Patents by Inventor Claudia Plikat
Claudia Plikat 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).
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Publication number: 20100117419Abstract: The invention relates to a seat (1) which comprises an underframe (3) and a seat element (2), the seat element (2) comprising a front seat part, a rear seat part, a lower backrest part and an upper backrest part.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2007Publication date: May 13, 2010Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Claudia Plikat
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Publication number: 20090261637Abstract: The invention relates to a body support structure (1), such as a piece of furniture (1), in particular a piece of furniture for sitting on or a piece of furniture for lying on, such as, for example, chair (3), armchair, stool, bed or sofa, a seat (7) of the piece of furniture (1) being supported by a spring mechanism (SM), and the spring mechanism (SM) being capable of being set to a weight force (40) with which a person acts on the seat (7).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2007Publication date: October 22, 2009Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Claudia Plikat
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Publication number: 20090127905Abstract: A tiltable chair including a base, a fulcrum member having a curved support surface, a back support pivotally connected to the base at a pivot axis and pivotable between at least an upright position and a rearward tilt position, and at least one leaf spring having first and second ends, with the first end being restrained by the base. The at least one leaf spring engages the curved support surface of the fulcrum member at a first contact point when the back support is in the upright position and at a second contact point when the back support is in the rearward tilt position, wherein the second contact point is positioned rearwardly on the at least one leaf spring relative to the first contact point. A link member is pivotally connected to the back support at a first pivot location and is pivotally connected to the at least one leaf spring at a second pivot location. The link member defines a vector between the first and second pivot locations and the first pivot location and the pivot axis define a plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2008Publication date: May 21, 2009Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E.M. Zwick, Roland R.O. Zwick
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Publication number: 20090102268Abstract: A load support member includes spaced apart beam members, a linking member and a stop member. In another aspect, the beam includes a support surface defining first and second landing regions, which are in contact with and support a membrane. In another aspect, a brace member is secured between laterally spaced beams, with the brace member having a greater height than width at the end thereof and a greater width than height at the middle thereof. In another aspect, a pair of armrests are joined to a cross member and a pair of spaced apart beams in a releasable engagement. In yet another aspect, a pair of beam members are fixedly joined with a cross member, which is pivotally connected to a link pivotally connected to the beams. A method of assembling a load support structure is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Andrew Keith Hector, John Fredric Aldrich
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Publication number: 20090079238Abstract: A body support structure includes a body support member and a base having an upper component coupled to the body support member and a lower component adapted to be supported on a floor. An adjustable spring mechanism biases the body support member. A weighing mechanism is coupled to the adjustable spring mechanism. The weighing mechanism includes a height adjustment device disposed between the upper and lower components of the base. The height adjustment device includes a pneumatic spring having a pressure tube coupled to the lower component and a piston rod extending upwardly from and moveable relative to the pressure tube. A housing is disposed around the pneumatic spring and is coupled to the upper component. An adapter is coupled to the piston rod. A weighing spring is disposed between the adapter and the housing, with the housing moveable relative to the adapter between first and second weighing positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventors: Claudia Plikat, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Robert Friedrich Laux
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Patent number: 7425037Abstract: A tiltable chair including a base, a fulcrum member having a curved support surface, a back support pivotally connected to the base at a pivot axis and pivotable between at least an upright position and a rearward tilt position, and at least one leaf spring having first and second ends, with the first end being restrained by the base. The at least one leaf spring engages the curved support surface of the fulcrum member at a first contact point when the back support is in the upright position and at a second contact point when the back support is in the rearward tilt position, wherein the second contact point is positioned rearwardly on the at least one leaf spring relative to the first contact point. A link member is pivotally connected to the back support at a first pivot location and is pivotally connected to the at least one leaf spring at a second pivot location. The link member defines a vector between the first and second pivot locations and the first pivot location and the pivot axis define a plane.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick, John F. Aldrich, Christopher C. Hill, James D. Slagh, Douglas M. VanDeRiet
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Patent number: 7419222Abstract: A support member for a seating structure component includes a first support member having a first plurality of spaced apart fins and a second support member having a second plurality of spaced apart fins. The first support member is secured to the second support member with the first plurality of fins nested between the second plurality of fins.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2005Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick, Chad D. Aerts, John F. Aldrich
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Patent number: 7249802Abstract: 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 back support about a second horizontal axis and moveably supported by a curved track formed on the housing. A leaf spring includes a first end supported by the housing and a second end biasing the back support and seat support in an upward direction. Preferably, a fulcrum member, which includes a support surface having a curvilinear contour, is moveably supported in the housing and engages a bottom surface of the spring intermediate the first and second ends of the spring. Preferably, a linkage mechanism including a first and second link is adapted to adjust the position of the fulcrum. In another preferred embodiment, a gear housing is removably disposed in said housing and coupled to the fulcrum. In one preferred embodiment, rearward and forward tilt limiters are provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2003Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick, Chad D. Aerts, John F. Aldrich, Christopher C. Hill, Shane M. Ramsdell, James D. Slagh, Douglas M. VanDeRiet
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Patent number: 7213886Abstract: A kit for assembling a seating structure includes a tilt housing having a plurality of connector arrangements including at least a first and second connector arrangement. A first seating arrangement has a first mounting arrangement configured to be connected to the first connector arrangement. A second seating arrangement has a second mounting arrangement configured to be connected to the second connector arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2005Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick, John F. Aldrich, Douglas M. VanDeRiet
