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).

  • Patent number: 6784364
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Pent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Frank Roe, Curtis G. Berndt, Randall L. Bixler
  • Publication number: 20030217857
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Frank Roe, Curtis G. Berndt, Randall L. Bixler
  • Patent number: 6653562
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Pent Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Frank Roc, Curtis G. Berndt, Randall L. Bixler
  • Publication number: 20030075350
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Frank Roc, Curtis G. Berndt, Randall L. Bixler
  • Patent number: 6419197
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Group Dekko Services, LLC
    Inventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Curtis G. Berndt, Edward J. Keil, Phillip McCoy, Tracy Tolar
  • Patent number: 6343775
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Jones, Curtis G. Berndt, Daniel R. Johnson-Zeh
  • Patent number: 6344610
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Pent Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis G. Berndt
  • Publication number: 20010028023
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Applicant: Group Dekko Services, LLC
    Inventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Curtis G. Berndt, Edward J. Keil, Phillip McCoy, Tracy Tolar
  • Patent number: 6293508
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Group Dekko Services, LLC.
    Inventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Curtis G. Berndt, Edward J. Keil, Phillip McCoy, Tracy Tolar
  • Patent number: 6135405
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Jones, Curtis G. Berndt, Daniel R. Johnson-Zeh
  • Patent number: 6079680
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Group Dekko Services, LLC
    Inventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Curtis G. Berndt, Edward J. Keil, Phillip McCoy, Tracy Tolar
  • Patent number: 5549488
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Pent Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis G. Berndt, Daniel R. Van Dyk, David A. Van Dyk, Steven C. Deer, Royal A. Kent