Patents by Inventor John L. McCrackin

John L. McCrackin 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: 20090091228
    Abstract: A pedestal system includes a cabinet having a bottom wall, a top wall, a pair of sidewalls, and a rear wall that cooperate to define a forwardly-opening aperture that slidably receives a plurality of drawer assemblies therein. The pedestal system further includes interchangeable face plates for covering the drawer assemblies, an attachment system for attaching a drawer lock/interlock assembly that locks the drawer assemblies in a closed position and prevents multiple drawer assemblies from being simultaneously opened, and a drawer divider for segmenting an interior space of each drawer assembly. The drawer lock/interlock system includes a cam assembly that allows a constant force to be applied to each drawer assembly while opening each drawer and activating the lock/interlock assembly. The pedestal system further includes an attachment system for attaching the pedestal system to a free-standing partition system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Paul L. Tupper, Peter J. Battey, John Hanna J. Hasbany, Marcus J. Cole, Theodore M. Haan, Bruce W. DuVall, JR., John L. McCrackin, Nancy A. Funk, David J. Battey, Angela Simon
  • Patent number: 7469979
    Abstract: A pedestal system includes a cabinet having a bottom wall, a top wall, a pair of sidewalls, and a rear wall that cooperate to define a forwardly-opening aperture that slidably receives a plurality of drawer assemblies therein. The pedestal system further includes interchangeable face plates for covering the drawer assemblies, an attachment system for attaching a drawer lock/interlock assembly that locks the drawer assemblies in a closed position and prevents multiple drawer assemblies from being simultaneously opened, and a drawer divider for segmenting an interior space of each drawer assembly. The drawer lock/interlock system includes a cam assembly that allows a constant force to be applied to each drawer assembly while opening each drawer and activating the lock/interlock assembly. The pedestal system further includes an attachment system for attaching the pedestal system to a free-standing partition system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Paul L. Tupper, Peter J. Battey, John Hanna J. Hasbany, Marcus J. Cole, Theodore M. Haan, Bruce W. DuVall, Jr., John L. McCrackin, Nancy A. Funk, David J. Battey, Angela Simon
  • Publication number: 20020029529
    Abstract: A partition includes at least two vertical posts with upper and lower beams having opposite ends thereof interconnecting the vertical posts to define when in an assembled condition, a rigid panel frame having a substantially open interior. The panel frame defines a vertical dimension. At least one cover panel is configured to enclose at least a portion of the open interior of the panel frame, and is removably mounted on the panel frame to readily access the open interior thereof. The cover panel defines an interior surface and a center portion spaced-apart from the posts. A cover panel brace is connected with the upper beam, and has an outer surface abutting the interior surface of the cover panel to support the cover panel adjacent the center portion to prevent flexing of the cover panel. The cover panel brace is longitudinally extensible to accommodate variations of the vertical dimension between the upper and lower beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang, Paul J. Granzotto, Richard S. Hand, Kevin J. Longhurst, Theodore Q. Chau, Douglas L. Scheerhorn, John L. McCrackin
  • Patent number: 6276103
    Abstract: A partition includes at least two vertical posts with upper and lower beams having opposite ends thereof interconnecting the vertical posts to define when in an assembled condition, a rigid panel frame having a substantially open interior. The panel frame defines a vertical dimension. At least one cover panel is configured to enclose at least a portion of the open interior of the panel frame, and is removably mounted on the panel frame to readily access the open interior thereof. The cover panel defines an interior surface and a center portion spaced-apart from the posts. A cover panel brace is connected with the upper beam, and has an outer surface abutting the interior surface of the cover panel to support the cover panel adjacent the center portion to prevent flexing of the cover panel. The cover panel brace is longitudinally extensible to accommodate variations of the vertical dimension between the upper and lower beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang, Paul J. Granzotto, Richard S. Hand, Kevin J. Longhurst, Theodore Q. Chau, Douglas L. Scheerhorn, John L. McCrackin
  • Patent number: 6098358
    Abstract: A knock-down portable partition including a panel frame having a central portion. At least one cover panel covers at least a portion of the central portion of the panel frame. Connectors detachably mount the cover panel on the panel frame to facilitate assembly and removable of the cover panel on the panel frame. The panel frame includes at least two vertical posts each having an upper end, a lower end and opposite faces with at least two beam connection ports thereon positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of the associated one of the posts. The panel frame also includes upper and lower beams extending generally horizontally between the vertical posts adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, and interconnecting the same adjacent the connection ports. Movable lock members having a flexible extension are positioned on one of the posts and the beams adjacent the connection ports, and are movably mounted thereon for shifting between an unlocked position and a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang, Paul J. Granzotto, Richard S. Hand, Kevin J. Longhurst, Theodore Q. Chau, Douglas L. Scheerhorn, John L. McCrackin
  • Patent number: 6082840
    Abstract: A worksurface unit includes a worksurface defining a lower surface, a front edge shaped to be positioned adjacent a seated user, and a rear edge disposed opposite said front edge. The rear edge includes a substantially straight portion and a concave cut-out portion. The worksurface includes at least two legs, each having an upper end operably connected with the worksurface adjacent the rear edge, and a lower end shaped to support the worksurface on a floor. A panel is connected with and extends between the legs, and has an upper edge spaced-apart from the lower surface of the worksurface to define a passageway. The panel upper edge is sloped downwardly towards the front edge of the worksurface such that utility lines can be routed through the cut-out portion of the rear edge, through the passageway and over the sloped upper edge of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Q. Chau, Brian J. Kane, John L. McCrackin
  • Patent number: D415375
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: John L. McCrackin, Brian J. Kane