Abstract: A patient support apparatus for traversing objects supported on ground surfaces. The patient support apparatus comprises a patient support deck, and a base to support the patient support deck from the ground surface. At pair of caster wheel assemblies spaced from each other are coupled to the base for pivoting movement about respective pivot axes cooperating to define a reference plane. A frame guard coupled to the base defines first and second ramp surfaces each disposed at an angle relative to the reference plane. The first ramp surface is arranged to engage objects before they contact one or more of the caster wheels when the patient support apparatus moves in a first direction. The second ramp surface is arranged to engage objects before they contact one or more of the caster wheels when the patient support apparatus moves in an opposite, second direction.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a base and a support frame. The patient support apparatus also comprises a lift assembly that operates to lift and lower the support frame relative to the base. The lift assembly comprises lift members that extend and collapse to lift and lower the support frame. A timing link is pivotally connected to one of the lift members and pivotally connected to the base. Guides operate to guide movement of the lift members during operation. In some cases guided bodies coupled to the lift members move passively in the guides. In other embodiments, driven members coupled to the lift members move actively in the guides to cause lifting and lowering of the support frame.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus that comprises a frame and a side rail mounted to the frame. The side rail comprises a side rail body and a pair of arms mounting the side rail body for rotational movement relative to the frame. The pair of arms has a pair of upper pivot connections connected to the side rail body and a pair of lower pivot connections for mounting to the frame. The upper pivot connections engage a timing link.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a patient support deck and a base frame assembly. The base frame assembly comprises a first frame assembly supporting a plurality of wheels, and a second frame assembly supporting one or more lift arms that are coupled to the patient support deck to the second frame assembly. A load cell assembly is interposed between the first and second frame assemblies to sense force acting on the first frame assembly associated with weight applied to the second frame assembly. The load cell assembly comprises: a load cell element coupled to one of the first frame assembly and the second frame assembly; a first pivot mount operatively attached to the load cell element; a second pivot mount operatively attached to the other of the first frame assembly and the second frame assembly; and a swing link arranged for pivoting movement.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus that comprises a frame and a side rail mounted to the frame. The side rail comprises a side rail body and a pair of arms mounting the side rail body for rotational movement relative to the frame. The pair of arms has a pair of upper pivot connections connected to the side rail body and a pair of lower pivot connections for mounting to the frame. The upper pivot connections couple to a timing link.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprising a patient support deck and a base to support the patient support deck from a ground surface, with a first frame assembly comprising a plurality of wheels to facilitate movement of the base, and a second frame assembly with one or more lift arms coupling the base to the second frame assembly. A load cell assembly to sense weight applied to the first frame assembly by the second frame assembly comprises a load cell support assembly coupled to the first frame assembly, and a load cell element coupled to the second frame assembly and mounted onto the load cell support assembly such that the second frame assembly is movable with respect to the first frame assembly along two axes of translation and is pivotable with respect to the first frame assembly about three axes of rotation.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a base and a support frame. The patient support apparatus also comprises a lift assembly that operates to lift and lower the support frame relative to the base. The lift assembly comprises lift members that extend and collapse to lift and lower the support frame. A timing link is pivotally connected to one of the lift members and pivotally connected to the base. Guides operate to guide movement of the lift members during operation. In some cases guided bodies coupled to the lift members move passively in the guides. In other embodiments, driven members coupled to the lift members move actively in the guides to cause lifting and lowering of the support frame.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a base and a support frame. The patient support apparatus also comprises a lift assembly that operates to lift and lower the support frame relative to the base. The lift assembly comprises lift members that extend and collapse to lift and lower the support frame. A timing link is pivotally connected to one of the lift members and pivotally connected to the base. Guides operate to guide movement of the lift members during operation. In some cases guided bodies coupled to the lift members move passively in the guides. In other embodiments, driven members coupled to the lift members move actively in the guides to cause lifting and lowering of the support frame.

