Abstract: An inflatable body comprising an airtight envelope enclosing a core of batting material having tensile elements extending from an upper to lower surface thereof and having the upper and lower surfaces thereof bonded to the envelope. The process of making the body comprises first laying down two sheets of air impervious film with the core positioned therebetween. The tensile elements are bonded to the sheets. Simultaneously or separately from bonding to the core, the edges of the sheets are sealed together and a valve assembly is bonded between or inserted in one of the sheets to allow control of the air volume and pressure within the assembly.

Abstract: A sleeping bag having a zip fastener of the zipper or slide fastener type extending from the foot end up to the head end thereof. More specifically, the sleeping bags may be of practically any kind of design; however, especially down-filled sleeping bags which are of conventional rectangular shape as well as of the so-called mummy configuration. The zip fastener extends continually from the foot end to the head end of the sleeping bag runs between the foot end and the head end of the sleeping bag in a generally S-shaped or curvilinear path. Preferably, the zip fastener extends along the side of the bag in the region of the foot end, and in the region of the head end is formed as a central zip fastener located on the chest side of a user.

Abstract: A load bearing scaffold adapted to disperse load forces to interior room surfaces. The load bearing scaffold includes a pair of generally parallel telescopically adjustable horizontal beams. The horizontal beams are supported on at least one end by at least one pair of generally parallel vertical beams. The vertical beams are interconnected in spaced apart relation by at least one cross bar. The scaffold is assembled so that the vertical beams and cross bar abut against one wall while the horizontal beams abut against the ceiling and opposite wall. Articles may be supported by being suspended from the vertical beams or horizontal beams of the scaffold.

Abstract: A security mailbox including an upper compartment for conventional and a lower compartment for secured deposit of mail. An interior partition includes a rear portion movable about a hinged connection to a fixed, front portion between a horizontal position, wherein the partition substantially entirely separates the upper and lower compartments, and a lowered position, wherein the movable portion extends into the lower compartment and permits mail deposited in conventionl fashion in the upper compartment to fall into the lower compartment from which it may be removed only by authorized persons through a normally locked door. the apparatus is characterized by the absence of any structure inside the housing which could interfere with normal deposit of mail, and by a lockable support permitting movement of the portion of the partition from its lowered to its horizontal position only by authorized persons.

Abstract: An improved patient transfer sheet device includes a thin first sheet, having a low coefficient of friction for contacting inner surfaces thereof and substantially higher coefficients of friction for other surfaces contacting the first sheet, and a thin second sheet, fixedly connected to the first sheet. The device has a plurality of corner cuffs for releasably securing the device to a first supporting structure. A perforation, medially spaced lengthwise of a patient lying on the device, penetrates the first and second sheets such that the device can be divided and removed from under the patient without rolling or lifting the patient. A first modified transfer device provides a thin band having additional lengthwise perforations such that the device can be placed such that a patient can be transferred sidewise in a pre-selected direction and, subsequently, be transferred in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A trash receptacle tray support configured and capable of supporting a tray for use in emptying contents of a tray into a trash receptacle. A tray support having a hinged attachment for pivoting a supported tray toward a trash receptacle so that trash is directed into a trash receptacle. A method of emptying trash into a trash receptacle from a tray by use of a pivoting trash receptacle tray support with directing means for guiding trash into a trash receptacle.

Abstract: A convertible bed assembly for providing a crib, toddler bed, or twin bed arrangement and alternatively a pair of twin or bunk beds. A pair of headboard and footboard assemblies each have separable upper and lower sections mounted together through coupling hardware to provide a crib assembly having one stationary crib side rail and one drop side rail. Motifs are releasably coupled to the top of the headboard and footboard assemblies through hardware. Any one of a variety of different motifs may be mounted upon the headboard and footboard assemblies. The crib is converted into a toddler bed by removing the lower sections of the headboard and footboard assemblies and replacing the fixed and drop sides of the crib with toddler safety rails joined to the upper sections and which are preferably stored beneath the crib posture board to provide convenient access at the time of conversion. The drop side and fixed side hardware is utilized in a unique fashion to mount each of the toddler safety rails.

Abstract: Sleeping bags and bed covers are provided with selectively designed heat retention comfort zones so as to provide variable degrees of warmth along the length of a user. The covers provide light insulation between a user's hips and shoulders, medium insulation between the hips and knees, and heavy insulation between the knees and feet. In an alternative embodiment, an inflatable body form may be provided to give the appearance of someone sleeping beneath the cover to provide greater security from intruders.

Abstract: A therapeutic, portable bed includes an electric water heating system attached to and disposed within a base member of the bed, a hollow headboard which functions as a water tank, a serpentine configured water pipe extending through a concrete plate of the base member, and a cotton pad member containing mugwort herb, disposed on a laminated paper cover on the concrete plate, whereby the bed can be easily moved and a vapor from the cotton pad can warm and treat the human body lying on the bed.

Abstract: A plurality of foundation sections are interlocked with releasable latch devices to form a mattress support. The foundation sections include two center sections that are shorter than end sections to enable the center sections to be packed within the end sections. Side members can be releasably connected to the center sections to complete the foundation. The foundation sections can be stacked and placed within a container having a size within the shipping limits of the United Parcel Service.

