Patents by Inventor James Thwaites

James Thwaites 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: 7441786
    Abstract: A low profile roller includes a wheel mounted on a hollow hub and having a roller ball mounted within the hollow hub. The roller is configured to function in a first, low profile operating mode when the roller ball is in contact with a support surface and in a second, high profile mode when the wheel is in contact with the support surface. A base for a movable support platform includes a base frame and a pivot sleeve rotatably mounted to the base frame and non-rotatably mounted to an arm connected to the hub. The pivot sleeve is configured to rotate the low profile roller from between the first mode and the second mode. A butterfly foot pedal is operably connected to the pivot sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Martin W. Stryker, James Thwaites
  • Publication number: 20070124859
    Abstract: A wheelchair transfer device is configured for moving an invalid patient from a flat surface to a seated position for transport in the seated position on the transfer device. The transfer device includes a rolling base supported by casters and convertible low profile rollers that are configured to fit under the base of a hospital bed and convert to a larger diameter wheel without altering the height of the transfer device. The transfer device includes a leg portion, a torso portion and a seat portion configured to be coplanar for adaptation to a hospital bed, so that an invalid patient can, with assistance, roll onto the device. The seat portion can then be raised against the patient's buttocks, generally perpendicular to the leg and torso portions, and the whole assembly can then be rotated to a vertical position, with the seat portion supporting the weight of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: Martin Stryker, Jeffrey Lewandowski, James Thwaites, Cory Herbst
  • Publication number: 20060197299
    Abstract: A low profile roller includes a wheel mounted on a hollow hub and having a roller ball mounted within the hollow hub. The roller is configured to function in a first, low profile operating mode when the roller ball is in contact with a support surface and in a second, high profile mode when the wheel is in contact with the support surface. A base for a movable support platform includes a base frame and a pivot sleeve rotatably mounted to the base frame and non-rotatably mounted to an arm connected to the hub. The pivot sleeve is configured to rotate the low profile roller from between the first mode and the second mode. A butterfly foot pedal is operably connected to the pivot sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Publication date: September 7, 2006
    Inventors: Martin Stryker, James Thwaites
  • Publication number: 20060090258
    Abstract: A patient transfer device includes a base assembly movable in forward and lateral directions. A power train is mounted within the base assembly, and is connected to a clamping and strap assembly. A power and switching system is in electrical communication with the power train. A retractor bar carries one or more clamping devices that are releasably attachable to a sheet. The clamping devices include a clamp handle pivotally connected to a clamp base and a clamp arm eccentrically pivotally connected to the clamp handle. The clamping and strap assembly is supported on the base assembly by a vertical adjustment assembly that includes a positioning mechanism for releasably locking the clamping and strap assembly at one of a plurality of vertical positions. An attendant can stand on the base assembly to act as a counterbalance to a patient's weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: Martin Stryker, Jeffrey Lewandowski, James Thwaites, Richard Bartow, Scott Smieja, David Marcusen