Patient support with wireless data and/or energy transfer

A patient support apparatus comprising:

• a base;
• a frame;
• an elevation adjustment mechanism adapted raise and lower said frame with respect to said base;
• a deck supported on said frame, said deck including a plurality of sections adapted to support a patient thereon, one of said plurality of sections being a head section pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis;
• an electrical power supply adapted to provide electrical power to at least one electrical device positioned on said patient support apparatus;
• an inductive coil adapted to receive electrical power from said electrical power supply, said inductive coil positioned on said patient support apparatus;
• and
• a controller adapted to control electrical current that flows through said inductive coil so as to inductively transfer electrical power from said inductive coil to a mattress positioned on said deck.

A patient support apparatus comprising:

• a base having a plurality of wheels;
• a patient support surface on which a patient may be supported;
• a rechargeable battery adapted to provide electrical power to at least one electrical device positioned on said patient support apparatus;
• an on-board inductive coil adapted to receive electrical power from an off-board inductive coil when said on-board and off-board inductive coils are positioned within inductive proximity to each other;
• and
• a controller adapted to control the receipt of electrical power via said on-board inductive coil, said controller adapted to supply said electrical power to said battery for recharging said rechargeable battery.