Patents by Inventor Steven F. Goodman

Steven F. Goodman 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: 6397534
    Abstract: A cover member for room partitions having a frame with at least one slotted cross-member. The cover member includes a pivoting lock member having a protruding lock tab shaped for reception in a slot in a slotted cross-member of a frame. A connecting member rotatably connects the lock member to a surface of the cover member in a manner which permits the lock member to be rotated about a center of rotation between an insertion position wherein the lock tab is in registry with the cross-member slot and an engaged position wherein the lock tab is engaged with the cross-member to positively yet removably lock the cover member on the frame. The lock member is set up such that the lock tab has a smaller lateral displacement from the center of rotation of the pivoting lock member in the engaged position than in the insertion position. At least one frictional member is configured to be connected to the cover member and extend through the pivoting lock member to frictionally hold the pivoting lock member in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Allen C. Hager, Steven F. Goodman
  • Patent number: 6158179
    Abstract: A wall structure for dividing building space includes several different freestanding base panels such as an internally open partition panel, a sound-deadening partition panel, a glass-supporting partition panel, and a doorway-supporting partition panel, and further includes an overhead system comprising a structural expressway construction, a transom subframe, covers for the subframe, and a glass module attachable to the subframe. The structural expressway construction has a torque box bracket for moving support from an inboard location spaced from the vertical side edge of the base panels to the vertical side edge. The transom subframe mounts atop the different base panels, and telescopingly extends into mating engagement with a ceiling channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Anne C. Ackerly, David J. Battey, David P. Churchill, James H. Davies, Gregg R. Draudt, Michael D. Elsholz, Roy W. Fink, Steven F. Goodman, Steven C. Gortsema, Peter C. Greenberg, Allen C. Hager, Harold Halvorson, Jr., James D. Houda, Robert E. Jeffers, Gary S. Juhlin, Robert J. Luchetti, Karl J. Mead, Scott H. Russell, Peter J. Schauer, David A. Shipman, Anthony A. Stachowiak, Michael Tingley, Genevieve Wing
  • Patent number: 6128877
    Abstract: A variable width panel includes a frame having a knock-down construction adapted for on-site assembly. The frame includes a first rigid stile adapted to be disposed in a generally vertical assembled orientation along a first side of the frame. At least two rigid cross-members having first ends thereof rigidly attached to the stile are disposed in a vertically spaced-apart relationship, and extend in a generally horizontal assembled orientation. The cross-members having predetermined full width with a construction which permits the cross-members to be cut to a custom width at a second end thereof during the on-site assembly for use in a special width panel that is adapted for connection with the standard width panels. The frame also includes fasteners for detachably connecting the second ends of the cross-members with the second stile to define a pocket therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Steven F. Goodman, Roy W. Fink, Allen C. Hager, James D. Houda, Michael H. Abson
  • Patent number: 6047508
    Abstract: A reconfigurable office partition includes a movable panel with a rigid frame, a core panel mounted therein, and at least one cover panel detachably mounted on the frame and enclosing an associated portion thereof. The frame has at least one vertical stile with first and second channels that extend longitudinally therealong and are shaped to receive utilities therein through outwardly opening sides. The outwardly opening sides of the channels are juxtaposed in opposite directions to facilitate routing utilities along both faces of the panel. A variable height frame support may be positioned between the top of the panel and the building ceiling for floor-to-ceiling applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Steven F. Goodman, Roy W. Fink, James D. Houda, Michael H. Abson, Allen C. Hager
  • Patent number: 6000180
    Abstract: A partition construction includes a partition frame having a frame member. A cover panel covers a side of the partition frame. The partition includes a connection system on the cover panel that releasable attaches the cover panel to the partition frame. The connection system includes a plurality of top clips on the cover panel adjacent an upper edge that positively engage the partition frame. The connection system further includes a plurality of bottom fingers extending below a lower edge of the cover panel and engaging at least a selected one of a lower cover panel and a frame member located below the cover panel in a juxtaposed relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Steven F. Goodman, Kenneth D. Brickner, Allen C. Hager, Daniel V. Constantino
  • Patent number: 5906079
