Patents by Inventor James L. Walke

James L. Walke 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: 8710950
    Abstract: A wireless control system includes a device for sending a wireless signal, a receiver for receiving the wireless signal, and circuitry for processing the wireless signal. The circuitry includes a learn mode in which a device is associated with the control signal to the exclusion of commands from other devices not associated with the circuitry. The device transmits a wireless signal redundantly over a plurality of frequencies. The control system may chooses a signal frequency and receiver combination to maintain a quality signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Lubbers, Matthew C. Visca, Brian Hoffman, James L. Walke, Robert M. Zerhusen, James K. Findlay
  • Publication number: 20140015677
    Abstract: A bed includes bed status indicators, such as a pair of spaced lamp modules that are illuminated to signify a satisfactory status or an unsatisfactory status of the bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan R. Tallent, William G. Pittenger, Irvin J. Vanderpohl, III, James L. Walke
  • Patent number: 8593284
    Abstract: A method and system of reporting the status of a bed (12) whose occupant is at risk of an undesired event, includes indicating that the occupant is at risk of the undesired event and operating a lamp module (42) to signify a satisfactory status or an unsatisfactory status of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan R. Tallent, William Gifford Pittenger, Irvin J. Vanderpohl, III, James L. Walke
  • Patent number: 8537008
    Abstract: A bed includes bed status indicators, such as a pair of spaced lamp modules that are illuminated to signify a satisfactory status or an unsatisfactory status of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan R. Tallent, William G. Pittenger, Irvin J. Vanderpohl, III, James L. Walke
  • Patent number: 8370977
    Abstract: A patient line management device to manage one or more patient care lines is provided. The line management device includes a line manager coupled to a support. The support is adapted to be coupled to a patient support such as a hospital bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Newkirk, Richard H. Heimbrock, James L. Walke, Robert A. Till, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130007963
    Abstract: A bed includes bed status indicators, such as a pair of spaced lamp modules that are illuminated to signify a satisfactory status or an unsatisfactory status of the bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Dan R. Tallent, William Gifford Pittenger, Irvin J. Vanderpohl, III, James L. Walke
  • Patent number: 8104729
    Abstract: A patient care equipment support is transferable between a first device having a first spherical socket and a second device having a second spherical socket. The equipment support comprises an equipment supporting portion configured to support patient care equipment and a coupler extending downwardly from the equipment supporting portion. The coupler has first and second spherical portions configured for receipt in the first and second spherical sockets, respectively. The first and second spherical portions are rotatable within the respective first and second spherical sockets about a multitude of axes to compensate for misalignment between the coupler and at least one of the first and second spherical sockets during transfer of the equipment support between the first and second devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Walke, David C. Newkirk, Douglas A. Seim
  • Publication number: 20110247137
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a housing and a communication system. The housing includes a front portion and a rear portion. The rear portion has an engagement surface and a coupler configured to cooperate with a portion of a person-support apparatus to removably couple the housing to the person-support apparatus. The communication system includes at least one communication device coupled to the housing. The communication device is configured to at least one of transmit and receive at least one of a data signal and a power signal to/from the person-support apparatus and an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Fred Herman, Thomas F. Heil, Charles A. Howell, Michelle Kovach, Timothy Stanley, Timothy J. Receveur, Josh Williams, John D. Christie, James L. Walke
  • Publication number: 20110225733
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the frame and supporting the frame above a floor, a wheel, a push handle that is coupled to the frame and that is gripable to maneuver the patient support apparatus along the floor, and a brake handle coupled to the push handle and movable to move a brake to impede rotation of the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Gregory J. Figel, Kenneth Q. Rudolf, David A. Albersmeyer, Richard Henry Heimbrock, James L. Walke, Brian P. Michael, Glenn C. Suttman, Jonathan D. Turner, Brian T. Wiggins, Martin D. Weiler, Eugene E. OSBORNE, Nicholas C. Batta
  • Patent number: 8016301
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the frame, and a push handle that is coupled to the frame and that is gripable to maneuver the patient support apparatus along a floor. The patient support apparatus also has a brake handle that is coupled to the push handle and that is movable to brake at least one of the casters. A pedal arrangement for the patient support apparatus is also disclosed. The pedal arrangement includes first and second side pedals and a center pedal supported by the first and second side pedals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Figel, Kenneth Q. Rudolf, David A. Albersmeyer, Richard H. Heimbrock, James L. Walke, Brian P. Michael, Glenn C. Suttman, Jonathan D. Turner, Brian T. Wiggins, Martin D. Weiler
  • Patent number: 7934276
