Patents by Inventor Michael J. Feldpausch

Michael J. Feldpausch 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: 10669713
    Abstract: An office work system includes a first and second table assemblies each including a first work surface having first and second ends, and leg arrangements coupled to the work surfaces and configured to support the work surfaces above a floor surface, a beam arrangement that includes an upwardly-facing surface, a first end, a second end, and a pair of channels extending between the first and second ends, the channels coextending with one another and being located at the same vertical height, wherein the first table and second table assemblies are coupled to the beam arrangement, a work tool positioned above the beam arrangement, and a connector assembly connecting the work tool to the beam arrangement, where the connector assembly is coupled to the work tool and engages the pair of channels of the beam arrangement such that the work tool may be repositioned along a length of the beam arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Feldpausch, Marvin C. Knauf, Bradley D. Youngs, Mark T. Slager, Kurt R. Heidmann, John R. Hamilton, Ryan Geister, Daniel Phillips
  • Patent number: 10626600
    Abstract: A partition assembly for subdividing a floor plan area that includes a beam assembly including a beam member including an upper wall, a pair of side walls, a bottom wall, first and second ends, and a pair of channels extending between the first and second ends, each of the channels positioned closer to one of the pair of side walls than to a longitudinally-extending center line of the beam member, a lower frame member located below the beam member, and vertical frame members extending between the beam member and the lower frame member, a work tool positioned above the beam assembly, and a connector assembly connecting the work tool to the beam assembly, where the connector assembly is coupled to the work tool and engages the pair of channels of the beam member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Feldpausch, Marvin C. Knauf, Bradley D. Youngs, Mark T. Slager, Kurt R. Heidmann, John R. Hamilton, Ryan Geister, Daniel Phillips
  • Publication number: 20180080225
    Abstract: An office work system includes a first and second table assemblies each including a first work surface having first and second ends, and leg arrangements coupled to the work surfaces and configured to support the work surfaces above a floor surface, a beam arrangement that includes an upwardly-facing surface, a first end, a second end, and a pair of channels extending between the first and second ends, the channels coextending with one another and being located at the same vertical height, wherein the first table and second table assemblies are coupled to the beam arrangement, a work tool positioned above the beam arrangement, and a connector assembly connecting the work tool to the beam arrangement, where the connector assembly is coupled to the work tool and engages the pair of channels of the beam arrangement such that the work tool may be repositioned along a length of the beam arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. Feldpausch, Marvin C. Knauf, Bradley D. Youngs, Mark T. Slager, Kurt R. Heidmann, John R. Hamilton, Ryan Geister, Daniel Phillips
  • Publication number: 20180073249
    Abstract: A partition assembly for subdividing a floor plan area that includes a beam assembly including a beam member including an upper wall, a pair of side walls, a bottom wall, first and second ends, and a pair of channels extending between the first and second ends, each of the channels positioned closer to one of the pair of side walls than to a longitudinally-extending center line of the beam member, a lower frame member located below the beam member, and vertical frame members extending between the beam member and the lower frame member, a work tool positioned above the beam assembly, and a connector assembly connecting the work tool to the beam assembly, where the connector assembly is coupled to the work tool and engages the pair of channels of the beam member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. Feldpausch, Marvin C. Knauf, Bradley D. Youngs, Mark T. Slager, Kurt R. Heidmann, John R. Hamilton, Ryan Geister, Daniel Phillips
  • Publication number: 20150068134
    Abstract: An office work system that comprises a beam assembly that includes a first horizontal frame member having an upper surface and an upwardly opening first channel that extends along a length of the first horizontal frame member, a work surface having an upper surface, and a work surface support assembly that engages the first channel and is positionable along a length of the beam, and adjustably supports the work surface at a plurality of vertical heights relative to the first horizontal frame member, wherein at least one of the plurality of vertical heights positions the upper surface of the work surface above the upper surface of the first horizontal frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Michael J. Feldpausch, Marvin C. Knauf, Bradley D. Youngs, Mark T. Slager, Kurt R. Heidmann, John R. Hamilton, Ryan Geister, Daniel Phillips
