Rotatable joints may include one or more braking assemblies. The one or more braking assemblies may control a degree of movement of the rotatable joint to provide a range of damping. In some instances, the braking assemblies may include brake band(s) that tighten and loosen around a hub, or other rotatable member of the rotatable joint. The amount of braking, or tautness of the brake band(s), may be variably controlled to arrest the hub by different amounts. In some instances, the tightening of the brake band(s) around the hub may be controlled using linear actuator(s) and/or magnetic element(s). Implementing braking assemblies having controlled actuation may improve control of rotatable joints without adding cost, complexity, weight, or bulk.

Rotatable joints may include one or more braking assemblies. The one or more braking assemblies may control a degree of movement of the rotatable joint to provide a range of damping. In some instances, the braking assemblies may include brake band(s) that tighten and loosen around a hub, or other rotatable member of the rotatable joint. The amount of braking, or tautness of the brake band(s), may be variably controlled to arrest the hub by different amounts. In some instances, the tightening of the brake band(s) around the hub may be controlled using linear actuator(s) and/or magnetic element(s). Implementing braking assemblies having controlled actuation may improve control of rotatable joints without adding cost, complexity, weight, or bulk.

A patient support apparatus having a central dual control system of casters with an actuating pedal. Two opposite casters are connected by a control shaft with hexagonal cross section. Both control shafts are mutually coupled via a connecting member to a linkage rod. A servomotor with a rack is coupled to the linkage rod. The servomotor is configured to change a position of the rack of the servomotor and thus change a position of the central dual control system of casters upon manual change of position of the actuating pedal and/or upon electrical activation of the servomotor to change a position of the actuating pedal to another position of the central dual control system of casters.

The concept described herein relates to a pedal having a pedal body, a pedal axis which extends at least partly through the pedal body, wherein the pedal body is supported to be rotatable on the pedal axis, and an adjustable rotation brake which, during rotation of the pedal body, exerts an adjustable braking force on the pedal axis in order to brake the rotation of the pedal body when compared to an unbraked rotation.

The concept described herein relates to a pedal having a pedal body, a pedal axis which extends at least partly through the pedal body, wherein the pedal body is supported to be rotatable on the pedal axis, and an adjustable rotation brake which, during rotation of the pedal body, exerts an adjustable braking force on the pedal axis in order to brake the rotation of the pedal body when compared to an unbraked rotation.