Abstract: A cover for a support surface includes: a ticking made of a ticking material configured to enclose a support layer of the support surface, the ticking having an outer top surface configured to face a person lying on the support surface; and a friction reducing overlay on at least a portion of the outer top surface for facilitating displacement of the person on the support surface, the friction reducing overlay being made of a low friction material formed onto the ticking material, the friction reducing overlay comprising a plurality of overlay elements that are spaced apart from each other to form an overlay pattern.

Abstract: A support surface for a patient support apparatus is disclosed. The support surface is adapted for supporting a patient and extends from a head end to a foot end along a longitudinal direction and between two opposite lateral sides along a transversal direction. The support surface comprises a first layer, a second layer disposed below the first layer, and a cover enclosing both layers. The cover includes an opening, and a sleeve is coupled to the cover. The sleeve, which defines an internal space, is disposed between the first and second layers. The internal space of the sleeve and the opening collaborate to allow access to the internal space from the exterior of the support surface, enabling insertion and removal of the medical device.

Abstract: A mattress for a patient support apparatus has a cover having bottom and top surfaces, and an inflatable section disposed between the bottom and top surfaces. The inflatable section has a plurality of upper bladders in fluid communication with each other and a plurality of lower bladders in fluid communication with each other. The upper and lower bladders are selectively inflated independently from each other. The upper and lower bladders are formed by three sheets including an upper sheet, a lower sheet disposed below the upper sheet, and an intermediate sheet disposed between the upper and lower sheets. The upper sheet is fixed to the intermediate sheet to define the upper bladders between the upper sheet and the intermediate sheet. The lower sheet is fixed to the intermediate sheet to define the lower bladders between the lower sheet and the intermediate sheet. Other aspects of the mattress are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is a fire hose holding apparatus that involves a hose clamp that involves two halves that are connected together via a hinge and a handle. Located along the interior of said two halves are rubber strips. The locking apparatus involves a locking clip on the opposite ends of the two halves and locking notch in the handle.

Abstract: Fireplace tongs comprising a pair of levers connected to one another between their respective ends by means of a first pivot in the manner of scissors, this first pivot defining on one side thereof operating arms and on the other side thereof extensions of the operating arms. One of the extensions constitutes a first jaw for the tongs while a second jaw, similar to the first jaw, is pivotally mounted at one of its ends to the end of the other extension away from the first pivot. A connecting link is provided of which the ends are pivotally mounted on the jaws respectively on one side and on the other side of the first and of the second pivot and adjacent thereto, whereby closing in of the arms causes tightening of the jaws and, alternatively, spreading apart of the operating arms causes loosening of the jaws.

Abstract: A boat is provided with an elongated vane extending along each side of the hull. This vane is supported in a closely spaced relationship with the hull's surface to define a longitudinally extending slot. The vanes so positioned reduce the tendency of the boat hull to drift out on turns, by biting into the water. These vanes may be provided with mechanisms to close off the slot when not needed.