Abstract: A water mattress construction for a water bed having a foam assembly forming a cavity for surrounding and supporting a water-filled bladder. The foam assembly is formed of several layers of foam having different densities to provide strong support for the water bladder and prevent bulging. There are layers of low-density foam on the top and bottom of the foam assembly and a center core or frame of a medium density enclosing the cavity and bladder installed therein. The entire foam structure and bladder retain their shape by being bound on the sides and bottom by a high-strength, non-stretchable, non-woven fabric bonded securely to the foam assembly. The foam and bladder assembly is then covered with a low-density foam having a high recovery factor. The entire structure is then covered with a heavy-duty material and ticking which is quilted and has the appearance of a conventional mattress.

Abstract: A water mattress construction which includes an interior perimetrical air chamber comprises three similar web portions of polyvinyl material or the like. The mattress is formed by first securing an air valve through the top sheet near the edge thereof. A first seam, which is spaced inwardly from the perimeter of the sheets, is then made to join the upper and medial web portions. A water valve is then secured through the upper and medial web portions, and is secured within the confines of the first seam. A second, perimetrical seam is then made to join the outer edges of all three web portions. The chamber defined by the upper and medial web portions and the two seams is filled with air, and the chamber defined by the medial and lower web portions is filled with water. Further seams may be made to join the upper and medial web portions forming medial chambers extending longitudinally in the mattress.

Abstract: A patient restraining rail system for a bed, stretcher, or the like which includes a rail pivotally connected to a vertically adjustable rail support.

Abstract: A multi-sided playpen having a frame structure comprising upper corner hinge brackets pivotally interconnected by a plurality of substantially centrally hinged railings with a plurality of X-shaped structures, pivoted substantially at their center points interconnecting the upper corner hinge brackets to a like number of lower corner hinge brackets so that the entire structure is collapsable. A releasable locking means is connected between each of X-shaped structures and said centrally hinged railings, and a flexible liner is supported within the playpen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable bed support pedestal. The pedestal includes at least two longitudinal, substantially vertical planar support members which have a length substantially equal to the length of the bed to be supported. The longitudinal support members are arranged in spaced, parallel relationship with one another within the perimeter of the bed to be supported. Each of the longitudinal support members has at least two vertically extending slots extending partially therethrough in spaced parallel relationship.The support pedestal includes at least two transverse, substantially vertical planar support members extending outwardly at substantially right angles to a longitudinal support member from an inside end inside the longitudinal support member to an outside end at the perimeter of the bed to be supported. The transverse support members are arranged in spaced, parallel relationship with one another.

Abstract: A restraint package has a plurality of elongate bands comprising a base member and an overlying cover member interconnected to form an envelope for containing the restraint in a predetermined configuration. The cover has openable portions which when opened expose at least the ends of the bands facilitating the removal from the envelope.

Abstract: A drawer having longitudinal tracks formed in the opposite side walls thereof and a pair of guide members mounted at the rear corners of the drawer and movable between retracted positions in which the guide members are clear of the rear ends of the associated tracks and operative positions in which the guide members extend across the ends of the respective tracks, the guide members being adapted to engage with respective drawer runners mounted in a supporting structure in which the drawer is supported in use to support and guide the rear end of the drawer on the runners.

Abstract: A composite water bed mattress construction having a thickness similar to conventional mattresses and having a peripheral restraining member to provide a lateral support in all directions with a foam member interposed between said restraining member and a flexible bladder for holding a body of water is disclosed. Construction generally includes an intermediate foam restraining member or members having a height of at least as great as the bladder when said bladder is filled with water. Also, a foam cushion is superposed upon the peripheral restaining member and generally overlying the intermediate foam member to provide an outer peripheral surface for the mattress which is comfortable to sit upon.

Abstract: A mattress of resilient foam has a separate cover formed from a chemically/physico-chemically porous material to transmit water/vapor on the outer side of the surface, due to differential water vapor pressure to within the mattress from which it can disperse.

Abstract: A portable, adjustable backrest for use primarily on a bed, sofa or the like which takes the form of a backrest panel which is hingedly connected to a base which is to be placed upon the bed, sofa or the like. The backrest panel is to be adjustable with respect to the base in various inclined positions. The adjustments of the backrest panel is provided through a crank arm assembly which operates through a disc assembly which in turn rolls upon a thin flexible strap assembly. An arm assembly is attached to the disc assembly which is to pivot with the disc assembly. The outer end of the arm assembly is to be in contact with the backside of the backrest panel. The pivoting of the arm assembly to different positions results in locating of the backrest panel to various inclined positions with respect to the base.

