Wheelchair Type Patents (Class 280/250.1)
  • Patent number: 10330100
    Abstract: A pump assembly includes a plurality of pumps. Each of the pumps includes a pump body, a first opening, a second opening, a first connecting member and a second connecting member. The first opening and the second opening are located at a periphery of the pump body. The first connecting member is disposed on the first opening and the second connecting member is disposed on the second opening. The first connecting member of one of the pumps is detachably connected to the second connecting member of another of the pumps, such that each of the pumps can be connected to any of the pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: COOLER MASTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Wei Huang, Shui-Fa Tsai
  • Patent number: 10307314
    Abstract: A convertible transport system including a seat portion, a back support portion, and a pivoting mechanism coupled to the seat portion and to the back support portion. The pivoting mechanism is configured to adjust and lock the back support portion relative to the seat portion, the pivoting mechanism having three operative states: a free pivoting state allowing the back support portion to pivot relative to the seat portion about an axis; a ratcheting state allowing the back support portion to only pivot toward the seat portion about the axis; and a locking state in which the pivoting mechanism is locked to thereby prevent a pivoting movement of the back support portion relative to the seat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventors: Erich C. Griffith, Jason L. Ward
  • Patent number: 10289650
    Abstract: A system for use with a mobile device includes at least one sensor to sense a variable related to tilting of the mobile device and at least one activatable system in operative connection with the sensor. The at least one activatable system increases stability of the mobile device upon actuation/change in state thereof on the basis of data measured by the at least one sensor. A variable related to tilting includes variables that indicate concurrent, actual tilting as described herein as well as variables predictive of imminent tilting. Activatable systems hereof change state upon actuation or activation to increase stability of the mobile device by reducing, eliminating or preventing tilting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignees: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, The United States of America as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Pearlman, Jonathan Aaron Duvall, Benjamin Todd Gebrosky, Rory Alan Cooper
  • Patent number: 10220245
    Abstract: An auxiliary foam roller exercise support apparatus including a trapezoidal platform with an open center area, a left longitudinal side, a right longitudinal side, an open front side, and a rear longitudinal side. A flexible cover over the open center area enables a user to rest his or her head and neck while exercising with a foam roller. Each of a left front leg and a right front leg of a pair of front legs has a handle at the top, a wheel at the bottom, and is attached to the trapezoidal platform. Each of a left rear leg and a right rear leg of a pair of rear legs also has a wheel at the bottom and is attached to the rear longitudinal side of the trapezoidal platform. A pair of cross beams support the apparatus and connect at each of the bottom of the pair of front legs and the pair of rear legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventor: Howard Halen
  • Patent number: 10182657
    Abstract: An office-type chair including a back support having a suspension mesh back support and a back support frame. The suspension mesh back support has an integral retaining channel disposed at a peripheral edge thereof, and the back support frame includes a central pair of upright support posts and wedge base for mounting to a chair frame. The back support frame includes a plurality of flexible and spaced support arms extending laterally outward from the upright support posts. The support arms each have a peripheral edge configured for fastenerless attachment in a tensioned state within the suspension mesh retaining channel. An upholstery cover encapsulates the suspension mesh and back support frame. The office chair also includes a lumbar mechanism including a resilient cushion that may be positioned in the space between the suspension mesh and the support frame and adjusted along the vertical extent of the back support by rolling the resilient cushion on the rear of the suspension mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Beyer, Kyle R. Fleet, Michael E. Schasel, Todd A. Kercher, Brian S. Gessler, Teresa A. Bellingar
  • Patent number: 10166157
    Abstract: A front wheel and a rear wheel are to be provided at a grounding frame. A body frame is mounted on the grounding frame and includes a mount at which a seat is to be provided. A relative position between the grounding frame and the body frame in a height direction of a wheelchair is changed via a height adjustment mechanism. The height adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment pole, a pole reception, and a holding portion. The adjustment pole extends along the height direction and is mounted on one of the body frame and the grounding frame. The pole reception is mounted on another of the body frame and the grounding frame and is engaged with the adjustment pole slidably in the height direction. The holding portion is to hold not to relatively move the adjustment pole with respect to the pole reception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: MIKI HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hisayoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 10143606
