Patents by Inventor James O. Kelley

James O. Kelley 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: 7040724
    Abstract: An adjustable home entertainment cabinet for enclosing television sets of different sizes comprises a pair of movable tower cabinets and a bridge assembly that extends between the cabinets. A center section of the bridge rests on the tops of the cabinets. A bookshelf or shelf box is mounted on an underside of the center section. End sections movably mounted on the center section extend downwardly to cover gaps between the bookshelf and the inner sides of the tower cabinets. The center section includes a cornice molding that matches and is aligned with cornice molding on the tops of the tower cabinets. The end sections have a matching cornice molding that overlays and conceals the gap between the cornice moldings on the end sections and tower cabinets. Free standing television sets can rest on the floor. Table model sets and monitors can rest on free standing TV stands/storage cabinets of different widths that fit snugly between the tower cabinets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Sligh Furniture Co.
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Ralph J. Byma
  • Patent number: 6846052
    Abstract: A desk unit incorporating a concealed pull-out keyboard well includes a work surface and a concealed keyboard platform mounted under a work surface. The work surface can have an apron on the lower front surface that conceals the keyboard platform. A movable section of the work surface at a front edge thereof is movable in a path that extends downwardly and under the front edge of the keyboard tray and then rearwardly under the keyboard tray, where the movable section can be stored or removed from the desk unit. When the movable section is thus positioned, the keyboard can be used or extended for use. This desk construction can be employed in a corner mounted desk, wherein the keyboard tray is mounted at an angle under a corner in the desk, or the invention can be employed in a conventional desk having a work surface with a straight front edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Sligh Furniture Company
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Ralph J Byma, Gregg J. Persons
  • Publication number: 20040222721
    Abstract: An adjustable home entertainment cabinet for enclosing television sets of different sizes comprises a pair of movable tower cabinets and a bridge assembly that extends between the cabinets. A center section of the bridge rests on the tops of the cabinets. A bookshelf or shelf box is mounted on an underside of the center section. End sections movably mounted on the center section extend downwardly to cover gaps between the bookshelf and the inner sides of the tower cabinets. The center section includes a cornice molding that matches and is aligned with cornice molding on the tops of the tower cabinets. The end sections have a matching cornice molding that overlays and conceals the gap between the cornice moldings on the end sections and tower cabinets. Free standing television sets can rest on the floor. Table model sets and monitors can rest on free standing TV stands/storage cabinets of different widths that fit snugly between the tower cabinets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Ralph J. Byma
  • Patent number: 6676231
    Abstract: A modular furniture system has a number of variously configured work surfaces, a number of variously configured support members, variously configured hutch units, and a number of couplers. At least two support members and a work surface are arranged and coupled together to construct a work station. The work surfaces have at least three sides with at least two of the sides being adapted to releasably couple with one of the support members. The support members may include leg supports and storage cabinet supports, each of which are adapted to couple with and support a work surface above a floor. The hutches are adapted to removably rest upon a work surface or a storage cabinet support member. Further, the hutches, the work surfaces, and the support members may be provided with cable passages to facilitate use of electronic equipment at a work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Sligh Furniture Co.
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Ralph J. Byma, Gregg J. Persons, Errol S. Pearsons
  • Publication number: 20030076014
    Abstract: A desk having a traditional appearance incorporates an easel or workstand for supporting a work piece in a closeable drawer adjacent the work surface of the desk. The easel comprises a folding panel pivotally mounted on edge of a side drawer. The panel pivots from a closed position, wherein the panel is folded into the top of the drawer and the drawer can be closed, to an open position, wherein the panel is upwardly and outwardly inclined so as to be in position to support work on the easel. A rail on the bottom of the easel supports work on the easel. The easel can serve as a writing surface when the easel is closed and the drawer is open. The desk includes a central drawer having a fold-down front panel that serves as a keyboard drawer, and computer accessory storage areas in other portions of the desk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Ralph J. Byma, Gregg J. Persons, Michael D. Warren
  • Publication number: 20030001464
    Abstract: A desk unit incorporating a concealed pull-out keyboard well comprises a work surface and a concealed keyboard platform mounted under a work surface. The work surface can have an apron on the lower front surface that conceals the keyboard platform. A movable section of the work surface at a front edge thereof is movable in a path that extends downwardly and under the front edge of the keyboard tray and then rearwardly under the keyboard tray, where the movable section can be stored or removed from the desk unit. When the movable section is thus positioned, the keyboard can be used or extended for use. This desk construction can be employed in a corner mounted desk, wherein the keyboard tray is mounted at an angle under a corner in the desk, or the invention can be employed in a conventional desk having a work surface with a straight front edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Ralph J. Byma, Gregg J. Persons
  • Patent number: 6422668
    Abstract: A furniture unit comprises a closed-front credenza that folds out to form an L-shaped desk. The unit comprises a stationary desk having a partially open front, with a kneehole opening forming at least a portion of the open front. A moveable return pivotally mounted at on one side of the desk comprises a vertical face panel and a work surface mounted at a rear side of the face panel. The return is pivotal between a closed position, wherein the face panel covers the open portion of the front of the desk and the return work surface is concealed behind the face panel, and an open position, wherein the face panel is pivoted outward from the front of the desk, exposing the kneehole opening in the desk. The return work surface extends forward from the desk alongside the kneehole opening when the return is opened. The face panel is configured so as to create the impression that the furniture unit is a credenza with no kneehole opening when the return is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Sligh Furniture Co.
