Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Whelan
Thomas J. Whelan 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).
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Patent number: 11931303Abstract: A foldable tiltable wheelchair that overcomes the foregoing deficiencies comprises a base frame comprising laterally spaced side frames. A tiltable seat frame is supported for pivotal movement in relation to the base frame. The tiltable seat frame comprises laterally spaced seat rails. A first foldable cross-member provides a rigid connection between the seat rails when in an unfolded position. According to one embodiment, a second foldable cross-member provides a rigid connection between the side frames when in an unfolded position. The first and second foldable cross-members coupled so that moving one cross-member moves the other cross-member. According to another embodiment, the tiltable seat frame comprises a seat back supported in relation to the seat frame. The seat back comprises laterally spaced back canes. The first foldable cross-member is coupled to the seat frame so that the back canes are supported in relation to the first foldable cross-member so as to limit lateral flexure of the back canes.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Ki Mobility LLCInventors: Alan Ludovici, Thomas J. Whelan, Richard E. Schneider, Murray G. Slagerman
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Patent number: 11259974Abstract: A dampening system is efficient in dampening vibration through a wheelchair frame. The system allows a lower base frame and wheels to be rigidly attached, while an upper seat frame is joined to the base frame through elastomeric dampening bushings to isolate the seat frame from the base frame. The bushings may be hidden in vertical upright tubes of the base frame. The bushings can also be used for supporting front caster forks and/or a rear axle assembly in isolation to the base frame.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2018Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Ki Mobility LLCInventors: Thomas J. Whelan, Alan Ludovici
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Publication number: 20220036578Abstract: Embodiments for determining an orientation of a scanned image. In an exemplary embodiment, a method comprises receiving image data of an image of one or more objects. Each object of the one or more objects in the image includes a plurality of points on a surface of the object. The method further comprises generating a plurality of subsets of points of the plurality of points and fitting a parametric model to more than one subset of the plurality of subsets to generate a plurality of parametric models. Further, the method identifies a parametric model of the plurality of parametric models that includes the largest number of points and orients the image based on the parametric model that includes the largest number of points.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2019Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Douglas H. Munsey, Jr., Daniel H. Packard, Thomas J. Whelan, Patrick Abadi, William G.N. Coon, Robin D. Knight, Kimberly M. Wheeler
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Patent number: 10828213Abstract: A foldable wheelchair comprises a plurality of width-adjustable hinged foldable cross-members connected to side frames to support a pivotable tiltable seat frame. The seat frame angle is operably controlled by use of gas springs that can be configured to support users of varying weight. The wheelchair is further configured to control lateral stability of the seat frame. The seat frame cooperates with a forward positioned pivot that maintains the user's knees in a position relative to the ground. Wheel adjustments allow for a range of seat height.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2017Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Ki Mobility, LLCInventors: Alan Ludovici, Thomas J. Whelan, Richard E. Schneider, Murray G. Slagerman
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Patent number: 10702431Abstract: A keyed and indexed tube and a taper lock system are suitable for use with a wheelchair, especially a pediatric wheelchair, which may require frequent adjustments during the growth of the occupant.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Ki MobilityInventors: Thomas J. Whelan, Alan Nicholas Ludovici
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Patent number: 10238556Abstract: A wheelchair frame comprises a base frame having a geometry that is structured and configured to be adjustable about a fixed pivot, wherein the base frame comprises a central frame and frame component that are adjustable via an angular adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2017Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Ki Mobility, LLCInventors: Murray G. Slagerman, Thomas J. Whelan, Richard E. Schneider
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Patent number: 10085903Abstract: An angle adjustment assembly comprises a first member configured to pivot about a first axis. A second member is configured to rotate about a second axis transverse to the first axis. The first member is eccentrically supported in relation to the second member so that rotation of the second member produces pivotal movement of the first member. A third member may be configured to rotate about a third axis transverse to the first axis. The second member may be eccentrically supported in relation to the third member so that rotation of the third member further produces pivotal movement of the first member. The second member may comprise an inner cam member. The third member may comprise an outer cam member. The first member may be a caster stem for supporting a wheelchair caster assembly, or alternatively, an axle receiver for supporting an axle of a wheelchair drive wheel.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Ki MobilityInventors: Alan Ludovici, Thomas J. Whelan
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Patent number: 9855174Abstract: A wheelchair cushion comprises a dual stiffness fluid. A cushion also comprises an ability to adjust fluid volume.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Ki MobilityInventors: Thomas J Whelan, Stephen Sprigle, Alison McKenna, Ezekiel Kolajo, Sanchit Mittal, Saranya Sathananthan, Christopher Tile
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Patent number: 9801766Abstract: A wheelchair frame comprises a base frame having a geometry that is structured and configured to be adjustable about a fixed pivot, wherein the base frame comprises a central frame and frame component that are adjustable via an angular adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2016Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Inventors: Murray G. Slagerman, Thomas J. Whelan, Richard E. Schneider
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Patent number: 9021637Abstract: A wheelchair cushion comprises a dual stiffness fluid. A cushion also comprises an ability to adjust fluid volume.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Ki MobilityInventors: Thomas J Whelan, Stephen Sprigle, Alison McKenna, Ezekiel Kolajo, Sanchit Mittal, Saranya Sathananthan, Christopher Tile
