Patents Assigned to HNI Technologies Inc.
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Publication number: 20120112511Abstract: A chair arm adjustment device according to embodiments of the present invention includes an arm pad base slidably coupled to the arm support, the arm pad base sliding substantially horizontally in two degrees of freedom with respect to the arm support within a range of motion of the arm pad base with respect to the arm support, and an arm brake assembly coupled with the arm pad base, the arm brake assembly moveable between a locked position in which the arm brake assembly substantially inhibits movement of the arm pad base relative to the arm support and an unlocked position in which the arm brake assembly does not substantially inhibit movement of the arm pad base relative to the arm support, wherein the arm brake assembly moves from the unlocked position to the locked position at any position of the arm pad base within the range of motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2011Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: Jay R. Machael, Jesse Hahn, John Robert Koch, Todd Ireland, Brett Kooistra
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Patent number: 8157325Abstract: A chair having a seat and a back rest comprises a fluid-containing cushion in the back rest that provides passive automatically adjustable support for the user's lumbar region. The cushion can comprise one or more fluid-containing chambers encompassing the areas of the user's upper back and lumbar regions. As the user leans backs, fluid is forced from the regions adjacent the upper back down to the lumbar region to provide enhanced lumbar support to the user.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2003Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: Jay R. Machael, Marcus C. Koepke, Brian R. Trego, Brian Erickson, Amin K. Habboub
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Patent number: 8147240Abstract: A gas burner assembly includes a first sheet, a second sheet, and a conduit. The first sheet has an inner face, an outer face, an upper portion, and a lower portion. The second sheet also has an inner face, an outer face, an upper portion and a lower portion. The first and second sheets are secured relative to one another such that the first and second sheets are separated by a gap that defines a manifold between the inner faces of the first and second sheets with an elongate opening between the upper portions of the first and second sheets, the opening forming an outlet from the manifold. The conduit is in communication with the manifold, the conduit being adapted for connection to a source of gas.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: David C. Lyons, Travis P. Betcher, Louis L. Mead
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Publication number: 20120024281Abstract: Burner assemblies including panels (e.g., transparent panels) supported in a substantially parallel, closely-spaced relationship and gaskets and spacers sealing the space between the panels to form a perimeter seal and to define a plenum between the first and second panels with an inlet into the plenum and an outlet out of the plenum.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: HNI TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: David C. Lyons, Travis P. Betcher, Louis L. Mead
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Patent number: 8082915Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a pellet stove includes a firepot assembly with a bottom plate slideable along rails to move between a closed position during combustion in the firepot and an open position during ash removal. According to other embodiments, a firebox or combustion enclosure includes a plurality of airfoils formed on the inner and outer surfaces of the enclosure to facilitate heat exchange between exhaust gases flowing across the inner surface of the enclosure and air blown across the outer surface of the enclosure. According to some embodiments, the airfoils and enclosure are of integral unibody construction. According to yet other embodiments, a user sets parameters via a wall control unit, and a stove control unit receives the parameters and automatically controls fuel feed rate, ignition, convection blower, combustion blower, and/or firepot cleaning based on the one or more parameters.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: Colin J. McCormick, Daniel S. Henry, Matthew Wicks, Gordon E. Taylor
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Patent number: 8061778Abstract: A chair arm adjustment device according to embodiments of the present invention includes an arm pad base slidably coupled to the arm support, the arm pad base sliding substantially horizontally in two degrees of freedom with respect to the arm support within a range of motion of the arm pad base with respect to the arm support, and an arm brake assembly coupled with the arm pad base, the arm brake assembly moveable between a locked position in which the arm brake assembly substantially inhibits movement of the arm pad base relative to the arm support and an unlocked position in which the arm brake assembly does not substantially inhibit movement of the arm pad base relative to the arm support, wherein the arm brake assembly moves from the unlocked position to the locked position at any position of the arm pad base within the range of motion.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2008Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: Jay R. Machael, Jesse Hahn, John Robert Koch, Todd Ireland, Brett Kooistra
