The patient support with a head end and a foot end comprises a lying
surface supported by a frame system. It also comprises a pair of head end
siderails, a pair of foot end siderails, a headboard, a footboard, a
power system and a communication system. The frame system comprises a
lying surface support moveably connected to a load frame by an
articulation system providing means for pivoting sections of the lying
surface support relative to the load frame, a head end support arm
pivotally attached to the head end of the load frame, a mobile frame
translationally attached to foot end of the load frame, an intermediate
frame being operationally connected to the load frame by a plurality of
load cells and movably connected to a base frame by an elevation system,
the elevation system providing a means for raising and lowering the
intermediate frame relative to a base frame, the base frame being
supported on the floor by a plurality of caster wheels, including a drive
wheel operatively connected to assist in movement of the patient support.
A communication system is also provided to communicate with and control
various functions of the patient support.