Patents by Inventor Stephen T. Porter

Stephen T. Porter 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).

  • Publication number: 20040169407
    Abstract: A back support for use in seats such as automobile seats or office chairs, includes a flexible support member mounted to the seatback. The shape of the flexible support member changes responsively to a load imposed by a person's back, and may also be changed by an actuator system. Noise, galling, wear and rough movement between moving parts of the flexible back support are reduced by selectively controlling the properties of the surfaces of the flexible support member, the mounting structures, or both. In particular, at least a portion of these surfaces are treated to provide friction surfaces, protection surfaces or both are used. Any combination of devices can be used to treat the surfaces, including tapes, lubricants, extrusions, sleeves, coatings, films, and self-lubricated material sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: James T. Ligon, Stephen T. Porter, James T. Ligon
  • Patent number: 6758522
    Abstract: A flexible back support for use in seats such as automobile seats or office chairs, includes a central body portion with outwardly extending support fingers such that an arch having a variable apex is formed when the back support is subtended longitudinally. The longitudinal location of an apex and the shape of the arch formed on the back support changes responsively to a load imposed by a person's back. Noise, galling, wear and rough movement between moving parts of the flexible back support are reduced by the coefficient of friction reduction method of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: James T. Ligon, Sr., Stephen T. Porter, James T. Ligon, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030006636
    Abstract: A flexible back support for use in seats such as automobile seats or office chairs, includes a central body portion with outwardly extending support fingers such that an arch having a variable apex is formed when the back support is subtended longitudinally. The longitudinal location of an apex and the shape of the arch formed on the back support changes responsively to a load imposed by a person's back. Noise, galling, wear and rough movement between moving parts of the flexible back support are reduced by the coefficient of friction reduction method of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: James T. Ligon, Stephen T. Porter, James T. Ligon
  • Patent number: 4367604
    Abstract: A menu board includes a housing containing a light source, a translucent front panel and a plurality of parallel, spaced ribs with flanges attached to the face of the panel. Menu information strips are insertable between the ribs. Picture units having faces with translucent pictures thereon have opposite side walls with hook elements to engage flanges on any two ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Assignee: Marriott Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen T. Porter, II, Paul G. Gaiser