Patents by Inventor Joe Willette
Joe Willette 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: 9538849Abstract: An office chair is provided having a back assembly which is configured to provide supplemental support to the back of a chair occupant in addition to the support provided by the primary support surface of the chair back. The chair back includes a lumbar support unit having a lumbar support pad that includes a plurality of support rings disposed one inside of the other.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Haworth, Inc.Inventors: Pete J. Beyer, Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
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Publication number: 20150015052Abstract: An office chair is provided having a back assembly which is configured to provide supplemental support to the back of a chair occupant in addition to the support provided by the primary support surface of the chair back. The chair back includes a lumbar support unit having a lumbar support pad that includes a plurality of support rings disposed one inside of the other.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Pete J. Beyer, Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
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Patent number: 8845024Abstract: An office chair is provided having a back assembly which is configured to provide supplemental support to the back of a chair occupant in addition to the support provided by the primary support surface of the chair back. The chair back includes a lumbar support unit having a lumbar support pad wherein asymmetric support is provided to the left and right halves of the lumbar pad. As such, the asymmetric support loads are independently adjustable to more comfortably support a chair occupant. The chair back also includes a pelvic support pad which is disposed vertically adjacent to the lumbar support.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Haworth, Inc.Inventors: Pete J. Beyer, Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
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Patent number: 8313143Abstract: An office chair is provided having a back assembly which is configured to provide supplemental support to the back of a chair occupant in addition to the support provided by the primary support surface of the chair back. The chair back includes a lumbar support unit having a lumbar support pad wherein asymmetric support is provided to the left and right halves of the lumbar pad. As such, the asymmetric support loads are independently adjustable to more comfortably support a chair occupant. The chair back also includes a pelvic support pad which is disposed vertically adjacent to the lumbar support.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Haworth, Inc.Inventors: Pete J. Beyer, Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
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Publication number: 20120274119Abstract: An office chair is provided having a back assembly which is configured to provide supplemental support to the back of a chair occupant in addition to the support provided by the primary support surface of the chair back. The chair back includes a lumbar support unit having a lumbar support pad wherein asymmetric support is provided to the left and right halves of the lumbar pad. As such, the asymmetric support loads are independently adjustable to more comfortably support a chair occupant. The chair back also includes a pelvic support pad which is disposed vertically adjacent to the lumbar support.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: HAWORTH INC.Inventors: Pete J. Beyer, Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
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Patent number: 8132860Abstract: An armrest for a chair is provided which has an improved anti-rotation and mechanical connection between an armrest body and a frame tube of the chair. The end of the frame tube is mechanically deformed or is shaped so as to have a non-circular profile with a central opening defined by inwardly projecting arcuate surfaces of the frame tube. The armrest includes a cooperating, non-circular socket which fits onto the frame tube wherein a suitable fastener is threaded downwardly into direct, self-threading engagement with an upper opening formed in the end of the frame tube.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2010Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Haworth, Inc.Inventors: Tim Fookes, Joe Willette, Steve Simpson
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Publication number: 20110140497Abstract: An armrest for a chair is provided which has an improved anti-rotation and mechanical connection between an armrest body and a frame tube of the chair. The end of the frame tube is mechanically deformed or is shaped so as to have a non-circular profile with a central opening defined by inwardly projecting arcuate surfaces of the frame tube. The armrest includes a cooperating, non-circular socket which fits onto the frame tube wherein a suitable fastener is threaded downwardly into direct, self-threading engagement with an upper opening formed in the end of the frame tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Tim Fookes, Joe Willette, Steve Simpson
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Publication number: 20100007190Abstract: An office chair (10) is provided-having a contoured back assembly (24) comprising a back frame (23) and a suspension fabric (26). The fabric is attached to the back frame through a spline (58) wherein the back frame has a three-dimensional contoured shape formed by overlapped frame rings with the fabric being joined thereto by a spline. The back frame has a split upright section to increase the ability of the left and right halves of the frame to articulate relative to each other. Further, a bayonet connection is provided between the back frame and a support upright which bayonet connection holds together the upper ends of two separate uprights of a tilt control mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2006Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventors: Eric Johnson, Steve Gager, Wesley D. Mersman, Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson
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Publication number: 20090256407Abstract: An office chair is provided having a back assembly which is configured to provide supplemental support to the back of a chair occupant in addition to the support provided by the primary support surface of the chair back. The chair back includes a lumbar support unit having a lumbar support pad wherein asymmetric support is provided to the left and right halves of the lumbar pad. As such, the asymmetric support loads are independently adjustable to more comfortably support a chair occupant. The chair back also includes a pelvic support pad which is disposed vertically adjacent to the lumbar support.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2009Publication date: October 15, 2009Inventors: Pete J. Beyer, Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
