Patents by Inventor Michael Katje

Michael Katje 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: 11812848
    Abstract: A furniture system includes an elongated chase having a body extending from a first end to a second end. The body has an upper surface and a lower surface. A first leg is coupled to the lower surface of the body and a second leg is coupled to the lower surface of the body and spaced apart from the first leg. Power cables are positioned within a cavity of the body, the power cables configured to connect to a building's power supply. A modular power unit is coupled to the lower surface of the body. The modular power unit includes a power outlet electrically coupled to the power cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: MILLERKNOLL, INC.
    Inventors: John Matthai, Joshua DeWys, Joel Ruiter, Michael Katje, Peter Keyzer, Michael A. Johnson, Taiyoh Afrik
  • Publication number: 20220142361
    Abstract: A furniture system includes an elongated chase having a body extending from a first end to a second end. The body has an upper surface and a lower surface. A first leg is coupled to the lower surface of the body and a second leg is coupled to the lower surface of the body and spaced apart from the first leg. Power cables are positioned within a cavity of the body, the power cables configured to connect to a building's power supply. A modular power unit is coupled to the lower surface of the body. The modular power unit includes a power outlet electrically coupled to the power cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: John Matthai, Joshua DeWys, Joel Ruiter, Michael Katje, Peter Keyzer, Michael A. Johnson, Taiyoh Afrik
  • Patent number: 11291302
    Abstract: A furniture system includes an elongated chase having a body extending from a first end to a second end. The body has an upper surface and a lower surface. A first leg is coupled to the lower surface of the body and a second leg is coupled to the lower surface of the body and spaced apart from the first leg. Power cables are positioned within a cavity of the body, the power cables configured to connect to a building's power supply. A modular power unit is coupled to the lower surface of the body. The modular power unit includes a power outlet electrically coupled to the power cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: John Matthai, Joshua DeWys, Joel Ruiter, Michael Katje, Peter Keyzer, Michael A. Johnson, Taiyoh Afrik
  • Publication number: 20210068539
    Abstract: A furniture system includes an elongated chase having a body extending from a first end to a second end. The body has an upper surface and a lower surface. A first leg is coupled to the lower surface of the body and a second leg is coupled to the lower surface of the body and spaced apart from the first leg. Power cables are positioned within a cavity of the body, the power cables configured to connect to a building's power supply. A modular power unit is coupled to the lower surface of the body. The modular power unit includes a power outlet electrically coupled to the power cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: John Matthai, Joshua DeWys, Joel Ruiter, Michael Katje, Peter Keyzer, Michael A. Johnson, Taiyoh Afrik
  • Patent number: 10842266
    Abstract: A furniture system includes an elongated chase having a body extending from a first end to a second end. The body has an upper surface and a lower surface. A first leg is coupled to the lower surface of the body and a second leg is coupled to the lower surface of the body and spaced apart from the first leg. Power cables are positioned within a cavity of the body, the power cables configured to connect to a building's power supply. A modular power unit is coupled to the lower surface of the body. The modular power unit includes a power outlet electrically coupled to the power cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: John Matthai, Joshua DeWys, Joel Ruiter, Michael Katje, Peter Keyzer, Michael A. Johnson, Taiyoh Afrik
  • Publication number: 20190357676
    Abstract: A furniture system includes an elongated chase having a body extending from a first end to a second end. The body has an upper surface and a lower surface. A first leg is coupled to the lower surface of the body and a second leg is coupled to the lower surface of the body and spaced apart from the first leg. Power cables are positioned within a cavity of the body, the power cables configured to connect to a building's power supply. A modular power unit is coupled to the lower surface of the body. The modular power unit includes a power outlet electrically coupled to the power cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: John Matthai, Joshua DeWys, Joel Ruiter, Michael Katje, Peter Keyzer, Michael A. Johnson, Taiyoh Afrik
  • Patent number: 10441079
