Patents by Inventor John Sparkman

John Sparkman 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).

  • Publication number: 20190350482
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide an EMG signal controller or a wheelchair using an EMG signal controller to allow full vehicular direct drive control, and wheelchair accessory control, by using one or more EMG sensors applied to certain muscles of a subject, and translating the movement of the muscles of the subject that the EMG sensors are connected, to electrical signals causing for the operation of a motorized wheelchair. The controller and wheelchair are designed specifically for paralyzed individuals with limited motion, but may be used by any subject with or without any physical or nervous system disabilities. The present invention further provides an emergency stop which is activated in the event that the subject using the wheelchair experiences a seizure or other neurological shock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Brendan Jones, Albert Manero, II, John Sparkman
  • Patent number: 10426370
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide an EMG signal controller or a wheelchair using an EMG signal controller to allow full vehicular direct drive control, and wheelchair accessory control, by using one or more EMG sensors applied to certain muscles of a subject, and translating the movement of the muscles of the subject that the EMG sensors are connected, to electrical signals causing for the operation of a motorized wheelchair. The controller and wheelchair are designed specifically for paralyzed individuals with limited motion, but may be used by any subject with or without any physical or nervous system disabilities. The present invention further provides an emergency stop which is activated in the event that the subject using the wheelchair experiences a seizure or other neurological shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Inventors: Brendan Jones, Albert Manero, II, John Sparkman
  • Publication number: 20180147099
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide an EMG signal controller or a wheelchair using an EMG signal controller to allow full vehicular direct drive control, and wheelchair accessory control, by using one or more EMG sensors applied to certain muscles of a subject, and translating the movement of the muscles of the subject that the EMG sensors are connected, to electrical signals causing for the operation of a motorized wheelchair. The controller and wheelchair are designed specifically for paralyzed individuals with limited motion, but may be used by any subject with or without any physical or nervous system disabilities. The present invention further provides an emergency stop which is activated in the event that the subject using the wheelchair experiences a seizure or other neurological shock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Brendan Jones, Albert Manero, II, John Sparkman
  • Patent number: 9687401
    Abstract: Person support apparatuses having exercise features are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a person support apparatus includes a support surface, a footboard, a sensor, and a passive resistance mechanism. The support surface has a foot end and a head end, and the footboard is located near the foot end of the support surface, extending above the support surface. The footboard may include a pressure surface positioned to receive a pressing force. The footboard is freely slidable from an extended position to a retracted position with respect to the foot end of the support surface. The sensor provides a signal indicative of a magnitude of the pressing force incident on the pressure surface of the footboard. The passive resistance mechanism is coupled to the footboard, and resists a motion of the footboard to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Shelley L. Alford, John V. Harmeyer, David W. Hornbach, John Sparkman, Robert M. Zerhusen, Michael P. Bish, Nabil Mehdi, Andreas Schabbach
  • Publication number: 20150290061
    Abstract: Person support apparatuses having exercise features are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a person support apparatus includes a support surface, a footboard, a sensor, and a passive resistance mechanism. The support surface has a foot end and a head end, and the footboard is located near the foot end of the support surface, extending above the support surface. The footboard may include a pressure surface positioned to receive a pressing force. The footboard is freely slidable from an extended position to a retracted position with respect to the foot end of the support surface. The sensor provides a signal indicative of a magnitude of the pressing force incident on the pressure surface of the footboard. The passive resistance mechanism is coupled to the footboard, and resists a motion of the footboard to the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Shelley L. Stafford, John V. Harmeyer, David W. Hornbach, John Sparkman, Robert M. Zerhusen, Michael P. Bish, Nabil Mehdi, Andreas Schabbach
  • Publication number: 20140255890
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus configured to enable an occupant of the patient support apparatus to perform a physical therapy routine while being supported by the patient support apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle KOVACH, Christopher R. O'KEEFE, Varad SRIVASTAVA, Thomas F. HElL, John SPARKMAN, Mark LANNING, Michael S. HOOD
  • Patent number: 8701230
    Abstract: A system to cause instability for a person supported by a person support surface is disclosed. The system is configured to cause the person supported by the person support surface to compensate for the instability caused by the system in order to exercise their core or trunk region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Zerhusen, John Sparkman, Charles A. Howell
  • Publication number: 20130103421
    Abstract: A system to cause instability for a person supported by a person support surface is disclosed. The system is configured to cause the person supported by the person support surface to compensate for the instability caused by the system in order to exercise their core or trunk region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Robert M. Zerhusen, John Sparkman, Charles A. Howell
  • Publication number: 20050040635
    Abstract: An airbag module is provided. The module includes a housing, an inflator, an inflatable cushion, a vent aperture defined in the housing, and a gas deflecting member. The vent aperture places the interior of the housing in fluid communication with the exterior of the housing. The vent aperture is offset from exhaust ports of the inflator. The gas deflecting member is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a first portion of the deflecting member deflects a first amount of the inflation gas to the exterior of the housing. In the second position, a second portion of the deflecting member deflects the inflation gas towards the inflatable cushion. A second amount of the inflation gas is ventable from the housing through the vent aperture when the deflecting member is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Laura Hawthorn, Stephanie Dunkle, Mark Winters, Shawn Ryan, Ann Kneisly, John Sparkman, Patrick Schatz