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Patent number: 7484802Abstract: An office chair is provided having a back assembly which is configured to provide supplemental support to the back of a chair occupant in addition to the support provided by the primary support surface of the chair back. The chair back includes a lumbar support unit having a lumbar support pad wherein asymmetric support is provided to the left and right halves of the lumbar pad. As such, the asymmetric support loads are independently adjustable to more comfortably support a chair occupant. The chair back also includes a pelvic support pad which is disposed vertically adjacent to the lumbar support.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2008Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Haworth, Inc.Inventors: Pete J. Beyer, Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
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Publication number: 20080179929Abstract: An office chair is provided having a back assembly which is configured to provide supplemental support to the back of a chair occupant in addition to the support provided by the primary support surface of the chair back. The chair back includes a lumbar support unit having a lumbar support pad wherein asymmetric support is provided to the left and right halves of the lumbar pad. As such, the asymmetric support loads are independently adjustable to more comfortably support a chair occupant. The chair back also includes a pelvic support pad which is disposed vertically adjacent to the lumbar support.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Inventors: Pete J. Beyer, Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
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Patent number: 7347495Abstract: An office chair is provided having a back assembly which is configured to provide supplemental support to the back of a chair occupant in addition to the support provided by the primary support surface of the chair back. The chair back includes a lumbar support unit having a lumbar support pad wherein asymmetric support is provided to the left and right halves of the lumbar pad. As such, the asymmetric support loads are independently adjustable to more comfortably support a chair occupant. The chair back also includes a pelvic support pad which is disposed vertically adjacent to the lumbar support.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2006Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Haworth, Inc.Inventors: Pete J. Beyer, Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
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Patent number: 7318286Abstract: An office chair is provided having a back assembly which is configured to provide supplemental support to the back of a chair occupant in addition to the support provided by the primary support surface of the chair back. The chair back includes a lumbar support unit having a lumbar support pad wherein asymmetric support is provided to the left and right halves of the lumbar pad. As such, the asymmetric support loads are independently adjustable to more comfortably support a chair occupant. A testing apparatus and method are used to optimize the support pressure characteristics of the lumbar pad.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2006Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Haworth, Inc.Inventors: Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
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Publication number: 20080005917Abstract: An office chair is provided having a back assembly which is configured to provide supplemental support to the back of a chair occupant in addition to the support provided by the primary support surface of the chair back. The chair back includes a lumbar support unit having a lumbar support pad wherein asymmetric support is provided to the left and right halves of the lumbar pad. As such, the asymmetric support loads are independently adjustable to more comfortably support a chair occupant. A testing apparatus and method are used to optimize the support pressure characteristics of the lumbar pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2006Publication date: January 10, 2008Inventors: Joe Willette, Larry Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
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Publication number: 20070057550Abstract: An office chair is provided having a back assembly which is configured to provide supplemental support to the back of a chair occupant in addition to the support provided by the primary support surface of the chair back. The chair back includes a lumbar support unit having a lumbar support pad wherein asymmetric support is provided to the left and right halves of the lumbar pad. As such, the asymmetric support loads are independently adjustable to more comfortably support a chair occupant. The chair back also includes a pelvic support pad which is disposed vertically adjacent to the lumbar support.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2006Publication date: March 15, 2007Inventors: Pete Beyer, Joe Willette, Larry Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
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Patent number: 6908158Abstract: A support arm for a chair includes a base component and a support body interconnected therewith wherein opposite ends of the support body are movable longitudinally and laterally. The opposite ends may be displaced simultaneously in opposite lateral directions to permit angular displacement of the support body. The connector arrangement which interconnects the support body to the base component includes two sets of locking formations wherein the first set include longitudinally elongate parallel slots and the second set include an array of lateral rows and longitudinal columns of openings. The holes define the lateral and longitudinal position of one end of the support body while the slots define the lateral position of the opposite end of the support body.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2003Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Haworth, Inc.Inventors: Joe Willette, Eric J. Boone
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Publication number: 20040130200Abstract: A support arm for a chair includes a base component and a support body interconnected therewith wherein opposite ends of the support body are movable longitudinally and laterally. The opposite ends may be displaced simultaneously in opposite lateral directions to permit angular displacement of the support body. The connector arrangement which interconnects the support body to the base component includes two sets of locking formations wherein the first set include longitudinally elongate parallel slots and the second set include an array of lateral rows and longitudinal columns of openings. The holes define the lateral and longitudinal position of one end of the support body while the slots define the lateral position of the opposite end of the support body.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventors: Joe Willette, Eric J. Boone
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Patent number: D545076Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Haworth, Inc.Inventors: Joern Dallmann, Larry A. Wilkerson, Joe Willette, Michael W. Welsh, Pete Beyer
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Patent number: D562574Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2007Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Haworth, Inc.Inventors: Joern Dallmann, Larry A. Wilkerson, Joe Willette, Michael W. Welsh, Pete Beyer
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Patent number: D587942Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2007Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Haworth, Inc.Inventors: Joern Dallmann, Larry A. Wilkerson, Joe Willette, Michael W. Welsh, Pete Beyer