    Abstract: An orthotic apparatus comprising: a seat; and a trunk support movable horizontally and vertically relative to said seat, said trunk support configured to confine motion of a user to a predetermined range when the user independently transitions between sitting on said seat and standing, and vice versa, so as to guide the user in the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Inventor: Debby Elnatan
  • Patent number: 10137041
    Abstract: A handy type electric carriage comprises a vehicle body comprising a main vehicle frame, two driving wheels pivoted to the main vehicle frame at two sides, and two front wheel sets provided at two sides in front of the two driving wheels and pivoted to the main vehicle frame; and a footrest unit connected to the vehicle body, the footrest unit comprising a foot board connected to the main vehicle frame, and two first auxiliary wheels at left and right sides of the foot board. The main vehicle frame is situated in an unfolded or folded state due to a positioning mechanism. The front wheel sets and the main vehicle frame are pivoted in a manner of quick-release structure. Thereby, reduction in volume and easier to carry are provided for the handy type electric carriage, and providing easy and labor-saving shifting of the carriage is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: KUIANDA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Mao-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 10085904
    Abstract: A wheelchair frame having a seat for supporting a forward facing occupant therein, rear wheels supporting the frame thereon proximate a rear end of the frame and front wheels supporting the frame thereon proximate a front end of the frame, further includes a front seat height adjustment mechanism which permits a height of a front end of the seat relative to the front wheels to be adjusted separately from or together with a rear end height adjustment of the rear end of the seat relative to the rear wheels. The front seat height adjustment mechanism can also be operable to lower the front seat height relative to the front wheels simultaneously with a rear seat height adjustment mechanism which is biased to raise the rear seat height relative to the rear wheels to assist users in moving from a sitting position towards a more standing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventors: Jaimie Borisoff, Danny Leland
  • Patent number: 10080695
    Abstract: A wheelchair is disclosed. Two ends of each of the seat connection tubes are connected with the seat frame and the corresponding side frame, respectively. The seat frame and the seat connection tubes are telescopic by the combination of pressing units and holes. Two ends of each of the front connection tubes are connected with the front tube and the corresponding side frame, respectively. The front tube and the front connection tubes are telescopic by the combination of pressing units and holes. Two ends of each of the rear connection tubes are connected with the rear tube and the corresponding side frame. The rear tube and the rear connection tubes are telescopic by the combination of pressing units and holes. Each back connection tube is connected with the back unit and the corresponding supporting frame. The back unit and the back connection tubes are telescopic by the screwing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Green Young Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fang-Sheng Lin
  • Patent number: 10076845
    Abstract: A robot system for assisting a patient in standing up and/or sitting down is provided. The robot system includes the following elements. A drive mechanism executes a drive pattern for assisting the patient in standing up and/or sitting down. An instruction input device receives an instruction to cause the drive mechanism to execute the drive pattern. A state acquirer acquires an execution state of the drive mechanism which is executing the drive pattern. A controller decides whether or not to cause the drive mechanism to execute the instruction received by the instruction input device, on the basis of the execution state acquired by the state acquirer, and controls the driving of the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuko Tsusaka, Yudai Fudaba, Yasunao Okazaki
  • Patent number: 10064769
    Abstract: A portable wheelchair is collapsible for ease of development, handling and transport, while also providing a front steer configuration and a rear steer configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Thompson Lafferty Design Limited
    Inventor: Peter James Thompson
  • Patent number: 10052253
    Abstract: A support unit is connected to a shaft of a main wheel and thus is always maintained in parallel to or at a predetermined angle to a road surface, independently of an inclination angle of a main body. Accordingly, an incline estimating unit regards an inclination angle ?3 being a value in an inclination sensor as being equal to an inclination angle ?2 of the road surface (or in a case where the support unit is inclined a predetermined angle to the road surface, an angle from ?3 to the predetermined angle is subtracted from or added to the crossing angle) and outputs the estimated inclination angle ?2 of the road surface to a target inclination angle determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Shirato, Shigeru Tsuji, Masayuki Kubo, Yoshitaka Hane
  • Patent number: 10028872
    Abstract: A footplate structure of a wheelchair is provided. The wheelchair includes a support frame unit, a rear wheel assembly mounted on the support frame unit, a front wheel assembly mounted to the support frame unit, a seat unit arranged at a central portion of the support frame unit, a footplate unit arranged at a front end of the support frame unit, and a footplate control unit operable to control the footplate unit. With the footplate control unit set beside the footplate unit, the footplate control unit may control a footplate of the footplate unit to be in an upright position or a horizontal position so as to improve operation performance of the wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: KWANG YANG MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yi-Tso Chen
