Abstract: Independently operable head and foot adjusting mechanisms are provided in an adjustable motorized hospital bed in order to facilitate independent height adjustment of the head and foot ends of the bed's movable frame, on which is mounted a mattress supporting structure. Logic circuitry controls the actuation of the adjusting mechanisms to manipulate the movable frame to any level or tilted position desired. When the frame is to be lowered to its lowermost level, a latching system may be latched in a down operating mode, merely by momentarily actuating a switch, to cause the head and foot adjusting mechanisms to lower each end of the movable frame directly to its lowermost limit regardless of the frame's position, and even though the frame may be tilted, at the time the switch is actuated. With such direct and immediate access to the lowermost level position, considerable time can be saved by the nurse or attendant.

Abstract: Different hospital bed functions or adjustments (such as high-low, back and knee adjustments) may be made by employing a single reversible motor to drive selected ones of a series of adjusting mechanisms. The adjusting mechanisms may be clutched, individually or simultaneously, to the motor drive in a transmission and the motor may be run in a selected direction in order to position the hospital bed as desired. Momentarily reversing the direction of motor rotation ensures that all of the clutches in the transmission will be disengaged except those that have been actuated. The motor is momentarily reversed upon the initial operation of any function or functions, and is again momentarily reversed upon the reactivation of any function while other functions continue to operate. With this arrangement, if any deactuated clutch has locked or latched into an engaged position, it will be quickly released or unlocked so only the desired bed functions will operate.

Abstract: A castor control assembly for an adjustable bed includes a linkage mechanism having rigid link elements, and a single pedal actuator. The pedal may be actuated from the control station to shift the linkage mechanism and operate individual castors for selection of swivel, locking and steering modes, as desired.

Abstract: Independently operable lifting mechanisms are provided at the head and foot ends of the fixed lower base frame of an adjustable hospital bed in order to facilitate independent height adjustment of the head and foot ends of the bed's movable upper frame. The two lifting mechanisms are actuated by respective ones of two drive screws which may be rotated individually or simultaneously and in either direction to position the upper frame at any desired height and at any selected tilt angle. In other words, by turning only one of the drive screws one end of the upper frame is elevated or lowered and the tilt angle will be changed. By rotating both of the drive screws at the same time the upper frame will be raised or lowered at a constant tilt angle. This flexibility enhances the medical treatment that a hospital patient may receive.

Abstract: Different hospital bed adjustments (such as high-low, back and knee adjustments) may be made simultaneously with a transmission that transmits power from a single rotating drive to selected ones of a series of independently rotatable output shafts or drive screws, each of which controls a different bed adjustment. Each of the drive screws may be individually clutched to the rotating drive independently of the other drive screws. With this arrangement, a plurality of drive screws may be clutched at the same time in order to effect concurrent operation of a plurality of adjustment mechanisms thereby obtaining rapid re-positioning of the hospital bed to a new position.

Abstract: Independently operable lifting mechanisms are provided at the head and foot ends of the fixed lower base frame of an adjustable hospital bed in order to facilitate independent height adjustment of the head and foot ends of the bed's movable upper frame. The lifting mechanisms are actuated by respective drive screws which may be rotated individually or simultaneously and in either direction to position the upper frame at any desired height and at any selected tilt angle. By turning only one drive screw, one end of the upper frame is elevated or lowered and the tilt angle will be changed. By rotating both drive screws simultaneously, the upper frame will be raised or lowered at a constant tilt angle. A manual control system provides for selective manual engagement of the lifting mechanisms and automatic disengagement thereof. When engaged, the lifting mechanisms may be manually actuated.

Abstract: An adjustable wall-spacer is employed to position an adjustable hospital bed normally from a wall and prevent contact of the headboard with the wall when the bed is moved into raised or tilted positions.