Abstract: A temperature modulation system for a bed, blanket, or other furniture includes a fluid for moderating temperature change, a number of conduit circuits for directing the fluid through respective zones, a control unit including a thermoelectric device for modulating temperature of the fluid, and a pump. Each of the conduit circuits selectively and independently directs fluid through its respective zone in order to produce a temperature within the zone that is independent of the temperature outside the zone. The system also includes an arrangement of one or more zones in an arrangement in which the control unit is programmed to vary the zone temperature over time according to a schedule.

Abstract: A bed bug protective encasement for a mattress comprising a cover having an elongated opening with a first end and a second end formed therein, the elongated opening being adaptable to receive the mattress within the cover. A primary zipper is disposed along the elongated opening and having a slider movable from the first end to the second end to close the elongated opening. A flap attached to the cover adjacent the second end of the elongated opening is foldable over the second end of the elongated opening, the primary zipper extending onto the flap and terminating near a distal end of the flap. A secondary zipper system has a first zipper attached to a side of the flap and a second zipper attached to an opposite side of the flap, to secure the flap when the flap is folded over the second end of the elongated opening.

Abstract: A lock is provided, the lock having: a lock mechanism having a first member and a second member, the first member and the second member each being slidably mounted to a housing of the combination lock, wherein the first member is capable of movement between a first position and a second position and the second member is capable of movement between a first position and a second position and wherein movement of the first member from the first position to the second position causes the second member to move from the first position to the second position; a bolt configured for movement between a locking position and an unlocking position, the bolt preventing the second member from moving from the second position to the first position when the bolt is in the locking position.

Abstract: There is provided a backrest pivoting system having a backrest and an actuator for pivoting the backrest. The actuator is pivotably connected to the backrest by a pivot defining a first pivot axis. The backrest is configured to pivot about a guide member which defines a second pivot axis coaxial with the first pivot axis. There is also provided a backrest pivoting system including an actuator and a resilient member mounted in series with the actuator. There is also provided an extendable user support assembly comprising a lower body support panel and a core support panel supported by a frame, the lower body support panel being translatable relative to the frame such that an opening is created between the lower body support panel and the core support panel when the lower body support panel is translated away from the core support panel. There is also provided a method for placing a bed in a vascular position.

Abstract: A bedding or seating product comprises a pocketed spring assembly comprising a plurality of parallel strings of individually pocketed springs. The strings of springs may extend from head-to-foot or side-to-side of the product. Adjacent individually pocketed springs are separated from each other by at least one separating seam. Each of the separating seams comprises a branched end portion.

Abstract: A patient handling system comprising a patient support apparatus having a patient support surface, a component, and a force generating device inducing movement or assisting in movement of the component, and a sheet for covering at least a portion of the patient support surface, and the sheet coupled to the component wherein when the force generating device is operated to induce movement or assist in movement of the component, the movement induces the sheet to move relative to the patient support surface.

Abstract: A hospital bed provides improved handling of non-ambulatory patients and others who cannot easily be moved, such as to a hospital room toilet. The hospital bed includes a flexible mattress and a belt attached to the flexible mattress ends. The hospital bed frame has a pallet for supporting the flexible mattress and a chute attached to the frame beneath the pallet that receives the end of the flexible mattress. Multiple rollers direct the flexible mattress and belt. A motor supplies rotational force to one of the rollers and one of the rollers also provides for bending the flexible mattress to enter the chute, so that the end of the flexible mattress is guided underneath the pallet. A system includes the hospital bed with a detachable sanitary station. The sanitary station includes a toilet top and unites with the bed to deliver the patient to a position atop the toilet.

Abstract: Provided is a caregiving bed having a variety of usage aspects. A caregiving bed includes a bed main body, and one support platform and another support platform. The bed main body includes a rectangular pad part. Each of the support platforms is provided with an elevator device connected to the pad part to raise and lower the bed main body. Each of the support platforms is provided with a pair of support columns extending upward. A beam member is provided between the support columns of the one support platform and between the support columns of the other support platform. The distance between the pad part and the attachment part decreases when the bed main body is raised by the elevator devices, whereas the distance between the pad part and the attachment part increases when the bed main body is lowered.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operating table column (10) for an operating table (100), said operating table column comprising a basic body (12) and a column head (14) to which a patient support (103) may be connected. Further, the operating table column (10) comprises a first linear actuator (20) and a second linear actuator (22) which are independently adjustable for changing the position of the column head (14) relative to the basic body (12). The first linear actuator (20) and the second linear actuator (22) each are oriented and arranged so as to perform an actuating motion in vertical direction when activated. The first linear actuator (20) is mechanically connected to the column head (14) via a first connecting area (30), and the second linear actuator (22) is mechanically connected to the column head (14) via a second connecting area (32).

Abstract: An interconnected locking system in which multiple locks may be interconnected to be locked and/or unlocked in a coordinated manner. In one embodiment, the locking system allows a user to lock or unlock a door with multiple locking points with a single activation of one of the locks, such as when a deadbolt or lever is activated. The multiple locking points communicate together wirelessly, for example, to activate all the locking points as desired or set by the user.

