Abstract: A patient lift and extraction apparatus includes adjustable, generally parallel legs connected by a cross member having a support member with a projecting boom. The support member may be adjustably located between the legs. A patient lift strap in the boom supports a patient in combination with a patient sling.

Abstract: Convertible furniture in the form of a sleeper sofa is demonstrated without the complex mechanical mechanisms conventionally used. The seat is attached to a slide received within a slide support. A seat extension is affixed to the slide support and as the slide is moved forwardly during the method of conversion, for example to convert from sofa mode into the bed mode, the back pivots to lay on the slide support in horizontal alignment with the seat and seat extension thereby forming an extra wide bed. The seat, back and seat extension create a wide sleeping area, wider than that as would be formed by only the seat and back. A latch mechanism positioned behind the front panel secures the slide and slide support in the sofa mode until manually released.

Abstract: A mattress configured to support a patient including a foot section having a leg portion, a heel pressure relief portion, and a raised calf support portion positioned intermediate the leg portion and the heel pressure relief portion.

Abstract: A limb support coupled to a patient-support apparatus comprises a frame having a pair of locks to block vertical and horizontal pivoting of the limb support in relation to the patient-support apparatus. The lock release actuator is configured to be coupled to the frame to simultaneously unlock both the vertical and horizontal rotation locks. The limb support includes a stowable leg support configured to provide support to the leg of a patient during obstetric delivery.

Abstract: A full-body support cushion supports a person essentially prone in either a face-up orientation or a face-down orientation, with the person's head, neck, upper torso, lower torso and legs maintained in comfortable longitudinal alignment. Upper body and lower body segments of fast-drying reticulated synthetic polymeric foam material include head and leg recesses for accommodating the person's head and legs when the person is relaxed in either orientation. An air passage provides an airway to the head recess. A pillow segment of similar foam material is coupled with the upper body segment for selective movement to close the head recess and prop up the person's head when desired for reading or other observations while in the face-up orientation.

Abstract: Cot, characterized in that it consists of two shell parts (2, 3) which are made of a hard material and which are hinge-mounted, whereby an upholstery (4) is provided around both shell parts (2, 3), and whereby both shell parts (2, 3) can mutually hinge between an open position, in which both shell parts (2, 3) are in line, and a closed position, in which both shell parts (2, 3) are folded together.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus includes a sling for movement of a person from or into a vehicle seat supported by a dual legged horizontal frame mounted on rollers or wheels with a generally vertical, telescoping post having a cantilever arm extending therefrom. A cable or strap supported by the cantilever arm is attached to the adjustable body sling which designed to securely hold a patient during transport.

Abstract: A seal is used between a housing and a shaft having an axis. The seal includes a first portion and a second portion engageable with each other and movable relative to each other. The first portion and the second portion are configured to be received in a cavity between the shaft and the housing. The first portion is engageable with the shaft such that the first portion is substantially stationary relative to the shaft and to inhibit passage of contaminants from the exterior of the cavity through the cavity toward the axis. The second portion is engageable with the housing such that the second portion is substantially stationary relative to the housing and to inhibit passage of the contaminants from the exterior through the cavity toward the axis.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a mattress is constructed of a core having a first side and a second side. A padding layer is positioned at the first side of the core and has a contoured surface and a planar surface. A layer of individual fiberballs is disposed on the planar surface of the padding layer.

Abstract: A top frame unit of a baby crib includes a plurality of three-way couplers and a plurality of top frame rods. Each coupler includes a root part and first, second and third tube parts that extend in different directions from the root part. The root part is formed with a cap-receiving recess that is in spatial communication with the first tube part. Each top frame rod includes a rod body that has opposite first and second rod ends, and an anchor cap that is mounted on the first rod end of the rod body. Each top frame rod is extended removably through the first tube part of one of the couplers such that the anchor cap thereof is disposed removably in the cap-receiving recess, and such that the second rod end of the rod body is extendible removably into the second tube part of another one of the couplers.

Abstract: A retractor assembly for engaging a sheet on which a patient is disposed includes a transverse member and a pair of tethers coupled to the transverse member and extending from the transverse member for coupling to a winding assembly. A pair of sheet clamps are mounted to the transverse member, which are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the transverse member in a fixed spaced relationship for engaging a sheet at two points spaced along the longitudinal axis. The transverse member maintains the sheet clamps in their fixed spaced relationship whereby the sheet clamps resist inward migration toward each other when being used to handle a patient on a sheet.

