Patents Assigned to Steelcase Development Corporation
  • Patent number: 6739096
    Abstract: A movable support system for at least one display device is disclosed having a track system and a base movably mounted at a first section to the track system. A display support assembly adapted for coupling of the display device is pivotally mounted at a second section of the base. The display device installed on the display support assembly may be selectively positioned for use in a variety of locations relative to the track system. An apparatus is also disclosed providing a movable support for a display device, including a track system providing at least one track and a support movably coupled at a first section to the track system. The apparatus also includes a display support movably coupled to a second section of the support and configured for coupling at least two display panels. Each of the display panels may be positioned for use in a variety of locations relative to the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas G. Feldpausch, Carl V. Forslund, III, Mark A. Baloga
  • Patent number: 6705545
    Abstract: A paint system including at least one spray gun located, a paint line changing assembly and a plurality of differently colored paint sources. The paint line changing assembly is configured to selectively connect the at least one spray gun with one of the plurality of differently colored paint sources. The paint system further includes a controller for maintaining at least one of the plurality of differently colored paint sources in a partially fluidized state when not connected to the at least one spray gun and for maintaining the one of the plurality of differently colored paint sources in an operative fluidized state when connected to the at least one spray gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Jerome J. Sroka, Steven C. Martin, Patrick J. Fingleton, Eugene C. Jager, Robert W. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6701677
    Abstract: A partition includes a partition frame having a face and a cavity behind the face, and a covering attached to the partition frame that aesthetically covers the face. The covering includes an access slit through which the cavity can be accessed, and is sufficiently flexible so that the slit can be opened to access the cavity. A pouch can be attached to the covering material along the slit, so that a purse-like pouch is created for holding personal items and/or excess electrical wiring. A zipper or closure device can be used on the access slit. In one form, the skin is releasably attached with hook-and-loop material, so that a corner of the skin can be pulled loose for accessing the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Gresham, James N. Ludwig, Karl J. Mead, Karl Heinz Mueller
  • Patent number: 6698833
    Abstract: A chair includes a base having a control assembly operably supporting a seat assembly and also a back assembly for movement about a seat tilt axis and a back tilt axis, respectively. The back assembly includes a flexible sheet supported at upper/outer corners by a back support structure and hanging downwardly. The flexible sheet includes a lower portion coupled to the back support structure by a tensioner for holding the lower portion rearwardly. A vertically-adjustable lumbar mechanism is adjustably supported on the back support structure and operably engages the flexible sheet for biasing an intermediate portion of the flexible sheet forwardly to both form the intermediate portion into a forwardly convex shape for postural lumbar support and also to tension the flexible sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas C. Ball, Leon Goldick, Alain Deslauriers, Jeff G. Sokalski
  • Patent number: 6692011
    Abstract: A mobile pedestal includes a wheeled cabinet unit with a cabinet made from sheet metal, and a cushioned upholstery-covered top subassembly attached to a top of the wheeled cabinet unit. The top subassembly includes a flat housing made of a wood product and that is shaped to substantially cover the cabinet. The housing defines a pair of edge-located elongated cavities. A U-shaped handle with elongated legs that extend into and slidably engage the cavities so that the handle is movable to an internal storage position in the cavities and to an extended angled use position. The legs have a turned-in end and the cavities are configured to engage the turned-in ends to retain the handle to the housing when the handle is in the extended use position, but further the legs are configured to permit the handle to rotate from a horizontal extended position to the angled use position when extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Liisa Fink Carlson, John R. Hamilton, Kevin B. Miller, Daniel A. Schurr
  • Patent number: 6684583
    Abstract: A utility panel system is provided for open office spaces, and the like. Each utility panel has a relatively thick, skeleton-like frame, with a foot and opposite sides shaped for interconnection with like panel frames to create a substantially freestanding utility panel system. Cover panels are detachably connected to the opposite faces of each panel frame to enclose the same, and provide ready access to the panel interior. Horizontal utility troughs extend continuously between the opposite sides of each panel frame in a vertically stacked relationship. The utility troughs have open ends located at the opposite panel sides, and are positioned such that when adjacent utility panels are interconnected in a side-by-side relationship, the utility troughs are aligned to form multiple raceways. Panel connectors are provided to connect the utility panels with one or more of a variety of existing partition panels, such that the utility panels act as a spine which supplies utilities to the existing partition panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald R. Hodges, George V. Weller
  • Patent number: 6684929
    Abstract: An office panel partition includes a panel frame having at least two uprights and a horizontal structural member rigidly interconnecting the uprights. The panel frame has a first side and a second opposite side, and the panel frame defines at least four apertures on the first side thereof. The partition also includes a cover member having a major planar surface defining an exterior surface of the partition. The cover member includes at least four projections that are removably insertable into the at least four apertures to removably secure the cover member to the frame. The apertures are arranged in at least two vertically spaced horizontal rows and at least two horizontally spaced vertical columns. The apertures in a first one of the columns have different horizontal dimensions than those of the apertures located in the other of the columns. Each of the projections has a range of lateral positions when inserted into a respective one of the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas B. MacDonald, Steven E. Sanders, Mark T. Slager, Dean K. Hubbard, Roy W. Fink, Steven J. Throndset, David J. Battey, Robert E. Jeffers, Allen C. Hager
  • Patent number: 6681529