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Patent number: 7213880Abstract: A control device for an adjustable seating structure including a first adjustment control positioned in an orientation approximating a seat member. The first adjustment control is moveable about a horizontal axis. A second adjustment control is positioned adjacent the first adjustment control in an orientation approximating a backrest member. The second adjustment control is moveable about the horizontal axis. The first adjustment control and the second adjustment control in combination generally resemble a seating structure. A seating structure including the control device is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2005Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick
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Publication number: 20060103208Abstract: A kit for assembling a seating structure includes a tilt housing having a plurality of connector arrangements including at least a first and second connector arrangement. A first seating arrangement has a first mounting arrangement configured to be connected to the first connector arrangement. A second seating arrangement has a second mounting arrangement configured to be connected to the second connector arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2005Publication date: May 18, 2006Inventors: Johann Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola Zwick, Roland Zwick, John Aldrich, Douglas VanDeRiet
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Publication number: 20060091714Abstract: A control device for an adjustable seating structure including a first adjustment control positioned in an orientation approximating a seat member. The first adjustment control is moveable about a horizontal axis. A second adjustment control is positioned adjacent the first adjustment control in an orientation approximating a backrest member. The second adjustment control is moveable about the horizontal axis. The first adjustment control and the second adjustment control in combination generally resemble a seating structure. A seating structure including the control device is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2005Publication date: May 4, 2006Inventors: Johann Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola Zwick, Roland Zwick
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Publication number: 20060091715Abstract: A support member for a seating structure component includes a first support member having a first plurality of spaced apart fins and a second support member having a second plurality of spaced apart fins. The first support member is secured to the second support member with the first plurality of fins nested between the second plurality of fins.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2005Publication date: May 4, 2006Inventors: Johann Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola Zwick, Roland Zwick, Chad Aerts, John Aldrich
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Publication number: 20040183350Abstract: A tiltable chair including a base, a fulcrum member having a curved support surface, a back support pivotally connected to the base at a pivot axis and pivotable between at least an upright position and a rearward tilt position, and at least one leaf spring having first and second ends, with the first end being restrained by the base. The at least one leaf spring engages the curved support surface of the fulcrum member at a first contact point when the back support is in the upright position and at a second contact point when the back support is in the rearward tilt position, wherein the second contact point is positioned rearwardly on the at least one leaf spring relative to the first contact point. A link member is pivotally connected to the back support at a first pivot location and is pivotally connected to the at least one leaf spring at a second pivot location. The link member defines a vector between the first and second pivot locations and the first pivot location and the pivot axis define a plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E.M. Zwick, Roland R.O. Zwick, John F. Aldrich, Christopher C. Hill, James D. Slagh, Douglas M. VanDeRiet
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Publication number: 20040140701Abstract: A backrest includes a back member having an upper and lower region and a frame member. A sacral support member has at least one end connected to one of the frame member and the back member and an opposite free end. The sacral support member supports the back member at the lower region thereof. A fulcrum member is moveably disposed between a portion of the sacral support member and one of the frame member and the back member. The fulcrum member is moveable toward and away from the free end of the sacral support member. A method for adjusting a backrest includes engaging a lower region of a back member with a sacral support member having a free end and a cantilevered length, engaging the sacral support member with a fulcrum member, and moving the fulcrum member toward and away from the free end of the sacral support member so as to thereby shorten and length the cantilevered length of the sacral support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Inventors: Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E.M. Zwick, Roland R.O. Zwick, Chad D. Aerts, John F. Aldrich
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Publication number: 20030178882Abstract: 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 back support about a second horizontal axis and moveably supported by a curved track formed on the housing. A leaf spring includes a first end supported by the housing and a second end biasing the back support and seat support in an upward direction. Preferably, a fulcrum member, which includes a support surface having a curvilinear contour, is moveably supported in the housing and engages a bottom surface of the spring intermediate the first and second ends of the spring. Preferably, a linkage mechanism including a first and second link is adapted to adjust the position of the fulcrum. In another preferred embodiment, a gear housing is removably disposed in said housing and coupled to the fulcrum. In one preferred embodiment, rearward and forward tilt limiters are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E.M. Zwick, Roland R.O. Zwick, Chad D. Aerts, John F. Aldrich, Christopher C. Hill, Shane M. Ramsdell, James D. Slagh, Douglas M. VanDeRiet
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Patent number: 6582019Abstract: A tilt assembly comprising a tilt housing, a body support member pivotally attached to said tilt housing about a first horizontal axis and a spring mounted to said tilt housing at a second horizontal axis. The body support member is moveable between a first and second position. The second horizontal axis is adjustably moveable relative to the first horizontal axis. The spring biases said body support member at a first location when the body support member is in the first position and at a second location when the body support member is in the second position, with the second location being a greater distance from the first horizontal axis than the first location. A method for supporting a chair body support member is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: Robert Warren Insalaco, Neubert Nicolai, Claudia Plikat, Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola E.M. Zwick, Roland R.O. Zwick
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Patent number: D490994Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick
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Patent number: D494792Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2002Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick
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Patent number: D591986Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2007Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick