Patents by Inventor Eric R. Meyer

Eric R. Meyer 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).

  • 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: 7076818
    Abstract: A patient support or bed is disclosed having a frame, a mattress, and a plurality of siderails. A detector is disclosed that detects a position of a siderail relative to a portion of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Kummer, Gregory W. Branson, Eric R. Meyer, Brad Wilson, Tanya Taber, Ken Chambers, Mike Frondorf, John Vodzak, Jim Stolpmann, Roger Dalton, Ken Smith, Jeffrey A. Heyser
  • Patent number: 7000272
    Abstract: A patient support is disclosed having an adjustable length deck and a mattress positionable on the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: E. David Allen, Kenneth L. Kramer, Peter M. Wukusick, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich, James M. C. Thomas, Paul M. McDaniel, III, Denis R. Zwink
  • Publication number: 20040221391
    Abstract: A patient support is disclosed having an adjustable length deck and a mattress positionable on the deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: E. David Allen, Kenneth L. Kramer, Peter M. Wukusick, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich, James M.C. Thomas, Paul M. McDaniel, Dennis R. Zwink
  • Publication number: 20040034931
    Abstract: A detector detects a position of a siderail relative to a portion of a bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph A. Kummer, Gregory W. Branson, Eric R. Meyer, Brad Wilson, Tanya Taber, Ken Chambers, Mike Frondorf, John Vodzak, Jim Stolpmann, Roger Dalton, Ken Smith, Jeffrey A. Heyser
  • Patent number: 6684427
    Abstract: A patient support is disclosed having an adjustable length deck and a mattress positionable on the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: E. David Allen, Kenneth L. Kramer, Peter M. Wukusick, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich, James M. C. Thomas, Paul M. McDaniel, III, Denis R. Zwink
  • Patent number: 6584628
    Abstract: A chair bed including a bedframe and a mattress positioned on the bedframe is provided. The bedframe is configured to move between a substantially flat bed position and a chair position. The mattress includes an inflatable treatment apparatus such as a pulmonary rotational therapy device, a pulsation therapy device, or a decubitus ulcer treatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Kummer, Gregory W. Branson, Eric R. Meyer, Brad Wilson, Tanya Taber, Ken Chambers, Mike Frondorf, John Vodzak, Jim Stolpmann, Roger Dalton, Ken Smith
  • Publication number: 20030088920
    Abstract: A patient support is disclosed having an adjustable length deck and a mattress positionable on the deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: E. David Allen, Kenneth L. Kramer, Peter M. Wukusick, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich, James M.C. Thomas, Paul J. McDaniel, Dennis R. Zwink
  • Publication number: 20030079293
    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: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: 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: 6499167
    Abstract: A mattress is provided for use with a bed deck having a recess. The mattress includes a mattress section configured to define a patient rest surface and a mattress section support configured to support the mattress section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    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: 6496993
    Abstract: A bed having a foot prop on an adjustable length deck foot section and a mattress with a length and thickness adjustable foot section and a thickness adjustable heel section. The adjustability of the deck and the mattress allows sizing of the bed to the occupant as well as heel management. The foot prop is also adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: E. David Allen, Kenneth L. Kramer, Peter M. Wukusick, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich, James M. C. Thomas, Paul M. McDaniel, III, Dennis R. Zwink
  • Publication number: 20020059679
    Abstract: A method is provided for permitting a module which is configured to perform a dedicated function on a bed to use a graphical interface. Graphic format data used by the module is downloaded, if necessary, and stored in a memory of the graphical interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Weismiller, Joseph A. Kummer, Peter M. Wukusick, Gregory W. Branson, Kenneth L. Kramer, Stephen R. Schulte, Philip D. Palermo, James M.C. Thomas, Daniel F. Dlugos, Jay T. Butterbrodt, David J. Ulrich, David A. Albersmeyer, Jason C. Brooke, Eric R. Meyer, John D. Miller, John W. Ruehl
  • Patent number: 6351863
    Abstract: A sleep support surface includes a mattress having at least two bladders located adjacent a foot end. The bladders each have a predetermined, adjustable internal pressure. The pressure in at least one of the bladders is selectively and independently reduced to provide pressure relief on the heels of the patient lying on the mattress. The pressure in a bladder located toward the head end of the mattress and adjacent the at least one bladder is increased. This pressure increase advantageously provides the lifting force under the calves of the patient to reduce further pressure on the patient's heels. A visual indication of the location each of the at least two bladders in the mattress is provided to facilitate selection of the at least one bladder in which to reduce pressure during the pressure reducing step, thereby providing pressure relief on the heels of the patient lying on the mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Meyer, Greg W. Branson, Richard J. Schuman, David J. Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20010001163
    Abstract: A bed having a foot prop on an adjustable length deck foot section and a mattress with a length and thickness adjustable foot section and a thickness adjustable heel section. The adjustability of the deck and the mattress allows sizing of the bed to the occupant as well as heel management. The foot prop is also adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: May 17, 2001
