Abstract: In accordance with at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a patient table is provided, the patient table comprising a patient support surface for supporting a patient during a medical procedure; a base supporting the patient support surface; a monitor displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure; and a pivot arm having a first end connected to the base and a second end connected to the monitor; a pivot release member provided on one of the monitor and the pivot arm for releasably securing the monitor and the pivot arm at predetermined angular positions with respect to the base.

Abstract: A mattress for use in hospital, nursing homes, and the like, incorporates hand supports with hand grips built into the sides of the mattress. Raised bolsters built into the top surface of the mattress adjacent to its lateral edges help to prevent the patient from falling out of the bed.

Abstract: An invalid person transfer system that has a rectangular frame suspended from a dolly moving on a track on the ceiling. There are left and right support columns that have gear boxes attached to their lower ends. The gear boxes each have at their ends attached thereto pivotal frame members that are connected to each other by a multiple of connecting rods. From the gear boxes conveyor belts are driven to front rollers that form a forward edge between the pivotal frame members in a return manner. The conveyor belts can be driven by either belt drives or gear drives from the gear boxes. In operation, a patient sits on a support and the fronts of each of the frame members move under the patients assisted by the conveyor belts from each side. When the fronts of the frame members are in a close proximity, the patient is sitting on the conveyor belts and then be transported or transfer to a different location without any assistance from an attendant.

Abstract: The present invention provides top-bedding that has a head-end delimited by a head-end edge; a foot-end opposite the head-end, the foot-end delimited by a foot-end edge substantially parallel to the head-end edge; at least one pair of opposing sides delimited by side-edges; a first head-end corner and a second head-end corner; and a reversible expansion means for reversibly converting the top-bedding from a closed configuration to an open configuration, the closed configuration being approximately rectangular, and the open configuration having the shape of an irregular, simple polygon, whereby the distance between the first head-end corner and the second head-end corner is greater when the top-bedding is in the open configuration than when it is in the closed configuration.

Abstract: A magnetic levitation bed is disclosed to include a bed frame, which is equipped with a plurality of permanent magnet arrays, a first cam-fitting mechanism, and a second cam-fitting mechanism, and a base, which is equipped with a power control box controllable by a remote controller, a plurality of electromagnet arrays arranged corresponding to the permanent magnet arrays and controllable by the control box to attract and repulse the permanent magnet arrays, a first low-speed motor controllable by the power control box to turn a first cam relative to the first cam-fitting mechanism and to further cause the bed frame to oscillate in transverse direction, a second low-speed motor controllable by the power control box to turn a second cam relative to the second cam-fitting mechanism and to further cause the bed frame to oscillate in longitudinal direction, and sensors for detecting oscillation of the bed frame and providing a signal indicative of the position change of the bed frame to a microprocessor for enabl

Abstract: A sleep system, for providing a bed, includes a frame with cross support members coupled with a first and second panel assembly. A sleep support mechanism operationally engages the first and second panel assemblies with one another and further engages a pad to provide adjusting support to the user. The sleep support mechanism employs a cone coupled with a first and second spring, the first and second spring further coupling with the first and second panel assemblies, and the cone engaging with the pad to provide the adjustable support capability.

Abstract: A patient lifting apparatus is provided that attaches to a bed frame having a plurality of legs and a headboard. The apparatus includes an upright member, a boom mechanically associated with the upright member, an upper support bar that extends across the bed frame and secures the upright member to each side of the headboard, and a lower support bar that extends across the bed frame and secures the upright member to the legs. The upright member is supported for rotation about a vertical axis by upper and lower bearings on the upper and lower support bars, respectively. A telescoping foot member extends from the lower support bar and is movable between a stored position and an extended position for stabilizing the lifting apparatus. A support arm extends from a lower end of the upright member and rotates along with the upright member to transfer vertical forces into the floor.

Abstract: The watercraft ramp comprises a frame and a plurality of hull-support assemblies mounted thereon. The frame has a pair of elongated channel rails held in laterally spaced condition. Each rail has a longitudinally aligned internal recess and a longitudinally aligned elongated slot for access into the internal recess. The slot is narrower than the transverse width of the recess. Each hull-support assembly has a mounting bracket, a fastener for fixing the bracket on a rail, and at least one hull roller. The fastener has a locking part that extends through the rail slot into the internal rail recess for locking engagement to the rail at any desired location. A stabilizer part on the bracket cooperatives with the slot to maintain alignment of the bracket on the rail.

Abstract: A device for stabilizing the position of an infant while sleeping including a substantially rigid basin assembly having three sides and a base and defining an open end. A basin cover conforms generally to the basin and defines a sleep space, sized and configured for holding an infant, the cover includes a fabric outer surface and at least one of the sides of the basin assembly comprises a plurality of standoffs extending into the basin assembly and defining recesses therebetween. The cover can have an air-permeable section overlaying the recesses to enable pneumatic communication between the sleep space and the recesses.

