Patents by Inventor Nicholas J. Robinson

Nicholas J. Robinson 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: 20230232987
    Abstract: An upholstered recliner, a frame including a pair blow molded hollow arm rest forms. Further components may be blow molded such as a back rest. The arm rest forms and backrest forms may be reinforced with metal plates and assembled into a recliner. The backrest form may have legs with kd brackets secured thereto by clamping onto the portions of the legs of the backrest forms. The connections to the backrest form and arm rest forms providing a geometrically rigid and robust frame that is weighs less, is quicker to assemble, and is more robust that conventional wood frame recliners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy A. BRANDTNER, Nicholas J. ROBINSON, Philip BRAMLETT
  • Patent number: 11696644
    Abstract: An upholstered chair, recliner, or sofa with a frame including a pair blowmolded hollow arm rest forms, wherein frame members extend between the forms. Further components may be blowmolded such as a backrest. The arm rest forms and backrest may be reinforced with metal plates and assembled into a recliner. The connections to the arm rest forms providing a geometrically rigid and robust frame that is weighs less, is quicker to assemble, and is more robust. Upholstery sacks are easily attached to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: ASHLEY FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. Brandtner, Nicholas J. Robinson
  • Patent number: 11607044
    Abstract: An upholstered piece of furniture with a frame including a pair blow molded hollow arm rest forms, wherein spanning wood frame members extend between the forms. The wood frame members secured to the forms with interference fits, and minimal threaded fasteners. The arm rest forms have through slots which allow the seat deck and arm upholstery to be pulled through and anchored with staples providing a secure attachment. Threaded fasteners clamp onto the polymer wall of the forms for attachment of frame members. A blowmolded backrest has a metal reinforcing arms connecting to a seat platform. Holes in arm rest allow upholstery panel connections with Christmas tree connectors. The connections to the arm rest forms and providing a geometrically rigid and robust sofa frame that is weighs less, is quicker to assemble, and is more robust. The finishing of the sofa is also quicker and easier than conventional sofas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. Brandtner, Nicholas J. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20220071398
    Abstract: An upholstered chair, recliner, or sofa with a frame including a pair blowmolded hollow arm rest forms, wherein frame members extend between the forms. Further components may be blowmolded such as a backrest. The arm rest forms and backrest may be reinforced with metal plates and assembled into a recliner. The connections to the arm rest forms providing a geometrically rigid and robust frame that is weighs less, is quicker to assemble, and is more robust. Upholstery sacks are easily attached to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy A. Brandtner, Nicholas J. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20210289941
    Abstract: An upholstered piece of furniture with a frame including a pair blow molded hollow arm rest forms, wherein spanning wood frame members extend between the forms. The wood frame members secured to the forms with interference fits, and minimal threaded fasteners. The arm rest forms have through slots which allow the seat deck and arm upholstery to be pulled through and anchored with staples providing a secure attachment. Threaded fasteners clamp onto the polymer wall of the forms for attachment of frame members. A blowmolded backrest has a metal reinforcing arms connecting to a seat platform. Holes in arm rest allow upholstery panel connections with Christmas tree connectors. The connections to the arm rest forms and providing a geometrically rigid and robust sofa frame that is weighs less, is quicker to assemble, and is more robust. The finishing of the sofa is also quicker and easier than conventional sofas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Timothy A. Brandtner, Nicholas J. Robinson
  • Patent number: 11122907
    Abstract: An upholstered piece of furniture including a frame having a front frame member, an opposing back rest, and two arms at opposite ends of front frame member and backrest, wherein at least one of the front frame member and opposing back rest includes a wood component, and wherein the arms are made of molded plastic and at least one of the arms is coupled to the wood component. The upholstered piece of furniture includes covering material, wherein at least a portion of the at least one of the arms is covered by the covering material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. Brandtner, Nicholas J. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20200029699
    Abstract: An upholstered piece of furniture including a frame having a front frame member, an opposing back rest, and two arms at opposite ends of front frame member and backrest, wherein at least one of the front frame member and opposing back rest includes a wood component, and wherein the arms are made of molded plastic and at least one of the arms is coupled to the wood component. The upholstered piece of furniture includes covering material, wherein at least a portion of the at least one of the arms is covered by the covering material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy A. Brandtner, Nicholas J. Robinson
  • Patent number: 9839295
    Abstract: A drop-in seat deck for furniture assemblies. Various embodiments reduce the complexity and bulk of the seating frame, and also reduce the labor associated with assembly. Unlike the conventional spring suspensions, which apply constant spring loaded forces on the frame rails to maintain the springs in tension, the spring load force of the disclosed drop-in seat deck is provided by solely by the structure of the drop-in seat deck. Thus, the frame can be designed to support only the weight of the seated person is transferred to the rails of the seating frame, without consideration for pre-loading the seat deck. In various embodiments, dimensional changes to the seat deck occur under load. In some embodiments, these changes are accommodated by enabling a free end of the seat deck to slide on a support surface; in other embodiments, the changes are accommodated by flexures that are integral to the seat deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Robinson, Timothy A. Brandtner
