Inventors list

Assignees list

Classification tree browser

Top 100 Inventors

Top 100 Assignees


Hoffman, NC

Brad A. Hoffman, Angier, NC US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090044506RETURN TO NEUTRAL CONTROL MECHANISM FOR ZERO TURNING RADIUS MOWER - A return to neutral control mechanism for a zero turning radius mower is disclosed. The return to neutral control mechanism includes a pair of control levers pivotable between forward, neutral and reverse positions. A brake pedal is moveable between a disengaged position to an engaged position. In response to engagement of the brake pedal, a control pivot attached to each control lever moves each control lever to the neutral position. The return to neutral control mechanism may include a cam that rotates in response to engagement of the brake pedal, and a control pivot that follows the cam during engagement of the brake pedal.02-19-2009

Brad Allen Hoffman, Angier, NC US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080307918NEUTRAL ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FOR DUAL LEVER STEERING CONTROLS - A neutral adjustment mechanism for dual lever steering controls is disclosed. The dual lever steering controls include two levers that are each independently pivotable forward and reverse to drive a zero turning radius mower. The neutral adjustment mechanism includes a control pivot connected to each lever of the dual lever steering controls that pivots with forward and reverse pivoting of each lever. A steering link has a first end with an adjustment point, a ball joint adjacent the adjustment point connecting the steering link to the control pivot, and a second end pivotably connected to an input control lever of a hydrostatic transmission pump. An operator seat may be positioned over the steering links. Under the operator seat, adjustment access holes are provided for adjusting the steering links while the operator seat remains in place.12-18-2008

David A. Hoffman, Research Triangle Park, NC US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100299650TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF SOFTWARE - In general, aspects of the present invention provide a system and methods for enhancing, measuring and managing team and individual performance in the development and maintenance of application software. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a method for enhancing, measuring and managing team and individual performance in the development and maintenance of application software using a Blue Card scoring system where individuals (team members) compare against rubrics set by engagement leaders.11-25-2010

