Patents by Inventor Richard C. Bue

Richard C. Bue 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: 7712422
    Abstract: A folding table includes a frame with a folding top mounted to the frame. A linkage mounts to the frame and to the top and facilitates movement of the top between a horizontal use position and a folded position wherein the top is substantially vertical. The linkage includes a link mounted to the frame at a first end and to the table top at a second end. A first element mounts to the underside of the top and has a slot with a straight portion and an end portion extending upward at an oblique angle to the straight portion. A follower mounts at the top of the frame and slides in the slot and resting in the end portion when the top is in the use position. The slot, follower and linkage are configured so that the table top does not require latching, but cannot be accidentally folding when force is applied to the top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard C. Bue
  • Patent number: 7611193
    Abstract: A table and seating arrangement includes a tabletop defining a longitudinal direction and having an edge. A frame mounts to an underside of the tabletop and includes risers and laterally extending portions. Casters or wheels mount to the frame and provide for easy rolling transport of the table and seating arrangement. Seating assemblies having two stools mount to the framework on linkages that provide for moving the seats from a use position with the seats extended beyond the edge of the tabletops and engaging the ground to a storage position wherein the seats are raised and retracted to be inward from the edges of the tabletop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard C. Bue, John M. Elliott, Kendall A. Kragenbring
  • Publication number: 20080017082
    Abstract: A folding table includes a frame with a folding top mounted to the frame. A linkage mounts to the frame and to the top and facilitates movement of the top between a horizontal use position and a folded position wherein the top is substantially vertical. The linkage includes a link mounted to the frame at a first end and to the table top at a second end. A first element mounts to the underside of the top and has a slot with a straight portion and an end portion extending upward at an oblique angle to the straight portion. A follower mounts at the top of the frame and slides in the slot and resting in the end portion when the top is in the use position. The slot, follower and linkage are configured so that the table top does not require latching, but cannot be accidentally folding when force is applied to the top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: Sico Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard C. Bue
  • Patent number: 7293786
    Abstract: A room service table includes a frame, a tabletop including folding side portions and wheels. A push handle assembly mounts to an underside of the table and includes a handle portion and a hinge body portion. The handle portion includes a grip, a support portion and a hinge pin portion. The hinge body mounts to the tabletop and includes barrel portions supporting the hinge pin portion. The hinge pin portion has a tab formed in an end thereof engaging a complementary slot formed in the hinge body portion. The slot includes a first section and a second section that receive and retain the tab for aligning and securing the handle at the use position and at the storage position. The biasing member urges the pin toward the slot. Rotation is accomplished by sliding the handle axially so that the tab disengages the slot and rotating the handle to the desired position and then releasing the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventors: David J. Burton, Gary W. Andert, Richard C. Bue
  • Patent number: 6386628
    Abstract: A folding table includes a pair of table top members having a straight edge and an outer edge forming an oval table surface. A folding linkage folds the table tops about centerline between a use position and a folded storage position. Stools are disposed above the periphery of the table with support legs extending down from the stools. In the folded position, the table is supported on legs having casters or rollers. Locks prevent the table from unfolding from its use position and also prevent the table from fully folding for easier transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard C. Bue
  • Publication number: 20010026086
    Abstract: A folding table includes a pair of table top members having a straight edge and an outer edge forming an oval table surface. A folding linkage folds the table tops about centerline between a use position and a folded storage position. Stools are disposed above the periphery of the table with support legs extending down from the stools. In the folded position, the table is supported on legs having casters or rollers. Locks prevent the table from unfolding from its use position and also prevent the table from fully folding for easier transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: Sico Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard C. Bue
  • Patent number: 6254178
    Abstract: A folding table includes a pair of table top members having a straight edge and an outer edge forming an oval table surface. A folding linkage folds the table tops about centerline between a use position and a folded storage position. Stools are disposed above the periphery of the table with support legs extending down from the stools. In the folded position, the table is supported on legs having casters or rollers. Locks prevent the table from unfolding from its use position and also prevent the table from fully folding for easier transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: SICO, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Bue
  • Patent number: 6192808
    Abstract: A folding table includes a folding table top and a framework typically mounted on casters or rollers. A linkage provides for folding of the table top between a use position wherein the table top is substantially horizontal and a storage position wherein the tabletop is substantially vertical. The linkage includes a table top frame member having a slot and c-channel formed therein slidably mounted on a pivot at a top of the framework. A linkage arm extends between one end of the table top frame member and the frame. A latch pivotally mounts to the table top frame member and moves between an engaged and disengaged position wherein the frame pivot is retained. A latch holder also slidably mounts on the table top frame member and is selectively engageable with a lift surface of the latch member to lift the latch out of engagement with the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard C. Bue
  • Patent number: 6164016
