Patents by Inventor Gregory W. Branson

Gregory W. Branson 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: 20020104535
    Abstract: A pulmonary therapy apparatus including a proning device for turning a patient, a chest binding and compression device, or an oscillatory motion patient support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: John P. Biondo, Kenneth L. Kramer, Carl W. Riley, Gregory W. Branson, Richard W. Chance, Tatiana Leblanc, Barry P. Markwick, Peter A. Koloski, Troy D. Acton, Michael E. Cerimele
  • Patent number: 6427264
    Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a gap filler is provided for a bed that includes first and second barriers. The gap filler is configured to substantially fill a gap defined between the first and second barriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell L. Metz, John P. Biondo, Tanya Taber, Gregory W. Branson
  • Publication number: 20020066142
    Abstract: A bed for a person is provided. The bed includes a frame, a deck, a mattress, a pair of head end siderails, and a pair of foot end siderails. The bed further includes a controller configured to be coupled to the head and foot end siderails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Eugene E. Osborne, John W. Koeing, Glenn C. Suttman, Matthew Visca, Jack Wilker, Jeffrey R. Welling, Gregory W. Branson, Kenneth L. Kramer, Bruce E. Dickman, Dean M. Valvona, Robert A. Kinker, William L. Jacques, James K. Findlay, Francis C. Ganance
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20010032362
    Abstract: A bed for a person is provided. The bed includes a frame, a deck, a mattress, a pair of head end siderails, and a pair of foot end siderails. The deck includes a retractable foot section. The mattress includes a foot portion positioned over the retractable foot section. The foot portion includes a calf support portion and a heel-pressure relief portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Welling, Gregory W. Branson
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 5745937
    Abstract: A surface foot section is provided for a bed which includes a base frame and an articulating deck coupled to the base frame. The articulating deck includes a generally planar foot deck section and is movable from a bed configuration to a chair configuration. A foot section control module is provided to deflate the surface foot section when the articulating deck is in the chair configuration and to inflate the surface foot section when the articulating deck is in the bed configuration. The surface foot section includes a first air bladder configured to collapse in a first direction generally parallel to the foot deck section when the first air bladder is deflated, and a second air bladder located adjacent the first air bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 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
  • Patent number: 5724685
    Abstract: A deck is provided for a bed which is configured to support a mattress including a lower mattress section having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall, and an upper mattress section having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    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: 5715548
    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: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    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: 5692256
    Abstract: A mattress is provided for use with a step deck having 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 step deck. The mattress includes a lower mattress section having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall. The lower mattress section is configured to be located within the recess of the step deck with the bottom surface of the lower mattress section engaging the lower deck, the side wall of the lower mattress section being located adjacent the deck side wall, and the top surface of the lower mattress section being aligned generally in a plane of the upper deck. The mattress also includes an upper mattress section having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall. The top surface of the upper mattress section provides a body support surface, and the bottom surface of the upper mattress section engages the top surface of the lower mattress section and the upper deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Kramer, Jason C. Brooke, Eric R. Meyer, Gregory W. Branson, David J. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 5682631
    Abstract: A bed is provided having a head end, a foot end, and sides. The bed includes a frame and a deck carried by the frame. The deck includes an upper deck portion and a central, longitudinal recess in the upper deck portion. The recess is defined by a lower deck portion and walls connecting the lower and the upper deck portions. The bed also includes a mattress including a planar, upwardly-facing patient surface, side portions resting on the side deck portions, and a central projection extending downwardly into the recess. A first longitudinal deck section is coupled to the deck to pivot about a pivot axis above the lower deck portion between a generally horizontal position and a tilted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Weismiller, Peter M. Wukusick, 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: 5630238
    Abstract: A bed includes a base frame, a deck coupled to the base frame, an electrical communication network, an air handling unit mounted on the base frame, a plurality of air therapy devices located on the bed, and a plurality of control modules. Each control module includes a connector for coupling a corresponding air therapy device to the air handling unit and to the electrical communication network. Each control module also includes a controller for operating the corresponding air therapy device with the air handling unit based on command signals received from the electrical communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    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