Patents Assigned to Herman Miller, Inc.
  • PARTITION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150300009
    Abstract: A partition system includes a plurality of wall elements merging one into another, wherein at least one wall element is designed as a stepped element, and wherein at least one wall element is designed as a corner element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: CLAUDIA PLIKAT, Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick
  • LOAD SUPPORT STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20150238016
    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: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: JOHANN BURKHARD SCHMITZ, CLAUDIA PLIKAT, CAROLA EVA MARIANNE ZWICK, ROLAND ROLF OTTO ZWICK, ANDREW KEITH HECTOR, JOHN FREDRIC ALDRICH
  • LOAD SUPPORT STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20150230610
    Abstract: A body support structure including a pair of laterally spaced apart supporting arms defining a gap therebetween, wherein each of the supporting arms includes an upper support having an upwardly extending upright and a forwardly extending seat support defining a seat part, and a lower support having an upwardly extending upright spaced apart from the upright of the upper support in a vertical plane. The uprights of the upper and lower supports define a backrest part. A pair of armrests each includes an upwardly extending portion connected to a respective one of the forwardly extending seat supports and a forwardly extending portion pivotally connected to the backrest part. A cross brace extends between and is coupled to the supporting arms proximate the pivotal connection. A flexible membrane extends between and is coupled to the supporting arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: JOHANN BURKHARD SCHMITZ, Claudia Plikat, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Andrew Keith Hector, John F. Aldrich
  • SANDWICH ELEMENT
    Publication number: 20150231850
    Abstract: A sandwich element includes a top layer made of a material having a high tensile strength, a middle layer made of EPP and a bottom layer made of a material having a high tensile strength, wherein the middle layer forms a core having a high compressive strength which runs between the top layer and the bottom layer, which core protrudes beyond the top layer and the bottom layer in such a manner that it forms first and second marginal regions on the top and bottom sides of the sandwich element. A mold, and method of making a sandwich element, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Claudia Plikat, Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick
  • FURNITURE ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20150216307
    Abstract: A partition system includes various accessories that may be associated with a wall or base element. The accessories include without limitation a backdrop. The wall element may be curved or linear in various embodiments. The wall element may include an upstanding wall or a channel, either or both of which are engaged by one or more accessories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: CLAUDIA PLIKAT, Johann Burkhad Schmitz, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Janja Maidl
  • SEATING STRUCTURE WITH A CONTOURED FLEXIBLE BACKREST
    Publication number: 20150216311
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a backrest member having an upper edge, opposite side edges and a lower edge. The backrest member has a forwardly facing convex shape formed along a vertical centerline thereof between the upper and lower edges. The lower edge has a forwardly facing concave shape. The lower edge has outer portions positioned forwardly of an entirety of the upper edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Yves Behar, Bret Recor, Naoya Edahiro, Qin Li, Andrew J. Kurrasch, Christopher C. Hill, John Matthai, Brock Walker
  • ADJUSTABLE SHELF
    Publication number: 20150216297
    Abstract: A partition system includes various accessories that may be associated with a wall or base element. The accessories include without limitation an adjustable shelf. The wall element may be curved or linear in various embodiments. The wall element may include an upstanding wall or a channel, either or both of which are engaged by one or more accessories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: CLAUDIA PLIKAT, Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Janja Maidl
  • Pull-out power and data tray, worksurface assembly and methods for the use thereof
    Patent number: 9089209
    Abstract: A pull-out tray assembly includes a pull-out tray moveable between a closed position and an open position. A front of the tray moves downwardly and a rear of the tray moves upwardly as the tray is moved from the closed to the open position. Likewise, a front cavity is opened and a rear cavity is closed as the pull-out tray is moved from the closed position to the open position. In one embodiment, the pull-out tray assembly includes a slide mechanism pivotally supporting the pull-out tray at a first location on the tray and a track guiding the tray at a second location on the tray. In various embodiments, at least one of a power outlet and communication port is coupled to the pull-out tray. A worksurface assembly incorporating the pull-out tray is also provided, together with a method of using the pull-out tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: John Matthai, Leon Ransmeier
