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).

  • Patent number: 10483737
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Joel T. Ruiter, Peter Bergendahl, Joseph D. Ward, Juan Carlos Angulo
  • Publication number: 20190222009
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Joel T. Ruiter, Peter Bergendahl, Joseph D. Ward, Juan Carlos Angulo
  • Patent number: 9089207
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: NUCRAFT FURNITURE COMPANY
    Inventors: Joel T. Ruiter, Robert J. Bockheim
  • Publication number: 20140060395
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Joel T. Ruiter, Robert J. Bockheim
  • Patent number: 8205950
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Nucraft Furniture Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Bockheim, Joel T. Ruiter
  • Patent number: 7210270
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan J. King, Joel T. Ruiter, David J. Dekker, James D. Houda
  • Patent number: 6625935
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan J. King, Joel T. Ruiter, David J. Dekkar, James D. Houda
  • Patent number: 6591555
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan J. King, Joel T. Ruiter, David J. Dekkar, James D. Houda, Peter E. Mack
  • Patent number: 6591563
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan J. King, Joel T. Ruiter, David J. Dekkar, James D. Houda
  • Patent number: 6533019
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan J. King, Alan E. Rheault, John S. Malnor, Joel T. Ruiter
  • Patent number: D516330
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventor: Joel T. Ruiter
  • Patent number: D467555
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan J. King, Joel T. Ruiter, David J. Dekker, James D. Houda
  • Patent number: D471380
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan J. King, Joel T. Ruiter
  • Patent number: D603185
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Nucraft Furniture Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Bockheim, Joel T. Ruiter
  • Patent number: D687657
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Nucraft Furniture Company
    Inventors: Joel T. Ruiter, Robert J. Bockheim
  • Patent number: D701719
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Grand Rapids Chair Company
    Inventors: Ryan E. Haase, Joel T. Ruiter
  • Patent number: D741618
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Grand Rapids Chair Company
    Inventors: Ryan E. Haase, Joel T. Ruiter
  • Patent number: D784036
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Grand Rapids Chair Company
    Inventors: Joel T. Ruiter, Christopher R. Pabst
  • Patent number: D830714
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Grand Rapids Chair Company
    Inventors: Joel T. Ruiter, Christopher R. Pabst
  • Patent number: D887984
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Joel T. Ruiter, Peter Bergendahl, Joseph D. Ward, Juan Carlos Angulo