The Rhode Island state patent of the month for June 2026 has been awarded to Includesign LLC for their groundbreaking adaptive mobility solution. The company’s newly issued utility patent, U.S. Patent No. 12,616,622, protects a specialized device designed to facilitate the transport or storage of items by a person seated in a wheelchair or using other mobile devices. This simple yet highly effective consumer medical product elegantly solves a structural challenge that millions of individuals with limited mobility face on a daily basis.
By securing this patent, Includesign LLC continues to solidify its role as a leader in universal and inclusive product design. The development of this technology showcases the incredible engineering ecosystem within Rhode Island, demonstrating how dedicated organizations can drive meaningful change that directly improves quality of life. For more information regarding their full portfolio of assistive technologies and community impact initiatives, visit the official company website at Includesign LLC.
Why the Invention is So Innovative
Traditional storage attachments for wheelchairs, such as standard backpacks or under-seat baskets, present severe usability hurdles. Under-seat baskets are often completely out of reach for individuals with limited upper-body mobility, while rear-facing backpacks make items inaccessible without external assistance and increase the risk of the wheelchair tipping backward due to unmanaged weight distribution. The device protected by Patent No. 12,616,622 introduces an innovative, collapsible structural framework that mounts securely to the mobile device while remaining entirely accessible within the user’s natural reach.
The system utilizes a unique multi-point stability mechanism that keeps stored items secure even during sudden stops or rapid turns. By employing advanced lightweight, high-strength materials, the device collapses compactly when not in use, allowing the wheelchair to be folded or stored without requiring the removal of the attachment. This focus on independent accessibility, user safety, and seamless mechanical integration represents a significant leap forward over existing aftermarket mobility accessories.
June 2026 Rhode Island Patent of the Month
The selection committee honored this patent as Rhode Island’s Patent of the Month for June 2026 due to its exceptional fusion of mechanical ingenuity and profound social impact. While many modern patents focus on highly abstract digital software or complex biochemical formulas, this invention delivers an immediate, practical physical solution to an underserved demographic. The state committee explicitly noted how the design leverages localized mechanical advantages to maximize structural integrity without adding unnecessary bulk or weight to the mobile frame.
Furthermore, the patent sets a benchmark for universal design principles, ensuring compatibility across a wide variety of wheelchair brands and alternative mobility devices. By honoring this patent, Rhode Island emphasizes its commitment to supporting healthcare accessibility innovations and recognizing organizations whose designs lower boundaries to autonomy for individuals experiencing physical disabilities.
U.S. R&D Tax Credit Eligibility for Practical Applications
To successfully claim the United States Research and Development Tax Credit under Internal Revenue Code Section 41, the ongoing commercial development and practical refinement of this patented device must satisfy a rigorous four-part test. First, the development work must be undertaken for a qualified purpose, meaning it aims to create a new or improved function, performance, reliability, or quality for a commercial product or process. Second, the engineering team must eliminate a technical uncertainty regarding the appropriate design structure or component materials needed to optimize the collapsible frame across different commercial wheelchair models. Third, a systematic process of experimentation must be executed, utilizing iterative computer-aided design modeling, prototyping, and load-distribution stress testing to evaluate alternative mechanical configurations. Finally, the entire process must rely on hard engineering and materials science principles. By documenting the technical hurdles encountered while scaling this patented design into a mass-manufactured consumer product, the developing enterprise can successfully qualify its engineering wages, prototype material expenses, and third-party testing costs for substantial federal tax credits.
