Patent Publication Number: US-11642263-B2

Title: Person support apparatus barrier

Description:
This application is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/908,933, filed on Jun. 23, 2020, by inventor Connor Feldpausch St. John and entitled PERSON SUPPORT APPARATUS BARRIER, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/218,500, filed on Jul. 25, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,695,246, by inventor Connor Feldpausch St. John and entitled PERSON SUPPORT APPARATUS BARRIER, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/197,715 filed Jul. 28, 2015, by inventor Connor Feldpausch St. John and entitled PERSON SUPPORT APPARATUS BARRIER, the disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a barrier, such as a footboard, for a person support apparatus, such as a hospital bed. 
     BACKGROUND 
     To provide access to the mattress, for example for cleaning or changing bed sheets, or to provide access to persons supported on a mattress, footboards have been configured so that they are removable. However, when a footboard is removed, the bed sheets may get in the way and form an obstruction over the footboard mounting structures, which can make it more difficult for a caregiver to replace the footboard. Further, many footboards include electrical connections to provide electrical connections between the electrical devices within the footboard and the bed-based control system. These connections may be vulnerable to damage if the footboard is not properly aligned. In addition, because electrical connectors are exposed once the footboard is removed, electrical connectors may be vulnerable to static electricity that can be generated, for example, when changing a sheet or when transferring a person off the bed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION 
     In one embodiment, a person support apparatus includes a base, such as a bed frame, a control system, and a barrier having an electrical device. The base and barrier include mounting structures for releasably mounting the barrier to the base. The person support apparatus further includes first and second electrical connectors. The first electrical connector is in communication with the electrical device and is mounted to the barrier, and the second electrical connector is in communication with the bed-based control system and mounted at one of the mounting structures for connection with the first electrical connector when the barrier is mounted to the base at the mounting structures. 
     In one aspect, the mounting structures comprise posts extending from or sockets in the base. Optionally, the second electrical connector is movable at one of the posts or in one of the sockets. Further, the one of the posts or sockets optionally have a chamfered edge to reduce load on the second electrical connector. 
     In another aspect, the barrier includes sockets for receiving the mounting structures. 
     In a further aspect, the first electrical connector is recessed in one of the sockets, and optionally one of the electrical connectors is movably mounted. 
     In any of the above, the apparatus further includes a locking assembly for locking the barrier to the base when the barrier is mounted to the base at the mounting structures. Optionally the locking assembly includes a manually operable actuator. For example, the manually operable actuator may comprise a movable handle, such as a rotatable handle, mounted in the barrier. 
     In another aspect, the locking assembly includes a pair of engagement structures, with each engagement structure configured to engage the mounting barrier when the barrier is mounted to the base at the mounting structures, and further located in the mounting structures. 
     According to yet another aspect, the locking assembly includes a pair of engagement structures, such as cams. The engagement structures are operable to selectively engage the mounting structures to thereby lock the barrier to the base when the barrier is mounted to the base at the mounting structures, and with the engagement structures being located in the barrier. 
     In any of the above, the second electrical connector is recessed within the one of the mounting structures. 
     In any of the above, the apparatus may also include a deck supported by the base. The deck has an upper surface for supporting a mattress thereon. And, the first electrical connector is located at an elevation higher than a mattress supported on the deck. 
     In other aspects, the sockets include projecting cylinders for extending into the mounting structures, and with one of the projecting cylinders optionally supporting the first electrical connector. 
     In a further aspect, the apparatus also includes a locking assembly with engagement structures for engaging the mounting structures. 
     In yet another aspect, the mounting structures comprise cylindrical members, with each cylindrical member having a detent. The engagement structures are operable to engage the detents to thereby lock the barrier to the base when the barrier is mounted at the mounting structures. 
     According to yet another embodiment, a person support apparatus includes a base, such as a bed frame, a barrier, and a locking assembly. The base includes mounting structures for releasably mounting the barrier to the base. And, the locking assembly locks the barrier to the base when the barrier is mounted to the base at the mounting structures. The barrier stays in a substantially upright position when the locking assembly has locked the barrier to the base. 
     For example, the mounting structures may comprise posts. 
     In any of the above, the barrier includes sockets for receiving the mounting structures. 
     In another aspect, the locking assembly includes a manually operable actuator, such as a movable handle, including a rotatable handle, mounted in the barrier. 
     According to yet another aspect, the actuator is only operable if the barrier is in the correct position or when no obstruction is present. 
     In any of the above, the locking assembly includes a pair of engagement structures, with each engagement structure configured to engage the mounting barrier, when the barrier is mounted to the base at the mounting structures, and located in the mounting structures. 
     In any of the above, the locking assembly includes engagement structures, such as cams, which are operable to selectively engage the mounting structures to thereby lock the barrier to the base when the barrier is mounted to the base at the mounting structures, and which are located in the barrier. 
     In one aspect, the locking assembly includes a movable handle that is configured to move the engagement structures between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the engagement structures are operable to engage the barrier, and when in the second position, the engagement structures are disengaged from the barrier. 
     Optionally, the engagement structures comprise elongated members joined by a link. 
     In another aspect, the movable handle is configured to rotate the engagement structures between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the engagement structures are operable to engage the mounting structures. When in the second position, the engagement structures are disengaged from the mounting structures. 
     For example, in one embodiment, the engagement structures comprise cams, with the movable handle configured to pivot the cams between the first and second positions. 
     In addition, springs may be provided, which bias the cams in their first position. 
     Optionally, the apparatus includes links that couple the cams to the movable handle. The links are coupled to the cams in slotted openings to allow the cams to pivot relative to the links when moving between their first position and their second position. 
     In yet other aspects, each of the engagement structures includes a pair of spaced apart fingers for engaging the mounting structures. Optionally, the mounting structures may include a pair of spaced apart fingers engaging the engagement structures. 
     According to yet another embodiment, a person support apparatus includes a frame having a location, a barrier movably mounted at the location at the frame; and an electrical device mounted at the location independent of the barrier. The barrier may be removed from the frame without removing the electrical device. 
     In one aspect, the electrical device includes a device selected from the group consisting of a display, an electrical outlet, a pneumatic port, and a sensor, such as a load cell. 
     In a further aspect, the electrical device comprises a display. 
     Optionally, the apparatus further includes a pedestal mounted at the location, with a display mounted to the pedestal. 
     In one aspect, the pedestal is movably mounted at the location, and optionally pivotally mounted at the location. 
     According to yet other aspects, a controller is mounted at the person support apparatus, wherein the display is in communication with the controller. Optionally, the display is in communication with the controller through a wired or wireless datalink. 
     In another aspect, the barrier includes a recess for receiving the pedestal when the barrier is mounted to the frame at the location. For example, the recess is configured to allow access to the display when the barrier is at the location. 
     In other aspects, the barrier is pivotally mounted to the frame at the location. Optionally, the barrier is removably mounted to the frame at the location. 
     In any of the above, the barrier optionally straddles the electronic device. 
     In any of the above, the pedestal optionally includes a mount for an accessory selected from the group consisting of a tray, a pump, and an IV bottle. In one embodiment, the pedestal includes a mount for a tray, and optionally with the tray being removably mounted to the pedestal. 
     In any of the above, the barrier optionally comprises a footboard. Optionally, the footboard may comprise a shell. 
