Patents by Inventor Alexander Schaerer

Alexander Schaerer 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).

  • Patent number: 11612238
    Abstract: The present application relates to a lifting column for a piece of furniture, in particular for a table. The lifting column comprises a first element and also a second element. The second element is introduced at least some way into the first element. The first element has a spindle, which extends along the longitudinal axis of the first element and projects at least some way into the second element. The second element has a rotor, which is mounted in a rotatable manner in it and has at least one rolling body, which runs in or on a thread helix of the spindle. A rotation of the rotor relative to the spindle gives rise to a linear movement of the second element relative to the first element. The second element also has an arresting device, which, in a first state, blocks the rotation of the rotor relative to the spindle and, in a second state, frees the rotation of the rotor relative to the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: USM U. SCHARER SOHNE AG
    Inventors: Alexander Schaerer, Thomas Dienes, Bastian Roth
  • Publication number: 20220104613
    Abstract: The present application relates to a lifting column for a piece of furniture, in particular for a table. The lifting column comprises a first element and also a second element. The second element is introduced at least some way into the first element. The first element has a spindle, which extends along the longitudinal axis of the first element and projects at least some way into the second element. The second element has a rotor, which is mounted in a rotatable manner in it and has at least one rolling body, which runs in or on a thread helix of the spindle. A rotation of the rotor relative to the spindle gives rise to a linear movement of the second element relative to the first element. The second element also has an arresting device, which, in a first state, blocks the rotation of the rotor relative to the spindle and, in a second state, frees the rotation of the rotor relative to the spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Alexander Schaerer, Thomas Dienes, Bastian Roth
  • Patent number: 10302112
    Abstract: A node element for a furniture system having a three-dimensional load-bearing tubular structure comprises a plurality of connection points for the mechanical fastening of two or more tubes. It further comprises two regions which are electrically insulated from each other and which are arranged such that two electrical polarities can be coaxially tapped at the connection points for the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: USM Holding AG
    Inventors: Alexander Schaerer, Stefan Krenger, Thomas Dienes
  • Patent number: 9380864
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an item of furniture, in particular a table, having at least one length-adjustable leg. The length-adjustable leg includes a first telescopic element which is realized as a hollow body, as well as a second telescopic element which is mounted inside the first telescopic element so as to linearly displaceable along a first axis. A locking device which is arranged on the second telescopic element comprises at least one first pin which is movable using an actuating device from a first position, in which the at least one first pin prevents the movement of the first telescopic element relative to the second telescopic element as a result of a force-fitting connection or form-fitting connection, into a second position in which the displacement is not prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: USM HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Niklaus Höltschi, Alexander Schaerer, Thomas Dienes
  • Publication number: 20150167713
    Abstract: A node element for a furniture system having a three-dimensional load-bearing tubular structure comprises a plurality of connection points for the mechanical fastening of two or more tubes. It further comprises two regions which are electrically insulated from each other and which are arranged such that two electrical polarities can be coaxially tapped at the connection points for the tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: USM HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Alexander SCHAERER, Stefan KRENGER, Thomas DIENES
  • Publication number: 20150136000
    Abstract: The present application relate to an item of furniture, in particular a table, having at least one length-adjustable leg (15, 15.1, 15.2). The length-adjustable leg (15, 15.1, 15.2) includes a first telescopic element (2, 2.1, 2.2) which is realized as a hollow body, as well as a second telescopic element (3, 3.1, 3.2) which is mounted inside the first telescopic element (2, 2.1, 2.2) so as to linearly displaceable along a first axis (A). A locking device (16) which is arranged on the second telescopic element (3, 3.1, 3.2) comprises at least one first pin (17) which is movable by means of an actuating device (28) from a first position, in which the at least one first pin (17) prevents the movement of the first telescopic element (2, 2.1, 2.2) relative to the second telescopic element (3, 3.1, 3.2) as a result of a force-fitting connection or form-fitting connection, into a second position in which the displacement is not prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: USM Holding AG
    Inventors: Niklaus HÖLTSCHI, Alexander SCHAERER, Thomas DIENES
  • Patent number: 7320507
    Abstract: An interlock for a stack of drawers. A pair of drawer slides mounts each drawer, the interlock assembly being fitted to the rear of one of the drawer slides. A housing has a plate slidably supported thereon biased towards the rear of the slide. An actuator having an actuating surface co-operates with an actuator follower slidably supported in the slide member for movement at right angles to the movement of the plate. Releasable latching means extends between the housing and plate. Releasable catching means extend between the plate and the actuator. When a drawer is moved towards an open position, the catching means causes the plate to move to a blocking position where it can be held by the latching means, causing the actuating surface to co-operate with a follower surface on the actuator follower to move the actuator follower from a first position to a blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignees: Accuride International Limited, USM Holding AG
