Patents Examined by Amanda L Miller
  • Patent number: 9855174
    Abstract: A wheelchair cushion comprises a dual stiffness fluid. A cushion also comprises an ability to adjust fluid volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ki Mobility
    Inventors: Thomas J Whelan, Stephen Sprigle, Alison McKenna, Ezekiel Kolajo, Sanchit Mittal, Saranya Sathananthan, Christopher Tile
  • Patent number: 9848712
    Abstract: A bedding system uses machine vision to makes adjustments for comfort and/or support. In one aspect, a pressure mapping engine measures a two-dimensional pressure image of a sleeper on the bedding system while the sleeper is sleeping on the bedding system. A machine vision process analyzes the pressure image. A comfort and support engine adjusts a comfort and/or support of the bedding system based on the machine vision analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Xsensor Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Main, Timothy Carl Gorjanc, Robert Miller, Chris Cooper
  • Patent number: 9820902
    Abstract: A system for use with a bed having a frame and a supporting surface includes a sheet having a bottom surface placed above the supporting surface of the bed, a top surface, and a plurality of tether straps connected to and extending from the sheet. Each tether strap is configured for connection to the bed. The bottom surface is at least partially formed of a low friction material, and the top surface is at least partially formed of a high friction material, such that the top surface provides greater slipping resistance than the bottom surface. The tether straps include at least two pairs of tether straps, with one pair connected proximate a top edge of the sheet and another pair connected proximate a bottom edge of the sheet. The sheet may further include a sliding member on the bottom surface to assist in lateral sliding of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Ponsi, James Layer
  • Patent number: 9816294
    Abstract: A device for preventing unwanted opening of a locked enclosure includes a lock bolt moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A face gear is meshable with and rotatable by the worm gear between locking and unlocking positions when the worm gear is driven in the first and second directions, respectively. A blocker member is rotatable between first and second positions. A biasing member is operatively coupled to the face gear and the blocker member to bias the blocker member in a biasing direction. A sliding member selectively disengages the blocker member to allow the blocker member to rotate in the biasing direction. A lever arm is operatively coupled to the sliding member such that the lever arm is in the disengaged and engageable positions when the sliding member engages the blocker member in the first and second positions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Lock II, LLC
    Inventors: Chris L. Burrus, Brian T. Craycraft, J. Gregory DeHaven, John H. Janes, Kenneth H. Mimlitch, Benjamin T. Redmon, J. Clayton Miller, Donald P. Cooke, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9782313
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a patient transfer apparatus for assisting in the movement of a patient on a supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: GBUK Limited
    Inventor: Diane Hindson
  • Patent number: 9750349
    Abstract: This invention provides protection from mosquitoes for an individual lying on a bed. An articulated frame supports mosquito netting over the exposed flesh of the individual. The articulated frame is easily deployed and retracted by the individual while lying on the bed. In the retracted position the bed is fully accessible for making-up or changing the bedding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: James R. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 9744088
    Abstract: An electric bed includes a base frame, a movable frame slidably disposed on the base frame and moveable backward and forward, a back frame having a rear end pivotally connected with the movable frame, and a driving member extendable and retractable in length, having a rear end pivotally connected with the movable frame and located below the rear end of the back frame, and a front end pivotally connected with the back frame. A linkage has a front end pivotally connected with the base frame, and a rear end pivotally connected with the back frame and located between the rear end of the back frame and the front end of the driving member. When the driving member extends longer, the back frame is rotated upwardly to enable the rear end of the back frame and the movable frame to horizontally move forward together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Inventor: Chuan-Hang Shih
  • Patent number: 9687081
    Abstract: A bed rail having an operating position at one of the sides of a bed and a stored position between a mattress and box spring of the bed. To take down the bed rail, a guard frame portion is disengaged from a base frame portion, then the guard frame portion is pivoted and slid into the base frame portion. To set up the bed rail, the guard frame portion can be slid out of the base frame portion, pivoted relative to the base frame portion, then engaged to the base frame portion and into the operating position at a side of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Regalo International, LLC