D. Stephen Hoffman, High Point, NC US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090072593Reclining Seating Unit with Headrest - A reclining seating unit includes: a base configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat; a backrest that includes a body and a headrest that is positioned above the body; a reclining mechanism that interconnects the base, seat and backrest that controls the movement thereof between an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed above the base and the backrest is generally vertically disposed at a first angle to the underlying surface above a rear portion of the backrest, and a fully reclined position, in which the backrest is disposed at a second angle to the underlying surface, the second angle being less than the first angle; and a headrest mechanism coupled to the reclining mechanism and attached to the body and headrest. In the upright position, a lower edge of the headrest is positioned at a first distance from an upper edge of the body, and in the reclined position, the lower edge of the headrest is positioned a second distance from the upper edge of the body, the second distance being greater than the first distance. The headrest moves generally parallel to the backrest as the chair moves from the upright to the reclined position.03-19-2009
20090235452Foldable Sofa-Bed With Folding-Assist and Extension-Assist Mechanisms - A sofa-bed includes: a frame with opposed arms; a backrest operatively connected to the frame; a seat; a subseat hinged to the seat and pivotable relative thereto; an extension-assist mechanism attached to the frame and at least one of the seat and the subseat; and a folding-assist mechanism attached to the frame and at least one of the subseat and seat. The frame, backrest, seat and subseat are configured to move between a folded position, in which the backrest is generally upright, the seat is generally horizontal, and the subseat is generally horizontal and positioned beneath the seat in a first inverted orientation, and an unfolded position, in which the backrest, subseat and seat are generally horizontal, and the subseat is positioned between the backrest and the seat in a second non-inverted orientation. The folding-assist mechanism is configured such that the sofa-bed is biased toward the folded position as the sofa-bed moves from the unfolded position toward a first intermediate position. Also, the extension-assist mechanism is configured such that the sofa-bed is biased toward the unfolded position as the sofa-bed moves from a second intermediate position toward the folded position.09-24-2009
20100127538Rocking-Reclining Seating Unit with Power Actuator - A rocking and reclining seating unit includes: a base unit with a first bearing surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat positioned above the base; a generally upright backrest positioned above the base and substantially rearward of the seat; an extendable ottoman; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat, the backrest, the ottoman and the base unit, the reclining mechanism comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links; a rocker mechanism attached with the base unit and the reclining mechanism, the rocker mechanism configured to enable the seat, backrest and reclining mechanism to experience a longitudinally-directed rocking motion relative to the base unit; and a power actuating unit attached to the reclining mechanism. The actuating unit is configured to move the chair between (a) an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed, the backrest is generally vertically disposed, and the ottoman are generally vertically disposed and positioned below the seat, (b) an intermediate TV position, in which the ottoman is generally horizontally disposed in front of the seat and the backrest and the seat substantially maintain the same relationship as they have in the upright position, and (c) a fully reclined position, in which the angle between the backrest and the seat increases.05-27-2010
20100127555Gliding-Reclining Seating Unit with Power Actuator - A gliding and reclining seating unit includes: a base unit with a first bearing surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat positioned above the base; a generally upright backrest positioned above the base and substantially rearward of the seat; an extendable ottoman; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat, the backrest, the ottoman and the base unit, the reclining mechanism comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links; a gliding mechanism attached to the base unit and the reclining mechanism, the gliding mechanism being configured to enable the seat, backrest and reclining mechanism to glide relative to the base unit along a longitudinal path responsive to a longitudinally-directed force; and a power actuating unit attached to the reclining mechanism. The actuating unit is configured to move the chair between (a) an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed, the backrest is generally vertically disposed, and the ottoman are generally vertically disposed and positioned below the seat, (b) an intermediate TV position, in which the ottoman is generally horizontally disposed in front of the seat and the backrest and the seat substantially maintain the same relationship as they have in the upright position, and (c) a fully reclined position, in which the angle between the backrest and the seat increases.05-27-2010
20100127556RECIPROCATING SEATING UNIT WITH POWER ACTUATOR - A reciprocating and reclining seating unit includes: a base unit with a first bearing surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat positioned above the base; a generally upright backrest positioned above the base and substantially rearward of the seat; an extendable ottoman; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat, the backrest, the ottoman and the base unit, the reclining mechanism comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links; a reciprocating mechanism attached to the base unit and the reclining mechanism, the reciprocating mechanism being configured to enable the seat, backrest and reclining mechanism to reciprocate relative to the base unit along a longitudinal path responsive to a longitudinally-directed force; and a power actuating unit attached to the reclining mechanism, the actuating unit configured to move the chair between (a) an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed, the backrest is generally vertically disposed, and the ottoman are generally vertically disposed and positioned below the seat, (b) an intermediate TV position, in which the ottoman is generally horizontally disposed in front of the seat and the backrest and the seat substantially maintain the same relationship as they have in the upright position, and (c) a fully reclined position, in which the angle between the backrest and the seat increases. The actuating unit is attached to an actuating mechanism, the actuating mechanism comprising a cross-member extending transversely across the seating unit and first and second projections fixed to the cross-member. The first projection is pivotally attached to the actuating unit. The second projection is pivotally attached to a lower swing link of the reclining mechanism, the lower swing link being pivotally attached to an upper swing link of the reclining mechanism and to a mounting bracket that is attached to the reciprocating mechanism.05-27-2010
