Patents by Inventor James H. Nienhuis

James H. Nienhuis 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).

  • Publication number: 20030066936
    Abstract: A cable management system is provided for routing cables through an office area. The cable management system is particularly useful for open office areas to improve collaboration between office workers. The cable management system includes a top post for routing cables from a ceiling down to a connecting hub. Horizontal beams are attached to the connecting hubs, and the cables pass through the horizontal beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Beck, Andrew J. Kurrasch, Thomas W. Granzow, James H. Nienhuis, Glen V. Walter, Mehmet T. Ergelen, Benjamin J. Beck
  • Patent number: 5562469
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electrified wall panel system having a power distribution server locatable within a wall panel unit. The power distribution server has four receptacle module ports oriented in an H-shaped configuration in which a first receptacle port on a first side of the wall panel unit opens toward a first end of the wall panel unit, a second receptacle port on the first side of the wall panel unit opens toward a second end of the wall panel unit, a third receptacle port on a second side of the wall panel unit opens toward the first end of the wall panel unit, and fourth receptacle port on the second side of the wall panel unit opens toward the second end of the wall panel unit. First and second harnesses are each electrically connected at first ends thereof to the power distribution server, extend to opposite ends of the wall panel unit, and include connector ports on the second ends thereof for providing electrical interconnection of adjacent wall panel units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Herman Miller Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Nienhuis, Jeffrey L. Clark, Michael L. De Pree
  • Patent number: 5214889
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electrified wall panel system having a power distribution server locatable within a wall panel unit. The power distribution server has four receptacle module ports oriented in an H-shaped configuration in which a first receptacle port on a first side of the wall panel unit opens toward a first end of the wall panel unit, a second receptacle port on the first side of the wall panel unit opens toward a second end of the wall panel unit, a third receptacle port on a second side of the wall panel unit opens toward the first end of the wall panel unit, and fourth receptacle port on the second side of the wall panel unit opens toward the second end of the wall panel unit. There is also disclosed an electrified wall panel system with wall panel connector interchangeably usable with the interconnection of two, three, and four wall panel units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Nienhuis, Jeffrey L. Clark, Michael L. De Pree, Robert L. Beck
  • Patent number: 5129835
    Abstract: A power panel for use with wall panels of a space-divider system includes a lightweight frame structure having vertically extending end plates and a central web. Front and rear spaces are defined on either side of the web to accommodate electrical and communication wiring and receptacles on both the front and the back of the panel. A rib, extending from the web, divides the front and rear areas and provides physical separation between electrical power and communication wiring. The portion of the web on one side of the rib has an offset curved section to accommodate electrical wiring conduits extending vertically from the top to the bottom of the power panel. The power panel includes an upper area, with a removable cover, above the upper edge of the frame structure to accommodate wiring to and from, and between wall panels adjoining the power panel. A U-shaped cover is removably attached to the lower edge of the frame structure to accommodate wiring to and from, and between, panels adjoining the power panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry A. DeFouw, James H. Nienhuis, Jeffrey L. Clark, Bruce R. Gezon
  • Patent number: 5116235
    Abstract: A power panel for use with wall panels of a space-divider system includes a lightweight frame structure having vertically extending end plates and a central web. Front and rear spaces are defined on either side of the web to accommodate electrical and communication wiring and receptacles on both the front and the back of the panel. A rib, extending from the web, divides the front and rear areas and provides physical separation between electrical power and communication wiring. The portion of the web on one side of the rib has an offset curved section to accommodate electrical wiring conduits extending vertically from the top to the bottom of the power panel. The power panel includes an upper area, with a removable cover, above the upper edge of the frame structure to accommodate wiring to and from, and between wall panels adjoining the power panel. A U-shaped cover is removably attached to the lower edge of the frame structure to accommodate wiring to and from, and between, panels adjoining the power panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Nienhuis, Jeffrey L. Clark, Bruce R. Gezon
  • Patent number: 5112240
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electrified wall panel system having a power distribution server locatable within a wall panel unit. The power distribution server has four receptacle module ports oriented in an H-shaped configuration in which a first receptacle port on a first side of the wall panel unit opens toward a first end of the wall panel unit, a second receptacle port on the first side of the wall panel unit opens toward a second end of the wall panel unit, a third receptacle port on a second side of the wall panel unit opens toward the first end of the wall panel unit, and fourth receptacle port on the second side of the wall panel unit opens toward the second end of the wall panel unit. First and second harnesses are each electrically connected at first ends thereof to the power distributon server, extend to opposite ends of the wall panel unit, and include connector ports on the second ends thereof for providing electrical interconnection of adjacent wall panel units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Nienhuis, Jeffrey L. Clark, Michael L. De Pree, Robert L. Beck
  • Patent number: 5013252
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electrified wall panel system having a power distribution server locatable within a wall panel unit. The power distribution server has four receptacle module ports oriented in an H-shaped configuration in which a first receptacle port on a first side of the wall panel unit opens toward a first end of the wall panel unit, a second receptacle port on the first side of the wall panel unit opens toward a second end of the wall panel unit, a third receptacle port on a second side of the wall panel unit opens toward the first end of the wall panel unit, and fourth receptacle port on the second side of the wall panel unit opens toward the second end of the wall panel unit. First and second harnesses are each electrically connected at first ends thereof to the power distribution server, extend to opposite ends of the wall panel unit, and include connector ports on the second ends thereof for providing electrical interconnection of adjacent wall panel units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Nienhuis, Jeffrey L. Clark, Michael L. De Pree, Robert L. Beck
  • Patent number: 4605988
    Abstract: An anti-static grounding arrangement is adapted for use in a work environment system having work stations (100) with work surfaces (182) and conductive storage containers (132, 160) capable of housing electronic components or similar items which are sensitive to electrostatic charge accumulations. Hanger rails (120) and dispensing rails (162) for suspending the containers (132, 160) from work station panels (102, 104) include metallic grounding plates (124, 168) which contact the conductive container (132, 160) surfaces. The grounding plates (124, 168) are conductively connected to ground wires (138, 148, 178) which provide a low impedance path from the grounding strips (124, 168) to an earth ground. The grounding arrangement also includes metallic plates (232, 252) for use with transport carts (220, 240) which transport certain of the containers (132) between work stations (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Nienhuis, Charles P. Schreiner
  • Patent number: 4513347
    Abstract: A chair adapted to continuously discharge static electricity has conductive fabric (80, 98) on backrest and seat cushions (18, 14) grounded through conductive plates (84, 100) and staples (88), bolts (34, 68) and T-nuts (62). The backrest bolts (34) are electrically connected to each chair base (16) through a metal bracket (40). The seat bolts (68) are connected directly to the chair base (16). A conductive contact spring (120) is secured to the bottom of a spindle (114) to maintain electrical contact between the spindle (114) and a hub tube (124). A drag cable assembly (140) maintains electrical communication between the base (16) and a floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Wilcox, James H. Nienhuis