Abstract: In a slatted bed frame, the slats (1) are carried pairwise at each of their ends by a flexible support (2) comprised of an element (20) in which are inserted the two slats (1) and two symmetrical elbowed branches, constituted by two lower portions (21) and two upper portions (23) articulated to each other by a hinge (27). The lower portions (21) of the support are mounted freely in rotation on the bearings (242) fixed to the rigid frame (5) of the bed frame, each terminating in a toothed wheel portion which engages the toothed wheel portion of the other lower portion of the branch of the support. The supports (2) located at the two ends of the slats (1) of the pair of slats are secured in rotation by two transverse rods (3) connecting the lower portions (21) and providing a resilient return.

Abstract: A wheelchair cushion having a solid gel patient interface, a matrix or honeycomb panel and a foam base. The gel layer is mold around and over the honeycomb panel to produce a composite panel with patient interface characteristics of a gel layer, but with reduced weight. The matrix panel cells are open on the lower ends which are bonded to a soft foam base. The matrix panel interacts with the foam base to spread forces and provide pressure reduction and positioning better than solid gel, but with less weight. The foam base may include several layers of differing density and contouring elements. The composite panel conforms to the base contours to provide a contoured patient interface.

Abstract: A mattress assembly for providing a more restful and supportive nights sleep to a user. The mattress assembly includes a mattress core assembly and a support member that has a generally planar base having an upper surface for supporting the mattress core assembly. The mattress core assembly is positioned on the upper surface of the base.

Abstract: A patient supporting surface for use with a conventional operating room table having at least one pad for supporting a patient, wherein the pad has a chamber for containing a quantity of fluid. The chamber is a dual-layer, urethane envelope having an upper and lower portion. The fluid contained within the chamber is a deformable and pressure compensating, radiolucent fluid. The chamber and the fluid are cooperatively adapted to maintain the patient in a fixed position while substantially minimizing the interface pressure and shear force between the pad and the patient. A cover sheet may be removably attachable about the fluid-filled chambers and comprises an entry for selective access to the fluid-filled chambers.

Abstract: A surgical table includes a base, a vertical support member extending vertically upwardly from the base, a frame extending outwardly from the support member, and a mattress supported by the frame and positioned to lie above the frame. The mattress is configured to support a patient and has at least one bladder configured to receive a medium. The surgical table also includes a power pack positioned to lie within the base and configured to supply the medium to the mattress to change the shape of the mattress.

Abstract: A surface pad apparatus for a surgical table includes a body pad section positioned to lie beneath the torso of the patient and including a pad core and a cover defining an interior region configured to receive the pad core. The pad core includes a thermal pad having a casing defining a channel configured to receive a thermoregulation fluid. The apparatus also includes a leg pad section longitudinally spaced apart from the body pad section and positioned to lie beneath the lower legs and feet of the patient. The leg pad section is coupled to the body pad section and includes a pad core and a cover defining an interior region configured to receive the pad core. The pad core includes a thermal pad having a casing defining a channel configured to receive the thermoregulation fluid. The channel of the thermal pad of the leg pad section is in fluid communication with the channel of the thermal pad of the body pad section so that thermoregulation fluid can pass therebetween.

Abstract: An infant sleeper is provided that has raised wall portions positioned to approximately correspond to the center of mass of the infant so as to provide maximum retention support and security to the infant. The raised wall portions, in combination with a horizontal surface on which the infant rests, secures the infant to the bed. The head can be inclined at an angle so that the head of the infant can be kept slightly above its foot. The portion of the bed that lacks the raised wall portion provides as little obstruction as possible to the head of the infant so as to reduce potential feelings of claustrophobia as well as possible obstructions to breathing such as from blankets. Hence, the present invention combines a secure place for an infant to sleep with a sense of openness and freedom. It is believed that this position allows the infant to rest in a more correct anatomical position so as to ameliorate potential respiratory conditions and especially sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Abstract: A blanket for use beyond the bed is described. The inventive blanket having a pouch at the foot end (10) for a person to place their feet, keeping them covered and thus keeping them warm. As the occupant (8) moves around, pulls or tugs to get comfortable, their feet remain covered. A particularly preferred embodiment comprises a blanket folded at the bottom (4) to create the pouch, stitched (5) on each side of the pouch to secure it, and reinforced stitching on each top corner (7) and also at the top center (6) of the pouch.

Abstract: A new Unitary Body Bedding Foundation for constructing the top deck portion, the end walls and the side walls are all as a single piece. The inventive device includes a top deck member having two spaced apart side walls and two spaced apart end walls on its bottom face. The side walls and the end walls may designed to be detachable from the top deck member. To aid in supporting the top deck member, the unitary body bed foundation may also include a support frame member adjacent the bottom face of the top deck member. The support frame member can be either a lattice support frame member having a plurality of longitudinal and latitudinal intersecting ribs included on the bottom face, or at least one lateral slat extended transversely between the two side walls and the ends of each lateral slat being accepted by a slat brace on each of the side walls.

