Abstract:
A rehabilitation bed for obese persons is provided that has a center frame section with first and second ends. A transport assembly is coupled to the center frame section that has at least one pair of transport wheels depending downwardly from the center frame section. A head base frame is pivotally coupled to the one end of the center frame section and a foot base frame is pivotally coupled to the other end of the center frame section. A patient support surface is coupled to the center frame section, the head base frame, and the foot base frame and is adapted to provide support for a mattress for the bed. The bed may thus be unfolded for use by a person with the head base frame, center frame section and the foot base frame located in substantially the same plane. The head base frame and foot base frame may also be pivoted upwardly relative to the center frame section leaving the transport wheels in contact with the ground so that the bed is easily transportable from room to room.

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to rehabilitation or bariatric beds that are used to accommodate an obese person. More particularly, the invention relates to a bariatric bed that is foldable into a configuration making it easy to transport. 
     Overweight people are commonly referred to as being obese. These obese people often require special care, either at home or in a care-giving facility. One of the pieces of equipment frequently used in the care of obese people is a rehabilitation or bariatric bed. These beds are specifically designed to address the special needs required in the care of an obese person. For example, these beds are designed to place the obese person in a variety of positions. Thus, the beds are usually capable of independently and selectively elevating or lowering both the head and foot of the bed, as well as being capable of simultaneously raising or lowering the bed frame relative to the floor. Also, these beds are designed to independently raise the portion of the mattress in the area of the obese person&#39;s knee relative to the bed frame and raising the entire head and torso portion of the mattress relative to the bed frame. Such positioning is often necessary to place the obese person in a sitting position. 
     Rehabilitation beds are often called upon to accommodate persons whose weight may exceed 400 pounds. As a consequence, these rehabilitation beds must be wide enough to accommodate the obese person. Because of their width, the prior art rehabilitation beds are difficult to transport from one room to another. In the past, the prior art beds were disassembled into separate sections before moving the bed into another room. Once at the desired location, the prior art bed would be reassembled. This disassembly and assembly process is a difficult and time consuming process. Often, the process requires two people to properly align the two separate sections of the bed so that they can properly be assembled. The second person is needed because the bed is both heavy and awkward to handle. 
     Another problem existing with prior art rehabilitation beds relates to their length. The standard prior art rehabilitation bed is designed to accommodate the height of a great majority of obese persons. However, a certain number of obese persons are tall enough so as to be unable to comfortably fit on the standard rehabilitation bed. The prior art beds do not offer a mechanism for increasing the length thereof to accommodate any of these taller obese persons. 
     Similarly, the width of the standard mattress support frame for a prior art rehabilitation bed will accommodate a mattress wide enough to support a great majority of obese persons. However, there are some obese persons that are large enough that the standard width mattress will not comfortably provide support. In these instances, it would be desirable to provide a rehabilitation bed with a mattress support frame capable of selectively providing support for a wider mattress. The process of adding width to the mattress support frame needs to be as simple and quick as possible so that the change in mattress width is easily accomplished. 
     Yet another problem associated with existing prior art beds relates to the way in which the bed is elevated and lowered. Some prior art beds tend to move in a “caterpillar”action away from the wall and into the middle of the room. It is preferable, as would be understood, for the bed to remain in one position during its use. 
     Therefore, a rehabilitation bed for accommodating an obese person is needed that overcomes the above drawbacks and disadvantages existing in the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a rehabilitation bed for accommodating an obese person that does not need to be disassembled for the transportation thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a rehabilitation bed for accommodating an obese person with an assembly that can be folded into a relatively narrow construction for transport from one room to another. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a rehabilitation bed for accommodating an obese person with a mechanism that allows the overall length of the bed to be selectively increased to accommodate taller persons. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a rehabilitation bed for accommodating an obese person that employs a relatively simple mechanism which allows for a wider mattress support frame to accommodate different widths of mattresses. 
     To accomplish these and other related objects, a rehabilitation bed for accommodating an obese person is provided. The bed has a center frame section with first and second ends. A transport assembly is coupled to the center frame section that has at least one pair of transport wheels depending downwardly from the center frame section. A head base frame is pivotally coupled to the one end of the center frame section and a foot base frame is pivotally coupled to the other end of the center frame section. A patient support surface is coupled to the center frame section, the head base frame and the foot base frame that is adapted to provide support for a mattress for the bed. The bed may thus be unfolded for use by a person with the head base frame, center frame section and the foot base frame located in substantially the same plane. The head base frame and foot base frame may also be pivoted upwardly relative to the center frame section leaving the transport wheels in contact with the ground so that the bed is easily transportable from room to room. 
     Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned from practice of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rehabilitation bed according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the rehabilitation bed of FIG. 1, shown without the mattress and with the patient support frame in a lowered, horizontal position; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the patient support frame of the rehabilitation bed of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the base frame of the rehabilitation bed of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, showing the transport wheels in a different position; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line  8 — 8  of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 10 is view similar to FIG. 9, showing the transport wheels in a different position; 
     FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the rehabilitation bed of FIG. 1, shown in a folded condition without the mattress; 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 11, showing the rehabilitation bed in a partially unfolded state; 
     FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12, showing the rehabilitation bed in an unfolded condition; 
     FIG. 14 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 13, showing the base frame of the rehabilitation bed in an elevated condition and showing a different positioning for the mattress thereon; 
     FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14, showing a different positioning with the foot of the bed being lowered relative to the head of the bed; 
     FIG. 16 is a partial side elevation view similar to FIG. 15, showing yet another position for the rehabilitation bed; and 
     FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line  17 — 17  of FIG. 2, showing the frame extensions of the rehabilitation bed of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, and initially to FIG. 1, a rehabilitation bed for accommodating an obese person is represented by the reference numeral  10 . Bed  10  includes a head base frame  12 , a center base frame  14  and a foot base frame  16 . As is more fully discussed below, frames  12  and  16  are hingedly coupled to frame  14  allowing bed  10  to be easily transported when not in use. Extending below and coupled to frame  12  is a head high-low linkage  18 . Similarly, extending below and attached to frame  16  is a foot high-low linkage  20 . Linkages  18  and  20  are used to selectively elevate and lower portions of bed  10  to place the bed in varying positions, as is further discussed below. As best seen in FIGS. 11 through 16, bed  10  further includes a transport assembly  22 . Assembly  22  can be selectively retracted and lowered. When the bed  10  is in a folded orientation as seen in FIG. 11, assembly  22  is lowered to support bed  10  for transport. When bed  10  is in use, assembly  22  is retracted as seen in FIGS. 14 through 16 to move assembly  22  out of the way. 
     As best seen FIG. 5, suspended above frame  12  and pivotally coupled thereto is a head patient support  24 . A center patient support  26  is suspended above frame  14  and a foot patient support  28  is pivotally suspended above frame  16 . Supports  24 ,  26  and  28  provide support for a mattress  30  as is shown in FIG.  1 . Moreover, as is more fully described below, supports  24 ,  26  and  28  operate to place the mattress and the patient in different desired orientations. A more detailed description of each of the major components described above is set forth below. 
     As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 6 through  7 , linkage  18  includes a pair of linkage support bars  32  that are rigidly secured to frame  12 . One bar  32  is coupled to each side of frame  12 . As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, a parallel linkage  34  is pivotally coupled to each bar  32 . Linkage  34  includes a pair of spaced extending members that are pivotally coupled on one end to bar  32  and that are pivotally coupled on their opposite ends to a plate  36 . Plate  36  is rigidly secured to a horizontal connecting bar  38 . Bar  38  connects plates  36  to one another and is best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4. Additional horizontal support bars  40  may be provided to add stability to linkage  18  as is shown in FIG.  1 . Bar  38  has a caster  42  rigidly secured on each outer end thereof. Preferably, casters  42  are swivel casters which can be locked when desired. As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 6 through  7 , the upper-most support bar  40  has an actuator connecting member  44  rigidly secured thereto. The outer end of member  44  is pivotally coupled to a high-low actuator  46 . As is more fully described below, the opposite end of actuator  46  is pivotally secured to frame  12 . Actuator  46  is used to raise and lower frame  12  with respect to the ground. 
