Patents Examined by Sarah C. Burnham
  • Patent number: 7052089
    Abstract: A multi-position headrest for a chair and a mechanism for the headrest. The headrest can move between a forwardly tilted position and a non-tilted position. The headrest is supported by a multi-position bracket assembly. The bracket assembly includes two bracket members, one of which has an arcuate slot and the other of which has a mounting member adapted to move along the arcuate slot. A catch member is mounted for rotation on the mounting member. The catch member has angled edges at each end. As the mounting member moves along the slot, the catch member is rotated by contact with a shoulder and an alignment stop between orientations in which it engages the shoulder, establishing the forwardly tilted position, and orientations in which it does not engage the shoulder, allowing relative pivotal movement of the bracket assembly to return to the non-tilted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Lane Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Teddy J. May
  • Patent number: 7043886
    Abstract: A refrigerator door assembly for mounting within an opening of a refrigerator cabinet for movement relative to the refrigerator consisting in combination the following components within a hollow rigid plastic welded structural door frame: a multi-paned insulated glass pack drop-in unit, a bushing means and a hinge means, each secured in the door frame and cooperating to support the dynamic and torsional loads of the glass pack unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Thermoseal Glass Corp.
    Inventor: Richard A Chubb
  • Patent number: 7044551
    Abstract: A seat structure includes a torsion bar 40 disposed along the width direction in the vicinity of the bottom end of a back frame 20, a pelvis supporting plate 50 is connected to the torsion bar 40, and a flat-type supporting member 60 for the seat back is engaged with the vicinity of the bottom end of the pelvis supporting plate 50 and strained. Slack of the flat-type supporting member 60 can be eliminated by the pelvis supporting plate 50 to enhance the appearance. Further, a vibration inputted from the seat back side, and vibrates as if patting on the back of the human body can be absorbed by an elastic force of the torsion bar 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Kazuyoshi Chizuka, Seiji Kawasaki, Yasuhide Takata, Yumi Ogura, Eiichi Yasuda, Shun'ichi Doi, Kazukata Takei
  • Patent number: 7007433
    Abstract: Thin composite panels with interconnection schemes that are unitized with the panels, i.e., formed integrally and substantially simultaneously with the panels. Further contemplated is the application of an injection molding technique, such as reaction injection molding, in establishing a foam or polymeric core between laminates in thin composite panels. Additionally contemplated is the use of interchangeable laminate components in affording the capability of altering the coloring or other visual features of a reveal in a panel or panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: CENTRIA
    Inventor: Keith Boyer
  • Patent number: 7008015
    Abstract: A seat suspension assembly including a base including a first pair of spaced legs adapted to be securable to a support structure. The first pair of legs is connected to a back member. A seat frame is adapted to support a seating surface and disposed between the first pair of spaced legs of the base. The seat frame is movably connected to the base. The seat frame includes a first guide engageable with one of the pair of legs. The first guide permits controlled movement of the seat frame relative to the base. A suspension extends between the seat frame and the base for regulating the motion of the seat frame relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: Eric Bischoff
  • Patent number: 7004543
    Abstract: A tiltable chair including a housing, a back support pivotally attached to the housing about a first horizontal axis and a seat support pivotally attached to the housing about a second horizontal axis. A leaf spring includes a first end engaging the housing and a second end biasing the back support and seat support in an upward direction. A fulcrum member is moveably supported in the housing and engages a bottom surface of the spring intermediate the first and second ends of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome C. Caruso, Steven J. Caruso, Bruce R. Gezon, Marc A. Gierz, Jack R. Nyenhuis
  • Patent number: 6981742
    Abstract: A cushion includes a flexible curved main body having a first end formed with a fixed portion and a second end formed with a movable portion, and an elastic mechanism mounted on the main body and biased between the fixed portion and the movable portion of the main body. Thus, the elastic mechanism is stretched by the movable portion of the main body to mate with variation of the curvature of the main body, so that when the main body is pressed and deformed by the user's weight, the main body has a greater elastic action, and the curvature of the main body is changed automatically by the elastic force of the elastic mechanism so as to fit users of different statures and weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Chen Hsing Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-Long Hsiao
