A mechanical two-way controlled band brake has components, such as a lever, a yoke having arms and a guiding bar, a brake band, anchoring points, pivots and brake drums, which are preferably made of metal or metal alloys. The components of the mechanical two-way controlled band brake may be also made of other materials, such as plastics, combination of metal alloys and plastics or any other materials, which are firm with sufficient bearing capacity.

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.

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.

A method for monitoring an occupant of an occupant support comprises 1) establishing a lateral position history of the occupant, which history includes an assessment of how frequently the occupant's head undergoes a lateral transition on a head support, 2) establishing a vertical position history of the occupant which accounts for how frequently the weight of the occupant's head is applied to and removed from the head support, and 3) if the lateral position history indicates sustained repetitive lateral movement or the vertical history indicates other than sustained presence of the occupant's head on the head support, reporting that the occupant is in a state other than an acceptable state.

An autonomous wheeled transportation device (1) for transporting beds and other items. The wheeled transportation device (1) comprises a base, with a lower part having a number of wheels (8, 12, 22). The autonomous wheeled transportation device (1) comprises at least one movable first engagement member (13) adapted to engage a frame part (14) of a bed, the movable first engagement member being movable between a resting engagement member position at or below a plane and horizontal surface (6) of the wheeled transportation device (1), and an activated engagement member position in which the movable first engagement member (15) engages the frame part (14) of the bed. The autonomous wheeled transportation device (1) comprises a further engagement member (19) located above said at least one substantially horizontal and plane surface (6), and adapted to engage a patient support base of the bed.

An autonomous wheeled transportation device (1) for transporting beds and other items. The wheeled transportation device (1) comprises a base, with a lower part having a number of wheels (8, 12, 22). The autonomous wheeled transportation device (1) comprises at least one movable first engagement member (13) adapted to engage a frame part (14) of a bed, the movable first engagement member being movable between a resting engagement member position at or below a plane and horizontal surface (6) of the wheeled transportation device (1), and an activated engagement member position in which the movable first engagement member (15) engages the frame part (14) of the bed. The autonomous wheeled transportation device (1) comprises a further engagement member (19) located above said at least one substantially horizontal and plane surface (6), and adapted to engage a patient support base of the bed.

A patient support apparatus includes a frame, wheels, a patient support surface, a motor, a power assist control, a sensor, and a controller. The power assist control detects a force applied to it. The sensor detects an angular orientation of the patient support apparatus with respect to a generally horizontal plane. The controller drives the motor at different levels for a particular force applied to the power assist control depending upon the angular orientation sensed by the sensor. The controller may control the motors such that the patient support apparatus accelerates at substantially the same rate, regardless of the angle of the patient support apparatus. The controller may also limit the driving of the motor to less than a maximum value based upon the angular orientation of the patient support apparatus.

A patient support apparatus includes a frame, wheels, a patient support surface, a motor, a power assist control, a sensor, and a controller. The power assist control detects a force applied to it. The sensor detects an angular orientation of the patient support apparatus with respect to a generally horizontal plane. The controller drives the motor at different levels for a particular force applied to the power assist control depending upon the angular orientation sensed by the sensor. The controller may control the motors such that the patient support apparatus accelerates at substantially the same rate, regardless of the angle of the patient support apparatus. The controller may also limit the driving of the motor to less than a maximum value based upon the angular orientation of the patient support apparatus.

An occupant support includes a framework which includes a frame, an orientation adjustable deck section supported by the frame, and a lockable gas spring whose components include a piston assembly coupled to one of the frame and the deck section and a cylinder coupled to the other of the frame and the deck section. The piston assembly includes a piston and a connecting rod. The piston divides the interior of the cylinder into an isolated compartment and a non-isolated compartment. The non-isolated compartment has an inlet and an outlet. An outflow check valve resists fluid flow out of the non-isolated compartment and admits ambient fluid into the non-isolated compartment. An inflow check valve resists fluid flow into the non-isolated compartment and enables fluid flow out of the non-isolated compartment. A turbine receives fluid which flows out of the non-isolated compartment. An electrical generator is coupled to the turbine.

Systems, methods, and techniques for operating a patient support apparatus are disclosed. The patient support apparatus includes moveable components and actuators to actuate the components. A user interface receives a user input to manipulate the actuatable components and produces an input signal in response to receiving the user input. A behavior controller receives the input signal from the user interface, generates a motion command signal based on the input signal, and transmits the motion command signal. A motion controller receives the motion command signal from the behavior controller and receives feedback signals from one or more of the actuators. The feedback signals are provided solely to the motion controller. The motion controller controls one or more of the actuators to actuate one or more of the actuatable components based on the motion command signal and the feedback signals.