Abstract: A patient support comprising a primary barrier that defines an effective blocking area, and a rigid auxiliary barrier that cooperates with the primary barrier to increase the length and height of the effective blocking area.

Abstract: A set of bed sheets includes a lower sheet sized and configured to cover the bottom portion of a mattress and an upper sheet sized and configured to cover the top portion of the mattress. First and second separable fasteners about the respective continuous edges of the lower and upper sheets are removably attachable to secure the upper sheet to the lower sheet in a manner which encloses the mattress. The upper sheet includes a top surface which is formed of a material to define a third separable fastener. A collection of accessories include a crib rail bumper, a head support wedge, body position rolls, an insulated baby bottle/cup holder and a liquid impervious drool pad. Each of the accessories is provided with a fourth separable fastener adapted for releasable attachment to the third separable fastener on the top surface of the upper sheet.

Abstract: Presently described are several alternate embodiments for shield devices to enclose and thereby prevent entrapment of objects in the interior space formed by elements of an adjustable bed in the raised position. Such shield devices may include physical barriers. In other embodiments, the shield may include optical sensors that provide rapid detection of intruding objects, thereby activating controls that preclude the further movement of the adjustable bed mechanism. In a further embodiment, an operative shield may be provided by means of a specially adapted controller configured such that only an authorized user can cause the adjustable bed to operate, thereby preventing the possibility that the bed could be operated while any object has intruded into the interior space.

Abstract: A barrier is provided for use on a patient support. The barrier can be coupled to a siderail of the patient support to substantially fill a gap adjacent to the siderail.

Abstract: A support assembly for mounting to a bed to position protective railings along the sides of the bed comprises one or more support members of flat, rigid material such as sheet metal. The support members are attached to the bed deck of a hospital bed or the frame of a standard bed with inwardly facing surfaces of the support members on opposite sides of the bed spaced by substantially the width of the mattress. A hollow sleeve is affixed to the support member to receive a terminal end of the railing. Relative dimensions and positional relationships are such that gaps between the rails and portions of the bed or mattress are minimized to reduce the possibility of a patient becoming wedged in such a gap. The side rail supports are essentially immune from mis-positioning due to poor training, errors or carelessness of personell attending to the bed and patient.

Abstract: A bed rail structured to minimize the gap between the mattress and the bed rail and including a leg portion and a rail portion. The rail portion extends upwardly on a first side of the mattress to extend beyond the sleeping surface of the mattress and prevent a person from rolling out of bed. The leg portion is sandwiched between the mattress and the box spring and extends toward a second side of the mattress. In one embodiment, the leg portion includes a distal end that is engaged to the second side of at least one of the mattress and box spring such that the distal end and rail portion hug the mattress. In another embodiment, the bed rail includes a relatively rigid cover depending from an upper portion of the rail portion to the sleeping surface so as to cover a gap that may exist between the first side of the mattress and the rail portion.

Abstract: A patient support including a frame, a mattress supported by the frame, and siderails supported by the frame. A latch member is configured to prevent vertical movement of the siderail. A latch position indicator is configured to provide an indication of the position of the latch member.

Abstract: An articulated medical bed for supporting a person in articulated movement is disclosed. The bed comprises a main frame defining a base and an articulated support frame including an upper body section pivotally connected to the base, a seat section pivotally connected to the upper body section and a detachably mounted lower leg section pivotally connected to the seat section. An elongated link member pivotally connects the lower leg section to the base. A glide member is mounted on the seat section and supported for linear movement along the base whereby the seat section is supported for rocking movement about the glide member. A linear actuator is connected to the upper body section for simultaneously actuating the upper body section, seat section and lower leg section in articulated movement. A side rail is supported on the base and includes telescoping inner and outer horizontal rail members extending between vertical rail members.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a gap filler is provided for a bed that includes first and second barriers. The gap filler is configured to substantially fill a gap defined between the first and second barriers.

Abstract: A communication and control apparatus includes a control unit having a surface accessible to a person on a bed, the control unit being coupled to a portion of the bed.

