Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Norman
Christopher J. Norman 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).
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Patent number: 11058224Abstract: A seating support arrangement includes a seating frame, a cover member supported by the seating frame, the cover member having a first elastic modulus in a first direction, the cover member having an outer surface area and a support area that is less than the outer surface area and is configured to support a user, and a polymer film surface layer attached to the support area of the cover member such that the combination of the cover member in the support area and the surface layer has a second elastic modulus in the first direction that is greater than the first elastic modulus.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: James Nolan Ludwig, Bruce M. Smith, Carl V. Forslund, III, Christopher J. Norman, Gordon J. Peterson, Fredric Biddle, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers
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Patent number: 10791842Abstract: According to the present invention a back for a seating unit is provided. The back comprises a plurality of flexible finger elements. Each of the plurality of flexible finger elements has a distal end. The back further comprises a retainer connecting at least two of the flexible finger elements proximate their distal ends. When a load is applied to a flexible finger element, the retainer distributes at least a portion of the load to at least one adjacent flexible finger element.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Christopher J. Norman, Russell Holdredge, Bruce Smith, Luke Pearson, Thomas Overthun, Kara Johnson
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Patent number: 10674826Abstract: A chair back assembly includes a frame assembly including a pair of slots extending through the frame assembly, a first location positioned between the pair of slots, and a pair of second locations located outward of an outer periphery of the frame assembly, and a vertically adjustable lumbar assembly configured to support a lumbar area of a seated user and including a central portion and a pair of end portions slidably engaging the central portion, the central portion located in the first location and the end portions located in the second locations, wherein the pair of end portion are slidably moveable within the slots between a first position and a second position that is different than the first position.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2018Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: STEELCASE INC.Inventors: Christopher J. Norman, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Todd Quigley, Mark J. Dinneweth
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Publication number: 20190133324Abstract: A seating support arrangement includes a seating frame, a cover member supported by the seating frame, the cover member having a first elastic modulus in a first direction, the cover member having an outer surface area and a support area that is less than the outer surface area and is configured to support a user, and a polymer film surface layer attached to the support area of the cover member such that the combination of the cover member in the support area and the surface layer has a second elastic modulus in the first direction that is greater than the first elastic modulus.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2019Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: James Nolan Ludwig, Bruce M. Smith, Carl V. Forslund, III, Christopher J. Norman, Gordon J. Peterson, Fredric Biddle, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers
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Patent number: 10182656Abstract: A seating support arrangement includes a seating frame arrangement, a flexible cover member supported by the frame arrangement and configured to support a seated user, a surface layer covering at least a portion of the cover member and including a first surface facing the cover member and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface of the surface layer includes first portions attached to the cover member interspaced with second portions that are not attached to the cover member, and an elastically resilient control arrangement supported by the frame arrangement and positioned between the cover member and one of the second portions such that the control arrangement is free to move with respect to the cover member and the surface layer, wherein elastic deformation of the control arrangement changes the geometrical configuration of the cover member.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Bruce M. Smith, Carl V. Forslund, III, Christopher J. Norman, Gordon J. Peterson, Fredric Biddle, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, James Nolan Ludwig
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Publication number: 20180177301Abstract: A chair back assembly includes a frame assembly including a pair of slots extending through the frame assembly, a first location positioned between the pair of slots, and a pair of second locations located outward of an outer periphery of the frame assembly, and a vertically adjustable lumbar assembly configured to support a lumbar area of a seated user and including a central portion and a pair of end portions slidably engaging the central portion, the central portion located in the first location and the end portions located in the second locations, wherein the pair of end portion are slidably moveable within the slots between a first position and a second position that is different than the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2018Publication date: June 28, 2018Inventors: Christopher J. Norman, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Todd Quigley, Mark J. Dinneweth
