Patents Issued in June 17, 1997
  • Patent number: D380057
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Susan L. Lukasik
  • Patent number: D380058
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Lighting Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Kane, John William Powers
  • Patent number: D380059
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Cateye Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Ueda
  • Patent number: D380060
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Hanh Chiang
  • Patent number: D380061
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Swyst
  • Patent number: D380062
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Fu-Hsien Hsu
  • Patent number: D380063
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: British-American Tobacco Company Limited
    Inventor: John Anthony Digianni
  • Patent number: D380064
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Chin-Yi Huang
  • Patent number: D380065
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Charlene Hetterly
  • Patent number: D380066
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Specialty Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Green, Aaron McMahan
  • Patent number: D380067
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Matthew D. Brenneman
  • Patent number: D380068
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Calor S.A.
    Inventor: Jacques Gudefin
  • Patent number: D380069
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Waxing Corporation of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. McCracken
  • Patent number: D380070
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Diamondback Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: William K. Shero
  • Patent number: PP9924
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of American black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) that is of medium size and has a good level of inherit resistance to anthracnose and other foliar diseases. The tree is a very heavy nut producer with a fairly consistent bearing habit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Charles Sheppard
    Inventor: James E. Jones
  • Patent number: PP9925
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of American black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) that is large compared to other black walnut trees, is a vigorous grower and appears resistant to many foliar diseases. The tree is also an excellent nut producer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Hammons Products
    Inventor: James E. Jones
  • Patent number: PP9926
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Gerbera plant named `Termarieke`, as illustrated and described, characterized by its single type, a distinct red/orange brown ray floret which is red at the base and becoming more orange to the top of the floret, a very distinctive black disc before flowering of the disc florets, red male and female mature disc florets, the outer-most florets which display light yellow stigmas and the middle florets showing light yellow anthers, red perianth lobe color and 110 mm overall flower diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Terra Nigra Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Lambertus J. M. Stravers
  • Patent number: PP9927
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named Empire Cabernet, characterized particularly by its red-purple ray florets, with the ray florets around the edges fading upon maturity to a much lighter red-purple color; fully double flowers which have no disc florets and which are very resistant to shattering; semi-upright cushion habit; 6.0-6.5 cm capitulum diameter; a natural season flower date of September 22, in New Hartford, N.Y. and seven week flower response in light/shade programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Janet S. Fuess
  • Patent number: PP9928
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of chrysanthemum plant named Sunny Reagan, bearing medium sized yellow blooms wih a yellow-green center and performance of 24-28 days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Chrysanthemum Breeders Association, N.V.
    Inventor: Robert Noodelijk
  • Patent number: PP9929
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named Dark Red Reagan, bearing medium sized red blooms with a yellow-green center and performance of 24-28 days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Chrysanthemum Breeders Association, N.V.
    Inventor: Robert Noodelijk
  • Patent number: PP9930
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant named Guisaint, characterized by its deep red and double-type flowers; green foliage; slightly visible zonation which forms a ring near the base; and compact and good branching plant habit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Ets. Guillou Freres
    Inventors: Jacques Guillou, Bernard Guillou, Maurice Guillou
  • Patent number: RE35531
    Abstract: A laryngeal mask assembly (10) includes an artificial airway tube (14) and an inflatable mask (26). The mask (26) is forced into the mouth (20) of a patient (12) to an operating position adjacent the larynx (21). A scoping instrument (22) is sent through the artificial airway tube (14) and the inflatable mask (26) to locate the vocal cords (23) and trachea (35). The artificial airway tube (14) and inflatable mask (26) are removed, keeping the scoping instrument (22) in a position within the trachea (35) whereafter the laryngeal mask assembly (10) is removed by peeling it off the scoping instrument (22) using the slit (34) creating by the overlapping edges (36, 38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: The Laryngeal Mask Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric B. Callaghan, Mark L. Callaghan
  • Patent number: RE35532
    Abstract: An air admittance valve device is disclosed for enabling valve sealing member to remain securely closed against high pressure in a pipe or duct produced from: equipment connected to said pipe or duct e.g. a hydraulic pipeline flusher device; fluid movement within, or as otherwise introduced to system of pipe or duct while further remaining tightly closed at normal atmospheric pressure (equilibrium) and equalizing pressure excursions that are below atmospheric pressure occurring within sanitary drainage pipes or room ventilation ducts by admitting air to said pipe or duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Gary S. Duren