Abstract: A patient support is provided having a frame, a mattress, and at least one siderail. The siderail includes a rail member and a coupler configured to permit raising and lower of the rail member between a lowered egress position and a raised blocking position.

Abstract: A patient support is provided having a frame, a deck positioned on the frame, and a mattress. The patient support further including a siderail configured to move relative to the frame.

Abstract: A bed comprises a mattress supported on a support surface. The mattress has first and second inflatable cells for supporting a patient.

Abstract: A communication and control device for attachment to a hospital bed for including a voice activated communication and control module.

Abstract: A bed rail is disclosed for use with a mattress. The bed rail is configured to be clamped to the mattress with a clamping force. A clamping force indicator is used to provide information about the clamping force.

Abstract: The Snug Tuck Pillow includes a long tubular pillow, a removable fabric cover, a long elastic strap, with male and female Velcro, and a buckle to receive the elastic strap. The pillow is inserted into a fabric cover opening and closed using Velcro strips. The pillow is then placed on the side of the top mattress. The pillow is then secured by running the long elastic strap under the top mattress and through the buckle at the other end of the pillow. The elastic is then pulled tight until the two Velcro strips on the elastic strap meet and are married. This holds the pillow firmly in place.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety device used in an infant crib or playpen to protect its occupant from the individual hard (typically) wood vertical support posts (i.e., slats). A padded cushion is fastened around the entire crib slat, and has a solid, vertical support piece which is used to stabilize the pad in an upright, fixed position at all times. The safety support piece (i.e. stabilizing object) prevents an infant or toddler from pushing down on the pad and using it as a step to climb out of the crib.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cushioning device including an inflatable cushion having at least one side and first and second opposing surfaces, and at least one restraint structure attached to at least a portion of the at least one side of the inflatable cushion.

Abstract: An overlapping siderail assembly for a bed having a head end and a foot end as well as a support deck. At least one pair of siderails are provided on one side of the bed, each one of the pair having a generally uniform thickness over a majority of a length of each thereof and extend in a plane that is generally parallel to a plane containing a longitudinal axis of the bed. First and second ones of the pair of siderails each have a head end and a foot end, the foot end of the first one having a first region of reduced thickness on a first side thereof facing in a first direction, the head end of the second one having a second region of reduced thickness on a second side thereof facing in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first and second regions are oriented in an overlapping side-by-side relation so that there exists no longitudinal gap between the first and second ones of the pair and the thickness at the overlapping location conforms to the aforesaid uniform thickness.

Abstract: Safety equipment for a bed includes sheeting (14) arranged to be securable to a mattress (12) and an inflatable wall structure (10) secured to the sheeting. The inflatable wall structure is arranged so as to define an upstanding wall which, in use, in an inflated condition, serves as a barrier to someone falling out of bed and as a cushion which protect an occupant of the bed from injuring themselves against the structure of the bed. The wall structure may include lengths arranged to be collapsable along lines transverse to the length to permit the wall to concertina to adopt the profile of a profiling bed.

Abstract: A barrier is provided for use on a patient support. The barrier can be coupled to a siderail of the patient support to substantially fill a gap adjacent to the siderail.

Abstract: A convertible crib and bed system for converting a bed into a crib. The convertible crib and bed system includes a first partition that is attachable to a first wall, a first leg member attached to the first partition, a second leg member attached to a second wall, a pair of receiver channels within the leg members, and a second partition that is slidably received within the receiver channels. The first partition includes a support member that is secured to the wall via fasteners. The second leg member is secured to the wall also with fasteners. An adjustment structure at the base of the leg members allows for adjustment of the vertical height of the leg members. The bed is positioned beneath the first partition against the walls thereby forming a crib structure. Removing the partitions returns the bed to normal usage.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a gap filler is provided for a bed that includes first and second barriers. The gap filler is configured to substantially fill a gap defined between the first and second barriers.

