Patents Examined by Carl M. DeFranco
  • Patent number: 4752982
    Abstract: This invention relates to an adjustable back support apparatus having a main support base assembly; a main support and cushion assembly; and an anchor assembly to adjustably connect the main support and cushion assembly to the main support base assembly. The main support base assembly includes a support plate member having a cover plate member pivotally connected thereto to cover the adjustment features. The main support and cushion assembly includes a right panel member; a left panel member; and a central panel member, all independently adjustable to various positions to provide the desired support to person's back area. The anchor assembly includes bolt members extended through guide members on the support plate member and mounted within respective anchor nut members to achieve the desired adjustment result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Inventors: Jackson D. Jones, Michael K. Standifer
  • Patent number: 4752977
    Abstract: A crib having a frame and a bed supported by the frame includes at least one side rail assembly for enclosing one side of the bed surface. The side rail is attached to the frame for raising and lowering movement of the side rail. A latch assembly releasably secures the side rail in a raised position. A handle assembly includes a first rod connected to the side rail. A second rod is slidably connected to and located above the first rod for movement relative thereto. An actuator is connected between the second rod and the latch so that movement of the second rod toward the first releases the latch. The rods may be pivotally moved away from the side rail. A projection attached to the side rail is positioned between the rods to prevent movement of the rods for releasing the latch unless the rods are first pivoted away from the side rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: Midmark Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur D. Smith, Charles A. Clune
  • Patent number: 4736974
    Abstract: A keyless lock for a window, sliding door and the like is provided and is in a wedge shaped configuration so as to fit between two parts of the window and sliding door to prevent opening thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Inventor: Mark D. Rosenthal
  • Patent number: 4731889
    Abstract: This invention provides a highly reliable safety device having a high fail-safe feature, which comprises a sector gear rotatably supported on a support base, a bed section supported on the sector gear and tiltable to a predetermined diagnostic angle anywhere from a horizontal position to a standing position of a patient, an off-normal rotation control means such as a limit switch to detect that the rotation of the sector gear relative to the support base exceeds the range of a limit rotation angle and to control its rotation, a hook member provided in a side surface position of the sector gear corresponding to the limit rotation angle beyond the off-normal rotation angle, a hook holding mechanism journaled in a side surface position of said support base which faces the sector gear, and adapted to engage with the hook member to restrict and prevent any further rotation of the sector gear, and whereby the bed section is positively restricted against any further tilting beyond its limit rotation angle, immediate
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Naobumi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 4726087
    Abstract: A foam pillow has two main support surfaces on opposing sides thereof. One surface includes convolutions defining a relatively flat profile and the other surface includes longitudinal ribs of arcuate cross-section, which define a curved profile having at least two prominent lobes of differing heights and a central trough. The pillow is particularly adapted for support of a person's head in the trough, with the user's neck received on one of the lobes. Reversal of the lobes permits variation in the amount of neck support. The ribs comprise spherical ridges and have circular channels separating their bases to provide a heat and moisture dissipation function. The curved support surface may include cross-hatching at various intervals to provide extra dispersion of pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Assignee: Span-America Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Schaefer, John K. Luke
  • Patent number: 4724554
    Abstract: A patient treatment table for supporting a patient laying in a generally horizontal position for treatment at an elevated level above the floor surface includes a base adapted to rest on the floor surface for supporting the table for movement between a first position for patient treatment and a second position for mounting and dismounting. The table includes a control system for moving the table between said positions having an electric motor and/or electrically activated hydraulic control valves and a safety system for deenergizing the electric motor and/or deactivating the control valves in response to a hazardous condition. The system includes a switch mat positioned on the floor surface adjacent the base which is operative to deenergize the electric motor and/or deactivate the control valves in response to pressure applied to the switch mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Standex International
    Inventors: Frank P. Kowalski, Gerald R. Scott
  • Patent number: 4724556
    Abstract: A childs' crib having a drop side, with a latch therefor requiring a double motion, up and inwardly toward the center of the crib, to release it for gravity drop of the drop side from its uppermost, latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Gem Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin K. Burnham
  • Patent number: 4724558
    Abstract: A product for recreational beach use is comprised of a beach-blanket type of sheet of generally rectangular shape, and an inflatable chair positioned upon the upper surface of the sheet at a site closer to the rear edge than the front edge. The chair, having a seat and an adjustable backrest portion, can be inflated either by water or by air at a pressure in the range of 5-20 psi. In preferred embodiments, the chair is removably attached to the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Reiff
  • Patent number: 4723331
    Abstract: A fitted sheet is formed with material that is tapered in width between the side edges, so that the material is wider between the side edges, at the mid point between the top and bottom edges, and narrower in regions closer to the top and bottom edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Sleep-Knit International
    Inventor: Sidney M. Weiss
  • Patent number: 4715246
    Abstract: A three-speed planetary transmission which mounts inside the wheel hub concentric with the pedal drive shaft on the axis of the driving wheel of a vehicle such as a tricycle taxi. The transmission is characterized by three planet gears mounted in bearings on a gear carrier fitting driven by the pedal drive shaft. Rotatable sun and ring gears, which can be selectively locked against rotation, are in constant mesh with the planet gears. Conventional free-wheel ratchet mechanisms transfer torque from the sun and ring gears to the wheel hub. Two low gear ratios are provided to facilitate initial movement of a heavily loaded vehicle. The simplified gear shift, low maintenance, and compact nature of this chainless three speed transmission provide an improved alternative to the conventional three-speed chain drive for heavily loaded tricycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Inventor: Dirck T. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 4713851
