Patents Assigned to Hill-Rom, Inc.
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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: 6248977Abstract: A welding torch flash shield is used with a welding torch to protect the eyes of personnel working near the welding torch. The torch flash shield is comprised of a flexible elongated sleeve having a first open end provided distal from a second open end. The first open end is configured to seat about a periphery of the nozzle end such that the sleeve extends from the nozzle end shrouding a welding wire of the welding torch. A retainer is configured to couple the flexible elongated sleeve to the periphery of the nozzle end. In addition, the second end flexes or flares to permit contact between the welding wire and a workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1999Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bessler, James D. Cunningham, Gerald M. Ertel, Tammy J. Allen
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Patent number: 6248066Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating perfusion adjacent a skin surface includes a housing having first an second interior regions. The housing is configured to engage the skin surface. The apparatus also includes a plunger located in the first region of the housing for applying pressure to a first zone of the skin surface, a vacuum connection coupled to the second region of the housing to permit suction to be applied to the second region of the housing and to a second zone of the skin surface, a first temperature sensor for generating an output signal related to the temperature of the first zone of the skin surface, a second temperature sensor for generating an output signal related to the temperature of the second zone of the skin surface, and a processor circuit coupled to the first and second temperature sensors for determining a differential temperature between the first and second zones of the skin surface to provide an indication of perfusion adjacent the skin surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2000Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventors: Richard I. Barnett, Ryszard S. Ozarowski, William T. Sutton, James M. C. Thomas, William C. Knapp
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Patent number: 6243894Abstract: A side bolster system is provided for use with a mattress having a first side and a second side. The side bolster system of the present invention includes a first side bolster configured to be positioned along the first side of the mattress, a second side bolster configured to be positioned along the second side of the mattress, and a transverse tether having a first end coupled to the first side bolster and a second end coupled to the second side bolster.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1999Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventors: Suppawat Kosumsuppamala, Timothy G. Clark, Ronald B. Jalbert
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Patent number: 6240580Abstract: A modular siderail for attachment to a bed includes a first end section having a first end and a second end. The second end includes a connector joint. The modular siderail also includes a second end section substantially identical to the first end section. A connector joint of the second end section and the connector joint of the first end section are configured to mate and together to form a skeletal structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1999Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Hamilton, Jeffrey A. Moster, Robert Mark Zerhusen, David M. Hensley, David W. Hornbach
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Patent number: 6240583Abstract: An ambulatory assist apparatus is configured to be mounted to a frame of a bed. The ambulatory assist apparatus includes an ambulatory assist arm having a first end portion and a second end portion configured to provide a handle, a mounting plate configured to be coupled to the frame of the bed, and a pivot pin for pivotably coupling the ambulatory assist arm to the mounting plate. The mounting plate includes a plurality of spaced-apart apertures. The apparatus also includes a locking pin coupled to the first end portion of the assist arm. The locking pin is configured to engage a selected one of the plurality of apertures in the mounting plate to secure the ambulatory assist arm at different orientations relative to the mounting plate. The apparatus further includes an actuator to release the locking pin from the selected aperture to permit pivotable movement of the ambulatory assist arm relative to the mounting plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1999Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventors: Jason C. Brooke, Kendall O. Shows, William S. Larisey, Jr., Robert E. Anderson, Daniel C. Hillenbrand, Joe D. McGuinness
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Patent number: 6240582Abstract: A patient-support apparatus that comprises a base, a patient-support deck having a longitudinal length and a transverse width, and a deck-positioning assembly coupling the patient-support deck to the base. The patient-support deck is supported with respect to the deck-positioning assembly for longitudinal movement. The deck-positioning assembly includes an actuator having a first portion and a second portion that moves transversely relative to the first portion. The deck-positioning assembly includes a transmission assembly configured to convert transverse movement of the second portion relative to the first portion into longitudinal movement of the patient-support deck relative to the base.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1999Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventor: Christian H. Reinke
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Patent number: 6240584Abstract: A mattress assembly comprises an inflatable central support portion having a head end, a foot end, a first side and a second side, and first and second side bolsters coupled to the first and second sides, respectively, of the inflatable central support portion. The first and second side bolsters each have at least two chambers extending along a longitudinal axis of the first and second side bolsters. At least one of the chambers is a manifold in fluid communication with the central support portion. The manifold is configured to be coupled to an air supply to supply air to the central support portion and the other chambers.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2000Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventors: Timothy W. Perez, Sohrab Soltani, James J. Romano
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Publication number: 20010001235Abstract: A bed includes a base, a support surface coupled to the base, and a controller configured to control at least one function. A control panel is coupled to the controller. At least one lockout switch is coupled to the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2000Publication date: May 17, 2001Applicant: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventors: Douglas J. Menkedick, James K. Findlay, Jack Wilker, Eugene E. Osborne
