Patents by Inventor Joshua A. Middel

Joshua A. Middel 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).

  • Publication number: 20210307980
    Abstract: A wheelchair back support adjustment assembly that utilizes a swivel assembly is disclosed. This swivel assembly provides an entirety of an interconnection between the wheelchair back support adjustment assembly and a back support of a wheelchair. The wheelchair back support adjustment assembly may also include a linkage that interfaces with the swivel assembly. Opposite end portions of the linkage are connectable with a corresponding cane of a wheelchair. The configuration of the wheelchair back support adjustment assembly accommodates a variety of adjustments, to correspondingly adjust a back support of a wheelchair when in an installed configuration (e.g., to customize the back support to a user of the wheelchair). These adjustments may be through one or more adjustments of the swivel assembly, one or more adjustments adjustment of the linkage, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hetzel, Joseph S. Bieganek, Eric Vielbig, Karl L. Youngdahl, Joshua A. Middel
  • Patent number: 11103395
    Abstract: A technique for capturing a three-dimensional digital image of a customized shape for a wheelchair seat and back and subsequently producing a seat and back from the image. The captured image may include one or more datum points therein to provide a reference plane for the seat and back. The datum points may be in a color-coded layer located relative to the bottom edge of the seat. The color code may indicate the size of the user and seat at a coarse level. The customized shape may be captured from a shape capture bag or bags that capture one or both of the shape of the user's back and bottom. The shape capture bag used to capture the shape of the user's bottom, for use in manufacturing the seat, may be enhanced by a pre-formed layer that contains a contour or one or more components that together form a contour that biases the shape capture bag toward the shape of the user's bottom when gravity is acting upon the user to sink into a cushioned seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Aspen Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hetzel, Joseph S. Bieganek, Joshua A. Middel, Steve Maurus, Edward J. Gillman
  • Publication number: 20180200129
    Abstract: A technique for capturing a three-dimensional digital image of a customized shape for a wheelchair seat and back and subsequently producing a seat and back from the image. The captured image may include one or more datum points therein to provide a reference plane for the seat and back. The datum points may be in a color-coded layer located relative to the bottom edge of the seat. The color code may indicate the size of the user and seat at a coarse level. The customized shape may be captured from a shape capture bag or bags that capture one or both of the shape of the user's back and bottom. The shape capture bag used to capture the shape of the user's bottom, for use in manufacturing the seat, may be enhanced by a pre-formed layer that contains a contour or one or more components that together form a contour that biases the shape capture bag toward the shape of the user's bottom when gravity is acting upon the user to sink into a cushioned seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: THOMAS R. HETZEL, JOSEPH S. BIEGANEK, JOSHUA A. MIDDEL, STEVE MAURUS, EDWARD J. GILLMAN
  • Publication number: 20070279315
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying content on a portable electronic device is described. One illustrative embodiment acquires in a portable electronic device content to be displayed on the portable electronic device; displays the content on a composite display of the portable electronic device, the composite display including a plurality of separate display panels and being capable of being folded and unfolded into a plurality of configurations; and configures the composite display such that any two adjacent display panels of the composite display, when arranged so as to be in the same plane, are substantially flush along their adjacent edges to emulate the appearance of a continuous display across the adjacent edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: NewsFlex, Ltd.
    Inventors: Edward W. Laves, Joshua A. Middel