Patents by Inventor James P. Mulhern
James P. Mulhern 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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Publication number: 20170156952Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a wheelchair configured to reposition an occupant between a lowered and a raised position. The wheelchair can include a frame, a seat moveable relative to the frame, a drive wheel, and one or more pairs of arm assemblies. The arm assembly includes a wheel configured to move from a first spatial location when the wheel chair is operating on flat, level ground to a second spatial location that is different than the first spatial location. Arm limiters that can selectively engage the arm assembly dependent on the position of the arm assembly and surface conditions of ground and can limit the range of motion of the arm assembly and sometimes other operational aspects of the chair.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2017Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: James P. Mulhern, Stephen J. Antonishak
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Patent number: 9566200Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a wheelchair configured to reposition an occupant between a lowered and a raised position. The wheelchair can include a frame, a seat moveable relative to the frame, a drive wheel, and one or more pairs of arm assemblies. The arm assembly includes a wheel configured to move from a first spatial location when the wheel chair is operating on flat, level ground to a second spatial location that is different than the first spatial location. Arm limiters that can selectively engage the arm assembly dependent on the position of the arm assembly and surface conditions of ground and can limit the range of motion of the arm assembly and sometimes other operational aspects of the chair.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Pride Mobility Products CorporationInventors: James P. Mulhern, Stephen J. Antonishak
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Patent number: 9526664Abstract: An anti-tip system is provided for improving the stability of a powered vehicle, such as a powered wheelchair. The vehicle includes a drive-train assembly pivotally mounted to a main structural frame. A suspension system biases the drive-train assembly and its connected anti-tip wheel to a predetermined resting position. The drive-train assembly bi-directionally rotates about a pivot in response to torque applied to or acceleration forces on the vehicle. A linkage arrangement is provided and is characterized by a suspension arm pivotally mounting to the main structural frame about a pivot at one end thereof and an anti-tip wheel at the other end. The linkage may further include at least one link operable to transfer the bi-directional displacement of the drive-train assembly to the suspension arm. The link may include a bell crank member and/or may be resiliently compressible.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Pride Mobility Products CorporationInventors: James P. Mulhern, Ronald Levi, Christopher E. Grymko
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Patent number: 9474664Abstract: A wheelchair according to one embodiment includes a frame, a pair of drive wheels operatively coupled to the frame, a drive operatively coupled to each drive wheel, and a pair of anti-tip assemblies. Each anti-tip assembly includes a first member, a second member pivotally coupled to the first member at a joint that defines a pivot axis, an anti-tip wheel rotatably coupled to the second member, and a locking mechanism. The second member is capable of pivoting about the pivot axis between an extended position and a collapsed position. The locking mechanism is configured to selectively lock the second member in the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2011Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Pride Mobility Products CorporationInventors: James P. Mulhern, Christopher Grymko
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Publication number: 20160228311Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a wheelchair configured to reposition an occupant between a lowered and a raised position. The wheelchair can include a frame, a seat moveable relative to the frame, a drive wheel, and one or more pairs of arm assemblies. The arm assembly includes a wheel configured to move from a first spatial location when the wheel chair is operating on flat, level ground to a second spatial location that is different than the first spatial location. Arm limiters can selectively engage the arm assembly based on at least one of a seat position, position of the arm assembly and surface conditions of ground surface. The arm limiters can limit the range of motion of the arm assembly and sometimes other operational aspects of the chair.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: James P. Mulhern, Stephen J. Antonishak
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Patent number: 9351889Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a wheelchair configured to reposition an occupant between a lowered and a raised position. The wheelchair can include a frame, a seat moveable relative to the frame, a drive wheel, and one or more pairs of arm assemblies. The arm assembly includes a wheel configured to move from a first spatial location when the wheel chair is operating on flat, level ground to a second spatial location that is different than the first spatial location. Arm limiters can selectively engage the arm assembly based on at least one of a seat position, position of the arm assembly and surface conditions of ground surface. The arm limiters can limit the range of motion of the arm assembly and sometimes other operational aspects of the chair.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Pride Mobility Products CorporationInventors: James P. Mulhern, Stephen J. Antonishak
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Patent number: 9301894Abstract: An anti-tip system is provided for improving the stability of a powered vehicle, such as a powered wheelchair. The vehicle includes a drive-train assembly pivotally mounted to a main structural frame. A suspension system biases the drive-train assembly and its connected anti-tip wheel to a predetermined resting position. The drive-train assembly bi-directionally rotates about a pivot in response to torque applied to or acceleration forces on the vehicle. A linkage arrangement is provided and is characterized by a suspension arm pivotally mounting to the main structural frame about a pivot at one end thereof and an anti-tip wheel at the other end. The linkage may further include at least one link operable to transfer the bi-directional displacement of the drive-train assembly to the suspension arm. The link may include a bell crank member and/or may be resiliently compressible.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Pride Mobility Products CorporationInventors: James P. Mulhern, Ronald Levi, Christopher E. Grymko
