Patents by Inventor Keith E. Metcalf

Keith E. Metcalf 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: 9572424
    Abstract: Furniture components, such as office furniture components, are configured to include electronic components that transfer electrical power to peripheral electronic devices via wireless technologies, including conductive and inductive technologies. The articles of furniture may include grommet devices received within work surfaces, the grommet devices incorporating or housing the electronics of wireless power systems. The articles of furniture may also include the electronics of wireless power systems physically embedded or integrated within work surfaces in a manner in which the continuous surfaces of the work surfaces are maintained, and the work surfaces may optionally further include lighting or other indication features to indicate the locations of the electronics to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith E. Metcalf
  • Publication number: 20160157602
    Abstract: Furniture components, such as office furniture components, are configured to include electronic components that transfer electrical power to peripheral electronic devices via wireless technologies, including conductive and inductive technologies. The articles of furniture may include grommet devices received within work surfaces, the grommet devices incorporating or housing the electronics of wireless power systems. The articles of furniture may also include the electronics of wireless power systems physically embedded or integrated within work surfaces in a manner in which the continuous surfaces of the work surfaces are maintained, and the work surfaces may optionally further include lighting or other indication features to indicate the locations of the electronics to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventor: Keith E. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 9124308
    Abstract: Furniture components, such as office furniture components, are configured to include electronic components that transfer electrical power to peripheral electronic devices via wireless technologies, including conductive and inductive technologies. The articles of furniture may include grommet devices received within work surfaces, the grommet devices incorporating or housing the electronics of wireless power systems. The articles of furniture may also include the electronics of wireless power systems physically embedded or integrated within work surfaces in a manner in which the continuous surfaces of the work surfaces are maintained, and the work surfaces may optionally further include lighting or other indication features to indicate the locations of the electronics to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith E. Metcalf
  • Publication number: 20150123531
    Abstract: A modular desking system for an open plan office environment provides a variety of highly stable and variously configurable component parts which can be modularly combined with one another to provide a wide variety of desking styles and sizes. The user may decide among many options for linking various desking system assemblies with one another to create a larger desking assembly well suited to various open-plan office spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Jay M. Henriott, Keith E. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 8967054
    Abstract: A modular desking system for an open plan office environment provides a variety of highly stable and variously configurable component parts which can be modularly combined with one another to provide a wide variety of desking styles and sizes. The user may decide among many options for linking various desking system assemblies with one another to create a larger desking assembly well suited to various open-plan office spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay M. Henriott, Keith E. Metcalf
  • Publication number: 20150023729
    Abstract: An office furniture system for use in an open plan office environment, the furniture system configured as a “hybrid” system including features of both traditional partition systems and contemporary desking or benching systems. In one configuration, one or more work surfaces each include an electronic services bracket mounted beneath the rear edge(s) thereof, and access covers for providing selective access to electronic service modules mounted to the bracket and disposed within a raceway space beneath the rear edges of the work surfaces. The work surfaces may be associated with a partition system or, alternatively, may be associated with a desking arrangement. In another configuration, at least one electronic services module is mounted beneath a horizontal frame member of a partition, and work surface mounting brackets are used to mount one or more work surfaces on one or both sides of the partition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Jay M. Henriott, Keith E. Metcalf, Samial K. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8882065
    Abstract: A two-piece track assembly may be used in an office environment for mounting accessory components, such as work surfaces, cabinets, shelves, filing units, etc., to either a permanent building wall or to the framework of a movable office wall or office partition system. The track assembly includes a base mountable to the wall or framework via a plurality of fasteners. A track mounts to the base to cover the fasteners used to mount the base. The track also includes a relatively thinly-profiled slot into which a corresponding, relatively thinly-profiled mounting flange of an accessory component is received to mount and support the accessory component upon the track assembly. Optionally, a decorative or functional tile may be mounted to a wall or partition between a pair of track assemblies spaced vertically from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay M. Henriott, Keith E. Metcalf
  • Publication number: 20140261100
    Abstract: An office furniture system for use in an open plan office environment, the furniture system configured as a “hybrid” system including features of both traditional partition systems and contemporary desking or benching systems. In one configuration, one or more work surfaces each include an electronic services bracket mounted beneath the rear edge(s) thereof, and access covers for providing selective access to electronic service modules mounted to the bracket and disposed within a raceway space beneath the rear edges of the work surfaces. The work surfaces may be associated with a partition system or, alternatively, may be associated with a desking arrangement. In another configuration, at least one electronic services module is mounted beneath a horizontal frame member of a partition, and work surface mounting brackets are used to mount one or more work surfaces on one or both sides of the partition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: KIMBALL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Jay M. Henriott, Keith E. Metcalf, Samial K. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140054961
