Patents Assigned to Howe Furniture Corporation
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Patent number: 5934201Abstract: A folding table has a top which is supported on two C-leg assemblies. Extending beneath the top and along its back edge is a wire tray having an access door accessible from beneath the table top. The vertical leg portion of at least one of the two C-leg assemblies carries a tubular wire housing having a vertical access opening. The opening is closed by the projecting flap portion of an elongated resilient member which is clamped between the vertical leg portion and the housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1997Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventor: Niels Diffrient
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Patent number: 5749121Abstract: A wheel assembly for the tubular end of the horizontal member of an inverted T-shaped table leg comprises a cylindrical housing which plugs into the tubular end. A recess in the housing opens through its cylindrical wall at an opening which subtends an angle of less than 180.degree.. A wheel is mounted within the recess on an axle pin which is parallel to, and displaced from, the longitudinal axis of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1997Date of Patent: May 12, 1998Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventor: William A. Loescher
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Patent number: 5640912Abstract: A combined wire manager and modesty panel for a folding gate leg table is detachably secured to the ends of the table beam. The modesty panel is formed by a cover which engages the wire manager tray by means of a novel clip arrangement which allows entry to the tray without the need for completely removing the panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1995Date of Patent: June 24, 1997Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventor: Niels Diffrient
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Patent number: 5560302Abstract: A bridge interconnects two table tops and is supported solely by the table tops themselves, employing connector bars which normally serve to gang tables together. Alignment pins on the bottom surface of the bridge engage openings in the connector bars. A separate slidable locking bar on the bridge engages each pair of connector bars to attach the bridge to the two table tops.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 1995Date of Patent: October 1, 1996Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventors: Niels Diffrient, Julia Wilkins
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Patent number: 5507204Abstract: An adjustment crank is mountable to the underside of a table top by a bracket in which it is both rotatable and translatable. The crank includes a tube which carries internal splines. An adjustment shaft extends into the tube and carries mating splines. The crank is translatable between an adjustment position wherein the two sets of splines engage and a stowage position wherein the splines are disengaged.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1995Date of Patent: April 16, 1996Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventor: Niels Diffrient
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Patent number: 5490466Abstract: A table top is provided with a vertically adjustable keyboard support platform which is suspended on a parallel linkage assembly. The parallel linkage rotates about a pair of rotatable pivot rods carried by the underneath side of the platform. A gas spring is connected to the linkage to block its rotation when the platform is in a desired lowered position and to aid in returning the platform to a position flush with the table top.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1994Date of Patent: February 13, 1996Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventor: Niels Diffrient
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Patent number: 5490467Abstract: A mechanism for folding the T-leg of a table is contained within a tubular housing carried by the end of the pedestal portion of the leg. Spring-loaded cams at each end of the housing slide in slotted frames mounted to the underside of the table. A locking shoulder at one end of each slot retains its cam in a locking position and a lever associated with each cam unlocks it and allows the leg to fold.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1994Date of Patent: February 13, 1996Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventor: Niels Diffrient
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Patent number: 5447099Abstract: A height adjustment mechanism for a table top generally comprises two leg assemblies each having a base and two vertical columns, a slidable post assembly on each leg assembly with the slidable post, assemblies supporting the table top, and a drive for raising and lowering the leg assemblies and supported table top. The slidable post assemblies have opposed covers which frictionally engage the vertical posts to hold the table top at an adjusted height. The drive is a lack screw and jack nut in each leg/slidable post assembly, wherein the jack screws are connected by a chain and sprocket drive and are driven by a crank.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1993Date of Patent: September 5, 1995Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventors: Alan J. Adams, Robert J. Ferraro, Richard M. LaCouture, Donald H. Eckloff
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Patent number: 5345881Abstract: An exceptionally rigid and compact folding mechanism for a table employs hollow rail members which support the mechanism therebetween. A pair of legs are mounted to the ends of a stretcher member to form a folding unit. This unit is translationally and rotationally connected to the rail members by an over center cam mechanism operated by a lock bar. The lock bar bends to exert locking force in both the unfolded and folded positions of the table legs.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1991Date of Patent: September 13, 1994Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventor: William A. Loescher
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Patent number: 5337657Abstract: A folding table system is designed primarily for use with computers and in computer training. It includes tables that are readily folded for storage and unfolded for use. The tables include a variety of optional wire storage capabilities and are so designed that they may be interconnected with one another and with bridging elements and storage devices. Accordingly, a customized arrangement may be readily assembled from a selection of standardized components.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1992Date of Patent: August 16, 1994Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventor: Niels Diffrient
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Patent number: 4986195Abstract: A tilting table top mechanism includes a chassis member which is secured to the underside of a table top and a base plate which is secured to the top of a table leg. Exceptional rigidity is achieved by a dual pivot mechanism. The pivots employ novel bearing elements which are easily removed and replaceable. Pivot tabs on the base plate are insertable into recesses, or slots, in the bearing elements. At a given angle of rotation of the table top to the leg, the chassis member and base plate are readily detached. A dual locking mechanism maintains the table top in its normal horizonal position but is manually disengaged with ease.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1988Date of Patent: January 22, 1991Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventor: Niels Diffrient
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Patent number: 4867610Abstract: The invention comprises a quick disconnect apparatus for locking a tubular table leg to a table top. An insert plug extends downwardly below the table top and carries an annular resilient member which is inserted into the table leg. An actuator has a camming surface and is movable between two positions. In one position, it pulls the resilient member into forceful engagement with a ramped lower extension of the plug, causing the resilient member to expand and frictionally engage the inner surface of the leg, locking it in place. In its other position, the actuator releases the resilient member, causing it to relax and disengage from the leg.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1988Date of Patent: September 19, 1989Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventor: Niels Diffrient
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Patent number: 4827850Abstract: A folding modesty panel on the edge of a table surface is maintained in either an extended, vertical, position or a folded, horizontal, position by a single spring or set of springs. The panel may be utilized as a wire manager by the provision of a flexible mesh trough connected between the bottom of the panel and the underside of the table top. An access cover on the front of the panel permits access to the contents of the trough and conceals its contents when closed.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1988Date of Patent: May 9, 1989Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventor: Niels Diffrient
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Patent number: D314299Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1988Date of Patent: February 5, 1991Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventor: Niels Diffrient
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Patent number: D322729Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1988Date of Patent: December 31, 1991Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventor: Niels Diffrient
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Patent number: D324145Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1988Date of Patent: February 25, 1992Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventor: Niels Diffrient
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Patent number: D324615Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1988Date of Patent: March 17, 1992Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventor: Niels Diffrient
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Patent number: D329554Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1988Date of Patent: September 22, 1992Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventor: Niels Diffrient
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Patent number: D333058Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1991Date of Patent: February 9, 1993Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventor: Niels Diffrient
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Patent number: D391841Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1997Date of Patent: March 10, 1998Assignee: Howe Furniture CorporationInventor: William A. Loescher