Abstract: An articulated headrest. In one embodiment, an apparatus include a base portion and a headrest portion, and the headrest portion is coupled to the base portion by an articulation mechanism which moves the headrest substantially along an arc defined with respect to a pivot point outside the headrest portion and the base portion. In some embodiments, the pivot point may approximate the cervicothoracic junction of a user. In some embodiments, the headrest portion may be used to maintain the a user's head in a substantially neutral position. In some embodiments, the headrest portion may be deployed in the event of a crash condition and/or may articulate in response to reclining a seat back. In one embodiment, a portable or pillow version may articulate a headrest portion with respect to a base portion to provide head support.

Abstract: A bed comprises a mattress supported on a support surface. The mattress has first and second inflatable cells for supporting a patient.

Abstract: A headrest. In one embodiment, the headrest includes a rear head support potion and a wing member. In this embodiment, the wing member is rotatable upwardly and downwardly relative to the rear head support member to allow the wing member to be rotated vertically from a stowed position to a head support position. In this embodiment, the wing member is also pivotable horizontally relative to the rear head support portion.

Abstract: A bed comprises a mattress supported on a support surface. The mattress has first and second inflatable cells for supporting a patient.

Abstract: An articulated headrest. In one embodiment, an apparatus include a base portion and a headrest portion, and the headrest portion is coupled to the base portion by an articulation mechanism which moves the headrest substantially along an arc defined with respect to a pivot point outside the headrest portion and the base portion. In some embodiments, the pivot point may approximate the cervicothoracic junction of a user. In some embodiments, the headrest portion may be used to maintain the a user's head in a substantially neutral position. In some embodiments, the headrest portion may be deployed in the event of a crash condition and/or may articulate in response to reclining a seat back. In one embodiment, a portable or pillow version may articulate a headrest portion with respect to a base portion to provide head support.

Abstract: A bed comprises a mattress supported on a support surface. The mattress has first and second inflatable cells for supporting a patient.

Abstract: A headrest. In one embodiment, the headrest includes a rear head support potion and a wing member. In this embodiment, the wing member is rotatable upwardly and downwardly relative to the rear head support member to allow the wing member to be rotated vertically from a stowed position to a head support position. In this embodiment, the wing member is also pivotable horizontally relative to the rear head support portion.

Abstract: A headrest. In one embodiment, the headrest includes a support member having a center portion and an end portion which is integrally formed and which extends angularly from the center portion. A wing member is coupled to the end portion by a hinge mechanism that has sufficient friction to maintain any of a plurality of positions under a load of a human head leaning against said wing member, yet yields when a greater load is applied.

Abstract: A bed comprises a mattress supported on a support surface. The mattress has first and second inflatable cells for supporting a patient.

Abstract: A bed configured to support a patient having a weight comprises a frame, a patient support, and a plurality of sensors coupled between the frame and the patient support. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to generate an analog signal in response to a portion of the weight of the patient on the patient support. The bed also comprises a circuit coupled to the plurality of sensors to receive the analog signals therefrom. The circuit includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, each analog-to-digital converter being coupled to one of the sensors to generate a separate digital signal for each of the plurality of sensors, and a processor coupled to the plurality of analog-to-digital converters to determine the weight of the patient on the patient support.

Abstract: A headrest. In one embodiment, the headrest includes a support member having a center portion and an end portion which is integrally formed and which extends angularly from the center portion. A wing member is coupled to the end portion by a hinge mechanism that has sufficient friction to maintain any of a plurality of positions under a load of a human head leaning against said wing member, yet yields when a greater load is applied.

Abstract: A headrest for supportably engaging a person's head at rest to substantially inhibit neck strain is disclosed. In one embodiment, the headrest includes a center portion for supporting a neck portion of a person's head and first and second wing portions for supporting first and second side portions, respectively, of the person's head, and padding covering at least a portion of the center portion and the first and second wing portions. In another embodiment, the center portion is located distally relative to the first and second wing portions, and is adapted to frictionally and/or abuttingly engage the back surface of a seatback to releasably secure the headrest to a seatback.

Abstract: A bed configured to support a patient having a weight comprises a frame, a patient support, and a plurality of sensors coupled between the frame and the patient support. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to generate an analog signal in response to a portion of the weight of the patient on the patient support. The bed also comprises a circuit coupled to the plurality of sensors to receive the analog signals therefrom. The circuit includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, each analog-to-digital converter being coupled to one of the sensors to generate a separate digital signal for each of the plurality of sensors, and a processor coupled to the plurality of analog-to-digital converters to determine the weight of the patient on the patient support.

Abstract: A headrest for supportably engaging a person's head at rest to substantially inhibit neck strain is disclosed. In one embodiment, the headrest includes a frame member for supporting the back portion and first and second side portions of a person's head, and a padding member covering at least a portion of the frame member. Such frame member may include a back member extending between first and second wing members, such wing members being pivotal relative to the back member to provide adjustability in the width of the headrest.

Abstract: A bed for supporting a patient having a seat panel and a back panel coupled together by a joint assembly that allows the panels to rotate about an axis coincident with the patient's hip joint.

Abstract: A patient care bed with a patient weighing system having a first frame having a series of support units attached at designated locations and a second frame supported by the support units. The support units each having a load cell which senses a part of the weight supported by a second frame.

Abstract: A bed comprises an inflatable mattress supported on a platform of articulable links by a support system mounted on a weigh frame. The weigh frame is supported on a base frame supported relative to a floor. A pneumatic system includes a platform-mounted blower directing air through passageways in the articulable links. An exhaust passageway parallels the pressure passageway for exhausting opposite the blower. Air flow into and out of air cells in the mattress are controlled by valves coupling the pressurized air chamber and exhaust chamber to cell ports. A connector assembly is used to couple the cells to the platform, to adjacent cells, and to tubes connected to other cells. An alternative pneumatic system includes fans distributed on the platform in association with sets of mattress cells. A footboard assembly is formed as two gates that swing out from the foot of the bed. Each gate has a storable tray that is positionable on either side of the gate.

Abstract: A patient support system comprises an inflatable mattress supported on a platform of articulable links by a support system mounted on a weigh frame. The weigh frame is supported on a base frame supported relative to a floor. A pneumatic system includes a platform-mounted blower directing air through passageways in the articulable links. An exhaust passageway parallels the pressure passageway for exhausting opposite the blower. Air flow into and out of air cells in the mattress are controlled by valves coupling the pressurized air chamber and exhaust chamber to cell ports. A connector assembly is used to couple the cells to the platform, to adjacent cells, and to tubes connected to other cells. A footboard assembly is formed as two gates that swing out from the foot of the bed. Each gate has a storable tray that is positionable on either side of the gate. A headboard has a removable central panel for providing emergency patient access.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a plurality of generally parallel channels such as the steps and risers in a stringer for a staircase or the shelves in a book case which includes an elongated first, second, third and fourth members. Each member has first and second ends. The second end of the first member is pivotally connected to the first end of the second member, the second end of the second member is pivotally connected to the first end of the third member, the second end of the third member is pivotally connected to the first end of the fourth member and the second end of the fourth member is pivotally connected to the first end of the first member. The first, second, third and fourth members define a parallelogram with pivotable connections at the respective points of connection of the respective members. The angles intermediate pivotally connected members are adjustable by relative pivotable motion between the respective pivotally connected members.