Abstract: According to one embodiment, a seat cushion comprises a second air cell section that is located on the rear side of a seat surface and a third air cell section that is located rearward of the second air cell section. The second air cell section and the third air cell section are adjacent to each other and have a common boundary extending diagonally in the front-rear direction of the seat surface such that the ischial region of a user fits in the boundary.

Abstract: In an air mattress (1) including a plurality of levels of air mattress layers (5, 7) which are vertically stacked, in each of the levels of air mattress layers (5, 7), flexible hollow air cells (43, 23) each extending along the width of the air mattress (1) are arranged in parallel with each other in the longitudinal direction of the air mattress (1), air cells (43, 23) in each of the upper air mattress layer (7) and the lower air mattress layer (5) are divided into a plurality of groups such that the air cells (43, 23) are expanded or contracted in units of the groups by supplying or discharging air to/from these air cells (43, 23).

Abstract: In an air mattress (1) including a plurality of levels of air mattress layers (5, 7) which are vertically stacked, in each of the levels of air mattress layers (5, 7), flexible hollow air cells (43, 23) each extending along the width of the air mattress (1) are arranged in parallel with each other in the longitudinal direction of the air mattress (1), air cells (43, 23) in each of the upper air mattress layer (7) and the lower air mattress layer (5) are divided into a plurality of groups such that the air cells (43, 23) are expanded or contracted in units of the groups by supplying or discharging air to/from these air cells (43, 23).

Abstract: The pressure of air to be fed into each of air cells (51-54) of an air mattress body (50) is selected by an air pressure selector (12) based on body information entered through an entry control panel (20), thereby adjusting the mattress hardness. Meanwhile, an operating mode selector switch (17) selects one of a rest mode and a pressure switch mode as an operating mode of the air mattress body (50).

Abstract: The bed is equipped with a back lift mechanism and comprises a thigh support mechanism for supporting only the thighs of a user. The bed further comprises cooperative means for performing a thigh lifting action of said the thigh support mechanism in cooperation with the back lift mechanism in back lifting action. The thigh support mechanism has a thigh support member, which has one end, proximal to the waist section of the bed, pivotally mounted on the bed frame to support only the thighs. The thigh support member has a width smaller than that of the bed frame and is provided only at the central region of the width of the bed frame.

Abstract: The bed is equipped with a back lift mechanism and comprises a thigh support mechanism for supporting only the thighs of a user. The bed further comprises cooperative means for performing a thigh lifting action of said the thigh support mechanism in cooperation with the back lift mechanism in back lifting action. The thigh support mechanism has a thigh support member, which has one end, proximal to the waist section of the bed, pivotally mounted on the bed frame to support only the thighs. The thigh support member has a width smaller than that of the bed frame and is provided only at the central region of the width of the bed frame.

Abstract: A distortion generating sheet (22) intervenes between a first and a second flexible sheets (11) and (12), respectively, with one end (23) thereof fixed to the first sheet (11), and the other end (24) fixed to the second sheet (12). As a consequence, when a shear takes place across the first and second sheets (11) and (12), respectively, the shear is conveyed to the distortion generating sheet (22). A strain gauge (21) fixed to the distortion generating sheet (22) detects and measures the distortion generated by the shear in the distortion generating sheets (22). A third sheet (15) is further provided with its periphery bonded to the first sheet (11) to form a closed space. The force bearing the patient is measured by measuring the pressure in the space formed.

Abstract: A distortion generating sheet (22) intervenes between a first and a second flexible sheets (11) and (12), respectively, with one end (23) thereof fixed to the first sheet (11), and the other end (24) fixed to the second sheet (12). As a consequence, when a shear takes place across the first and second sheets (11) and (12), respectively, the shear is conveyed to the distortion generating sheet (22). A strain gauge (21) fixed to the distortion generating sheet (22) detects and measures the distortion generated by the shear in the distortion generating sheets (22). A third sheet (15) is further provided with its periphery bonded to the first sheet (11) to form a closed space. The force bearing the patient is measured by measuring the pressure in the space formed.

Abstract: First and second air cell units 2 and 3, respectively, are divided into their right and left air cells 2a, 3a, 2b and 3b, respectively, and central bent sections 2c and 3c. Each of the bent section 2c and 3c connects associated right and left air cells together at offset relationship in the direction of the mat length. The first and the second air cell units are alternately inflated and deflated, so that the air cells are inflated asymmetrically to thereby support a patient lying thereon at asymmetrical portions. The bent sections 2c and 3c are configured to gently deform the respective air cells so as to allow the bent sections to abut closely on the patient's back without a sense of incompatibility with the air cells. The air mat may thus provide well-balanced and well-distributed supporting forces for the patient, which is suitable for preventing decubitus of the patient.