Patents by Inventor Marcus L. Murphy

Marcus L. Murphy 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: 8016348
    Abstract: A reciprocating and reclining seating unit includes: a base unit with a first bearing surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat positioned above the base; a generally upright backrest positioned above the base and substantially rearward of the seat; an extendable ottoman; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat, the backrest, the ottoman and the base unit, the reclining mechanism comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links; a reciprocating mechanism attached to the base unit and the reclining mechanism, the reciprocating mechanism being configured to enable the seat, backrest and reclining mechanism to reciprocate relative to the base unit along a longitudinal path responsive to a longitudinally-directed force; and a power actuating unit attached to the reclining mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ultra-Mek, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8011034
    Abstract: A sofa-bed includes: a frame with opposed arms; a backrest operatively connected to the frame; a seat; a subseat hinged to the seat and pivotable relative thereto; an extension-assist mechanism attached to the frame and at least one of the seat and the subseat; and a folding-assist mechanism attached to the frame and at least one of the subseat and seat. The frame, backrest, seat and subseat are configured to move between a folded position, in which the backrest is generally upright, the seat is generally horizontal, and the subseat is generally horizontal and positioned beneath the seat in a first inverted orientation, and an unfolded position, in which the backrest, subseat and seat are generally horizontal, and the subseat is positioned between the backrest and the seat in a second non-inverted orientation. The folding-assist mechanism is configured such that the sofa-bed is biased toward the folded position as the sofa-bed moves from the unfolded position toward a first intermediate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: American Leather
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy, Douglas Gasal, Robert Barron Duncan
  • Patent number: 7997644
    Abstract: A gliding and reclining seating unit includes: a base unit with a first bearing surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat positioned above the base; a generally upright backrest positioned above the base and substantially rearward of the seat; an extendable ottoman; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat, the backrest, the ottoman and the base unit, the reclining mechanism comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links; a gliding mechanism attached to the base unit and the reclining mechanism, the gliding mechanism being configured to enable the seat, backrest and reclining mechanism to glide relative to the base unit along a longitudinal path responsive to a longitudinally-directed force; and a power actuating unit attached to the reclining mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Ultra-Mek, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20110018331
    Abstract: A rocking and reclining seating unit includes: a base unit; a generally horizontally-disposed seat positioned above the base unit; a generally upright backrest positioned above the base unit and substantially rearward of the seat; an extendable ottoman; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat, the backrest, the ottoman and the base unit, the reclining mechanism comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links, the reclining mechanism configured to move the seating unit between (a) an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed, the backrest is generally vertically disposed, and the ottoman are generally vertically disposed and positioned below the seat, (b) an intermediate TV position, in which the ottoman is generally horizontally disposed in front of the seat and the backrest and the seat substantially maintain the same relationship as they have in the upright position, and (c) a fully reclined position, in which the angle between the backrest and the seat increases; a
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Marcus L. Murphy, D. Stephen Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20110010846
    Abstract: A furniture unit containing a foldable bed includes: a base including a storage cavity; a seat section; an intermediate section; a head section; and a mechanism having pivotally interconnected links, the mechanism interconnecting the base with the head, intermediate and seat sections. The mechanism controls the movement of the head, intermediate and seat sections between a folded position, in which the head, intermediate and seat sections are generally horizontally disposed and positioned in vertically stacked relationship, with the head section below the intermediate section and the seat section above the intermediate section, the head and intermediate sections being positioned in the cavity of the base, and an unfolded position, in which the head, intermediate and seat sections are horizontally disposed and serially aligned to form a sleeping surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Marcus L. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20110010847
    Abstract: A seating unit containing a foldable bed includes: a seating unit frame having a pair of opposed arms; a housing including a storage cavity, the housing fixed to the arms of the seating unit frame; a seat section; an intermediate section; a head section; and a mechanism having pivotally interconnected links, the mechanism interconnecting the base with the head, intermediate and seat sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Marcus L. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20100264702
    Abstract: A reclining seating unit includes: a frame configured to rest on an underlying surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat; a generally upright backrest positioned rearwardly of the seat; a footrest unit; and a reclining mechanism that interconnects and controls the relative movement of the frame, the seat and the backrest between an upright position and a reclined position. In the upright position, the backrest is generally upright and positioned above the frame, and the seat has a first rearward position relative to the frame. In the reclined position, the backrest is reclined relative to the underlying surface as compared to its disposition in the upright position and the seat has a second forward position relative to the frame that is forward of the first rearward position. The footrest unit comprises at least one footrest and a footrest mechanism that interconnects the footrest with the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy
