Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Newhouse

Thomas J. Newhouse 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).

  • Publication number: 20020129574
    Abstract: A stackable wall panel assembly including a lower wall panel having a top, a bottom, vertically extending ends and opposite sides and an upper wall panel having a top, a bottom, vertically extending ends and opposite sides. A vertically extending stanchion has a lower end connected to the top of the lower wall panel and an upper end connected to the bottom of the upper wall panel. The bottom of the upper wall panel is spaced from the top of the lower wall panel to form an open space between the upper and lower wall panels. In a preferred embodiment, a rail extends between the stanchions. Also in a preferred embodiment, a cover covers the space formed between the upper and lower wall panels. In another aspect, a second stanchion is connected to the top of the upper wall panel and a second upper wall panel is connected to the top of the second stanchion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas J. Newhouse, David B. Martin, Kevin Scott Breuker, Mark James Dinneweth, Steven M. Van Weiren, Thomas L. Verkaik
  • Patent number: 6339907
    Abstract: A wall panel including a rectangular frame, a pair of wall members and a thin decorative sheet covering the wall members. The frame includes two spaced apart, generally parallel vertical frame members and spaced apart, generally parallel horizontal lower and upper frame members. The horizontal frame members are connected to the vertical frame members at opposite ends thereof to form the rectangular frame. Each of the frame members includes a core member and a pair of sidewall members attached to opposite sides of the core member. The wall members are attached to the sidewalls on opposing sides of the frame members. A decorative sheet covers the outer surface of each wall member. A method for manufacturing the frame members includes providing a fixture with spaced apart first, second and third surfaces. A hanger bracket is mounted to the vertical frame core member and is positioned in the fixture such that the hanger bracket engages the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Dame, Duane McClung, Thomas J. Newhouse
  • Publication number: 20010029713
    Abstract: A wall panel including a rectangular frame, a pair of wall members and a thin decorative sheet covering the wall members. The frame includes two spaced apart, generally parallel vertical frame members and spaced apart, generally parallel horizontal lower and upper frame members. The horizontal frame members are connected to the vertical frame members at opposite ends thereof to form the rectangular frame. In one embodiment, each of the frame members includes a core member and a pair of sidewall members attached to opposite sides of the core member. The wall members are attached to the sidewalls on opposing sides of the frame members. In another embodiment, inner wall members are attached to the opposing sides of the frame members, and outer wall members are thereafter attached to the inner wall member. A decorative sheet covers the outer surface of each outer wall member. The wall panels are connected to each other with a connector member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Applicant: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Beck, Paul G. Dame, Ernesto C. De Leon, Paul M. Emaus, Timothy A. Hoogland, David B. Martin, Duane G. McLung, Thomas J. Newhouse, Richard C. Weise
  • Patent number: 6301847
    Abstract: A wall panel including a rectangular frame, a pair of wall members and a thin decorative sheet covering the wall members. The frame includes two spaced apart, generally parallel vertical frame members and spaced apart, generally parallel horizontal lower and upper frame members. The horizontal frame members are connected to the vertical frame members at opposite ends thereof to form the rectangular frame. Each of the frame members includes a core member and a pair of sidewall members attached to opposite sides of the core member. The wall members are attached to the sidewalls on opposing sides of the frame members. A decorative sheet covers the outer surface of each wall member. A method for manufacturing the frame members includes providing a fixture with spaced apart first, second and third surfaces. A hanger bracket is mounted to the vertical frame core member and is positioned in the fixture such that the hanger bracket engages the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Beck, Paul Dame, Duane McClung, Thomas J. Newhouse, Ronald W. Norton, Jim Prisby, Gerald Schondelmayer, Sonia Nash, Richard Weise
  • Patent number: 6250718
    Abstract: A chair including a seat, a support member, an outwardly extending projection and a chair back. A support member extends upward adjacent a rear portion of the seat. An outwardly extending projection is attached the support member. The chair back includes front, back, top and bottom surfaces. The chair back has a cavity opening downwardly toward the bottom surface and an aperture is the back surface. The aperture extends in a direction from the cavity to the back surface and communicates with the cavity. The top portion of the support member extends into the cavity and the projection extends into the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Herman Miller Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Newhouse, Marc A. Gierz
  • Patent number: 6227615
    Abstract: An operational guide mounted to an adjustable chair as well as a chair including an operational guide. The operational guide includes a card having a pictorial guide for operating the adjustable chair located on the top side of the card. The operational guide also includes a device for mounting the card to the bottom of the seat of the chair. The mounting device is adapted to allow the card to move between an extended position wherein the pictorial guide is visible to an occupant of the chair and a retracted position wherein the pictorial guide is not visible to the occupant of the chair. Also, the mounting device holds the card so that the orientation of the pictorial guide corresponds to the orientation of the controls for adjusting the chair when the card is in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Newhouse, Marc A. Gierz, Richard C. Weise
  • Patent number: 6223485
    Abstract: A wall panel including a rectangular frame, a pair of wall members and a thin decorative sheet covering the wall members. The frame includes two spaced apart, generally parallel vertical frame members and spaced apart, generally parallel horizontal lower and upper frame members. The horizontal frame members are connected to the vertical frame members at opposite ends thereof to form the rectangular frame. In one embodiment, each of the frame members includes a core member and a pair of sidewall members attached to opposite sides of the core member. The wall members are attached to the sidewalls on opposing sides of the frame members. In another embodiment, inner wall members are attached to the opposing sides of the frame members, and outer wall members are thereafter attached to the inner wall member. A decorative sheet covers the outer surface of each outer wall member. The wall panels are connected to each other with a connector member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Beck, Paul G. Dame, Ernesto C. De Leon, Paul M. Emaus, Timothy A. Hoogland, David B. Martin, Duane G. McLung, Thomas J. Newhouse, Richard C. Weise
