Patents Examined by Heather Shackelford
  • Patent number: 8316491
    Abstract: A support structure, such as a mattress, is provided for the placement and removal of a human waste container, such as a bedpan, with minimal exertion by the attendant and minimal movement of the person. The mattress is provided with a cavity equipped with a controllable expandable cushion operatively coupled with the cushion to control an expansion and contraction of the cushion, wherein the control system includes a fluidic pump arranged to pump fluid into the expandable cushion, a fluid relief mechanism arranged to allow fluid to escape the expandable cushion, a fluid pressure reservoir for maintaining a relatively constant pressure in the fluidic system, and a fluid pressure switch operable to automatically activate and deactivate the fluidic pump to maintain a defined pressure level in the expandable cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: John Hayes
  • Patent number: 7104729
    Abstract: A buoyancy compensator jacket for a scuba diver is disclosed. The jacket comprises a back portion having two opposite sides. Side portions extending from the opposite sides are provided for laterally enveloping the diver's trunk and for connecting to one another generally on the diver's chest. Each of the side portions include a main pocket and a weight pocket, the weight pocket having a top opening, being arranged externally relative to the main pocket, and accommodating a bag containing weight elements. A closure element is also provided for closing the top opening of the weight pocket. In addition, the main pocket forms a compartment for concealing a closure element of its top opening. On the outside of the weight pocket, engagement elements are arranged either for engaging complementary engagement elements on the closure element, or for engaging complementary engagement elements associated with the weight-containing bag for holding the bag in a selected position within the weight pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Cressi-Sub S.p.A.
    Inventor: Leopoldo Antonio Cressi
  • Patent number: 7059802
    Abstract: A lightweight, easy to assemble, and compact exciter assembly for a compaction device such as a drum assembly of a vibratory trench roller or the like includes a fixed weight and one or more free swinging weights mounted on an exciter shaft, without using any mounting hardware, so as to hold the free swinging weights axially in position while permitting them to swing between first and second angular positions on the exciter shaft. Preferably, the fixed weight is mounted on a central portion of the exciter shaft, and two free swinging weights are mounted adjacent the ends of the fixed weight so as to be restrained from substantial sliding movement along the exciter shaft solely by the fixed weight and other operative components of the exciter assembly such as bearings and/or gears or other torque transfer elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Wacker Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Geier, Ronald Brinkmann, Jay Baudhuin
  • Patent number: 7047578
    Abstract: A apparatus such as a stretcher or guerney, and method, for engaging acquiring and transporting an injured person or some other person or object. The apparatus comprises a base, housing or frame having a low clearance portion; a first conveyance assembly movably connected to the housing for moving the housing with respect to the ground or another base surface; a second conveyance assembly movably connected to the housing for moving the person or object with respect to the housing; and a power member for moving the first and second conveyance assemblies. The apparatus is liftable by other persons to transport the person or object to another location. The method comprises the steps of moving a housing having a low clearance portion so that the low clearance portion moves toward and under the person or object; and moving the person or object relative to the housing. The device and method are mechanized and substantially automated. The device moves so that the person or object remains stationary during loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Vision
    Inventor: John Spanton
  • Patent number: 7036598
    Abstract: The invention relates to an intervention module (18) for well intervention operations in preferably a pressurized subsea well (2) with a wellhead (4) disposed on a water floor. The intervention module (18) is provided with necessary equipment to replace, under water, intervention tools (54) and thereby perform several well intervention operations in one run, without the supply of equipment from a surface vessel. The module (18) is lowered from a surface vessel and placed on the wellhead (4), possibly a BOP (12), of the well (2). The intervention module (18) is connected to the surface vessel through a connecting line/hose or a wireless connection which communicates, as a minimum, necessary control and feed-back signals. The module (18) is provided with i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Offshore & Marine AS
    Inventors: Odd B. Skjærseth, Geir Ueland
  • Patent number: 7024709
    Abstract: The replaceable headboard or footboard cover of the invention comprises frontal and rearward exterior segments mended together to form a sleeve. The decorative frontal exterior extends along the front of the headboard or footboard and provides the appearance of an open curtain swag thus integrating the existing headboard or footboard into the room decor as modified by the headboard cover. The rearward exterior extends along the back of the headboard or footboard and forms a cap to secure the cover to the headboard or footboard without extraneous fasteners. A system for decorating a bed comprising a headboard and footboard cover is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Sharon Moceri