    Inventor: Mark A. Flannery
  • Patent number: 9675183
    Abstract: A mount assembly includes a playpen frame, a support frame that can provide support for a bassinet in the playpen frame, and multiple bar segments to provide support for a utility accessory positioned side-by-side relative to the bassinet. The playpen frame includes two first upper side rail assemblies each having a fixed wall, and a second upper side rail assembly connected with the two first upper side rail assemblies. The support frame includes two connectors operable to respectively attach to and detach from the fixed walls. Each connector is formed to include a socket. The two connectors can attach to the fixed walls respectively near a middle of the two first upper side rail assemblies. The bar segments are mountable to the playpen frame, one of the bar segments once mounted to the playpen frame having an end portion resting in contact with the socket of one connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Wonderland Nursery Goods Company Limited
    Inventors: Nathanael Saint, Jonathan K. Mountz, Andrew J. Winterhalter, Jonathan M. Pacella, William B. Bellows
  • Patent number: 9661938
    Abstract: A foldable frame assembly for a playpen includes a collapsible bottom frame which has a central support mount, a plurality of linking elements, a plurality of first linking rods and a plurality of second linking rods. The linking elements are pivoted between the central support mount and the lower end of the plurality of pillars respectively. Each of the linking elements is provided with a sliding part for moving along the linking elements. When the central support mount was lifted upward, the second linking rods are associated with the first linking rods through the sliding parts thereby incurring an inward torque to prevent the pillars from deflecting outward. By such of the inward torque, users can save their troublesome of stretching hands to hold and keep the pillars uprightly while converting the playpen into its folded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Dorel Juvenile (Zhongshan) Product Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Po Hung, Yu-Wen Wang, Chen-Tai Chang
  • Patent number: 9644395
    Abstract: A deadbolt knob security device is provided, whereby rotation of the deadbolt knob is linked to motion of an intermediate member assembly secured to a door element positioned next to the deadbolt knob. The device comprises several embodiments for surrounding the exposed interior knob of a deadbolt, as well as several embodiments for the adjustable intermediate member assembly between the deadbolt knob attachment and door knob attachment, wherein a door knob attachment member is provided in a U-shaped configuration to surround a door knob stem. Adjustability for accommodating doors of different design and specification is provided, while an electronic security monitor is accommodated along the device to monitor for tampering of the device while installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Danny L. Strand
  • Patent number: 9642473
    Abstract: A baby rocking bed includes a pivot unit, a lower frame connected with the pivot unit, a connecting unit connected with the lower frame, and an upper frame connected with the pivot unit and the connecting unit. Thus, when the movable member of the connecting unit is moved upward on the elbow pipe of the connecting unit, the upper frame is disposed at an inclined state so that the rocking bed is disposed at an inclined state to facilitate the user feeding the baby safely, and when the movable member is moved downward on the elbow pipe, the upper frame is disposed at a horizontal state so that the rocking bed is directly lowered and returned to the original position, without disturbing the sleeping baby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Way-Hong Chen
  • Patent number: 9629472
    Abstract: A rectangular, preferably wooden bed foundation, a plurality of mattress support slats extending between two opposing side sections wherein the end portions of said slats are inserted into pocket recesses formed laterally into the inner sides of the two opposing side sections, wherein a selected number of slat end portions are fastened into pocket recesses by means of bolt and nut combinations wherein the bolts are mounted through passages formed laterally through the side sections and extend horizontally into the pocket recesses, wherein the nuts are imbedded in the aperture wells, whereby upon tightening of the bolts the slat ends are drawn tightly into the pocket recesses to thereby strengthen and rigidify the bed foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventor: Bill Bradley
  • Patent number: 9624696
