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:
Nov. 16, 2010
Filed:
Sep. 07, 2007
Steven A. Dixon, Cincinnati, 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);
Steven A. Dixon, Cincinnati, 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 Services, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for detecting the presence of an obstruction with respect to a height-adjustable bed. The apparatus includes sensors coupled to the bed. At least one of the sensors has an output signal which is variable in response to changes in a weight applied to the support surface. The apparatus also includes a controller having inputs configured to receive the output signals from the sensor or sensors. The controller is configured to monitor the output signals, and to provide an indication of the presence of an obstruction with respect to a change in position of the bed.