Patents by Inventor Steven J. Caruso

Steven J. Caruso 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: 7856756
    Abstract: Systems for the construction of a variety of planting configurations are disclosed. Some of the disclosed embodiments may be equally applicable for products such as shelving systems. The systems may include various shaped troughs and support surfaces and various methods of assembling the same. The various components and resulting configurational possibilities disclosed provides the user with functionality and aesthetic possibilities never before available, and is well suited for both commercial and residential applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: Steven J. Caruso
  • Patent number: 7373753
    Abstract: Systems for the construction of a variety of planting configurations are disclosed. Some of the disclosed embodiments may be equally applicable for products such as shelving systems. The systems may include various shaped troughs and support surfaces and various methods of assembling the same. The various components and resulting configurational possibilities disclosed provides the user with functionality and aesthetic possibilities never before available, and is well suited for both commercial and residential applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Steven J. Caruso
  • Patent number: 7004543
    Abstract: A tiltable chair including a housing, a back support pivotally attached to the housing about a first horizontal axis and a seat support pivotally attached to the housing about a second horizontal axis. A leaf spring includes a first end engaging the housing and a second end biasing the back support and seat support in an upward direction. A fulcrum member is moveably supported in the housing and engages a bottom surface of the spring intermediate the first and second ends of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome C. Caruso, Steven J. Caruso, Bruce R. Gezon, Marc A. Gierz, Jack R. Nyenhuis
  • Patent number: 6877813
    Abstract: An adjustable armrest for a chair includes a housing having a cavity defined by a wall and a latch member slideably mounted in the cavity. The latch member includes a wedge shaped portion having a first and second surface forming a oblique angle between them. One of the first and second surfaces engages the wall of the housing at least when the latch is in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome C. Caruso, Steven J. Caruso, Bruce R. Gezon, Marc A. Gierz, Jack R. Nyenhuis
  • Publication number: 20040104611
    Abstract: An adjustable armrest for a chair includes a housing having a cavity defined by a wall and a latch member slideably mounted in the cavity. The latch member includes a wedge shaped portion having a first and second surface forming a oblique angle between them. One of the first and second surfaces engages the wall of the housing at least when the latch is in the engaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Jerome C. Caruso, Steven J. Caruso, Bruce R. Gezon, Marc A. Gierz, Jack R. Nyenhuis
  • Publication number: 20040068831
    Abstract: A caster assembly including a housing including a first side portion and a second side portion. The first side portion and the second side portion each have an opening. An axle extends between the first side portion and the second side portion and includes two end portions. The first side portion includes a first snap element and the first end of the axle includes a second snap element in a snap fit arrangement with the first snap element. The second side portion of the housing includes a third snap element and the second end of the axle includes a fourth snap element in a snap fit arrangement with the third snap element. A wheel disposed between the first side portion and the second side portion, with the axle positioned in a central axial opening in the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Jerome C. Caruso, Steven J. Caruso
  • Patent number: 6598937
    Abstract: An adjustable backrest for a seating structure includes an upright having a rack. The backrest is moveably mounted on the upright. A pawl is pivotally mounted to the backrest about a pivot axis and is pivotable between an engaged position, wherein the pawl is engaged with the rack, and a disengaged position, wherein the pawl is disengaged from the rack. The pawl is further translatably mounted to the backrest, wherein the pawl is translatable relative to the backrest between at least a disabled position and an operative position. A spring biases the pawl into the engaged position when the pawl is in the operative position. A method of adjusting the height of the backrest is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome C. Caruso, Steven J. Caruso, Bruce R. Gezon, Marc A. Gierz, Jack R. Nyenhuis
  • Publication number: 20020195856
    Abstract: A tiltable chair including a housing, a back support pivotally attached to the housing about a first horizontal axis and a seat support pivotally attached to the housing about a second horizontal axis. A leaf spring includes a first end engaging the housing and a second end biasing the back support and seat support in an upward direction. A fulcrum member is moveably supported in the housing and engages a bottom surface of the spring intermediate the first and second ends of the spring. The chair also include an adjustable backrest and armrests slideably mounted on the back support, and a seat slideably mounted on the seat support. A tilt limiter is provided to limit the rearward tilting of the chair. A selector member includes indicia that indicates the setting of the tilt limiter so as to apprise the user of maximum available rearward tilt position of the chair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Jerome C. Caruso, Steven J. Caruso, Bruce R. Gezon, Marc A. Gierz, Jack R. Nyenhuis
  • Patent number: 6386636
    Abstract: A tiltable chair including a housing, a back support pivotally attached to the housing about a first horizontal axis and a seat support pivotally attached to the housing about a second horizontal axis. A leaf spring includes a first end engaging the housing and a second end biasing the back support and seat support in an upward direction. A fulcrum member is moveably supported in the housing and engages a bottom surface of the spring intermediate the first and second ends of the spring. The chair also include an adjustable backrest and armrests slideably mounted on the back support, and a seat slideably mounted on the seat support. A tilt limiter is provided to limit the rearward tilting of the chair. A selector member includes indicia that indicates the setting of the tilt limiter so as to apprise the user of maximum available rearward tilt position of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome C. Caruso, Steven J. Caruso, Bruce R. Gezon, Marc A. Gierz, Jack R. Nyenhuis
