Patents by Inventor Melvin C. Biersteker

Melvin C. Biersteker 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: 8438677
    Abstract: A patient lift includes a base and a mast extending from the base. The patient lift also includes a first elongated leg having a first longitudinal axis extending from the base. A first caster assembly is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the first elongated leg about a first carriage axis. The first caster assembly includes a first caster truck and a plurality of first assembly casters mounted to the first caster truck. The patient lift also includes a second elongated leg having a second longitudinal axis extending from the base. A second caster assembly is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the second elongated leg about a second carriage axis. The second caster assembly includes a second caster truck and a plurality of second assembly casters mounted to the second caster truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Joerns Healthcare, LLC
    Inventor: Melvin C. Biersteker
  • 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: 8122534
    Abstract: A stand assist device includes a base with legs that extend in a forward direction. The stand assist device also includes a mast assembly mounted on the base, the mast assembly including a mast. A boom is pivotally attached to the mast and an actuator is attached to the boom. The actuator is adapted to be driven in order to cause the boom to rotate relative to the mast. A knee pad is also attached relative to the mast assembly. The mast may be moved between a seated position wherein the mast extends upwardly from the base, and a folded position wherein the mast extends substantially in the forward direction. The base, mast assembly, and knee pad are configured so that the knee pad does not interfere with the base when the mast is moved into the folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Joerns Healthcare, LLC
    Inventors: Melvin C. Biersteker, Colin C. Bain, David J. Genske, Erik J. Bluemner
  • Publication number: 20110302711
    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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: JOERNS HEALTHCARE, LLC
    Inventor: Melvin C. Biersteker
  • Publication number: 20110289681
    Abstract: A patient lift includes a base and a mast extending from the base. The patient lift also includes a first elongated leg having a first longitudinal axis extending from the base. A first caster assembly is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the first elongated leg about a first carriage axis. The first caster assembly includes a first caster truck and a plurality of first assembly casters mounted to the first caster truck. The patient lift also includes a second elongated leg having a second longitudinal axis extending from the base. A second caster assembly is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the second elongated leg about a second carriage axis. The second caster assembly includes a second caster truck and a plurality of second assembly casters mounted to the second caster truck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: JOERNS HEALTHCARE, INC.
    Inventor: Melvin C. Biersteker
  • Patent number: 7921485
    Abstract: A patient lift has a base extending in a forward direction, and a mast mounted relative to the base. The mast includes a hinge configured to allow the mast to be pivoted relative to the base between an upright operative position and a folded position, wherein when the mast is in the folded position the mast is substantially parallel to the base and extends in the forward direction. A latch mechanism is configured to hold the mast in the folded position when the latch mechanism is locked, and to allow the mast to be returned to the upright operative position when the latch mechanism is released. The latch mechanism is configured to automatically lock when the mast is moved to the folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Joerns Healthcare, LLC
    Inventors: Melvin C. Biersteker, Colin C. Bain, David J. Genske, Erik J. Bluemner
  • Patent number: 7921486
    Abstract: A patient lift has a base, a mast assembly mounted on the base at the lower end, a boom pivotally mounted at one end on the mast assembly. An actuator is mounted on the boom and configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position to pivot the boom relative to the mast assembly between a lowered position and a raised position. A support member includes a sling attachment pivotally mounted on the outer end of the boom. A locking mechanism is configured to fix the support member relative to the boom when the locking mechanism is engaged and further configured to allow pivotal movement of the support member relative to the boom when the locking mechanism is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Joerns Healthcare, LLC
    Inventors: Melvin C. Biersteker, Colin C. Bain, David J. Genske, Erik J. Bluemner
  • Publication number: 20100162483
    Abstract: A stand assist device includes a base with legs that extend in a forward direction. The stand assist device also includes a mast assembly mounted on the base, the mast assembly including a mast. A boom is pivotally attached to the mast and an actuator is attached to the boom. The actuator is adapted to be driven in order to cause the boom to rotate relative to the mast. A knee pad is also attached relative to the mast assembly. The mast may be moved between a seated position wherein the mast extends upwardly from the base, and a folded position wherein the mast extends substantially in the forward direction. The base, mast assembly, and knee pad are configured so that the knee pad does not interfere with the base when the mast is moved into the folded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: JOERNS HEALTHCARE, INC.
    Inventors: Melvin C. Biersteker, Colin C. Bain, David J. Genske, Erik J. Bluemner
  • Publication number: 20090165203
    Abstract: A patient lift has a base extending in a forward direction, and a mast mounted relative to the base. The mast includes a hinge configured to allow the mast to be pivoted relative to the base between an upright operative position and a folded position, wherein when the mast is in the folded position the mast is substantially parallel to the base and extends in the forward direction. A latch mechanism is configured to hold the mast in the folded position when the latch mechanism is locked, and to allow the mast to be returned to the upright operative position when the latch mechanism is released. The latch mechanism is configured to automatically lock when the mast is moved to the folded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: JOERNS HEALTHCARE, INC.
    Inventors: Melvin C. Biersteker, Colin C. Bain, David J. Genske, Erik J. Bluemner
  • Publication number: 20090165204
    Abstract: A patient lift has a base, a mast assembly mounted on the base at the lower end, a boom pivotally mounted at one end on the mast assembly. An actuator is mounted on the boom and configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position to pivot the boom relative to the mast assembly between a lowered position and a raised position. A support member includes a sling attachment pivotally mounted on the outer end of the boom. A locking mechanism is configured to fix the support member relative to the boom when the locking mechanism is engaged and further configured to allow pivotal movement of the support member relative to the boom when the locking mechanism is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: JOERNS HEALTHCARE, INC.
    Inventors: Melvin C. Biersteker, Colin C. Bain, David J. Genske, Erik J. Bluemner
  • Patent number: 5896779
    Abstract: A manually operated brake actuator for a wheeled walker and the like. For normal braking, a handle is manually moved from a neutral first position towards a second position for rotating a cable link to progressively pull on a brake cable to engage a wheel brake. When the handle is released, it returns to the first position. When the handle is manually moved from the first position to a third position, a parking link is rotated to push on and rotate the cable link to engage the brake. The parking link is rotated to a stable position when the handle is in the third position, wherein pull on the brake cable cannot release the brake until the handle is manually moved back to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.
    Inventors: Melvin C. Biersteker, Alfredo R. Nuno
  • Patent number: 5709418
    Abstract: A pipe coupling includes a coupling body 50 and swage ring 52 for urging over the coupling body 50 in order to secure pipes 108 together. The coupling body 50 includes a first main sealing tooth 50 and a second outboard sealing tooth 56. The swage ring 52 includes a kickdown device 101 which restores a loading force between the first main sealing tooth 50 and the pipe 108, which loading force may have been reduced due to sequential tooth engagement and pipe radial deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Lokring Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Benson, Melvin C. Biersteker, Andy Song