Patents by Inventor Michael A. Taft

Michael A. Taft 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: 6893137
    Abstract: A surgical light apparatus is disclosed having a first light source generating visible light and heat energy radiation, an enclosure surrounding the first light source and including a lens substantially transparent to visible light and a reflector for reflecting light from the first light source through the lens, and a filter apparatus coupled to the enclosure and formed at least in part from a material that is substantially transparent to at least a portion of visible light radiation and that substantially blocks transmission of heat energy radiation. The filter apparatus is configured to block transmission of heat energy radiation from the first light source to the reflector and to intercept substantially all radiation from the first light source that otherwise would pass to the reflector and through the lens. The filter apparatus includes a plurality of filter elements configured to define at least one gap between two adjacent filter elements allowing air flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Bulko, Gerald L. Yeaney, Michael A. Taft
  • Publication number: 20020172033
    Abstract: A surgical light apparatus is disclosed having a first light source generating visible light and heat energy radiation, an enclosure surrounding the first light source and including a lens substantially transparent to visible light and a reflector for reflecting light from the first light source through the lens, and a filter apparatus coupled to the enclosure and formed at least in part from a material that is substantially transparent to at least a portion of visible light radiation and that substantially blocks transmission of heat energy radiation. The filter apparatus is configured to block transmission of heat energy radiation from the first light source to the reflector and to intercept substantially all radiation from the first light source that otherwise would pass to the reflector and through the lens. The filter apparatus includes a plurality of filter elements configured to define at least one gap between two adjacent filter elements allowing air flow therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: John M. Bulko, Gerald L. Yeaney, Michael A. Taft
  • Patent number: 6443596
    Abstract: A surgical light apparatus is disclosed having a first light source generating visible light and heat energy radiation, an enclosure surrounding the first light source and including a lens substantially transparent to visible light and a reflector for reflecting light from the first light source through the lens, and a filter apparatus coupled to the enclosure and formed at least in part from a material that is substantially transparent to at least a portion of visible light radiation and that substantially blocks transmission of heat energy radiation The filter apparatus is configured to block transmission of heat energy radiation from the first light source to the reflector and to intercept substantially all radiation from the first light source that otherwise would pass to the reflector and through the lens. The filter apparatus includes a plurality of filter elements configured to define at least one gap between two adjacent filter elements allowing air flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Bulko, Gerald L. Yeaney, Michael A. Taft
  • Patent number: 6012821
    Abstract: An arm assembly for supporting a surgical lighthead of a surgical light apparatus includes a first arm and a first clevis appended to the first arm and having a first stop surface and a second stop surface. The arm assembly also includes a second arm formed to include an interior region and a second clevis appended to the second arm and having a third stop surface and a fourth stop surface. The surigcal lighthead is supported by the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald L. Yeaney, John M. Bulko, Frank L. Martyna, Thomas M. Peterson, Michael A. Taft