Patents by Inventor Allen B. Killebrew
Allen B. Killebrew 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).
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Patent number: 8474848Abstract: The vehicle comprises a base and a seat moveable along a curve having a focal point. The vehicle is adjustable to position an occupant in the seat to achieve a desired position for the center of gravity of the occupant relative to the focal point of the curve. A method for minimizing effort required to tilt the seat of a personal mobility vehicle comprises the steps of providing a personal mobility vehicle having a seat that is adapted to move along an arc having a center of curvature, positioning the seat substantially horizontally, providing an occupant in the seat, and adjusting the position of the vehicle occupant's center of gravity so that the center of gravity is substantially equal to or below the center of curvature of the arc.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2004Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Sunrise Medical (US) LLCInventors: Todd Bernatsky, Philip Schreiber, Thomas J. Whelan, Wayne Hanson, Steven L. Lindquist, Jerry Houtart, Richard Schneider, Allen B. Killebrew, Mike Nordquist
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Patent number: 8469383Abstract: A wheelchair includes a frame, and a front pivot arm pivotally mounted to the frame at a front pivot point, the front pivot arm having a caster for supporting the frame. A rear pivot arm is pivotally mounted to the frame at a rear pivot point, the rear pivot arm having a caster for supporting the frame. A ground engaging mid-wheel drive wheel is connected to the frame. A linkage connects the front and rear pivot arms to each other in a manner such that an upward or downward rotation of one of the pivot arms about its pivot point causes rotation of the other pivot arm about its pivot point in an opposite rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2012Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Sunrise Medical (US) LLCInventors: Daniel Z. Zhou, Mark A. Jackson, John J. Tarter, Mark E. Greig, Rex W. Stevens, James M. Koerlin, Samuel D. Traxinger, Allen B. Killebrew
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Publication number: 20120273283Abstract: A wheelchair includes a frame, and a front pivot arm pivotally mounted to the frame at a front pivot point, the front pivot arm having a caster for supporting the frame. A rear pivot arm is pivotally mounted to the frame at a rear pivot point, the rear pivot arm having a caster for supporting the frame. A ground engaging mid-wheel drive wheel is connected to the frame. A linkage connects the front and rear pivot arms to each other in a manner such that an upward or downward rotation of one of the pivot arms about its pivot point causes rotation of the other pivot arm about its pivot point in an opposite rotational direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: Sunrise Medical HHG, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Z. Zhou, Mark A. Jackson, John J. Tarter, Mark E. Greig, Rex W. Stevens, James M. Koerlin, Samuel D. Traxinger, Allen B. Killebrew
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Patent number: 8210556Abstract: A wheelchair includes a frame, and a front pivot arm pivotally mounted to the frame at a front pivot point, the front pivot arm having a caster for supporting the frame. A rear pivot arm is pivotally mounted to the frame at a rear pivot point, the rear pivot arm having a caster for supporting the frame. A ground engaging mid-wheel drive wheel is connected to the frame. A linkage connects the front and rear pivot arms to each other in a manner such that an upward or downward rotation of one of the pivot arms about its pivot point causes rotation of the other pivot arm about its pivot point in an opposite rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Z. Zhou, Mark A. Jackson, John J. Tarter, Mark E. Greig, Rex W. Stevens, James M. Koerlin, Samuel D. Traxinger, Allen B. Killebrew
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Publication number: 20120138376Abstract: A wheelchair includes a frame, and a front pivot arm pivotally mounted to the frame at a front pivot point, the front pivot arm having a caster for supporting the frame. A rear pivot arm is pivotally mounted to the frame at a rear pivot point, the rear pivot arm having a caster for supporting the frame. A ground engaging mid-wheel drive wheel is connected to the frame. A linkage connects the front and rear pivot arms to each other in a manner such that an upward or downward rotation of one of the pivot arms about its pivot point causes rotation of the other pivot arm about its pivot point in an opposite rotational direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2012Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: SUNRISE MEDICAL HHG INC.Inventors: Daniel Z. Zhou, Mark A. Jackson, John J. Tarter, Mark E. Greig, Rex W. Stevens, James M. Koerlin, Samuel D. Traxinger, Allen B. Killebrew
