Patents by Inventor Mervyn M. Watkins

Mervyn M. Watkins 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: 7000938
    Abstract: A folding support structure includes a frame assembly having frame supports, seat supports, back supports, and a plurality of frame brace assemblies. The folding structure also includes a seat structure coupled to the frame assembly. The folding support structure is configured to collapse in a front-to-back manner and in a side-to-side manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Convaid Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mervyn M. Watkins
  • Patent number: 6840577
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed for a planar seating apparatus having a seat support in a first plane, a back support in a second plane and coupled to the seat support, and a plurality of side supports coupled to the back support. The plurality of side supports are adjustable and capable of folding, as is the back support, to provide a compact and easily transportable and storable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Convaid Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mervyn M. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20040179891
    Abstract: An adjustable pivot joint includes rotation arms which, when locked, prevent pivoting about an axis. A release mechanism is used to unlock the rotation arms to allow pivoting about the axis for adjustment of the pivot joint. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Mervyn M. Watkins, Michael Bird
  • Publication number: 20040000806
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed for a planar seating apparatus having a seat support in a first plane, a back support in a second plane and coupled to the seat support, and a plurality of side supports coupled to the back support. The plurality of side supports are adjustable and capable of folding, as is the back support, to provide a compact and easily transportable and storable device. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventor: Mervyn M. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20030202840
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed for providing an adjustable pivot joint apparatus. The apparatus includes a plate system having interlocking clutch plates which, when separated, allow the apparatus to pivot about an axis. The interlocking clutch plates prevent the apparatus from pivoting about the axis when in a locked position. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventor: Mervyn M. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20030155746
    Abstract: A folding support structure includes a frame assembly having frame supports, seat supports, back supports, and a plurality of frame brace assemblies. The folding structure also includes a seat structure coupled to the frame assembly. The folding support structure is configured to collapse in a front-to-back manner and in a side-to-side manner. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: Mervyn M. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20020135159
    Abstract: A laterally collapsible wheelchair includes a sling seat having a webbed underlay. The sling seat is constructed to allow an occupant of a wheelchair to slightly recess in the wheelchair when seated, thereby preventing involuntary forward movement while seated in the chair. The wheelchair may also include a front raised portion to add an extra level of restraint preventing a wheelchair occupant from involuntary forward thrusting which may dislodge the occupant from the wheelchair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: Mervyn M. Watkins
  • Patent number: 6345835
    Abstract: A mobile chair is provided which is configured to provide a comfortable sitting position for a seated user and to collapse for easy storage and transportation. Locking mechanisms enable the mobile chair to be either tilted or vertically collapsed into a compact position. The tilt function allows the seat and back components of the mobile chair to move as one piece, thereby providing a constant sitting angle for the seated user. Adjustable foot rests are also provided for additional comfort for persons seated in the mobile chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Convaid Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mervyn M. Watkins
  • Patent number: 6206405
    Abstract: An improved folding mobile seating structure with a seat and back portion movable relative to a framework, providing more comfort for the user. The seat and back portion may be moved relative to the supporting framework structure as a unit in a pivotal motion relative to the framework, or the arrangement may allow some degree of articulation between the seat and the back. The structure is foldable and is light in weight. The seat and back portion may be pivotal between an upright seating condition and at least a partial recumbent condition, and optionally to a flat horizontal condition. Telescoping tubes may be utilized for connection of the seat and/or the back to the framework for allowing the pivotal motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Convaid Products Inc.