Abstract: A bed rail structured to minimize the gap between the mattress and the bed rail and including a leg portion and a rail portion. The rail portion extends upwardly on a first side of the mattress to extend beyond the sleeping surface of the mattress and prevent a person from rolling out of bed. The leg portion is sandwiched between the mattress and the box spring and extends toward a second side of the mattress. In one embodiment, the leg portion includes a distal end that is engaged to the second side of at least one of the mattress and box spring such that the distal end and rail portion hug the mattress. In another embodiment, the bed rail includes a relatively rigid cover depending from an upper portion of the rail portion to the sleeping surface so as to cover a gap that may exist between the first side of the mattress and the rail portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bed, in particular a hospital bed, fitted with a plurality of adjacent individual barrier elements along at least one of its longitudinal sides, the barrier elements extending vertically and each occupying a fraction of the length of the bed. It is essentially characterized by the fact that there are at least two of said barrier elements (5, 5′) and they are hinged relative to each other about an axis (XX′) that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bed so that in an overlapping position they are contiguous relative to each other and occupy, transversely, substantially the same space as a single element, whereas in the deployed position, they extend in parallel and substantially in line with each other.

Abstract: A detector detects a position of a siderail relative to a portion of a bed.

Abstract: A low air loss bladder coupled to a siderail is provided.

Abstract: The pair of support arms connected with the respectively horizontal both sides of the plural side rail members lift and lower the side rail proper consisting of a plurality of side rail members by the pivotal rotation of the support arms along the pivotally rotational loci between the high service position and the low stored position. In this motion, the connection points between the support arms and the side rail members are disposed in such a manner that the connection points of the upper side rail member make pivotally rotational motion relatively delayed in phase, with the connection points of the lowest side rail member as the fulcrums, when the side rail members are moved to descend by the pivotally rotational motion of the support arms.

Abstract: A hospital stretcher includes a patient support deck having an upwardly-facing patient support surface, and at least one sideframe adjacent to a first side of the stretcher, and movable between (i) a first raised position where the top of the at least one sideframe is generally disposed above the patient support surface at a first adult patient-restraining height, (ii) a second fully-raised position where the top of the at least one sideframe is generally disposed above the patient support surface at a second pediatric patient-restraining height greater than the first adult patient-restraining height, and (iii) a third out-of-the-way down position where the top of the at least one sideframe is generally disposed below the patient support surface. Sideframe locking mechanisms are provided for selectively locking the at least one sideframe in the first adult patient-restraining raised position and the second pediatric patient-restraining fully-raised position.

Abstract: A bed siderail for a bed having a frame includes a flexible section to allow a portion of the siderail to flex upward.

Abstract: A bolster system for a patient support surface is provided comprising two “L”-shaped inflatable bladders configured to be positioned along the head end and left and right sides of the patient support surface, stabilizing members such as foam extending downwardly from the inflatable bladders configured to be positioned between the patient support surface and the rails of the bed, a removable bolster sheath adapted to cover the inflatable bladders and stabilizing members, and a sheet configured to extend underneath the patient support surface and thereby anchor the bolster system in place. The bolster system is particularly adaptable to therapeutic patient support surfaces comprising alternately inflatable bladders that provide percussion, vibration, and/or rotational therapy to patients.

Abstract: A bed for a person is provided. The bed includes a frame, a deck, a mattress, a pair of head end siderails, and a pair of foot end siderails. The bed further includes a controller configured to be coupled to the head and foot end siderails.

Abstract: A hospital stretcher includes a patient support deck having an upwardly-facing patient support surface, and at least one sideframe adjacent to a first side of the stretcher, and movable between (i) a first raised position where the top of the at least one sideframe is generally disposed above the patient support surface at a first adult patient-restraining height, (ii) a second fully-raised position where the top of the at least one sideframe is generally disposed above the patient support surface at a second pediatric patient-restraining height greater than the first adult patient-restraining height, and (iii) a third out-of-the-way down position where the top of the at least one sideframe is generally disposed below the patient support surface. Sideframe locking mechanisms are provided for selectively locking the at least one sideframe in the first adult patient-restraining raised position and the second pediatric patient-restraining fully-raised position.

