Abstract: A bedding component includes a top portion having a gel foam, a middle portion having a foam layer with at least one gel disc, and a bottom portion having a foam core.

Abstract: Stabilizing apparatus for inclined legs comprises a thigh engageable portion extending generally transversally along the width of the lap of a subject with which the apparatus is bodily engaged, two spaced appendage portions extending downwardly from the thigh engageable portion, a foot engageable portion positionable on an underlying surface, and a portion, such a connecting element and tensioning device, extending from each of the two appendage portions to a foot engageable portion. The two appendage portions are positionable to be substantially in contact with the lateral side of a thigh of the subject. A loop is defined such that each of the portions extending from an appendage portion to a foot engageable portion is suitably tensioned so as to apply forces to a foot engageable portion for resisting a forward foot sliding motion and to an appendage portion for resisting relative transversal motion of an inclined leg.

Abstract: A hammock with quadrecline geometry is disclosed. The hammock includes a bed having a bed surface, a head end and a foot end located opposite the head end. The head end has an attachment point to suspend the head end of the bed. The bed further has a leg rest portion at the foot end defined by four, connected suspension lines. A foot spreader is configured and arranged to spread the four suspension lines apart, providing support to the leg rest portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bed for providing support in sitting up to a person lying thereon, comprising an approximately rectangular frame, which comprises at least two frame parts, which are separated from each other in the longitudinal direction and are connected to each other in an articulated manner and are completed to form a planar element by flexible slats, woven wire fabric, or the like and can be swiveled about a transverse axis oriented transversely to the respective frame part from the horizontal to an inclined position, wherein at least one sit-up area lies on at least one frame part, said sit-up area being integrated into the surface of the frame part in the deactivated state, the outward-facing edge of said sit-up area extending approximately to the border of the frame and the inward-facing edge of said sit-up area being at a distance from the center line of the frame extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein said sit-up area can be swiveled about a sit-up axis extending parallel or at a

Abstract: A sub-assembly is disclosed. The sub-assembly is a valve including: a housing, a plunger, a seal, an indexing member, a biasing member, a seat member and a push button actuator. The plunger axially supports the seal and the indexing member within the housing. The biasing member is supported by the seat member and axially biases the plunger relative the housing in a first axial direction in order to axially bias the seal in the first axial direction toward a sealing surface formed by the housing. Arrangement of the seal adjacent the sealing surface formed by the housing prevents fluid flow through the valve. When the seal is arranged adjacent the sealing surface formed by the housing, a distal camming surface of the indexing member is not registered adjacent a corresponding camming surface of the housing.

Abstract: A sleep system includes a sleep surface with a customized profile. The profile of the sleep surface is particularly and specifically designed to maintain a proper sleeping position for an individual. The sleeping surface can include two or more portions that have configurations that ensure the straight alignment of the spine for a person sleeping on the sleep surface. This type of sleep system is customized to each person and, thus, provides a beneficial sleeping position that is individualized and provides the best support for the particular sleeper.

Abstract: A beach blanket for use on the sand that resists being blown around by the wind. It comprises a main panel of fabric that the user can lay upon. On the bottom side of the main panel is a plurality of scoops that can be anchored by digging into the sand prior to use. Scoops are anchored at opposing points so that tension is applied to the main panel. If sand is blown onto the top of the main panel a point on the top of the main panel may be plucked thereby ejecting the sand off of the side of the main panel.

Abstract: A patient support includes a base, a deck for supporting a patient, and a lift mechanism supporting the deck on the base and configured to adjust the orientation of the deck while allowing the head and foot sections of the deck to be articulated with respect to the seat section of the deck.

Abstract: A novel pillow cover is provided that can be manufactured so that a finished gusseted pillow produced from four rectangular fabric pieces with only six straight line seams.

Abstract: A patient transfer system includes a patient transfer assembly and a patient transfer device. The assembly includes a sheet of corrugatable material, at least one stiffener that resists corrugation of the sheet in a first dimension when the patient transfer assembly including the sheet corrugated in a second dimension is inserted between the patient and a surface of a first resting device on which the patient rests. The sheet includes portions at which pulling in a direction along the second dimension decorrugates the sheet between the patient and the surface and fasteners. The device includes a sheet engaging assembly that pulls at least one of the fasteners in a direction along the first dimension to slide the decorrugated sheet relative to the surface thereby transferring the patient.

Abstract: A topper for a patient support surface includes an actively-cooled region that is positioned to deliver air flow under a specific area to provide localized treatment and/or moisture removal to a patient supported on the topper.

