Patents by Inventor Kurt Hunziker

Kurt Hunziker 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: 9757291
    Abstract: The stand-up unit comprises a support a stand-up frame, which is articulated on the support and has a seat carrier carrying a seat, and a backrest carrier carrying a backrest. Furthermore, a first lever parallelogram is provided in order to maintain the backrest upright in any position. The backrest can be displaced by the first lever parallelogram by means of a rod, in order to ensure that no undesirable relative movement occurs between the backrest and the back of the user when getting up or sitting down. A second lever parallelogram controls the movement of the seat when getting up and sitting down to ensure that no relative movement develops between the seat and buttocks of the user. The stand-up unit may be provided with a base to serve as a chair, particularly a therapy chair. The stand-up unit, however, may also serve as a stand-up wheelchair, when connected to an undercarriage. Spring joint elements support the standing up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: LEVO AG WOHLEN
    Inventor: Kurt Hunziker
  • Publication number: 20160302984
    Abstract: The stand-up unit comprises a support a stand-up frame, which is articulated on the support and has a seat carrier carrying a seat, and a backrest carrier carrying a backrest. Furthermore, a first lever parallelogram is provided in order to maintain the backrest upright in any position. The backrest can be displaced by the first lever parallelogram by means of a rod, in order to ensure that no undesirable relative movement occurs between the backrest and the back of the user when getting up or sitting down. A second lever parallelogram controls the movement of the seat when getting up and sitting down to ensure that no relative movement develops between the seat and buttocks of the user. The stand-up unit may be provided with a base to serve as a chair, particularly a therapy chair. The stand-up unit, however, may also serve as a stand-up wheelchair, when connected to an undercarriage. Spring joint elements support the standing up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: Kurt Hunziker
  • Patent number: 8844961
    Abstract: The stand-up unit comprises a support a stand-up frame, which is articulated on the support and has a seat carrier carrying a seat, and a backrest carrier carrying a backrest. Furthermore, a first lever parallelogram is provided in order to maintain the backrest upright in any position. The backrest can be displaced by the first lever parallelogram by means of a rod, in order to ensure that no undesirable relative movement occurs between the backrest and the back of the user when getting up or sitting down. A second lever parallelogram controls the movement of the seat when getting up and sitting down to ensure that no relative movement develops between the seat and buttocks of the user. The stand-up unit may be provided with a base to serve as a chair, particularly a therapy chair. The stand-up unit, however, may also serve as a stand-up wheelchair, when connected to an undercarriage. Spring joint elements support the standing up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Levo AG Wohlen
    Inventor: Kurt Hunziker
  • Patent number: 8403352
    Abstract: The stand-up unit (10) comprises a support (21), a stand-up frame (13), which is articulated on the support (21) and has a seat carrier (23) carrying a seat (17), and a backrest carrier (25) carrying a backrest (19). Furthermore, a first lever parallelogram (27) is provided in order to maintain the backrest (19) upright in any position. The backrest (19) can be displaced by the first lever parallelogram (27) by means of a rod (30), in order to ensure that no undesirable relative movement occurs between the backrest (19) and the back of the user when getting up or sitting down. A second lever parallelogram (29) controls the movement of the seat (17) when getting up and sitting down to ensure that no relative movement develops between the seat (17) and buttocks of the user. The stand-up unit may be provided with a base to serve as a chair, particularly a therapy chair. The stand-up unit, however, may also serve as a stand-up wheelchair, when connected to an undercarriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Levo AG Wohlen
    Inventor: Kurt Hunziker
  • Patent number: 8186463
    Abstract: A wheelchair has two central wheels that can be separately driven by a motor. In order to allow the wheelchair to turn around in narrow spaces, the central wheels can be driven in opposite directions of rotation. When the wheelchair is turned around, the front wheels and rear wheels do not constitute a hindrance because they are kept at a distance from the ground by the swiveling wheel. All three wheels are coupled together on each side by a chain. When the front wheels run against an obstacle, the wheelchair climbs over the obstacle with the driven front wheels. This causes the fork of the swiveling wheel to swivel about the rotational axis in the direction of arrow, against the force of a spring, bringing the rear wheels in contact with the ground and also driving the wheelchair's rear wheels. This all-wheel drive allows the wheelchair to overcome relatively high obstacles both forwards and backwards, even when driving slowly and without losing its maneuverability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Degonda Rehab SA
    Inventors: Kurt Hunziker, Samuel Huerlimann, Alexandre Tapis
  • Patent number: 8118321
    Abstract: The vehicle, for example a stand-up wheelchair, comprises a frame (11) and, arranged on the latter, a seat device (19). On each side of the frame (11), the central wheel (13), which can be driven by a motor (27), and the front wheel (15) are operatively connected to each other by an endless chain (45). The frame (11) has a front part (21) and a rear part (23), which are connected to each other in an articulated manner by way of a joint (25). In the sitting position, the front wheels (15) are not in contact with the ground, which means that they do not obstruct the manoeuvring of the vehicle in a confined space. In the standing position, the front wheels (15) are in contact with the ground, but the central wheels (13) are not. The user, in the standing position, is thus able to turn about the axis of the vehicle, without the central wheels (13) having a blocking action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Levo Wohlen
    Inventors: Kurt Hunziker, Thomas Raber
  • Publication number: 20110215540
