Patents by Inventor Brian M. Watwood

Brian M. Watwood has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9724253
    Abstract: A mechanical steering system for a wheelchair to permit a user's foot to pivotably adjust a pair of caster wheels of the wheelchair is provided. The system includes a platform coupled to a frame of the wheelchair, a foot controller assembly pivotably mounted to the platform and having a foot plate to receive the user's foot and a rod coupled to the foot plate, a drag linkage member coupled to the rod of the foot controller assembly, and a pair of lever arm assemblies pivotably mounted to the drag linkage member, each lever arm assembly having a lever rod coupled to a fork member, the fork member being coupled to one of the caster wheels. Pivotable movement of the foot plate is transferred through the drag linkage member to permit both lever rods of the lever arm assemblies to pivot, thereby enabling simultaneous pivotal adjustments of the caster wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Inventors: Brian M. Watwood, Christopher A. Zikry, Marcel T. Bernucci, Dat T. Ho, Phuong V. Dang, Steven Andrew Lucero
  • Publication number: 20170189251
    Abstract: A mechanical steering system for a wheelchair to permit a user's foot to pivotably adjust a pair of caster wheels of the wheelchair is provided. The system includes a platform coupled to a frame of the wheelchair, a foot controller assembly pivotably mounted to the platform and having a foot plate to receive the user's foot and a rod coupled to the foot plate, a drag linkage member coupled to the rod of the foot controller assembly, and a pair of lever arm assemblies pivotably mounted to the drag linkage member, each lever arm assembly having a lever rod coupled to a fork member, the fork member being coupled to one of the caster wheels. Pivotable movement of the foot plate is transferred through the drag linkage member to permit both lever rods of the lever arm assemblies to pivot, thereby enabling simultaneous pivotal adjustments of the caster wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: BRIAN M. WATWOOD, CHRISTOPHER A. ZIKRY, MARCEL T. BERNUCCI, DAT T. HO, PHUONG V. DANG, STEVEN ANDREW LUCERO
  • Patent number: 7261309
    Abstract: A wheelchair which shifts between forward and reverse by virtue of a roller mechanism which grabs in one direction and slips an opposite direction, thereby preventing binding. The shift mechanism is initiated by rotation of a shift paddle which is located on a extremity of a lever arm remote from the roller mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Watwood, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Watwood, Duane DeJong, Errol C. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 6893035
    Abstract: A wheelchair which shifts between forward and reverse by virtue of a roller mechanism which grabs in one direction and slips an opposite direction, thereby preventing binding. The shift mechanism is initiated by rotation of a shift paddle which is located on a extremity of a lever arm remote from the roller mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Inventors: Brian M. Watwood, Duane DeJong, Errol C. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 6755430
    Abstract: A wheelchair drive mechanism having a transmission providing forward, rearward and neutral motion through movement of a drive arm in an arcuate path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventors: Brian M. Watwood, Errol C. Armstrong, Dayn E. Beals, Duane DeJong
  • Publication number: 20040104554
    Abstract: A wheelchair which shifts between forward and reverse by virtue of a roller mechanism which grabs in one direction and slips an opposite direction, thereby preventing binding. The shift mechanism is initiated by rotation of a shift paddle which is located on a extremity of a lever arm remote from the roller mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Brian M. Watwood, Duane DeJong, Errol C. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 6007082
    Abstract: A wheelchair driver having a simple, efficient structure is mountable to a horizontal frame extension of a wheelchair between a wheel and the wheelchair's frame. The driver is mounted directly to a spindle sleeve fastened to the horizontal frame extension which provides a race for the driver to run upon. The spindle sleeve also isolates the driver from the wheel preventing any friction between the wheel and the driver. The driver has a lever extending upward from the spindle sleeve above the tire of the wheel. A handle is provided on the uppermost end for a user. The lever has a pawl extending over the tire of the wheel. The pawl has teeth on a lower surface and contacts against the tire. When the lever is rotated around the spindle sleeve, the pawl teeth grab the tire, causing the wheelchair to move. When the lever is stopped or rotated oppositely, the pawl teeth release the tire and allow the wheelchair's momentum to move the wheelchair until another forward rotation of the lever provides additional force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventors: Brian M. Watwood, Errol C Armstrong
  • Patent number: 5263729
    Abstract: A wheelchair driver having a simple, efficient structure is mountable to a horizontal frame extension of a wheelchair between a wheel and the wheelchair's frame. The driver is mounted directly to a spindle sleeve fastened to the horizontal frame extension which provides a race for the driver to run upon. The spindle sleeve also isolates the driver from the wheel preventing any friction between the wheel and the driver. The driver has a lever extending upward from the spindle sleeve above the tire of the wheel. A handle is provided on the uppermost end for a user. The lever has a pawl extending over the tire of the wheel. The pawl has teeth on a lower surface and contacts against the tire. When the lever is rotated around the spindle sleeve the pawl teeth grab the tire causing the wheelchair to move. When the lever is stopped or rotated oppositely, the pawl teeth release the tire and allow the wheelchair's momentum to move the wheelchair until another forward rotation of the lever provides additional force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Inventors: Brian M. Watwood, Errol Armstrong