Abstract: A mailbox post is arranged for enhanced illumination visibility, including a central cavity housing an elongate bulb member longitudinally aligned relative to the housing positioned rearwardly of spaced transparent windows configured to direct a message. A photo-cell is mounted exteriorly of the post to effect actuation of the bulb.

Abstract: A bath pillow for use as a head rest within a bathtub has an outer casing enclosing a resilient plastic foam filler. The casing includes a front covering and a rear covering secured together at respective peripheral edges corresponding to the peripheral configuration of the pillow. A sheet of film is disposed between the front and rear coverings and secured to the peripheral edges thereof. A resilient suction cup is secured to the sheet of film and projects outwardly from the rear covering so that the film and the front covering provide a water impervious enclosure about the foam filler, and the detaching force is not applied directly to the rear surface but is applied to the film sheet which is aided by the rear covering.

Abstract: A mattress has a core material (3) consisting of rigid foam material of a sufficient thickness, protective plates (4) (5) disposed on both upper and lower sides of the core material (3), and a surface layer material (6) (7) made of a cushioning material which is disposed on the protective plates (4) (5). At least one of the surface layer material (6) (7) is formed by disposing the second cushioning layer (11) consisting of semi-rigid cushioning material having an up-and-down face (13) on its surface on the first cushioning layer (10) made of flexible cushioning material.

Abstract: A folding sofa bed frame having head, intermediate and foot bed sections pivotally connected end-to-end and constrained by a linkage arrangement to move in a predetermined pattern between a folded position and a horiziontally extended position. The linkage arrangement includes a bracing link with a stud which, in the extended position, engages the rearward side of an upright support link by which the structure is mounted within the sofa bed frame, to act as a stop member against undesired accidental upward tilting of the structure when weight or force is placed against the head section. A transverse mattress support bar is affixed to a pivoting control link also operated by the bracing link for movement of the mattress support bar into a retracted position closely adjacent the intermediate section when the structure is folded and a dropped position spaced below the intermediate section when the structure is extended, thereby out of interference with comfortable sleeping use of the bed frame.

Abstract: A ring to be worn as an article of jewelry about a portion of a body of a person includes first and second arcuate sections pivotally interconnected at one end for permitting pivotal movement of the arcuate sections between opened and closed positions. Latching members are included on each arcuate section. The latching members on one arcuate section include an elongate tongue and a pair of locking extensions located on opposite sides of the tongue, each locking extension including male and female connecting sections. The latch members on the other arcuate section include a pair of locking extensions located on opposite sides of a central bridge section, and these locking extensions include male and female connecting sections for engaging with the male and female connecting sections of the one arcuate section.

Abstract: A bedding sheet assembly, particularly adapted for waterbeds but also usable with other types of mattresses, having a novel mattress belt (1), a first or bottom sheet (2), and a second or top sheet (3). The mattress belt (1) has sides (10) that fit around the perimeter of a mattress (4), a small lip on the bottom (8) to fit under the mattress and a top lip (9) to fit on top of the mattress along its sides. The top lip (9) of the mattress belt contains fastening material (7) for securing the bottom sheet thereto by matching fastening material (17) on the underside of the bottom sheet. A flap (12) attached to the foot end of the mattress belt has fastening material (11) for securing the top sheet (3) thereto. The bottom and top sheets may have ruffled flaps (25 and 18) to fit over the sides of the mattress belt to keep the mattress belt clean and attractive.

Abstract: A piece of jewelry having a body with chain engaging means for releasably engaging at least one end of a chain, and a lock for locking the end of the chain in the chain engaging means and for receiving a separate key to unlock the chain engaging means, to permit removal of the end of the chain.

Abstract: A stretcher for use in confined areas such as a mine tunnel for transporting sick or injured persons which is constructed for mounting on sideboard structure of a conveyor in the mine tunnel. The stretcher includes a frame having a generally flat portion for supporting the sick or injured person on the stretcher. Rollers mounted on the frame for rolling engagement with the sideboard structure support the frame on the sideboard structure so that the structure may move translationally over the sideboard stretcher. Guide rollers maintain the rollers in engagement with the sideboard structure.

Abstract: An antidecubital mat for bedridden patients, comprising individual basic elements that are air permeable and can be joined together to vary the size and shape of the mat. Each basic element has the shape of a rectangular cushion with recessed side corners and a hole defined therein. Along the sides of each basic element press studs and VELCRO-type band fasteners are provided which enables individual basic elements to be joined together to form the mat.

Abstract: A side guard for a hospital birthing bed has an elongated control panel and a shallow inverted U-shaped handrail extending from the front to the rear of the panel. The handrail is spaced from the panel and provides multiple positions for the mother to grip the panel during the time of her labor. A parallelogram linkage is provided for shifting the side guard from an operative position above the patient support to an inoperative position tucked below the patient support. A dashpot is provided to dampen the speed of the movement from the operative position to the inoperative position.