     In yet another embodiment, a person support apparatus includes a bed frame, a footboard mounted at the bed frame, and an electrical connection provided at the footboard through the bed frame. The footboard is mounted for movement between an operative position wherein the footboard forms a barrier and a stowed position wherein the electrical connection through the bed frame remains connected. 
     In one aspect, the footboard is pivotally mounted at the bed frame. For example, the footboard may pivot downwardly when moved to its stowed position. 
     In another aspect, the apparatus optionally further includes a pedestal, with the pedestal located with the footboard at the bed frame. Further, the electrical connection is optionally provided in the pedestal. 
     In yet a further aspect, the pedestal remains stationary when the footboard is moved to the stowed position. 
     Before the embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure may be implemented in various other embodiments and is capable of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the disclosure to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the disclosure any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components. 
     These and other advantages and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiment and the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a person support apparatus; 
         FIG.  2    is a fragmentary view of a footboard of a person support apparatus; 
         FIG.  3    is an elevation view of the footboard of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of a footboard mounting arrangement; 
         FIG.  5    is an enlarged view of another embodiment of a mounting structure for a footboard; 
         FIG.  6    is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a mounting arrangement of a footboard on a person support apparatus; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of the mounting structures provided in the bed frame of the person support apparatus of  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  8    is an enlarged fragmentary view of the mounting structures of  FIGS.  6  and  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a mounting arrangement of a footboard on a person support apparatus; 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of the mounting structures provided in the bed frame of the person support apparatus of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a fragmentary view of the mounting structures of  FIGS.  9  and  10   ; 
         FIG.  12    is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a mounting arrangement of a footboard on a person support apparatus; 
         FIG.  13    is fragmentary view of the mounting structures of  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  14    is an enlarged perspective view of the mounting structure of  FIGS.  12  and  13   ; 
         FIG.  15    is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of mounting arrangement of a footboard on a person support apparatus; 
         FIG.  16    is an enlarged perspective view of the mounting structure of  FIG.  15   ; 
         FIG.  17    is a fragmentary elevation view of the footboard and mounting structure of  FIGS.  15  and  16   ; 
         FIG.  18    is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a mounting arrangement of a footboard on a person support apparatus; 
         FIG.  19    is a bottom perspective view of the footboard of  FIG.  18   ; 
         FIG.  20    is a perspective view of the footboard and a person support apparatus of  FIG.  18   ; 
         FIG.  21    is an enlarged view of the right socket in the bed frame of  FIGS.  18  and  20   ; 
         FIG.  22    is an enlarged view of the left socket in the bed frame of  FIGS.  18  and  20   ; 
         FIG.  23    is a perspective of a person support apparatus illustrating another embodiment of a footboard with a pedestal; 
         FIG.  24    is an end perspective view of the person support apparatus of  FIG.  23    with a portion of the footboard removed; 
         FIG.  25    is a side elevation view of the person support apparatus of  FIGS.  23 - 24    illustrating the display in a folded configuration; 
         FIG.  26    is an end perspective view of the person support apparatus of  FIG.  25   ; 
         FIG.  27    is a similar view to  FIG.  24   ; 
         FIG.  28    is an enlarged view of another embodiment of a footboard pedestal with a display; 
         FIG.  29    is a perspective view of another embodiment of a footboard pedestal with a display; 
         FIG.  30    is another perspective view of the footboard pedestal; 
         FIG.  31    is an enlarged perspective view of another embodiment of the footboard pedestal; 
         FIG.  32    is a perspective view of another embodiment of the footboard pedestal with display and various controls and inputs; 
         FIG.  33    is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the footboard pedestal with a tray; 
         FIG.  34    is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the footboard pedestal of  FIG.  33   ; 
         FIG.  35    is an enlarged partial perspective view of another embodiment of a footboard pedestal with a device holder, such as a pump holder; 
         FIG.  36    is another perspective view of the footboard pedestal of  FIG.  35    with the device removed; 
         FIG.  37    is a foot end perspective view of the footboard of  FIG.  23   ; 
         FIG.  38    is an exploded perspective view of a footboard of  FIG.  37   ; 
         FIG.  39    is a perspective view of a portion of the footboard of  FIG.  37   ; 
         FIG.  40    is a perspective view of another embodiment of a footboard with a pedestal; 
         FIG.  41    is a similar view to  FIG.  40   ; 
         FIG.  42    is a perspective view of another embodiment of a footboard pedestal; 
         FIG.  43    is a schematic drawing of one embodiment of a control system that may be suitable for any of the displays and/or devices in the above footboards; 
         FIG.  44    is a schematic drawing of a bed-based control system; 
         FIG.  45    is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a footboard assembly; 
         FIG.  46    is a bottom perspective view of the footboard removed from its footboard mounting base; 
         FIG.  46 A  is a perspective view of a coil which is mounted to the footboard; 
         FIG.  46 B  is a perspective view of a coil which is mounted to the footboard of mounting base; 
         FIG.  46 C  is a schematic of the wireless power transfer circuit of the footboard of  FIG.  45   ; 
         FIG.  46 D  is schematic of another embodiment of the wireless power transfer circuit of the footboard; 
         FIG.  47    is an exploded perspective view of the footboard assembly illustrating the footboard spaced from the footboard mounting base; 
         FIG.  48    is a similar view to  FIG.  47    with the footboard moved closer to the mounting base; and 
         FIG.  49    is a similar view to  FIG.  47    with the footboard moved closer to the mounting base where there is no gap between the respective coils of the wireless power transfer circuit. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the numeral  10  generally designates a person support apparatus. As will be more fully described below, person support apparatus  10  includes a removable footboard  12  that mounts to a bed using mounting structures  15  that reduce the chances of an obstruction from a bed sheet. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , footboard  12  includes a pair of sockets or receptacles  14  that are configured to receive corresponding posts  16  formed or provided on bed frame  18 , which form the mounting structures  15 . In the illustrated embodiment, the posts are formed on or provided on a footboard mounting base  13  that is mounted to the bed frame  18  at the foot end of the bed. To provide electrical connection between electrical devices located in the footboard and the control system of the bed, located in each post is an electrical connector  20 , which is electrically coupled to the bed-based control system (not shown). Located in each socket  14  is a downwardly depending post  22  that supports another electrical connector  24 , which is electrically coupled to one or more electrical devices housed within footboard  12 . As will be more fully described below, only when footboard  12  is properly aligned with and at least partially mounted on posts  16 , will electrical connectors  20  and  24  make contact to provide electrical communication between one or more electrical devices in footboard  12  and the bed-based control system, which can reduce the likelihood of damaging the connector pins on the respective electrical connections. This is achieved by providing at least one floating electrical connector. 
     In addition, because the protruding nature of the post, the footboard mounting assembly provides an obstruction indicator that is readily apparent to a caregiver when a bed sheet is creating an obstruction, which will encourage the caregiver to clear the bed sheet from the posts before placing the footboard. 
