Patents by Inventor Robert B. Duncan
Robert B. Duncan 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: 11910932Abstract: A motion seat is described that includes a chassis, a seat frame, a seat cushion, a backrest, and a resilient hinge. The seat frame is attached to the chassis and the seat cushion and the backrest are each attached to the seat frame. The resilient hinge formed as a unitary body and may be formed from a resilient polymer. The seat cushion and/or the backrest is pivotably attached to the seat frame with the resilient hinge.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2023Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: American Leather Operations, LLCInventors: Jeff Weber, Anders Larsen, Douglas L. Gasal, Jared Hurd, Robert B. Duncan, Kevin Nguyen
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Publication number: 20240000238Abstract: Spring modules for an adjustable sleeping system. At least some of the example embodiments are spring modules comprising: a spring rail, and a plurality of adjustable spring assemblies spaced along the length of the spring rail. Each adjustable spring assembly may comprise: a motor with a stator coupled to the spring rail via a load cell, a lead screw coupled to a rotor of the motor, and the lead screw extending above an upper surface of the spring rail, a spring plate coupled to the lead screw, and a main spring coupled to the spring plate. A tubular sock disposed over the main spring, and a compliant insert can be disposed between adjacent main springs to inhibit side loading and maintain the main spring in upright relation with the spring rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Robert B. DUNCAN, Matthew HAYWARD, Christopher S. THOMPSON, Matthew E. GRIFFEY, Kim K. JENSEN, Peter A. BERMUDEZ
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Publication number: 20230189996Abstract: A motion seat is described that includes a chassis, a seat frame, a seat cushion, a backrest, and a resilient hinge. The seat frame is attached to the chassis and the seat cushion and the backrest are each attached to the seat frame. The resilient hinge formed as a unitary body and may be formed from a resilient polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: American Leather Operations, LLCInventors: Jeff Weber, Anders Larsen, Douglas L. Gasal, Jared Hurd, Robert B. Duncan, Kevin Nguyen
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Patent number: 11653769Abstract: Spring modules for an adjustable sleeping system. At least some of the example embodiments are spring modules comprising: a spring rail, and a plurality of adjustable spring assemblies spaced along the length of the spring rail. Each adjustable spring assembly may comprise: a motor with a stator coupled to the spring rail, a lead screw coupled to the rotor of the motor, and the lead screw extending above an upper surface of the spring rail, a spring plate coupled to the lead screw, and a main spring coupled to the spring plate. Thus, the weight or force carried by each adjustable spring assembly along the spring rail is separately adjustable by a bed controller.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2019Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Inventors: Robert B. Duncan, Matthew Hayward, Heather D. Benoit, Mark W. Foohey, J. Kevin Gentry, Samuel C. Scudder
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Patent number: 11583085Abstract: A motion seat is described that includes a chassis, a seat frame, a seat cushion, a backrest, and a resilient hinge. The seat frame is attached to the chassis and the seat cushion and the backrest are each attached to the seat frame. The resilient hinge formed as a unitary body and may be formed from a resilient polymer.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: American Leather Operations, LLCInventors: Jeff Weber, Anders Larsen, Douglas L. Gasal, Jared Hurd, Robert B. Duncan, Kevin Nguyen
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Patent number: 11439248Abstract: Adjustable sleeping system with massage function. At least one example embodiment is a method of operating a sleeping system, the method including massaging a person residing on a sleeping surface of the sleeping system, the massaging by driving a plurality of adjustable spring assemblies, the plurality of adjustable spring assemblies part of an array of adjustable spring assemblies arranged such that a top of each adjustable spring assembly defines an upper surface parallel to the sleeping surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: SLEEP TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Robert B Duncan, Matthew Hayward, Heather D. Benoit, Mark W. Foohey, J. Kevin Gentry
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Publication number: 20210177146Abstract: A motion seat is described that includes a chassis, a seat frame, a seat cushion, a backrest, and a resilient hinge. The seat frame is attached to the chassis and the seat cushion and the backrest are each attached to the seat frame. The resilient hinge formed as a unitary body and may be formed from a resilient polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2021Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: American Leather Operations, LLCInventors: Jeff Weber, Anders Larsen, Douglas L. Gasal, Jared Hurd, Robert B. Duncan, Kevin Nguyen
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Patent number: 11006754Abstract: A motion seat is described that includes a chassis, a seat frame, a seat cushion, a backrest, and a resilient hinge. The seat frame is attached to the chassis and the seat cushion and the backrest are each attached to the seat frame. The resilient hinge formed as a unitary body and may be formed from a resilient polymer. The seat cushion and/or the backrest is pivotably attached to the seat frame with the resilient hinge.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: American Leather Operations, LLCInventors: Jeff Weber, Anders Larsen, Douglas L. Gasal, Jared Hurd, Robert B. Duncan, Kevin Nguyen
