Patents Assigned to Steelcase Development Corporation
  • Patent number: 6874736
    Abstract: A keyboard support platform including a keyboard support member adapted to support a keyboard and having a front edge adapted to be positioned adjacent a user. The keyboard support member includes first and second opposite side edges defining a width therebetween. A first mouse support surface is movably mounted to the keyboard member and movably positioned adjacent the first side edge to provide adjustment of the first mouse support surface. A second mouse support surface is movably mounted to the keyboard support member and movably positioned adjacent the second side edge of the keyboard support member to provide adjustment of the second mouse support surface. A palm rest is adjustably mounted to the keyboard support member adjacent the front edge and repositionable between a first position wherein at least a portion of the palm rest extends in front of the first mouse support surface, and a second position wherein at least a portion of the palm rest extends in front of the second mouse support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Jones, Joseph D. Ruedinger, Jason E. Begin
  • Patent number: 6869142
    Abstract: A seating unit includes a seat, a back, a base, and a motion control having a plurality of flexible supports for operably supporting the seat and back on the base. The flexible supports are movable in a generally fore-to-aft direction but stiff in a generally vertical direction, and further the flexible supports have end sections projecting generally outward from said base for operably engaging the seat and/or back, so that when the flexible supports flex in the fore-to-aft direction, they provide for directed movement of the seat and/or the back. In one form, the flexible supports form leaf-spring-like beams with resiliently bendable ends that flex in a slightly angled fore-aft direction to provide a predetermined synchronized path of movement of the seat and back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt R. Heidmann, Renard G. Tubergen
  • Patent number: 6851226
    Abstract: A freestanding partition panel for dividing a floor space includes a rigid partition frame having vertical side frame members and first and second horizontal frame members extending between the vertical side frame members to form a vertically enlarged opening through the frame, and an open space within the panel. At least one intermediate horizontal cross member extends across the vertically enlarged opening and defines upper and lower openings through the frame. The intermediate cross member and at least a selected one of the first and second horizontal frame members include a plurality of horizontally spaced apart attachment locations defining a plurality of discrete, serially adjacent mounting spaces. The partition panel further includes a utility unit that is mountable in a selected one of the mounting spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce G. MacGregor, Juan Carlos Bruce Novoa, Larry Cheng, Energy Cruse, II, Thomas B. Eich, Jesse A. Fourt, David M. Gresham, Alex T. Grishaver, Joseph Lishing Hei, Matthew D. Inouye, Katherine J. Kuchenbecker, James N. Ludwig, Sven D. Newman, Todd A. Pelman, Alexey Salamini, Franz Niklaus Schulz, Benjamin J. V. Tarbell, Scott A. Whitman, David M. Webster
  • Patent number: 6849227
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a furniture component includes steps of molding a panel component of a flexible compliant plastic, the panel component having a continuous perimeter flange and further having flexible strips extending between portions of the perimeter flange that are shaped to flex to comfortably support a human body part. The method further includes molding a tubular perimeter frame of a reinforced structural plastic different than the flexible compliant plastic onto the panel component, the step of molding the perimeter frame including integrally bonded the perimeter frame to the perimeter flange to stiffen the perimeter flange and support the panel component and further including a gas assist process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Nancy A. Funk, Robert J. Battey, James J. Betcher, Kurt R. Heidmann, Michael J. Kemen
  • Patent number: 6821367
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for securing a flexible covering about a frame having a peripheral edge and at least one corner. A portion of the flexible covering is folded over the peripheral edge of the frame at or about the corner and an excess portion of the covering is provided. Ultrasonic welding is used to create a seam of contacting portions of the flexible covering. In an embodiment, the excess portion of the flexible covering is removed in connection with the welding operation. An apparatus for securing a flexible covering about a frame is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas B. MacDonald, Daniel V. Constantino, Dean K. Hubbard, Robert T. Ruthven, Daniel M. Ursul, Larry B. Hanify
  • Patent number: 6817147
    Abstract: A clip for retaining a cover to a partition frame member of the type having openings on opposite side faces. The clip includes an elongated flexible member having a U-shape defining a base portion and a pair of arms extending therefrom. Each arm includes an end portion extending inwardly, and having a shape that permits reception of the end portions in openings of a partition frame member to thereby retain the clip on the partition frame in an orientation wherein the base portion is spaced-apart from the partition frame member to permit vertical routing of utility lines along the partition frame member and through the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas B. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 6817668
