surface268 ofbody252.Arm254 further includes anaperture296 extending between inner and outer side surfaces280,282 ofarm254 and opening atend surface284 ofarm254. Theaperture296 ofarm254 includes a first stud-receivingportion297 and a second nut-receivingportion298.
• To couple an accessory16 toaccessory support250, a caregiver movesarm254 indirection302 to its open position, placesaccessory16 in semi-circular shapedrecess288 formed inbody252, movesarm254 indirection304 to its closed position to positionaccessory16 in theaperture292 defined bysemicircular recesses288,290, moves threadedstud258 about itspivot axis306 indirection308 through threaded stud-receivingaperture294 formed inbody252 and threaded stud-receivingportion297 ofaperture296 formed inarm254, andthreads nut260 onto threadedstud258 to fix the position ofaccessory16 withinaccessory support250. As thenut260 is threaded ontostud258, anend surface307 ofnut260 abuts aninner surface309 ofarm254. Once thenut260 engages thesurface309 ofarm254, further rotation of thenut260 to thread thenut260 onto the stud compresses an accessory positioned betweenarm254 andbody252. InFIG. 7, thearm254 andbody252 are shown abutting each other when the arm is in its closed position. However, the accessory placed inaperture292 may include a diameter larger than the diameter ofaperture292 ofaccessory support250. When thearm254 andbody252 cooperate to clamp such a larger diameter accessory, thearm254 andbody252 clamp the accessory without abutting each other.
• Accessory support250 may include additional couplers such ascouplers25,26,27 of accessory supports12,14. In preferred embodiments,accessory support250 includes a pivot post and latch or coupler similar to pivotpost60 and latch62 ofaccessory support12,14 to coupleaccessory support250 to frame20.
• An alternative embodiment of anaccessory310 is shown inFIG. 8.Accessory310 includes anouter telescoping member312, aninner telescoping member314, acoupler316 configured to couple inner andouter telescoping members312,314, and ahandle318 positioned aroundouter telescoping member312.Outer telescoping member312 is configured to extend into and through anaccessory support12,14,250 as shown inFIG. 8.
• Thehandle318 slides freely onouter telescoping member312 so that thehandle318 can be moved upwardly indirection320, downwardly indirection322, and rotated indirections324,326 about anaxis328. When a caregiver wants to movebed10 usinghandle318, the caregiver graspshandle318, moves handle318 to a desired location, and then applies force to handle318 to movebed10. The only limitations on the movement ofhandle318 is thesupports12,14,250 which limit the amount of downward movement indirection322 and a portion ofcoupler316 positioned at the upper end ofouter member312 which limits the amount of upward movement indirection320. Becausehandle318 slides freely onouter member312, when a caregiver is not usinghandle318, thehandle318 moves downwardly indirection322 under the force of gravity into contact withaccessory support12,14,250.
• Thecoupler316 permitsinner telescoping member314 to move axially indirections320,322 relative toouter telescoping member312. In the illustrated embodiment,coupler316 includes first andsecond portions330,332.First portion330 is coupled to an upper end ofouter telescoping member312 andsecond portion332 is coupled to a lower end ofinner telescoping member314. Thecoupler316 selectively locks the position or movement of the inner andouter members312,314 by having thefirst portion330 ofcoupler316 movable between a first position clamping theinner member314 and a second position unclamping theinner member314. In alternative embodiments, the coupler includes structure at the lower end of the telescoping member which expands to abut the inner surface of the outer member to lock the position of the inner and outer members or contracts inwardly away from the outer member to permit relative movement of the inner and outer members.
• Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to illustrated embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.

Claims (20)

1. An apparatus for use with a patient support, the apparatus comprising:

a push handle;

a stop, coupled to the push handle; and

a grip portion to be used by a caregiver to move the patient support, the grip portion coupled to the push handle and configured to move relative to the push handle, the grip portion including a first position determined by the caregiver when being used and a second position determined by the stop when not being used by the caregiver.

2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the grip portion moves to the second position under the force of gravity upon not being used by the caregiver.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the grip portion is located around the push handle and slides freely with respect thereto.

4. The apparatus ofclaim 2, further comprising a coupler, coupled to the patient support and to the push handle.

5. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the first position is variable as determined by the caregiver applying a force thereto.

6. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the push handle comprises an outer member and an inner member, wherein the inner member is movable relative to the outer member to adjust a position of the inner member relative to the outer member.

7. The apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein the grip portion is disposed around the outer member and slides freely with respect thereto.

8. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the inner member comprises an accessory support.

9. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the inner member comprises an IV pole.

10. An apparatus for use with a patient support, the apparatus comprising:

an outer member;

an inner member, disposed in the outer member, wherein the inner member is movable relative to the outer member to adjust a position of the inner member relative to the outer member; and

a handle, for use by a caregiver to move the patient support, the handle being positioned around the outer member and including a first position and a second position, the first position being determined by the caregiver when being used and the second position being determined by the force of gravity when not being used by the caregiver.

11. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the second position it located below the first position, wherein the handle slides freely from the first position to the second position under the force of gravity.

12. The apparatus ofclaim 11, further comprising a stop coupled to the outer member, the stop preventing further downward movement of the handle when moving from the first position to the second position.

13. The apparatus ofclaim 12, further comprising a support, coupled to the outer member, the support being rotatably coupled to the patient support.

14. The apparatus ofclaim 13, further comprising a latch, coupled to the support, the latch being configured to lock the support in a plurality of discretely spaced positions, wherein one of the discretely spaced positions permits the caregiver to apply a moving force to the handle in the first position to move the patient support.

15. The apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein the inner member comprises an accessory support.

16. The apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein another of the plurality of discretely spaced positions permits the caregiver to locate the accessory support relative to a patient.

17. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the outer member comprises a longitudinal axis along which the handle slides freely.

18. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the handle comprises a longitudinal axis, the outer member and the handle sharing the same longitudinal axis.

19. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the caregiver grips the handle around the longitudinal axis to apply a moving force to the patient support.

20. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the handle includes a longitudinal axis around which a caregiver grips the handle to apply a moving force to the patient support.

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