Abstract: A therapeutic bed (1) comprises a patient support platform (2) rotatably mounted on a base frame (5). A pair of side members (30) extend longitudinally of the patient support platform (2) and are mounted for pivotal movement about a longitudinal pivot axis from a raised operative position supporting a patient to a lowered inoperative position. Each side member (30) is carried on a pair of spaced-apart cranked support arms (34, 35) which are bridged by a bridging bar (42) to form a frame. A primary retaining device retains the side support in the raised position. Each support arm (34, 35) is pivotally mounted to a pivot support sleeve which is slidably mounted on a round bar (46) forming a track. A secondary retaining device is provided by a stop disc (48) having a slot (50) which is moved into and out of alignment with a latch (47) to control movement of the sleeve (45) on the bar (46).

Abstract: A multi-purpose patient support and transport apparatus is provided which includes a Trendelenburg mechanism and a novel guard rail assembly. The Trendelenburg mechanism is actuated by turning a handle in one direction. This allows a pneumatic spring connected between the seat and backrest assemblies to be fully contracted, thereby moving the backrest assembly to a Trendelenburg position. When the handle is turned in the opposite direction, the backrest may also be rotated downwardly, but is precluded from moving beyond the reclining position by a stop member which prevents the pneumatic spring shaft from moving entirely within the spring casing. The guard rail is mounted to the frame of the apparatus by a pair of pivot arms extending at an oblique angle with respect to the plane of the rail. This allows the rail to be stored under the frame when in the lowered position.

Abstract: A patient transfer trolley for transferring patients from one location to another in hospitals and like establishments. The trolley comprises a wheeled frame (11) carrying a patient support surface (13) and a device (15) for aiding transfer of a patient between said patient support surface (13) and a further support surface such as a hospital bed or operating table. The handling device (15) comprises a body (41) having a transfer surface (43. The body is movable whereby it can assume first and second positions, and preferably also a third position. In the first position the transfer surface provides a bridge between said patient support surface and said further support surface. In the second position the body extends upwardly of the patient support surface to provide a safety barrier therfor. In the third position the body is stored so as not to obstruct access to the patient support surface (13).

Abstract: A safety side rail for a bed is disclosed comprising a side panel supported by a pair of spaced-apart foot members, each adapted to be inserted under a side edge of the bed mattress. The side panel is supported by one end of the foot members, and is movable relative to the foot members via a coupling between a safe-closed position, in which the side panel is fixedly held in a position above the mattress for blocking or preventing a child from falling off the mattress, and an open position, in which the side panel is positioned below the top of the mattress allowing access to the child.

Abstract: A handrail for an aircraft belt loader in which a pair of parallel support arms pivotally support a rigid rail member with a variable-length link converted to be non-parallel with the support arms when the handrail is erect or operative. When the handrail is collapsed, the link is shortened and a compression spring inside of the link is further compressed so that maximum erecting force is applied when the handrail is stowed.

Abstract: An improved side guide for an aircraft belt loader having a vertical plate member positioned adjacent to and extending along side the belt conveyor frame which plate is supported by a pair of links, one of which has a slot and a cam surface terminating in a notch. A pin attached to the plate member extends through the slot and a lug affixed to the plate member engages the cam surface as the plate member is moved laterally to elevate the plate member, the lug dropping into said notch to lock said plate member in an elevated position.

Abstract: A hospital bed having a storable safety rail is provided. The bed includes a frame having a pair of laterally extending slide tubes mounted thereto. A pair of mounting shafts are positioned within the tubes and secure the safety rail to the frame. A stop member is positioned near the inner end of at least one of the tubes. The mounting shaft includes a projection which abuts the stop member when in a first rotational position, but is able to pass thereby when in a second rotational position. The stop member preferably includes an inclined surface opposing the inner end of the slide tube to urge the projection, and therefore the rail, outwardly as the mounting shafts rotate to move the rail to the raised position. A retraction spring is provided for urging the safety rail towards the bed frame while in the lowered position. The safety rail also includes a brake mechanism to resist the gravitational forces urging it downwardly from the raised position.

Abstract: A universal bedside rail Clamp for securing a bedside rail assembly to a hospital or other bed, having a base member for engagement with an angle iron bed frame, a means to tighten the universal bedside rail Clamp to the angle iron bed frame and a means for the bedside rail assembly to pivot in relation to the universal bedside rail Clamp.

Abstract: An improved fluidizable patient support system including an oval tank, a perforated plate received in the tank atop a plurality of spacers, a diffuser board located atop the perforated plate and sealed around its edge, a mass of granular material received atop the diffuser board, a flexible sheet removably secured around upper edges of the tank by snap fitting elements, a wheeled support pedestal for the tank which has a fluid pressure generator therewithin. Pivotal steps and side rails may be associated with the pedestal and tank respectively. A support frame may also be secured to the tank, extending thereabove to receive treatment apparatus.

Abstract: A side rail assembly for a bed-like stretcher includes a tubular side rail with first and second tubular posts connected at each end. Each of a pair of mounting members connected near each end of the stretcher frame includes first and second vertically spaced-apart pivotal connection points. First and second linkage bars are pivotally connected between each of the posts and the connection points of one mounting member to form a pivotally connected quadrilateral. A handle is mounted to each of the posts for pivotal movement about a horizontal line, while a handle linkage connects the handles so that movement of either handle causes identical movement by the other. A latch on each post cooperates with a catch fixedly attached to the frame. A latch actuator connects each latch with a handle, so that pivotal movement of either handle causes the latches to disengage from the catches, permitting lowering of the side rail assembly.