    Inventors: E. David Allen, Kenneth L. Kramer, Peter M. Wukusick, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich, James M.C. Thomas, Paul M. McDaniel, Dennis R. Zwink
  • Patent number: 6212714
    Abstract: A bed having a foot prop on an adjustable length deck foot section and a mattress with a length and thickness adjustable foot section and a thickness adjustable heel section. The adjustability of the deck and the mattress allows sizing of the bed to the occupant as well as heel management. The foot prop is also adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: E. David Allen, Kenneth L. Kramer, Peter M. Wukusick, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich, James M. C. Thomas, Paul M. McDaniel, III, Denis R. Zwink
  • Patent number: 6163903
    Abstract: A bed including a frame, an articulating deck on the frame having head, seat, and foot deck sections, and a mattress on the deck. The deck foot section and mattress foot portion have a first length when the foot section is in the up position and a second length shorter than said first length when the foot section is in the down position. A first driver varies the length of the deck foot section, and a second driver moves the foot section relative to said seat section between the generally horizontal up position and the generally vertically downwardly extending down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Weismiller, Joseph A. Kummer, Peter M. Wukusick, Gregory W. Branson, Kenneth L. Kramer, Stephen R. Schulte, Philip D. Palermo, James M. C. Thomas, Daniel F. Dlugos, Jr., Jay T. Butterbrodt, David J. Ulrich, David A. Albersmeyer, Jason C. Brooke, Eric R. Meyer, John D. Miller, John W. Ruehl
  • Patent number: 6151739
    Abstract: A sleep support surface includes a mattress having at least two bladders located adjacent a foot end. The bladders each have a predetermined, adjustable internal pressure. The pressure in at least one of the bladders is selectively and independently reduced to provide pressure relief on the heels of the patient lying on the mattress. The pressure in a bladder located toward the head end of the mattress and adjacent the at least one bladder is increased. This pressure increase advantageously provides the lifting force under the calves of the patient to reduce further pressure on the patient's heels. A visual indication of the location each of the at least two bladders in the mattress is provided to facilitate selection of the at least one bladder in which to reduce pressure during the pressure reducing step, thereby providing pressure relief on the heels of the patient lying on the mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Meyer, Greg W. Branson, Richard J. Schuman, David J. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 5970789
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating pressure interface performance of a support surface for supporting a body are provided. The method includes the step of providing an array of pressure sensors covering substantially the entire support surface. The pressure sensors each provide an output signal indicating interface pressure with the body at one of a plurality of separate pressure nodes on the support surface. The method also includes the steps of engaging the support surface with the body, and calculating a pressure index using interface pressure output signals from the array of pressure sensors at all active pressure nodes to generate a single numeric value indicating pressure interface performance of the entire support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Meyer, David J. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 5940910
    Abstract: A bed including a stepped deck is provided which is configured to support a mattress including a lower mattress section and an upper mattress section. The deck includes an upper deck, and a lower deck coupled to the upper deck by a deck side wall so that the lower deck is spaced apart from the upper deck to define a recess of the deck. The lower deck is configured to support the lower mattress section within the recess of the deck with the bottom surface of the lower mattress section engaging the lower deck. The side wall of the deck is configured to be located adjacent the side wall of the lower mattress section. The top surface of the lower mattress section is aligned generally in a plane of the upper deck. The upper deck is configured to support the upper mattress section with the top surface of the upper mattress section extending above the upper deck to provide a body support surface. The bottom surface of the upper mattress section engages the upper deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Weismiller, Gregory W. Branson, Kenneth L. Kramer, Philip D. Palermo, David J. Ulrich, David A. Albersmeyer, Jason C. Brooke, Eric R. Meyer, John D. Miller
  • Patent number: 5781949
    Abstract: A rotational therapy apparatus is provided for use on a bed having a base frame, a deck coupled to the base frame, a support surface located on the deck, an air handling unit, an electrical communication network, and a rotation control module including a controller coupled to the communication network. The rotational therapy apparatus includes a normally deflated rotation air bladder located between the support surface and the deck. The rotation air bladder remains deflated during normal use of the bed. The rotation air bladder is coupled to the rotation control module for selectively inflating and deflating the rotation air bladder to provide rotational therapy to a body located on the support surface. The apparatus also includes a graphical interactive display coupled to the electrical communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Weismiller, David J. Ulrich, Jay T. Butterbrodt, Kenneth L. Kramer, Jason C. Brooke, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, James M. C. Thomas