With Light Emitting Means Patents (Class 5/905)
  • Patent number: 8910333
    Abstract: A control panel of a sickbed having a light source is disposed around a sickbed and includes a casing, a light module and a control module. The light module and the control module are provided on two opposite surfaces of the casing respectively. The control module is electrically connected to the light module for controlling the height of the sickbed and an ON/OFF state of the light module. The control panel of the present invention is used to adjust the height of the sickbed and also provides illumination, so that it really demonstrates practicability and convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Timotion Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chou-Hsin Wu
  • Patent number: 8844076
    Abstract: A patient handling device includes a deck for supporting a patient support surface, a controller, and a user interface. The user interface is actuatable by a user to record a state of a plurality of conditions of the patient handling device. The controller is in communication with the user interface and operable to monitor the plurality of conditions and to generate a first unified indication when all the conditions remain unchanged from their recorded state, and to generate a second indication when any of the conditions change from their recorded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: David Terrance Becker, Christopher John Hopper, Michael Joseph Hayes, Vivek Shankar, Richard C. Mayoras, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8826473
    Abstract: A moisture detection and alarming system connected to a person-support apparatus has been described. The system comprises a moisture detection sheet connected to at least one pressure sensor, at least moisture sensor and a controller. The pressure sensor can be configured to send a signal to the controller. The controller can be configured to receive the pressure signal from the pressure sensor and determine the presence of a person supported on the person support apparatus. If a person is supported on the person-support apparatus then a moisture sensor is activated by the controller to sense the moisture content on a mattress pad. If the moisture content on the mattress pad is out of a predefined range then an alarming unit can be activated. The controller may further be connected to at least one of a hospital network, communication station and nurse call system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Flanagan, Chris Newport
  • Patent number: 8689376
    Abstract: A patient handling device includes a controller, with a plurality of sensors, control panels, and lamps electrically connected to the controller. The patient handling device records the normal/desired state of the various components when power is applied. When one of the components goes outside the normal/desired state, the controller issues an alarm. This alarm includes illuminating a plurality of amber alert lamps which can normally be viewed by a user at any position around the outside of the patient handling device. The patient handling device also includes a position control. This control restricts movement of an upper (fowler) portion of the patient handling device in a certain range of angular positions, while permitting movement of the upper portion outside the certain range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: David Terrance Becker, Christopher John Hopper, Michael Joseph Hayes, Vivek Shankar, Richard C. Mayoras, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8607388
    Abstract: A patient-support apparatus includes a deck, a headrail, and an entertainment system. The deck has a head end, a foot end spaced from the head end, a first side extending from the head end to the foot end, and a second side spaced from the first side and extending from the head end to the foot end. The headrail is coupled to the deck and extends along the first side of the deck near the head end of the deck. The entertainment system includes a user input and a projection device coupled to the headrail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Flanagan, Christopher D. Newport
  • Patent number: 8464380
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a bed frame having a head end and a foot end and control circuitry carried by the bed frame. The control circuitry receives information about conditions of the patient support apparatus. A light is coupled to the bed frame adjacent the foot end and is coupled to the control circuitry. The light is in a first state when the patient support apparatus is operating normally and the light is in a second state when the control circuitry detects an alert condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Bobey, Stephen L. Douglas, Eric R. Meyer, Jonathan H. Mueller, Robert Petrosenko, Stephen R. Schulte, Andrew F. Skinner, Michael Z. Sleva, Richard B. Stacy, Daniel K. Stevens, Mayur Yermaneni
  • Patent number: 8448274
    Abstract: A leg support instrument is designed to be fastened, in a table fastening condition, to a longitudinal side of an operating table. The instrument comprises a first frame part provided with fastening means having a table engaging portion. The instrument also comprises a second frame part with adjustable support means fastened thereto for supporting a lower leg of a person. A first hinge having a first axis of rotation connects the first frame part to the second frame part. In the table fastening condition, different distances can be set between the table engaging portion and the first axis of rotation. The instrument comprises aligning means for aligning a position of the first axis of rotation depending on a position of a person lying on the operating table. The aligning means are designed for projecting a light beam extending in line with the first axis of rotation on the lying person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Academisch Ziekenhuis Groningen
