Patents Examined by Michael F. Trettel
  • Patent number: 6718577
    Abstract: A blanket providing enhanced ventilation to a person lying underneath the blanket. The blanket includes a sheet of material having a plurality of spaced apertures. Each aperture includes an opening allowing the passage of air through the blanket. The blanket may also include a reinforcing section embedded within a perimeter of the sheet of material. The reinforcing section may be a tube containing trapped air. In addition, the blanket may include supports connected to a collar section. The supports allow the blanket to be raised a specified distance above the person lying under the blanket. When the person releases the blanket, the blanket returns to its original position, lying over the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Hongbiao Li
  • Patent number: 6715171
    Abstract: An air cell pillow includes an air cushion and a cover. The air cushion is encased by a cover that has a top, bottom and four side panels arranged generally in a box shape. The top and bottom panels each have a first thickness and the side panels each have a second thickness. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness. The first thickness provides a smooth, continuous surface atop the independent air cells of the cushion and the second thickness allowing the pillow to readily collapse upon application of a load to the top and bottom panels. The air cushion has separate zones that may be independently adjusted to vary the resiliency in each zone. The cushion has a base sheet and a top sheet. The top sheet is molded in the form of a plurality of air cells that are secured to and extend outwardly from the base sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Kurtis F. Grabe
  • Patent number: 6715168
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mosquito net frame. A rectangular top frame portion of the mosquito net frame is realized by easily assembling square tubes or rods and fittings together. Square tubes or rods are also used for corner columns that also interface with the fittings of the top frame at each corner of the top frame. A foot is added at the bottom of each column to assist in supporting the mosquito net frame from a frame of a cot or from a ground surface. A conventional mosquito netting or other fabric is supported by the mosquito net frame to protect a sleeping person. Disassembly and transport is realized by simply pulling the square tubes from the fittings and placing the components in a container with a secured lid for carrying, shipping and storing the mosquito net frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Troy Eugene Williams
  • Patent number: 6715170
    Abstract: A stretcher including a substantially rigid cavity defined by a base, opposing ends extending upwardly from the base, and opposing sidewalls disposed between the opposing ends and extending upwardly from the base. Each of the opposing sidewalls includes at least one low section so that a human limb can be extended out of the cavity to maneuver the stretcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas A. Richmond
  • Patent number: 6715173
    Abstract: A modular sleep system has a foundation unit, an support unit having an innerspring and a support surface covered with a friction material, and a comfort unit having compressible material encapsulated in a woven upholstery material which is engaged by the friction material on the support surface of the support unit to prevent lateral movement or sliding of the comfort unit relative to the support unit, without any fasteners between the support unit and the comfort unit. The comfort unit can be lifted vertically off of the support unit without release or use of any fasteners, to be turned over, fluffed or exchanged for a different comfort unit having different layers of internal materials, feature layers, and support characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sealy Technology LLC
    Inventors: Bruce G. Barman, William Freeman, David Crist
  • Patent number: 6711766
    Abstract: A plural-panel articulated (segmented) foldable/unfoldable (in a zigzag fashion) structure which can be unfolded and deployed in the form of a rectangular mat, and which can be folded to form plural other shapes, including a fully-folded shape which takes the form of a stack-cube of panels which is very compact in overall size. Each panel includes a central, anti-projectile barrier structure, and a cushioning foam structure, which offers features and advantages relating to fluid buoyancy, thermal insulation, and cushioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: MJD Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Russell A. Monk, Michael R. Dennis
  • Patent number: 6711762
    Abstract: A bed is provided for a vehicle with two adjacent seats separated from each other so that a gap is defined therebetween. The bed has a body that includes a first end disposed on one seat and a second disposed on the other seat. The bed bridges the gap between the seats. The width of the body is adjustable for fitting on the seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: KTK Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Olenick, Mark S. Olenick, Craig W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6708356
