Patents by Inventor John F. Aldrich
John F. Aldrich 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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Publication number: 20240115050Abstract: An arm support including a mounting bracket configured to mount the arm support to a supporting structure, a track supported by the mounting bracket, a forearm support configured to support a forearm of a user, a linear bearing allowing a first degree of freedom of movement for the forearm support, a rotary bearing allowing a second degree of freedom of movement for the forearm support, and a gimbal joint allowing a third degree of freedom of movement for the forearm support.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: John F. Aldrich, Timothy Allen Hoogland
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Publication number: 20240120714Abstract: A workspace includes a power input receptacle configured to receive an input power at a first voltage level, wherein the first voltage level is an extra-low voltage. The workspace further includes a voltage regulator configured to regulate the input power and output a regulated power at a second voltage level and a power distribution bus. The power distribution bus is configured to receive the input power from the power input receptacle. The workspace further includes a safety disconnect configured to disconnect the input power from the power distribution bus in response to detecting an adverse condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Peter James Keyzer, Matthew James Lilley, Adam Daley-Fell, John F. Aldrich, Robert W. Roth
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Patent number: 11825957Abstract: A body support structure including a backrest, a seat connected to the backrest, and a suspension material connected to the backrest or the seat. The suspension material includes elastomeric filaments with monofilaments and multifilaments. The suspension material further includes a first zone with a first stiffness, a second zone with a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness, and a transition zone positioned between the first zone and the second zone.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: MILLERKNOLL, INC.Inventors: John F. Aldrich, Brock Walker, Jeff Bruner, Adwait Bhagwat, Ethan McGraw, Don Chadwick
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Publication number: 20230302308Abstract: A web harness system includes a sub-pelvic support portion. A leg harness portion is connected to the sub-pelvic support portion. The leg harness portion including: a first leg extension connected to a first portion of the sub-pelvic support portion; a second leg extension connected to a second portion of the sub-pelvic support portion; a right leg adjustment belt connected to the first leg extension; and a left leg adjustment belt connected to the second leg extension.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2022Publication date: September 28, 2023Inventors: Samuel Raymond Andrade, John F. Aldrich
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Publication number: 20230073826Abstract: A seating structure includes a base, a seat supported by the base, and a backrest having a frame and a suspension material supported by the frame. The frame includes an upper end and a lower end opposite the upper end. The seating structure also includes an upper thoracic support assembly supported by the frame adjacent the upper end. The upper thoracic support assembly including a thoracic support pad positioned between the frame and the suspension material. The thoracic support pad configured to engage the suspension material to support an upper thoracic region of a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Joel Graham Van Faasen, Jim D. Slagh, Lauren Mary LaLonde, Jonathan Curtis Campbell, John F. Aldrich, Timothy Allen Hoogland, Robert W. Roth, Brock M. Walker
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Publication number: 20210045534Abstract: A body support structure including a backrest, a seat connected to the backrest, and a suspension material connected to the backrest or the seat. The suspension material includes elastomeric filaments with monofilaments and multifilaments. The suspension material further includes a first zone with a first stiffness, a second zone with a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness, and a transition zone positioned between the first zone and the second zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: John F. Aldrich, Brock Walker, Jeff Bruner, Adwait Bhagwat, Ethan McGraw, Don Chadwick
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Patent number: 10874220Abstract: A body support structure includes a backrest and a seat connected to the backrest. A suspension material is connected to the backrest or the seat. The suspension material has a first zone with a first stiffness and a second zone with a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness. Also included are methods of creating different zones in the suspension material.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2016Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.Inventors: John F. Aldrich, Brock Walker, Jeff Bruner, Adwait Bhagwat, Ethan McGraw, Don Chadwick
