Patents by Inventor Michael DeFranks

Michael DeFranks 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).

  • Publication number: 20240181695
    Abstract: Three dimensional molded objects are produced from a plurality of expandible elements deposited in a mold by heating and moving the expandible elements during heating in the mold. The expandible elements have at least one layer of vertically lapped material held in a pre-compressed state during or before they are deposited in the mold. Movement is achieved by physically moving the mold continuously or periodically during heating, by blowing air or other gas into the mold continuously or periodically during heating, or by heating and depositing and moving the expandible objects at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Michael DeFranks, Andy Hollis, Eric McCann
  • Patent number: 9205483
    Abstract: The systems and methods include a feed mechanism supplying multi-strand wire to a coil-spring winder. The coil spring typically has a plurality of turns and is resilient. The multi-strand wire is typically steel, but may be of other suitable material, or a combination of materials. The coil-spring winder receives wire from a spool of wire and forms that wire into a coil spring. Typically, but not always, the coil-spring winder cuts the coil spring to a desired length, and thereby forms a plurality of coil springs of the type that can be employed in mattresses, furniture, car seats, for industrial machines, or for any other application. To feed the coil-spring winder, the systems include a wire holder that supplies the wire to the coil-spring winder along a feed direction. The wire holder is supported for rotation about an axis that may be aligned with the feed direction. The rotation of the wire holder may be substantially synchronous with the formation of the turns of the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: DREAMWELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Michael DeFranks, Michael Dimarco, Larry Banks
  • Patent number: 8904578
    Abstract: Mattress foundations for supporting a mattress generally includes multiple support units that can be abutting arranged to for the mattress foundation. In one embodiment, the mattress foundation includes at least two support units in an abutting relationship that form a rectangular shape at each end of the mattress foundation and provide a planar support surface having length and width dimensions effective to support a mattress disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Dreamwell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Craig Saunders, Michael DeFranks, J. Evan Spirk, Lindsey Tufts, Alex Velet, Stephen Hughett, Gary R. Stephan, William E. Rabbitt
  • Publication number: 20110247213
    Abstract: The systems and methods include a feed mechanism supplying multi-strand wire to a coil-spring winder. The coil spring typically has a plurality of turns and is resilient. The multi-strand wire is typically steel, but may be of other suitable material, or a combination of materials. The coil-spring winder receives wire from a spool of wire and forms that wire into a coil spring. Typically, but not always, the coil-spring winder cuts the coil spring to a desired length, and thereby forms a plurality of coil springs of the type that can be employed in mattresses, furniture, car seats, for industrial machines, or for any other application. To feed the coil-spring winder, the systems include a wire holder that supplies the wire to the coil-spring winder along a feed direction. The wire holder is supported for rotation about an axis that may be aligned with the feed direction. The rotation of the wire holder may be substantially synchronous with the formation of the turns of the coil spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Michael DeFranks, Michael Dimarco, Larry Banks
  • Patent number: 8006529
    Abstract: The systems and methods include a feed mechanism supplying multi-strand wire to a coil-spring winder. The coil spring typically has a plurality of turns and is resilient. The multi-strand wire is typically steel, but may be of other suitable material, or a combination of materials. The coil-spring winder receives wire from a spool of wire and forms that wire into a coil spring. Typically, but not always, the coil-spring winder cuts the coil spring to a desired length, and thereby forms a plurality of coil springs of the type that can be employed in mattresses, furniture, car seats, for industrial machines, or for any other application. To feed the coil-spring winder, the systems include a wire holder that supplies the wire to the coil-spring winder along a feed direction. The wire holder is supported for rotation about an axis that may be aligned with the feed direction. The rotation of the wire holder may be substantially synchronous with the formation of the turns of the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Dreamwell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael DeFranks, Michael DiMarco, Larry Banks
  • Publication number: 20070118987
    Abstract: A spring assembly including a helical coil formed from a multi-strand cord.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: Dreamwell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard Gladney, Bernard Kuchel, Michael DeFranks
  • Publication number: 20060075567
    Abstract: A flame resistant moisture barrier and a mattress having such a barrier and related methods of manufacture provide mattresses, furniture cushions and other products that provide resistance to flame and moisture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Applicant: Dreamwell, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael DeFranks
  • Publication number: 20060010608
    Abstract: A mattress is constructed from a mattress body having an upper and a lower deck, which is preferably pervious to moisture and air. A removable panel, which includes a top layer of breathable fabric, a bottom layer of a fabric that forms a moisture barrier, and a batting layer, is placed on at least the upper deck of the mattress body. The removable panel is removably attached along the perimeter of the deck or decks by a fastener, such as a zipper. The panel can be removed from the deck for cleaning and folded and secured by the fastener in an inverted configuration, with the top layer facing outward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Applicant: Dreamwell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael DeFranks, Kurtis Ling, Joyce Handley, James Peavyhouse, Ruben Ortiz
  • Publication number: 20050278862
    Abstract: A one-sided mattress construction includes a spring assembly with asymmetric spring coils. Only the bottom portion of each spring coil is attached, either to adjacent spring coils or to a bottom surface of the mattress. The top portion of each spring may have a narrowing taper that permits the top to move independent of other adjacent springs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Applicant: Dreamwell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bernhard Kuchel, Michael DeFranks
  • Publication number: 20050173826
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mattress including providing a foam block, convoluting the foam to form a tongue extending longitudinally along the foam block, and removing at least a portion of the tongue, to thereby form a channel within the foam block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Michael DeFranks, Richard Gladney, Neal Van Patten
  • Publication number: 20050056066
    Abstract: The systems and methods include a feed mechanism supplying multi-strand wire to a coil-spring winder. The coil spring typically has a plurality of turns and is resilient. The multi-strand wire is typically steel, but may be of other suitable material, or a combination of materials. The coil-spring winder receives wire from a spool of wire and forms that wire into a coil spring. Typically, but not always, the coil-spring winder cuts the coil spring to a desired length, and thereby forms a plurality of coil springs of the type that can be employed in mattresses, furniture, car seats, for industrial machines, or for any other application. To feed the coil-spring winder, the systems include a wire holder that supplies the wire to the coil-spring winder along a feed direction. The wire holder is supported for rotation about an axis that may be aligned with the feed direction. The rotation of the wire holder may be substantially synchronous with the formation of the turns of the coil spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: Michael DeFranks, Michael DiMarco, Larry Banks