Patents by Inventor Walter A. Watkins

Walter A. Watkins 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: 6913318
    Abstract: An adjustable seat support assembly for a wheelchair. The seat support assembly includes a seat bottom frame and a seat back frame. The seat bottom frame has at least two spaced apart beams. Each beam includes at least one channel that extends along at least a portion of the beam. Preferably the channel extends along the entire length of the beam. A seat plate is mounted to and extends between the beams. The seat back frame includes two vertical supports. Each support has an upper end and a lower end. At least one back frame cross-bar is attached to and extends between the vertical supports. A mounting bracket is attached to the lower end of each support and removably attached to a channel in one of the beams. Preferably there are two or more channels formed in each beam, one channel in the bottom and the other in the side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Pride Mobility Products Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin Scott Higley, Walter A. Watkins, Gerald White, Michael J. Rozaieski, Thomas M. Hale
  • Patent number: 6749262
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge has a cam structure and a pin engaging one of multiple openings to interact with the cam structure and establish a range of rotation for the arms of the hinge. The range of rotation for the hinge is adaptable depending on which of multiple openings is selected for insertion of the pin. A bracket provides for modification in the location of the hinge with respect to a support member as well as the location of an armrest with respect to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Pride Mobility Products Corporation
    Inventors: Walter E. Schaffner, Walter A. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20040104614
    Abstract: An adjustable seat support assembly for a wheelchair. The seat support assembly includes a seat bottom frame and a seat back frame. The seat bottom frame has at least two spaced apart beams. Each beam includes at least one channel that extends along at least a portion of the beam. Preferably the channel extends along the entire length of the beam. A seat plate is mounted to and extends between the beams. The seat back frame includes two vertical supports. Each support has an upper end and a lower end. At least one back frame cross-bar is attached to and extends between the vertical supports. A mounting bracket is attached to the lower end of each support and removably attached to a channel in one of the beams. Preferably there are two or more channels formed in each beam, one channel in the bottom and the other in the side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Melvin Scott Higley, Walter A. Watkins, Gerald White, Michael J. Rozaieski, Thomas M. Hale
  • Patent number: 6543798
    Abstract: An anti-tip suspension for a wheelchair having rear casters is defined. The suspension includes a rocker arm support, a rocker arm and a spring. The rocker arm is pivotally attached to the rocker arm support so that it is rotatable with respect to the rocker arm support. The spring engages the rocker arm and rocker arm support, biasing them away from one another. The rocker arm includes a rotation limiter that limits the rotation of the rocker arm with respect to the rocker arm support in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Pride Mobility Products Corporation
    Inventors: Walter E. Schaffner, Walter A. Watkins, Gerald J. White, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6533306
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved anti-tip wheel assembly for a wheelchair. The preferred embodiment of the assembly includes a cam mechanism to allow the initial height of an anti-tip wheel above ground to be adjusted dependent on the obstructions which the wheelchair is expected to encounter. The cam mechanism fixes the position of the anti-tip wheels to prevent the wheels from unintentionally displacing when an anti-tip wheel contacts the ground or an obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Pride Mobility Products Corporation
    Inventor: Walter A. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20020093172
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved anti-tip wheel assembly for a wheelchair. The preferred embodiment of the assembly includes a cam mechanism to allow the initial height of an anti-tip wheel above ground to be adjusted dependent on the obstructions which the wheelchair is expected to encounter. The cam mechanism fixes the position of the anti-tip wheels to prevent the wheels from unintentionally displacing when an anti-tip wheel contacts the ground or an obstruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Walter A. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20020030343
    Abstract: An anti-tip suspension for a wheelchair having rear casters is defined. The suspension includes a rocker arm support, a rocker arm and a spring. The rocker arm is pivotally attached to the rocker arm support so that it is rotatable with respect to the rocker arm support. The spring engages the rocker arm and rocker arm support, biasing them away from one another. The rocker arm includes a rotation limiter that limits the rotation of the rocker arm with respect to the rocker arm support in one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Walter E. Schaffner, Walter A. Watkins, Gerald J. White
  • Publication number: 20020005659
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge has a cam structure and a pin engaging one of multiple openings to interact with the cam structure and establish a range of rotation for the arms of the hinge. The range of rotation for the hinge is adaptable depending on which of multiple openings is selected for insertion of the pin. A bracket provides for modification in the location of the hinge with respect to a support member as well as the location of an armrest with respect to the bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: Walter E. Schaffner, Walter A. Watkins