Patents by Inventor Sandy M. Richards

Sandy M. Richards 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: 20140102567
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a patient, such as a hospital bed, is provided. The apparatus includes a patient support surface and at least one fluid containing bladder. A pressure control assembly is operably coupled with the bladder. When the fluid pressure within the bladder falls outside of an acceptable range of pressure values, the active adjustment of the pressure within the bladder is initiated by the pressure control assembly if the pressure does not return to the acceptable range of pressure values within a time period, e.g., a time delay, that has a variable length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew F. Skinner, Sandy M. Richards, David P. Lubbers, Steven A. Dixon, Richard B. Stacy, Aziz A. Bhai
  • Publication number: 20140013515
    Abstract: A patient support surface including a cover defining an interior region, a layer of three dimensional material, located at the interior region, and an air circulation device disposed adjacent the layer of three dimensional material. The patient support surface includes at least one of a percussion device and a vibration device, located at the interior region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandy M. Richards, Christopher R. O'Keefe, Bradley T. Wilson, Kenith W. Chambers, Mayur Yermaneni, Gregory W. Branson, Michael Z. Sleva, Karen M. Gove, Andrew F. Skinner, Stephen R. Schulte, Todd P. O'Neal, Rachel Hopkins King, Teresa M. Mirabella, Paula M. Cooper, Eric R. Meyer
  • Patent number: 8620477
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a patient, such as a hospital bed, is provided. The apparatus includes a patient support surface and at least one fluid containing bladder. A pressure control assembly is operably coupled with the bladder. When the fluid pressure within the bladder falls outside of an acceptable range of pressure values, the active adjustment of the pressure within the bladder is initiated by the pressure control assembly if the pressure does not return to the acceptable range of pressure values within a time period, e.g., a time delay, that has a variable length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew F. Skinner, Sandy M. Richards, David P. Lubbers, Steven A. Dixon, Richard B. Stacy, Aziz A. Bhai
  • Publication number: 20130340168
    Abstract: A patient support system includes a patient support apparatus and a support surface mounted on the patient support apparatus. The patient support apparatus is reconfigurable among a plurality of different configurations for supporting a patient on the support surface in a plurality of positions. The support surface is mounted on the patient support apparatus to move in response to reconfiguration of the patient support apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Eric R. MEYER, Darrell BORGMAN, Timothy J. RECEVEUR, Gregory W. BRANSON, Sandy M. RICHARDS, Howard J. BOYD, David W. HORNBACH, Jonathan D. TURNER, Aziz A. BHAI
  • Patent number: 8584279
    Abstract: A patient support surface including a cover defining an interior region, a layer of three dimensional material, located at the interior region, and an air circulation device disposed adjacent the layer of three dimensional material. The patient support surface includes at least one of a percussion device and a vibration device, located at the interior region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandy M. Richards, Christopher R. O'Keefe, Bradley T. Wilson, Kenith W. Chambers, Mayur Yermaneni, Gregory W. Branson, Michael Z Sleva, Karen M. Gove, Andrew F. Skinner, Stephen R. Schulte, Todd P. O'Neal, Rachel Hopkins King, Teresa M. Mirabella, Paula M. Cooper, Eric R. Meyer
  • Patent number: 8474074
    Abstract: A patient-support apparatus includes a mattress assembly supported on a frame, the mattress assembly including a coverlet configured to provide low-airloss therapy to a patient supported on the patient-support apparatus. The patient-support apparatus is articulable to a number of positions and includes a control network which is responsive to movement of portions of the frame to alter operational parameters of the frame and mattress assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. O'Keefe, Eric R. Meyer, Sandy M. Richards, Bradley T. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20130104906
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a patient support structure, such as a bed frame or mattress or both, that is configured to support a patient in a recumbent position. The patient support structure is configured to provide at least one therapy to a patient. A therapy enabler token is coupleable to the patient support structure. The at least one therapy is disabled when the therapy enabler token is decoupled from the patient support structure and the at least one therapy is enabled in response to the therapy enabler token being coupled to the patient support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Sandy M. Richards, Stephen L. Douglas, Ruchik A. Amin, Timothy J. Receveur, Irvin J. Vanderpohl, III
  • Publication number: 20120198628
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a removable deck section supported on a support structure that acts as a step for a patient as they egress from the patient support apparatus when the removable deck section is removed. The support structure is pivotable relative to a section of the patient support apparatus between a raised position supporting the removable deck section and a lowered position where the step is positioned for use during egress from the bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventor: Sandy M. RICHARDS
  • Publication number: 20120198626
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame movable to a plurality of vertical positions, a first deck section pivotable relative to the frame and a second deck section pivotable relative to the first deck section. The second deck section includes a base, a coupler movable relative to the base, and an extender movable relative to the coupler and the base. The base and extender cooperate to define a support surface when the second deck section is in a generally horizontal position. The extender is positionable to provide egress handles when the second deck section is in the generally vertical position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventor: Sandy M. RICHARDS
  • Publication number: 20120174322
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a patient, such as a hospital bed, is provided. The apparatus includes a patient support surface and at least one fluid containing bladder. A pressure control assembly is operably coupled with the bladder. When the fluid pressure within the bladder falls outside of an acceptable range of pressure values, the active adjustment of the pressure within the bladder is initiated by the pressure control assembly if the pressure does not return to the acceptable range of pressure values within a time period, e.g., a time delay, that has a variable length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Andrew F. Skinner, Sandy M. Richards, David P. Lubbers, Steven A. Dixon, Richard B. Stacy, Aziz A. Bhai
