Patents by Inventor Douglas D. Benner

Douglas D. Benner 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: 5771954
    Abstract: A temporary office partition system is provided in which the partition is comprised of a plurality of partition panels, hinges, and bases. The panels are substantially flat, and have a bottom edge closely received in an associated partition base for support in a freestanding, substantially vertical, upright position. The base comprises at least two spaced-apart support portions disposed in a horizontally spaced relationship defining a panel receiving slot in which the panel is received. The base is supported on a floor surface in abutting fashion by laterally spaced-apart foot portions. Hinges comprising two oppositely outward facing U-shaped channels are shaped to closely receive the side edges of the panels and the U-shaped channels are interconnected by a flexible web to permit adjacent panels to be positioned in a mutually angular relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas D. Benner, Joylene M. Battey, Joyce S. Bromberg, Greg D. Lamke
  • Patent number: 5433046
    Abstract: A vertically extensible self-storing partition panel includes a base panel having a lower portion shaped for freestanding support on a floor surface, and an upper portion with two vertically oriented support sleeves and a storage cavity therebetween. An inverted U-shape extender frame has opposite legs closely received in the support sleeves of the base panel, and permits shifting the extender frame between an extended position above the base panel, and a retracted position within the storage cavity of the base panel. When the extender frame is extended, a retainer holds the same in place, and at least one cover panel covers the open interior of the extender frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. MacQuarrie, Douglas D. Benner, Alexander A. Karrip
  • Patent number: D388313
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas D. Benner, Joylene M. Battey