Patents Assigned to Steelcase Inc.
  • Patent number: 11229294
    Abstract: A seating arrangement includes a base, a seat assembly operably coupled to the base, and a back assembly that includes a substantially rigid back frame including a pair of side portions spaced from one another and extending upward from the base, and a substantially flexible back shell including a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface, a plurality of laterally-extending slots that extend between the front surface and the rear surface and that cooperate to define a plurality of laterally-extending ribs therebetween, where a pair of laterally-extending ribs of the plurality of laterally-extending ribs are connected to one another via a vertically-extending rib located at a substantial midpoint across a width of the back shell, and wherein the back shell is coupled to each of the side portions of the back frame at locations above the plurality of laterally-extending slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Todd David Krupiczewicz, Gordon Jay Peterson, Nathan Robert Brock, Jeffrey A. Hall
  • Publication number: 20220015546
    Abstract: A body support assembly includes a seat assembly and backrest assembly supported by tilt control assembly. Methods of using and assembling the body support assembly are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gordon J. Peterson
  • Patent number: 11221497
    Abstract: A system includes a view screen with polarized output. A window capable of blocking the polarized output at least in part cloaks the view screen to frustrate viewing of the view screen through the window. In some cases, the window comprises an array of panels capable of blocking multiple polarizations. The array may disrupt multiple different polarized view screen outputs while maintaining transparency to unpolarized light. In some cases, the window capable of blocking polarized output may be paired with view screen cover that converts view screen output in an unblocked polarization to one of the one or more polarizations blocked by the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: STEELCASE INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Graham, Skylar Thorne Kelly, Carl C. Cobb, Ryan Tatzel
  • Patent number: 11222469
    Abstract: A system and method for modeling visual and non-visual experiential characteristics of a work space environment, the system comprising at least a first emissive surface useable to view a virtual world (VW) representation, a processor that is programmed to perform the steps of (a) presenting a VW representation via the at least a first emissive surface, the VW representation including an affordance configuration shown in the VW representation, (b) model at least one non-visual experiential characteristic associated with an environment associated with the VW representation and (c) present at least some indication of the non-visual experiential characteristic to the system user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen E. Goetzinger, Jr., Kyle R. Dhyne
  • Patent number: 11212898
    Abstract: A method for facilitating space experiences for at least a first space user and for at least first and second different spaces, the method comprising the steps of storing first and second space experience specifications for the first and second different spaces, respectively, wherein the first and second space experience specifications indicate space affordance settings for the first and second spaces, respectively, sensing a trigger event associated with at least one of the first and second different spaces, where the sensed trigger event is associated with the first space, using the first space experience specification to control the first space affordances and where the sensed trigger event is associated with the second space, using the second space experience specification to control the second space affordances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Karl J. Mead, Hyun Yoo, Cherie Johnson
  • Patent number: 11202501
    Abstract: A conferencing assembly for sharing content from source devices includes a common display screen, a switcher controlling input to the screen, and a table assembly with a tabletop opening. A control cable assembly has a first end linked to the switcher, a second ends having a plug connectable to a source device communication port, and a first control cable located therebetween. A take up assembly including a first weight is disposed below the opening. The control cable assembly links to the first weight to apply a force tending to pull the second end of the control cable assembly toward the opening. A first user interface including a control button useable to send a signal to the switcher causing it to provide first content from a source device connected to the control cable assembly to the screen is integrated into the table assembly and is associated with the control cable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis Epstein, Brett Kincaid, Hyun Yoo, Suzanne Stage, Lukas Scherrer, Larry Cheng
  • Patent number: 11203882
    Abstract: A lounge assembly comprising a lower wall structure including at least first and second spaced apart side walls and a rear wall that together form an assembly space, each of the side walls and rear wall including an internal surface, a seat assembly supported between the first and second side walls, a first coupler mounted to the internal surface of the first side wall, a support arm having an arm length dimension between proximal and distal ends, the proximal end mounted to the first coupler adjacent the internal surface of the first side wall for rotation about a first vertical axis and a tablet member supported at the distal end of the support arm for rotation about a second vertical axis through a second range of motion with respect to the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Russell T. Holdredge, Sean Corcorran, David K. Jones, Duck Young Kong, Todd David Krupiczewicz, Keith Robert Machin, Mark McKenna, Gordon Peterson, Mark Spoelhof, Pradeep Mydur, David J. Battey
  • Patent number: 11185158
    Abstract: A monitor support assembly includes a base designed to rest on an ambient floor surface. An upright frame structure is spaced forward to the rear of and extends vertically upward from the base. The frame structure includes first and second vertical members and a top frame member that extends horizontally between the first and second vertical members. A shroud assembly is mounted to the upright frame structure and includes a first central wall member and first and second additional wall members extending from the first and second lateral edges in the same direction. The first central wall member and the additional wall members form a receiving space. A mounting plate mountable to the rear surface of a displays screen is releasably supported by the upright frame structure within the receiving space. A depth dimension of the receiving space is sufficient to accommodate a display screen mounted via the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Kincaid, Mark Spoelhof, Mark Schoolmeester, Duck Young Kong, John Allen, Hyun Yoo
  • Patent number: 11190731
