Patents by Inventor Robert A. Melhuish
Robert A. Melhuish 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).
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Patent number: 9585485Abstract: A seating device can include a seat and a base connected to the seat to support the seat. A tilt mechanism can be connected to at least one of the base and the seat. The tilt mechanism can include at least one of (a) at least one seat connecting member connecting the seat to an upper portion of the base, (b) a plurality of resilient fingers that are attached to the base to engage a floor and flex in response to a user providing a force while sitting or leaning on the seat, and (c) an elastomeric floor engagement member that is attached to the base and has a bottom peripheral portion that contacts a floor and is flexible in response to a user providing the force. In some embodiments, the tilt mechanism may include all of elements (a)-(c).Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2016Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Seth Murray, Bret Recor, Adam Deskevich, Michael Harper, Robert A. Melhuish, Hendrik R. van Hekken, Simon Gatrall, Pinida Jan Moolsintong, Alexander Kwok Yin Ko, Steven Howard Janssens
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Patent number: 9565945Abstract: A seating device can include a height adjustment mechanism that permits a height of a seat to be adjusted. The height adjustment device can be configured so that a user may provide a force to provide upward height adjustment and may also provide a force to allowing for a controlled downward height adjustment of the seat. The height adjustment device can include an actuator that is connected to a rotatable member via linkages. An end of one of the linkages may engage the rotatable member to prevent rotation of the rotatable member, which can prevent height adjustment of the seat. Movement of the actuator may cause the linkages to move so that the rotatable member is free to rotate so that a user may provide a force on the seat to effect height adjustment of the seat and/or cause the seat to be lowered at a desired speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Adam Deskevich, Michael Harper, Andrew Blair Hector, Jeffrey P. Lee, Robert A. Melhuish, Hendrik R. Van Hekken
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Publication number: 20160331144Abstract: A seating device can include a seat and a base connected to the seat to support the seat. A tilt mechanism can be connected to at least one of the base and the seat. The tilt mechanism can include at least one of (a) at least one seat connecting member connecting the seat to an upper portion of the base, (b) a plurality of resilient fingers that are attached to the base to engage a floor and flex in response to a user providing a force while sitting or leaning on the seat, and (c) an elastomeric floor engagement member that is attached to the base and has a bottom peripheral portion that contacts a floor and is flexible in response to a user providing the force. In some embodiments, the tilt mechanism may include all of elements (a)-(c).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventors: Seth Murray, Bret Recor, Adam Deskevich, Michael Harper, Robert A. Melhuish, Hendrick R. van Hekken, Simon Gatrall, Pinida Jan Moolsintong, Alexander Kwok Yin Ko, Steven Howard Janssens
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Publication number: 20160331139Abstract: A seating device can include a height adjustment mechanism that permits a height of a seat to be adjusted. The height adjustment device can be configured so that a user may provide a force to provide upward height adjustment and may also provide a force to allowing for a controlled downward height adjustment of the seat. The height adjustment device can include an actuator that is connected to a rotatable member via linkages. An end of one of the linkages may engage the rotatable member to prevent rotation of the rotatable member, which can prevent height adjustment of the seat. Movement of the actuator may cause the linkages to move so that the rotatable member is free to rotate so that a user may provide a force on the seat to effect height adjustment of the seat and/or cause the seat to be lowered at a desired speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventors: Adam Deskevich, Michael Harper, Andrew Blair Hector, Jeffrey P. Lee, Robert A. Melhuish, Hendrik R. van Hekken
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Patent number: 8480171Abstract: A chair having a seat rotatably attached to a tilt spring portion of a tilt mechanism such that the tilt spring is activated by movement of the seat. A backrest and/or the seat can be rotatably connected to the tilt mechanism by parallel arm arrangements which permit the seat and backrest to tilt relative to each other. A tilt limiter can have a magnetic member which facilitates full movement of the tilt limiter between free and locked positions, and which creates an audible indication of full movement of the tilt limiter. The seat/backrest can be made from a flexible mesh material secured to a rigid overmolding which surrounds and is attached to an inner frame of the seat/backrest wherein an outer surface of the overmolding forms an outer surface of the seat/backrest frame and attachment of the overmolding causes the inner frame to stretch the mesh to a final condition.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Donald T. Chadwick, Arkady Golynsky, Robert A. Melhuish, Hendrik R. van Hekken, Ron K. Watson
