Patents Examined by Michael Trettel
  • Patent number: 8332978
    Abstract: A pillow is provided for the treatment of deformational plagiocephaly. The pillow may have arms which define a void with varying diameters to facilitate holding an infant's head to cause reshaping of the posterior of the skull. An anchoring mechanism may also be included to hold the pillow in place. A webbing may also be used between the arms to encourage the arms to remain against the infant's head and/or to engage a surface on which the pillow rests and limit sliding or the pillow or the infant's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventor: Steven Warnock
  • Patent number: 8332975
    Abstract: According to certain arrangements, a conditioner mat for use with a bed assembly includes an upper layer comprising a plurality of openings, a lower layer being substantially fluid impermeable, at least one interior chamber defined by the upper layer and the lower layer and a spacer material positioned within the interior chamber. In one embodiment, the spacer material is configured to maintain a shape of the interior chamber and to help with the passage of fluids within a portion of interior chamber. The conditioner mat additionally includes an inlet in fluid communication with the interior chamber, at least one fluid module comprising a fluid transfer device and a conduit placing an outlet of the at least one fluid module in fluid communication with the inlet. In some arrangements, the fluid module selectively delivers fluids to the interior chamber through the conduit and the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Brykalski, David Marquette, John Terech, Robert Vidojevski
  • Patent number: 8332973
    Abstract: A bed to a sofa conversion frame includes a backrest, a footer (optional) and a pair of armrests adapted to be solid state or assembled together to form a sofa frame around a traditional bed and it base frame. The pair of armrests forms a base for mounting the backrest and the footer via corresponding mounting hardware and mounting slots. Both the backrest and the footer may be a solid state unit or an assembly and/or foldable to provide easy storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Bed To A Sofa Conversion Company, LLC
    Inventor: Clark M. Davis
  • Patent number: 8327483
    Abstract: A foldable pillow (10) is disclosed having a pillow base (11) and a flexible strap (12) coupled to and spanning the pillow base. The pillow base is generally rectangular in shape having a top surface layer (14) and a bottom surface layer (15) which form an outer covering. The pillow strap is coupled to the pillow base closer to one end side (18) than the other end side. In use, the pillow may be folded and maintained in a folded configuration by tucking one end of the pillow below the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Encompass Group, LLC
    Inventors: Javier Zamora, Edward Ray Howard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8321971
    Abstract: A convertible sofa-bed which is easy to convert between a sofa configuration and a bed configuration is provided. From a sofa configuration, a buttock-foot member may be pulled outward. Simultaneously, a head rest member and back rest member which are initially at a generally vertical position are traversed to a generally horizontal position. When the buttock-foot member is fully traversed outward (i.e., extended position), the head rest member, back rest member and the buttock-foot member are generally substantially coplanar and generally horizontal. This provides a firm bed. From the bed configuration, head rest member and the back rest member may be buckled to allow the buttock-foot member to be pushed inward. The buttock-foot member is then pushed fully inward (i.e., retracted position) until the head rest member and the back rest member are in the generally vertical position with the buttock-foot member and back rest member forming a seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph Cabrera, Louis Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8321980
    Abstract: A flexible system is provided for surrounding a perimeter and covering a top surface of a mattress. The flexible system supports one or more appendage(s) of a character. The flexible system includes a textile or fabric frame for covering portions of a head side, a foot side and intermediate sides of the mattress. The textile or fabric frame forms an opening around a portion of a top surface of the mattress, where the opening has an inner peripheral edge. The flexible system further includes a cover sheet positioned over the top surface, and having an outer peripheral edge that is removably attached to the inner peripheral edge of the opening of the frame. The appendage(s) of the character are supported on the textile or fabric frame at one or more of the head side, the foot side and the intermediate sides of the mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: The Incredibeds LLC
