Abstract: An occupant support 20 augmented with a detection system for assessing the condition of an occupant includes first and second detectors 58, 62 for detecting presence of the occupant, an occupancy detector for determining if the occupant is occupying the occupant support and an analyzer for assessing whether a presence indication from each of the first and second detectors and an occupancy indication from the occupancy detector correspond to a satisfactory condition of the occupant or an unsatisfactory condition of the occupant. A presence detection system for determining the condition of a target comprises a first and second detectors for detecting presence of the target in first and second regions, and an analyzer for assessing whether presence indications established by the presence detectors correspond to a satisfactory condition of the target or an unsatisfactory condition of the target.

Abstract: An equipment support, such as an IV pole, comprises an upper portion, a lower portion having a lower end configured to engage a socket, and an actuator movable relative to the lower end. When the upper portion is gripped by a releasable gripper, the lower end can be disengaged from the socket by moving the actuator from a first position to a second position. The lower portion can be telescoped relative to the upper portion by moving the actuator from the second position to a third position.

Abstract: A bed comprises a head end, a foot end, first and second sides and a deck which includes, a head section and a foot section. The head section is pivotable. Head end and foot end barriers (5?, 5) are positioned along one of the sides, and both barriers are adapted to move between raised and lowered positions. The head end barrier is moveable with the head section as the head section pivots. When both barriers are raised 1) the foot end barrier (5) extends footwardly beyond the head end barrier (5?), 2) a portion of the head end barrier and a portion of the foot end barrier overlap each other over a portion of their longitudinal extents at all pivoted positions of the head end barrier, and 3) the overlapped portion of the head end barrier is laterally between the deck and the overlapped portion of the foot end barrier.

Abstract: A mattress for use on a bed frame has a lower body section 42 and a upper body section 40. The mattress upper body section is orientation adjustable in as a function of the orientation of the upper body section of the frame upon which the mattress rests. At least part 60 of the mattress lower body section is profile adjustable as a function of the orientation of the mattress upper body section without being dependent on profile adjustment of the lower body section of the frame. A mattress replacement system includes a mattress having an orientation adjustable upper body section and a lower body section. The mattress replacement system also includes an angular orientation sensor 58 for determining the orientation of the upper body section. At least part 60 of the mattress lower body section is profile adjustable in response to the determined orientation of the mattress upper body section.

Abstract: A mattress assembly includes an inner core assembly 48 including a core portion 49 having a head end and a foot end defining a core longitudinal length; a left width adjustment portion 56 comprising a plurality of left width adjustment bladders 60, the left width adjustment portion extending laterally away from a left side of the core portion; a right width adjustment portion 58 comprising a plurality of right width adjustment bladders 62, the right width adjustment portion extending laterally away from the right side of the core portion; the left and right width adjustment portions each having a head end substantially longitudinally aligned with the head end of the core portion and extending footwardly a longitudinal distance less than the core longitudinal length thereby defining left and right relief portions 66, 68.

Abstract: A bed includes a base frame 14 having a head end and a foot end, an elevatable frame 16 also having a head end and a foot end, a lift assembly 76 or 78 comprising an actuation system connected to one of the frames, a push chain 106 having an actuator end 124 driven by a lead screw 86 and a distal end 126 connected to the other of the frames. Rotary motion of the lead screw changes elevation of the elevating frame relative to the base frame.

Abstract: An occupant support apparatus 10 includes a frame 12 and an occupant support deck 14 above which an occupant is supportable. A siderail 22 has a raised position in which at least a portion of the siderail is higher in elevation than the patient support deck. The siderail includes a recess 42. The occupant support also includes a control unit 44 having user inputs configured to be engaged by a user. The control unit is movable relative to the siderail between a first position in which at least a majority of the patient control unit is received in the recess and a second position in which at least a majority of the control unit resides outside the recess and extends past a perimeter of the siderail. In one embodiment the control unit also has an upper portion 50, which is pivotable about a generally vertical axis.

Abstract: A bed 14 has a base frame 32, an elevatable frame 34 and a telescopable column 36 having a base segment 36a connected to the base frame 32 and a terminal segment 36e connected to the elevate able frame 34. Each column circumscribes a lift chain assembly 100 which includes a magazine 102 and a lift chain 160 with a terminal link 240. The magazine 102 is connected to either the base frame 32 or the elevate able frame 34 and the terminal link 240 is connected to the other of the base frame 32 and the elevate able frame 34. The magazine 102 comprises left and right magazine covers 104, 106 each having an outer face and an inner face 112, 114 with grooves 120. The lift chain 160 has left and right rollers 238 that project into the grooves. The lift chain assembly 100 also includes a gear train 320 extending from a gear train drive shaft 334 to a gear train output shaft 338 and a motor 278 having an output shaft 314 connected to the gear train drive shaft 334.

Abstract: An article 12 includes at least one component 28, 52, 54, 56, 58 moveable with respect to a ground. A load path extends from the component to the ground and includes a force detector 34. If one of the moveable components is requested to move in a way considered to be risky, and if a force discrepancy is detected, an action is commanded. In one specific embodiment the action is a corrective action. In one application of the disclosed subject matter the article is a hospital bed, the moveable components are a weigh frame and various deck sections, and the force detector is a load cell.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a first connector subassembly associated with a removable component, and a second connector subassembly associated with a host component to which the removable component is removably connectable. One and only one of the first and second connector subassemblies is floatable relative to its associated component.

Abstract: A bed has two safety barrier elements arranged along a common side. Each barrier element (19, 21) is linked to the bed frame (11) by two hinged arms (25, 26; 35, 36) forming a deformable parallelogram mechanism, but only one (19) comprises means of locking in the up position (49), whereas attachment means (45, 46) are installed between the adjacent ends of the two barrier elements for selectively constituting a barrier consisting of a single piece.

Abstract: One embodiment of a topper for a bed includes a liner assembly 40 having a top liner 42, a bottom liner 44 and a slip liner 70 underneath the bottom liner. The slip liner is of relatively lower friction than the top liner. An apron 62, with openings 76 therein, extends from the perimeter of the liners. Another embodiment includes a liner assembly having a top liner, a bottom liner and a slip liner underneath the bottom liner. The slip liner is of relatively lower friction than the top liner. Bridge straps 98, or 98? having a working length of at least the width of a host mattress minus the arm length of a fifth percentile female extend from the liner assembly.

Abstract: A bed includes an articulating deck affixed to a frame. The bed has at least a head end section and a foot end section. The head end section is pivotable relative to the frame. The bed also includes a head end barrier element 5? laterally alongside the head end section and co-pivotable therewith. The bed also includes an auxiliary barrier element 5 longitudinally adjacent the head end barrier element. The auxiliary barrier element is nonrotational relative to the frame during movement of one or more of the head end and foot end sections.

Abstract: A bed includes at least one barrier element (19, 21) extending along a lateral side of a bed frame. At least one part of this barrier element is laterally tiltable, by being hinged (31, 41) in its lower part, along a horizontal axis substantially parallel to the lateral side of the bed for assisting the patient as he or she is standing up.

Abstract: An occupant transfer device 34 for use on a host mattress 20 having a top side 22 and a flank 24 is in the form of a fitted sheet. The device has a top 36 for covering the top side of the mattress and a skirt 38 extending from the top. The top and skirt each have an occupant side 40, 44 and a mattress side 42, 46. Substantially all of the mattress side of the top exhibits relatively low friction; the occupant side of at least the top exhibits relatively higher friction.