  • Patent number: 9380877
    Abstract: A component interface assembly for attaching the individual subcomponents of an RTA furniture system. Each component interface assembly having an elongated alignment slot cut into one of the subcomponents of the RTA furniture kit and a retention element affixed to a second corresponding subcomponent such that the first and second subcomponents can be secured together by inserting the retention element into the alignment slot. The alignment slot is positioned on the first subcomponent such that positioning the retention element for insertion into the slot aligns the second subcomponent with the first subcomponent providing tool-less alignment and engagement of the subcomponents. The assembled components may have cutouts on confronting planar surfaces of the respective first and second subcomponents providing enhanced storage for shipping the RTA furniture components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Brandtner, Walter Wang, Nicholas J. Robinson, Christopher J. Lejcher
  • Patent number: 9277824
    Abstract: A reverse drive assembly for recliner in which a motor is mounted at the end of the horizontal track, proximate to the rear of the recliner. A traveler assembly having a reverse transfer linkage having a greater bend is positioned along the track forward of the motor, wherein the traveler assembly actuates extension of an ottoman assembly and the reclining of a seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Breen, Peter J. Fynboh, Jeffrey Cooper, Joseph L. Anibas, Nicholas J. Robinson, Richard E. Gorka, Lucas R. Walz
  • Publication number: 20150305504
    Abstract: A drop-in seat deck for furniture assemblies. Various embodiments reduce the complexity and bulk of the seating frame, and also reduce the labor associated with assembly. Unlike the conventional spring suspensions, which apply constant spring loaded forces on the frame rails to maintain the springs in tension, the spring load force of the disclosed drop-in seat deck is provided by solely by the structure of the drop-in seat deck. Thus, the frame can be designed to support only the weight of the seated person is transferred to the rails of the seating frame, without consideration for pre-loading the seat deck. In various embodiments, dimensional changes to the seat deck occur under load. In some embodiments, these changes are accommodated by enabling a free end of the seat deck to slide on a support surface; in other embodiments, the changes are accommodated by flexures that are integral to the seat deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Robinson, Timothy A. Brandtner
  • Patent number: 8979186
    Abstract: A power mechanism for a recliner having a limiter controlling the relative angle between a transfer linkage and arm affixed to the drive axle as the transfer linkage applies tangential force to the arm to rotate the drive axle. The limiter prevents the relative angle between the transfer linkage from over collapsing to minimize strain on the linkage assembly and the motor driving the rotation of the drive axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucas R. Walz, Peter J. Fynboh, Jeffrey Cooper, Joseph L. Anibas, Nicholas J. Robinson, Richard E. Gorka, John R. Breen, Timothy A. Brandtner
  • Publication number: 20140091606
    Abstract: A power mechanism for a recliner having a limiter controlling the relative angle between a transfer linkage and arm affixed to the drive axle as the transfer linkage applies tangential force to the arm to rotate the drive axle. The limiter prevents the relative angle between the transfer linkage from over collapsing to minimize strain on the linkage assembly and the motor driving the rotation of the drive axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Lucas R. Waltz, Peter J. Fynboh, Jeffrey Cooper, Joseph L. Anibas, Nicholas J. Robinson, Richard E. Gorka, John R. Breen, Timothy A. Brandtner
  • Publication number: 20140091601
    Abstract: A reverse drive assembly for recliner in which a motor is mounted at the end of the horizontal track, proximate to the rear of the recliner. A traveler assembly having a reverse transfer linkage having a greater bend is positioned along the track forward of the motor, wherein the traveler assembly actuates extension of an ottoman assembly and the reclining of a seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: John R. Breen, Peter J. Fynboh, Jeffrey Cooper, Joseph L. Anibas, Nicholas J. Robinson, Richard E. Gorka, Lucas R. Walz
  • Publication number: 20130320741
    Abstract: A component interface assembly for attaching the individual subcomponents of an RTA furniture system. Each component interface assembly having an elongated alignment slot cut into one of the subcomponents of the RTA furniture kit and a retention element affixed to a second corresponding subcomponent such that the first and second subcomponents can be secured together by inserting the retention element into the alignment slot. The alignment slot is positioned on the first subcomponent such that positioning the retention element for insertion into the slot aligns the second subcomponent with the first subcomponent providing tool-less alignment and engagement of the subcomponents. The assembled components may have cutouts on confronting planar surfaces of the respective first and second subcomponents providing enhanced storage for shipping the RTA furniture components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Brandtner, Walter Wang, Nicholas J. Robinson, Christopher J Lejcher
  • Patent number: D957173
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. Brandtner, Nicholas J. Robinson
  • Patent number: D977289
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. Brandtner, Nicholas J. Robinson
  • Patent number: D1015791
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Brandtner, Nicholas J. Robinson