Patents by Inventor John P. Conners

John P. Conners 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: 11241099
    Abstract: A cup holder for a seat of an auditorium or theater includes a cup receiving body and a mounting arm. The cup receiving body is configured to receive and support a cup therein. The mounting arm extends from the cup receiving body and includes a receiving portion and an attachment portion. With the mounting arm extending across a side portion of a seat back frame of a single seat, and with the receiving portion receiving a front portion of the seat back frame and the mounting arm extending from the front portion of the seat back frame to a rear portion of the seat back frame, the attachment portion of the mounting arm abuts the rear portion of the seat back frame, and the attachment portion is attached at the seat back frame to secure the cup holder relative to the seat back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: IRWIN SEATING COMPANY
    Inventors: Heather Walker, John P. Conner
  • Publication number: 20200297116
    Abstract: A cup holder for a seat of an auditorium or theater includes a cup receiving body and a mounting arm. The cup receiving body is configured to receive and support a cup therein. The mounting arm extends from the cup receiving body and includes a receiving portion and an attachment portion. With the mounting arm extending across a side portion of a seat back frame of a single seat, and with the receiving portion receiving a front portion of the seat back frame and the mounting arm extending from the front portion of the seat back frame to a rear portion of the seat back frame, the attachment portion of the mounting arm abuts the rear portion of the seat back frame, and the attachment portion is attached at the seat back frame to secure the cup holder relative to the seat back frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Heather Walker, John P. Conner
  • Patent number: 8911010
    Abstract: A swingable and pivotable seating system includes a base portion, a swing arm, a seat and a control system. The swing arm is pivotable about a generally vertical first pivot axis and has a first end pivotally mounted at the base portion and a second end opposite the first end. The seat is pivotally supported at or near the second end of the swing arm and pivotable about a generally vertical second pivot axis. The control system controls pivotal movement of the seat about the second pivot axis responsive to a degree of pivoting of the swing arm about the first pivot axis. The seating system may include a desk portion, and the control system may limit pivotal movement of the seat when the seat is near the desk portion and may allow greater pivotal movement of the seat when the seat is swung away from the desk portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Irwin Seating Company
    Inventor: John P. Conner
  • Publication number: 20120319437
    Abstract: A swingable and pivotable seating system includes a base portion, a swing arm, a seat and a control system. The swing arm is pivotable about a generally vertical first pivot axis and has a first end pivotally mounted at the base portion and a second end opposite the first end. The seat is pivotally supported at or near the second end of the swing arm and pivotable about a generally vertical second pivot axis. The control system controls pivotal movement of the seat about the second pivot axis responsive to a degree of pivoting of the swing arm about the first pivot axis. The seating system may include a desk portion, and the control system may limit pivotal movement of the seat when the seat is near the desk portion and may allow greater pivotal movement of the seat when the seat is swung away from the desk portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: IRWIN SEATING COMPANY
    Inventor: John P. Conner
  • Patent number: 8256835
    Abstract: A tablet adjustment mechanism is provided to control the movement of a tablet of a seat assembly between a lowered non-use or stowed position under the armrest and a raised or use position, and further control the tablet's movement between an inward use position and an outward use position. The adjustment mechanism includes a plunger inside of a pivot element, the plunger's longitudinal and rotational or pivotal movements being controlled by a pin engaging a slot in the plunger, and also by a guide pin traversing an arcuate slot in a tablet support arm. The adjustment mechanism may limit lateral or sideward movement of the tablet when the tablet is in its fully lowered or stowed position and during at least some of the pivotal movement toward its raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Irwin Seating Company
    Inventors: James M. Brink, John P. Conner
  • Publication number: 20100090504
    Abstract: A tablet adjustment mechanism is provided to control the movement of a tablet of a seat assembly between a lowered non-use or stowed position under the armrest and a raised or use position, and further control the tablet's movement between an inward use position and an outward use position. The adjustment mechanism includes a plunger inside of a pivot element, the plunger's longitudinal and rotational or pivotal movements being controlled by a pin engaging a slot in the plunger, and also by a guide pin traversing an arcuate slot in a tablet support arm. The adjustment mechanism may limit lateral or sideward movement of the tablet when the tablet is in its fully lowered or stowed position and during at least some of the pivotal movement toward its raised position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: IRWIN SEATING COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Brink, John P. Conner
  • Patent number: 7360493
    Abstract: A pallet is formed of two or more sections formed of plastic materials. The sections are adjustably fixed together using elongated connectors dimensioned to fit closely in channels with each of the connectors extending between a channel of one section and a channel of an adjoining section. The sections and the connectors are adjustably secured together by mechanical fasteners. Spaced apertures are provided through each of the channels and similarly spaced apertures are provided through each of the connectors whereby the dimensions of the pallet are adjustable. Pallets are provided that can be nested in an inverted orientation without increasing the thickness of the inverted pair greater than the thickness of a single pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: 21st Century Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Hummel, John P. Conner, Gregory D. Dobie, Craig G. Wright