  • Patent number: 6976339
    Abstract: A system for supporting a door frame, and in particular a metal door frame, during build-up of a wall about the door frame. Vertical alignment devices allow for placement of the door frame in a plumb configuration with respect to the floor and allows for fine adjustment through use of turnbuckle devices. A horizontal spreader device, also having longitudinal adjustment, provides lateral support to the door frame to reduce inward bowing of the sides of the door frame towards one another during build-up of the wall. Also, a header support device serves to maintain a parallel relationship between the header of the door frame and the threshold by compensating for sagging in the header, and also uses a longitudinal adjustment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventors: Gabriel W. Riccio, James L. Riccio
  • Patent number: 6976732
    Abstract: Modular convertible furniture systems include a pair of similar open-ended box frame assemblies which are nestable one within the other. A pair of slotted support rails are attached pivotally at respective opposing corners of one of the box frame assemblies so as to be movable between raised and lowered positions. When in a raised position, the rails provide a support for a solid board plank thereby becoming a seat back (e.g., for a chair, love seat, or sofa-type arrangement). When the rails are in a lowered position substantially parallel to the ground, the two box frame assemblies may be oriented back-to-back so as to provide a support for a mattress thereby converting the structure into a bed arrangement, for example. The box frame assemblies can be positioned on different sides and ends thereby allowing formation of tables and/or shelving as may be desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventors: David L. Thomas, Mark D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6976739
    Abstract: An armrest assembly includes a stationary tube for attachment to a chair. The stationary tube includes recesses in an internal face. A movable tube is inserted in the stationary tube. The movable tube includes an aperture. An armrest is installed on the movable tube. A detent can be inserted into one of the recesses of the stationary tube through the aperture of the movable tube. A rod is inserted in the movable tube. The rod defines a recess for receiving the detent. The recess of the rod includes a shallow portion and a deep portion. A lever is connected with the rod and installed on the armrest in order to move the rod so as to control the detent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Chuan Hsing Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Chang Wang
  • Patent number: 6974186
    Abstract: A chair includes a seat rotatably attached to a base with a pivot axle and coupled to the base with an actuator, to adjust the seat relative to the base. A seat back is rotatably attached to the seat and coupled to the seat with another actuator, to adjust the seat back relative to the seat. A foot support is rotatably attached to the seat and coupled to the seat with a further actuator, to adjust the foot support relative to the seat. The seat is adjustable relative to the base, the seat back is adjustable relative to the seat, and the foot support is adjustable relative to the seat with different actuators. The foot support may include a foot pedal slidably coupled to a plate with another actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: Horng Jiun Chang
  • Patent number: 6971719
    Abstract: A clutch actuator has a housing with a load bearing element disposed within it. A force application element disposed within the housing applies force to the load bearing element. A stop assembly includes a retaining stopper between the load bearing element and the force application element. The stopper is dimensioned relative to a retainer and to the load bearing element to stop movement of said load bearing element relative to said retainer in the absence of a force application, and the stopper is dimensioned relative to said retainer and to said load bearing element to allow movement of said load bearing element relative to said retainer when force is applied against the load or when is force is released toward the load. One surface of the retainer, the stopper or the load bearing element is textured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Jintao Liu, Harold Lee
  • Patent number: 6964452
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat (1), in particular an automobile seat, having an understructure (3) which can be connected with the vehicle structure, and a middle structure (5) carrying a seat cushion (19) and a backrest (23), the understructure (3) and the middle structure (5) constituting two links of a first four-bar linkage (11) on either side of the vehicle seat, and the vehicle seat (1) being able to be brought from a sitting utilization position to a boarding position, the four-bar linkage (11), in order to bring the vehicle seat (1) from the utilization position to the boarding position, swings the vehicle seat (1) free as a whole, while the backrest (23) maintains its position relative to the middle structure (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Joachim Kämmerer
