Patents by Inventor Todd Hargroder

Todd Hargroder 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).

  • Publication number: 20240099924
    Abstract: A system for assisting a user with navigating a set of stairs includes a pulley system positioned adjacent to the stairs, the pulley system including a first pulley, a second pulley, and an elongated member coupled to and looped around the first pulley and the second pulley. The system further includes a motor coupled to the first pulley, a sensing assembly operatively coupled to the pulley system, the sensing assembly being structured and configured to sense that a force is being applied to or that is about to be applied to the elongated member by the user, and a controller coupled to the motor and the sensing assembly. The controller is structured and configured to, responsive to the sensing assembly sensing the force, turn the motor on to drive the first pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH-OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Alexandra Delazio, Alton E. James, III, David M. Brienza, Jonathan L. Pearlman, Paulina M. Villacreces, MD Rayhan Afsar, Todd Hargroder
  • Patent number: 11813188
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a surgical traction system with a hand gripped tension adjustment device that slidably mounts onto a boom structure. When activated the tension adjustment device moves down the boom structure and incrementally adjusts the tension in a traction rope. The boom structure attaches to a bracket assembly that mounts onto the short end of a surgical table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventors: Scott Sledge, Todd Hargroder
  • Publication number: 20230011908
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a surgical traction system with a hand gripped tension adjustment device that slidably mounts onto a boom structure. When activated the tension adjustment device moves down the boom structure and incrementally adjusts the tension in a traction rope. The boom structure attaches to a bracket assembly that mounts onto the short end of a surgical table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Scott Sledge, Todd Hargroder
  • Publication number: 20220401281
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a surgical traction system with a hand gripped tension adjustment device that slidably mounts onto a boom structure. When activated the tension adjustment device moves down the boom structure and incrementally adjusts the tension in a traction rope. The boom structure attaches to a bracket assembly that mounts onto the short end of a surgical table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Scott Sledge, Todd Hargroder
  • Patent number: 11419777
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a surgical traction system with a hand gripped tension adjustment device that slidably mounts onto a boom structure. When activated the tension adjustment device moves down the boom structure and incrementally adjusts the tension in a traction rope. The boom structure attaches to a bracket assembly that mounts onto the short end of a surgical table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventors: Scott Sledge, Todd Hargroder
  • Patent number: 9050227
    Abstract: The disclosure describes an improved apparatus for converting a manually-powered wheelchair into an electrically powered wheelchair. The apparatus comprises a frame, at least one powered drive wheel, at least one motor powering said drive wheel, and at least one power base axle receiver capable of connecting with an existing axle receiver of a manually powered wheelchair. The apparatus further includes an anti-tip/counterbalance mechanism to prevent a user from losing control and falling backward when the power base attachment is connected. The apparatus uses the existing axle receiver of a manual wheelchair as a universal connection point and to maintain the center of gravity for a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Todd Hargroder
  • Patent number: 8376463
    Abstract: Angle adjustable backrest made of a lightweight, durable, adjustable, backrest for ultralight manual wheelchairs. Light-weight material can include composites for a rigid backrest for promotion of healthier and functional interface. Angle adjustment can be any desired range such as a range from ?5 degree to 55 degrees (i.e. 85 degrees to 145 degree with respect to horizontal with the seat). No tools are necessary for any of the angle adjustments. The backrest has a horizontal adjustment (fore-aft) that can be any desired range such as 1 inch. The height selection depends on the length of the wheelchair frame tubes. The present invention improves the ease and simplicity of adjusting the backrest by or for the user, as well as enhances the aesthetic appearance and adds features necessary for achieving commercial readiness. The present invention can be retro fit onto a wide range for ultralight wheelchairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Rory Alan Cooper, Jonathan Lee Pearlman, Todd Hargroder, Eun-Kyoung Hong, Hsin-Yi Llu, Hongwu Wang, Benjamin Arthur Salatin
  • Publication number: 20100276975
    Abstract: Angle adjustable backrest made of a lightweight, durable, adjustable, backrest for ultralight manual wheelchairs. Light-weight material can include composites for a rigid backrest for promotion of healthier and functional interface. Angle adjustment can be any desired range such as a range from ?5 degree to 55 degrees (i.e. 85 degrees to 145 degree with respect to horizontal with the seat). No tools are necessary for any of the angle adjustments. The backrest has a horizontal adjustment (fore-aft) that can be any desired range such as 1 inch. The height selection depends on the length of the wheelchair frame tubes. The present invention improves the ease and simplicity of adjusting the backrest by or for the user, as well as enhances the aesthetic appearance and adds features necessary for achieving commercial readiness. The present invention can be retro fit onto a wide range for ultralight wheelchairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Rory Alan Cooper, Jonathan Lee Pearlman, Todd Hargroder, Eun-Kyoung Hong, Hsin-Yi Liu, Hongwu Wang, Benjamin Arthur Salatin
  • Publication number: 20070251770
    Abstract: Manual braking system with a variable braking force for a wheelchair or other wheeled vehicles. Caliper type brakes positioned to mount on and exert braking force on disks mounted to interior “disk” hubs rotatably mounted to the wheelchair or wheeled vehicle frame wheel hubs are mated with the “disk” hubs with a push button release pin allowing the wheel to be quickly removed without disturbing disk braking system. Caliper brakes are actuated by a manual lever, cam, cable and pulley assembly mounted to the frame of the wheelchair or wheeled vehicle. Notches in a curved edge of the cam are positioned to receive a cylindrical sleeve bearing assembly mounted to the brake lever assembly. The force on the lever arm exerted by the sleeve bearing assembly is sufficient to hold it within a notch and prevent movement of the lever without manual force and allowing the user to maintain a manual braking force without the use of his hands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventor: Todd Hargroder
  • Publication number: 20050012303
    Abstract: Manual braking system with a variable braking force for a wheelchair. Caliper type brakes positioned to mount on and exert braking force on disks mounted to interior “disk” hubs rotatably mounted to the wheelchair frame wheel hubs are mated with the “disk” hubs with a push button release pin allowing the wheel to be quickly removed without disturbing disk braking system. Caliper brakes are actuated by a manual lever arm, cable and pulley combination mounted to the frame of the wheelchair. The lever is provided with and without a plunger mechanism. A plunger mechanism allows the user to maintain the manual braking force exerted on lever without hands. The plunger mechanism is fixably mounted and positioned to insert a plunger head into notches on the lever. The force exerted by the plunger head is sufficient to hold the plunger head within the notch and prevent movement of the lever without manual force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventor: Todd Hargroder
  • Patent number: 6039403
    Abstract: An improved shower/bathtub transfer chair that is capable of disassembly into five basic components. The chair seat and back structures, separable from each other and from the support frame for the device, serve as two of the five components. The remaining three components include an inside leg frame component, an outside leg frame component, and a cross frame component. When disassembled through the use of locking pin mechanisms, each of the five components described provide a generally planar geometry that can be stacked and arranged within a rectangular, suitcase-styled enclosure, for transport and/or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Todd Hargroder