IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,083,195
Granted Patent B2
US 7,083,195 · App. 10/695,045 · Granted Aug 1, 2006

Suspension with releasable locking system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,083,195
App. No.
10/695,045
Granted
Aug 1, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame and a releasable locking assembly. The releasable locking assembly has, for example, a first assembly movably coupled to the frame, a second assembly movably coupled to the frame, and wherein movement of the frame relative to the first and second assemblies causes the first and second assemblies to engage each other to limit further movement of the frame in at least a first direction.

Claims (35)

1. A suspension for a vehicle comprising:

a frame;

a releasable locking assembly comprising a toothed surface that is moveable with respect to the frame, the releasable locking assembly defining a plurality of selectively actuatable locking states, said plurality of locking states ranging from a first position to a second position and at least one other position between the first and second positions, the plurality of states being selectively actuatable upon the frame exhibiting a tipping behavior;

wherein the locking assembly further comprises a second toothed surface that is moveable with respect to the frame.

2. The suspension of claim 1 wherein the second toothed surface comprises a stepped surface.

3. A suspension for a vehicle comprising:

a frame;

a releasable locking assembly comprising a toothed surface that is moveable with respect to the frame, the releasable locking assembly defining a plurality of selectively actuatable locking states, said plurality of locking states ranging from a first position to a second position and at least one other position between the first and second positions, the plurality of states being selectively actuatable upon the frame exhibiting a tipping behavior;

wherein the toothed surface is coupled to a pivot arm having a drive assembly and a front caster.

4. A suspension for a vehicle comprising:

a frame;

at least one pivot arm coupled to the frame;

a releasable locking assembly having a first portion coupled to the pivot arm and a second portion coupled to the frame, the first and second portions having a state of selective engagement restricting movement of the frame relative to the pivot arm, the state of selective engagement comprising a state selected from a range of states comprising a first state, second state, and at least one other state between said first and second states;

wherein the first state comprises at least a pair of locking members having first engagement surfaces disposed at a first location on the pair of locking members, the second state comprises second engagement surfaces disposed at a second location on the pair of locking members, and the at least one other state between the first and second states comprises third engagement surfaces disposed between the first and second engagement surfaces on the pair of locking members.

5. A suspension for a vehicle comprising:

a frame;

a first moveable assembly assembled with the frame that includes a first toothed portion;

a second moveable assembly assembled with the frame that includes a second toothed portion;

wherein the first and second moveable assemblies engage each other when the frame exhibits a tipping behavior.

6. The suspension of claim 5 wherein the first and second toothed surfaces are generally arcuate.

7. The suspension of claim 5 wherein the first moveable assembly comprises a first pivot arm that supports the first toothed portion and the second moveable assembly comprises a second pivot arm that supports the second toothed portion.

8. The suspension of claim 7 wherein the first pivot arm is connected to a linkage of a four bar linkage.

9. The suspension of claim 8 wherein a caster is coupled to the frame by the four bar linkage.

10. The suspension of claim 7 wherein the second pivot arm is pivotably connected to a lower portion of the frame.

11. The suspension of claim 5 wherein a rear caster is connected to the second moveable assembly and wherein relative movement of the caster with respect to the frame influences engagement between the first moveable assembly and the second moveable assembly.

12. The suspension of claim 11 further comprising a spring interposed between the second moveable assembly and the frame for providing suspension of the caster.

13. A suspension for a vehicle comprising:

a frame;

a four bar linkage coupled to the frame;

a front caster supported by the four bar linkage;

a first toothed portion coupled to the four bar linkage;

a pivot arm coupled to the frame;

a rear caster supported by the pivot arm;

a second toothed portion coupled to the pivot arm;

wherein the first and second toothed portions engage each other when the frame exhibits a tipping behavior.

