Abstract: An ambulance cot having a wheeled base, a horizontally oriented patient litter support disposed on the base and having an elongate guide extending lengthwise thereof. A support mechanism is provided for supporting the patient litter support for vertical movement relative to the base while being maintained in the generally horizontal orientation. A device for selectively locking the patient litter support at selectively different vertical elevations is provided.

Abstract: A hospital bed includes an articulatable patient support with a fowler portion movable between horizontal and inclined positions relative to a frame of the bed. A reversible electric drive motor is supported on the frame of the bed and, through a reduction gearing arrangement and a releasible coupling mechanism, can rotatably drive a threaded shaft. A nut engages and is held against rotation with the shaft, and a linkage arrangement couples the nut to the fowler portion to effect reciprocal movement of the fowler portion in response to reciprocal movement of the nut along the shaft. A manual release is provided on the fowler portion and, when actuated, disengages the releasible coupling mechanism so that the threaded shaft is free to rotate independently of the motor and gearing arrangement.

Abstract: A hospital bed has an articulated patient support surface with four air outlet housings mounted thereon at spaced locations. An air supply arrangement supplies temperature-controlled air to an air outlet opening in each of the housings. Associated with each housing is an elongate tubular fabric diffusion member having an O-ring which encircles one end thereof and is removably received in a circumferential groove in the air outlet opening. Each diffusion member can be tucked completely into its housing when not in use. Each housing has a cap movable between open and closed positions with respect to the air outlet opening, and an arrangement yieldably urging the cap toward its closed position. A valve arrangement is provided below two of the housings in order to automatically discharge fluids which happen to enter the air supply system through the air outlet openings.

Abstract: A delivery bed includes two spaced foot support assemblies which project outwardly from one end thereof. Each foot support assembly includes a first horizontally extending member having a top surface with transversely extending grooves and having a bottom surface, and a second member having two spaced, transversely extending rods which respectively slidably engage the top surface and bottom surface of the first member, the second member having therein a foot-shaped recess. A pad can be removably supported on the two foot support assemblies without any need for additional support structure for the pad intermediate the foot support assemblies. The pad is held in place by two fastening straps which extend downwardly between the foot support assemblies and are each releasably coupled to a respective one of the foot support assemblies. Alternatively, the pad can be held in place by brackets on the pad which releasably engage brackets provided on the foot support assemblies near the outer ends thereof.

Abstract: A hospital bed includes a base supported by casters, and a lift arrangement vertically movably supports a patient support section on the base. The lift arrangement includes a threaded first member secured to and projecting downwardly from the patient support section, a rotatably supported tubular second member having an internal thread which engages the threaded first member and having an external thread, and a further member which is supported on the base and has a thread engaging the external thread on the tubular second member. In one embodiment, the further member is a nut fixedly supported on the base, and a drive member rotatably supported on the base has an opening through which the second member extends and has a key portion which slidably engages an axially extending slot provided in the second member.

Abstract: An operating control system for a lift truck controlled from a single multi-function operator hand control which is located and designed for improved operator comfort, convenience, simplicity and to reduce operator fatigue. The sole hand control for directional and speed control and the operation of all hydraulic functions of the truck related to the handling of loads is recessed in a compartment adjacent one side of the truck and supported from a control shaft which extends forwardly, leftwardly and downwardly and along which the control handle may be pushed or pulled linearly to control all such hydraulic truck functions. The grip handle is rotatable to control direction and speed of the truck. Switch controls are located conveniently adjacent the one end of the rotatable grip handle for selecting a variety of hydraulic functions by the same movements forwardly and rearwardly of the operator control handle along the control shaft.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for a door which includes a support within the door opening and away from the door jamb. In the closed position of the door, parts of the mechanism including a hinge member are located between the support and the jamb. A door is pivotally mounted on the hinge member at its distal end. As the door moves from the closed to an intermediate position the pivotal mounting of the door on the hinge member follows an arcuate path outwardly and away from the door jamb. When the mechanism reaches the intermediate position the door can be swung on its pivotal connection with the hinge member to a fully open position.

Abstract: A seat and hydraulic control lever interlock for lift trucks in which access to a battery compartment is in part enabled by pivoting the operator seat forwardly over the steering wheel, which pivotal movement causes interlocking lever means between the seat pivot and hydraulic control levers to actuate to an armed position. Forward pivotal movement of the control levers to an inoperative position to clear the battery compartment allows the lever means to move to a position in which the control levers are held in such inoperative position until the seat is pivoted rearwardly over the battery compartment.