Infographic | IP on wheels

1 March, 2024
IP on wheels
wheelchair

There is no accurate knowledge on when the first wheelchair was created, but some stone inscriptions from Ancient China and Greece suggest wheelchair-type furniture, and it is known that an inventor created for King Philip of Spain around 1595 a chair with four small wheels so he could be pushed around by his servants as he suffered from severe gout.

However, we do know about the first self-propelled wheelchair that was invented in 1655 by Stephan Farfler in Nuremberg, a 22 year old paraplegic clock-maker who built it to aid his own mobility.

Since then, there have been various technological and design advancements to improve the wheelchair. We share some of the patents that protect this inventions:

wheelchairs
CONVERTIBLE WHEELCHAIR AND SEPARATE LIFT MODULE FOR CONNECTING TO AND ELEVATING THE WHEELCHAIR
US6866288B2

Inventor:
Willis Martin

Assignee:
Martin Manufacturing Co LLC

Date of Patent:
Mar. 15, 2005

convertible wheelchair
This convertible wheelchair has a detachable lift module that elevates the chair at three secure points. This system allows easy lifting of the wheelchair, accommodating a patient at a preferred height. Not only does it provide seamless elevation, but the wheelchair can also transform into multiple examination configurations, revolutionizing patient care with unparalleled versatility.
DYNAMIC SEATING AND WALKING WHEELCHAIR WITH AN ACTIVE SEAT WITH POWERLIFT TO STAND
US9855175B2
Inventors:
Charles Kenneth Wike, Jr.Michael Alan Kapp and Richard Michael McEntyre

Assignee:
Active Body Inc

Date of Patent:
Jan. 02, 2018

dynamic seating
Introducing a dynamic seating and walking wheelchair with an active seat that smoothly shifts from sitting to standing. The innovative design includes a movable pivot axis, enabling the seat back to rotate from a horizontal to a vertical position. Supported by a specialized frame, this wheelchair redefines mobility, moving both upwards and backwards during the transition.
SWINGBACK WHEELCHAIR FOR EASY TRANSFER OF PATIENTS
US20210307979A1
Inventor:
Carrie Mabe

Assignee:
Individual

Date of Patent:
Oct. 07, 2021

wheelchair
This innovative wheelchair allows for easy transfer from the back of the chair, eliminating the need to maneuver over the armrest. By unlocking the back strap, the process becomes smoother, enhancing the quality of life and preserving personal dignity. This not only reduces the need for additional assistance but also promotes independence, drawing less attention to the disability and subsequently boosting self-esteem and mental well-being.
ELEVATED HEIGHT WHEELCHAIR
US11571345B2
Inventors:
James P. Mulhern and Stephen J. Antonishak.

Assignee:
Pride Mobility Products Corp

Date of Patent:
Feb. 07, 2023

elevated wheelchair
This method involves seamlessly repositioning occupants between lowered and raised positions. The wheelchair is equipped with a frame, a movable seat, drive wheel, arm assemblies, and sensors. These arm assemblies dynamically adapt to ground conditions, with arm limiters ensuring safe operation based on seat position and surface conditions. This method intelligently adjusts the wheelchair’s maximum speed when the seat is elevated, utilizing sensor data for optimal performance.
MOBILITY ENHANCEMENT WHEELCHAIR
US20210128378A1
Inventors:
Rory Alan Cooper, Hongwu Wang, Cheng-Shiu Chung, Jorge Luis Candiotti, Garrett G. Grindle, Jonathan L. Pearlman and Brandon Joseph Daveler.

Assignee:
University of Pittsburgh US Department of Veterans Affairs

Date of Patent:
May. 06, 2021

mobility enhancement
This wheelchair features a frame, a seat, and a set of wheels strategically positioned for optimal stability. What sets it apart is the independent control system for each wheel, including forward and rearward wheels, and drive wheels. This innovative design allows for precise adjustment of the vertical position of each wheel relative to the frame.

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