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Patent number: 8113531Abstract: A personal mobility vehicle includes an base unit having a frame and front and rear pivot arms pivotally mounted at respective front and rear pivot points. The front and rear pivot arms support casters. A drive unit having a ground engaging mid-wheel drive wheel is connected to the frame. A linkage connects the front and rear pivot arms to each other in a manner such that an upward or downward rotation of one of the pivot arms about its pivot point causes rotation of the other pivot arm about its pivot point in an opposite rotational direction. The base unit may also include a drive unit that is pivotally supported on the base unit by a torque arm and a suspension system that includes a suspension stop. The torque arm selectively disengages the suspension stop to allow movement of the front caster wheel in response to the terrain traversed.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Z. Zhou, Mark A. Jackson, John J. Tarter, Mark E. Greig, Rex W. Stevens, James M. Koerlin, Samuel D. Traxinger, Allen B. Killebrew
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Patent number: 7896394Abstract: A wheelchair includes a frame, and a front pivot arm pivotally mounted to the frame at a front pivot point, the front pivot arm having a caster for supporting the frame. A rear pivot arm is pivotally mounted to the frame at a rear pivot point, the rear pivot arm having a caster for supporting the frame. A ground engaging mid-wheel drive wheel is connected to the frame. A linkage connects the front and rear pivot arms to each other in a manner such that an upward or downward rotation of one of the pivot arms about its pivot point causes rotation of the other pivot arm about its pivot point in an opposite rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2006Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Jackson, John J. Tarter, Mark E. Greig, Rex W. Stevens, James M. Koerlin, Samuel D. Traxinger, Daniel Z. Zhou, Allen B. Killebrew
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Patent number: 7353566Abstract: An improved wheel assembly comprises a caster fork, a caster wheel rotatably supported by the caster fork, and a caster swivel post defining an axis about which the caster fork rotates. The caster swivel post is being adapted to rotate about a pivot axis within a cylindrical housing. Alternatively, the wheel assembly has an adjustable axle for varying the camber angle of a wheel. The wheel assembly comprises a housing and an axle supported by the housing. The axle in turn rotatably supports a wheel. The axle is adapted to rotate about a pivot axis within a cylindrical housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2003Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.Inventors: Philip Scheiber, Steven L. Lindquist, Brandon Mckee, Allen B. Killebrew, Rex W. Stevens, Ralf Groene, Michael Knopf
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Publication number: 20080047071Abstract: A seat cover, and a method for producing a seat cover, minimizes surface tension in the cover material, when the cover conforms to a highly contoured shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2007Publication date: February 28, 2008Inventors: James L. Christofferson, Thomas J. Whelan, Allen B. Killebrew, Vincent J. Frerich, Philip Schreiber
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Patent number: 7231689Abstract: An improved wheel assembly comprises a caster swivel post that is adapted to pivot about a pivot axis transverse to the caster swivel post. A caster fork is supported for rotation relative to the caster swivel post and rotatably supports a caster wheel. The caster swivel post is adapted selectively pivot about the pivot axis that is transverse to the caster swivel post or be held in a substantially fixed position. A setscrew can be threadable into an upper end of a pivot nut to hold the pivot nut and thus the caster swivel post in a fixed position within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.Inventors: Philip Scheiber, Steven L. Lindquist, Allen B. Killebrew
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Patent number: 7007965Abstract: A center-of-gravity tilt-in-space wheelchair includes a base, a seat for supporting an occupant, and tracks supporting the seat for selective seat movement relative to the base. Wheels are adapted to support the base relative to a supporting surface. The tracks serve as rolling or sliding surfaces that allow the seat to rotate with respect to the base. Each track has a constant-radius arc with a focal point that is adapted to be coincident with the center of gravity of the wheelchair occupant. A low-friction supports the base relative to the seat. The low-friction support may include low friction elements that mate with the tracks to support for the tracks. The support can be adjustable to permit the overall tilt angle range of the tracks to be adjusted. The wheelchair seat can be adjusted to maintain the focal point of the constant-radius arc of the tracks coincident with the center of gravity of the wheelchair occupant. The front and rear wheels can be adjusted fore and aft relative to the focal point.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.Inventors: Todd Bernatsky, Philip Schreiber, Tom Whelan, Wayne Hanson, Steven L. Lindquist, Jerry Houtart, Richard Schneider, Allen B. Killebrew, Mike Nordquist
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Patent number: 6974194Abstract: A wheel mount assembly adapted for use in securing a camber tube to a wheelchair frame comprises an axle plate, at least one axially displaceable member adapted to be fixed in relation to the axle plate, and at least one radially displaceable member adjacent the axially displaceable members. The axially displaceable member is adapted to be axially displaced to cause the radially displaceable member to be displaced to tighten against the camber tube to hold the camber tube in place.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2003Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.Inventors: Philip Schreiber, Steven L. Lindquist, Brandon McKee, Allen B. Killebrew
