Patents by Inventor Johann Burkhard Schmitz

Johann Burkhard Schmitz 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: 11812866
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a frame, a carrier, and a suspension material. The frame includes first and second side frame members and first and second cross frame members forming a closed loop and defining an opening therebetween. The frame also includes a plurality of first attachment features on an outer perimeter of the frame. The carrier includes first and second side carrier members and first and second cross carrier members that form a closed loop. The carrier also includes a plurality of second attachment features on an inner perimeter of the carrier. The plurality of second attachment features engages the plurality of first attachment features to attach the carrier to the frame. The suspension material is attached to the carrier and extends over the opening in the frame to define a continuous seat and backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: MILLERKNOLL, INC.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, James Slagh, Brent Tracy, Michael D. Stanton, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20230276951
    Abstract: A cover assembly for a chair includes a chair cover configured to be positioned over at least a portion of a first surface of the chair, and an attachment mechanism configured to couple the chair cover to the chair. The attachment mechanism includes a flexible strip coupled to a perimeter of the chair cover and configured to be arranged on a second surface of the chair, and a tensioning element coupled to the chair cover and including an attachment feature. The attachment feature is configured to be coupled to the chair to create a tensioning force in the chair cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Roland Zwick, Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Zwick
  • Publication number: 20230091684
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a frame, a carrier, and a suspension material. The frame includes first and second side frame members and first and second cross frame members forming a closed loop and defining an opening therebetween. The frame also includes a plurality of first attachment features on an outer perimeter of the frame. The carrier includes first and second side carrier members and first and second cross carrier members that form a closed loop. The carrier also includes a plurality of second attachment features on an inner perimeter of the carrier. The plurality of second attachment features engages the plurality of first attachment features to attach the carrier to the frame. The suspension material is attached to the carrier and extends over the opening in the frame to define a continuous seat and backrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, James Slagh, Brent Tracy, Michael D. Stanton, SR.
  • Patent number: 11510502
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a frame, a carrier, and a suspension material. The frame includes first and second side frame members and first and second cross frame members forming a closed loop and defining an opening therebetween. The frame also includes a plurality of first attachment features on an outer perimeter of the frame. The carrier includes first and second side carrier members and first and second cross carrier members that form a closed loop. The carrier also includes a plurality of second attachment features on an inner perimeter of the carrier. The plurality of second attachment features engages the plurality of first attachment features to attach the carrier to the frame. The suspension material is attached to the carrier and extends over the opening in the frame to define a continuous seat and backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: MillerKnoll, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, James Slagh, Brent Tracy, Michael D. Stanton, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20220248853
    Abstract: A chair includes a base, a receptacle coupled to an upper end of the base, and a seat shell forming a seat surface. The seat shell is supported by the receptacle. The chair also includes a back shell forming a back surface. The back shell is connected to the seat shell on both sides of the seat surface and on both sides of the back surface. The back shell includes an extension extending from the back surface to the receptacle under the seat shell. The extension is elastically deformable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Zwick, Roland Zwick
  • Patent number: 11330905
    Abstract: A body support structure includes a frame and a membrane attached to the frame. The membrane includes elastomeric filaments. The membrane includes different regions with different stiffness. The membrane may form a part of a seat or a backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: MILLERKNOLL, INC.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Andrew Keith Hector, John Fredric Aldrich
  • Publication number: 20210037977
    Abstract: A body support structure includes a frame and a membrane attached to the frame. The membrane includes elastomeric filaments. The membrane includes different regions with different stiffness. The membrane may form a part of a seat or a backrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Andrew Keith Hector, John Fredric Aldrich
  • Patent number: 10856662
    Abstract: A body support structure includes a frame and a membrane attached to the frame. The membrane includes elastomeric filaments. The membrane includes different regions with different stiffness. The membrane may form a part of a seat or a backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Andrew Keith Hector, John Fredric Aldrich
  • Publication number: 20200345153
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a frame, a carrier, and a suspension material. The frame includes first and second side frame members and first and second cross frame members forming a closed loop and defining an opening therebetween. The frame also includes a plurality of first attachment features on an outer perimeter of the frame. The carrier includes first and second side carrier members and first and second cross carrier members that form a closed loop. The carrier also includes a plurality of second attachment features on an inner perimeter of the carrier. The plurality of second attachment features engages the plurality of first attachment features to attach the carrier to the frame. The suspension material is attached to the carrier and extends over the opening in the frame to define a continuous seat and backrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard SCHMITZ, Carola Eva Marianne ZWICK, Roland Rolf Otto ZWICK, James SLAGH, Brent TRACY, Michael D. Stanton, SR.
  • Patent number: 10820706
    Abstract: A body support structure includes a frame and a membrane attached to the frame. The membrane includes elastomeric filaments. The membrane includes different regions with different stiffness. The membrane may form a part of a seat or a backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Andrew Keith Hector, John Fredric Aldrich
  • Patent number: 10743677
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a frame, a carrier, and a suspension material. The frame includes first and second side frame members spaced apart in a first direction and defining an opening therebetween. The first and second side frame members have an inner portion facing the opening and an outer portion facing away from the opening, the outer portion including a plurality of first attachment features facing away from the first and second side frame members in the first direction. The carrier includes first and second side carrier members. The first and second side carrier members include a plurality of second attachment features facing the first and second side frame members in the first direction, the plurality of second attachment features engaging the plurality of first attachment features to attach the carrier to the frame. The suspension material is attached to the carrier and extends over the opening in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, James Slagh, Brent Tracy, Michael D. Stanton, Sr.
  • Patent number: D946953
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: MillerKnoll, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Zwick, Roland Zwick
  • Patent number: D946954
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: MillerKnoll, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Zwick, Roland Zwick
  • Patent number: D946955
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: MillerKnoll, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Zwick, Roland Zwick
  • Patent number: D959180
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: MILLERKNOLL, INC.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Zwick, Roland Zwick
  • Patent number: D970912
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: MILLERKNOLL, INC.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Zwick, Roland Zwick
  • Patent number: D977887
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: MillerKnoll, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Zwick, Roland Zwick
  • Patent number: D985989
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: MillerKnoll, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Zwick, Roland Zwick
  • Patent number: D1000880
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: MILLERKNOLL, INC.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Zwick, Roland Zwick
  • Patent number: D1015039
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Zwick, Roland Zwick