Patents Assigned to Invacare Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130036550
    Abstract: A bed with a leg assembly coupled to a support link assembly by a joint, the joint comprising a slot having at least two paths. A support link assembly defining a length that automatically varies as the support link assembly moves relative to the leg assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert R. Bly, Kevin S. Wysocki
  • Publication number: 20130031784
    Abstract: Embodiments of oxygen concentrators having a sieve bed that includes a vessel filled with a separation medium are disclosed. The sieve bed vessel at least partially supports one chassis component of the oxygen concentrator with respect to another chassis component. of the oxygen concentrator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Invacare Corporation
  • Publication number: 20120299260
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension comprises a frame, at least one pivot arm, at least one front caster, at least one rear caster, a stabilizing system, and a sensor. The pivot arm is coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. The rear caster is coupled to the frame. The stabilizing system is coupled to the frame and the pivot arm. The sensor is arranged such that tipping of the frame causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gerold Goertzen, William A. Null, JR., Robert L. Cuson
  • Publication number: 20120299262
    Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame, at least one drive assembly and at least one caster pivot arm. The at least one drive assembly and the at least one caster pivot arm are pivotally connected to the frame at a common pivot axis such that the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm are pivotable relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Bekoscke, Damon Jurkiewicz
  • Patent number: 8315770
    Abstract: A motorized wheelchair includes left and right drive wheels, left and right motors, rate-of-turn sensor, first and second speed sensors, and controller arranged to combine signals from the sensors in a manner that detects drift. Alternatively, the motorized wheelchair includes left and right drive wheels, left and right motors, first and second rate-of-turn sensors, and controller arranged to combine signals from the sensors in a manner that compensates for voltage offset errors. In another arrangement, the motorized wheelchair includes left and right drive wheels, left and right motors, first and second rate-of-turn sensors, input device, and controller arranged to combine signals from the sensors and input device in a manner that controls the motors using an integrated turn rate error. Several methods for controlling each wheelchair configuration are also provided. These methods process signals associated with desired, expected, or actual turn rate to determine if the wheelchair is off course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Strothmann, Joseph B. Richey
  • Patent number: 8282717
    Abstract: Embodiments of oxygen concentrators having a sieve bed that includes a vessel filled with a separation medium are disclosed. The sieve bed vessel at least partially supports one chassis component of the oxygen concentrator with respect to another chassis component. of the oxygen concentrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: William M. Chambers, Dennis J. Sniezek, Thomas B. Sprinkle
  • Patent number: 8285440
    Abstract: A collection of diagnostic and troubleshooting information associated with a power driven wheelchair is stored for access by a microcontroller to be displayed to a user to assist in troubleshooting the power driven wheelchair. A log of fault codes transmitted by various fault-detecting mechanisms is compiled. A user may request display of diagnostic information associated with a selected fault code. The operating instructions of a power driven wheelchair may be updated by using portable storage media onto which a latest version of operating instructions is loaded to transfer the updated operating instructions to wheelchair controller memory. The calibration of a power driven wheelchair can be simplified by providing functionality within the wheelchair controller to change calibration parameters or to transfer calibration parameters from portable storage media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce A. Jaenke, Darryl Peters, Gary E. Chopcinski, Ricky J. McCullar
  • Patent number: 8272461
    Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame, at least one drive assembly and at least one caster pivot arm. The at least one drive assembly and the at least one caster pivot arm are coupled to enhance the vehicle's ability to traverse obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Bekoscke, Damon Jurkiewicz
  • Patent number: 8272084
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a patient lift apparatus is provided that includes a hanger bar attachment bumper that comprises a soft material so as to provide a soft impact surface on the patient lift apparatus, the hanger bar attachment comprising a first and second housing adapted to be selectively connected to one another. According to another embodiment of the present invention a patient lift apparatus is provided that includes a hanger bar attachment bumper that comprises a soft material so as to provide a soft impact surface on the patient lift apparatus, the hanger bar attachment bumper comprising a first and second housing adapted to be selectively connected to one another, wherein the hanger bar attachment bumper comprises a surface area and wherein the first housing makes up a larger portion of the surface area of the hanger bar attachment bumper than the second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Frances Spidare, Kenneth Chapman, James Zhou, Roger Wang
  • Patent number: 8261742
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a desired pressure in a positive airway pressure (PAP) device are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) providing breathing gas under positive pressure to a patient via a PAP device based on current desired pressure, b) monitoring a characteristic of the breathing gas, patient, or PAP device indicative of respiration, c) creating a breathing cycle signal having a first level associated with inhalation and a second level associated with exhalation, the signal being based on the monitored respiration characteristic, d) performing an abnormal breathing check based on the monitored respiration characteristic and the breathing cycle signal, and e) if abnormal breathing is detected, increasing the current desired pressure until a maximum desired pressure is reached, otherwise, decreasing the current desired pressure until a minimum desired pressure is reached. Several embodiments of an apparatus associated with the method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Strothmann, Joseph B. Richey, II
