Patents by Inventor David A. Shipman

David A. Shipman 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: 6067762
    Abstract: An integrated prefabricated furniture system is provided for fitting-out a building space of the type having a generally open plan interior defined by fixed walls. The furniture system includes a wall-covering frame, freestanding partition frames, and floor-to-ceiling frames that can be interconnected to subdivide the building space. The wall-covering frame is constructed to be positioned against and selectively cover portions of the fixed walls, and the portable partition system and the floor-to-ceiling frames are constructed to spatially divide the building space into a plurality of work areas, with at least one of the freestanding partition frames having an end abutted against the wall-covering frame. A plurality of cover panels is removably attached to the wall-covering frame and to the freestanding partition frames for covering the wall-covering frame, the freestanding partition frames, and the floor-to-ceiling frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest P. Greer, Robert J. Luchetti, David A. Shipman, Jack A. Tanis, Gregg Robert Draudt, Anne C. Ackerly, Michael Tingley
  • Patent number: 6044612
    Abstract: A freestanding portable partition panel system is provided for open office spaces and the like. Each panel includes a skeleton-like frame having two vertical uprights positioned adjacent opposite side edges thereof, and at least two pairs of horizontal stringers attached to the outer faces of the uprights in a vertically spaced apart relationship to rigidly interconnect the same. One or more horizontal rows of slots are defined in each of the stringers. Cover panels are detachably mounted thereon to provide ready access to the frame. The cover panels permit access to the slots, and special off-module connectors with hooks for engaging the slots are provided for interconnecting adjacent panels in off-module positions. The hooks of the connectors are engaged with selected slots to hold a first partition panel perpendicular to a second partition panel in an off-module position on its face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Shipman, Benjamin G. Shaw, Charles A. Seiber, Don S. Minami, David D. McClanahan, Robert J. Luchetti, Christopher O. Lada, Phillip M. Hobson, James B. Eldon, III, Gregg R. Draudt
  • Patent number: 5950386
    Abstract: A wall construction for subdividing building space includes a pair of interconnected frames forming a rectangular arrangement, the interconnected frames having abutting vertical side edges and non-abutting vertical side edges, and a removable cover for covering a portion of the interconnected frames, the cover including cover vertical side edges, the cover being removably supported on the interconnected frames. In one form, the cover spans the abutting vertical side edges of the interconnected frames with at least one of the cover vertical side edges being located between the non-abutting vertical side edges. In another form, the cover vertical side edges are both located between the non-abutting vertical side edges of the interconnected frames, and further both are misaligned with the abutting vertical side edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Shipman, Robert J. Luchetti, Gregg R. Draudt, Charles A. Seiber, Phillip M. Hobson, Benjamin G. Shaw, James B. Eldon, III, David D. McClanahan
  • Patent number: 5899036
    Abstract: A freestanding portable partition assembly and related system are provided for open office spaces and the like. Each partition system includes a floor channel having an aperture defined therein; a partition frame having a downwardly projecting leg assembly received in said aperture; and a locking plate slidably engaging the floor channel and having a slot receiving a portion of the downwardly projecting leg assembly therein for releasably coupling the partition frame to the floor channel. With this construction, the partition frames may be quickly and easily connected to the floor channels, and the entire assembly may be shipped with the floor channel attached without fear of damage. Moreover, the resulting assembly resists damage from catastrophic events, such as earthquakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Seiber, Benjamin G. Shaw, Christopher O. Lada, Phillip M. Hobson, Robert P. Poppe, David A. Shipman, Robert J. Luchetti, Gregg R. Draudt, James B Eldon, III, David D. McClanahan
  • Patent number: 5809708
    Abstract: An integrated prefabricated furniture is provided for finishing or fitting-out open plan building spaces, such as for offices, classrooms, hotels/motels, conference centers, medical treatment facilities, etc. A demountable architectural wall system covers the fixed walls of the building room, a portable partition wall system defines the interior space into individual work settings, and a demountable movable wall system forms custom width partitions. The three wall systems are completely compatible and fully integrated in both function and appearance, and provide similar utility raceways at common heights, as well as interchangeable cover panels. A modular column cover system selectively covers the support columns in the building room, and provides vertical utility routing and storage that integrates with the raceways in the wall systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest P. Greer, Robert J. Luchetti, David A. Shipman, Jack A. Tanis, Gregg Robert Draudt, Anne C. Ackerly, Michael Tingley
  • Patent number: 5784843
