Physical and mental recreation of human organism generally takes place during resting/sleeping in bed. It is rarely considered that we change our position during sleep.

Sound organism, even if with small movements, changes its position from time to time.

During sleep, the veins in muscles carrying the weight of the body are pressed by this weight. For people who are not able to move, this pressure may cause insufficient blood circulation resulting in insufficient blood supply in certain parts of the body or in certain limbs. These people wake up wearily or with numb limbs.

Muscles of those people who become exhausted of monotonous hard work or do burdensome sports do not get the necessary blood proportionally to their performances.

The lack of sufficient blood supply causes the lack of oxygen and nutritive material in muscles and retards transportation of lactic acid originating from physical exertion. In both cases, regeneration of muscles takes up much time. Resting, when it occurs in lying position, usually hinders complete blood supply for muscles pressed by the weight of the body. This can be extremely apparent after activities which make great demands on back muscles, especially when doing activities which need bending for a long time.

In addition, sick people confined to bed immovably for a long time are exposed to the danger of bed-sore or decubitus. Necrobiosis as a consequence of decubitus and subsequent sepsis caused by infection may lead to death.

GB 8 429 843 describes a bedsore preventing apparatus which comprises an air mattress having at least two groups of pneumatically expandable and contractible cells respectively communicating with one another in each of the groups. The cells in at least one of the groups sequentially expand and contact to sufficiently change inflation and deflation pattern of the cells of the air mattress for avoiding continuous support at any specific positions of patient's body lying on the mattress and preventing patient's bedsore at such positions.

1. Many attempts have been made to solve this problem. In these the lying surface of the bed is constructed of parallel laths positioned transversal to the longitudinal side of the bed, where every second laths form a stiff system. The two grids are movable in relation to each other.

These proposals are known from FR 2 645 014, FR 2 615 378 and HU 209 363. A common disadvantage of these solutions is that they use a system for supporting the body which consists of laths perpendicular to the spine of the human body and also to the main veins so the circulation of blood is blocked.

Hungarian Patent Application No. 218 931 describes a sanitary bed for preventing development of bed-sore or decubitus the lying surface of which consists of two matching rails which form a plane surface when joining. The rails are made up of beams which are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bed, the length of the beams preferably of the same width at most equals the length of the bed floor, and the beams are fixed to each other at a certain distance. A first rail is fixed to the sanitary bed while a second rail positioned in between the beams of the first rail is movable perpendicular to the plane of the bed floor both in upward direction and downward direction in relation to the first rail. Between the joining beams of the first rail and the second rail an air-gap is formed the width of which is preferably 10 mm at most. As a consequence of recurrence of moving of the two rails this solution serves only prevention of bed-sore. In case of patients confined to bed a solution may be advantageous where prevention of bed-sore. can be provided without moving the sick people. The object of the present invention is to provide a bed which is adaptable to regenerate muscles in sporting life, after daily hard work, in nursing the sick or in case of people who suffer from areflexia of sleep, and even adaptable to prevent bed-sore without moving (lifting) the patient.

The inventors have recognised that by constructing the lying surface of a bed with rails having elongated beams joining to each other in comb-shaped fashion and by making the rails move periodically under the patient lying on the bed with a work cycle of five minutes or shorter time, for example by the help of an electronically programmable driving motor, regeneration of the overstrained muscles can be performed, as the blood circulation over the body is ensured to a greater extent by this massage. In this way regeneration of muscles of sportsmen or people doing hard work is provided in a shorter time and also, this method ensures restful sleep for people who would wake up wearily or with numb limbs due to areflexia of sleep. This method is especially beneficial when

curing fractures in case of old people, as by increased blood circulation in patients confined to bed immovably, blood supply for non-used muscles thereby their keeping in condition is provided.

Further,-the inventors have realised that when making each of the rails comprised in the lying surface movable, then full rest can be provided for the patient lying on the bed since the patient is not needed to be lifted and also in this way the operating mechanism would require less energy.

Further, the inventors have realised that by connecting one end of the matching rails through a common axis of rotation and by moving only the other ends and also only in downward direction, a simpler and improved system is provided in prevention of bed- sore.

One object of the present invention is a sanitary bed for prevention of muscular atrophy caused by illnesses in consequence of which a patient is unable to move, and for regeneration of weary or over-wearied muscles in a shorter time, the sanitary bed comprises two matching rails which form a plane surface when joining. The rails are made up of beams which are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bed, the length of the beams preferably of the same width at most equals the length of the bed floor, and the beams are fixed to each other at a certain distance. A first rail is fixed to the sanitary bed while a second rail positioned in between the beams of the first rail is connected to a known lifting apparatus preferably operated by an electronically programmable electromotor by the help of which the second rail is movable perpendicular to the plane of the bed floor both in upward direction and downward direction in relation to the first rail. The periodic time of moving of the second rail is five minutes or less.

