Abstract: A disposable safety guard for syringe needles and the like, the safety guard being adapted to laterally receive the tip of a needle in an elongated interior chamber within a body member. The interior encloses a high frictional surfaced gripping device which receives the syringe needle in a lateral direction and prevents the needle from being removed therefrom, after it is secured therein. In a preferred embodiment, the gripping mechanism comprises a rectangular shaped plastic component having two planar members joined by a thinned or living hinge permitting the component to be folded in half so that it may conform to the shape of the interior of the body member and close upon the needle. In that preferred embodiment of the invention, a series of ridges on the folded interior surface of the gripper component increases the frictional engagement with the syringe needle. The gripper component has a pair of lips designed to engage a plurality of ratchet teeth in the interior walls of the body member chamber.

Abstract: A disposable safety guard for syringe needles and the like, the safety guard being adapted to receive the tip of a needle in a wedge or V-shaped interior chamber within a body member. The interior encloses a high frictional surfaced gripping device which receives the syringe needle in a lateral direction and prevents the needle from being removed therefrom, after it is secured therein. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gripping mechanism within the interior of the body member comprises a rectangular shaped plastic component having two planar members joined by a thinned or living hinge permitting the component to be folded in half so that it may conform to the shape of the interior of the body member and close upon the needle. A layer of coarse grain sandpaper is placed on the folded interior surface of the gripper component in order to increase the frictional engagement with the syringe needle.

Abstract: A novel bed having a horizontal support frame affixed to a plurality of vertical legs and providing a stretchable mat made of a porous support surface which may be subjected to selected tension by a plurality of springs and spring adjustment bars whereby to selectively adjust the sag resistance of the support surface to the user's various body portions. The stretchable mat of the present invention is readily removed for washing and reinstalled by simply releasing the tension on the springs. The stretchable mat is of a porous nature which allows the body surfaces in contact with the mat to "breathe" and which also allows liquids to pass through the mat whereby to provide a means for avoiding unnecessary discomfort to an incontinent user or patient.