     Electrical connector  20  is rigidly mounted either on the distal end of post  16  or recessed inside of post  16 . The adjoining electrical connector  24  is loosely mounting within footboard  12  allowing it to “float” and move side-to-side as the footboard is loaded. This reduces the mechanical load on the electrical pins and connector, and allows the load to be taken up by the rigid post. Conversely, electrical connector  20  may be loosely mounted onto post  16  in addition to, or instead of, connector  24  in order to reduce the effects of mechanical loading on the electrical pins and connector. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, posts  16  each comprise a hollow, cylindrical body  26  with a chamfered end  26   a , which helps facilitate the guiding of footboard  12  onto the respective posts. Similarly, each socket  14  may include a chamfered perimeter at or near its opening at its end  28  so the respective chamfered portions of the posts and the sockets will cooperate to facilitate alignment of the footboard  12  onto the mounting posts  16 . 
     To lock footboard  12  in position on the respective posts, footboard  12  includes a locking mechanism  30  that mechanically interacts with the respective posts to thereby lock footboard  12  in position on the respective posts  16 . Optionally, the locking mechanism is configured to provide a one-handed locking arrangement so that a caregiver can simply align the footboard with the posts and lower it onto the posts and thereby lock it. Similarly, the locking mechanism may be configured to allow a caregiver to pull on the footboard, which unlocks the footboard when a sufficient force is applied. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, locking mechanism  30  includes a pair of articulable locking members  32  that are moved into and out of engagement with the respective posts  16 . Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the articulable locking members  32  are formed from cams that are pivotally mounted to move between a locked position where they engage openings  34  provided in the respective posts  16  and an unlocked position where they are out of engagement with the openings, which as noted above can be done by simply pulling on the footboard. Further, the locking members are biased on their locked positions by springs (not shown). In this manner, when locking members  32  are aligned with openings  34 , they will move into their engaged and locked positions. 
     Locking members  32  are selectively moved between their locked position ( FIG.  2   ) and their unlocked positions by links  36 . Links  36  are each pivotally mounted on one end to a respective locking member  32  and pivotally mounted on their opposed end to a handle, such as a rotatable handle, mounted to the exterior surface of the headboard (see  FIG.  3   ). As best seen in  FIG.  2   , locking members  32  are coupled to links  36  by pins  36   a , which are guided along slotted grooves  32   a  formed in locking members  32 . This allows locking members  32  to move out of engagement when sufficient lifting force is applied to the footboard  12 . Further, this allows the handle to be positioned in its locking position, before footboard is mounted to the posts, and only when locking members  32  are aligned with openings  34  does the locking mechanism lock the footboard in position. Optionally, locking members  32  may be shaped and/or the springs sized so that the force to release the footboard is a specified minimum value to ensure that the footboard is not inadvertently unlocked. 
     Additionally, the springs that bias the locking members  32  in their locked positions may generate a sufficient downward force on the post to urge footboard  12  toward the bed frame allowing a tighter fit. 
     To facilitate the locking and unlocking of the locking mechanism, openings  34  may include chamfered upper and lower surfaces  34   a ,  34   b , which cooperate with the cam shape of locking members  32  to further facilitate the removal of the footboard. 
     As will be understood from  FIG.  2   , locking members  32  may be unlocked by the counterclockwise motion of the handle  40 , which counterclockwise motion causes the links  36  to pull on the respective locking members  32  and cause them each to rotate inwardly. At the same time, the combination of the springs and slotted grooves  32   a  allow the locking mechanism to reset themselves when the footboard is removed. An example of a suitable rotatable handle is shown in  FIG.  3   . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2 - 3   , handle  40  includes a central disk  42  which extends into the footboard  12  and includes a pair of posts  42   a  for pivotally mounting links  36  to disk  42  and thereby provide a pivotal coupling between the links and the rotating disk  42  of handle  40 . Spaced radially outward from central disk  42  is a pair of arcuate groves  44  formed in the housing wall with guide stops  46  provided on disk  42  to thereby define and limit the position of the handle between unlocked and locked positions. 
     As previously noted, electrical connectors  20  and  24  are located within posts  16  and within sockets  14 . Additionally, electrical connectors  20  and  24  are located such that they do not make contact until after each respective socket is at least partially mounted onto the respective post. As previously noted, this reduces the chance or possibility of damage to the respective connector pins. Additionally, one or both of the respective connectors may be mounted with a floating connection within their respective posts or sockets to further reduce the possibility of damage to the respective connectors. The height of the respective connectors may be varied. For example, the connectors may be elevated above the mattress supported on the person support. 
     As noted above, footboard  12  may include one or more electrical devices with which the electrical connectors are in electrical communication so that they are powered from the bed-based control system. For example, the electrical devices may comprise a display  50 , such as a touchscreen, user inputs, such as buttons  52 , or one or more lights  54 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , the numeral  112  generally designates another embodiment of a footboard. Similar to footboard  12 , footboard  112  includes a mounting structure  115  that reduces the chances of an obstruction from, for example, a bed sheet. In addition, the mounting structure is configured to reduce the possibility of damage to the electrical connectors in the footboard and in the bed frame, which may be provided within the mounting structures. 
     As best seen in  FIG.  4   , footboard  112  includes a pair of sockets  114  that mount to a pair of posts  116  formed on or that extend upwardly from base frame  118 , for example, from a footboard mounting base  113 , which is mounted to or forms part of the bed frame  118 . Similar to the previous embodiment, the electrical connectors are mounted internally within the posts and sockets such that the posts and sockets make contact with each other prior to the connection between the respective electrical connectors. For further details of exemplary electrical connectors and their locations within the mounting mechanisms, reference is made to the first embodiment. 
     Footboard  112  includes another embodiment of a locking mechanism  130 , which is adapted to lock footboard  112  onto the base frame via posts  116 , as well as to apply a pulling force on the posts to thereby pull the footboard toward the frame to provide a tighter fit. As best understood from  FIG.  4   , locking mechanism  130  includes a pair of cams  132  that are configured to engage the tips of posts  116 , which project through sockets  114 . Cams  132  are pivotally mounted to the upper end of sockets  114  by pins  114   a  and are pivoted by a pair of lever arms  136 . Lever arms  136  are each pivotally coupled on one end to cams  132  and pivotally coupled to a rotating handle  140  at their opposed ends. 
     Further, to engage the tip of the posts, cams  132  are configured with two spaced apart cam plates that form a yoke cam. Positioned between the two cam plates are two hook-shaped fingers that engage the tip of the posts and pull on the post to provide a pulling force on the posts to thereby pull the footboard toward the frame to provide a tighter fit. For example, the tips of the posts may each be T-shaped, with the fingers wrapping around the horizontal portion of the T-shaped tips. Alternately, the tips may be spherical bodies, again with the hook-shaped fingers wrapping around opposed sides of the spherical bodies. 
