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:
Mar. 27, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 05, 1999
Stephen A. Dixon, Hamilton, OH (US);
Douglas J. Menkedick, Guilford, IN (US);
William L. Jacques, Batesville, IN (US);
James W. Jones, Gainesville, FL (US);
James K. Findlay, Fishers, IN (US);
Jack Wilker, Jr., Shelbyville, IN (US);
Eugene E. Osborne, Hebron, KY (US);
Carl W. Riley, Milan, IN (US);
Hill-Rom, Inc., Batesville, IN (US);
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for detecting a position of a body on a support surface of a bed. The apparatus includes at least one first sensor coupled to the bed and at least one second sensor located adjacent the support surface. The at least one first sensor has an output signal which is variable in response to changes in a weight applied to the support surface. The at least one second sensor has an output signal which is variable in response to changes in the position of the body on the support surface. The apparatus also includes a controller having inputs configured to receive the output signals from the first and second sensors. The controller is configured to monitor the output signals, to provide an indication of changes in the position of the body relative to the support surface, and to provide an indication if the body exits the support surface.