Abstract: An article of furniture 10 comprises a box frame 12 defining a void 14 and having a first opening 18 and an opposed, second opening 20. A lid arrangement 22 is associated with the first opening 18 of the frame 12 for closing the first opening 18. The article of furniture 10 includes a tub member 24 for closing the second opening 20. The tub member 24 comprises a dished portion 28. The tub member 24 is reversibly connectable to the box frame 12 so that, in a first orientation, at least the dished portion 28 is received within the void 14 of the box frame 12 to form an assembly of reduced volume for transportation or storage purposes and, in a reversed, second orientation, the dished portion 28 of the tub member 24 extends away from the void 14 to form an assembly of increased volume defined by a combination of the void 14 defined by the frame 12 and the dished portion 28 of the tub member 24 in its second orientation.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a hinge assembly comprising a mandrel having a longitudinal axis. A first arm is rotationally fixed relative to the mandrel and extends from one end of the mandrel generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. A second arm is rotatably connected relative to the mandrel about the longitudinal axis and extends from the opposite end of the mandrel generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. A coil spring is sleeved over and snugly surrounds the mandrel. Relative rotation of the first arm and the second arm in an opposite direction tightens the spring around the mandrel. Tightening of the spring generates resistance to relative rotation of the first arm and the second arm.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a hinge assembly comprising a mandrel having a longitudinal axis. A first arm is rotationally fixed relative to the mandrel and extends from one end of the mandrel generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. A second arm is rotatably connected relative to the mandrel about the longitudinal axis and extends from the opposite end of the mandrel generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. A coil spring is sleeved over and snugly surrounds the mandrel. Relative rotation of the first arm and the second arm in an opposite direction tightens the spring around the mandrel. Tightening of the spring generates resistance to relative rotation of the first arm and the second arm.

Abstract: An article of furniture 10 comprises a box frame 12 defining a void 14 and having a first opening 18 and an opposed, second opening 20. A lid arrangement 22 is associated with the first opening 18 of the frame 12 for closing the first opening 18. The article of furniture 10 includes a tub member 24 for closing the second opening 20. The tub member 24 comprises a dished portion 28. The tub member 24 is reversibly connectable to the box frame 12 so that, in a first orientation, at least the dished portion 28 is received within the void 14 of the box frame 12 to form an assembly of reduced volume for transportation or storage purposes and, in a reversed, second orientation, the dished portion 28 of the tub member 24 extends away from the void 14 to form an assembly of increased volume defined by a combination of the void 14 defined by the frame 12 and the dished portion 28 of the tub member 24 in its second orientation.

Abstract: A patient support appliance is provided of the kind formed from a plurality of inflatable air sacs, mounted on an articulating base and extending transversely of the base so as to provide, when inflated, a surface for supporting a person thereon. The base is divided into sections lengthwise of the appliance and the air sacs arranged in groups corresponding to said sections. An airblower for supplying air to the sacs is suspended from said base or mounted on a supporting frame. Air from the blower is fed to the appliance by a main air supplying conduit via a distribution chamber and individual air supply tubes lead from the distribution chamber to the groups of sacs. Pressure regulating valves are provided to regulate individually the pressure of air in the air supply tubes so that the pressure of air in each group can be regulated independently of the others. Means are provided for exhausting air rapidly from the distribution chamber, e.g.

Abstract: A support appliance is provided with a base structure comprising a plurality of hinged base boards arranged to be mounted on a standard hospital bed and providing a continuous, firm, base underlying a plurality of inflatable patient supporting air sacs to which air is supplied from headers supported by said base structure which headers are individually supplied with air under pressure by flexible conduits releasably connected to pressurized air supply conduits in a single housing connected at an edge of said base structure.