     Handle  140  is a rotatable handle with a disk shaped body  142  that is rotatably mounted to footboard  112  so that it is accessible from the outwardly facing side of footboard  112  and accessible to a caregiver. Optionally, handle  140  includes an arcuate handgrip portion  144 , which projects outwardly from disk shaped body  142  to facilitate turning of disk shaped body  142 . As best understood from  FIG.  4   , as handle  140  is rotated clockwise (as viewed in  FIG.  4   ), lever arms  136  rotate left cam  132  in the clockwise direction and right cam  132  in a counter clockwise direction. In the illustrated embodiment, left and right cams  132  have mirror image constructions, with each having arcuate fingers that when rotated engage or disengage from the tips of the pins  116  as described above. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , the numeral  230  designates another embodiment of a locking mechanism that is incorporated into a mounting structure  215 , which mounts a footboard to a bed frame, via a footboard mounting base. While only one locking mechanism is illustrated, it should be understood the locking mechanism  230  may be used on each post/socket mounting arrangement. Locking mechanism  230  is configured to lock or unlock a footboard post  212  (which is mounted at its upper end  212   a  to the footboard) onto or from a bed frame socket  216  (which is formed in or attached on to the bed frame) by pushing or pulling on a handle  240 . As will be more fully described below, handle  240  controls the movement of internal locking members that engage post  212  when handle  240  is pushed and disengage from post  212  when handle  240  is pulled (as shown by the arrow in  FIG.  5   ). Handle  240  comprises a handgrip portion  242 , such as a cylindrical member, and a tether  244 , such as a rod or bar, which couples to a pair of spaced apart arms or fingers  232 , which are mounted in socket  216 . Arms  232  are pivotally mounted in socket  216  between an unlocked position and a locked position where the arms engage post  212 . As noted above, arms  232  are pivoted by handle  240 . 
     As best seen in  FIG.  5   , each arm  232  is pivotally mounted in a socket  216  by a post  232   a  above its lower end. One of the arms (left arm in  FIG.  5   ) is also pivotally coupled at its lower end (below post  232   a ) to handle  240  by a pin  232   b , for example, to the distal end of tether  244 . Arms  232  are then coupled together by a link  250 , which is coupled on one end to the lower end of the left arm (as viewed in  FIG.  5   ), optionally at the same location as the pin connection to handle  240 , formed by pin  232   b . The other end of link  250  is pivotally connected to a medial portion of the right arm (as viewed in  FIG.  5   ) and extends between posts  232   a  so that posts  232   a  form fulcrum points for link  250  when link is pulled or pushed by left arm  232  (as viewed in  FIG.  5   ). With this arrangement, link  250  translates the pivotal movement of the one arm (the left arm, as viewed in  FIG.  5   ) to pivotal movement in the other arm (the right arm, as viewed in  FIG.  5   ), but in an opposed direction. In this manner, when handle  240  is pulled arms  232  pivot about posts  232   a  so that the upper ends of arms  232  pivot inwardly away from the inner surface of post  212  to disengage from the inner surface of post  212 . And, when handle  240  is pushed, the upper ends of arms  232  pivot about posts  232   a  away from each other toward the opposed inwardly facing sides of wall  212   b  of post  212 . 
     Further, each arm  232  includes a tab  232   c  for extending into a corresponding notch or recess  212   c  formed in walls  212   b  of post  212  so that arms  232  mechanically interlock with post  212  when post  212  is fully inserted into the socket  216  and handle  240  is pushed to its locked position. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  5   , post  212  includes a downwardly depending U-shaped member  214 , with downwardly depending arms  222 , which is slidably mounted in post  212  and urged downwardly onto arms  232  by a spring (not shown). Thus, when post  212  is pushed into socket  216 , member  214  is urged downwardly by the spring, which applies a downward force on arms  232  to hold arms  232  in place. 
     It should be understood that the location and construction of the mounting structures may vary. For example, referring to  FIG.  6   , a single set of mounting structures  315  with electrical connections may be provided in the form of a post/socket arrangement that includes a single set of electrical connectors  320 ,  324 . Similar to the previous embodiment, the electrical connectors are mounted in the post and socket, which make connection only after the socket is mounted onto the post. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a post  316  is mounted to the bed frame  318 , for example, by way of footboard mounting base  313 , and comprises a rectangular post with electrical connector  320  provided at its distal end. For example, electrical connector  320  may be fixed to the distal end of post  316 . A socket  314  is similarly mounted or formed in the footboard and is rectangular with electrical connector  324  located at its distal end. Optionally, electrical connector  324  is mounted with a floating arrangement in socket  314 . In this manner, as shown in  FIG.  8   , the electrical connection provides one fixed connector with one floating connector. A second post  316 ′ ( FIG.  7   ) may be similar to post  316  or may have a different shape, such as a round post and may or may not have electrical connectors. In the illustrated embodiment, post  316 ′ does not include an electrical connector, nor does its corresponding socket (not shown). 
     Referring  FIGS.  9  to  11   , another embodiment of a mounting structure  415  with electrical connectors is shown. The mounting structure  415  is similar to the mounting structure of the previous embodiment except that it includes a round post  416  (which is mounted to the bed frame via a footboard mounting base  413 ) that is received in a round socket  414  (which is mounted or formed in the footboard). For further details reference is made to the previous embodiment. 
     Further in this embodiment, the single combined mounting structure with electrical connectors  420 ,  424  is provided on the left side of the foot end of the bed as compared to the right side of the bed, as shown in previous embodiment. Again, the other mounting structure (right side mounting structure) may or may not include any electrical connectors. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  12 - 14   , the numeral  515  designates yet another embodiment of a mounting structure for mounting a footboard  512  to bed frame  518  via a footboard mounting base  513 . In the illustrated embodiment, mounting structure  515  includes an electrical connector  520  mounted to a post  516  either within a sleeve or an inner post  516   a  mounted in post  516 . For example, the sleeve or inner post  516   a  may be slidably mounted in outer post  516  and biased in its extended position by spring located within the outer post below or within the sleeve or inner post  516   a . In this manner, the post-within-a-post construction removes some of the mechanical loading from the connector and places it instead on the outer post. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  15  through  17   , another embodiment of a mounting structure  615  is illustrated in which an electrical connector  620  is mounted to the distal end of a post  616  (mounted to the bed frame  618  via footboard mounting base  613 ), and with the distal end of post  616  including a chamfered edge  616   a . A corresponding electrical connector  624  is located in a socket  614  provided in the footboard  612  ( FIG.  15   ). Socket  614  may also include a corresponding chamfered upper surface  614   a , which together with chamfered edge  616   a  of post  616  can take the loading off the electrical connectors  620  and  624 . Again, either of the electrical connectors may be mounted in or to their respective post/socket using a floating mount. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  18  through  20   , the numeral  713  generally designates another embodiment of a pair of mounting structures for mounting a footboard  712  to a bed frame  718 , again, for example, via a footboard mounting base  713 . In the illustrated embodiment, footboard  712  includes a pair of downwardly depending posts  714   a  and  714   b , each including electrical connector  724   a ,  724   b , which are in electrical communication with one or more electrical devices housed within footboard  712 . In the illustrated embodiment, post  714   a  comprises a round post, while post  714   b  is configured as a rectangular post. It should be understood that the posts may have a similar cross-section or other cross-sections. 
     Posts  714   a  and  714   b  are configured to extend into corresponding sockets  716   a  and  716   b  provided in bed frame  718 , which includes corresponding electrical connectors  720   a ,  720   b  with which electrical connectors  724   a ,  724   b  make contact when posts  714   a  and  714   b  are inserted into the respective sockets  716   a  and  716   b . In the illustrated embodiment, electrical connectors  724   a ,  724   b  are fixed to the distal ends of the respective posts  714   a  and  714   b . Optionally, electrical connectors  720   a ,  720   b  are located in sockets  716   a  and  716   b  with a floating mount. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  21  and  22   , electrical connectors  720   b  and  720   a , as noted above, are located within the respective sockets by floating mounts. Alternately, electrical connectors  724   a  and  724   b  may be mounted with floating mounts, while electrical connectors  720   b  and  720   a  may be mounted with fixed connections in sockets  716   a ,  716   b . By providing connectors that float, the effect of the mechanical push/pull loading on the electrical connections may be reduced, with mechanical load instead taken up by the mounting posts. 
