Patents Assigned to The Firm, Inc.
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Patent number: 9265352Abstract: A sleeping system is described in which comfort systems for a foam mattress assembly are mounted in a foundation assembly supporting the mattress assembly. The comfort systems include an air heating and cooling system, a firmness system and an elevation system. The foam mattress assembly includes a flexible encasement dish into which one or more foam layers are disposed. Blowers for the air system are mounted adjacent the foundation assembly top in direct fluid communication with apertures in the top, minimizing the air flow path from the blower exhaust to the mattress top to reduce air pressure loss and diminishment of the heated or cooled air.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2015Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Mattress Firm, Inc.Inventors: Tim Oakhill, Craig McAndrews, Ken Bower, Craig Miller, Eric Johnson, Michael Schmidt, Lance Ellman
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Publication number: 20150289667Abstract: A sleeping system is described in which comfort systems for a foam mattress assembly are mounted in a foundation assembly supporting the mattress assembly. The comfort systems include an air heating and cooling system, a firmness system and an elevation system. The foam mattress assembly includes a flexible encasement dish into which one or more foam layers are disposed. Blowers for the air system are mounted adjacent the foundation assembly top in direct fluid communication with apertures in the top, minimizing the air flow path from the blower exhaust to the mattress top to reduce air pressure loss and diminishment of the heated or cooled air.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2015Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: Mattress Firm, Inc.Inventors: Tim Oakhill, Craig McAndrews, Ken Bower, Craig Miller, Eric Johnson, Michael Schmidt, Lance Ellman
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Publication number: 20090171864Abstract: A method for displaying a plurality of mattresses according to a color scheme is provided. The method includes categorizing a plurality of mattresses into at least three different types based on features of the mattresses other than size (e.g., based on comfort or style), designating a different color for each type of mattress, and displaying each of the mattresses with the designated color, or an article having the designated color, for the particular mattress type. For example, the article may include a pillow and/or foot protector having the designated color displayed prominently for a customer's reference. The method may further include grouping at least a portion of the mattresses together within the showroom based on the type of mattress, and displaying one of each type of mattress in a common region (e.g., a comparison center) for side-by-side comparisons of the different types of mattresses by customers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2009Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: Mattress Firm, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Stagner, Kenneth Murphy
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Publication number: 20040103028Abstract: A method and related system for advertising that senses the presence of a consumer proximate to a display of goods, invokes (based on the presence of the consumer), an advertisement selected from a group of previously supplied advertisements, and reporting statistics of the invocation of advertisements.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Applicant: The Advertizing Firm, Inc.Inventors: Earl Littman, John E. McGinnis, Rodney C. Montrose
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Patent number: 5599258Abstract: A step for aerobic exercise has a stationary base support (A) carrying in telescopic relation, an upper member (B) which is manually moveable for making height adjustments by selectively engaging interlocking elements (C) and (D) carried by the stationary support, and the moveable upper member respectively so that a user may approach the step from any direction for exercising or for making height adjustments by moving the upper member (B) engaging and disengaging the interlocking elements by manipulating the vertical and horizontal positioning of the upper member with respect to the stationary member.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1994Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: The Firm, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Stone, Mark S. Henriksen
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Patent number: 5184694Abstract: A system for controlling at least one go kart in an operation area includes a general transmitter, an area transmitter, a receiver unit on each go kart and an idling device. The operation area includes a track and a pit area. The general transmitter is either a radio transmitter or a loop which encircles the entire operation area. Upon activation of the general transmitter, a signal is emitted such that go karts anywhere in the operation area are idled by the idling device. Activation of the area transmitter, on the other hand, will cause the idle device to idle go karts in at least one of the pit area and an approach area to the pit. This area transmitter includes a loop which encircles the pit area and/or the approach area. A control device with a timer is provided to automatically activate the area transmiter when a predetermined time has elapsed. The control device will also permit an operator to activate the general transmitter when an emergency situation arises.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1991Date of Patent: February 9, 1993Assignees: Pacer Manufacturing Co., Inc., Micro Firm, Inc.Inventors: Earl K. Magrath, Jr., Billy K. Foster
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Patent number: 4306322Abstract: A bed assembly (10a) is disclosed. The bed assembly (10a) includes an air mattress (32a) for supporting a human body in a generally prone position. The air mattress (32a) has an overall firmness determined by the amount of air in the air mattress. A port for admitting and releasing air to and from the air mattress (32a) is formed through the air mattress (32a). A box spring support structure (12a) holds the air mattress above a surface. A mechanism (44a) is provided for adjusting the overall firmness of the air mattress (32a) by adjusting the amount of air pressure in the air mattress (32a). The adjusting mechanism (44a) includes a bladder or balloon (48a-54a) for containing a quantity of air and a mechanism (56a) for transferring air between the air mattress (32a) and the bladder (48a-54a) to adjust the relative volume of the air mattress and the bladder.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1979Date of Patent: December 22, 1981Assignee: Dial-A-Firm, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Young, Emil S. Swenson
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Patent number: 4224706Abstract: A bed assembly is disclosed. The bed assembly includes an air mattress for supporting a human body in a generally prone position. The air mattress has an overall firmness determined by the amount of air in the air mattress. A port for admitting and releasing air to and from the air mattress is formed through the air mattress. A platform supports the air mattress above a surface. A mechanism is provided for adjusting the overall firmness of the air mattress by adjusting the amount of air in the air mattress. The adjusting mechanism includes a bladder or balloon for containing a quantity of air and a mechanism for transferring air between the air mattress and the bladder to adjust the relative quantity of air in the air mattress and in the bladder. The adjusting mechanism sets the internal volume of the bladder at a desired volume in order to set the relative quantity of air between the air mattress and the bladder.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1978Date of Patent: September 30, 1980Assignee: Dial-A-Firm, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Young, Emil S. Swenson
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Patent number: D360664Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1994Date of Patent: July 25, 1995Assignee: The Firm, Inc.Inventor: Michael R. Stone
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Patent number: D364202Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1994Date of Patent: November 14, 1995Assignee: The Firm, Inc.Inventor: Anna L. Benson
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Patent number: D385317Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1994Date of Patent: October 21, 1997Assignee: The Firm, Inc.Inventor: Mark S. Henriksen
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Patent number: D424123Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 1996Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: The Firm, Inc.Inventor: Mark S. Henriksen