Patents by Inventor James L. Walke
James L. Walke 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).
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Publication number: 20080217910Abstract: A patient care equipment support is transferable between a first device having a first spherical socket and a second device having a second spherical socket. The equipment support comprises an equipment supporting portion configured to support patient care equipment and a coupler extending downwardly from the equipment supporting portion. The coupler has first and second spherical portions configured for receipt in the first and second spherical sockets, respectively. The first and second spherical portions are rotatable within the respective first and second spherical sockets about a multitude of axes to compensate for misalignment between the coupler and at least one of the first and second spherical sockets during transfer of the equipment support between the first and second devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2007Publication date: September 11, 2008Applicant: HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.Inventors: James L. Walke, David C. Newkirk, Douglas A. Seim
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Publication number: 20070180624Abstract: An end panel 312 for a patient-support apparatus 310 includes a main portion 316 and one or more movable portions 330, 332. The movable portions 330, 332 are movable to provide a barrier 318 in a gap between a siderail 360 of the patient-support apparatus 310 and the main portion 316 of the end panel 312.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2007Publication date: August 9, 2007Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: David C. Newkirk, Kenneth W. Meyer, John B. Wilker, Richard H. Heimbrock, James L. Walke, Robert M. Zerhusen, Michael M. Frondorf
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Publication number: 20070180616Abstract: A user module for a patient support is provided. The user module is coupled to a patient support barrier, such as a siderail or a footboard.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2007Publication date: August 9, 2007Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: David C. Newkirk, Brian T. Wiggins, James L. Walke, Jack B. Wilker, Carl William Riley, Robert Mark Zerhusen
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Publication number: 20070181751Abstract: A patient line management device to manage one or more patient care lines. The line management device includes a line manager coupled to a support. The support is adapted to be coupled to a patient support.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2007Publication date: August 9, 2007Inventors: David C. Newkirk, Richard H. Heimbrock, James L. Walke, Robert A. Till
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Publication number: 20070180625Abstract: A mattress having a storage compartment is provided. The storage compartment is used to hold items that are useful in the transport of a patient located on the mattress, such as a patient restraint that can be used to secure the patient to the mattress during transport.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2007Publication date: August 9, 2007Inventors: James L. Walke, Steven A. Dixon
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Patent number: 6478499Abstract: An adjustable corner fitting suitable for use with a cable raceway duct system includes first and second interconnectable arcuate base members and first and second interconnectable covers. One of the base members has at least one arcuate slot and the other of the base members has at least one boss positionable within the at least one slot. The arcuate slot has a curvature and a length that constrains the boss within the slot and allows pivoting of the first base member relative to the second base member about a pivot point within a predetermined range of relative angular movement when the first and second interconnectable arcuate base members are mated. One of the covers has at least one slot and the other has at least one latch positionable within the slot of the one cover.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Panduit Corp.Inventors: Kurt J. Fugman, James L. Walke
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Patent number: 6374439Abstract: A vacuum pad suitable for use with a head rest of a stretcher is configured to support the head of a patient supported on the stretcher. The vacuum pad has a non-rigid state wherein the vacuum pad is formable and a rigid state wherein the vacuum pad is non-formable. The vacuum pad includes side walls with top edges positioned to lie at an elevation above the head rest. The top edges of the vacuum pad provide a wrist rest surface that is formable when the pad is in the non-rigid state.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2001Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Richard H. Heimbrock, Patrick J. Minnelli, James L. Walke
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Publication number: 20020013966Abstract: A vacuum pad suitable for use with a head rest of a stretcher is configured to support the head of a patient supported on the stretcher. The vacuum pad has a non-rigid state wherein the vacuum pad is formable and a rigid state wherein the vacuum pad is non-formable. The vacuum pad includes side walls with top edges positioned to lie at an elevation above the head rest. The top edges of the vacuum pad provide a wrist rest surface that is formable when the pad is in the non-rigid state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2001Publication date: February 7, 2002Inventors: Richard H. Heimbrock, Patrick J. Minnelli, James L. Walke
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Patent number: 6314597Abstract: A pedal assembly for rotating a brake-steer shaft of a stretcher. The pedal assembly includes a yoke coupled to the brake-steer shaft to rotate therewith and a flip-over pedal having a proximal end coupled to the yoke and a distal end spaced therefrom. The flip-over pedal is pivotable about a flip-over axis relative to the yoke. The flip-over pedal has a first orientation in which the flip-over pedal extends away from the yoke in a first direction so that the distal end of the flip-over pedal can be engaged to rotate the brake-steer shaft in a first direction. The flip-over pedal has a second orientation in which the flip-over pedal extends away from the yoke in a second direction so that the distal end of the flip-over pedal can be engaged to rotate the brake-steer shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2001Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Richard H. Heimbrock, Patrick J. Minnelli, James L. Walke
