Abstract: Conventional beds have a spring mattress and a sprung base for the comfort of the user, but on profiling beds, a sprung base cannot be used and, ordinarily, a mattress is laid on lifting and lowering mechanism, with a result that when pivoted or folded, folding or rucking of the surface of the mattress occurs to the discomfort of the user. A first object of the invention is to avoid the above disadvantage, and a second object is to provide a body support arrangement of greater comfort than conventional mattresses and separate bases. The first objective is met by a body support arrangement comprising at least two sectors connected in such a manner as to permit a relative pivoting of the sectors with respect to each other, each sector being formed by an upper sprung or filled mattress part and lower sprung base part.

Abstract: Conventional beds have a spring mattress and a sprung base for the comfort of the user, but on profiling beds, a sprung base cannot be used and, ordinarily, a mattress is laid on lifting and lowering mechanism, with a result that when pivoted or folded, folding or rucking of the surface of the mattress occurs to the discomfort of the user. A first object of the invention is to avoid the above disadvantage, and a second object is to provide a body support arrangement of greater comfort than conventional mattresses and separate bases.

Abstract: A computer system having a Visual Development Environment (VDE) is described. The Visual Development Environment includes an interface having a Component Inspector, Component Manager, Component Library, and one or more visual editors. In operation, a user constructs a program by selecting one or more components from the Library, which displays components in a tabbed palette. Using a visual editor of the system, the user may drill-down into the internals of a component, for modifying its logic. Once the functionality of a component is completed, the user may proceed to connect together various components via the component "ports", which allow access to properties of the component. Components of the system may be nested within other components to an arbitrary level.

Abstract: A blade scabbard including a safety lock which functions to prevent accidental or inadvertent withdrawal of a blade from a fully inserted position within the scabbard housing. The safety lock operates automatically in response to insertion of a blade into the scabbard and is preferably associated with blade sharpening mechanism which is also responsive to movement of a blade into and out of the scabbard housing. The sharpening mechanism is preferably inactive during blade insertion and active during blade withdrawal. Manually operable release means is provided to enable release of the lock for blade withdrawal purposes, and it is necessary to operate the release means while simultaneously withdrawing the blade from the scabbard. The safety lock is fully released after the blade has been withdrawn a distance from the fully inserted position and operation of the release means can then be terminated without hindering further withdrawal of the blade.