    Abstract: A suspension system for a bed or bunk which is to rest on a substantially horizontally oriented deck and is particularly adapted for the sleeper compartments of large truck cabs and which substantially reduce the amplitude of vibrations and other disruptive movements of the truck. The system includes a lower support frame which is adapted to be on the deck. An upper support frame for supporting a mattress is positioned above the lower support frame. The two frames are interconnected by at least two torsion spring members wherein the upper support frame is free to move up and down relative to the lower support frame under the influence of the spring action of the torsion spring members. The spring action dampens the transmission of up and down movements from the truck to the upper support frame and the mattress positioned thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Inventor: Von D. Rosquist
  • Patent number: 4709431
    Abstract: A hemorrhoid relief cushion is constructed with aligned, elongated, convexly elevated portions of different size to reduce inventory requirements by half and also reduce the number of fabrication molds needed for making a complete inventory of cushion sizes in half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Inventor: Donald H. Shaktman
  • Patent number: 4704752
    Abstract: A box spring assembly having modular spring elements distributed in an array beneath rectangular pockets of a wire grid top. The elements include a single piece of wire formed into a head configured to support and be contained within selected pockets of the wire grid top, a base formed of the two ends of the wire to attach to a lower base frame, and a pair of compressible arms formed into a pattern of bars and bends which give firm elastic support with economy of wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Leggett & Platt, Incorporated
    Inventors: Chester R. Yates, Maurice M. Bruner
  • Patent number: 4704750
    Abstract: The invention described in the technical disclosure is: a lightweight, mobile assembleable, free-standing, supporting structure and assembleable bed frame used to create a swinging or suspended bed. The invention is comprised of four, padded and covered, assembleable, stable upright structural stands being longitudinally and transversally interconnected with structural members whereon an assembleable, multi-functional, bed framework is suspended by flexible means thereof from the upper ends of the upright structural stands to swing freely therefrom in any and varying direction. A box spring and mattress is then placed in the assembleable bed frame thus accomplishing the object of the invention disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Inventor: Barry E. Wheelock
  • Patent number: 4704749
    Abstract: A body lift (10) has a wheeled frame (12) and drive motor (42, 44) for moving the frame (12) on its wheels (48, 54). A vertical support (14) extends upward from a base (32) of the wheeled frame (12). Arm and leg support pairs (56, 58 and 78, 80) are movably mounted for translation along the vertical support (14). An elevation motor (28) is connected to lead screw (16) to move the arm and leg support pairs (56, 58 and 78, 80) along the vertical support (14). The leg supports (78, 80) of the leg support pair are laterally pivotable toward and away from each other. A torsion spring (102) is connected to urge the leg supports (78, 80) to a normally outwardly pivoted position. The arm supports (56, 58) of the arm support pair are coupled to pivot the leg supports (78, 80) inward laterally in response to weight applied by a user to the arm supports (56, 58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Inventor: Benjamin A. Aubert
  • Patent number: 4704751
    Abstract: A device for securing slats to the frame of a bedspring comprised of a support partially encircling the end section of the slat and continuing in two straight sections longitudinal thereto, which constitute joining means to the frame since they are introduced in the holes of the inner wall thereof. The straight sections of the support are secured in a ferrule of the slat, in the bottom of which there has previously been placed damper means which absorbs the pressure of the slat. The slats constituting the support base for the mattress can have different widths, depending on the weight to be supported, according to their location, thereby reinforcing the corresponding zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Fabricas Lucia, Antonio Betere, S.A.
    Inventor: Fernando G. Guerra
  • Patent number: 4692954
    Abstract: A leg and foot rest for beds comprising: a pair of triangular supports, each having a base member with a channel for slidably engaging a side railing of a bed, an angular support member and a vertical support member; a crossbar for interconnecting the triangular supports and for providing a supporting member on which support bars are secured for supporting a footrest; and a legrest having braces on each end which can be attached to the angular support members by engaging projections of the braces within apertures provided in the angular support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Inventor: Eugene E. Scott, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4691950
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for securing a window sash to the outer frame of the window so that, on the one hand the sash may be locked in a predetermined open position and on the other hand may be pivoted to open it fully. A single push-button serves both to disengage a catch in the predetermined open position and to release the sash for full opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Aug. Winkhaus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Siegfried Mayer, Paul Greisner
  • Patent number: 4691393
    Abstract: A bed-like stretcher for supporting a patient includes a bed surface frame pivotally connected to a base. A gas spring fixes the frame in position relative to the base. A hand-operated actuator mounted to the frame is moveable in first and second opposite directions, and is biased into a normal position. A rod connects the actuator to a release rod for the gas spring, whereby movement of the actuator in either direction releases the spring to permit pivotal movement of the frame. A stop bar is secured to the frame to be adjacent an upward-facing stop surface on the base when the frame is horizontal. The bar is biased into contact with the stop surface when the frame is horizontal to prevent downward pivotal movement of the foot end. A cable connects the stop bar to the actuator, whereby movement of the actuator in one direction causes the cable to slacken and movement of the actuator in an opposite direction causes the actuator to pull the cable to withdraw the bar from contact with the stop surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Midmark Corporation
    Inventor: Jay L. Kuck
  • Patent number: 4691952
    Abstract: A mechanism for reliably adjusting and securing the load applied through a keeper and a tension latch assembly is provided. The mechanism includes a housing (25, 35), a drive system (50, 70) for effecting the adjustment, and a clutching arrangement (50, 60, 70, 80) within the housing which prevents the drive system from effecting any further adjustment when a pre-determined load is achieved between the keeper and the hook of the latch assembly. Other features include the placement of the driving component, accessed by the operator, at a location external to the housing and provision of audible and physical indicators for the benefit of the operator when the desired load adjustment has been accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Rexnord Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond E. Harmon