Abstract: A rail assembly for a wheeled stretcher or the like is provided. The assembly is pivotably mounted to the stretcher and may be locked in up, down or horizontal positions. Unlocking is accomplished by pushing a locking tab while moving the assembly towards the foot end of the stretcher.

Abstract: A side guard for a hospital bed moves between elevated and depressed positions on parallel swing arms that are quite short and extend from a base mounted on the back section of the bed. It further has an upper section which pivots outwardly and downwardly to a retracted position to substantially reduce the height of the side guard. When the side guard is in its depressed position with its upper section folded to the retracted position, the side guard lies entirely below the mattress supporting surface of the bed back section and therefore does not interfere with bed making. Also the upper section may carry a bed control unit, or a telephone, or controls for other electrically operated devices, and when in its extended position, these devices are presented inwardly toward the occupant of the bed, but when the upper section is in its retracted position, they are presented outwardly where they are conveniently accessible to one sitting or standing beside the bed.

Abstract: The frame of the litter top has side rails swingably connected to the sides of the frame, and a head and back rest pivoted transversely of the frame at one end. Spring pressed latches between the side rails and the frame and between the back rest and the frame have release members which are accessible and operable only from the exterior of the litter, and which cannot be actuated when pressure is applied by the patient against the inside of the rails or the top of the back rest; thus preventing accidental or unattended lowering of these parts.

Abstract: An improved fluidizable patient support system including an oval tank, a perforated plate received in the tank atop a plurality of spacers, a diffuser board located atop the perforated plate and sealed around its edge, a mass of granular material received atop the diffuser board, a flexible sheet removably secured around upper edges of the tank by snap fitting elements, a wheeled support pedestal for the tank which has a fluid pressure generator therewithin. Pivotal steps and side rails may be associated with the pedestal and tank respectively. A support frame may also be secured to the tank, extending thereabove to receive treatment apparatus.

Abstract: Guardrail assembly for mounting on one side of a hospital bed having a horizontal bed frame. The assembly has a guardrail which is movable between a raised protection position and a lowered retracted position. It further has, at each end of the bed, an upward bracket; a link connected at one end to one end of the rail and pivoted adjacent the other end to the bracket so that it can move in a vertical plane, motion of both links thus causing movement of the rail between the aforesaid two positions. The assembly further provides for a pin locking mechanism on each bracket including a pin which is resiliently biassed toward the bracket and the locking end of the link for insertion in a hole of the bracket and a hole of the locking end when the guard is in the raised protection position and the holes register whereby to hold the guard in the raised position.

Abstract: A power operated bed whereby the sides with mattress move from a normal position to a vertical position for supporting a person's spinal column simultaneously in two distinct planes relieving pressure on the occupant's spinal column. And a bed incorporating a headboard of independent turned spindles and adjustable straps to aid the occupant in shifting body position by the use of ones hands and arms and to further provide body anchors that allow stretch of occupant's spinal column. An arrangement allowing bed sheeting to remain firmly taut to the mattress independent of bed positioning.

Abstract: A baby safety barrier has an upright panel, a platform panel and one or more hinges connecting the panels along adjacent edges thereof, the hinges having leaves mounted to rotate between a position at which they are substantially parallel to and overlying one another and a position at which they are substantially perpendicular to one another, and a locking device for releasably retaining the leaves and panels in the perpendicular position.

Abstract: An x-ray table footrest assembly comprises a support base for extending across the table top. A platform rotationally mounted to the base. A pair of spring biased latches mounted to the base for engaging side rails on the table top. Sliding bars which move linearly in response to platform rotation are interfered with by the latches unless the latches are securely engaged with the side rails.

Abstract: A guard rail attachment is provided which enables the guard rail for a bed to be moved from an upright position to a lower clearance position to provide access to the mattress. The guard rail attachment includes a plate which is secured to the guard rail. A lower hinge is associated with the plate and includes one element which is secured to the plate and another element which is secured to one of the side rails of the bed. An upper hinge is associated with the plate and includes a locking element which releasably locks the guard rail attachment to the bed frame structure.

Abstract: A guard rail assembly adapted to be attached to a bed, table or other element and to be adjusted in simple manner, when so attached, between upright and locked position in which it provides a vertical barrier or support extending above the horizontal surface or plane of the bed, table or other element, and folded position in which it is pivoted to or below the horizontal surface plane of said element to occupy a minimum of space and present no horizontal obstruction to said surface. The present invention is characterized by a guard rail assembly which is sturdy, which contains a minimum number of moving parts and which is adjustable between upright, locked position and folded position with a minimum amount of effort which may be exerted by means of one hand in a single continuous motion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to relaxing furniture particularly for the ventral and/or dorsal decubitus comprising a rest surface which is substantially flat and adapted to receive the body in stretched out position and comprising, in a zone substantially situated in the upper part of its middle third, a swell which is adapted to support the periumbilical and subumbilical zones. The invention is more particularly applied to a piece of garden or beach furniture.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a bed-side foot-rest structure includes two elongated members separately mounted by upright bolts onto a side member of a bed frame, mounted for pivotal movement, distal ends of each of the two elongated members having mounted therebetween pivotally a foot-rest additional horizontal structure, the elongated members being horizontally extending and laterally horizontally pivotally mounted by the upright bolts such that when mounted, the foot-rest additional horizontal structure is collapsable to and extendable from beneath the side member of the bed frame, and when extended serves as a foot-rest for a person seated on a side of the bed.

Abstract: A patient restraining rail system for a bed, stretcher, or the like which includes a rail pivotally connected to a vertically adjustable rail support.