Patents Assigned to The Hoffman Group
  • Publication number: 20070138823
    Abstract: A trunk lid hinge in accordance with embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to operate a trunk of an automobile in a conventional manner as well as in an unconventional manner about two pivot axes. The trunk lid hinge comprises a hinge mount, a hinge bracket, and a locking element. The hinge mount is an elongated member having a mount first end and a mount second end opposite the mount first end. The hinge bracket is pivotally coupled to the mount second end and is adapted to be positioned at and between a first pivot position and a second pivot position about a pivot axis in addition to the stock pivot axis. Embodiment of the present invention permit the automobile enthusiast to retrofit the conventional trunk lid to operate as in an unconventional manner and allow the automobile manufacturers to incorporating trunk lids in automobiles with unconventional opening characteristics without requiring major redesign of the current trunk lids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: THE HOFFMAN GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20070123240
    Abstract: Embodiments of interruption-sound devices for producing an interruption sound signal in a telecommunications transmission signal comprising a signal generating circuit and a processing circuit, in accordance with the present invention. The interruption sound signals are input into the appropriate location of the telecommunications device such that the interruptee perceives characteristic sounds such as those encountered when a mobile phone is about to drop a call. As a result, the interruptee will place blame for call disconnection on the mobile-phone technology and not on the interrupter. The interruption-sound device is suitable for incorporated into an external interruption module, a landline phone, and a mobile phone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: THE HOFFMAN GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7210200
    Abstract: A multi-axis automobile door hinge, comprising a first leaf, a second leaf, and a third leaf. The first leaf and the second leaf are pivotally coupled defining a swing-out hinge adapted so as to enable rotation in a substantially horizontal plane about a substantially vertical axis of rotation. The second leaf and the third leaf are pivotally coupled about a lift bearing defining a vertical-lift hinge adapted so as to enable rotation in a substantially vertical plane about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation. The multi-axis automobile door hinge provides a combination of swing-out and vertical-lift motion suitable for retrofitting a conventional swing-out automobile door for swing-out and vertical-lift operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: The Hoffman Group, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence Andrew Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7171193
    Abstract: Embodiments of interruption-sound devices for producing an interruption sound signal in a telecommunications transmission signal comprising a signal generator circuit and a processor circuit, in accordance with the present invention. The interruption sound signals are input into the appropriate location of the telecommunications device such that the interruptee perceives characteristic sounds such as those encountered when a mobile phone is about to drop a call. As a result, the interruptee will place blame for call disconnection on the mobile-phone technology and not on the interruptor. The interruption-sound device is suitable for incorporated into an external interruption module, a landline phone, and a mobile phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: The Hoffman Group LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence Andrew Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7162775
    Abstract: A trunk lid hinge in accordance with embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to operate a trunk of an automobile in a conventional manner as well as in an unconventional manner about two pivot axes. The trunk lid hinge comprises a hinge mount, a hinge bracket, and a locking element. The hinge mount is an elongated member having a mount first end and a mount second end opposite the mount first end. The hinge bracket is pivotally coupled to the mount second end and is adapted to be positioned at and between a first pivot position and a second pivot position about a pivot axis in addition to the stock pivot axis. Embodiment of the present invention permit the automobile enthusiast to retrofit the conventional trunk lid to operate as in an unconventional manner and allow the automobile manufacturers to incorporating trunk lids in automobiles with unconventional opening characteristics without requiring major redesign of the current trunk lids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: The Hoffman Group, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence Andrew Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6951363
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power assisted cover actuator for operating a tonneau cover for an open bed of a truck, such as a pickup truck. The cover is hingably coupled to a distal end of the truck bed adjacent the truck cab. The power assisted cover actuator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises a track upon which a trolley is guided by a linear actuator. An end of an arm is pivotally coupled to the trolley and the cover. The linear actuator comprises a motor driven drive rod coupled to the trolley that extends to advance the trolley along the track from a lower position to a higher position which raises the arm to push the cover open. Retracting the drive rod reverses the direction of travel of the trolley from a higher position to a lower position lowering the arm and closing the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: The Hoffman Group, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence Andrew Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6569287
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method of making paperboard and paperboard corrugation that negates the steps of winding rolls of containerboard on machine reels of separate paper machines, subsequent rewinding and slitting of paperboard and unwinding rolls of containerboard on separate corrugators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: The Hoffman Group, Ltd.
    Inventor: Roger P. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6241848
    Abstract: A single plant for making corrugated sheets out of recycled paper and a method for making the same. The plant includes a recycling pulper a board machine and a corrugator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: The Hoffman Group, Ltd.
    Inventor: Roger Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6157916
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operating speed of a papermaking facility is disclosed. It includes determining a desired operating speed that is dependent on at least one economic variable. The variables vary with the operating speed. Also, the operating speed is adjusted (if necessary) in response to the determination. Preferably the control is closed loop and includes determining a current operating speed and comparing the current operating speed to the desired operating speed. The operating speed is controlled in response to the comparison. The economic variable is preferably a cost of manufacturing, and/or manufacturing inflows, and/or manufacturing outflows. Also, a method and apparatus that determines the effect of one or more business transactions on the economic efficiency of the production of products in a paper manufacturing facility is disclosed. The economic efficiency is dependant on one or more economic variables that vary with operating speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: The Hoffman Group
    Inventor: Roger Paul Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4901883
    Abstract: A file box having a door which is swingably mounted between side walls and biased toward a closed position by a spring engaged around a stub axle. The door has a pair of stub axles, one of which is preferably received in the coil of the biasing spring, which is in turn seated in a socket in one side wall of the box; the other stub axle is received in a slot in the opposite side wall, and is journaled for rotation by the end of the slot. Optionally, the door extends up just a lower portion of the front opening of the box, so as to permit viewing of contents of the box above the door while retaining such contents in the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: The Hoffman Group Division of The Ron Hoffman Group
    Inventor: Ronald J. Hoffman