Patents Examined by F. Saether
  • Inflatable apparatus for immobilizing and changing positions of a patient
    Patent number: 5060324
    Abstract: A substantially rectangular confining envelope characterized by an exterior and interior polymeric skin bonded to each other in bonding seams which include gaps for conveying air to the adjacent sections. The longitudinal edges of the envelope may include fastening devices for engagement of the envelope around the body of a patient. One or more of the gaps may then be selectively closed to control the distribution of compressed air in the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Inventors: Boris V. Marinberg, Leah W. Ratner
  • Undermattress laths having spring type connections
    Patent number: 5058224
    Abstract: An undermattress which includes a frame which is spanned in a transverse direction by a plurality of laths which are supported on the frame at each end, so as to be yieldable in a direction of loading of the undermattress, by structure that holds a plurality of laths via joints (3,4,7) which are each formed from a joint pin (3) having a spherical or ellipsoidal joint head (4) and a guide bush (7). Each joint head (4) is fitted into a respective guide bush (7) and is shaped for enabling movement of the joint pin (3) relative to the guide bush (3) in every direction. In this way, sufficient freedom of movement is provided to enable the laths to be held without tilting on the frame even under unilateral loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: HCM AG
    Inventors: Franz Aschwanden, M. Eberhart
  • Device for adjusting a return spring in a bicycle brake assembly
    Patent number: 5058450
    Abstract: A pair of arms provided with brake shoes is mounted onto a cycle body via a mounting plate, so as to be freely rotatable, and an adjustment metal is installed between a shaft on the mounting plate and a bossed section of one arm, one edge of said adjustment metal being engaged onto the bossed section and the other edge being indirectly connected to the aforementioned shaft. The return spring tension can be strengthened or weakened by rotation of this adjustment metal from outside. The clamping protrusions on the adjustment metal are made to engage onto the ratchets on the stop ring by strong pressure from a spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Yoshigai Kikai Kinzoku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Yoshigai
  • Newborn car seat blanket
    Patent number: 5058226
    Abstract: A baby's receiving blanket includes a back panel and two front pieces together forming a front panel. The back panel and front panel each include a notch in its bottom portion, forming separate leg portions. The front panel further includes a fly adapted to open and close. The front and back panels together form a two-legged pouch for a baby's legs and body. The back panel is larger than the front panel to wrap around and over the baby after it is positioned in the pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Inventor: Catherine Crosby
  • Rear-loaded picture frame side member
    Patent number: 5058298
    Abstract: There is disclosed a picture frame comprising a plurality of rebated side frame members at least one of which is provided with a part hingedly connected thereto, and movable between a first position in which it lies outside the rebate and a second position in which it lies within the rebate to engage the rear face of a backing sheet or board, and urge same towards the front of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Inventor: William Burns
  • Bed with concealed entertainment center
    Patent number: 5054139
    Abstract: A combination of a bed with a TV set comprises a bed frame structure, a supporting structure provided within the frame structure for supporting a TV set thereon, a mechanism for positioning of the TV set for unobstructed viewing by a person while reclining on the bed, and a structure for concealing the TV set within the frame structure of the bed when the TV set is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Inventor: Thomas L. Jones
  • Hospital bed having a Y-shaped base
    Patent number: 5054141
    Abstract: A hospital bed is supported on a Y-shaped base to facilitate the introduction of a C-arm for imaging a patient's chest. Head guards are mounted on each side of the head end of the bed on linkages that permit the head guards to be swung toward the foot end of the bed to improve the positioning of the C-arm over the head end of the bed. The head panel has pivotable longitudinal edges to further improve the positioning of the C-arm over the head end of the bed. Pivotable longitudinal edges of the head and leg panels permit head and foot guards to be moved laterally inwardly to narrow the bed for transporting a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Company, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Dale Foster, David W. Hornbach
  • Contoured seat cushion
    Patent number: 5052068
    Abstract: A contoured cellular cushion has a base and flexible cells, which are inflatable, projecting upwardly from the base. The base is rectangular and the cells are arranged in front-to-rear and transverse rows upon its. Moreover, the cells are preferably organized into two zones--an outer zone and an inner zone--with the cells of each zone being interconnected amongst themselves, but not with the cells of the other zone. The outer zone includes long cells which lie along the sides of the base in side sections and also in an abductor section between the side sections near the front margin. The shorter cells of the inner zone occupy the remainder of the base and produce a depression between the side sections and behind the abductor section of the outer zone, and troughs on each side of the abductor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Inventor: Robert H. Graebe
  • Banner display apparatus
    Patent number: 5046274
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting and displaying banners or like non-rigid media. The display apparatus employs at least three display frames which are rotatable about an illuminated central axis of rotation. Each of the display frames comprises a structure for mounting banners or other non-rigid display media formed to be received within the display frames. Receiving apertures are uniformly disposed about each display frame. The media to be displayed is stretched across the frame and secured to the receiving apertures in a manner which will place the banner under uniform tension across its entire surface. Each supporting element of the display frames is coupled to an independently pivoting cover member having a width sufficient to extend beyond and obscure the receiving apertures from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Inventor: Henry B. David
  • Integrated modular display system
    Patent number: 5038506
    Abstract: An integrated, modular display system for conveying information in a unified theme is disclosed. The display system comprises a plurality of display panels capable of conveying information, a plurality of frames corresponding in size to the plurality of display panels for receiving at least one of the display panels to support the panels, and a plurality of display bodies for supporting at least one of the frames. The display panels, frames and display bodies are adapted to be combined to form a plurality of individual display units, and a portion of the display panels forming one display unit are interchangeable with a portion of the display panels forming another display unit. In the system, the display panels and frames are provided in groups of several similarly sized display panels and frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Ameritrust Company National Association
