Importance

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Abstract

A bed uniformly distributes the weight of a bed-ridden patient to minimize the occurrence of bedsores. The bed comprises a frame and a plurality of support assemblies mounted on the frame. Each support assembly comprises a plurality of elongate support slats extending transversely of the fore-aft direction, and a pair of transversely spaced lever modules carrying opposite ends of the slats. Each lever module comprises a plurality of levers which are so mounted as to be swung in response to the downward action of heavier portions of the patient, whereupon opposite ends of the levers swing upwardly to transfer some of that weight to the lighter portions of the patient's body. The levers disposed on one side of the bed are rotatable relative to the corresponding levers on the opposite side of the bed, whereby the support slats may assume positions inclined relative to horizontal and thereby maintain a greater degree of contact with the patient. The area immediately beneath the slats is vacant, whereby an air-circulating channel can be formed for circulating drying/warming air to the patient. Moisture can gravitate from the patient into the channel and be collected upon a moisture collector for removal. Some of the support modules can be mounted for movement relative to an articulated bed frame in the fore-aft direction to avoid colliding with the frame and/or one another as the bed is articulated upwardly. A highly porous mattress can be utilized which facilitates the upward circulation of air to the patient and the downward gravitation of moisture away from the patient.

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First Claim