Patents Examined by Michael F. Trettel
  • Patent number: 7086107
    Abstract: A patient support is provided comprising a frame including a deck support and a step deck positioned on the deck support. The step deck has an upper deck, a lower deck, and a side wall, the upper deck being spaced apart from the lower deck to define a recess of the deck. The step deck includes a first section and a second section configured to articulate relative to the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig D. Ellis, Kenneth L. Kramer, Jason C. Brooke, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 7086102
    Abstract: A unitized bedclothes assembly simplifies bed making operations and prevents loosening and disarrangement of bed coverings while a person is sleeping and when the bed is unoccupied. Elastic bands clasp a fitted sheet to an underlying mattress. A fabric top covering is permanently fastened to the fitted sheet at the foot region of the bedclothes assembly. Fastener elements extend along at least one side of the top covering and are selectively engageable with additional fastener elements which extend along the corresponding side of the fitted sheet. The top covering has skirt flaps which hang down at opposite sides of the bedclothes assembly and give the assembly the neat appearance of a bed which has been made in the traditional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Frazier
  • Patent number: 7017201
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a table structure that can be converted into bed or table according to user's needs. Wherein a base frame of the present invention is respectively provided with a bed having two L-shape side frames and a table having two side shelves. The two side shelves of the table are connected to the base frame through spiral arms, by virtue of the pivotal connection between the L-shape side frames and the side shelves, the bed can be positioned respectively in a horizontal manner or in a vertical manner. Through the spiral arms, the table can be lowered down or raised up relative to the bed, such that the device of the present invention can be converted into a bed or a table as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Yu-Ting Lin
  • Patent number: 6957454
    Abstract: A mattress cover with massaging mechanism and heating element built in that includes a foam padding structure, positionable over the top of a mattress and having a cavity provided therein, a padding structure cover and a number of multi-fold, massaging ridge members that pass through the cavity and into connection with a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism being controlled by a remote control unit provided to allow a user to adjust the frequency and intensity of the massage, providing movement of the multi-fold, massaging ridge members generated by operation of the drive mechanism while laying down on the padding structure cover; a heating element is optionally added to the padding structure to cover across the user to receive heat treatment while receiving a massage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Kitala Ann Newton
  • Patent number: 6931681
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting, and accommodating movement of patients with repetitive motion disorders. A chair of the present design will include a first sliding mechanism with carries a seat member along a range of motion relative to the over-all apparatus frame, and a second sliding mechanism for carrying the frame relative to a base. Either or both sliding mechanisms may be provided with shock absorbing or movement resistance features for further dampening a patient's movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventors: Robbie Allison, Paul Allison, Lisa Martinez
  • Patent number: 6907629
    Abstract: A tabletop useful for accurate positioning of a patient for imaging and diagnosis, so that patient positioning in subsequent medical treatments, such as radiation therapy, accurately and precisely correlates with the imaging data. The tabletop of the present invention is a solid flat tabletop adapted to fit over or as an insert in a conventional CT imaging or scan table and provides a flexible support section in which the flexible support material is tensioned to provide a vertical deflection corresponding to the vertical deflection of a flexible patient support of a treatment simulator or linear accelerator. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible support section may be removed and inserted into the treatment table to provide an exact correlation in vertical deflection during treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Diacor, Inc.
