Patents by Inventor John E. Beard

John E. Beard 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: 5601302
    Abstract: A Full Access wheelchair in which the seat can be raised to a height of about forty inches above the ground, or lowered to a height of about ten inches above the ground, while providing constant and comfortable support for the legs of a user throughout the range of motion of the seat. This Full Access wheelchair can increase the independence of many disabled individuals, and enhance their quality of life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College Office of Technology Transfer
    Inventors: John E. Beard, James C. Conwell, Randolph C. Puls, Jeffrey C. Savela, David M. Rothbauer
  • Patent number: 5247877
    Abstract: A novel barbecue grill with mechanical linkages which automatically perform the following functions when the user pulls a single handle: (1) the lid opens; (2) the grill surface moves out of the grill; (3) a drip pan may optionally travel under the grill surface to catch drippings; and (4) the lid closes after the grill surface is out of the grill. The user then has access to the grill surface while the lid to the grill remains closed. Pushing on the handle reverses the sequence of events. An optional feature permits the user to lift the lid in the conventional manual manner, independently of the position of the grill surface. An optional safety feature inhibits the motion of the grill surface when the lid has been lifted manually, thus preventing the lid from accidentally slamming closed after it has been opened in the conventional manual manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventors: John E. Beard, Mehdy Sabbaghian
  • Patent number: 5020790
    Abstract: An orthosis for powering the walking movement of a paralyzed wearer, comprises torso members to be firmly connected to the opposite sides of the wearer's torso. A pair of leg braces is connected to the torso members. Each leg brace comprises a thigh member pivotally mounted at a hip joint to one torso member on one side of the wearer. A shank member connected to the shank and foot of the wearer, is pivotally mounted at a knee joint to each thigh member. A four link drive mechanism which is powered by a rechargeable power unit mounted on the torso member, swings the thigh member forwardly and rearwardly about the hip joint. A knee lock keeps the knee joint locked during the rearward movement of the thigh member and during a portion of the forward movement of the thigh member. At an appropriate point during the forward movement of the thigh member, a cam operated crank unlocks the knee joint and swings the shank member rearwardly to simulate a natural forward step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventors: John E. Beard, Franklin L. Spillman, Oscar Banos, David Showers, John M. Fussell, George LeBlanc
  • Patent number: D434587
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: The Plastic Trading Co., Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Beard, Sr.