Patents by Inventor Jerry A. DeFouw

Jerry A. DeFouw 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: 5626404
    Abstract: A work space management system including freestanding walls and a freestanding cabinet integrated into the wall system and separate from the wall system. The cabinet comprises side wall and back wall channels having vertically spaced openings therein and a connector means to mount the cabinet to a vertical frame member of the freestanding walls or to another cabinet through the indented channel openings. The cabinet further comprises rear frame members having vertically spaced openings for hanging shelving or other articles. The cabinet is also adaptable for having horizontal work accessory support rails. The sides of the cabinet are mounted onto a rigid framework. Wire management capability is provided in the cabinet to interface with wire management in the freestanding walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Robert L. Beck, Jerry A. DeFouw, Andrew J. Kurrasch, George A. Williams, Geoffrey A. Hollington
  • Patent number: 5129835
    Abstract: A power panel for use with wall panels of a space-divider system includes a lightweight frame structure having vertically extending end plates and a central web. Front and rear spaces are defined on either side of the web to accommodate electrical and communication wiring and receptacles on both the front and the back of the panel. A rib, extending from the web, divides the front and rear areas and provides physical separation between electrical power and communication wiring. The portion of the web on one side of the rib has an offset curved section to accommodate electrical wiring conduits extending vertically from the top to the bottom of the power panel. The power panel includes an upper area, with a removable cover, above the upper edge of the frame structure to accommodate wiring to and from, and between wall panels adjoining the power panel. A U-shaped cover is removably attached to the lower edge of the frame structure to accommodate wiring to and from, and between, panels adjoining the power panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry A. DeFouw, James H. Nienhuis, Jeffrey L. Clark, Bruce R. Gezon
  • Patent number: 5106173
    Abstract: A work space management system including free-standing walls and a freestanding cabinet integrated into the wall system and separate from the wall system. The cabinet comprises side wall and back wall channels having vertically spaced openings therein and a connector means to mount the cabinet to a vertical frame member of the freestanding walls or to another cabinet through the indented channel openings. The cabinet further comprises rear frame members having vertically spaced openings for hanging shelving or other articles. The cabinet is also adaptable for having horizontal work accessory support rails. The sides of the cabinet are mounted onto a rigid framework. Wire management capability is provided in the cabinet to interface with wire management in the freestanding walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Robert L. Beck, Jerry A. DeFouw, Andrew J. Kurrasch, George A. Williams, Geoffrey A. Hollington
  • Patent number: 4571907
    Abstract: A frame connector system for connecting adjacent frames together to form a wall panel system for offices, for example, comprises rigid frames which have elongated stiles extending the length of opposite sides, each stile having an edge face with an indented channel running along the length and shaped to form a hollow rectangular channel with an abutting edge face of an adjacent frame stile. A rectangular elongated draw tube fits snugly within the rectangular channel between the stiles. A U-shaped draw nut on top of the draw tube has legs which fit within openings in the stiles and engage wedging surfaces on the stiles to draw the stiles tightly together as the draw tube is moved upwardly with respect to the stiles. A cap screw is threaded into the draw nut and engages tongues on the stile to provide a mechanical advantage in shifting the draw tube upwardly with respect to the stiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry A. DeFouw, James O. Kelley
  • Patent number: RE32890
    Abstract: A frame connector system for connecting adjacent frames together to form a wall panel system for offices, for example, comprises rigid frames which have elongated stiles extending the length of opposite sides, each stile having an edge face with an indented channel running along the length and shaped to form a hollow rectangular channel with an abutting edge face of an adjacent frame stile. A rectangular elongated draw tube fits snugly within the rectangular channel between the stiles. A U-shaped draw nut on top of the draw tube has legs which fit within openings in the stiles and engage wedging surfaces on the stiles to draw the stiles tightly together as the draw tube is moved upwardly with respect to the stiles. A cap screw is threaded into the draw nut and engages tongues on the stile to provide a mechanical advantage in shifting the draw tube upwardly with respect to the stiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry A. DeFouw, James O. Kelley