Abstract: A bed heater with two spaced, perforated, non-metallic plates between which there is arranged spaced loops of an insulated cover-type resistance heating fuse wire. At least some side area between the plates is open allowing lateral movement of air to prevent overheating. Power is supplied through a parallel SCR and diode circuit controlled by an R-C circuit including a temperature responsive resistor and a light responsive resistor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of synthetic filament yarn having crepe characteristics by simultaneous drawing and falsetwisting of the filament yarn while imparting a twist by means of a falsetwister, as well as--under certain conditions--drawing of the filament yarns to a ratio of at least 1:1.08.

Abstract: A hospital bed has ducts with openings in a frame and a mattress and blanket connected by a hose to an exhauster and filter. A hood formed of several panels at a head of a bed reduces noise and provides ventilation.

Abstract: An adjustable writing desk, storage and entertainment center apparatus attachable to the head of a bed to provide bedridden patients with easy access to writing materials, a writing surface and privacy in viewing television and listening to radio and recorded music by enclosing the patient's head and upper torso within the apparatus which is equipped with sound insulation.

Abstract: This invention provides a bed assembly having a thermally absorbent mattress such as a water-bed in thermal conductive relationship with a thermal-panel mattress bin arrangement receiving the mattress. Thermal energy transfer bath for cooling and heating is then attained by circulating a fluid of proper temperature through the thermal panel. The fluid temperature is established with environmental solar and ground heat to reduce needs for fossil fuel energy. Thus, an efficient temperature controlled bed is provided which permits nighttime comfort without control of the temperature throughout a house.

Abstract: A device for use as a bed or bedstead or a mattress in its entirety or as a combination of a bedstead and a mattress. A sleeping mat or a bed quilt is placed on the device arranged as a bedstead and may or may not be placed on the device arranged as a mattress alone or as a combination of the bedstead and mattress. A horizontal passage is provided within the device for communicating with an area of the sleeping mat or the upper mattress surface and with a vertical passage provided to one end of the device and having an air discharge opening for providing an air circulation through the bed inside with a zone of the sleeping mat or the upper mattress surface and the interior space of the bedroom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alternating inflatable support for the human body. The invention includes a flexible pillow having a plurality of fluid impervious pockets therein which are substantially flat when deflated, but which support an adjacent section of the human body when inflated with a fluid under pressure. The pockets are interspersed and grouped into an operably coupled first set of pockets and an operably coupled second set of pockets. A pump is provided which includes at least one pumping chamber for receiving and expelling fluid under pressure. A solenoid is operably coupled to the pumping chambers for compressing and expanding the pumping chambers. A valve is operably coupled between the pump and the flexible pillow for alternately inflating and exhausting the fluid through the first set of pockets and the second set of pockets, thereby alternately supporting the interspersed sections of the body adjacent to the first set of the pockets and the second set of pockets.

Abstract: A device for cooling the human body in seated or reclining position comprising a water-impervious flexible base sheet of sufficient length and width to contain the human body thereon, a head portion of said sheet containing pillow means for cushioning the head of the body, flexible conduit means attached to and extending along edge portions of said base sheet for directing a plurality of streams of water across the surface of said sheet to form a layer of water on the sheet surface for cooling a human body residing on the sheet, and one or more openings through the base sheet to permit discharge of excess water from the surface of the sheet.

Abstract: A unitary accessory control for a waterbed fixed to the waterbed frame. Within the unitary accessory control are such accessories as a pump for filling (emptying) the waterbed, a heater, a vibrator, a sound system and a mechanism to control the environment of the room in which the waterbed is located. The user can thus regulate to his taste, the temperature and degree of motion of his sleep surface, and even change these variables at will. Additionally, he may create a total surrounding environment completely of his own choosing as to sound and/or room lighting and temperature without moving from his sleep surface.