Abstract: A patient support, such as a bed, a cot, a stretcher, or the like, for supporting an occupant includes sensors adapted to detect a status of the patient support, such as the width of the width-adjustable patient support component or the locked or unlocked state of the patient support component. A control system for the patient support is configured to determine if the patient support is in an unacceptable status, such as an unacceptable width configuration or an unlocked state, based on the sensed status. The control system is adapted to issue an alert or take action or prompt a caregiver to take an action if the patient support status is unacceptable.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprising a patient support deck and a base to support the patient support deck from a ground surface, with a first frame assembly comprising a plurality of wheels to facilitate movement of the base, and a second frame assembly with one or more lift arms coupling the base to the second frame assembly. A load cell assembly to sense weight applied to the first frame assembly by the second frame assembly comprises a load cell support assembly coupled to the first frame assembly, and a load cell element coupled to the second frame assembly and mounted onto the load cell support assembly such that the second frame assembly is movable with respect to the first frame assembly along two axes of translation and is pivotable with respect to the first frame assembly about three axes of rotation.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for traversing objects supported on ground surfaces. The patient support apparatus comprises a patient support deck, and a base to support the patient support deck from the ground surface. At pair of caster wheel assemblies spaced from each other are coupled to the base for pivoting movement about respective pivot axes cooperating to define a reference plane. A frame guard coupled to the base defines first and second ramp surfaces each disposed at an angle relative to the reference plane. The first ramp surface is arranged to engage objects before they contact one or more of the caster wheels when the patient support apparatus moves in a first direction. The second ramp surface is arranged to engage objects before they contact one or more of the caster wheels when the patient support apparatus moves in an opposite, second direction.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a base and a support frame. The patient support apparatus also comprises a lift assembly that operates to lift and lower the support frame relative to the base. The lift assembly comprises lift members that extend and collapse to lift and lower the support frame. A timing link is pivotally connected to one of the lift members and pivotally connected to the base. Guides operate to guide movement of the lift members during operation. In some cases guided bodies coupled to the lift members move passively in the guides. In other embodiments, driven members coupled to the lift members move actively in the guides to cause lifting and lowering of the support frame.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a base and a support frame. The patient support apparatus also comprises a lift assembly that operates to lift and lower the support frame relative to the base. The lift assembly comprises lift members that extend and collapse to lift and lower the support frame. Guides operate to guide movement of the lift members during operation. In some cases guided bodies coupled to the lift members move passively in the guides. In other embodiments, driven members coupled to the lift members move actively in the guides to cause lifting and lowering of the support frame.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus that comprises a frame and a side rail mounted to the frame. The side rail comprises a side rail body and a pair of arms mounting the side rail body for rotational movement relative to the frame. The pair of arms has a pair of upper pivot connections connected to the side rail body and a pair of lower pivot connections for mounting to the frame. The upper pivot connections couple to a timing link.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus that comprises a frame and a side rail mounted to the frame. The side rail comprises a side rail body and a pair of arms mounting the side rail body for rotational movement relative to the frame. The pair of arms has a pair of upper pivot connections connected to the side rail body and a pair of lower pivot connections for mounting to the frame. The upper pivot connections couple to a timing link.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a base and a support frame. The patient support apparatus also comprises a lift assembly that operates to lift and lower the support frame relative to the base. The lift assembly comprises lift members that extend and collapse to lift and lower the support frame. Guides operate to guide movement of the lift members during operation. In some cases guided bodies coupled to the lift members move passively in the guides. In other embodiments, driven members coupled to the lift members move actively in the guides to cause lifting and lowering of the support frame.

Abstract: A patient support includes a patient support surface, a barrier adjacent the patient support surface, with a portion of the barrier or patient support surface including at least one material suspended therein, applied thereto, or embedded therein having an antimicrobial property, and an energy generation system directing energy to the portion or another portion of the barrier or patient support surface, the energy comprising a current, a field, heat, sound waves, or light to provide antimicrobial treatment to the portion or the other portion.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus that comprises a frame and a side rail mounted to the frame. The side rail comprises a side rail body and a pair of arms mounting the side rail body for rotational movement relative to the frame. The pair of arms has a pair of upper pivot connections connected to the side rail body and a pair of lower pivot connections for mounting to the frame. The upper pivot connections couple to a timing link.

Abstract: A patient support comprising a first structure, a second structure adapted to support the weight of a patient and spaced from the first structure, at least one force sensor mounted to the first structure, and a mounting structure mounting the second structure relative to the sensor, which is adapted to transfer normal forces to the sensor but absorb lateral and/or vibration forces so as not to transfer those forces to the sensor.

Abstract: A compact patient support provides a full range of motion and function while optimizing compactness and achieving an improved “low height” position. Casters joined to the base of the support have a low profile and provide mechanical braking about a swivel axis and a rotational axis of the wheels. The low profile of the casters allows for a more compact base. The lift mechanism includes a lift actuator with the motor mounted on the upper of two stacked X-frames allowing for shorter cables and harnesses and allowing for a more compact folding of the X-frames when the support is in a lowered position thereby reducing bulk and contributing to the overall compactness of the patient support.