Pressure relief bed

A pressure relief bed which eliminates pressure on a patient at frequent periodic intervals comprising

• a frame,
• a first rack mounted for vertical movement on said frame,
• said rack comprising a series of cross slats spaced from each other and secured to a pair of side rails,
• a second rack also mounted for vertical movement on said frame comprising a series of cross slats disposed in said spaces between the cross slats in said first rack,
• said cross slats on said second rack being secured to side rails spaced inwardly from said side rails in said first rack to provide space therebetween,
• rollers mounted on said side rails within the space between said side rails,
• a carriage mounted on said frame for longitudinal movement,
• a cam member mounted on said carriage adjacent each of said rollers, each cam member having a contour which causes the adjacent roller to rise and dwell as the carriage moves in one direction and to dwell and fall as the carriage moves in the opposite direction,
• whereby, as the carriage moves in one direction, said first rack is lowered with respect to the second rack while the second rack remains elevated and as the carriage moves in the opposite direction, said rack is lowered with respect to said first rack while said first rack remains elevated.