Patents Assigned to Steelcase Development Corporation
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Patent number: 8179382Abstract: A visual communication system that is suitable for use in connection with a display surface is disclosed. The system includes a camera or other data-capturing device that can be remotely positioned from the display surface. A control unit receives image data from the camera or data-capturing device and processes the image data to create an electronic image of the display surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2008Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Peter W. Hildebrandt, Michael H. Dunn, Ian G. Hutchinson, Scott E. Wilson, Guy L. Williams, Jake Mintz, Stephen L. Brown, Marie Cote, James L. Michalski
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Patent number: 7980858Abstract: A learning environment having a plurality of tables and a plurality of technology display devices distributed about the environment for use by occupants of the learning environment, the environment including a central area, the learning environment comprising at least first, second and third technology display devices that include first, second and third substantially flat display surfaces, respectively, for displaying information to occupants in the environment, the first, second and third displays supported in spaced radial relationship about the environment with the flat display surfaces substantially facing the central area, and at least first, second and third elongated tables that have first, second and third elongation axis, respectively, the tables arranged in spaced radial orientations around the environment with the elongation axis substantially extending toward the central area and so that open spaces are formed between adjacent tables for standing occupants, wherein the second and third elongationType: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Elise Valoe, Julie Barnhart, Heather Barton, Jennifer Alexandra Curtis
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Patent number: 7928602Abstract: A power floor tile assembly and method for providing power to furniture components via a floor structure, the tile assembly including a plurality of floor tiles, each tile including a substantially rigid supporting substrate member that includes top and bottom surfaces and an edge, at least a first conductive tile contact supported by the substrate member and extending to an exposed end and a covering layer having top and bottom surfaces and a thickness dimension between the top and bottom surfaces, the covering layer forming a separate opening for each of the tile contacts, the openings aligned with the tile contacts so that each tile contact extends through a separate one of the openings, the covering layer having a thickness dimension between the top and bottom surfaces such that the exposed end of each tile contact protrudes past the top surface of the covering layer, wherein each supporting substrate and associated covering layer are shaped such that the tile can be arranged with other tiles in side by sType: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventor: Kurt Heidmann
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Patent number: 7893953Abstract: A system for lighting at least one individual positioned about a piece of furniture during a video recording process includes a piece of furniture having a work surface and at least one non-work surface. A lighting source is arranged along either the work surface or the non-work surface of the piece of furniture to project non-visible light away from the piece of furniture toward an individual positioned proximate to the piece of furniture to light the individual or recording during a video recording process.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2006Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Robert G. Krestakos, Matthew A. Mead, Joel Stanfield, Carl V. Forslund, III, Joseph R. Branc
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Patent number: 7878128Abstract: A system includes a board having opposing surfaces and at least one leg connected to one surface of the board through a first pivotable fitting to allow the board and the leg to move between a first position wherein the board and the leg are substantially parallel and a second position wherein the board and the leg are substantially perpendicular. The system also includes a locking mechanism secured to the board through a second pivotable fitting at a first end and configured to rotate at a second end opposite the first end between a storage position extending parallel with the board and a work position extending perpendicular to the board.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Ronnie K. Watson, Robert L. Stewart, Lopa Patel, Jennifer Ellen Davis-Wilson, Craig M. Lawrence, Steven Bishop, Emily Ma, James Yurchenco, Christian Cornelius, Phillip Stob
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Patent number: 7775600Abstract: A seating unit includes a rearwardly-open base frame with a pair of uprights on opposite rear side portions in spaced apart positions. A molded back has corner sections with cavities for matably telescopingly engaging the uprights, and a beam section extending between the corner sections for stabilizing the rear side portions when the molded back is engaging the uprights. A seat fastened to the base frame engages the molded back to retain the molded back on the upright sections. A cushion attached by a line of adhesive is perforated inward of the line, such that a majority of the cushion can be pulled off by tearing along the perforation line, allowing quick separation for recycling. The uprights have reduced an upper diameter for aesthetics but extend upwardly sufficiently to support armrest on the back.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Robert J. Battey, Russell T. Holdredge, Mark J. Dinneweth
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Patent number: 7677184Abstract: A flip top table assembly including a table top member having an undersurface, a leg member having a top end, a hinge linking the top member to the top end of the leg member for pivotal movement between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position, a restrainer forming at least first and second openings and forming an edge, a slider forming at least first and second distal pin ends, the slider supported by one of the table top member and the leg member proximate the restraining member and at least a first spring biasing the slider toward the restraining member where, when the top member is in the horizontal position, the first pin end is aligned with the first opening and is biased by the spring toward a restraining position and, when the top member is in the vertical position, the second pin end is aligned with the second opening and is biased by the spring toward a restraining position received within the second opening and the first pin end is biased by the spring toward a spacType: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: David S. Dhanoa, Francisco J. Olvera