  • Patent number: 10016323
    Abstract: A collar with a relieved area (3) strategically placed in-between the upper and lower wheelchair leg-rest attachments (2) so a leg-rest can still be removed and installed and where the leg-rest locking arm (6) can lock into place unimpeded. A second collar (4) attached directly below the lower wheelchair leg-rest attachment (2). Both collars (3 and 4) are locked into place using flat-head screws (5). Collars (3 and 4) are of sufficient size to extend horizontally beyond the typically exposed mainframe leg-rest attachments (2). When installed at both leg-rest attachment areas (2) the invention protects a wheelchair user from a laceration injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventors: Steven Ronald Hall, Janet Claire Hall
  • Patent number: 9987179
    Abstract: An adjustable wheelchair includes a base frame having a first guide portion defining a first arcuate channel, and a seat frame having a second guide portion defining a second arcuate channel confronting the first arcuate channel. A first bearing assembly is secured to a front end of the first arcuate channel and extends into bearing engagement with the second arcuate channel. A rear bearing assembly is secured to a rear end of the second arcuate channel and extends into bearing engagement with the first arcuate channel. The seat frame is slideable in an arcuate path defined by the first and second arcuate channels for adjustment of a tilt angle of the seat frame with respect to the base frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Freedom Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Mauricio Melgarejo, Michael H. Nordquist, Alejandro Melgarejo
  • Patent number: 9931254
    Abstract: A powered wheelchair 100 with a tilt mechanism having multiple pivots that allows the wheelchair 100 to be driven and steered with or without the use of hands. The wheelchair 100 has two spaced apart drive wheels 101, each mounted to a separate shaft 104 that is independent of the other drive wheel. A drive controller drivingly coupled to the shafts 104 and the drive controller is housed within a base 102 that is pivotally situated on the shafts 104. A seat 103 mounted on a tilt mechanism enables the seat to tilt in a forward, backward, left and right direction as a result of the user displacing their body weight in either of those directions. The tilt mechanism includes three pivots, a primary pivot P1, secondary pivot P2 and tertiary pivot P3. The primary pivot P1 pivotally connects the base 102 to the shafts 104. The secondary pivot P2 is situated above and adjacent the base 102 so that the respective ends of the rod 105 are pivotally connected to the base 102.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: OGO TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Kevin Thomas Halsall
  • Patent number: 9907723
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a universal user assist seat for use with walkers and seating platforms, and walker with said seat. The universal user assist seat may include a base portion, an engagement portion pivotably coupled to an upper surface of the base for engaging a user when a user sits thereon, and a lifting mechanism that provides an assist force to the engagement portion that biases the engagement portion in an upward position from the base. The universal user assist seat may also include at least one attachment mechanism that removably and rotatably couples the base of the user assist seat to at least one of a front cross-member and a rear cross-member of a frame of a walker. The walker may include frame comprising a plurality of leg portions extending between ground engagement portions and handle portions, and the front and rear cross-members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventors: John Bisceglia, Michael Massarone
  • Patent number: 9900383
    Abstract: A method for synchronizing data frames, including an initialization phase storing the frames received on each of links in a buffer memory dedicated to the link, the frames stored in a first position of a second buffer memory dedicated to a second link and a first position of a third buffer memory dedicated to a third link including a same predefined identification number, and a first buffer memory dedicated to a first link storing a number of frames equal to the smallest multiple of a first predefined number greater than or equal to double the number of frames received on one of the second or third links, and an operation phase storing the frames received on each of the links in the buffer memories, each frame stored in a position on the second buffer memory including the same identification number as the frame stored at the same position of the third buffer memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignees: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES, SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE
    Inventors: Oceane Lucienne Monique Fremaux, Patrick Lavernhe, Ruben Abraham Elbaz
  • Patent number: 9861541
    Abstract: A swing arm assembly for a foldable wheelchair consisting of a camber tube and adapters is disclosed. The adapters mount to the frame of the wheelchair and receive the ends of the camber tube. One end of the camber tube is pinned into an adapter such that it pivots. The other end is pinned in an adapter using a quick release pin. The camber tube improves the stability of the foldable wheelchair. When desired to fold the wheelchair, the quick release pin is removed and the camber tube is rotated approximately 90 degrees, thereby allowing the wheelchair to fold. The adapters may be mounted to the wheelchair frame or to stub axles if used. The swing arm assembly adds substantial stiffness and stability to a folding wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventors: Tod Douglas Boretto, Martin Connolly