    Abstract: A content sharing system for sharing digital content within a conference space, where specific zones within the space are associated with different stations, includes at least one large common emissive surface arranged for viewing by users within the space, at least a first sensor device located within the space for identifying locations of portable computing devices used by conferees within the space, and a processor linked to the emissive surface and the sensor device. The processor is programmed to determine the location of a portable computing device within the space, recognize that the portable computing device is within one of the specific zones associated a station within the space, and, for each portable computing device that is at a station within the conference space, establish a wireless communication link with the portable computing device and enable the portable computing device to share content on the common emissive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventor: Darrin Sculley
  • Patent number: 11191178
    Abstract: A display support system includes a support rail extending in a first direction and at least one support bar carried by the support rail. The support bar is moveable relative to the support rail in at least the first and second directions. A mounting member is engaged with the support bar, with the mounting member being adapted to be coupled to a display. A method for mounting an array of displays on a wall, and a support cart for mounting a display, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Iacovoni, Keith Robert Machin, Peter Emmett Mack, II, Michael Joseph Dettloff, Mark J. Dinneweth, Santiago Carral O'Gorman, Todd Andres
  • Publication number: 20210364905
    Abstract: A system includes a view screen with polarized output. The view screen may include a projected view screen or writing-surface view screen. A window capable of blocking the polarized output at least in part cloaks the view screen to frustrate viewing of the view screen through the window. In some cases, the window includes an array of panels capable of blocking multiple polarizations. The array may disrupt multiple different polarized view screen outputs while maintaining transparency to unpolarized light. In some cases, the window capable of blocking polarized output may be paired with view screen cover that converts view screen output in an unblocked polarization to one of the one or more polarizations blocked by the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Graham
  • Patent number: 11178360
    Abstract: A conferencing system for conferencing between multiple local conferees within a first conference space and at least a first remote conferee located remotely from the first conference space includes an emissive surface located within the first conference space for generating at least first and second video representations of the remote conferee and at least a first processor for driving the emissive surface to simultaneously present at least the first and second video representations on the emissive surface. The first video representation shows the remote conferee from a first perspective and the second video representation shows the remote conferee from a second, different perspective. The first video representation is observable from within a first viewing zone and not within a second viewing zone within the conference space, and the second video representation is observable from within the second viewing zone and not within the first viewing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen E. Goetzinger
  • Publication number: 20210345781
    Abstract: A seating arrangement includes a support shell including a seat portion and a chair back portion each configured to support a seated user, the chair seat portion having a front region and a rear region and the chair back portion having an upper region and a lower region, where the rear region of the seat portion is coupled to the lower region of the chair back portion, a control member including a substantially flexible front support and an attachment point, where the front support engages the support shell in the front region of the seat portion and the control member engages the back portion, and a substantially rigid second support attached to the control member at the attachment point, wherein the control member is an integral, one-piece component including multiple flex regions configured to allow the support shell to move between an upright and reclined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: James Ludwig, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Kurt Heidmann, Bruce Michael Smith, Mark Spoelhof
  • Patent number: 11168987
    Abstract: A method and system of tracking and reporting locations of entity employees, the method for use with at least a first interface device including a display screen, the method comprising the steps of, providing a processor programmed to perform the steps of, storing schedules of entity employees where the schedules indicate scheduled locations of employees during time slots, receiving an indication from a first employee indicating at least a first future time slot, identifying locations of the entity employees during the future time slot, using the schedules of entity employees to generate a location representation indicating the locations of at least a subset of the entity employees during the at least a first future time slot and presenting the location representation via the first interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Poel, Darrin Sculley
  • Patent number: 11162271
    Abstract: A lounge assembly comprising a lower wall structure including at least first and second spaced apart side walls and a rear wall that together form an assembly space, each of the side walls and rear wall including an internal surface, a seat assembly supported between the first and second side walls, a first coupler mounted to the internal surface of the first side wall, a support arm having an arm length dimension between proximal and distal ends, the proximal end mounted to the first coupler adjacent the internal surface of the first side wall for rotation about a first vertical axis and a tablet member supported at the distal end of the support arm for rotation about a second vertical axis through a second range of motion with respect to the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Russell T. Holdredge, Sean Corcorran, David K. Jones, Duck Young Kong, Todd David Krupiczewicz, Keith Robert Machin, Mark McKenna, Gordon Peterson, Mark Spoelhof, Pradeep Mydur, David J. Battey
  • Patent number: D935824
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Kurt R. Heidmann, Mark Spoelhof
  • Patent number: D936984
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gordon J. Peterson, Mark Spoelhof, James Ludwig, Alyssa Anne Robert
  • Patent number: D936985
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gordon J. Peterson, Mark Spoelhof, James Ludwig, Alyssa Anne Robert
  • Patent number: D937024
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gordon J. Peterson, Mark Spoelhof, James Ludwig, Alyssa Anne Robert
  • Patent number: D937595
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gordon J. Peterson, Mark Spoelhof, James Ludwig, Alyssa Anne Robert