Patents by Inventor Gerald J. White
Gerald J. White 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: 7234554Abstract: A curb-climbing rear wheel drive power wheelchair is disclosed having a pair of drive wheels, at least one ground-engaging idler wheel connected to the frame forward of the drive wheels and at least one anti-tip wheel mounted above ground aft of the drive wheels. Each drive wheel and an associated drive assembly are mounted to a motor support bracket that is pivoted to the frame of the wheelchair. The drive assembly is mounted such that its motor is angled upward and rearward from the bracket. The anti-tip wheel is attached to one motor support bracket such that pivoting of the motor support bracket causes vertical displacement of the anti-tip wheel.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2003Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Pride Mobility Products CorporationInventors: James P. Mulhern, Charles J. Martis, Gerald J. White, Jr., Kip D. Alder
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Patent number: 7219924Abstract: A curb-climbing rear wheel drive power wheelchair is disclosed having a pair of drive wheels, at least one ground-engaging idler wheel connected to the frame forward of the drive wheels and at least one ground-contacting anti-tip caster wheel mounted to the wheelchair aft of the drive wheels. The drive wheels and anti-tip caster wheels are mounted on common suspension arms, pivoted to the frame of the wheelchair behind the drive wheels and resiliently suspended, so that the anti-tip caster wheels move up and down in response to movements of the drive wheel suspension.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2003Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Pride Mobility Products CorporationInventors: James P. Mulhern, Charles J. Martis, Gerald J. White, Jr., Kip D. Alder
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Patent number: 6938923Abstract: A curb-climbing rear wheel drive power wheelchair is disclosed having a pair of drive wheels, at least one ground-engaging idler wheel connected to the frame forward of the drive wheels and at least one anti-tip wheel mounted above ground aft of the drive wheels. The drive wheels and anti-tip wheels are mounted on common suspension arms, pivoted to the frame of the wheelchair behind the drive wheels and resiliently suspended, so that the anti-tip wheels move up and down in response to movements of the drive wheel suspension.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Pride Mobility Products CorporationInventors: James P. Mulhern, Gerald J. White, Jr., Mark E. Smith, Charles J. Martis
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Patent number: 6776430Abstract: A stabilizing system for a reclinable wheelchair connects anti-tip members to the wheelchair seat such that pivoting of the seat causes pivoting of the anti-tip members. In one embodiment, the stabilizing system includes cables connected at opposite ends to the seat and to the anti-tip members. The cables may be connected to the seat bottom or, alternately, to the seat back. The anti-tip members may incorporate a pivoting suspension member that includes a drive motor for the wheelchair. Pivot control mechanisms connected to the cables can be used to permit a predetermined amount of seat pivot without corresponding pivot of the anti-tip members. The stabilizing system alternatively includes axially compressible link members connecting the seat back to the anti-tip members to provide controlled pivoting of the anti-tip members based on pivoting of the seat.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Pride Mobility Products CorporationInventors: Gerald J. White, James P. Mulhern, Ronald J. Levi
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Publication number: 20040046358Abstract: A stabilizing system for a reclinable wheelchair connects anti-tip members to the wheelchair seat such that pivoting of the seat causes pivoting of the anti-tip members. In one embodiment, the stabilizing system includes cables connected at opposite ends to the seat and to the anti-tip members. The cables may be connected to the seat bottom or, alternately, to the seat back. The anti-tip members may incorporate a pivoting suspension member that includes a drive motor for the wheelchair. Pivot control mechanisms connected to the cables can be used to permit a predetermined amount of seat pivot without corresponding pivot of the anti-tip members. The stabilizing system alternatively includes axially compressible link members connecting the seat back to the anti-tip members to provide controlled pivoting of the anti-tip members based on pivoting of the seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2002Publication date: March 11, 2004Inventors: Gerald J. White, James P. Mulhern, Ronald J. Levi
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Publication number: 20040004342Abstract: A curb-climbing rear wheel drive power wheelchair is disclosed having a pair of drive wheels, at least one ground-engaging idler wheel connected to the frame forward of the drive wheels and at least one ground-contacting anti-tip caster wheel mounted to the wheelchair aft of the drive wheels. The drive wheels and anti-tip caster wheels are mounted on common suspension arms, pivoted to the frame of the wheelchair behind the drive wheels and resiliently suspended, so that the anti-tip caster wheels move up and down in response to movements of the drive wheel suspension.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Inventors: James P. Mulhern, Charles J. Martis, Gerald J. White, Kip D. Alder
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Publication number: 20030201632Abstract: A curb-climbing rear wheel drive power wheelchair is disclosed having a pair of drive wheels, at least one ground-engaging idler wheel connected to the frame forward of the drive wheels and at least one anti-tip wheel mounted above ground aft of the drive wheels. The drive wheels and anti-tip wheels are mounted on common suspension arms, pivoted to the frame of the wheelchair behind the drive wheels and resiliently suspended, so that the anti-tip wheels move up and down in response to movements of the drive wheel suspension.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2002Publication date: October 30, 2003Inventors: James P. Mulhern, Gerald J. White, Mark E. Smith, Charles J. Martis
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Patent number: 6543798Abstract: An anti-tip suspension for a wheelchair having rear casters is defined. The suspension includes a rocker arm support, a rocker arm and a spring. The rocker arm is pivotally attached to the rocker arm support so that it is rotatable with respect to the rocker arm support. The spring engages the rocker arm and rocker arm support, biasing them away from one another. The rocker arm includes a rotation limiter that limits the rotation of the rocker arm with respect to the rocker arm support in one direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Pride Mobility Products CorporationInventors: Walter E. Schaffner, Walter A. Watkins, Gerald J. White, Jr.
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Publication number: 20020030343Abstract: An anti-tip suspension for a wheelchair having rear casters is defined. The suspension includes a rocker arm support, a rocker arm and a spring. The rocker arm is pivotally attached to the rocker arm support so that it is rotatable with respect to the rocker arm support. The spring engages the rocker arm and rocker arm support, biasing them away from one another. The rocker arm includes a rotation limiter that limits the rotation of the rocker arm with respect to the rocker arm support in one direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Inventors: Walter E. Schaffner, Walter A. Watkins, Gerald J. White
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Patent number: 6186252Abstract: A power chair is provided comprising a frame transversely foldable between operating and transport positions. A seat is connected to the frame, with a pair of drive wheels also connected to the frame. The drive wheels are rotatable about a transverse axis below a portion of the seat supporting an occupant's thighs. The power chair further includes motors for driving respective drive wheels. Perspective motor/drive wheel combinations are pivotally connected to the frame. At least one ground-engaging idler wheel is connected to the frame, located rearward of the drive wheels. At least one anti-tip wheel is positioned above ground, forward of the drive wheels, and connected to the frame for movement relative to the frame upon encountering an obstacle.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1998Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Pride Mobility Products, CorporationInventors: Walter E. Schaffner, James P. Mulhern, Gerald J. White, Stephen J. Antonishak
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Patent number: 6129165Abstract: A curb-climbing front wheel drive power wheelchair has a frame, a seat connected to the frame, a pair of drive wheels connected to the frame and rotatable about a transverse axis below a portion of the seat supporting the wheelchair occupant's thighs. The power wheelchair also has at least one ground-engaging idler wheel connected to the frame behind the drive wheels and anti-tip wheels forward of the drive wheels, rigidly connected to the motors for pivotal movement.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1998Date of Patent: October 10, 2000Assignee: Pride Mobility Products, CorporationInventors: Walter E. Schaffner, James P. Mulhern, Stephen J. Antonishak, Gerald J. White