Patents by Inventor Hendrik R. van Hekken
Hendrik R. van Hekken 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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Patent number: 9883748Abstract: A seating device includes a training device connected to a component of the base of the seating device. The training device is configured to tilt the seating device to help a user learn how to use the seating device to help the user avoid losing the user's balance while sitting or leaning on the seat of the seating device when the user initially starts to use the seating device. The training device can be releasable from the base of the seating device after the user has learned how to balance on the seating device. The training device can also be reattachable to the seating device to facilitate the training of other users.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Seth Murray, Bret Recor, Hendrik R. van Hekken, Michael Harper
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Publication number: 20170079441Abstract: A seating device includes a training device connected to a component of the base of the seating device. The training device is configured to tilt the seating device to help a user learn how to use the seating device to help the user avoid losing the user's balance while sitting or leaning on the seat of the seating device when the user initially starts to use the seating device. The training device can be releasable from the base of the seating device after the user has learned how to balance on the seating device. The training device can also be reattachable to the seating device to facilitate the training of other users.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Seth Murray, Bret Recor, Hendrik R. van Hekken, Michael Harper
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Patent number: 9585485Abstract: A seating device can include a seat and a base connected to the seat to support the seat. A tilt mechanism can be connected to at least one of the base and the seat. The tilt mechanism can include at least one of (a) at least one seat connecting member connecting the seat to an upper portion of the base, (b) a plurality of resilient fingers that are attached to the base to engage a floor and flex in response to a user providing a force while sitting or leaning on the seat, and (c) an elastomeric floor engagement member that is attached to the base and has a bottom peripheral portion that contacts a floor and is flexible in response to a user providing the force. In some embodiments, the tilt mechanism may include all of elements (a)-(c).Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2016Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Seth Murray, Bret Recor, Adam Deskevich, Michael Harper, Robert A. Melhuish, Hendrik R. van Hekken, Simon Gatrall, Pinida Jan Moolsintong, Alexander Kwok Yin Ko, Steven Howard Janssens
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Patent number: 9565945Abstract: A seating device can include a height adjustment mechanism that permits a height of a seat to be adjusted. The height adjustment device can be configured so that a user may provide a force to provide upward height adjustment and may also provide a force to allowing for a controlled downward height adjustment of the seat. The height adjustment device can include an actuator that is connected to a rotatable member via linkages. An end of one of the linkages may engage the rotatable member to prevent rotation of the rotatable member, which can prevent height adjustment of the seat. Movement of the actuator may cause the linkages to move so that the rotatable member is free to rotate so that a user may provide a force on the seat to effect height adjustment of the seat and/or cause the seat to be lowered at a desired speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Adam Deskevich, Michael Harper, Andrew Blair Hector, Jeffrey P. Lee, Robert A. Melhuish, Hendrik R. Van Hekken
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Publication number: 20160331139Abstract: A seating device can include a height adjustment mechanism that permits a height of a seat to be adjusted. The height adjustment device can be configured so that a user may provide a force to provide upward height adjustment and may also provide a force to allowing for a controlled downward height adjustment of the seat. The height adjustment device can include an actuator that is connected to a rotatable member via linkages. An end of one of the linkages may engage the rotatable member to prevent rotation of the rotatable member, which can prevent height adjustment of the seat. Movement of the actuator may cause the linkages to move so that the rotatable member is free to rotate so that a user may provide a force on the seat to effect height adjustment of the seat and/or cause the seat to be lowered at a desired speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventors: Adam Deskevich, Michael Harper, Andrew Blair Hector, Jeffrey P. Lee, Robert A. Melhuish, Hendrik R. van Hekken
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Patent number: 9185973Abstract: A chair includes a tablet and a seat. The tablet and seat are configured such that a user may sit forwardly on the seat so that his or her arms may rest on the tablet and a device or paper may be positioned on the tablet such that the person may look at the device or paper. The tablet and seat are also arranged such that the person may sit rearwardly on the seat so that the person's back rests on a bottom portion of the tablet.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2013Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Masamichi Udagawa, Sigrid Moeslinger, Hendrik R. van Hekken
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Patent number: 8764117Abstract: A method of making a chair includes the steps of providing at least one female fastener device. The at least one female fastener device is inserted into a substrate for attaching the at least one female fastener device to the substrate such that at least a portion of that female fastener device's body defining a channel extends into the substrate and the projections extend through the substrate such that the distal ends of the projections extend beyond a second side of the substrate that is opposite a first side of the substrate. The distal ends of the projections are bent into the second side of the substrate. At least one male fastener is inserted into the channel of the at least one female fastener device to attach a chair component to the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2013Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Hendrik R. van Hekken, Jason Ferguson
