Abstract: A hospital bed electrical power module for powering external medical devices directly from the bed includes electrical isolation circuitry connected to prevent external device leakage current from traveling through the bed frame. The power module reduces the risk of shock to the patient due to the leakage current of the external device.

Abstract: A hospital bed has a frame mounted on a base which includes castors. Side guards are mounted on the bed frame. The side guards are inwardly moveable and releasably lockable to narrow the hospital bed. The frame has a cam block with a recess. A latching arm is pivotally connected to linkage connecting the side guard to the frame and has a handle and a cam roller follower. The handle is rotated to move the side guard inwardly; when the roller follower engages the recess the side guard is locked in the inward position. The side guards are moveable and releasably lockable toward the foot end of the bed. A spring biased plunger on the linkage projects through a hole in a plate on the linkage. The side guards are releasably lockable in an intermediate position. The spring biased plunger projects through a hole in the cam block.

Abstract: A hospital bed with pivoting handles to be used for conveniently maneuvering the hospital bed. The handles are pivotally mounted to the bed frame at the head end of the hospital bed and can be pivoted between a generally horizontal stored position and a generally vertical operable position. Each bed handle is locked into the respective positions by a spring loaded pawl which is pivotally mounted to the bed frame. As the bed handles pivot between the operable and stored positions, the pawl rotates from a locked position to an unlocked position and then returns to the locked position as a result of the force applied by the torsion spring.

Abstract: In a hospital room, arms are pivoted on vertical axes that pass through the head and foot ends of a patient's bed. One of the arms carries a computer terminal at its free end. The other arm carries a power column or a portion of a power column at its free end. The arms are swingable around the end of the bed and to either side of the bed, whereupon the person attending the patient can use the instruments on the arms at the point of care for the patient.

Abstract: A castor control mechanism for a hospital bed having a plunger type neutral/brake/steer castor comprises a linkage including a rocker arm pivotally mounted to the base of the bed, a link connected on one end to the rocker arm and being connected on its other end through a cam and follower mechanism to a shaft rotatably mounted to the base and rotatable by a foot pedal. Operation of the foot pedal moves the plunger of the castor via the rocker arm to place the castor in its steer, neutral and brake positions.

Abstract: A collapsing wing on a lateral side near the head end of a hospital bed. As the result of a laterally inwardly applied force, the wing collapses thereby allowing easier access to the center or furthermost side of the hospital bed or patient for a nurse or care provider. The wing is attached to the bed frame of the hospital bed by a spring loaded parallelogram linkage which permits the wing to move laterally within a generally horizontal plane as a result of the inward force. Once the inward force is removed, the linkage returns the wing to the full width hospital bed configuration. The wing is a U-shaped channel open toward the bed. The bed has a narrower U-shaped channel open toward the wing channel. The channels are connected by the parallelogram linkage. The wing channel nests over the frame channel when a laterally inward force is applied to the wing channel.

Abstract: A hospital bed supported on a wheeled base, and a ventilator supported on a wheeled cart and docked to the base of the bed, the combination of ventilator and bed capable of being rolled as a single unit. The ventilator cart includes a wheeled base, and supports connected to the base for supporting a ventilator, with the supports providing for selective raising and lowering of the ventilator. The hospital bed base is wheeled and has a generally Y-shaped base frame. The outspread arms of the Y-shaped base frame receives the ventilator cart so that the two may be docked together. The ventilator when docked to the hospital bed base falls within the footprint of the bed as projected downwardly onto the floor. A latch secures the ventilator to the bed base. A disabling switch disables the high/low function of the bed preventing the bed from being lowered downwardly onto the ventilator. A power supply mounted to the bed base provides for uninterrupted operation of the ventilator.

Abstract: A carrier for an object having castors at each corner and a steering system comprised of a fixed pair of spaced steering wheels deployable to contact the surface proximate the midpoint of the carrier. The pair of steering wheels are separated by a distance that improves tracking of the carrier and allows the carrier to more easily be turned around corners. A linkage is connected between a foot pedal and the pair of steering wheels; and the pair of steering wheels is moved into surface contact simultaneously with said castors contacting the surface by pressing the foot pedal.