    Abstract: An information display system is disclosed. A work environment providing a work area and a workstation including the information display system are also disclosed. The information display system includes a track system adapted to attach to a mounting structure and a plurality of display panels coupled to the track system for movement with respect to the mounting structure. The display panels are adapted to present information selectively for display by pivotal and translating movement of the plurality of display panels. The track system may include at least one rail. The display panels may be cantilevered away from the track system at a vertical elevation to provide clearance below the display panels for a seated worker. The information display system may include a plurality of containers coupled to the track system for movement with respect to the mounting structure, with each of the plurality of containers is adapted to include at least one display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Baloga, Carl V. Forslund, III
  • Patent number: 6682252
    Abstract: A joint is provided that automatically pre-tensions itself during assembly. The joint includes first and second structural members, such as a back upright and a pivot link in a chair. A torsion spring bushing and a pair of threaded anchors pivotally connect the first structural member to the second structural member. The anchor and back upright include mating angled surfaces that inter-engage and rotate the torsion spring bushing during assembly in a manner that pre-tensions the spring bushing while engaging the anchors in a direction parallel an axis of rotation defined by the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Gary L. Karsten
  • Patent number: 6679553
    Abstract: A chair includes a base having an adjustable column, a seat, and a back. An underseat assembly operably supports the seat and the back on the base. The underseat assembly includes a metal bottom support with a tapered socket shaped to engage the column, and includes a seat-supporting yoke constructed with a center section shaped to vertically engage the bottom support. Opposing side support sections include inwardly facing mounting sections that mateably engage a top of the center section. A retainer plate clamps the bottom support, yoke, and side support sections together. A link is operably attached to the side support sections and the back for supporting the back. The seat, the back, and underseat components are constructed for top down assembly without requiring that the chair be inverted during assembly, and they form a four-bar linkage with the link that supports synchronous movement of the seat and back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Gary L. Karsten
  • Patent number: 6672670
    Abstract: A pivoting armrest assembly for a seating unit includes an armrest support having first and second outer flanges and a center rib, wherein the flanges and the rib define a pair of laterally spaced channels. An arm is pivotally attached to the arm support and has first and second outer ribs that are spaced apart from one another. The pivot attachment is designed to eliminate looseness and bias the arm to one side. When the arm rotates from a vertical to a horizontal position, the first and second outer ribs substantially fill the pair of channels and the center rib intermeshes with the outer ribs, thus eliminating voids and creating a no-pinch condition. The arm and arm support have curved interfacing surfaces that create a self-clearing effect to prevent pinching between a bottom surface of the arm and a front surface of the arm support during rotation of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Nancy A. Funk, Jeffrey A. Hall, Robert J. Battey
  • Patent number: 6669301
    Abstract: A furniture component, such as a chair back or seat, includes a panel component made of a flexible compliant plastic, and a rigid tubular perimeter frame integrally molded onto and hence bonded to a perimeter flange of the panel component to structurally support the panel component. The panel component includes horizontally extending flexible strips shaped to provide comfortable support for a seated user. The perimeter frame extends continuously around the enlarged show area and is made by gas assist processes, which cause the perimeter frame to be tubular and hollow for increased strength-to-weight ratio. Methods related to the above are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Nancy A. Funk, Robert J. Battey, James J. Betcher, Kurt R. Heidmann, Michael J. Kemen
  • Patent number: 6669315
    Abstract: A method for opening a door on a storage bin is provided, where the storage bin includes a door pivoted to the storage bin for movement between open and closed positions, and a biasing device operably connected to the storage bin and the door for biasing the door as the door nears the open and closed positions. The biasing device includes a spring and a T-shaped shifting anchor connected to the spring that translates and changes a torque arm of a linear spring as the door is moved so that the spring creates a force sufficient to close the door during a last portion of door closure movement and so that the spring creates a force sufficient to open the door during a last portion of door opening movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt R. Heidmann, Thomas B. Eich
  • Patent number: 6662731
    Abstract: A table includes a round table top defining an unobstructed open slot that extends inwardly about halfway from a perimeter of the table top. The slot is shaped to receive a freestanding article of furniture slid horizontally into the slot, such as a screen, a partition panel, a leg of another table, or the like. The table top is pivoted to the base by links that are mechanically moveable over-center to a locking position when the table top is moved to a use position. A handle is formed as part of one of the links to assist with the over-center movement. The base is adapted to nest against similar bases for compact storage, and includes two feet with low-height flat ends that lie close to a floor surface so that they do not objectionably interfere with mating furniture nor with a person's feet when using the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Teppo, John R. Hamilton, Brett R. Kincaid, James D. Houda
  • Patent number: 6644751
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing outdoor seat for recreational boats and the like includes a cushion member shaped to abuttingly support a seated user on an upper surface thereof, and a one-piece, hollow molded seat body member. The seat body member includes a front portion with a connector, a raised rear portion, and a recessed base portion shaped to position the cushion member thereover. The seat also includes a shock-absorbing member positioned over the recessed base portion. The shock-absorbing member includes a deck supporting the cushion on an upper side thereof and which includes a rear attachment portion and a front attachment portion mounted to said connector of said front portion of said seat body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Clifton J. Ratza, Jeffrey S. Wilcox, Trent A. Eekhoff
  • Patent number: D482535
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Otto N. Williams, Jess A. Sorel, Paul B. Siebert
  • Patent number: D482536
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Otto N. Williams, Jess A. Sorel, Paul B. Siebert
  • Patent number: D483333
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Gresham, Karl Heinz Mueller, Karl J. Mead
  • Patent number: D483968
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan J. King, Kurt P. Dammerman, Thomas B. Eich, Frank Freidman, Thomas Overthun, Jochen P. Backs, George J. Simons, Charles A. Seiber
  • Patent number: D485096
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Overthun, James N. Ludwig, David M. Gresham, Karl Heinz Mueller, Monika Conway, Stephen Don Wahl, John W. Smith