  • Patent number: 7020913
    Abstract: Hoist device for persons comprising a lifting arm to which a headed stud is attached for attaching a hoist sling to the lifting arm, wherein the head has a larger diameter than the stud, and wherein the hoist sling comprises an attachment device for attaching the hoist sling to the lifting arm, comprising a plate-shaped part comprising: a continuous slot situated in a plane of the plate-shaped part comprising a first portion through which the stud and its head will pass, a second portion through which the stud will but the head of the stud will not pass, and a connection portion between the first and second portion, and a locking device arranged to the plate-shaped part and movable parallel to the plane of the plate-shaped part, which locking device near a first end comprises a closing member and near a second end comprises an operation member that can be operated for bringing the closing member from a first position, in which the closing member closes off the connection portion, to a second position, in w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Exodus Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Mattheas Robertus Van Scheppingen, Dennis Tjalling Huizenga
  • Patent number: 7017214
    Abstract: A water based pillow includes a common fluid retaining envelope which is divided into two elongate regions having different fluid support and fluid dynamic characteristics. One region is basically uninterrupted while a second region has a series of heat seal islands joining opposed sides of the envelope. These heat seal islands reduce the amount of fluid retained in the second region. This second region is preferably the head support region and under load. Some fluid is displaced from this region and enters the first region which is preferably the neck support region. The amount of fluid in the envelope can be adjusted or set to maintain a thin layer of fluid beneath the user's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: IWI Ltd.
    Inventor: Maurice R. Bard
  • Patent number: 7017206
    Abstract: A bag and towel combination includes a bag assembly that includes a bottom wall and a peripheral wall that is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. The peripheral wall has an upper edge defining an opening extending into the bag assembly. The bottom wall has a generally rounded shape. The bag assembly has, a front side, a back side and a pair of lateral sides. A flexible panel has a first edge, a second edge, a third edge and a fourth edge. A coupling assembly includes a first mating portion and a second mating portion. The first mating portion is attached to the panel and is positioned generally adjacent to the first edge. The second mating portion is attached to an inner surface of the bag assembly. The first and second mating portions are removably coupled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Nadia Kedineoglu
  • Patent number: 7018136
    Abstract: Method for installing a duct where an existing longitudinal member is present along a section over which the duct is to be installed. The longitudinal member is utilized as a guide for the duct. The tape-shaped element is closed around the longitudinal element through mating of complementary coupling devices longitudinally situated along the tape-shaped member so as to form a duct, with the coupled tape-shaped element then being propelled along the longitudinal element to extend the duct. The tape-shaped element can house an optical fiber cable. Through use of such a tape-shaped element, the duct, illustratively housing an optical fiber cable, can be formed around an existing (e.g. copper) telecommunications cable with any need to interrupt or remove that cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke KPN N.V.
    Inventors: Cornelis Casparus Van Bijsterveld, Frank Martin Kerling
  • Patent number: 7013513
    Abstract: A waterbed structure according to the invention comprises a water-containing body, long air protection borders, and a bed housing having a frame-shaped protection accommodating chamber. Each of the long air protection borders has transverse pull strips at a side thereof. The transverse strips have side edges thereof molded to side walls of the long air protection borders using high-cycle heat, and are disposed at interiors of the long air protection borders. The bed housing has a frame-shaped protection accommodating chamber, which is provided with at least an aperture at an appropriate position at an inner or outer side thereof for placing the aforesaid long air protection border. Furthermore, the bed housing is devised with attaching devices for joining with a long air protection border, thereby preventing the air protection borders from expanding outward for lengthening usage lifespan of the waterbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Andy S. Chow
  • Patent number: 7013508
    Abstract: A bed rail assembly includes a joint device connecting two top tubes, a pair of corner members mounted to free ends of the top tubes, two vertical tubes mounted to and depending from the corner members, and a pair of knuckle devices mounted to lower ends of the vertical tubes. Horizontal support tubes extend from the knuckle devices in a direction substantially normal to a plane defined by the top tubes and the vertical tubes. Extensions project from the knuckle devices to receive and fix support tube thereby forming a rectangular frame onto which a cover is attached to shield the frame. Each knuckle device includes a movable member movably connected to a base of the knuckle device to allow collapse of the bed rail. A Y-shaped belt and an L-shaped retention member are used to secure the bed rail assembly to a mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Sung-Tsun Wu