    Abstract: A seating unit includes a seating unit having a base, a seat and a back operably pivoted to the base for synchronous movement including recline of the back and forward movement of the seat, an adjustable variable back stop adjustably engaging the seat for adjustably limiting a rearward tilt of the back, and a handle. The handle and the back stop are supported for independent movement, but are interconnected by a connecting mechanism including a pair of links so that the back stop is selectively adjusted upon rotation of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Larry DeKraker, Kurt R. Heidmann
  • Patent number: 6807776
    Abstract: A prefabricated system for outfitting a building space includes an architectural product (such as a full-height permanent building wall, a post-and-beam product with overhead frame, and a drywall-covered wall), a furniture product (such as a partial-height wall, a partition, and a desking system), and a plurality of accessories. The architectural product includes a structural member with horizontal and vertical accessory-mounting T-slots, and the furniture product includes structural trim pieces with identical vertical and horizontal accessory-mounting T-slots. The plurality of accessories are constructed to stably engage any of the accessory-mounting slots at a selected location along the slots. Some accessories can be attached to and extend between the two products, such as an accessory screen that extends between a post of a post-and-beam system and an end of a partition system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Girdwood, James N. Ludwig, Karl J. Mead, Karl H. Mueller, Dale T. Kelley
  • Patent number: 6805185
    Abstract: A partition for open building space and the like having a frame including at least one substantially horizontal surface. A cover member is configured to enclose at least a portion of the frame. The cover member includes attachment members configured to connect the cover member to the frame. A seal is attached to the cover member and includes a resilient flap which engages the substantially horizontal surface of the frame to inhibit the passage of acoustical and/or optical energy through the partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Donald P. Gravel, Douglas L. Hancey, Vladimir Zila
  • Publication number: 20040194669
    Abstract: A workstation is disclosed that defines a work space and provides at least one display device. The workstation includes a base providing a guide. The workstation also includes at least one threshold having a wheel assembly adapted for movement along a path defined by the guide about the work space to selectively deliver utilities to at least one portion of the work space and a worksurface coupled to the threshold and providing a display support assembly adapted for pivotably coupling of the display device. The threshold and worksurface and display support assembly are movable relative to the base so that a display device coupled to the display support assembly may be selectively positioned for use in a variety of locations in the work space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Carl V. Forslund, Joel Stanfield, Jonathan J. King, Mark A. Baloga
  • Patent number: 6797219
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing tiles for use in a raised floor system is disclosed. The tiles comprise an outer shell and an inner core material. The method includes constructing the shells at a manufacturing facility, transporting the shells to a remote location associated with a job site, and filling the shells with a fill material at the remote location. A method is also disclosed for providing a rack to hold the tiles during the manufacturing process, stacking shells in a vertical orientation on the rack, and filling the shells with a core material while on the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Vander Wal, Richard A. Kroko, John C. Duba, Jr., Kenneth J. Knister, David J. Levitt
  • Patent number: 6786548
    Abstract: A synchrotilt chair includes a base, a back, a seat, and a link(s) pivoted to a rear of the base and to a bottom of the back to form a four-bar linkage arrangement. In one form, the chairs are nestable and stackable for dense storage. In another form, the chairs are desk-type pedestal chairs. Several of the structural support members of the chair are gas-assisted injection molding to form a hollow tubular perimeter frame that is lightweight, strong, and dimensionally-accurate A flexible panel is integrally molded between opposing sides of the perimeter frame. Armrests are pivoted to the back and have a shape configured to allow nested stacking while also providing excellent comfort, durability, and style. Also, the armrests are movable to remote storage positions to provide unobstructed side access to the seat of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Pearce, Kurt R. Heidmann, Robert J. Battey, Dale M. Groendal, Bruce M. Smith
  • Patent number: 6760999