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Publication number: 20160083970Abstract: Disclosed is a pool jet fitting configured to direct flow of water in a closed loop pool pumping filtration system. The pool jet fitting may include a housing, and a valve positioned in the housing. The housing may include a housing body that defines a bore that extends through the housing body. The housing body may include a coupler that is configured to mate with a coupler of a wall mount so as to releasably couple the housing to the wall mount. The valve may be positioned in the bore of the housing and may be configured to receive water flow from a water pump. The valve may define an adjustable opening having a dimension capable of automatically adjusting between a first dimension and a second dimension to facilitate a predetermined outflow velocity of the water received from the pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: Sean Walsh, James P. Mulhern
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Publication number: 20150196441Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a wheelchair configured to reposition an occupant between a lowered and a raised position. The wheelchair can include a frame, a seat moveable relative to the frame, a drive wheel, and one or more pairs of arm assemblies. The arm assembly includes a wheel configured to move from a first spatial location when the wheel chair is operating on flat, level ground to a second spatial location that is different than the first spatial location. Arm limiters can selectively engage the arm assembly based on at least one of a seat position, position of the arm assembly and surface conditions of ground surface. The arm limiters can limit the range of motion of the arm assembly and sometimes other operational aspects of the chair.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: James P. Mulhern, Stephen J. Antonishak
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Publication number: 20150196438Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a wheelchair configured to reposition an occupant between a lowered and a raised position. The wheelchair can include a frame, a seat moveable relative to the frame, a drive wheel, and one or more pairs of arm assemblies. The arm assembly includes a wheel configured to move from a first spatial location when the wheel chair is operating on flat, level ground to a second spatial location that is different than the first spatial location. Arm limiters that can selectively engage the arm assembly dependent on the position of the arm assembly and surface conditions of ground and can limit the range of motion of the arm assembly and sometimes other operational aspects of the chair.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: James P. Mulhern, Stephen J. Antonishak
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Publication number: 20150173985Abstract: An anti-tip system is provided for improving the stability of a powered vehicle, such as a powered wheelchair. The vehicle includes a drive-train assembly pivotally mounted to a main structural frame. A suspension system biases the drive-train assembly and its connected anti-tip wheel to a predetermined resting position. The drive-train assembly bi-directionally rotates about a pivot in response to torque applied to or acceleration forces on the vehicle. A linkage arrangement is provided and is characterized by a suspension arm pivotally mounting to the main structural frame about a pivot at one end thereof and an anti-tip wheel at the other end. The linkage may further include at least one link operable to transfer the bi-directional displacement of the drive-train assembly to the suspension arm. The link may include a bell crank member and/or may be resiliently compressible.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: James P. Mulhern, Ronald Levi, Christopher E. Grymko
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Publication number: 20130306383Abstract: A wheelchair according to one embodiment includes a frame, a pair of drive wheels operatively coupled to the frame, a drive operatively coupled to each drive wheel, and a pair of anti-tip assemblies. Each anti-tip assembly includes a first member, a second member pivotally coupled to the first member at a joint that defines a pivot axis, an anti-tip wheel rotatably coupled to the second member, and a locking mechanism. The second member is capable of pivoting about the pivot axis between an extended position and a collapsed position. The locking mechanism is configured to selectively lock the second member in the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2011Publication date: November 21, 2013Inventors: James P. Mulhern, Christopher Grymko
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Publication number: 20130220717Abstract: An anti-tip system is provided for improving the stability of a powered vehicle, such as a powered wheelchair. The vehicle includes a drive-train assembly pivotally mounted to a main structural frame. A suspension system biases the drive-train assembly and its connected anti-tip wheel to a predetermined resting position. The drive-train assembly bi-directionally rotates about a pivot in response to torque applied to or acceleration forces on the vehicle. A linkage arrangement is provided and is characterized by a suspension arm pivotally mounting to the main structural frame about a pivot at one end thereof and an anti-tip wheel at the other end. The linkage may further include at least one link operable to transfer the bi-directional displacement of the drive-train assembly to the suspension arm. The link may include a bell crank member and/or may be resiliently compressible.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Inventors: James P. Mulhern, Ronald Levi, Christopher E. Grymko
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Patent number: 8408598Abstract: An anti-tip system is provided for improving the stability of a powered vehicle, such as a powered wheelchair. The vehicle includes a drive-train assembly pivotally mounted to a main structural frame. A suspension system biases the drive-train assembly and its connected anti-tip wheel to a predetermined resting position. The drive-train assembly bi-directionally rotates about a pivot in response to torque applied to or acceleration forces on the vehicle. A linkage arrangement is provided and is characterized by a suspension arm pivotally mounting to the main structural frame about a pivot at one end thereof and an anti-tip wheel at the other end. The linkage may further include at least one link operable to transfer the bi-directional displacement of the drive-train assembly to the suspension arm. The link may include a bell crank member and/or may be resiliently compressible.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2012Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Pride Mobility Products CorporationInventors: James P. Mulhern, Ronald Levi, Christopher E. Grymko
