Abstract: A chair, particularly a wheelchair (1), has a detachable active calf support (4), which has a plurality of inflatable cushion members (A, B, C, D) providing a calf support surface for a person in the chair. The cushion members are parallel transverse tubes forming an array extending away from the chair seat (3). The chair has a control for inflating and deflating the tubes in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A hamper (10) includes a body portion (11) having a front wall (15), a rear wall (16) and two side walls (17, 18) all extending upwardly from a bottom surface (14) to form an open top. A cover portion (12) is pivotally mounted to the body portion (11) to close the open top. Wheels (21) are positioned at the bottom of the rear wall (16) to render the hamper (10) mobile. For such purpose, a handle assembly (13) is provided in the form of a U-shaped handle (33) having opposed branches (35) interconnected at one end by a grip area (34). The other end of the branches (35) are pivotally connected to the body portion (11). A bar (40) extends between the branches (35) and carries a pull tab (41) and a lock lug (42). The lock lug (42) is received in a slot (45) formed in the body portion (11) to hold the handle (33) in an upright position so that the hamper (10) can be transported on the wheels (21).

Abstract: A coating composition based on a dispersed fluoropolymer resin is provided. The composition includes a vinylidene difluoride-based polymer such as PVDF, an organic solvent and a dispersant. A method of forming a protective coating on a metal substrate with the fluoropolymer resin-based coating composition and a composite material having at least one surface coated with a vinylidene difluoride-based polymer film are also provided.

Abstract: An electromagnetic reciprocating compressor has a body (1, 2), a piston (10) reciprocating in the body, and an electromagnetic drive (22, 23, 24) for the piston. The piston has a piston head (11) which slides in a cylinder (12) in the body to effect compression of fluid in the cylinder during operation of the compressor and, axially spaced from the piston head, a piston guide member (13) slidingly movable on a guide surface (14) provided by the body. The compressor has a compression spring arrangement (20) comprising at least one helical compression spring (20a, b) acting to drive the piston axially. The spring (20a, b) is mounted around the piston and is at least partly located within the cylinder during at least part of the piston stroke but is outside the working volume of fluid undergoing compression.

Abstract: In operation of a support for a patient's body, used in medical or veterinary treatment, which applies alternating-pressure to the body in order to reduce or minimize the risk of pressure sores caused by prolonged pressure on the skin, inflatable cells of the support are inflated and deflated cyclically in a predetermined sequence. To provide improved effect in relieving or preventing pressure sores, the cells are deflated in the sequence in such a manner that the interior pressure falls from 10 mmHg (135 Pa) to 0 mmHg in a time period of not more than 15 s. Preferably the interior pressure falls to below 0 mmHg (ambient atmospheric pressure). A vacuum pump or pumps may be employed to achieve this result.

Abstract: A connector for use in connecting an air-inflatable mattress to a control unit, where the connector has three modes of operation: Off; On; and CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) when the male body part and the female body part are mutually engaged. These modes arise from different alignments of the air passages of the first component and second component of the male body part at surfaces which abut one another. Fluid supply lines to be connected are attached to the unions. The female body part is attached to a wall of the control unit, and the male body part is on the ends of the supply lines running to the air-inflatable mattress.