Patents by Inventor Douglas A. Moore

Douglas A. Moore 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: 11628103
    Abstract: A support device includes a wheel, a base member, a leg coupled to the wheel and the base member, the leg including an upper leg segment, a lower leg segment positioned below the upper leg segment, a joint positioned between the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment, and an actuator engaged with the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment, where the actuator includes a linear engagement member that is engaged with one of the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment, a cammed member defining a non-circular perimeter engaged with the linear engagement member, and a motor engaged with the linear engagement member through the cammed member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Moore
  • Patent number: 11602479
    Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to a system that includes a powered wheelchair, a user-worn exoskeleton, and a master controller. The master controller monitors the independent movements of the powered wheelchair and the user-worn exoskeleton. The master controller prioritizes the movement of the powered wheelchair and the user-worn exoskeleton such that only one of the powered wheelchair or the user-worn exoskeleton will have the priority to complete the intended movement. The master controller may coordinate movements between the powered wheelchair and the user-worn exoskeleton so to perform a plurality of predetermined programs. For example, assisting a user to sit within the powered wheelchair, to assist a user to stand from a seating position when outside of the powered wheelchair, and/or use the powered wheelchair as a guide for walking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Moore
  • Patent number: 11559445
    Abstract: A support device includes a wheel, a base member, a leg coupled to the wheel and the base member, the leg including an upper leg segment, a lower leg segment positioned below the upper leg segment, a joint positioned between the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment, the joint including a cam defining a non-circular perimeter, and an actuator coupled to one of the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment, the actuator including an engagement member that is engaged with the non-circular perimeter of the of the cam of the joint, where the actuator selectively moves the engagement member to move the cam and the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment about the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Moore
  • Patent number: 11540958
    Abstract: A modular seat apparatus includes a base cushion and a back cushion that includes a plurality of segments defining a longitudinal length of the back cushion. The back cushion is pivotably coupled to the base cushion such that the back cushion is oriented at an angle relative to the base cushion. The plurality of segments is configured to translate in response to the back cushion pivoting relative to the base cushion such that the longitudinal length of the back cushion decreases as the angle increases and the longitudinal length of the back cushion increases as the angle decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Moore
  • Patent number: 11523952
    Abstract: A system for controlling a wheelchair is disclosed. The system includes an input device that includes a shaft element, a base element, and one or more annular elements. A lower distal end of the shaft element is coupled to the base element, and the shaft element is configured to pivotally move about the lower distal end of the shaft element. A first annular element of the one or more annular elements is circumferentially disposed around the shaft element. The first annular element is coupled to the base element, and the first annular element is configured to rotate about the shaft element. The input device is configured to generate one or more input signals based on a position of the first annular element and a pivotal movement of the shaft element. The one or more input signals are configured to cause a controller to set an operation mode of the wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Lee, Douglas A. Moore
  • Patent number: 11524523
    Abstract: An omni-wheel may include a shaft, a plurality of rollers, and a braking device. The plurality of rollers may be circumferentially arranged about the shaft and arranged radially outward from the shaft. The braking device may include an at least one flexible clutch member, an at least one brake pad, and an actuator. The at least one flexible clutch member may have an outer diameter arranged about the shaft. The at least one brake pad may be arranged on the outer diameter of the at least one flexible clutch member. The actuator may be arranged to axially displace the at least one flexible clutch member. The at least one flexible clutch member may expand radially outward when axially displaced by the actuator, which may displace the at least one brake pad arranged on the outer diameter of the at least one flexible clutch member radially outward to contact at least one of the plurality of rollers, preventing rotation of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Moore
  • Publication number: 20220273507