Abstract: Apparatus for motorized transport of the hospital bed and care cart docks to the head end of the bed and has a drive wheel, a motor propelling the drive wheel, a joy stick type potentiometer for controlling the speed and direction of the drive wheel and handles for grasping the apparatus and maneuvering the apparatus and the hospital bed. Gas springs are actuated by the bed when the motorized transport apparatus and bed are docked together for exerting a downward force on the drive wheel to reduce the tendency of the drive wheel to slip. The apparatus falls within the footprint of the bed.

Abstract: A hospital bed has a frame. A horizontal plate is pivotally mounted on a vertical axis to swing from an inoperative position underlying the frame to an operative position extending from the head end of the bed. A pillow can be placed on the extender so that the patient can be shifted toward the head end of the bed with the patient's head comfortably supported on the pillow which is in turn supported on the extender. A basin is adapted to be used in conjunction with the extender and is a shell having a head receiving cavity with a pedestal projecting upwardly from within the cavity for resting the patient's head thereatop while providing clearance completely around the head so that a care provider can shampoo the patient's head.

Abstract: A hospital bed supported on a wheeled base, and a ventilator supported on a wheeled cart and docked to the base of the bed, the combination of ventilator and bed capable of being rolled as a single unit. The ventilator cart includes a wheeled base, and supports connected to the base for supporting a ventilator, with the supports providing for selective raising and lowering of the ventilator. The hospital bed base is wheeled and has a generally Y-shaped base frame. The outspread arms of the Y-shaped base frame receive the ventilator cart so that the two may be docked together. The ventilator when docked to the hospital bed base falls within the footprint of the bed as projected downwardly onto the floor. A latch secures the ventilator to the bed base. A disabling switch disables the high/low function of the bed preventing the bed from being lowered downwardly onto the ventilator. A power supply mounted to the bed base provides for uninterrupted operation of the ventilator.

Abstract: A mattress for a birthing bed has three bladders inserted within a foam slab. A lumbar bladder and upper back bladder are on the birthing bed head panel and are attached at their borders to the foam mattress to promote uniform inflation. A seat bladder firms the seat when it is necessary for patient treatment procedures.

Abstract: A clutter-eliminating head wall for a hospital bed has two horizontally-spaced modules with services and service outlets mounted in the modules. The recess between the modules is covered by a removable panel. The modules are covered by sliding tambour doors that slide behind the center panel to provide access to the modules.

Abstract: A wheeled hospital bed, a wheeled IV stand, and an IV rack. The stand and rack include means for removably mounting the rack to the stand, and the stand and bed include means for removably mounting the rack to the bed. When the rack is mounted to the bed the rack and any IV solution bags and pumps mounted thereto are positioned within the bed footprint. The IV stand is universal in that it can be used with or without the severable IV rack.

Abstract: A hospital bed has two mechanical drive mechanisms connected between each end of a bed support frame and a base, each of which has a respective actuator. Selective operation of each of the drive mechanisms with the actuators permits either end of the bed support frame to be inclined to the Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg positions at any height of the hospital bed. The drive mechanisms transfer forces for raising and lowering the bed support frame but do not transfer force when the bed is lowered onto an obstacle. When an obstacle is encountered, a switch interrupts operation of its respective actuator.

Abstract: In a hospital room, arms are pivoted on vertical axes that pass through the head and foot ends of a patient's bed. One of the arms carries a computer terminal at its free end. The other arm carries a power column or a portion of a power column at its free end. The arms are swingable around the end of the bed and to either side of the bed, whereupon the person attending the patient can use the instruments on the arms at the point of care for the patient.

Abstract: A power column is a hollow post having six vertical walls and is mounted between horizontal arms pivoted to the floor and ceiling, respectively. The pivotal axis for the arms passes through the head end of a hospital bed, enabling the power column to swing from one side of the bed to the other. The electrical outlets are on two walls separated by a front wall so that one or the other of the walls is easily accessible whether the power column is on either side of the bed. Lateral horizontal rails are pivotably mounted on either side of the column. The height of the rails is adjustable. The rails contain one or more gas outlets which are laterally adjustable on the rail and can carry other accessories that are laterally adjustable.

Abstract: A foot section for a birthing bed has a central panel and two lateral plates that function, in an inclined attitude, as footrests and in a vertical attitude as posts for receiving calf supports. The calf supports are stored in holsters on the underside of the footrests. The mattress is in three sections, with the outboard sections being hinged to a central section so as to be swung upwardly upon the central section thereby exposing the footrests without having to remove the whole foot section.The central panel can be removed with the mattress and is adapted to be stood on its end for temporary storage, thereby conserving floor space.