Patents by Inventor Michelle R. Johnson

Michelle R. Johnson 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: 6394548
    Abstract: A seating unit is provided having a base assembly, a back frame pivoted to the base assembly for movement between upright and reclined positions, and a seat slidably supported on the base assembly and pivoted to the back frame so that the seat moves forwardly and its rear moves forwardly and downwardly with the back frame upon recline. A flexible back is connected to the back frame at top and bottom locations and is provided with lumbar adjustment for improved lumbar force/support and shape. A seat is provided with seat depth adjustment and with active and passive thigh flex support. The seat includes a front section adjustably and/or flexibly supported on a rear section for optimal comfort while supporting a seated adult user's thighs, With the rear section being configured to carry a majority of the weight of a typical seated adult user. A novel energy mechanism is provided that includes a moment arm shift adjuster for adjusting the spring tension on the back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Glenn A. Knoblock, Larry DeKraker, Kurt R. Heidmann, Michelle R. Johnson, Robert M. Scheper
  • Patent number: 5871258
    Abstract: A chair is provided having a base assembly, a back frame pivoted to the base assembly for movement between upright and reclined positions, and a seat slidably supported on the base frame and pivoted to the back assembly so that the seat moves forwardly and its rear moves forwardly and downwardly with the back frame upon recline. A flexible back is connected to the back frame at top and bottom locations and is provided with lumbar adjustment for improved lumbar force/support and shape. A seat is provided with seat depth adjustment and with active and passive thigh flex support. The seat includes a front section adjustably and/or flexibly supported on a rear section for optimal comfort while supporting a seated adult user's thighs, with the rear section being configured to carry a majority of the weight of a typical seated adult user. A novel energy mechanism is provided that includes a moment arm shift adjuster for adjusting the spring tension on the back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Glenn A. Knoblock, Larry DeKraker, Kurt R. Heidmann, Michelle R. Johnson, Robert M. Scheper
  • Patent number: 5755488
    Abstract: A chair including a seat support, a seat movably supported on the seat support for movement between a raised position permitting sliding depth adjustment of the seat and a lowered position preventing adjustment, and a detent device for securely holding the seat in the raised position while the seat is being slidable adjusted. A rack is formed integrally on or attached to the bottom of the seat shell. The detent device includes a seat support bracket attached to a top of a chair control, and a pair of moldings attached to opposite sides of the bracket. The moldings each include upwardly facing teeth for selectively engaging the racks to hold the seat in a selected, depth adjusted position. A resilient finger on each molding is adapted to engage a ridge on the seat shell for selectively holding the seat in either a raised position or in a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory S. Beda, Daniel P. Beemer, Diane L. Ellis, Michelle R. Johnson, Charles P. Roossien, James P. Steffens