  • Patent number: 6367876
    Abstract: A tiltable chair including a housing, a back support pivotally attached to the housing about a first horizontal axis and a seat support pivotally attached to the housing about a second horizontal axis. A leaf spring includes a first end engaging the housing and a second end biasing the back support and seat support in an upward direction. A fulcrum member is moveably supported in the housing and engages a bottom surface of the spring intermediate the first and second ends of the spring. The chair also include an adjustable backrest and armrests slideably mounted on the back support, and a seat slideably mounted on the seat support. A tilt limiter is provided to limit the rearward tilting of the chair. A selector member includes indicia that indicates the setting of the tilt limiter so as to apprise the user of maximum available rearward tilt position of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome C. Caruso, Steven J. Caruso, Bruce R. Gezon, Marc A. Gierz, Jack R. Nyenhuis
  • Publication number: 20010040399
    Abstract: A tiltable chair including a housing, a back support pivotally attached to the housing about a first horizontal axis and a seat support pivotally attached to the housing about a second horizontal axis. A leaf spring includes a first end engaging the housing and a second end biasing the back support and seat support in an upward direction. A fulcrum member is moveably supported in the housing and engages a bottom surface of the spring intermediate the first and second ends of the spring. The chair also include an adjustable backrest and armrests slideably mounted on the back support, and a seat slideably mounted on the seat support. A tilt limiter is provided to limit the rearward tilting of the chair. A selector member includes indicia that indicates the setting of the tilt limiter so as to apprise the user of maximum available rearward tilt position of the chair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Jerome C. Caruso, Steven J. Caruso, Bruce R. Gezon, Marc A. Gierz, Jack R. Nyenhuis
  • Publication number: 20010011840
    Abstract: A tiltable chair including a housing, a back support pivotally attached to the housing about a first horizontal axis and a seat support pivotally attached to the housing about a second horizontal axis. A leaf spring includes a first end engaging the housing and a second end biasing the back support and seat support in an upward direction. A fulcrum member is moveably supported in the housing and engages a bottom surface of the spring intermediate the first and second ends of the spring. The chair also include an adjustable backrest and armrests slideably mounted on the back support, and a seat slideably mounted on the seat support. A tilt limiter is provided to limit the rearward tilting of the chair. A selector member includes indicia that indicates the setting of the tilt limiter so as to apprise the user of maximum available rearward tilt position of the chair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventors: Jerome C. Caruso, Steven J. Caruso, Bruce R. Gezon, Marc A. Gierz, Jack R. Nyenhuis
  • Patent number: 6250715
    Abstract: A tiltable chair including a housing, a back support pivotally attached to the housing about a first horizontal axis and a seat support pivotally attached to the housing about a second horizontal axis. A leaf spring includes a first end engaging the housing and a second end biasing the back support and seat support in an upward direction. A fulcrum member is moveably supported in the housing and engages a bottom surface of the spring intermediate the first and second ends of the spring. The chair also include an adjustable backrest and armrests slideably mounted on the back support, and a seat slideably mounted on the seat support. A tilt limiter is provided to limit the rearward tilting of the chair. A selector member includes indicia that indicates the setting of the tilt limiter so as to apprise the user of maximum available rearward tilt position of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome C. Caruso, Steven J. Caruso, Bruce R. Gezon, Marc A. Gierz, Jack R. Nyenhuis
  • Patent number: 6206469
    Abstract: A stackable chair that is capable of being ganged with a further like chair in side-by-side relationship, including an upper frame adapted to receive and support a seating platform, and a backrest platform for supporting a user seated on the chair. The upper frame is attached to a lower frame having a left and right sides, each said having a pair of leg members connected underneath the lower frame, each of the leg members having a lower end to engage the supporting surface for the chair, and having an upper end. The right legs connect to a right frame member attached to the lower frame right side. The left legs connect to a left frame member attached to the lower frame left side. A left side and a right side coupling support extend respectively on top of left and right frame members. The left side coupling support includes a left extension having a coupling hook extending outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Shelby Willliams Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome C. Caruso, Steven J. Caruso
  • Patent number: 6106061
    Abstract: A vertical stacking leg-over-leg ganged chair is attachable side-by-side and includes an upper frame adapted to receive and support a seating platform, and a lower frame supporting the upper frame, and a backrest for supporting a user seated in the chair. The ganged chair includes a front pair of legs angled frontward, and a rear pair of legs angled rearward, each pair connected underneath the lower frame. The right legs are connected to a right frame member, and the left legs to a left frame member, with the left frame member being of a lesser length than the right frame member. In a side-by-side ganged setup, the wider spaced apart right legs of one ganged chair fit over the left legs of a second like chair, forming a single width leg unit on either side of the ganged chairs. Each upper portion of the left legs includes an elongated slot that accepts an elongated lug on the upper portion of each right leg, for connective support when chairs are attached horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Shelby Williams Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome C. Caruso, Steven J. Caruso