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Patent number: 8033059Abstract: A paneling system for use as a wing and/or return panel for dividing large open office areas into smaller work stations. The paneling system includes a frame having top and bottom surfaces, and side surfaces. Attachment assemblies are used for removably attaching one or more paneling system to one or more of a spine wall, post, wing panel, return panel, and work surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2007Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: James Contois, Robert K. Nichols, Teresa Falck, Gregory Ferris, Matthew C. Brown, Ronald Hartman, Mark Roumfort, Christopher J. Mefford
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Patent number: 8016360Abstract: An adjustable armrest assembly for a chair includes a mounting member connected to the chair. The mounting member has an upper base. A first horizontal slide element is slidably mounted to the upper base and is adjustably slidable in a first direction with respect to the upper base. The first slide element is restrained after adjustment with respect to the upper base by frictional engagement between the upper base and the first slide element. A second horizontal slide element for slidably mounting to the first slide element is slidable in an arcuate path crossing the first direction. The second slide element is restrained after adjustment with respect to the first slide element by frictional engagement between the second slide element and the first slide element.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: Jay R. Machael, Marcus C. Koepke, Brian R. Trego
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Patent number: 7926430Abstract: A conference table includes a technology trough assembly integrated into its worksurface. The technology trough includes one or more utility modules for providing customized utility connections to meet the users' requirements. The technology trough also includes sliding access panels that are flush with the worksurface of the table and that are adapted to slide along a horizontal plane between a closed and an open position over the utility modules such that do not interfere or obstruct visual or verbal communications between users.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2007Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: Mitchell R. Bakker, Christopher M. Phillips
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Publication number: 20110031793Abstract: An adjustable reclining chair including a seat configured to support a user, a chair back, a base and a control mechanism mounted on the base. The control mechanism coupling the chair back to the seat with the chair back located generally adjacent to the user's back when the user is seated upon the seat. The control mechanism including a resistance adjustment mechanism for varying the control mechanism's resistance to a reclining force applied by the user to the chair back in order to move the chair back rearward from an upright position. The resistance adjustment mechanism activated by the weight of the user when seated in the chair, such that easy adjustment of the resistance is facilitated with the chair in an upright position. The resistance adjustment mechanism including a resilient member placed under a load during reclining of the chair to provide resistance to the reclining force.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: HNI TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Jay R. MACHAEL, John R. KOCH, Marcus C. KOEPKE
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Publication number: 20100239990Abstract: A gas burner assembly includes a first sheet, a second sheet, and a conduit. The first sheet has an inner face, an outer face, an upper portion, and a lower portion. The second sheet also has an inner face, an outer face, an upper portion and a lower portion. The first and second sheets are secured relative to one another such that the first and second sheets are separated by a gap that defines a manifold between the inner faces of the first and second sheets with an elongate opening between the upper portions of the first and second sheets, the opening forming an outlet from the manifold. The conduit is in communication with the manifold, the conduit being adapted for connection to a source of gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2009Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: David C. Lyons, Travis P. Betcher, Louis L. Mead
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Patent number: 7784870Abstract: A chair according to embodiments of the present invention includes a base; a first linkage pivotably coupled to the base, a seat pivotably coupled to the first linkage, a second linkage pivotably coupled to the seat and pivotably coupled to the base, a back comprising a substantially upright portion and an attachment portion, the attachment portion pivotably coupled to the base at a first pivot point, and a third linkage pivotably coupled to the back at a second pivot point and pivotably coupled to the second linkage, wherein the second pivot point is on the attachment portion between the first pivot point and the substantially upright portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: HNI Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jay R. Machael, Jesse Hahn, Keith Machin, Richard Neil Roslund, Jr.