    Inventor: Paulus Maria Antonius Broens
  • Patent number: 8393026
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a deck, a plurality of side rails, a control panel, and a plurality of subsystems, such as a bed exit system that detects when a patient may exit from the support apparatus, or a lifting mechanism to raise and lower the deck. A controller is in communication with the control panel and is adapted to monitor conditions regarding the side rails and/or the other subsystems. At least one lamp is also provided on the patient support apparatus that is adapted to be illuminated in a first manner when a plurality of monitored conditions remain in a desired state, and in a second manner when at least one of the plurality of monitored conditions changes to an undesired state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Dionne, David Kim Soui Wan Fong, David T. Becker, Christopher J. Hopper, Michael J. Hayes, Richard C. Mayoras, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8117701
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a control unit for a patient support, such as a mattress. One embodiment of the control unit includes a base portion and a display portion pivotably coupled to the base portion. The control unit may also include one or more communication ports for sending or receiving data from one or more remote devices over a network. The control unit may also include a memory port into which memory may be removably inserted. The control unit may also include a visual indicator configured to be activated by a triggering event, such as a patient exiting the mattress. The display unit may include a touchscreen user interface. The display unit may also be configured to display audiovisual material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Bobey, Stephen L. Douglas, Eric R. Meyer, Jonathan H. Mueller, Robert Petrosenko, Stephen R. Schulte, Andrew F. Skinner, Michael Z. Sleva, Richard B. Stacy, Daniel K. Stevens, Mayur Yermaneni
  • Patent number: 7824058
    Abstract: In a wake-up apparatus for waking up a sleeper by light stimulus, it wakes the sleeper comfortably without feeling glare. A lighting device has a first lighting unit at a position that a light emitting face cannot be observed directly by the sleeper, and a second lighting unit at a position that a light emitting face can be observed directly by the sleeper. A control device activates the lighting device a predetermined time before a preset wake-up time so as to vary illuminance of light emitted from the lighting device in an order of low illuminance, middle illuminance and high illuminance, to light only the first lighting unit in a low illuminance condition and a middle illuminance condition, and to light both of the first lighting unit and the second lighting unit in a high illuminance condition, and quickly varies from the middle illuminance condition to the high illuminance condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Inoue, Masakazu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7475439
    Abstract: A massage table with attachments designed for use by a couple in an intimate setting for the mutual satisfaction of both persons engaged in the massage is disclosed. A preferred embodiment includes a pair of support surfaces spaced a predetermined distance apart for accommodating the body contours of a woman lying in a face down position; a void bounded by the two support surfaces; a pair of lateral support members extending upward from one of the two support surfaces; and a headrest support member which may accommodate the subject in either a face down or a face-up position. The massage table may include a number of built in attachments or accessories, such as mirrors, lights, sleeves or pockets for lotions and oils, aromatherapy pouches, heating elements, and other devices customary to the art of massage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Shellian Corporation
    Inventors: Ian J. Cox, Shelley L. Felch
  • Patent number: 7444705
    Abstract: An air bed is disclosed. The air bed includes an air pump, an inflatable body and a cabinet detachably or fixedly connected to the inflatable body. The cabinet is a rollable and foldable airbag having at least one valve for inflation and deflation and includes at least one recess for receiving an air pump and other articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Krystal Star International Corporation
    Inventor: Tao-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 7376994
    Abstract: An inflatable bed includes an inflatable bed body having a top layer, a bottom layer, and an annular surrounding layer interconnecting the top and bottom layers and cooperating with the top and bottom layers to define an inflatable space. The surrounding layer is formed with an accommodating groove unit. An air valve is disposed on the inflatable bed body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: Hsin-Tsai Wu
  • Patent number: 7363664
