Patents by Inventor Brian J. Kane

Brian J. Kane 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: 6301846
    Abstract: A knock-down portable partition includes a rigid panel frame having a central portion. The partition includes at least one cover panel covering at least a portion of the central portion of the rigid panel frame. Connectors detachably mount the cover panel on the panel frame to facilitate assembly and removal of the cover panel on the panel frame. The rigid panel frame includes at least two vertical posts having an upper end, a lower end, and opposite side faces. The opposite faces have at least two beam connection ports thereon positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of the associated one of the posts. The panel frame also includes upper and lower beams extending generally horizontally between the vertical posts adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, and interconnecting the vertical posts adjacent the connection ports. The panel frame includes quick-disconnect connectors such as movable lock members positioned on one of the posts and the beams adjacent the connection ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang
  • Patent number: 6276103
    Abstract: A partition includes at least two vertical posts with upper and lower beams having opposite ends thereof interconnecting the vertical posts to define when in an assembled condition, a rigid panel frame having a substantially open interior. The panel frame defines a vertical dimension. At least one cover panel is configured to enclose at least a portion of the open interior of the panel frame, and is removably mounted on the panel frame to readily access the open interior thereof. The cover panel defines an interior surface and a center portion spaced-apart from the posts. A cover panel brace is connected with the upper beam, and has an outer surface abutting the interior surface of the cover panel to support the cover panel adjacent the center portion to prevent flexing of the cover panel. The cover panel brace is longitudinally extensible to accommodate variations of the vertical dimension between the upper and lower beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang, Paul J. Granzotto, Richard S. Hand, Kevin J. Longhurst, Theodore Q. Chau, Douglas L. Scheerhorn, John L. McCrackin
  • Publication number: 20010013209
    Abstract: A knock-down portable partition includes a rigid panel frame having a central portion. The partition includes at least one cover panel covering at least a portion of the central portion of the rigid panel frame. Connectors detachably mount the cover panel on the panel frame to facilitate assembly and removal of the cover panel on the panel frame. The rigid panel frame includes at least two vertical posts having an upper end, a lower end, and opposite side faces. The opposite faces have at least two beam connection ports thereon positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of the associated one of the posts. The panel frame also includes upper and lower beams extending generally horizontally between the vertical posts adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, and interconnecting the vertical posts adjacent the connection ports. The panel frame includes quick-disconnect connectors such as movable lock members positioned on one of the posts and the beams adjacent the connection ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang
  • Patent number: 6098358
    Abstract: A knock-down portable partition including a panel frame having a central portion. At least one cover panel covers at least a portion of the central portion of the panel frame. Connectors detachably mount the cover panel on the panel frame to facilitate assembly and removable of the cover panel on the panel frame. The panel frame includes at least two vertical posts each having an upper end, a lower end and opposite faces with at least two beam connection ports thereon positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of the associated one of the posts. The panel frame also includes upper and lower beams extending generally horizontally between the vertical posts adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, and interconnecting the same adjacent the connection ports. Movable lock members having a flexible extension are positioned on one of the posts and the beams adjacent the connection ports, and are movably mounted thereon for shifting between an unlocked position and a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang, Paul J. Granzotto, Richard S. Hand, Kevin J. Longhurst, Theodore Q. Chau, Douglas L. Scheerhorn, John L. McCrackin
  • Patent number: 6082840
    Abstract: A worksurface unit includes a worksurface defining a lower surface, a front edge shaped to be positioned adjacent a seated user, and a rear edge disposed opposite said front edge. The rear edge includes a substantially straight portion and a concave cut-out portion. The worksurface includes at least two legs, each having an upper end operably connected with the worksurface adjacent the rear edge, and a lower end shaped to support the worksurface on a floor. A panel is connected with and extends between the legs, and has an upper edge spaced-apart from the lower surface of the worksurface to define a passageway. The panel upper edge is sloped downwardly towards the front edge of the worksurface such that utility lines can be routed through the cut-out portion of the rear edge, through the passageway and over the sloped upper edge of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Q. Chau, Brian J. Kane, John L. McCrackin
  • Patent number: D436269
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Landscape Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Kane
  • Patent number: D436270
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Kane
  • Patent number: D437716
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Q. Chau, Brian J. Kane, Kevin J. Longhurst
  • Patent number: D441563
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Q. Chau, Brian J. Kane, Kevin J. Longhurst
  • Patent number: D447882
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Landscape Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Kane
  • Patent number: D448191
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Landscape Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Kane
  • Patent number: D448192
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Landscape Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Kane
  • Patent number: D453427
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Landscape Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Kane
  • Patent number: D453638
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Landscape Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Kane
  • Patent number: D420223
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Landscape Forms, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Chipman, Brian J. Kane, Arno R. Yurk
  • Patent number: D420812
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Landscape Forms, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Chipman, Brian J. Kane, Arno R. Yurk
  • Patent number: D421132
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Landscape Forms, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Chipman, Brian J. Kane, Arno R. Yurk
  • Patent number: D429000
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Landscape Forms, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Chipman, Brian J. Kane, Arno R. Yurk
  • Patent number: D432665
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Landscape Forms Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Chipman, Brian J. Kane, Arno R. Yurk
  • Patent number: D433579
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Kane