Abstract: A bed is provided having a bedframe, a first pair of siderails, and a second pair of siderails. The bedframe includes an articulating deck having first and second sections that move relative to each other. The first pair of the siderails is coupled to the second section of the deck to move therewith. At least one pair of the siderails is configured to move relative to the other pair of siderails to compensate for movement of the first pair of siderails with the second section of the deck.

Abstract: There is shown a see through side shield for use in a hospital bed which prevents a patient from becoming entrapped between a bed rail and a mattress. The see through side shield includes a hand that snugly fits over a lateral rail of the bed rail, typically the top lateral rail. The see through side shield further includes a partition that extends to cover a vertical opening between a top lateral side edge of the mattress and the bottom lateral rail of the bed rail. The partition is mounted to at least one lateral rail of the bed rail using a tightly fitting clamp. To permanently mount the partition, the clamp is riveted to the bed rail. Typically, the see through side shield is transparent being made of a polycarbonate material.

Abstract: An infant crib wherein the crib portion is elevated in order to accommodate a wheelchair passing under the crib bed. The invention is preferably comprised of spaced support members supporting a horizontal base member at an elevated position high enough to accommodate the seat portion of a wheelchair beneath the base member. There is at least one side panel surrounding the base member slidable laterally between a closed and open position to enable a person seated in a wheelchair to have access to an infant placed on the base member when the slide panel is in the open position. A drawer member is positioned under the base member to allow a person seated in a wheelchair to have access to any necessary items.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a siderail apparatus for a siderail of a hospital bed is provided that is configured to be coupled to the siderail. Preferably, the siderail apparatus is padded.

Abstract: A bolster system for a patient support surface is provided comprising two “L”-shaped inflatable bladders configured to be positioned along the head end and left and right sides of the patient support surface, stabilizing members such as foam extending downwardly from the inflatable bladders configured to be positioned between the patient support surface and the rails of the bed, a removable bolster sheath adapted to cover the inflatable bladders and stabilizing members, and a sheet configured to extend underneath the patient support surface and thereby anchor the bolster system in place. The bolster system is particularly adaptable to therapeutic patient support surfaces comprising alternately inflatable bladders that provide percussion, vibration, and/or rotational therapy to patients.

Abstract: A patient support is provided. The patient support includes a frame, a mattress supported by the frame, and a set of siderails configured to block egress of a patient from the patient support. The siderails are configured to reduce gaps defined between the siderails and the other components of the patient support.

Abstract: A liftable side rail for a lying table such as a bed, comprising a side rail proper, being pivotally rotatably connected with a pair of support arms pivotally rotatably supported at side rail installation points of the lying table, to be supported in such a manner that the side rail proper may be lifted and lowered by the pivotally rotational motion of these support arms along the pivotally rotational loci between an upper service position and a lower stored position, and each of the support arms, having protrusions functioning as auxiliary side rail members on both sides of the straight line connecting said installation point and the connection point with the side rail proper. When the side rail is held at the lower stored position, the protrusions provided for the support arms are placed along the side rail proper without protruding above and below. So, the tops and bottoms of the protrusions do not constitute any obstruction.

Abstract: A crib bumper pad comprises an upper and lower barrier portion conjoined centrally by a zipper. The lower barrier portion is a plurality of non-removable, rectangular-shaped reinforcement plates encased within cloth and having a zipper on its top edge. The upper barrier portion is comprised of padding. Within the padding is a cloth-lined cavity with a sealable aperture whereby a removable reinforcement plate can also be inserted therein to provide for a sturdy barrier between a child and the crib's bars. The upper barrier portion attaches to the crib by a plurality of double straps. Additionally, the upper barrier portion connects to the lower barrier portion and crib by means of a zipper and a plurality of single securment straps. Also provided on the upper barrier portion is a securable releasable member whereby a pacifier may be placed thereon and attached thereto to prevent loss or misplacement of the pacifier.

