Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Garland
Thomas A. Garland 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).
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Patent number: 11812855Abstract: A folding bed, such as a sofa bed, with an assembly configured to counteract the gravitational forces acting on both a rotation of the main panel in relation to the frame and a rotation of the foot panel in relation to the main panel. A transmission may be used in the assembly to connect the first pivotal connection, where the main panel pivots with respect to the frame, to the second pivotal connection, where the foot panel pivots with respect to the main panel. The transmission transmits torque from the first pivotal connection to the second pivotal connection, so as to counteract gravitational forces acting on the foot edge of the foot panel.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2019Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Inventor: Thomas A. Garland
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Patent number: 11234530Abstract: A seat convertible to a bed. The seat includes a locking mechanism for fixably maintaining a head panel section of the bed in a generally horizontal orientation when the bed is in the deployed configuration and releasing the head panel section from the deployed configuration by a lifting motion. The locking mechanism is connected to the head panel section and a mid-swinging member. The mid-swinging member pivotally attaches to the head panel section and a stationary mounting arm. The stationary mounting arm is fixably attached to a seat frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: American Leather Operations, LLCInventor: Thomas A. Garland
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Publication number: 20210212473Abstract: Furniture that is convertible between a seat position and a bed position is described. The furniture includes a first bed section with a first platform supporting a first cushion, and a second bed section with a second platform, a second cushion, and a partition disposed between the second platform and the second cushion. The first platform is configured to pivot relative to the second platform. The first cushion is thicker than the second cushion. When the furniture is in the bed position, a top surface of the first cushion is substantially coplanar with a top surface of the second cushion and the partition is spaced from the second platform by a first distance. In the seat position of the furniture, the distance between the partition and the second platform is less than the first distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Applicant: American Leather Operations, LLCInventor: Thomas A. Garland
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Patent number: 10993541Abstract: Furniture that is convertible between a seat position and a bed position is described. The furniture includes a first bed section with a first platform supporting a first cushion, and a second bed section with a second platform, a second cushion, and a partition disposed between the second platform and the second cushion. The first platform is configured to pivot relative to the second platform. The first cushion is thicker than the second cushion. When the furniture is in the bed position, a top surface of the first cushion is substantially coplanar with a top surface of the second cushion and the partition is spaced from the second platform by a first distance. In the seat position of the furniture, the distance between the partition and the second platform is less than the first distance.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: American Leather Operations, LLCInventor: Thomas A. Garland
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Patent number: 10966526Abstract: Furniture is described having an extendable footrest. The footrest has a main panel and a flipper panel. In an extended position of the footrest, the top surfaces of the panels are approximately horizontal and co-planar, the main panel being proximate to a seat portion of the furniture. In a retracted position of the footrest, the top surface of the main panel is approximately vertical and the top surface of the flipper panel is approximately horizontal and facing in a downward direction. The footrest projects substantially 20? or more from the front of the seat portion in the extended position, and substantially 7? or less is provided between the floor and the apparent bottom edge of the footrest when retracted.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: American Leather Operations, LLCInventor: Thomas A. Garland
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Publication number: 20200054143Abstract: A seat convertible to a bed. The seat includes a locking mechanism for fixably maintaining a head panel section of the bed in a generally horizontal orientation when the bed is in the deployed configuration and releasing the head panel section from the deployed configuration by a lifting motion. The locking mechanism is connected to the head panel section and a mid-swinging member. The mid-swinging member pivotally attaches to the head panel section and a stationary mounting arm. The stationary mounting arm is fixably attached to a seat frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Applicant: American Leather Operations, LLCInventor: Thomas A. Garland
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Patent number: 10548406Abstract: A seat convertible to a bed. The seat includes a locking mechanism for fixably maintaining a head panel section of the bed in a generally horizontal orientation when the bed is in the deployed configuration and releasing the head panel section from the deployed configuration by a lifting motion. The locking mechanism is connected to the head panel section and a mid-swinging member. The mid-swinging member pivotally attaches to the head panel section and a stationary mounting arm. The stationary mounting arm is fixably attached to a seat frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: American Leather Operations, LLCInventor: Thomas A. Garland
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Publication number: 20190307256Abstract: A seat convertible to a bed. The seat includes a locking mechanism for fixably maintaining a head panel section of the bed in a generally horizontal orientation when the bed is in the deployed configuration and releasing the head panel section from the deployed configuration by a lifting motion. The locking mechanism is connected to the head panel section and a mid-swinging member. The mid-swinging member pivotally attaches to the head panel section and a stationary mounting arm. The stationary mounting arm is fixably attached to a seat frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2016Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventor: Thomas A. Garland
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Publication number: 20190223599Abstract: Furniture is described having an extendable footrest. The footrest has a main panel and a flipper panel. In an extended position of the footrest, the top surfaces of the panels are approximately horizontal and co-planar, the main panel being proximate to a seat portion of the furniture. In a retracted position of the footrest, the top surface of the main panel is approximately vertical and the top surface of the flipper panel is approximately horizontal and facing in a downward direction. The footrest projects substantially 20? or more from the front of the seat portion in the extended position, and substantially 7? or less is provided between the floor and the apparent bottom edge of the footrest when retracted.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Applicant: American Leather Operations, LLCInventor: Thomas A. Garland
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Patent number: 10327559Abstract: A seat convertible to a bed. The seat includes a locking mechanism for fixably maintaining a head panel section of the bed in a generally horizontal orientation when the bed is in the deployed configuration and releasing the head panel section from the deployed configuration by a lifting motion. The locking mechanism is connected to the head panel section and a mid-swinging member. The mid-swinging member pivotally attaches to the head panel section and a stationary mounting arm. The stationary mounting arm is fixably attached to a seat frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: American Leather Operations, LLCInventor: Thomas A. Garland