    Abstract: A bedding article includes a bottom panel and a top panel for receiving a baby. A plurality of fasteners secure the top and bottom panels and define a openings for receiving the lower torso and legs of the baby. A plurality of fasteners are spaced about the periphery of the bottom panel to releasably secure the bottom panel in a fixed position on a sleeping surface. In another aspect, the bedding article includes additional leg openings to allow selective placement of the child in a prone, supine, or side position. In further aspects, a pouch for receiving a portion of the baby and a garment worn by the baby for attachment to the bottom panel are provided. The bedding articles herein are advantageously used in conjunction with a mattress which is inclined to prevent the subject from sliding down the incline under the influence of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Laura A. LaValle
  • Patent number: 6708355
    Abstract: The invention is to provide a collapsible outdoor pillow structure, the said structure consisting of an inflatable bag and resilient body affixed onto its surface, wherein air can be admitted into and released from the said inflatable bag such that following the release of air from the said bag, a fastening component at one end of a pillow cloth casing bottom surface is attached to a fastening component along one side of a folding sack and the said pillow is rolled up in the said folding sack; after the fastening component along the rear surface of one side of the said folding sack is attached to another fastening component along the front surface at the other side, cords at the two ends of the folding sack are pulled to achieve the objective of conveniently carrying the said folding sack and the pillow outdoors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: SEDA Chemical Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kung-Han Wang, Chin-Sheng Huang
  • Patent number: 6704952
    Abstract: A storage locker for a sleeping cot (L) comprises a rigid container (90) of predetermined height, length, width, and cross-sectional shape, with a top (91), a bottom (92), a front (93), a back (94), a right end (95), a left end (116) and a recessed handle assembly (104). Vertical partitions (117, 119, and 120), and horizontal partitions (124, 126, and 128) within container (90) bound drawers (106), open-face compartments (108), and closed-faced compartments (118 and 121) fronted by access doors (110). Drawers (106) and doors (110) are locked closed by conventional cam locks (114). Container end apertures (96) facilitate optional attachment of prior-art foldable beverage container holder(s) (172) using various conventional fasteners including variable depth push fasteners (180). And apertures (100 and 101) in top 91 of container 90 facilitate its demountable attachment to a variety of sleeping cots (C) using conventional u-bolt assemblies (160).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Eugene Daniel Kurtz
  • Patent number: 6701559
    Abstract: An increased height inflatable support system consisting of two or more vertically stacked chambers. Such a support system can have one or more stabilizer bars attached to said support system, to help keep said support system from rolling over. In addition, the present invention introduces the concept of using a support chamber to provide additional strength at junctions between said vertically stacked chambers. Additionally, fabric, padding, or flocking may be added to one or more surfaces of an upper chamber to improve overall support system comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Aero Products International, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen L. Boso, Chen Ching-Chin
  • Patent number: 6701553
    Abstract: A bed (10) includes a base (12) and a frame assembly (14). A head end support assembly (16) and a foot end support assembly (18) are coupled between the base (12) and the frame assembly (14). The frame assembly (14) includes first and second side frame members (80, 82) located above the base (12). The bed (10) also includes a plurality of latch mechanisms (160) coupled to the first and second side frame members (80, 82), and a patient support surface (162) configured to be coupled to the first and second side frame members (80, 82) by the plurality of latch mechanisms (160). A rotational drive mechanism (130) is coupled to the foot end support assembly (18) to rotate the frame assembly (14) about its longitudinal axis to a prone position. A proning surface (250) is coupled to the frame assembly (14) to support a patient in the prone position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry D. Hand, Richard Robinson, Matthew R. Cayanaugh, Jack J. Brooks, Vincent L. Babson, Steven J. Doehler, Eric Weidner
  • Patent number: 6701552
    Abstract: A warm-air blower comprised of two air outlets and an air intake which is provided on either the left-hand side or right-hand side of an air blower unit. The air taken into the interior of the air blower unit through the intake flows through the interior of the air blower unit by a fan which is provided at a location relatively far away from the air intake. The fan blows the air through a heater chamber and further blows the heated air out of the blower unit through the air outlets that are arranged one above the other to an air-controlled bedding. One or both of the air outlets are equipped with a shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroko Suzuki, Yoshio Suzuki, Emi Suzuki, Ryutaro Kamiya
