Patents by Inventor Christopher R. Leiphart

Christopher R. Leiphart 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).

  • Patent number: 9162529
    Abstract: A lightweight caster is described that is resistant to ingress of debris into a caster bearing. The caster has a monolithic fork having an annular wheel-supporting portion and a chair-supporting portion. The wheel-supporting portion has a pass-through aperture for receiving a retainer. A rotational bearing is supported on the wheel-supporting portion, which supports a wheel rim such that the wheel rotates in the vertical plane. The rim has a pass-through aperture aligned with the pass-through aperture of the fork, and a ring at an inside edge of the bearing to retain the bearing between the rim and the fork and to inhibit debris from contacting the bearing. A retainer retains the rim on the fork and has an aperture aligned with the fork pass-through aperture. The retainer also has a bearing-retaining portion at an outside edge of the bearing to retain the bearing and to inhibit debris from migrating inwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Inertia Engineering + Design Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Minato, Eleu Thereus Tai-Sung Um, Christopher R. Leiphart
  • Publication number: 20150121652
    Abstract: A lightweight caster is described that is resistant to ingress of debris into a caster bearing. The caster has a monolithic fork having an annular wheel-supporting portion and a chair-supporting portion. The wheel-supporting portion has a pass-through aperture for receiving a retainer. A rotational bearing is supported on the wheel-supporting portion, which supports a wheel rim such that the wheel rotates in the vertical plane. The rim has a pass-through aperture aligned with the pass-through aperture of the fork, and a ring at an inside edge of the bearing to retain the bearing between the rim and the fork and to inhibit debris from contacting the bearing. A retainer retains the rim on the fork and has an aperture aligned with the fork pass-through aperture. The retainer also has a bearing-retaining portion at an outside edge of the bearing to retain the bearing and to inhibit debris from migrating inwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Raymond J. Minato, Eleu Thereus Tai-Sung Um, Christopher R. Leiphart