Abstract: A carrier for an object having castors at each corner and a steering system comprised of a fixed pair of spaced steering wheels deployable to contact the surface proximate the midpoint of the carrier. The pair of steering wheels are separated by a distance that improves tracking of the carrier and allows the carrier to more easily be turned around corners. A linkage is connected between a foot pedal and the pair of steering wheels; and the pair of steering wheels is moved into surface contact simultaneously with said castors contacting the surface by pressing the foot pedal.

Abstract: A free-standing medical service column has front and rear chases with service outlets mounted on at least the front side for connection with fluid and electrical conduits. The column includes vertically extending tracks at each corner, which tracks extend substantially the height of the column. Brackets, holders, and equipment are connected to the tracks by means of locking slide assemblies. Each slide assembly includes a base and a slide element formed of a low-friction material. A screw interconnects the base with the slide element such that rotation of the screw moves the slide toward the base and against the wall of the channel to frictionally secure the slide within the channel. Members secured to the column by means of locking slide elements may also carry a bracket. The bracket includes a plug formed of resilient material, which plug is received in a cylindrical bore of the member.

Abstract: A service outlet wall comprising at least one generally planar wall member, at least one section of which is adapted to receive one or more service outlets having a service conduits connected thereto and leading to service sources is disclosed. Means for housing the conduits is provided. The housing means is adjacent to the linear sections of the wall member and is configured to conceal and protect the service conduit. The service outlets are movable along the linear sections of the wall member, permitting placement of the service outlets at different positions along the linear sections. The service conduits connected to the outlets are simultaneously repositioned while maintaining the conduits in a concealed and protected position. A rail system for providing service outlets to particular locations in a room while simultaneously positioning service conduit connected to the outlets is also disclosed.

Abstract: A male-female connector is utilized to mount a holder to a mounting member. The connector includes a sleeve within which is disposed a gripper assembly. The gripper assembly comprises a plurality of elastic O-rings, each of which is positioned between a pair of beveled surfaces. When the beveled surfaces are converged toward one another, the O-rings ride-up upon the beveled surfaces and are radially expanded to frictional engagement with the socket wall.

Abstract: An improved medical service column is described. The improved column is of a fixed height yet may be mounted or secured in a variety of patient room environments with floor-to-ceiling heights of substantially varying lengths. By employing guide tubes or jack screw assemblies of various lengths, the single medical service column may be adjustably mounted in rooms of varying height. A shroud or cover to render the upper section of the medical service column and the ceiling connecting area aesthetically pleasing is also described. The improvement permits employing a single medical service column of a fixed height to provide services to a patient or to a patient bed area at a standard or desired height with respect to the patient room floor.

Abstract: A free-standing medical service column has front and rear chases with service outlets mounted on at least the front side for connection with fluid and electrical conduits. The column includes vertically extending tracks at each corner, which tracks extend substantially the height of the column. Brackets, holders, and equipment are connected to the tracks by means of locking slide assemblies. Each slide assembly includes a base and a slide element formed of a low-friction material. A screw interconnects the base with the slide element such that rotation of the screw moves the slide toward the base and against the wall of the channel to frictionally secure the slide within the channel. Members secured to the column by means of locking slide elements may also carry a bracket. The bracket includes a plug formed of resilient material, which plug is received in a cylindrical bore of the member.

Abstract: A free-standing medical service column has front and rear chases with service outlets mounted on at least the front side for connection with fluid and electrical conduits. The column includes vertically extending tracks at each corner, which tracks extend substantially the height of the column. Brackets, holders, and equipment are connected to the tracks by means of locking slide assemblies. Each slide assembly includes a base and a slide element formed of a low-friction material. A screw interconnects the base with the slide element such that rotation of the screw moves the slide toward the base and against the wall of the channel to frictionally secure the slide within the channel. Members secured to the column by means of locking slide elements may also carry a bracket. The bracket includes a plug formed of resilient material, which plug is received in a cylindrical bore of the member.

Abstract: A headwall unit for patient-care rooms has a skeletal framework which supports slidable cover panels. The cover panels are held in place by a removable vertically elongate portion of the framework. When the vertically elongate portion is released, the cover panels can be easily removed to provide access to the interior of the unit for installation or maintenance.