Patents by Inventor L. E. (Tom) Atkins

L. E. (Tom) Atkins 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: 6305742
    Abstract: A folding chair has a support frame with a back support portion and first and second side supports extending to form front leg members. A seat is pivotally coupled to the support frame, and configured to pivot downwardly with respect to the support frame. First and second rear legs each have an upper member pivotally coupled to a lower member. The lower members are pivotally coupled to the support frame, and the upper members are pivotally coupled to the seat, such that the first and second rear legs include three pivot points and the rear legs fold onto themselves to a shorter length in a closed position. First and second folding systems link the support frame, the fold-down seat, and the rear legs together. The first and second folding systems including four-bar linkage systems with four pivot points and four linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Mity-Lite, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Spendlove, L. E. Tom Atkins
  • Patent number: 6234571
    Abstract: A folding chair has a support structure with a back support portion and leg supports. A stabilizing seat is pivotally coupled to the support structure. The seat has a seating surface, and at least one upper projecting alignment member configured to substantially engage a second chair to stabilize and prevent relative lateral movement between the two chairs when in a folded and stacked relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Mity-Lite, Inc.
    Inventors: L. E. (Tom) Atkins, David J. Laws