Patents Examined by Michael F. Trette
  • Patent number: 5857230
    Abstract: A combination motorcycle hammock and jack which, when used as a hammock, includes a cargo carrier rack support structure preferably attached to the cargo carrier rack of a motorcycle, an outwardly extending motorcycle hammock extension arm, a vertical support member and a lightweight flexible fabric material stretched from the outwardly extending motorcycle hammock extension arm to, for example, opposing handlebars of the motorcycle. Alternatively, the cargo carrier rack support structure could be placed underneath the motorcycle frame and the motorcycle hammock extension arm could be pivoted downwardly about a fulcrum to act as a lever and cause the motorcycle cargo carrier rack support structure to lift and support at least a portion of the motorcycle to permit, for example, repair and/or replacement of a flat tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: James H. Dowdy
  • Patent number: 5749109
    Abstract: The present invention relates to blankets for use with forced air convection systems, wherein the blankets include means to provide air through selective areas of the lower sheet of the blanket. In particular, perforations are provided through the lower sheet of the blanket over only selective areas, such that air exits toward only those portions of a patient which are covered by areas of the blanket having perforations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Kappel
  • Patent number: 5680661
    Abstract: A hospital bed that converts from a bed configuration to a chair configuration that is used in combination with different care/therapy modules. When in the chair configuration, the bed is designed to interface at its foot end with the different care/therapy modules to facilitate the use of such modules. The care/therapy modules include, for example, a general purpose cart, a motorized leg exercise device, a walking exercise device, a non-motorized leg exercise device, a commode, a wheelchair and/or a hydrotherapy unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Dale Foster, Ryan Anthony Reeder, Allen L. Walke, David W. Hornbach
  • Patent number: 5644810
    Abstract: A pillow for supine and side-oriented sleeping positions comprises a pillow casing for a pillow having opposed horizontal side head end support units and a central head back support unit there between comprising vertically opposed neck-bones' support sections separated by an overall central head back rest section. The respective units and sections are segregated into attached, compartmentalized areas where the head back support unit is lower than the horizontal end support units, and the head back rest section is lower than the vertically opposed neck-bones' support sections. A first side head support unit is constructed at the end of horizontal end section of the pillow casing of the pillow. A second side head support unit is constructed at the opposed horizontal end section of the pillow casing. A head back support unit is placed between the first and second side head support units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Inventor: Katsuya Kato