Abstract: A piece of furniture adapted to support a person in a reclining position includes a base and a mattress support that may be tilted on the base about an axis near the head end of the support. The position of the foot end and the resulting inclination of the supporting surface may be varied by means of a spacer arrangement which includes two hangers pivotally suspended from the mattress support near the foot end. One or two spacer members are secured to the free, lower end portions of the hangers for angular movement about a horizontally extending axis. Stops keep the center of gravity of the spacer or spacers above the last-mentioned axis and limit its angular movement. A friction brake prevents gravity from affecting the angular position of the spacer on the hanger or hangers.

Abstract: A fluid mattress is formed by a top sheet, a bottom sheet, and a gusset panel extending between the peripheral edges of the sheets. The mattress has square corners resulting from a preferred method of construction wherein a die is provided with a curved surface having a radius R1. Material to be joined in the corner of the mattress is provided with a radius of curvature R2 which is dependent upon the radius R1. In a preferred method step, the centers of curvature of the radii R1 and R2 are aligned and the material is folded in a manner to minimize the excess of material and the resulting flow of material during the formation of a heat seal.

Abstract: A stretcher supporting structure for use in an airplane, including an elongated stretcher supporting frame adapted to be positioned generally horizontally in the airplane, two leg assemblies connected to the frame adjacent the respective ends thereof, means for connecting the leg assemblies to the floor of the airplane, two straps connected to the frame on opposite sides thereof adjacent each leg assembly, and means for anchoring the other ends of the straps to the airplane with the straps oriented diagonally downwardly to brace the frame and its supporting leg assemblies. The stretcher supporting structure may be installed in the airplane in the space normally occupied by one or two of the seats with which the airplane is equipped, or it may be installed in a similar space with the corresponding seat back or backs folded downwardly and with the stretcher supporting frame located above such seat backs.

Abstract: The combination with a spring assembly of pairs of structures designed to be applied transversely to the top and bottom supporting surfaces at one or more longitudinally spaced intervals to enhance the resistance to sinking of the supporting surfaces, bowing at the longitudinal sides and collapse between the surfaces at the longitudinal sides comprising pairs of elongate parts which extend transversely across the assembly at the top and bottom sides from one longitudinal side to the other, said parts being transversely inextensible and resistant to flexing and at one end thereof a polygonal structure disposed between the border wires in the plane of the sides, two sides of which, the top and bottom, are parallel to the border wires and the other two sides of which embody oppositely disposed spring arms.

Abstract: A unitary accessory control for a waterbed fixed to the waterbed frame. Within the unitary accessory control are such accessories as a pump for filling (emptying) the waterbed, a heater, a vibrator, a sound system and a mechanism to control the environment of the room in which the waterbed is located. The user can thus regulate to his taste, the temperature and degree of motion of his sleep surface, and even change these variables at will. Additionally, he may create a total surrounding environment completely of his own choosing as to sound and/or room lighting and temperature without moving from his sleep surface.

Abstract: A preformed grid of perpendicularly intersecting wires equally or unequally spaced apart and welded together or part of such grid such as a pair of parallel wires and a binding cross wire, are tightly joined together as well as to the top turn or ring of a coil spring by an inverted U-shaped wire clip detached and fed preferably automatically from a cemented group of such clips much like conventional staples. An upper grid wire is arranged to span the ring diametrically while a pair of lower wires parallel to each other are arranged as respective opposed chords of the ring each spaced inwardly at its weld from the adjacent perimeter of the ring just enough to permit the insertion of a clip leg or legs at an inward and downward slant into the space between the perimeter of the ring and the chord portion of the other wire while straddling the spanning wire.

Abstract: An improved variable contour cushion operating system comprising an imperforate flexible casement containing myriad amounts of tiny spherical plastic micro-bearings which displace in response to an occupants body weight during an equalized atmospheric-pressure mode of use, but respond enmasse to an induced low-pressure air differential condition by fixing to an instant position through virtue of said micro-bearings deforming temporarily into inter-joining polyhedrons; wherein said casement in this new disclosure is additionally subjected to a "floative"-mode of operation involving positive air-pressure greater than former ambient-atmosphere, thus achieving an enhanced cradling effect in the "contour"-mode for greater comfort & security to the occupant.

Abstract: A foam foundation unit for bedding in which a foam layer is supported on a wire grid that is fixed to the top side of the wooden base frame.

Abstract: An improved single cone coil spring and an improved box spring assembly made from the improved single cone coil springs. The box spring assembly comprises a base frame, a series of the improved small diameter single cone coil springs and a welded wire grid, the coil springs being connected at their bottom ends to the base frame and connected at their top ends to the welded wire grid. The coil springs are established in a plurality of rows and columns throughout the box spring assembly, at least one transverse wire and at least one longitudinal wire of the wire grid span all coil springs within each row and column, respectively. Further, a supplemental transverse wire is positioned between adjacent coil spring rows, and is of a length equal to at least one of the coil springs' transverse wires adjacent thereto. All crossover points of all the grid's transverse and longitudinal wires are welded to establish the welded wire grid.