    Abstract: A remote transmitter wirelessly transmits energy to an article of furniture adapted to receive and store the wireless energy. The article of furniture is further adapted distribute the stored energy to electrical loads such as peripheral electronic devices, portable electronic devices and other articles of furniture. The remote transmitter may wirelessly transfer energy during inactive periods. The stored energy may be distributed to an electrical loads during an active period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Metcalf, Jay M. Henriott
  • Patent number: 8549804
    Abstract: An electrical service assembly is secured to a framework of a panel of an office partition system and includes at least one bracket to which at least one electrical outlet module is mounted, the module having at least a pair of electrical outlets such that electrical outlets may be positioned in a back-to-back configuration. In this manner, the electrical service assembly provides service to opposite sides of a panel that face opposite work spaces. Also, the electrical outlet modules may be associated with separate circuits to prevent overload of the electrical service assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Metcalf, Bart J. Cooper, Jay M. Henriott
  • Publication number: 20130207478
    Abstract: Furniture components, such as office furniture components, are configured to include electronic components that transfer electrical power to peripheral electronic devices via wireless technologies, including conductive and inductive technologies. The articles of furniture may include grommet devices received within work surfaces, the grommet devices incorporating or housing the electronics of wireless power systems. The articles of furniture may also include the electronics of wireless power systems physically embedded or integrated within work surfaces in a manner in which the continuous surfaces of the work surfaces are maintained, and the work surfaces may optionally further include lighting or other indication features to indicate the locations of the electronics to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: KIMBALL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Keith E. Metcalf, Terry Carroll, Jay M. Henriott, Samial Keith Johnson, Donald Woods
  • Patent number: 8393122
    Abstract: A partition system generally including an adjustable work surface support bracket assembly, which attaches to a track member of the partition system for supporting a work surface. A first vertical member of the bracket assembly includes a mounting portion adapted to be received within the track member, and a first vertical plate portion downwardly extending from the mounting portion and including a plurality of vertically spaced apertures or a pair of elongated apertures. A second member includes a horizontal portion that attaches to a work surface using suitable fasteners. In a first embodiment, the second member includes a tab which is received within any one of the vertically spaced apertures in the vertical member located beneath the track member. In a second embodiment, the second member includes a second vertical plate portion including a plurality of apertures or a pair of elongated apertures for alignment with a pair of apertures in the first vertical plate portion of the first vertical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay M. Henriott, Keith E. Metcalf
  • Publication number: 20120304900
    Abstract: A modular desking system for an open plan office environment provides a variety of highly stable and variously configurable component parts which can be modularly combined with one another to provide a wide variety of desking styles and sizes. The user may decide among many options for linking various desking system assemblies with one another to create a larger desking assembly well suited to various open-plan office spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: KIMBALL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Jay M. Henriott, Keith E. Metcalf
  • Publication number: 20120273633
    Abstract: A two-piece track assembly may be used in an office environment for mounting accessory components, such as work surfaces, cabinets, shelves, filing units, etc., to either a permanent building wall or to the framework of a movable office wall or office partition system. The track assembly includes a base mountable to the wall or framework via a plurality of fasteners. A track mounts to the base to cover the fasteners used to mount the base. The track also includes a relatively thinly-profiled slot into which a corresponding, relatively thinly-profiled mounting flange of an accessory component is received to mount and support the accessory component upon the track assembly. Optionally, a decorative or functional tile may be mounted to a wall or partition between a pair of track assemblies spaced vertically from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: KIMBALL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Jay M. Henriott, Keith E. Metcalf
  • Patent number: D668892
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Metcalf, Ralph L. Langen, Jeffrey P. Bueltel, Todd E. Boyd, Stanley J. Epple
  • Patent number: D671333
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Metcalf, Ralph L. Langen, Jeffrey P. Bueltel, Todd E. Boyd, Stanley J. Epple
  • Patent number: D671341
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Metcalf, Todd E. Boyd, Dennis J. Lechner, Stanley J. Epple, Jeffrey P. Bueltel
  • Patent number: D680347
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Metcalf, Ralph L. Langen, Jeffrey P. Bueltel, Todd E. Boyd, Stanley J. Epple
  • Patent number: D688476
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Metcalf, Ralph L. Langen, Jeffrey P. Bueltel, Todd E. Boyd, Stanley J. Epple
  • Patent number: D695038
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Metcalf, Ralph L. Langen, Jeffrey P. Bueltel, Todd E. Boyd, Stanley J. Epple