Abstract: A bed-like apparatus particularly for use at the beach comprising a large rectangular padded section with an integral pillow is herein disclosed. The pillow section can be rolled and secured with fasteners into a large torus-shaped roll allowing a user to lie in a prone position comfortably. The apparatus comprises a water-resistant material affixed to a lower surface and a terrycloth type material along a top surface similar in size to a beach towel, further comprising an integral pocket and a beverage holder. A carrying handle and straps are used for ease of transportation while providing a large water-resistant storage compartment along an external surface for storage of sunscreen, food, books, refreshments, and the like.

Abstract: A dental chair overlay is used for opening a patient's airway. The dental chair overlay has a body support and a head support. The body support has a superior end and dorsal and ventral surfaces. The distance between the dorsal and ventral surfaces define a thickness of the body support. The head support is attached to the superior end of the body support. The head support has dorsal and ventral surfaces. The distance between the dorsal and ventral surfaces define a thickness of the head support. The thickness of the body support is greater than the thickness of the head support, such that the airway of a patient lying on the dental chair overlay is urged open.

Abstract: A roll-in cot (1) having a patient support attached to a wheeled transporter wherein the wheeled transporter comprises leading (3) and trailing (4) collapsible legs having respective proximal ends pivotally connected to a frame (2) and distal ends including swivel castor wheels (18A, 18B) wherein at least the swivel castors (18A) of the leading collapsible legs (3) are operable in either a swivel or lock mode, and wherein the swivel mode is only operable by a castor release mechanism (22) while the cot (1) is in a fully upright position.

Abstract: Expandable frames for lifting bed covers are provided. A representative frame includes: a movable frame segment; and a support frame segment operative to attach the support frame segment to a bed and support the movable frame segment; the movable frame segment being movable with respect to the support frame segment between a contracted position, which corresponds to lowering of bed covers draped across the movable frame segment, and an expanded position, which corresponds to raising of the bed covers.

Abstract: A support surface is configured to support a patient thereon and has a base portion that includes an air cushion layer. The support surface also has a layer of three dimensional engineered material above the base portion. The layer of three dimensional engineered material is configured to permit air passage therethrough. The layer of three dimensional engineered material is made of a material other than foam. A cover is positioned between the layer of three dimensional engineered material and the patient to be supported. Air is forced through the layer of three dimensional engineered material.

Abstract: A playard is movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement. The playard includes a plurality of legs, a plurality of pivot joints connected to the plurality of legs, and a plurality of slider joints engaging the plurality of legs. A plurality of cross members are arranged in pairs extending between the legs, and at least one latch mechanism is operable in a latched condition to maintain a predetermined gap along a leg between one of the slider joints and one of the pivot joints to prevent movement of the playard toward the folded arrangement. A plurality of top rail segments extend between the legs to define an upper periphery of the playard.

Abstract: An ambulance cot comprising generally a variable height support frame which is positionable and maneuverable above a surface by adjustable legs having support wheels and a method of use are disclosed. The support frame has a first portion pivotally coupled to a second portion having loading wheels. With the cot in a lowest position, the loading wheel are configured to rotate about a single axis when engaging the surface and to be positioned above the surface when the second portion is placed in a raised position relative to the first portion. The cot further includes a swivel castor mounted to the first portion between the loading wheels and the support wheels. When the cot is in the lowest position, the swivel castor engages the surface and will rotate about two axes when the second portion is in the raised position and about the same axis as the loading wheels when the second portion is not in the raised position.

Abstract: A multi-purpose bed for permitting a user to comfortably lay face-down during extended time periods may include a mattress with a linear passageway formed between top and bottom surfaces. The passageway may also extend from the center of the mattress to opposed longitudinal sides thereof. A plurality of openings, connected to the passageway, may be formed in the top surface of the mattress. A plurality of pillows may be removably attached to the top of the mattress and positioned along partial perimeters of the openings. A plurality of panels may be situated beneath the openings. A mechanism for independently adapting each of the panels between open and closed positions for permitting and prohibiting free flow of the ambient air through a corresponding one of the openings and the passageway may also be included.

Abstract: A two ply ground cover comprising a top acrylic rug layer and a bottom canvas layer having a strap retainer fastened to the bottom side with straps extending therefrom and a handle fixed therebetween.

Abstract: A support system with repositionable bolsters with a panel of material, which can comprise elastomeric mesh, and bolsters repositionably securable to the panel of material. The panel of material can be retained relative to a bed or other structure or by a frame, which can be foldable. The bolsters, which can be formed with a breathable mesh shell, can be secured to the panel of material by a plurality of extendable and retractable fingers for being received through apertures in the panel of elastomeric material, by at least one expansible structure for being received through the apertures in the panel of elastomeric material and expanded, or by pivotable arms adjustable between generally parallel and non-parallel dispositions. The support system can be used independently or incorporated within a crib, bassinet, car seat, high chair, swing, bouncing seat or support, or any other support structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stretcher having a brake mechanism that can be selectively activated to influence the movement of the stretcher supported by an inclined surface. The brake mechanism of the stretcher progressively increases the amount of friction between the stretcher and the surface of which the stretcher is supported to reduce or stop movements of the stretcher. The stretcher further includes a pulling member influencing the position or the activation of the brake mechanism on the stretcher and high friction means associated with the bottom side of the stretcher. The present invention also provides a size reduction mechanism requesting limited storage space for the stretcher when not in use and a foot restraint to secure the feet of the patient on the stretcher and offer additional volume to carry additional material with the patient. A method for braking a stretcher on an inclined plane is also disclosed.