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Patent number: 8702171Abstract: An article of furniture includes a base, a seat frame supported by the base, and a back frame attached to the seat frame. The back frame includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is connected to the lower portion by at least one first elastomeric member such that the upper portion is moveable relative to the lower portion. The upper portion is moveable from an upright position to at least one reclined position. In some embodiments of the article of furniture, the at least one first elastomeric member is a strap composed of a polymeric material, such as, for example, a thermoplastic polyester elastomer or a polymeric material containing at least one elastomer. In some embodiments, the article of furniture may be designed as a chair, a lounge chair, or an office chair.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventor: Hendrik R. van Hekken
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Patent number: 8628142Abstract: A chair includes a base, a seat supported on the base, and a support member having an upper portion and at least one lower portion that is lower than the upper portion. The at least one lower portion of the support member is attached to at least one of the base and the seat. The upper portion of the at least one support member is attached to the at least one lower portion. A portion of the upper portion defines an offset positioned inwardly toward the seat relative to other sections of the upper portion. A tablet is moveably attached to the upper portion such that it is moveable from a first position to a second position. The offset is positioned so it supports the tablet when the tablet is in the second position and transfers a substantial amount of load supported by the offset to the support member.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventor: Hendrik R. van Hekken
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Patent number: 8616640Abstract: A chair includes a base that has a generally U-shaped member. The generally U-shaped member is comprised of a front member attached to a first end portion and a second end portion. A seat is supported on the base and is moveable from an upright position to a reclined position. A first resilient member is attached to the first end portion of the generally U-shaped member. A second resilient is attached to the second end portion of the generally U-shaped member. End portions of the first and second resilient members are attached to the seat adjacent to a rear portion of the seat. The first and second resilient members are sized and configured to resiliently move or flex such that the seat is positioned at the reclined position when a user sits on the seat.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventor: Hendrik R. van Hekken
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Publication number: 20130241260Abstract: A method of making a chair includes the steps of providing at least one female fastener device. The at least one female fastener device is inserted into a substrate for attaching the at least one female fastener device to the substrate such that at least a portion of that female fastener device's body defining a channel extends into the substrate and the projections extend through the substrate such that the distal ends of the projections extend beyond a second side of the substrate that is opposite a first side of the substrate. The distal ends of the projections are bent into the second side of the substrate. At least one male fastener is inserted into the channel of the at least one female fastener device to attach a chair component to the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: KNOLL, INC.Inventors: Hendrik R. van Hekken, Jason Ferguson
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Publication number: 20130221710Abstract: A chair includes a tablet and a seat. The tablet and seat are configured such that a user may sit forwardly on the seat so that his or her arms may rest on the tablet and a device or paper may be positioned on the tablet such that the person may look at the device or paper. The tablet and seat are also arranged such that the person may sit rearwardly on the seat so that the person's back rests on a bottom portion of the tablet.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Masamichi Udagawa, Sigrid Moeslinger, Hendrik R. van Hekken
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Patent number: 8505186Abstract: A method of making a chair includes the steps of providing at least one female fastener device. The at least one female fastener device is inserted into a substrate for attaching the at least one female fastener device to the substrate such that at least a portion of that female fastener device's body defining a channel extends into the substrate and the projections extend through the substrate such that the distal ends of the projections extend beyond a second side of the substrate that is opposite a first side of the substrate. The distal ends of the projections are bent into the second side of the substrate. At least one male fastener is inserted into the channel of the at least one female fastener device to attach a chair component to the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Hendrik R. van Hekken, Jason Ferguson
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Patent number: 8480171Abstract: A chair having a seat rotatably attached to a tilt spring portion of a tilt mechanism such that the tilt spring is activated by movement of the seat. A backrest and/or the seat can be rotatably connected to the tilt mechanism by parallel arm arrangements which permit the seat and backrest to tilt relative to each other. A tilt limiter can have a magnetic member which facilitates full movement of the tilt limiter between free and locked positions, and which creates an audible indication of full movement of the tilt limiter. The seat/backrest can be made from a flexible mesh material secured to a rigid overmolding which surrounds and is attached to an inner frame of the seat/backrest wherein an outer surface of the overmolding forms an outer surface of the seat/backrest frame and attachment of the overmolding causes the inner frame to stretch the mesh to a final condition.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Donald T. Chadwick, Arkady Golynsky, Robert A. Melhuish, Hendrik R. van Hekken, Ron K. Watson
