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).

  • Patent number: 5970662
    Abstract: A system for subdividing a building space into work areas includes interconnectable partition panels, each having an internal frame with a plurality of horizontal frame members located at predetermined heights. The horizontal frame members each have at least one horizontal row of slots, and at least one of the horizontal frame members is located slightly above an optimal worksurface height for supporting an interactively used datum shelf. Furniture components are attachable to the horizontal frame members at selected horizontal positions, including the datum shelf, an undershelf storage unit, and an upper storage unit. A mobile furniture unit is provided having a worksurface located at an optimal worksurface height, the worksurface having a cantilevered edge section that can be extended partially under the datum shelf at a selected optimal depth for coordinated and efficient use of the datum shelf concurrent with using the worksurface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Sean M. Corcorran, Charles Anthony Seiber, Robert P. Arko, Frank Friedman, Leon D. Segal, Jonathan J. King, Karl J. Mead, Paul B. Siebert
  • Patent number: 5971509
    Abstract: A modular power and cable distribution system includes an elongate member having a top flange which is configured to be mounted to a worksurface, a vertical web extending downwardly from the top flange, and a bottom flange which includes a connector configured to detachably support at least one of a trough mounted laterally adjacent to the elongate member, a closure panel which together with the elongate member defines an enclosed powerway, and a modesty panel depending from the elongate member. The disclosed power and cable distribution system includes alignment members for facilitating and maintaining proper alignment of adjacent elongate members mounted on connected worksurfaces, gap trim pieces for covering gaps between adjacent, aligned powerways and/or cableways, and an infeed trim piece for feeding conduits or cables into the distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Deimen, Subur Tjandra, Erik Nielsen, Karl J. Mead, Robert L. Stewart, Thomas F. Crissler, Ting-Wen Nieh
  • Patent number: 5890325
    Abstract: A system for subdividing a building space into work areas includes interconnectable partition panels, each having an internal frame with a plurality of horizontal frame members located at predetermined heights. The horizontal frame members each have at least one horizontal row of slots, and at least one of the horizontal frame members is located slightly above an optimal worksurface height for supporting an interactively used datum shelf. Furniture components are attachable to the horizontal frame members at selected horizontal positions, including the datum shelf, an undershelf storage unit and an upper storage unit. A mobile furniture unit is provided having a worksurface located at an optimal worksurface height, the worksurface having a cantilevered edge section that can be extended partially under the datum shelf at a selected optimal depth for coordinated and efficient use of the datum shelf concurrent with using the worksurface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Sean M. Corcorran, Charles Anthony Seiber, Robert P. Arko, Frank Friedman, Leon D. Segal, Jonathan J. King, Karl J. Mead, Paul B. Siebert
  • Patent number: 5839240
    Abstract: A partition system for subdividing a building space includes a partition frame including a top frame member and intermediate frame members, cover panels releasably attached to the partition frame to cover the partition frame, and a floor channel including an upwardly facing channel for supporting the partition frame. An upper trim system includes a top cap configured to engage and cover the top frame member, and further includes an end cap configured to engage and cover an end of the intermediate frame members, and still further includes a corner piece for aesthetically interconnecting the top cap and the end cap. A lower trim system includes an elongated base trim side piece attached to the floor channel for covering a lower portion of the partition frame, and further includes a base trim end shoe attached to the partition frame for covering an end of the frame along the building floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Elsholz, Karl J. Mead, Gregg R. Draudt, Steven D. Desmit, William H. Palermo
  • Patent number: 5802789
    Abstract: A partition panel includes a partition frame with a planar face having clip-receiving apertures for supporting cover panels and bracket-receiving apertures for supporting furniture components. A pair of cover panels configured to cover the partition frame include side edges that define a gap therebetween for providing access to the bracket-receiving apertures when the cover panels are attached to the partition frame. Clips on the cover panels are constructed to releasably engage the clip-receiving apertures for retaining the cover panels on the partition frame in a coplanar arrangement. The clips each include an antidislodgement tooth for interlockingly engaging a back surface of the face when the clips are engaged with the clip-receiving apertures, and further include a release tab that is depressible to move the tooth to a disengaged position for releasing the clip from the associated clip-receiving aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven F. Goodman, Kenneth D. Brickner, Melissa A. DuBuis, Daniel Grabowski, Allen C. Hager, Robert E. Jeffers, Karl J. Mead, Scott M. Miller, Kurt A. Jonker
  • Patent number: D407501
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Shipman, Karl J. Mead, Ronald A. Dykstra, Daniel Grabowski, Gregg A. Draudt, Robert J. Luchetti