Patents by Inventor Nikki White

Nikki White 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: 10376063
    Abstract: An integrated assembly is provided with both an adjustable lumbar support and a head tilt. The assembly is easily installed on any of a number of different seating units, and can be adjusted to accommodate seating units with a variety of back widths, and heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Robert Dean Donovan, Nikki White, Nick Yang, Derek Sun, Eric Shen
  • Patent number: 10299596
    Abstract: A mechanical extending linkage is configured to be mounted in a seating unit capable of being moved between a retracted position and an extended position and comprising a seat, a backrest and extendable primary and secondary footrests. The mechanical extending linkage comprises a footrest assembly for extending and retracting the primary footrest and the secondary footrest, the footrest assembly comprising a primary footrest link, a secondary footrest link, and an intermediate link set having a first intermediate link, a second intermediate link, a third intermediate link and a fourth intermediate link. The footrest assembly is configured in such a manner that the secondary footrest link, the first intermediate link and the second intermediate link are arranged substantially parallel with the seat when the seating unit is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: LEGGETT & PLATT (JIAXING) CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Nikki White, Yunhua Sun, Ziliu Pan, Liming Yang
  • Patent number: 10123620
    Abstract: A seating-unit mechanism includes various components that control a position of the seat and backrest and that control an extension and retraction of an ottoman and footrest. For example, the mechanism includes a linear actuator that controls a seat pitch (e.g., height and level of recline). In addition, the mechanism includes an ottoman-linkage drive mechanism, which might include a drive link or another linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Bobby Donovan, Nikki White
  • Publication number: 20180235370
    Abstract: An integrated assembly is provided with both an adjustable lumbar support and a head tilt. The assembly is easily installed on any of a number of different seating units, and can be adjusted to accommodate seating units with a variety of back widths, and heights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: ROBERT DEAN DONOVAN, NIKKI WHITE, NICK YANG, DEREK SUN, ERIC SHEN
  • Publication number: 20180103761
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanical extending linkage configured to be mounted in a seating unit capable of being movable between a retracted position and an extended position and comprising a seat, a backrest and extendable primary and secondary footrests. The mechanical extending linkage comprises a footrest assembly for extending and retracting the primary footrest and the secondary footrest, the footrest assembly comprising a primary footrest link, a secondary footrest link, and an intermediate link set having a first intermediate link, a second intermediate link, a third intermediate link and a fourth intermediate link; the footrest assembly is configured in such a manner that the secondary footrest link, the first intermediate link and the second intermediate link are arranged substantially parallel with the seat when the seating unit is in the retracted position. The present invention further provides a seating unit comprising the mechanical extending linkages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: NIKKI WHITE, YUNHUA SUN, ZILIU PAN, LIMING YANG
  • Patent number: 9931256
    Abstract: A lift mechanism for a reclining chair is provided. The lift mechanism can include a lock that prevents the seat from shifting from a reclining position into a seat-lift position without first shifting into an upright, closed position. The lock is shiftable between a locked position, where the chair is prevented from shifting into a seat-lift position and an unlocked position where the chair is permitted to shift into a seat-lift position. The lift mechanism can include an activator tube that can shift the lock between the unlocked and locked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Nikki White, Jeffrey Kyle Plunk
  • Publication number: 20160367030
    Abstract: A seating-unit mechanism includes various components that control a position of the seat and backrest and that control an extension and retraction of an ottoman and footrest. For example, the mechanism includes a linear actuator that controls a seat pitch (e.g., height and level of recline). In addition, the mechanism includes an ottoman-linkage drive mechanism, which might include a drive link or another linear actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: BOBBY DONOVAN, NIKKI WHITE
  • Publication number: 20160346143
    Abstract: A lift mechanism for a reclining chair is provided. The lift mechanism can include a lock that prevents the seat from shifting from a reclining position into a seat-lift position without first shifting into an upright, closed position. The lock is shiftable between a locked position, where the chair is prevented from shifting into a seat-lift position and an unlocked position where the chair is permitted to shift into a seat-lift position. The lift mechanism can include an activator tube that can shift the lock between the unlocked and locked positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: NIKKI WHITE, JEFFREY KYLE PLUNK
  • Patent number: 9433294
    Abstract: A seating-unit mechanism includes various components that control a position of the seat and backrest and that control an extension and retraction of an ottoman and footrest. For example, the mechanism includes a linear actuator that controls a seat pitch (e.g., height and level of recline). In addition, the mechanism includes an ottoman-linkage drive mechanism, which might include a drive link or another linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Bobby Donovan, Nikki White
  • Publication number: 20150054315
    Abstract: A seating-unit mechanism includes various components that control a position of the seat and backrest and that control an extension and retraction of an ottoman and footrest. For example, the mechanism includes a linear actuator that controls a seat pitch (e.g., height and level of recline). In addition, the mechanism includes an ottoman-linkage drive mechanism, which might include a drive link or another linear actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Bobby Donovan, Nikki White
  • Patent number: 7708346
    Abstract: A seating unit has a base pivotably coupled to a back by a reclining mechanism, which has a pair of arms pivotably coupled to the base side members. The arms are coupled to a rearward transverse member that swings forward and compresses a cylinder actuator as the user reclines the back. The opposed end of the actuator is coupled to a forward transverse member, which is in turn coupled between the base side members. The actuator has a release valve that is operated by pulling a manual lever of a release mechanism. The release mechanism frees the cylinder actuator from a rigid position thereby allowing the user to force the back rearward or allowing the predisposed extension force of the cylinder to return the reclining back to the fully upright position. Discontinuing the release mechanism will cause the actuator to arrest the back in a reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Nikki White, Robert Dean Donovan