  • Patent number: 6694551
    Abstract: A facial support device having a frame and a cushion, or webbing, for supporting an individual's head, when the individual is reclining in a prone, face down position. The device of this invention is ergonomically designed to provide a gradual transition from the plane of an individual's reclining torso to his head, and thereby avoid or minimize stresses to the cervical spine, and to the musculature of the neck and back. This device includes an asymmetric opening associated with its cushion or webbing to permit unrestricted breathing by an individual when reclining in a face down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Alpa, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfonso R. Garrido
  • Patent number: 6694547
    Abstract: A bed enclosure includes a bed which is adapted to move up and down relative to a resting surface beneath the bed, and an enclosure which encloses at least the occupant portion of the bed. The enclosure is adapted to move up and down with the bed. Another embodiment of a bed enclosure includes a bed and an enclosure which comprises a plurality of panels. At least one of the panels is removably attached to the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Robert L. Vail
  • Patent number: 6694549
    Abstract: A patient support is provided having a frame, a deck positioned on the frame, and a mattress. The deck includes a deck section configured to move relative to the frame. The frame includes a recessed portion configured to receive the deck section during movement of the deck section relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Perez, Sohrab Soltani, James J. Romano
  • Patent number: 6694548
    Abstract: A hospital bed is provided for support of a patient. The hospital bed includes a base, a patient support coupled to the base, and a walker dockable to the patient support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Dale Foster, Ryan Anthony Reeder, John David Vogel
  • Patent number: 6691351
    Abstract: A spine protecting strap apparatus for trauma victim transportation has a longitudinal zipper with each side configured for detachable connection to the edges and at the head end of the supporting carrier. A plurality of adjustable length, transverse strap assemblies with releasable, slack take-ups have one end permanently connected to either side of the longitudinal zipper and the opposite end configured for detachable connection to corresponding edges of the carrier, so that, with the longitudinal zipper fully closed and the detachable connections connected to the carrier, the transverse straps are effectively connected across the width of the carrier and the straps can be tightened in order to immobilize the victim's body for transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Jarrett Wharton
  • Patent number: 6691348
    Abstract: A bed with adjustable positions comprises head, foot and central units. The head and foot units include respectively an upper and lower structure and a linear actuator for elevating or lowering the upper structure with respect to the lower structure. Two opposite upper structures can be elevated simultaneously or separately. The central unit is provided with a central platen to which a pair of side platens is hinged. A rotation subassembly is located in head and foot units respectively and is intended to turn the central unit, while an inclination subassembly is used to incline the side platens, so as to prevent the patient from sliding during rotation. A pneumatic bag subassembly is formed from upper and lower sections, which can be independently inflated or deflated. A reaction board, having a width slightly narrower than central platen and a length substantially equal to the upper section, is placed on the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen B. Plummer, Mike Jillings, J. Anthony Penny
  • Patent number: 6691344
    Abstract: A collapsible apparatus is provided that includes a frame configured to form a closed loop, the frame being moveable between a coiled configuration and an uncoiled configuration. A sleeve is configured to receive the frame and to define an opening within at least a portion of the closed loop. An attachment mechanism is coupled substantially about the periphery of the sleeve. A fabric member is removably coupled to the sleeve such that it is easily removed. A method of making mats according to an embodiment of the invention includes cutting fabric members from a first sheet of material, cutting body membranes from a second sheet of material such that the amount of excess material from the second sheet of material between adjacent body membranes is minimized, and attaching one of the body membranes to one of the fabric members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventors: Brian E. Le Gette, Justin S. Werner, Alan Tipp, Ronald L. Wilson, II, Matthew Laine