Patents by Inventor Steven DuFresne

Steven DuFresne 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: 20240081533
    Abstract: An example gas lift cylinder removal device described herein includes a collar assembly having a guide pin, a set screw, and a lead screw. The example cylinder removal device is disposed on a gas lift cylinder and provided proximate to and below a seat plate assembly of an example task chair. Operation of the gas lift cylinder removal tool from a first position to a second position provides a mechanical advantage to impart an upward force on a bushing of the seat plate assembly, thereby displacing the cylinder from the seat plate assembly. An example task chair having the gas lift cylinder removal tool is described herein comprising a support surface, a seat plate assembly, and a base assembly, the seat plate assembly including a bushing, an upper plate and a lower plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventor: Steven DuFresne
  • Publication number: 20240081542
    Abstract: An example interchangeable decorative feature described herein includes an interchangeable panel provided on a housing of a task chair. The panel provides aesthetic functionality by allowing a user to customize, modify, personalize, or otherwise alter the design, theme, or aesthetic of the example task chair. The panel is interchangeable and includes a snap fitting coupling the panel to a surface of the chair. An example interchangeable decorative feature described herein additionally or alternatively includes an interchangeable vinyl skin provided on a task chair. The vinyl skin includes an adhesive for adhering the skin to a surface of the example task chair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventor: Steven DuFresne
  • Publication number: 20240050296
    Abstract: A multi-position airflow control assembly includes a valve body fluidly connected to at least three inflation zones of a cushion, a control assembly partially received by the valve body, the control assembly including a seal member, and an actuation assembly operably connected to the seal member and configured to rotate the seal member relative to the valve body between at least a first position and a second position. In the first position, the seal member is configured to fluidly isolate the at least three inflation zones from each other. In the second position, the seal member is configured to group the at least three inflation zones into a first group of inflation zones being fluidly connected, and a second group of inflation zones being fluidly connected, the first group of inflation zones being fluidly isolated from the second group of inflation zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: David Hopp, Kevin Meier, Ross Peyton, Steven DuFresne
  • Publication number: 20230414002
    Abstract: A seating configuration is described. The seating configuration includes a first support surface configured to support the Ischial Tuberosities of a user. The first support surface includes a feature to urge a user into an optimal position on the seat. The seating configuration includes a second support surface positioned adjacent a pelvic-sacral-lumbar region of the user. The seating configuration includes a third support surface positioned adjacent a thoracic-cervical region of the user. The first, second, and third support surfaces, respectively, together can be configured to create a natural alignment of a spinal column of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventor: Steven DuFresne
  • Publication number: 20230397733
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a chair or seat assembly comprising a seat, a back support, and a support arm coupling the back support to the seat. The support arm comprises an illumination and control assembly. The illumination and control assembly comprises an illuminator, and a controller coupled to the illuminator. The illumination and control assembly further comprises an accelerometer, and the controller is coupled to the accelerometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Steven DuFresne, Kent Solberg
  • Publication number: 20230366475
    Abstract: An air valve assembly includes a housing defining an internal channel configured to receive a first member, the first member is fluidly connected to an air source, a plunger member positioned in the internal channel and configured to slide relative to the housing, a biasing member positioned in the internal channel and configured to apply a biasing force onto the plunger member, and a sealing member positioned in the internal channel and defining a first inflation aperture, the plunger member slidably received by the first inflation aperture. In a first inflation configuration, the first member is configured to form a magnetic connection with the sealing member and contact the plunger member to overcome the biasing force, the plunger member is configured to responsively slide relative to the first inflation aperture to facilitate a flow of air between the sealing member and the plunger member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Ross Peyton, Kevin Meier, David Hopp, Steven Long, Steven DuFresne
  • Patent number: 11801175
    Abstract: A multi-position airflow control assembly includes a valve housing, a valve body received by the valve housing, a plurality of connectors coupled to the valve body, each connector configured to fluidly connect to an inflation zone of a cellular cushion, and a control assembly partially received by the valve body. The control assembly includes a seal member, and an actuation assembly operably connected to the seal member and configured to rotate the seal member relative to the valve body. The seal member is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: PERMOBIL, INC.