  • Patent number: 9844479
    Abstract: A wheelchair rear wheel support assembly and a detachable arm assembly is described. The rear wheel support assembly is adjustable by finite adjustment both in the horizontal and vertical planes whereby to adjust the position of the rear wheels at a center of gravity to suit a user person to optimize the efforts of propulsion of the wheelchair by the user and thereby significantly increasing its quality of life. The detachable armrest is easily adjustable in height and can be pivoted away from its position of use by simple hand-operating levers easily accessible to the user person. It can also be easily removed with little effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: MOTION COMPOSITES INC
    Inventors: David Gingras, Michael Archambault, Pierre-Andre Couture, Jacques Desbiens
  • Patent number: 9844481
    Abstract: A holding mechanism holds a care-receiver, a traction mechanism that is connected to the holding mechanism, and the traction mechanism pulls the holding mechanism so that the holding mechanism draws a predetermined path. On the basis of a position of the holding mechanism detected by a position sensor and a force detected by a force sensor, if the position of the holding mechanism is not on the predetermined path, a controller controls the traction mechanism so that the holding mechanism draws the predetermined path by changing the position of the holding mechanism to a position on the predetermined path at a time after the time at which the position is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuko Tsusaka, Yudai Fudaba, Yasunao Okazaki
  • Patent number: 9814636
    Abstract: The lateral movement wheelchair is a device adapted for use with wheelchairs. The lateral movement wheelchair is a spring loaded device that is attached to the tipping levers of a wheelchair. When the lateral movement wheelchair is lowered to the ground, the wheelchair can be tipped back allowing a first wheel and a second wheel to move the wheelchair laterally for the purpose of positioning the wheelchair precisely for loading and unloading (for example a passenger vehicle). The lateral movement wheelchair comprises a frame, a first wheel, and a second wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Orville Person, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9801766
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventors: Murray G. Slagerman, Thomas J. Whelan, Richard E. Schneider
  • Patent number: 9775755
    Abstract: A power add-on device for powering a manual wheelchair includes a motorized component including dual electric motors and a power source electrically coupled to the electric motors, wherein each of the motors is configured to turn a respective one of a set of drive wheels. The power add-on device can include a latching mechanism adapted to attach the power add-on device to the camber tube of the manual wheelchair; and a controller, reachable by a person sitting in the manual wheelchair, that controls the latching mechanism, the motors, and a swing arm that allows the rear wheels of the manual wheelchair to be lifted off the ground. The front wheels of the manual wheelchair are allowed to be lifted several inches off the ground to avoid obstacles, or can be lifted by the user leaning back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Patrick Tallino
  • Patent number: 9700468
    Abstract: A hand rim or push rim for a wheelchair wheel. The hand rim includes a rim structure with a convex bearing surface on a circumference of the rim structure, wherein the convex bearing surface is off-centered with respect to a center of the rim and tilted in an outer direction with respect to the wheelchair. Also provided is a wheelchair wheel hand rim cover, wherein the cover is made of ethylene vinyl acetate. There is also provided a fastening system for fastening a hand rim to a wheel. The fastening system includes fixing elements selectively and slideably interfacing with a plurality of anchor elements for selectively setting a separation distance between the hand rim and the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: BBRAVER INNOVATION PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventor: Marco Pilotto
  • Patent number: 9693914
    Abstract: There are provided a rear wheel rotatably provided in a body, a seat disposed on a top surface side of the body, a seat link mechanism by which the seat is supported to be movable up and down between a raised position and a lowered position on the top surface side of the body, and a brake mechanism which inhibits the rear wheel from rotating in interlock with the seat link mechanism, when the seat is raised from the lowered position to the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FRANCE BED CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kei Ooyama
  • Patent number: 9603762
    Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame, at least one drive assembly and at least one caster pivot arm. The at least one drive assembly and the at least one caster pivot arm are pivotally connected to the frame at a common pivot axis such that the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm are pivotable relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Bekoscke, Damon Jurkiewicz
  • Patent number: 9572733