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Patent number: 9010787Abstract: A wheelchair is disclosed herein. The wheelchair includes a base frame extending in a fore-aft direction and a lateral direction perpendicular to the fore-aft direction. The wheelchair also includes a plurality of wheels supporting the base frame for movement. The wheelchair also includes a seat frame operable to support a seat and a wheelchair occupant sitting in the seat. The wheelchair also includes a support assembly interconnecting the seat frame to the base frame for pivoting movement between an upright position, a fully-tilted position and an intermediate position between the upright position and the fully-tilted position. The support assembly utilizes a plurality of control paths to direct the seat frame in translating and rotating planar body motion that defines a fixed centrode. A center of gravity of the seat frame and the seat and the wheelchair occupant is definable in operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2014Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: KI MobilityInventors: Murray G. Slagerman, Thomas J. Whelan, Richard E. Schneider, Douglas H. Munsey
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Publication number: 20140246841Abstract: A wheelchair is disclosed herein. The wheelchair includes a base frame extending in a fore-aft direction and a lateral direction perpendicular to the fore-aft direction. The wheelchair also includes a plurality of wheels supporting the base frame for movement. The wheelchair also includes a seat frame operable to support a seat and a wheelchair occupant sitting in the seat. The wheelchair also includes a support assembly interconnecting the seat frame to the base frame for pivoting movement between an upright position, a fully-tilted position and an intermediate position between the upright position and the fully-tilted position. The support assembly utilizes a plurality of control paths to direct the seat frame in translating and rotating planar body motion that defines a fixed centrode. A center of gravity of the seat frame and the seat and the wheelchair occupant is definable in operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Inventors: Murray G. Slagerman, Thomas J. Whelan, Richard E. Schneider, Douglas H. Munsey
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Patent number: 8474848Abstract: The vehicle comprises a base and a seat moveable along a curve having a focal point. The vehicle is adjustable to position an occupant in the seat to achieve a desired position for the center of gravity of the occupant relative to the focal point of the curve. A method for minimizing effort required to tilt the seat of a personal mobility vehicle comprises the steps of providing a personal mobility vehicle having a seat that is adapted to move along an arc having a center of curvature, positioning the seat substantially horizontally, providing an occupant in the seat, and adjusting the position of the vehicle occupant's center of gravity so that the center of gravity is substantially equal to or below the center of curvature of the arc.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2004Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Sunrise Medical (US) LLCInventors: Todd Bernatsky, Philip Schreiber, Thomas J. Whelan, Wayne Hanson, Steven L. Lindquist, Jerry Houtart, Richard Schneider, Allen B. Killebrew, Mike Nordquist
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Publication number: 20120256463Abstract: Wheelchair seat back mounting hardware permits the seat back to be mounted on various wheelchairs. The mounting hardware may be in the form of two-point mounting hardware that connects the seat back to the wheelchair and permits the seat back height to be adjusted independently of the mounting hardware location on the wheelchair.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: SUNRISE MEDICAL (US) LLCInventors: Thomas J. Whelan, James L. Christofferson, Vincent J. Frerich, Sy Tran
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Patent number: 8197009Abstract: Wheelchair seat back mounting hardware permits the seat back to be mounted on various wheelchairs. The mounting hardware may be in the form of two-point mounting hardware that connects the seat back to the wheelchair and permits the seat back height to be adjusted independently of the mounting hardware location on the wheelchair.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Sunrise Medical (US) LLCInventors: Thomas J. Whelan, James L. Christofferson, Vincent J. Frerich, Sy Tran
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Publication number: 20120035469Abstract: A portable, hand-held, non-contact surface measuring system comprises an image capturing element, at least four projectable reference elements positioned parallel to one another at known locations around the image capturing element, a processing unit, and a user interface. The invention further discloses a method for the noncontact surface measurement comprising projecting at least four references onto a target surface, capturing an image of the targeted surface and the projected references with the image transferring device, transferring the image to a processing unit, processing the image using triangulation-based computer vision techniques to correct for skew and to obtain surface measurement data, transferring the data to the user interface, modifying the data with the user interface. The systems and methods for the measurement of surfaces can be applied to the measurement of biological surfaces, such as skin, wounds, lesions, and ulcers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Inventors: Thomas J. Whelan, Stephen H. Sprigle, Robin D. Knight, Daniel H. Packard, Collin J. Horvat
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Patent number: 7946654Abstract: An air insert is designed for a proper fit into a cushion pelvic loading area that has sloped walls for positioning and properly supporting the human pelvis. The air insert may be segmented, or pre-contoured by the manufacturer, so as to be designed for a proper fit into the PLA. The seat cushion and the insert will provide comfort and support to the users.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.Inventors: Vasily G. Tsuber, Thomas J. Whelan
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Publication number: 20110080031Abstract: Wheelchair seat back mounting hardware permits the seat back to be mounted on various wheelchairs. The mounting hardware may be in the form of two-point mounting hardware that connects the seat back to the wheelchair and permits the seat back height to be adjusted independently of the mounting hardware location on the wheelchair.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Inventors: Thomas J. Whelan, James L. Christofferson, Vincent J. Frerich, Sy Tran
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Patent number: 7896438Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a seatback assembly that includes a backrest comprising shapeable material and an adjustable support, the backrest being attached to the adjustable support, the adjustable support being adjustable to alter the curvature of the backrest from top to bottom and then fix the backrest in place, thus shaping the backrest.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Whelan, James L. Christofferson
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Patent number: 7857394Abstract: Wheelchair seat back mounting hardware permits the seat back to be mounted on various wheelchairs. The mounting hardware may be in the form of two-point mounting hardware that connects the seat back to the wheelchair and permits the seat back height to be adjusted independently of the mounting hardware location on the wheelchair.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2008Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Whelan, James L. Christofferson, Vincent J. Frerich, Sy Tran, James M. Koerlin