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Patent number: 10264890Abstract: A back support structure includes a frame, a support, a fulcrum member, and an adjustment mechanism. The support includes an upright member having a lower end and an upper end. The lower end of the upright member is connected to the frame at a first location. A support pad is connected to the upper end of the upright member. The fulcrum member has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is connected to the frame at a second location spaced vertically above the first location. The fulcrum member includes a fulcrum engaging the upright member between the upper and lower ends. The fulcrum member is moveable between a plurality of fulcrum positions. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment member connected to the frame and the lower portion of the fulcrum member. The adjustment member is adjustable to move the fulcrum member to the plurality of fulcrum positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.Inventors: John F. Aldrich, Brock Walker, Thomas Hornor, Don Chadwick, Jeffrey Koffman
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Patent number: 9668580Abstract: A body support structure including a pair of laterally spaced apart supporting arms defining a gap therebetween, wherein each of the supporting arms includes an upper support having an upwardly extending upright and a forwardly extending seat support defining a seat part, and a lower support having an upwardly extending upright spaced apart from the upright of the upper support in a vertical plane. The uprights of the upper and lower supports define a backrest part. A pair of armrests each includes an upwardly extending portion connected to a respective one of the forwardly extending seat supports and a forwardly extending portion pivotally connected to the backrest part. A cross brace extends between and is coupled to the supporting arms proximate the pivotal connection. A flexible membrane extends between and is coupled to the supporting arms.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Andrew Keith Hector, John F. Aldrich
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Patent number: 9629467Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multi-layered support structure provides ergonomic, adaptable seating support. The method providing multiple cooperative layers to maximize global comfort and support while enhancing adaptation to localized variations in a load, such as in the load applied when a person sits in a chair. The cooperative layers each include elements such as pixels, springs, support rails, and other elements to provide this adaptable comfort and support. The method for manufacturing the multi-layered support structure uses aligned material to provide a flexible yet durable support structure. Accordingly, the method provides a multi-layered support structure, which provides maximum comfort for a wide range of body shapes and sizes.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: Ryan S. Brill, Christopher C. Hill, James D. Slagh, Andrew B. Hartmann, Timothy P. Coffield, Kelly E. Washburn, John F. Aldrich, Michael D. Stanton, Sr.
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Publication number: 20160374475Abstract: A back support structure includes a frame, a support, a fulcrum member, and an adjustment mechanism. The support includes an upright member having a lower end and an upper end. The lower end of the upright member is connected to the frame at a first location. A support pad is connected to the upper end of the upright member. The fulcrum member has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is connected to the frame at a second location spaced vertically above the first location. The fulcrum member includes a fulcrum engaging the upright member between the upper and lower ends. The fulcrum member is moveable between a plurality of fulcrum positions. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment member connected to the frame and the lower portion of the fulcrum member. The adjustment member is adjustable to move the fulcrum member to the plurality of fulcrum positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: John F. Aldrich, Brock Walker, Thomas Hornor
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Publication number: 20160270539Abstract: A method of supporting a user's cranium includes directly supporting at least a portion of a first user's T1-T6 vertebrae with a primary support and directly supporting a junction between the first user's occipital bone and C1 vertebrae with a secondary support spaced from the primary support. The positions of the primary and secondary supports may be independently adjusted relative to each other. Various body support structures and headrest structures are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2016Publication date: September 22, 2016Inventors: Brock Walker, John F. Aldrich, Robert W. Insalaco
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Publication number: 20160206102Abstract: A body support structure includes a backrest and a seat connected to the backrest. A suspension material is connected to the backrest or the seat. The suspension material has a first zone with a first stiffness and a second zone with a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness. Also included are methods of creating different zones in the suspension material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2016Publication date: July 21, 2016Applicant: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: John F. Aldrich, Brock Walker, Jeff Bruner, Adwait Bhagwat, Ethan McGraw
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Patent number: 9352675Abstract: A method of supporting a user's cranium includes directly supporting at least a portion of a first user's T1-T6 vertebrae with a primary support and directly supporting a junction between the first user's occipital bone and C1 vertebrae with a secondary support spaced from the primary support. The positions of the primary and secondary supports may be independently adjusted relative to each other. Various body support structures and headrest structures are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: Brock Walker, John F. Aldrich, Robert W. Insalaco
