Patents by Inventor Samuel B. Homans

Samuel B. Homans 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: 10201231
    Abstract: A portable chair includes a frame and a sling for accommodating a seated user. The frame includes an upper back pair of bars, a lower back pair of bars, a hub configured to couple the upper back pair of bars to the lower back pair of bars, a middle pair of bars configured to be coupled to a corresponding one of the lower back pair of bars, a front pair of bars configured to be coupled to a corresponding one of the middle pair of bars, and a front joint configured to couple the front pair of bars to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Alite Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel B. Homans, Tae Wan Kim, Elizabeth Clark, Jon-William G. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20170027327
    Abstract: A portable chair includes a frame and a sling for accommodating a seated user. The frame includes an upper back pair of bars, a lower back pair of bars, a hub configured to couple the upper back pair of bars to the lower back pair of bars, a middle pair of bars configured to be coupled to a corresponding one of the lower back pair of bars, a front pair of bars configured to be coupled to a corresponding one of the middle pair of bars, and a front joint configured to couple the front pair of bars to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Samuel B. Homans, Tae Wan Kim, Elizabeth Clark, Jon-William G. Murphy
  • Patent number: 9351578
    Abstract: A portable chair, configured to accommodate a seated user, includes a front pair of collapsible bars, a back pair of collapsible bars, a pair of joints, a center bar, a first set of lower bars, a second set of lower bars, and a sling. The center bar configured to securely couple the pair of back joints to each other. In some embodiments, at least one of the first set of lower bars has a first end permanently fixed to one of the joints, and a second end of first lower bars is configured to provide a point of contact with a ground surface. At least one of the second set of lower bars having a first end configured to be coupled to one of the joints, and wherein a second end of second lower bars is configured to provide a point of contact with a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Alite Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel B. Homans, Tae Wan Kim, Kang S. Lim
  • Publication number: 20160066693
    Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight collapsible portable chairs. In one embodiment, the portable chair has a sling and a chair frame which includes a first pair of bars and a second pair of bars. Each bar of the first pair of bars includes a joint configured to contact a ground surface. In another embodiment, the chair frame includes a front of bars, a back pair of bars, a pair of joints and a center bar configured to securely couple the pair of back joints to each other. In some embodiments, the chair frame includes a front support assembly. In other embodiments, the chair frame includes a pair of lower bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Samuel B. Homans, Tae Wan Kim
  • Publication number: 20160022042
    Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight collapsible portable rests and chairs. In one embodiment, a portable meadow rest accommodates a user in a semi-reclined position. The rest frame includes two pairs of collapsible bars and a pair of joints. The pair of joints are coupled to the collapsible bars. The pair of joints are further configured to contact a ground surface. A center bar is configured to securely couple the pair of joints to each other. The rest mat includes frame interfaces for coupling the rest mat to the rest frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Samuel B. Homans, Tae Wan Kim, Elizabeth Clark, Jon-William G. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20150366352
    Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight collapsible portable chairs. In one embodiment, the portable chair has a sling and a chair frame which includes a first pair of bars and a second pair of bars. Each bar of the first pair of bars includes a joint configured to contact a ground surface. In another embodiment, the chair frame includes a front of bars, a back pair of bars, a pair of joints and a center bar configured to securely couple the pair of back joints to each other. In some embodiments, the chair frame includes a front support assembly. In other embodiments, the chair frame includes a pair of lower bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Samuel B. Homans, Tae Wan Kim, Kang S. Lim
  • Patent number: 9066593
    Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight collapsible portable chairs. In one embodiment, the portable chair has a sling and a chair frame which includes a first pair of bars and a second pair of bars. Each bar of the first pair of bars includes a joint configured to contact a ground surface. In another embodiment, the chair frame includes a front of bars, a back pair of bars, a pair of joints and a center bar configured to securely couple the pair of back joints to each other. In some embodiments, the chair frame includes a front support assembly. In other embodiments, the chair frame includes a pair of lower bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Alite Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel B. Homans, Tae Wan Kim
  • Publication number: 20140217801
    Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight collapsible portable chairs. In one embodiment, the portable chair has a sling and a chair frame which includes a first pair of bars and a second pair of bars. Each bar of the first pair of bars includes a joint configured to contact a ground surface. In another embodiment, the chair frame includes a front of bars, a back pair of bars, a pair of joints and a center bar configured to securely couple the pair of back joints to each other. In some embodiments, the chair frame includes a front support assembly. In other embodiments, the chair frame includes a pair of lower bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Alite Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel B. Homans, Tae Wan Kim
  • Publication number: 20140138989
    Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight collapsible portable chairs. In one embodiment, the portable chair has a sling and a chair frame which includes a first pair of bars and a second pair of bars. Each bar of the first pair of bars includes a joint configured to contact a ground surface. In another embodiment, the chair frame includes a front of bars, a back pair of bars, a pair of joints and a center bar configured to securely couple the pair of back joints to each other. In some embodiments, the chair frame includes a front support assembly. In other embodiments, the chair frame includes a pair of lower bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Samuel B. Homans, Tae Wan Kim, Kang S. Lim
  • Patent number: 8646835
    Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight collapsible portable chairs. In one embodiment, the portable chair has a sling and a chair frame which includes a first pair of bars and a second pair of bars. Each bar of the first pair of bars includes a joint configured to contact a ground surface. In another embodiment, the chair frame includes a front of bars, a back pair of bars, a pair of joints and a center bar configured to securely couple the pair of back joints to each other. In some embodiments, the chair frame includes a front support assembly. In other embodiments, the chair frame includes a pair of lower bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Alite Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel B. Homans, Tae Wan Kim
  • Publication number: 20130069397
    Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight collapsible portable chairs. In one embodiment, the portable chair has a sling and a chair frame which includes a first pair of bars and a second pair of bars. Each bar of the first pair of bars includes a joint configured to contact a ground surface. In another embodiment, the chair frame includes a front of bars, a back pair of bars, a pair of joints and a center bar configured to securely couple the pair of back joints to each other. In some embodiments, the chair frame includes a front support assembly. In other embodiments, the chair frame includes a pair of lower bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Samuel B. Homans, Tae Wan Kim
  • Publication number: 20120326470
    Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight collapsible portable chairs. In one embodiment, the portable chair has a sling and a chair frame which includes a first pair of bars and a second pair of bars. Each bar of the first pair of bars includes a joint configured to contact a ground surface. In another embodiment, the chair frame includes a front of bars, a back pair of bars, a pair of joints and a center bar configured to securely couple the pair of back joints to each other. In some embodiments, the chair frame includes a front support assembly. In other embodiments, the chair frame includes a pair of lower bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Samuel B. Homans, Tae Wan Kim
  • Patent number: 8205934
    Abstract: The portable chair frame that supports a sling of the preferred embodiments includes a brace, a first pair of collapsible bars, a second pair of collapsible bars, and two joints that each provide a point of contact with a ground surface. Each collapsible bar has a first end coupled to the brace and a second end that provides a sling interface for the sling. The joints are included in each of the collapsible bars of the first pair of collapsible bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Alite Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel B. Homans
  • Publication number: 20090230736
    Abstract: The portable chair frame that supports a sling of the preferred embodiments includes a brace, a first pair of collapsible bars, a second pair of collapsible bars, and two joints that each provide a point of contact with a ground surface. Each collapsible bar has a first end coupled to the brace and a second end that provides a sling interface for the sling. The joints are included in each of the collapsible bars of the first pair of collapsible bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Samuel B. Homans
  • Patent number: 6605914
    Abstract: A robotic module for a toy construction system includes a housing enclosing a gear mechanism and an actuator connected to a pivot mechanism to supply operational power for rotation. An energy storage device supplies power to the actuator, which rotates in response to instructions received from a control unit connected to the actuator. A connection plate forms a connection between at least two of the modules. At least one position sensor is provided to sense the arrangement of the modules connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Mark H. Yim, David G. Duff, Samuel B. Homans, Kimon D. Roufas, John W. Suh
  • Patent number: 6575802
    Abstract: An assemblage of robotic modules for a toy construction system includes a plurality of robotic modules, each of which contains memory capability, an actuator, communication means, and a central processor unit. The assemblage also includes a distributed control unit, which is defined at least in part by a plurality of individual central processing units, with each individual robotic module having at least one central processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Mark H. Yim, Samuel B. Homans, David G. Duff, Kimon D. Roufas, John W. Suh
  • Publication number: 20030038607
    Abstract: A robotic module for a toy construction system includes a housing enclosing a gear mechanism and an actuator connected to a pivot mechanism to supply operational power for rotation. An energy storage device supplies power to the actuator, which rotates in response to instructions received from a control unit connected to the actuator. A connection plate forms a connection between at least two of the modules. At least one position sensor is provided to sense the arrangement of the modules connected together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Mark H. Yim, David G. Duff, Samuel B. Homans, Kimon D. Roufas, John W. Suh
  • Publication number: 20030040249
    Abstract: An assemblage of robotic modules for a toy construction system includes a plurality of robotic modules, each of which contains memory capability, an actuator, communication means, and a central processor unit. The assemblage also includes a distributed control unit, which is defined at least in part by a plurality of individual central processing units, with each individual robotic module having at least one central processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Mark H. Yim, Samuel B. Homans, David G. Duff, Kimon D. Roufas, John W. Suh
  • Publication number: 20030040250
    Abstract: An assemblage of robotic modules for a toy construction system includes a plurality of robotic modules, each of which contains memory capability, an actuator, communication means, and a central processor unit. The assemblage also includes a distributed control unit, which is defined at least in part by a plurality of individual central processing units, with each individual robotic module having at least one central processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Mark H. Yim, Samuel B. Homans, David G. Duff, Kimon D. Roufas, John W. Suh
  • Patent number: 6454624
    Abstract: An assemblage of robotic modules includes a plurality of robotic modules, with each robotic module having memory capability, an actuator, a joint position sensor, and communication means. The assemblage of robotic modules also includes a distributed control unit, which is defined at least in part by a plurality of individual central processing units, with each robotic joint module having at least one central processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Duff, Mark H. Yim, Samuel B. Homans, Kimon D. Roufas, John W. Suh