  • Patent number: 7111902
    Abstract: A plurality of chairs are configured to be ganged together such that the chairs are releasably held together in a side-by-side manner. The chairs include a first chair having a first leg at a side of the first chair, and a second chair having a second leg at a side of the second chair. The first and second legs are generally opposed when the first and second chairs are side-by-side and facing in generally the same direction. The first chair includes a lower ganging element attached at a lower end of the first leg and configured to receive a lower end of the second leg when the second chair is positioned next to the first chair. The first chair includes an upper ganging element attached along a portion of the first leg and configured to receive a corresponding portion of the second leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Irwin Seating Company
    Inventor: John P Conner
  • Patent number: 6971624
    Abstract: An adjustable support assembly for a data entry/interface device for computers or the like such as a keyboard, keypad, laptop/notebook computer, personal data/digital assistant, tablet PC, trackball or the like provides selective adjustment of both height and angular orientation or tilt for the data entry/interface device with respect to the work surface on which it is mounted. A pair of actuator handles are pivotally mounted in close proximity to one another on a data entry/interface mount to allow either independent or simultaneous operation with one hand by the device operator to control height and/or tilt. The actuator handles are connected to individual adjustment clamp assemblies by separate flexible cable actuators. Depression of each actuator handle pivots at least one clamp bar connected to the cable actuator between clamping and release positions to lock or allow reciprocation of a rigid adjustment bar extending through an aperture in the clamp bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Kevin J Kollar, John P. Conner
  • Patent number: 6857610
    Abstract: An improved mechanism for positioning loads of varying magnitudes, such as LCD displays, etc. The position of the load can be varied in height and angle according to the requirements of the user. The mechanism incorporates an adjustable sliding fulcrum, a support arm, a housing with four generally perpendicular channels, and a gas spring. The mechanism is initially manually adjusted for a particular load and then it automatically adjusts proportionally for the varying moments generated as the position of the load changes. The load is therefore evenly counterbalanced throughout its range of motion, and its position is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventors: John P. Conner, Robert L. Russell
  • Publication number: 20040195482
    Abstract: An adjustable support assembly for a data entry/interface device for computers or the like such as a keyboard, keypad, laptop/notebook computer, personal data/digital assistant, tablet PC, trackball or the like provides selective adjustment of both height and angular orientation or tilt for the data entry/interface device with respect to the work surface on which it is mounted. A pair of actuator handles are pivotally mounted in close proximity to one another on a data entry/interface mount to allow either independent or simultaneous operation with one hand by the device operator to control height and/or tilt. The actuator handles are connected to individual adjustment clamp assemblies by separate flexible cable actuators. Depression of each actuator handle pivots at least one clamp bar connected to the cable actuator between clamping and release positions to lock or allow reciprocation of a rigid adjustment bar extending through an aperture in the clamp bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Kevin J. Kollar, John P. Conner
  • Patent number: 6409127
    Abstract: An adjustable keyboard support assembly including a keyboard tray support bracket; a work surface mounting bracket adapted to be coupled to a work surface; a connector mechanism having one end coupled to the work surface mounting bracket and an opposite end coupled to the keyboard tray support bracket, the connector mechanism comprising a support arm coupled to the keyboard support at an outer end, such that the keyboard tray support bracket is rotatable about a horizontal axis with respect to the support arm; an angle control mechanism between the keyboard tray support bracket and the support arm for locking the keyboard tray support bracket at a desired angular inclination with respect to the support arm, the angle control mechanism including a spring exerting a clamping pressure on the support arm and the keyboard tray support bracket and a spring lifter for repositioning the spring so as to relieve the pressured applied to the support arm and the keyboard tray support bracket; and a lever control bar coup
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Craig L. VanderHeide, John P. Conner
  • Patent number: 6341764
    Abstract: An improved picket fence system is disclosed comprising a plurality of vertical posts, a plurality of rails mounted to the posts, and a plurality of pickets pivotally mounted to the plurality of rails. The pickets are pivotally mounted to the rails through the use of a unique grommet assembly that is snap-fitted onto the pickets and is seated in an aperture in the rail. The grommet, which defines a pivot pin, permits the picket to pivot about the pivot pin and thus relative to the rail, thereby providing a unique fence system that may be installed on either a level grade or an incline with minimal, if any, tooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Allied Tubing & Conduit Corporation
    Inventor: John P. Conner
  • Patent number: 6168239
