Abstract: A wheelchair frame has first and second side frames, a slider housing, and a slider member mounted for movement relative to the slider housing. Links connect the slider housing to both the first and second side frames, and links connect the slider member to both the first and second side frames. Movement of the slider member relative to the slider housing actuates the links to change the spacing between the first and second side frames, thereby opening and closing the wheelchair frame.

Abstract: A pivot joint comprises a receiver supported relative to a first member. The receiver is provided for receiving a second member. The receiver is partially cylindrical. A retainer is adapted to be supported relative to the first member to trap the second member in the receiver. The retainer has an arcuate shaped portion that is adapted to engage the second member. Moreover, the retainer has a resilient portion that is adapted to conform to a portion of the second member.

Abstract: A wheelchair seat suspension comprises at least one substantially horizontally, disposed elongate spring. The spring is adapted to be supported by the wheelchair frame. At least a portion of the spring is adapted to support at least a portion of the seat.

Abstract: A wheel lock for a wheelchair, where the wheelchair has a rear drive wheel, includes a housing adapted to be mounted on the wheelchair. The housing has two pivot points spaced apart in a forward/rearward direction. A wheel contact arm has a pivot shaft pivotally mounted about one of the pivot points. The wheel contact arm has a wheel engagement edge adapted to contact the rear drive wheel. The wheel lock also includes an actuation lever pivotally mounted about the other of the pivot points, and a linkage connecting the wheel contact arm and the actuation lever. The housing, the pivot shaft, the actuation lever and the linkage form a four bar linkage. Pivoting of the actuation lever causes pivoting of the wheel contact arm to engage the wheel contact edge with the rear drive wheel.

Abstract: A side rail comprises a main body and a pair of lever arms. A first lever arm has an upper end movably supported relative to the main body by an upper pivot pin and a lower end movably attached to the bed by a lower pivot pin. A second lever arm has an upper end movably supported relative to the main body by an upper pivot pin and a lower end movably attached to the bed by a lower pivot pin. The pivot pins are arranged so that the pivot pins do not come into linear alignment with one another during movement of the lever arms.

Abstract: A axle mounting plate comprises a main body portion. A first coupling extends from the main body portion. A second coupling extends from the main body portion. The first and second couplings each defines a generally C-shaped saddle. The saddles are generally at 90 degrees relative to one another. An axial sleeve is provided through the main body portion.

Abstract: A footrest assembly is comprised of an extension tube and a mounting assembly for mounting the extension tube to a wheelchair frame. The mounting assembly comprises means for pivotally mounting an upper end of the extension tube to the wheelchair frame. A support bracket extends from the extension tube. Coupling means is provided for releasably coupling the support bracket relative to the wheelchair frame in a first position. The coupling means includes means for enabling the support bracket to selectively rotate to a second position beside the wheelchair frame and to a third position beneath the wheelchair seat.

Abstract: A bushing comprising a main body that is adapted to be supported by the first member. The main body is comprised of a rigid layer and one or more other layers supported by the rigid layer. One of the layers defines an axial bore that is adapted to receive a pin that movably couples the second member to the first member.

Abstract: An articulated bed comprises a main frame supported by a leg tube. An upper portion of the leg tube is longitudinally and pivotally displaceable relative to the main frame at an upper movable pivot point. A lower portion of a stabilizer is connected to a lower intermediate portion of the leg tube at a lower orbital pivot point. An upper portion of the stabilizer is pivotally connected relative to said main frame at an upper fixed pivot point. A wheel is pivotally attached to a lower portion of the leg tube at a pivot axis. The upper movable pivot point, the lower orbital pivot point, and the pivot axis do not coalign and the distance between the upper fixed pivot point and the upper movable pivot point are maximized when the main frame is in a raised position.

Abstract: A freeze-resistant fluid composition has the capacity to deform in response to continuously applied pressure and has the ability to maintain its shape and position in the absence of continuously applied pressure. The composition contains a freeze point depressant effective to make the composition resistant to freezing as measured by a penetrometer measurement of at least 13 millimeters at 25° F. (−4° C.). In another embodiment, the composition comprises a fluid mixture of a relatively saturated oil, a relatively unsaturated oil, a block copolymer, and a freeze point depressant. In another embodiment, the composition comprises a fluid mixture of 20%-70% of a relatively saturated oil, 20%-70% of a relatively unsaturated oil, and 0.3%/-10% of a block copolymer.

