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
Abstract: A method of operating a desk including receiving, at a desk controller, a message from a chair, and determining a position of a user based on the message. The message includes an indication of a sensed rotation of the chair. The method also includes generating, via the desk controller, a control signal for a motor based on the position of the user. The motor is coupled to a support framework of the desk. The method further includes changing a height of the support framework of the desk according to the control signal.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 25, 2017
Publication date:
January 31, 2019
Applicant:
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
Inventors:
Jeff Gibson, Christopher Hoyt, Nicolas Milani, Kurt Dykema, Dave Moelker, Jared Thomas
Abstract: A seating device includes a base and a seat post extending from the base. The seat post has a first end adjacent the base, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. The seating device further includes a seat supported by the seat post above the base and a first rocking assembly coupled to the base and the first end of the seat post. The first rocking assembly is operable to angularly displace the seat post relative to the base. The seating device further includes a second rocking assembly coupled to the seat and the second end of the seat post. The second rocking assembly is operable to angularly displace the seat relative to the seat post.
Abstract: A screen assembly includes a first screen, a second screen, and a connector. Each screen includes a panel with a recess and a receiver positioned within the recess. The receiver has a locking member and an actuator. The actuator is operable to move the locking member relative to the receiver. The connector includes a body, a first contact extending from the body in a first direction, and a second contact extending from the body in a second direction. The first contact is received in the receiver of the first screen and has a first opening through which the first locking member extends. The second contact is received in the receiver of the second screen and has a second opening through which the second locking member extends.
Abstract: A body support structure includes a frame and a membrane attached to the frame. The membrane includes elastomeric filaments. The membrane has a first region with a first stiffness and a second region with a second stiffness. The second stiffness is greater than the first stiffness. The membrane may form a part of a seat or a backrest.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 4, 2015
Date of Patent:
July 10, 2018
Assignee:
Herman Miller, Inc.
Inventors:
Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Andrew Keith Hector, John Fredric Aldrich
Abstract: A seating structure includes a base, a seat, a backrest connected to the seat, and an electronic circuit supported by the base. The seat or the backrest includes a carrier and a suspension material secured to the carrier and spanning across an opening formed by the carrier. The suspension material includes a plurality of electrostatic discharge fibers. The electronic circuit is coupled to the electrostatic discharge fibers. The electronic circuit includes an electronic processor and a sensor. The sensor is configured to generate an output signal indicative of an electrical parameter of one of the electrostatic discharge fibers. The electronic processor is configured to apply a drive signal to one of the plurality of electrostatic discharge fibers, receive the output signal from the sensor, and determine a state of the seating structure based on the output signal from the sensor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 14, 2017
Date of Patent:
June 5, 2018
Assignee:
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
Inventors:
Matthew James Lilley, Adam James Daley-Fell
Abstract: A furniture docking system includes a dock and various dock supports, including freestanding and non-freestanding dock supports. The dock includes an upper rail having a primary channel and a pair of auxiliary channels opening upwardly from an upper surface of the upper rail, and a pair of side channels opening outwardly from opposite sides of the upper rail.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 26, 2016
Date of Patent:
March 6, 2018
Assignee:
Herman Miller, Inc.
Inventors:
Paul Dame, Michael J. Katje, Sheryl Knoll