  • Patent number: 8910435
    Abstract: A beam assembly for subdividing a floor plan area comprises a horizontally-extending beam member including an interiorly-facing surface, a bottom wall having at least one aperture extending therethrough, and at least one horizontally-extending lower frame member located below the beam member. The beam assembly further comprises at least one vertical frame member extending between and coupled with the beam member and the at least one lower frame member, wherein the at least one vertical frame member extends through the at least one aperture and the bottom wall of the beam member and interferingly engages the interior-facing surface of the beam member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Feldpausch, Marvin C. Knauf, Bradley D. Youngs, Mark T. Slager, Kurt R. Heidmann, John R. Hamilton, Ryan Geister
  • Publication number: 20090293388
    Abstract: A beam assembly for subdividing a floor plan area comprises a horizontally-extending beam member including an interiorly-facing surface, a bottom wall having at least one aperture extending therethrough, and at least one horizontally-extending lower frame member located below the beam member. The beam assembly further comprises at least one vertical frame member extending between and coupled with the beam member and the at least one lower frame member, wherein the at least one vertical frame member extends through the at least one aperture and the bottom wall of the beam member and interferingly engages the interior-facing surface of the beam member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Michael J. Feldpausch, Marvin C. Knauf, Bradley D. Youngs, Mark T. Slager, Kurt R. Heidmann, John R. Hamilton, Ryan Geister
  • Patent number: 6892744
    Abstract: A quickly erectable structure includes expandable/collapsible top and bottom assemblies that are interconnected to facilitate forming an enclosure and to facilitate taking down the enclosure. Specifically, the bottom assembly includes a plurality of interconnected X-shaped subframes that combine to form a telescoping scissor frame. The top assembly includes a plurality of inverted foldable Y-shaped subframes attached together and to a top of the telescoping scissor frame in a manner that combines the two to form a stable umbrella-like overcenter top frame attached atop the telescoping scissor frame. A drawstring mechanism is attached to a peak of the structure to hold the top frame in an expanded position. Flexible covers are attached to the two frames, and a drawstring arrangement on the top cover allows flaps to be lifted to form 360 degrees of windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas G. Feldpausch, Michael J. Feldpausch, Stephen J. Feldpausch, James E. Trist
  • Publication number: 20020134416
    Abstract: A quickly erectable structure includes expandable/collapsible top and bottom assemblies that are interconnected to facilitate forming an enclosure and to facilitate taking down the enclosure. Specifically, the bottom assembly includes a plurality of interconnected X-shaped subframes that combine to form a telescoping scissor frame. The top assembly includes a plurality of inverted foldable Y-shaped subframes attached together and to a top of the telescoping scissor frame in a manner that combines the two to form a stable umbrella-like overcenter top frame attached atop the telescoping scissor frame. A drawstring mechanism is attached to a peak of the structure to hold the top frame in an expanded position. Flexible covers are attached to the two frames, and a drawstring arrangement on the top cover allows flaps to be lifted to form 360 degrees of windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas G. Feldpausch, Michael J. Feldpausch, Stephen J Feldpausch, James E. Trist
  • Patent number: 6349911
    Abstract: An apparatus having a partition with a frame, a worksurface and a bracket assembly. The bracket assembly supports a rear edge of the worksurface to the frame at a selected location on a horizontally extending attachment feature included on the frame. The bracket assembly includes a partition-engaging bracket configured to securely engage the horizontally extending attachment feature, a worksurface-engaging bracket configured to securely engage the rear edge of the worksurface, and an interconnecting bracket. The partition-engaging bracket and the interconnecting bracket include horizontally-extending overlapping flanges. The worksurface-engaging bracket is configured to interlockingly secure the horizontally-extending overlapping flanges together in a vertically adjusted selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Feldpausch, Daniel Grabowski
  • Patent number: 6173545
