Patents by Inventor Joel T. Ruiter
Joel T. Ruiter 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: 10483737Abstract: An electrical box supports one or more electrical or electronic data outlets in a cavity, with a dual-hinged door at least partially covering an opening to the cavity when the door is closed. The door is openable in either of two directions by pivoting it about either of two spaced-apart pivot axes that are defined by respective pivot arms coupled to opposite ends and opposite sides of the door, the pivot arms being further coupled at their respective proximal ends to opposite walls of the housing. A retaining feature releasably secures the door in the closed position and may provide sensory feedback to a user upon closing the door. Optionally, the door has a floating appearance in the opening to the cavity, with no direct contact existing between the door and the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2019Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Joel T. Ruiter, Peter Bergendahl, Joseph D. Ward, Juan Carlos Angulo
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Publication number: 20190222009Abstract: An electrical box supports one or more electrical or electronic data outlets in a cavity, with a dual-hinged door at least partially covering an opening to the cavity when the door is closed. The door is openable in either of two directions by pivoting it about either of two spaced-apart pivot axes that are defined by respective pivot arms coupled to opposite ends and opposite sides of the door, the pivot arms being further coupled at their respective proximal ends to opposite walls of the housing. A retaining feature releasably secures the door in the closed position and may provide sensory feedback to a user upon closing the door. Optionally, the door has a floating appearance in the opening to the cavity, with no direct contact existing between the door and the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Joel T. Ruiter, Peter Bergendahl, Joseph D. Ward, Juan Carlos Angulo
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Patent number: 9089207Abstract: A table includes a base and a table top that is movably disposed at the base and is movable relative to the base between a generally centered position, where the table top is generally centered at the base, and an extended position, where the table top is extended from the base. A braking device may be operable to retain the table top relative to the base in selected positions between the generally centered position and the extended position and to allow for movement of the table top relative to the base between the generally centered position and the extended position. The braking device may include a braking element that engages a braking rail to limit movement of the table top relative to the base. The table tops of two separated tables may be selectively joined when extended towards one another and separated when centered.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: NUCRAFT FURNITURE COMPANYInventors: Joel T. Ruiter, Robert J. Bockheim
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Publication number: 20140060395Abstract: A table includes a base and a table top that is movably disposed at the base and is movable relative to the base between a generally centered position, where the table top is generally centered at the base, and an extended position, where the table top is extended from the base. A braking device may be operable to retain the table top relative to the base in selected positions between the generally centered position and the extended position and to allow for movement of the table top relative to the base between the generally centered position and the extended position. The braking device may include a braking element that engages a braking rail to limit movement of the table top relative to the base. The table tops of two separated tables may be selectively joined when extended towards one another and separated when centered.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Inventors: Joel T. Ruiter, Robert J. Bockheim
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Patent number: 8205950Abstract: A work station unit includes a storage area for storing project files at or near a work surface, and a movable cover panel that is vertically movable between an opened position, where at least a portion of the storage area is exposed and accessible for accessing the stored project files, and a closed position, where the storage area is at least substantially concealed by the movable cover panel. The work station unit may include a fixed cover panel over a lower portion of the storage area to at least partially conceal hanging folders and the like at the workstation unit. The movable cover panel may conceal the open area of the storage area when in its closed position and the movable cover panel may at least partially overlap the fixed cover panel when the movable cover panel is in its opened position.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2009Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Nucraft Furniture CompanyInventors: Robert J. Bockheim, Joel T. Ruiter
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Patent number: 7210270Abstract: An elevated raceway for routing utility lines in a vertically spaced relationship above the upper edge of a partition. The raceway includes an elongated passageway configured to retain utility lines in a horizontally extending manner. A first support member extends downwardly from the raceway, and has a connector spaced apart from the raceway a first vertical distance. The connector is configured to attach to a partition frame. A second support member extends downwardly from the raceway, and has a connector spaced apart from the raceway a second vertical distance that is different from the first vertical distance, such that the raceway is supported at a generally uniform vertical height above an upper edge of a partition having sections with different heights.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2000Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Jonathan J. King, Joel T. Ruiter, David J. Dekker, James D. Houda