    Abstract: A folding wheelchair with an excretion device has an opening at a center of a seat for engagement with an excretion device. The excretion device includes two movable boards with soft pads thereon for placement in the opening when the movable boards are closed, two corresponding operate units, each arranged from a bottom surface of one of the movable board to a side thereof for operation, and a container bag for taking excrement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventors: Cheng-Piao Lai, Ting-Yu Lai
  • Patent number: 9511787
    Abstract: The device is used to raise and move objects. The device has a box-like insert (2) for installing in the bottom side (3) of the object to be lifted. The box-like insert has at least three wheels (14), which are integrated in the box-like insert (2). By means of a pneumatic or hydraulic lifting apparatus in the box-like insert (2) having a hand pump (8) and a valve (9), the wheels (14) can be temporarily extended or pivoted downward out of the insert (2). The object equipped with the insert (2) is thus raised and can then be rolled away on the wheels (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: MP-System GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Muller, Hans Peter Abegg
  • Patent number: 9486372
    Abstract: A conveyance to carry humans, such as a wheelchair, is described having levers on each side of the wheelchair that are manually moved forward and backward to propel the conveyance. The user is able to shift into forward, reverse or neutral, brake, and change mechanical advantage (gear ratio), all this without removing the user's hands from the drive levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventor: Douglas G. Robins
  • Patent number: 9454509
    Abstract: A system for use with a mobile device includes at least one sensor to sense a variable related to tilting of the mobile device and at least one activatable system in operative connection with the sensor. The at least one activatable system increases stability of the mobile device upon actuation/change in state thereof on the basis of data measured by the at least one sensor. A variable related to tilting includes variables that indicate concurrent, actual tilting as described herein as well as variables predictive of imminent tilting. Activatable systems hereof change state upon actuation or activation to increase stability of the mobile device by reducing, eliminating or preventing tilting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Pearlman, Jonathan A. Duvall, Benjamin T. Gebrosky, Rory Alan Cooper
  • Patent number: 9445958
    Abstract: A manual wheelchair including a frame, a drive wheel connected to the frame, having a first axis of rotation and configured to rotate relative to the frame, a push rim connected to the frame, having a second axis of rotation extending substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel and configured to rotate relative to the frame, wherein the second axis of rotation of the push rim is offset from the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel in a direction orthogonal to the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel, and a transmission configured to transmit rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel. Additionally, the wheelchair may also include multispeed fixed-gear hubs for propulsion on different terrain and removable or rotatable push rims for easier transfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAM
    Inventors: Andrew H. Hansen, Gary D. Goldish
  • Patent number: 9447715
    Abstract: A valve device includes a butterfly valve and a first link member each supported by a stay so as to be rotationally movable about a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis, respectively, a second link member supported by the butterfly valve so as to be rotationally movable about a third rotation axis, and a spring to bias the butterfly valve in a valve closed direction. The first link member and the second link member are connected to each other so as to be mutually rotationally movable about a fourth rotation axis. An angle formed by a first link line connecting the second rotation axis and the fourth rotation axis to each other and a second link line connecting the third rotation axis and the fourth rotation axis to each other is formed to be the largest when the butterfly valve is in a valve closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Futaba Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyomichi Kobori
  • Patent number: 9443192
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure generally relate to computing devices and may be generally directed to devices, systems, methods, and/or applications for learning the operation of a computing device or software application, storing this knowledge in a knowledgebase, neural network, or other repository, and enabling autonomous operation of the computing device or software application with partial, minimal, or no user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: Jasmin Cosic
  • Patent number: 9408763
    Abstract: A manual wheelchair having a tilt mechanism that allows a user positioned on the wheelchair to control the tilt angle of the wheelchair seat. The manual wheelchair has a base frame with arm rests that are fixed in position with respect to the base frame. The tilt mechanism includes a controller that is affixed to the manual wheelchair at a location proximate to one of the arm rests within the ready reach of the user and which can be manipulated by the user without assistance from a caregiver to allow the seat of the manual wheelchair to freely pivot about a pivot point such that the user can locate the seat at a desired tilt angle by pushing or pulling on the arm rest. A further manipulation of the controller allows the user to lock the seat in the desired tilt angle and remain in that angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventors: Carole Purdue, Christopher Dykes
