Patents by Inventor Paul M. Fowler

Paul M. Fowler 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: 20230346617
    Abstract: An inflatable device includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet, a cavity formed by the top sheet and the bottom sheet, wherein the top sheet and the bottom sheet are coupled together along a peripheral edge, a port in communication with the cavity and with an exterior of the device, and a valve, including a pocket located in a cavity having an entrance opening and an exit opening to deliver air to the cavity. The pocket is formed by a first and a second layer of material and is positioned along a first portion of the peripheral edge. The device further includes a second port in communication with the cavity, and a second valve in communication with the second port and the cavity. The second valve comprises a second pocket located within the cavity and positioned along at least a second portion of the peripheral edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Rigoni, Paul M. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20230277395
    Abstract: An apparatus including a sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side. The sheet further includes a first strap coupled to the sheet proximate the first lateral side, a second strap coupled to the sheet proximate the second lateral side, and longitudinally offset from the first strap, and an opening in the sheet providing a passage between the top surface and the bottom surface of the sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Hester C. Fletcher, Daniel Robert Ulreich, Curtis L. Hollabaugh, Paul M. Fowler, Gregory T. Davis
  • Patent number: 11696862
    Abstract: A valve for an inflatable device includes a pocket configured to be located in a cavity of the inflatable device. The pocket includes an entrance opening to receive air from an air output. The pocket further includes a first layer of material having at least a first aperture, wherein the first aperture is positioned entirely within the first layer of material, a second layer of material having at least a second aperture in fluid communication with the first aperture, wherein the second aperture is positioned entirely within the second layer of material. The first aperture and the second aperture are in fluid communication with the entrance opening and the cavity such that airflow passes through the valve by flowing from the entrance opening into the pocket, and out of the pocket and into the cavity through at least one of the first aperture or the second aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Rigoni, Paul M. Fowler
  • Patent number: 11654063
    Abstract: A method for turning and positioning a patient includes placing a sheet under the patient, the sheet including a top surface, a bottom surface, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a first strap coupled proximate to the first lateral side, and a second strap coupled proximate to the second lateral side, and providing a pulling force to the first strap and the second strap, wherein the pulling force to the first strap and the pulling force to the second strap are in opposing directions across the patient. The pulling force to the first strap is greater than the pulling force to the second strap whereby the pulling force to the first handle causes movement of the patient in the direction of the pulling force to move the patient from a first position to a second position, and the pulling force to the second handle is a resistance force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Hester C. Fletcher, Daniel Robert Ulreich, Curtis L. Hollabaugh, Paul M. Fowler, Gregory T. Davis
  • Publication number: 20220304874
    Abstract: A method for turning and positioning a patient includes placing a sheet under the patient, the sheet including a top surface, a bottom surface, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a first strap coupled proximate to the first lateral side, and a second strap coupled proximate to the second lateral side, and providing a pulling force to the first strap and the second strap, wherein the pulling force to the first strap and the pulling force to the second strap are in opposing directions across the patient. The pulling force to the first strap is greater than the pulling force to the second strap whereby the pulling force to the first handle causes movement of the patient in the direction of the pulling force to move the patient from a first position to a second position, and the pulling force to the second handle is a resistance force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Hester C. Fletcher, Daniel Robert Ulreich, Curtis L. Hollabaugh, Paul M. Fowler, Gregory T. Davis
  • Patent number: 11357681
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side, a first flap coupled to the bottom surface proximate the first lateral side, a second flap coupled to the bottom surface proximate the second lateral side and longitudinally offset from the first flap, a first strap coupled to the first flap, and a second strap coupled to the second flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Hester C. Fletcher, Daniel Robert Ulreich, Curtis L. Hollabaugh, Paul M. Fowler, Gregory T. Davis
  • Publication number: 20220142842
    Abstract: A patient support device includes a sheet configured to be placed beneath the patient in use and a plurality of straps connected to the sheet and configured for use in moving, lifting, turning, and/or positioning the patient. The straps may include one or more retractable straps that each have a stretchable retraction strap connected thereto and configured for retracting the retractable strap. The straps may also include one or more central support straps connected to the sheet in an area positioned between the legs of the patient. The sheet may also include a head support for supporting the patient's head, which head support may also include one or more straps. The straps may be connected to a hoist, which is then used to lift the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Rigoni, Garret W. Sweetwood, Gregory T. Davis, Paul M. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20220117815
    Abstract: A system for use with a bed having a frame and a supporting surface includes a sheet having a bottom surface configured to be placed above the supporting surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface, and a wedge having a wedge body with a base wall, a ramp surface, and a back wall, wherein the base wall has a base engagement member configured to engage a surface of the bed to form a selective gliding assembly that resists movement of the wedge with respect to the bed in a direction extending from the back wall toward the apex, and wherein the base engagement member is configured as a patch, the patch covering only a first portion of the base wall such that edges of the engagement members are spaced from edges of the base wall to allow a second portion of the base wall to be exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Paul M. Fowler, Craig S. Golden
  • Patent number: 11229570
    Abstract: A patient support device includes a sheet configured to be placed beneath the patient in use and a plurality of straps connected to the sheet and configured for use in moving, lifting, turning, and/or positioning the patient. The straps may include one or more retractable straps that each have a stretchable retraction strap connected thereto and configured for retracting the retractable strap. The straps may also include one or more central support straps connected to the sheet in an area positioned between the legs of the patient. The sheet may also include a head support for supporting the patient's head, which head support may also include one or more straps. The straps may be connected to a hoist, which is then used to lift the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Rigoni, Garret W. Sweetwood, Gregory T. Davis, Paul M. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20220015526
