Patents by Inventor James F. Thomas

James F. Thomas has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6829793
    Abstract: A patient support comprising a primary barrier that defines an effective blocking area, and a rigid auxiliary barrier that cooperates with the primary barrier to increase the length and height of the effective blocking area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Hill - Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason C. Brooke, Michael J. Mutka, William S. Larisey, Jr., Reza Hakamiun, James F. Thomas, Kendall O. Shows
  • Publication number: 20040200439
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for repelling animals, such as rodents and birds, from electrical power distribution equipment using voltages induced from inductive coupling with electromagnetic fields generated by said equipment is disclosed. Animals are repelled by non-lethal electrical shocks administered when the animal comes in contact with the system. An electrical potential above ground potential is induced and maintained on the system without the requirement of a direct electrical connection to an electric power source. The induced electrical potential discharges upon contact with an animal thereby producing a non-lethal electric shock that effectively discourages the animal from remaining in the area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: James F. Thomas, Robert L. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20030051291
    Abstract: A patient support comprising a primary barrier that defines an effective blocking area, and a rigid auxiliary barrier that cooperates with the primary barrier to increase the length and height of the effective blocking area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Hill-Rom, Services Inc.
    Inventors: Jason C. Brooke, Michael J. Mutka, William S. Larisey, Reza Hakamiun, James F. Thomas, Kendall O. Shows
  • Patent number: 6473921
    Abstract: A bed resting on a floor includes a base frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the base frame and configured to engage the floor, a first brake coupled to the base frame, a foot pedal actuator movable between a first position and a second position, and a second brake coupled to the base frame. A linkage is configured to couple the second brake to the first brake so that when the foot pedal actuator is moved to the second position, the first and second brakes both move to a braking position and when the foot pedal actuator is moved to the first position the first and second brakes both move to a releasing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason C. Brooke, Michael J. Mutka, William S. Larisey, Jr., Reza Hakamiun, James F. Thomas, Kendall O. Shows
  • Publication number: 20010011393
    Abstract: A bed resting on a floor includes a base frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the base frame and configured to engage the floor, a first brake coupled to the base frame, a foot pedal actuator movable between a first position and a second position, and a second brake coupled to the base frame. A linkage is configured to couple the second brake to the first brake so that when the foot pedal actuator is moved to the second position, the first and second brakes both move to a braking position and when the foot pedal actuator is moved to the first position the first and second brakes both move to a releasing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Applicant: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason C. Brooke, Michael J. Mutka, William S. Larisey, Reza Hakamiun, James F. Thomas, Kendall O. Shows
  • Patent number: 6185767
    Abstract: A bed includes a base frame, a bed deck above the base frame, and an intermediate frame carrying the bed deck. The intermediate frame is mounted to the base frame for movement relative to the base frame between a raised position spaced apart above the base frame and a lowered position below the raised position. The bed also includes a side rail mounted to the intermediate frame and extending generally upwardly therefrom to a top of the side rail, a drive assembly coupling the intermediate frame to the base frame, and control buttons mounted on the side rail and coupled to the drive assembly so that activation of the control buttons activates the drive assembly. The drive assembly moves the intermediate frame between the raised position and the lowered position when the drive assembly is activated. The control buttons include resident control buttons facing toward the bed deck and caregiver control buttons facing away from the bed deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason C. Brooke, Michael J. Mutka, William S. Larisey, Jr., Reza Hakamiun, James F. Thomas, Kendall O. Shows
  • Patent number: 6154899
    Abstract: A chair apparatus includes a base frame, an intermediate frame coupled to the base frame, and a resident support frame including a back section, a seat section, and a leg section pivotably coupled to the base frame and the intermediate frame by a plurality of links to permit the support frame to move from a chair position to a flat position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason C. Brooke, Kendall O. Shows, James F. Thomas, Michael J. Mutka, William S. Larisey, Jr., Reza Hakamiun, Charles M. Stout, Brian L. Crosley
  • Patent number: 5878452
    Abstract: A long term care bed is disclosed which includes a base frame with a plurality of castors coupled to the base frame and supporting the base frame upon a floor. A support frame having a head end, a foot end, and spaced apart sides is supported by the base frame. A bed deck is supported by the support frame and includes an upwardly-facing sleeping surface for supporting a patient. Spaced first and second side rails are coupled to the support frame and include a top bar positionable in a raised position above the sleeping surface by a first distance. A side rail extension member is coupled to at least one of the first and second side rails, the extension includes an upper portion overlaying and spaced from the top bar of its associated side rail so as to provide an opening between the top bar and the extension. The side rail extension member is positionable in a raised position above the sleeping surface by a second distance greater than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason C. Brooke, Michael J. Mutka, William S. Larisey, Jr., Reza Hakamiun, James F. Thomas, Kendall O. Shows