Patents by Inventor James L. Christofferson
James L. Christofferson 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: 20120256463Abstract: Wheelchair seat back mounting hardware permits the seat back to be mounted on various wheelchairs. The mounting hardware may be in the form of two-point mounting hardware that connects the seat back to the wheelchair and permits the seat back height to be adjusted independently of the mounting hardware location on the wheelchair.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: SUNRISE MEDICAL (US) LLCInventors: Thomas J. Whelan, James L. Christofferson, Vincent J. Frerich, Sy Tran
-
Patent number: 8197009Abstract: Wheelchair seat back mounting hardware permits the seat back to be mounted on various wheelchairs. The mounting hardware may be in the form of two-point mounting hardware that connects the seat back to the wheelchair and permits the seat back height to be adjusted independently of the mounting hardware location on the wheelchair.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Sunrise Medical (US) LLCInventors: Thomas J. Whelan, James L. Christofferson, Vincent J. Frerich, Sy Tran
-
Publication number: 20110080031Abstract: Wheelchair seat back mounting hardware permits the seat back to be mounted on various wheelchairs. The mounting hardware may be in the form of two-point mounting hardware that connects the seat back to the wheelchair and permits the seat back height to be adjusted independently of the mounting hardware location on the wheelchair.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Inventors: Thomas J. Whelan, James L. Christofferson, Vincent J. Frerich, Sy Tran
-
Patent number: 7896438Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a seatback assembly that includes a backrest comprising shapeable material and an adjustable support, the backrest being attached to the adjustable support, the adjustable support being adjustable to alter the curvature of the backrest from top to bottom and then fix the backrest in place, thus shaping the backrest.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Whelan, James L. Christofferson
-
Patent number: 7857394Abstract: Wheelchair seat back mounting hardware permits the seat back to be mounted on various wheelchairs. The mounting hardware may be in the form of two-point mounting hardware that connects the seat back to the wheelchair and permits the seat back height to be adjusted independently of the mounting hardware location on the wheelchair.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2008Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Whelan, James L. Christofferson, Vincent J. Frerich, Sy Tran, James M. Koerlin
-
Publication number: 20100132120Abstract: A seat cushion system includes a seat cushion assembly and at least one supplemental pad attached to a portion of the seat cushion assembly. The seat cushion assembly and the at least one supplemental pad include chambers that may be filled with a fluid to provide isolation between a user and a wheelchair or other seating structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2009Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: SUNRISE MEDICAL HHG, INC.Inventors: James M. Koerlin, James L. Christofferson, Vasily G. Tsuber
-
Patent number: 7614704Abstract: A wheelchair seat cushion has multi-density regions. The cushion assembly may have a region having a stiffer, higher density proximate the front of the seat cushion assembly beneath the user's thighs to assist the user in exiting the wheelchair. Alternatively, or additionally, an insert member having multi-density regions may be received in a recess in a base member. The insert members may be oriented in different orientations to position a softer, less dense region at different locations, to situate the softer, less dense region of the insert beneath a particular user's ischial tuberosities and/or coccyx.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Whelan, James L. Christofferson
-
Publication number: 20080217880Abstract: Wheelchair seat back mounting hardware permits the seat back to be mounted on various wheelchairs. The mounting hardware may be in the form of two-point mounting hardware that connects the seat back to the wheelchair and permits the seat back height to be adjusted independently of the mounting hardware location on the wheelchair.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2008Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventors: Thomas J. Whelan, James L. Christofferson, Vincent J. Frerich, Sy Tran
-
Publication number: 20080079298Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a seatback assembly that includes a backrest comprising shapeable material and an adjustable support, the backrest being attached to the adjustable support, the adjustable support being adjustable to alter the curvature of the backrest from top to bottom and then fix the backrest in place, thus shaping the backrest.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2007Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Thomas J. Whelan, James L. Christofferson
-
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
-
Patent number: 7146666Abstract: A seat cushion includes a cushion base, a pressure-distributing medium, and a cover. The base supports the pressure-distributing medium. The cover has a pocket for receiving the pressure-distributing medium and covers the base and the pressure-distributing medium therein. A method for carrying the pressure-distributing medium in a personal mobility vehicle cushion comprises the steps of providing a cushion cover having a pocket, inserting a pressure-distributing medium in the pocket, and inserting a base in the cover so that the pressure-distributing medium is positioned above the base.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.Inventors: James L. Christofferson, Thomas J. Whelan
-
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
-
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
-
Patent number: 6059370Abstract: A support system for use with a wheelchair seat back provides support for the pelvic area of a wheelchair occupant. The support system comprises a base plate mountable to a wheelchair seat back, and a base layer adhered to the based plate. The base plate is dimensioned and configured to substantially span and conform to the wheelchair seat back. A front surface of the base layer comprises a fastening element for mounting additional layers, or pelvis-conforming blocks, to the base layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Kanyer, James L. Christofferson, Vincent J. Frerich, Grant C. Denton
-
Patent number: 6033025Abstract: Support mechanisms are provided for use with a wheelchair pelvic support system generally having a base plate with opposite support wings and a central base between the support wings. A pelvis support mechanism comprises a notched support pad engageable with the base plate and pelvis-conforming blocks of a pelvic support system. The notched support pads comprise a soft and resiliently compressible material. One or more notches are provided in the compressible material. A fastening element is provided between the compressible material and the base plate of the pelvic support system for attaching the compressible material to the base plate of the pelvic support system.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.Inventors: James L. Christofferson, Brian D. Kanyer, Vincent J. Frerich, Grant C. Denton
-
Patent number: 5947562Abstract: A quick release seat assembly (10) including a seat (11) having a seat cushion (12) and a seat frame (14), and a frame (16), wherein a pair of front seat mounts (18) support the front of seat (11) and a pair of rear seat mounts (20) support the back of seat (11). A pair of overlapping tabs (38, 42) are associated with rear seat mounts (20) and a pair of upstanding locking pins (32) and corresponding coupling mechanisms (50) are associated with front seat mounts (18). Each coupling mechanism (50) includes a releasable latch that engages the upstanding locking pin (32) and holds seat (11) on frame (16). A common pull cord (54) jointly releases the latches in order to allow removal of the seat.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1997Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.Inventors: James L. Christofferson, Grant C. Denton, Peter A. Swisshelm