    Inventors: Wallace A. Longton, Curtis Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 6898814
    Abstract: A bed cushion providing a soft feeling without bottomed feeling and providing a cushionability even against a small load and a durability, and a bed using the cushion; a forming die for cushion capable of smoothly and neatly releasing a product by reducing a sticky feeling and a blocking produced when releasing the cushion formed by using elastomer; the cushion, comprising thin-walled partition walls erected parallel with each other generally in a lattice shape in plan view, whereby a soft contact feeling near a water bed can be provided while preventing air blow noise from being produced by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: France Bed Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Kawamura, Yukihiro Takeda, Kenichi Tsuruhashi, Hirotoshi Kubota, Masao Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6898813
    Abstract: An innerspring assembly includes a first plurality of interconnected strings of pocketed first springs. A second plurality of strings of springs is provided and so incorporated in the innerspring assembly that at least one string of springs of the second plurality is placed between two neighboring strings of the first plurality of interconnected springs, wherein the second springs have a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of the first springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: AGRO Federkernproduktions GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Grothaus
  • Patent number: 6895612
    Abstract: This is a hammock for a sailboat. This invention allows the user of this specially designed hammock to maximize the space above the cabin top. It is attached at three points of attachment as described in the application and may be attached using a variety of means. Embodiments of this invention have been disclosed and described. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to this invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Claiborne Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6895616
    Abstract: An epidural patient support includes an upper body support and a foot support. The upper body support extends outwardly from the patient support to support a patient's upper body with the patient's back arched forwardly. The foot support extends outwardly from the patient support to support the patient's feet. According to another illustrative embodiment, an epidural patient support is provided for placing a patient in a prone position for an epidural procedure with the patient's back arched upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard H. Heimbrock
  • Patent number: 6883191
    Abstract: A bed foundation is provided which is constructed of blow-molded plastic and may be assembled without using tools. The components of the bed foundation all have lengths of less than 60 inches and may be packaged together in a container having a length less than 60 inches and a girth less than 84 inches, so as to avoid shipping penalties. The components are constructed and arranged to allow disassembly and storage when the foundation is not in use. One embodiment provides a bed foundation that, when assembled, has a top panel which overhangs the side rails to permit an oversized mattress to be placed thereon. Additionally, bed legs are provided that are configured to mate with contours in the foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Select Comfort Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Gaboury, James E. Gifft, Daniel J. Koughan, Brian C. Beth, Donald J. Smith, Michael A. Andreini, Alan L. Carlson, Kevin J. Ward
  • Patent number: 6880187
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting a person's upper torso in particular, the forearms to a generally parallel position to a floor surface in relation to a work product. A lifting apparatus includes a base support for moving the lifting apparatus horizontally on a floor surface. The base support may include a plurality of wheels being lockable. A platform having a multilayer construction for supporting at least a user thereon. The multilayer construction having a non-slip layer outer layer, a compressible inner layer, and a base layer. A vertical lifting system coupled to a platform and coupled to a base support. The vertical lifting system is configured to vertically move the platform through a plurality of heights above a floor surface. The vertical lifting system may have a pair of laterally mounted hollow stanchions in which each stanchion includes a axially rotatable threaded rod for matingly receiving a gear which is mounted to a drive shaft that provides rotary movement to the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: Robert E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6874177
    Abstract: A baby furniture includes a boundary frame, a body supporting member spaced apart with the boundary frame, and a plurality of supporting legs connected the boundary frame with the supporting member. A boundary shelter is supported by the boundary frame to surround an interior space within the supporting legs and define a play yard cavity within the supporting legs at a position above the body supporting member and a bassinet cavity within the supporting legs at a position below the body supporting member. Therefore, the baby furniture functions as a play yard when an opening of the play yard cavity faces upwardly and as a bassinet when an opening of the bassinet cavity faces upwardly by flipping the baby furniture in an up side down manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: Ben Ming Hsia
  • Patent number: 6874185