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Patent number: 8246117Abstract: An armrest apparatus and chair including one or more armrest apparatuses are disclosed. Each armrest apparatus includes an armrest member attached to at least one chair component. The armrest member has a first aperture and a second aperture. A first plate is positioned above the armrest member. The first plate has a longitudinal slot that is transverse to the first and second apertures. An armrest cover is attached to the first plate. A resilient device is positioned between the first plate and the armrest cover or between the first plate and the armrest member. The resilient device has a first hole sized and configured to receive the first member and a second hole sized and configured to receive the second member. A first member extends through the first aperture, first hole and the longitudinal slot and a second member extends through the second aperture, second hole and the longitudinal slot.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Melhuish, Gregory Allison
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Patent number: 7887131Abstract: A chair having a seat rotatably attached to a tilt spring portion of a tilt mechanism such that the tilt spring is activated by movement of the seat. A backrest and/or the seat can be rotatably connected to the tilt mechanism by parallel arm arrangements which permit the seat and backrest to tilt relative to each other. A tilt limiter can have a magnetic member which facilitates full movement of the tilt limiter between free and locked positions, and which creates an audible indication of full movement of the tilt limiter. The seat/backrest can be made from a flexible mesh material secured to a rigid overmolding which surrounds and is attached to an inner frame of the seat/backrest wherein an outer surface of the overmolding forms an outer surface of the seat/backrest frame and attachment of the overmolding causes the inner frame to stretch the mesh to a final condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Donald T. Chadwick, Arkady Golynsky, Robert A. Melhuish, Hendrik R. van Hekken, Ron K. Watson
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Publication number: 20100141000Abstract: A chair having a seat rotatably attached to a tilt spring portion of a tilt mechanism such that the tilt spring is activated by movement of the seat. A backrest and/or the seat can be rotatably connected to the tilt mechanism by parallel arm arrangements which permit the seat and backrest to tilt relative to each other. A tilt limiter can have a magnetic member which facilitates full movement of the tilt limiter between free and locked positions, and which creates an audible indication of full movement of the tilt limiter. The seat/backrest can be made from a flexible mesh material secured to a rigid overmolding which surrounds and is attached to an inner frame of the seat/backrest wherein an outer surface of the overmolding forms an outer surface of the seat/backrest frame and attachment of the overmolding causes the inner frame to stretch the mesh to a final condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2010Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Donald T. Chadwick, Arkady Golynsky, Robert A. Melhuish, Hendrik R. van Hekken, Ron K. Watson
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Publication number: 20090302661Abstract: An armrest apparatus and chair including one or more armrest apparatuses are disclosed. Each armrest apparatus includes an armrest member attached to at least one chair component. The armrest member has a first aperture and a second aperture. A first plate is positioned above the armrest member. The first plate has a longitudinal slot that is transverse to the first and second apertures. An armrest cover is attached to the first plate. A resilient device is positioned between the first plate and the armrest cover or between the first plate and the armrest member. The resilient device has a first hole sized and configured to receive the first member and a second hole sized and configured to receive the second member. A first member extends through the first aperture, first hole and the longitudinal slot and a second member extends through the second aperture, second hole and the longitudinal slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2009Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Melhuish, Gregory Allison
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Publication number: 20060006715Abstract: A chair having a seat rotatably attached to a tilt spring portion of a tilt mechanism such that the tilt spring is activated by movement of the seat. A backrest and/or the seat can be rotatably connected to the tilt mechanism by parallel arm arrangements which permit the seat and backrest to tilt relative to each other. A tilt limiter can have a magnetic member which facilitates full movement of the tilt limiter between free and locked positions, and which creates an audible indication of full movement of the tilt limiter. The seat/backrest can be made from a flexible mesh material secured to a rigid overmolding which surrounds and is attached to an inner frame of the seat/backrest wherein an outer surface of the overmolding forms an outer surface of the seat/backrest frame and attachment of the overmolding causes the inner frame to stretch the mesh to a final condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2005Publication date: January 12, 2006Inventors: Donald Chadwick, Arkady Golynsky, Robert Melhuish, Hendrik van Hekken, Ron Watson
