Patents by Inventor Stephen A. Culp

Stephen A. Culp 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: 7856772
    Abstract: A modular assembly system comprising a plurality of structural members. Each of the structural members has at least one slot along a lengthwise side of the member. Each of the structural members is also defined by a unique spaced relationship between the predetermined slot-to-side distance and the slot-to-slot distance. The slot-to-slot distance is a whole-number multiple of the predetermined slot-to-side distance. Each of the at least one along a lengthwise side of each of the plurality of structural members is adapted to be detachably and selectively connected slot-to-slot to one of all of the slots along one of the lengthwise sides of each of the other structural members. In the preferred embodiments, the system also includes a circular support structure and an arcuate support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Smart Furniture, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Culp, Terry W. Gentle
  • Patent number: 7114300
    Abstract: A system of modular assembly comprising a plurality of structural members. Each of the plurality of structural members comprises at least two slots along a lengthwise side. A first one of the at least two slots defines a first outside slot which is located nearest to a first widthwise side and a second one of the at least two slots defines a second outside slot which is located nearest to a second widthwise side. The distance between the slot axis of the first outside slot and the first widthwise side is a predetermined slot-to-side distance, and the distance between the slot axis of the second outside slot and the second widthwise side is a whole-number multiple of the predetermined slot-to-side distance. The distance between each of the slot axes of the at least two slots along one of said lengthwise sides is a whole-number multiple of the predetermined slot-to-side distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Smart Furniture
    Inventor: Stephen A. Culp
  • Patent number: 6845871
    Abstract: A system for modular construction comprising a plurality of structural members. Each of the plurality of structural members comprises a first lengthwise side and a second lengthwise side opposite the first lengthwise side. Each of the lengthwise sides are generally parallel to each other. Each of the plurality of structural members also comprises a first widthwise side and a second widthwise side opposite the first widthwise side. Each of the widthwise sides are generally parallel to each other. Each of the plurality of structural members also comprises at least two slots along one of said lengthwise sides. Each of the slots comprise a pair of generally parallel slot sides, an open end along one of the lengthwise sides, a slot axis parallel to and disposed equally between the slot sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Smart Furniture, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen A. Culp
  • Patent number: 6615999
    Abstract: A system for construction including a first subassembly, a second subassembly, and a connecting member. The first subassembly comprises a plurality of first structural members, each of which includes a plurality of first member sides. At least one of the first member sides includes a first member slot having a first member slot axis. Further, at least one of the first structural members of the first subassembly has at least two first member slots. Each of the first structural members of the first subassembly is detachably connected slot-to-slot to at least one other first structural member to produce the first subassembly. The second subassembly comprises a plurality of second structural members, each of which includes a plurality of second member sides. At least one of the second member sides includes a second member slot having a second member slot axis. Further, at least one of the second structural members of the second subassembly has at least two second member slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Smart Furniture, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen A. Culp
  • Publication number: 20010037987
    Abstract: A system for construction whereby a virtually unlimited number of structural configurations relating to vastly different applications can be assembled using relatively few different structural members. Structural members are sized and slotted according to a standardized system. Because structural members are sized and slotted according to the standardized system, the vast majority of structural members are interchangeable and inter-connectable with other structural members to allow for scaling and expansion of structural assemblies while maintaining consistent spacing. This wide range of interchangeability and consistently spaced inter-connectibility overcomes conventional restraints which have, historically, limited design flexibility and the resulting utility of conventionally constructed items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Applicant: Wm. Brook Lafferty
    Inventor: STEPHEN A. CULP