Abstract: A bed comprising a frame, a mattress supported on the frame, and at the head of the bed a closure or chamber composed of two shell portions, to wit, a fixed lower portion fixed to the frame and a movable portion movable between an open position where it is retracted on the fixed portion and provides free access to the head of the bed and a closed position in which it leaves only a small opening towards the foot of the bed. Each shell portion of the chamber is constituted by a rigid frame covered with a sound insulating material and a sound absorbing material. The movable portion is itself constituted by two parts articulated to one another and to the fixed portion around a common horizontal transverse axis. One part of the movable portion is transparent and capable of being retracted into the other part which is opaque.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to a blanket having a plurality of portions of flexible heat pipes sandwiched between the outermost layers thereof. The portions of the flexible heat pipes disposed about the blanket provide a uniform heating or cooling pattern therein. The ends of the flexible heat pipes that are free from the blanket are thermally coupled to a combination heating and cooling system. When utilizing the heating system, the flexible heat pipes provide elevated temperatures at the blanket surfaces. When utilizing the cooling system, the flexible heat pipes provide lower than ambient temperatures at the blanket surfaces.

Abstract: A mattress construction comprises an intermediate layer of a semi rigid wave shaped resin material and with a top layer overlying the intermediate layer made of a resilient foamed resin material and a lower layer made of a resilient foamed resin material having a greater elastic restoring force than the upper layer. The greater elastic foamed restoring force may be accomplished by the increased density of the material being employed or by making the material of distinct substances giving the desired elastic characteristics. In one embodiment an electrified body in the form of a blanket is interposed between the intermediate layer and the top or upper layer.

Abstract: A portable energy conserving bed warming device is provided, designed to store heat and to permit its gradual radiation over an extended period of time. The device is placed at the foot of the bed, under the bed covers, and radiates heat to warm the bed and provide for comfortable sleeping in cold weather. It includes a hollow container made of a heat conductive material to provide a reservoir for heated fluid. The fluid is placed in the container and heated, following which the container is closed. The container is snugly enclosed within a hollow heat insulating casing closed on all sides except for a plurality of selectively disposed openings in the front wall. The openings in the casing permit heat radiating from the heated fluid in the reservoir to pass slowly into the ambient atmosphere, thereby warming the bed in which the device is placed.

Abstract: The application discloses a rigid or semi-rigid, two-part confining cover for a patient in a conventional hospital bed. The problem dealt with is that of a disturbed patient who would normally require confinement by ties, straps, or other conventional restraints, together with, in many cases, round-the-clock guarding by an attendant. The mattress support frame of a hospital bed usually has one or more horizontal pivot joints, the most important of which enables tilt-up of the back of the bed. Knee lift provisions are generally provided. The disclosed cover includes forward and rearward open-bottom shells, hinged to one another about the hinge axis of the bed used for tilt-up of the back part of the bed. The front shell has side walls rising from the longitudinal edges of the bed frame, forward of the aforementioned pivot axis, a front end closure, and a top closure. The back shell has side walls rising from the longitudinal edges of the bed frame from this pivot axis back, a rear end wall, and a top wall.

Abstract: A pillow includes an inner hollow chamber having an inlet for cool air at one end connected to a portable air conditioning unit. The chamber has thin flexible permeable walls permitting air to pass into a first surrounding layer of soft material. A non-porous air-tight lining directs the air toward one end of the first layer and around the lining through a soft outer layer toward an outlet at the opposite end. The layered construction provides uniform air distribution. Warm air from the outlet is directed both through a flexible hose to the air conditioner where it is cooled and recycled through the pillow. A detachable control unit is located adjacent to the pillow or bed. The cool pillow provides added comfort for restful sleep during hot humid weather conditions.

Abstract: A flexible container having a substantially planar configuration encloses a first chemical having characteristics for being supercooled to maintain a liquid state even at temperatures below its melting point. A second chemical can be mixed with the first chemical in the container to initiate the crystallization of the first chemical at the substantially constant temperature of the melting point of the first chemical. The container can be enclosed in an insulation envelope to moderate the temperature of the device. The first chemical may include sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate which provides a desirable constant temperature of 48.degree. C. The second chemical may include sodium borate pentahydrate or sodium sulfite which provides the first chemical with a desirable sandy configuration during crystallization in the .alpha. pentahydrate form.