Abstract: A cover assembly for a mattress is provided that includes a first cover and a second cover. The first cover includes a top panel, a bottom panel, and a continuous side panel collectively defining a cavity for enclosing the mattress. The second cover includes a top surface and a bottom surface, with the second cover being positioned over and dimensionally-sized to cover at least the top panel of the first cover. A fastener then connects the second cover to the first cover along the perimeter of the second cover. Methods for marking a mattress are also provided that include the step of marking an indicia indicative of a characteristic of a mattress on the top surface of the second cover of the cover assembly.

Abstract: A convertible sofa of the perpendicular-sleeping type, comprising a fixed structure supporting a foldable structure which comprises three articulated panels and a system of actuation of folding/unfolding of the foldable structure between a sofa configuration and a sleeping configuration and vice versa, which comprises at least one motorized actuator comprising a body within which a rod is movable in translation, where the body is mounted on one of either the fixed or foldable structure and the end of the rod is articulated on the other of the fixed or foldable structure, the movement of the rod causing the foldable structure to fold/unfold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the digital bed system is comprised of an array of support cells. Each support cells is capable of communicating with a controller and increasing and decreasing in firmness in response to commands issued by a controller. The support cells are operatively connected to a communication channel that is also connected to a controller. The controller is capable of receiving data from the support cells and is also capable of issuing commands to each of the support cells. The controller is programmed issue commands to increase or decrease the firmness of individual support cells within the support cells.

Abstract: A simple, low cost, easy to clean adaptive furniture set is provided, affording a variety of furniture configurations including a bed, a chair or a shelf storage unit. This modular set is particularly useful for students, low-income families, and transient or refugee populations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating or enhancing a person's breathing. The method provides for supporting the person's shoulders and elevating the person's spine, so as to enable the person's body weight to be distributed in the person's shoulders, expanding the person's chest cavity to enhance oxygen intake. The apparatus is especially adapted to perform the functions of the method.

Abstract: Configurable user interface systems for a patient support structure are disclosed. As described a control interface comprises the capability to allow limited impact on processes deemed important when other applications and programs are run. The configurable user interface systems described herein allow for customized display of information and display options available to a user in various environments.

Abstract: An infant sleep pod providing passive and/or active safety features. The infant sleep pod provides a safe sleeping environment for infants sharing sleep areas with adults. The infant sleep pod provides a firm, flat, separate, portable, and dedicated sleep space for an infant. The infant sleep pod includes a base with a bed and sidewall, and a bridge extending across the bed. The bridge covers a head portion of the bed, while a foot portion of the bed is left open for inserting and removing the infant. The bridge prevents pillows and blankets from covering the bed and infant. The infant sleep pod also includes electronics for monitoring the sleep pod. The electronics include a sensor unit in the bridge and a control unit in communication with the sensor unit. The control unit and sensor unit are operable to detect unsafe conditions and, in response, generate alerts.

Abstract: A kit (100) for constructing a support surface (10) for a sleeping person. The kit (100) comprises: an air-permeable layer (20) having at least one pair of opposing layer-edge portions stretchable at least in the direction between the layer-edge portions (11, 12, 13, 14) to form the support surface; at least one pair of parallel opposing frame sections (30, 32, 34, 36) fixedly disposable at a distance therebetween for forming at least a portion of a frame (15) supporting the support surface; at least a first of said frame sections (30, 32, 34, 36) comprising a layer-edge engaging portion (31, 33, 35, 37) configured for fixedly engaging a corresponding layer-edge portion (11, 12, 13, 14); and a tensioning mechanism configured for moving the layer-edge engaging portion (31, 33, 35, 37) together with the layer-edge portion (11, 12, 13, 14) relative to the opposing frame section (30, 32, 34, 36) to at least partially tension the air-permeable layer (20) between the frame sections (30, 32, 34, 36).

Abstract: The present invention is a folding bed that is embedded into a filing cabinet. The folding bed comprises of three folding sections pivotably connected to each other to be sized to fit vertically into the compartment of the filing cabinet. The folding bed including a pull-push assembly to pull the folding bed out of the cabinet and a rotation system to rotate the folding bed from a vertical position into a horizontal position and reverse. When the door, which looks like a combination of two drawer doors, is opened, the folded bed is easily slid out of the cabinet and rotated to the right or left direction depending on the position of the cabinet proportional to a wall or other obstruction and opens the foldable bed in a horizontal position and retracts the foldable legs to support the bed on the floor.

Abstract: A floor seat providing a pair of sitting-bone supports, a pelvic-floor support extending between the sitting-bone supports at substantially the same level, a coccyx indent behind the pelvic-floor support, a heel indent in front of the pelvic-floor support, and a forward incline, which provide positioning, cushioning, insulation, and the proper amount of supporting pressure or absence of pressure appropriate to the sitting bones, the pelvic floor, and the coccyx, and room for proper placement of the feet, for persons sitting on a floor, particularly though not exclusively in the practice of yoga, and optionally a pubic-bone positioner to aid in positioning and posture, and thigh supports.

