Abstract: A patient-support apparatus comprises an overhead arm located over a patient support and a mounting assembly coupled to the overhead arm. The mounting assembly has an alignment mechanism and a drive assembly. The drive assembly moves the alignment mechanism and the overhead arm relative to the patient support. The alignment mechanism may be configured to permit adjustment of the overhead arm without movement of the drive assembly. A radiant heater may be coupled to the overhead arm.

Abstract: A patient-support assembly includes a patient support having a platform tub and a platform cover. The platform tub includes first and second walls defining an air flow channel. The platform cover is mounted to the platform tub to cover the channel. An elongated vent rail on the platform cover extends into the air flow channel and an elongated vent panel is pivotably coupled to the platform cover. The vent rail includes a plurality of vent channels separated by abutment surfaces. The vent channels communicate with respective air vent slots. The vent panel is pivotable between a first position abutting the abutment surfaces and a second position moved away from the vent rail to provide increased access to the vent channels. The platform cover includes air vent slots. The assembly also includes a side guard panel having first and second spaced-apart surfaces. The side guard panel includes a window in the side guard panel. The side guard panel includes an access port.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus includes a base, a patient support carried above the base and a controller that controls at least one function of the patient support. A user interface panel includes a display and at least one button configured to provide an input signal to the controller. The user interface panel is coupled to the patient support for pivoting movement about more than one axis.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus having at least one side guard panel pivotably mounted for movement between first and second positions and a combined hinge and latch assembly configured to pivotably connect the side guard panel to the patient support. The combined hinge and latch assembly including a mounting member fixedly connected to the patient support, a hinge member fixedly connected to the side guard panel and rotatably connected to the mount for pivoting movement about an axis, and a stop mechanism coupled to one of the hinge member and the mount. The hinge member is movable along the axis between a locking position in which the stop mechanism engages the other of the hinge member and the mount to prevent relative rotation between the hinge member and the mount and a releasing position in which the stop mechanism is disengaged from the other of the hinge member and the mount to allow relative rotation between the hinge member and the mount.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus having an overhead arm located over a patient support mounted on a base, a canopy mounted to the overhead arm and supported over the patient support by the overhead arm, and a mounting assembly for attaching the overhead arm to the base, including an alignment mechanism to properly align the overhead arm with respect to the patient support, wherein the alignment mechanism has at least two relatively movable members, which moveable members are also relatively movable with respect to the overhead arm and the base and are fixedly secured to each other, the overhead arm and the base after alignment of the overhead arm relative to the patient support.

Abstract: A LCD in a laptop computer is resiliently mounted to a light-weight stiff celled composite sandwich panel that protects the LCD against breakage. The composite panel comprises a layer of lightweight preferably aluminum honeycomb celled material that is sandwiched between inner and outer sheets of graphite epoxy material. The carbon fibers comprising the graphite epoxy material have their axes parallel to a plane of the composite panel and exhibit a high strength modulus, whereas the axes of the honeycomb cells are normal to the plane of the composite panel. The LCD is mounted to the composite panel using vibration-isolated threaded fasteners, and/or using double-sided adhesive foam tape. In addition to providing an attachment surface for electronic printed circuit boards, the composite panel advantageously provides a large dissipation area for thermal management.

Abstract: A portable computer assembly includes a portable computer and a receptacle adapted to hold the portable computer. The portable computer assembly further includes a base for supporting the receptacle. Moreover, the portable computer assembly includes a latch for latching the receptacle to the base. Additionally disclosed is a method of removing particulate from a portable computer storage system which includes a receptacle, a base, and a locking mechanism.

Abstract: A mechanical switch in a laptop computer or other electronic equipment is surrounded by a protective, electrostatically shielding bellow-shaped housing that is formed from a nickel metal. Preferably formed by casting, the bellows has a sidewall thickness of about 0.06 mm to about 0.12 mm, a diameter ranging from about 2.6 mm to about 10 mm, and a compressive actuation displacement ranging from about 2 mm to about 8 mm. The number, shape and thickness of convolutions or pleats comprising the bellow may be designed to tailor the actuation force vs. actuation travel stroke transfer function. A substantially linear transfer function is achieved by providing a constant thickness housing wall and a constant convolution pitch. The housing produces good protection against water and dust, good tactile feedback, yet is cost and weight competitive with prior art rubber housings.

Abstract: In a laptop computer, CPU-generated heat is thermally conducted passively to a radiator-like element disposed behind the LCD, which uses the heat to warm the LCD. The CPU is surrounded by a liquid-tight housing containing a biphase coolant. A first tube in fluid communication with an outlet port in the housing conveys heat-vaporized coolant to an input port on the radiator. The coolant flows through a plurality of columns formed in the radiator-like element, transferring heat and condensing in the process. The transferred heat is radiated to the LCD, which is desirably warmed in the process. The condensed coolant is conducted from an export port in the radiator-like element through a second tube to an input port in the housing. A pressure sensor may be included to provide a coolant pressure drop signal that can be used to shutdown the CPU in the event of a coolant leak.