Abstract: A bed uniformly distributes the weight of a bed-ridden patient to minimize the occurrence of bedsores. The bed comprises a frame and a plurality of support assemblies mounted on the frame. Each support assembly comprises a plurality of elongate support slats extending transversely of the fore-aft direction, and a pair of transversely spaced lever modules carrying opposite ends of the slats. Each lever module comprises a plurality of levers which are so mounted as to be swung in response to the downward action of heavier portions of the patient, whereupon opposite ends of the levers swing upwardly to transfer some of that weight to the lighter portions of the patient's body. The levers disposed on one side of the bed are rotatable relative to the corresponding levers on the opposite side of the bed, whereby the support slats may assume positions inclined relative to horizontal and thereby maintain a greater degree of contact with the patient.

Abstract: A hospital bed includes a base and a mattress frame mounted on the base. The frame includes an articulated head section, the inclination of which is controlled by a motor. A screw oriented lengthwise of the bed is connected to the motor for rotation thereby. A nut is mounted on the screw for longitudinal movement therealong. A non-rotatable sleeve is mounted on the nut by bearings which permit rotation of the nut relative to the sleeve about the longitudinal axis. A linkage interconnects the sleeve with the frame head section for changing the inclination of the latter in response to longitudinal movement of the sleeve. An element mounted on the sleeve is movable into operable connection with the nut for preventing rotation of the nut and thereby constraining the nut for longitudinal movement along the screw in accordance with the speed of rotation of the screw.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to bed departure detection devices employing tape switch detectors in fixed positions in the seat and thigh sections of the mattress supporting structure of an articulated hospital bed. Bedside circuitry, connected to existing nurse call and two-way communication links, provides signals to a central nurse call station as an indication of unauthorized bed departure.

Abstract: A free-standing medical service column has front and rear chases with service outlets mounted on at least the front side for connection with fluid and electrical conduits. The column includes vertically extending tracks at each corner, which tracks extend substantially the height of the column. Brackets, holders, and equipment are connected to the tracks by means of locking slide assemblies. Each slide assembly includes a base and a slide element formed of a low-friction material. A screw interconnects the base with the slide element such that rotation of the screw moves the slide toward the base and against the wall of the channel to frictionally secure the slide within the channel. Members secured to the column by means of locking slide elements may also carry a bracket. The bracket includes a plug formed of resilient material, which plug is received in a cylindrical bore of the member.

Abstract: A headwall unit for patient-care rooms has a skeletal framework which supports slidable cover panels. The cover panels are held in place by a removable vertically elongate portion of the framework. When the vertically elongate portion is released, the cover panels can be easily removed to provide access to the interior of the unit for installation or maintenance.

Abstract: A floor-mounted bed locator is used to removably retain a hospital bed of the type which carries electrically powered equipment having an electric plug. The locator comprises an electrical socket for receiving the plug, and a disconnector for ejecting the plug from the socket when the bed is removed from the locator. The disconnector includes at least one ejector pin disposed beneath the plug when the latter is connected to the socket, and a movably mounted treadle engageable and moved by a castor of the bed as the latter is removed from the locator to lift said pin into pushing engagement with the plug.

Abstract: A bed side guard that is rotatable between an elevated and lowered position is provided with means for controlling remote electrical devices such as radio, television, room light, nurses' call station, room environment control and intercommunication system. Thus, a variety of remote devices can be operated and controlled by control means that are always immediately accessible and viewable by the occupant of the bed.

Abstract: A hospital bed having a primary frame and a mattress frame supported on casters through a parallelogram linkage and having locking devices for achieving Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg positions.

Abstract: An electrically operable hospital bed having a main frame, an articulated mattress support frame including head and thigh sections movable to various positions of inclination with respect to the main frame, an operating mechanism for elevating the head section, and an automatic contouring mechanism including linkage interposed between the thigh section and main frame selectively actuable to move in response to elevation of said head section to support and progressively elevate the thigh section. The mechanism may be deactivated to permit elevation of the head section without elevation of the thigh section.Manual thigh section elevation means are provided with capabilities for further elevation of the thigh section without affecting the automatic mechanism or for operation of the thigh section independently of movement of the head section.