Abstract: A foldable hanging bed includes a hanging bed fabric, main support tubes, pillar support tubes, pillars tubes, side support tubes, transverse connecting tubes, iron check elements, hanging chain fitting elements, and shoes. The upper portion of each of the main support tubes is connected to a pillar tube, and is provided with an iron check element. At the upper end of the pillar tube is provided a hanging chain or rope fitting element. At the lower ends of the side support tubes are provided shoes. Around the side support tubes are provided sponge sleeves, which are easier for hand operation when the bed is supported or folded. At both ends of the fabric are provided lining tubes, on which the hanging chains or ropes are disposed. The bed fabric is sleeved over the hanging chain or rope fitting elements via the hanging chain or rope.

Abstract: A multi-layered cylinder head gasket for positioning between a cylinder head and a cylinder block of an engine includes a spacer layer and a stopper layer. The stopper layer includes either a wave or rigid stopper positioned at a periphery of an aperture of the stopper layer. A sealing bead is positioned adjacent the stopper. Overall, the stopper layer has a generally uniform thickness. The spacer layer, however, has first and second thicknesses with the second thickness being generally less than the first thickness. The second thickness of the spacer layer mates with the stopper and sealing bead when the stopper layer and spacer layer are joined together. A transition area is positioned between the first and second thicknesses. The variable thickness of the spacer layer permits the gasket to provide generally equal sealing stresses while subjected to variable compression forces.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. A formation to be treated may produce a relatively large amount of condensable hydrocarbons and/or a relatively large amount of non-condensable hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons within the formation may have a relatively high initial elemental hydrogen weight percentage.

Abstract: A care bed used commonly for bathing and toileting allowing a labor burden on a carer in bathing and toileting of a bedridden sufferer to be minimized, which could not be performed by a conventional care bed, comprising a bed having a plurality of vertical grooves disposed on a bath tub; arms fittedly inserted to the plurality of vertical grooves, and a lift capable of horizontally raising and longitudinally moving the arms after the arms are fittedly inserted into the plurality of vertical grooves.

Abstract: A spacing mechanism is provided for locating at least one rotatable component relative to a stationary component of a mechanical seal. The spacing mechanism is configured to automatically disengage from the rotatable seal component, and/or its associated hardware, upon rotation of the rotatable seal component. The spacing mechanism may be configured to axially and/or radially locate one or more rotatable components relative to one or more stationary components and may be configured to automatically disengage from the rotatable seal component by the rotation of the rotatable seal component.

Abstract: A packing spring for a steam turbine comprising a flat, elongated spring body of specified length, width and thickness dimensions; a flange at one end of the main spring body; and at least one bend in the main spring body, located substantially midway along the length dimension of the spring body.

Abstract: A wave forming apparatus has a channel for containing a flow of water with an inlet end connected to a water supply, a base, and spaced side walls, a weir in the base at the inlet end of the channel, and at least one bed form in the channel downstream of the weir. The bed form has an upwardly inclined upstream face extending downstream of the leading end, an upper portion, and a downwardly inclined downstream face extending from the upper portion to the trailing end. A primary flow path for water extends over the weir and bed form. A secondary flow passageway extends through the bed form, with a first end adjacent the trailing end of the bed form, and a second end in the bed form upstream of the first end.

Abstract: An erosion control system is provided which generally includes a flexible composite blanket or matting including a core layer bonded between an upper and a lower netting material, and an upper layer made of a biaxial geogrid. The matting has a flat upper surface without any substantial three dimensional features in which to trap sediment. The matting has a relatively high aerial density of about 0.7 pounds per square yard.

Abstract: The invention concerns a protective barrier installed across a slope. The invention is characterized in that the net is maintained by several supports each having a first mast pointing downstream and whereof one end is fixed to an anchoring point in the ground and a second mast bearing on the ground, the two masts mounted side by side in a crossover geometrical relationship defining a predetermined angle which is determined by the type of use of the protective barrier, i.e. for falling rocks or to protect against avalanches; with the free ends of the masts having stays installed between the masts.

Abstract: Sealing elements locate an annular seal plate in an annular recess. The sealing elements are each in the form of a ring or a segment of a ring comprising a channel-shaped cross-section, the mouth of which receives the seal plate. Each sealing element is thus interposed between the seal plate and a corresponding part of a machine element such as a turbine casing in which the recesses are provided. The sealing elements protect the casing against wear caused by movement of the seal plate relative to the casing. The sealing element is of relatively low cost and is expected to be replaced when the apparatus of which it forms part is serviced.

Abstract: A multiple configuration bed frame system for allowing a single or multiple bed frames to be configured in many different ways to accommodate available space and the creativity of the user includes at least one main frame member, an optional rail member, raised bed leg members, and short leg members that also serve as frame connectors for joining two or more main frame members. A plurality of receivers are coupled to the main frame member and positioned to permit joining of the components of the invention to form the various configurations.