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Publication number: 20010004778Abstract: A pedal assembly for rotating a brake-steer shaft of a stretcher. The pedal assembly includes a yoke coupled to the brake-steer shaft to rotate therewith and a flip-over pedal having a proximal end coupled to the yoke and a distal end spaced therefrom. The flip-over pedal is pivotable about a flip-over axis relative to the yoke. The flip-over pedal has a first orientation in which the flip-over pedal extends away from the yoke in a first direction so that the distal end of the flip-over pedal can be engaged to rotate the brake-steer shaft in a first direction. The flip-over pedal has a second orientation in which the flip-over pedal extends away from the yoke in a second direction so that the distal end of the flip-over pedal can be engaged to rotate the brake-steer shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2001Publication date: June 28, 2001Inventors: Richard H. Heimbrock, Patrick J. Minnelli, James L. Walke
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Patent number: 6249923Abstract: An apparatus is provided for supporting a patient. The apparatus includes a frame, a patient-support deck coupled to the frame and configured to support the patient, and a bracket coupled to the patient-support deck for pivoting movement about a transverse first pivot axis. The bracket extends away from the patient-support deck. The apparatus also includes a head rest having first and second spaced-apart sides which is coupled to the bracket for pivoting movement about a transverse second pivot axis, and a grip handle coupled to the head rest. The grip handle has a side handle portion extending alongside the first side of the head rest in spaced-apart relation therewith so that the side handle portion can be grasped to control pivoting movement of the head rest relative to the patient-support deck.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventors: Richard H. Heimbrock, Patrick J. Minnelli, James L. Walke
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Patent number: 6226816Abstract: A stretcher includes a first actuator coupled to a head section and a second actuator coupled to a thigh section. A set of buttons accessible to a patient carried by the stretcher are coupled to motors that drive the respective first and second actuators. The buttons are pressed to move the thigh section through a fill range of motion and to move the head section through a limited range of motion. A switch inaccessible to the patient is pressed to move the head section through a full range of motion. Lockout switches are provided for disabling the buttons and the switch. A first hand crank is coupled to the first actuator and is manually rotated to move the head section through the full range of motion. A second hand crank is coupled to the second actuator and is manually rotated to move the thigh section through the fill range of motion. A CPR release handle is provided for quickly lowering the head section to the lowered position without the use of the buttons, switch, or first hand crank.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1998Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Matthew Webster, James L. Walke, Charles A. Howell
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Patent number: 6202231Abstract: An extender board for use on a surgical stretcher is disclosed. The surgical stretcher includes a pivotable back section, and an actuator that locks to prevent the back section from pivoting and that unlocks to permit the back section to pivot. The extender board includes a frame, a panel coupled to the frame, and a releasing assembly coupled to the extender board frame. The releasing assembly is adapted to lock and unlock the actuator while the extender board is coupled to the back section.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2000Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventors: Richard H. Heimbrock, Patrick J. Minnelli, James L. Walke
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Patent number: 6108840Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a patient includes a frame, a patient support deck coupled to the frame and configured to support the patient, and a head rest coupled to the patient-support deck and having longitudinally-extending, transversely spaced-apart sides. The head rest includes a pair of longitudinally-extending, transversely spaced-apart socket tubes adjacent to respective head rest sides. The head rest also includes a bottom plate extending transversely between the socket tubes and a side plate angling upwardly from each of the socket tubes so that a head cushion-receiving space is defined between the side plates. Each of the socket tubes has an interior region adapted to receive portions of a wrist rest assembly configured to be coupled to the head rest.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1999Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventors: Richard H. Heimbrock, Patrick J. Minnelli, James L. Walke
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Patent number: 6076208Abstract: A surgical stretcher includes a patient-support deck having a substantially planar back section coupled to a frame for pivoting movement about a transverse pivot axis. The back section includes a frame member having first and second corner portions. The first corner portion is transversely spaced apart from the second corner portion, and the first and second corner portions are longitudinally spaced apart from the transverse pivot axis. An actuator couples the back section to the frame. The actuator is lockable to prevent pivoting movement of the back section relative to the frame, and is releasable to allow pivoting movement of the back section relative to the frame. A release rod is coupled to the back section and movable to release the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1997Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventors: Richard H. Heimbrock, Patrick J. Minnelli, James L. Walke
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Patent number: 6000076Abstract: A stretcher includes a first actuator coupled to a head section and a second actuator coupled to a thigh section. A set of buttons accessible to a patient carried by the stretcher are coupled to motors that drive the respective first and second actuators. The buttons are pressed to move the thigh section through a full range of motion and to move the head section through a limited range of motion. A switch inaccessible to the patient is pressed to move the head section through a full range of motion. Lockout switches are provided for disabling the buttons and the switch. A first hand crank is coupled to the first actuator and is manually rotated to move the head section through the full range of motion. A second hand crank is coupled to the second actuator and is manually rotated to move the thigh section through the full range of motion. A CPR release handle is provided for quickly lowering the head section to the lowered position without the use of the buttons, switch, or first hand crank.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1996Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Matthew Webster, James L. Walke, Charles A. Howell