Advantageously, an air-gap the width of which is at most 10 mm is formed between the ! joining beams of the first rail and second rail.

Preferably, the beams are formed of at least two parts coupled by shafts.

An other object of the present invention is a sanitary bed for prevention of muscular atrophy caused by illnesses in consequence of which a patient is unable to move, and for regeneration of weary or over-wearied muscles in a shorter time, as well as for prevention of development of bed-sore (decubitus), the sanitary bed comprises two matching rails which form a plane surface when joining. The rails are made up of beams which are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bed, the length of the beams preferably of the same width at most equals the length of the bed floor, and the beams are fixed to

each other at a certain distance. A first rail and a second rail positioned in between the beams of the first rail are connected to known lifting apparatuses by the help of which the first and the second rail are movable perpendicular to the plane of the bed floor in downward direction and back to the plane of the bed floor. The first and the second rail are moved with inverse periodicity in relation to each other.

A further object of the present invention is a sanitary bed for prevention of development of bed-sore (decubitus), the sanitary bed comprises two matching rails which form a plane surface when joining. The rails are made up of beams which are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bed, the length of the beams preferably of the same width at most equals the length of the bed floor, and the beams are fixed to each other at a certain distance. One ends of a first rail and one ends of a second rail positioned in between the beams of the first rail are coupled to a common rotational axis. The other ends, independently of each other, are coupled to known lifting apparatuses by the help of which the rails are movable perpendicular to the plane of the bed floor in downward direction and back to the plane of the bed floor.

Advantageously the lifting apparatus is operated by an electronically programmable electromotor.

Preferably the beams are made of metal or plastic. The cross-section of the beams may be either a circle or an ellipse or an equilateral triangle or a T-shape or a rectangle with rounded upper corners. : The bed floor of the sanitary bed according to the present invention will be described in details with reference to the accompanying figures.

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the motor operated sanitary bed.

Figure 2 is a sectional view which shows the joining first rail and second rail.

Figure 3 is a side view of the joining first rail and second rail when the beams are coupled through a shaft.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the sanitary bed in which both the first and the second rails are movable by a motor.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the sanitary bed in which one ends of the first rail and one ends of the second rail are coupled to a rotational axis and the other ends independently of each other are operated by a motor.

A massaging bed for prevention of muscular atrophy caused by illnesses in consequence of which a patient is unable to move, and for regeneration of weary or over-wearied

muscles in a shorter time according to the invention comprises two matching rails 1 which form a plane surface when joining (Figure 1). The rails 1 are made up of beams 2 which are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sanitary bed 3, the length of the beams preferably of the same width at most equals the length of the bed floor, and the beams are fixed to each other at a certain distance. A first rail 4 is fixed to the sanitary bed 3 while a second rail 5 positioned in between the beams 2 of the first rail 4 is movable perpendicular to the plane of the bed floor both in upward direction and'downward direction in relation to the first rail 4. Between the joining beams 2 of the first rail 4 and the second rail 5 an air-gap 6 the width of which is 1 mm is formed (Figure 2). The rails 1 may be made of stainless steel or plastic.

The beams 2 may consist of several parts coupled through shafts 7. In this case there is a possibility for raising the legs and/or head of the patient (Figure 3).

A lifting apparatus 8 is coupled respectively to both ends of the second rail 5, for example a scissor-type lifting apparatus which is actuated by a threaded leg 10, and upon this actuation the legs 11 of the scissors close or open resulting in raising or lowering of the second rail 5. Advantageously, the threaded leg 10 can be operated mechanically, for example by motor 9. Of course, the lifting mechanism may be programmed by using a control"system well known in the art. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the amplitude of moving is 10 mm,. which is satisfactory for relieving the previously loaded surfaces. On top of the bed floor formed of beams 2 which have a width of 10 mm, a mattress is placed the thickness of which exceeds a certain measure under which lying would be uncomfortable, but does not exceed a certain measure beyond which the effect of moving the first rail 4 and the second rail 5 would be neutralized. In the preferred embodiment of the invention a sanitary mattress < 20 mm thick is suitable.

Operation of the bed floor according to the invention is very easy. Upon actuating the lifting apparatus 8 positioned under the second rail 5 by motor 9, the second rail 5 rises from the plane of the first rail 4, then, depending on the control program of the motor, after a certain time it is lowered below the plane of the first rail 4 to the same extent. As a result, the pressure force on the body of the patient lying on the bed is shifted to previously unloaded surfaces so that areas previously not having sufficient blood supply would get blood with more oxygen. For regeneration of muscles the periodic time of

moving is at most 1 minute, but the best result can be achieved by moving the second rail with a periodic time between 5-15 seconds.

