Patents by Inventor James H. Molnar

James H. Molnar 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: 20160256337
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension includes a frame, a pivoting assembly, at least one front caster, and at least one rear caster. The pivoting assembly has a first link pivotally coupled to the frame member, a second link pivotally coupled to the frame member, a drive assembly fixedly connected to a first end of the first link, and a third link pivotally connected to the first link and pivotally connected to the second link. The drive assembly causes downward pivotal movement of the first end of the first link and upward pivotal movement of a second end of the first link. The upward pivotal movement of the second end of the first link causes the second link and the caster assembly to undergo upward movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventor: James H. Molnar
  • Patent number: 9370455
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension includes a frame, a pivoting assembly, at least one front caster, and at least one rear caster. The pivoting assembly has a first link pivotally coupled to the frame member, a second link pivotally coupled to the frame member, a drive assembly fixedly connected to a first end of the first link, and a third link pivotally connected to the first link and pivotally connected to the second link. The drive assembly causes downward pivotal movement of the first end of the first link and upward pivotal movement of a second end of the first link. The upward pivotal movement of the second end of the first link causes the second link and the caster assembly to undergo upward movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventor: James H. Molnar
  • Publication number: 20150108735
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension includes a frame, a pivoting assembly, at least one front caster, and at least one rear caster. The pivoting assembly has a first link pivotally coupled to the frame member, a second link pivotally coupled to the frame member, a drive assembly fixedly connected to a first end of the first link, and a third link pivotally connected to the first link and pivotally connected to the second link. The drive assembly causes downward pivotal movement of the first end of the first link and upward pivotal movement of a second end of the first link. The upward pivotal movement of the second end of the first link causes the second link and the caster assembly to undergo upward movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: James H. Molnar
  • Patent number: 8925943
    Abstract: A wheelchair includes a frame, a rear caster coupled to the frame, a drive wheel coupled to the frame, a front caster, and a pivoting assembly. The pivoting assembly couples the front caster to the frame such that upward movement of the front caster relative to the frame causes the front caster to move toward the drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Invacare Corp.
    Inventor: James H. Molnar
  • Publication number: 20120217713
    Abstract: A wheelchair includes a frame, a rear caster coupled to the frame, a drive wheel coupled to the frame, a front caster, and a pivoting assembly. The pivoting assembly couples the front caster to the frame such that upward movement of the front caster relative to the frame causes the front caster to move toward the drive wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: INVACARE CORP.
    Inventor: James H. Molnar
  • Patent number: 8172015
    Abstract: A wheelchair includes a pivoting drive assembly having a drive wheel, a motor drive connected to the drive wheel, and a first pivoting linkage fixedly attached to the motor drive. The pivoting drive assembly is pivotally coupled to a frame at a first frame pivot axis such that the drive wheel, motor drive, and first pivoting linkage pivot about the first frame pivot axis as a unit. The wheelchair further includes a second pivoting linkage and a front caster assembly. The second pivoting linkage is pivotally coupled to the frame at a second frame pivot axis. The first pivoting linkage is pivotally coupled to the front caster assembly at a first front caster pivot axis and the second pivoting linkage is pivotally coupled to the front caster assembly at a second front caster pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Molnar
  • Publication number: 20090091092
    Abstract: A wheelchair includes a pivoting drive assembly having a drive wheel, a motor drive connected to the drive wheel, and a first pivoting linkage fixedly attached to the motor drive. The pivoting drive assembly is pivotally coupled to a frame at a first frame pivot axis such that the drive wheel, motor drive, and first pivoting linkage pivot about the first frame pivot axis as a unit. The wheelchair further includes a second pivoting linkage and a front caster assembly. The second pivoting linkage is pivotally coupled to the frame at a second frame pivot axis. The first pivoting linkage is pivotally coupled to the front caster assembly at a first front caster pivot axis and the second pivoting linkage is pivotally coupled to the front caster assembly at a second front caster pivot axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: Invacare Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Molnar
  • Patent number: 7472767
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheelchair suspension that includes a pivoting assembly. The pivoting assembly includes at least two linkages. The pivoting assembly is structured so that the drive assists the wheelchair in traversing obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Molnar
  • Patent number: 7198284
    Abstract: A mobility aid, such as a wheelchair or walker, includes first and second structural members and a fastener for connecting the members together. A washer has first and second portions connected by a bridge portion, each with a fastener opening for receiving the fastener. The washer is self-supporting on a structural member to take the place of two individual washers. A method of connecting first and second connecting members to a frame member of a personal mobility aid includes placing a washer on the frame member so that the washer has first and second portions spaced apart on opposite sides of the frame member; placing the first and second connecting members adjacent the first and second portions of the washer; and fastening the connecting members and the frame member and the washer together with a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Robert Cerreto, Edward B. Roth, James H. Molnar