  • Patent number: 6202381
    Abstract: A wall panel including a rectangular frame, a pair of wall members and a thin decorative sheet covering the wall members. The frames includes two spaced apart, generally parallel vertical frame members and spaced apart, generally parallel horizontal lower and upper frame members. The horizontal frame members are connected to the vertical frame members at opposite ends thereof to form the rectangular frame. Each of the frame members includes a core member and a pair of sidewall members attached to opposite sides of the core member. The wall members are attached to the sidewalls on opposing sides of the frame members. A decorative sheet covers the outer surface of each wall member. A method for manufacturing the frame members includes providing a fixture with spaced apart first, second and third surfaces. A hanger bracket is mounted to the vertical frame core member and is positioned in the fixture such that the hanger bracket engages the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Dame, Duane McClung, Thomas J. Newhouse
  • Patent number: 6196140
    Abstract: A worksurface system is provided which includes a rear and front worksurface. The rear worksurface has a front edge and a rear edge. The front worksurface has a front edge adjacent a user of the system and a rear edge generally parallel and adjacent to the front edge of the rear worksurface. The rear worksurface is supported by a plurality of rear posts. A plurality of brackets, each connected to a rear post, support the front worksurface. These brackets are adapted to allow the front worksurface to be adjusted to different heights in relation to the rear worksurface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Newhouse, James R. Bruer, Scot Laughton, Gary T. Ottenjan
  • Patent number: 6167665
    Abstract: A wall panel including a rectangular frame, a pair of wall members and a thin decorative sheet covering the wall members. The frame includes two spaced apart, generally parallel vertical frame members and spaced apart, generally parallel horizontal lower and upper frame members. The horizontal frame members are connected to the vertical frame members at opposite ends thereof to form the rectangular frame. Each of the frame members includes a core member and a pair of sidewall members attached to opposite sides of the core member. The wall members are attached to the sidewalls on opposing sides of the frame members. A decorative sheet covers the outer surface of each wall member. A method for manufacturing the frame members includes providing a fixture with spaced apart first, second and third surfaces. A hanger bracket is mounted to the vertical frame core member and is positioned in the fixture such that the hanger bracket engages the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Dame, Duane McClung, Thomas J. Newhouse
  • Patent number: 6132666
    Abstract: A molded fabric treatment includes an integral undercut or inturned peripheral flange for affixing the treatment to the structure to be treated. The treatments have a conventional, decorative, woven polyester fabric (of the type currently used in conventional office divider screen systems), or fabrics comprising other synthetic or natural fibers, bonded with adhesive to a relatively stiff moldable non-woven polyester fiber backing. The treatments are formed in a membrane or bladder press in which a flexible membrane presses the fabric and fiber composite against a form or mold that includes an undercut edge which, in cooperation with the press membrane, forms undercut flanges about the periphery of the treatment. The undercut or inturned flange may then be "snapped" over a corresponding mounting lip on the structure to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: William Howard Foley, Thomas J. Newhouse
  • Patent number: 6109696
    Abstract: A chair having a support member secured to a chair back without fastening devices. The support member having a top portion extends upward from a rear portion of the seat. The projecting surface is attached to the top portion of the support member. The chair back includes front, back, top and bottom surfaces. A cavity opens downwardly toward the bottom surface of the chair back. An aperture communicating with the cavity is located within one of the front and back surfaces of the chair back. The top portion of the support member extends into the cavity with the projecting surface extending into the aperture. The top portion of the support member may also include an insert member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Herman Miller Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Newhouse, Marc A. Gierz
  • Patent number: D437072
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas J. Newhouse
  • Patent number: D455016
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas J. Newhouse
  • Patent number: D459513
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Herman Miller Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Newhouse, Ayse Birsel
  • Patent number: D424840
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: The Worden Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Newhouse
  • Patent number: D424841
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: The Worden Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Newhouse
  • Patent number: D425335
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: The Worden Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Newhouse
  • Patent number: D426405
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: The Worden Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Newhouse
  • Patent number: RE36928
    Abstract: An operational guide mounted to an adjustable chair as well as a chair including an operational guide. The operational guide includes a card having a pictorial guide for operating the adjustable chair located on the top side of the card. The operational guide also includes a device for mounting the card to the bottom of the seat of the chair. The mounting device is adapted to allow the card to move between an extended position wherein the pictorial guide is visible to an occupant of the chair and a retracted position wherein the pictorial guide is not visible to the occupant of the chair. Also, the mounting device holds the card so that the orientation of the pictorial guide corresponds to the orientation of the controls for adjusting the chair when the card is in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Herman Miller Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Newhouse, Marc A. Gierz, Richard C. Weise