Patents by Inventor Karl J. Mead

Karl J. Mead 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: 20130291765
    Abstract: A work surface arrangement comprising a support structure extending upward from a base end, a first work surface forming member supported by the support structure at a first vertical height, a second work surface forming member supported by the support structure at a second vertical height and extending to a first side of the support structure where the second vertical height is lower than the first vertical height, the second member including an undersurface, a first cover supported by the support structure and extending downward below the first member to a lower edge below the second vertical height, a second cover supported by the support structure and extending downward from a height proximate the undersurface of the second member and spaced from the first cover to bound a cavity, at least one horizontal channel supported by the support structure between the first and second work surface forming members to face the first side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Alan E. Rheault, Karl J. Mead, George K. Vangelatos
  • Patent number: 8499699
    Abstract: A worksurface arrangement comprising at least a first support member, a first worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a first vertical height, a second worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a second vertical height and extending to a first side of the first support member where the second vertical height is different than the first vertical height, the second worksurface forming member including an undersurface, a first cover extending downward below the first worksurface forming member to a lower edge below the second vertical height, a second cover extending downward from a height proximate the undersurface of the second worksurface forming member and spaced from the first cover wherein the first and second covers bound a housing cavity width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Alan E. Rheault, Karl J. Mead, George K. Vangelatos
  • Publication number: 20120222587
    Abstract: A worksurface arrangement comprising at least a first support member, a first worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a first vertical height, a second worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a second vertical height and extending to a first side of the first support member where the second vertical height is different than the first vertical height, the second worksurface forming member including an undersurface, a first cover extending downward below the first worksurface forming member to a lower edge below the second vertical height, a second cover extending downward from a height proximate the undersurface of the second worksurface forming member and spaced from the first cover wherein the first and second covers bound a housing cavity width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Alan E. Rheault, Karl J. Mead, George K. Vangelatos
  • Patent number: 8196526
    Abstract: A worksurface arrangement comprising at least a first support member, a first worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a first vertical height and extending to a first side from the first support member, a second worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a second vertical height and extending to a second side opposite the first side of the first support member and a housing including, a front cover extending below the first worksurface forming member, a substantially vertical upper back cover extending downward from the first worksurface forming member substantially to the second vertical height proximate the second worksurface forming member and spaced from the front cover wherein the upper back cover and the front cover bound an upper housing cavity width and a lower back cover extending below the second worksurface forming member and spaced from the front cover wherein the lower back cover and the front cover bound a lower housing cavity width that is la
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Alan E. Rheault, Karl J. Mead, George K. Vangelatos
  • Patent number: 8104850
    Abstract: An office furniture unit has an outer face with slotted hangers, and a removable storage unit assembly including a bottom panel positioned in a generally horizontal orientation along the office furniture unit, and a top panel disposed above and generally parallel with the bottom panel. First and second panels are disposed at opposite ends of the top and bottom panels and are connected therewith to define a rigid, box-shaped case having an open back portion. The first and second end panels have rear portions with multiple vertically spaced slots. First and second hanger brackets have a rear portion with first hooks selectively received in the slotted hangers of the office furniture units, and a forward portion with second hooks selectively received in the slots in the rear portions of the first and second end panels to detachably support the case against the outer face of the office furniture unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Allen C. Hager, Robert E. Jeffers, William K. Hofman, Brian L. Bultsma, Scott Michael Miller, Marvin C. Knauf, Karl Heinz Mueller, John R. Hamilton, Karl J. Mead
  • Publication number: 20100288168
    Abstract: A worksurface arrangement comprising at least a first support member, a first worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a first vertical height and extending to a first side from the first support member, a second worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a second vertical height and extending to a second side opposite the first side of the first support member and a housing including, a front cover extending below the first worksurface forming member, a substantially vertical upper back cover extending downward from the first worksurface forming member substantially to the second vertical height proximate the second worksurface forming member and spaced from the front cover wherein the upper back cover and the front cover bound an upper housing cavity width and a lower back cover extending below the second worksurface forming member and spaced from the front cover wherein the lower back cover and the front cover bound a lower housing cavity width that is la
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Alan E. Rheault, Karl J. Mead, George K. Vangelatos
  • Patent number: 7461484
