Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Ryan
Christopher J. Ryan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11938039Abstract: An implant may include a body including a ring, the ring further defining an opening, and the body defining a transverse plane dividing the implant into a superior half and an inferior half. The ring may also define a radial direction and a circumferential direction. The implant may further include a first outer member attached to the ring, wherein the first outer member extends radially from the ring, wherein the first outer member defines one or more arches, and wherein the ring further defines a central channel extending through the implant.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, Ltd.Inventors: Sean S. Bishop, Christopher J. Ryan, Edward J. McShane, III, Megan A. Stauffer, Joseph M. Nyahay
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Patent number: 11897372Abstract: A recliner heart includes a first locking plate, a second locking plate, a hub, a pair of wedges, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The first locking plate includes first teeth. The second locking plate is rotatable relative to the first locking plate and includes second teeth. The first biasing member is configured to apply a first biasing force to the wedges. The second biasing member is configured to apply a second biasing force to the wedges. The hub is rotatable between a first position in which the first and second biasing forces are applied to the wedges to restrict rotation of the second locking plate relative to the first locking plate, and a second position in which the first biasing force applied to one wedge of the wedges is reduced to allow rotation of the second locking plate relative to the first locking plate.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Fisher & Company, IncorporatedInventors: Ralph L. Schmitz, Sapan M. Poptani, Christopher J. Ryan, Lawrence J. Magadanz
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Patent number: 11607976Abstract: A recliner mechanism includes a housing plate and a recliner heart. The housing plate includes a plate body. The recliner heart is mounted to the housing plate and operable in an unlocked state permitting relative rotation between a seat back and a seat bottom, and a locked state preventing relative rotation between the seatback and the seat bottom. The housing plate includes a fore end proximate a front of the seat bottom and an aft end opposing the fore end and proximate a rear end of the seat bottom. The plate body includes a protrusion extending outwardly therefrom at or near the aft end.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2021Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: Fisher & Company, IncorporatedInventors: Ralph L. Schmitz, Sapan M. Poptani, Christopher J. Ryan
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Publication number: 20230080377Abstract: An implant may include a body having a first portion and a second portion and a structural member having a central member curve. In addition, the structural member may be exposed on an outer surface of the implant. Further, the central member curve may include a winding segment, and the winding segment of the central member curve may wind around a fixed path extending from the first portion of the body to the second portion of the body. Also, the central member curve may make one or more full turns around the fixed path. And, the structural member may have a member diameter at the winding segment, wherein the winding segment has a winding diameter corresponding with the full turn around the fixed path and the member diameter is greater than the winding diameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Edward J. McShane, III, Christopher J. Ryan
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Publication number: 20220410777Abstract: A method of laser welding a recliner assembly includes positioning a first component of a vehicle seat recliner mechanism with respect to a second component of the vehicle seat recliner mechanism. The method further includes retaining a position of the first component and the second component. Retaining includes forming a plurality of tack welds between the first component and the second component. The method further includes fixing the first component to the second component. Fixing includes forming a finishing weld between the first component and the second component by laser welding the first component to the second component.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Applicant: Fisher & Company, IncorporatedInventors: Ralph L. SCHMITZ, Sapan Mahendra POPTANI, Christopher J. RYAN, Steven A. HESSELL, Vicki A. WOOD
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Publication number: 20220355709Abstract: A recliner assembly for a vehicle seat may include a pair of recliner hearts and a cross rod. Each of the recliner hearts includes a first plate and a second plate that is selectively rotatable relative to the first plate to recline a seatback relative to a seat bottom of the vehicle seat. The cross rod extends between the recliner hearts and is received in hubs of the recliner hearts. The cross rod transmits torque between the hubs. The cross rod includes ridges that are angularly spaced apart from each other. Each of the ridges includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an end wall extending between the first and second sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls are defined by first and second axes that extend radially outward. The first and second axes are angled such that they do not converge with each other as they extend radially outward.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Applicant: Fisher & Company, IncorporatedInventors: Ralph L. SCHMITZ, Sapan M. POPTANI, Christopher J. RYAN