    Abstract: An exemplary locking cartridge includes a generally cylindrical housing, first and second plates, and a sliding member. The plates are rotatable with respect to the housing, and at least one of the plates is movable in the axial direction of the housing. The housing and the movable plate include cam surfaces that interact to cause the movable plate to move toward the other plate when the movable plate is rotated. The sliding member is slidingly coupled to one of the plates and operable in a blocked state in which the sliding member resists axial motion of the movable plate, and an unblocked state in which the sliding member does not resist axial motion of the movable plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Jason Curtis Clifford, Evan Earl Evans
  • Patent number: 9596888
    Abstract: Implementations if a baby wrap are provided. In some implementations, the baby wrap may be used to wrap, lift, and/or transport a baby therein. In some implementations, the baby wrap may be configured to support the baby's head, neck, and/or spine during use. In some implementations, the baby wrap may be used to provide a warm, clean, dry, and/or soft surface on which a baby may be placed. In some implementations, the baby wrap may be used for any other purpose for which a typical blanket may be used. In some implementations, the baby wrap comprises one or more layers of fabric. In some implementations, the baby wrap may have three or more handles. In some implementations, the baby wrap may have a pocket thereon. In some implementations, each handle may comprise an opening that extends through the one or more layers of fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Theresa Rogers
  • Patent number: 9596943
    Abstract: Mattress foundations and kits include a first side rail, a second side rail, a first end rail, a second end rail, and at least one center rail. The foundations and kits further include a plurality of slats of varying lengths. The invention may further include a method of assembling a foundation kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Rick L. Hartley
  • Patent number: 9593523
    Abstract: A system and method for mitigating theft from a container includes a container having a plurality of walls defining a first volume and an anti-theft mitigation device having a plurality of walls defining a second volume. A fastening mechanism is attached to the anti-theft mitigation device such that the antitheft mitigation device may be coupled to the container by the fastening mechanism. The second volume of the anti-theft mitigation device is substantially smaller than the first volume of the container. The anti-theft mitigation device may be positioned within the first volume and may appear to define a portion of the first volume of the container. The fastening mechanism may comprise at least one of a magnet, a hook and loop fastener, a screw, a nail, a rivot, a snap, a mating protuberance, a channel-containing structure, a mating male or female mechanical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SECOND SAFE LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Trimble, Benjamin Lockhart
  • Patent number: 9591929
    Abstract: The device presented provides a simple and secure solution to fasten unfitted bedding to a stationary section of the bed, eliminating any other need such as tucking or strapping. The grasp of the device is accomplished by the eccentric motion of the gripper. To engage the grasp, the bedding is placed in the pinch point of the device; pressure is then exerted on the lower part of the gripper to ensure contact with the bedding. To release the grasp, simply lift up the lower end of the gripper and remove the bedding. Normally two devices mounted to the rigid section of the box spring are sufficient to securely retain the bedding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: William Kenneth Surman
  • Patent number: 9587415
    Abstract: A retention mechanism for retaining a lock cylinder in a lock housing. The retention mechanism includes a control lug, a control pin, and a finger pin. A portion of the control lug is configured to be positioned in a retention recess of the lock housing when the control lug is in an engagement position to prevent the removal of the lock cylinder from the lock housing. With the control lug in the engaged position, at least a portion of the control pin may be biased into a chamber of the control lug to retain the control lug at the engaged position. When the control lug is to be displaced from the engaged position, the finger pin may be lifted to an activation position, such as by a sidebit of a key, wherein the finger pin may removably displace the control pin from at least a portion of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian Edward Walls, Ajeya Suratkal Rao, Evan Earl Evans
  • Patent number: 9572736
    Abstract: A sliding thorax assembly subframe is mounted to a thorax assembly main frame section of an articulating bed and is adapted to descend as the torso section of the bed is raised to an inclined position. The mechanism, which is optionally combined with a slideback mechanism to extend the pelvic area of the bed in a longitudinal direction, reduces compressive and shear forces on the patient during bed articulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BEDLAB, LLC
    Inventors: William Jenkins, Mark Heflin