  • Patent number: 7055634
    Abstract: The present invention has a plurality of pivoting linkages to lift and retract a front castor assembly to facilitate traversing an obstacle or rough terrain. In this regard, a wheelchair suspension having a frame member and at least one a pivoting assembly is provided. The pivoting assembly has, for example, a first linkage pivotally coupled to the frame member and a second linkage pivotally coupled to the frame member. At least one front caster assembly is coupled to the first and second linkages wherein upward pivotal movement of the first linkage causes the caster assembly to undergo upward vertical movement and upward pivotal movement of the second linkage causes the caster assembly to undergo lateral movement inward toward the wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Molnar
  • Patent number: 7040429
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension having plurality of pivoting linkages to lift and retract a front castor assembly to facilitate traversing an obstacle or rough terrain. In this regard, a wheelchair suspension having a frame member and at least one a pivoting assembly is provided. The pivoting assembly has, for example, a first linkage pivotally coupled to the frame member and a second linkage pivotally coupled to the frame member. At least one front caster assembly is coupled to the first and second linkages wherein upward pivotal movement of the first linkage causes the caster assembly to undergo upward vertical movement and upward pivotal movement of the second linkage causes the caster assembly to undergo lateral movement inward toward the wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Molnar
  • Publication number: 20040159476
    Abstract: The present invention has a plurality of pivoting linkages to lift and retract a front castor assembly to facilitate traversing an obstacle or rough terrain. In this regard, a wheelchair suspension having a frame member and at least one a pivoting assembly is provided. The pivoting assembly has, for example, a first linkage pivotally coupled to the frame member and a second linkage pivotally coupled to the frame member. At least one front caster assembly is coupled to the first and second linkages wherein upward pivotal movement of the first linkage causes the caster assembly to undergo upward vertical movement and upward pivotal movement of the second linkage causes the caster assembly to undergo lateral movement inward toward the wheelchair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: James H. Molnar
  • Publication number: 20040060748
    Abstract: The present invention has a plurality of pivoting linkages to lift and retract a front castor assembly to facilitate traversing an obstacle or rough terrain. In this regard, a wheelchair suspension having a frame member and at least one a pivoting assembly is provided. The pivoting assembly has, for example, a first linkage pivotally coupled to the frame member and a second linkage pivotally coupled to the frame member. At least one front caster assembly is coupled to the first and second linkages wherein upward pivotal movement of the first linkage causes the caster assembly to undergo upward vertical movement and upward pivotal movement of the second linkage causes the caster assembly to undergo lateral movement inward toward the wheelchair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: James H. Molnar
  • Patent number: 6394476
    Abstract: The invention pertains to wheelchairs, and more particularly, to a wheelchair seat having a seat back member which substantially maintains a constant vertical angle when the seat bottom or rail is pivotably raised and lowered. Accordingly, the angle between a seat back and seat rail is changed during adjustment of the seat rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Molnar
  • Patent number: 5853059
    Abstract: A wheelchair includes a frame having first and second longitudinal sides connected by a bridge and a seat module carried by the frame. A first power drive assembly is disposed on the frame first longitudinal side. The first power drive assembly includes a first swing arm pivotally secured to the frame, a first motor mounted to the first swing arm and a first wheel operably connected to the first motor. A second power drive assembly is disposed on the frame second longitudinal side. The second power drive assembly includes a second swing arm pivotally secured to the frame, a second motor mounted to the second swing arm and a second wheel operably connected to the second motor. A first resiliently biased anti-tip assembly is secured to both the frame first longitudinal side and the first motor. A second resiliently biased anti-tip assembly is secured to both the frame second longitudinal side and the second motor. A power supply is mounted on the frame for powering the first and second motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Gerold G. Goertzen, Neal J. Curran, James H. Molnar
  • Patent number: 5575348
    Abstract: A wheelchair includes a frame having first and second longitudinal sides connected by a bridge and a seat module carried by the frame. A first power drive assembly is disposed on the frame first longitudinal side. The first power drive assembly includes a first swing arm pivotally secured to the frame, a first motor mounted to the first swing arm and a first wheel operably connected to the first motor. A second power drive assembly is disposed on the frame second longitudinal side. The second power drive assembly includes a second swing arm pivotally secured to the frame, a second motor mounted to the second swing arm and a second wheel operably connected to the second motor. A first resiliently biased anti-tip assembly is secured to both the frame first longitudinal side and the first motor. A second resiliently biased anti-tip assembly is secured to both the frame second longitudinal side and the second motor. A power supply is mounted on the frame for powering the first and second motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Gerold G. Goertzen, Neal J. Curran, James H. Molnar