    Abstract: The vehicle, for example a stand-up wheelchair, comprises a frame (11) and, arranged on the latter, a seat device (19). On each side of the frame (11), the central wheel (13), which can be driven by a motor (27), and the front wheel (15) are operatively connected to each other by an endless chain (45). The frame (11) has a front part (21) and a rear part (23), which are connected to each other in an articulated manner by way of a joint (25). In the sitting position, the front wheels (15) are not in contact with the ground, which means that they do not obstruct the manoeuvring of the vehicle in a confined space. In the standing position, the front wheels (15) are in contact with the ground, but the central wheels (13) are not. The user, in the standing position, is thus able to turn about the axis of the vehicle, without the central wheels (13) having a blocking action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: LEVO AG WOHLEN
    Inventors: Kurt Hunziker, Thomas Raber
  • Publication number: 20100207354
    Abstract: The stand-up unit (10) comprises a support (21), a stand-up frame (13), which is articulated on the support (21) and has a seat carrier (23) carrying a seat (17), and a backrest carrier (25) carrying a backrest (19). Furthermore, a first lever parallelogram (27) is provided in order to maintain the backrest (19) upright in any position. The backrest (19) can be displaced by the first lever parallelogram (27) by means of a rod (30), in order to ensure that no undesirable relative movement occurs between the backrest (19) and the back of the user when getting up or sitting down. A second lever parallelogram (29) controls the movement of the seat (17) when getting up and sitting down to ensure that no relative movement develops between the seat (17) and buttocks of the user. The stand-up unit may be provided with a base to serve as a chair, particularly a therapy chair. The stand-up unit, however, may also serve as a stand-up wheelchair, when connected to an undercarriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Levo AG Wohlen
    Inventor: Kurt Hunziker
  • Publication number: 20090321162
    Abstract: A wheelchair has two central wheels (15) which can be separately driven by a motor. In order to allow the wheelchair to turn around in narrow spaces, the central wheels (15) can be driven in opposite directions of rotation. When the wheelchair is turned around, the front wheels (17) and rear wheels (19) do not constitute a hindrance because they are kept at a distance from the ground (25) by the swivelling wheel (21). All three wheels (15, 17, 19) are coupled together on each side by a chain (27). When the front wheels run against an obstacle, the wheelchair climbs over the obstacle with the driven front wheels (17). This causes the fork (22) of the swivelling wheel (21) to swivel about the rotational axis (31) in the direction of arrow (33), against the force of a spring, bringing the rear wheels in contact with the ground and also driving the wheelchair's rear wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Kurt Hunziker, Samuel Huerlimann, Alexandre Tapis
  • Publication number: 20090172915
    Abstract: The invention relates to a swivel wheel unit comprising a support (11) provided with a vertical pivot (13) which is mounted in a bearing of a wheelchair or another device, such that it can pivot about a pivoting axis (19) when manoeuvring about curves and U-turns, on whose end a swivel wheel (21) is rotationally mounted. A joint (17) displaces about a horizontal axis (23) counter to the force of the spring elements, when the swivel wheel (21) comes into contact with an obstacle (41). Said joint (17) is a spring joint and maintains the pivoting axis (19) in the displayed normal position, as long as no obstacle (41) arises. A lifting wheel (33), which initially raises the swivel wheel (21) in order to overcome the obstacle, is located in front of the swivel wheel (21), but higher, and when the swivel wheel (21) comes into contact with the obstacle (41), the pivoting axis (19) is pivoted and the swivel wheel (21) is lifted further.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Kurt Hunziker
  • Patent number: 7419216
    Abstract: The seat back unit has a seat back frame which can be tilted around the tilting axis (11) of the support (21). Movable on the seat back frame (13) is the seat back (25). A linear motor (33) serves to incline the seat back frame (13) together with the seat back (25). With a linear motor (33) the distance between the support (21) and the connecting section (17) of the back frame (13) can be reduced or increased, respectively. A tape (43) extends from a stationary part (45) of the linear motor (33) via the connecting section (17) to the seat back carrier (44). Accordingly, if the seat back frame (13) is tilted towards the rear, the seat back (25) is moved downward together with the arm rests (29) attached to the seat back carrier (44). A stabilizing mechanism (51) keeps the arm rest (29) in a practically horizontal position. Accordingly, on reclining the arms of the user remain always in a practically horizontal position and are finally lowered to a position practically parallel to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Degonda Rehab SA
    Inventor: Kurt Hunziker
  • Publication number: 20070085396
    Abstract: The seat back unit has a seat back frame which can be tilted around the tilting axis (11) of the support (21). Movable on the seat back frame (13) is the seat back (25). A linear motor (33) serves to incline the seat back frame (13) together with the seat back (25). With a linear motor (33) the distance between the support (21) and the connecting section (17) of the back frame (13) can be reduced or increased, respectively. A tape (43) extends from a stationary part (45) of the linear motor (33) via the connecting section (17) to the seat back carrier (44). Accordingly, if the seat back frame (13) is tilted towards the rear, the seat back (25) is moved downward together with the arm rests (29) attached to the seat back carrier (44). A stabilizing mechanism (51) keeps the arm rest (29) in a practically horizontal position. Accordingly, on reclining the arms of the user remain always in a practically horizontal position and are finally lowered to a position practically parallel to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventor: Kurt Hunziker
  • Publication number: 20070085401
    Abstract: The head support unit may be attached by attachment means (13) to a chair, e.g. a wheel chair. A set screw (15) permits vertical adjustment. The head rest (19) may be horizontally moved by the user into the desired position. This movement takes place without a recognizable movement in vertical direction. The head rest (19) is carried by a slender lever parallelogram (18) which is operatively connected by a flexible Bowden-cable (21) to the motor (23) located at a distance on the chair. This flexible connection (21) permits not only to put the motor (23) at a suitable location away from the head of the user, but does also not hinder a vertical adjustment of the head rest (19) by means of the vertical support bar (11) and the set screw (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Kurt Hunziker, Alexandre Tapis, Andre Degonda