Patents by Inventor Andre Degonda

Andre Degonda 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: 20070085401
    Abstract: The head support unit may be attached by attachment means (13) to a chair, e.g. a wheel chair. A set screw (15) permits vertical adjustment. The head rest (19) may be horizontally moved by the user into the desired position. This movement takes place without a recognizable movement in vertical direction. The head rest (19) is carried by a slender lever parallelogram (18) which is operatively connected by a flexible Bowden-cable (21) to the motor (23) located at a distance on the chair. This flexible connection (21) permits not only to put the motor (23) at a suitable location away from the head of the user, but does also not hinder a vertical adjustment of the head rest (19) by means of the vertical support bar (11) and the set screw (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Kurt Hunziker, Alexandre Tapis, Andre Degonda
  • Patent number: 6217114
    Abstract: An inclinable seat arrangement, in particular for a sick or handicapped occupant, is described. It comprises a framework (2) and an inclinable seat (3) connected to the framework by an articulation (4) and by a positioning mechanism arranged so as to facilitate the manipulations for inclining the seat by the occupant or by another person. The axis of the articulation (4) is preferably located proximate a vertical line passing through the center of gravity (G1) of the occupant when in a position corresponding to the equilibrium position of the empty seat. An elastic mechanism, exerting a progressive return couple toward the equilibrium position, comprises elastic bearings (24) within the articulation. The elastic mechanism also preferably comprises a constant force gas thrustor (6) which includes a controlled blocking arrangement. In place of the gas thrustor there may be provided a motorized jack (51) controlled by the occupant (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Degonda-Rehab SA
    Inventor: André Degonda
  • Patent number: 5964473
    Abstract: The chair according to the invention comprises a chassis (60) with a support for the user, specifically a seat, a cab for a stroller, or handles for pushing the device. The chassis consists of two portions (61, 62) connected by an articulation (63) with a transverse axle. The first chassis portion (61) is equipped with two main wheels (66) whose common axle (67) is near the line of action (p) of the user's weight, and at least one front or rear contact wheel (68). The second chassis portion (62) uses at least one contact wheel (69) to contact the ground at the other end of the chair. The wheels may be arranged in a diamond shape, and the contact wheels (68, 69) turn freely. There is preferably a spring device (72) connecting the two chassis portions to store and release energy when clearing obstacles. In the case of a wheelchair, the main wheels (66) are either manually driven or controlled by separate motors. The distinctive features of such a device are ease of manipulation and ability to clear obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Degonda-Rehab S.A.
    Inventors: Andre Degonda, Thomas Wuthrich