Abstract: Seat and sling hanger assembly for attachment to a body hoist by which a paraplegic or other debilitated subject may be transported in an erect, near standing posture

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for retaining a bedding article of a bed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a base and a skirt extending from the base that is adapted to be disposed below a structural member. A plurality of first fasteners are attached to the skirt, each first fastener adapted to removably engage with a corresponding one of a plurality of second fasteners attached to the bedding article by adhesive means. A plurality of tabs are attached to sites on the skirt, wherein an end of each tab is free to rotate with respect to the attachment site of the tab. Each first fastener is secured to a corresponding one of the tabs.

Abstract: A system including associated equipment used in combination with a bed for a sick or wounded patient is provided. A separable frame of the bed is adapted to be placed on associated equipment with a patient on it. Said associated equipment includes a wheelchair stand, a toilet stool or a bathtub.

Abstract: An adjustable foam pillow which allows the user to choose the degree of support provided to the user's head and neck regions. Two column or rod shaped lateral neck bolsters are formed from foam having elliptical cross sections. A central bolster is provided which is also formed from foam. The central bolster includes neck-bolster recesses along the front and back wherein said recesses are sized and configured to snugly retain the lateral neck bolsters. The neck-bolsters indentations include gear teeth receptacles and the neck bolsters include gear teeth which mesh with the gear receptacles. A user can reorient the neck bolsters relative to the central bolster by rotating the neck bolsters. The gear arrangement provides a method of registering the position of the bolsters without permanently affixing them. A stretch terry cloth pillow cover fits snugly around the entire pillow thereby holding the three separate components together.

Abstract: A futon frame having side members with guide slots having a vertical riser and a transverse riser and a pair of pad support members movable with respect to the guide slots with one of the pad support members having projections for following in the guide slots and the other pad support member pivotally connected thereto and laterally engageable with the futon frame to normally hold the pad support members in the bed position with the futon frame being convertible to the bed position by first lifting a free end of one of the pad support members and then lowering the free end of one of the pad support members to allow the projections on the pad support member to elevationally follow the guide slots until the pad support members are located in a couch position.

Abstract: A sleeping mattress is disclosed which is particularly adapted for use in sofa beds and has a resilient foam main portion and a peripheral edge portion along the sides, with the edge portions being made of greater density, less compression resilient foam material. The mattress has a covering fitting over said main portion and said peripheral edge portion, with the main portion having a plurality of openings with coil springs located within the openings.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and detaching a panel has a rotating plate rotatively installed in an escutcheon of a car audio. The rotating plate is secured to the escutcheon by fastening the fastened protrusion of the rotating plate with a locking portion installed in an upper side of one side of a rear face of the escutcheon. A detaching portion is secured to one side of the rear face of the rotating plate. A panel is secured to the rotating plate by fastening the rear face of the panel with the detaching portion. When the rotating plate is released from the escutcheon, an elastic portion secured to the lower one side of the rotating plate elastically opens the rotating plate. A speed reducing portion secured between the escutcheon and the rotating plate reduces the rotating speed of the rotating plate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device useable for by a technician to transport a patient to and from a hospital bed. In one embodiment, the device comprises: a support frame comprising a plurality of wheels adapted to roll upon the floor. The device further comprises a patient transfer portion engaged with and extending outward of the support frame and comprising a plurality of belts. The device further comprises a patient transport portion engaged with the support frame and comprising a plurality of belts. The device further comprises a drive wheel engaged with the support frame. The device further comprises a drive mechanism engaged with the support frame. The drive mechanism comprising a manual crank wheel and is adapted such that rotation of the manual crank wheel by the person causes the drive wheel to rotate and to move the support frame in a first direction and at a first velocity and to move the belts of the patient transfer portion and the patient transport portion in a second direction and at a second velocity.

Abstract: A crib bumper assembly is provided. The crib bumper assembly includes a bottom panel to be positioned between the spring and mattress of a crib. The crib bumper assembly further includes head, foot and side panels articulated to and extending upwardly from the bottom panel. Portions of these panels adjacent the bottom panel will lie in abutting face-to-face engagement with the head, foot and side surfaces of the mattress. The head, foot and side panels extend upwardly from the top surface of the mattress and are formed to include padding. Ties or other such attachments are secured to head, foot and side panels for attachment to spindles or other such structures on the crib.

Abstract: A blanket for snugly engaging the body of a baby. The blanket includes a bottom portion having: a head end, a leg end, a torso section lying between the head end and the leg end, and a pair of arms extending from the opposite sides of the torso section. The arms have releasable fasteners for joining the arms together. A top portion covers the leg end and the torso section of the bottom portion when placed in registration therewith. The top portion has a pair of slots for receiving the arms of the bottom portion so that, when the releasable fasteners are joined together, the top and bottom portions may be secured around a baby.

Abstract: A baby crib bumper for use in a baby's crib such that the bumper pad may remain in place while sheets are changed. A plurality of fasteners and a partial sheet are attached to the bumper pad. The fasteners fasten to the rails of the crib which assists in securing the bumper pads. The partial sheet covers the periphery of the mattress which, also, assists in securing the bumper pad.