     Referring to  FIG.  23   , the numeral  812  generally designates another embodiment of a footboard, which is suitable for mounting to a person support apparatus, such as a hospital bed B. As will be more fully described below, footboard  812  is configured to be removable but without requiring the electrical connections for the electrical device or devices at the footboard to be disconnected when the footboard is removed. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  23 - 27   , footboard  812  includes a pedestal  860  that houses one or more electrical devices that are electrically connected to the bed-base control system. As will be more fully described below in reference to  FIGS.  37 - 41   , footboard  812  includes a footboard body  862  that is separable from pedestal  860 , so that the pedestal  860  may remain in position while the footboard body  862  is moved or removed, so that the electrical device housed in or at pedestal  860  can remain connected to the bed-based control system. 
     Pedestal  860  includes upwardly depending pedestal housing  864 , which is mounted to bed frame  18 . For example, pedestal housing  864  may be mounted with a fixed connection to bed frame  18  or may be pivotally mounted to bed frame  18 , as described in reference below in reference to  FIG.  43   . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, pedestal housing  864  supports an electronics housing  866  that may, for example, include a display  868 , such as a touchscreen display, and various other optional electronics, such as those described below. Electronics housing  866  is in electrical communication with the bed base control system through wires or cables located in housing  864 , which is mounted to the frame  818 . For example, electronics housing  866  may be powered by the bed base control system through wiring or cabling system that extend through pedestal housing  864  and may also be in communication with the bed base control system wirelessly. 
     Optionally, the electronics housing  866  may be pivotally mounted to pedestal housing  864  so that display  868  can be positioned to suit the caregiver&#39;s needs. For example, display  868  may be repositioned between a vertical orientation, such as shown in  FIGS.  25  and  26   , or a tilted position, for example, in a range of 5° to 90° from vertical plane, as noted above to suit the needs of the caregiver. 
     As would be understood, the width of housing  864  may be varied. One goal of the pedestal is to allow the footboard body  862  to be removed to allow access to the mattress or to the person. Accordingly, the width of housing  864  may be chosen such that it does not interfere with the ability of a caregiver to access the mattress or the person. In the illustrated embodiment, the width of housing  864  is greater than the width of electronics housing  866  but is still sufficiently narrow to allow access by a caregiver to the person or mattress supported on the bed. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  28  through  35   , the numeral  960  refers to another embodiment of the pedestal. In the illustrated embodiment, pedestal  960  includes an electronics housing  962  and a pedestal housing  964 , which supports electronics housing  962 . In this embodiment, the pedestal housing  964  has a width narrower than the electronics housing  962 . Additionally, pedestal housing  964  supports additional electrical devices, such as lights, including iBed Awareness lights sold by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo Mich., user input devices, such as buttons, including capacitive mechanical buttons, ports, such as DVT pump ports, USB ports, outlets or auxiliary ports, or the like. For further details of an iBed Awareness light reference is made herein to U.S. Pat. No. 8,689,376 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/035,544, filed on Feb. 25, 2011, which are commonly owned by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo, Mich. and incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
     For example, referring to  FIG.  28   , pedestal housing  964  may include ports  966 , including DVT pump ports, USB ports, electrical outlets, or auxiliary ports, at a side of the housing, which are accessible when the footboard body is removed. Optionally, ports  966  may be provided on the front face of the pedestal housing so that the ports are accessible even when the footboard body is returned to its foot end position about the pedestal. 
     As noted above, pedestal  960  includes lights  965 ,  970 . For example, referring to  FIGS.  29  and  30   , a light or lights  970  may be provided in the electronics housing above display screen  968  or may be located in the outwardly facing side of pedestal housing  964  so the light is viewable by a caregiver regardless of whether the footboard body is removed or in position at the foot end of the bed. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  31  and  32   , user input devices  972 , such as buttons, including capacitive or mechanical buttons, may be provided in electronics housing  962 . For example, user input devices  972  may be located around display  968  to provide additional functionality beyond the functionality provided by display  968 . As noted above, display  968  may comprise a touch screen, which may provide input to the bed to control the bed and provide other functions, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,962,981; 9,038,217; and 8,413,271, which are commonly owned by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo, Mich. and are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
     As best seen in  FIG.  31   , auxiliary port outlets  974  are provided in pedestal  960 , for example, in pedestal housing  964 . Referring to  FIGS.  33 - 34   , in one embodiment, pedestal  960  incorporates a tray  980 . For example, tray  980  may be mounted to pedestal housing  964  by a bracket  982  ( FIG.  34   ), which is either formed on or attached to pedestal housing  964 . Tray  980  provides a working surface for holding items, such as tools used by nurse or caregiver. Tray  980  may be either removable or integrally formed with the pedestal housing  964 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  35  and  36   , pedestal  960  may include a bracket  984  for holding an item, such as a pump box  986 , such as shown in  FIG.  35   . In the illustrated embodiment, bracket  984  comprises a wire frame bracket, which is configured to hold, as noted above, a pump box  986 . It should be understood that bracket  984  may be configured to hold other devices. 
     As described above, footboard  812  includes pedestal  860  and footboard body  862 , which mounts about pedestal  860 . Footboard body  862  can be removed from bed B, leaving pedestal  860  attached to bed B so that the electrical connections between the electronics or electrical devices in pedestal  860  and the bed-based control system may remain intact. 
     Although not shown, any number of different types of releasable mounting structures may be used to mount footboard body  862  with the bed frame of bed B, including the mounting structures described above. As best seen in  FIGS.  37 - 39   , footboard body  862  includes a perimeter frame that forms the outline of the footboard, including an upper side, opposed left and right sides, and a lower side of the footboard. Centrally located in the body and frame is an opening  862   b  that is sized to receive pedestal  860  and further straddles pedestal  860  so that when footboard body  862  is mounted to bed B, pedestal  860  appears to be part of the footboard. The lower side  862   c  of the frame, at least at the lower end of the opening, is offset so as to straddle the pedestal housing, which is mounted to the bed frame within the foot print of the footboard. 
     The thickness of the footboard body may be commensurate with the pedestal housing  864  in which case either the pedestal housing or the electronics housing projects from the footboard, e.g. from between panels  862   d  and  862   e . Alternately, footboard body  862  width may be commensurate with the width of pedestal housing  864  and the width of electronics housing  866  (when electronics housing  866  is in its vertical orientation) combined. In this manner, pedestal housing  864  and electronics housing  866  can lay between the two vertical planes defined by the two outward faces of footboard panels  862   d  and  862   e  when electronics housing  866  is rotated to its vertical orientation, such as shown in  FIG.  25   . Optionally, the thickness of footboard body  862  may be greater than the combined width of the pedestal housing  864  and the electronics housing  866  (when it is rotated to its vertical orientation). With this configuration, one or both the pedestal housing  864  and the electronics housing  866  may be recessed within footboard body  862 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  40  and  41   , the numeral  1062  designates another embodiment of a footboard body, which is configured to pivotally mount about the foot end of bed B away from pedestal  860 . In the illustrated embodiment, footboard body  1062  includes a frame  1062   a  that forms an upper side, left and right sides, and bifurcated lower side  1062   c , which allows footboard body  1062  to pivot past pedestal  860  without interference from pedestal  860 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  42   , either of the above pedestals  860 ,  960  may be mounted so that it pivots about the foot end of the bed, so that the foot end of the bed is totally unobstructed. Because the pedestal is pivoted rather than being fully disconnected, the electrical connections, as noted above, may still remain intact. 