    Abstract: An oral care regimen kit includes a packaging unit. The packaging unit includes an oral care system, which includes a toothbrush and an oral fluid container, and a clip configured to engage a first portion of the oral care system such that the toothbrush cannot be depressed into the oral fluid container while the oral care system is engaged by the clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Paul M. Fowler, Ronald C. Cagle, Theresa L. Sebastian, Timothy J. Rapinchuk, Catherine S. Boulos, Abhi R. Patel
  • Patent number: 11213447
    Abstract: A system for use with a bed having a frame and a supporting surface includes a sheet having a bottom surface configured to be placed above the supporting surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface, the sheet having a sheet engagement member positioned on the bottom surface; and a wedge comprising a wedge body having a base wall, a ramp surface, and a back wall, the ramp surface joined to the base wall to form an apex and having a ramp engagement member. The ramp engagement member is configured to engage the sheet engagement member to form a selective gliding assembly that resists movement of the sheet with respect to the ramp surface in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Paul M. Fowler, Craig S. Golden
  • Publication number: 20210275371
    Abstract: An apparatus is configured for use with a chair having a supporting surface, and includes a bottom member adapted to be placed above the supporting surface of the chair. The bottom member includes a cushioning member in the form of a bladder. The bladder includes at least two internal chambers. A first of the at least two internal chambers extends from a rear edge disposed inwardly proximate a center of the bladder and a second of the at least two internal chambers extends peripherally around three inner sides of the first internal chamber. The apparatus further includes a top member having a bottom surface positioned in confronting relation to the bottom member and a top surface opposite the bottom surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Paul M. Fowler, Craig S. Golden
  • Patent number: 11013647
    Abstract: An apparatus is configured for use with a chair having a supporting surface, and includes a bottom member having a cushioning member, the bottom member adapted to be placed above the supporting surface. The bottom member has a rear edge adapted to be placed proximate a rear of the chair and a front edge opposite the rear edge. The apparatus further includes a top member having a bottom surface positioned in confronting relation to the bottom member and a top surface opposite the bottom surface. The top member and the bottom member are connected to each other along at least one of the front and rear edges, and at least a portion of the top member is slidable with respect to the bottom member. The apparatus further includes a second cushioning member connected to a rear end of the apparatus and adapted to extend upward from the rear end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Paul M. Fowler, Craig S. Golden
  • Publication number: 20210113396
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side, a first flap coupled to the bottom surface proximate the first lateral side, a second flap coupled to the bottom surface proximate the second lateral side and longitudinally offset from the first flap, a first strap coupled to the first flap, and a second strap coupled to the second flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Hester C. Fletcher, Daniel Robert Ulreich, Curtis L. Hollabaugh, Paul M. Fowler, Gregory T. Davis
  • Patent number: 10905608
    Abstract: A method for turning and positioning a patient includes placing a sheet under a patient, the sheet comprising a first portion having a first handle and a second portion having a second handle. The first portion is placed under the patient and the second portion is a free portion. The method further includes providing a pulling force to the first and second handles, wherein the pulling force to the first handle and the second handle are in opposing directions across the patient. The pulling force to the first handle is greater than the pulling force to the second handle whereby the pulling force to the first handle causes movement of the patient in the direction of the pulling force and the pulling force to the second handle is a resistance force. The first handle and the second handle are longitudinally offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Hester C. Fletcher, Daniel Robert Ulreich, Curtis L. Hollabaugh, Paul M. Fowler, Gregory T. Davis
  • Publication number: 20200397634
    Abstract: A system for use with an inflatable device includes an air output and a nozzle at a distal end of the air output. The nozzle includes a lip extending radially from the nozzle and configured to retain the nozzle in a port of the inflatable device. The lip has a non-circular shape around the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Rigoni, Garret W. Sweetwood, Paul M. Fowler, Gregory T. Davis, Jeffrey A. Kennedy, Paul H. Hanifl, Craig S. Golden, Mark D. Olson
  • Patent number: 10765576
    Abstract: An inflatable device for turning or positioning a person in a bed. The inflatable device includes an inflatable body formed by a top sheet and a bottom sheet disposed beneath the top sheet to define a cavity configured to be inflated such that the top sheet forms a top wall of the cavity and the bottom sheet forms a bottom wall of the cavity. The device further includes at least one port having a port opening in fluid communication with the cavity and configured to provide an air input for air for inflating the cavity, wherein the at least one port comprises an elastic member for adjusting a size of the port opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Rigoni, Garret W. Sweetwood, Paul M. Fowler, Gregory T. Davis, Jeffrey A. Kennedy, Paul H. Hanifl, Craig S. Golden, Mark D. Olson
  • Publication number: 20200214918
    Abstract: A method for turning and positioning a patient includes placing a sheet under a patient, the sheet comprising a first portion having a first handle and a second portion having a second handle. The first portion is placed under the patient and the second portion is a free portion. The method further includes providing a pulling force to the first and second handles, wherein the pulling force to the first handle and the second handle are in opposing directions across the patient. The pulling force to the first handle is greater than the pulling force to the second handle whereby the pulling force to the first handle causes movement of the patient in the direction of the pulling force and the pulling force to the second handle is a resistance force. The first handle and the second handle are longitudinally offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Applicant: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Hester C. Fletcher, Daniel Robert Ulreich, Curtis L. Hollabaugh, Paul M. Fowler, Gregory T. Davis
  • Patent number: D901312
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Paul M. Fowler, Ronald C. Cagle, Theresa L. Sebastian
  • Patent number: D988868
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: Paul M. Fowler, Ronald C. Cagle, Theresa L. Sebastian, Timothy J. Rapinchuk, Catherine S. Boulos, Abhi R. Patel