Patents by Inventor Robert Bekoscke

Robert Bekoscke 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: 11957631
    Abstract: Embodiments of a wheelchair and suspension system are provided. In one embodiment, a wheelchair or other vehicle having a wheel assembly is provided. The assembly includes, for example, a housing, a resilient member between two sleeves or casings, and a wheel support connected to a wheel. The resilient member compresses when there is an impact on the wheel and decompresses after the impact. In another embodiment, a wheelchair or other vehicle having a multi-purpose suspension system is provided. In one instance, the system provides suspension between to the main drive wheels and the frame. In a second instance, the system provides suspension between the anti-tip wheels and the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert L. Cuson, Robert A. Bekoscke
  • Publication number: 20240082084
    Abstract: Embodiments of a wheelchair and suspension system are provided. The suspension includes a drive assembly that is pivotably connected to a base frame at multiple locations. In one embodiment, the connection is via intermediary pivoting links or arms. Embodiments of the links or arms including rigid links, resilient links, elastic links, shocks, springs, gas cylinders and lockable gas cylinders (or combinations of the foregoing). The drive assembly can, via the pivot connections, pivot to accommodate and traverse variations and obstacles on ground surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventor: Robert Bekoscke
  • Patent number: 11903887
    Abstract: Embodiments of a wheelchair and suspension system are provided. The suspension includes a drive assembly that is pivotably connected to a base frame at multiple locations. In one embodiment, the connection is via intermediary pivoting links or arms. Embodiments of the links or arms including rigid links, resilient links, elastic links, shocks, springs, gas cylinders and lockable gas cylinders (or combinations of the foregoing). The drive assembly can, via the pivot connections, pivot to accommodate and traverse variations and obstacles on ground surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert Bekoscke
  • Publication number: 20240016679
    Abstract: Embodiments of a wheelchair and suspension system are provided. In one embodiment, a wheelchair or other vehicle having a wheel assembly is provided. The assembly includes, for example, a housing, a resilient member between two sleeves or casings, and a wheel support connected to a wheel. The resilient member compresses when there is an impact on the wheel and decompresses after the impact. In another embodiment, a wheelchair or other vehicle having a multi-purpose suspension system is provided. In one instance, the system provides suspension between to the main drive wheels and the frame. In a second instance, the system provides suspension between the anti-tip wheels and the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Robert L. Cuson, Robert A. Bekoscke
  • Patent number: 11857470
    Abstract: Wheeled vehicles, such as wheelchairs, that are adapted to traverse obstacles are provided. The wheeled vehicles include a frame, drive wheels, front anti-tip wheels positioned in front of the drive wheels and rear anti-tip wheels positioned behind the drive wheels. One exemplary vehicle includes front anti-tip wheels supported by rigid arms that are fixed to the frame and drive assemblies that are independently suspended from the frame. Another exemplary vehicle includes a linkage that links the front and rear anti-tip wheels, such that movement of one of the front or rear anti-tip wheel relative to the frame causes movement of the other wheel relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Cuson, Robert A. Bekoscke, Daniel J. Stothard
  • Publication number: 20230414421
    Abstract: Several embodiments of wheeled vehicles, such as wheelchairs, that are adapted to traverse obstacles are disclosed. The wheeled vehicles include a frame, drive wheels, front anti-tip wheels positioned in front of the drive wheels, and rear anti-tip wheels positioned behind the drive wheels. One exemplary vehicle includes front anti-tip wheels supported by rigid arms that are fixed to the frame and drive assemblies that are independently suspended from the frame. Another exemplary vehicle includes a linkage that links the front and rear anti-tip wheels, such that movement of one of the front anti-tip wheel or the rear anti-tip wheel relative to the frame causes movement of the other wheel relative to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Robert L. Cuson, Robert A. Bekoscke, Daniel J. Stothard
  • Patent number: 11850906
    Abstract: Embodiments of a suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame and a locking assembly. The locking assembly inhibits tipping of a frame of the vehicle when tipping of the frame is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Bekoscke, Damon Jurkiewicz, Gerald Fought
  • Patent number: 11819464
    Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame, at least one drive assembly and at least one caster pivot arm. The at least one drive assembly and the at least one caster pivot arm are pivotally connected to the frame such that the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm are pivotable relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Bekoscke, Damon Jurkiewicz
  • Publication number: 20230051634
    Abstract: Embodiments of a suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame and a locking assembly. The locking assembly inhibits tipping of a frame of the vehicle when tipping of the frame is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Bekoscke, Damon Jurkiewicz, Gerald Fought
  • Publication number: 20220409454
    Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame, at least one drive assembly and at least one caster pivot arm. The at least one drive assembly and the at least one caster pivot arm are pivotally connected to the frame such that the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm are pivotable relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Bekoscke, Damon Jurkiewicz
  • Patent number: 11535078
    Abstract: Embodiments of a suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame and a locking assembly. The locking assembly inhibits tipping of a frame of the vehicle when tipping of the frame is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Bekoscke, Damon Jurkiewicz, Gerald Fought
  • Patent number: 11464687
    Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame, at least one drive assembly and at least one caster pivot arm. The at least one drive assembly and the at least one caster pivot arm are pivotally connected to the frame at a common pivot axis such that the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm are pivotable relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: INVACARE COPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Bekoscke, Damon Jurkiewicz
  • Patent number: 11234875
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension includes a frame, a drive assembly pivot arm, a drive assembly, a front caster pivot arm, a front caster, and a spring and shock absorbing assembly. The drive assembly pivot arm is pivotally connected to the frame. The drive assembly includes a drive wheel and is mounted to the drive assembly pivot arm. The front caster pivot arm is pivotally mounted to the frame and coupled to the drive assembly pivot arm. The front caster is coupled to the at least one front caster pivot arm. The spring and shock absorbing assembly is pivotally connected to the drive assembly pivot arm at a first pivotal connection and pivotally connected to the front caster pivot arm at a second pivotal connection. The first and second pivotal connections are positioned such that a majority of the force applied by the spring and shock absorbing assembly is applied to the drive wheel when the suspension is on a flat, horizontal support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Bekoscke, Kevin Burns
  • Publication number: 20210369518
    Abstract: Wheeled vehicles, such as wheelchairs, that are adapted to traverse obstacles are provided. The wheeled vehicles include a frame, drive wheels, front anti-tip wheels positioned in front of the drive wheels and rear anti-tip wheels positioned behind the drive wheels. One exemplary vehicle includes front anti-tip wheels supported by rigid arms that are fixed to the frame and drive assemblies that are independently suspended from the frame. Another exemplary vehicle includes a linkage that links the front and rear anti-tip wheels, such that movement of one of the front or rear anti-tip wheel relative to the frame causes movement of the other wheel relative to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Robert L. Cuson, Robert A. Bekoscke, Daniel J. Stothard
  • Publication number: 20210370741
    Abstract: Embodiments of a suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame and a locking assembly. The locking assembly inhibits tipping of a frame of the vehicle when tipping of the frame is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Bekoscke, Damon Jurkiewicz, Gerald Fought
  • Publication number: 20210267824
    Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame, at least one drive assembly and at least one caster pivot arm. The at least one drive assembly and the at least one caster pivot arm are pivotally connected to the frame at a common pivot axis such that the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm are pivotable relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Bekoscke, Damon Jurkiewicz
  • Publication number: 20210259898
    Abstract: Embodiments of a wheelchair and suspension system are provided. The suspension includes a drive assembly that is pivotably connected to a base frame at multiple locations. In one embodiment, the connection is via intermediary pivoting links or arms. Embodiments of the links or arms including rigid links, resilient links, elastic links, shocks, springs, gas cylinders and lockable gas cylinders (or combinations of the foregoing). The drive assembly can, via the pivot connections, pivot to accommodate and traverse variations and obstacles on ground surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventor: Robert Bekoscke
  • Patent number: 11097589
    Abstract: Embodiments of a suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame and a locking assembly. The locking assembly inhibits tipping of a frame of the vehicle when tipping of the frame is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Bekoscke, Damon Jurkiewicz, Gerald Fought
  • Patent number: 11096845
    Abstract: Wheeled vehicles, such as wheelchairs, that are adapted to traverse obstacles are provided. The wheeled vehicles include a frame, drive wheels, front anti-tip wheels positioned in front of the drive wheels and rear anti-tip wheels positioned behind the drive wheels. One exemplary vehicle includes front anti-tip wheels supported by rigid arms that are fixed to the frame and drive assemblies that are independently suspended from the frame. Another exemplary vehicle includes a linkage that links the front and rear anti-tip wheels, such that movement of one of the front or rear anti-tip wheel relative to the frame causes movement of the other wheel relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Cuson, Robert A. Bekoscke, Daniel J. Stothard
  • Patent number: 10912690
    Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame, at least one drive assembly and at least one caster pivot arm. The at least one drive assembly and the at least one caster pivot arm are pivotally connected to the frame at a common pivot axis such that the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm are pivotable relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Bekoscke, Damon Jurkiewicz