     Referring to  FIG.  43   , in any of the above displays, the display and touchscreen may be physically separated from the processor creating the graphics on the display and touchscreen. The graphics on the display and touchscreen are driven by a graphics engine module  1190 . In the illustrated embodiment, module  1190  is physically positioned on person support apparatus, such as bed B, and not on or in the footboard. This allows the display (and touch screen) be replaced with a different display in the future without changing the underlying hardware. Newer technologies may then be applied to the footboard without changing the graphics engine module. Hereinafter reference will be made to the display, but it should be understood that this may include the touchscreen as well. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  43   , communication system  1192  may include one or more user interface devices, such as human machine interface (HMI) modules  1196 , which are in communication with the display and/or touchscreen through an interface  1198  via serial connectors  1194 . Suitable connections include I-squared C protocol (I 2 C). The user interface devices may simply be buttons or other user input devices that allow a person, such as a caregiver to operate features on the footboard or the person support apparatus. 
     As noted above, graphics engine module  1190  also communicates with the interface  1198  via serial connectors  1194 . In some embodiment, serial connectors  1194  are implemented as low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) connectors, for example using shielded cables, although it will be understood that other types of serial connectors can be used. Other connectors may be implemented using RS-232 protocol, an RS-422 protocol, an RS-485 protocol, an I-squared C protocol (I 2 C), and an IEEE 1394 serial bus protocol (e.g. Firewire). Further, as will be more fully described below, graphics engine module  1190  and the footboard interface  1198 , may each include a serializer chip, namely an serDES chip, which converts parallel data into serial data (and vice versa) so that the data from the graphics engine module can be sent over the serial connectors noted above. 
     For example, as described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/622,221, filed Feb. 13, 2015, entitled COMMUNICATION METHODS FOR PERSON HANDLING DEVICES, which is commonly owned by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo Mich. and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, communication system  1192 , which includes both the controls in footboard and the graphics engine module  1190  may include a serDES connection that runs from the graphics engine module  1190  to the footboard (provided by two serDES chips—one on the graphics engine module side and the other on the footboard interface side, as noted below). The serDES connection allows the graphic images that are output from the graphics engine module to be converted to a serial format that is then sent over the serDES connection to the footboard for display on display  868 ,  968 . In other words, the graphics engine module, among other responsibilities, controls the images that are displayed on display  868 ,  968  of the person support apparatus, such as bed B. By utilizing this serDES connection, a simplified electrical connector (such as the serial connectors noted above) can be used on both the patient support apparatus and on the footboard that electrically bridges the two when the footboard is mounted on the person support apparatus. That is, it is not necessary to include a large number of electrical pins that must align with a corresponding receptacle in order to bridge the electrical connection between the footboard and the person support apparatus, such as is required when sending data in a parallel fashion or otherwise using multiple connections. 
     In addition to simplifying the electrical connector between the footboard and person support apparatus, the use of serDES connection also enables the footboard to include one or more displays without also including a microcontroller within the footboard. Instead, the footboard may include a conventional, off-the-shelf serDES chip that deserializes the incoming data from graphics engine module  1190  and distributes the data among the electrical components of the footboard, as well as serializes the outgoing data from the footboard that is sent to graphics engine module  1190 . Similarly, graphics engine module  1190  includes a conventional, off-the-shelf serDES chip that deserializes the incoming data from the footboard and serializes the outgoing data that is sent to the footboard. By utilizing these serDES chips, which are less expensive than microcontrollers, the cost of replacing missing or damaged footboards becomes less expensive. Though it should be understood that the footboard may include its own microcontroller or processor. 
     Accordingly, based on what footboard is plugged into the patient support apparatus, a different menu/GUI may be presented to the user, for example a menu/GUI suitable for surgical ward, ICU, cardiology. Further, the display may be configured to offer high-end features or low end features. Further, two displays may be driven from a single graphics engine module ( 1190 ). For example, one display may provide bed centric information, while another display could provide electronic medical records (EMR) information. 
     Further, the resolution of the display may be changed, including by auto sizing or providing a unique ID that describes the resolution of the display when plugged into the system. 
     In addition, communication system  1192  ( FIG.  43   ) may be connected to a sensor (e.g.  1228 ), such as an ambient light sensor that detects light in the room to detect room brightness and, therefore, may adjust the display and/or touch screen based on the room brightness. 
     Further, the use of the serDES chips provides the ability to run multiple independent software environments within a single system on chip (SoC). 
     In one embodiment, the graphics engine module may employ a dual core or multi core platform. For example, graphics engine module  1190  may include a graphics core  1190   a , such as a Cortex-A9, and a machine core  1190   b  (Cortex-M4). This provides the capability to deploy a user interface-rich operating system on one core (such as Cortex-A9) and benefit from the real-time determinism provided by another core (such as Cortex-M4). This may be important for a wide range of medical devices that require a more evolved user experience but must have a reliable, secure and deterministic way of communicating with other devices in a network. 
     By using two cores with different capabilities, a better optimization may be achieved—including a power optimization. For example, a graphics core, such as Cortex-A9, which can process 2D or 3D graphics, as well as high definition video, generally requires more power than, for example, a machine core, such as Cotex-M4, which processes low level functions, such as monitoring sensors, user interfaces, such as buttons, and wireless communication. For example, the graphics core may be put to sleep and only woken up when the machine core detects that the graphics core is needed. 
     In one embodiment, the controller is configured to operate a safe sharing or exclusive access of SoC resources (peripherals, shared memory) by the Cortex-A9 core and Cortex-M4 core to ensure that the operating environments can coexist independently in a secure manner, i.e. the Cortex-A9 domain will not try to take control of a peripheral that is, and must remain, dedicated to the Cortex-M4 domain. The controller has a full programming model and the entire register map is available to either, or both, cores. This allows the processor to partition the system uniquely to the requirements. 
     In another embodiment, the processor may be configured to use an authenticated, secure boot (high-assurance boot) to verify that the software boot image is authorized to run on the device. And, with a Cortex-M4 core involved, very fast secure boot times can be realized. High-assurance boot is a security feature that assists in preventing tampered boot images from being run on the device. In addition, cryptographic cipher engines and secure on-chip data storage round out the advanced security offerings of the processor. 
     In at least one embodiment, flexible boot options, including support for DDR QSPI and raw NAND, and a memory controller that supports both DDR3 and low power DDR2 memory. 