    Abstract: A partition system includes an internally-open partition frame having permanent and removable frame members forming multiple vertical and horizontal wireways, with both lay-in and feed-through wire routing. Utility support brackets are attachable for good wire management. The partition frame supports a wide variety of customizable and functional surface components, including a markerboard wall surface, a slatwall, a colored/covered wall surface, a wall surface including utility outlets, a transparent window. The partition frame includes continuous horizontal and vertical rows of slots that flexibly and adjustably support furniture accessories, such as a worksurface, at selected heights and locations along the partition system. Covers are provided that maintain a very high-quality appearance with uniform lines and gaps. Some covers include adjustable edge-mounted light seals for eliminating light leaks and unsightly areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Battey, Roy W. Fink, Richard Scott Hand, Joshua W. Hoekstra, Robert E. Jeffers, Michael P. Kelley, Douglas B. MacDonald, Gaylan M. McColley, Karl J. Mead, F. Javier Olvera, William H. Palermo, Todd Pelman, Micah E. Roberts, Mark T. Slager, Steven J. Throndset
  • Publication number: 20080297015
    Abstract: A storage unit assembly and method for office furniture units includes two end panels and a bottom panel configured to support objects thereon. A back stop rail is connected to end panels and the bottom panel. The back stop rail includes a lower web having a bottom flange and a center flange, wherein the bottom flange abuts the bottom panel of the storage unit, and the center flange extends above the bottom panel into the storage unit. An upper web is connected to the center flange, wherein the upper web extends upwardly and terminates at a top flange. A rear flange extends downwardly from the top flange, wherein the planar extent of the rear flange is substantially coplanar with the planar extent of the lower web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Allen C. Hager, Robert E. Jeffers, William K. Hofman, Brian L. Bultsma, Scott Michael Miller, Karl Heinz Mueller, John R. Hamilton, Karl J. Mead
  • Publication number: 20080296457
    Abstract: An office furniture unit has an outer face with slotted hangers, and a removable storage unit assembly including a bottom panel positioned in a generally horizontal orientation along the office furniture unit, and a top panel disposed above and generally parallel with the bottom panel. First and second panels are disposed at opposite ends of the top and bottom panels and are connected therewith to define a rigid, box-shaped case having an open back portion. The first and second end panels have rear portions with multiple vertically spaced slots. First and second hanger brackets have a rear portion with first hooks selectively received in the slotted hangers of the office furniture units, and a forward portion with second hooks selectively received in the slots in the rear portions of the first and second end panels to detachably support the case against the outer face of the office furniture unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Allen C. Hager, Robert E. Jeffers, William K. Hofman, Brian L. Bultsma, Scott Michael Miller, Marvin C. Knauf, Karl Heinz Mueller, John R. Hamilton, Karl J. Mead
  • Patent number: 6807776
    Abstract: A prefabricated system for outfitting a building space includes an architectural product (such as a full-height permanent building wall, a post-and-beam product with overhead frame, and a drywall-covered wall), a furniture product (such as a partial-height wall, a partition, and a desking system), and a plurality of accessories. The architectural product includes a structural member with horizontal and vertical accessory-mounting T-slots, and the furniture product includes structural trim pieces with identical vertical and horizontal accessory-mounting T-slots. The plurality of accessories are constructed to stably engage any of the accessory-mounting slots at a selected location along the slots. Some accessories can be attached to and extend between the two products, such as an accessory screen that extends between a post of a post-and-beam system and an end of a partition system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Girdwood, James N. Ludwig, Karl J. Mead, Karl H. Mueller, Dale T. Kelley
  • Patent number: 6748710
    Abstract: A partition and wall system includes a partition with trim piece(s) securely attached to a top edge and vertical side edges of the partition. One or both of the trim piece(s) have a T-slot running along their length, to which accessories can be secured by use of T-fasteners that extend into the slot and engage blind surfaces at a bottom of the slot. The accessories include such things as screens, hooks, lights, panels, shelves, wire managers, utility-using devices, and the like, and can be easily arranged by office workers in optimal and customized arrangements, thus improving efficiency and adding function and value to the office arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Gresham, James N. Ludwig, Karl J. Mead, Karl Heinz Mueller
  • Patent number: 6701677
    Abstract: A partition includes a partition frame having a face and a cavity behind the face, and a covering attached to the partition frame that aesthetically covers the face. The covering includes an access slit through which the cavity can be accessed, and is sufficiently flexible so that the slit can be opened to access the cavity. A pouch can be attached to the covering material along the slit, so that a purse-like pouch is created for holding personal items and/or excess electrical wiring. A zipper or closure device can be used on the access slit. In one form, the skin is releasably attached with hook-and-loop material, so that a corner of the skin can be pulled loose for accessing the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Gresham, James N. Ludwig, Karl J. Mead, Karl Heinz Mueller
  • Patent number: D578817
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Donald P. Gravel, Jian Hong, John R. Hamilton, Karl J. Mead, Karl Heinz Müeller
  • Patent number: D600483
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Donald P. Gravel, Jian Hong, John R. Hamilton, Karl J. Mead, Karl Heinz Müeller
  • Patent number: D619388
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Karl J. Mead, Alan E. Rheault, George K. Vangelatos
  • Patent number: D619389
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Karl J. Mead, Alan E. Rheault, George K. Vangelatos
  • Patent number: D620289
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Donald P. Gravel, Jian Hong, John R. Hamilton, Karl J. Mead, Karl Heinz Müeller, Andre K. Dettler
  • Patent number: D627177
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Karl J. Mead, Alan E. Rheault, George K. Vangelatos
  • Patent number: D629632
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Karl J. Mead, Alan E. Rheault, George K. Vangelatos
  • Patent number: D662734
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Karl J. Mead, Alan E. Rheault, George K. Vangelatos