    Inventor: Mervyn M. Watkins
  • Patent number: 6113128
    Abstract: An improved folding mobile seating structure with a seat and back portion movable relative to a framework, providing more comfort for the user. The seat and back portion may be moved relative to the supporting framework structure as a unit in a pivotal motion relative to the framework, or the arrangement may allow some degree of articulation between the seat and the back. The seat and back portion may be pivotal between an upright seating condition and at least a partial recumbent condition, and optionally to a flat horizontal condition. Telescoping tubes may be utilized for connection of the seat and/or the back to the framework for allowing the pivotal motion. Hand release actuators adjacent the handles may allow the seat and back pivotal motion to initiate when pressed and lock the seat and back portion in a fixed pivotal position when released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Convaid Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mervyn M. Watkins
  • Patent number: 6105997
    Abstract: A base "X" frame is provided in which the arms of the "X" frame are pivotally coupled together at the mid-points thereof for folding from an extended "X" configuration to a laterally folded "X". The "X" frame is generally in a horizontal orientation in the use position of the stroller. A main seating support frame of a generally inverted "U" shape, is provided with the open end of the main seating support frame being pivotally coupled to the front of the base "X" frame. A support structure is also provided, pivotally coupled at the rear of the base "X" frame and pivotally connected to the main seating support frame. A rigid latch is provided to maintain the stroller in a use condition, the latch being releasable to allow the base "X" frame to collapse laterally and simultaneously allow the main seating support frame and primary support frame to collapse vertically against one another and against the laterally collapsed base "X" frame for storage or transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Convaid Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mervyn M. Watkins
  • Patent number: 6099075
    Abstract: A seating arrangement having a flexible back and/or seat portion with retaining type pockets thereon for removably retaining at least one bendable rigid support in a predetermined orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Convaid Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mervyn M. Watkins
  • Patent number: 5957532
    Abstract: An improved seating arrangement having a pair of rigid sides which include a back portion and a seat portion. Flexible webbing members extend between the rigid sides in the back and seat portions. Various arrangements are provided for increasing and decreasing the length and tension of the flexible webbing to provide a three dimensional variation in the contour of the flexible webbing in the back and/or seat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Convaid Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mervyn M. Watkins
  • Patent number: 4481965
    Abstract: There is herein described an improved light weight walking aid that is readily adjustable, is light weight, and that is easily changed from a securely locked-open configuration to compact folded configuration through novel pivoting and sliding mechanisms wherein the walking aid folds simultaneously in two dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Inventor: Mervyn M. Watkins
  • Patent number: 4118065
    Abstract: An improved folding chair structure having a pair of parallel frame tubes and a pair of parallel support tubes that are laterally foldable, each pair held in respective parallel relationships by front and rear x-braces, and also included is a pair of parallel seat tubes the rear end of which being pivotally attached to a fixed intermediate point along an associated support tube, the structure further including a separate guide movably mounted along intermediate portions of each of the frame tubes, the guides being pivotally attached to the upper ends of associated brace members of both the front and rear x-braces and also to an associated one of the seat tubes whereby the collapsing of the structure by moving the parallel frame, support and seat tubes together causes the guides to move upwardly while the angle between the planes defined by the respective frame and support tubes and between the planes defined by the respective support and seat tubes, decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1978
    Inventor: Mervyn M. Watkins
  • Patent number: 4099277
    Abstract: Hammock portion of a tiltable stretcher supports the lower half of patient at a first elevation in prone position while a tray portion of the stretcher supports head, arms and shoulders at lower elevation until stretcher is swung to a near-vertical position where tray may be adjusted to a suitable angle facilitating reading, eating, playing games and the like. The device may be provided with handrims which drop below level of stretcher in horizontal position to eliminate obstacles during patient transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Inventor: Mervyn M. Watkins
  • Patent number: 3995882
    Abstract: A folding structure in one embodiment including ground wheels and handles to form a child's stroller, the structure having a pair of elongated frame tubes that are laterally foldable and held together at two spaced points on each of the tubes by pivotally connected front and rear X braces, the structure also including a pair of elongated seat tubes pivotally attached to main frame tube-supported folding mechanisms that allow the seat tubes to move upwardly and in closer angular alignment with the main frame tubes when the latter move closer together as the structure is changed from its unfolded to folded configuration, resulting in a folded cross-sectional area not much greater than the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the individual members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1976
    Inventor: Mervyn M. Watkins
  • Patent number: RE39604
    Abstract: An improved seating arrangement having a pair of rigid sides which include a back portion and a seat portion. Flexible webbing members extend between the rigid sides in the back and seat portions. Various arrangements are provided for increasing and decreasing the length and tension of the flexible webbing to provide a three dimensional variation in the contour of the flexible webbing in the back and/or seat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Convaid Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mervyn M. Watkins