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Publication number: 20200188222Abstract: Adjustable sleeping system with massage function. At least one example embodiment is a method of operating a sleeping system, the method including massaging a person residing on a sleeping surface of the sleeping system, the massaging by driving a plurality of adjustable spring assemblies, the plurality of adjustable spring assemblies part of an array of adjustable spring assemblies arranged such that a top of each adjustable spring assembly defines an upper surface parallel to the sleeping surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2019Publication date: June 18, 2020Applicant: SPC ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLCInventors: Robert B. Duncan, Matthew Hayward, Heather D. Benoit, Mark W. Foohey, J. Kevin Gentry
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Publication number: 20200187665Abstract: Spring modules for an adjustable sleeping system. At least some of the example embodiments are spring modules comprising: a spring rail, and a plurality of adjustable spring assemblies spaced along the length of the spring rail. Each adjustable spring assembly may comprise: a motor with a stator coupled to the spring rail, a lead screw coupled to the rotor of the motor, and the lead screw extending above an upper surface of the spring rail, a spring plate coupled to the lead screw, and a main spring coupled to the spring plate. Thus, the weight or force carried by each adjustable spring assembly along the spring rail is separately adjustable by a bed controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2019Publication date: June 18, 2020Applicant: SPC ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLCInventors: Robert B. Duncan, Matthew Hayward, Heather D. Benoit, Mark W. Foohey, J. Kevin Gentry, Samuel C. SCUDDER
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Publication number: 20200187664Abstract: An adjustable sleeping system. At least some of the example embodiments are an adjustable sleeping system comprising a plurality of spring modules arranged in a first column, each spring module defines a row within the first column. Each spring module may comprise a rail and a plurality of adjustable spring assembles coupled along the rail. Each adjustable spring assembly may comprise a motor coupled to the rail, a lead screw coupled to a rotor of the motor, a spring plate coupled to the lead screw, and a spring coupled to the spring plate. A bed controller is communicatively coupled to each spring module, and the bed controller is configured to selectively control a load carried by each spring assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2019Publication date: June 18, 2020Applicant: SPC ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLCInventors: Robert B. Duncan, Matthew Hayward, Heather D. Benoit, Mark W. Foohey, J. Kevin Gentry
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Publication number: 20200187672Abstract: Adjustable sleeping system with force control. At least one example embodiment is a method of operating a sleeping system, the method including: sensing an area of a sleeping surface of the sleeping system, the area upon which a person resides, the sensing by a bed controller communicatively coupled to an array of adjustable spring assemblies arranged such that a top of each adjustable spring assembly defines an upper surface parallel to the sleeping surface; and driving a plurality of the adjustable spring assemblies being the adjustable spring assemblies beneath the area, the driving to control force distribution among the plurality of the adjustable spring assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2019Publication date: June 18, 2020Applicant: SPC ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLCInventors: Robert B. Duncan, Matthew Hayward, Heather D. Benoit, Mark W. Foohey, J. Kevin Gentry
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Publication number: 20190313798Abstract: A motion seat is described that includes a chassis, a seat frame, a seat cushion, a backrest, and a resilient hinge. The seat frame is attached to the chassis and the seat cushion and the backrest are each attached to the seat frame. The resilient hinge formed as a unitary body and may be formed from a resilient polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Applicant: America Leather Operations, LLCInventors: Jeff Weber, Anders Larsen, Douglas L. Gasal, Jared Hurd, Robert B. Duncan, Kevin Nguyen
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Patent number: 6904628Abstract: A sofa-bed has: a frame with opposing arms; a seat; a subseat hinged to the seat; a connecting rod that pivotally interconnects the subseat and the backrest; pairs of center legs and end legs pivotally attached to, respectively, the subseat and seat; and mechanisms for folding and unfolding the center and end legs. The sofa-bed is movable between a folded position and an unfolded position. The mechanisms for the center legs and the end legs are configured to move the legs from a generally horizontal folded position between the seat and subseat when the sofa-bed is in the folded position to a generally upright position beneath, respectively, the subseat and seat when the bed is in the unfolded position.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: American LeatherInventors: Marcus L. Murphy, Douglas Gasal, Robert B. Duncan, H. Robert Tiffany
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Publication number: 20030070225Abstract: A sofa-bed has: a frame with opposing arms; a seat; a subseat hinged to the seat; a connecting rod that pivotally interconnects the subseat and the backrest; pairs of center legs and end legs pivotally attached to, respectively, the subseat and seat; and mechanisms for folding and unfolding the center and end legs. The sofa-bed is movable between a folded position and an unfolded position. The mechanisms for the center legs and the end legs are configured to move the legs from a generally horizontal folded position between the seat and subseat when the sofa-bed is in the folded position to a generally upright position beneath, respectively, the subseat and seat when the bed is in the unfolded position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2002Publication date: April 17, 2003Inventors: Marcus L. Murphy, Douglas Gasal, Robert B. Duncan, H. Robert Tiffany