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Patent number: 6574835Abstract: A hinge used to mount a door to an overhead storage cabinet is disclosed. The hinge provides a combination linear and articulated motion to provide the clearance between the door of the cabinet and the upper, outer corner of the cabinet. Further, the hinge provides a user assist on the opening of the cabinet door and a self-dampening motion on the closing of the cabinet door without the use of pneumatic cylinders.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Melhuish
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Publication number: 20020189052Abstract: A hinge used to mount a door to an overhead storage cabinet is disclosed. The hinge provides a combination linear and articulated motion to provide the clearance between the door of the cabinet and the upper, outer corner of the cabinet. Further, the hinge provides a user assist on the opening of the cabinet door and a self-dampening motion on the closing of the cabinet door without the use of pneumatic cylinders.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2001Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventor: Robert A. Melhuish
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Patent number: 5906420Abstract: An office furniture system of free standing furniture elements which can be linked to each other comprises a modular desk unit and a modular storage unit. The modular storage unit occupies the same floor footprint as a rectangular desk unit. The separate storage unit enhances the storage capacity of an office layout since the mounting of drawers and shelves are not limited by the desk unit configuration. The storage unit has compatible lay-in wiring trays, accepts compatible modular power components and accepts the same privacy partition panels and other accessories as are mounted to the desk units. When the desk unit and the storage unit are linked into an integrated office design, a continuous pathway is provided for the electrical, communication and data wiring required for the office system. Power cables are physically separated from the data and communication wires.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1997Date of Patent: May 25, 1999Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Charles P. Rozier, Jr., Robert E. Reuter, Robert A. Melhuish, Michael L. McAllister, James A. Petronio
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Patent number: 5454536Abstract: Disclosed is a pedestal base for furniture, such a chair. The pedestal base is comprised of a plurality of radially oriented leg members which converge on a central hub, the hub and all of the leg members being formed as an integral piece of molded plastic. The central hub has an upper portion which is adapted to receive a plastic bushing and a lower molded portion which in combination with the bushing holds a chair seat height adjustment mechanism, such as a pneumatic cylinder. The chair base is lightweight and less expensive to manufacture than prior metal and wood chair bases.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1994Date of Patent: October 3, 1995Assignee: Westinghouse Electric CorporationInventor: Robert A. Melhuish
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Patent number: 5265938Abstract: An adjustable arm for a chair and the like whereby the arm may be adjusted vertically within a plurality of incrementally spaced positions. The adjustable arm includes an actuator, a locking lever and a second lever located and mounted between the actuator and the locking lever. The second lever interacts with the actuator and the locking lever and has a pivot point for translating travel of the actuator to travel of the locking lever with ease and a minimum of effort on the part the user. The first lever includes a latch that coacts with predeterminately spaced grooves of a rack, thereby enabling the user to lock the arm into one of various vertical positions, easily and effortlessly.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1991Date of Patent: November 30, 1993Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: Robert A. Melhuish, Donald A. Wimmer
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Patent number: 5029940Abstract: A tilt control mechanism that is mounted to the underside of a chair bottom, and permits the user or sitter to selectively control the chair height, as well as the degree of chair tilt. A tension adjustment mechanism is provided to permit the user to change the amount of spring tension exerted against the chair bottom when the chair is tilted back. Finally, a structural support is provided which interconnects the seat bottom with the tilt mechanism, and transmits downwardly-exerted weight to the mechanism. Each of these four mechanisms comprises a number of parts seated within a die cast enclosure or housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1990Date of Patent: July 9, 1991Assignee: Westinghouse Electric CorporationInventors: Arkady Golynsky, Donald A. Wimmer, Bryan B. Bray, Jr., Robert A. Melhuish