Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a support surface, a caregiver control panel, a patient control panel, and a controller. The caregiver control panel includes a lock out control that, when manually activated by a caregiver, locks out one or more particular controls on the patient control panel. The controller is also adapted to automatically lock out the one or more particular controls, irrespective of the state of the lock out control, in response to a triggering event. The triggering event may include one or more of the following: the arming of an exit detection system, the arming of a monitoring system, the passage of a predetermined time period, the use of a scale, the zeroing of the scale, the receipt of a fall risk score for the patient, etc. The caregiver control panel may allow the caregiver to select what patient controls are automatically locked out.

Abstract: A brine generation system having a tank for containing crystalline salt, a level control system regulating a water supply to the tank which maintains a desired fluid level within the tank, and a freeze protection system with a duct peripherally disposed on an interior tank sidewall, the duct defining an interior space into which is placed a thermostatically controlled heating element. A portion of the duct extends to the outside of the tank enabling access to the interior space such that the heating element may be replaced without disturbing any external tank insulation or emptying the tank contents.

Abstract: A patient support may be adjustable in height, width, length or a combination thereof. The patient support may be useable with normal sized patients or with bariatric patients. The patient support has a variety of features to enhance operability and/or functionality, including a width adjustable caster frame, width adjustable deck portions, a width adjustable headboard and an extendible foot board to provide extra length. An enhanced lift mechanism can accommodate bariatric patients and alternative functionality in achieving deck positions improves patient comfort. Various parts of the patient support including deck panels and the footboard may be removed and replaced with ease without complicated connectors.

Abstract: A patient support includes a height adjustable patient support deck, at least one guard structure mounted for movement relative to the patient support deck, and a latch operable to lock the position of the guard structure in a raised position. The patient support further includes a CPR release operable to lower the head deck section of the patient support deck to place the patient support in an emergency state and further operable to release the latch to allow the guard rail structure to lower or be lowered from the raised position.

Abstract: A patient support may be adjustable in height, width, length or a combination thereof. The patient support may be usable with normal sized patients or with bariatric patients. The patient support has a variety of features to enhance operability and/or functionality, including a width adjustable caster frame, width adjustable deck portions, a width adjustable headboard and an extendible foot board to provide extra length. An enhanced lift mechanism can accommodate bariatric patients and alternative functionality in achieving deck positions improves patient comfort. Various parts of the patient support including deck panels and the footboard may be removed and replaced with ease without complicated connectors.

Abstract: In one aspect, a tire monitoring apparatus having a circuit board, battery, and valve body intermediate the circuit board and the battery. The valve body has an attachment end portion for connecting to a valve stem of a tire, a filling end portion, and an internal passageway to permit air to travel from the filling end portion to the attachment end portion. The circuit board has a sensor configured to detect a variable of air traveling in the internal passageway of the valve body and communication circuitry of the circuit board operable to wirelessly communicate data associated with the variable of the air. The tire monitoring apparatus further includes a support permanently encapsulating the circuit board and battery about the valve body. The support includes a structural member molded onto the valve body and an embedding member securing the circuit board and the battery to the structural member.

Abstract: A patient support includes a height adjustable patient support deck, at least one guard structure mounted for movement relative to the patient support deck, and a latch operable to lock the position of the guard structure in a raised position. The patient support further includes a CPR release operable to lower the head deck section of the patient support deck to place the patient support in an emergency state and further operable to release the latch to allow the guard rail structure to lower or be lowered from the raised position.

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 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 person support apparatus includes a base, a controller, and a barrier having at least one electrical device. The base includes mounting structures for releasably mounting the barrier to the base. A first electrical connector is in communication with the at least one electrical device and mounted to the barrier. A second electrical connector is in communication with the controller and mounted at one of the mounting structures for connection with the first electrical connector when the barrier is mounted to the base at the mounting structures.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, recliner, or the like, includes a patient support surface, a display, a plurality of indicators and/or controls, an ambient light sensors, and a controller. The display is adapted to be illuminated at multiple illumination levels, and the controller is adapted to receive ambient light level readings from the ambient light sensor, to use the ambient light level readings to automatically select a particular brightness level for the display, and to cause the display to display information at the particular brightness level. In some embodiments, multiple ambient light sensors are included and the readings of those within a valid range are averaged together to determine the particular brightness level. Machine learning algorithms may also be included for selecting the brightness level based on a user's prior history of manually selecting a brightness level.

