Patents by Inventor John Matthai

John Matthai 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).

  • Publication number: 20190360198
    Abstract: A connection for a subarchitectural workspace includes a first structure with a first end and a second end opposite the first end and a second structure with a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The connection assembly further includes a first bracket with a first fine adjustment surface mounted to the first structure, a second bracket with a second fine adjustment surface that engages the first fine adjustment surface, and a clamping mechanism that applies a clamping force to the first and second fine adjustment surfaces to pull the first and second structures together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: John Matthai, Robert Michael Seeley, James Moon
  • Publication number: 20190357676
    Abstract: A furniture system includes an elongated chase having a body extending from a first end to a second end. The body has an upper surface and a lower surface. A first leg is coupled to the lower surface of the body and a second leg is coupled to the lower surface of the body and spaced apart from the first leg. Power cables are positioned within a cavity of the body, the power cables configured to connect to a building's power supply. A modular power unit is coupled to the lower surface of the body. The modular power unit includes a power outlet electrically coupled to the power cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: John Matthai, Joshua DeWys, Joel Ruiter, Michael Katje, Peter Keyzer, Michael A. Johnson, Taiyoh Afrik
  • Patent number: 10202992
    Abstract: A workstation includes a working surface, a channel within the working surface, a rail positioned within the channel, and a clamp mechanism having an accessory and an actuator operable to removably couple the clamp mechanism to the rail. The actuator includes a first side that has a first manually engageable surface and a second side that has a second manually engageable surface. The actuator is movable to a first position in which the clamp mechanism disengages the rail when a force is exerted on the first manually engageable surface, and is movable to a second position in which the clamp mechanism engages the rail when a force is exerted on the second manually engageable surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: John Matthai, Jeremy Laarman, Michael Katje
  • Publication number: 20170354247
    Abstract: A workstation includes a working surface, a channel within the working surface, a rail positioned within the channel, and a clamp mechanism having an accessory and an actuator operable to removably couple the clamp mechanism to the rail. The actuator includes a first side that has a first manually engageable surface and a second side that has a second manually engageable surface. The actuator is movable to a first position in which the clamp mechanism disengages the rail when a force is exerted on the first manually engageable surface, and is movable to a second position in which the clamp mechanism engages the rail when a force is exerted on the second manually engageable surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: John Matthai, Jeremy Laarman, Michael Katje
  • Patent number: 9474367
    Abstract: A pull-out tray assembly includes a pull-out tray moveable between a closed position and an open position. A front of the tray moves downwardly and a rear of the tray moves upwardly as the tray is moved from the closed to the open position. Likewise, a front cavity is opened and a rear cavity is closed as the pull-out tray is moved from the closed position to the open position. In one embodiment, the pull-out tray assembly includes a slide mechanism pivotally supporting the pull-out tray at a first location on the tray and a track guiding the tray at a second location on the tray. In various embodiments, at least one of a power outlet and communication port is coupled to the pull-out tray. A worksurface assembly incorporating the pull-out tray is also provided, together with a method of using the pull-out tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: John Matthai, Leon Ransmeier
  • Publication number: 20160128469
    Abstract: A panel system includes a first panel having a first frame and a first cladding connected to the first frame and a second panel having a second frame and a second cladding connected to the second frame. Various components are used to secure the panels together, to secure the claddings, and to stabilize the panels. The panels can be arranged in different configurations to create a variety of work areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: John Matthai, David R. Johnson, Kevin Mulder
  • Patent number: 9301615
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a backrest member having an upper edge, opposite side edges and a lower edge. The backrest member has a forwardly facing convex shape formed along a vertical centerline thereof between the upper and lower edges. The lower edge has a forwardly facing concave shape. The lower edge has outer portions positioned forwardly of an entirety of the upper edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Yves Behar, Bret Recor, Naoya Edahiro, Qin Li, Andrew J. Kurrasch, Christopher C. Hill, John Matthai, Brock Walker
  • Publication number: 20150327672
    Abstract: A pull-out tray assembly includes a pull-out tray moveable between a closed position and an open position. A front of the tray moves downwardly and a rear of the tray moves upwardly as the tray is moved from the closed to the open position. Likewise, a front cavity is opened and a rear cavity is closed as the pull-out tray is moved from the closed position to the open position. In one embodiment, the pull-out tray assembly includes a slide mechanism pivotally supporting the pull-out tray at a first location on the tray and a track guiding the tray at a second location on the tray. In various embodiments, at least one of a power outlet and communication port is coupled to the pull-out tray. A worksurface assembly incorporating the pull-out tray is also provided, together with a method of using the pull-out tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: John Matthai, Leon Ransmeier
  • Publication number: 20150216311
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a backrest member having an upper edge, opposite side edges and a lower edge. The backrest member has a forwardly facing convex shape formed along a vertical centerline thereof between the upper and lower edges. The lower edge has a forwardly facing concave shape. The lower edge has outer portions positioned forwardly of an entirety of the upper edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Yves Behar, Bret Recor, Naoya Edahiro, Qin Li, Andrew J. Kurrasch, Christopher C. Hill, John Matthai, Brock Walker
