Patents by Inventor Christopher Gale Inman

Christopher Gale Inman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11589672
    Abstract: A flip top table includes a leg assembly supporting an axle defining a rotation axis extending in a longitudinal direction. A strike plate is non-rotatably secured to the axle, with the strike plate having first and second circumferentially spaced and radially extending stop surfaces. A worksurface is rotatably supported on the axle and includes first and second circumferentially spaced stop surfaces. The worksurface is rotatable about the rotation axis between a use position and a stowed position. A latch assembly is coupled to and rotatable with the worksurface between the use and stowed positions. The latch assembly includes a lock bolt moveable in the longitudinal direction between a disengaged position, wherein the lock bolt is longitudinally displaced from the strike plate, and an engaged position, wherein the lock bolt engages the second stop surface of the strike plate when the worksurface is in the use position. An actuation mechanism is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: STEELCASE INC.
    Inventors: Jamie Payne, Brian K. Synder, Sean M. Derrick, David K. Jones, David J. Battey, Ivan Colin, Christopher Gale Inman
  • Publication number: 20220022642
    Abstract: A flip top table includes a leg assembly supporting an axle defining a rotation axis extending in a longitudinal direction. A strike plate is non-rotatably secured to the axle, with the strike plate having first and second circumferentially spaced and radially extending stop surfaces. A worksurface is rotatably supported on the axle and includes first and second circumferentially spaced stop surfaces. The worksurface is rotatable about the rotation axis between a use position and a stowed position. A latch assembly is coupled to and rotatable with the worksurface between the use and stowed positions. The latch assembly includes a lock bolt moveable in the longitudinal direction between a disengaged position, wherein the lock bolt is longitudinally displaced from the strike plate, and an engaged position, wherein the lock bolt engages the second stop surface of the strike plate when the worksurface is in the use position. An actuation mechanism is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Payne, Brian K. Synder, Sean M. Derrick, David K. Jones, David J. Battey, Ivan Colin, Christopher Gale Inman
  • Patent number: 11109670
    Abstract: A flip top table includes a leg assembly supporting an axle defining a rotation axis extending in a longitudinal direction. A strike plate is non-rotatably secured to the axle, with the strike plate having first and second circumferentially spaced and radially extending stop surfaces. A worksurface is rotatably supported on the axle and includes first and second circumferentially spaced stop surfaces. The worksurface is rotatable about the rotation axis between a use position and a stowed position. A latch assembly is coupled to and rotatable with the worksurface between the use and stowed positions. The latch assembly includes a lock bolt moveable in the longitudinal direction between a disengaged position, wherein the lock bolt is longitudinally displaced from the strike plate, and an engaged position, wherein the lock bolt engages the second stop surface of the strike plate when the worksurface is in the use position. An actuation mechanism is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Payne, Brian K. Snyder, Sean M. Derrick, David K. Jones, David J. Battey, Ivan Colin, Christopher Gale Inman
  • Publication number: 20190307242
    Abstract: A flip top table includes a leg assembly supporting an axle defining a rotation axis extending in a longitudinal direction. A strike plate is non-rotatably secured to the axle, with the strike plate having first and second circumferentially spaced and radially extending stop surfaces. A worksurface is rotatably supported on the axle and includes first and second circumferentially spaced stop surfaces. The worksurface is rotatable about the rotation axis between a use position and a stowed position. A latch assembly is coupled to and rotatable with the worksurface between the use and stowed positions. The latch assembly includes a lock bolt moveable in the longitudinal direction between a disengaged position, wherein the lock bolt is longitudinally displaced from the strike plate, and an engaged position, wherein the lock bolt engages the second stop surface of the strike plate when the worksurface is in the use position. An actuation mechanism is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Payne, Brian K. Snyder, Sean M. Derrick, David K. Jones, David J. Battey, Ivan Colin, Christopher Gale Inman
  • Publication number: 20180326882
    Abstract: A cable assembly for folding vehicle seats having a folding headrest that folds as the seat back is moved to a folded positon. A cable interconnects a headrest folding mechanism with a stationary component whereby movement of the seat back shifts the cable. The cable assembly includes first and second portions that are interconnected by an adjuster rod and a retainer. The adjuster rod and retainer permit interconnection of the first and second cable segments upon assembly of the headrest with the seat back in a manner that permits taking up slack in the cable assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: David Frederick Bach, James Walter Bach, Christopher Gale Inman