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Patent number: 5487212Abstract: An automated machine for attaching a suture to a surgical needle having a suture receiving opening formed therein, and for packaging the same in a package tray comprises a first workstation including a device for sorting a plurality of needles and orienting each needle for automatic feeding to a second swaging workstation, a second workstation including a device for automatically cutting an indefinite length of suture material to a definite length and a device for automatically swaging the needle to close the suture receiving opening about a free end of the suture to secure the suture thereto and form a needle-suture assembly, a needle packaging station including a device for sequentially receiving at least one of the needle-suture assemblies in a package tray in synchronism with the second workstation, the needle packaging station having a device for automatically winding the depending suture portion of the needle-suture assembly into the package tray, a first indexing device for sequentially receiving indivType: GrantFiled: March 22, 1995Date of Patent: January 30, 1996Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: David Demarest, Robert B. Duncan, Martin Sobel, Timothy P. Lenihan, William Rattan, John F. Blanch, Michael G. Hodulik, Dennis P. Yost
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Patent number: 5485668Abstract: A swaging station incorporates a drawing tower that automatically draws, cuts, and inserts an indefinite length strand of suture material within the suture receiving end of a surgical needle for swaging thereof. The suture receiving end of the surgical needle is positioned within a swaging assembly located at the top of the drawing tower that comprises a first fixed swage die and a second movable swage die forming a swage die opening for positively gripping the suture receiving end of the needle positioned therein. A first suture alignment die and a second suture alignment die are precisely registered below and adjacent the respective first and second swage dies to form a lower funnel guide that is axial with the swage die opening for positioning the tip of the suture strand therein. The lower funnel guide has an exit diameter that is larger than the diameter of the suture tip and smaller than the diameter of the suture receiving end of the needle for easy placement of the suture tip therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1995Date of Patent: January 23, 1996Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: David Demarest, Robert B. Duncan, William Rattan
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Patent number: 5477609Abstract: A swaging station incorporates a drawing tower that automatically draws, cuts, and inserts an indefinite length strand of suture material within the suture receiving end of a surgical needle for swaging thereof. The suture receiving end of the surgical needle is positioned within a swaging assembly located at the top of the drawing tower that comprises a first fixed swage die and a second movable swage die forming a swage die opening for positively gripping the suture receiving end of the needle positioned therein. A first suture alignment die and a second suture alignment die are precisely registered below and adjacent the respective first and second swage dies to form a lower funnel guide that is axial with the swage die opening for positioning the tip of the suture strand therein. The lower funnel guide has an exit diameter that is larger than the diameter of the suture tip and smaller than the diameter of the suture receiving end of the needle for easy placement of the suture tip therein.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1994Date of Patent: December 26, 1995Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: David Demarest, Robert B. Duncan, William Rattan
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Patent number: 5473810Abstract: An automated machine for attaching a suture to a surgical needle having a suture receiving opening formed therein, and for packaging the same in a package tray comprises a first workstation including a device for sorting a plurality of needles and orienting each needle for automatic feeding to a second swaging workstation, a second workstation including a device for automatically cutting an indefinite length of suture material to a definite length and a device for automatically swaging the needle to close the suture receiving opening about a free end of the suture to secure the suture thereto and form a needle-suture assembly, a needle packaging station including a device for sequentially receiving at least one of the needle-suture assemblies in a package tray in synchronism with the second workstation, the needle packaging station having a device for automatically winding the depending suture portion of the needle-suture assembly into the package tray, a first indexing device for sequentially receiving indivType: GrantFiled: January 13, 1994Date of Patent: December 12, 1995Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: David Demarest, Robert B. Duncan, Martin Sobel, Timothy P. Lenihan, William Rattan, John F. Blanch, Michael G. Hodulik, Dennis P. Yost
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Patent number: 5473854Abstract: An automated machine for the high-speed packaging of multiple surgical needles each with an attached suture into a tray and detachable cover structure providing a suture package utilized for the packaging of the needles and attached sutures. Additionally, the automated packaging machine incorporates operative mechanism adapted to wind the sutures into a peripheral channel of the tray and facilitating the attachment of the cover to the tray which contains the needles and attached wound sutures, and from which cover there is concurrently formed a separate product-identifying label as a component of the tray upon removal of the cover to gain access to the contents of the tray.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1994Date of Patent: December 12, 1995Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.Inventors: David Demarest, Robert B. Duncan, Martin Sobel, Timothy P. Lenihan, William Rattan