    Abstract: A powered wheelchair apparatus includes a chair component, a power base component and a wheelchair control system. The wheelchair control system includes a processor and a user input device communicatively coupled to the processor. A display is communicatively coupled to the processor. A memory module is communicatively coupled to the processor that stores logic that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to receive user instructions from the user input device and display a message on the display based on the user instructions. The display is on a back of the chair component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Moore, Christopher P. Lee, Melvin Alfredo Dominquez, Thomas Mitchell Dair
  • Patent number: 11364162
    Abstract: A powered wheelchair apparatus includes a chair component, a power base component and a wheelchair control system. The wheelchair control system includes a processor and a user input device communicatively coupled to the processor. A display is communicatively coupled to the processor. A memory module is communicatively coupled to the processor that stores logic that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to receive user instructions from the user input device and display a message on the display based on the user instructions. The display is on a back of the chair component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Moore, Christopher P. Lee, Melvin Alfredo Dominguez, Thomas Mitchell Dair
  • Publication number: 20220151846
    Abstract: A multifunctional mobility device includes a frame that is configurable between a plurality of modes corresponding to at least a power wheelchair mode, a power scooter mode, and a power walker mode, a plurality of motorized wheels mounted to the frame, and handles pivotally coupled to the frame and communicatively coupled to the plurality of motorized wheels. Pivoting the handles operates the plurality of motorized wheels, wherein each handle is independently pivotable to independently drive rotation of a motorized wheel of the plurality of motorized wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Moore, Paul Nichols, Thomas Mitchell Dair
  • Publication number: 20220151845
    Abstract: A multifunction mobility device includes a frame that includes a seat member, a first wheeled leg ember coupled to a first side of the seat member and a second wheeled leg member coupled to a second side of the seat member. The first wheeled leg member and the second wheeled leg member each includes an upper leg portion pivotally coupled to the seat member at a distal end and defining an upper arm recess, and a lower leg portion pivotally coupled to the upper leg portion, the upper leg portion and the lower leg portion being collapsible into a collapsed transport and storage mode where the upper leg portion is pivoted relative to the lower leg portion such that the lower leg portion nests into the upper arm recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Moore, Paul Nichols, Thomas Mitchell Dair
  • Publication number: 20220142832
    Abstract: Systems and methods of wheelchair systems having a companion control mode are disclosed. The wheelchair system includes a companion and a wheelchair. The wheelchair includes one or more wheels, at least one actuator coupled to the one or more wheels, a processing device, and a non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium in communication with the processing device. The non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium includes one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processing device to determine the companion, generate a companion profile based on the determined companion, determine a movement of the companion, and actuate the at least one actuator to drive the one or more wheels to follow the movement of the companion. The actuation of the at least one actuator to drive the one or more wheels to follow the movement of the companion is an autonomous control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Dario Jose Villarreal Suarez, Sarah Darrow, Douglas A. Moore, Christopher Lee
  • Publication number: 20220144328
    Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to a mobility device. The mobility device includes a frame, a pair of foot plates, and a base. The frame has a pair of side rails. The pair of foot plates are pivotally attached to the pair of side rails. Each of the pair of foot plates have a transport surface. The base has an upper surface and an opposite lower surface. The lower surface of the base includes at least one receiving cavity that corresponds to a shape of the pair of foot plates. The base is positioned on the transport surface to receive the pair of foot plates within the at least one receiving cavity and is configured to receive a plurality of cargo containers on the upper surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Moore, Paul Nichols, Thomas Mitchell Dair
  • Publication number: 20220144329
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a multi-function mobility device to provide cargo container transport are provided. A multi-function mobility device includes a frame configurable between a plurality of configurations. The frame includes a plurality of individually controllable wheeled leg members configured to traverse uneven terrain. The mobility device is configured to transform the frame into a cargo transport configuration that accepts two stacks of cargo bins locked together. The mobility device is also configured to transform the frame into a rideable configuration that accepts a person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Moore, Paul Nichols, Tom Dair
  • Publication number: 20220079822