The embodiment of Figure 4 is different from the previously described one in that both the first rail 4 and the second rail 5 are movable. Lifting apparatuses 8 each driven by motors 9, i. e. altogether four motors are coupled to both ends of the first rail 4 and the second rail 5.

The advantage of this solution is that neither of the rails needs to do significant lifting work, because in this case it is satisfactory for example to lower the first rail 4 then raise it back to its starting position and then to lower the second rail 5 and raise it back to its starting position. In other words, there is no need for lifting the entire weight of the patient lying on the bed, only supporting is required. When treating muscles, alternation of the two rails 1 should be performed with the frequency as previously stated. When the aim is to prevent bed-sore then the periodic time for moving the rails should be longer. In this case it is contemplated that a periodic time of 30 minutes may be satisfactory for moving the rails, since by not moving the patient so frequently greater rest can be provided.

The embodiment of Figure 5 is an improved version of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, in which one ends of the first rail 4 and the second rail 5 are mounted on a common rotational axis 12, these ends being the ends near the headboard of the bed.

Lifting apparatuses 8 are coupled respectively only to the other ends of the first rail 4 and second rail 5. This embodiment is primarily advantageous when sanitary bed 3 is used for prevention of bed-sore. In this way, constructing the sanitary bed 3 is easier and will require reduced cost.

Operation of the sanitary bed 3 is similar to the procedure described previously. Of course, in case of embodiment according to Figure 5, rails 1 are moved only downwards from the plane of the sanitary bed 3, similarly to the embodiment shown in Figure 4. A significant difference is that the moving other ends of the rails 1 should be lowered at such an extent so that sufficient difference of levels will arise between the surfaces of the first rail 4 and second rail 5 at a distance of 300-400 mm from the rotational axis, where the shoulders of the lying patient rest. Both for regeneration of muscles and for prevention of bed-sore approximately 10-20 mm difference of levels is satisfactory to ease the body-surface from the pressure originating from the weight of the body, even if the width of the beams 2 is 20 mm. It means that in case of a 2 m long bed it is enough

to lower one of the rails 1 to a distance of 100 mm, but of course the design makes even twice as much lowering possible. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 4, where the rails 1 are moved parallel to the plane of the bed floor, displacement of the rails in relation to each other'to a distance of at most 20 mm is satisfactory. As. a consequence of this, the embodiments according to the first two examples, can be more advantageous for regenerating muscles since rails 1 are moved at a substantially higher frequency than in cases when the aim is prevention of bed-sore, so the lifting apparatus 8 must cover a shorter distance during a given period of time.

While the, present invention has been described by the way of the preferred embodiments, it is not limited to these examples since it will be understood that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The advantages of'the present invention are the following. When resting on the sanitary bed, reduced blood supply caused by activities which make great demands on back muscles can be avoided and even people suffering from areflexia of sleep would wake up refreshed in the morning. The required time for regenerating the tired muscles of the body is shorter when resting takes place on the bed according to the invention.

Sportsmen/women can recover easily as lying on the bed according to the present invention provides a combination of rest, massage and relaxation. In case of unconscious or ataxic patients the continuous massage ensures continuous, perhaps enhanced blood supply. When nursing sick people at home, it often happens that relatives can not stay around because of their daily activities, duties. The pressed down muscles or veins of a person confined to bed would require refreshment of blood supply. The bed floor operated automatically or at a required massaging speed can help ; the patient to get a refreshing massage by simply setting the alternation of the rails with a switch. The bed can be specially useful in old people's home where many helpless people live. In case of people who spend most of the day in bed, it is possible to avoid numb limbs as a consequence of frequent areflexia of sleep. There are no more backache from which old people often suffer since muscles can get continuous massage by alternating the rails as required. When it is used for prevention of bed-sore it ensures greater peace for the patient as the plane of the lying surface is not changed, and the cost of the embodiment shown in Figure 5 is approximately the same as of the embodiment of Figure 1. The alternated lying surface formed of elongated plastic or

metal beams provide a comfortable, pleasant feeling for the patient lying on his back.

As nerve-endings in the back are disposed relatively far from each other, only a pleasant crawling can be felt when the bed operates. The selection of the shape and the material of the beams depends on the object of the application. For the same bed several sets of beams of different type and quickly replaceable can be manufactured. Combination of these is also possible as the largest cross section of the beams perpendicular to their longitudinal axis may be the same.

In case of injury to the spine beams having rectangular cross section, in case of sport massage beams having a triangular or elliptical cross section can be the most effective.

The bed according to the present invention can be recommended to people who like hard resting places, but people who are accustomed to soft bed can have a pleasant rest on it because the alternating supporting surface does not give a"breaking"feeling.

Operating the bed according to the invention is simple, it is easy to clean and can be used for many purposes.