Assignments (21)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 17, 2024
From: GLAS TRUST COMPANY LLC
To: INVACARE CORPORATION; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.; MOTION CONCEPTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 069386/0475 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 13, 2024
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
To: INVACARE CORPORATION; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC; MOTION CONCEPTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 069352/0322 →
ASSIGNMENT OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 13, 2024
From: WHITE OAK COMMERCIAL FINANCE, LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
Reel/Frame 068895/0111 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 18, 2023
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: INVACARE CORPORATION; ADAPTIVE SWITCH LABORATORIES, INC.; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.; MEDBLOC, INC.; INVACARE CREDIT CORPORATION; INVACARE HOLDINGS, LLC; INVAMEX HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 063695/0106 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2023
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: INVACARE CORPORATION; ADAPTIVE SWITCH LABORATORIES, INC.; THE AFTERMARKET GROUP, INC.; ALTIMATE MEDICAL, INC.; CENTRALIZED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LLC; CHAMPION MANUFACTURING INC.; FAMILY MEDICAL SUPPLY LLC; THE HELIXX GROUP, INC.; INVACARE CANADIAN HOLDINGS, INC.; INVACARE CANADIAN HOLDINGS, LLC; INVACARE CONTINUING CARE, INC.; INVACARE CREDIT CORPORATION; INVACARE FLORIDA CORPORATION; INVACARE HOLDINGS, LLC; INVACARE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; INVACARE SUPPLY GROUP, INC.; INVAMEX HOLDINGS LLC; KUSCHALL, INC.; ROADRUNNER MOBILITY, INCORPORATED; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.; GARDEN CITY MEDICAL INC.; INVACARE FLORIDA HOLDINGS, LLC; INVACARE HCS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063662/0430 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2023
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: INVACARE CORPORATION; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.; GARDEN CITY MEDICAL INC.; THE AFTERMARKET GROUP, INC.; DYNAMIC MEDICAL SYSTEMS, LLC; INVACARE CONTINUING CARE, INC.; MEDBLOC, INC.; ADAPTIVE SWITCH LABORATORIES, INC.; CENTRALIZED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LLC; THE HELIXX GROUP, INC.; INVACARE CANADIAN FINANCE, LLC; INVACARE CANDIAN HOLDINGS, INC.; INVACARE CREDIT CORPORATION; INVACARE FLORIDA CORPORATION; INVACARE FLORIDA HOLDINGS, LLC; INVACARE HOLDINGS, LLC; INVACARE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; INVAMEX HOLDINGS LLC; INVACARE OUTCOMES MANAGEMENT LLC
Reel/Frame 063668/0639 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2023
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: ADAPTIVE SWITCH LABORATORIES, INC.; INVACARE CORPORATION; THE AFTERMARKET GROUP, INC.; ALTIMATE MEDICAL, INC.; CENTRALIZED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LLC; CHAMPION MANUFACTURING INC.; FAMILY MEDICAL SUPPLY LLC; THE HELIXX GROUP, INC.; INVACARE CANADIAN HOLDINGS, INC.; INVACARE CANADIAN HOLDINGS, LLC; INVACARE CONTINUING CARE, INC.; INVACARE CREDIT CORPORATION; INVACARE FLORIDA CORPORATION; INVACARE HOLDINGS, LLC; INVACARE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; INVACARE SUPPLY GROUP, INC.; INVAMEX HOLDINGS LLC; KUSCHALL, INC.; ROADRUNNER MOBILITY, INCORPORATED; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.; GARDEN CITY MEDICAL INC.; INVACARE FLORIDA HOLDINGS, LLC; INVACARE HCS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063668/0679 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 15, 2023
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: INVACARE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 063638/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TRANCHE II NOTES) Recorded May 15, 2023
From: INVACARE CORPORATION; MOTION CONCEPTS L.P; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.
To: GLAS TRUST COMPANY LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063637/0705 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TRANCHE I NOTES) Recorded May 12, 2023
From: INVACARE CORPORATION; MOTION CONCEPTS L.P; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.
To: GLAS TRUST COMPANY LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064005/0231 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS Recorded May 11, 2023
From: GLAS TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED, AS EXISTING COLLATERAL AGENT
To: GLAS TRUST COMPANY LLC, AS SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063625/0607 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RELEASE (TRANCHE I NOTES) Recorded May 10, 2023
From: GLAS TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: INVACARE CORPORATION; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.
Reel/Frame 063594/0906 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RELEASE (TRANCHE II NOTES) Recorded May 10, 2023
From: GLAS TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: INVACARE CORPORATION; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.
Reel/Frame 063601/0183 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RELEASE (DIP PAYOFF) Recorded May 10, 2023
From: GLAS TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: INVACARE CORPORATION; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.; MOTION CONCEPTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 063594/0272 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2023
From: INVACARE CORPORATION; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.; MOTION CONCEPTS L.P.
To: WHITE OAK COMMERCIAL FINANCE, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063553/0217 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 3, 2023
From: INVACARE CORPORATION; MOTION CONCEPTS L.P.; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.
To: GLAS TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063090/0603 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 3, 2023
From: INVACARE CORPORATION; ADAPTIVE SWITCH LABORATORIES, INC.; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.; MEDBLOC, INC.; INVACARE CREDIT CORPORATION; INVACARE HOLDINGS, LLC; INVAMEX HOLDINGS, LLC
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 062739/0687 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TRANCHE II NOTES) Recorded Aug 9, 2022
From: INVACARE CORPORATION; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.
To: GLAS TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 061131/0852 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TRANCHE I NOTES) Recorded Aug 9, 2022
From: INVACARE CORPORATION; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.
To: GLAS TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 061131/0833 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Aug 9, 2022
From: INVACARE CORPORATION; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.
To: GLAS TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 061131/0814 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE FIRST INVENTOR'S NAME ON THE ASSIGNMENT DOCUMENT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 015211 FRAME: 0137. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Aug 19, 2014
From: GOERTZEN, GEROLD; NULL, WILLIAM A., JR.
To: INVACARE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 033560/0270 →