Patents by Inventor Curtis G. Berndt
Curtis G. Berndt 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: 6784364Abstract: A portable storage unit has a body; a cavity in the body; an access opening in the body for providing access to the cavity, and a door which is hingedly fixed to the body for selectively opening and closing the cavity access opening. An extensible member is slidably received in the body and movable between a retracted position and a range of extended positions for securing the unit intermediate a pair of spaced apart surfaces such as a floor and underside of a desk. A spring urges the extensible member resiliently toward the extended positions. The extensible member may be latched in the retracted position and the body has a handle for transporting the unit between sites. Electrical connectors such as communication ports or electrical receptacles may be mounted to the unit along with one or more cords for supplying current to the electrical connectors.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Pent Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Frank Roe, Curtis G. Berndt, Randall L. Bixler
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Publication number: 20030217857Abstract: A portable storage unit has a body; a cavity in the body; an access opening in the body for providing access to the cavity, and a door which is hingedly fixed to the body for selectively opening and closing the cavity access opening. An extensible member is slidably received in the body and movable between a retracted position and a range of extended positions for securing the unit intermediate a pair of spaced apart surfaces such as a floor and underside of a desk. A spring urges the extensible member resiliently toward the extended positions. The extensible member may be latched in the retracted position and the body has a handle for transporting the unit between sites. Electrical connectors such as communication ports or electrical receptacles may be mounted to the unit along with one or more cords for supplying current to the electrical connectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2002Publication date: November 27, 2003Inventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Frank Roe, Curtis G. Berndt, Randall L. Bixler
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Patent number: 6653562Abstract: A portable electrical unit including a body, a cavity in the body, a cavity access opening in the body, a door attached to the body for selectively opening and closing said cavity access opening, at least one extensible member slidably received in the body and movable between a retracted position and a range of extended positions for securing the portable electrical unit intermediate a pair of spaced apart surfaces, all of the extensible members being resiliently biased in substantially the same direction and a distribution unit mounted in the body including at least one receptacle. The portable electrical unit may be secured in position intermediate a pair of spaced apart surfaces such as the floor and underside of a desk, or an upper desk or shelf surface and a higher shelf under-surface by one or more extensible members which are slidably received in the body and movable between a retracted position and a range of extended positions.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Pent Products, Inc.Inventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Frank Roc, Curtis G. Berndt, Randall L. Bixler
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Publication number: 20030075350Abstract: A portable electrical unit including a body, a cavity in the body, a cavity access opening in the body, a door attached to the body for selectively opening and closing said cavity access opening, at least one extensible member slidably received in the body and movable between a retracted position and a range of extended positions for securing the portable electrical unit intermediate a pair of spaced apart surfaces, all of the extensible members being resiliently biased in substantially the same direction and a distribution unit mounted in the body including at least one receptacle. The portable electrical unit may be secured in position intermediate a pair of spaced apart surfaces such as the floor and underside of a desk, or an upper desk or shelf surface and a higher shelf under-surface by one or more extensible members which are slidably received in the body and movable between a retracted position and a range of extended positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2002Publication date: April 24, 2003Inventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Frank Roc, Curtis G. Berndt, Randall L. Bixler
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Patent number: 6419197Abstract: A keyboard support system attaches to an edge of a work surface. The work surface includes a working surface and an underside. The keyboard support system includes a keyboard platform configured for supporting a keyboard. A U-shaped mounting bracket includes a top wall having a lower surface, a monolithic bottom wall and a middle wall interconnecting the top wall and the bottom wall. The bottom wall has an upper surface and a lower surface with a pair of integral, opposing guide rails projecting therefrom. Each guide rail has a length oriented substantially parallel to the bottom wall. The middle wall is configured to both resiliently bias the lower surface of the top wall against the working surface of the work surface and resiliently bias the upper surface of the bottom wall against the underside of the work surface, thereby clamping the work surface between the top wall and the bottom wall.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2001Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: Group Dekko Services, LLCInventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Curtis G. Berndt, Edward J. Keil, Phillip McCoy, Tracy Tolar
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Patent number: 6343775Abstract: A keyboard support assembly for supporting computer keyboards and the like. The keyboard support assembly includes an articulating support arm having an end portion adapted to be secured to an associated base. The articulating support arm also defines an opposite end portion. A keyboard support member is adapted to support a keyboard thereon. The keyboard support assembly further includes a threadless quick connector releasably connecting the keyboard support member to the articulating support arm adjacent the opposite end portion thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2000Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: David K. Jones, Curtis G. Berndt, Daniel R. Johnson-Zeh