  • Patent number: 7013514
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a fire retardant mattress including a quilt panel positioned at a top sleeping surface of the mattress. A top fire retardant layer is positioned adjacent to the quilt panel. A side panel is positioned at a side surface of the mattress. A side fire retardant layer is positioned adjacent to the side panel. A bottom panel is positioned at a bottom surface of the mattress. Bottom fire retardant material is positioned only around the periphery of the bottom panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Blue Bell Mattress Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Byer
  • Patent number: 7011475
    Abstract: A method of preventing seismic liquefaction of the ground in an urban area built on reclaimed land consisting of a loose fine grained layer vulnerable to liquefaction underlain with a soft cohesive layer liable to uneven settlement comprising pumping out pore water from the loose fine grained layer to lower the groundwater table to the bottom level of that layer, then injecting into the loose fine grained layer tap water saturated with air and containing micro particles of fly ash or another mineral serving as vehicles of the air into the loose fine grained layer so as to form countless tiny air bubbles and thereby reduce the degree of saturation of that layer to a level preventing seismic liquefaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventor: Shunta Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 7003823
    Abstract: A crib safety net, which is securable to an open-top interior space of a crib, comprising one or more side panels coupled relative to each other, wherein the side panels form vertical panels of the crib safety net, wherein the side panels are capable of substantially covering the side walls of the open-top crib interior space, and wherein the side panels each include a top edge portion, and a bottom panel substantially perpendicularly coupled relative to the side panels, wherein the bottom panel forms a horizontal panel of the crib safety net, wherein the bottom panel is capable of substantially covering the support surface of the open-top crib interior space, and wherein the bottom panel is capable of being at least partially covered by a crib mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Crib Saftey Net, LLC
    Inventors: Philip A. Reed, Montessa L. Reed
  • Patent number: 6986176
    Abstract: A combination headboard and stowable tray characterized as having a vertically extending front surface and vertically extending back surface being spaced apart from one another to create a tray stowing compartment. A tray is pivotally appended to the bed headboard oriented substantially in a vertical orientation when stowed within the headboard and between the vertically extending front and back surfaces. The tray is rotatable about a first pivot to extend the tray outwardly from between the vertically extending front and back members while maintaining its vertical orientation. A second is pivot is provided for rotating the tray to a substantially horizontal orientation for its deployment as a tabletop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Inventor: Terry Kang Lin
  • Patent number: 6978502
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including a left end piece, a right end piece, and a pillow. The left end piece may have a recess into which a left portion of the pillow can be inserted. The right end piece may have a recess into which a right portion of the pillow can be inserted. The pillow may be substantially softer than the left end piece and the right end piece. The pillow, the left end piece, and the right end piece can be inserted into a sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Juanito B. Calagui
  • Patent number: 6978500
    Abstract: A bed for a person is provided. The bed includes a frame, a deck, and a mattress. The bed further includes a plurality of foot-operated controls configured to control features of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene E. Osborne, John W. Koenig, Glenn C. Suttman, Matthew Visca, Jack Wilker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6978589
    Abstract: A harvesting assembly includes a platform reel. The reel includes bat tubes extending longitudinally across the length of the reel. The bat tubes are mounted at their outer ends to opposed spider support elements each having a center rotatable hub. The bat tubes carry tines for feeding harvested crop to the harvesting platform. The interior of the reel is free of supporting elements such as a center tube extending across the length of the reel. Perimeter struts connect adjacent bat tubes and provide a supporting framework together with the bat tubes for the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Bernhard Lanzinger
  • Patent number: 6976280
    Abstract: An apparatus for resting a head of a user during sleep has a layer of closed cell foam disposed over a layer of open cell foam. A section of the apparatus that resembles a quarter moon in shape is removed to allow space for a head and shoulders of a user to better engage with the pillow sufficient to retain the user in a position of cooperation with the pillow. A pair of spaced-apart parallel cuts is provided from one end of the pillow to a depth of approximately two-thirds of the pillow to provide three hinged portions that are adapted to accommodate a portion of an arm or hand of the user that may be inserted under the pillow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventor: Alexander Taylor Coutts