  • Patent number: RE35533
    Abstract: A hub clamp will be used to connect two conduits together in end-to-end relationship. Each conduit has a pair of generally parallel load shoulders that extend around the conduit and are axially spaced from each other. The clamp has two sets of load shoulders, one for engaging each set of load shoulders on each end of the conduit. The clamp is in two halves, and when bolted together, draws the ends of the conduits toward each other. Each load shoulder is separated by a flank. The two flanks of the mating load shoulders are separated by a gap when fully made up. The first load shoulder of each conduit has multiple angled sections. The load section is at a greater angle than the load section relative to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conduit. The clamp will be mounted releasably to an upper conduit so that it can slide inward and outward, for vertical conduit applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Frank C. Adamek, Dag H. Zeiner-Gundersen
  • Patent number: RE35534
    Abstract: A Fresnel lens formed of an infrared transmitting material has a grooved surface. The grooves all extend to the same depth, and the distances between successive grooves vary across the lens. In a circular lens, the grooves are concentric, and the distances between grooves nearer the center are longer than the distances between the grooves nearer the circumference. A substantial portion of the grooves have an aspherical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Fresnel Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Richard N. Claytor
  • Patent number: RE35535
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring current velocities using coded-pulse broadband acoustic signals. Autocorrelation of two phase coded pulses which are in the water during a single transmission cycle is used to calculate a Doppler frequency. The effective result is current profilers having improved profiling range and spatio-temporal resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Rowe, Deines Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Blair H. Brumley, Kent L. Deines, Ramon G. Cabrera, Eugene A. Terray
  • Patent number: RE35536
    Abstract: An amplifier for amplifying a signal received on a telephone line and for providing the amplified signal to a telephone headset. The amplifier draws current from a battery. The current drawn is reduced in the absence of activity on the line. The amplifier includes a timer that generates a first control signal after a time-out time. The timer is reset by a second control signal. A threshold circuit generates the second control signal when the signal on the telephone line is above a threshold level. .[.Finally, a.]. .Iadd.A .Iaddend.circuit, responsive to the first control signal, reduces the current drawn from the power supply. The amplifier may additionally or alternatively include receive line muting. The amplifier includes an automatic level control circuit that receives the signal received on the telephone line and controls the level of the amplified signal provided to the headset to a set level in response to a second control signal. .[.Finally, a.]. .Iadd.A .Iaddend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: ACS Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre R. Irissou, Shu-Ren Chen, Dwight D. Lynn, Kirk A. Reid
  • Patent number: RE35537
    Abstract: A color proof formation method includes the steps of bringing a first color separated film original mounted upon an original mounting table into tight contact with a photosensitive material fixed upon a mounting table, and exposing the film original; separating the photosensitive material mounting table from the original mounting table; replacing or exchanging the first film original upon the original mounting table with a second color separated film original; and bringing the second film original into tight contact with the photosensitive material. The steps are repeatedly performed a predetermined number of times so as to form a color proof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Shimaoka, Shigeru Mizuo, Akira Akashi, Miyuki Hosoi
  • Patent number: RE35538
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sintered body for chip forming machining containing at least one hard constituent comprising a carbide, nitride and/or carbonitride of a metal of group IVB, VB or VIB in the periodical system and a binder metal based upon Co, No and/or Fe, in which the body comprises a core containing eta-phase or an intermediate phase, substantially free of carbon and/or nitrogen surrounded by a hard constituent- and binder phase-containing surface zone, free of said eta-phase or intermediate phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Santrade Limited
    Inventors: Leif A. E. .ANG.kesson, Marian Mikus
  • Patent number: 5638544
    Abstract: A helmet including a camouflage band retaining system for retaining an elastic camouflage band about the upper portion of a helmet dome. The elastic camouflage band is useful for holding camouflage elements against the outer surface of the dome. The camouflage band retaining system includes a plurality of straps attached to and spaced about the helmet and engaged with the elastic camouflage band so as to prevent the elastic camouflage band from sliding away from the rim, over the upper portion of the helmet and off of the helmet. A method for retaining an elastic camouflage band about a helmet is also disclosed and includes the steps of attaching a plurality of straps to the helmet so that the straps are spaced about the helmet and engaging the straps with the elastic camouflage band so as to prevent the elastic camouflage band from sliding away from the rim, over the upper portion of the helmet, and off of the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Ranger Joe's Columbus Army Surplus Co.