    Inventor: Jeremy Maloney
  • Patent number: 8316490
    Abstract: A diaper changing device to mount to an infant car seat includes a cover having a first side, a second side, a plurality of individualized compartments spaced along a length of the cover and folding sections positioned between adjacent ones of the plurality of individualized compartments. The diaper changing device further includes a plurality of support members positioned within the individualized compartments and a plurality of fasteners attached to the cover. The plurality of fasteners are shaped to engage a lip formed on an edge of the infant car seat to secure the cover to the infant car seat in a position suspended over an interior region of the infant car seat with the second side of the cover facing the interior region and the first side of the cover facing outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventors: Tarra Ruth Bilak, Mark Ronald Bilak
  • Patent number: 8316488
    Abstract: There is disclosed a support pillow. The support pillow includes a body with a head rest and a neck rest along with a pair of arms extending outward and forward from the body to thereby surround the sides of the head and neck of a user. The support pillow may also incorporate a storage bag for compressing and storing the body and arms of the support pillow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Ana C. Rojas
  • Patent number: 8316482
    Abstract: The sleeping enclosure for an infant is comprised of a sleeping cushion and a dome-shaped net that rests atop. The sleeping enclosure is a soft pillow-like structure that is further defined by retaining walls such that an infant rests within and is incapable of rolling out of the sleeping cushion. The sleeping cushion rests and secures atop a mattress via at least one adjustable strap, which in conjunction with the sleeping cushion encircles said mattress. The dome shaped net rests atop the retaining walls and prevents objects from falling upon an infant contained within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Milane Martin, III
  • Patent number: 8307476
    Abstract: An apparatus for placement on the ground includes a pouch with a removable pillow that is preferably made of a memory foam type of material. A top sheet is formed of a desired flexible fabric material for comfort. The top sheet is extended to form the pouch. A preferred material for the top sheet includes a cotton cloth or cotton blend of fabric. A water resistant bottom sheet is optionally disposed or laminated under the top sheet and is used to keep the top sheet dry when the apparatus is placed on a damp surface. A plastic film or any flexible material resistant to the passage of moisture can be used as the bottom sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher Cline Weaver, Suzanne Weaver
  • Patent number: 8307477
    Abstract: Bed rail for children, comprising a grid element being releasably attachable, wherein the grid element, in an attached state, is extending along an edge of a bed above a resting area, wherein the grid element can be releasably connected with a mounting base via a locking member, the mounting base being positionable under the resting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Indowoods S.A.
    Inventor: Sebastien Boucquey
  • Patent number: 8307478
    Abstract: A disposable comfort sheet has a waterproof layer and an absorbent layer, with adhesive strips applied to the waterproof layer along side edges. The sheet is adapted for use with a patient transfer device having upper and lower counter-rotating belts, and protects the upper belt against contamination. The patient transfer device may have registration marks for installation of the sheet, and indicator marks can be printed at predetermined locations on the waterproof layer for alignment with the registration marks. The sheet may include various means for indicating prior use by a patient, such as an ink pattern made of a heat-sensitive or moisture-sensitive ink. The sheet may further include a peel-away layer releasably bonded to the absorbent layer, with additional longitudinal adhesive strips applied to the side edges of the peel-away layer. The peel-away layer protects the lower belt against contamination from the sheet after a patient is delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: MediGlider Corp.
