Abstract: A patient support for supporting a patient includes an inflatable mattress having at least one bladder forming at least part of a patient support surface, a pneumatic system for inflating the inflatable mattress, and a control system. The control system including at least one sensor, which includes an emitter and a receiver, with the emitter directing light into the bladder. The receiver receives a reflection from the light directed into the bladder, and the control system detects the immersion of a patient into the mattress based on the reflection received by the receiver.

Abstract: A patient support for supporting a patient includes an inflatable mattress defining a support surface and a pneumatic system for inflating the inflatable mattress. The pneumatic system includes a pressurized reservoir for holding pressurized air and selectively releases pressurized air from the reservoir to the mattress.

Abstract: A patient support for a patient includes a mattress with at least one air operated component and a cushioning layer forming a patient support surface. The mattress has a recessed portion beneath the patient support surface at the foot end of the mattress with an enclosure housed in the recess. The enclosure houses therein at least one pump for directing air to the air operated component and a controller for operating the pump. The enclosure has a central section and two side sections, with each of the sections having an upper side. The side sections are located on opposed sides of the central section and at opposed sides of the mattress at the foot end. The upper side of the central section is recessed below the upper sides of the side sections wherein the depth of the cushioning layer at the foot end between the side sections is maintained generally constant at least along the central portion of the mattress extending from the head end to the foot end.

Abstract: A boot including an outer sole assembly, the outer sole assembly extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise between a free surface and a connection surface, the outer sole assembly having a longitudinal groove that opens out in the area of the free surface. The longitudinal groove opens out in the area of the free surface, the groove having a length ranging between 30 and 100% of the length of the outer sole assembly, a width ranging between 25 and 45 mm, and a depth greater than or equal to 4 mm, the groove being compatible with one or more guiding ribs.

Abstract: A binding device for a ski or other sports apparatus. The ski or sports apparatus provides an upper service adapted to receive a binding device for retaining a boot, the binding device including an anchoring mechanism to anchor the binding device to the ski, the anchoring mechanism including a slide and at least one tightening mechanism which enables the binding device to be forced in place against the upper surface of the ski or sports apparatus.

Abstract: An article, such as an alpine or cross-country binding, provided to be associated with a sports apparatus, such as a ski, the article including a control mechanism movable between at least two positions. The control mechanism includes an arrangement for attracting an actuating member, such as the end of a ski pole, that is separate from the article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ski binding that includes an elastic buffer adapted to exert a return force on a boot when the boot heel is raised from the upper surface of the ski. The elastic buffer has a support surface adapted to come into abutment against the bottom of the sole of the ski boot, the support surface forming an angle with a plane substantially parallel to the upper surface of the ski ranging between 0° and 80°. The invention also relates to a ski in combination with the aforementioned binding.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ski boot comprising a sole and a transverse connector affixed to the sole, the transverse connector being adapted to be retained by a ski binding, the transverse connector being is arranged beneath the sole, and the sole having a clearance that includes an abutment surface beneath the front end of the sole, the abutment surface being adapted to come into abutment against an elastic buffer of the ski binding.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, or the like, includes a support deck having a plurality of pivotable sections adapted to support a patient thereon. A head section of the support deck generally supports a patient's torso and is movable between a generally horizontal orientation and a raised orientation. A CPR drop assembly allows the head section to be pivoted relatively quickly to the horizontal orientation in order to allow CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to be administered to the patient. The drop assembly may include a foot pedal having both a mechanical and electrical link to an actuator. The drop assembly may also be configured to operate in different manners depending upon the angular orientation of the head section at the time the drop assembly is initially activated.

Abstract: A device for binding an article of footwear to a sports article, such as a binding for securing a boot to a cross-country ski, including a locking mechanism adapted to cooperate with a connecting member of the article of footwear, and including a user-manipulable opening system for controlling the opening of the mechanism, the opening system being directly or indirectly manipulable independently according to at least two distinct directions of manipulation for controlling the opening of the mechanism.

Abstract: An assembly for affixing footwear to a gliding board, such as fixing a boot to a cross-country ski, such assembly including a retention device, or binding, an interface to be positioned between the retention device and the gliding board, the interface having a receiving surface for receiving the retention device and the retention device having a support surface to be supported on the interface, the receiving surface of the interface and the support surface of the retention device being mechanically non-compatible. The assembly further includes an adapter to couple the interface to the retention device, the adapter having a support surface mechanically compatible with the receiving surface of the interface, as well as a receiving surface mechanically compatible with the support surface of the retention device, the support and receiving surfaces of the adapter being opposite with respect to one another.

Abstract: A patient support includes a cover and a compressible layer that includes air flow passages extending laterally, longitudinally, and transversely through the layer. The cover envelopes the compressible layer and forms a patient support surface thereon and further is adapted to be liquid impermeable, yet allow moisture vapor flow through the cover into the compressible layer and also allow moisture vapor flow out of the cover at a location other than the interface between a patient's body and patient support surface so that together the cover and the compressible layer will transport away moisture from the patient's body at the interface at the patient support surface and direct the moisture vapor to the location other than the interface at the patient support surface.

Abstract: A patient support includes a layer of fluid pressurized bladders, the bladders each having a chamber and an upwardly facing surface for facing and supporting a patient, and a cover over the layer of fluid pressurized bladders. Respective bladders in at least a group of the bladders each have a resilient body in its respective chamber to reform the shape of the respective bladder when a compression load on the respective bladder is removed wherein the pressure in the respective bladders is generally maintained without a powered supply of air. The cover has an upwardly facing patient surface and a bladder layer facing surface, with the patient surface for forming a patient support surface on the support, and the bladder layer facing surface for lying on the upwardly facing surfaces of the bladders.

Abstract: A device for binding a boot to a sports article, of the type including a retaining system through which the boot is fixed to the sports article with a possibility to move relative to the sports article, between a low position and a high position, of the type including a system for the elastic return of the boot toward its low position, and of the type in which the retaining system functions independently of the elastic return system, and in which the elastic return system is part of a pre-assembled unitary module.