Abstract: A multi-tray basket that includes a plurality of trays, and a one-piece basket frame comprised of opposed side walls connected together by a floor. The trays each include downwardly depending lips adapted to seat on shelf rails molded integral with the basket's side walls. Each tray's lips cooperate with front and rear stops on each shelf rail to prevent forward/rearward motion of the tray on the rail once the tray is seated thereon. Each tray's lips also cooperate with lateral stops on the upper shelf rails to prevent lateral spreading of the side walls where the basket is loaded. Each side wall includes a stacking rib along the top edge thereof, and includes a stacking rail along the bottom edge thereof. A first basket's stacking ribs are adapted to interfit with a second basket's stacking rails so that successive baskets may be stacked and retained one on top the other by the interfit of the stacking ribs and the stacking rails.

Abstract: A modular base for a waterbed or the like is provided wherein the base is formed of a plurality of discreet segments, preferably six, which may serve not only to support the waterbed but also for storage. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the modular elements are made of thin plywood which are set into a dadoed frame, greatly decreasing the cost and weight of the unit.

Abstract: The invention is a new hospital bed having a lower frame or dolly, an upper frame or mattress support, and a middle frame comprising two longitudinal beams, a head end, a foot end and a central section. The head end is formed by a single "U" shaped tube which joins the beams, holds a head board, supports the side rails, and provides recesses for IV tube support rods; the foot end is formed by a single channel having similar and additional functions as the head end; and the central section of the middle frame includes a pair of wing-like plates which form a part of and provide the principal support for the upper frame. The total number of components of the bed is substantially reduced by the design of these components to serve multiple functions, which conserves material, reduces expense, and allows for easier repair and adjustment.

Abstract: A convertible sofa-bed unit in which the back is moved from a substantially vertical position along the rear of the seat section to a horizontal position along the forward edge of the seat, and substantially on a plane therewith. The back is held in the two positions by a mechanism at each end, each consisting of two arms connected to the ends of the seat section and the back section which cause the back section to rotate to place the surface facing forward in the sofa position to the upwardly facing arrangement in the bed position. A support member is provided at each end of the seat section near the forward edge thereof for engagement by one arm at each end, capable of fully supporting the back in the bed position so that no legs are required for use of the unit as a double bed.

Abstract: A bed comprising a frame, a mattress supported on the frame, and at the head of the bed a closure or chamber composed of two shell portions, to wit, a fixed lower portion fixed to the frame and a movable portion movable between an open position where it is retracted on the fixed portion and provides free access to the head of the bed and a closed position in which it leaves only a small opening towards the foot of the bed. Each shell portion of the chamber is constituted by a rigid frame covered with a sound insulating material and a sound absorbing material. The movable portion is itself constituted by two parts articulated to one another and to the fixed portion around a common horizontal transverse axis. One part of the movable portion is transparent and capable of being retracted into the other part which is opaque.

Abstract: A filling material for pillows, cushions and upholstery or the like is cut from a soft plastic foam material in the shape of a plurality of short four-sided rods, each having a body of polygonal shape. The bodies are each cut in such a manner that all side surfaces form surfaces of cut to reduce lumping and tearing of the bodies. Each body is formed with its height smaller than its breadth and its length in the range of one and a half times to five times the breadth, which breadth does not exceed a value of 10 mm. The bodies are each further cut to be rhomboidal in at least transverse cross section to provide surfaces joined at edges to form acute angles so as to enhance resilient properties thereof.

Abstract: An improved mattress innerspring unit is provided which includes a plurality of rows of coil springs and a plurality of cross helicals which extend transversely of the rows of coil springs, lacing together adjacent terminal convolutions of the coil springs, wherein a welding means is provided to eliminate the tendency of the cross helicals to spin-out of the unit. Also provided is a method of constructing an innerspring unit which includes welding an end revolution of a cross helical to another component of the unit or to an adjacent cross helical revolution.

Abstract: A rack mountable on a wall, the rack having compartments formed on its front side, the compartments being of different sizes so that each is suitable for containing a particular size of dry cell batteries that are stored therein. This rack can also be placed on a shelf, counter or refrigerator top.

Abstract: A rail cap for a water bed frame rail comprising a generally U-shaped foam structure with a passageway at the open end of the U, to receive the rail and a pressure inhibiting member associated therewith to retain the cap on the rail.

Abstract: .[.A means for filing documents which is particularly adapted for open filing of various file folders, as for example legal size file folders, and wherein the folders are suspended on horizontal rails and freely slidable longitudinally of the rails, the files suspended below the rails being closely adjacent lower surfaces of a plurality of superimposed files and bars support the file folders on the rails slidably longitudinally thereof, the bars being provided with notches or bearings in their lower edges near their opposite ends so that the file folders, together with the bar, may be placed into a position between superimposed files, as for example, by placing one end of the bar underneath a first rail and then lifting the bar up at its far end and lowering it onto a second rail to engage a respective notch with the rail.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in assembling hot and cold food portions onto moving trays. The apparatus includes a generally rectangular cabinet section which may be mounted on casters for portability. The top surface of the cabinet is provided with a plurality of hot food wells and frost plates adjacent each of its longitudinally extending sides. Mounted centrally on the top of the cabinet and extending upwardly therefrom is a tray conveyer assembly. Food trays carried by continuously rotating tray carriers mounted on the conveyer assembly pass in front of attendants who place the required portions of hot and/or cold food upon the trays.