Patents by Inventor Larry A. Wilkerson

Larry A. Wilkerson 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: 9913539
    Abstract: A back support for a chair includes a chair frame, a pair of upright support posts mounted to the chair frame, the upright support posts being laterally flexible with respect to the chair frame, a plurality of flexible support arms extending laterally outwardly from the upright support posts, the support arms each including a peripheral edge, the support arms including a first set of support arms extending in a first lateral direction from the upright posts and a second set of support arms extending in a second direction from the upright posts; and a material extending in tension between the peripheral edges of the first set of support arms and the peripheral edges of the second set of support arms such that at least a central portion of the material is spaced from the support arms. In addition, a seat support includes a repositionable front edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin W. Potrykus, Peter T. LaDuke, Jason W. Hall, Timothy J. Scholma, Nicolai Czumaj-Bront, Teresa A. Bellingar, Michael W. Welsh, Larry A. Wilkerson, Kyle R. Fleet
  • Patent number: 9538849
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Pete J. Beyer, Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
  • Patent number: 9414681
    Abstract: A seat has a first ischial region, a second ischial region, a tailbone region and a thigh transitional region, each having at least one slot. Each slot generally opens outward, away from a center of the seat. Each slot may have an elongated central portion and two distal portions extending from the central portion. The central portion and distal portions may have a specific configuration relative to each other to provide desired support characteristics. The slots may allow flexing and cantilevering of portions of the seat to dynamically contour the seat based on the weight of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Teresa A. Bellingar, Larry A. Wilkerson, Peter J. Beyer
  • Publication number: 20160058193
    Abstract: A seat has a first ischial region, a second ischial region, a tailbone region and a thigh transitional region, each having at least one slot. Each slot generally opens outward, away from a center of the seat. Each slot may have an elongated central portion and two distal portions extending from the central portion. The central portion and distal portions may have a specific configuration relative to each other to provide desired support characteristics. The slots may allow flexing and cantilevering of portions of the seat to dynamically contour the seat based on the weight of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Teresa A. Bellingar, Larry A. Wilkerson, Peter J. Beyer
  • Publication number: 20160029801
    Abstract: A back support (12) for a chair includes a chair frame (20), a pair of upright support posts (18) mounted to the chair frame (20), the upright support posts (18) being laterally flexible with respect to the chair frame (20), a plurality of flexible support arms (21) extending laterally outwardly from the upright support posts (18), the support arms (21) each including a peripheral edge (23), the support arms (21) including a first set of support arms extending in a first lateral direction from the upright posts (18) and a second set of support arms extending in a second direction from the upright posts (18); and a material (42) extending in tension between the peripheral edges (23) of the first set of support arms and the peripheral edges (23) of the second set of support arms such that at least a central portion of the material (42) is spaced from the support arms (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Martin W. Potrykus, Peter T. LaDuke, Jason W. Hall, Timothy J. Scholma, Nicolai Czumaj-Bront, Teresa A. Bellingar, Michael W. Welsh, Larry A. Wilkerson, Kyle R. Fleet
  • Patent number: 9185985
    Abstract: A seat has a first ischial region, a second ischial region, a tailbone region and a thigh transitional region, each having at least one slot. Each slot generally opens outward, away from a center of the seat. Each slot may have an elongated central portion and two distal portions extending from the central portion. The central portion and distal portions may be substantially linear and may have a specific configuration relative to each other to provide desired support characteristics. The slots may allow flexing and cantilevering of portions of the seat to dynamically contour the seat based on the weight of the user. Multiple grooves may be included at the front of the seat to facilitate curling of the front of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Teresa A. Bellingar, Larry A. Wilkerson, Peter J. Beyer
  • Publication number: 20150076887
    Abstract: A seat has a first ischial region, a second ischial region, a tailbone region and a thigh transitional region, each having at least one slot. Each slot generally opens outward, away from a center of the seat. Each slot may have an elongated central portion and two distal portions extending from the central portion. The central portion and distal portions may be substantially linear and may have a specific configuration relative to each other to provide desired support characteristics. The slots may allow flexing and cantilevering of portions of the seat to dynamically contour the seat based on the weight of the user. Multiple grooves may be included at the front of the seat to facilitate curling of the front of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Teresa A. Bellingar, Larry A. Wilkerson, Peter J. Beyer
