Abstract: A corner connector element having a main body portion, wherein a first side surface and a second side surface are formed at substantially 90° relative to one another; a first abutment surface extending substantially perpendicularly from a terminating edge of the first side surface; a second abutment surface extending substantially perpendicularly from a terminating edge of the second side surface; one or more protrusions extend perpendicularly from the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface; a corner abutment surface; and a radiused surface extending from a terminating edge of the first abutment surface to a terminating edge of the second abutment surface.

Abstract: This invention presents a foldable cot. The foldable cot includes a foldable frame and a flexible sheet having a generally rectangular shape. The peripheral portions of the flexible sheet are secured to the foldable frame. The foldable frame has two-pairs of hingedly connected longitudinal bars, which allows the foldable frame to be folded in a longitudinal direction. A middle support structure is mounted to the hinge connectors. The middle support structure includes a pair of crossbars having a general X-shape. Upper ends of the crossbars are pivotably connected to the hinge connectors. There is provided a pair of vertical poles connecting the upper ends and lower ends of the crossbars, respectively. The vertical poles are extendible between a retracted position and an extended position, which allows the X-shaped crossbars to have a scissors-like motion so that the foldable frame can be folded in a transverse direction.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus may include a base frame, lift arms, an intermediate frame, a deck support having three articulating sections, a brake system, various drive motors, actuators, and sensors, at least one power source, communication devices, and at least one controller, wherein the lift arms, articulating sections, drive motors, brake system, and actuators may be controlled from the at least one controller and in response to signals received by the various sensors, while storing data internally and/or sending data to a remote location.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a support surface, with at least one fluid bladder, a base wall, and a cradle, and a fluid delivery system configured to deliver fluid to the bladder. The cradle is formed from a compressible material and is supported by the base wall, with the bladder being anchored at the base wall.

Abstract: Foldable and portable playard assemblies with a storage compartment and methods of use thereof are disclosed. An example playard includes a lower frame having a collapsed position and an erected position and an upper frame having a collapsed position and an erected position. The example playard further includes a handle coupled to the lower frame, wherein movement of the handle from a generally horizontal position to a generally upright position causes the lower frame to move between the collapsed position and the erected position.

Abstract: A light and credible foldable hanging bed having a frame and a fabric attached thereto. The frame has seats and successive supporting arms linked thereto. Linking poles are provided to move the supporting arms and sponge sleeves may be used for holding by hands of a user. With the successive first and second supporting arms, the joint and check element are saved and the risk of break of the joint is diminished and a weight will be able to be lowered.

Abstract: A climate controlled seat, bed or other assembly configured to receive a person includes a blower and two or more thermoelectric devices or other conditioning fluid modules. According to one embodiment of an operational scheme, a control system for the seat or bed is configured to continuously discharge air from the blower through the thermoelectric devices. In one arrangement, the thermoelectric devices are sequenced between an activated and a deactivated position. Consequently, the desired cooling and/or cooling effect can be maintained while reducing energy consumption of the climate control system.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring a person from a wheelchair to a fixed seat is disclosed, including a wheeled gantry that includes opposed front and rear legs and an upper portion connecting the legs, the gantry spanning a transfer station with a side entry for the wheelchair, and being capable of spanning the fixed seat; and a holding apparatus including a transfer seat and support frame, the transfer seat being sized to fit within the fixed seat; a lift for raising and lowering the transfer seat; and a support arm for rotating the support frame within the transfer station. The wheelchair can be wheeled into the transfer station, the person can be raised out of the wheelchair and rotated to face the front leg, the wheeled gantry can be moved to span the fixed seat, the person can be lowered into the fixed seat, and the wheeled gantry can be withdrawn.

Abstract: An upper body elevator includes a generally wedge-shaped elevator body comprising a lower elevator pillow comprising a first plurality of adjacent air tubes and an upper elevator pillow comprising a second plurality of adjacent air tubes carried by the lower elevator pillow.

