A hospital bed is disclosed which includes a frame, a mattress positioned on the frame, a transport sheet extending across the mattress to define a patient supporting area, rollers for moving the transport sheet relative to the mattress, and structure for progressively increasing the patient supporting area defined by the transport sheet. The bed also includes a system for elevating a portion of the mattress to progressively raise the patient from a reclining position to a standing position.

A parturition bed having a lying surface (1) transversely divided into two mutually adjustable parts has a main supporting part (2) and a leg supporting part (3) that may be adjusted from a common lying plane into planes approximately parallel to the lying plane located at different heights with respect to each other. The leg supporting part (3) can be moved when in a lowered position in relation to the main supporting part (2)in the longitudinal direction of the parturition bed into a free space located below the main supporting part (2), at least in the pelvis supporting area of the latter. In order to allow the parturient to take any desired position, including a vertical position, during childbirth, while ensuring easy access to the doctor and midwife, the main supporting part (2) is supported on an overhanging beam (6) with relation to a main stay (5) arranged at the head end of the main supporting part (2) and supported on the floor (4), and can be lifted into a higher position and lowered back again by an adjusting mechanism (8, 9, 11, 12, 13).

A bed for multipurpose maternity care uses includes an elevationally adjustabel bed frame carried by transversely spaced lift mechanisms that permit the bed frame to nest between the lift mechanisms as it is raised or lowered with respect to a supporting base. An upper mattress assembly, including a seat and back rest, are pivotally mounted across the top of the bed frame. The bed frame includes a forwardly open cavity having guides for receiving a longitudinally movable lower mattress assembly at all elevational positions of the bed frame relative to the base. Elevationally movable outer supports mounted on the bed frame engage and support the lower mattress assembly when it is extended longitudinally outward from the bed frame. A pair of foot supports are movably mounted on brackets alongside the bed frame. The supporting linkages and brackets for the foot supports can be selectively connected to the outer supports for moving the extended lower mattress assembly in unison with the foot supports. The lower mattress assembly can be retracted under the seat regardless of the angular or elevational position of the seat relative to the base of the bed.

A mattress includes a head section, a seat section and first and second outer leg support sections. The seat section and the first and second outer leg support sections are configured to define a central opening therebetween. The mattress further comprises a removable center leg support section configured for movement between a first use position located within the central opening to provide a portion of the mattress and a second storage position detached from the mattress and located below the mattress. A drip flap is coupled to the seat section and first and second outer leg support sections of the mattress. The drip flap is configured to extend downwardly below a bottom surface of the mattress adjacent the central opening of the mattress. The mattress further includes a relatively rigid element secured to the drip flap to prevent the drip flap from folding upwardly when the removable center leg support section is moved from the storage position below the mattress to the use position within the central opening.

A patient support apparatus includes a base, a frame coupled to the base, and a deck coupled to the frame. The frame includes a storage portion. The deck includes a head section, a seat section and first and second laterally spaced apart outer leg support sections adjacent the seat section. The seat section and the first and second outer leg support sections being configured to define a central opening therebetween. The apparatus also includes a removable center leg support configured for movement between a first position located within the central opening and coupled to the deck to provide a portion of the deck and a second storage position detached from the deck and located in the storage portion of the frame and below the deck.