Patents by Inventor Joel D. Alberda

Joel D. Alberda 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).

  • Publication number: 20180289168
    Abstract: An article of furniture includes a cabinet housing having an open side. A panel can be disposed relative to the cabinet housing and moveable between a first position and a second position spaced away from the cabinet housing. A linkage can be mounted to the panel, and at least two pads can be mounted to the linkage. Each of the at least two pads can have surface on which a person can sit or recline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: Sauder Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Steve Stieglitz, Joel D. Alberda
  • Patent number: 9649881
    Abstract: A caster wheel comprising a wheel mount and a bearing plate, both having a pivot pin extending through them such that the wheel mount may pivot relative to the bearing plate. The wheel mount and bearing plate both have at least two magnets each, arranged such that pivoting movement of the wheel mount may position the magnets in registry with one another. The magnetic attraction between the magnets further attracts the wheel mount and bearing plate into registry with one another, aligning an article to which the caster wheel mounts in a straight direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Sauder Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Warncke, Timothy J. Johnson, Joel D. Alberda
  • Publication number: 20160355053
    Abstract: A caster wheel comprising a wheel mount and a bearing plate, both having a pivot pin extending through them such that the wheel mount may pivot relative to the bearing plate. The wheel mount and bearing plate both have at least two magnets each, arranged such that pivoting movement of the wheel mount may position the magnets in registry with one another. The magnetic attraction between the magnets further attracts the wheel mount and bearing plate into registry with one another, aligning an article to which the caster wheel mounts in a straight direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: Sauder Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Warncke, Timothy J. Johnson, Joel D. Alberda
  • Patent number: 9486082
    Abstract: A hanger apparatus (10) comprises an anchor (12), hook (14), fastener (16), second fastener (18), exterior casing or shell (20) and secondary fastener (22). The anchor (12) is attached to a vertical structure such as a wall by a series of the second fasteners (18). The anchor (12) includes an opening through which the first fastener (16) is disposed to securely attach the hanger (10) to a structural member, such as a wall. The hook (14) can be firmly attached to the shell (20) through the secondary fastener (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Sauder Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Warncke, Joel D. Alberda
  • Patent number: 9125496
    Abstract: A furniture system (600) includes an inner back (620) and a conversion mechanism (800) which operates so as to move the inner back (620) from a sofa configuration to a sleep configuration. A table assembly (700) is also provided which utilizes a table mechanism (710) so as to permit a user to manually adjust the height of a table top (701) among three functional positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Sauder Manufactering Co.
    Inventors: Blair Wieland, Steven Stieglitz, Anthony J. Warncke, Martin J Krause, Jr., Joel D. Alberda, Donald E. Newfer
  • Patent number: 9027178
    Abstract: A furniture system (400) includes a furniture back (408) having a back front surface (410). A desk (414) having an upper work surface (434) extends forwardly from an upper central portion of the front back surface (410). The system (400) also includes a pair of bases (426) with a pair of seats (424) positioned above the bases (426). A spatial interior area (427) exists between lateral sides of the seats (424), and the desk (414) is centered laterally between the seats (424). The furniture system (400) is movable between sitting configurations and sleeping configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Sauder Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Blair Wieland, Steven Stieglitz, Anthony J. Warncke, Martin J. Krause, Jr., Joel D. Alberda, Donald E. Newfer
  • Publication number: 20140291460
    Abstract: A hanger apparatus (10) comprises an anchor (12), hook (14), fastener (16), second fastener (18), exterior casing or shell (20) and secondary fastener (22). The anchor (12) is attached to a vertical structure such as a wall by a series of the second fasteners (18). The anchor (12) includes an opening through which the first fastener (16) is disposed to securely attach the hanger (10) to a structural member, such as a wall. The hook (14) can be firmly attached to the shell (20) through the secondary fastener (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Anthony J. Warncke, Joel D. Alberda
  • Publication number: 20130047333
    Abstract: A furniture system (600) includes an inner back (620) and a conversion mechanism (800) which operates so as to move the inner back (620) from a sofa configuration to a sleep configuration. A table assembly (700) is also provided which utilizes a table mechanism (710) so as to permit a user to manually adjust the height of a table top (701) among three functional positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Blair Wieland, Steven Stieglitz, Anthony J. Warncke, Martin J Krause, JR., Joel D. Alberda, Donald E. Newfer
  • Publication number: 20120131745
    Abstract: A furniture system (400) includes a furniture back (408) having a back front surface (410). A desk (414) having an upper work surface (434) extends forwardly from an upper central portion of the front back surface (410). The system (400) also includes a pair of bases (426) with a pair of seats (424) positioned above the bases (426). A spatial interior area (427) exists between lateral sides of the seats (424), and the desk (414) is centered laterally between the seats (424). The furniture system (400) is movable between sitting configurations and sleeping configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Blair Wieland, Steven Stieglitz, Anthony J. Warncke, Martin J. Krause, JR., Joel D. Alberda, Donald E. Newfer
  • Patent number: 5904401
    Abstract: A recliner chair which converts from a chair configuration to a bed configuration in a single motion. The chair includes a frame, a seat, a back, an intermediate member and a linkage which provides the conversion from chair configuration to bed configuration upon forward movement of the seat relative to the frame. The linkage is comprised of two crossed links, each pivotally attached to the frame, one of which is slideably connected to the underside of the seat, the other of which is pivotally attached to the intermediate member. The links are interconnected by a bushing which is slideably attached to one link and rotatably attached to the other link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: R.M. Wieland Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel D. Alberda, Donald E. Newfer
  • Patent number: 5738414
    Abstract: A modular furniture assembly comprising interconnected frame, back, and arms. The frame has walls mounting the back and arms. The frame walls include flanges and the back and arms include slits, with each flange being slidably received in a corresponding slit to secure the back and arms to the walls. Another aspect involves the covering which is disposed over components of the modular furniture. A component body has an exterior surface over which a covering extends. The body includes a channel and the covering includes a strip having a size and shape approximately matching the internal contour of the channel. The strip easily slides into the channel to secure the covering over the outer contour, while the channel configuration prevents the movement of the strip except in the sliding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: R.M. Wieland Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy M. Wieland, Joel D. Alberda, Donald E. Neufer
  • Patent number: D645667
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Sauder Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Joel D. Alberda, Blair W. Wieland
  • Patent number: D716576
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sauder Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Blair Wieland, Joel D. Alberda
  • Patent number: D805003
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Sauder Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Blair Wieland, Joel D. Alberda
  • Patent number: RE48344
    Abstract: A furniture system (600) includes an inner back (620) and a conversion mechanism (800) which operates so as to move the inner back (620) from a sofa configuration to a sleep configuration. A table assembly (700) is also provided which utilizes a table mechanism (710) so as to permit a user to manually adjust the height of a table top (701) among three functional positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Sauder Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Blair Weiland, Steven Stieglitz, Anthony J. Warncke, Martin J. Krause, Jr., Joel D. Alberda, Donald E. Newfer