    Inventors: Lance Liljeqvist, Thomas Pendleton
  • Scratch resistant clip-on nut
    Patent number: 5039264
    Abstract: A clip-on nut for enabling a panel to be secured to a support structure, the clip-on nut being secured to the support structure. The clip-on nut has a portion for guiding the clip-on nut into an aperture formed on the support structure, the guide portion comprising a spherically rounded projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: The Monadnock Company
    Inventor: Howard M. Benn
  • Cable actuating assembly
    Patent number: 5036725
    Abstract: A cable operated assembly for actuating a device comprises a housing assembly and a plunger movably mounted within the assembly for movement between return and actuating positions. A coil spring is mounted within the housing and biases the plunger toward the return position. A cable is movable in return and actuating directions relative to the housing and has one end engageable with the device to be actuated. The other end of the cable is connected to the plunger so as to permit movement of the cable relative to the plunger when the same moves toward the actuating position, and limiting relative movement of the cable when the plunger is moved toward the return position thereby to move the cable in the return direction. A second coil spring has a biasing force less than that of the first coil spring and urges the cable in the actuating direction, but is normally compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Hi-Lex Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Troiano
  • Directory device and method of operation
    Patent number: 5035073
    Abstract: A secure directory device for displaying information on removable plates. The device includes a special key for removing and replacing plates, thereby precluding unauthorized tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Inventor: Robert Laurencelle
  • Portable hammock kit and improved portable hammock
    Patent number: 5035012
    Abstract: A portable hammock kit having aminimum of modular components for assembling and disassembling the modular components for storage or transportation to another location and store all components in a convenient carrying bag. The hammock stand can be assembled with three modular components without fasteners or tools. The hammock stand accommodates a hammock bed suspended from a pair of modular leg assemblies that allow for vertical adjustment of the elevation of both the head and foot ends of the hammock bed. A canopy can be readily mounted and dismounted over the assembled hammock stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Gleason Corporation
    Inventor: James L. Westrich
  • Collapsible heat insulating mattress having foam lattice cells and a slit foil sheet covering
    Patent number: 5027458
    Abstract: A collapsible, heat insulating mattress is provided comprising at least one lattice structure of a foamed plastics material which has an open lattice structure in the relaxed condition, and metal coated foil coverings on each side of the lattice structure with slits extending across the lattice openings. When the mattress is to be stowed it is squeezed to close the lattic openings and occupy less space. The slits allow the coverings to crumple and remain undamaged when the mattress is squeezed for stowing. The coverings may be sheets with the slits cut in them, strips laid side-by-side, either abutting or overlapping, and adhesively secured only at the lattice junctions to the lattice structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence
    Inventors: Randall J. Osczevski, Brian Farnworth
  • Bed cover
    Patent number: 5023970
    Abstract: A cover, in particular a bed cover, which comprises a case having two outer sheets, a filling and a thin sheet or foil located between the outer sheets is described, characterized in that the thin sheet is provided with a plurality of slits. Advantageously, the thin sheet comprises a plastic material, preferably having a vapor deposited aluminum coating. This results in a cover whereby the transport of heat through the cover is appreciably reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Inventor: Gunter Tesch
  • Multi-level holder of sheet materials
    Patent number: 5020251
    Abstract: A bi-partite holder supportably displays multiple photographs in a multi-planar arrangement, and includes multi-level backing and cover members between which the photographs are clampingly held for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Inventor: Peter S. C. Cheng
  • Control system for fluid-filled beds
    Patent number: 5020176
    Abstract: A system for automatically controlling the pressure maintained in a plurality of fluid-filled cylinders supporting a sleep surface in order to maintain a desired degree of firmness/softness. In one mode, the system permits the user to set the desired level of firmness and then the system acts to maintain that level under the conditions encountered in use, either venting if an above-setting pressure is sensed or pumping to fill if a below-setting pressure is detected. In another mode, the user is enabled to manually activate either the pump or the vent in order to vary the firmness to his choice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Angel Echevarria Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Derek P. Dotson
  • Motive air seat cushion
    Patent number: 5016302
    Abstract: A motive air seat cushion comprises: an envelope with an air inlet opening and air discharge openings around the edges. An air distribution box having a plurality of holes around the edges is located inside the envelope and connected to the air inlet opening. A flexible hollow supporting padding is embedded inside the envelope to provide void spaces and also support for the envelope. As air from a motive air source flows into the air distribution box and then diffuses evenly through the envelope, the cushion is cooled or warmed, thus giving a cooling or warming sensation to a person sitting on the cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventor: Kaung M. Yu
  • Infant rocker/cradle
    Patent number: 5016301
    Abstract: An infant rocker/cradle is disclosed. The rocker/cradle includes a generally rectangular frame having two generally parallel, opposing and spaced sides which are joined to each other by two generally parallel, opposing and spaced ends which join the sides at generally right angles. Each side defines a first arcuate rocking edge which is parallel to that of the other side. In addition, each end defines a second arcuate rocking edge which is parallel to that of the other end. The first and second arcuate rocking edges are oriented with respect to each other so that they generally face opposite directions and are disposed at right angles with respect to each other. In addition, the rocker/cradle includes a firm but resilient hammock which is attached to the inner facing surfaces of the frames' ends and sides and which firmly supports an infant lying thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventor: Mary A. Combs