Patents by Inventor Robert P. Poppe

Robert P. Poppe 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: 5899036
    Abstract: A freestanding portable partition assembly and related system are provided for open office spaces and the like. Each partition system includes a floor channel having an aperture defined therein; a partition frame having a downwardly projecting leg assembly received in said aperture; and a locking plate slidably engaging the floor channel and having a slot receiving a portion of the downwardly projecting leg assembly therein for releasably coupling the partition frame to the floor channel. With this construction, the partition frames may be quickly and easily connected to the floor channels, and the entire assembly may be shipped with the floor channel attached without fear of damage. Moreover, the resulting assembly resists damage from catastrophic events, such as earthquakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Seiber, Benjamin G. Shaw, Christopher O. Lada, Phillip M. Hobson, Robert P. Poppe, David A. Shipman, Robert J. Luchetti, Gregg R. Draudt, James B Eldon, III, David D. McClanahan
  • Patent number: 5746035
    Abstract: A freestanding portable partition panel and related system are provided for open office spaces and the like. Each panel includes a skeleton-like frame having two vertical uprights positioned adjacent opposite side edges thereof. A foot extends downwardly from the bottom of the frame to abuttingly support the panel freestanding on a floor surface. Two pairs of horizontal stringers are attached to the outer faces of the uprights in a vertically spaced apart relationship to rigidly interconnect the same, and define therebetween two horizontal raceway cavities which open to the opposite side faces of the frame, and extend continuously between the opposite side edges thereof. Hence, when like panels are interconnected side-by-side, the open ends of adjacent raceway cavities are aligned and communicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Seiber, Benjamin G. Shaw, Christopher O. Lada, Phillip M. Hobson, Robert P. Poppe, David A. Shipman, Robert J. Luchetti, Gregg R. Draudt, James B. Eldon, III, David D. McClanahan
  • Patent number: 5740650
    Abstract: A freestanding portable partition panel and related system are provided for open office spaces and the like. Each panel includes a skeleton-like frame having two vertical uprights positioned adjacent opposite side edges thereof. A foot extends downwardly from the bottom of the frame to abuttingly support the panel freestanding on a floor surface. Two pairs of horizontal stringers are attached to the outer faces of the uprights in a vertically spaced apart relationship to rigidly interconnect the same, and define therebetween two horizontal raceway cavities which open to the opposite side faces of the frame, and extend continuously between the opposite side edges thereof. Hence, when like panels are interconnected side-by-side, the open ends of adjacent raceway cavities are aligned and communicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Seiber, Benjamin G. Shaw, Christopher O. Lada, Phillip M. Hobson, Robert P. Poppe, David A. Shipman, Robert J. Luchetti, Gregg R. Draudt, James B. Eldon, III, David D. McClanahan
  • Patent number: 5483776
    Abstract: A utility floor construction is provided including a plurality of interconnectable base tiles supported on a floor surface, each of which has upstanding pedestals. A plurality of floor tiles are supported on and attached to the pedestals to create a cavity thereunder. A plurality of differently shaped separator channels are positionable in the cavity and attachable to create a raceway, the separator channels being configured to segregate and shield wires, etc. from other utilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Poppe
  • Patent number: 5164609
    Abstract: A user operable power distribution system that is suitable for supplying switched power to an individual workstation, or to an entire office, is expandable to accommodate additional loads. The system includes a user command device, such as a touch panel, for supplying low voltage command signals and a connection device, which responds to the low voltage command signal to interconnect a load with a supply voltage, such as an AC power outlet. The connection device further responds to the low voltage input command signal by producing a low voltage output command signal which may be applied to another connection device to cause that particular connection device to connect another load with a source of supply voltage. In this manner, the connection devices may be ganged in an indefinite number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignees: Donnelly Corporation, Steelcase, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Poppe, Nicholas W. Medendorp, David W. Caldwell