A passive mattress spacer pad provides an intermediate layer of material which sits between the bottom of the mattress and the underlying mattress support. In some embodiments, the spacer may have peripheral length and width dimensions that are roughly between about 1 and 18 inches smaller than the size of the mattress and have a thickness of between about inch and about 4 inches. In some embodiments, the spacer pad is independent, and in others, it is integrally formed with the support or the mattress. The spacer provides a measure of lift or elevation to the center of the mattress while leaving some space or gap around the peripheral edges where it is easier for the bed maker to slide their hands and the bed linens beneath the mattress edge without having to lift the mattress entirely.

A passive mattress spacer pad provides an intermediate layer of material which sits between the bottom of the mattress and the underlying mattress support. In some embodiments, the spacer may have peripheral length and width dimensions that are roughly between about 1 and 18 inches smaller than the size of the mattress and have a thickness of between about inch and about 4 inches. In some embodiments, the spacer pad is independent, and in others, it is integrally formed with the support or the mattress. The spacer provides a measure of lift or elevation to the center of the mattress while leaving some space or gap around the peripheral edges where it is easier for the bed maker to slide their hands and the bed linens beneath the mattress edge without having to lift the mattress entirely.

A device is disclosed for facilitating rotation of a mattress in a horizontal plane carried by a box spring or a platform. In order to facilitate rotation, slick surfaces between the mattress and the box spring or platform are selectively placed in contact in order to reduce the normal friction therebetween. The slick surfaces may be provided by two (2) separate covers; one cover for the mattress and one cover for the box spring or platform. A first cover is provided with a slick and non-slick surface. In order to further facilitate rotation, a second cover includes a slick surface on one side and forms part of a levitation device. The other side of the second cover may be formed with a slick or a non-slick surface. The levitation device creates an air cushion between the mattress and the box spring under the influence of an air supply which lifts the mattress and allows the mattress to be rotated in a horizontal plane virtually effortlessly. Once the mattress has been rotated to the desired position, the air supply is removed and the first cover is attached to the underside of the mattress so that its non-slick side is in contact with the box spring or platform or bed skirt and its slick side is in contact with the slick side of the other cover and the levitation device defining a normal mode of operation. In a rotate mode of operation, the first cover is attached to the box spring or platform so that its non-slick surface is in contact therewith. Alternatively, the first cover may be integrally incorporated into the box spring or a slick surface may be integrally formed on the platform that forms part of the platform bed. In this embodiment, in order to reduce movement of the mattress with respect to the box spring or platform, the mattress is secured relative to the box spring or platform by removable fasteners in a normal mode of operation. In yet another alternate embodiment of the invention, a portion of the levitation device may be built into the mattress.

A device is disclosed for facilitating rotation of a mattress in a horizontal plane carried by a box spring or a platform. In order to facilitate rotation, slick surfaces between the mattress and the box spring or platform are selectively placed in contact in order to reduce the normal friction therebetween. The slick surfaces may be provided by two (2) separate covers; one cover for the mattress and one cover for the box spring or platform. A first cover is provided with a slick and non-slick surface. In order to further facilitate rotation, a second cover includes a slick surface on one side and forms part of a levitation device. The other side of the second cover may be formed with a slick or a non-slick surface. The levitation device creates an air cushion between the mattress and the box spring under the influence of an air supply which lifts the mattress and allows the mattress to be rotated in a horizontal plane virtually effortlessly. Once the mattress has been rotated to the desired position, the air supply is removed and the first cover is attached to the underside of the mattress so that its non-slick side is in contact with the box spring or platform or bed skirt and its slick side is in contact with the slick side of the other cover and the levitation device defining a normal mode of operation. In a rotate mode of operation, the first cover is attached to the box spring or platform so that its non-slick surface is in contact therewith. Alternatively, the first cover may be integrally incorporated into the box spring or a slick surface may be integrally formed on the platform that forms part of the platform bed. In this embodiment, in order to reduce movement of the mattress with respect to the box spring or platform, the mattress is secured relative to the box spring or platform by removable fasteners in a normal mode of operation. In yet another alternate embodiment of the invention, a portion of the levitation device may be built into the mattress.

A zoned bed sheet is provided that includes opposite first and second vertical sidewalls. The sheet includes opposite third and fourth vertical sidewalls that each extend between the first and second vertical sidewalls. A horizontal wall extends between the first and second vertical sidewalls and between the third and fourth vertical sidewalls. The horizontal wall includes a plurality of zones. The zones are spaced apart from one another by a first material. The zones each include a material that is different than the first material.

A zoned bed sheet is provided that includes opposite first and second vertical sidewalls. The sheet includes opposite third and fourth vertical sidewalls that each extend between the first and second vertical sidewalls. A horizontal wall extends between the first and second vertical sidewalls and between the third and fourth vertical sidewalls. The horizontal wall includes a plurality of zones. The zones are spaced apart from one another by a first material. The zones each include a material that is different than the first material.

An example easy change mattress sheet attachment system includes a bed sheet having four sewn-on fabric casings in an arch shape and a cord inserted through the casings forming a set of accessible sections of drawstring at exposed between-casing cord regions at four corners, and a bottom mat having means for trapping drawstrings at four corners. After having installed the bottom mat under the mattress, one can install and remove the top sheet onto and from the mattress without having to lift up the mattress. To install the top sheet, first put the top sheet on the mattress, then execute drawstring-trapping maneuvers at four bed corners. To remove the top sheet, detach the engaged drawstrings at four bed corners.

An example easy change mattress sheet attachment system includes a bed sheet having four sewn-on fabric casings in an arch shape and a cord inserted through the casings forming a set of accessible sections of drawstring at exposed between-casing cord regions at four corners, and a bottom mat having means for trapping drawstrings at four corners. After having installed the bottom mat under the mattress, one can install and remove the top sheet onto and from the mattress without having to lift up the mattress. To install the top sheet, first put the top sheet on the mattress, then execute drawstring-trapping maneuvers at four bed corners. To remove the top sheet, detach the engaged drawstrings at four bed corners.

A patient transfer system is provided to move a patient between modalities. The system includes a deploying modality having a top surface configured to support the patient; a patient transfer support positionable on the top surface of the deploying modality, the patient transfer support also being configured for movement from the top surface of the deploying modality to a top surface of the receiving modality; a patient transfer support locating feature positionable to limit movement of the patient transfer support relative to the top surface of the receiving modality; and a keying feature positionable to engage at least one of a surface associated with the receiving modality or a surface of the patient transfer support, the keying feature being configured to inhibit movement of the patient transfer support in at least one direction relative to the top surface of the receiving modality. The patient transfer support locating feature limits the range of movement of the patient transfer support relative to the top surface of the receiving modality when the patient transfer support is moved from the top surface of the deploying modality to the top surface of the receiving modality.

A firmness controlling apparatus for use in a bed arrangement or a seating arrangement is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a rigid frame having two opposed sides, and at least one non-elastic flexible elongate element extending between the two opposed sides. Each end of the non-elastic flexible elongate element is directly or indirectly connected to one of the opposed sides, and at least one of the ends is indirectly connected via an elastic flexible elongate element. A plurality of elongate springs are provided and extend in a flat or curved plane, the ends of each elongate spring being attached to one of the at least one non-elastic flexible elongate elements at two separated connections. A retraction device is arranged to tighten and slack the non-elastic flexible elongate element(s) between the two separated connections, thereby adjusting the distance between the two separated connections of each non-elastic flexible elongate element, and thereby controlling the curvature and height of the elongate springs.