Rory A Cooper

US Patent:

6892421, May 17, 2005

Filed:

Dec 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/316087

Inventors:

Rory A. Cooper - Gibsonia PA, US
William Ammer - Allison Park PA, US
Mark McCartney - Saxonburg PA, US
Corey Blauch - Wilkes-Barre PA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs - Washington DC

International Classification:

B60B033/00

US Classification:

16 44, 16 35 D, 16 18 A

Abstract:

A shock absorption mechanism for a wheelchair includes a caster fork including a first oblique surface and a second horizontally disposed surface, relative to a horizontal plane of travel of the wheelchair. A portion of the second surface includes a curved profile. A joint is mountable adjacent a first section thereof to a frame of the wheelchair and adjacent a second section thereof to the caster fork. The joint includes a first oblique surface and a second surface for guiding reciprocation of the curved profile portion of the caster fork. A shock absorber is disposed in an oblique orientation between the first oblique surface of the caster fork and the first oblique surface of the joint. The caster fork is pivotable adjacent the second section of the joint. The shock absorber is compressable in a direction generally parallel to the oblique orientation thereof during pivoting of the caster fork.

US Patent:

7497456, Mar 3, 2009

Filed:

Oct 29, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/697404

Inventors:

Christopher J. Willems - Phoenix AZ, US
Mark Baldwin - Scottsdale AZ, US
Michael L. Boninger - Pittsburgh AZ, US
Rory A. Cooper - Gibsonia PA, US

International Classification:

B62M 1/14

US Classification:

2803041, 2802501

Abstract:

A pushrim with increased surface area and an insert between the wheel and the pushrim. In the preferred embodiment, the cross-section of the pushrim is an elongated circle and the insert is a concave trough made of an elastic material which compressibly fits between the wheel and the rim for convenient installation. Improved pushing is provided by texturing the surface of the insert to provide increased friction. Improved braking is provided by providing a smoother and wider surface on the pushrim.

US Patent:

7882909, Feb 8, 2011

Filed:

Sep 14, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/901137

Inventors:

Jonathan L. Pearlman - Pittsburgh PA, US
Rory Cooper - Gibsonia PA, US

Assignee:

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B62D 61/10

US Classification:

180 23, 180253, 180907

Abstract:

A personal vehicle comprises a frame with a seat, two large, non-drive wheels connected by an axle at one end of the frame, an elongated swing arm attached to the axle, a pair of caster wheels connected to the frame opposite the large, non-drive wheels and a main drive wheel mounted to a fork and connected to the swing arm. The main drive wheel is located central the vehicle frame, intermediate the frame sides and intermediate frame front and rear sections.

US Patent:

8264458, Sep 11, 2012

Filed:

Jan 13, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/353248

Inventors:

Rory A. Cooper - Gibsonia PA, US
Donald Spaeth - Freeport PA, US
Songfeng Guo - Pittsburgh PA, US

Assignee:

Dept. of Veterans Affairs - Washington DC
The University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G06F 3/033

US Classification:

345161, 463 38, 700 85, 74471 XY

Abstract:

The present invention provides variable compliance joysticks with mechanical and software customization, and with an integrated control capability, and a method of systematically determining the best mechanical settings and compensatory algorithms to embed in the joysticks to offer an individual with substantial upper extremity motor impairments a personal fit and maximum function. The joysticks may include components for varying the compliance and dampening of the joystick shaft. The method may include providing the user access to operate the joysticks, operatively connecting the joysticks to a driving simulator, displaying an icon on the driving simulator, controlling movement of the icon by the joysticks, evaluating performance of the user based upon the user's ability to control movement of the icon, and modifying hardware settings and software algorithms for the joysticks based upon the evaluation.

US Patent:

8376463, Feb 19, 2013

Filed:

Apr 30, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/771533

Inventors:

Rory Alan Cooper - Gibsonia PA, US
Jonathan Lee Pearlman - Pittsburgh PA, US
Todd Hargroder - San Antonio TX, US
Eun-Kyoung Hong - Pittsburgh PA, US
Hsin-Yi Llu - Pittsburgh PA, US
Hongwu Wang - Pittsburgh PA, US
Benjamin Arthur Salatin - Pittsburgh PA, US

Assignee:

University of Pittsburgh—of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B60N 2/02

US Classification:

2973611, 29735411, 29735412, 2974631

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.

US Patent:

8490242, Jul 23, 2013

Filed:

Nov 30, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/956666

Inventors:

Rory A. Cooper - Gibsonia PA, US
Andrew M. Kwarciak - Nashville TN, US
Mark A. McCartney - Saxonburg PA, US
Jonathan Lee Pearlman - Pittsburgh PA, US

Assignee:

Universit Of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

A47L 9/00
B60B 33/04
A45C 5/14

US Classification:

16 35R, 16 18 R

Abstract:

Caster alignment mechanism having a first component operably connected to a leg of a mobile device and a second component operably connected to a caster of the mobile device. The first and second components are positioned in parallel orientation to each other wherein alignment of the caster with the leg of the mobile device is achieved by the attractive characteristics of the first component with an upper magnet to the second component with a lower magnet. One embodiment of the caster alignment mechanism includes a fixed gap between the upper magnet and the lower magnet for an always engaged or “on” mode. The fixed gap can be adjusted to vary magnetic field strength depending on user specifications for ease of turning. Another embodiment of the caster alignment mechanism includes a switching mechanism to change modes between engaged or “on” mode and disengaged or “off” mode.

US Patent:

20050195166, Sep 8, 2005

Filed:

Feb 25, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/068655

Inventors:

Rory Cooper - Gibsonia PA, US
Donald Spaeth - Freeport PA, US
Songfeng Guo - Pittsburgh PA, US

International Classification:

G09G005/08

US Classification:

345161000

Abstract:

The present invention provides variable compliance joysticks with mechanical and software customization, and with an integrated control capability, and a method of systematically determining the best mechanical settings and compensatory algorithms to embed in the joysticks to offer an individual with substantial upper extremity motor impairments a personal fit and maximum function. The joysticks may include components for varying the compliance and dampening of the joystick shaft. The method may include providing the user access to operate the joysticks, operatively connecting the joysticks to a driving simulator, displaying an icon on the driving simulator, controlling movement of the icon by the joysticks, evaluating performance of the user based upon the user's ability to control movement of the icon, and modifying hardware settings and software algorithms for the joysticks based upon the evaluation.

US Patent:

20080209673, Sep 4, 2008

Filed:

Feb 22, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/070939

Inventors:

Rory A. Cooper - Gibsonia PA, US
Andrew M. Kwarciak - Saxonburg PA, US
Mark A. McCartney - Chatham NJ, US

International Classification:

B60B 33/00

US Classification:

16 45

Abstract:

An improved caster comprising a caster mount attachable to a frame of a mobile device, caster stem attached to the caster mount and operable to attach to a caster fork and wheel assembly, and a biasing means operable to restrict the rotation of the caster stem and thereby to prevent caster drift and flutter and to promote tracking of the mobile device. The biasing means can be in manner whereby the caster stem has at least one vertical notch defined therein and the biasing means comprises a spring plunger located in the caster mount. The spring plunger has an internal spring and a movable ball member attached to the spring and which faces the caster stem whereby the ball is biased against the caster stem and situated within the caster stem notch when the caster stem is in a desired rotational position. The biasing means can also employ magnets located in the caster stem and caster mount which align at opposite attracting poles when the caster is in a desired position.