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Publication number: 20120306240Abstract: A chair includes a base, a seat supported on the base, and a support member having an upper portion and at least one lower portion that is lower than the upper portion. The at least one lower portion of the support member is attached to at least one of the base and the seat. The upper portion of the at least one support member is attached to the at least one lower portion. A portion of the upper portion defines an offset positioned inwardly toward the seat relative to other sections of the upper portion. A tablet is moveably attached to the upper portion such that it is moveable from a first position to a second position. The offset is positioned so it supports the tablet when the tablet is in the second position and transfers a substantial amount of load supported by the offset to the support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: KNOLL, INC.Inventor: Hendrik R. van Hekken
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Publication number: 20110304183Abstract: An article of furniture includes a base, a seat frame supported by the base, and a back frame attached to the seat frame. The back frame includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is connected to the lower portion by at least one first elastomeric member such that the upper portion is moveable relative to the lower portion. The upper portion is moveable from an upright position to at least one reclined position. In some embodiments of the article of furniture, the at least one first elastomeric member is a strap composed of a polymeric material, such as, for example, a thermoplastic polyester elastomer or a polymeric material containing at least one elastomer. In some embodiments, the article of furniture may be designed as a chair, a lounge chair, or an office chair.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2011Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: KNOLL, INC.Inventor: Hendrik R. van Hekken
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Publication number: 20110285191Abstract: A chair includes a base that has a generally U-shaped member. The generally U-shaped member is comprised of a front member attached to a first end portion and a second end portion. A seat is supported on the base and is moveable from an upright position to a reclined position. A first resilient member is attached to the first end portion of the generally U-shaped member. A second resilient is attached to the second end portion of the generally U-shaped member. End portions of the first and second resilient members are attached to the seat adjacent to a rear portion of the seat. The first and second resilient members are sized and configured to resiliently move or flex such that the seat is positioned at the reclined position when a user sits on the seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: KNOLL, INC.Inventor: Hendrik R. van Hekken
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Publication number: 20110101764Abstract: A method of making a chair includes the steps of providing at least one female fastener device. The at least one female fastener device is inserted into a substrate for attaching the at least one female fastener device to the substrate such that at least a portion of that female fastener device's body defining a channel extends into the substrate and the projections extend through the substrate such that the distal ends of the projections extend beyond a second side of the substrate that is opposite a first side of the substrate. The distal ends of the projections are bent into the second side of the substrate. At least one male fastener is inserted into the channel of the at least one female fastener device to attach a chair component to the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: KNOLL, INC.Inventors: Hendrik R. van Hekken, Jason Ferguson
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Patent number: 7887131Abstract: A chair having a seat rotatably attached to a tilt spring portion of a tilt mechanism such that the tilt spring is activated by movement of the seat. A backrest and/or the seat can be rotatably connected to the tilt mechanism by parallel arm arrangements which permit the seat and backrest to tilt relative to each other. A tilt limiter can have a magnetic member which facilitates full movement of the tilt limiter between free and locked positions, and which creates an audible indication of full movement of the tilt limiter. The seat/backrest can be made from a flexible mesh material secured to a rigid overmolding which surrounds and is attached to an inner frame of the seat/backrest wherein an outer surface of the overmolding forms an outer surface of the seat/backrest frame and attachment of the overmolding causes the inner frame to stretch the mesh to a final condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Donald T. Chadwick, Arkady Golynsky, Robert A. Melhuish, Hendrik R. van Hekken, Ron K. Watson
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Publication number: 20100141000Abstract: A chair having a seat rotatably attached to a tilt spring portion of a tilt mechanism such that the tilt spring is activated by movement of the seat. A backrest and/or the seat can be rotatably connected to the tilt mechanism by parallel arm arrangements which permit the seat and backrest to tilt relative to each other. A tilt limiter can have a magnetic member which facilitates full movement of the tilt limiter between free and locked positions, and which creates an audible indication of full movement of the tilt limiter. The seat/backrest can be made from a flexible mesh material secured to a rigid overmolding which surrounds and is attached to an inner frame of the seat/backrest wherein an outer surface of the overmolding forms an outer surface of the seat/backrest frame and attachment of the overmolding causes the inner frame to stretch the mesh to a final condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2010Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Donald T. Chadwick, Arkady Golynsky, Robert A. Melhuish, Hendrik R. van Hekken, Ron K. Watson