Abstract: A wheelchair has a seat frame, legrests pivotally mounted for elevation with respect to the seat frame, and an elevation mechanism. The elevation mechanism includes a latch link having a legrest end attached to the legrest, and a pivot end. Also included is a pivot link having a frame end pivotally connected to the seat frame, and having a latch link end pivotally connected to the pivot end of the latch link., The latch link end of the pivot link and the pivot end of the latch link are pivotally connected through a latch pin. An actuator having a piston movable in forward and rearward directions with respect to the seat frame is provided to pivot the legrests relative to the seat frame, the piston having a forward end that is connected to one of the latch pin, the latch link, and the pivot link.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a medical oxygen concentrator for supplying oxygen enriched air to a patient and to a cylinder filler. The apparatus includes a flow control valve which is controlled by a control circuit to deliver doses of oxygen enriched air to a patient during at least a portion of the patient's inhalation and to deliver oxygen enriched air to a circuit for filling a portable oxygen cylinder during the remainder of the time. In the event of a failure of the control circuit, the flow control valve delivers a continuous flow of oxygen enriched air to the patient. In the event of a failure of the oxygen concentrator, oxygen enriched air stored in the oxygen cylinder may be delivered to the patient.

Abstract: A nasal mask for use in respiratory therapy is provided with one or more vent ports which are adjustable for directing vented air in a direction which is most comfortable to the patient. By providing adjustable vent ports, the patient can adjust the direction of the vented air to a position that best accommodates the patient. Each vent port can be in the form of a passage in a member which is mounted to rotate in an opening through the mask. The member may be rotated in the opening to change the direction of air flowing through the passage or passages. The member may be designed to rotate about a fixed axis relative to the mask, or it may be spherical and designed to rotate in any direction. Preferably, a knob or tab is provided for grasping to facilitate manually adjusting the vent port orientation.

Abstract: A wheelchair has a base and further comprises a seat frame mounted for tilting with respect to the base, and a seat frame tilting mechanism for rotating the seat frame with respect to the base. A back frame is mounted for reclining with respect to the base, and a back frame recline mechanism is positioned for rotating the back frame with respect to the base. A controller is provided for separately controlling the seat frame tilting mechanism and back frame recline mechanism so that the seat frame and the back frame can be rotated independently.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator for supplying supplemental oxygen to a patient. The oxygen concentrator is adapted to supply supplemental oxygen directly to the patient and/or to a cylinder filler which is controlled to automatically fill a portable oxygen cylinder for use by an ambulatory patient. The cylinder filler is controlled to check the initial gas pressure in the cylinder prior to filling. If the initial cylinder pressure is below a preset minimum pressure, the cylinder filler will not fill the cylinder so that an empty cylinder which may be contaminated cannot be filled.

Abstract: A linkage for an articulating bed comprises a first latch arm which extends from the knee section of an articulating bed. A latch bar is connected between the first latch arm and the back section of the articulating bed. The latch bar is displaceable between a first position and a second position. The latch arm is engageable with the latch bar when the latch bar is in the first position to maintain movement of the back section independent relative to the knee section. The latch arm is engageable with the latch bar when the latch bar is in the second position to interconnect the back section and the knee section.

Abstract: A resilient anti-tip wheel suspension includes a wheel coupled to a first mounting bracket. A second mounting bracket is adapted to be rigidly mounted to a wheelchair. Upper and lower bars each have front and rear ends that are pivotally connected to the second mounting bracket and the first mounting bracket, respectively, so as to form a parallelogram configuration.

Abstract: A seat mounting assembly permits the elevation of a wheelchair seat frame to be adjusted without varying the longitudinal relationship between the seat frame and the base frame of the wheelchair. The seat mounting assembly includes an adjustable link. The link has a first end and a second end. The first end is adapted to be connected to the wheelchair base frame. The second end is adapted to be connected to the wheelchair seat frame. One of the ends is longitudinally displaceable while the other end is vertically displaceable so that the longitudinal position of the seat frame with respect to the base frame remains constant upon adjusting the link.