    Abstract: An end panel 312 for a patient-support apparatus 310 includes a main portion 316 and one or more movable portions 330, 332. The movable portions 330, 332 are movable to provide a barrier 318 in a gap between a siderail 360 of the patient-support apparatus 310 and the main portion 316 of the end panel 312.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Newkirk, Kenneth W. Meyer, John B. Wilker, Jr., Richard H. Heimbrock, James L. Walke, Robert M. Zerhusen, Michael M. Frondorf
  • Patent number: 7904979
    Abstract: A mattress having a storage compartment is provided. The storage compartment is used to hold items that are useful in the transport of a patient located on the mattress, such as a patient restraint that can be used to secure the patient to the mattress during transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Walke, Steven A. Dixon
  • Publication number: 20110000021
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the frame, and a push handle that is coupled to the frame and that is gripable to maneuver the patient support apparatus along a floor. The patient support apparatus also has a brake handle that is coupled to the push handle and that is movable to brake at least one of the casters. A pedal arrangement for the patient support apparatus is also disclosed. The pedal arrangement includes first and second side pedals and a center pedal supported by the first and second side pedals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Gregory J. Figel, Kenneth Q. Rudolf, David A. Albersmeyer, Richard Henry Heimbrock, James L. Walke, Brian P. Michael, Glenn C. Suttman, Jonathan D. Turner, Brian T. Wiggins, Martin D. Weiler
  • Publication number: 20100263123
    Abstract: A patient line management device to manage one or more patient care lines is provided. The line management device includes a line manager coupled to a support. The support is adapted to be coupled to a patient support such as a hospital bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: David C. Newkirk, Richard H. Heimbrock, James L. Walke, Robert A. Till, JR.
  • Patent number: 7810822
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the frame, and a push handle that is coupled to the frame and that is gripable to maneuver the patient support apparatus along a floor. The patient support apparatus also has a brake handle that is coupled to the push handle and that is movable to brake at least one of the casters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Figel, Kenneth Q. Rudolf, David A. Albersmeyer, Richard Henry Heimbrock, James L. Walke, Brian P. Michael, Glenn C. Suttman, Jonathan D. Turner, Brian T. Wiggins, Martin D. Weiler
  • Patent number: 7766289
    Abstract: A patient line management device to manage one or more patient care lines. The line management device includes a line manager coupled to a support. The support is adapted to be coupled to a patient support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Newkirk, Richard H. Heimbrock, James L. Walke, Robert A. Till, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7748672
    Abstract: A patient care equipment support is transferable between a first device having a first coupling member and a second device having a second coupling member. The equipment support comprises an equipment supporting portion configured to support patient care equipment, and a coupler extending downwardly from the equipment supporting portion. The coupler has a central opening and a plurality of peripheral openings disposed about the central opening. The first coupling member engages the central opening and at least one of the peripheral openings when the equipment support is carried by the first device. The second coupling member engages the central opening and at least one of the remaining peripheral openings when the equipment support is transferred to the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Walke
  • Publication number: 20100073168
    Abstract: A method and system of reporting the status of a bed (12) whose occupant is at risk of an undesired event, includes indicating that the occupant is at risk of the undesired event and operating a lamp module (42) to signify a satisfactory status or an unsatisfactory status of the bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Dan R. Tallent, William Gifford Pittenger, Irvin J. Vanderpohl, III, James L. Walke
  • Publication number: 20090065668
    Abstract: A patient care equipment support is transferable between a first device having a first coupling member and a second device having a second coupling member. The equipment support comprises an equipment supporting portion configured to support patient care equipment, and a coupler extending downwardly from the equipment supporting portion. The coupler has a central opening and a plurality of peripheral openings disposed about the central opening. The first coupling member engages the central opening and at least one of the peripheral openings when the equipment support is carried by the first device. The second coupling member engages the central opening and at least one of the remaining peripheral openings when the equipment support is transferred to the second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: James L. Walke
  • Publication number: 20080217910
    Abstract: A patient care equipment support is transferable between a first device having a first spherical socket and a second device having a second spherical socket. The equipment support comprises an equipment supporting portion configured to support patient care equipment and a coupler extending downwardly from the equipment supporting portion. The coupler has first and second spherical portions configured for receipt in the first and second spherical sockets, respectively. The first and second spherical portions are rotatable within the respective first and second spherical sockets about a multitude of axes to compensate for misalignment between the coupler and at least one of the first and second spherical sockets during transfer of the equipment support between the first and second devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: James L. Walke, David C. Newkirk, Douglas A. Seim