    Abstract: A workspace display for open plan spaces includes a partition with a plurality of freestanding partition walls configured to divide a building space into at least one workspace. The workspace has an opening permitting user ingress and egress, and the partition has a height lower than a ceiling height to form a gap between a top edge of the partition and a ceiling. The workspace display includes a dry erasable whiteboard secured to the partition, and a video device is mounted to the partition in a generally overhead position in optical communication with the whiteboard, such that an occupant of the workspace can electronically manipulate images on the whiteboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph R. Branc, Mark A. Baloga, William L. Miller, Michell Niewiadomski, Joel D. Stanfield
  • Patent number: 6755551
    Abstract: A thin profile task light includes a housing having a longitudinally extending and downwardly opening window, an elongated lighting element located within the housing and including electrical connectors located at opposite ends thereof, and a plurality of electrical power sockets shaped to receive the opposite ends of the lighting element therein. The task light also includes a reflector located between the lighting element and the housing, a lens covering the window of the housing, and a power supply assembly that includes an electrical switch controlling the supply of electrical power to the lighting element, a ballast regulating the supply of electrical power to the lighting element, and a circuit board, wherein the electrical switch in the ballast mounted on the circuit board. The task light has an overall thickness of within the range of from about 0.5 inches to about 1.0 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Armas D. Soorus, Daniel E. Waugh, Jeffrey T. Charon, Scott A. Williamson, Douglas D. Buyce
  • Patent number: 6751914
    Abstract: A post and beam furniture system having a plurality of horizontally-extending beams having a longitudinally-extending T-shaped first channel and a longitudinally, T-shaped second channel, and a plurality of vertical posts each having a lower portion thereof adapted to be abuttingly supported on a floor surface of an office space, and an upper portion thereof adapted to be connected with the horizontally-extending beams, and a longitudinally-extending T-shaped channel. The channels of the beams and posts receiving a plurality of connectors and accessories, including a multiple bracket post and beam connectors, a T-nut connector, and T-connector, an infill panel, a horizontally-extending two-part wire manager, a vertically extending wire manager, a vertically adjustable worksurface, a transactional surface, a swivel support for supporting a post thereon, and a universal utility hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Zeh, James R. Yurchenco, Peter S. Macdonald, Jonah L. Houston
  • Patent number: 6749261
    Abstract: A seating unit includes a seat and back operably supported for synchronized reclining movement. The back includes a back support with separate upper and lower portions pivotally coupled to a back frame at upper and lower connections, respectively. The upper and lower portions combine to define a forwardly-protruding convex shape and include mating structure forming an expansion joint that permits collapse and expansion as the upper and lower portions are flexed between a more-convex shape and a more-planar shape. In one form, the lower portion includes first and second sections pivoted together, with the upper portion and the first and second sections forming thoracic, lumbar, and pelvic regions of the back support, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn A. Knoblock, Arnold B. Dammermann, Larry DeKraker, Kevin A. Ekdahl, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gardner J. Klaasen, II, James A. Perkins, Gordon J. Peterson, Edward H. Punches, Charles P. Roosien, David S. Teppo, Michael J. Yancharas
  • Patent number: 6748707
    Abstract: A utility interface system is disclosed for use in a work environment of the type having a floor system. The floor system may be of a type having an access opening and an upper surface. A compartment is configured within the access opening and has a cover. A module is adapted to be received within the compartment. The module can be stowed or concealed within the compartment while not in use and removed from the compartment for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Buchalter, George V. Weller, Howard M. Montgomery, Thomas G. Feldpausch, Douglas L. Bartrand, Carl V. Forslund, III, Arthur Y. Tsubaki, Yasuyuki Hirai
  • Patent number: 6748710
    Abstract: A partition and wall system includes a partition with trim piece(s) securely attached to a top edge and vertical side edges of the partition. One or both of the trim piece(s) have a T-slot running along their length, to which accessories can be secured by use of T-fasteners that extend into the slot and engage blind surfaces at a bottom of the slot. The accessories include such things as screens, hooks, lights, panels, shelves, wire managers, utility-using devices, and the like, and can be easily arranged by office workers in optimal and customized arrangements, thus improving efficiency and adding function and value to the office arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Gresham, James N. Ludwig, Karl J. Mead, Karl Heinz Mueller
  • Patent number: D503047
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventor: David Ryan
  • Patent number: D503051
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventor: Russell Plant