Abstract: A communication and control device for attachment to the head end of a hospital bed for positioning a voice activated communication and control module adjacent a patient's head.

Abstract: A bed frame includes a headboard, a foot board, a right side rail, and a left side rail. Each side rail has a first member and a corresponding second member. Each of the first members is configured to be releasably attached to the headboard solely by mating end joint members formed in the first members and in the headboard, and each of the second members is configured to be releasably attached to the foot board solely by mating end joint members formed in the second members and in the foot board. Each of the first members is configured to be releasably attached to the corresponding second member solely by mating side joint members formed in each of the first members and in the corresponding second members.

Abstract: A portable infant protective bed for protecting an infant especially when sleeping in close proximity to a sleeping adult is disclosed. The bed is sized to accommodate an infant and is provided with a resilient bumper member around the perimeter of the bed. The resilient bumper is provided with spring-loaded switch activation members as part of an alarm assembly that is so configured to sense if an adult rolls on to the bumper member, the alarm either sounds a loud alarm or vigorously vibrates the bumper member, or both, if desired.

Abstract: A bed top co-sleeping device designed to be a simple fabric absorbent pad (1) with a protective safety cushion/body pillow enclosure (2)on one side, containing a removeable body pillow (6). When the complete unit (body pillow is inside enclosure) is placed on top of the bed, the parent will be able to co-sleep comfortably next to the infant without worry of breast milk leaking to the sheets, diaper changing messes or, the child rolling off the bed. With the body pillow removed, the one-piece fabric pad and body pillow enclosure allows for easy cleaning.

Abstract: A patient support comprising a primary barrier that defines an effective blocking area, and a rigid auxiliary barrier that cooperates with the primary barrier to increase the length and height of the effective blocking area.

Abstract: A hospital stretcher includes a patient support deck having an upwardly-facing patient support surface, and at least one sideframe adjacent to a first side of the stretcher, and movable between (i) a first raised position where the top of the at least one sideframe is generally disposed above the patient support surface at a first adult patient-restraining height, (ii) a second fully-raised position where the top of the at least one sideframe is generally disposed above the patient support surface at a second pediatric patient-restraining height greater than the first adult patient-restraining height, and (iii) a third out-of-the-way down position where the top of the at least one sideframe is generally disposed below the patient support surface. Sideframe locking mechanisms are provided for selectively locking the at least one sideframe in the first adult patient-restraining raised position and the second pediatric patient-restraining fully-raised position.

Abstract: An adjustable supporting device for a premature infant, comprising an inflatable base (1) consisting of two superimposed air and gas impermeable layers (5, 6), divided into at least two flat sections (2, 3), and running along the perephery of the base an inflatable wall (4), optionally also divided into two sections, wherein all base sections (2, 3) and wall (4) or wall sections are inflatable and pressure-adjustable independent of one another.

Abstract: Rebreathing carbon dioxide and overheating of the infant are contributing causes of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and asphyxiation. The characteristics of conventional crib mattresses, bedding and bumper pads contribute to rebreathing of carbon dioxide and overheating of the infant and may be contributing environmental causes of SIDS, asphyxiation, apnea syndromes and hypoventilation. The present invention consists of improved sleeping pads, beddings and bumper pads which reduce rebreathing of carbon dioxide and overheating and provide increased crib ventilation to stimulate breathing.

Abstract: A bed enclosure for use with a hospital bed having a frame is disclosed having a shell and a skeletal structure configurable between an open position providing access between the interior and exterior of the shell and a closed position in which the shell forms a complete enclosure. Various pockets, pouches and slots formed in the shell are disclosed to facilitate display of documentary information, retention of personal items, access to controllers, passage of I.V. tubes, and receipt of bumpers or cushions. The bed enclosure is adapted to facilitate vertical adjustment of the intermediate frame relative to the frame of the bed and articulation of the articulating deck of the bed.