     In one embodiment, the two cores share a common processor and, further, may share the same memory. For example, a suitable processor is available under the product name i.MX 6SoloX processor available from Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  43  and  44   , system  1192  includes a bed based processor  1200 , which includes graphics engine module  1190 , cores  1190   a ,  1190   b , and memory  1210 . Additionally, as noted above, processor  1200  may include a power management device  1220 , which may manage the power usage, for example, of the cores, and may also include numerous ports and interfaces for various devices, such as a video interface  1222  and a display interface  1224 , such as ports for video, such as an MIPI camera port for cameras (such as CSI, NTSC/PAL), ports for audio devices  1226 , ports for sensors  1128 , and ports for displays (such as parallel RGB, LVDS), including displays and touchscreens  50 ,  868 ,  968 . Additionally, the processor may include a dual-port for audio and video, such as a dial-port gigabit Ethernet audio video bridging (AVB), as noted below. Further, wireless connectivity support can be added via single-lane PCIe, SDIO, or USB. Alternately, the system may include multiple memories. For example, the processor may host from each memory. For example, one memory may store the graphics for one display, and the other could store the graphics for another display. 
     In some embodiments, as noted above, independent power domains within the SoC allow to provide smart system power-managing system-level tasks in the most power efficient way. As noted, above, the Cortex-M4 core can be used for low-level system monitoring tasks, such as maintaining a wired or wireless connection, monitoring user interfaces, such as buttons, or gathering inputs from sensors, all while the Cortex-A9 core and other higher-performing peripherals like the 2D and 3D GPU are power-gated. This provides maximum power efficiency during less process intensive, but highly critical, tasks as well as the ability to quickly and significantly scale up the performance and display capabilities of the system. 
     In at least one embodiment, a dual-port gigabit Ethernet audio video bridging (AVB) may be used for quality-of-service requirements with enhanced packet prioritization. 
     At least in one embodiment, the graphics engine module may include a 2D and 3D graphics processing unit (GPU) for enhanced human machine interface (HMI) development. 
     In at least one embodiment, graphics engine module  1190  transmits to the footboard over serDES connection images that are to be displayed on the display that were formatted in a scalable vector graphics (SVG) format. This enables a first footboard to be replaced with a second footboard having another display on it that is of a size different from the size of the display of the first footboard, without requiring any reprogramming on the part of graphics engine module  1190 . In other words, graphics engine module  1190  contains memory that stores the images to be displayed on the display in an SVG format. Prior to transmitting these images to the display, graphics engine module  1190  scales these SVG formatted images to a size that matches the size of the display that is included on the footboard. Because the images are stored and/or created in an SVG format, graphics engine module  1190  can easily re-size the images prior to transmission to the footboard without loss of fidelity of the graphic images, and without having to be reprogrammed to generate images that are specifically sized and/or formatted to the particular display that is included with the footboard. 
     In order to resize the SVG images to the appropriate size, the footboard transmits to graphics engine module  1190  a message that identifies the size of the display to graphics engine module  1190  so that graphics engine module  1190  knows what size to scale the SVG image to. After this message is received, graphics engine module  1190  re-sizes the image data appropriately prior to transmitting it to the footboard over the serDES connection. 
     The use of SVG graphics for displaying images on the display enables different footboards having differently sized displays to be swapped with each other for use on the person support apparatus without requiring any changes or reprogramming of graphics engine module  1190 , or any other components of the person support apparatus. Further, because graphics engine module  1190  is physically located on the patient support apparatus, rather than incorporated into the footboard, upgrading of the footboards having a smaller sized display to a footboard having a larger sized display can be accomplished in a more cost-effective manner. 
     In still other embodiments, the system may transmit audio packets over the connections, e.g. Ethernet, using the I 2 S (aka Inter-IC Sound, or Integrated Interchip Sound, or IIS) standard developed by Philips Electronics of the Netherlands. In some embodiments, the I 2 S protocol is used for communicating audio over one or more of the lower speed network connections, which may be provided so that the footboard may be used as a multimedia engine. 
     In yet another embodiment, as noted above, the system may include a camera interface, such as an MIPI CSI-2, which could run both ways for example to capture images of a person in the patient support apparatus or of a caregiver or visitor who is near adjacent the footboard. 
     In yet other embodiments, the displays and/or touch screens described herein may include a finish to optimize the viewing angles. For example, the displays and/or touch screens may include anti-glare finish or a non-scratch finish, or they may be formed from a robust hardened glass. Optionally, the displays and/or touch screens further may be sealed for water intrusion, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,334, which is commonly owned by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo Mich. and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     Additionally, many of these features, such as ports for video, such as an MIPI camera port for cameras (such as CSI, NTSC/PAL), ports for audio devices, ports for sensors, and ports for displays (such as parallel RGB, LVDS), including displays and touchscreens, may be provided at the footboard interface  1198 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  45  and  46   , the numeral  1310  generally designates another embodiment of a footboard assembly. Footboard assembly  1310  includes a footboard  1312  that is removably mounted to a footboard mounting base  1313 , which may form part of a bed frame or may be mounted to a bed frame. To removably mount footboard  1312  to footboard mounting base  1313 , footboard  1312  includes a pair of posts  1314   a ,  1314   b  that extend into corresponding sockets  1316  formed on or provided in footboard mounting base  1313 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, footboard system  1310  includes an electrical interface connection between footboard  1312  and footboard mounting base  1313 , which is accomplished without the use of mechanical interconnection between its electrical components. Instead, electrical connection is achieved using a wireless power transfer system  1311 , illustrated in  FIG.  46 C . As best seen in  FIGS.  45  and  46   , each of the footboard and footboard mounting base  1312 ,  1313  includes an electrical inductive coil  1320  and  1324 . Electrical inductive coil  1320  is mounted to the upwardly facing side  1313   a  of footboard mounting base  1313 . Similarly, coil  1324  is mounted to a downwardly facing side  1312   a  of footboard  1312 , and aligned with coil  1320  when footboard  1320  is mounted to footboard mounting base  1313  and posts  1314   a ,  1314   b  and aligned and inserted into sockets  1316 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, footboard  1312  includes a cover  1318  that is formed from a polymer material, such as an ABS plastic, that is molded over an inverted U-shaped frame member  1314  (e.g. metal tubular member) whose ends form posts  1314   a ,  1314   b . Further, in the illustrated embodiment, footboard  1312  includes a control console  1330  that houses one or more electrical devices  1332 , such as a display  1326 , including a graphical user interface, such as a touch screen, a keyboard, iBed® Awareness lights sold by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo Mich., user input devices, such as buttons, including capacitive mechanical buttons, ports, such as DVT pump ports, USB ports, outlets or auxiliary ports, or the like. For further details of an iBed Awareness light, reference is made herein to U.S. Pat. No. 8,689,376 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/035,544, filed on Feb. 25, 2011, which are commonly owned by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo, Mich. and incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. Reference is made to the previous embodiments for additional details on the optional electrical devices that may be mounted to footboard  1312 . 
