Patents by Inventor James E. Massey

James E. Massey 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).

  • Chair construction and method of assembly
    Patent number: 5842264
    Abstract: A structural support shell for a tilt-back chair has a back portion, a seat portion, and a flexible compression zone extending between the back and seat portions in an integrally molded, one-piece unit. The chair has a base with a recline control pivoting recline control lever. The seat portion of the shell is fixed to the base and the back portion of the shell is fixed to the recline control lever. The flexible compression zone provides a simplified construction for an ergonomic chair design having an effective axis of rotation between the back portion and seat portion which is located above the seat portion, forward of the back portion, and generally adjacent to the hip joints of a seated user. The chair includes side arms that laterally and then rotatably engage side arm supporting connectors on the chair to facilitate assembly. The chair further includes a one-piece shell having tabs for mateably engaging flanges on the chair seat and back to also facilitate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Charles P. Roossien, David C. Pugh, Dale M. Groendal, James E. Massey, Robert M. Scheper, Duane F. Nagel, Bruce M. Smith, Douglas A. Smith, Brian L. Scholten
  • Chair construction and method of assembly
    Patent number: 5662381
    Abstract: A structural support shell for a tilt-back chair has a back portion, a seat portion, and a flexible compression zone extending between the back and seat portions in an integrally molded, one-piece unit. The chair has a base with a recline control pivoting recline control lever. The seat portion of the shell is fixed to the base and the back portion of the shell is fixed to the recline control lever. The flexible compression zone provides a simplified construction for an ergonomic chair design having an effective axis of rotation between the back portion and seat portion which is located above the seat portion, forward of the back portion, and generally adjacent to the hip joints of a seated user. The chair includes side arms that laterally and then rotatably engage side arm supporting connectors on the chair to facilitate assembly. The chair further includes a one-piece shell having tabs for mateably engaging flanges on the chair seat and back to also facilitate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Charles P. Roossien, David C. Pugh, Dale M. Groendal, James E. Massey, Robert M. Scheper, Duane F. Nagel, Bruce M. Smith, Douglas A. Smith, Brian L. Scholten
  • Chair with zero front rise control
    Patent number: 5540481
    Abstract: A structural support shell for a tilt-back chair has a back portion, a seat portion, and a flexible compression zone extending between the back and seat portions in an integrally molded, one-piece unit. The chair has a base with a recline control pivoting recline control lever. The seat portion of the shell is fixed to the base and the back portion of the shell is fixed to the recline control lever. The flexible compression zone provides a simplified construction for an ergonomic chair design having an effective axis of rotation between the back portion and seat portion which is located above the seat portion, forward of the back portion, and generally adjacent to the hip joints of a seated user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles P. Roossien, Dale M. Groendal, James E. Massey, Robert M. Scheper, Douglas A. Smith, David C. Pugh
  • Chair with zero front rise control
    Patent number: 5318346
    Abstract: A structural support shell for a tilt-back chair has a back portion, a seat portion, and a flexible compression zone extending between the back and seat portions in an integrally molded, one-piece unit. The chair has a base with a recline control and pivoting recline control lever. The seat portion of the shell is fixed to the base and the back portion of the shell is fixed to the recline control lever. The flexible compression zone provides a simplified construction for an ergonomic chair design having an effective axis of rotation between the back portion and seat portion which is located above the seat portion, forward of the back portion, and generally adjacent to the hip joints of a seated user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Charles P. Roossien, David C. Pugh, Dale M. Groendal, James E. Massey, Robert M. Scheper, Daniel P. Beemer, James P. Steffens, Duane F. Nagel, Bruce M. Smith, Douglas A. Smith
  • Two-way actuator for a chair height adjustment mechanism
    Patent number: 5213295
    Abstract: A two-way actuator device having a lever with a handle portion near a first end and a bearing portion near a second, opposing end for applying force to a responsive device. Two pivots are provided on the lever and located on opposing sides of the bearing portion. The pivots are biased so that the bearing portion moves in a direction opposite to the handle portion when the handle portion is moved in a first direction and the bearing portion moves in the same direction as a handle portion when the handle portion is moved in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Scholten, James E. Massey
  • Two-way actuator for a chair height adjustment mechanism
    Patent number: RE35805
    Abstract: A two-way actuator device having a lever with a handle portion near a first end and a bearing portion near a second, opposing end for applying force to a responsive device. Two pivots are provided on the lever and located on opposing sides of the bearing portion. The pivots are biased so that the bearing portion moves in a direction opposite to the handle portion when the handle portion is moved in a first direction and the bearing portion moves in the same direction as a handle portion when the handle portion is moved in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Scholten, James E. Massey