Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a control system that simplifies operation of the patient support apparatus for a caregiver by simplifying the information available to the caregiver during operation of the patient support apparatus. The patient support apparatus provides indicators at the site of care for the caregiver, as well as indicators that are discernable from a distance, indicators providing concise information to the caregiver regarding the status of functions of the patient support apparatus and an alarm function of the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A sling bar assembly allows variable positioning of a sling on the sling bar assembly. Some sling bar assemblies include opposing sling bar members that are movable with respect to one another in a lateral direction. Some opposing sling bar members are repositionable between a locked position, in which movement of the sling members with respect to one another is restricted, and an unlocked position. Some sling bar assemblies include multiple sling hooks positioned on a sling bar member. Some sling bar assemblies include a biasing member that permits movement of a sling hook with respect to the sling bar assembly in the lateral direction.

Abstract: A dual-wheel steerable motorized caster has internal motors that are operated at different speeds to swivel a pair of wheels about a caster swivel axis. The motors are operated at the same speed to propel an apparatus to which the dual-wheel steerable motorized caster is coupled along an underlying surface such as a floor in a drive direction without swiveling the pair of wheels about the caster swivel axis. A patient support apparatus has one or more of such dual-wheel steerable motorized casters.

Abstract: A head rest accessory for coupling to a frame member at a head end of a pivotable torso support section of a hospital bed is provided. A frame is configured to couple to the frame member. A head rest mount is coupled to the frame and is repositionable along the frame. A head rest is coupled to the head rest mount and includes a face rest shell. A first angle sensor is positioned along a side of the face rest shell. A second angle sensor is positioned on a head end of the face rest shell.

Abstract: An overhead arm assembly for a patient support apparatus includes a user interface device. The user interface device has a support structure for supporting a personal digital assistant and a charging port for personal digital assistant.

Abstract: A modular patient support apparatus includes mechanisms, which provide advanced kinematics for moving portions of the patient support apparatus. The patient support apparatus includes a releasing assembly connected to the head deck section that assists in the raising and lowering of the head deck section by unlocking an adjustable-length strut. The patient support apparatus includes an over-center calf deck section mechanism that assists the user in pulling or holding calf deck section up when at or near a flat position, reducing the amount of input force needed to articulate the calf deck section, and self-retracting the calf deck section down when the calf deck section is at or near the fully articulated position.

Abstract: An overhead arm assembly for a patient support apparatus includes a user interface device. The user interface device has a support structure for supporting a personal digital assistant and a charging port for personal digital assistant.

Abstract: An overhead arm assembly for a patient support apparatus includes a user interface device. The user interface device has a support structure for supporting a personal digital assistant and a charging port for personal digital assistant.

Abstract: An overhead lift includes a lift strap, a motor, an electromagnetic brake, and a release assembly. The motor includes a rotatable shaft coupled to the lift strap. The electromagnetic brake is coupled to the rotatable shaft and has an engaged state and a disengaged state. The release assembly is engaged with the electromagnetic brake. The release assembly incudes a release lever engaged with the electromagnetic brake and a release strap. The release lever is moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the release lever switches the electromagnetic brake to the disengaged state when in the second position. The release strap is coupled to the release lever. Tensioning of the release strap moves the release lever from the first position to the second position thereby switching the electromagnetic brake to the disengaged state.

Abstract: A sling bar assembly allows variable positioning of a sling on the sling bar assembly. Some sling bar assemblies include opposing sling bar members that are movable with respect to one another in a lateral direction. Some opposing sling bar members are repositionable between a locked position, in which movement of the sling members with respect to one another is restricted, and an unlocked position. Some sling bar assemblies include multiple sling hooks positioned on a sling bar member. Some sling bar assemblies include a biasing member that permits movement of a sling hook with respect to the sling bar assembly in the lateral direction.

Abstract: An overhead arm assembly for a patient support apparatus includes a user interface device. The user interface device has a support structure for supporting a personal digital assistant and a charging port for personal digital assistant.

Abstract: A sling bar assembly allows variable positioning of a sling on the sling bar assembly. Some sling bar assemblies include opposing sling bar members that are movable with respect to one another in a lateral direction. Some opposing sling bar members are repositionable between a locked position, in which movement of the sling members with respect to one another is restricted, and an unlocked position. Some sling bar assemblies include multiple sling hooks positioned on a sling bar member. Some sling bar assemblies include a biasing member that permits movement of a sling hook with respect to the sling bar assembly in the lateral direction.

Abstract: An overhead arm assembly for a patient support apparatus includes a user interface device. The user interface device has a support structure for supporting a personal digital assistant and a charging port for personal digital assistant.

Abstract: A head rest accessory is provided for coupling to a bed frame of a hospital bed. The head rest accessory includes a frame and a head rest mount coupled to the frame. A head rest is coupled to the head rest mount and includes a face rest shell. A first angle sensor measures a first tilt angle of the face rest shell. A second angle sensor measures a second tilt angle of the face rest shell.

Abstract: A dual-wheel steerable motorized caster has internal motors that are operated at different speeds to swivel a pair of wheels about a caster swivel axis. The motors are operated at the same speed to propel an apparatus to which the dual-wheel steerable motorized caster is coupled along an underlying surface such as a floor in a drive direction without swiveling the pair of wheels about the caster swivel axis. A patient support apparatus has one or more of such dual-wheel steerable motorized casters.

Abstract: A head rest accessory is provided for coupling to a bed frame of a hospital bed. The head rest accessory includes a frame and a head rest mount coupled to the frame. A head rest is coupled to the head rest mount and includes a face rest shell. A first angle sensor measures a first tilt angle of the face rest shell. A second angle sensor measures a second tilt angle of the face rest shell.

Abstract: A head rest accessory for coupling to sockets provided on a bed frame of a hospital bed is provided. A frame is configured to be insertable downwardly into the sockets to couple the frame to the bed frame of the hospital bed. A head rest mount is coupled to the frame and is repositionable along the frame. A head rest is coupled to the head rest mount and includes a face rest shell. A first angle sensor is positioned along a side of the face rest shell. A second angle sensor is positioned on a head end of the face rest shell.

Abstract: An overhead lift includes a lift strap, a motor, an electromagnetic brake, and a release assembly. The motor includes a rotatable shaft coupled to the lift strap. The electromagnetic brake is coupled to the rotatable shaft and has an engaged state and a disengaged state. The release assembly is engaged with the electromagnetic brake. The release assembly incudes a release lever engaged with the electromagnetic brake and a release strap. The release lever is moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the release lever switches the electromagnetic brake to the disengaged state when in the second position. The release strap is coupled to the release lever. Tensioning of the release strap moves the release lever from the first position to the second position thereby switching the electromagnetic brake to the disengaged state.

Abstract: A sling bar assembly allows variable positioning of a sling on the sling bar assembly. Some sling bar assemblies include opposing sling bar members that are movable with respect to one another in a lateral direction. Some opposing sling bar members are repositionable between a locked position, in which movement of the sling members with respect to one another is restricted, and an unlocked position. Some sling bar assemblies include multiple sling hooks positioned on a sling bar member. Some sling bar assemblies include a biasing member that permits movement of a sling hook with respect to the sling bar assembly in the lateral direction.