Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Lenkman

Thomas E. Lenkman 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: 8950522
    Abstract: A drive unit for propelling a cart in a forward or reverse direction or from side-to-side. The drive unit has a top plate affixed to a bottom frame of the cart. A pivot plate carrying a drive wheel carriage is pivoted from the plate. The drive wheel carriage includes a yoke in which a drive wheel is mounted. The drive wheel carriage is rockably and rotatably suspended from the pivot plate with the drive wheel biased out of contact with a supporting surface by a spring and biased into contact with the supporting surface with an inflatable air bag. The drive wheel may propel the cart forward when the drive wheel is aligned with the cart's longitudinal axis and from side-to-side when the drive wheel is aligned with the cart's transverse axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas E. Lenkman
  • Patent number: 8752659
    Abstract: A drive unit for a carrier that includes a chassis with a drive wheel that is pivotable with an air spring in and out of contact with a surface over which the carrier is propelled. The air spring is in a pneumatic system including an air compressor which is connected to a processor in an electrical system. The compressor is programmed to provide a fair safe mode for the drive wheel, a runtime control for the air compressor and a battery voltage sensing circuit to shut down the electrical system during periods of inactivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas E. Lenkman, David C. Massey
  • Patent number: 7191854
    Abstract: A modular drive unit for a gurney including a control/handle module, a cord reel/charger module, a drive module, and a chassis assembly, plus all needed electrical wiring harnesses and pneumatic tubing to connect them. The modules mount to any existing gurney and to each other without making permanent modifications to the gurney. The gurney is controlled by a handle assembly containing all necessary controls and indicators to allow the operator to select forward or reverse direction, increase or reduce speed of travel, observe the state of battery charge, and energize or deenergize power from the various modules. In addition, the handle may be swung down through 180 degrees to facilitate loading and unloading the gurney.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas E. Lenkman
  • Patent number: 7134515
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a utility transport truck having electro-pneumatic controls for coupling and decoupling of devices which are in weight and sensitivity categories that make manual movement without power assist difficult or impossible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas E. Lenkman
  • Publication number: 20040178011
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a three-wheeled vehicle which employs batteries and an electric motor for quiet, safe power to drive the vehicle. Certain components of the vehicle are designed to simulate a full-sized three wheel motorcycle. A charger unit allows the batteries to be recharged from any household wall outlet such as 120 or 230 Volts. The vehicle of the present invention employs batteries and an electric motor for quiet, safe power. Selected components of the present invention are intentionally designed to simulate a full-sized three-wheel motorcycle. A charger arrangement allows the batteries to be recharged from a 120 Volt wall outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas E. Lenkman
  • Publication number: 20030127813
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a utility transport truck having electro-pneumatic controls for coupling and decoupling of devices which are in weight and sensitivity categories that make manual movement without power assist difficult or impossible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas E. Lenkman
  • Patent number: 5845914
    Abstract: A portable cart for transporting highly sensitive equipment such as an excimer laser is disclosed. The portable cart includes a first frame support including spaced feet for supporting the equipment on a floor surface. A second frame support includes rollers for rolling movement of the equipment. The first frame support is vertically movable relative to the second frame support. Expandable/retractable shock absorbing element are positioned between the first and second frame supports. The shock absorbing elements when expanded lift the first frame support including the spaced feet above a floor surface while rollers of the second frame support to engage a floor surface for rolling shock absorbing movement of the equipment. The expandable/retractable shock absorbing elements when retracted lower the first frame support to cause the spaced feet to engage a floor surface for fixed support of the highly sensitive equipment on a floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Laser Vision Centers, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Lenkman
  • Patent number: 4671713
    Abstract: A device for locking down a wheelchair or like device having a wheel supported frame structure to a support structure having a fixed eyelet mounted thereon. The lockdown device includes an elongated assembly adjustable as to length and with spaced surfaces thereon for engaging and embracing spaced frame members on a wheelchair, and apparatus for applying force on the elongated assembly when engaged with wheelchair frame members to lock the wheelchair to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Harold Lietz Enterprise, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Lenkman