20100264702Reclining Seating Unit with High Legs and T-Shaped Seat Cushion - A reclining seating unit includes: a frame configured to rest on an underlying surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat; a generally upright backrest positioned rearwardly of the seat; a footrest unit; and a reclining mechanism that interconnects and controls the relative movement of the frame, the seat and the backrest between an upright position and a reclined position. In the upright position, the backrest is generally upright and positioned above the frame, and the seat has a first rearward position relative to the frame. In the reclined position, the backrest is reclined relative to the underlying surface as compared to its disposition in the upright position and the seat has a second forward position relative to the frame that is forward of the first rearward position. The footrest unit comprises at least one footrest and a footrest mechanism that interconnects the footrest with the seat. The footrest mechanism is configured to move the ottoman between a retracted position, in which the footrest is positioned beneath the seat, and an extended position, in which the footrest is generally horizontally disposed in front of the seat. When the backrest moves between the upright and reclined positions, the footrest unit moves in concert with the seat.10-21-2010
20110018331LOCKING UNIT FOR ROCKING-RECLINING SEATING UNIT WITH POWER ACTUATOR - A rocking and reclining seating unit includes: a base unit; a generally horizontally-disposed seat positioned above the base unit; a generally upright backrest positioned above the base unit and substantially rearward of the seat; an extendable ottoman; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat, the backrest, the ottoman and the base unit, the reclining mechanism comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links, the reclining mechanism configured to move the seating unit between (a) an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed, the backrest is generally vertically disposed, and the ottoman are generally vertically disposed and positioned below the seat, (b) an intermediate TV position, in which the ottoman is generally horizontally disposed in front of the seat and the backrest and the seat substantially maintain the same relationship as they have in the upright position, and (c) a fully reclined position, in which the angle between the backrest and the seat increases; a longitudinally-directed reciprocating mechanism attached with the base unit and the reclining mechanism, the reciprocating mechanism configured to enable the seat, backrest and reclining mechanism to experience a longitudinally-directed reciprocating motion relative to the base unit; and a locking unit coupled to the reclining mechanism that allows the seating unit to reciprocate while in the upright position but prevents reciprocating of the seating unit while in the TV and fully reclined positions. The locking unit comprises: a locking link pivotally attached with the reclining mechanism; and a capture member fixed to the base, the capture member having a corner section. The capture member and the locking link are configured such that the locking link resides in the corner section of the capture member when the seating unit is in the TV and fully reclined positions.01-27-2011
20110291460Power-Assisted Reclining Lift Chair with Single Power Actuator - A seating unit includes: a base; a frame with arms on opposing sides; a seat; a backrest; at least one ottoman; a reclining mechanism, a lift mechanism and a power unit. The reclining mechanism interconnects the frame, the seat, the backrest, and the at least one ottoman, and comprises a series of pivotally interconnected links and configured to move the seating unit between (a) an upright position, in which the backrest is generally upright and defines a first backrest angle relative to horizontal, the seat is generally horizontal, and the at least one ottoman is retracted below the seat, (b) a TV position, in which the backrest substantially maintains the first backrest angle, and the at least one ottoman is extended in front of the seat, and a fully reclined position, in the at least one ottoman remains extended on front of the seat, and the backrest defines a second backrest angle relative to horizontal that is shallower than the first backrest angle. The lift mechanism interconnects the base and the frame and is configured to move the seating unit between the upright position and a lift position, in which both the frame and the seat are raised and tilted forward from their respective positions in the upright position, and the backrest defines a third backrest angle relative to horizontal that is greater than the first backrest angle. The power unit is interconnected with the reclining mechanism and the lift mechanism and is configured to move the seating unit between the lift, upright, TV and fully reclined positions. A lowermost portion of the backrest moves substantially directly vertically when moving from the upright position to the lift position. In such a configuration, the arrangement of the backrest and/or seat can provide the occupant with a more secure sensation as the chair lifts; it does not produce a sensation of the occupant being “thrown” from the chair, as can be the case with other lift chairs.12-01-2011
20110304193RECLINING SEATING UNIT WITH WALL-PROXIMITY CAPABILITY - A seating unit includes: a base configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat; a backrest; an ottoman; and a reclining mechanism attached to the base, seat, backrest and the ottoman. The reclining mechanism comprises a series of pivotally interconnected links configured and arranged to control the movement of the seating unit between an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed and positioned above the base, the backrest defines a first backrest angle relative to horizontal and is positioned above a rear portion of the base, and the ottoman is positioned below the seat and above a forward portion of the base, a TV position, in which the ottoman is generally horizontally disposed and positioned forwardly of the base and the seat, and a fully reclined position, in which the backrest defines a second angle relative to horizontal that is less than the first angle. The backrest and seat are substantially stationary relative to the base as the seating unit moves between the upright and fully reclined positions. An uppermost portion of the backrest moves no more than 4 inches rearward relative to the base as the seating unit moves from the TV position to the fully reclined position. In this configuration, the seating unit can provide wall-proximity capability.12-15-2011

