Patents by Inventor Robert L. Cuson

Robert L. Cuson 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: 12453665
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2025
    Inventors: Robert L. Cuson, Robert A. Bekoscke, Daniel J. Stothard
  • 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: 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: 11213441
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension comprises a frame, at least one pivot arm, at least one front caster, at least one rear caster, a stabilizing system, and a sensor. The pivot arm is coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. The rear caster is coupled to the frame. The stabilizing system is coupled to the frame and the pivot arm. The sensor is arranged such that tipping of the frame causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gerold Goertzen, William A. Null, Robert L. Cuson
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20200206047
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension comprises a frame, at least one pivot arm, at least one front caster, at least one rear caster, a stabilizing system, and a sensor. The pivot arm is coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. The rear caster is coupled to the frame. The stabilizing system is coupled to the frame and the pivot arm. The sensor is arranged such that tipping of the frame causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Gerold Goertzen, William A. Null, Robert L. Cuson
  • Patent number: 10512572
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension comprises a frame, at least one pivot arm, at least one front caster, at least one rear caster, a stabilizing system, and a sensor. The pivot arm is coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. The rear caster is coupled to the frame. The stabilizing system is coupled to the frame and the pivot arm. The sensor is arranged such that tipping of the frame causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gerold Goertzen, William A. Null, Robert L. Cuson
  • Publication number: 20180360678
    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: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Robert L. Cuson, Robert A. Bekoscke, Daniel J. Stothard
  • Publication number: 20180221225
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension comprises a frame, at least one pivot arm, at least one front caster, at least one rear caster, a stabilizing system, and a sensor. The pivot arm is coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. The rear caster is coupled to the frame. The stabilizing system is coupled to the frame and the pivot arm. The sensor is arranged such that tipping of the frame causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Gerold Goertzen, William A. Null, Robert L. Cuson
  • Patent number: 9925100
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension comprises a frame, at least one pivot arm, at least one front caster, at least one rear caster, a stabilizing system, and a sensor. The pivot arm is coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. The rear caster is coupled to the frame. The stabilizing system is coupled to the frame and the pivot arm. The sensor is arranged such that tipping of the frame causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gerold Goertzen, William A. Null, Robert L. Cuson
  • Patent number: 9913768
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension assembly includes a frame, a drive assembly, an anti-tip linkage, a front anti-tip wheel, and a rear anti-tip wheel. The drive assembly includes a drive wheel. The front anti-tip wheel is positioned forward of the drive wheel by the anti-tip linkage. The rear anti-tip wheel is positioned rearward of the drive wheel the anti-tip linkage. The anti-tip linkage couples the front anti-tip wheel to the rear anti-tip wheel such that upward movement of the front anti-tip wheel relative to the frame causes upward movement of the rear anti-tip wheel relative to the frame. The anti-tip linkage includes a front anti-tip pivot arm that is pivotally coupled to the frame, a rear anti-tip pivot arm that is pivotally coupled to the frame, and a connecting link that couples the front anti-tip pivot arm and the rear anti-tip pivot arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Cuson, Robert A. Bekoscke, Daniel J. Stothard
  • Publication number: 20160256339
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension comprises a frame, at least one pivot arm, at least one front caster, at least one rear caster, a stabilizing system, and a sensor. The pivot arm is coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. The rear caster is coupled to the frame. The stabilizing system is coupled to the frame and the pivot arm. The sensor is arranged such that tipping of the frame causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Gerold Goertzen, William A. Null, Robert L. Cuson
  • Patent number: 9364377
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension comprises a frame, at least one pivot arm, at least one front caster, at least one rear caster, a stabilizing system, and a sensor. The pivot arm is coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. The rear caster is coupled to the frame. The stabilizing system is coupled to the frame and the pivot arm. The sensor is arranged such that tipping of the frame causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gerold Goertzen, William A. Null, Robert L. Cuson
  • Publication number: 20150283010
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension assembly includes a frame, a drive assembly, an anti-tip linkage, a front anti-tip wheel, and a rear anti-tip wheel. The drive assembly includes a drive wheel. The front anti-tip wheel is positioned forward of the drive wheel by the anti-tip linkage. The rear anti-tip wheel is positioned rearward of the drive wheel the anti-tip linkage. The anti-tip linkage couples the front anti-tip wheel to the rear anti-tip wheel such that upward movement of the front anti-tip wheel relative to the frame causes upward movement of the rear anti-tip wheel relative to the frame. The anti-tip linkage includes a front anti-tip pivot arm that is pivotally coupled to the frame, a rear anti-tip pivot arm that is pivotally coupled to the frame, and a connecting link that couples the front anti-tip pivot arm and the rear anti-tip pivot arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Robert L. Cuson, Robert A. Bekoscke, Daniel J. Stothard
  • Patent number: 9010470
    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: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Cuson, Robert A. Bekoscke, Daniel J. Strothard
  • Publication number: 20150061242
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension comprises a frame, at least one pivot arm, at least one front caster, at least one rear caster, a stabilizing system, and a sensor. The pivot arm is coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. The rear caster is coupled to the frame. The stabilizing system is coupled to the frame and the pivot arm. The sensor is arranged such that tipping of the frame causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Gerold Goertzen, William A. Null, Robert L. Cuson
  • Patent number: 8833774
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension comprises a frame, at least one pivot arm, at least one front caster, at least one rear caster, a stabilizing system, and a sensor. The pivot arm is coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. The rear caster is coupled to the frame. The stabilizing system is coupled to the frame and the pivot arm. The sensor is arranged such that tipping of the frame causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Gerold Goertzen, William A. Null, Robert L. Cuson