Abstract: A mouth and/or hand-held finger-actuated remote control unit is disclosed which is operable to permit selective variation of a pneumatic-operated controller (38, 42) having a proportional electrical control output to the electric motor (46) of a sewing machine (48). The unit comprises a hollow, elastic compressible bladder element (10, 110, 210) closed at one end and which is pneumatically connected to the controller. The bladder element is of length, width and height dimensions selected and proportioned to permit insertion of the bladder element in a person's mouth between the upper and lower teeth, or between the last fingers of a person's hand between the innermost knuckles and the person's palm. The bladder element is compressible by closing of a person's teeth thereon or movement of the fingers engaging the bladder toward the individual's palm to force air to the controller, thus controlling operation of the sewing machine.

Abstract: The bed handle system of the present invention, which includes a pair of handle elements, is used for facilitating movement into and out of a bed. Each handle element can be anchored to a bed mattress and has an upwardly extending handle section dimensioned to extend above the bed mattress. In use the handle portion is positioned adjacent a first side of the mattress, and the pair of handle elements are positioned in spaced relation to each other. The spacing between the handle elements may be adjusted to permit a user to grasp one handle section with each hand and to sit between the elements on the mattress preparatory to moving into or out of the bed.