    Abstract: A bed frame comprising T shaped side rails provide support for a box spring and mattress. A leg assembly is affixed to the bed frame and is affixed to the side rail and to the cross rails for better strength of connection. The use of T-shaped side rails provides more resistance to twisting and bowing and thereby more resistant to damage a leg or other structural component of the bed frame from moving the bed frame across the floor. The use of the T-shape cross section side rails enables the overall bed frame to support more weight with less deflection than the convention L-shaped side rails. There are also headboard and footboard brackets that take advantage of the greater height of the vertical flange of the side rail to have affixation means, such as rivets, that are further spaced apart to provide a more rigid connection between the brackets and the side rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Finger Lakes Intellectual Property, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Richard S. Polevoy, Paul Eric Carlson, Howard Scott Ryan
  • Patent number: 7305728
    Abstract: Two identical support cushions are flexibly joined to provide ergonomic support to a person having to perform physical activities in a supine position, often in confined spaces, such as a plumber lying on his back under a sink inside a cabinet with the lower part of the body being positioned on the room floor and the upper part of the body being positioned on the raised floor of the cabinet. The lightweight and rugged support cushions can be easily configured into a valise-like rectangular shape for easy carrying utilizing integrated handles. In addition, a plurality of lamps is enclosed within the support cushion, the lamps comprising light diffusing lenses and the lamps being spatially aligned to provide illumination with minimum shadow creation of the space in front of the supported person, such as a plumber working under a sink in a cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Mark A. Schlieps
  • Patent number: 7076823
    Abstract: A conventional bedding mattress is constructed in a manner that permits light to permeate upwardly throughout the bedding components so as to illuminate the entire bed structure when a light source is placed below the mattress proper. The illuminating feature of the bed is accomplished by forming a bed mattress of a spring core section, a translucent netting layer disposed over the spring core, a unique foam padding that freely lays on top of the netting layer, and a material cover that envelopes the core and padding. The cover is provided with a clear plastic bottom portion sewn into the cover. The padding layer is translucent and this same padding is used as a padding layer within the cover. Light freely passes through the plastic of the cover, through the spring cores, then passing through the padding layer and into the cover, thereby illuminating the mattress upon provision of an underlying light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Eric Downey
  • Patent number: 7036164
    Abstract: A bed making apparatus can lift, push, and pull the bedding layer by layer so as to manipulate bedding originally disorganized to a made up state. The apparatus includes a vision device that evaluates and detects the current state of the bedding sensors and a computing device that determines the process of the making the bed. Typically, a robotic arm or roving device traverses the surface of the bed and can be attached to the headboard of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventor: Stephen Lang Dickerson
  • Patent number: 6857153
    Abstract: A patient support including a frame, a head portion, a foot portion, a seat portion, and a light assembly supported by the foot portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Ruehl, Jeffrey R. Welling, Brian Wiggins, Matthew W. Weismiller, Sandy Richards, Brent Goodwin
  • Patent number: 6854145
    Abstract: A patient support including a frame and a patient support portion supported by the frame. The patient support portion includes a storage area configured to receive a light assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Ruehl, Jeffrey R. Welling, Brian Wiggins, Matthew W. Weismiller, Sandy Richards, Brent Goodwin
  • Patent number: 6829791
    Abstract: A retractable bed is disclosed which can be automatically raised and lowered in a vertical fashion. The retractable bed includes a frame for holding a mattress; and means for raising and lowering said bed through vertical displacement, such as one or more motors. When the bed is in the lowered configuration it will come into contact with the floor thereby permitting a person to sleep on the bed. When the bed is in the raised configuration it will be near the ceiling thereby permitting a person to pass under the bed. The means for raising and lowering said bed, such as one or more motors, provides an automated and convenient way to take the bed down and to put it away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: Emmett James Roepke
  • Publication number: 20040177445
    Abstract: A bed for a person is provided. The bed includes a frame, a deck including a seat section and a foot section movable relative to the seat section. The bed further including a mechanism that control movement of the foot section relative to the seat section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Eugene E. Osborne, John W. Koenig, Glenn C. Suttman, Matthew Visca, Jack Wilker, Jeffrey R. Welling, Gregory W. Branson, Kenneth L. Kramer, Bruce E. Dickman, Dean M. Valvano, Robert A. Kinker, William L. Jacques, James K. Findlay, Francis C. Ganance
  • Publication number: 20040093672
    Abstract: A patient support including a frame and a patient support portion supported by the frame. The patient support portion includes a storage area configured to receive a light assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Ruehl, Jeffrey R. Welling, Brian Wiggins, Matthew W. Weismiller, Sandy Richards, Brent Goodwin
  • Patent number: 6725484