    Abstract: A folding stage includes deck connectors that are configured for engaging a bore formed in the decks. The connectors may extend outward to support bridging decks adjacent the stage. Pin-type connectors are rotatable into a retaining position are rotatable downward below the decks. The connectors may also be turned to extend beyond the edge of the stage decks or be retracted to a position below the stage deck when not used for bridging. A deck retainer includes a retaining tab portion at one end for retaining bridging decks against the stage decks as well as the lifting surface at the other end which may engage the bottom of the decks to lift the decks so that the connectors may be turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard C. Bue, Mark DeSimone
  • Patent number: 6128881
    Abstract: A portable floor system includes a plurality of substantially rectangular floor panels adapted for connection along their edges to form an extended floor surface. The extruded edges include complementary tongues and grooves, and complementary locking members for aligning and connecting the edges of the panels. The tongues include notches and the grooves have complementary vertical pins to aid in aligning the panels during locking. The portable floor system has transitional edge trim panels that provide a transition from the floor surface to the underlying supporting surface. The edge trim panels include ribs forming slots for receiving alignment members that provide alignment between the ends of the edge trim panels. The alignment members include set screws and L-shaped members for inserting into complementary ends of corner edge trim panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard C. Bue, Harry V. Levey
  • Patent number: 6065802
    Abstract: A folding table with seating, the table having an oval shape and seating structure. The folding table includes a pair of semi-circular shaped table top sections folding along the straight edge of each section. A lock maintains the table in the unfolded position and is easily released by accessing an end handle that extends downward from the center axis near the edges of the table top sections. A framework extends downward and out to eight stools, four stools spaced apart around the curving periphery of each table top section. A leg extending below each stool to provide spaced apart supports around the entire table. The folding framework folds the tables top from a planar horizontal position to a vertical position wherein the bottoms of the table tops substantially oppose one another. The stools fold around the ends of the table top in the folded position so that the table requires much less floor pace than in the unfolded, use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard C. Bue
  • Patent number: 5613450
    Abstract: A folding stage (20) includes a folding framework (22) supporting stage decks (24). The stage is supported on a caster frame (38) including casters (26) for moving the stage from location to location in a folded position. Inner legs (32) and outer legs (34) support the stage in the unfolded position and fold against decks (24) in the storage position. A folding linkage (30) directs and controls folding between a use position and a folded storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventors: Walter R. Wagner, Richard C. Bue
  • Patent number: 4949649
    Abstract: An elevationally adjustable folding stage (30) has two stage surface members (32, 34) which form a planar stage surface. The stage surface members (32, 34) fold to substantially vertical storage position. The stage (30) includes elevationally adjustable telescoping legs (80, 82) which can be adjusted to a number of elevations. Height adjustment pins (128) are remotely released from a location that allows lifting of the stage while simultaneously releasing the height adjustment pins (128) for the corresponding stage surface member. Lifting is aided by lift mechanisms (136) to counter the weight of the stage (30). The stage surface members (32, 34) hinge at a center position and are latched and unlatched by a locking mechanism (150). The locking mechanism (150) uses a spring-loaded member (164) with a finger (170) engaging a cam (172) to guide the sections during folding and biasing a rod (174) to a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark A. Terres, Paul Thompson, Richard C. Bue
  • Patent number: 4932333
    Abstract: A folding table (10) has two folding tabletops (12) and associated benches (14) which fold on a linkage (38). The support legs (18) have main support wheels (26) and stabilizing wheels (3) mounted on an outrigger (32) extending outward from the main support wheel riser (28) providing additional stability. The outrigger (32) has a riser and a slanted section extending up from the riser to the main support wheel riser (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas R. Jensen, Richard C. Bue
  • Patent number: 4449263
    Abstract: A drive coupling for a power operated folding support structure which is pivoted between a horizontal use position and a vertical storage position by an electric drive mechanism. A drive coupling operatively couples the arm of the electric drive motor to the pivoting support frame. The drive coupling includes a friction plate which is held between a pair of friction members secured by clamping members. The frictional drive coupling transmits force from the drive motor to pivot the frame, but allows slippage in the event that an obstacle or excessive force is encountered while pivoting the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventors: Kermit H. Wilson, Richard C. Bue
  • Patent number: 4327650
    Abstract: A mobile folding stage having a pair of stage surface members (10, 11), main support legs interconnected to form a base frame (12), and outer support legs (14, 15). Casters (70-73) are connected to caster beams (60-63) which are pivotally mounted to a caster frame (45) secured to the main support legs. Actuator links (86, 87) connect from the caster beams to the stage surface members to cause extension of the casters when the stage is brought to its horizontal, operable position, and to retract the casters when the stage is folded to its storage position. Outer leg control links (120) are positioned with respect to the outer leg to provide an over center resistance force which holds the stage surface members in their folded position. In the preferred embodiment, elevational adjustment is achieved through auxiliary support legs (130, 131), and the caster beams (60, 61) are shaped and positioned, together with stop members (141, 142) to position and secure the auxiliary legs in their fully extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard C. Bue
  • Patent number: D514830
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard C. Bue
  • Patent number: D573360
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard C. Bue, John M. Elliott, Kendall A. Kragenbring
  • Patent number: D327779
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas R. Jensen, Richard C. Bue
  • Patent number: D413734
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard C. Bue