    Abstract: A partition system includes a first partition having a face and a horizontal row of slots accessible through the face, and a second partition having an abutting end adapted to be positioned adjacent the face. The first partition includes a frame and covers on the frame that define a horizontally extending gap for accessing the slots. A connector for interconnecting the abutting end to the face includes a one-piece U-shaped clip having a pair of legs forming a first end with opposing hooks configured to securely horizontally engage the slots in the face, and having an intermediate section forming a second end configured to securely engage the abutting end. The intermediate section is resilient such that the legs can be flexed together to an install position for insertion into a selected slot and can be flexed apart to a retaining position where the hooks are positioned to securely engage the selected slot in the first partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Feldpausch, Stephen J. Feldpausch, William K. Hofman
  • Patent number: 6082065
    Abstract: A bracket is provided for attaching an end of a first partition to a face of a second partition at a selected location intermediate vertical side edges of the second partition, where the second partition includes a horizontal frame member having a horizontal row of slots. The bracket includes an L-shaped rigid member stamped from rigid sheet metal having a first horizontal leg and a first vertical leg, with the first horizontal leg having hooks each with a notch configured to securely engage selected slots on the second partition. The bracket further includes an L-shaped interlock member stamped from spring steel having a second horizontal leg and a second vertical leg. The second horizontal and vertical legs lay on the first horizontal and vertical legs, respectively, and the second horizontal leg has an interlock tab that extends to and overlaps a rear of one of the hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Feldpausch
  • Patent number: 6009676
    Abstract: A partition system includes a first partition having a face and a horizontal row of slots accessible through the face, and a second partition having an abutting end adapted to be positioned adjacent the face. The first partition includes a frame and covers on the frame that define a horizontally extending gap for accessing the slots. A connector for interconnecting the abutting end to the face includes a one-piece U-shaped clip having a pair of legs forming a first end with opposing hooks configured to securely horizontally engage the slots in the face, and having an intermediate section forming a second end configured to securely engage the abutting end. The intermediate section is resilient such that the legs can be flexed together to an install position for insertion into a selected slot and can be flexed apart to a retaining position where the hooks are positioned to securely engage the selected slot in the first partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Developement Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Feldpausch, Stephen J. Feldpausch, William K. Hofman
  • Patent number: 5816001
    Abstract: A partition construction includes a partition frame having opposing vertical edges and upper and lower frame members each defining a repeating pattern of configured apertures and holes extending horizontally between its vertical side edges. The configured apertures are "+" or "T" shaped, and include at least a smaller lower section and an enlarged middle section. Cover panels are attachable to the partition frame by top locator/connectors that engage the smaller lower section of selected apertures in the upper frame member, and by bottom connectors that engage an upper one of the holes in the lower frame member. The cover panels are shaped to leave the enlarged middle section of the configured apertures open, so that they can receive a component-supporting bracket or an off-module partition supporting bracket to the primary partition frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Steven F. Goodman, Michael J. Feldpausch, Jeffrey A. Musculus
  • Patent number: 5226719
    Abstract: A quick mounting arrangement detachably mounts a light fixture or the like in an overhead cabinet of a furniture article. Front and rear mounting ledges are located in the lower portion of the cabinet and are oriented to generally face one another. Two fixed latches protrude from the rear of the light fixture and include a clip to hold a power cord and the light, and at least one reciprocating latch protrudes from the front side of the light fixture. Each reciprocating latch is a one-piece molded part including a body adapted to slidingly fit in a shaped aperture in the light fixture, a first leg adapted to abuttingly engage the front mounting ledge, and a second leg extending at an angle from the first leg free end toward the light fixture to form a ramp. During installation, the light fixture is positioned at an angle so that the fixed latch rests on the rear ledge, and the reciprocating latch is positioned ready to be rotated toward the front ledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Feldpausch, Stephen J. Feldpausch, Albert O. Selen
  • Patent number: D603065
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: John Hamilton, Marv Knauf, Bradley Youngs, Mark Slager, Kurt Heidmann, Michael J. Feldpausch, Dan Phillips