Patents by Inventor Craig Ulman

Craig Ulman 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: 9168851
    Abstract: A foldable head restraint assembly, including: a bracket assembly adapted for fixed disposition in a seat back; a head restraint support for mounting a bun assembly above the seat back, the head restraint support pivotally mounted to the bracket assembly so as to be pivotally movable relative to the bracket assembly in at least first and second directions between upright and folded positions; at least one biasing element biasing the head restraint support into one of the upright and folded positions; and at least one rotary damper which retards the motion of the head restraint support during at least a portion of the head restraint support's pivotal movement in at least one of the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: GILL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bob Sutter, John Witte, Craig Ulman
  • Patent number: 8979203
    Abstract: A head restraint assembly, comprising: a support for mounting the head restraint above a seat back; a bun assembly pivotally mounted on the head restraint support for movement in first and second directions relative to the head restraint support; and an adjustment mechanism disposed at least substantially within the bun assembly, the adjustment mechanism operative to permit (i) the selective pivotal movement of the bun assembly in either of the first and second directions and, as the bun assembly is moved in either of the first and second directions, (ii) the incremental positioning of the bun assembly in any of a plurality of predefined positions along a path of travel of the bun assembly in the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Gill Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Sutter, Jr., Craig A. Ulman, Brian C. Leja, Michael J. Boks
  • Patent number: 8820839
    Abstract: A head restraint assembly for pivotally supporting a head restraint above a seat back comprises a bracket pivotally mounting at least one head restraint support, a lock element linearly movably disposed in the bracket, and a spring element biasing the lock element in a position of engagement with the at least one head restraint support. The spring element includes a portion extending beyond the lock element and associated with the bracket to fix the position of the spring element relative to the bracket. The head restraint support is pivotally moveable between upright and folded positions. The lock element is selectively linearly movable from a position of engagement with the head restraint support, in which position of engagement the head restraint support is fixed in the upright position, to a position of disengagement in which the head restraint support is pivotally moveable between the upright and folded positions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Gill Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Sutter, Jr., Craig A. Ulman, Richard Perreault
  • Patent number: 7530639
    Abstract: A chair includes a base and a seating structure rotatably coupled to the base and vertically moveable between at least a first position and a second position. A foot support is disposed a vertical distance from the seating structure. The foot support is rotatably coupled to the seating structure and non-rotatably coupled to the base. A control mechanism is operably coupled to the foot support for adjusting the vertical distance between the foot support and the seat. The control mechanism includes a control handle operably coupled to the seating structure. The control handle rotates with the seating structure when the seating structure is rotated and moves vertically with the seating structure when the seating structure is vertically moved between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Groelsma, John F. Aldrich, Christopher C. Hill, Craig A. Ulman
  • Publication number: 20080284225
    Abstract: A foldable head restraint has two head restraint supports set within a bracket. A latch is made integral with at least one of the head restraint supports. The latch rests against a stop to prohibit rotation of the head restraint support in a first direction. The latch rests against a rotational cam to prohibit movement of the head restraint support in a second direction. By rotating the cam, the head restraint support may be folded. The head restraint support is comprised of a metal substrate with over-molded plastic geometry to accept a mating part configured within the head restraint bun. The geometry of the metal substrate and over-molded plastic geometry allow for a reduction, or even elimination, of the slots that are normally required for such a folding head restraint. This ability to fold can yield greater rearward visibility and aid in the kinematic motion of the seat. An articulating head restraint could also include an armature with a cam. The cam has a lock acumination and a stop acumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Gauthier, Rober R. Sutter, JR., Craig A. Ulman
  • Patent number: 7341312
    Abstract: A foldable head restraint has two head restraint supports set within a bracket. A latch is made integral with at least one of the head restraint supports. The latch rests against a stop to prohibit rotation of the head restraint support in a first direction. The latch rests against a rotational cam to prohibit movement of the head restraint support in a second direction. By rotating the cam, the head restraint support may be folded. In another embodiment, an articulating head restraint could also include an armature with a cam. The cam has a lock acumination and a stop acumination. The lock acumination engages a slide to prevent movement of the head restraint in one direction, and the stop acumination engages a bracket to prevent movement in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Gill Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Gauthier, Robert R. Sutter, Jr., Craig A. Ulman
  • Publication number: 20070158993
    Abstract: A chair includes a base and a seating structure rotatably coupled to the base and vertically moveable between at least a first position and a second position. A foot support is disposed a vertical distance from the seating structure. The foot support is rotatably coupled to the seating structure and non-rotatably coupled to the base. A control mechanism is operably coupled to the foot support for adjusting the vertical distance between the foot support and the seat. The control mechanism includes a control handle operably coupled to the seating structure. The control handle rotates with the seating structure when the seating structure is rotated and moves vertically with the seating structure when the seating structure is vertically moved between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: John C. Groelsma, John F. Aldrich, Christopher C. Hill, Craig A. Ulman
  • Publication number: 20060061187
    Abstract: A foldable head restraint has two head restraint supports set within a bracket. A latch is made integral with at least one of the head restraint supports. The latch rests against a stop to prohibit rotation of the head restraint support in a first direction. The latch rests against a rotational cam to prohibit movement of the head restraint support in a second direction. By rotating the cam, the head restraint support may be folded. The head restraint support is comprised of a metal substrate with over-molded plastic geometry to accept a mating part configured within the head restraint bun. The geometry of the metal substrate and over-molded plastic geometry allow for a reduction, or even elimination, of the slots that are normally required for such a folding head restraint. This ability to fold can yield greater rearward visibility and aid in the kinematic motion of the seat. An articulating head restraint could also include an armature with a cam. The cam has a lock acumination and a stop acumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventors: Jeremy Gauthier, Robert Sutter, Craig Ulman
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20050029853
    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: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Jeremy Gauthier, Robert Sutter, Craig Ulman