    Abstract: A foam core cushion mattress assembly provides semi-independent foam pillars on the upper surface of the mattress. The mattress may be unitary, or comprise multiple cushioning components, possibly base, body support and foot cushions. The body support cushion is constructed from a flat, rectangular solid, foam element whose upper surface is cut into an array of rectangular solid pillars, preferably by a hot wire cutting method. The array of rectangular solid pillars is grouped into a central array comprising pillars with generally square top surfaces and edge rows of rectangular solid pillars having rectangular top surfaces. The depth of the hot wire cuts into the surface of the body support cushion is preferably approximately one-half the overall thickness of the body support cushion or approximately three fourths of the length of the shortest face of the pillar. A zippered fabric cover removeably envelops the assembled cushioning components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Phillips, Blane Sanders, Chris Niederkrom
  • Patent number: 6874181
    Abstract: A therapeutic bed (1) comprises a patient support platform (7) rotatably mounted on a base frame (4) for rotation about a longitudinal pivot axis between a supine support position and a prone support position. The base frame (4) is in turn mounted on a wheeled chassis (2) by pivot linkages (5) which allow tilting and raising and lowering of the base frame (4) on the chassis (2). Drive interlocks prevent rotation of the patient support platform (7) unless side rails (25) are locked on the patient support platform (7) and patient support flaps (40, 41) extending between the side rails (25) are locked together to secure a patient on the patient support platform (7). Guides (51) are provided at each end of the patient support platform (7) at the longitudinal rotational axis to guide patient care lines between a patient on the patient support platform (7) and associated devices externally of the patient support platform (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Una Connolly, Chinnathamby Vijayendran, Patrick Joseph Connolly
  • Patent number: 6874178
    Abstract: A bed frame arrangement which includes a fixed outer bed frame (1) and a movable inner bed frame (2), wherein the movable inner bed frame is displaceably mounted in the outer fixed bed frame (1) through the medium of elongate slide blocks that have a surface layer of low-friction material applied to at least one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Hästens Sängar AB
    Inventor: Jan Wall
  • Patent number: 6859966
    Abstract: A diaper changing station includes a support platform configured for supporting a child and having a bottom surface and side surfaces. The support platform is hingedly fixable at an edge with respect to a wall to move between an open position and a closed position against the wall. A panel is configured to overlie and cover at least a portion of the bottom surface and to be generally exposed when the support platform is in the closed position. A frame structure is configured to engage the bottom surface and side surfaces of the support platform for securement thereto. The frame structure secures the panel with the support platform. A lip is formed around the side surfaces of the platform. An edge of the frame structure abuts the lip when the frame structure engages the support platform to present a seamless appearance. In another aspect, the changing station includes a backer plate coupled to the base and having a cleat. Another backer plate is mounted to a wall and has a cleat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: John A. Helmsderfer
  • Patent number: 6859958
    Abstract: An enclosure for a crib or playpen includes a dome-shaped top and a box-shaped bottom structure completely enclosing the interior of a crib or playpen. The enclosure includes a flap in the dome-shaped top to allowing a parent or guardian to easily place a child in or remove a child from the crib or playpen. The enclosure also has features which prevent a child from opening the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Mark LaMantia
  • Patent number: 6859961
    Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus and method including a bed and a therapeutic mattress having a cover therefor. The bed has a frame and a therapeutic mattress with a plurality of inflatable air chambers; a cover on the mattress has a generally planar extent sufficient for covering at least a portion of the mattress; a plurality of spaced apart bolsters extend upwardly from the top surface of the cover adjustably connected and oriented generally parallel to a periphery of the mattress; a plurality of connectors is positioned on the cover and are engageable with the mattress and/or the bed frame to thereon secure the cover; the plurality of bolsters includes at least two bolsters sufficiently spaced apart along a lateral periphery of the mattress to therebetween leave a gap to aid ingress and egress of a person, and at least one bolster positioned along the foot of the mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: John William Barr
  • Patent number: 6857147
    Abstract: Certain embodiments include a system and method for synchronized telescopic guidance along a longitudinal axis in a patient positioning system. The system includes a top channel driven by a motor, a bottom channel synchronized with the top channel, and a rack and pinion for transmitting drive from the top channel to the bottom channel. The bottom channel is driven by the top channel. The system may also include a gear for transmitting drive from the top channel to the bottom channel using the rack and pinion. The system may also include a plurality of racks and pinions for transmitting drive from the top channel to the bottom channel. Additionally, the size of the pinion meshing with the top channel may be half the size of the pinion meshing with the bottom channel. The bottom channel may move along the top channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Baskar Somasundaram