Patents by Inventor Robert J. Ferrand

Robert J. Ferrand 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: 20100326023
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to load-bearing frame apparatus for a pack animals, and more particularly to a saddle for transporting cargo upon the backs of pack animals that may be adapted to carry a wide variety of different types and configurations of cargo. Examples of load-bearing apparatus may include a modular load-bearing frame, a load-distribution assembly, a hoist assembly, and/or a multiply-positionable link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Robert J. Ferrand
  • Patent number: 6941598
    Abstract: A bed comprises a mattress supported on a support surface. The mattress has first and second inflatable cells for supporting a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Ferrand, Marc M. Thomas, Lincoln J. Alvord, Stephen D. Smith, Steven N. Roe, Richard W. O'Connor, William A. Gilmartin, William Loh, William R. Fish, Jonathan Salsado, Charles W. Neder, William Silva, Wesley E. Grass
  • Publication number: 20040139546
    Abstract: A bed comprises a mattress supported on a support surface. The mattress has first and second inflatable cells for supporting a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Robert J. Ferrand, Marc M. Thomas, Lincoln J. Alvord, Stephen D. Smith, Steven N. Roe, Richard W. O'Connor, William A. Gilmartin, William Loh, William R. Fish, Jonathan Salsado, Charles W. Neder, William Silva, Wesley E. Grass
  • Patent number: 6668408
    Abstract: A bed comprises a mattress supported on a support surface. The mattress has first and second inflatable cells for supporting a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Ferrand, Marc M. Thomas, Lincoln J. Alvord, Stephen D. Smith, Steven N. Roe, Richard W. O'Connor, William A. Gilmartin, William Loh, William R. Fish, Jonathan Salsado, Charles W. Neder, William Silva, Wesley E. Grass
  • Publication number: 20030051292
    Abstract: A bed comprises a mattress supported on a support surface. The mattress has first and second inflatable cells for supporting a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Robert J. Ferrand, Marc M. Thomas, Lincoln J. Alvord, Stephen D. Smith, Steven N. Roe, Richard W. O'Connor, William A. Gilmartin, William Loh, William R. Fish, Jonathan Salsado, Charles W. Neder, William Silva, Wesley E. Grass
  • Patent number: 6438776
    Abstract: A bed configured to support a patient having a weight comprises a frame, a patient support, and a plurality of sensors coupled between the frame and the patient support. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to generate an analog signal in response to a portion of the weight of the patient on the patient support. The bed also comprises a circuit coupled to the plurality of sensors to receive the analog signals therefrom. The circuit includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, each analog-to-digital converter being coupled to one of the sensors to generate a separate digital signal for each of the plurality of sensors, and a processor coupled to the plurality of analog-to-digital converters to determine the weight of the patient on the patient support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Ferrand, Marc M. Thomas, Lincoln J. Alvord, Stephen D. Smith, Steven N. Roe, Richard W. O'Connor, William A. Gilmartin, William Loh, William R. Fish, Jonathan Salsado, Charles W. Neder, William Silva, Wesley E. Grass
  • Patent number: 6334262
    Abstract: This invention is a simple device and method of measurement that employs a mechanical device having articulated transverse linkages comprising a parallelogram assembly having the first arm as one link, an opposing link, and further comprising a hub member, with transverse opposing wings each of the wings being pivotingly joined to the hub member for defining shape and indicia to determine a series of angles, and thereby be able to describe angles and arcs in order to determine the convex and concave portions of polyform shapes—in this preferred embodiment relating to animal backs and their corresponding saddles. A method and formula to adjust the shape of such a device to compensate for the weight of the rider relative to the weight of the animal as well as additional factors is also provided by this process. Additional calibration can also be refined by employing interface pressure measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Inventor: Robert J. Ferrand
  • Publication number: 20010029628
    Abstract: A bed configured to support a patient having a weight comprises a frame, a patient support, and a plurality of sensors coupled between the frame and the patient support. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to generate an analog signal in response to a portion of the weight of the patient on the patient support. The bed also comprises a circuit coupled to the plurality of sensors to receive the analog signals therefrom. The circuit includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, each analog-to-digital converter being coupled to one of the sensors to generate a separate digital signal for each of the plurality of sensors, and a processor coupled to the plurality of analog-to-digital converters to determine the weight of the patient on the patient support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Applicant: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Ferrand, Marc M. Thomas, Lincoln J. Alvord, Stephen D. Smith, Steven N. Roe, Richard W. O'Connor, William A. Gilmartin, William Loh, William R. Fish, Jonathan Salsado, Charles W. Neder, William Silva, Wesley E. Grass
  • Patent number: 5906017
