Patents by Inventor Steve Maurus

Steve Maurus 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: 11103395
    Abstract: A technique for capturing a three-dimensional digital image of a customized shape for a wheelchair seat and back and subsequently producing a seat and back from the image. The captured image may include one or more datum points therein to provide a reference plane for the seat and back. The datum points may be in a color-coded layer located relative to the bottom edge of the seat. The color code may indicate the size of the user and seat at a coarse level. The customized shape may be captured from a shape capture bag or bags that capture one or both of the shape of the user's back and bottom. The shape capture bag used to capture the shape of the user's bottom, for use in manufacturing the seat, may be enhanced by a pre-formed layer that contains a contour or one or more components that together form a contour that biases the shape capture bag toward the shape of the user's bottom when gravity is acting upon the user to sink into a cushioned seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Aspen Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hetzel, Joseph S. Bieganek, Joshua A. Middel, Steve Maurus, Edward J. Gillman
  • Publication number: 20180200129
    Abstract: A technique for capturing a three-dimensional digital image of a customized shape for a wheelchair seat and back and subsequently producing a seat and back from the image. The captured image may include one or more datum points therein to provide a reference plane for the seat and back. The datum points may be in a color-coded layer located relative to the bottom edge of the seat. The color code may indicate the size of the user and seat at a coarse level. The customized shape may be captured from a shape capture bag or bags that capture one or both of the shape of the user's back and bottom. The shape capture bag used to capture the shape of the user's bottom, for use in manufacturing the seat, may be enhanced by a pre-formed layer that contains a contour or one or more components that together form a contour that biases the shape capture bag toward the shape of the user's bottom when gravity is acting upon the user to sink into a cushioned seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: THOMAS R. HETZEL, JOSEPH S. BIEGANEK, JOSHUA A. MIDDEL, STEVE MAURUS, EDWARD J. GILLMAN
  • Patent number: 7395566
    Abstract: A flexible seat cushion, such as a wheelchair cushion, has an upper surface with a support contour for establishing relatively less pressure on skin adjacent to the bony prominences of the person's pelvic area and relatively more pressure on skin covering adjacent tissue masses. A support member is attached to the rear corner of the cushion. The support member has relatively less flexibility than the seat cushion. The support member is retained to a longitudinal and/or transverse side of the cushion to cause the support member to resist deformation of the support contour from contact with the pelvic area of the person when seated on the seat cushion. Connector member may be connected to the support member to extend along longitudinal and/or transverse sides of the cushion to deform and thereby adjust the support contour for better support of the pelvic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Aspen Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hetzel, Aaron D. Pierce, Steve Maurus
  • Patent number: 7373678
    Abstract: A flexible support structure of a seat cushion, such as a wheelchair cushion, has an upper surface with a support contour having relief areas for establishing relatively less pressure on skin adjacent to bony prominences of a user's pelvis and having a support area for establishing relatively more pressure on skin covering a tissue mass spaced from the bony prominences. A slit is formed in the rear corner of the support structure and an insertion member is inserted into the slit to change a position of the support area to thereby adjust the support contour for better support of the pelvic area. A cover encases the support structure to resist outward deformation of the support structure. The cover has an extension portion that expands the cover at the rear corner to increase a dimension of the cover to encase an increase dimension of the corner caused by the insertion of the insertion member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Aspen Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hetzel, Joseph S. Bieganek, Steve Maurus
  • Publication number: 20070028385
    Abstract: A flexible seat cushion, such as a wheelchair cushion, has an upper surface with a support contour for establishing relatively less pressure on skin adjacent to the bony prominences of the person's pelvic area and relatively more pressure on skin covering adjacent tissue masses. A support member is attached to the rear corner of the cushion. The support member has relatively less flexibility than the seat cushion. The support member is retained to a longitudinal and/or transverse side of the cushion to cause the support member to resist deformation of the support contour from contact with the pelvic area of the person when seated on the seat cushion. Connector member may be connected to the support member to extend along longitudinal and/or transverse sides of the cushion to deform and thereby adjust the support contour for better support of the pelvic area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Hetzel, Aaron Pierce, Steve Maurus
  • Patent number: 7140057
    Abstract: A flexible seat cushion, such as a wheelchair cushion, has an upper surface with a support contour for establishing relatively less pressure on skin adjacent to the bony prominences of the person's pelvic area and relatively more pressure on skin covering adjacent tissue masses. A support member is attached to the rear corner of the cushion. The support member has relatively less flexibility than the seat cushion. The support member is retained to a longitudinal and/or transverse side of the cushion to cause the support member to resist deformation of the support contour from contact with the pelvic area of the person when seated on the seat cushion. Connector member may be connected to the support member to extend along longitudinal and/or transverse sides of the cushion to deform and thereby adjust the support contour for better support of the pelvic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Aspen Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hetzel, Aaron D. Pierce, Steve Maurus
  • Publication number: 20050235423
    Abstract: A flexible support structure of a seat cushion, such as a wheelchair cushion, has an upper surface with a support contour having relief areas for establishing relatively less pressure on skin adjacent to bony prominences of a user's pelvis and having a support area for establishing relatively more pressure on skin covering a tissue mass spaced from the bony prominences. A slit is formed in the rear corner of the support structure and an insertion member is inserted into the slit to change a position of the support area to thereby adjust the support contour for better support of the pelvic area. A cover encases the support structure to resist outward deformation of the support structure. The cover has an extension portion that expands the cover at the rear corner to increase a dimension of the cover to encase an increase dimension of the corner caused by the insertion of the insertion member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Hetzel, Joseph Bieganek, Steve Maurus
  • Publication number: 20050022306
    Abstract: A flexible seat cushion, such as a wheelchair cushion, has an upper surface with a support contour for establishing relatively less pressure on skin adjacent to the bony prominences of the person's pelvic area and relatively more pressure on skin covering adjacent tissue masses. A support member is attached to the rear corner of the cushion. The support member has relatively less flexibility than the seat cushion. The support member is retained to a longitudinal and/or transverse side of the cushion to cause the support member to resist deformation of the support contour from contact with the pelvic area of the person when seated on the seat cushion. Connector member may be connected to the support member to extend along longitudinal and/or transverse sides of the cushion to deform and thereby adjust the support contour for better support of the pelvic area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Hetzel, Aaron Pierce, Steve Maurus