    Inventors: David Martin White, Kurt Scherrer, Alexander Schaerer
  • Publication number: 20050040739
    Abstract: An interlock for a stack of drawers. A pair of drawer slides mounts each drawer, the interlock assembly being fitted to the rear of one of the drawer slides. A housing has a plate slidably supported thereon biased towards the rear of the slide. An actuator having an actuating surface co-operates with an actuator follower slidably supported in the slide member for movement at right angles to the movement of the plate. Releasable latching means extends between the housing and plate. Releasable catching means extend between the plate and the actuator. When a drawer is moved towards an open position, the catching means causes the plate to move to a blocking position where it can be held by the latching means, causing the actuating surface to co-operate with a follower surface on the actuator follower to move the actuator follower from a first position to a blocking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Applicants: Accuride International Limited, USM Holding AG
    Inventors: David White, Kurt Scherrer, Alexander Schaerer
  • Patent number: 6830468
    Abstract: Electrification of a furniture system which has a plurality of structural elements, formed for receiving functional furniture units, comprises multiple plugs (21 or 31) which can be fastened to a part of the structural element and cables (22 or 32) which are carried on a part of the structural element. The cables (22 or 32) have a predetermined length and serve as an electrical connection between multiple plugs (21 or 31) of two neighboring structural elements. The structural elements are preferably closed frames (1, 2 or 19), which are formed from at least two vertical longitudinal struts (5 or 6) and at least two horizontally connecting stays (3 or 4). The multiple plugs (21 or 31) are clipped on the longitudinal struts (5 or 6), in longitudinal slots (7) arranged therein, in such a way that they can be displaced along the longitudinal slots (7). A set incrementation or a fastening means protruding from the longitudinal struts (5 or 6) may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: USM Holding AG
    Inventors: Alexander Schaerer, André Gerber, Antonio Cassani
  • Publication number: 20030171017
    Abstract: Electrification of a furniture system which has a plurality of structural elements, formed for receiving functional furniture units, comprises multiple plugs (21 or 31) which can be fastened to a part of the structural element and cables (22 or 32) which are carried on a part of the structural element. The cables (22 or 32) have a predetermined length and serve as an electrical connection between multiple plugs (21 or 31) of two neighboring structural elements. The structural elements are preferably closed frames (1, 2 or 19), which are formed from at least two vertical longitudinal struts (5 or 6) and at least two horizontally connecting stays (3 or 4). The multiple plugs (21 or 31) are clipped on the longitudinal struts (5 or 6), in longitudinal slots (7) arranged therein, in such a way that they can be displaced along the longitudinal slots (7). A set incrementation or a fastening means protruding from the longitudinal struts (5 or 6) may also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Alexander Schaerer, Andre Gerber, Antonio Cassani
  • Patent number: 6478444
    Abstract: A furniture unit has a plurality of mutually delimited furniture compartments, which in particular are designed as display cabinets. At least one lighting member can be installed as required in each furniture compartment. Rod elements of a predetermined length are provided to carry the electrical current and are affixed within the furniture unit. Furthermore, mountings are provided whereby the rod elements can each be completely retained within a furniture compartment. Connection elements provide an electrical connection between rod elements of different furniture compartments. The connection elements are designed as flexible conductors in some regions and may be 1:n branches (n=2, 3, etc.). The mountings are so arranged and designed that the rod elements are essentially fixed at both ends, it being possible for the connection elements to be connected at any time, as necessary to the ends of the rod elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: USM Holding AG
    Inventors: Alexander Schaerer, Stephan Kuenzi, Fritz Fluehmann
  • Publication number: 20010014018
    Abstract: A furniture unit has a plurality of mutually delimited furniture compartments, which in particular are designed as display cabinets. At least one lighting member (21) can be installed as required in each furniture compartment. Rod elements (17.1 to 17.8) of a predetermined length are provided to carry the electrical current and are affixed within the furniture unit. Furthermore, mountings are provided whereby the rod elements (17.1 to 17.8) can each be completely retained within a furniture compartment. Connection elements (19.1 to 19.4) provide an electrical connection between rod elements of different furniture compartments. The connection elements (19.1 to 19.4) are designed as flexible conductors in some regions and may be 1:n branches (n=2, 3, etc.). The mountings are so arranged and designed that the rod elements are essentially fixed at both ends, it being possible for the connection elements to be connected at any time, as necessary, to the ends of the rod elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: Alexander Schaerer, Stephan Kuenzi, Fritz Fluehmann