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Publication number: 20040188979Abstract: A center-of-gravity tilt-in-space wheelchair includes a base, a seat for supporting an occupant, and tracks supporting the seat for selective seat movement relative to the base. Wheels are adapted to support the base relative to a supporting surface. The tracks serve as rolling or sliding surfaces that allow the seat to rotate with respect to the base. Each track has a constant-radius arc with a focal point that is adapted to be coincident with the center of gravity of the wheelchair occupant. A low-friction supports the base relative to the seat. The low-friction support may include low friction elements that mate with the tracks to support for the tracks. The support can be adjustable to permit the overall tilt angle range of the tracks to be adjusted. The wheelchair seat can be adjusted to maintain the focal point of the constant-radius arc of the tracks coincident with the center of gravity of the wheelchair occupant. The front and rear wheels can be adjusted fore and aft relative to the focal point.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventors: Todd Bernatsky, Philip Schreiber, Tom Whelan, Wayne Hanson, Steven L. Lindquist, Jerry Houtart, Richard Schneider, Allen B. Killebrew, Mike Nordquist
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Patent number: 6688693Abstract: A seat back assembly for connecting a seat back shell to the seat back tubes of a wheelchair comprises a shell, upper and lower shell connectors, and upper and lower side plate portions. The lower shell connector is mounted to a lower portion of the shell. The upper shell connector is mounted to an upper portion of the shell. The upper side plate portion is adapted to be mounted to an upper portion of the seat back tube. The lower side plate portion is adapted to be mounted to a lower portion of the seat back tube at a position substantially co-linear to the posterior superior illiac spine (PSIS) of a user. The lower shell connector and the lower side plate portion are pivotally engageable with one another along a pivot axis. The upper shell connector and the upper side plate portion are attachable relative to one another at discrete locations so as to permit the angular disposition of the shell to be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2001Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.Inventors: James L. Christofferson, Sharon L. Pratt, Allen B. Killebrew, Bryan J. Griffiths
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Publication number: 20040003482Abstract: An improved wheel assembly comprises a caster fork, a caster wheel rotatably supported by the caster fork, and a caster swivel post defining an axis about which the caster fork rotates. The caster swivel post is being adapted to rotate about a pivot axis within a cylindrical housing. Alternatively, the wheel assembly has an adjustable axle for varying the camber angle of a wheel. The wheel assembly comprises a housing and an axle supported by the housing. The axle in turn rotatably supports a wheel. The axle is adapted to rotate about a pivot axis within a cylindrical housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Inventors: Philip Schreiber, Steven L. Lindquist, Brandon McKee, Allen B. Killebrew, Rex W. Stevens, Ralf Groene, Michael Knopf
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Publication number: 20030227151Abstract: A wheel mount assembly adapted for use in securing a camber tube to a wheelchair frame comprises an axle plate, at least one axially displaceable member adapted to be fixed in relation to the axle plate, and at least one radially displaceable member adjacent the axially displaceable members. The axially displaceable member is adapted to be axially displaced to cause the radially displaceable member to be displaced to tighten against the camber tube to hold the camber tube in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2003Publication date: December 11, 2003Inventors: Philip Schreiber, Steven L. Lindquist, Brandon McKee, Allen B. Killebrew
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Publication number: 20030030318Abstract: A seat back assembly for connecting a seat back shell to the seat back tubes of a wheelchair comprises a shell, upper and lower shell connectors, and upper and lower side plate portions. The lower shell connector is mounted to a lower portion of the shell. The upper shell connector is mounted to an upper portion of the shell. The upper side plate portion is adapted to be mounted to an upper portion of the seat back tube. The lower side plate portion is adapted to be mounted to a lower portion of the seat back tube at a position substantially co-linear to the posterior superior illiac spine (PSIS) of a user. The lower shell connector and the lower side plate portion are pivotally engageable with one another along a pivot axis. The upper shell connector and the upper side plate portion are attachable relative to one another at discrete locations so as to permit the angular disposition of the shell to be adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2001Publication date: February 13, 2003Inventors: James L. Christofferson, Sharon L. Pratt, Allen B. Killebrew, Bryan J. Griffiths