Abstract: A casualty transport system which provides substantially complete splinting, thermal protection and buoyancy for a patient transported by land, sea or air. The system is particularly suited for ship-to-shore, ship-to-ship or ship-to-helicopter transfers and for mountain rescue. The patient is placed in a glass reinforced plastic body shell having a removable lid which covers all but the head. The body shell is provided with a foam plastic lining premoulded to a 75 percentile man and close splinting, if required, can be achieved by a cast-in-place technique. Lifting handles and lugs and towing eyes are provided on the exterior of the body shell to facilitate lifting and handling.

Abstract: A bed for use in hospitals, and the like, wherein a patient may be moved to a sitting position, with the head portion of the bed raised and the foot portion of the bed lowered, the bed being in three sections and pivotal to permit the foot section to be swung outwardly so that the feet of the patient may be lowered to a natural sitting position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repositioning a patient in a hospital bed after he has slid down towards the foot end of the bed. The apparatus is easily transported and used by a single nurse or attendant. The apparatus consists of two elongated rigid members, one being used to provide a fulcrum and the other being used as a lever.

Abstract: An improved mattress foundation particularly suited for use with foam mattresses to provide proper support for the mattress and to duplicate the feel of box springs. The mattress foundation utilizes an upper and lower frame assembly separated by a flexible, resilient material, which may be in the form of blocks, strips or slabs of flexible, resilient material, with the upper frame assembly preferably being somewhat flexible so as to be capable of deforming from its normal planar condition when subjected to more concentrated loads. The material separating the upper and lower frame assemblies are selected to have a resilience which will support the weight of one or two persons while distributed over the mattress foundation without substantial deflection, but which will deflect significantly when subjected to an individual's weight in more concentrated form, such as occurs when an individual sits on the edge of a bed or is getting into or out of the bed.

Abstract: A mattress elevating device is composed of components easily and quickly assembled and disassembled without the use of tools, the components being suitably sized for packing and transporting in a suitcase. The components comprise a pair of panel members releasably secured together to form a substantially flat mattress supporting surface and elevating means releasably mounted on the bottom of one of said members for holding the panels in an upwardly inclined raised position. The panel members are substantially rectangular in shape and of the same size and are arranged with adjacent edge portions thereof in overlapping relationship. Bolts and wing nuts are used to releasably secure the panel members together and a cross member is attached to the bottom of the top panel member and forms therewith an elongated groove for receiving the underlying edge of the other panel member and preventing movement thereof away from the bottom of the top panel member.

Abstract: A body positioner for turning and holding a person lying on a bed with the body positioner comprising a shaped body sheet having members extending therefrom for engaging the side rails of a bed. The members including dual fastening means for preventing the patient from accidentally releasing the body positioner.

Abstract: A mattress having increased firmness in a preselected area on both sides of the mattress through use of a welded wire grid structure attached to the opposite sides of the mattress. In one preferred form, the increased firmness is provided only in a preselected area, e.g., the center one-third area of the mattress, by a welded wire grid while in another preferred embodiment, the grid wires extend over the complete area of the mattress. The wire grids are preformed and assembled as a separate subassembly and are attached to the preassembled spring core by conventional connectors, as for example, conventional hog rings.

Abstract: A waterbed frame including a support structure for supporting a water mattress, a support ledge for supporting a user while the user is getting into or out of the waterbed, and a transition member to help the user transfer from the support ledge to the water mattress and back is disclosed. In one arrangement, the transition member is a rigid leaf member pivotally connected to the support structure at the water mattress edge of the support ledge so that when a user moves from the support ledge to the leaf member, the leaf member lowers the user onto the water mattress, spreading the user's weight over the water mattress for the entire length of the leaf member. In one arrangement, the waterbed frame can be converted into an exercise table. In an arrangement especially suited for persons confined to wheelchairs, the support ledge and the top of the water mattress are at substantially the same height as the cushion on a standard height wheelchair, making transfer from a wheelchair to the waterbed frame easier.

Abstract: A folding bunk bed unit comprises a top frame movable between a lower, folded position and an upper, unfolded position; a bottom frame; a plurality of struts each having a free upper end and a lower end pivotably attached to the bottom frame, said struts extending between the top and bottom frames when the top frame is in the unfolded position; and a plurality of link means interconnecting the top frame and the struts, said link means forming gussets for the unit in the unfolded position. Also disclosed is a method for elevating or lowering the unit.

Abstract: A lounge having an angularly adjustable main forward section and a plurality of side-by-side longitudinal rearwardly extending additional sections adjustably pivotally connected to the main forward section, each longitudinal section consisting of a plurality of independently angularly adjustable articulated segments. Manually controlled means are provided for locking the main forward section and the longitudinal sections and articulated segments in adjusted positions to provide a selected desired surface contour, for example, to facilitate achievement of desired positions in the performance of sexual acts.