    Abstract: A stanchion for supporting a structure includes a bracket configured to be coupled to the structure, a threaded rod coupled to and extending from the bracket, and a housing having a first end adjacent the bracket, a second end opposite the first end, and an engagement member positioned within the housing between the first end and the second end. The engagement member has threads that engage the threaded rod. The stanchion also includes a connection body extending from the first end of the housing and engaging the bracket to selectively inhibit rotation of the housing about the threaded rod. The housing is rotatable about the threaded rod to temporarily deflect the connection body away from the bracket and adjust a length of the stanchion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Laarman, Michael Katje, Anthony Sall
  • Patent number: 10285498
    Abstract: A power access door assembly for use with a worksurface includes a frame configured to be received within an opening of the worksurface, a hinge coupled to the frame, and a door coupled to the hinge for movement relative to the frame. The door is movable relative to the frame between a first position, in which the door is positioned within a perimeter of the frame and substantially blocks access to the opening, a second position, in which the door is pivoted open relative to the frame, and a third position, in which the door is moved outside the perimeter of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Jeptha Cohen, David Johnson, Michael Katje, Robert Hutton
  • Patent number: 10202992
    Abstract: A workstation includes a working surface, a channel within the working surface, a rail positioned within the channel, and a clamp mechanism having an accessory and an actuator operable to removably couple the clamp mechanism to the rail. The actuator includes a first side that has a first manually engageable surface and a second side that has a second manually engageable surface. The actuator is movable to a first position in which the clamp mechanism disengages the rail when a force is exerted on the first manually engageable surface, and is movable to a second position in which the clamp mechanism engages the rail when a force is exerted on the second manually engageable surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: John Matthai, Jeremy Laarman, Michael Katje
  • Publication number: 20170354248
    Abstract: A power access door assembly for use with a worksurface includes a frame configured to be received within an opening of the worksurface, a hinge coupled to the frame, and a door coupled to the hinge for movement relative to the frame. The door is movable relative to the frame between a first position, in which the door is positioned within a perimeter of the frame and substantially blocks access to the opening, a second position, in which the door is pivoted open relative to the frame, and a third position, in which the door is moved outside the perimeter of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Jeptha Cohen, David Johnson, Michael Katje, Robert Hutton
  • Publication number: 20170354253
    Abstract: A stanchion for supporting a structure includes a bracket configured to be coupled to the structure, a threaded rod coupled to and extending from the bracket, and a housing having a first end adjacent the bracket, a second end opposite the first end, and an engagement member positioned within the housing between the first end and the second end. The engagement member has threads that engage the threaded rod. The stanchion also includes a connection body extending from the first end of the housing and engaging the bracket to selectively inhibit rotation of the housing about the threaded rod. The housing is rotatable about the threaded rod to temporarily deflect the connection body away from the bracket and adjust a length of the stanchion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Jeremy Laarman, Michael Katje, Anthony Sall
  • Publication number: 20170354247
    Abstract: A workstation includes a working surface, a channel within the working surface, a rail positioned within the channel, and a clamp mechanism having an accessory and an actuator operable to removably couple the clamp mechanism to the rail. The actuator includes a first side that has a first manually engageable surface and a second side that has a second manually engageable surface. The actuator is movable to a first position in which the clamp mechanism disengages the rail when a force is exerted on the first manually engageable surface, and is movable to a second position in which the clamp mechanism engages the rail when a force is exerted on the second manually engageable surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: John Matthai, Jeremy Laarman, Michael Katje
  • Publication number: 20050126447
    Abstract: A system for defining a plurality of work zones within an otherwise open area is provided. The system includes a rigid spine extending upward from a base surface. At least one worksurface is connected to the spine and extends outward therefrom. A support structure for the worksurface is connected to the spine and the worksurface. The support structure is capable of being adjusted in size to support worksurfaces of different sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Gary Smith, Jeffrey Weber, Michael Katje, Joseph Iacovoni, Joseph Ohrling, Jeffrey Roetman