Abstract: A patient support includes a height adjustable patient support deck, at least one guard structure mounted for movement relative to the patient support deck, and a latch operable to lock the position of the guard structure in a raised position. The patient support further includes a CPR release operable to lower the head deck section of the patient support deck to place the patient support in an emergency state and further operable to release the latch to allow the guard rail structure to lower or be lowered from the raised position.

Abstract: A patient support includes a height adjustable patient support deck, at least one guard structure mounted relative to the patient support deck along a side of the patient support, with the guard structure movable both vertically and laterally along the side of the patient support, and the guard structure positionable beneath at least the patient support deck. The patient support further includes a control system configured to determine whether the guard structure is located beneath the patient support deck and to enable or disable a function of the patient support and/or to adjust a parameter of the patient support when the guard structure is located beneath the patient support deck.

Abstract: A patient support may be adjustable in height, width, length or a combination thereof. The patient support may be usable with normal sized patients or with bariatric patients. The patient support has a variety of features to enhance operability and/or functionality, including a width adjustable caster frame, width adjustable deck portions, a width adjustable headboard and an extendible foot board to provide extra length. An enhanced lift mechanism can accommodate bariatric patients and alternative functionality in achieving deck positions improves patient comfort. Various parts of the patient support including deck panels and the footboard may be removed and replaced with ease without complicated connectors.

Abstract: A test cage and method for testing a gap formed between a wall and an insulation layer in a vehicle. The test cage includes first and second end walls and a sidewall to form an interior space. Openings extend through one or more of the first and second end walls and the sidewall. The openings are configured to allow air flow through the interior space. Two or more ports extend through the first end wall and are in communication with the interior space. Each of the ports comprises an inner end at the interior space with the inner ends spaced apart within the interior space and also spaced away from the second end wall. Hoses can be connected to the ports to provide for inputting a gas and/or testing the air within the gap.

Abstract: There is provided a patient support that may be adjustable in height, width, length or a combination thereof. The patient support may be useable with normal sized patients or with bariatric patients. The patient support has a variety of features to enhance operability and/or functionality, including a width adjustable caster frame, width adjustable deck portions, a width adjustable headboard and an extendible foot board to provide extra length. An enhanced lift mechanism can accommodate bariatric patients and alternative functionality in achieving deck positions improves patient comfort. Various parts of the patient support including deck panels and the footboard may be removed and replaced with ease without complicated connectors.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to carabiners, carabiner retrieval devices and systems, and methods of retrieving a carabiner. In an embodiment, a carabiner retrieval device includes a neck, a retention device, and a retrieval cord retention structure. The neck has a length and includes a first end spaced from a second end along the length. The retention device extends from the first end of the neck at an obtuse angle relative to the length of the neck, and is configured to be attached to a gate of a carabiner. The retrieval cord retention structure extends from the second end of the neck, and is configured to retain a retrieval cord. When the retrieval cord is coupled to the retrieval cord retention structure and the retrieval cord retention device is attached to the gate of the carabiner, the gate opens responsive to the retrieval cord being pulled in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A person support apparatus includes a base, a controller, and a barrier having at least one electrical device. The base includes mounting structures for releasably mounting the barrier to the base. A first electrical connector is in communication with the at least one electrical device and mounted to the barrier. A second electrical connector is in communication with the controller and mounted at one of the mounting structures for connection with the first electrical connector when the barrier is mounted to the base at the mounting structures.

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 person support apparatus includes a base, a controller, and a barrier having at least one electrical device. The base includes mounting structures for releasably mounting the barrier to the base. A first electrical connector is in communication with the at least one electrical device and mounted to the barrier. A second electrical connector is in communication with the controller and mounted at one of the mounting structures for connection with the first electrical connector when the barrier is mounted to the base at the mounting structures.