  • Publication number: 20150015052
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Pete J. Beyer, Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
  • Patent number: 8919880
    Abstract: A seat has a first ischial region, a second ischial region, a tailbone region and a thigh transitional region, each having at least one slot. Each slot generally opens outward, away from a center of the seat. Each slot may have an elongated central portion and two distal portions extending from the central portion. The central portion and distal portions may be substantially linear and may have a specific configuration relative to each other to provide desired support characteristics. The slots may allow flexing and cantilevering of portions of the seat to dynamically contour the seat based on the weight of the user. Multiple grooves may be included at the front of the seat to facilitate curling of the front of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Teresa A. Bellingar, Larry A. Wilkerson, Peter J. Beyer
  • Patent number: 8845024
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Pete J. Beyer, Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
  • Publication number: 20130257125
    Abstract: A seat has a first ischial region, a second ischial region, a tailbone region and a thigh transitional region, each having at least one slot. Each slot generally opens outward, away from a center of the seat. Each slot may have an elongated central portion and two distal portions extending from the central portion. The central portion and distal portions may be substantially linear and may have a specific configuration relative to each other to provide desired support characteristics. The slots may allow flexing and cantilevering of portions of the seat to dynamically contour the seat based on the weight of the user. Multiple grooves may be included at the front of the seat to facilitate curling of the front of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Teresa A. Bellingar, Larry A. Wilkerson, Peter J. Beyer
  • Patent number: 8313143
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Pete J. Beyer, Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
  • Publication number: 20120274119
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: HAWORTH INC.
    Inventors: Pete J. Beyer, Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
  • Patent number: 8015849
    Abstract: Electromagnetic forming can lead to better formability along with additional benefits. The spatial distribution of forming pressure in electromagnetic forming can be controlled by the configuration of the actuator. A type of actuator is discussed which gives a uniform pressure distribution in forming. It also provides a mechanically robust design and has a high efficiency for flat sheet forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: American Trim, LLC
    Inventors: Allen M. Jones, Dale E. Whetstone, Larry A. Wilkerson, Stephen C. Hatkevich
  • Publication number: 20100175446
    Abstract: Electromagnetic forming can lead to better formability along with additional benefits. The spatial distribution of forming pressure in electromagnetic forming can be controlled by the configuration of the actuator. A type of actuator is discussed which gives a uniform pressure distribution in forming. It also provides a mechanically robust design and has a high efficiency for flat sheet forming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN TRIM. L.L.C.
    Inventors: Allen M. Jones, Dale E. Whetstone, Larry A. Wilkerson, Stephen C. Hatkevich
  • Publication number: 20100007190
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Eric Johnson, Steve Gager, Wesley D. Mersman, Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson
  • Publication number: 20090256407
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Pete J. Beyer, Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
  • Patent number: 7484802
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Pete J. Beyer, Joe Willette, Larry A. Wilkerson, Teresa Bellingar
  • Patent number: 7461442
    Abstract: An office chair is provided having a contoured back assembly comprising a back frame and a suspension fabric. The fabric is attached to the back frame through a spline 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 fabric is secured to the frame by a machine wherein the fabric is first stretched from the outer edge of the fabric and then is clamped to a frame surface in the pre-tensioned or pre-streched condition. The fabric edges are allowed to hang loose and then fixed in the frame by a spline. Once secured, the fabric is unclamped from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Johnson, Steve Gager, Wesley D. Mersman, Larry A. Wilkerson
  • Patent number: D587942
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Joern Dallmann, Larry A. Wilkerson, Joe Willette, Michael W. Welsh, Pete Beyer