Abstract: A height adjustable patient support has a frame, a pair of motor powered leg assemblies operable to vertically raise and lower the frame between a lowermost position and an uppermost position, a guide structure for longitudinally guiding an end of at least one of the pair of leg assemblies along the frame as the at least one of the pair of leg assemblies operates to vertically raise and lower the frame, and a non-motorized structure operable to longitudinally bias the end of the at least one of the pair of leg assemblies when the frame is in the lowermost position, the non-motorized structure mounted on the patient support by a mounting structure non-rigidly secured to the patient support. The non-motorized structure may assist with raising the frame from the lowermost position until motors operating the motor powered legs are able to continue with raising the frame.

Abstract: An illuminable indicator for a bed includes a body configured to be attached to the bed. The body can include a resilient portion and a light-transmitting portion. The body can be shaped to protrude from an outer perimeter of the bed. A light source can be positioned to emit light to the light-transmitting portion to illuminate the body.

Abstract: A height adjustable patient support has a frame, a pair of motor powered leg assemblies operable to vertically raise and lower the frame between a lowermost position and an uppermost position, a guide structure for longitudinally guiding an end of at least one of the pair of leg assemblies along the frame as the at least one of the pair of leg assemblies operates to vertically raise and lower the frame, and a non-motorized structure operable to longitudinally bias the end of the at least one of the pair of leg assemblies when the frame is in the lowermost position, the non-motorized structure mounted on the patient support by a mounting structure non-rigidly secured to the patient support. The non-motorized structure may assist with raising the frame from the lowermost position until motors operating the motor powered legs are able to continue with raising the frame.

Abstract: An illuminable indicator for a bed includes a body configured to be attached to the bed. The body can include a resilient portion and a light-transmitting portion. The body can be shaped to protrude from an outer perimeter of the bed. A light source can be positioned to emit light to the light-transmitting portion to illuminate the body.

Abstract: A patient support, such as a bed, can include a frame, a patient support deck coupled to the frame and configured to support a patient, and wheels coupled to the frame to support the patient support on a floor. A securing device can removably fasten the patient support to the floor. A guard structure coupled to the frame can include a substantially continuous body as well as a gripping portion for the patient and attendant. A controller can enable functionality of the patient support in response to an access control device being unlocked. A brake pedal can be removable from the patient support by an attendant. In another embodiment, the patient support can include a frame configured to be supported by the floor, a non-articulating patient support deck supported by the frame, side panels extending from the patient support deck to the floor, and restraint loops on opposite sides of the patient support deck.

Abstract: A sheet switch (142) has a bottom layer (144) and a top layer (160). First and second conductors (148, 162) located on the bottom layer (144) form two separate conductive paths, with a voltage potential applied to the conductors (148, 162). The top layer (160) includes a ground conductor (172). Spacers (178) are positioned between the top and bottom layers (160, 144). When forces are externally applied, the spacers (178) collapse and the ground conductor (172) contacts the first and second conductors (148, 162), and establishes a conductive path therebetween.

Abstract: A sheet switch (142) has a bottom layer (144) and a top layer (160). First and second conductors (148, 162) located on the bottom layer (144) form two separate conductive paths, with a voltage potential applied to the conductors (148, 162). The top layer (160) includes a ground conductor (172). Spacers (178) are positioned between the top and bottom layers (160, 144). When forces are externally applied, the spacers (178) collapse and the ground conductor (172) contacts the first and second conductors (148, 162), and establishes a conductive path therebetween.

Abstract: A sheet switch (142) has a bottom layer (144) and a top layer (160). First and second conductors (148, 162) located on the bottom layer (144) form two separate conductive paths, with a voltage potential applied to the conductors (148, 162). The top layer (160) includes a ground conductor (172). Spacers (178) are positioned between the top and bottom layers (160, 144). When forces are externally applied, the spacers (178) collapse and the ground conductor (172) contacts the first and second conductors (148, 162), and establishes a conductive path therebetween.

Abstract: A sheet switch (142) has a bottom layer (144) and a top layer (160). First and second conductors (148, 162) located on the bottom layer (144) form two separate conductive paths, with a voltage potential applied to the conductors (148, 162). The top layer (160) includes a ground conductor (172). Spacers (178) are positioned between the top and bottom layers (160, 144). When forces are externally applied, the spacers (178) collapse and the ground conductor (172) contacts the first and second conductors (148, 162), and establishes a conductive path therebetween.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable mechanical bed consisting of a bed frame for support of a mattress and occupant attached to moveable leg means powered by a motor means. Operation of the motor means causes a bearing block attached to the leg means to move longitudinally along a guide rod means, thereby collapsing the leg means beneath the bed and moving the bed frame vertically. Collapsing the bed to its substantially lowermost position causes the bearing block to engage a spring, thereby compressing said spring between the bearing block and a transverse member of the bed frame. The energy stored by the compression of the spring is used to raise the bed from its substantially lowermost position. Pivotally attached to the leg means is a rolling means consisting of a caster and foot arrangement. During normal operation, the foot is firmly engaged with the floor surface.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a height adjustable patient bed in a level position while adjusting height of the bed is provided. The system has electrically powered linear actuators having internal position sensors, the linear actuators operable to adjust the height of the bed. The system also has control means, electrically coupled to the linear actuators, which compares position information from the internal position sensors and then adjusts the power supply to one or the other of the linear actuators in response to the position information. This permits the trailing linear actuator to catch up to the lead linear actuator to maintain the bed in a level position while the height of the bed is being adjusted. Since the internal position sensors work on small changes in position, the leveling effect is not noticeable leading to less tilt of the bed and a smoother motion during height adjustment of he bed.

Abstract: An electrically activated emergency system for a patient bed comprises: an electrically powered linear actuator for driving a back rest of the patient bed from a lowered back rest position to a raised back rest position and operable to permit the back rest to lower from the raised back rest position to the lowered back rest position without being driven by the linear actuator; and, an independent emergency back rest lowering feature comprising an electrical activation means for activating the linear actuator to permit the back rest to lower from the raised back rest position to the lowered back rest position without being driven by the linear actuator, the electrical activation means not requiring continued operator attendance for continued lowering of the back rest.