  • Patent number: 6957855
    Abstract: A seat for a bicycle includes two suspended seat straps which support the buttocks of a rider. The straps are attached to front and rear support arms which are attached to two points on the frame of the bicycle. The front support arms form an inverted bifurcated assembly which is attached to the bicycle frame via a shock absorber. A ball and socket fitting permits the inverted bifurcated assembly to move in pitch, yaw, and roll, thereby conforming to the movements of the rider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Philip R. Weary
  • Patent number: 6951081
    Abstract: A water deflecting apparatus is provided for a fixture mounted on a wall. The apparatus comprises a mounting plate having a front and a back. A protrusion extends outwardly from the front of the mounting plate, the protrusion having an aperture for extending about the fixture, a bottom and a top which slopes downwardly to at least one side of the opening when the apparatus is mounted on the wall, thereby deflecting water towards said at least one side of the opening. A passageway extends downwardly from the top towards the bottom thereof and is spaced-apart from the opening, thereby deflecting water away from the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Inventor: David J. Bonshor
  • Patent number: 6948774
    Abstract: A chair, such as a swivel chair for the office, has an armrest that is made up of an armrest carrier, which includes a carrier and a sleeve sliding thereon and attached to the seat at the bottom by a seat flange which can be displaced transversely to the seat direction, and of an arm support, which can be displaced longitudinally via a guide and can be rotated via a rotary part mounted in a rotary bearing. The guide is arranged parallel, but eccentrically in relation, to the axis of symmetry of the arm support. Since the rotatability of the arm support is at least 1800, it is possible to set different clear distances between the two arm supports of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Sedus Stoll AG
    Inventors: Klaus Maier, Michael Klaesener, Thomas Stenzel
  • Patent number: 6948786
    Abstract: A furniture article suited for shipment in a compact carton has a top, a back hinged from the rear edge of the top, opposing side panels hinged from the back, and means for holding the opposing side panels in position, such as a stretcher bar, or a shelf hinged from the back to fold down and engage the side panels. A table particularly useful for computer use has a middle panel, a fold down shelf hinged from the middle panel, and drawers. When a wedge and pocket fastener is used in combination with the factory attachment of hinges, the articles can be assembled by a consumer at the point of use, without the use of tools or screws or bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Collins International Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Donna Chung
  • Patent number: 6942295
    Abstract: A reclining chair system with a standard assembly supporting seat and backrest assemblies, which are pivotally mounted to each other and capable of providing a rocker effect to a user. A strut assembly provides substantially a bounce free shock absorbing function by using two coaxially disposed compressible and resilient members that are compressed sequentially. A headed shaft with a step limits the compression of the first member. The arrangement permits a volumetrically efficient operation while preventing excessive fatigue of the member. An adjustment mechanism permits a user to readily set the relative angular position of backrest and seat with respect to the standard (and consequently the horizontal plane) depending on the location of the chair system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Guillermo E. Lopez
  • Patent number: 6935682
    Abstract: The present invention is a sinking seat for a vehicle assembled with a rear leg and a grooved leg integrally coupled to enable convenient handling due to the unification of parts. The mounting of the sinking seat onto a vehicle body is simplified by a folded lower part being unfolded to allow a lower part rotating axle to be rotatably coupled to the vehicle body. The assembly process is made simpler, and noise generated from the coupling portion between the vehicle body and the sinking seat is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sang-Do Park
  • Patent number: 6935696
    Abstract: An articulating head restraint includes an armature with a cam. The cam has a lock acumination and a stop acumination. The armature fits within a structure composed of a bracket and a slave bracket. A slide, which is attached to a cable, rides within a slot on the bracket. When the slide is in the locked position, the lock acumination of the cam presses against the slide, restraining movement of the slide. When sufficient force is applied to the cable, the slide moves within the slot to an unlocked position. A torsion spring wrapped around the armature causes the armature to rotate to a stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Gill Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Gauthier, Robert R. Sutter, Jr., Craig A. Ulman