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Patent number: 6344610Abstract: An electrical distribution system includes a structural member having an electrical distribution chamber therein. A rigid conduit is positioned within the electrical distribution chamber, and includes two longitudinally opposite ends, at least one side wall extending between the ends, and a keyed electrical connector at each end. At least one side wall has an indentation therein. An electrical transmission element which is separate from the rigid conduit passes through the indentation.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2000Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Assignee: Pent Products, Inc.Inventor: Curtis G. Berndt
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Publication number: 20010028023Abstract: A keyboard support system attaches to an edge of a work surface. The work surface includes a working surface and an underside. The keyboard support system includes a keyboard platform configured for supporting a keyboard. A U-shaped mounting bracket includes a top wall having a lower surface, a monolithic bottom wall and a middle wall interconnecting the top wall and the bottom wall. The bottom wall has an upper surface and a lower surface with a pair of integral, opposing guide rails projecting therefrom. Each guide rail has a length oriented substantially parallel to the bottom wall. The middle wall is configured to both resiliently bias the lower surface of the top wall against the working surface of the work surface and resiliently bias the upper surface of the bottom wall against the underside of the work surface, thereby clamping the work surface between the top wall and the bottom wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2001Publication date: October 11, 2001Applicant: Group Dekko Services, LLCInventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Curtis G. Berndt, Edward J. Keil, Phillip McCoy, Tracy Tolar
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Patent number: 6293508Abstract: A keyboard support system attaches to an edge of a work surface. The work surface includes a working surface and an underside. The keyboard support system includes a keyboard platform configured for supporting a keyboard. A U-shaped mounting bracket includes a top wall having a lower surface, a monolithic bottom wall and a middle wall interconnecting the top wall and the bottom wall. The bottom wall has an upper surface and a lower surface with a pair of integral, opposing guide rails projecting therefrom. Each guide rail has a length oriented substantially parallel to the bottom wall. The middle wall is configured to both resiliently bias the lower surface of the top wall against the working surface of the work surface and resiliently bias the upper surface of the bottom wall against the underside of the work surface, thereby clamping the work surface between the top wall and the bottom wall.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2000Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Group Dekko Services, LLC.Inventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Curtis G. Berndt, Edward J. Keil, Phillip McCoy, Tracy Tolar
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Patent number: 6135405Abstract: An adjustable support for computer keyboards and the like, including a support member shaped to retain an associated keyboard thereon. The support member is pivotally mounted to shift about a normally generally horizontal pivot axis to define a tilt angle for the support member and the keyboard with respect to a user, wherein the tilt angle is adjustable within a predetermined tilt range. The adjustable support further includes a tilt adjustment controller operatively connected with the support member and including a tilt rod and a releasable lock which move relative to one another when the support member is pivoted about the tilt axis for adjustment of the tilt angle. The lock engages the tilt rod in a locked position to retain the support member at a selected tilt angle. The lock disengages the tilt rod in an unlocked position to permit the support member to pivot freely within the tilt range.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1998Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.Inventors: David K. Jones, Curtis G. Berndt, Daniel R. Johnson-Zeh
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Patent number: 6079680Abstract: A keyboard support system attaches to an edge of a work surface. The work surface includes a working surface and an underside. The keyboard support system includes a keyboard platform configured for supporting a keyboard. A U-shaped mounting bracket includes a top wall having a lower surface, a monolithic bottom wall and a middle wall interconnecting the top wall and the bottom wall. The bottom wall has an upper surface and a lower surface with a pair of integral, opposing guide rails projecting therefrom. Each guide rail has a length oriented substantially parallel to the bottom wall. The middle wall is configured to both resiliently bias the lower surface of the top wall against the working surface of the work surface and resiliently bias the upper surface of the bottom wall against the underside of the work surface, thereby clamping the work surface between the top wall and the bottom wall.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1999Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: Group Dekko Services, LLCInventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Curtis G. Berndt, Edward J. Keil, Phillip McCoy, Tracy Tolar
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Patent number: 5549488Abstract: A re-wired electrical assembly with multiple keying arrangement has channel-shaped raceways which receive plug receptacles. Electrical contacts are disposed in each of the plug receptacles and are selectively oriented in one of a plurality of predetermined positions. Jumper cable assemblies including two plugs electrically coupled by an intermediate cable are used to join a pair of channels having plug receptacles therein. Terminals are disposed in each of the plugs and are selectively oriented so as to mate with corresponding contacts in the plug receptacles. The keying arrangement prevents improper connection between the plugs and plug receptacles. Specifically, the keying arrangement includes guide members molded on the interior surface of bores surrounding each contact in the plug receptacles. Slotted sleeves enclose the terminals, and a slot mates with at least one of the guide members in the plug receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1994Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Assignee: Pent Products, Inc.Inventors: Curtis G. Berndt, Daniel R. Van Dyk, David A. Van Dyk, Steven C. Deer, Royal A. Kent