Patent applications by D. Stephen Hoffman, High Point, NC US

George K. Hoffman, Kernersville, NC US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090021788Printer Systems and Methods for Global Tracking of Products in Supply Chains, Authentication of Products, and Connecting with Customers Both Before, During, and After a Product Sale - Printer systems and methods provide a plurality of unique identification codes to assignment devices in various geographical locations in order to assign a unique code to a single item of commerce through affixing tags or the like thereon or by direct printing. Information regarding which code is associated with which item of commerce may be captured and stored in database(s) along with other advertising, authenticity, distribution, manufacturing, note, quality control, and retail information. Inquires may be made regarding the codes by users with handheld devices including cellular phones, PDAs, notebook computers, barcode scanners, RFID readers, etc. through carrier networks, LANs, and WANs in order to obtain information about the item of commerce or related products. Stored information from the database may be provided to the users in response to their inquiries. Information may also be uploaded by the handheld devices for counterfeiting, diversion, and other tracking purposes.01-22-2009

Henry Hoffman, Charlotte, NC US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090099492SPLINT ASSEMBLY FOR POSITIONING OF THE HAND - A hand splint includes: a forearm component; a strut mounted on the forearm component; and a hand component mounted on the strut such that a spacing extends between the hand component and the forearm component, whereby the strut spans a wrist when the hand splint is worn. The hand component is configured to receive the volar surface of digits 04-16-2009

Henry B. Hoffman, Charlotte, NC US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090149790ORTHOTIC DEVICE SPANNING ELBOW - An orthotic for mounting on a user's arm comprises an upper cuff that is removeably attachable to the user's arm at a point above the elbow joint. A lower cuff is removeably attachable to the user's arm at a point below the elbow joint, and is rotationally fixed to the forearm. At least one flexible elongated member having a first end that is releasably coupled to the upper cuff and an opposite second end that is releasably coupled to the lower cuff. The upper cuff and the lower cuff are configured to move in more than one plane with respect to one another.06-11-2009
20090326428DYNAMIC HAND SPLINT - A dynamic splint for the positioning and functional exercise of a neurologically impaired upper extremity, including the wrist, hand and fingers, made up of a forearm support and hand support linked by a first connector. Fingertip caps are connected to finger tension leads that extend rearwardly to connect to a finger tensioner attached to the forearm support. The hand support includes adjustable tension lead guides for directing the finger tension leads to the fingertip caps. The dynamic splint also includes a thumb splint assembly made up of a thumb-tip cap connected to a thumb tension lead that extends rearwardly to a thumb tensioner attached to the forearm support. The thumb splint assembly further includes a thumb tension lead guide for directing the thumb tension lead to the thumb-tip cap.12-31-2009
20100234182NEUROLOGICAL DEVICE - A neurological device having a forearm support releasably attached to a user's arm, at least one finger sleeve adapted to be releasably attached to at least one finger, at least one tensor strut having a first end releasably coupled to the at least one finger sleeve and an opposite second end coupled to the forearm support, at least one sensor coupled to at least one of the at least one finger sleeve and the at least tensor strut and configured to detect finger movement and generate electrical signals that are indicative of the movement, and a data device coupled to the sensor and configured to receive the electrical signals and calculate at least one of a range of motion of the at least one finger, a speed of movement of the at least one finger, number of repetitions between flexion and extension of the at least one finger and a pressure exerted by the at least one finger during flexion from the electrical signals. The calculated data is used to remotely track user compliance and rehabilitation compliance by a healthcare provider.09-16-2010
20110144552DYNAMIC HAND SPLINTS - A dynamic hand splint includes as elements thereof: a forearm support section and a hand support section that are configured to be releasably attached to a forearm; and one or more finger tensioners that are releasably attached to the hand support section and that are configured to be releasably attached to a respective finger such that, when the finger is flexed from an extended position toward a flexed position, the finger is urged by the finger tensioner toward an extended position. A method includes: attaching a forearm support section and a hand support section to a forearm; attaching finger tensioners to the hand support section; and attaching each of the finger tensioners to a respective finger such that, when the finger is flexed from an extended position toward a flexed position, the finger is urged by the finger tensioner toward an extended position.06-16-2011
20120059298ORTHOTIC DEVICE - An orthotic device including a forearm support section configured to be releasably attached to a user's arm, a hand support section configured to be releasably attached to the user's hand, and an adjustable joint coupled to the forearm support section and the hand support section. At least one electromyography sensor is coupled to the forearm support section and positioned to sense activity of muscles in the user's arm, at least one electrode is coupled to the forearm support section and configured to provide electrical stimulation to muscles in the user's arm, and a controller is operatively coupled to the at least one electrode, the controller being configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the at least one electrode.03-08-2012