Abstract: Beds, such as hospital beds, in which at least some portion of the bed is movably actuated by an electric motor (or motors) are provided with a control circuit to determine proper energization of the motor from an AC power source. Since the AC signal from the power source could be harmful to the person selecting a desired direction of travel of the movable portion of the bed, the selecting portion of the control circuit is isolated by appropriate transformers from the power portion that supplies the motor. Bidirectional switching devices, such as triacs, are utilized to convey the power to the motor. Other bidirectional switching devices, such as triacs, are used to gate the power handling triacs through appropriate gating transformers. A phase shifting arrangement is utilized in connection with the gating transformers to provide proper commutation of the power handling triacs.

Abstract: An improved control and locking device for a hospital bed such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 496,212, filed on Aug. 9, 1974. The locking device is utilized to provide a positive lock of the hospital bed in a Trendelenburg or reverse Trendelenburg position and eliminate the capability to manualy or inadvertently remove the bed from such position. As depicted herein, the locking device is a pivotal abutment which normally precludes release of a hook holding the bed in a Trendelenburg position. Yet, when the entire bed is raised by its electric motor, the abutment is automatically withdrawn from its abutting, locking position to permit the bed to lower under electric power.

Abstract: Ground-test device indicating when the connection to ground has become lost and passing no more than about 12 microamperes of current into the ground system. The device also develops an indication when the wiring from the source of a.c. power suffers from reversed polarity or when the common, or neutral, connection floats appreciably above ground. When no abnormality exists, the circuit introduces less than about 0.6 microamperes to ground.

Abstract: Ground-test device operating intermittently for brief periods of time to limit the current entering the ground system. The circuit itself, on the occurrence of a predesignated event in other circuitry, may initiate the tests for ground. The circuit disconnects itself from ground between tests. The device also develops an indication when the wiring from the source of a.c. power suffers from reversed polarity.

Abstract: An adjustable bed allowing the knee portion to automatically rise upon the elevating of the head portion. Alternately, when desired, the knee may remain flat while the head of the bed elevates. The mechanism elevating the knee connects to the structure which effecuates the raising of the head. This mechanism occupies one position when the knee accompanies the head portion in rising and a second position when the knee remains flat. Conveniently, this mechanism consists of a cam connected to the member elevating the head portion. The cam occupies a position where it contacts a cam follower on the knee portion of the bed when the knee rises and a second position where it does not contact the cam follower for the instance where the knee remains flat. These two positions of the cam may have rotational or translational separation from each other.

Abstract: An elevating and Trendelenburg mechanism for a hospital bed providing elevated Trendelenburg positions and positive latching of cooperating members. Two torque tubes pivotally attach to an elevating frame. Lift arms welded to the torque tubes support the frame at various elevations. A motor on the frame produces rotation of a yoke pivotally attached to one of the torque tubes. The yoke abuts a first drive arm rigidly attached to the tube to lift one end of the frame, and a second drive arm pivotally attached to the tube. A rod connects the second drive arm to a pivot plate as a second rod connects the pivot plate to a third drive arm welded to the other torque tube to lift the other end of the bed. When the frame raises to about its maximum height, one of two hooks on the frame may prevent the first or second drive arm from following a receding yoke, with the result that one end of the bed remains elevated while the other lowers.

Abstract: Bed guard rotatable between elevated and lowered positions and slidable from the latter to a position underneath the bed. While elevated, it prevents accidental falling off, and when underneath, it allows facile patient management and movement of the bed through narrow passageways. Where the bed incorporates one or more electric motors to alter its configuration, the guard may additionally or alternatively include the patient controls for the motors.