     Linkage  20  is similarly constructed to linkage  18  with like parts being numbered accordingly. Linkage support bar  32  is, however, rigidly secured to frame  16  and extends below the foot of bed  10 . Also, actuator  46  of linkage  20  is pivotally coupled to frame  16 , rather than frame  12 . As best seen in FIG. 8, linkages  18  and  20  are constructed with a frame gap  48  therein. Gap  48  allows the linkages to fully retract such that the outer frame members of frames  12  and  16  rest on bar  38 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 4, head base frame  12  includes a rigid outer support frame  50 . Preferably, frame  50  is constructed of welded steel tubing. It should be understood, however, that other rigid frame constructions could be used. Coupled along the outer edge of frame  50  are a pair of headboard supports  52 , a pair of patient sling supports  54 , and a pair of medical equipment supports  56 . Preferably, each of these supports welded to frame  50 . As best seen in FIG. 1, supports  52  are utilized to hold and support a removal headboard  58 . While not shown, supports  54  may be utilized to hold a patient sling which is often used in the care of obese persons. Further, medical equipment supports  56  may be used to hold such things as an IV support or other timed release dispensers. As best seen in FIG. 1, in phantom lines, an electrical cord bracket  60  is secured to support frame  50  and is used to position the electrical cords associated with bed  10 . Turning back to FIG. 4, an actuator fork  62  is welded to the interior of frame  50 . Preferably, fork  62  includes a pair of members spaced to accommodate the rearward end of actuator  46 . As seen in FIG. 4, actuator  46  as a rearwardly extending tongue that fits within fork  62  and which is pivotally coupled thereto with a retaining pin. 
     Disposed within the interior of frame  50  are a pair of support bars  64 . Preferably, bars  64  are welded to frame  50  and provide additional stability to the frame. Bars  64  also provide support for an actuator frame  66 . As best seen in FIG. 5, frame  66  extends below frame  50 . Preferably, frame  66  is angled towards the head of bed  10 . Rigidly coupled to frame  66  are a pair of spaced arms that form an actuator fork  68 . A patient support actuator  70  is pivotally coupled between the members of fork  68 , as is seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. Actuator  70  is used to position support  24  upwardly and downwardly, as is more fully described below. 
     Extending rearwardly from frame  50  is a pair of spaced hinge elements  82  and a central hinge element  84 . Preferably, hinges  82  and  84  are welded to frame  50 . Moreover, each hinge element  82  and  84  has a hole extending therethrough. Each of these holes is in alignment with the other holes. Hinges  82  and  84  are used to pivotally couple frame  12  to frame  14 , as is more fully described below. 
     As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, frame  50  also has a pair of patient support brackets  76  rigidly coupled on each side thereof generally adjacent the center-most portion of the frame  50 . Brackets  76  are used to pivotally couple support  24  to frame  12 . Preferably, brackets  76  are welded to frame  50 . It should be understood, however, that other means of attachment or brackets  76  could be utilized. Frame  50  also has a pair of upwardly extending patient support stops  78  rigidly secured thereto. Stops  78  allow patient support  24  to rest thereon when the patient support is in a fully lowered condition. 
     As best seen in FIG. 4, center frame  14  is pivotally coupled to head frame  12 . More specifically, center frame  14  has a generally rectangular outer support frame  80 . Frame  80  is preferably made of welded steel tubing and has a pair of spaced hinge elements  72  rigidly secured to the upper surface thereof. Preferably, elements  72  are welded to frame  80 . Hinges  72  are spaced to allow central hinge  84  of frame  12  to be disposed there between. Similarly, a central hinge  84  is welded to the top surface of frame  50  and is positioned to be aligned between hinge elements  72  of frame  14 . When hinge  74  is aligned with hinges  82  and hinge  84  is aligned between hinges  72 , a pin is placed through the hinges, thereby pivotally coupling head base frame  12  to center base frame  14 . Rigidly secured to each side of frame  80  is a side panel  86 . Preferably, panels  86  are welded directly to frame  80 . As is more fully described below, panels  86  are used to couple center support  26  to center frame  14 . Two sets of spaced hinge elements  130  are welded to the top surface of frame  80  generally adjacent foot base frame  16 . Hinges  130  are preferably circular and have a hole extending therethrough. Located generally midway between hinges  130  is a center hinge element  90  and a pair of hinge elements  132 . Hinge  90  is also circular with a hole therethrough. The holes in hinge elements  132  are aligned with the hole in hinge  90 . As best seen in FIG. 4, a bridging plate  92  is rigidly secured between the longer members of frame  80  generally midway along the length thereof. Plate  92  is used to support a piece of square tubing  94 . Preferably, tubing  94  is welded to plate  92 . Tubing  94  provides support for a transport tube  96 , as is best seen FIGS. 11 and 12. Tube  96  is sized to fit securely within tubing  94  and provides support for both the head portion and foot portion of bed  10  when bed  10  is in a folded orientation as is seen in FIG.  11 . 