  • Patent number: 8256048
    Abstract: A bed with a leg assembly coupled to a support link assembly by a joint, the joint comprising a slot having at least two paths. A support link assembly defining a length that automatically varies as the support link assembly moves relative to the leg assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Bly, Kevin S. Wysocki
  • Patent number: 8251391
    Abstract: Stem (12) is secured to fork (6). Head (27), bearing surface (28), recessed portions (29 and 21), and bearing surface (31) successively engage the interior of housing (13), comprising first bearing (14), laterally movable locking ring (18) and second bearing (15). Locking ring (18) is repelled to the left in diametral direction against spring means urging ring (18). When shoulder (20) has arrived at the height of rim portion (32) of ring (18) the spring means are released. Ring (18) displaces to the right and portion (32) engages groove (29) thus locking the stem in the axial direction. Due to the side location of the button 9, the device can easily be handled using the palm of a hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Markus Kohler, Martin Primosig
  • Patent number: 8250687
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for lifting and transporting patients. The apparatus may include a base frame, a central frame, a knee pad, and a boom configured to pivot relative to the central frame. The knee pad may have a guide and a rail configured to travel within the guide to allow positioning and adjustment of the knee pad relative to the central frame. The guide may be configured to selectively secure the rail at any location within an adjustment range of the knee pad. The boom may have at least one hook portion for attachment of a device for holding the patient during lifting. The hook portion may include a hook formed from a curved portion of a central member and a clip attached to the curved portion and movable between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Frances Spidare, Russell Pizzuto, John Owens, James Zhou, Roger Wang, Richard Li, Kenneth Chapman, Chris Jaeger
  • Patent number: 8235407
    Abstract: A wheelchair is provided for positioning and transporting patients. An exemplary embodiment of the wheelchair includes a tiltable seat frame portion and a base frame portion. The seat frame portion is generally configured to tilt relative to the base frame portion. An arcuate track adjustment portion generally permits pivotal adjustment of the focus about which the seat frame portion rotates. A seat frame adjustment portion generally permits pivotal adjustment of the seat frame portion relative to the base frame portion such that the seat frame portion maintains proper orientation with the base frame portion upon adjustment of the focus about which the seat frame portion rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew R. Cerreto, David Stitchick, Mark Zakrajsek, John D. Lescher, Judson Cummins
  • Publication number: 20120185114
    Abstract: A method of programming parameters of a power driven wheelchair for a plurality of drive modes comprises: displaying a menu image on an interactive display screen, the menu image including settings of a plurality of wheelchair parameters for a plurality of drive modes of the wheelchair; selecting a wheelchair parameter for a drive mode from the displayed menu image; and programming the setting of the selected wheelchair parameter to a desired setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce A. Jaenke, Gary E. Chopcinski
  • Publication number: 20120166020
    Abstract: A power driven wheelchair and a method for operating same are provided. In one embodiment, the power driven wheelchair includes a system controller with a main controller, a storage device, and at least one input device, a motor assembly, and a common bus. The motor assembly may include a drive motor, a local controller, and a sensor sensing a condition associated with the drive motor and in communication with the local controller. In another embodiment, the power driven wheelchair includes the system controller, an actuator assembly, and the common bus. The actuator assembly may include an actuator mechanism, a local controller, and a sensor sensing a condition associated with the actuator mechanism and in communication with the local controller. Multiple embodiments of the method are related to controlling various arrangements of motor assemblies or actuator assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Mattes, Darryl Peters, Bruce A. Jaenke, Ricky J. McCullar, Gary E. Chopcinski
  • Publication number: 20120152248
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing high-pressure, high-purity oxygen in a pressure vessel for use in the home health care or related fields as for ambulatory patients, persons confined to wheelchairs, and those who are bedridden. The Oxygen may be produced from air an oxygen-enriched gas and stored in a concentrator product tank. After reaching a predetermined pressure, the gas is fed to a compressor where it is compressed to a high pressure and stored in a mobile or portable high-pressure container. A patient can thus have increased mobility through use of the portable, one or more high-pressure oxygen containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph B. RICHEY, II, Gerold G. GOERTZEN
  • Publication number: 20120146378
    Abstract: Seats that are moveable from a seating orientation, which allows a user to sit on the seat, to a standing orientation, where the seat at least partially supports the user in a standing posture are disclosed. At least a portion of the seat is moveable away from the user's legs when the seat is in the standing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Warren Lokken, Wesley Lee Ovre, Jeffrey Vernon Schmidt, Mathew Allan Haugen, Leo Joseph Schweiss
  • Patent number: D672727
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Ricky J. McCullar, Kristie L. Jarrett, Michael Sedlak, Brian W. Huml, Daniel M. Hulse, Michael Romano
  • Patent number: D678849
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Ricky J. McCullar, Kristie L. Jarrett, Michael Sedlak, Brian W. Huml, Daniel M. Hulse, Michael Romano