Offset patient trapeze system

Abstract

A hospital bed trapeze system includes an offset vertical frame to provide safe and convenient patient positioning in a smaller footprint. The offset patient trapeze system includes vertical support members that extend vertically from the head end of the bed, where the vertical support members angle inward toward the foot end of the bed. Similarly, additional vertical support members extend vertically from the foot end of the bed and angle inward toward the head end of the bed. The vertical support members support a horizontal grid. The horizontal grid includes side bars and cross bars that connect the vertical support members to form a trapezoidal assembly. An ergonomic grab bar is supported from the horizontal grid. The grab bar includes a handle portion with which the patient or caregiver may access the offset trapeze system to facilitate patient positioning in the bed.

1 . An offset patient trapeze system to assist positioning of a patient in a bed, the system comprising:
 a first vertical support member extending vertically from a head end of the bed, the first vertical support member angling inward toward a foot end of the bed that is on the opposite end of the bed from the head end;   a second vertical support member extending vertically from the foot end of the bed, the second vertical support member angling inward toward the head end of the bed that is on the opposite end of the bed from the foot end;   a horizontal grid that extends horizontally and connects the first vertical support member to the second vertical support member;   a grab bar supported by the horizontal member, the grab bar including a handle portion with which the patient may access the offset trapeze system to facilitate patient positioning in the bed.   
   
   
       2 . The offset patient trapeze system of  claim 1 , wherein the first vertical support member includes two vertically extending supports that attach to a first lateral side and a second lateral side of the bed. 
   
   
       3 . The offset patient trapeze system of  claim 2 , wherein the second vertical support member includes two vertically extending supports that attach to a first lateral side and a second lateral side of the bed. 
   
   
       4 . The offset patient trapeze system of  claim 3 , wherein the horizontal grid connects the two vertically extending supports of the first vertical member to the two vertically extending supports of the second vertical member, thereby forming a trapezoidal trapeze system. 
   
   
       5 . The offset patient trapeze system of  claim 1 , wherein the grab bar is further supported by a chain assembly and spans a distance substantially equal to the width of the horizontal grid. 
   
   
       6 . The offset patient trapeze system of  claim 5 , wherein the grab bar position is adjustable with respect to the head end of the bed and the foot end of the bed and in a lateral direction with respect to the head end of the bed and the foot end of the bed. 
   
   
       7 . The offset patient trapeze system of  claim 6 , wherein the grab bar includes a gripping distance of 12.5 inches to 25 inches. 
   
   
       8 . The offset patient trapeze system of  claim 7 , wherein the grab bar includes grip line angles formed by handle lengths of 4 to 6 inches. 
   
   
       9 . The offset patient trapeze system of  claim 8 , wherein the grab bar includes a diameter of at least 1.25 inches.