Patents by Inventor Dale Foster

Dale Foster has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20090051484
    Abstract: An interface system for wirelessly actuating a relay associated with a moveable structure and method for use of same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a local access device having call box functionality and a server communicate over a wireless network such as cellular network. The interface provided by the local access device and supporting server may furnish one or more mutually exclusive unique access functionalities relating to a database for Wiegand-compatible access devices and routing of calls from the local access device with the call box functionality to an owner who may or may not be located on premises.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: W. Dale Foster, E. Noel Gouldin, JR., Stuart W. Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20070248219
    Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly actuating a moveable structure are disclosed. In one embodiment, a cellular device is utilized to send a command signal to a server, which, in turn verifies the command signal and, upon verification, transmits a control signal over a cellular network. The control signal is received by a local access device that is electromechanically coupled to a control unit for actuating the moveable structure from a first position to a second position in response to receiving the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: W. Dale Foster, E. Noel Gouldin, Stuart W. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 6993799
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus is disclosed including a patient support and a powered transport device to facilitate movement of a patient support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Dale Foster, Ryan Anthony Reeder, John David Vogel
  • Publication number: 20050109655
    Abstract: A covering 10 for protecting an item that is placed within the covering 10 is provided. The covering 10 includes a substantially continuous tubing 11 having an inner surface 22, an outer surface 20, and a first opening 32 providing access to a cavity 34 of the continuous tubing 11. The continuous tubing 11 is adapted to have items to be protected inserted into cavity 34 of the tubing 11 through the first opening 32. A method for creating the protective covering 10 is also provided. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the method includes sealing an automobile bumper in the tubing 11 for protection of the bumper during material handling thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Raymond Vershum, Dale Foster, Joseph Osborne
  • Publication number: 20050097834
    Abstract: Pool cover tracking systems are used to cover and uncover pool covers over pools. A leading edge bar 110 is connected to the pool cover 102. The leading edge bar 110 is also operatively connected to opposing slider assemblies 112, 114 which traverse about opposing tracks 106,108. A connector 120 is utilized to connect the leading edge bar 110 to the slider assemblies 112, 114. The connector 120 is an endcap having a first mating member 162 adapted to removably mate with a second mating member 166 of the leading edge bar 110. The endcap 120 further has a receiver 164 to slidingly receive and slidingly retain a component of a slider assembly 112, 114. The receiver 164 allows for lateral movement of the slider assembly 112, 114 in the endcap 120 to assist in preventing jams of the pool cover tracking system. The receiver 164 may also have a plurality of apertures 174, each of which can engage the slider assembly 112, 114 to allow for vertical alignment of the leading edge bar 110.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: James King, Dale Foster
  • Publication number: 20040194210
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus is disclosed including a patient support and a powered transport device to facilitate movement of a patient support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: L. Dale Foster, Ryan Anthony Reeder, John David Vogel
  • Patent number: 6725474
    Abstract: A hospital bed is provided for support of a patient. The hospital bed may include a base, a movable patient support platform, and a foot rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Dale Foster, Ryan Anthony Reeder, John David Vogel
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030019036
    Abstract: A hospital bed is provided for support of a patient. The hospital bed may include a base, a movable patient support platform, and a foot rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: L. Dale Foster, Ryan Anthony Reeder, John David Vogel
  • Publication number: 20020116760
    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: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: L. Dale Foster, Ryan Anthony Reeder, John David Vogel
  • Patent number: 6374436
    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: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Dale Foster, Ryan Anthony Reeder, John David Vogel
  • Patent number: 6112345
    Abstract: A hospital bed has a base with casters, a main frame mounted above the base, a patient support platform movably mounted on the main frame including a leg panel, and a toilet module disposed beneath the patient support platform and normally concealed by the leg panel. The platform moves toward a head end of the bed retracting the leg panel from over the toilet module exposing the toilet module for use. The leg panel pivots downwardly after exposing the toilet module, and a head panel pivots upwardly to configure the hospital bed into a chair position. Bolsters are located outboard of each lateral edge of the leg panel and provide side support to a patient moving from the platform to the toilet module and back. A pair of pivoting footboard halves or foot gates are operably mounted to the platform and retract with the platform to between the foot and head end casters. Downward forces applied to the foot gates when utilized as hand rails are applied intermediate the foot and head end casters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Company, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Dale Foster, Ryan Anthony Reeder, John David Vogel
  • Patent number: 5933888