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Ralph Byma, Greg J. Persons
  • Patent number: 6402271
    Abstract: A computer cabinet with extending light has a front and an opposing back. The computer cabinet includes opposing first and second side panels, a door, a first drawer, a second drawer, and a lamp. The first and second side panels are spaced apart from and generally parallel with one another, and further extend generally vertically upward from a supporting floor. The first drawer is slidably connected with one of the first and second side panels, whereby the first drawer slides between extended and retracted positions. The first drawer extends out the front of the computer cabinet in the extended position and is retracted into the computer cabinet in the retracted position. The first drawer also has a drawer front. The second drawer is slidably connected with the first drawer, whereby the second drawer slides between extended and retracted positions. The second drawer extends out the front of the first drawer in the extended position and is retracted into the first drawer in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Sligh Furniture Co.
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Greg Persons, Ralph J. Byma
  • Publication number: 20010043032
    Abstract: A secretary with work surface wings has a base, a desktop connected with the base, a wing support connected with the base, and a wing hingedly connected with the wing support. The base may be a floor standing base. The desktop may have first and second desktop ends and provide a user with a work surface. The wing may have a wing mating edge that is adapted to mate with the first desktop end. The wing hinges between stored and extended positions with the wing mating edge mating with the first desktop end in the extended position and adding to the work surface. A releasable coupling may further be used between the wing and the desktop. Also, a pivot may be interposed between the wing support and the base, with the wing support pivoting between open and closed positions relative to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Ralph J. Byma, Gregg J. Persons
  • Patent number: 6126253
    Abstract: A computer desk has a work surface with a first support connected with the work surface near a first end to support the work surface above a floor, and a second support releasably connected with the work surface near a second, opposing end. The second support has a top with a portion of the top spaced from the work surface to define a drawer space. A drawer extends from the first support toward the second end and into the drawer space. A kneehole is defined between the first and second support members and below the work surface. One of the support members may include a storage compartment with an interior and a door that opens and closes access to the interior. The door is spaced above the floor and the storage compartment has a removable panel that extends from the floor to at least a bottom of the door. The storage compartment may also include a saddle type storage drawer that is narrower than the storage compartment to define a space for a CPU tower in the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Sligh Furniture Company
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Ralph J. Byma, Gregg J. Persons
  • Patent number: 6070840
    Abstract: An apparatus for leveling a support leg on a floor. The apparatus includes an ankle member extending from a bottom of the leg, a foot member, a heel member, and an adjustment device. The foot member includes a rear portion and a front portion which has a surface for engaging the floor. The ankle member is pivotally attached to the rear portion. The heel member extends downwardly from one of the rear portion of the foot member and the ankle member. The adjustment device interconnects the ankle member and foot member and is adapted to allow the foot member to be rotated through and fixed at various angles relative to said foot member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Andrew J. Kurrasch, Errol S. Pearsons, Robert L. Beck
  • Patent number: 5971504
    Abstract: A furniture unit comprises a closed-front credenza that folds out to form an L-shaped desk. The unit comprises a stationary desk having a partially open front, with a kneehole opening forming at least a portion of the open front. A moveable return pivotally mounted at on one side of the desk comprises a vertical face panel and a work surface mounted at a rear side of the face panel. The return is pivotal between a closed position, wherein the face panel covers the open portion of the front of the desk and the return work surface is concealed behind the face panel, and an open position, wherein the face panel is pivoted outwardly from the front of the desk, exposing the kneehole opening in the desk. The return work surface extends forwardly from the desk alongside the kneehole opening when the return is opened. The face panel is configured so as to create the impression that the furniture unit is a credenza with no kneehole opening when the return is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Ralph Byma, Greg J. Persons
  • Patent number: D440076
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Sligh Furniture Company
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Michael D. Warren
  • Patent number: D518974
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Sligh Furniture Co.
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Ralph J. Byma, Gregg J. Persons, Errol S. Pearsons
  • Patent number: D454011
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Sligh Holding Company
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Michael D. Warren
  • Patent number: D454266
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sligh Holding Company
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Michael D. Warren
  • Patent number: D455026
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Sligh Holding Company
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Michael D. Warren
  • Patent number: D463162
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Michael D. Warren
  • Patent number: D473070
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Sligh Holding Company
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Michael D. Warren
  • Patent number: D428731
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Sligh Furniture
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Michael D. Warren