  • Patent number: 9398989
    Abstract: A wheelchair grip ring, its components, and a corresponding method for making a wheelchair grip ring are described herein. The grip ring can be mounted to, and removed from, one or more of the wheels of a wheelchair. The grip ring has a substantially rigid central ring, a polymer cover which is integral with the central ring and which covers some, or all, of the central ring. The grip ring can also have one or more mounting devices which connect either the polymer cover or the central ring to the wheel of the wheelchair. The method involves placing the central ring into a mold, and adding a polymer material into the mold. The mold can thus produce a central ring having a polymer cover which is integral with the central ring, and which covers some, or all, of the central ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Pratiko, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Landry, Jean-Marc Landry
  • Patent number: 9381124
    Abstract: A wheeled vehicle, wherein at least one ground-engaging wheel is connected to a pivotable hub, the pivotable hub being attached to the body of the vehicle by a fixed pivot member and a laterally-adjustable pivot member, the position of the laterally-adjustable pivot member being adjustable to cause the hub to pivot and thereby adjust the camber of the said wheel, and wherein the pivotable hub is provided with one or more lugs arranged to engage the laterally-adjustable pivot member when the wheels are in a minimum or maximum camber position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Jeffrey Spindle
  • Patent number: 9375370
    Abstract: A foldable wheelchair includes two side frames, each having a front wheel and a rear wheel mounted thereon, and a scissor-type element arranged between the side frames and having two scissor-type arms that are mounted pivotably in the side frames in one scissor-type element end. The scissor-type arms are mounted pivotably in another scissor-type element end in manually actuable actuating members that are mounted pivotably to the side frames at a distance from the pivot axis of the other scissor-type element end. A folding hinge is mounted pivotably in the side frames and is arranged at a distance from the other scissor-type element end. An actuating means is connected pivotably to the folding hinge at a distance from the side frames and is effective between the folding hinge and one of the actuating members at a distance from the pivot axis of the actuating member in the associated side frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Inventor: Gregor Horacek
  • Patent number: 9346335
    Abstract: Embodiments of a suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame and a locking assembly. The locking assembly inhibits tipping of a frame of the vehicle when tipping of the frame is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Bekoscke, Damon Jurkiewicz, Gerald Fought
  • Patent number: 9301896
    Abstract: A rise assisting structure includes a main body, a seat unit, two operation bars, and two support units. The seat unit is pivotally connected, at one side thereof, to the main body. The operation bars are pivotally mounted to the main body. The operation bars are provided at one end thereof with a step board arranged therebetween. The support units are each of an elastic extendable/retractable arrangement. When the step board is treaded down, the operation bars provide a torque in a way similar to a seesaw and the support units provide an elastically-support upward-pushing effect to raise up the seat unit so as to allow a user, with or without the assistance of an attendant person, to rise and stand up easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Kuan-Fu Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9283990
    Abstract: A robot assembly includes a drive system attached to a frame. The robot drive system includes a base platform, a driver motor base assembly attached to the platform and an adjustment device that adjustably attaches the base platform to the drive motor assembly. The robot frame includes a top horizontal beam assembly that defines a first rectangle, a bottom horizontal beam assembly that defines a second rectangle and a set of main support beams that join the first rectangle to the second rectangle to define a shape of an isosceles trapezoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Infamous Robotics, LLC
    Inventors: Gerard Francis Yaeger, Anthony Justo Nunez
  • Patent number: 9211222
    Abstract: A seat mechanism includes a front seat plate, left and right guide rails each having a longitudinal rail groove, a rear seat plate disposed on the guide rails, two protruding rods each protruding downward from a bottom surface of the rear seat plate to a corresponding guide rail, a plurality of guide members projecting sideward from each protruding rod and inserted into the rail groove of the corresponding guide rail such that each guide rail is slidable relative to the guide members of the corresponding protruding rod, and a plurality of fasteners each extending through the rear seat plate and detachably and selectively engaging one positioning hole in the guide rails for adjustably positioning the rear seat plate on the guide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: KARMA MEDICAL PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eric Van Olst, Chih-Chuan Yang, Cheng-Jy Tien
  • Patent number: 9192541