    Inventors: David Hopp, Kevin Meier, Ross Peyton, Steven DuFresne
  • Publication number: 20230309699
    Abstract: A support surface including a cutout on a bottom surface of the support surface. The cutout, which can include a plurality of cutouts, provides a controlled structural collapse of the support surface by varying a stiffness in a cross-section. That is, the area in which the cutouts are positioned collapses more easily than the surrounding area of the support structure, thus making the area with the cutouts perceived as being softer. The cutouts can reduce the peak pressures on the portion of the user's body (for example, the user's ischial tuberosities) that is positioned over the cutouts. The support surface can also include a low-friction interface extending across a top surface of the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventor: Steven DuFresne
  • Publication number: 20230301435
    Abstract: A base for a chair is described. The example base for the chair includes a central support coupled to a seat of the chair, a first pair of legs extending radially from the central support, and a second pair of legs extending radially from the central support. The first pair of legs extend in a direction opposite the second pair of legs. A first angle between the first pair of legs is larger than a second angle between the second pair of legs. Respective legs of each of the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs are rotationally fixed relative to the seat of the chair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventor: Steven DuFresne
  • Patent number: 11744375
    Abstract: A seating configuration is described. The seating configuration includes a seat. The seat includes a feature to retain a user in a specific position on the seat. The seating configuration includes a first back support. The first back support is positioned adjacent a posterior pelvic area of the user. The seating configuration includes a second back support. The second back support is positioned adjacent to the thoracic area of the user. The seat, the first back support, and the second back support together can be configured to create a natural alignment of a spinal column of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Anthro Form, LLC
    Inventor: Steven DuFresne
  • Publication number: 20230270255
    Abstract: A chair is described herein. The chair includes a first back support coupled to a base of the chair using one or more first support arms. The chair also includes a second back support coupled to the base of the chair using one or more second support arms. The first and second back supports are independently rotatable about a common axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventor: Steven DuFresne
  • Patent number: 11739854
    Abstract: An air valve assembly includes a housing defining an internal channel, a plunger member positioned in the internal channel and configured to slide relative to the housing, a biasing member positioned in the internal channel and configured to apply a biasing force onto the plunger member, a sealing member defining a first inflation aperture, the plunger member slidably received by the first inflation aperture, a second deflation aperture defined by the housing and in fluid communication with the internal channel, and a deflation control member slidably connected to the housing, the deflation control member configured to selectively seal the second deflation aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: PERMOBIL, INC.
    Inventors: Ross Peyton, Kevin Meier, David Hopp, Steven Long, Steven DuFresne
  • Publication number: 20230218460
    Abstract: A multi-position airflow control assembly includes a valve housing, a valve body received by the valve housing, a plurality of connectors coupled to the valve body, each connector configured to fluidly connect to an inflation zone of a cellular cushion, and a control assembly partially received by the valve body. The control assembly includes a seal member, and an actuation assembly operably connected to the seal member and configured to rotate the seal member relative to the valve body. The seal member is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: David Hopp, Kevin Meier, Ross Peyton, Steven DuFresne
  • Publication number: 20230220921
    Abstract: An air valve assembly includes a housing defining an internal channel, a plunger member positioned in the internal channel and configured to slide relative to the housing, a biasing member positioned in the internal channel and configured to apply a biasing force onto the plunger member, a sealing member defining a first inflation aperture, the plunger member slidably received by the first inflation aperture, a second deflation aperture defined by the housing and in fluid communication with the internal channel, and a deflation control member slidably connected to the housing, the deflation control member configured to selectively seal the second deflation aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Ross Peyton, Kevin Meier, David Hopp, Steven Long, Steven DuFresne
  • Patent number: 11672343
    Abstract: A base for a chair is described. The example base for the chair includes a central support coupled to a seat pan of the chair, a first pair of legs extending radially from the central support, and a second pair of legs extending radially from the central support. The first pair of legs extend in a direction opposite the second pair of legs. A first angle between the first pair of legs is larger than a second angle between the second pair of legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Anthro Form, LLC
    Inventor: Steven DuFresne
  • Patent number: 11672344
    Abstract: A support surface including a cutout on a bottom surface of the support surface. The cutout, which can include a plurality of cutouts, provides a controlled structural collapse of the support surface by varying a stiffness in a cross-section. That is, the area in which the cutouts are positioned collapses more easily than the surrounding area of the support structure, thus making the area with the cutouts perceived as being softer. The cutouts can reduce the peak pressures on the portion of the user's body (for example, the user's ischial tuberosities) that is positioned over the cutouts. The support surface can also include a low-friction interface extending across a top surface of the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Anthro Form, LLC
    Inventor: Steven DuFresne
  • Patent number: 11641944
    Abstract: A chair is described herein. The chair includes a first back support coupled to a base of the chair using one or more first support arms. The chair also includes a second back support coupled to the base of the chair using one or more second support arms. The first and second back supports are independently rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Anthro Form, LLC
    Inventor: Steven DuFresne
  • Publication number: 20230036247
    Abstract: A support surface including a cutout on a bottom surface of the support surface. The cutout, which can include a plurality of cutouts, provides a controlled structural collapse of the support surface by varying a stiffness in a cross-section. That is, the area in which the cutouts are positioned collapses more easily than the surrounding area of the support structure, thus making the area with the cutouts perceived as being softer. The cutouts can reduce the peak pressures on the portion of the user's body (for example, the user's ischial tuberosities) that is positioned over the cutouts. The support surface can also include a low-friction interface extending across a top surface of the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventor: Steven DuFresne
  • Publication number: 20230022713
    Abstract: A chair is described herein. The chair includes a first back support coupled to a base of the chair using one or more first support arms. The chair also inclues a second back support coupled to the base of the chair using one or more second support arms. The first and second back supports are independently rotatable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventor: Steven DuFresne
  • Publication number: 20230017245
    Abstract: A seating configuration is described. The seating configuration includes a seat. The seat includes a feature to retain a user in a specific position on the seat. The seating configuration includes a first back support. The first back support is positioned adjacent a posterior pelvic area of the user. The seating configuration includes a second back support. The second back support is positioned adjacent to the thoracic area of the user. The seat, the first back support, and the second back support together can be configured to create a natural alignment of a spinal column of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventor: Steven DuFresne