Patents by Inventor Dale R. Ropp

Dale R. Ropp 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: 10857907
    Abstract: A pivoting seat for a vehicle comprises a seat frame mountable to the vehicle, the seat frame including a pivot mount and a plurality of roller assemblies. A seat cushion assembly includes a seat cushion and a seat pan assembly supporting the seat cushion that is pivotably mounted to the pivot mount so that the seat cushion assembly is pivotable relative to the seat frame. The seat pan assembly includes a flat perimeter plate at an outer perimeter of the seat pan assembly, wherein each of the plurality of roller assemblies is arranged to contact the flat perimeter plate to support the seat cushion assembly while permitting pivoting of the seat cushion assembly relative to the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Cole Thomas Brodersen, John Riedel, Daniel Joseph Alexander, Wayne David Ward, Deane Wichelt, Dale R. Ropp, Thomas R. Hartwig
  • Publication number: 20190308525
    Abstract: A pivoting seat for a vehicle comprises a seat frame mountable to the vehicle, the seat frame including a pivot mount and a plurality of roller assemblies. A seat cushion assembly includes a seat cushion and a seat pan assembly supporting the seat cushion that is pivotably mounted to the pivot mount so that the seat cushion assembly is pivotable relative to the seat frame. The seat pan assembly includes a flat perimeter plate at an outer perimeter of the seat pan assembly, wherein each of the plurality of roller assemblies is arranged to contact the flat perimeter plate to support the seat cushion assembly while permitting pivoting of the seat cushion assembly relative to the seat frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: John Riedel, Cole Thomas Brodersen, Daniel Joseph Alexander, Wayne David Ward, Deane Wichelt, Dale R. Ropp, Thomas R. Hartwig
  • Patent number: 8056980
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly comprises a base; a seat mounted to swivel relative to the base; and a console having first and second segments, the first segment mounted to swivel with the seat relative to the base and the second segment being mounted to remain in fixed position as the seat and first console segment swivel. The console's two segments lie in a generally common horizontal plane and are separated by an arcuate spacing so that the first segment is located proximate the operator and the second segment is located distally of the operator. This arrangement of the seat assembly components allows the seated operator to rotate in the seat through a substantial arc, with the first console segment rotating as well while the second console segment remains stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: L. John Koutsky, Dale R. Ropp, Bradley T. Hebeler
  • Publication number: 20100007181
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly comprises a base; a seat mounted to swivel relative to the base; and a console having first and second segments, the first segment mounted to swivel with the seat relative to the base and the second segment being mounted to remain in fixed position as the seat and first console segment swivel. The console's two segments lie in a generally common horizontal plane and are separated by an arcuate spacing so that the first segment is located proximate the operator and the second segment is located distally of the operator. This arrangement of the seat assembly components allows the seated operator to rotate in the seat through a substantial arc, with the first console segment rotating as well while the second console segment remains stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Dale R. Ropp, Bradley T. Hebeler
  • Publication number: 20100006364
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly comprises a base; a seat mounted to swivel relative to the base; and a console having first and second segments, the first segment mounted to swivel with the seat relative to the base and the second segment being mounted to remain in fixed position as the seat and first console segment swivel. The console's two segments lie in a generally common horizontal plane and are separated by an arcuate spacing so that the first segment is located proximate the operator and the second segment is located distally of the operator. This arrangement of the seat assembly components allows the seated operator to rotate in the seat through a substantial arc, with the first console segment rotating as well while the second console segment remains stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Sears Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: L. John Koutsky, Dale R. Ropp, Bradley T. Hebeler
  • Patent number: 6447065
    Abstract: A swivel assembly for use in a seat suspension having a first swivel plate and an opposingly located second swivel plate with a plurality of ball bearings disposed between the swivel plates. The bearings permit the first swivel plate to rotate with respect to the second swivel plate. A lip is located inwardly from the bearings on the first swivel plate with the lip defining an aperture. An adjustment plate having an outer edge engages the lip. The adjustment plate also includes a plurality of sloped adjustment surfaces which increase in height and which have slots formed in the sloped adjustment surfaces. A plurality of fasteners extend through the slots into the second swivel plate and further engage the sloped adjustment surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Dale R. Ropp
  • Patent number: 4045082
    Abstract: A first separable pivot is at the height of the pelvis of an occupant and has a guide for supporting a back rest while the support thereof is being transferred from the first separable pivot to a second separable pivot near the bottom of the back rest. A pin secured to the back rest is positioned in a toothed slot for different positions of tilt while the first pivot is engaged and during folding is positioned in an adjusting arcuate slot for maintaining the second pivot engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Allen C. Egert, L. John Koutsky, Dale R. Ropp