Patents by Inventor Lawrence J. Magadanz

Lawrence J. Magadanz 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: 11897372
    Abstract: A recliner heart includes a first locking plate, a second locking plate, a hub, a pair of wedges, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The first locking plate includes first teeth. The second locking plate is rotatable relative to the first locking plate and includes second teeth. The first biasing member is configured to apply a first biasing force to the wedges. The second biasing member is configured to apply a second biasing force to the wedges. The hub is rotatable between a first position in which the first and second biasing forces are applied to the wedges to restrict rotation of the second locking plate relative to the first locking plate, and a second position in which the first biasing force applied to one wedge of the wedges is reduced to allow rotation of the second locking plate relative to the first locking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Fisher & Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ralph L. Schmitz, Sapan M. Poptani, Christopher J. Ryan, Lawrence J. Magadanz
  • Publication number: 20220355711
    Abstract: A recliner heart includes a first locking plate, a second locking plate, a hub, a pair of wedges, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The first locking plate includes first teeth. The second locking plate is rotatable relative to the first locking plate and includes second teeth. The first biasing member is configured to apply a first biasing force to the wedges. The second biasing member is configured to apply a second biasing force to the wedges. The hub is rotatable between a first position in which the first and second biasing forces are applied to the wedges to restrict rotation of the second locking plate relative to the first locking plate, and a second position in which the first biasing force applied to one wedge of the wedges is reduced to allow rotation of the second locking plate relative to the first locking plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Fisher & Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ralph L. SCHMITZ, Sapan M. POPTANI, Christopher J. RYAN, Lawrence J. MAGADANZ
  • Patent number: 6095609
    Abstract: A seat recliner having a linear recliner mechanism and a memory dump mechanism. The linear recliner mechanism includes a housing fixed to the seat bottom and a recliner rod supported for selective movement relative to the housing. The memory dump mechanism includes a second housing secured to the seatback and which is supported on the recliner rod for movement between a memory position and a free position relative to the recliner rod. A latch assembly is provided for releasably latching the second housing to the recliner rod in the memory position. When the second housing is secured in the memory position, the linear recliner mechanism can be selectively actuated to adjust the reclined position of the seatback between upright and fully-reclined positions. When the latch assembly is actuated, the second housing can be slid toward the free position in response to movement of the seatback toward its dumped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Fisher Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Magadanz
  • Patent number: 5918939
    Abstract: A seat recliner having a linear recliner mechanism and a memory dump mechanism. The linear recliner mechanism includes a housing fixed to the seat bottom and a recliner rod supported for selective movement relative to the housing. The memory dump mechanism includes a second housing secured to the seatback and which is supported on the recliner rod for movement between a memory position and a free position relative to the recliner rod. A latch assembly is provided for releasably latching the second housing to the recliner rod in the memory position. When the second housing is secured in the memory position, the linear recliner mechanism can be selectively actuated to adjust the reclined position of the seatback between upright and fully-reclined positions. When the latch assembly is actuated, the second housing can be slid toward the free position in response to movement of the seatback toward its dumped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Fisher Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Magadanz