    Inventor: Mallory L. Sump
  • Patent number: 5638545
    Abstract: An insert for surgical glove has a flexible, generally planar member which includes material that attenuates x-rays or other ionizing radiation. The insert can be attached to a medical practitioner's hand to protect the medical practitioner against undesirable radiation during the performance of medical procedures without limiting the dexterity or tactile sensitivity of the fingers. The low profile of the planar member allows a surgical glove to be worn over the insert to maintain a sterile environment during medical procedures. The radiation-inhibiting material may include a plurality of lead-vinyl sheets held in a sheath. The sheath is removably insertable into a cloth pocket to form the flexible planar member. The member is attached to the medical practitioner's hand by using an adjustable strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Neal H. Rosner
  • Patent number: 5638546
    Abstract: An arm warmer garment (10) worn on an arm (12) of an athlete (14) to retain a substantial amount of body heat comprising a protective flexible sleeve (16) adapted to cover the arm (12) of the athlete (14) from a wrist (18) all the way up to a shoulder (20). A facility (22) is for securing the protective flexible sleeve (16) in place on the arm (12) of the athlete (14). The protective flexible sleeve (16) will stay on the arm (12) and maintain the temperature of muscles needed by the athlete (14) in the arm (12) for throwing an object (24), when the athlete (14) is idle during a sporting game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Deborah C. Vita
  • Patent number: 5638547
    Abstract: An outer shell is stitched to an outer collar part which is in turn stitched to an inner collar part. A moisture barrier is stitched to and disposed between the inner and outer collar parts. A separate liner has an upper edge portion having fastening means thereon which cooperate with fastening means on the inner collar part and the moisture barrier for removably securing the upper edge portion of the liner to the inner collar part and the moisture barrier. The moisture barrier extends above and below the upper edge portion of the liner when the collar is in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Globe Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Joyce A. Hewitt
  • Patent number: 5638548
    Abstract: A wrist restraining glove(110) comprises a hand receiving portion(111) for receiving a hand(H), a wrist band(113) integrally joined to the hand receiving portion(111), and a tension member(115) integrally joined on the palmar surface of at least the hand receiving portion(111). When the glove is worn on the hand, the wrist band(113) is wrapped around a wrist. The tension member(115) exerts a tensile force when pulled longitudinally, thereby an outward pivotal movement of the hand about the wrist can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Tetsuhiro Kawakami
    Inventor: Hisatomi Kawakami
  • Patent number: 5638549
    Abstract: A safety pocket for a garment. In one embodiment the pocket includes two compartments: a front compartment and a rear compartment. The front compartment has a pocket opening that allows the wearer to deposit articles into the pocket. While the wearer is standing, the articles placed into the pocket remain in the front compartment. An opening or passage is provided along the bottom of the front and rear pocket compartments to permit articles placed within the front compartment to pass into the rear compartment as the wearer sits down, leans or rolls backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Patagonia, Inc.