    Abstract: There is a provided a collapsible walker. The walker includes a pair of spaced-apart, arc-shaped support members. Each support member has a proximal end, a distal end and an apex spaced therebetween. Respective rods extend from the distal ends towards the proximal ends of the support members. A seat extends between and connects to the apexes of the support members. A basket with a pair of spaced-apart ends members operatively connects to and extends between the support members. The end members are positioned adjacent to the distal ends of the support members. Each end member operatively connects to both a respective one of the rods and a respective one of the support members. The walker includes a pair of connection brackets for connecting the end members to the walker. Each connection bracket extends from a respective one of the support members to a respective one of the rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: EVOLUTION TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Julian Liu
  • Patent number: 9180061
    Abstract: A powered wheelchair includes a seat assembly configured to support an individual, a legrest assembly pivotally connected to the seat assembly, and an adjustment assembly including an actuator operatively connected to the central column through a piston slidably secured within a sleeve. The adjustment assembly is secured underneath the seat assembly. The powered wheelchair may also include an extension bracket that allows legrests and a central column of the legrest assembly to be separately and independently adjusted with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Permobil AB
    Inventors: Bo Engman, Urban Lind, Niklas Backstrom, Jonas Jahkel, Mehdi Mirzaie
  • Patent number: 9168940
    Abstract: A device has four legs each leg having a plurality of teeth. The device further includes a body which has four gears wherein each of the four gears meshes with the teeth of a different leg. A first gear is connected to a second gear by a first shaft, and a third gear is connected to a fourth gear by a second shaft. The first gear meshes with the third gear, and the second gear meshes with the fourth gear. The legs can be selectively positioned to a retracted position adjacent to the body or to an extended position projecting away from the body. A biasing mechanism urges the four legs to the extended position. A locking mechanism locks the legs in either the retracted position or the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Inventors: Maciej Rafal Leszczak, Grzegorz Jerzy Martyniak
  • Patent number: 9162529
    Abstract: A lightweight caster is described that is resistant to ingress of debris into a caster bearing. The caster has a monolithic fork having an annular wheel-supporting portion and a chair-supporting portion. The wheel-supporting portion has a pass-through aperture for receiving a retainer. A rotational bearing is supported on the wheel-supporting portion, which supports a wheel rim such that the wheel rotates in the vertical plane. The rim has a pass-through aperture aligned with the pass-through aperture of the fork, and a ring at an inside edge of the bearing to retain the bearing between the rim and the fork and to inhibit debris from contacting the bearing. A retainer retains the rim on the fork and has an aperture aligned with the fork pass-through aperture. The retainer also has a bearing-retaining portion at an outside edge of the bearing to retain the bearing and to inhibit debris from migrating inwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Inertia Engineering + Design Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Minato, Eleu Thereus Tai-Sung Um, Christopher R. Leiphart
  • Patent number: 9144525
    Abstract: The presently disclosure describes a motion assistance system for a wheelchair, for example, a powered drive wheel system that can continually drive a wheelchair in a circular or elliptical path. The motion assistance system comprises a mounting mechanism attachable to one or more structural elements of the wheelchair, and a drive linkage pivotable with respect to the mounting mechanism. A drive wheel can be mounted to an end of the drive linkage such that the drive wheel contacts the ground when installed on the wheelchair. The drive wheel comprises a plurality of lateral rollers positioned radially about the circumference of the power drive wheel. The lateral rollers can rotate about an axis tangential to the circumference of the drive wheel in order to facilitate driving the wheelchair in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Max Mobility, LLC.
    Inventor: Mark Richter
  • Patent number: 9060906
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheelchair wheel attachment and gear change adaptor unit for a geared wheelchair wheel having a hub which comprises an attachment shaft protruding to one side thereof, and where gear change is actuated by axial manipulation of a rod running within the shaft in a cylindrical bore which is concentric with the shaft. An adaptor housing (1) is designed to receive and support the shaft in an opening (19). Locking means are provided for releasably locking the shaft to the adaptor housing (1) such that the shaft cannot move out from the adaptor housing (1) until the locking means are released. A gear shift plunger (5) is arranged for hydraulic activation within the adaptor housing (1) such as to, upon activation when the wheelchair wheel is attached to the adaptor unit, push the rod outwards of the adaptor housing (1) towards the hub for effecting gear change in the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: GearWheel AB
    Inventors: Christian Malm, Stefan Ericsson
  • Patent number: 9050224
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheelchair for example a wheelchair for an active user, a method of manufacturing a wheelchair and a wheel for a wheelchair. In further aspects the invention relates to a wheelchair, a footrest for a wheelchair, a wheelchair having a light, and a seat back for a wheelchair, a wheelchair that is water resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Carbon Black System Ltd
    Inventor: Andrew Mackay Slorance