    Abstract: A wheelchair system comprises a wheelchair comprising a seat, one or more first sensors disposed on or within the seat, one or more second sensors configured to communicate with the one or more first sensors and configured to be associated with a user to determine if the user is falling out of the wheelchair, wherein, upon detection that the user is falling out of the wheelchair, the wheelchair is configured to automatically stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Moore
  • Patent number: 11273669
    Abstract: An omni-track system for mounting onto a wheel may include a plurality of track segments. Each of the plurality of track segments may include a male connector, a female connector, a roller mount, and at least one roller. The female connector may be arranged opposite the male connector. The roller mount may be fixedly secured to the track segment. The at least one roller may be rotatably secured to the roller mount. The plurality of track segments may be linked together to fully encompass an outer circumference of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Moore
  • Publication number: 20220071834
    Abstract: A mobility device positionable between a powered transport position and a powered wheelchair position is provided. The mobility device includes a frame including a pair of side rails, a pair of wheels on each side rail, a distance between each wheel on a corresponding side rail defining a length of the mobility device, a pair of arms coupled to an end of the pair of side rails, and a seat member positioned between the pair of arms. A pair of foot plates is pivotally attached to the pair of side rails and rotatable between an unfolded position in which the foot plate is horizontal and a folded position in which the foot plate is vertical. Each foot plate having a length at least substantially equal to the length of the mobility device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC., INSTITUTE FOR CREATIVE INTEGRATION
    Inventors: Douglas A. Moore, Paul Nichols, Thomas Mitchell Dair
  • Publication number: 20220062077
    Abstract: A powered mobility device comprises two powered wheels, a controller, and a control handle configured to generate control signals in response to being operated by push and pull inputs from a user. The control handle rotates between a first operating position and a second operating position such than an orientation of the control handle is reversed with respect to a forward movement direction of the mobility device. The controller is configured to control the powered wheels of the mobility device to move in the forward movement direction in response the control handle being operated in the forward movement direction and move in a reverse movement direction in response to the control handle being operated in the reverse movement direction in both the first operating position and the second operating position regardless of the reversed orientation of the control handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Moore, Paul Ellsworth Nichols, Thomas Mitchell Dair
  • Publication number: 20220031538
    Abstract: A support device includes a base portion, a leg coupled to the base portion, the leg including an upper segment, a central segment pivotally coupled to the upper segment at a front wheel, a lower segment pivotally coupled to the central segment, a rear wheel coupled to the lower segment, and an engagement member coupled to the lower segment, where the engagement member is positionable between a disengaged position, in which at least a portion of the engagement member is positioned above the rear wheel, and an engaged position, in which at least a portion of the engagement member is positioned at or below the rear wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Moore, Dario Jose Villarreal Suarez
  • Publication number: 20220015967
    Abstract: A wheelchair includes a seat, a first adjustable leg coupled to a first side of the seat, a second adjustable leg coupled to a second side of the seat, one or more turning sensors, and a control unit. The first adjustable leg includes a first leg actuator configured to extend and retract the first adjustable leg. The second adjustable leg includes a second leg actuator configured to extend and retract the second adjustable leg. The one or more turning sensors are configured to output a turning signal indicative of the wheelchair performing a turning motion. The control unit is operable to determine the wheelchair is performing the turning motion based on the turning signal, and automatically adjust a tilt angle of the seat with the first leg actuator and the second leg actuator to lean a user of the wheelchair into the turning motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Moore, Dario S. Villarreal Suarez
  • Publication number: 20210401643
    Abstract: Systems and methods of wheelchair systems herein provide a wheelchair capable of providing a brace system that moves between retracted and deployed positions to provide a physical support to the legs of the user to assist the user in transition between a plurality of user positions. Embodiments determine a user request for such assistance and then either deploys and/or retracts the brace system. Embodiments provide for assistance independent of additional people, such as aides, to assist the user in moving or transitioning between the plurality of user positions while also allowing or permitting the wheelchair to function normally when the brace system is in the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Moore