     Control console  1330  may comprise a separate housing that is mounted to footboard  1312 , for example, pivotally mounted, or may be an integral housing that is formed as part of the footboard cover  1318 . For an example of a separate control console, reference is made herein to U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,690,059; 7,805,784; 7,962,981; 7,861,334; and 7,779,493, which are commonly owned by Stryker Corp. and incorporated by reference herein their entireties. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, footboard cover  1318  includes two downwardly depending portions  1318   a ,  1318   b , which extend over and downwardly in front of footboard mounting base  1313  (as viewed from the foot end of the bed) when footboard  1312  is mounted to footboard mounting base  1313 , which facilitates guiding posts  1314   a ,  1314   b  into sockets  1316  and, further, hides the ends of footboard mounting base  1313 . Cover  1318  also forms a shoulder  1318   c  upward of downwardly depending portions  1318   a ,  1318   b  (and of lower edge  1318   d  of cover  1318  ( FIG.  46   )) for resting on footboard mounting base  1313  and through which posts  1314   a ,  1314   b  extend. Additionally, shoulder  1318   c  forms downwardly facing side  1312   a  of footboard  1312  where receiving coil  1324  is mounted and through which receiving coil  1324  couples to the receiving circuit described below. Similarly, footboard mounting base  1313  includes a transverse beam  1319 , which supports sockets  1316  for receiving post  1314   a ,  1314   b  and which forms upwardly facing side  1313   a  of footboard mounting base  1313  where transmitting coil  1320  is mounted and through which transmitting coil  1320  couples to the transmitting circuit described below. Transverse beam  1319  also provides a bearing surface for footboard  1312  to rest on when footboard is mounted to footboard mounting base  1313  to thus form a bearing interface surface with the shoulder  1318   c  of the footboard  1318 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  46 C , inductive coils  1320  and  1324  are connected to respective transmitting and receiving circuits  1340  and  1342 . When an alternating current (or interrupted direct current) is passed through the transmitting coil from the transmitting circuit, the transmitting coil generates a magnetic field which induces voltage in the receiving coil which then can be used to power through the receiving circuit one or more of the electrical devices noted above. 
     Receiving circuit  1340  couples to the respective electrical device or devices within the footboard for powering the electrical device(s) when a voltage is generated across coil  1320 . Similarly, transmitting circuit  1342  is coupled to the bed based power supply ( 1354 ), which includes a circuit for switching between a DC supply, namely the bed based battery, and an AC supply, namely a wall outlet power supply so that when the respective coils  1320  and  1324  are sufficiently close, electrical current flow through circuit  1342  will generate a voltage in coil  1320 , which will induce a voltage and current flow in coil  1324  to thereby power the respective devices coupled to circuit  1340 . 
     For example, referring to  FIG.  46 C , circuit  1342  includes a high frequency DC to AC converter  1344 , which is coupled to the bed power supply  1354 , which may be an AC supply or a DC battery. Converter  1344  converts the DC voltage or AC voltage into a high frequency AC voltage that is applied to transmitting coil  1320 , which induces a voltage in coil  1324 . Optionally, the wireless power transfer system  1311  comprises a dynamic wireless power transfer system that can adjust its impedance or duty cycle or other operating parameter as needed, for example to increase efficiency. Accordingly, transmitting circuit  1342  may include a feedback circuit  1346 , which adjusts the output from converter  1344 , to, for example, adjust the impedance of coil  1320 , which can improve the efficiency of wireless power transfer system  1311 . 
     The power from power supply  1354  to transmitting coil  1320  is regulated by a bed based controller  1356 , which includes or is coupled to a central processing unit  1358 , which also controls communication between one or more electrical devices  1332  at footboard and the bed based controller  1356 . 
     Referring again to  FIG.  46 C , receiving circuit  1340  includes a rectification circuit  1360 , such as a diode bridge, which converts the high frequency AC voltage from coil  1324  into a DC voltage suitable for driving the one of more electrical devices  1322 . A voltage conditioning device  1362 , such as an op amp, may also be provided to filter out any noise in the voltage to the electrical devices. 
     As understood by those skilled in the art, the efficiency of the power transfer depends on the coupling between the two coils. The coupling is determined by the distance between the two coils and the ratio of the diameters of the respective coil. Further, the coupling may be affected by the shape of the coils and the angle between them. In the illustrated embodiment, coils  1320  and  1324  are both helical and approximately the same size. However, it should be understood that their sizes and shape may vary. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, footboard  1312  and footboard mounting base  1313  may also each include optical couplers  1370  and  1372  for transmitting signals and/or data between the footboard  1312  and footboard mounting base  1313 . Optical couplers  1370  and  1372  act as opto-transceivers and couple using an LED light wave emitter and a photosensor. 
     As best seen in  FIG.  46 C , optical coupler  1372  is coupled to CPU  1358 , and optical coupler  1370  is coupled to a CPU  1364  of footboard mounting base  1313 , which is in communication with electrical devices  1322 . In this manner, bed based controller  1356  may communicate with CPU  1364  via optical couplers  1370  and  1372  to transmit or receive signals and/or data from CPU  1364 . Thus, footboard  1312  and footboard mounting base  1313  provide electrical interface for both power and communication back to the bed based power supply and a communication bus network (not shown) located at the bed. 
     Alternately, footboard  1312  and footboard mounting base  1313  may each include a separate designated inductive coil or a transceiver (or transmitter and receiver) to transmit signals and/or data between footboard  1312  and footboard mounting base  1313 . 
     In addition to providing wireless power supply, coils  1320 ,  1324  may also provide contactless or wireless communication, for example serial communication. This can be achieved by “piggybacking” on the wireless power to and from the induction coils. Serial communication can be established during wireless power transfer by superimposing a high frequency carrier signal onto the power supply frequency with conventional communication protocol. The system would therefore be a two-way transceiver system capable of isolating the high frequency carrier from the low end impedances on the power side. 
     Referring to  FIG.  46 D , footboard system  1311 ′ may include a transmitting circuit  1342 ′ similar to circuit  1342  and a receiving circuit  1340 ′ but with CPU  1358  and CPU  1364  connected to the power lines from power converter  1344  and from coil  1324  via capacitors  1358   a ,  1364   a , respectively, which superimpose a high frequency carrier signal onto the power supply frequency with an on/off modulation scheme acting as the 1&#39;s and 0&#39;s required for serial communication. 
     Wireless/contactless serial communication can also be achieved by implementing any one of a plurality of other wireless technologies adjacent or in parallel to the wireless induction-coil power while utilizing proprietary industry common communication protocols, such as NFC and radio-waves, and wireless, such as WiFi, Zigby, Bluetooth, etc. 
     Consequently, the wireless/contactless power and/or communication eliminates the need for (1) direct physical contact between induction-coil blind mate halves, (2) for physical electrical contact terminals (3) physical &amp; mechanical alignment of blind mate halves. Further, the wireless/contactless power and/or communication reduces the number of required circuits and free conductors and the size of the electrical connections. 
     In addition, because the power and/or communication physical connections are eliminated, cleaning and hence infection-control results can be significantly improved. 
     Optionally, coils  1320  and  1324  can be positioned behind thin wall enclosures for complete protection against the elements and, further, are safe to touch. 
     As noted above, the induction coils can be of any number of shapes and profiles (i.e. round, rectangular, formed coil, pancake, spherical-helical, external or internal, meandering, etc.) and of any size. Further, the coils can either be separate stand-alone devices or printed circuit board (PCBA) mounted. For further details of a suitable wireless power supply system reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 8,844,204, which is commonly owned by Stryker Corp. and incorporated by reference herein its entirety. 
     The ‘contactless’ blind mate connection is, therefore, capable of wirelessly providing power and bi-directional serial communication while providing all of the benefits of traditional breakaway style electrical connectors, but with many additional advantages and improvements as a result of the electrical interface requiring no physical contact between each half. 
     Various alterations and changes can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broader aspects of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the disclosure or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element or group of elements of the described disclosure may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present disclosure is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Further, a feature or features of one embodiment may be incorporated or substituted for a feature or features of another embodiment. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “the,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.