    Abstract: A plastic contoured seat back includes an inner and an outer shell affixed together. The inner shell includes a three dimensionally curved front surface and a two dimensionally curved back surface. The inner shell may include an internal rib adjacent the top of the shell that is shaped differently from the top edge of the inner shell. The internal rib is adapted to allow the inner shell to be cut adjacent the internal rib so that the inner shell can be varied in shape. The shell may also include indentations on the back side of the shell adjacent the corners of the inner shell. The indentations are dimensioned to receive overlapping fabric that is pulled around the corners such that the fabric on the back of the shell adjacent the corners does not project outwardly more than the fabric elsewhere, despite the over lapping of the fabric at the corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Irwin Seating Company
    Inventors: John P. Conner, Steven E. Finney, Richard A. Thalen, Robert L. Russell, Tim Coffield
  • Patent number: 6042187
    Abstract: A plastic contoured seat back includes an inner and an outer shell affixed together. The inner shell includes a three dimensionally curved front surface and a two dimensionally curved back surface. The inner shell may include an internal rib adjacent the top of the shell that is shaped differently from the top edge of the inner shell. The internal rib is adapted to allow the inner shell to be cut adjacent the internal rib so that the inner shell can be varied in shape. The shell may also include indentations on the back side of the shell adjacent the corners of the inner shell. The indentations are dimensioned to receive overlapping fabric that is pulled around the corners such that the fabric on the back of the shell adjacent the corners does not project outwardly more than the fabric elsewhere, despite the over lapping of the fabric at the corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Irwin Seating Company
    Inventors: John P. Conner, Steven E. Finney, Richard A. Thalen, Robert L. Russell, Tim Coffield
  • Patent number: 6033027
    Abstract: A plastic contoured seat back includes an inner and an outer shell affixed together. The inner shell includes a three dimensionally curved front surface and a two dimensionally curved back surface. The inner shell may include an internal rib adjacent the top of the shell that is shaped differently from the top edge of the inner shell. The internal rib is adapted to allow the inner shell to be cut adjacent the internal rib so that the inner shell can be varied in shape. The shell may also include indentations on the back side of the shell adjacent the corners of the inner shell. The indentations are dimensioned to receive overlapping fabric that is pulled around the corners such that the fabric on the back of the shell adjacent the corners does not project outwardly more than the fabric elsewhere, despite the over lapping of the fabric at the corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Irwin Seating Company
    Inventors: John P. Conner, Steven E. Finney, Richard A. Thalen, Robert L. Russell, Tim Coffield
  • Patent number: 5951110
    Abstract: A plastic contoured seat back includes an inner and an outer shell affixed together. The inner shell includes a three dimensionally curved front surface and a two-dimensionally curved back surface. The inner shell may include an internal rib adjacent the top of the shell that is shaped differently from the top edge of the inner shell. The internal rib is adapted to allow the inner shell to be cut adjacent the internal rib so that the inner shell can be varied in shape. The shell may also include indentations on the back side of the shell adjacent the corners of the inner shell. The indentations are dimensioned to receive overlapping fabric that is pulled around the corners such that the fabric on the back of the shell adjacent the corners does not project outwardly more than the fabric elsewhere, despite the overlapping of the fabric at the corners. The inner shell may also include a plurality of uniquely identified holes adapted to allow a variety of different ornamentation to be attached to the inner shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Irwin Seating Company
    Inventors: John P. Conner, Steven E. Finney, Richard A. Thalen, Robert L. Russell, Tim Coffield
  • Patent number: 5743055
    Abstract: A system for connecting wall panels in abutting edgewise relation, wherein abutting edges of the panels are formed with semi-circular recesses in them, includes pairs of spaced slots formed in the corners defining transverse semi-circular edges of the panel frames. Two connectors are provided having conical recesses for engaging the edges of the slots. The connectors are each fastened by a screw to an end of an elongate bar which fits within the recesses of the corners. When the connectors are fastened tightly to the bar, the engagement of the conical recesses with the corner edges draws the panels tightly together. By this system, the panels may be connected either in-line or at an angle of between 90 and 180 degrees, without the need for any special corner hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Hon Industries Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Conner, Sandra Lee From
  • Patent number: 5628257
    Abstract: A furniture worksurface unit for desks, tables, computer supports, etc. has a unique modular construction, comprising a top assembly with a skeleton-like top frame and a worksurface skin mounted on the upper side thereof. Leg frames are attached to the opposite ends of the top frame, and support the worksurface unit freestanding on a floor surface. Inner and outer leg covers enclose the leg frames, and underbelly covers are provided to enclose any exposed portions of the lower side of the top frame to facilitate manufacturing the worksurface unit in different widths from common parts, and provide aesthetic flexibility. Removable edges are mounted on the sides of the top frame, and are provided in assorted shapes and sizes to construct various top configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Conner, Paul Haigh, James W. Ross, William C. Small, Bradley D. Youngs
  • Patent number: D659699
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Altus Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Conner