    Abstract: A partition construction includes a partition frame and a markerboard having a flat, dry erasable markerboard surface that erasably receives an erasable medium. The partition further includes top and bottom brackets for attaching the markerboard to the partition frame. The bottom bracket defines a bottom channel that receives a bottom edge of the markerboard. The top bracket defines an opposing top channel that engages a top edge of the markerboard. The top bracket includes an inner component attached to the partition frame and defining an inner portion of the top channel. The top bracket further includes an outer component that is attached to the inner component and defines an outer portion of the top channel. The outer component is configured to be secured after the markerboard is set on the bottom bracket and is pivoted into engagement with the inner components so that, when secured, the outer component, the inner component, and the bottom bracket capture the markerboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Brickner, Steven F. Goodman, Daniel Grabowski, Matthew C. Roe
  • 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: 5802789
    Abstract: A partition panel includes a partition frame with a planar face having clip-receiving apertures for supporting cover panels and bracket-receiving apertures for supporting furniture components. A pair of cover panels configured to cover the partition frame include side edges that define a gap therebetween for providing access to the bracket-receiving apertures when the cover panels are attached to the partition frame. Clips on the cover panels are constructed to releasably engage the clip-receiving apertures for retaining the cover panels on the partition frame in a coplanar arrangement. The clips each include an antidislodgement tooth for interlockingly engaging a back surface of the face when the clips are engaged with the clip-receiving apertures, and further include a release tab that is depressible to move the tooth to a disengaged position for releasing the clip from the associated clip-receiving aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven F. Goodman, Kenneth D. Brickner, Melissa A. DuBuis, Daniel Grabowski, Allen C. Hager, Robert E. Jeffers, Karl J. Mead, Scott M. Miller, Kurt A. Jonker
  • Patent number: 5314244
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical cart for retaining a plurality of dispensing bins on shelves is provided with cooperating horizontal and vertical locking bars to provide easy access to each of the individual bins and a simplified locking mechanism which prevents bins from being removed when in a locked position. The cart is equipped with a plurality of cassettes, each having a pair of spaced-apart parallel shelves, and a plurality of dispensing bins disposed side-by-side on the shelves and slidably removable from the front of the cart. The horizontally extending locking bar, which has an elongated cross section, extends frontally to the lower part of bins on the upper shelf and the upper part of bins on the lower shelf. The locking bar is pivotally attached to the walls of the cassette and may be rotated to a horizontal position for removal of individual ones of the bins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Swets, George A. Williams, Steven F. Goodman
  • Patent number: 5288136
    Abstract: An article of furniture and method for assembling the same are disclosed for use wherein a membrane is supported between two opposing frame members. The membrane is attached to the side frame by a first set of fasteners. Thereafter an elongated strap and an elongated web are attached to the side frame overlying the edge of the membrane The first and second halves of a slide fastener are attached to the longitudinal edges of the web and are selectively interengaged to enclose the fasteners and conceal the same from view. Alternatively, an upholstery pad can be attached to the article of furniture such that it overlies the membrane. A second elongated web is attached to the underside of the pad such that the web is spaced inward from the outboard edge of the pad. The second half of the slide fastener is attached to this second elongated web and is selectively interengaged with the first half of the slide fastener which is fixedly attached to the side frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Webber, Steven F. Goodman, Jeffrey S. Wing
  • Patent number: 5251413
    Abstract: A space divider system comprising a pair of rigid rectangular frames rigidly secured to each other at their edges and modular components mounted to the frames. The bending moments of the modular components are opposed by a stabilizer that comprises a spacer having opposed outer faces that are flush with the outer face of the frames, a foot secured to a lower end of the spacer and extending outwardly therefrom in floor contacting relationship, and a brace secured to the foot and the spacer. The stabilizer is rigidly connected between the edges of the two adjacent frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven F. Goodman
  • Patent number: 5205628
