Patents by Inventor John C. Groelsma

John C. Groelsma 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: 8602501
    Abstract: A backrest includes a shell having a first, forwardly facing support surface being more pronounced along upper and lower portions of a central, spine region relative to a middle portion of the central spine region and relative to side regions adjacent the central, spine region. A cushion is disposed over the first support surface. In one aspect, the cushion has a second, forwardly facing support surface being free of any corresponding pronounced portions overlying the pronounced upper and lower portions of the central, spine region of the underlying shell. In another aspect, a chair includes a backrest as disclosed. Methods of use and assembly also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Brock Walker, John C. Groelsma, John F. Aldrich
  • Publication number: 20120062014
    Abstract: A backrest includes a shell having a first, forwardly facing support surface being more pronounced along upper and lower portions of a central, spine region relative to a middle portion of the central spine region and relative to side regions adjacent the central, spine region. A cushion is disposed over the first support surface. In one aspect, the cushion has a second, forwardly facing support surface being free of any corresponding pronounced portions overlying the pronounced upper and lower portions of the central, spine region of the underlying shell. In another aspect, a chair includes a backrest as disclosed. Methods of use and assembly also are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Brock Walker, John C. Groelsma, John F. Aldrich
  • Patent number: 8128175
    Abstract: A suspension seating structure having a body support assembly which includes a membrane formed from at least one strap spanning across an opening. Each strap is coupled to a frame member through a retaining structure. The retaining structure is coupled with or forms part of each frame member and provides a structurally secure body support assembly. A cushion material encapsulates the membrane, where the cushion material contains relief channels to permit the membrane to respond more freely in response to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Groelsma, John F. Aldrich, Eileen M. LaMore, Timothy P. Coffield
  • Patent number: 7690317
    Abstract: A computer workstation includes a worksurface moveable a first distance between first and second worksurface positions and a monitor support coupled to the worksurface. At least one of the worksurface and the monitor support is automatically moveable in response to a movement of the other of the worksurface and the monitor support. The monitor support is moveable a second distance between first and second monitor positions as the worksurface is moved the first distance between the first and second worksurface positions, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. A method of adjusting the position of a monitor support on a computer workstation is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Beck, Joel R. Dral, John C. Groelsma, Jeffrey A. Weber
  • Publication number: 20090302662
    Abstract: A suspension seating structure having a body support assembly which includes a membrane formed from at least one strap spanning across an opening. Each strap is coupled to a frame member through a retaining structure. The retaining structure is coupled with or forms part of each frame member and provides a structurally secure body support assembly. A cushion material encapsulates the membrane, where the cushion material contains relief channels to permit the membrane to respond more freely in response to a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: John C. Groelsma, John F. Aldrich, Eileen M. LaMore, Timothy P. Coffield
  • Patent number: 7530639
    Abstract: A chair includes a base and a seating structure rotatably coupled to the base and vertically moveable between at least a first position and a second position. A foot support is disposed a vertical distance from the seating structure. The foot support is rotatably coupled to the seating structure and non-rotatably coupled to the base. A control mechanism is operably coupled to the foot support for adjusting the vertical distance between the foot support and the seat. The control mechanism includes a control handle operably coupled to the seating structure. The control handle rotates with the seating structure when the seating structure is rotated and moves vertically with the seating structure when the seating structure is vertically moved between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Groelsma, John F. Aldrich, Christopher C. Hill, Craig A. Ulman
  • Publication number: 20070158993
    Abstract: A chair includes a base and a seating structure rotatably coupled to the base and vertically moveable between at least a first position and a second position. A foot support is disposed a vertical distance from the seating structure. The foot support is rotatably coupled to the seating structure and non-rotatably coupled to the base. A control mechanism is operably coupled to the foot support for adjusting the vertical distance between the foot support and the seat. The control mechanism includes a control handle operably coupled to the seating structure. The control handle rotates with the seating structure when the seating structure is rotated and moves vertically with the seating structure when the seating structure is vertically moved between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: John C. Groelsma, John F. Aldrich, Christopher C. Hill, Craig A. Ulman
  • Publication number: 20040256524
    Abstract: A computer workstation includes a worksurface moveable a first distance between first and second worksurface positions and a monitor support coupled to the worksurface. At least one of the worksurface and the monitor support is automatically moveable in response to a movement of the other of the worksurface and the monitor support. The monitor support is moveable a second distance between first and second monitor positions as the worksurface is moved the first distance between the first and second worksurface positions, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. A method of adjusting the position of a monitor support on a computer workstation is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Robert L. Beck, Joel R. Dral, John C. Groelsma