    Abstract: A hospital bed has a base with casters, a main frame mounted above the base, a patient support platform movably mounted on the main frame including a leg panel, and a toilet module disposed beneath the patient support platform and normally concealed by the leg panel. The platform moves toward a head end of the bed retracting the leg panel from over the toilet module exposing the toilet module for use. The leg panel pivots downwardly after exposing the toilet module, and a head panel pivots upwardly to configure the hospital bed into a chair position. Bolsters are located outboard of each lateral edge of the leg panel and provide side support to a patient moving from the platform to the toilet module and back. A pair of pivoting footboard halves or foot gates are operably mounted to the platform and retract with the platform to between the foot and head end casters. Downward forces applied to the foot gates when utilized as hand rails are applied intermediate the foot and head end casters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Company, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Dale Foster, Ryan Anthony Reeder, John David Vogel
  • Patent number: 5708997
    Abstract: A hospital bed has a base with casters, a main frame mounted above the base, a patient support platform movably mounted on the main frame including a leg panel, and a toilet module disposed beneath the patient support platform and normally concealed by the leg panel. The platform moves toward a head end of the bed retracting the leg panel from over the toilet module exposing the toilet module for use. The leg panel pivots downwardly after exposing the toilet module, and a head panel pivots upwardly to configure the hospital bed into a chair position. Bolsters are located outboard of each lateral edge of the leg panel and provide side support to a patient moving from the platform to the toilet module and back. A pair of pivoting footboard halves or foot gates are operably mounted to the platform and retract with the platform to between the foot and head end casters. Downward forces applied to the foot gates when utilized as hand rails are applied intermediate the foot and head end casters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Company, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Dale Foster, Ryan Anthony Reeder, John David Vogel
  • 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: 5672849
    Abstract: A patient weigh scale comprises a base, an upright support pole mounted to the base, and a cantilever boom pivotally mounted on one end to an upper end of the upright support pole. A bracing arm is pivotally mounted on one end to the upright support pole and removably secured on the other end to the cantilever boom when perpendicular to the upright support pole. A latch is rotatably mounted to the upright support pole for latching the scale to a hospital bed while allowing rotation of the scale relative to the bed about a generally vertical axis. A cross member is pivotally mounted to the other end of the boom for pivoting relative to the boom about a generally vertical axis. A pair of cantilever beam load cells are mounted on either end of the cross member and are oriented transverse to the cross member and have fixed ends mounted to the cross member and free ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Company, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Dale Foster, Ryan Anthony Reeder
  • Patent number: 5647491
    Abstract: An IV rack is a frame having spaced horizontal bars. IV containers are hung from the top bar. Pumps are mounted between the lower bars. Conductors and accessible contacts for the respective pumps are mounted in and form a part of the IV rack so that the pumps can be connected to a single DC power supply and a single AC power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie Dale Foster, Clement J. Koerber, John Walter Ruehl
  • Patent number: 5577279
    Abstract: A hospital bed has a base with casters, a main frame mounted above the base, a patient support platform movably mounted on the main frame including a leg panel, and a toilet module disposed beneath the patient support platform and normally concealed by the leg panel. The platform moves toward a head end of the bed retracting the leg panel from over the toilet module exposing the toilet module for use. The leg panel pivots downwardly after exposing the toilet module, and a head panel pivots upwardly to configure the hospital bed into a chair position. Bolsters are located outboard of each lateral edge of the leg panel and provide side support to a patient moving from the platform to the toilet module and back. A pair of pivoting footboard halves or foot gates are operably mounted to the platform and retract with the platform to between the foot and head end casters. Downward forces applied to the foot gates when utilized as hand rails are applied intermediate the foot and head end casters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Company, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Dale Foster, Ryan A. Reeder, John D. Vogel
  • Patent number: 5562091
    Abstract: A hospital bed supported on a wheeled base, and a ventilator supported on a wheeled cart and docked to the base of the bed, the combination of ventilator and bed capable of being rolled as a single unit. The ventilator cart includes a wheeled base, and supports connected to the base for supporting a ventilator, with the supports providing for selective raising and lowering of the ventilator. The hospital bed base is wheeled and has a generally Y-shaped base frame. The outspread arms of the Y-shaped base frame receives the ventilator cart so that the two may be docked together. The ventilator when docked to the hospital bed base falls within the footprint of the bed as projected downwardly onto the floor. A latch secures the ventilator to the bed base. A disabling switch disables the high/low function of the bed preventing the bed from being lowered downwardly onto the ventilator. A power supply mounted to the bed base provides for uninterrupted operation of the ventilator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Company, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Dale Foster, Ryan A. Reeder
  • Patent number: 5527289
    Abstract: An infusion delivery system eliminates the requirement for individual "smart pump" assemblies each of which includes a processor, power supply and operator I/O for each IV container suspended on an IV rack. An acquisition module capable of supporting multiple IV containers is suspended from the hospital bed frame and includes a plurality of ports into which a connector is inserted for controlling a dumb pump on each IV container. The acquisition module includes a processor, power supply and operator input/output mechanism for programming the delivery schedule for each of several IV containers. The dumb pump on each IV container includes only the mechanical components required for pumping the IV fluid to the patient. The infusion delivery system thus provides a less cluttered, more compact, and economical delivery system for IV fluids compared to the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Company, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Dale Foster, John W. Ruehl