Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Hetzel
Thomas R. Hetzel 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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Publication number: 20210307980Abstract: A wheelchair back support adjustment assembly that utilizes a swivel assembly is disclosed. This swivel assembly provides an entirety of an interconnection between the wheelchair back support adjustment assembly and a back support of a wheelchair. The wheelchair back support adjustment assembly may also include a linkage that interfaces with the swivel assembly. Opposite end portions of the linkage are connectable with a corresponding cane of a wheelchair. The configuration of the wheelchair back support adjustment assembly accommodates a variety of adjustments, to correspondingly adjust a back support of a wheelchair when in an installed configuration (e.g., to customize the back support to a user of the wheelchair). These adjustments may be through one or more adjustments of the swivel assembly, one or more adjustments adjustment of the linkage, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Thomas R. Hetzel, Joseph S. Bieganek, Eric Vielbig, Karl L. Youngdahl, Joshua A. Middel
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Patent number: 11103395Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 17, 2018Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Aspen Seating, LLCInventors: Thomas R. Hetzel, Joseph S. Bieganek, Joshua A. Middel, Steve Maurus, Edward J. Gillman
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Publication number: 20180200129Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: THOMAS R. HETZEL, JOSEPH S. BIEGANEK, JOSHUA A. MIDDEL, STEVE MAURUS, EDWARD J. GILLMAN
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Patent number: 8567863Abstract: A back support is pivotally oriented to locate a pivot point relative to posterior superior iliac spines of a seated user, such that when an upper portion of the back support contacts the upper torso of the user and moves to a desired angular orientation to balance the upper torso over the pelvic area, the back support transfers support to the posterior superior iliac spines to maintain the pelvic skeletal structure in alignment. A lower portion of the back support angularly contacts, supports and confines gluteal and buttocks tissue of the user independently of the degree of pivotal orientation of the upper portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Aspen Seating, LLCInventors: Thomas R. Hetzel, Rex Stevens, Bruce D. Roemmich, Steven C. Maurus
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Patent number: 8517469Abstract: The back of a wheelchair user is independently supported along and about three mutually perpendicular axes. Two elongated adjustment arms are pivotally connected to extension arms which telescope into opposite ends of a hollow connecting tube. The support positions along and about the three axes is achieved by pivoting the arms and the connected relationships of a back shell and cushion to the connecting tube, while the adjustment arms remain pivotally connected to the wheelchair and the extension arms are telescopically retained in the connecting tube.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2012Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Aspen Seating, LLCInventors: Thomas R. Hetzel, Joseph S. Bieganek, Rex W. Stevens, Eric H. Vielbig
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Publication number: 20120223560Abstract: A back support is pivotally oriented to locate a pivot point relative to posterior superior iliac spines of a seated user, such that when an upper portion of the back support contacts the upper torso of the user and moves to a desired angular orientation to balance the upper torso over the pelvic area, the back support transfers support to the posterior superior iliac spines to maintain the pelvic skeletal structure in alignment. A lower portion of the back support angularly contacts, supports and confines gluteal and buttocks tissue of the user independently of the degree of pivotal orientation of the upper portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2011Publication date: September 6, 2012Inventors: Thomas R. Hetzel, Rex Stevens, Bruce D. Roemmich, Steven C. Maurus
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Patent number: 7395566Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 12, 2006Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Aspen Seating, LLCInventors: Thomas R. Hetzel, Aaron D. Pierce, Steve Maurus
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Patent number: 7373678Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Aspen Seating, LLCInventors: Thomas R. Hetzel, Joseph S. Bieganek, Steve Maurus
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Patent number: 7220376Abstract: A negative impression of an anatomical portion of a person is captured by forcing the anatomical portion into impression foam to collapse the impression foam into the negative impression. The impression foam has a crush characteristic of approximately constant resistance force over a relatively wide predetermined range of collapse distances. The negative impression is obtained by collapsing the impression foam within the range of constant-force collapse distances, thereby creating the negative impression under conditions which reflect an equally-loaded anatomical portion. A cushion support contour created from the equally-loaded negative impression is beneficial in more appropriately supporting the anatomical portion. The present invention is particularly useful in fabricating wheelchair seat cushions.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2003Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Aspen Seating, LLCInventors: Thomas R. Hetzel, Joseph S. Bieganek
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Patent number: 7216388Abstract: A support contour of a cushion, such as a wheelchair cushion, defines relief areas at locations adjacent to skin covering the ischial tuberosities, the greater trochanters and the coccyx and sacrum of a person sitting on the support contour. Support areas of the support contour transfer force into the pelvic area adjacent to skin covering tissue masses on opposite lateral sides of the posterior buttocks and beneath the proximal thighs of the person. Greater clearance is also provided in the perineal area. Risks of pressure ulcers from pressure and shear forces on bony prominences is reduced while providing support at the broader areas without bony prominences in such a manner to encourage postural alignment. The risks of skin breakdown perineal are diminished.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2003Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Aspen Seating, LLCInventors: Joseph S. Bieganek, Thomas R. Hetzel
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Patent number: 7140057Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 28, 2004Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Aspen Seating, LLCInventors: Thomas R. Hetzel, Aaron D. Pierce, Steve Maurus
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Patent number: 6990744Abstract: Clearance between a support contour of a seat cushion and an adjacent pelvic and proximal thigh anatomical portion of a person is evaluated with a clearance measurement device that deforms in response to force applied thereto. The clearance measurement device is located on the support contour at a predetermined location where the clearance is to be evaluated. A person sits on the cushion with the clearance measurement device. The clearance is related to the extent of deformation. Impression foam, a malleable putty-like substance, or a fluid cushion are examples of clearance measurement devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Aspen Seating, LLCInventors: Joseph S. Bieganek, Thomas R. Hetzel, Joan Padgitt
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Patent number: 4730550Abstract: A seal and retainer assembly for an air compressor piston includes a cup-shaped seal with its marginal edge extending at an angle relative to the cylinder wall, the seal having a notch extending circumferentially at the base of its marginal edge defining a hinge which allows pivoting of the marginal edge relative to the main body portion of the seal which is clamped to the piston. A head plate includes an air intake port for communicating the compression chamber with an air inlet and a discharge port for communicating the compression chamber with a compressed air discharge outlet, each of the ports having a flexible spring closure member cooperating with an inclined valve seat to allow the ports to be open whenever the compressor is shut off.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1987Date of Patent: March 15, 1988Assignee: Thomas Industries, Inc.Inventors: David A. Bramstedt, Thomas R. Hetzel, Charles E. LaBelle
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Patent number: 4275999Abstract: An air compressor has a low torque motor driven piston of the rocking rod type which operates in a cylinder with a closed head containing a discharge check valved port to a compressed air receiving chamber. The piston contains an intake port provided with a thin flexible metal spring closure strip which is inclined at a small angle to the valve seat about said intake port to open on the downstroke of the piston, close on the upstroke thereof and remain open when at rest to facilitate start and restart of the air compressor.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1979Date of Patent: June 30, 1981Assignee: Thomas Industries, Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Hetzel, Charles LaBelle