Abstract: A connection for a subarchitectural workspace includes a first structure with a first end and a second end opposite the first end and a second structure with a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The connection assembly further includes a first bracket with a first fine adjustment surface mounted to the first structure, a second bracket with a second fine adjustment surface that engages the first fine adjustment surface, and a clamping mechanism that applies a clamping force to the first and second fine adjustment surfaces to pull the first and second structures together.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 23, 2018
Date of Patent:
January 21, 2020
Assignee:
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
Inventors:
John Matthai, Robert Michael Seeley, James Moon
Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical assembly (2), said mechanical assembly (2) comprising, in addition to a leaf spring, at least one further spring element, the elastic restoring force of the at least one further spring element and the elastic restoring force of the one or more leaf springs supporting the seat shell (S) with a total restoring force, and/or the mechanical assembly (2) comprising at least two leaf springs and at least two supports, each support being associated with one of the leaf springs, and at least two supports being displaceable beneath the leaf springs by means of an adjustment mechanism and being displaceable on their trajectories by different extents.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 14, 2016
Date of Patent:
January 14, 2020
Assignee:
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
Inventors:
Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Zwick, Roland Zwick
Abstract: A method of operating a desk including receiving, at a desk controller, a message from a chair, and determining a position of a user based on the message. The message includes an indication of a sensed rotation of the chair. The method also includes generating, via the desk controller, a control signal for a motor based on the position of the user. The motor is coupled to a support framework of the desk. The method further includes changing a height of the support framework of the desk according to the control signal.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 25, 2017
Date of Patent:
January 14, 2020
Assignee:
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
Inventors:
Jeff Gibson, Christopher Hoyt, Nicolas Milani, Kurt Dykema, Dave Moelker, Jared Thomas
Abstract: A stanchion for supporting a structure includes a bracket configured to be coupled to the structure, a threaded rod coupled to and extending from the bracket, and a housing having a first end adjacent the bracket, a second end opposite the first end, and an engagement member positioned within the housing between the first end and the second end. The engagement member has threads that engage the threaded rod. The stanchion also includes a connection body extending from the first end of the housing and engaging the bracket to selectively inhibit rotation of the housing about the threaded rod. The housing is rotatable about the threaded rod to temporarily deflect the connection body away from the bracket and adjust a length of the stanchion.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 9, 2017
Date of Patent:
October 15, 2019
Assignee:
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
Inventors:
Jeremy Laarman, Michael Katje, Anthony Sall
Abstract: A furniture system includes a chair having a seat, a backrest coupled to the seat, and a base supporting the backrest and the seat. The furniture system also includes a plurality of sensors and a processor. Each sensor is operable to detect a physical force imparted by a user on the chair, and generate an output signal indicative of the physical force. The processor is coupled to the plurality of sensors, and is operable to receive the output signals generated by the plurality of sensors, and determine, based on at least one of the output signals, a current posture of the user sitting in the chair.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 29, 2015
Date of Patent:
September 3, 2019
Assignee:
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
Inventors:
Christopher Hoyt, Daniel Rucker, Joseph Doran, Brian Alexander, Adam Daley-Fell
Abstract: A chair includes a base, a support element and a torsion element. The support element is coupled to the base and includes a seat region, a backrest region and a transition region connecting the seat region and the backrest region. The backrest region is reclinable relative to the seat region by way of elastic deformation of the support element. The torsion element is coupled to the base and to the backrest region. The torsion element controls the reclining of the backrest region relative to the seat region. The support element is exclusively connected to the torsion element above a lumbar region, wherein the backrest region can be inclined and/or twisted in relation to the seat region.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 6, 2016
Date of Patent:
August 20, 2019
Assignee:
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
Inventors:
Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick
Abstract: A back support for a chair includes a cover configured to be coupled to opposing sides of a chair frame. A strap is connected to the cover. A sled having a central portion is coupled to the strap, the sled is configured to pivot with respect to the chair frame and provide support to a user's back. The cover is configured to moveably connect to the chair frame between a low position and a high position. The sled is configured to pivot as the cover moves between the low position and the high position so that the central portion of the sled is substantially parallel to at least a portion of a membrane connected to the frame between the low position and the high position.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 12, 2017
Date of Patent:
August 13, 2019
Assignee:
Herman Miller, Inc.
Inventors:
John Aldrich, Thomas Hornor, Elindo Castro, Adwait Bhagwat, Jeffrey Koffman
Abstract: A seating device includes a base and a seat post extending from the base. The seat post has a first end adjacent the base, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. The seating device further includes a seat supported by the seat post above the base and a first rocking assembly coupled to the base and the first end of the seat post. The first rocking assembly is operable to angularly displace the seat post relative to the base. The seating device further includes a second rocking assembly coupled to the seat and the second end of the seat post. The second rocking assembly is operable to angularly displace the seat relative to the seat post.
Abstract: A power access door assembly for use with a worksurface includes a frame configured to be received within an opening of the worksurface, a hinge coupled to the frame, and a door coupled to the hinge for movement relative to the frame. The door is movable relative to the frame between a first position, in which the door is positioned within a perimeter of the frame and substantially blocks access to the opening, a second position, in which the door is pivoted open relative to the frame, and a third position, in which the door is moved outside the perimeter of the frame.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 9, 2017
Date of Patent:
May 14, 2019
Assignee:
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
Inventors:
Jeptha Cohen, David Johnson, Michael Katje, Robert Hutton
Abstract: A back support structure includes a frame, a support, a fulcrum member, and an adjustment mechanism. The support includes an upright member having a lower end and an upper end. The lower end of the upright member is connected to the frame at a first location. A support pad is connected to the upper end of the upright member. The fulcrum member has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is connected to the frame at a second location spaced vertically above the first location. The fulcrum member includes a fulcrum engaging the upright member between the upper and lower ends. The fulcrum member is moveable between a plurality of fulcrum positions. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment member connected to the frame and the lower portion of the fulcrum member. The adjustment member is adjustable to move the fulcrum member to the plurality of fulcrum positions.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 29, 2016
Date of Patent:
April 23, 2019
Assignee:
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
Inventors:
John F. Aldrich, Brock Walker, Thomas Hornor, Don Chadwick, Jeffrey Koffman