Patents Assigned to Aquila Corporation of Wisconsin
  • Patent number: 7392557
    Abstract: An inflatable cushion having a group of mutually inflatable and deflatable cells wherein at least one cell in the group may be selectively and repeatedly included or excluded from the group for mutual inflation and deflation when included and independent inflation and deflation when excluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Aquila Corporation of Wisconsin
    Inventor: Steve Kohlman
  • Patent number: 6848135
    Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring inflation pressure within an inflatable cushion. The monitoring system includes a housing, a pneumatic tube, a locking adaptor and a sensing and signaling system. The pneumatic tube extends through the housing with the locking adaptor attached to the distal end of the pneumatic tube. The locking adaptor is effective for releasably and sealingly attaching the pneumatic tube to a stem valve on an inflatable cushion. The sensing and signaling is retained within the housing and includes at least a pressure sensor in pneumatic communication with the pneumatic tube proximate a proximal end of the pneumatic tube, and a means in communication with the pressure sensor for generating a perceptible signal when the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor falls below a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Aquila Corporation of Wisconsin
    Inventor: Steve Kohlman
  • Patent number: 6668405
    Abstract: A cushion having a plurality of inflatable and deflatable cells useful for periodically shifting the points of contact between the cushion and a body supported by the cushion in order to reduce or eliminate the development of pressure sores. The cushion includes one or more of (i) at least two encircling cells shaped so as to define a central concavity in the upper surface of each of the encircling cells, (ii) at least one repositionable cell, (iii) at least two cells having contoured upper surfaces which define a longitudinally extending laterally concave channel, and (iv) two groupings of independently inflatable and deflatable cells arranged asymmetrically about a longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Aquila Corporation of Wisconsin
    Inventor: Steve Kohlman