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Patent number: 6625935Abstract: A partition panel for offices includes a partition frame having a horizontal frame member and a pair of horizontally spaced apart vertical frame members connected to the horizontal frame member. An accessory support is connected to the horizontally extending frame member at a selected one of a plurality of locations to permit adjustable connection of the accessory support to the horizontal frame member. The accessory support includes a plurality of vertically spaced apart connectors adapted to support an accessory unit at a selected one of a plurality of vertically spaced locations. An accessory unit is removably connected to the accessory support at a selected one of the vertically spaced apart connectors.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2000Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Jonathan J. King, Joel T. Ruiter, David J. Dekkar, James D. Houda
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Patent number: 6591555Abstract: A storage unit for use in an office environment. The storage unit includes a structural frame having two opposing side panels, at least one laterally extending panel extending between and interconnecting the side panels to define an interior space. The frame includes a perimeter defining an access opening that provides access to the interior space. The storage unit includes a flexible cover having opposing side edges, a front edge, and a rear edge. The flexible cover is attached to the structural frame proximate said rear edge of said flexible cover. The flexible cover extends freely from the attachment to the frame. The flexible cover has an engagement feature which is selectively engageable with the frame at first and second locations on the frame. Engagement of the cover with the frame at the first location places the flexible cover in a closed position with the opposing side edges of the flexible cover extending proximate the perimeter defining the access opening.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Jonathan J. King, Joel T. Ruiter, David J. Dekkar, James D. Houda, Peter E. Mack
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Patent number: 6591563Abstract: A partition panel includes a rigid panel frame having a lower portion configured to support the partition panel freestanding on a floor surface. The rigid panel frame defines a horizontal upper edge and an intermediate height between the upper edge and the lower portion. A utility trough extends horizontally adjacent the horizontal upper edge, and the utility trough defines a utilities passageway having an upwardly facing elongated opening extending along substantially the entire length of the utility trough and providing access to the utilities passageway. A horizontally repositionable vertically extending utility support member is adapted to support utility lines extending from the utilities passageway of the utility trough to the intermediate height.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Jonathan J. King, Joel T. Ruiter, David J. Dekkar, James D. Houda
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Patent number: 6533019Abstract: A partition panel for office systems includes a rigid panel frame having a generally rectangular perimeter and a generally rectangular opening therethrough. The panel frame has a base configured to abuttingly support the panel frame freestanding on a floor surface. The panel frame includes a row of openings configured to support hang-on accessories. The partition panel also includes at least four H-shaped connectors, each of which is secured to said panel frame adjacent each side of the rectangular opening. A rigid sheet is secured to the frame by the connectors, and spans at least a substantial portion of the rectangular opening.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2000Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Jonathan J. King, Alan E. Rheault, John S. Malnor, Joel T. Ruiter
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Patent number: D516330Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventor: Joel T. Ruiter
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Patent number: D467555Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2001Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Jonathan J. King, Joel T. Ruiter, David J. Dekker, James D. Houda
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Patent number: D471380Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2002Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Jonathan J. King, Joel T. Ruiter
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Patent number: D603185Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2008Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Nucraft Furniture CompanyInventors: Robert J. Bockheim, Joel T. Ruiter
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Patent number: D687657Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2012Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Nucraft Furniture CompanyInventors: Joel T. Ruiter, Robert J. Bockheim
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Patent number: D701719Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Grand Rapids Chair CompanyInventors: Ryan E. Haase, Joel T. Ruiter
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Patent number: D741618Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2014Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Grand Rapids Chair CompanyInventors: Ryan E. Haase, Joel T. Ruiter
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Patent number: D784036Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Grand Rapids Chair CompanyInventors: Joel T. Ruiter, Christopher R. Pabst
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Patent number: D830714Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2017Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Grand Rapids Chair CompanyInventors: Joel T. Ruiter, Christopher R. Pabst
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Patent number: D887984Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Joel T. Ruiter, Peter Bergendahl, Joseph D. Ward, Juan Carlos Angulo