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Publication number: 20220355711Abstract: A recliner heart includes a first locking plate, a second locking plate, a hub, a pair of wedges, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The first locking plate includes first teeth. The second locking plate is rotatable relative to the first locking plate and includes second teeth. The first biasing member is configured to apply a first biasing force to the wedges. The second biasing member is configured to apply a second biasing force to the wedges. The hub is rotatable between a first position in which the first and second biasing forces are applied to the wedges to restrict rotation of the second locking plate relative to the first locking plate, and a second position in which the first biasing force applied to one wedge of the wedges is reduced to allow rotation of the second locking plate relative to the first locking plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Applicant: Fisher & Company, IncorporatedInventors: Ralph L. SCHMITZ, Sapan M. POPTANI, Christopher J. RYAN, Lawrence J. MAGADANZ
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Patent number: 11452611Abstract: An implant may include a body having a first portion and a second portion and a structural member having a central member curve. In addition, the structural member may be exposed on an outer surface of the implant. Further, the central member curve may include a winding segment, and the winding segment of the central member curve may wind around a fixed path extending from the first portion of the body to the second portion of the body. Also, the central member curve may make one or more full turns around the fixed path. And, the structural member may have a member diameter at the winding segment, wherein the winding segment has a winding diameter corresponding with the full turn around the fixed path and the member diameter is greater than the winding diameter.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, Ltd.Inventors: Edward J. McShane, III, Christopher J. Ryan
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Publication number: 20220117751Abstract: An implant may include a body including a ring, the ring further defining an opening, and the body defining a transverse plane dividing the implant into a superior half and an inferior half. The ring may also define a radial direction and a circumferential direction. The implant may further include a first outer member attached to the ring, wherein the first outer member extends radially from the ring, wherein the first outer member defines one or more arches, and wherein the ring further defines a central channel extending through the implant.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: Sean S. Bishop, Christopher J. Ryan, Edward J. McShane, III, Megan A. Stauffer, Joseph M. Nyahay
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Publication number: 20220047398Abstract: An implant may include a first body member and a second body member, at least one bone contacting arched member, and a first external element extending from the first body member to the second body member, wherein the first external element has an undulating planar geometry in which the first external element undulates in a single plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: Joseph M. Nyahay, Edward J. McShane, III, Sean S. Bishop, Christopher J. Ryan, Megan A. Stauffer
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Patent number: 11213405Abstract: An implant for use in a spine includes a body and a plurality of structural members. The superior and inferior surfaces each include a ring and structural members arranged in a web-like pattern around the ring. Bone contacting members are arranged radially away from the ring and support members are arranged in a circumferential direction around the ring.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, Ltd.Inventors: Sean S. Bishop, Christopher J. Ryan, Edward J. McShane, III, Megan A. Stauffer, Joseph M. Nyahay
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Patent number: 11192473Abstract: A vehicle-seat-recliner assembly may include first and second recliner hearts, a release handle, a cross-member, a handle pin, a handle-travel-limiter, and a reinforcement member. The release handle is connected with the first recliner heart and is rotatable relative to the brackets to move the first recliner heart between locked and unlocked states. The cross-member is connected to the recliner hearts and transmits torque from the release handle to the second recliner heart to move the recliner hearts between the locked and unlocked states. The handle pin engages the release handle. The handle-travel-limiter may include a flange portion and a shaft portion. The shaft portion may include an aperture configured to receive the cross-member. The flange portion extends radially outward from the shaft portion. The handle pin engages the handle-travel-limiter. The reinforcement member may be fixed to the handle-travel-limiter and the handle pin.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATEDInventors: Ralph L. Schmitz, Sapan M. Poptani, Christopher J. Ryan
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Patent number: 11160668Abstract: An implant including a first body member and a second body member and a first bone contacting element extending from the first body member to the second body member. The first bone contacting element may have a spiral configuration forming a plurality of arched members including at least two arched members extending substantially parallel to and offset with respect to one another.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, Ltd.Inventors: Joseph M. Nyahay, Edward J. McShane, III, Sean S. Bishop, Christopher J. Ryan, Megan A. Stauffer