    Abstract: Bed equipped with different types of fittings having a horizontal support plane for supporting a mattress spring, a mattress, pillows and blankets and a person and including a first and a second pair of vertical legs (15, 16, 17, 18) arranged respectively near the bed headboard and the bed footboard, which extend upwardly and which are joined together by a first stiff structure (19) arranged on the lower part thereof forming the bed peripheral edges (20, 21) and the horizontal support plane. A second stiff structure (22), is arranged on the upper part of the vertical legs spaced vertically from the first stiff structure (19) in such a manner as to allow easy access to the bed. The second stiff structure (22) having peripheral edges (22, 23, 24, 25) adapted to support at least a television receiver (27, 32), a bar (28) for supporting gym equipment and a lamp (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Gary August Drenik
  • Patent number: 6718576
    Abstract: A mattress pad for vehicle includes a pad member, and a light device having one or more light members attached to the pad member, to generate light through the pad member, and to light or illuminate the inner portions of vehicles, particularly the dark inner portion of the vehicle. The pad member includes one or more swellings each having a space to receive the light member, and each having one or more flanges to engage with and to retain the light members in the swellings of the pad member. The light members each may include a cover secured onto a base to receive one or more circuit boards and one or more light elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Jen Hsieh Shih
  • Publication number: 20040034933
    Abstract: A patient support lighting system for use with a patient support and including a light fixture configured to be automatically positioned based upon the location of the patient support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Mitchell A. Smith, Ernestine K. Johnson, Jackie Smith
  • Publication number: 20030229940
    Abstract: Modular bedroom furniture uses a plurality of elongated members, each comprising an inner rigid core covered by a plastic/polymeric sleeves. A plurality of corner and “t-joints,” as appropriate, are used to connect the sleeved members to form the furniture. In different embodiments, the elements and elbows form a bunk bed, loft bed, or the like. Particularly for younger children, some or all of the polymeric/plastic sleeves may glow in the dark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: Frank Venegas
  • Patent number: 6618882
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a base, a frame coupled to the base, and a deck coupled to the frame. The frame includes a storage portion. The deck includes a head section, a seat section and first and second laterally spaced apart outer leg support sections adjacent the seat section. The seat section and the first and second outer leg support sections being configured to define a central opening therebetween. The apparatus also includes a removable center leg support configured for movement between a first position located within the central opening and coupled to the deck to provide a portion of the deck and a second storage position detached from the deck and located in the storage portion of the frame and below the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Heimbrock, Jonathan T. Turner
  • Patent number: 6578214
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses various sport-shaped bed designs consisting of a frame 26, mattress 14, motion sensors 32, rechargeable battery cell 36 and dimmer night light 42. The designs have shapes such as a football, baseball, soccer, basketball, and other sport shapes. The bed also comprises storage drawers 28 located in various positions according to the design. Each bed contains battery-operated motion sensors 32 which trigger a night dimmer light 42. When the sensor 32 indicates a child has laid down in the bed, the dimmer 42 responds to the signal and the light 18 goes on. Within a short period of time, the light slowly dims until it is fully out. If the child 12 should sit up, the sensor 32 will react and the light 18 will go on. The mattress 14 fits down inside a recess 16 in the frame 26 and the headboard 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: Paula Peftoulidis
  • Patent number: 6560804
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for detecting and monitoring the distance between a patient and a reference point on an inflatable air mattress and for controlling the air supply to that mattress in relation to such distance. The patient distance sensing system includes a rigid support frame such as a bed frame, an inflatable air mattress positioned atop the bed frame with the upper surface of the inflatable air mattress forming a patient support surface, an air supply operable to provide controlled variations in air supply, and a series of patient distance sensing devices. Such devices including a heterodyning proximation detector, a force responsive distance sensing device, and a light responsive sensing device. Each device is operable to act separately or cooperatively in maintaining a therapeutically beneficial patient support surface through variable control of the delivery of inflation pressure to the air mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Wise, Cesar Z. Lina, X. Lu Zheng, Thomas A. Boynton
  • Publication number: 20020083527