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Publication number: 20160135590Abstract: A table includes a support column defining an axis, a base supporting the support column, a worksurface supported by the support column such that the work surface is rotatable relative to the base about the axis of the support column. The table further includes a rotation mechanism including a swing arm housing coupled to the worksurface. The swing arm housing is rotatable in a first angular direction about the axis to rotate the worksurface in a second angular direction about the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2016Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Gianfranco Zaccai, Kevin Young, Peter Bates, John F. Aldrich, Andrew J. Kurrasch, Robert M. Seeley
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Patent number: 9271569Abstract: A table includes a vertical support column and a base. The base includes a first floor engaging portion disposed on a first side of a vertical axis and a second floor engaging portion disposed on an opposite second side of the vertical axis. The first and second floor engaging portions are weighted such that the base has a center of gravity spaced from the vertical axis on the second side of the vertical axis. A worksurface member is supported by the vertical support column and is vertically spaced from the base. The worksurface member is rotatable relative to the base. In one aspect, the worksurface member has an overall length greater than the overall length of the base. In another aspect, a stop limits rotation of the worksurface member.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: Gianfranco Zaccai, Kevin Young, Peter Bates, John F. Aldrich, Andrew J. Kurrasch, Robert M. Seeley
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Patent number: 9173496Abstract: An elastomeric load bearing surface with different load support characteristics in different directions. In one embodiment, the surface includes an elastomeric membrane that is oriented in only a single direction, for example, by compression or stretching. In another embodiment, the surface includes mechanical structures, such as connectors, variations in thickness and apertures, that vary the load support characteristics in different directions. In another aspect, the present invention provides a multilayer load bearing surface in which the layers cooperate to provide a controlled force/deflection profile that is variable in different regions of the surface. In one embodiment, the upper layer includes a plurality of loosely connected nodes and a lower layer having a plurality of resilient elements that separately support each node.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Timothy P. Coffield, John F. Aldrich, Ryan S. Brill, Matthew P. Reed, Matthew Parkinson, Jeffrey A. Weber
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Publication number: 20150230610Abstract: A body support structure including a pair of laterally spaced apart supporting arms defining a gap therebetween, wherein each of the supporting arms includes an upper support having an upwardly extending upright and a forwardly extending seat support defining a seat part, and a lower support having an upwardly extending upright spaced apart from the upright of the upper support in a vertical plane. The uprights of the upper and lower supports define a backrest part. A pair of armrests each includes an upwardly extending portion connected to a respective one of the forwardly extending seat supports and a forwardly extending portion pivotally connected to the backrest part. A cross brace extends between and is coupled to the supporting arms proximate the pivotal connection. A flexible membrane extends between and is coupled to the supporting arms.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: HERMAN MILLER, INC.Inventors: JOHANN BURKHARD SCHMITZ, Claudia Plikat, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Andrew Keith Hector, John F. Aldrich
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Patent number: 8960796Abstract: A seating structure includes a central spine and an upper back structure having a pair of arms extending upwardly and outwardly from the central spine. The upper back structure is pivotally connected to the central spine about a first horizontal axis. A back support structure is pivotally connected to the spine about a second horizontal axis and is pivotally connected to the ends of each of the arms about a third horizontal axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: John F. Aldrich, Ryan S. Brill, Elindo G. Castro, Jr., Christopher C. Hill, James D. Slagh, Troy Roark, Douglas M. VanDeRiet, Jeffrey A. Weber
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Publication number: 20140360412Abstract: A table includes a vertical support column and a base. The base includes a first floor engaging portion disposed on a first side of a vertical axis and a second floor engaging portion disposed on an opposite second side of the vertical axis. The first and second floor engaging portions are weighted such that the base has a center of gravity spaced from the vertical axis on the second side of the vertical axis. A worksurface member is supported by the vertical support column and is vertically spaced from the base. The worksurface member is rotatable relative to the base. In one aspect, the worksurface member has an overall length greater than the overall length of the base. In another aspect, a stop limits rotation of the worksurface member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: GIANFRANCO ZACCAI, KEVIN ROBERT YOUNG, PETER KIRWAN BATES, JOHN F. ALDRICH, ANDREW j. KURRASCH, ROBERT M. SEELEY