The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 11, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 23, 1997
Eugene E Osborne, Hebron, KY (US);
Scott D McCormick, Cincinnti, OH (US);
Stephen R Schulte, Harrison, OH (US);
David J Ulrich, Sunman, IN (US);
Dan Mansfield, Warwick, RI (US);
Hill-Rom, Inc., Batesville, IN (US);
Abstract
A control apparatus is provided for at least one air therapy device stored on a bed which includes an electrical communication network, and an air handling unit. The apparatus includes a manifold having at least one chamber coupled to the air handling unit. The at least one chamber is formed to include an outlet, and a normally closed valve configured to seal the outlet. The manifold also includes a connector coupled to the at least one air therapy device, and an electrical connector coupled to the electrical communication network of the bed. The apparatus also includes a control module having a valve assembly including an inlet and an outlet. The control module also includes a controller, and an electrical connector coupled to the controller. The control module is configured to be inserted into the manifold so that the inlet of the control module is coupled to the outlet of the manifold and opens the normally closed valve to couple the valve assembly to the air handling unit. The outlet of the control module is configured to enter the connector to couple the outlet of the valve assembly to the at least one air therapy device on the bed. The electrical connector of the control module is configured to mate with the electrical connector in the manifold to couple the controller of the control module to the electrical communication network of the bed.