  • Wall mounted assembly
    Patent number: 9072381
    Abstract: A wall assembly includes at least one horizontally extending rail having a rear surface adapted to engage the wall. A plurality of horizontally spaced and vertically extending stiles are coupled to the rail, with the stiles disposed forwardly of the rear surface of the rail. A plurality of interface components are coupled to the plurality of stiles. In various embodiments, the stiles may be interconnected to draw together adjacent interface components. The interface components also may include overlapping upper and lower edges. The stiles may be vertically and/or horizontally (laterally and longitudinally) adjustable relative to the rail. A lock member may be provided to secure at least one of the stiles to the rail. Various systems and methods of assembly and use are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Bates, Andrew J. Boyce, Chul Min Kang, Michael J. Katje, Susan R. Lyons, Kurt E. Porter, Jeffrey D. Roetman, Perry L. Sellers, Gianfranco Dino Zaccai
  • Partition system
    Patent number: 9010034
    Abstract: The invention relates to a partition system (10) comprising a plurality of wall elements (1) merging one into another, wherein at least one wall element (1) is designed as a stepped element (150), and wherein at least one wall element (1) is designed as a corner element (250).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudia Plikat, Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick
  • Furniture component with floating top
    Patent number: 8967743
    Abstract: A furniture component includes a base having a back wall with a first outer vertical face, a first inner vertical face and a first upper edge. A pair of horizontally spaced apart side walls each have a second outer vertical face, a second inner vertical face and a second upper edge. The first and second upper edges are substantially coplanar. An outer top includes a bottom surface spaced above the first and second upper edges and defines a visible gap therebetween. The outer top has a rear edge and a pair of horizontally spaced apart side edges. The rear edge and the first outer vertical face are substantially coplanar, and the side edges and second outer vertical faces are substantially coplanar. A method of assembling and using the furniture component are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bernett, Nicholas Dodziuk, Paul S. Gartland, Scott G. Ball, Jeffrey Allen Book, Eileen M. LaMore, Jeffrey Jay Weirsma, Bruce A. Wilcox
  • Load support structure
    Patent number: 8967726
    Abstract: A load support member includes spaced apart beam members, a linking member and a stop member. In another aspect, the beam includes a support surface defining first and second landing regions, which are in contact with and support a membrane. In another aspect, a brace member is secured between laterally spaced beams, with the brace member having a greater height than width at the end thereof and a greater width than height at the middle thereof. In another aspect, a pair of armrests are joined to a cross member and a pair of spaced apart beams in a releasable engagement. In yet another aspect, a pair of beam members are fixedly joined with a cross member, which is pivotally connected to a link pivotally connected to the beams. A method of assembling a load support structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Andrew Keith Hector, John Fredric Aldrich
  • Back construction
    Patent number: 8960796
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a central spine and an upper back structure having a pair of arms extending upwardly and outwardly from the central spine. The upper back structure is pivotally connected to the central spine about a first horizontal axis. A back support structure is pivotally connected to the spine about a second horizontal axis and is pivotally connected to the ends of each of the arms about a third horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Aldrich, Ryan S. Brill, Elindo G. Castro, Jr., Christopher C. Hill, James D. Slagh, Troy Roark, Douglas M. VanDeRiet, Jeffrey A. Weber
  • Partition and partition surface
    Patent number: D722797
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudia Plikat, Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick
  • Backrest support
    Patent number: D723851
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudia Plikat, Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick
  • Storage cubby with pole
    Patent number: D727072
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventor: Jess Sorel
  • Corner portion of a frameless screen
    Patent number: D727539
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Alexander, Jonathan T. Moroney, Yves Behar, Qin Li, Naoya Edahiro, Casey Doran Lewis
  • Sofa having a worksurface
    Patent number: D731192
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventor: Jess Sorel
  • Table
    Patent number: D732316
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: John Matthai, Leon Ransmeier
  • Workstation
    Patent number: D743189
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Hecht, Kimberlee Colin, Philipp Von Lintel, Ippei Matsumoto