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical cart for retaining a plurality of dispensing bins on shelves is provided with cooperating horizontal and vertical locking bars to provide easy access to each of the individual bins and a simplified locking mechanism which prevents bins from being removed when in a locked position. The cart is equipped with a plurality of cassettes, each having a pair of spaced-apart parallel shelves, and a plurality of dispensing bins disposed side-by-side on the shelves and slidably removable from the front of the cart. The horizontally extending locking bar, which has an elongated cross section, extends frontally to the lower part of bins on the upper shelf and the upper part of bins on the lower shelf. The locking bar is pivotally attached to the walls of the cassette and may be rotated to a horizontal position for removal of individual ones of the bins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Swets, George A. Williams, Steven F. Goodman
  • Patent number: 5069511
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical cart for retaining a plurality of dispensing bins on shelves is provided with cooperating horizontal and vertical locking bars to provide easy access to each of the individual bins and a simplified locking mechanism which prevents bins from being removed when in a locked position. The cart is equipped with a plurality of cassettes, each having a pair of spaced-apart parallel shelves, and a plurality of dispensing bins disposed side-by-side on the shelves and slidably removable from the front of the cart. The horizontally extending locking bar, which has an elongated cross section, extends frontally to the lower part of bins on the upper shelf and the upper part of bins on the lower shelf. The locking bar is pivotally attached to the walls of the cassette and may be rotated to a horizontal position for removal of individual ones of the bins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Swets, George A. Williams, Steven F. Goodman
  • Patent number: 5063715
    Abstract: A wall system having a rigid frame with vertically spaced slots, tiles removably mounted to the frame and an equipment tile having a hollow protruded portion for storing equipment therein. The equipment tile is mounted to the frames through a retention clip and a hanger clip which mount to the vertical hanging intelligence on the wall frame. The retention clip is mounted to the tile through a slotted connection for limited vertical movement of the retention clip with respect to the tile so that the retention clip can be pulled downwardly with respect to the frame without movement of the tile with respect to the frame to seat the retention clip in the frame slots and to secure the tile on the frame. A locking flange on the retention clip is pivotably mounted to a hanger portion thereof for locking the retention clip onto the frame. The equipment tile is adapted to be mounted beneath a transaction surface which precludes upward movement of the tile with respect to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven F. Goodman
  • Patent number: 5011240
    Abstract: A utility cart with front, back, side, top and bottom walls includes a housing having a pair of U-shaped frames spanning the front and back portions of the cart. Each of the U-shaped frames has a pair of upright legs joined by a bottom bight portion. At least two side wall segments form opposite sides of the cart. Each of the side wall segments has at side edges thereof frame-receiving openings shaped to receive legs of the U-shaped frame member. The side wall segments are spaced apart by the U-shaped frames with the legs of the U-shaped frames retained by the frame-receiving openings. The upper portions of the upright legs of each of the U-shaped frame members are joined together and drawers are slidably mounted to the side wall segments. Integrally molded glides are formed on the inner faces of the side wall segments. The drawers have glide flanges mounted on the sides cooperable with the molded glides slidably mounting the drawers on the glides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Milcare, Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Steven F. Goodman
  • Patent number: 4615570
    Abstract: A cabinet (10) comprises a top wall (12), bottom wall (14), two identical side walls (16), each having a front edge (18), and a back wall (20), the walls (12, 14, 16, 20) defining a front opening (22). A flipper door (24) is adapted to cover the opening (22) and the front edges (18) of the side walls (16) when the flipper door (24) is in the closed position. To this end, the width of the flipper door (24) is greater than the distance between the sidewalls (16) of the cabinet (10). In addition, the flipper door (24) is suspended by a rack-and-pinion assembly (26) which includes racks (30) secured to the side walls (16) and pinion gears (36) rotatably engaging the racks (30). The pinion gears (36) are coupled together by an axle (40). The ends of the axle (40) engage lower guide channels (34) in the racks (30). Pivot links (46) are pivotally coupled to the ends of the axle (40) between the pinion gears (36) and the racks (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven F. Goodman