    Inventors: Richard A. Patterson, Bryan D. Blackford
  • Patent number: 8302228
    Abstract: The present inventive subject matter is the method of use as well as a device or fixture for positioning and manipulating a patient's lower extremity for surgical and diagnostic procedures where alignment is critical and minute adjustments may be required. Once firmly attached to the operating table, the device prevents the patient's extremity from moving after the physician has selected the precise position for the elected procedure. This is achieved by a combination of a fracture reduction plate, posts, shimming blocks and an articulating and rotating frame or cradle with an adjustable and lockable rack and gear configuration and pivot joints attached to a foot assembly which acts as a leg and foot splint. The cradle is attached to the patient via a series of adjustable straps preventing the extremity from moving independently of the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Emad Aboujaoude
  • Patent number: 8302231
    Abstract: An attachment system and method for attaching a medical unit to a transport using connection brackets. The medical unit attaches to the connection brackets and restricts the movement of the medical unit during transportation. Use of the connection brackets enables quick and efficient attachment and removal of the medical unit from the transport. A connection bracket may be placed at one end of the transport and the medical unit may be attached to the connection bracket. Once the medical unit is placed on the transport, another connection bracket may be attached to the medical unit and connected to the transport. After the second connection bracket is connected, the medical unit can be transported to another location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Gold Cross Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S Moffitt, Andrew J Moffitt, Michael J Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8302227
    Abstract: Today, electromechanical actuator systems are used in a variety of applications, of which some are more safety critical than others. Likewise, they are used in a wide range of applications where the safety of persons often to a higher or lesser extent depends on that the actuators remains safe both during normal use and in the fault conditions, which may occur. By an actuator comprising a DC motor (2) equipped with a worm drive and a spindle (4), the typical wearing components are the bearing, which carries the spindle (4), the spindle nut (5) and the worm wheel (9) in the worm drive. Common to the described defect situations is that they in the time leading up to the occurrence of the defect will show a decrease in the ratio of efficiency. Whether it is the spindle bearing, the worm drive, the spindle nut (5) or for that matter the motor, which is getting worn, the proportion between the current which the motor absorbs and the force the actuator performs will change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventor: Svend Erik Knudsen Jensen
  • Patent number: 8302229
    Abstract: A furniture cushion comprises a matrix of interconnected pocketed springs, each spring of which is contained within a pocket of fabric, and a fiber pad overlying an upper surface of the matrix of pocketed springs, the fiber pad having a first layer in contact with the upper surface of the matrix of pocketed springs and a second layer in contact with the first layer, the first layer having a first density and said second layer having a second density, the first density being greater than the second density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Larry I. Bullard, Allen R. Sigmon, Ronald D. Stiles, Roger Tornero
  • Patent number: 8296882
    Abstract: A plurality of angled members that are positionable between a bed's mattress and box spring to prevent a pet from falling off or of being accidentally pushed off a bed. The angled member positioned at the foot of the bed extends from one side to the other whether twin, queen or king sized mattress with the side angled members positioned on opposing sides of the bed with each adjacently fastened to the foot member by means of at least one bracket. The vertical portion of the angled members sufficiently extends above the planar top surface of the mattress to form a barrier to prevent the aforementioned accidents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Frank Esposito
  • Patent number: 8291531
    Abstract: A rectangular sleeping pad includes a plurality of projections on one end; a plurality of through holes each correspondingly adjacent to the projection; a plurality of tongues each correspondingly distal the through hole; and a plurality of units each having a first slot at one side of the tongue and a second slot at the other side of the tongue, whereby partially pulling out the tongues will leave a plurality of spaces, and bending one end of the sleeping pad to insert the projections into the spaces, and inserting the tongues through the through holes will temporarily form a pillow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Jen-Tsu Kuo
  • Patent number: 8291529
    Abstract: A patient lift includes a base with one or more casters supporting the base for movement relative to a support surface. A mast is supported by the base and extends generally upwards. An elongated boom is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the mast and extends in a forward direction. The boom is adapted to support a patient. An actuator is operatively connected to the boom, and the actuator is adapted to be driven to move the boom relative to the mast in order to move the supported patient relative to the support surface. The patient lift also includes a handle assembly mounted to the mast. The handle assembly includes a first side handle that extends to a position on the forward side of the mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Joerns Healthcare, LLC
    Inventor: Melvin C. Biersteker
  • Patent number: 8286282
    Abstract: A support apparatus includes a bed frame with movable portions and a mattress supported on the bed frame. A control system synchronously controls inflation and deflation of at least one air bladder of the mattress and movement of at least one of the movable portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Kummer, Gregory W. Branson, Eric R. Meyer, Bradley T. Wilson, Tanya Taber, Kenith W. Chambers, Michael M. Frondorf, John Vodzak, James R. Stolpmann, Roger D. Dalton, Kenneth R. Smith, Jeffrey A. Heyser