Abstract: A folding cabinet bed includes a cabinet of sufficient size to enclose a standard size folded futon mattress, and allows the mattress to be deployed as a bed. Hinges on the front wall of the cabinet enable the front wall to fold down vertically. An extension panel attached to the front wall helps to create a sleeping platform that accommodates the mattress. A drawer with a plurality of nesting telescoping rails between the sidewalls of the cabinet and the sidewalls of the drawer is provided at the bottom of the cabinet. The telescoping rails enable the drawer to be extended away from the cabinet and support the front wall and extension panel to create a level sleeping surface. The drawer may include storage space for pillows and bedding. Latching means holds the cabinet closed to withstand outward pressure of the folded mattress. A safety chain or strap may be provided.

Abstract: Play yards and methods of operating the same are disclosed. A disclosed example includes a lower frame having a collapsed position and an erected position; an upper frame having a collapsed position and an erected position; and a plurality of posts joining the upper frame and the lower frame. The upper frame has a rounded rectangular shape when in the erected position.

Abstract: A mattress leveling system designed to provide individually adjustable mattress heights, where mattresses of different firmness and thickness can be integrated into one bed with a level sleep surfaces sharing a common plane and held juxtaposed. Each mattress or mattress set is securely supported within a frame assembly with independently height adjustable legs. Users can integrate individual mattresses, which provide adequate firmness to meet the needs and desires of each of the users, forming one bed system customized to provide optimal comfort for both partners. An advantage of this design provides users with the ability to integrate into one bed, commonly available standard or non-standard adult size mattresses of differing thickness from different manufacturers, taking advantage of the latest sleep comfort technologies available on the market. Another advantage is the ability to exchange one mattress of the integrated bed without affecting the other mattress.

Abstract: A sleep device for use in a seated position comprises a hollow shaped body formed from a resilient polymer having a plurality of sidewalls extending generally parallel to a central longitudinal axis, a top surface centered about the central axis, the top surface being adapted to receive the chin of a user, a recess intermediate the top surface and the plurality of sidewalls, and an annular bottom edge. A base is formed from the resilient polymer having a bottom surface, a vertical wall extending from the base, and a radial flange. The base is fastened to the body annular bottom edge by for example an adhesive or other suitable fastening means. In some embodiments, the body and base are fastened to create an airtight seam.

Abstract: A sealing gasket that provides a seal between two members. The gasket includes a base at one end of the gasket and a gutter-forming surface at the opposite other end of the gasket. There is a pair of sides that join the one end and the opposite other end of the gasket. The sealing gasket is movable between a compressed condition wherein the gasket provides a seal between the two members and an uncompressed condition wherein the gasket does not provide a seal between the two members. When the gasket is in the compressed condition, the gutter-forming surface deforms to form a gutter along the one end of the gasket.

Abstract: An adjustable bed including a stationary frame is supported above a floor. An articulated deck comprising head, seat, leg and foot deck boards hingedly joined together is spaced above the frame with connectors. The connectors include generally inverted U-shaped tubes pivotally secured to the frame and secured to the deck boards. A gas spring is operatively coupled to the head deck board and pivotally secured to the frame. Activation of the gas spring in cooperation with the operator moves the deck boards.

Abstract: A body support for providing a beneficial effect has a frame and a first and a second plurality of flexible parallel bands, which are interdigitated. A primary shaft rotatably mounted in a frame can tighten and slacken the first plurality of bands. This can be done by having the shaft wind and unwind the first plurality of bands or by appropriately positioning a camshaft or the like at one edge of the body support surface to adjustably hold each of the first plurality of bands there. In the latter case the shaft provides a plurality of support locations at the first edge of the support surface that are moved, in order to alternately tighten and slacken the first plurality of bands. Other disclosed apparatus and methods can tighten and slacken the second plurality of bands as well.

Abstract: A sheet assembly adapted to occupy a position beneath a patient and an upper surface of a patient support. The assembly has overlying upper and lower pliable sheets formed of a material of low density gradient and having central sections from which upper and lower flaps extend laterally. The lower flaps may be secured to the patient support and the upper flaps may be elevated to and maintained at a level above that of the upper surface of the patient support, thereby providing a safeguard against the patient's falling off the support surface.

Abstract: A health bed capable of adjusting the spine curve of a human body mainly comprises a plurality of elevators. Each of the elevators includes a lower plate having several upholders extending therefrom wherein a motor is fixed on the center of the lower plate and the axle of the motor is a screw engaged with the middle of a motor-driven base such that the motor-driven base can be moved upward or downward by a drive of the screw. The upholders support the motor-driven base is disposed above the lower plate and supported by upholders. A plurality of elastic objects is disposed on the motor-driven base in which the elastic object has a sense stick inside and the sense stick penetrates out of the bottom of the motor-driven base. A height sensor lateral the base may thus measure a downside movement of the elastic objects. The height sensor and the motor are connected to a control circuit that actuates the motors to drive the motor-driven bases upwardly to a desired height by receiving signals from the height sensors.