Patent applications by Henry B. Hoffman, Charlotte, NC US

Jerry R. Hoffman, Hickory, NC US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110259721ELECTRICAL DEVICE WITH SUBROCKER AND REMOVABLE ROCKER - In one embodiment, a system includes an electrical device, a frame adapted to be attached to and removed from the electrical device without removing the electrical device from an installed position, a rocker pivotally attached to the frame, a switch disposed within the electrical device, and a subrocker arranged to enable the rocker to actuate the switch. In another embodiment, an interchange kit includes a frame adapted to be attached to and removed from an electrical device without removing the electrical device from an installed position, and a rocker pivotally attached to the frame. The rocker may be adapted to engage a subrocker on the electrical device.10-27-2011
20110261511ELECTRICAL DEVICE WITH REMOVABLE COVER - In one embodiment, a system includes an electrical device and a removable cover, where the electrical device and the removable cover are adapted to enable the removable cover to pivot into an installed position on the electrical device. In another embodiment, a system includes an electrical device having a pushbutton, and a cover adapted to be removably attached to the electrical device, where the cover includes an opening for accessing the pushbutton, and where the pushbutton includes a sub button and a cosmetic cap adapted to be removably attached to the sub button.10-27-2011

Marc Jeremy Hoffman, Clayton, NC US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090015044RETRACTABLE CUP HOLDER ASSEMBLY FOR CHILD SEAT - A cup holder assembly for a child seat movable between a retracted position and an extracted position includes an inner cup holder bracket, a medial cup holder slide movably attached to the cup holder bracket, and an outer cup holder floor pivotally attached to the cup holder slide. The cup holder slide and the cup holder floor move along an arc relative to the cup holder bracket, and the cup holder floor rotates relative to the cup holder slide and the cup holder bracket. The cup holder bracket has a rail guide and the cup holder slide includes a corresponding rail operable for slidingly engaging the rail guide. The cup holder slide further includes a lip that engages a corresponding ledge on the cup holder floor to rotate the cup holder floor as the cup holder slide is moved from the retracted position to the extracted position.01-15-2009

Michael T. Hoffman, Raleigh, NC US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120072580SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING TRANSIENT FRIENDS - A system and method for identifying transient friends for a social network of a user are provided. A transient friend processing function obtains locations of a number of users or locations otherwise associated with the number of users. In order to identify transient friends for a first user, the transient friend processing function identifies other users associated with locations within a proximate area of the first user. For each of the identified users, the transient friend processing function compares a user profile of the first user to a user profile of the identified user to determine whether to add the identified user as a transient friend of the first user. If the transient friend processing function determines that the identified friend is to be added as a transient friend of the first user, the identified friend is then added as a transient friend of the first user.03-22-2012

Michael T. Hoffman, Carrboro, NC US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090083117MATCHING PARTICIPANTS IN A P2P RECOMMENDATION NETWORK LOOSELY COUPLED TO A SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE - A system and method are provided for matching participants in a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) recommendation network that is loosely coupled to a subscription music service. In general, the system includes a central server and a number of peer devices. For each of the peer devices, an associated user is either a subscriber to the subscription music service or a non-subscriber. When a user of a peer device desires to identify new friends with which to exchange recommendations in the P2P recommendation network, a friend recommendation function of the central server identifies new friends for the user of the peer device based on the user's status as either a subscriber or a non-subscriber to the subscription music service.03-26-2009
20090164574SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING TRANSIENT FRIENDS - A system and method for identifying transient friends for a social network of a user are provided. A transient friend processing function obtains locations of a number of users or locations otherwise associated with the number of users. In order to identify transient friends for a first user, the transient friend processing function identifies other users associated with locations within a proximate area of the first user. For each of the identified users, the transient friend processing function compares a user profile of the first user to a user profile of the identified user to determine whether to add the identified user as a transient friend of the first user. If the transient friend processing function determines that the identified friend is to be added as a transient friend of the first user, the identified friend is then added as a transient friend of the first user.06-25-2009

Noah Hoffman, Greensboro, NC US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090264303Polypeptides having a functional domain of interest and methods of identifying and using same - Novel polypeptides having functional domains of interest are described, along with DNA sequences that encode the same. A method of identifying these polypeptides by means of a sequence-independent (that is, independent of the primary sequence of the polypeptide sought), recognition unit-based functional screen is also disclosed. Various applications of the method and of the polypeptides identified are described, including their use in assay kits for drug discovery, modification, and refinement.10-22-2009