Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Bulea

Thomas C. Bulea 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: 9351898
    Abstract: This invention relates to a lift to assist in standing and/or walking for persons who have insufficient strength or movement in their legs. The inventive lift walker includes a frame assembly having a lower an upper and lower portion that wheels are provided beneath the lower frame so as to enable the lift to be propelled and maneuvered. A bracing assembly is provided at the upper portion and comprises a supporting platform which is adapted to fit under the forearms of a person, and optional handles for gripping by the user's left and right hands. An elevator assembly is provided which includes lift and stabilization tracks for raising and lowering the supporting assembly in a coordinated, purely vertical fashion, and further includes gas lift means for effectuating the same via use of a remotely switched activation mechanism. There are also anti-tip means for maintaining the stability of the device when contacting uneven ground surface during movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignees: The United States of America, as Represnted by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Ronald J. Triolo, Thomas C. Bulea
  • Patent number: 9119757
    Abstract: This invention relates to a self leveling walker to assist persons who have insufficient strength or movement in their legs when standing and walking on uneven surfaces, and for traversing ramps and stairs. The inventive self leveling walker includes a frame assembly with a leveling assembly for adapting the relative length of the four legs of the walker to accommodate a substantially constant level of the walker so that the user may maintain an erect standing posture at all times, without the need to lean forward or back to accommodate uneven surfaces. The invention employs a fluid or gas based circuit between the front and back walker legs on each respective side, so as to shorten or lengthen each front and back leg with respect to each other, thereby maintaining the overall level of the walker on the subject surface being traversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignees: The United States of America as Represented by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Ronald J. Triolo, Thomas C. Bulea
  • Publication number: 20140358053
    Abstract: A power-assisted orthosis is shown and described. The power assisted orthosis may include a knee orthosis adapted to be secured to at least one of a user's knee joint, a hip orthosis adapted to be secured to a user's hip joints, and a first actuator attached with the knee orthosis, the first actuator moveable in conjunction with movement of the at least one of the user's knee joint. The power assisted orthosis may also include a second actuator attached to the hip orthosis, the second actuator moveable in conjunction with movement of the user's hip joints, and a valve in fluid communication with a port of at least one of the first and second actuators, where the valve controls fluid flow within the at least one of the first and second actuators to lock or unlock at least one of the first and second actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Ronald J. Triolo, Rudolf Kobetic, Curtis S. To, Musa L. Audu, Thomas C. Bulea, Roger D. Quinn, Mark Nandor
  • Publication number: 20140109944
    Abstract: This invention relates to a self leveling walker to assist persons who have insufficient strength or movement in their legs when standing and walking on uneven surfaces, and for traversing ramps and stairs. The inventive self leveling walker includes a frame assembly with a leveling assembly for adapting the relative length of the four legs of the walker to accommodate a substantially constant level of the walker so that the user may maintain an erect standing posture at all times, without the need to lean forward or back to accommodate uneven surfaces. The invention employs a fluid or gas based circuit between the front and back walker legs on each respective side, so as to shorten or lengthen each front and back leg with respect to each other, thereby maintaining the overall level of the walker on the subject surface being traversed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicants: Case Western Reserve University, The United States Government, as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Ronald J. Triolo, Thomas C. Bulea