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Patent number: 9913540Abstract: A chair component assembly includes a support component adapted to support a portion of a seated user and including a shell member having an outer peripheral edge, the support component further including at least one coupler having an interior and an opening facing the outer peripheral edge of the shell member, and at least one tab member located substantially proximate the opening of the at least one coupler, and an upholstery cover assembly wrapped about at least a portion of the support component and including an edge that is retained within the interior of the at least one cupler by the at least one tab member.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Norman, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Todd Quigley, Mark J. Dinneweth
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Publication number: 20170224119Abstract: According to the present invention a back for a seating unit is provided. The back comprises a plurality of flexible finger elements. Each of the plurality of flexible finger elements has a distal end. The back further comprises a retainer connecting at least two of the flexible finger elements proximate their distal ends. When a load is applied to a flexible finger element, the retainer distributes at least a portion of the load to at least one adjacent flexible finger element.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2017Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Christopher J. Norman, Russell Holdredge, Bruce Smith, Luke Pearson, Thomas Overthun, Kara Johnson
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Patent number: 9661930Abstract: A chair back assembly includes a substantially rigid peripheral frame defining a central opening, and a substantially flexible back shell coupled to the peripheral frame and spanning at least a portion of the central opening, wherein a first portion of the back shell is fixed with respect to the frame at a first position, a second portion of the back shell is fixed with respect to the frame at a second position that is different than the first position, a third portion of the back shell is constrained with respect to the frame in at least one direction of motion at a third position located between the first position and the second position, and wherein a fourth portion of the back shell is free from constraint with respect to the frame at a fourth position located between the third position and the second position.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Norman, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Todd Quigley, Mark J. Dinneweth
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Patent number: 9648956Abstract: According to the present invention a back for a seating unit is provided. The back comprises a plurality of flexible finger elements. Each of the plurality of flexible finger elements has a distal end. The back further comprises a retainer connecting at least two of the flexible finger elements proximate their distal ends. When a load is applied to a flexible finger element, the retainer distributes at least a portion of the load to at least one adjacent flexible finger element.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: STEELCASE, INC.Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Christopher J. Norman, Russell Holdredge, Bruce Smith, Luke Pearson, Thomas Overthun, Kara Johnson
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Publication number: 20160296025Abstract: A seating support arrangement includes a seating frame arrangement, a flexible cover member supported by the frame arrangement and configured to support a seated user, a surface layer covering at least a portion of the cover member and including a first surface facing the cover member and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface of the surface layer includes first portions attached to the cover member interspaced with second portions that are not attached to the cover member, and an elastically resilient control arrangement supported by the frame arrangement and positioned between the cover member and one of the second portions such that the control arrangement is free to move with respect to the cover member and the surface layer, wherein elastic deformation of the control arrangement changes the geometrical configuration of the cover member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Bruce M. Smith, Carl V. Forslund, III, Christopher J. Norman, Gordon J. Peterson, Fredric Biddle, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, James Nolan Ludwig
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Publication number: 20150091350Abstract: According to the present invention a back for a seating unit is provided. The back comprises a plurality of flexible finger elements. Each of the plurality of flexible finger elements has a distal end. The back further comprises a retainer connecting at least two of the flexible finger elements proximate their distal ends. When a load is applied to a flexible finger element, the retainer distributes at least a portion of the load to at least one adjacent flexible finger element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Christopher J. Norman, Russell Holdredge, Bruce Smith, Luke Pearson, Thomas Overthun, Kara Johnson
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Patent number: 8876209Abstract: According to the present invention a back for a seating unit is provided. The back comprises a plurality of flexible finger elements. Each of the plurality of flexible finger elements has a distal end. The back further comprises a retainer connecting at least two of the flexible finger elements proximate their distal ends. When a load is applied to a flexible finger element, the retainer distributes at least a portion of the load to at least one adjacent flexible finger element.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2009Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Christopher J. Norman, Russell Holdredge, Bruce Smith, Luke Pearson, Thomas Overthun, Kara Johnson
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Publication number: 20140084660Abstract: A chair component assembly includes a support component adapted to support a portion of a seated user and including a shell member having an outer peripheral edge, the support component further including at least one coupler having an interior and an opening facing the outer peripheral edge of the shell member, and at least one tab member located substantially proximate the opening of the at least one coupler, and an upholstery cover assembly wrapped about at least a portion of the support component and including an edge that is retained within the interior of the at least one cupler by the at least one tab member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Norman, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Todd Quigley, Mark J. Dinneweth