  • Patent number: 7762625
    Abstract: A reclining seating unit includes: a frame configured to rest on an underlying surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat; a generally upright backrest positioned rearwardly of the seat; a footrest unit; and a reclining mechanism that interconnects and controls the relative movement of the frame, the seat and the backrest between an upright position and a reclined position. In the upright position, the backrest is generally upright and positioned above the frame, and the seat has a first rearward position relative to the frame. In the reclined position, the backrest is reclined relative to the underlying surface as compared to its disposition in the upright position and the seat has a second forward position relative to the frame that is forward of the first rearward position. The footrest unit comprises at least one footrest and a footrest mechanism that interconnects the footrest with the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Ultra-Mek, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy
  • Patent number: 7731276
    Abstract: A seating unit includes: a frame having arms on opposing sides thereof, the frame located in a first position relative to an underlying surface that supports the seating unit; a backrest; a seat; and a reclining mechanism attached to the frame, backrest and seat. The reclining mechanism comprises a series of pivotally interconnected links, the links configured and arranged to move the backrest and seat between an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed and in a first location relative to the frame and the backrest forms a first angle with the seat, and a reclined position, in which the backrest forms a second angle with the seat, the second angle being smaller than the first angle, and the seat is in a second location relative to the frame that is forwardly of the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Ultra-Mek, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20100127538
    Abstract: A rocking and reclining seating unit includes: a base unit with a first bearing surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat positioned above the base; a generally upright backrest positioned above the base and substantially rearward of the seat; an extendable ottoman; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat, the backrest, the ottoman and the base unit, the reclining mechanism comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links; a rocker mechanism attached with the base unit and the reclining mechanism, the rocker mechanism configured to enable the seat, backrest and reclining mechanism to experience a longitudinally-directed rocking motion relative to the base unit; and a power actuating unit attached to the reclining mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20100127556
    Abstract: A reciprocating and reclining seating unit includes: a base unit with a first bearing surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat positioned above the base; a generally upright backrest positioned above the base and substantially rearward of the seat; an extendable ottoman; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat, the backrest, the ottoman and the base unit, the reclining mechanism comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links; a reciprocating mechanism attached to the base unit and the reclining mechanism, the reciprocating mechanism being configured to enable the seat, backrest and reclining mechanism to reciprocate relative to the base unit along a longitudinal path responsive to a longitudinally-directed force; and a power actuating unit attached to the reclining mechanism, the actuating unit configured to move the chair between (a) an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed, the backrest is generally vertically disposed, and the ottoman are generally verti
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20100127555
    Abstract: A gliding and reclining seating unit includes: a base unit with a first bearing surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat positioned above the base; a generally upright backrest positioned above the base and substantially rearward of the seat; an extendable ottoman; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat, the backrest, the ottoman and the base unit, the reclining mechanism comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links; a gliding mechanism attached to the base unit and the reclining mechanism, the gliding mechanism being configured to enable the seat, backrest and reclining mechanism to glide relative to the base unit along a longitudinal path responsive to a longitudinally-directed force; and a power actuating unit attached to the reclining mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy
  • Patent number: 7669922
    Abstract: A reclining chair includes: a base; a seat; a backrest; and a reclining mechanism attached to the base, seat and backrest. The reclining mechanism comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected links and is configured to move the seat and backrest relative to the base between a fully upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed above the base and the backrest is generally vertically disposed at a first angle to an underlying surface above a rear portion of the backrest, and one or more reclined positions, in which the backrest is disposed at a second angle to the underlying surface, the second angle being less than the first angle. One of the links of the reclining mechanism is a backrest support link that moves in concert with the backrest between the upright and reclined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ultra-Mek, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus L. Murphy, D. Stephen Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7669921