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Publication number: 20210276461Abstract: A recliner mechanism includes a housing plate and a recliner heart. The housing plate includes a plate body. The recliner heart is mounted to the housing plate and operable in an unlocked state permitting relative rotation between a seat back and a seat bottom, and a locked state preventing relative rotation between the seatback and the seat bottom. The housing plate includes a fore end proximate a front of the seat bottom and an aft end opposing the fore end and proximate a rear end of the seat bottom. The plate body includes a protrusion extending outwardly therefrom at or near the aft end.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2021Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATEDInventors: Ralph L. SCHMITZ, Sapan M. POPTANI, Christopher J. RYAN
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Publication number: 20210061139Abstract: A vehicle-seat-recliner assembly may include first and second recliner hearts, a release handle, a cross-member, a handle pin, a handle-travel-limiter, and a reinforcement member. The release handle is connected with the first recliner heart and is rotatable relative to the brackets to move the first recliner heart between locked and unlocked states. The cross-member is connected to the recliner hearts and transmits torque from the release handle to the second recliner heart to move the recliner hearts between the locked and unlocked states. The handle pin engages the release handle. The handle-travel-limiter may include a flange portion and a shaft portion. The shaft portion may include an aperture configured to receive the cross-member. The flange portion extends radially outward from the shaft portion. The handle pin engages the handle-travel-limiter. The reinforcement member may be fixed to the handle-travel-limiter and the handle pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Applicant: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATEDInventors: Ralph L. SCHMITZ, Sapan M. POPTANI, Christopher J. RYAN
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Patent number: 10856999Abstract: An implant including a peripheral frame portion defining a periphery of the body; a first helical bone contacting member attached to the body and disposed within the superior half of the implant; and a second helical bone contacting member attached to the body and disposed within the superior half of the implant. The implant also includes a first support member extending inwardly of the bone contacting member into a central region of the implant; and a second support member extending inwardly of the bone contacting members. The first support member and the second support member are substantially U-shaped and are connected to one another at the bottoms of the two U-shapes in the central region.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, LTD.Inventors: Sean S. Bishop, Christopher J. Ryan, Edward J. McShane, III, Megan A. Stauffer, Joseph M. Nyahay
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Publication number: 20200337855Abstract: An implant may include a peripheral structure, an opening for receiving part of an insertion device, and a plurality of bone contacting elements. A first lateral portion and an anterior portion are joined at a first corner portion of the peripheral structure and a second lateral portion and a posterior portion are joined at a second corner portion of the peripheral structure. Also, the opening is disposed in the first corner portion of the peripheral structure. Further, the opening has a central axis and the implant further includes at least three support beams including a first support beam extending along a second axis through a central portion of the implant from the anterior portion to the posterior portion of the peripheral structure. In addition, the second axis of the first support beam is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the central axis of the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Megan A. Stauffer, Christopher J. Ryan, Edward J. McShane, III, Joseph M. Nyahay, Sean S. Bishop
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Publication number: 20200229940Abstract: An implant for use in a spine includes a body and a plurality of structural members. The superior and inferior surfaces each include a ring and structural members arranged in a web-like pattern around the ring. Bone contacting members are arranged radially away from the ring and support members are arranged in a circumferential direction around the ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2019Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Sean S. Bishop, Christopher J. Ryan, Edward J. McShane, III, Megan A. Stauffer, Joseph M. Nyahay
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Patent number: 10709570Abstract: An implant for insertion into a spine is configured with a body and a plurality of bone contacting elements. The implant is configured with an insertion axis that is diagonal to a lateral axis and to a posterior-anterior axis. The diagonal insertion axis allows for insertion of the implant using an oblique lumbar interbody fusion procedure.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, Ltd.Inventors: Megan A. Stauffer, Christopher J. Ryan, Edward J. McShane, III, Joseph M. Nyahay, Sean S. Bishop
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Patent number: 10695192Abstract: An implant includes a central wall extending from a first side of a peripheral frame portion to a second side of the peripheral frame portion, and a first helical bone contacting member attached at the central wall and disposed within the superior half of the implant. The implant further includes a first support member attached at the central wall at a junction coincident with the first helical bone contacting member and extending to a central region of the implant internal to the first helical bone contacting member. In addition, the implant includes a non-helical bone contacting member extending from a portion of the first support member that is disposed internal to the first helical bone contacting member.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Institute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, Ltd.Inventors: Sean S. Bishop, Christopher J. Ryan, Edward J. McShane, III, Joseph M. Nyahay, Megan A. Stauffer