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Publication number: 20140084652Abstract: A chair back assembly includes a substantially rigid peripheral frame defining a central opening, and a substantially flexible back shell coupled to the peripheral frame and spanning at least a portion of the central opening, wherein a first portion of the back shell is fixed with respect to the frame at a first position, a second portion of the back shell is fixed with respect to the frame at a second position that is different than the first position, a third portion of the back shell is constrained with respect to the frame in at least one direction of motion at a third position located between the first position and the second position, and wherein a fourth portion of the back shell is free from constraint with respect to the frame at a fourth position located between the third position and the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Norman, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Todd Quigley, Mark J. Dinneweth
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Publication number: 20130056944Abstract: A magnetic braking, governing, or speed retarding system for use with a wheeled conveyance may take advantage of eddy currents induced when a magnet moves past a non-magnetic conductor. A plurality of magnets may be disposed within a rotor that rotates as a wheel axle rotates. The magnets rotate past one or more relatively stationary stators to generate eddy currents that create a resistance on the rotor, thereby acting to retard or slow the rotational speed of the rotor and the axle. The system may be particularly well-suited with a wheeled conveyance such as a sled that is gravity driven and travels downhill along a track. The speed governing system may apply lesser force in relatively flat sections of the track, due to slower wheel rotational speeds, and greater force as the conveyance attempts to pick up speed, e.g., in steeper sections.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: Amber Engineering and Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: George G. Dewey, Christopher J. Norman, Sigismund G. Paul
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Publication number: 20100072799Abstract: According to the present invention a back for a seating unit is provided. The back comprises a plurality of flexible finger elements. Each of the plurality of flexible finger elements has a distal end. The back further comprises a retainer connecting at least two of the flexible finger elements proximate their distal ends. When a load is applied to a flexible finger element, the retainer distributes at least a portion of the load to at least one adjacent flexible finger element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Christopher J. Norman, Russell Holdredge, Bruce Smith, Luke Pearson, Thomas Overthun, Kara Johnson
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Patent number: 7458637Abstract: A back construction includes a back shell mounted on a back frame at top and bottom connections, and a flexible lumbar section biased forwardly by a biasing device. The bottom connection is located rearward of the back shell to allow unencumbered sliding entry into the seating unit from a lateral side position, but the bottom connection defines a virtual pivot forward of its physical location to provide the desired path of flexure when the lumbar section is flexed. In one form, the bottom connection is a pair of non-parallel links of dissimilar length. In another form, the bottom connection is a follower with two bearings following a guide slot. In some variations, the force of the biasing device is variable. Seating units incorporating the back construction include a vehicle seat, a foldable portable stadium seat, and a wheelchair seat.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2004Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Norman, Kurt R. Heidmann
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Patent number: 7334845Abstract: A seating unit includes a perimeter frame, a flexible seating surface supported by the frame, and parallel elongated resilient force-distributing members coupled to the seating surface to control a contour of the seating surface when supporting a seated user. The resilient force-distributing members are bendable along their length and are sufficient in number and distribution to substantially reduce localized deflection of the seating surface and thereby reduce pressure point contact felt by the seated user. The resilient force-distributing members can be wire rods, long strips, or other resilient material with memory.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2004Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Kurt R. Heidmann, Renard G. Tubergen, Christopher J. Norman, Bruce M. Smith, Steven James Beukema
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Patent number: 7237841Abstract: A back construction includes a back shell mounted on a back frame at top and bottom connections, and a flexible lumbar section biased forwardly by a biasing device. The bottom connection is located rearward of the back shell to allow unencumbered sliding entry into the seating unit from a lateral side position, but the bottom connection defines a virtual pivot forward of its physical location to provide the desired path of flexure when the lumbar section is flexed. In one form, the bottom connection is a pair of non-parallel links of dissimilar length. In another form, the bottom connection is a follower with two bearings following a guide slot. In some variations, the force of the biasing device is variable. Seating units incorporating the back construction include a vehicle seat, a foldable portable stadium seat, and a wheelchair seat.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2005Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Christopher J. Norman, Kurt R. Heidmann