Abstract: An apparatus has a back section, a center section pivotally connected to the back section so that the back section is movable between a first position coplanar with the center section and a second position approximately perpendicular upwardly relative to the center section, a leg section pivotally connected to the center section so that the leg section is movable between a straight position coplanar with the center section and a bent position approximately perpendicular downwardly relative to the center section, a cushion slidably positioned on the center section so that the cushion is movable between a backward position and a forward position, and a sliding mechanism for sliding the cushion between the backward position and the forward position.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a lifting unit for a patient support. The lifting unit includes a base plate, a motor drive, a lifting drive driven by the motor drive and received in the base plate. The lifting drive is adapted to carry out a lifting movement and a movement in the opposite direction. A triggering element is activated when the pressure exerted by the lifting drive on the base plate falls below a defined minimum value. The movement of the lifting drive is stopped in response to the activation of the triggering element. If the patient support collides with an obstacle during lifting, the pressure exerted by the lifting drive on the base plate is reduced. The reduced pressure is detected by the triggering element and the movement of the patient support is stopped.

Abstract: A hospital bed assembly includes a platform that has a top side, a bottom side, a pair of lateral edges, a back edge, and a front edge. The platform includes a first section including the front edge and a second section including the back edge. A plurality of supports is attached to and extends downwardly from the platform. A headboard is attached to the back edge and a footboard is attached to the front edge. A mattress is positioned on the top side of the platform. A plurality of sleeves is provided. Each of the headboard and the footboard has at least one of the sleeves mounted thereto and the sleeves each have an upper end is open. Each of a plurality of support posts is removably extendable into one of the sleeves.

Abstract: A mechanism for mounting a foldable-bed unit in an article of furniture is described. A pair of mounting plates each including a first and second bracket is mounted on opposite ends of a cavity in the article of furniture. The brackets include a U-shaped slot configured to accept a fixture having an enlarged head. A retaining tab is included within one or more of the brackets to retain the fixture therein. The first brackets are located rearwardly of the second brackets and at an angle such that the slot therein is tilted forwardly. The second brackets are oriented to provide a generally vertical orientation to the slots therein. A foldable-bed unit having fixtures corresponding to each of the brackets is installed into the article of furniture by inserting corresponding fixtures into the first brackets. The foldable-bed unit is rotated to insert the remaining fixtures into the second brackets.

Abstract: A furniture attachment system is described. Embodiments of the furniture attachment system comprise a highly adjustable interface that is readily adapted to hold, store, or secure items of highly varied size and shape at a convenient location proximate a bed or other piece of furniture. In use, the present invention holds, stores, or secures items at beside, or beside other furniture, by securing the items to a bed or other furniture.

Abstract: A swaddle accessory to restrain an infant or child's arms has a single panel that is both wide and long enough to wrap entirely both of the infant's arms, hook and loop fasteners to secure the arm restraints and pockets to contain the hands to prevent them from breaking out of a swaddle made from a receiving blanket or other swaddle device.

Abstract: An improved device for assisting a caregiver in lifting and moving a patient. The device comprises a unitary garment member having a front panel section, a rear panel section and an interconnecting central or middle panel section. The device further includes a plurality of integral, reinforced support straps that enhance the structural integrity of the garment member. The rear panel section includes two flap portions extending laterally on opposing sides of the rear panel section. The two flap portions can be pulled forward and attached to the front panel section whereby the device becomes a vest-type garment that completely surrounds the patient's torso. The improved patient assistance device includes a plurality of strategically positioned hand holds, which provide enhanced leverage enabling a caregiver to more easily assist a patient wearing the device to move from one position to another.

Abstract: A pinch-preventing unit for bed guardrail includes a guardrail, a bed frame, and an actuating unit. The actuating unit is provided with a gap cover, which is located at a lower edge of the guardrail to close a gap existed between the lower edge of the guardrail and a top of the bed frame when the guardrail is in a lifted position for use, so as to ensure the safety use of the guardrail.

Abstract: A stackable wire core assembly for a bedding foundation which may be nestably stacked with numerous other such assemblies for transportation, thereby avoiding the need to compress and tie the assembly for shipping. The wire core assembly includes an upper wire grid, including a border wire and support wires extending between the ends of the border wire. Each support wire has resilient portions extending downwardly from the plane of the upper wire grid, each resilient portion having a flat bottom adapted to be secured to a wooden base frame and curved arms extending upwardly from opposed ends of the flat bottom.

Abstract: A system for repositioning a patient. The system may be coupled to a structural support system or framework that extends above a bed. The system may be translated transversely and longitudinally and placed in one of multiple locations above the bed.

Abstract: A thermoregulating apparatus (20) for exchanging thermal energy with and supporting a patient (24) and method of exchanging thermal energy is provided. The apparatus includes a heat exchange fluid circuit (30, 95, 102) located below a patient support layer (44) for exchanging thermal energy with the patient.