Patents by Inventor James L. Kusiak

James L. Kusiak 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: 5511852
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for adjusting the position of a backrest relative to a chair seat. The backrest includes an elongated stem having a curved lower portion. Preferably, a spring operably engages the stem to bias it in an upward direction. A housing is adapted to slidably receive the curved portion of the stem and guide the spring. A latch mechanism is adapted to engage the stem to lock the backrest in a desired position, and an actuator member is adapted to move the latch mechanism between an engaged and disengaged position. In operation, the latch mechanism is disengaged to allow the backrest stem to move in a curvilinear path to a desired height and corresponding angular position, and reengaged to lock the backrest stem in said position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Kusiak, Rodney C. Schoenfelder
  • Patent number: 5201679
    Abstract: A marine propeller with break away hub has an insert cavity with pentagonal cross section extending coaxially with the axis of rotation of the propeller, along at least a portion of the length of the propeller. A resilient insert corresponding to the insert cavity is positioned in the insert cavity. The insert is sized for slip fit with the cavity and is adapted for connection with a propeller drive shaft. Preferably, the insert has a cylindrical aperture with a series of grooves disposed circumferentially thereabout extending coaxially through the insert and the insert is connected with the propeller shaft through a shaft sleeve. The shaft sleeve corresponds to the aperture in the insert, has a cylindrical outer surface with a series of teeth disposed circumferentially thereabout, and has a mounting aperture extending coaxially through the shaft sleeve. The shaft sleeve is sized for hand force slip fit engagement with the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Attwood Corporation
    Inventors: Carl J. Velte, Jr., James L. Kusiak
  • Patent number: 4913620
    Abstract: A centrifugal water pump especially adapted for fish and live bait live wells in which the pumping chamber is horizontally oriented and such chamber has two wall portions or sectors of different radii, one wall portion having a radius substantially the same as the outermost radial path of the impeller blades of the impeller and the other wall portion being substantially greater, such wall portions being connected by spaced walls, one of the walls being located immediately adjacent the upwardly extending passageway of the outlet of the pump. In the preferred embodiment, a divider wall is located and extends longitudinally in the passageway of said outlet dividing said passageway into two passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Attwood Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Kusiak, John E. Seevers
  • Patent number: D321856
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Attwood Corporation
    Inventors: Warwick M. Whitley, II, James L. Kusiak