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Publication number: 20120217081Abstract: An anti-tip system is provided for improving the stability of a powered vehicle, such as a powered wheelchair. The vehicle includes a drive-train assembly pivotally mounted to a main structural frame. A suspension system biases the drive-train assembly and its connected anti-tip wheel to a predetermined resting position. The drive-train assembly bi-directionally rotates about a pivot in response to torque applied to or acceleration forces on the vehicle. A linkage arrangement is provided and is characterized by a suspension arm pivotally mounting to the main structural frame about a pivot at one end thereof and an anti-tip wheel at the other end. The linkage may further include at least one link operable to transfer the bi-directional displacement of the drive-train assembly to the suspension arm. The link may include a bell crank member and/or may be resiliently compressible.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: Pride Mobility Products CorporationInventors: James P. Mulhern, Ronald Levi, Christopher E. Grymko
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Patent number: 8181992Abstract: An anti-tip system is provided for improving the stability of a powered vehicle, such as a powered wheelchair. The vehicle includes a drive-train assembly pivotally mounted to a main structural frame. A suspension system biases the drive-train assembly and its connected anti-tip wheel to a predetermined resting position. The drive-train assembly bi-directionally rotates about a pivot in response to torque applied to or acceleration forces on the vehicle. A linkage arrangement is provided and is characterized by a suspension arm pivotally mounting to the main structural frame about a pivot at one end thereof and an anti-tip wheel at the other end. The linkage may further include at least one link operable to transfer the bi-directional displacement of the drive-train assembly to the suspension arm. The link may include a bell crank member and/or may be resiliently compressible.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2011Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Pride Mobility Products CorporationInventors: James P. Mulhern, Ronald Levi, Christopher E. Grymko
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Publication number: 20120080243Abstract: A motor assembly for a wheelchair and a corresponding method of use are provided for conversion of a manual wheelchair into a powered wheelchair. The motor assembly includes a crossbar, a motor mount bracket, and a motor that is attached to the crossbar by the motor mount bracket. The motor mount bracket includes a front plate and a back plate that is attached to the front plate by a hinge. The back and front plates are capable of clamping on to the crossbar after the crossbar has been attached to the wheelchair. The crossbar further includes collars that center the drive wheels to the wheelchair when the motor is attached to the crossbar.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventor: James P. Mulhern
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Publication number: 20110108348Abstract: An anti-tip system is provided for improving the stability of a powered vehicle, such as a powered wheelchair. The vehicle includes a drive-train assembly pivotally mounted to a main structural frame. A suspension system biases the drive-train assembly and its connected anti-tip wheel to a predetermined resting position. The drive-train assembly bi-directionally rotates about a pivot in response to torque applied to or acceleration forces on the vehicle. A linkage arrangement is provided and is characterized by a suspension arm pivotally mounting to the main structural frame about a pivot at one end thereof and an anti-tip wheel at the other end. The linkage may further include at least one link operable to transfer the bi-directional displacement of the drive-train assembly to the suspension arm. The link may include a bell crank member and/or may be resiliently compressible.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2011Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: Pride Mobility Products CorporationInventors: James P. Mulhern, Ronald Levi, Christopher E. Grymko
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Patent number: 7931300Abstract: An anti-tip system is provided for improving the stability of a powered vehicle, such as a powered wheelchair. The vehicle includes a drive-train assembly pivotally mounted to a main structural frame. A suspension system biases the drive-train assembly and its connected anti-tip wheel to a predetermined resting position. The drive-train assembly bi-directionally rotates about a pivot in response to torque applied to or acceleration forces on the vehicle. A linkage arrangement is provided and is characterized by a suspension arm pivotally mounting to the main structural frame about a pivot at one end thereof and an anti-tip wheel at the other end. The linkage may further include at least one link operable to transfer the bi-directional displacement of the drive-train assembly to the suspension arm. The link may include a bell crank member and/or may be resiliently compressible.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Pride Mobility Products CorporationInventors: James P. Mulhern, Ronald Levi, Christopher E. Grymko
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Publication number: 20100219623Abstract: An anti-tip system is provided for improving the stability of a powered vehicle, such as a powered wheelchair. The vehicle includes a drive-train assembly pivotally mounted to a main structural frame. A suspension system biases the drive-train assembly and its connected anti-tip wheel to a predetermined resting position. The drive-train assembly bi-directionally rotates about a pivot in response to torque applied to or acceleration forces on the vehicle. A linkage arrangement is provided and is characterized by a suspension arm pivotally mounting to the main structural frame about a pivot at one end thereof and an anti-tip wheel at the other end. The linkage may further include at least one link operable to transfer the bi-directional displacement of the drive-train assembly to the suspension arm. The link may include a bell crank member and/or may be resiliently compressible.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: Pride Mobility Products CorporationInventors: James P. Mulhern, Ronald Levi, Christopher E. Grymko