Abstract: A bed rail is configured to be mounted on a mattress. The bed rail includes a base arranged to extend under the mattress and a side rail coupled to the base and configured to include a portion arranged to lie above the mattress.

Abstract: A bed frame has: a left side component that includes an elongated left side rail and an extending segment at each end; and a right side component that includes an elongated right side rail and an extending segment at each end. Each such extending segment is pivotally attached to the corresponding elongated right side rail and is capable of being pivoted from substantially parallel it to substantially perpendicular it. Each of the elongated left side rail and the elongated right side rail includes two main sections that are pivotally attached to a shorter center member. At each end, the extending segments of the left side component and the right side component detachably couple to each other, forming lateral components of a bed frame assembly.

Abstract: A sleeping bag has an elongate shell defining an inner volume sized and shaped to receive a user therein. The shell has a head portion, a foot portion, a middle portion extending longitudinally between the head and foot portions, an overlying portion adapted to overlie the user during use, an underlying portion adapted to underlie the user during use, and a vent. The vent is selectively moveable between a closed configuration and an opened configuration to enable the user to access the exterior of the sleeping bag from within the sleeping bag. The vent comprises 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 configuration. The outer panel is spaced from the inner panel in the opened configuration to define a passage to enable the user to extend his or her feet through the vent.

Abstract: A cot is provided that has a frame having a shape of a continuous loop. The frame bounds an interior area of the loop and the interior area is covered by a fabric covering. The frame includes an outer perimeter. At least two legs are mounted to the frame and each leg includes a foot portion. The at least two legs are positioned to support the frame above a horizontal floor surface with the foot portions of each leg in contact with the floor surface. Also, each leg extends outwardly and downwardly from the frame such that the foot portions are positioned outwardly of the outer perimeter of the frame in both vertical and horizontal directions.

Abstract: This invention provides a multi-functional supporting cushion, comprising: a plurality of pad portions, each of which having a circularly curved top end, the pad portions at the center being higher than those on both sides such that the top ends of the plurality of pad portions form a wave-shaped contour descending from the center toward both sides, a bolster being selectively formed from the plurality of pad portions or the plurality of pad portions being constricted from respective free ends of the two pad portions at both sides to make a circular loop. The supporting cushion allows a user's back, waist and neck to rest thereon or to be supported thereby. The supporting cushion is capable of supporting the user's head when serving as a neck cushion. It is put around the neck to protect the cervical vertebrae, support the nape of the neck and prevent the users head from falling aside.

Abstract: A post shoulder surgery rehabilitation apparatus in the form of a bed wedge having a shoulder support wedge structure attachment to provide the optimal support and comfort to a patient while resting or sleeping on a bed or similar structure. An exemplary embodiment of the bed wedge apparatus is capable of being inflated and deflated to the optimal angle for comfort and support for the repaired shoulder by means of a remote control switch by the patients themselves without assistance from a caregiver. Alternate embodiments of the bed wedge apparatus include ones without the need for inflation or deflation and ones that have shoulder support wedge structures for both shoulders after surgery.

Abstract: A pillow that includes two sheets of flexible material, joined together to define a space and that is inflatable to provide a cushioned support. The pillow has a head zone that provides cushioning for a user's head and two wings that are configured to extend away from the head zone such that the pillow is substantially U-shaped in the plane of the pillow, when deflated. A channel extends between the sheets of flexible material to connect the wings. The channel is positioned at a point in the head zone furthermost from the wing ends. The width of the channel increases from the center line such that when the pillow is inflated, the pillow has a substantially V-shaped profile that is formed about the centerline and centered on the channel.

Abstract: A method can be provided that includes measuring sound waves using a sound measuring device, determining, at a central controller of an air mattress system, one or more parameter values of the sound waves, comparing the one or more parameter values with values, ranges, or patterns indicative of snoring, identifying a snoring state of a user, and initiating, with the central controller, a change to one or more adjustable features of the air mattress system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a standing mobility and/or transfer device for handicapped users including an articulating foot platform system effective to move a foot platform between a rearwardly tilted user-receiving condition located close to the floor and an elevated, forwardly tilted condition for user transport at a standing-prone angle. Bilateral lift arms move in concert with the raising and lowering function of the foot platform to elevate the person to a standing-prone position from a seated position. In a raised position, the lift arms are located alongside a user to provide additional posture control. Optional motors associated with one or more wheels of the device may be controlled by the user with a joystick for self-propelled standing mobility.