Patents Assigned to Herman Miller, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11941332
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to space model generation. A computing platform may receive space program data identifying parameters of a physical space. The computing platform may load a geometry model defining a plurality of design rules. The computing platform may generate space models for the physical space based on the space program data and the geometry model. Based on the geometry model, the computing platform may produce a score for each space model. Based on the scores, the computing platform may produce a ranked list of space models. The computing platform may generate user interface data comprising the ranked list of space models. The computing platform may send the user interface data comprising the ranked list of space models, which may cause a user computing device to display a user interface including a portion of the ranked list of space models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Dudley E. Whitney, James L Van Dragt, Christopher J. Rysko, Cindy Y. Vannoy, Christopher L Taylor
  • Patent number: 11392727
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to space model generation. A computing platform may receive space program data identifying parameters of a physical space. The computing platform may load a geometry model defining a plurality of design rules. The computing platform may generate space models for the physical space based on the space program data and the geometry model. Based on the geometry model, the computing platform may produce a score for each space model. Based on the scores, the computing platform may produce a ranked list of space models. The computing platform may generate user interface data comprising the ranked list of space models. The computing platform may send the user interface data comprising the ranked list of space models, which may cause a user computing device to display a user interface including a portion of the ranked list of space models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Dudley E. Whitney, James L. Van Dragt, Christopher J. Rysko, Cindy Y. Vannoy, Christopher L. Taylor
  • Patent number: 11291302
    Abstract: A furniture system includes an elongated chase having a body extending from a first end to a second end. The body has an upper surface and a lower surface. A first leg is coupled to the lower surface of the body and a second leg is coupled to the lower surface of the body and spaced apart from the first leg. Power cables are positioned within a cavity of the body, the power cables configured to connect to a building's power supply. A modular power unit is coupled to the lower surface of the body. The modular power unit includes a power outlet electrically coupled to the power cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: John Matthai, Joshua DeWys, Joel Ruiter, Michael Katje, Peter Keyzer, Michael A. Johnson, Taiyoh Afrik
  • Patent number: 11236506
    Abstract: A screen assembly includes a screen including a panel having a recess and a receiver positioned within the recess. The receiver includes a locking member having a cantilevered finger, and a cantilevered actuator. The screen assembly also includes connector having a body and a contact extending from the body. The contact is received in the receiver between the cantilevered finger and the cantilevered actuator. The contact has an opening through which the locking member extends. The cantilevered actuator is movable toward the locking member to move the locking member out of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Joe Parr, Paul Gartland, Larry Kallio
  • Patent number: 11133627
    Abstract: A power distribution system includes a plurality of wires extending between a first end and a second end. The wires extend continuously between the first and second ends, Each wire includes an electrical conductor and an insulation layer. The power distribution system further includes a receptacle selectively positionable at any position along a length of the wires. The power receptacle includes a housing defining at least one power outlet. A plurality of connection members is positioned within the housing. Each connection member includes a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to contact the electrical conductors within the insulation layers of the plurality of wires for electrically connecting the plurality of connection members to the plurality of wires. The second end is configured to electrically connect the plurality of connection members to the at least one power outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventor: Peter J. Keyzer
  • Patent number: 11097462
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing suspension seating includes providing a blank to be used in a suspension member. The blank has a non-visible marker. The method also includes illuminating the non-visible marker with an excitation source. The non-visible marker becomes detectable when illuminated by the excitation source. The method further includes sensing the non-visible marker with a sensor. The sensor is configured to detect the non-visible marker when illuminated by the excitation source. The method also includes determining, by a controller, a characteristic of the blank using the non-visible marker. The controller is in communication with the sensor and configured to receive information related to the non-visible marker from the sensor. The method further includes adjusting the blank to achieve the desired characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventor: Ethan McGraw
  • Patent number: 10980337
    Abstract: A system and method for communicatively pairing a mobile communication device and a furniture item, such as a desk or table, includes placing the mobile communication device in a communication zone associated with the furniture item. In response to placing the mobile communication device in the communication zone, a communication link is established between the mobile communication device and a communication circuit of the furniture item. A user interface is then displayed on a display screen of the mobile communication device to show a preset height, such as a standing or sitting height, for the furniture device. When a user selects the preset height, an actuator adjusts the furniture item to the specific height. The communication circuit may use any available wireless communication protocol or circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Jeff Gibson, Christopher Hoyt, Nicolas Milani, Kurt Dykema, Dave Moelker, Jared Thomas
  • Patent number: 10886681
    Abstract: A power distribution system includes a track having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends. The track defines a channel extending along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of power cables is positioned within the channel. A electrical hub is movably coupled to the second end of the track. The electrical hub is electrically connected to the plurality of power cables and includes a power receptacle. The electrical hub is movable relative to the second end of the track to change a position of the power receptacle relative to the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Brian David Alexander, Peter James Keyzer, Jeffrey Dennis Roetman, Raymond Hugh Riner, Gordon Frank Chapman
  • Patent number: D907423
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Eric D. Cross, Martin Potrykus, Mugi D. Yamamoto, Armin Sander
  • Patent number: D911753
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventor: Paul Gartland
  • Patent number: D911761
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventor: Sathishkumar Sampath
  • Patent number: D911762
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventor: Joel Graham Van Faasen
  • Patent number: D917946
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Jesse Hill, Sathishkumar Sampath
  • Patent number: D919577
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Brian David Alexander, Peter James Keyzer
  • Patent number: D920024
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Jesse Hill, Sathishkumar Sampath
  • Patent number: D922952
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventor: Brian David Alexander
  • Patent number: D925958
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventor: Joel Graham Van Faasen
  • Patent number: D926504
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Joel Graham Van Faasen, Joshua DeWys
  • Patent number: D931670
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Markus Jehs, Jurgen Laub
  • Patent number: D932810
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Jesse Hill, Paul Gartland