Patents Assigned to Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company
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Patent number: 11793316Abstract: A bed frame having a solid deck for a convertible sofa is provided. The bed frame comprises a pair of side rails and a bottom rail. The bed frame comprises at least a torso frame and a foot frame where the foot frame folds and unfolds with the torso frame to place the convertible sofa in the sofa configuration (folds) or the sleeping configuration (unfolds). The bed frame has at least one solid deck coupled to the torso frame of the bed frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2019Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: HICKORY SPRINGS MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Joey Jennings, Dennis Cooke, Jason Porter
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Patent number: 11161952Abstract: A linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) foam and methods of making the same are described. The LLDPE foam has a maximum operating temperature of about 220° F. The LLDPE foam can also have a density in the range of from 0.6 to 10.0 lbs/ft3. The LLDPE foam can be manufactured in part by processing an LLDPE resin in order to create a long branch molecular structure in the LLDPE resin without crosslinking or otherwise adversely affecting the thermoplastic properties of the LLDPE resin.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Debabrata Kundu
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Patent number: 10793031Abstract: A stowable harness system for a vehicle seat is provided. The vehicle seat has a storage area under a horizontal seat portion that pivots to provide access. The harness system includes a belt system for a child restraint. During use, the harness system is disposed on the vehicles seat. When stowed, the harness system is contained in the storage area.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Danny J. Daniels, James Louis Rapier, III
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Patent number: 10682930Abstract: A bus seat is provided. The bus seat includes a backrest frame having a curve in part and a lumbar support coupled to the backrest frame by the curve. The bus seat also includes a horizontal seat that is pivotable from a seat position, where a seat frame is locked onto a base frame, to a stowed position. The bus seat is provided in a modular configuration to allow multiple backrests to be used for the bus seat. The backrests may include changeable seat belt configurations and child restraint system configurations. The bus seat also includes a seat belt retractor having a vertical configuration and a horizontal configuration for retracting and extending the seat belt.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2019Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Danny Daniels, Thomas Rumler
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Patent number: 10485357Abstract: A mattress having a foam core is provided. The foam core may include a channel along two or more sides of the foam core. Spring coils in the channel(s) provide increased localized support proximal the outer edge of the mattress. The spring coils may be conventional spring coils or individually pocketed spring coils. In certain alternatives, the spring coils may be replaced by foam different than the foam core; such difference may include foams having a higher indentation force deflection (IFD) rating. The mattress may have a foam core that is provided with an undercut filled with a foam insert where a higher IFD foam is provided in the undercut.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing CompanyInventors: William Brent Limer, Stephen Patrick Brabandt
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Patent number: 10391896Abstract: A bus seat is provided. The bus seat includes a backrest frame having a curve in part and a lumbar support coupled to the backrest frame by the curve. The bus seat also includes a horizontal seat that is pivotable from a seat position, where a seat frame is locked onto a base frame, to a stowed position. The bus seat is provided in a modular configuration to allow multiple backrests to be used for the bus seat. The backrests may include changeable seat belt configurations and child restraint system configurations. The bus seat also includes a seat belt retractor having a vertical configuration and a horizontal configuration for retracting and extending the seat belt.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Danny Daniels, Thomas Rumler
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Patent number: 10213029Abstract: The present application provides a cushion having a core layer and a quilt support/comfort layer. The core layer may comprise innersprings, foams, air cells, or combinations thereof. The support/comfort layer comprises a sleep layer that simulates a conventional quilted fabric layer. The sleep layer includes a thick, comfort fabric and a backing fabric, which backing fabric may be the same as the thick, comfort fabric. The sleep layer is formed by coupling the thick, comfort fabric to the backing fabric to form a plurality of individual pockets in which micro spring coils are placed. The micro spring coils have less uncompressed height than conventional innerspring coils. The sleep layer coupling is formed by spot coupling without using a metal needle to stitch the layers together. In other words, the spot coupling may comprise an adhesive or weld.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Richard J. Anthony, Timothy M. Witherell, William B. Limer, Bradley G. Crump, John R. Mayo
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Patent number: 9918558Abstract: A foam mattress is provided having a body facing surface comprising a first foam layer on a first spring layer formed of a plurality of individual pocketed spring coils. A second foam layer formed of a reticulated foam supports the first spring layer. The foam mattress further having a bottom layer of conventional foam. The foam mattress is surrounded by a foam casing that has at least one vent formed in the casing. The first spring layer causes air to flow from the second foam layer through the vents.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing CompanyInventor: William B. Limer
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Patent number: 9895002Abstract: A sleeper sofa having a bridge joint to inhibit bowing between frames in a sleeper position is provided although other folding articles are contemplated. The sleeper sofa has a first frame section and a second frame section foldable/pivotable from a first sitting position to a second sleeping position. When in the sleeping position, the bridge joint extends under and between the first and second frame section to provide support to inhibit bowing at the junction between the first and second frame section. The bridge joint includes a pivot axle and an anti-buckling member coupled to a pivot guide having a track. The anti-buckling member travels in the track as the first and second frames are unfolded about the pivotal axle.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2014Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Dennis R. Cooke, Jason L. Porter
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Patent number: 9861857Abstract: A multiple strand pool noodle is provided. The multiple strand pool noodle has at least two strands formed of extruded foam where each of the strands has a first end and a second end. The first ends of the strands are contained in a first end member and the second ends of the strand are contained in a second end member. A length of the strands extends between the first and second end members. The strands are movable with respect to each other along the length.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Jonathan Wesley Godfrey, Joseph Shawn Huffman