Abstract: A modular operating table comprises a support (10) and a base part (20) attached to the support (10), the base part (20) providing a first region of a support surface for a patient's body during surgery, the base part (20) comprising side bars (21) extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support surface in lateral edge regions of the support surface. A seat element (30) is attached to the base part (20), the seat element (30) providing a second region of the support surface, a width of the second region decreasing in a distal direction, symmetric to a central longitudinal axis of the support surface, the seat element (30) having at least two first connection elements for the distal attachment of functional components, the at least two first connection elements being arranged along main axes of the side bars. A first functional component (40.1, 40.2) comprising a generally triangular plate (42.1, 42.2) provides a third region of the support surface. The first functional component (40.1, 40.

Abstract: A ready-to-assemble bed foundation including a pair of exterior beams connectable to a pair of transverse end members having openings, and an interior beam between the exterior beams having opposing end portions configured to engage the openings in the transverse end members. A method of selling a bed, and a method of assembling a bed are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-needle quilting machine is provided with a tape or ribbon guide that is operated by a method by which a narrow strip is fed against a facing layer of a wide multi-layered material as it is fed into the quilting machine. In the quilting machine, series of chain stitches are sewn, at least one of which joins the tape and layers of the multi-layered material together with the same thread in a quilting process, thereby applying the tape to the quilted product in a single quilting operation without the need for a post-quilting tape application step. The tape may form a decorative strip or have unsewn sections that serve as handles for a mattress when the quilted product is formed into a mattress cover.

Abstract: A bed covering product, system and a process of manufacturing such product is disclosed to form a one-piece, multi-panel upper and lower sheet assembly. The lower sheet fits on a mattress in a removable manner and the upper sheet is connected to the lower sheet through expandable flaps of material made from elastic, stretchable material. An expansion flap zipper runs between the sides of the upper and lower sheets so as to close the assembly when it is zipped, whereby the upper sheet is pulled tightly against the lower sheet but when it is opened by unzipping the upper sheet is allowed to move away from the lower sheet to the extent of the expandable flaps of material. Another release zipper is disposed adjacent the expansion flap zipper and interior for allowing laundering the upper and lower sheets separately.

Abstract: A patient support structure includes a pair of independently height-adjustable supports, each connected to a patient support. The supports may be independently raised, lowered, rolled or tilted about a longitudinal axis, laterally shifted and angled upwardly or downwardly. Position sensors are provided to sense all of the foregoing movements. The sensors communicate data to a computer for coordinated adjustment and maintenance of the inboard ends of the patient supports in an approximated position during such movements. A longitudinal translator provides for compensation in the length of the structure when the supports are angled upwardly or downwardly. A patient trunk translator provides coordinated translational movement of the patient's upper body along the respective patient support in a caudad or cephalad direction as the patient supports are angled upwardly or downwardly for maintaining proper spinal biomechanics and avoiding undue spinal traction or compression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for sacral and trochanteric support and off-loading. The system provides a ultra low pressure plenum and a positioner. The patient body size and size and corresponding surface area of the positioner control the amount of gas which is displaced evenly against the walls of the ultra low pressure plenum to allow the combination of the ultra low pressure plenum and the positioner to slightly lift a patient from a bed surface, thereby offloading the sacrum and trochanter.

Abstract: A surgical patient support includes a foundation frame, a support top, and a brake system. The foundation frame includes a first column and a second column. The support top is coupled to the first column and the second column for rotation about a top axis extending along the length of the support top.

Abstract: A sleeping bag has an elongate shell defining a longitudinal axis and an inner volume sized and shaped to receive a user therein. The shell has a pair of fastener-less arm ports. Each of the arm ports is selectively moveable from a closed port position to an opened port position. Each of the ports has an inner panel and an outer panel. The inner panel is positioned in overlapping face-to-face engagement with the outer panel in the closed port position such that the inner and outer panels are generally in the same plane as the overlying portion. The outer panel is spaced from the inner panel in the opened port position to define a passage for allowing the user to extend their arm through the respective port.

Abstract: Surgical table and system for positioning, or lifting, a patient for purposes of generally performing a medical procedure on a posterior-portion of the patent (such as spinal surgery). The surgical table and system comprise a patient support system, a patient-positioning system and a base. In one embodiment, the patient-positioning system is configured to lift the head or foot end of the patient independently from each other, such as in Trendelenburg or reverse-Trendelenburg positions, and is also configured to angle the patient laterally. In another embodiment, the patient support is configured with an electrically-powered track and/or rail system that extends the patient support assembly away from the base, whereby the extension of the patient support forms a cantilevered support.

Abstract: A panel including a portion of material having a top surface and a bottom surface; and a plurality of drain apertures formed through the panel at spaced apart locations, wherein the drain apertures provide determined locations for a flow of fluid between the top surface and the bottom surface of the panel, wherein each of the drain apertures defines a resiliently deformable projection that extends into the drain aperture.