    Abstract: A patient support including a frame, a head portion, a foot portion and a seat portion. The foot portion includes a removable foot section and laterally spaced foot supports configured to define a central opening therebetween. The foot supports are configured to move about a substantially vertical axis and about a substantially horizontal axis. A position adjustment mechanism is provided for locking the foot supports in desired positions relative to the frame. A light assembly is supported by the foot portion. Likewise, calf supports are coupled to the foot supports and are adjustable between storage and use positions. An actuator is provided to move the head portion relative to the seat and foot portions. A release system is coupled to the actuator to facilitate rapid lowering of the head portion of the patient support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: John W. Ruehl, Jeffrey R. Welling, Brian Wiggins, Matthew W. Weismiller, Sandy Richards, Brent Goodwin
  • Publication number: 20010052153
    Abstract: A cushion/backrest including an integrated reading lamp tethered at the end of a flexible member is disclosed for providing the user with a source of light for reading or watching television. The cushion may also include built in massage motors for providing the user with a massaging action to the back. Controls for adjusting the massaging action and the reading lamp may be incorporated in an armrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Steven Schwartz, David Harris
  • Patent number: 6256811
    Abstract: A fiber optic illuminated starlight scene on a headboard. By using a plurality of optical fibers (22) lighted by an illuminator (20) and the optical fiber/visible end (16) are positioned flush with front panel (12) decorative scene (14) a realistic rendition of a starlight scene is created. The optical fibers/visible ends (16) placement and dispersion in the decorative scene (14) along with the distance and angle of the optical fibers (22) to the illuminator makes each individual optical fiber/visible end (16) appear as starlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Eric S. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6234642
    Abstract: A hospital bed or nursing bed has movable components which can be adjusted by a drive including a plastic casing and an electric motor accommodated in the casing. A control block is operatively connected to the drive and includes a circuit board for the control of the electric motor. In order to realize a night light when the lighting of the room is switched off, without significant modification of the plastic casing, a light source is provided which is connected to an electrically conductive pathway of the circuit board. The light source is suitably disposed inside the casing and directly placed onto the electrically conductive pathway of the circuit board. Juxtaposed to the light source is a luminescent rod or light-conducting rod penetrating a wall or lid of the casing for transmitting light rays radiating from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Dewert Antriebs- und Systemtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Bokämper
  • Patent number: 6145142
    Abstract: The present invention details a pressurizable mattress. The mattress has at least one inflatable cushion having a pair of sides, and at least one set of an electromagnetic energy emitting device and an electromagnetic energy receiving device. The electromagnetic energy emitting device, when operating, illuminates the interior of the inflatable cushion. The electromagnetic energy receiving device collects the illuminating energy. The operation of the mattress requires a means for measuring the optical aperture of the inflatable cushion. The measuring means determines the optical aperture of the inflatable cushion by measuring the quantity of illuminating energy collected by the electromagnetic energy receiving device when the electromagnetic energy emitting device illuminates the interior of the inflatable cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Gaymar Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Rechin, John K. Whitney, deceased
  • Patent number: 6068342
    Abstract: Furniture for recreation and relaxation such as chairs that are lightweight, collapsible, and portable is disclosed. Chairs may have a plurality of sections at least one of which is a head section. The head section comprises a cavity that is substantially oval, with a surrounding mount which is attached to the head section of the chair. A moldable cushion having a cover envelopes the mount such that the head of a reclining individual may be placed on the cushion. The cavity is at least the size to allow the reclining individual to view through the cavity and perform tasks such as reading. The cover may be removable from the cushion. The head of the reclining individual rests on the cushion while viewing through the cavity. The cushion surrounds the mount and cavity to provide structure to the cover and conform to the features of the head of the reclining individual. The head section may be pivotally attached to other sections of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventors: Renato P. Mariani, Michael L. Serafini, Leo R. DelSerra, Paul E. Hummel
  • Patent number: 5926883
    Abstract: The present invention details a pressurizable mattress. The mattress has at least one inflatable cushion having a pair of sides, and at least one set of an electromagnetic energy emitting device and an electromagnetic energy receiving device. The electromagnetic energy emitting device, when operating, illuminates the interior of the inflatable cushion. The electromagnetic energy receiving device collects the illuminating energy. The operation of the mattress requires a means for measuring the optical aperture of the inflatable cushion. The measuring means determines the optical aperture of the inflatable cushion by measuring the quantity of illuminating energy collected by the electromagnetic energy receiving device when the electromagnetic energy emitting device illuminates the interior of the inflatable cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Gaymar Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Rechin, John K. Whitney, deceased
