Patents by Inventor Richard Swezey

Richard Swezey 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: 7346948
    Abstract: A basic version of the Bed Lounge™ includes a removable, inter-changeable, and washable fabric slip cover enclosing a foam, fiber, filled-pillow, layered padding over a flat light-weight inner body/frame structure, forming a layered composite that is exceptionally lightweight (2-3 lbs.), extremely durable and yet highly comfortable and supportive to the upper body of the user. Due its compact size, the basic bed lounge can be used on existing seating and furniture to augment support and comfort. It has the ability to be flattened to a very low profile so it can be easily carried in one hand, slung over the shoulder, hung like a suite bag on a hanger in the closet and stored under furniture, under a bed or in an automobile trunk for use when traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Inventors: Robert L. Swezey, Richard Swezey
  • Patent number: 7313836
    Abstract: A compact free-standing reclining bed lounge, expanding a product line marketed under BedLounge®, is made with a removable fabric slip-cover enclosing foam and fiber padding covering a basic seat structure formed from air-core plastic sheet material utilizing “living” hinges and reinforced by fabric webbing. The lounge is portable, sturdy, light-weight and free-standing, requiring no external support such as a headboard or wall, and provides reclining capability over a wide range, easily adjustable by a user while seated. A cam-lever gripping mechanism, in a slidable assembly on a pair of rear support columns, normally holds the lounge fixed at the previously selected inclination. To readjust the inclination, the user, by pulling a control strap, temporarily releases the gripping and allows the inclination to be readjusted by shifting of the user's body position and weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventors: Robert L. Swezey, Richard Swezey
  • Patent number: 7284290
    Abstract: Dual-modal-shaping capability is added as a new feature in bed lounges of the type having a fabric slip-cover enclosing foam padding on a main structure formed from plastic sheet material. User adjustment is provided for back tilt, head-rest tilt and height, arm-rest spacing, and back support location. Modal transition is provided by an internal mechanism that interlinks the two arm-rests via a weighted lock-pin that locks the arm-rests in place for normal use but that can be disengaged by merely inverting the bed lounge so the lock-pin drops out from the linkage gravitationally, thus allowing the arm-rests to be folded out to convert to an overall flat modal-shape that can be conveniently stored, e.g. under a bed or hanging in a closet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventors: Robert L. Swezey, Richard Swezey
  • Patent number: 6547703
    Abstract: A versatile bidirectional isometric exercise device is provided in the form of an inflatable flexible exercise ball (10A-C), about 46 cm (18 inches) in diameter, fitted with a pair of looped handles (12A-B, 30A, 30C), secured to diametrically opposite points of the ball, through which arms or legs can be placed for performing specialized exercises that use the ball (10A-C) in a tension mode. The ball (10A-C) is only partially inflated so as to provide soft compliant accommodation to various body surfaces, and can be utilized bidirectionally, i.e. either in compression or in tension, in conjunction with various body parts such as hands, legs, knees, feet, etc., for a broad array of isometric muscle exercises directed to overall body strengthening, particularly for persons prone to and/or desiring protection from the effects of osteoporosis. A sequence of recommended exercises may be depicted directly on the surface of the ball (10A-C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventors: Robert L. Swezey, Richard Swezey
  • Publication number: 20020113468
    Abstract: For removable cushion-to-chair fastening, a region on the back side of the cushion is treated or covered with pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) of sufficient gripping strength to hold the cushion in place without other support. The PSA element is an integral part of the cushion and allows the cushion to be reattached and readjusted multiple times, and can adhere to all manner of surfaces. The PSA material is of a type that can be washed with water and renewed or reactivated, regaining its full adhesive properties upon drying. A foldable rear flap may be provided that can be closed to cover the adhesive region and retained in the closed mode for storing, transporting and using the cushion in a conventional manner, and then opened and retained against the back panel in the open position for exposing the adhesive when the cushion is utilized in the open mode for chair-attachment. Alternatively, the closed mode could be implemented by a removable cover panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Robert L. Swezey, Richard Swezey
  • Patent number: 6272703
    Abstract: A knee support pillow is configured with a main body disposed between a pair of end members configured to have an elliptical cam-shape cross-section that allows for variable height and support by rotating or adjusting the unit to provide any number of heights to comfortably support a user's knees and legs. The cam-shape is configured to provide handles built into the end members act as handgrips to facilitate easy gripping to rotate the unit forward and back to obtain an optimal comfort setting for the user. The user can position and adjust the support pillow while remaining in a seated or reclining position, and can re-adjust the support as needed to accommodate changing tasks or activities. An easily removable and replaceable fabric outer cover extends over the usable region of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventors: Robert L. Swezey, Richard Swezey
  • Patent number: 5948013
    Abstract: A therapeutic pillow, that can be fastened to the backrest of a variety of chairs and seats, provides air-pressure-assisted lower back support that can be conveniently adjusted by the user for optimum level of support. The self-inflating pillow, utilizing an interacting combination of two types of expanded compressible core material stuffing and air pressure, never requires an external pump, compressor or lung/breath inflation. The front surface of the pillow provides a hook-and loop type attachment surface for versatile attachment of support straps for securing the pillow in place to the chair, and also provides for versatile attachment of thermal packets, e.g. for cold therapy. The pillow can be folded or rolled in a deflated carrying mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventors: Robert L. Swezey, Richard Swezey
  • Patent number: 5735776
    Abstract: A versatile bidirectional isometric exercise device is provided in the form of an inflatable flexible exercise ball, about 18 inches in diameter, fitted with a pair of looped handles, secured to diametrically opposite points of the ball, through which arms or legs can be placed for performing specialized exercises that use the ball in a tension mode. The ball is only partially inflated so as to provide soft compliant accommodation to various body surfaces, and can be utilized bidirectionally, i.e. either in compression or in tension, in conjunction with various body parts such as hands, legs, knees, feet, etc., for a broad array of isometric muscle exercises directed to overall body strengthening, particularly for persons prone to and/or desiring protection from the effects of osteoporosis. A sequence of recommended exercises may be depicted directly on the surface of the ball. Attachment of the handles to the main ball portion may be made by sonic welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventors: Robert L. Swezey, Richard Swezey
  • Patent number: 5425378
    Abstract: A monitoring unit is mounted atop headgear fitted with a proportional level sensor which detects head inclination in the saggital plane. A battery powered microcontroller, interfaced with the level sensor, monitors the head tilt and provides a sonic indication whenever the tilt exceeds preset limits to the front or rear. The use of a proportional level sensor of the capacitive/fluid type enables the microcontroller to be configured to allow the user to preset different tilt limits, and to select different modes, for example beginning or advanced training, sitting, standing or exercising body positions, and to set up a designated training session duration, timed by sonic indication, during which the number and direction of head tilt deviations detected may be counted. Such statistical data may be displayed to the user on an LCD display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Inventors: Robert L. Swezey, Richard Swezey
  • Patent number: 5423098
    Abstract: An ergonomic bed lounge is made with a fabric slip-cover enclosing foam padding on a main structure that is formed from plastic sheet material to provide the required strength while keeping the weight ultra light: lighter than all-foam construction. Side arms are provided that can pivot inwardly for storage and outwardly for entry/exit, for providing different resting conditions and for comfortable accommodation of different-sized users. The side arms are each equipped with a convenient storage pocket. A lower back support pillow is removably contained in pockets provided in the slip cover in a manner that enables the user to locate and orient the back pillow for maximum support and comfort. An adjustable neck pillow with an elliptical cross-sectional shape can be adjusted in height and oriented for optimal neck support in terms of head position and attitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Inventors: Robert L. Swezey, Richard Swezey
  • Patent number: 5158089
    Abstract: A monitoring device for posture improvement training, worn as a headband, provides audible feedback of sensed forward or backward deviation from ideal head inclination in the saggital plane. The monitor unit is captivated on an adjustable central strap running front-to-rear over the curvature of the crown of the head. The unit may be moved along the strap to enable initial leveling adjustment to level the unit while the subject's head is maintained in the ideal posture of neutral inclination. A level-sensor, specially mounted in the unit, remains switched in an OFF state as long as the subject's head inclination remains correct, however, whenever the head inclines in either direction in the saggital plane beyond a predetermined critical angle, e.g. 4 degrees, the sensor makes contact to an ON state, actuating a sound-emitting transducer powered by an on-board battery, to indicate the departure from correct posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Inventors: Robert L. Swezey, Richard Swezey