  • Publication number: 20120151678
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling movement of members of a patient support apparatus by detecting obstructions to movement of members of the frame of the patient support apparatus and controlling the drives that move the members to prevent contact with the obstruction while achieving a desired position as quickly as possible. Proximity sensors positioned on member of the patient support apparatus at potential contact points prevents members of the patient support apparatus from contacting other members or obstructions such a floor, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Sandy M. Richards
  • Publication number: 20120137440
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a mattress having a seat and a leg portion which are deflatable during movement of the patient support apparatus. The mattress includes a covering that is generally air impermeable so that a negative pressure can be developed inside of the covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Sandy M. RICHARDS
  • Patent number: 8117699
    Abstract: A person-support apparatus comprises a frame, a sound generating device, a user interface, and a controller. The sound generating device is configured to generate an audible sound. The user interface is configured to receive an input from a user. The input corresponds to at least one of a sound conditioning system mode and an audible sound adjustment. The controller is electrically coupled to the sound generating device and the user interface. The controller is configured to control the operation of the sound generating device in accordance with the input from the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandy M. Richards, Timothy Joseph Receveur
  • Patent number: 8108957
    Abstract: A patient support surface including a cover defining an interior region, a layer of three dimensional material, located at the interior region, and an air circulation device disposed adjacent the layer of three dimensional material. The patient support surface includes at least one of a percussion device and a vibration device, located at the interior region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandy M. Richards, Christopher R. O'Keefe, Bradley T. Wilson, Kenith W. Chambers, Mayur Yermaneni, Gregory W. Branson, Michael Z. Sleva, Karen M. Gove, Andrew F. Skinner, Stephen R. Schulte, Todd P. O'Neal, Rachel Hopkins King, Teresa M. Mirabella, Paula M. Cooper, Eric R. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20120022414
    Abstract: A gas supply system comprises a person-support surface, a garment, and a gas supply. The person-support surface includes a chamber configured to contain a gas therein. The garment includes a chamber configured to contain a gas therein. The gas supply is configured to supply a gas to both the garment and the person-support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy J. Receveur, David Ribble, Sandy M. Richards, Stephen L. Douglas, Eric R. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20120016281
    Abstract: A patient support surface including a cover defining an interior region, a layer of three dimensional material, located at the interior region, and an air circulation device disposed adjacent the layer of three dimensional material. The patient support surface includes at least one of a percussion device and a vibration device, located at the interior region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Sandy M. Richards, Christopher R. O'Keefe, Bradley T. Wilson, Kenith W. Chambers, Mayur Yermaneni, Gregory W. Branson, Michael Z. Sleva, Karen M. Gove, Andrew F. Skinner, Stephen R. Schulte, Todd P. O'Neal, Rachel Hopkins King, Teresa M. Mirabella, Paula M. Cooper, Eric R. Meyer
  • Patent number: 8090478
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a patient, such as a hospital bed, is provided. The apparatus includes a patient support surface and at least one fluid containing bladder. A pressure control assembly is operably coupled with the bladder. When the fluid pressure within the bladder falls outside of an acceptable range of pressure values, the active adjustment of the pressure within the bladder is initiated by the pressure control assembly if the pressure does not return to the acceptable range of pressure values within a time period, e.g., a time delay, that has a variable length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew F. Skinner, Sandy M. Richards, David P. Lubbers, Steven A. Dixon, Richard B. Stacy, Aziz A. Bhai
  • Publication number: 20110258780
    Abstract: A patient-support apparatus includes a mattress assembly supported on a frame, the mattress assembly including a coverlet configured to provide low-airloss therapy to a patient supported on the patient-support apparatus. The patient-support apparatus is articulable to a number of positions and includes a control network which is responsive to movement of portions of the frame to alter operational parameters of the frame and mattress assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher R. O'Keefe, Bradley T. Wilson, Sandy M. Richards, Eric R. Meyer
  • Patent number: 8037563
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a mattress, has multiple air sources to inflate air bladders of the apparatus. In one embodiment, a first air source provides air to one or more main support bladders and a second air source provides air to one or more microclimate bladders when a control system of the patient support apparatus operates according to a first mode of operation. The first and second air sources provide air to a turn bladder when the control system operates according to a second mode of operation. In another embodiment, a first air source provides air to at least one main support bladder and to at least one microclimate bladders. A second air source is dedicated for inflating at least one turn bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandy M. Richards, Eric R. Meyer, Christopher R. O'Keefe, Bradley T. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20110247143
    Abstract: A person-support surface comprises a non powered mattress and a coverlet positionable on the non powered mattress. The coverlet includes an entry positioned at a first end of the coverlet, an exit positioned at a second end of the coverlet opposite the entry, an upper air impermeable layer, and a lower air impermeable layer coupled to the upper air impermeable layer to form an air flow path along the coverlet between the entry and the exit. The upper air impermeable layer is a vapor permeable and the lower air impermeable layer is a vapor permeable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Sandy M. Richards, Sam M. Alsaeede, Andrew Kerr, Stephen C. Flint, Christopher R. O'Keefe, Charles A. Lachenbruch