     As best seen in FIGS. 9 through 16, the transport assembly  22  of bed  10  includes a pair of spaced brackets  102  that are pivotally connected to frame  14  by a pivot pin  104 . When bed  10  is in a folded position and transport assembly  22  is in a lowered condition, a pin is placed through a connecting hole in bracket  102  as is shown in FIG.  9 . When transport assembly  22  is rotated upwardly as is shown in FIGS. 14 through 16, brackets  102  are rotated about pivot pin  104  and are held in a retracted position by again placing a pin through the other hole in bracket  102 , as shown in FIG.  10 . It can therefore be seen that transport assembly  22  may be selectively lowered and pinned in place when bed  10  is desired to be folded into a more compact orientation, such as that shown in FIG.  11 . Further, when bed  10  is in use, it is possible to retract transport assembly  22  and hold it conveniently out of the way. As can be seen in FIG. 11, a horizontal member  110  is rigidly secured to brackets  102  that extends outwardly beyond frames  12  and  16  when they are in a folded condition. Each outer end of member  110  has a locking swivel caster  112  secured thereto. Extending upwardly from each outer end of member  110  is a board support  114 . As is more fully described below, board supports  114  are shaped to receive head board  58  and a foot board  116  when bed  10  is in the folded condition shown in FIG.  11 . Supports  114  therefore provide a convenient storage mechanism for foot board  116  and head board  58  when they are not in use. 
     As best seen in FIG.  4  and as briefly discussed above, center frame  14  has foot base frame  16  hingedly coupled thereto. Frame  16  includes an outer support frame  118  preferably constructed of welded steel tubing. A pair of spaced square tubing foot board supports  120  are welded to frame  118 . Supports  120  receive foot board  116  and hold board  116  in place when bed  10  is being used. Immediately adjacent support  120  is a sling support  122 . Like patient sling support  54 , support  122  may receive a patient sling, as is known to those of skill in the art. As best seen in FIG. 4, an actuator fork  124  is welded to the inner perimeter of frame  118  generally adjacent to center frame  14  and approximately midway there along. Fork  124  is preferably constructed of a pair of spaced angle iron pieces which are welded to frame  118 . Fork  124  accommodates the rearward-most end of high-low actuator  46  and pivotally couples actuator  46  to frame  118 . A second actuator fork  126  is located adjacent fork  124 , and is similarly constructed. Fork  126  pivotally receives a patient support actuator  128  which is used to selectively raise and lower foot patient support  28 , as is more fully described below. 
     A pair central hinge elements  88  is welded to the outside of frame  118 . Each hinge element  88  is located to align with spaced hinge elements  130  of the center frame  14 . A generally centrally disposed pair of spaced hinge elements  132  is also welded to frame  118 . Hinges  132  are located so as to generally align with central hinge  90  of center base frame  14 . When hinge elements  88 ,  90 ,  130  and  132  are in alignment, a pin is placed through each hinge assembly to pivotally couple center frame  14  to foot base frame  16 . As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, a pair of upper leg support brackets  134  is secured to each end of frame  118  near center frame  14 . Each bracket  134  has a hole disposed through its upper end which is used to pivotally connect foot support  28  to foot base frame  16 . A pair of lower leg links  136  are pivotally coupled to inner frame  118  near the high-low linkage  20 . Each link  136  extends between frame  118  and foot support  28 , as is more fully described below. As best seen in FIG. 1, a series of patient stops  138  are welded to the top of frame  118 . Stops  138  abut foot patient support  28  when it is in a fully lowered condition and act to provide additional support therefore. 
     When bed  10  is being used, it is necessary to employ an anti-pivot locking bar  140 . Bar  140  extends between brackets  134  on foot frame  16  and brackets  76  of head frame  12 . Bar  140  prevents frames  12  and  16  from pivoting relative to center frame  14  when bed  10  is in use. Bar  140  is thus removably securable between brackets  134  and  76 . When bar  140  is not in use, such as in the folded orientation shown in FIG. 11, a spring clip  142  is used to hold bar  140  out of the way. Clip  142  is secured to outer support frame  118 . It should be understood that other mechanisms for removably holding bar  140  could be used. 