Abstract: An interchangeable cylinder lock core with a mechanism for transferring a torque to a lock unit when a key plug is rotated. The interchangeable cylinder lock core includes a shell having an upper part, provided with a central row of locking pins in associated cavities, and a lower part with a cylindrical bore accommodating the rotatable key plug. At least a part of the cylindrical bore extends through a rotatable retainer sleeve. A back region of the key plug has a minimum length with the adjoining front region of the key plug being located in front of the mechanism for transferring torque. The adjoining front region accommodates, in addition to the central row of locking pins, at least one side locking mechanism which is located in its entirety within the front region of the key plug and interacts with at least one recess in a fixed front end sleeve portion.

Abstract: A modular mattress renewal system is disclosed. A support lattice is made up of a plurality of compressible nodal foam blocks connected one to the other by block connectors that fit into guide apertures within the nodal blocks. The connectors themselves are also compressible and flexible and the compressible nodal foam blocks are provided with an adhesive portion that allows the user to customize the support necessary. Additionally, the nodal foam blocks have varying degrees of compressibility and varying compressibility gradients and are marked as such to further enhance the support customization possible. Thus, sagging mattresses or mattresses with indentations from use over time may be rehabilitated.

Abstract: The invention provides an adjustable bed comprising a frame (20) and at least one adjustable body support section including at least an adjustable backrest support section (12) pivotally mounted for angular adjustment with respect to the frame. The frame comprises at least two hinged sections (20a, 20b) including a head end sub-assembly configured as an upper body supporting section on which the backrest support section is mounted, and a separate toe end sub-assembly configured as a lower body supporting section hinged with respect to the upper body supporting section. Actuator means (40) is disposed within at least the upper body section for angular adjustment of the adjustable body support section. The head end sub-assembly and the toe end sub-assembly are capable of being folded together to reduce the length dimension of the bed for transportation and/or storage purposes and subsequently unfolded to provide a full length adjustable bed.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention provide a versatile travel pillow that provides support to the user's head, neck, and shoulders, prevents the user from sliding sideways with respect to the seat, can be quickly and easily secured to the headrest or armrest of a seat or chair, and can be quickly and easily moved from one vehicle seat to another.

Abstract: A dual locking padlock having a code locking mechanism and an overriding mechanism is disclosed. The housing has a top body as its top portion, a stack of dials and a stack of clutches mounted on a middle portion and a bottom portion having holes to receive screws from the top body for securing the housing. Dials are engagingly mounted on the clutches and only rotatable relative to the clutch when the lock is in the opened mode for changing the combination code. The housing has a spindle having a channel to store the heel of a shackle. The spindle's upward movement allows the shackle to be pulled upward to unlock the padlock. The spindle is allowed to move upward either when a correct combination code is used or when a key activates the overriding mechanism. With the overriding mechanism, the padlock can also be opened with a key.

Abstract: A pocketed spring assembly comprises parallel strings, each string joined to at least one adjacent string. At least some of the strings have pockets of different sizes before springs are inserted therein to accommodate for the fabric stretching due to some of the springs exerting greater force on the fabric than other springs. The ability to create pockets of different sizes enables springs of different strengths to be inserted into the pockets along a string, the string having a generally uniform height after assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured for use with a chair having a supporting surface, and includes a cushioning member adapted to be placed above the supporting surface, a bottom sheet connected to the cushioning member and having an engagement surface opposite the cushioning member, a top sheet having a bottom surface positioned in confronting relation to the engagement surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface, and a selective gliding assembly positioned between the top and bottom sheets. The top sheet has at least one end connected to the bottom sheet, and the top sheet further has a slip resistant material positioned on the top surface. The selective gliding assembly includes engagement members positioned on the engagement surface and on the bottom surface of the top sheet, and the engagement members engage each other to resist forward sliding of the top sheet and to permit rearward sliding of the top sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a furniture device configured to receive the weight of a being, said furniture device having a holding arrangement (20) and at least one section (30). The section (30) comprises a base (2), a movable plate element (6), a moving mechanism (4) and at least one elastic device (12). The plate element (6) is configured to interact with the at least one elastic device and to be moved by the moving mechanism in respect to the base in order to adjust the firmness of the at least one elastic device. The elastic device comprises a pocket (14) made of a fabric, and an elastic member (18), the elastic member is arranged within said pocket, the pocket is attached to adjacent pockets whereby the attachment (32, 32?) is formed so that adjacent elastic devices may move independently from one another along a distance (A), as measured from a free end of the elastic device and in a direction perpendicular to the plate member.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, among other things, techniques for waking a user by changing the user's sleep environment. In one example, a method includes receiving, at a central controller of an air mattress system, at least one user alarm setting, generating, via the central controller, at least one instruction based on the received user alarm setting, and transmitting, from the central controller, the at least one instruction to a first component of the air mattress system to adjust a feature of the first component.

Abstract: A surgical table includes a mechanism for causing movement of a tabletop of the table relative to a column of the table in a selected longitudinal or transverse direction of the tabletop, the mechanism including first and second drive elements movably mounted on one of the column and the tabletop and a traverse device mounted on the other of the column and the tabletop, wherein the tabletop is movable relative to the column between a predetermined traverse position, at which both of the first and second drive elements are engaged with the traverse device, and a first traverse position, at which the first drive element is engaged with the traverse device and the second drive element is disengaged from the traverse device. Also described is a system for helping a user dispose a tabletop of a table a predetermined position relative to a column of the table.