    Inventor: Piers M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5638550
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a garment support that satisfies this need for substantial waist size adjustability, yet maintaining comfort and style. A garment support having features of the present invention comprises a flexible, expandable, inner tube-type device to which an air intake and release mechanism will be attached. The present invention can be built into the inner waistband of garments or can be made detachable therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Paul Hube
  • Patent number: 5638551
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to helmet, and, more particularly, a device for adjusting the occipital fixing of a cyclist helmet. A shell fits the skull of the cyclist. Straps integral with side walls of the shell are linked on each side at a single point with a clip. A housing in the shell receives an plate of an occipital support block, articulated with respect to the helmet, which connect through a spindle. At least one occipital strap in the support block assists in lateral adjustment of the support block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Societe a Responsabilite Limitee Dite Overforing
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Lallemand
  • Patent number: 5638552
    Abstract: A diving face mask comprising a pair of front lenses detachably engaged in lens holding portions of an outer peripheral frame and, annular inner peripheral frames to be snapped in the lens holding portions so as to bear against front surfaces of the lenses, said annular inner peripheral frames being cut away partially in the circumferential direction thereof and therefore being discontinuous circumferentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Tabata Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Taro Fujima
  • Patent number: 5638553
    Abstract: A seat includes first slots therein for drawing air from the vicinity of a toilet rim into the seat. A second slot is disposed at one end of the seat and is in environmental communication with the first slots. The seat includes a sleeve at one end for receiving a tube to become pivotal about the tube. Anchors secure the the tube to a toilet. A tube slot within the tube is configured to align with the second slot when the seat is in a closed position. The sleeve is configured to cover the tube slot when the seat is in an open position. The tube includes an open first end. A duct fits the first end of the tube. A fan connects to the duct and discharges air to a suitable location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventors: Peter Loewen, David L. Volk
  • Patent number: 5638554
    Abstract: A clamp assembly for mounting a toilet seat hinge to a toilet fixture. An arm holder is inserted into a toilet seat mounting hole and includes a laterally extending flange engaging the toilet fixture and a through shaft hole. An elongate shaft is slidably and rotatably disposed in the shaft hole and includes a substantially perpendicularly extending pad at one end. A knob is adjustably secured to an opposed end of said shaft. A compression spring is disposed around the shaft and extends between the arm holder flange and the knob. A seat hinge mounting hole of a toilet seat is disposed on the shaft with the seat hinge between the arm holder flange and the spring such that the shaft pad can be extended and rotated by the knob to engage the toilet fixture under surface to clamp the assembly to the fixture under bias of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: John E. Corzine
  • Patent number: 5638555
    Abstract: An apparatus for disposing of body waste in a children's toilet is comprised of a container (100) and an associated housing structure (14) which are adapted to be seated on a conventional toilet (B). Waste in container (100) is dumped into the toilet via a cable the intake stroke of a hand pump (170). A water intake hose (172) is manually lowered into the toilet water via a hose control handle (162) prior to the operation of the pump. While the container (100) is in a vertical dumping position, the exhaust stroke of pump (170) forces water siphoned from the toilet through a jet outlet (180) to clean the interior of the container (100). The container (100) automatically returns to its rest, or horizontal, position due to the action of a return spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Dgic, llc.