     As best seen in FIG. 1, foot patient support  28  is suspended above frame  118  of foot base  16 . Foot support  28  includes a lower leg frame  144  which is pivotally coupled to lower leg links  136 . As best seen in FIG. 3, frame  144  is reinforced with a piece of welded steel tubing  146 . Tubing  146  also provides support for an actuator suspension arm  148  that extends between frame  144  and tubing  146 . As best seen FIG. 5, a pair of pivot plates  150  are rigidly secured to arm  148  and extend downwardly therefrom. Plates  150  are used to pivotally connect the outward end of actuator  128 , as is best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. As best seen in FIG. 1, frame  144  has a pair of upwardly extending mattress stays  152  welded to the lower end thereof. Stays  152  operate to maintain the proper position of mattress  30  on bed  10 . As best seen in FIG. 3, extending outwardly from the end of frame  144  opposite stays  152  are a pair of connecting forks  154 . Forks  154  are used to connect frame  144  to an upper leg frame  156 . 
     As best seen in FIG. 3, frame  156  has a pair of rearwardly extending arms  158  that are received within forks  154 . After arms  158  are disposed within forks  154  they are pinned in place with a pivot pin which allows frame  144  to pivot with respect to frame  156 . To add additional support to frame  156 , a center bar  162  is welded thereto. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, frame  156  has a pair of pivot legs  164  welded thereto and extending towards the center of bed  10 . Legs  164  are pivotally coupled to support brackets  134 . Each leg  164  extends between the associated pair of brackets  134  and is pinned in place. This connection allows frame  156  to pivot upwardly with respect to foot base frame  16 . 
     As best seen in FIG. 2, a series of mattress support plates  166  are welded to the top surfaces of frames  144  and  156 . Plates  166  provide the support surface for mattress  30 . As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 17, located in the spaces between plates  166  are a series of frame extensions  168 . Extensions  168  are pivotally secured to the corresponding frame  144  or  156  and operate to extend the associated frame width if a wider mattress  30  is to be used. As best seen in FIG. 17, each extension  168  has a hinge element  170  and a flip plate  172 . Hinges  170  operate to pivotally couple plates  172  so that they may be pivoted inwardly as is shown in FIG. 2 when a standard mattress is to be used. If a wider mattress is to be used plates  172  may be pivoted so that they extend outwardly as shown in phantom lines in FIG.  17 . 
     As best seen in FIGS.  2 , 3  and  5 , center patient support  26  includes a rectangular frame  174  which is suspended above center base frame  14  by side panels  86 . Frame  174  also includes mattress support plates  166  and frame extensions  168  as were described above for foot patient support  28 , as best seen in FIG.  2 . Only one center frame  14  and center patient support  26  are described and shown. It should be understood, however, that a second center frame  14  and center patient support  26  could be utilized in connection with bed  10  that has a different length. The provision of a longer center frame  14  and center patient support  26  allows bed  10  to be converted into a bed having a longer overall length, such as may be needed by unusually tall persons. 
     As best seen in FIGS. 1,  2  and  3 , head patient support  24  is pivotally coupled above base frame  12 . Support  24  includes an outer support frame  176 , which is preferably constructed of welded steel tubing. Frame  176  includes a pair of spaced pivot legs  178  which are pivotally connected to patient support brackets  76 . This connection allows support  24  to pivot with respect to frame  12  as is shown in FIG. 1. A horizontal reinforcing member  180  is welded to frame  176 , as is seen in FIG.  3 . Welded perpendicularly to member  180  are reinforcing bars  182  and  184 . The bars  182  and  184  add further structural support to frame  176 . As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pair of spaced actuator support plates  186  are rigidly secured to bar  184  and extend downwardly therefrom. Plates  186  are used to pivotally connect the outward end of actuator  70  to frame  176  to allow movement of frame  176  with respect to frame  12 . The actual connections of the actuators are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. It should be noted, however, that the actuator connections in FIGS. 11 through 16 are shown schematically by a circle. Frame  176  is also provided with a pair of support stops  188 . Preferably, stops  188  are welded to the inside of frame  176  and are positioned to rest upon patient support stop  178  of frame  12 . As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, frame  176  is also provided with a pair of side rails  190 . Rails  190  are equipped with both a height adjustment tube  192  and a width adjustment tube  194 . Tubes  192  and  194  are used to properly position side rails  190 . In operation, rails  190  are telescopingly received within tube  192 . Similarly, the lower end of height adjustment tube  192  is L-shaped and is telescopingly received within width adjustment tube  194 . Once properly positioned, side rails  190  may be secured in place with any suitable mechanism, such as a retaining pin or a threaded retaining knob as would be understood by those of skill in the art. 
