Powered patient support apparatuses—such as beds, cots, stretchers, or the like—include a plurality of user controls that allow a caregiver to control the steering and/or driving of one or more powered wheels from multiple different locations around the patient support apparatus (e.g. head end, foot end, and/or the sides). The control is carried out by force sensors that detect both an orientation of the applied forces and a magnitude of the applied forces. Translational and/or rotational movement is effectuated, depending upon the magnitude and direction of the forces, as well as the physical location of the applied force relative to a reference point on the support apparatus, such as the center. One or more object sensors may also be included in the support apparatus to assist in steering and/or navigating.

An articulating assembly for an adjustable bed has side supports received on side rails of a bed frame. A first axle extends between the side supports and a second axle extending between the side supports defining a fixed center section. An upper body support frame has a first torque tube concentrically received on the first axle. A thigh support frame has a second torque tube concentrically received on the second axle. A first actuator assembly supported in the center section is operably attached to rotate the first torque tube to articulate the upper body support frame over a range of positions from a horizontal unarticulated position to a fully articulated position. A second actuator assembly supported in the center section is operably attached to rotate the second torque tube to articulate the thigh support frame over a range of positions from a horizontal unarticulated position to a fully articulated position.

An articulating assembly for an adjustable bed has side supports received on side rails of a bed frame. A first axle extends between the side supports and a second axle extending between the side supports defining a fixed center section. An upper body support frame has a first torque tube concentrically received on the first axle. A thigh support frame has a second torque tube concentrically received on the second axle. A first actuator assembly supported in the center section is operably attached to rotate the first torque tube to articulate the upper body support frame over a range of positions from a horizontal unarticulated position to a fully articulated position. A second actuator assembly supported in the center section is operably attached to rotate the second torque tube to articulate the thigh support frame over a range of positions from a horizontal unarticulated position to a fully articulated position.

Systems, methods, beds, supports surfaces and machine readable medium for associating beds and support surface of a healthcare facility are disclosed. A surface association system for a healthcare facility may comprise a plurality of beds. The system may further comprise a computing device and a plurality of support surfaces to be placed upon beds of the plurality of beds. The computing device may associate a support surface of the plurality of support surfaces with a bed of the plurality of beds. The computing device may make the association based upon status data received from the plurality of beds and the plurality of support surfaces. The support surface and/or bed to be associated may initiate a surface association request. The computing device, in response to the surface association request, may request performance of one or more actions on the bed and/or support surface to be associated to identify the bed and/or support surface from the beds and support surfaces of the healthcare facility.

A patient support apparatus includes a support surface including a topper. An opening is formed in a side of the support surface. A cavity extends from the opening into the support surface. An inlet port is positioned within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the topper. A pneumatic blower is configured to removably position within the cavity and has an outlet port that couples to the inlet port.

A patient support apparatus includes a support surface including a topper. An opening is formed in a side of the support surface. A cavity extends from the opening into the support surface. An inlet port is positioned within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the topper. A pneumatic blower is configured to removably position within the cavity and has an outlet port that couples to the inlet port.

A patient support apparatus comprising: a frame; a patient receiving surface supported on the frame, the patient supporting surface comprising a central panel section and a side panel section adapted to selectively extend towards to and away from the central panel section for adjusting a width of the patient supporting surface; a board supported on the frame, the board comprising a base comprising a sleeve and an extension member slidably received in the sleeve and a coil spring mounted to the extension member. The extension member is extendable laterally towards to and away from the sleeve for adjusting a width of the base and the coil spring is adapted to counteract an external force applied to the outer end of the extension member. The board comprises a vertical panel that is movable to follow movement of the extension member laterally towards and away from the sleeve.

A patient support apparatus comprising: a frame; a patient receiving surface supported on the frame, the patient supporting surface comprising a central panel section and a side panel section adapted to selectively extend towards to and away from the central panel section for adjusting a width of the patient supporting surface; a board supported on the frame, the board comprising a base comprising a sleeve and an extension member slidably received in the sleeve and a coil spring mounted to the extension member. The extension member is extendable laterally towards to and away from the sleeve for adjusting a width of the base and the coil spring is adapted to counteract an external force applied to the outer end of the extension member. The board comprises a vertical panel that is movable to follow movement of the extension member laterally towards and away from the sleeve.

A patient control unit for controlling functions of a hospital bed includes a housing having a first side that includes a plurality of user inputs to control the functions of the hospital bed. The housing has a second side that includes a dock to secure a handheld phone in place on the housing. A hospital bed has a head-of-bed angle (HOBA) lockout selector that is used to signal a controller to prevent a head section of the bed from being moved below a threshold.

A patient control unit for controlling functions of a hospital bed includes a housing having a first side that includes a plurality of user inputs to control the functions of the hospital bed. The housing has a second side that includes a dock to secure a handheld phone in place on the housing. A hospital bed has a head-of-bed angle (HOBA) lockout selector that is used to signal a controller to prevent a head section of the bed from being moved below a threshold.