    Abstract: A bed for supporting a patient having a seat panel and a back panel coupled together by a joint assembly that allows the panels to rotate about an axis coincident with the patient's hip joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Ferrand, Marc M. Thomas, Lincoln J. Alvord, Stephen D. Smith, Steven N. Roe, Richard W. O'Connor, William A. Gilmartin, William Loh, William R. Fish, Jonathan Salzedo, Charles W. Neder, Wesley E. Grass, John E. Looper, Dean I. Miller, Celia Oakley
  • Patent number: 5906016
    Abstract: A patient care bed with a patient weighing system having a first frame having a series of support units attached at designated locations and a second frame supported by the support units. The support units each having a load cell which senses a part of the weight supported by a second frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Hill-Rom
    Inventors: Robert J. Ferrand, Marc M. Thomas, Lincoln J. Alvord, Stephen D. Smith, Steven N. Roe, Richard W. O'Connor, William A. Gilmartin, William Loh, William R. Fish, Jonathan Salsado, Charles W. Neder, William Silva, Wesley E. Grass
  • Patent number: 5802640
    Abstract: A bed comprises an inflatable mattress supported on a platform of articulable links by a support system mounted on a weigh frame. The weigh frame is supported on a base frame supported relative to a floor. A pneumatic system includes a platform-mounted blower directing air through passageways in the articulable links. An exhaust passageway parallels the pressure passageway for exhausting opposite the blower. Air flow into and out of air cells in the mattress are controlled by valves coupling the pressurized air chamber and exhaust chamber to cell ports. A connector assembly is used to couple the cells to the platform, to adjacent cells, and to tubes connected to other cells. An alternative pneumatic system includes fans distributed on the platform in association with sets of mattress cells. A footboard assembly is formed as two gates that swing out from the foot of the bed. Each gate has a storable tray that is positionable on either side of the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Ferrand, Marc M. Thomas, Lincoln J. Alvord, Stephen D. Smith, Steven N. Roe, Richard W. O'Connor, William A. Gilmartin, William Loh, William R. Fish, Jonathan Salzedo, Charles W. Neder, Wesley E. Grass, John E. Looper, Dean T. Miller, Celia Oakley
  • Patent number: 5375397
    Abstract: A sensor array pad for sensing the pressure distribution under a saddle on the back of a horse includes a membrane made of first and second, identical substantially non-stretchable, flexible membrane portions. The membrane portions have adjacent facing edges that are joined at two spaced-apart tabs. A plurality of sensors are distributed substantially uniformly on the membrane, with each sensor occupying a predetermined surface area. Conductors are mounted on the membrane to extend between the sensors and a position along the perimeter of the associated membrane portion to provide for external connection with monitoring equipment. The membrane portions further each have a pair of slits extending from a mid-region spaced from the respective facing edge outwardly in diverging directions along lines passing outside the predetermined areas of the membrane occupied by the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventors: Robert J. Ferrand, Joseph A. Sember, III
  • Patent number: 5323500
    Abstract: A bed comprises an inflatable mattress supported on a platform of articulable links by a support system mounted on a base frame. A connector assembly is used to couple the cells to the platform, to adjacent cells, and to tubes connected to other cells. The mattress includes lateral cushions or cells that have a general triangular shape with larger upper cells forming a patient support surface and smaller base cells laterally supporting the upper cells. The upper cells may be elevated at the ends to form a broad U or V shape. Alternative embodiments include shorter base and upper cells with a box-shaped restraining cell on each end that extends above the upper cells. Modified upper cells have end pouches that store separate restraint cells when deflated, and provide inflation pressure when removed by a fixed connecting tube. The restraint cells are positionable along the host upper cell and anchor to catches mounted on the adjacent base cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: American Life Support Technology
    Inventors: Steven N. Roe, Robert J. Ferrand, Marc M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5279010
    Abstract: A patient support system comprises an inflatable mattress supported on a platform of articulable links by a support system mounted on a weigh frame. The weigh frame is supported on a base frame supported relative to a floor. A pneumatic system includes a platform-mounted blower directing air through passageways in the articulable links. An exhaust passageway parallels the pressure passageway for exhausting opposite the blower. Air flow into and out of air cells in the mattress are controlled by valves coupling the pressurized air chamber and exhaust chamber to cell ports. A connector assembly is used to couple the cells to the platform, to adjacent cells, and to tubes connected to other cells. A footboard assembly is formed as two gates that swing out from the foot of the bed. Each gate has a storable tray that is positionable on either side of the gate. A headboard has a removable central panel for providing emergency patient access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: American Life Support Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Ferrand, Marc M. Thomas, Lincoln J. Alvord, Stephen D. Smith, Steven N. Roe, Richard W. O'Connor, William A. Gilmartin, William Loh, William R. Fish, Jonathan Salsado, Charles W. Neder, William Silva, Wesley E. Grass