    Abstract: A reclining seating unit includes: a base configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat; a backrest that includes a body and a headrest that is positioned above the body; a reclining mechanism that interconnects the base, seat and backrest that controls the movement thereof between an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed above the base and the backrest is generally vertically disposed at a first angle to the underlying surface above a rear portion of the backrest, and a fully reclined position, in which the backrest is disposed at a second angle to the underlying surface, the second angle being less than the first angle; and a headrest mechanism coupled to the reclining mechanism and attached to the body and headrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ultra-Mek, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20090235452
    Abstract: A sofa-bed includes: a frame with opposed arms; a backrest operatively connected to the frame; a seat; a subseat hinged to the seat and pivotable relative thereto; an extension-assist mechanism attached to the frame and at least one of the seat and the subseat; and a folding-assist mechanism attached to the frame and at least one of the subseat and seat. The frame, backrest, seat and subseat are configured to move between a folded position, in which the backrest is generally upright, the seat is generally horizontal, and the subseat is generally horizontal and positioned beneath the seat in a first inverted orientation, and an unfolded position, in which the backrest, subseat and seat are generally horizontal, and the subseat is positioned between the backrest and the seat in a second non-inverted orientation. The folding-assist mechanism is configured such that the sofa-bed is biased toward the folded position as the sofa-bed moves from the unfolded position toward a first intermediate position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy, Douglas Gasal, Robert Barron Duncan
  • Patent number: 7549182
    Abstract: A seating unit includes: a frame; a backrest section having a backrest cushion; body, hinge and foot sections sharing a common cushion; and a folding mechanism comprising a series of pivotally interconnected links configured and arranged to move the backrest, body, hinge and foot sections between folded and unfolded positions. In the unfolded position, the backrest, body, hinge and foot sections are generally horizontally disposed and serially aligned, with the backrest cushion and the common cushion facing upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Ultra-Mek, Inc.
    Inventor: Marcus L. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20090072593
    Abstract: A reclining seating unit includes: a base configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat; a backrest that includes a body and a headrest that is positioned above the body; a reclining mechanism that interconnects the base, seat and backrest that controls the movement thereof between an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed above the base and the backrest is generally vertically disposed at a first angle to the underlying surface above a rear portion of the backrest, and a fully reclined position, in which the backrest is disposed at a second angle to the underlying surface, the second angle being less than the first angle; and a headrest mechanism coupled to the reclining mechanism and attached to the body and headrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy
  • Patent number: 7503624
    Abstract: A press-back style reclining seating unit includes: a frame configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat fixed to the frame, the seat being generally horizontally disposed; a generally upright backrest positioned above the rear portion of the seat; and a reclining mechanism that interconnects the frame and the backrest and controls the movement of the backrest relative to the frame between an upright position, in which the backrest is generally vertically disposed, and a fully reclined position, in which the backrest is more reclined relative to the underlying surface than in the upright position. The reclining mechanism includes an actuating unit that enables the backrest to move to and remain in any partially reclined position between the upright and fully reclined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ultra-Mek, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20080012396
    Abstract: A reclining seating unit includes: a frame configured to rest on an underlying surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat; a generally upright backrest positioned rearwardly of the seat; a footrest unit; and a reclining mechanism that interconnects and controls the relative movement of the frame, the seat and the backrest between an upright position and a reclined position. In the upright position, the backrest is generally upright and positioned above the frame, and the seat has a first rearward position relative to the frame. In the reclined position, the backrest is reclined relative to the underlying surface as compared to its disposition in the upright position and the seat has a second forward position relative to the frame that is forward of the first rearward position. The footrest unit comprises at least one footrest and a footrest mechanism that interconnects the footrest with the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20070163475
    Abstract: A table with a moveable table surface includes: a base; a substantially planar table surface having an uppermost visible surface; and a lifting mechanism mounted to the base and to the table surface. The lifting mechanism is configured to move the table between a closed position, in which the table surface is horizontally disposed adjacent to and above the base, and an open position, in which the table surface is horizontally disposed above and forwardly of its position in the closed position. The lifting mechanism comprises: a front pivot link pivotally interconnected with the base and with the table surface, the front pivot link having a spring extension finger; a rear pivot link pivotally interconnected with the base and with the table surface; and a spring having opposite ends, one of the ends of the spring being attached to the spring extension finger of the front pivot link and the other end of the spring being fixed relative to the table surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventor: Marcus L. Murphy