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Publication number: 20100194160Abstract: A stackable and nestable chair includes a seat assembly, a pair of rear legs spaced apart by a first distance, and a pair of front legs spaced apart by a second distance different than the first distance. The front legs and the rear legs mutually connected by a crossbar, and the seat assembly is supported by the crossbar when the seat is in an operable position. A plurality of casters are each attached to a bottom of each of the front and rear legs, wherein each caster includes a notch that is configured to couple with a leg of an adjacently stacked chair.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: HNI TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Jay R. Machael, Marcus C. Koepke, Andrew B. Hector
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Publication number: 20100170496Abstract: A fireplace includes a first enclosure defining a combustion chamber and having a front that allows viewing within the combustion chamber, one or more back panels opposite the front, a plurality of side panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel. At least one of the one or more back panels and plurality of side panels includes a plurality of optically transmissive regions. A second enclosure includes a plurality of panels that are secured together to surround the plurality of side panels. A flame-generating element is disposed within the combustion chamber adjacent the bottom panel and is adapted to generate a flame. A lighting assembly between the first enclosure and the second enclosure is operable to project light onto portions of the second enclosure facing the first enclosure to passively illuminate an interior of the combustion chamber through the plurality of optically transmissive regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Berg, Christopher L. Wurtz
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Patent number: 7726300Abstract: A fireplace including a backlighting system. The backlighting system can be positioned in a back portion of the bottom panel of the fireplace. The backlighting system includes at least one light source to shine light upon the components of the fireplace. For example, the light source can be positioned to shine light on a back panel of the fireplace. The light source of the backlighting system can be modulated depending on a state of the fireplace. For example, the light source can be turned on or off depending on whether the flame of the fireplace is on or off.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2007Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: David C. Lyons, Thomas J. Bachinski, Robert S. Waddell, Richard D. Berg, Scott S. Jeutter, Kurt M. Schwie
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Publication number: 20100116953Abstract: A cantilever bracket assembly includes a case bracket having an elongated channel, a generally L-shaped mounting bracket and means for locking the case bracket to the mounting bracket. The L-shaped mounting bracket includes a first portion having a protrusion for attaching the mounting bracket to a vertical standard and a second portion slidable within the elongated channel of the case bracket. The case bracket is slidable between an unlocked position and a locked position relative to the mounting bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: Sammy Abusada, Christopher Baker, Richard W. Paulsen, Robert Cleo Stroda, Kate Laurel Kamm
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Patent number: 7708345Abstract: A recliner has a chair frame that provides support to a seat and back rest. The frame includes a recliner assembly that includes a bracket that is connected to the backrest enabling reclining movement of the backrest as the bracket moves through a correspondingly shaped bracket slot in a recliner base plate, and where the bracket rotates about an axis that approximates the position of the rotational axis of the hip of a seated user. The reclining chair can also be part of a modular system of components that enable one or more seating units to be in a spanned or ganged configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: Daniel Grabowski, John Henry Heyder, Jeremy Franklin Foreman, Michael A. Johnson, Aaron Jon Schradin
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Publication number: 20100038946Abstract: A seat damper assembly for a chair includes a rubber element having a through hole and a bracket seat having a major surface with a raised portion around a perimeter of the major surface. A support bracket is configured to be coupled with the bracket seat such that the raised portion abuts an outer edge of the support bracket. A side of the support bracket opposite the bracket seat is shaped to receive a portion of a chair frame assembly. A fastener, disposed in the through hole in rubber element, is configured to couple with a seat pan to secure the seat damper relative to the seat pan.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: HNI TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Matthew C. BROWN, Travis J. CROWELL, Aaron Michael ICKES, Jay R. MACHAEL, Phillip D. MININO
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Publication number: 20090183659Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a pellet stove includes a firepot assembly with a bottom plate slideable along rails to move between a closed position during combustion in the firepot and an open position during ash removal. According to other embodiments, a firebox or combustion enclosure includes a plurality of airfoils formed on the inner and outer surfaces of the enclosure to facilitate heat exchange between exhaust gases flowing across the inner surface of the enclosure and air blown across the outer surface of the enclosure. According to some embodiments, the airfoils and enclosure are of integral unibody construction. According to yet other embodiments, a user sets parameters via a wall control unit, and a stove control unit receives the parameters and automatically controls fuel feed rate, ignition, convection blower, combustion blower, and/or firepot cleaning based on the one or more parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Applicant: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: Colin J. McCormick, Daniel S. Henry, Matthew Wicks, Gordon E. Taylor
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Patent number: D613072Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2008Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: William Raftery, John Heyder