    Inventor: Dean Lee Guyton
  • Patent number: 5638556
    Abstract: A floating swimming pool apparatus includes a rigid water retaining portion which includes rigid walls and a rigid floor. A peripheral deck portion is connected to top portions of the rigid walls, and a plurality of individually adjustable drum-like container are connected to the deck portion. Each of the drum-like containers includes a fill port through which a quantity of ballast material can be added to or removed from the drum-like container. The preferred ballast material is water. A layer of flotation foam material attached to exterior surfaces of the rigid walls and the rigid floor of the water retaining portion. Inner joists are connected to the deck portion proximal to the rigid walls of the water retaining portion. Outer joists are connected to the deck portion distal to the rigid walls of the water retaining portion. Each of the adjustable drum-like flotation assemblies is suspended from the deck portion by a suspension band connected to a respective inner joist and a respective outer joist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventors: Thomas Morgan Kipers, Deborah Ann Kipers
  • Patent number: 5638557
    Abstract: A trap for lavatory and other kinds of sinks comprising a capture vessel for rings and other valuables and a hair interceptor is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignees: Noki Iida, Richard Rodriguez, Chi Yang Tsang, Nick P. Limparis, Tony Linh
    Inventors: Noki Iida, Richard Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 5638558
    Abstract: A pad is located on a bed between a human patient and the bed sheet. The pad has a slick, smooth bottom wall, such as satin. The bottom wall reduces the friction between the pad and the bed sheet, whereby the patient together with the pad can be smoothly moved on the bed or off of the bed and onto a waiting gurney. The pad has a top wall and padding interposed between the top and bottom walls, the layers joined together with channels of quilting stitches and digital eyelets which prevent caregivers accidentally dropping a patient when the patient is being moved to or from a bed/gurney, or turned, the pad is made of materials which are permeable to air and dissipate body perspiration and bodily fluids, thus promoting sanitation and can be position under the patient for indefinite periods of time to reduce the incidence of bed sores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Florence J. Moore
  • Patent number: 5638559
    Abstract: A berth arrangement for installation in a sleeping compartment having a ceiling formed with a downwards open recess, comprises a berth holder and a bearing for mounting the berth holder for turning relative to the ceiling structure between a generally horizontal retracted position and a generally vertical lowered position. A berth is journalled in the holder to be turnable when the holder is in its lowered position between an extended position, in which the berth extends substantially horizontally away from the holder, and a folded up position, in which the berth is disposed substantially vertically and is close to the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Kvaerner Masa-Yards Oy
    Inventors: Veikko Natri, Juhani Sarkka, Per Flythstrom
  • Patent number: 5638560
    Abstract: This invention provides a vibration-free sleeper bed for over-the-road tractors. More particularly, this invention concerns a sleeper compartment device which provides a system whereby an off-duty driver may sleep in a vibration-free bed which remains at a preselected height, even during the over-the-road operation of the tractor. This is accomplished by providing a vertically-slidable support for the bed and using an air spring alongside a shock absorber to damp vibrations. Also, the bed itself is mounted on vibration-damping hard rubber mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventors: Charles V. Rigdon, David A. Prefling
  • Patent number: 5638561
    Abstract: A combination infant blanket and toy is disclosed consisting of the following machine washable, flame-retardant components: a doll head with a pleasant face, fabric cut-out for "curly" hair and a fabric loop at the top which can be used to hang it on a wall or bed post. A diamond-shaped top-opening fabric bag forms the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventors: Rosemarie Patricia Sperry, William John Sperry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5638562
    Abstract: A fitted bed sheet foundation and a dust ruffle for placement onto a mattress and around a box spring of a bed. The fitted bed sheet foundation comprises: a sheet of material, the sheet is sized to fit on and around corners and edges of a mattress, the sheet is of a sufficient size so that when it is laid over the mattress a lower edge of the sheet extends downwardly below and alongside the mattress with a lowermost edge area of the sheet positioned in confronting relation to a box spring, and a first fastener, the first fastener is secured at outer edges on the lowermost edge area of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: John F. Masoncup
  • Patent number: 5638563
    Abstract: A posture change-over device is designed so that the posture of the head supporting frame when the back supporting frame is raised and pivoted can be selected from two postures; a posture where the head supporting frame is kept horizontal and a posture where the head supporting frame and the back supporting frame form one plane. Therefore, in the latter case, the bed can be used in the same manner as previous beds capable of raising the upper body, and in the former case, a user can raise his/her upper body without dropping the pillow or articles even when he/she raises his/her back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Tadashi Iura
  • Patent number: 5638564
    Abstract: A therapeutic pillow for supporting the head and neck of a person lying in a supine position. The pillow comprises three types of material, each having differing degrees of firmness; a first material having in cross-section a U-shaped form with one end wider than the other end, a second material having a separated pair of end portions of equal width, respectively, with the first material end portions and secured thereto, respectively to form curved ends of the pillow and the third material having a rectangular shape of a size to fit into the open center portion formed by the first and second materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Foot Levelers, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent S. Greenawalt, Dwayne H. Bennett