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Publication number: 20010000829Abstract: A surface pad system for a surgical table includes a cover defining an interior region and including an upwardly-facing top surface configured to be positioned beneath a patient. The surface pad system also includes a pad core received in the interior region of the cover to support the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2001Publication date: May 10, 2001Applicant: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventors: James Milton Cherry Thomas, Robert C. Novack, Karl Norman Caldwell, John Alan Bobey, Marla Dukes Repik
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Patent number: 6226821Abstract: A mattress includes a head section, a seat section and first and second outer leg support sections. The seat section and the first and second outer leg support sections are configured to define a central opening therebetween. The mattress further comprises a removable center leg support section configured for movement between a first use position located within the central opening to provide a portion of the mattress and a second storage position detached from the mattress and located below the mattress. A drip flap is coupled to the seat section and first and second outer leg support sections of the mattress. The drip flap is configured to extend downwardly below a bottom surface of the mattress adjacent the central opening of the mattress.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1999Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventors: Richard H. Heimbrock, Jonathan D. Turner
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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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Publication number: 20010000363Abstract: A surgical table apparatus includes a base and an upper support frame coupled to the base to support a person. The surgical table apparatus also includes a head support coupled to the upper support frame to support the person's head.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2000Publication date: April 26, 2001Applicant: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventor: Richard L. Borders
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Patent number: 6216293Abstract: A patient-support apparatus comprises a frame, a patient-support surface supported by the frame, and at least one mounting bracket coupled to the frame. The at least one mounting bracket includes a portion that is adapted to couple to a fracture frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1999Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey A. Ruschke
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Patent number: 6212714Abstract: A bed having a foot prop on an adjustable length deck foot section and a mattress with a length and thickness adjustable foot section and a thickness adjustable heel section. The adjustability of the deck and the mattress allows sizing of the bed to the occupant as well as heel management. The foot prop is also adjustable.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1998Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventors: E. David Allen, Kenneth L. Kramer, Peter M. Wukusick, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich, James M. C. Thomas, Paul M. McDaniel, III, Denis R. Zwink
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Patent number: 6212718Abstract: A mattress structure (30) having a plurality of side-by-side lower support elements (50), a layer of material (54) underlying the lower support elements (50), and a plurality of side-by-side upper support elements (52) overlying and being supported by lower support elements (50) is described. The upper support elements (52) are connected by a plurality of tethers (128) to the layer of material (54), with the tethers (128) extending between adjacent lower support elements (50). Each of one of the upper support elements (52) and lower support elements (50) is an inflatable air bladder with specified sets of air bladders defining tube set zones (142, 144, 146). The pressure of the zones (142, 144, 146) is controlled by an air pressure system (170).Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1999Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom, IncInventors: James R. Stolpmann, Kenneth R. Smith, Roger D. Dalton, Gary W. Ferdon, Jonathan H. Mueller
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Patent number: 6212746Abstract: An apparatus for installing clips onto workpieces which includes a spring biased alignment mechanism which positions a workpiece for the installation of a retaining clip thereon and thereafter, causes the workpiece to be ejected from the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1999Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventor: Robert Cooks, Jr.
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Patent number: 6208250Abstract: An apparatus is provided for detecting a position of a body on a support surface of a bed. The apparatus includes at least one first sensor coupled to the bed and at least one second sensor located adjacent the support surface. The at least one first sensor has an output signal which is variable in response to changes in a weight applied to the support surface. The at least one second sensor has an output signal which is variable in response to changes in the position of the body on the support surface. The apparatus also includes a controller having inputs configured to receive the output signals from the first and second sensors. The controller is configured to monitor the output signals, to provide an indication of changes in the position of the body relative to the support surface, and to provide an indication if the body exits the support surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventors: Stephen A. Dixon, Douglas J. Menkedick, William L. Jacques, James W. Jones, James K. Findlay, Jack Wilker, Jr., Eugene E. Osborne, Carl W. Riley
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Patent number: 6202230Abstract: A surgical table apparatus includes a base, a pedestal, and an upper support frame coupled to the pedestal. The upper support frame includes a head frame section, a seat frame section, optional leg supports, and optional head supports.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1998Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventor: Richard L. Borders
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Patent number: D441490Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1999Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventor: Richard L. Borders