Patents Assigned to Elio Engineering Inc.
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Patent number: 6736457Abstract: Continuous seat adjustment apparatus is used in conjunction with a seating device including a track assembly having an inner track and an outer track longitudinally movable on the inner track. The apparatus includes a pair of opposed jaws mounted on the outer track for pivotal movement between first and second orientations. Each of the jaws defines an opening with the inner track longitudinally extending therethrough. The jaws frictionally engage the inner track in the first orientation to substantially prevent longitudinal movement along the inner track and the jaws release the inner track in the second orientation to allow continuous longitudinal movement along the inner track. A spring device is affixed to the pair of opposed jaws to provide a bias on the jaws tending to move the jaws into the first orientation and an adjustment member is provided for moving the jaws against the spring bias from the first orientation to the second orientation.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Elio Engineering Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Elio, Hariharan K. Sankaranarayanan, Robert E. Glaspie
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Publication number: 20030227207Abstract: Continuous seat adjustment apparatus is used in conjunction with a seating device including a track assembly having an inner track and an outer track longitudinally movable on the inner track. The apparatus includes a pair of opposed jaws mounted on the outer track for pivotal movement between first and second orientations. Each of the jaws defines an opening with the inner track longitudinally extending therethrough. The jaws frictionally engage the inner track in the first orientation to substantially prevent longitudinal movement along the inner track and the jaws release the inner track in the second orientation to allow continuous longitudinal movement along the inner track. A spring device is affixed to the pair of opposed jaws to provide a bias on the jaws tending to move the jaws into the first orientation and an adjustment member is provided for moving the jaws against the spring bias from the first orientation to the second orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2002Publication date: December 11, 2003Applicant: Elio Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Elio, Hariharan K. Sankaranarayanan, Robert E. Glaspie
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Patent number: 6561587Abstract: Variable clutching seat recliner apparatus includes a drum coupled to a seat back, a band wrapped about the drum inhibiting rotation thereof, a tightening mechanism coupled to opposed ends of the band such that a force applied to the seat back in either of two opposing directions produces a tension in the band adjacent either end and a corresponding loosening of the band adjacent the other end. The tightening mechanism includes a lever pivotable about a fixed pivot point to convert a portion of the tension to reduce the loosening, and a variable control mechanism positioned proximate the lever for limiting pivotal movement of the lever.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Elio Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Elio, Robert E. Glaspie, Hariharan K. Sankaranarayanan
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Patent number: 6527342Abstract: A recliner mechanism includes a cylindrical element attached to a back portion and a conically shaped element attached to a seat portion. The cylindrical element has an axially extending central opening formed therein defined by a conically tapered inner surface, and the conically shaped element has an outer surface receivable within the central opening. The conically shaped element is movable in an axially inward direction to a locked orientation with the inner surface of the cylindrical element engaging the outer surface of the conically shaped element to inhibiting relative pivotal movement of the back portion and the seat portion. The conically shaped element is also movable in an axially outward direction to an unlocked orientation with the inner surface of the cylindrical element disengaged from the outer surface of the conically shaped element to permitting relative pivotal movement of the back portion and the seat portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Elio Engineering Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Glaspie, Paul A. Elio, Hariharan K. Sankaranarayanan
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Patent number: 6375263Abstract: A self-tightening mechanism mounted on a seat having a back portion. The self-tightening mechanism including a drum coupled to the back portion, a band wrapped about the drum inhibiting rotation thereof and having a first end and a second end. A tightening mechanism coupled to the first end and the second end such that a force applied to the back portion in either of two opposing directions produces a tension in the band adjacent either one of the first end and the second end and a corresponding loosening of the band adjacent the other end. The tightening mechanism including a lever pivotable about a fixed pivot point to convert a portion of the tension to reduce the loosening.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Elio Engineering Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Elio, Robert E. Glaspie, Hariharan K. Sankaranarayanan
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Patent number: 6312052Abstract: An adjustable seat including a seat frame and a rack mounted to a substrate. First and second pinions are rotatably carried by the frame and meshingly engage the rack for relative movement of the rack. The second pinion is movable between an open position allowing rotation of the pinions, and an engaged position wherein the pinions are mutually engaged with each other and the rack, preventing relative movement of the rack and rotation of the pinions. A cam engages the second pinion for moving it between the open position and the engaged position.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2000Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: Elio Engineering Inc.Inventor: Paul A. Elio
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Patent number: 6070938Abstract: Adjustable support apparatus comprising a support structure including a first seating element and a pivotally attached second seating element each for receiving a selected portion of a body of a user thereon, a rack and pinion adjustment assembly fixed to the support structure for reciprocally adjusting the support structure and a belt and drum adjustment assembly fixed to the support structure for pivotally adjusting the second seating element.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1998Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Elio Engineering Inc.Inventor: Paul A. Elio