  • Patent number: 7497512
    Abstract: This invention is related to a mechanism for use in a rocker recliner chair that reduces the complexity and links of typical linkage mechanisms. The rocker recliner chair includes a base, a rocker cam assembly mounted on the base, a seat, a footrest, a backrest and a pair of linkage mechanisms mounted on opposite sides of the chair. Each of the linkage mechanisms includes a recliner mechanism, a drive mechanism, and a footrest mechanism. The recliner mechanism is coupled to the base. The drive mechanism includes an ottoman drive bell crank and an ottoman drive link. The ottoman drive bell crank is coupled to a rear portion of the recliner mechanism. The ottoman drive link couples the ottoman drive bell crank to the footrest mechanism. The footrest mechanism is connected to the recliner mechanism by a footrest extension linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Nikki White, Bill D. Tacker, Terry D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7455360
    Abstract: An article of seating furniture is provided with a lift mechanism. The article can be a chair with a base and a seat that is pivotally connected to the base. A back is coupled to the seat and may be either fixed to the seat or rotatably coupled to the seat. An actuator is mounted to the base extending towards the rear of the chair. The actuator is pivotally coupled to the base on one end and is pivotally coupled to the seat on the other end. The actuator moves the seat between a generally horizontal position and a raised position. With the back rotatably mounted to the seat, a linkage bar can be added that extends from base front to a bracket that mounts the back to the seat. The linkage bar reclines the back as the seat is raised from horizontal position to the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: L & P Property Management
    Inventors: Nikki White, Shelby Ladner, Bill Tacker, Kenneth Graham
  • Publication number: 20080061607
    Abstract: A storage system for a seating unit comprising storage means having first and second pannier portions for storing articles. The storage system has securing means in the form of at least one strip of material extending between said pannier portions for securing said storage means to said seating unit. Each pannier portion is arranged to depend from the securing means on a respective side of the seating unit in use and the strip of material is selectively securable around a portion of the seating unit. The strip of material comprises releasable fastening means such that the strip can be passed around the seating unit dining use and selectively fastened together so as to form of a closed loop about said seating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Paul White, Nikki White
  • Publication number: 20070278837
    Abstract: A seating unit has a base pivotably coupled to a back by a reclining mechanism, which has a pair of arms pivotably coupled to the base side members. The arms are coupled to a rearward transverse member that swings forward and compresses a cylinder actuator as the user reclines the back. The opposed end of the actuator is coupled to a forward transverse member, which is in turn coupled between the base side members. The actuator has a release valve that is operated by pulling a manual lever of a release mechanism. The release mechanism frees the cylinder actuator from a rigid position thereby allowing the user to force the back rearward or allowing the predisposed extension force of the cylinder to return the reclining back to the fully upright position. Discontinuing the release mechanism will cause the actuator to arrest the back in a reclined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: L & P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: NIKKI WHITE, ROBERT DEAN DONOVAN
  • Publication number: 20070246986
    Abstract: An article of seating furniture is provided with a lift mechanism. The article can be a chair with a base and a seat that is pivotally connected to the base. A back is coupled to the seat and may be either fixed to the seat or rotatably coupled to the seat. An actuator is mounted to the base extending towards the rear of the chair. The actuator is pivotally coupled to the base on one end and is pivotally coupled to the seat on the other end. The actuator moves the seat between a generally horizontal position and a raised position. With the back rotatably mounted to the seat, a linkage bar can be added that extends from base front to a bracket that mounts the back to the seat. The linkage bar reclines the back as the seat is raised from horizontal position to the raised position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: L & P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Nikki White, Shelby Ladner, Bill Tacker, Kenneth Graham
  • Patent number: 7188908
    Abstract: This invention is related to a knock down frame attachment system. The knock down frame attachment system includes a seating portion, a pair of side panels and a plurality of sets of mounting brackets. A set includes both a left and a right mounting bracket. A set of brackets are coupled to each side of the seating portion and to both side panels. Thus, two sets of brackets are required to attach a side panel to the seating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Nikki White, Mike Crum
  • Publication number: 20060273631
    Abstract: This invention is related to a mechanism for use in a rocker recliner chair that reduces the complexity and links of typical linkage mechanisms. The rocker recliner chair includes a base, a rocker cam assembly mounted on the base, a seat, a footrest, a backrest and a pair of linkage mechanisms mounted on opposite sides of the chair. Each of the linkage mechanisms includes a recliner mechanism, a drive mechanism, and a footrest mechanism. The recliner mechanism is coupled to the base. The drive mechanism includes an ottoman drive bell crank and an ottoman drive link. The ottoman drive bell crank is coupled to a rear portion of the recliner mechanism. The ottoman drive link couples the ottoman drive bell crank to the footrest mechanism. The footrest mechanism is connected to the recliner mechanism by a footrest extension linkage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventors: Nikki White, Bill Tacker, Terry Johnson
  • Patent number: 7140690
    Abstract: This invention is related to a knock down frame attachment system. The knock down frame attachment system includes a seating portion, a pair of side panels and a plurality of sets of mounting brackets. A set includes both a left and a right mounting bracket. A set of brackets are coupled to each side of the seating portion and to both side panels. Thus, two sets of brackets are required to attach a side panel to the seating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Nikki White, Mike Crum
  • Publication number: 20050146194
    Abstract: This invention is related to a knock down frame attachment system. The knock down frame attachment system includes a seating portion, a pair of side panels and a plurality of sets of mounting brackets. A set includes both a left and a right mounting bracket. A set of brackets are coupled to each side of the seating portion and to both side panels. Thus, two sets of brackets are required to attach a side panel to the seating portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Nikki White, Mike Crum