    Abstract: An integrated prefabricated furniture is provided for finishing or fitting-out open plan building spaces, such as for offices, classrooms, hotels/motels, conference centers, medical treatment facilities, etc. A demountable architectural wall system covers the fixed walls of the building room, a portable partition wall system defines the interior space into individual work settings, and a demountable movable wall system forms custom width partitions. The three wall systems are completely compatible and fully integrated in both function and appearance, and provide similar utility raceways at common heights, as well as interchangeable cover panels. A modular column cover system selectively covers the support columns in the building room, and provides vertical utility routing and storage that integrates with the raceways in the wall systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest P. Greer, Robert J. Luchetti, David A. Shipman, Jack A. Tanis, Gregg Robert Draudt, Anne C. Ackerly, Michael Tingley
  • Patent number: 5746035
    Abstract: A freestanding portable partition panel and related system are provided for open office spaces and the like. Each panel includes a skeleton-like frame having two vertical uprights positioned adjacent opposite side edges thereof. A foot extends downwardly from the bottom of the frame to abuttingly support the panel freestanding on a floor surface. Two pairs of horizontal stringers are attached to the outer faces of the uprights in a vertically spaced apart relationship to rigidly interconnect the same, and define therebetween two horizontal raceway cavities which open to the opposite side faces of the frame, and extend continuously between the opposite side edges thereof. Hence, when like panels are interconnected side-by-side, the open ends of adjacent raceway cavities are aligned and communicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Seiber, Benjamin G. Shaw, Christopher O. Lada, Phillip M. Hobson, Robert P. Poppe, David A. Shipman, Robert J. Luchetti, Gregg R. Draudt, James B. Eldon, III, David D. McClanahan
  • Patent number: 5740650
    Abstract: A freestanding portable partition panel and related system are provided for open office spaces and the like. Each panel includes a skeleton-like frame having two vertical uprights positioned adjacent opposite side edges thereof. A foot extends downwardly from the bottom of the frame to abuttingly support the panel freestanding on a floor surface. Two pairs of horizontal stringers are attached to the outer faces of the uprights in a vertically spaced apart relationship to rigidly interconnect the same, and define therebetween two horizontal raceway cavities which open to the opposite side faces of the frame, and extend continuously between the opposite side edges thereof. Hence, when like panels are interconnected side-by-side, the open ends of adjacent raceway cavities are aligned and communicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Seiber, Benjamin G. Shaw, Christopher O. Lada, Phillip M. Hobson, Robert P. Poppe, David A. Shipman, Robert J. Luchetti, Gregg R. Draudt, James B. Eldon, III, David D. McClanahan
  • Patent number: 5486042
    Abstract: A furniture unit includes a worksurface, a supporting base formed by a supporting pedestal and/or a supporting end panel, and a pair of rails connected to the underside of the worksurface reinforcing the worksurface and acting as a standoff between the worksurface and the supporting base, the rails including apertures spaced longitudinally along their length. A bracket is provided including an elongate bayonet-like leg for releasably engaging the apertures in the rail and further includes an accessory supporting end that extends laterally of a worksurface edge. A plurality of accessory units are selectively mounted to the bracket in a position spaced above the worksurface, thus allowing a user to select and position one or more of the accessory units along the edge of the worksurface for optimal use and efficiency of the furniture unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Heisler, David A. Shipman, Anthony A. Stachowiak, Kurt S. Bodden, Michael E. Wurth, Norbert Dellekoenig
  • Patent number: 5230552
    Abstract: A module is provided for communicating utilities to a worksurface or the like from a remote source. The module includes a housing which is pivotally mounted within an aperture in the worksurface. The housing has a hollow interior for receiving one of a plurality of utility connector modules, such as an electrical or communication receptacle. The housing is pivotable between an open position wherein the receptacle is exposed and accessible, and a closed position wherein the receptacle is substantially hidden or retracted. In the preferred embodiment, the housing naturally moves to a closed position so that the receptacles are protected by an upper surface on the housing that is contoured to direct any spilled fluids away from the receptacle when the housing is in the closed position. Also in the preferred embodiment, the receptacles are oriented so that any spilled fluids flow away from the receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy H. Schipper, Robert J. Doornbos, Larry D. Fox, Gary P. Frantz, Paul P. Hausner, Thomas R. Maas, Jeffery A. Musculus, Larry L. Rillema, Scott H. Russell, James L. Brandt, David A. Shipman, Edward L. Tyler, Steven E. Wiersma
  • Patent number: D407501
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Shipman, Karl J. Mead, Ronald A. Dykstra, Daniel Grabowski, Gregg A. Draudt, Robert J. Luchetti