     In use, the above-described bed  10  may be utilized to support and position an obese person. Bed  10  is constructed to allow the obese person to be placed in a variety of positions. For example, foot patient support  28  can be moved from a flat position, such as that shown in FIG. 13, to a position elevating the person&#39;s knees as is shown in FIG. 1, by engaging actuator  128 . This engagement acts upon pivot plates  150  of lower leg frame  144  to move the lower most end of frame  144  towards the center of bed  10 . Lower leg links  136  pivotally couple frame  144  above frame  16  and allow lower leg frame  144  of foot patient support  28  to move into the upwardly angled position shown in FIG.  1 . As lower leg frame  144  moves, upper leg frame  156  will be angled in the reverse direction, as shown in FIG. 1, due to the pivotal connection of frame  156  to frame  144 . Similarly, support frame  176  for head patient support  24  may be moved into an inclined position as is shown in FIG.  1  through the use of actuator  70 . As actuator  70  is extended, the force will act upon actuator support plates  186 , and, because frame  176  is fixed at its lower end through patient support brackets  76  to frame  12 , the upper end of frame  12  will move into an angled position as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     Similarly, bed  10  may be placed in different angled positions through the use of high-low linkages  18  and  20 . High-low actuators  46  are used for this purpose. By engaging actuators  46 , linkages  18  and  20  may be extended to elevate bed  10  as is shown in FIG.  14 . Conversely, linkages  18  and  20  may be retracted to lower bed  10  as is shown in FIG.  13 . Moreover, through the use of a switch  196 , as seen in FIG. 4, one high-low actuator  46  may be engaged while the other is not. This allows bed  10  to be placed in the position as is shown in FIG. 15 with head high-low linkage  18  extended and foot high-low linkage retracted. It should be understood that the reverse position could be obtained through the operation of switch  196 . In operation, switch  196  merely shuts off one actuator  46  while allowing the other to continue operation. 
     Bed  10  has been described above without reference to any weigh-scales thereon. Prior art rehabilitation beds utilize weigh-scales to determine the weight of persons using the bed, as well as the overall load being placed on the bed. It should be understood that bed  10  may be provided with weigh-scales. The addition of these weigh-scales would be understood by one of skill in the art. 
     All of the actuators discussed are controlled through a hand held controller  198 , as would be understood by those skilled in the art. Moreover, all of the actuators are preferably electrically operated with the power coming from a wall mounted electrical outlet. However, a battery backup  200  may be provided, as shown in FIG. 4, in the event electrical power is not available or is interrupted. While electrical actuators are described above and shown in the Figures, it should be understood that other mechanisms could be used to manipulate bed  10 . 
     The construction described above also allows bed  10  to be placed in an easily transported position as is shown in FIG.  11 . To orient bed  10  in the position shown in FIG. 11, the mattress  30  is first moved to a fully lowered condition, such as shown in FIG.  13 . Thereafter, the transport assembly  22  is moved from the retracted state shown in FIG. 10 to the extended state shown in FIG.  9 . Bed  10  is then moved to a fully lowered condition by retracting linkages  18  and  20  to the fully retracted state shown in FIGS. 7,  8  and  13 . Casters  42  are then locked in placed to prevent movement thereof. Next, foot board  116  and head board  58  are removed and set aside. Likewise, mattress  30  is removed from bed  10  and set aside. With mattress  30  out of the way, transport tube  96  is placed within square tubing  94  in center base frame  14 . Anti-pivot locking bar  140  is removed from engagement between frames  12  and  16  and is secured out of the way with spring clip  142 . Head base frame  12  can then be rotated upwardly with respect to center base frame  14  as is shown in FIG.  12 . Once in the fully upright position, a retaining clip  202  is placed over transport tube  96  that engages frame  12  to hold it in the upright position. With frame  12  in the upright position, head board  58  may be placed within board supports  114  of the transport assembly  22 . Similarly, foot base frame  16  may be rotated upwardly with respect to center base frame  14  as is shown in FIG.  11 . Once frame  16  is in the fully upright position, a retaining clip  200  is placed over transport tube  96  to engage frame  16  and hold it securely in the upright position. Thereafter, foot board  116  may be placed in board supports  114  of the transport assembly. In this orientation, the casters may be unlocked and bed  10  may be moved to a new location. The operation described above can easily be performed by one person, and does not require the alignment of any two pieces for assembly or disassembly. 
     From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects herein above set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. 
     Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.