Abstract: A person support apparatus comprises a lower frame, an upper frame, a drive structure, and a control system. The upper frame is movably supported above the lower frame. The drive structure is coupled to the upper frame and configured to selectively engage a surface to, when activated, propel the person support apparatus along the surface. The control system is configured to determine an engagement status of the drive structure with the surface and trigger a response based on the engagement status.

Abstract: A system for removably mounting at least one battery on a person support apparatus is disclosed. Various latching mechanisms and locations for mounting are disclosed. A recharging station for recharging the battery is disclosed.

Abstract: A pendant controller for a patient bed includes a housing sized to be held in a user's hand and a liquid crystal display carried by the housing and viewable by the user. The pendant controller has a set of manual buttons carried by the housing adjacent the LCD. The set of manual buttons is arranged in a row and the buttons are n in number, with n being an integer greater than 1. The pendant controller further includes control circuitry situated in the housing and configured to drive the LCD to display a table that is m columns wide, with m being equal to n. The table contains indicia with each indicia corresponding to a function associated with a respective one of the manual buttons.