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Publication number: 20190110604Abstract: Furniture that is convertible between a seat position and a bed position is described. The furniture includes a first bed section with a first platform supporting a first cushion, and a second bed section with a second platform, a second cushion, and a partition disposed between the second platform and the second cushion. The first platform is configured to pivot relative to the second platform. The first cushion is thicker than the second cushion. When the furniture is in the bed position, a top surface of the first cushion is substantially coplanar with a top surface of the second cushion and the partition is spaced from the second platform by a first distance. In the seat position of the furniture, the distance between the partition and the second platform is less than the first distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2018Publication date: April 18, 2019Applicant: American Leather Operations, LLCInventor: Thomas A. Garland
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Patent number: 10251484Abstract: Furniture is described having an extendable footrest. The footrest has a main panel and a flipper panel. In an extended position of the footrest, the top surfaces of the panels are approximately horizontal and co-planar, the main panel being proximate to a seat portion of the furniture. In a retracted position of the footrest, the top surface of the main panel is approximately vertical and the top surface of the flipper panel is approximately horizontal and facing in a downward direction. The footrest projects substantially 20? or more from the front of the seat portion in the extended position, and substantially 7? or less is provided between the floor and the apparent bottom edge of the footrest when retracted.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2016Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: American Leather Operations, LLCInventor: Thomas A. Garland
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Patent number: 9814321Abstract: Furniture convertible between a seating position and a bed position. The furniture may include a frame including spaced apart arms, a first section having a closed position and an open position, where, in the closed position, the first section is substantially horizontal between the spaced apart arms, and a second section separately moveable from the first section. The second section is movable from a folded position, where the second section is stored substantially within the frame, to an unfolded position, where the second section is unfolded outside of the frame and disposed adjacent to the first section in the closed position, thus forming a horizontal sleeping surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: American Leather Operations, LLCInventor: Thomas A. Garland
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Publication number: 20170251815Abstract: Furniture convertible between a seating position and a bed position. The furniture may include a frame including spaced apart arms, a first section having a closed position and an open position, where, in the closed position, the first section is substantially horizontal between the spaced apart arms, and a second section separately moveable from the first section. The second section is movable from a folded position, where the second section is stored substantially within the frame, to an unfolded position, where the second section is unfolded outside of the frame and disposed adjacent to the first section in the closed position, thus forming a horizontal sleeping surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2016Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventor: Thomas A. Garland
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Publication number: 20170190149Abstract: A component for a machine is disclosed. The component may include an interior frame, a protruding member extending from the interior frame, and a carbon fiber wrapped over the interior frame and around the protruding member. A method of manufacturing a component for a machine is also disclosed. The method may include supplying an interior frame with a protruding member extending from the interior frame. The method may further include wrapping a carbon fiber around the interior frame and the protruding member, and curing the carbon fiber to the interior frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2016Publication date: July 6, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Marion Grant, Thomas Garland, Joseph Spanier, John Unser
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Patent number: 9668585Abstract: A convertible furniture piece has a compact profile while folded with the seat cushions residing at a comfortable and ergonomic height and an esthetically pleasing streamlined appearance. The convertible furniture takes advantage of a leg assembly that is anchored within the thickness of the mechanism panels so as to stack the foot and body panels closer to each other. The leg assembly is also anchored at a position other than the edges of the panels to help conceal the leg assembly below the bed.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: American Leather Operations, LLCInventor: Thomas A. Garland
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Publication number: 20170071346Abstract: Furniture is described having an extendable footrest. The footrest has a main panel and a flipper panel. In an extended position of the footrest, the top surfaces of the panels are approximately horizontal and co-planar, the main panel being proximate to a seat portion of the furniture. In a retracted position of the footrest, the top surface of the main panel is approximately vertical and the top surface of the flipper panel is approximately horizontal and facing in a downward direction. The footrest projects substantially 20? or more from the front of the seat portion in the extended position, and substantially 7? or less is provided between the floor and the apparent bottom edge of the footrest when retracted.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Applicant: American Leather Operations, LLCInventor: Thomas A. Garland
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Publication number: 20160374477Abstract: A seat convertible to a bed. The seat includes a locking mechanism for fixably maintaining a head panel section of the bed in a generally horizontal orientation when the bed is in the deployed configuration and releasing the head panel section from the deployed configuration by a lifting motion. The locking mechanism is connected to the head panel section and a mid-swinging member. The mid-swinging member pivotally attaches to the head panel section and a stationary mounting arm. The stationary mounting arm is fixably attached to a seat frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventor: Thomas A. Garland
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Patent number: 9504328Abstract: A chair has a seat portion having a front, a rear and sides. The chair also has a footrest adjustable between at least two positions: a retracted position and an extended position. The footrest is cantilevered from the seat portion in the extended position. The chair also has a plurality of members connected by a plurality of linkages permitting the members to pivot with respect to each other. The plurality of members is adapted to hold the footrest in the retracted position and to support the footrest in the extended position. The chair also has a cover for hiding the plurality of linkages when viewed from a lateral position when the footrest is in the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: American Leather Operations, LLCInventor: Thomas A. Garland
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Patent number: 9480336Abstract: The present disclosure describes a seat. The seat may include a stationary support frame at least partially defining a cavity. The seat may also include a backrest cushion, a headrest, and a motion mechanism. The motion mechanism has a headrest assembly allowing movement of the headrest between a retracted position and an extended position. When the headrest is in the retracted position, the headrest is hidden from view within the cavity of the support frame. When the headrest is in the extended position, the headrest is visible above the backrest cushion.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2015Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: American Leather Operations, LLCInventors: Thomas A. Garland, Glenn Wiecek, Douglas L. Gasal, Kevin Nguyen