Abstract: A support cushion that is designed to allow an individual to sit in an upright position for a long period of time and also to serve alternatively as a neck pillow if needed. The cushion is designed to be compact and lightweight and to be easily stored when not in use. The support cushion includes a padded seat, a backing attached to the padded seat, and a tube pillow capable of being removably attached to the backing.

Abstract: A collapsible, fully functional, personal field stretcher is disclosed. The field stretcher is incorporated into, and deployed from, the equipment or clothing worn by critical incident personnel and is designed to be used to carry such personnel when such personnel becomes injured or incapacitated in the line of duty.

Abstract: A mattress retainer bar attachment system is provided that includes a mattress retainer bar adapted to preserve a position of a mattress disposed on top of a mattress support. The mattress retainer bar includes a mattress retaining portion that engages the mattress and two U-shaped end portions for attaching the mattress retainer bar to the mattress support. Each of the U-shaped end portions engage an attachment block, which is secured to the mattress support and which includes a throughway for receiving a free end of the U-shaped end portions of the mattress retainer bar and a stop-surface for limiting the movement of the U-shaped end portion over the attachment block. The attachment blocks are configured such that the mattress retainer bar can be removably attached to the mattress support without using tools.

Abstract: A folding bed frame includes standardized right and left bed frame assemblies that are connectable by central connecting bars to form an adjustable bedboard frame that fits mattresses of differing widths. The bed frame is easy to transport when disassembled into the separate frame assemblies that are each less than half the width of a conventional frame for a double bed. The smaller and standardized frame assemblies reduce manufacturing cost. Foot brackets are pivotally connected to the bottom of the bedboard frame under each bed frame assembly and support the bedboard frame and mattress. Each central connecting bar has U-shaped slots on its ends that clip over the inner side edges of the right and left bed frame assemblies. Each frame assembly has a hinge at its middle axis at which a lower half folds over onto an upper half to allow the assemblies to fit in a packing box.

Abstract: An actuator for beds, slatted beds or chairs of the type accommodating, in a cabinet, two drive units based on a spindle and a spindle nut configured as an adjustment element, cooperating with an arm of a rotary shaft for a backrest section and a legrest section, respectively, in the bed, the mattress support or the chair. The two spindles are rotational interconnected and are driven by a common reversible electric motor. By having just one motor and one transmissions, as well as no switching mechanism between the two spindles, a simple and inexpensive structure is provided.

Abstract: A portable lift cushion to provide aid in lifting a user may include a handle to allow the user to carry the portable lift cushion, a first housing section to house a portion of the portable lift cushion, a second housing section to house personal items of the user, a biasing device to compress within the first housing section when the user sits on the first housing section and expands within the first housing section when the user is no longer sitting on the first housing section. The biasing device may include a flexible support bar, and the flexible support bar may be substantially V shaped. The first housing section may include padding on an exterior surface of the first housing section, and the second housing section may include a sealing device to provide access to the interior of the second housing section. The first housing section may be formed from flexible material, and the flexible support bar may include a spring.

Abstract: A pillow is described which is designed to be used by a sleeping person so as to reduce the pressure on the person's face so that the formation of facial wrinkles is reduced or eliminated. In the first embodiment, the pillow has a layer positioned thereon which enables a person to sleep on his/her right side or left side. In a second embodiment, the layer is designed so as to support a person's head who only sleeps on his/her left side. In yet another embodiment, the layer is designed so as to accommodate a person who only sleeps on his/her right side.

Abstract: A therapeutic mattress system is provided for treating a patient. The mattress system has a mattress having plurality of vertically elongated cells extending from a base layer that are arranged in a row and column grid arrangement. Each cell has a sidewall and a patient support surface extending therefrom, and a cavity defined interior of the sidewall, the patient support surface and the base layer. The elongated cells are further grouped into a first group of cells and a second group of cells such that the cavities of the cells of the first group are fluidly interconnected to define a first group chamber and the cavities of the cells of the second group are fluidly interconnected to define a second group chamber. Further, the chamber of the first group is not fluidly interconnected with the chamber of the second group. Additionally, the cells of the first group alternate with the cells of the second group diagonally across the mattress. Each of the grouping of cells has an inlet port and an exit port.

Abstract: A knee pillow assembly comprises a pillow and a tether assembly. The tether assembly comprises a tether and a waistband. The tether is supported in relation to the pillow at a first end and in relation to the waistband at a second end. The waistband is structured for attachment about a person's waist. The tether is adjustable in relation to the pillow so that the pillow may be positioned in relation to the waistband and between the person's knees to reduce the risk of the knees coming into contact. In accordance with a method of the invention, a waistband is attached to a person's waist by forming a first releasable knot with the waistband. A pillow is attached to the tether in relation to the pillow by forming a second releasable knot between a free end of the tether and a loop supported in relation to the pillow.