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Patent number: 7677182Abstract: A work space assembly for use by a pair of people where the pair of people include first and second persons, the system providing each of the first and second persons with a private space and also providing a shared space to be shared by the pair of people during collaboration, the assembly comprising an enclosure wall having first and second distal wall edges that are within an opening plane, the enclosure wall forming a station space including one open side between the distal edges, a rear portion of the enclosure wall spaced a station depth from the opening plane, the enclosure wall having an enclosure height of at least forty-eight inches, divider components including a table top having a table top length dimension between first and second oppositely facing ends and a table height of between 44 and 55 inches and wherein, divider components are positioned with the table top length dimension substantially perpendicular to the rear portion of the enclosure wall and extending therefrom toward the opening planType: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Karl H. Mueller, David K. Jones, James N. Ludwig, Brett R. Kincaid, John R. Hamilton, Colin L. Nourie
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Patent number: 7658359Abstract: A force adjustment assembly for use within a telescoping subassembly that includes a first elongated member and a second elongated member that is supported by the first elongated member for sliding motion along an extension axis, the subassembly further including a force equalizer assembly that includes a strand having first and second ends that are supported by the second and first elongated members, respectively, the adjustment assembly comprising a preloader supported by at least one of the first and second elongated members and supporting at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position and an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2005Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: David K. Jones, Kurt Heidmann, Todd Andres
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Patent number: 7604298Abstract: A chair includes a lower back frame, a back construction, including a back support attached to the lower back frame, a cushion assembly attached to the back support and a clip wedgingly engaged between the back support and the cushion assembly. The cushion assembly further includes an inner shell which includes two or more apertures and a hook extending downwardly and outwardly from each aperture. The clip further includes at least one angled ramp and at least one stop. The angled ramp is configured to allow the hook of the inner shell to slide through the angled ramp and the stop is configured to suspend sliding of the hook. Methods of assembling a back construction are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2007Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Gary Lee Karsten
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Patent number: 7582179Abstract: The present invention provides an edge band including a protective layer attached to a wood portion. The wood portion includes a first side and a second side. A first adhesive is disposed between the protective layer and the first side of the wood portion and a second adhesive is disposed on the second side of the wood portion and may be used to attach the edge band to an article. The protective layer can be removed from the band when desired, for example, following the application of a finishing material to the associated article.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2007Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: David Jesse, Terry Luyk
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Patent number: 7530632Abstract: A seating unit includes a tubular support extending upwardly from a chair frame, a retainer telescopingly engaging an upright open end of the support, and an armrest mounted on the retainer. The retainer is keyed at both ends to prevent undesired rotation of the armrest. Accessories are mounted to the retainer, and are positionable at use and non-use positions relative to a seated user. The accessories include a cup holder, a container, a hook for hanging items under the cup holder or container, and different tablets. One tablet includes a wheeled leg that extends downwardly from a center of gravity of the tablet, the leg supporting the tablet and reducing cantilever forces on the retainer. The back and seat comprise a flexible member co-molded onto a supportive partial-perimeter frame member and includes back and seat sections that matably engage corresponding surfaces of the frame member.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2005Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: John M. Kaloustian, Russell Plant, Robert L. Stewart, Paul Thomas Cornell
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Patent number: D591062Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2007Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Mary Little, Peter Raymond Albert Wheeler
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Patent number: D591969Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2008Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Thomas Overthun, Bruce M. Smith
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Patent number: D592422Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2007Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventor: Alan E. Rheault
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Patent number: D592876Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2008Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Bruce M. Smith, James N. Ludwig, Terence Sean Yoo
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Patent number: D593761Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2007Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventor: John M. Kaloustian
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Patent number: D596880Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Steven James Beukema, Brett R. Kincaid
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Patent number: D600052Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2009Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Bruce M. Smith, James N. Ludwig, Terence Sean Yoo
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Patent number: D600483Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Donald P. Gravel, Jian Hong, John R. Hamilton, Karl J. Mead, Karl Heinz Müeller