  • Bed
    Patent number: 5901391
    Abstract: A bed includes a bag filled with a transparent fluid and formed with a transparent portion at least at an upper surface portion thereof, and a light source for emitting light. The light emitted from the light source passes through the fluid and propagates to an outside of the bag through the transparent portion on an upper surface of the bag. As a result, a bedsore can be prevented, and a decrease in bone mass can be prevented, thus suppressing occurrence of osteoporosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventor: Makoto Kato
  • Patent number: 5683169
    Abstract: An improved bed-lighting mechanism having a headboard (10) and footboard (11) attached perpendicular to left (12) and right (13) side rails which have left (20) and right (21) cable guards attached beneath and parallel to them, respectively. Four-foot (14A and 14B) and six-foot (17A and 17B) bedposts sandwich four-foot (15) and six-foot (18) fluorescent-light tubes and are attached perpendicular to the corner joint formed by the headboard (10) and footboard (11) to the left (12) and right (13) side rails. End caps (16 and 19) sit atop and below the bedposts (14A, 14B, 17A, and 17B). The fluorescent-light tubes (15 and 18) are encased by protective plastic sheaths (54). A ballast and switch box (55) houses a ballast (25) that powers the two, four-foot fluorescent-light tubes (15) and a ballast (26) that powers the two, six-foot fluorescent-light tubes (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventors: Donald R. Lucas, Ronald W. Allen
  • Patent number: 5519905
    Abstract: A bed side rail particularly suitable for use by childred has a protective panel which carries a pair of arms that fit under a mattress to support the panel at the edge of a bed. Hinges connect the panel to the arms so that the panel may be moved between an operative position wherein it extends upwardly from the arms above the level of the mattress to an inoperative position wherein it extends downwardly from the arms out of the way. The panel carries a flashlight which may readily be removed from the panel by a small child. The flashlight has an actuator in the grip which turns the flashlight on when the handle is grasped by the child, and the light will remain on for a selected period after the child replaces the flashlight in the pocket of the panel and releases the actuator. The flashlight is retained in the pocket so that it will not fall out when the panel is moved between operative and inoperative positions and yet may be removed from the pocket by the child when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Safety 1st, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Bernstein, David W. Crossley, Randy L. Abrams, Jerry E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5461738
    Abstract: A bed system with an excreting mechanism of the present invention includes a front base for receiving the upper half of a patient's body and having a first front portion capable of being tilted up or down, a rear base for receiving the lower half of the patient's body and having a second front portion capable of being tilted up or down, a pot seat for supporting the patient's buttocks, a chamber pot for receiving the patient's excretions, and a posture regulating mechanism for regulating the patient's posture. In tilting up of the second front portion of the rear base, the pot seat is positioned between the rear end of the front base and the front end of the rear base, and the chamber pot is positioned under the pot seat. The second portion of the rear base is tilted up or down around the rear edge of the second front portion as a supporting shaft and can be tilted up or down around the front edge of the second front portion as a supporting shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Kimura Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoyasu Kimura, Tomoe Kimura
  • Patent number: 5437067
    Abstract: A bed side rail particularly suitable for use by childred has a protective panel which carries a pair of arms that fit under a mattress to support the panel at the edge of a bed. Hinges connect the panel to the arms so that the panel may be moved between an operative position wherein it extends upwardly from the arms above the level of the mattress to an inoperative position wherein it extends downwardly from the arms out of the way. The panel carries a flashlight which may readily be removed from the panel by a small child. The flashlight has an actuator in the grip which turns the flashlight on when the handle is grasped by the child, and the light will remain on for a selected period after the child replaces the flashlight in the pocket of the panel and releases the actuator. The flashlight is retained in the pocket so that it will not fall out when the panel is moved between operative and inoperative positions and yet may be removed from the pocket by the child when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Safety 1st, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Bernstein, David W. Crossley, Randy L. Abrams, Jerry E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5255403
    Abstract: An apparatus for permitting the pivotal positioning of a bed controller relative to an associated bed rail is provided to include a support bracket arranged for mounting to the bed rail, having an L-shaped support shaft pivotally mounted to the bracket. The support shaft includes a bifurcated head securing a controller device thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Inventor: Camilo V. Ortiz