Abstract: A light-weight, collapsible, single or multi element rhombic antenna is disclosed having at least two wire antenna elements for receiving and transmitting electromagnetic waves. The antenna elements are supported in a rhombic shape by an antenna frame. The frame includes four nonconductive legs extending radially outwardly from a center support. At least one of the legs is detachably engaged to the center support. Each leg has a nonconductive cross arm support orthogonally mounted to its outwardly extending end for supporting the antenna wire elements in parallel rhombic formations. An integrated feed network combines the electromagnetic waves. A translation device is coupled to the integrated feed network to convert the electromagnetic waves into a desired output signal. The antenna can be mounted on a mast for either horizontally or vertically polarized operation.

Abstract: An extendable and retractable computer mounting arm for mounting a computer to the wall of a patient treatment room allowing in the retracted position the computer to be stored close to the wall and in the extended position electronic information relating to the patient to be accessed through the computer at a point of patient care zone adjacent the patient but spaced from the wall, including a computer mounting bracket, a wall mounting bracket for mounting with respect to the wall of the patient treatment room, support arms extending between and pivotally connecting the computer mounting bracket and the wall mounting bracket permitting the computer mounting bracket to be articulated between the retracted and extended positions, a pneumatic spring to assist in extending and retracting the mounting arm, and a spring mount for mounting the wall bracket with respect to the wall permitting the wall mounting bracket to flex with respect to the wall on the imposition of a force to the computer mounting arm to preve

Abstract: A bed that is convertible to a chair. The bed has a retracting frame mounted on a fixed frame. A patient support is formed by serially-connected head, seat, thigh, calf and foot panels, with the seat panel being fixed to the retracting frame. Movement of the retracting frame toward the foot end of the bed causes the head panel to rise and the leg panel to drop, thereby creating a chair.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with an improved air bed system. In this invention, the bed occupant can control the firmness of the bed. Two inflatable bladders are used with a pre-set pressure differential between them. The pressure in the lower bladder is always kept high enough to prevent bottoming of a bed occupant. The pressure in the upper bladder can be adjusted by the occupant to his or her own personal comfort level. The invention may also include various medical devices which are fluid powered, thus taking advantage of the presence of the pressurized working fluid. The invention may further include a warning circuit which senses the departure of an occupant from the bed and generates a warning signal in response thereto.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated hospital bed with dual hydraulic power systems for operation with or without electrical service. The bed has its head and thigh/leg elevation functions performed by hydraulic cylinders. A control circuit meters the introduction and removal of hydraulic fluid from these cylinders so an occupant of the bed is not subjected to any sudden movement. In case of an emergency requiring the bed occupant to be in a supine position (the need to perform CPR), the normal control circuit is bypassed by an emergency circuit that allows much faster than normal lowering of the head and thigh/leg portions of the bed.

Abstract: A wheeled hospital bed is removably connectible to a drive unit. The bed comprises a plurality of articulated frame sections, a plurality of driven shafts, a linkage interconnecting the driven shafts and the frame sections for articulating the latter in response to rotation of the driven shafts, and a first guide structure. The drive unit includes a plurality of motors and drive shafts, and a second guide structure arranged to interact with the first guide structure of the bed when the bed is merged with the drive unit in order to orient the bed and drive units such that the drive and driven shafts are mutually aligned. The drive and driven shafts include a self-coupling mechanism for establishing a drive connection therebetween when in a merged condition. The drive unit may be anchored to the floor, or may be supported solely by the bed. In the former case, the bed can be rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the drive unit while maintaining connection therewith.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating liquid from solids contained in a liquid-solid slurry includes a centrifugal concentrator which is supplied with feed slurry, and a centrifugal separator to which the output of the concentrator is conducted. The concentrator includes a rotatable central slurry reservoir having outlets discharging slurry under centrifugal force in streams nominally following spiral flow paths. Spirally-curved perforate vanes rotated with the reservoir and intersect respective slurry streams at acute angles. A fractional portion of the fluid in the slurry is removed by filtration as each stream intersects and then flows along a spirally-curved perforate vane, thereby to provide concentrated slurry, which is supplied to the separator. The separator includes a high-speed rotatable carrier, which carries eccentrically-disposed filter baskets independently rotatable at low speeds about their own axes.

Abstract: An electrically operable hospital bed having a main frame, an articulated mattress support frame including head and thigh sections movable to various positions of inclination with respect to the main frame, an operating mechanism for elevating the head section, and an automatic contouring mechanism including linkage interposed between the thigh section and main frame selectively actuable to move in response to elevation of said head section to support and progressively elevate the thigh section. The mechanism may be deactivated to permit elevation of the head section without elevation of the thigh section.Manual thigh section elevation means are provided with capabilities for further elevation of the thigh section without affecting the automatic mechanism or for operation of the thigh section independently of movement of the head section.

Abstract: A hospital bed having a primary frame and a mattress frame supported on casters through a parallelogram linkage and having locking devices for achieving Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg positions.

Abstract: An improved control and locking device for a hospital bed such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 496,212, filed on Aug. 9, 1974. The locking device is utilized to provide a positive lock of the hospital bed in a Trendelenburg or reverse Trendelenburg position and eliminate the capability to manualy or inadvertently remove the bed from such position. As depicted herein, the locking device is a pivotal abutment which normally precludes release of a hook holding the bed in a Trendelenburg position. Yet, when the entire bed is raised by its electric motor, the abutment is automatically withdrawn from its abutting, locking position to permit the bed to lower under electric power.

Abstract: An elevating and Trendelenburg mechanism for a hospital bed providing elevated Trendelenburg positions and positive latching of cooperating members. Two torque tubes pivotally attach to an elevating frame. Lift arms welded to the torque tubes support the frame at various elevations. A motor on the frame produces rotation of a yoke pivotally attached to one of the torque tubes. The yoke abuts a first drive arm rigidly attached to the tube to lift one end of the frame, and a second drive arm pivotally attached to the tube. A rod connects the second drive arm to a pivot plate as a second rod connects the pivot plate to a third drive arm welded to the other torque tube to lift the other end of the bed. When the frame raises to about its maximum height, one of two hooks on the frame may prevent the first or second drive arm from following a receding yoke, with the result that one end of the bed remains elevated while the other lowers.

Abstract: Bed guard rotatable between elevated and lowered positions and slidable from the latter to a position underneath the bed. While elevated, it prevents accidental falling off, and when underneath, it allows facile patient management and movement of the bed through narrow passageways. Where the bed incorporates one or more electric motors to alter its configuration, the guard may additionally or alternatively include the patient controls for the motors.