US 8566984

Patent Overview — US 8,566,984 B2

Title: Multi-position support apparatus featuring a movable foot support
Patent number: US 8,566,984 B2 (application US 13/371,486; pre-grant publication US 2012/0137437 A1)
Inventors: Ohad Paz and Ofer Parezky
Current assignee (per source): Vitalgo Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2005-05-17 | Filed: 2012-02-13 | Granted/Published: 2013-10-29 | Anticipated expiration: 2025-05-17 | Status: Expired – Fee Related
Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US8566984/en

Purpose and plain-language scope (from the supplied text):
The apparatus supports a user in a resting (reclining/horizontal) position and in a substantially vertical exiting (standing) position. It includes a tiltable frame assembly tiltably mounted on a base; a body support carried by that frame, with a head end and a foot end; a foot support extending transversely across the foot end; and drive means (e.g., electrical or hydraulic motors/actuators) for driving the frame to the resting and vertical exiting positions. The foot support is movable relative to the body support (and, in an embodiment, the body support is movable relative to the foot support) to accommodate different-sized users. The stated advantage is helping a sick or elderly user get out of the apparatus: the bed raises the user from lying to standing, or lowers the user from standing to lying, reportedly without tying or securing the user first. The disclosure also describes a processor programmed to place the foot support in a feet-engaging position during the resting position and to maintain it while tilting toward the vertical exiting position, to prevent the user's body from sliding. A control panel permits separate engine operation and full operations (standing↔sitting↔lying) with intermediate stopping; the text mentions classification A61G7/015 (adjustable mattress frame sections, e.g., Gatch position) and pressure-sensor and toilet-convenience subclasses.

What the excerpt does not establish:
The supplied text is an excerpt: the claim set is not included, and claim scope (including whether the processor/feet-engaging feature is claimed) cannot be determined. It does not establish validity, enforceability, the legal status or accuracy of the listed assignee, or prior-art relationships; the litigation and ownership-transfer entries shown were not investigated per instructions.