  • Patent number: 9089209
    Abstract: A pull-out tray assembly includes a pull-out tray moveable between a closed position and an open position. A front of the tray moves downwardly and a rear of the tray moves upwardly as the tray is moved from the closed to the open position. Likewise, a front cavity is opened and a rear cavity is closed as the pull-out tray is moved from the closed position to the open position. In one embodiment, the pull-out tray assembly includes a slide mechanism pivotally supporting the pull-out tray at a first location on the tray and a track guiding the tray at a second location on the tray. In various embodiments, at least one of a power outlet and communication port is coupled to the pull-out tray. A worksurface assembly incorporating the pull-out tray is also provided, together with a method of using the pull-out tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: John Matthai, Leon Ransmeier
  • Patent number: 8926016
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a backrest member having an upper edge, opposite side edges and a lower edge. The backrest member has a forwardly facing convex shape formed along a vertical centerline thereof between the upper and lower edges. The lower edge has a forwardly facing concave shape. The lower edge has outer portions positioned forwardly of an entirety of the upper edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Yves Behar, Bret Recor, Naoya Edahiro, Qin Li, Andrew J. Kurrasch, Christoher C. Hill, John Matthai, Brock Walker
  • Publication number: 20140053759
    Abstract: A pull-out tray assembly includes a pull-out tray moveable between a closed position and an open position. A front of the tray moves downwardly and a rear of the tray moves upwardly as the tray is moved from the closed to the open position. Likewise, a front cavity is opened and a rear cavity is closed as the pull-out tray is moved from the closed position to the open position. In one embodiment, the pull-out tray assembly includes a slide mechanism pivotally supporting the pull-out tray at a first location on the tray and a track guiding the tray at a second location on the tray. In various embodiments, at least one of a power outlet and communication port is coupled to the pull-out tray. A worksurface assembly incorporating the pull-out tray is also provided, together with a method of using the pull-out tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: JOHN MATTHAI, LEON RANSMEIER
  • Publication number: 20140028061
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a backrest member having an upper edge, opposite side edges and a lower edge. The backrest member has a forwardly facing convex shape formed along a vertical centerline thereof between the upper and lower edges. The lower edge has a forwardly facing concave shape. The lower edge has outer portions positioned forwardly of an entirety of the upper edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Yves Behar, Bret Recor, Naoya Edahiro, Qin Li, Andrew J. Kurrasch, Christoher C. Hill, John Matthai, Brock Walker
  • Patent number: 8449037
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a backrest member having an upper edge, opposite side edges and a lower edge. The backrest member has a forwardly facing convex shape formed along a vertical centerline thereof between the upper and lower edges. The lower edge has a forwardly facing concave shape. The lower edge has outer portions positioned forwardly of an entirety of the upper edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Yves Behar, Bret Recor, Naoya Edahiro, Qin Li, Andrew J. Kurrasch, Christopher C. Hill, John Matthai, Brock Walker
  • Publication number: 20120007400
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a backrest member having an upper edge, opposite side edges and a lower edge. The backrest member has a forwardly facing convex shape formed along a vertical centerline thereof between the upper and lower edges. The lower edge has a forwardly facing concave shape. The lower edge has outer portions positioned forwardly of an entirety of the upper edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Yves Behar, Bret Recor, Naoya Edahiro, Qin Li, Andrew J. Kurrasch, Christopher C. Hill, John Matthai, Brock Walker
  • Publication number: 20040250480
    Abstract: Accessories are provided that may be used in a workspace to make the workspace more useful and convenient. A monorail attached to a top surface of a workspace panel is provided. A privacy screen, a light reflecting screen, a linear light, a flexible light and storage units may be attached to the monorail. A panel tile with apertures through a surface of the tile is also provided. A display tray, a document holder, a storage tray, a pencil holder, a disk holder, a bundle clip, a document gripper and a file organizer may be attached to the panel tile using connecting hooks inserted into the apertures. A fabric frame tile with a semi-transparent screen is also provided that diffuses light into the workspace and that may support tacks. A wire management cleat is also provided that may be attached to an underside of a worksurface for storing excess lengths of wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventor: John Matthai
  • Publication number: 20030051415
    Abstract: Accessories are provided that may be used in a workspace to make the workspace more useful and convenient. A monorail attached to a top surface of a workspace panel is provided. A privacy screen, a light reflecting screen, a linear light, a flexible light and storage units may be attached to the monorail. A panel tile with apertures through a surface of the tile is also provided. A display tray, a document holder, a storage tray, a pencil holder, a disk holder, a bundle clip, a document gripper and a file organizer may be attached to the panel tile using connecting hooks inserted into the apertures. A fabric frame tile with a semi-transparent screen is also provided that diffuses light into the workspace and that may support tacks. A wire management cleat is also provided that may be attached to an underside of a worksurface for storing excess lengths of wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Matt Remelts, John Matthai, Steve Vanwieren, Don Karaus, Paul Radke, Dustin J. Neifer, Greg A. Slocum, Wesley D. Mersman, Jean M. Beirise, Ares Marasligiller, Scott Perng-Juin Liu, Jennifer Baier, Gregory Baka, Eugene Hamilton, Jeff Weber, Jason Holt
  • Patent number: D732316
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: John Matthai, Leon Ransmeier