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Patent number: 9635952Abstract: The present application provides a cushion having a core layer and a quilt support/comfort layer. The core layer may comprise innersprings, foams, air cells, or combinations thereof. The support/comfort layer comprises a sleep layer that simulates a conventional quilted fabric layer. The sleep layer includes a thick, comfort fabric and a backing fabric, which backing fabric may be the same as the thick, comfort fabric. The sleep layer is formed by coupling the thick, comfort fabric to the backing fabric to form a plurality of individual pockets in which micro spring coils are placed. The micro spring coils have less uncompressed height than conventional innerspring coils. The sleep layer coupling is formed by spot coupling without using a metal needle to stitch the layers together. In other words, the spot coupling may comprise an adhesive or weld.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: HICKORY SPRINGS MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Richard J. Anthony, Timothy M. Witherell, William B. Limer, Bradley G. Crump, John R. Mayo
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Patent number: 9540082Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a flotation device suited to teach beginner swimming techniques or provide enjoyment in an aquatic environment while providing flotation to at least a portion of the swimmer's body. The flotation device for aiding a swimmer in a body of water may comprise a body formed from an extruded foam and comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side rail, a second side rail, a leading lateral surface, and a trailing lateral surface, and wherein the extruded foam is a flexible cellular foam. The presently disclosed subject matter also relates to methods of making the flotation device.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: HICKORY SPRINGS MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Timothy M. Schultz, Jonathan W. Godfrey, John F. Herter
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Patent number: 9457876Abstract: A multiple strand pool noodle is provided. The multiple strand pool noodle has at least two strands formed of extruded foam where each of the strands has a first end and a second end. The first ends of the strands are contained in a first end member and the second ends of the strand are contained in a second end member. A length of the strands extends between the first and second end members. The strands are movable with respect to each other along the length.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: HICKORY SPRINGS MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Jonathan Wesley Godfrey, Joseph Shawn Huffman
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Patent number: 9386862Abstract: A foam mattress is provided having a body facing surface comprising a first foam layer on a first spring layer formed of a plurality of individual pocketed spring coils. A second foam layer formed of a reticulated foam supports the first spring layer. The foam mattress further having a bottom layer of conventional foam. The foam mattress is surrounded by a foam casing that has at least one vent formed in the casing. The first spring layer causes air to flow from the second foam layer through the vents.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2014Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: HICKORY SPRINGS MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventor: William B. Limer
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Patent number: 9339117Abstract: A foam mattress is provided having a body facing surface comprising a viscoelastic foam layer. The body facing surface further comprises a recess or cavity into which a layer including a core of springs may be provided. The foam mattress further having a layer of open cell foam beneath the viscoelastic foam layer. The open cell, or reticulated, foam layer provides increased breathability. Support for the mattress may further be provided by a bottom layer of conventional foam.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: HICKORY SPRINGS MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: William B. Limer, Danny G. Maxwell
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Patent number: 9167908Abstract: The technology of the present application provides an adjustable bed having a stationary base and a shroud. The shroud may be provided in multiple pieces or a solitary strip of material. The shroud has a height sufficient to inhibit the view of the bottom of the adjustable bed. The shroud has either a plurality of protrusions or a plurality of receptacles. The stationary base conversely has a corresponding plurality of receptacles or a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions are sized to slidingly fit into the receptacles in a telescoping fashion. In one aspect, the shroud and stationary base have both protrusions and receptacles.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2014Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: HICKORY SPRINGS MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Richard Anthony, Timothy Witherell, Matthew Reiter
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Patent number: 9061746Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a flotation device suited to teach beginner swimming techniques or provide enjoyment in an aquatic environment while providing flotation to at least a portion of the swimmer's body. The flotation device for aiding a swimmer in a body of water may comprise a body formed from an extruded foam and comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side rail, a second side rail, a leading lateral surface, and a trailing lateral surface, and wherein the extruded foam is a flexible cellular foam. The presently disclosed subject matter also relates to methods of making the flotation device.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Timothy M. Schultz, Jonathan W. Godfrey, John F. Herter
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Patent number: 9017124Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a flotation device suited to teach beginner swimming techniques or provide enjoyment in an aquatic environment while providing flotation to at least a portion of the swimmer's body. The flotation device for aiding a swimmer in a body of water may comprise a body formed from an extruded foam and comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side rail, a second side rail, a leading lateral surface, and a trailing lateral surface, and wherein the extruded foam is a flexible cellular foam. The presently disclosed subject matter also relates to methods of making the flotation device.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Timothy M. Schultz, Jonathan W. Godfrey, John F. Herter
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Patent number: 8906975Abstract: A conventional flexible polyurethane foam, made using methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), having a bulk foam density in the range of 2.5 pounds per cubic foot or lower and having a foam hardness or IFD in the range of 10 to 90 lb/50 in2. The present invention is also directed to the method for the making thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2010Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Dimitrios V. Dounis, Dwayne Lewis Beard, Camden Eugene McLaughlin, Kimberly R. Fair
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Patent number: 8901187Abstract: A high resilience flexible polyurethane foam, made using methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), having a bulk foam density in the range of 2.5 pounds per cubic foot or lower and having a foam hardness or IFD in the range of 10 to 40 lb/50 in2. The present invention is also directed to the method for the making thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2009Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Dimitrios V. Dounis, Dwayne Lewis Beard, Camden Eugene McLaughlin, Kimberly R. Fair