Patents by Inventor Kenneth J. Kirchhoff
Kenneth J. Kirchhoff 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).
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Patent number: 7575205Abstract: The inventive adjustable keyboard support assembly includes a mounting unit and an adjustable keyboard tray. The mounting unit has an elongated track having opposing first and second ends and opposing top and bottom surfaces; and (b) first means and second means for attaching the mounting unit to the work surface. The first means includes a generally c-shaped clamp having opposing first and second ends, a first substantially horizontal region adjoining a second substantially vertical region, a side flange extending from the second region at the first end of the clamp, and a center flange extending from the second region between the first and second ends of the clamp. The center flange is attached to the first end of the track. The adjustable keyboard tray can be attached to the mounting unit by slidingly engaging it to the bottom surface of the track.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Kenneth J. Kirchhoff
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Patent number: 7113393Abstract: The invention is a method for adjusting a keyboard support assembly from a storage position under a support surface to a use position. A keyboard tray is extended in a direction generally parallel to and past the support surface. A first side arm is translated in a direction generally parallel to the support surface. A front portion of the first side arm is attached to the keyboard tray at a front attachment point. A front sliding member portion of the first side arm and a rear sliding member portion of the first side arm is slid along a rail. The rail is fixably mounted to a mounting surface. A positioning surface of the first side arm is engaged with a positioning mechanism fixed to the mounting surface. The front portion of the first side arm is forced to rotate the first side arm about a pivot point in the rear sliding member due to the engagement of the positioning surface with the positioning mechanism. The keyboard tray is translated in an upward direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2003Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Kenneth J. Kirchhoff
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Patent number: 7086634Abstract: An adjustable keyboard tray has a top and a bottom plate made of a polymeric material that are bonded together, preferably by ultrasonic welding. A cavity exists between the top and the bottom plates wherein a pocket can be formed to receive and secure a bracket for a mousing platform. The top and the bottom plates can also be formed with recessed areas to flush-mount brackets and maintain a generally overall smooth outer surface to the adjustable keyboard tray. A slidable mounting plate secures the adjustable keyboard tray to a bracketing mechanism mounted to a horizontal surface. The slidable mounting plate allows the adjustable keyboard tray to move in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the bracketing mechanism for repositioning the adjustable keyboard tray with respect to the horizontal surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2000Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Kenneth J. Kirchhoff
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Patent number: 6938866Abstract: The invention is a method for adjusting a keyboard support assembly from a storage position under a support surface to a use position. A keyboard tray is extended in a direction generally parallel to and past the support surface. A first side arm is translated in a direction generally parallel to the support surface. A front portion of the first side arm is attached to the keyboard tray at a front attachment point. A front sliding member portion of the first side arm and a rear sliding member portion of the first side arm is slid along a rail. The rail is fixably mounted to a mounting surface. A positioning surface of the first side arm is engaged with a positioning mechanism fixed to the mounting surface. The front portion of the first side arm is forced to rotate the first side arm about a pivot point in the rear sliding member due to the engagement of the positioning surface with the positioning mechanism. The keyboard tray is translated in an upward direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2003Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Kenneth J. Kirchhoff
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Patent number: 6843454Abstract: A wrist rest assembly for use along the front edge of a device to be operated by a person's hands or fingers, such as in front of a computer keyboard, including an elongate base on which is supported an elongate pad comprising a layer of gel within the covering. The pad has sufficient thickness between its top and bottom surfaces and width between its edges to afford supporting a users wrists on said top surface with a portion of the layer of gel beneath and conforming to the supported wrists and to afford significant motion of the top surface of the pad with the supported wrists relative to the bottom surface in a plane generally parallel to the upper surface of the base. The base has a top portion supporting the pad, a bottom portion adapted to be supported on a horizontal surface; and structure that allows the top portion to be supported on the bottom portion with the top surface of the pad at a predetermined one of several different distances above that horizontal surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2003Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert J. Wolf, Thomas J. Barnidge, Wayne K. Darvell, Kenneth J. Kirchhoff
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Publication number: 20040035986Abstract: A wrist rest assembly for use along the front edge of a device to be operated by a person's hands or fingers, such as in front of a computer keyboard, including an elongate base on which is supported an elongate pad comprising a layer of gel within the covering. The pad has sufficient thickness between its top and bottom surfaces and width between its edges to afford supporting a users wrists on said top surface with a portion of the layer of gel beneath and conforming to the supported wrists and to afford significant motion of the top surface of the pad with the supported wrists relative to the bottom surface in a plane generally parallel to the upper surface of the base. The base has a top portion supporting the pad, a bottom portion adapted to be supported on a horizontal surface; and structure that allows the top portion to be supported on the bottom portion with the top surface of the pad at a predetermined one of several different distances above that horizontal surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert J. Wolf, Thomas J. Barnidge, Wayne K. Darvell, Kenneth J. Kirchhoff
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Patent number: 6626403Abstract: A wrist rest assembly for use along the front edge of a device to be operated by a person's hands or fingers, such as in front of a computer keyboard, including an elongate base on which is supported an elongate pad comprising a layer of gel within the covering. The pad has sufficient thickness between its top and bottom surfaces and width between its edges to afford supporting a users wrists on the top surface with a portion of the layer of gel beneath and conforming to the supported wrists and to afford significant motion of the top surface of the pad with the supported wrists relative to the bottom surface in a plane generally parallel to the upper surface of the base. The base has a top portion supporting the pad, a bottom portion adapted to be supported on a horizontal surface; and structure that allows the top portion to be supported on the bottom portion with the top surface of the pad at a predetermined one of several different distances above that horizontal surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2000Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert J. Wolf, Thomas J. Barnidge, Wayne K. Darvell, Kenneth J. Kirchhoff
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Patent number: 6536728Abstract: An adjustable keyboard support assembly, which generally includes a housing comprising a first side panel having a first guide rail system and a second side panel spaced from the first side panel and having a second guide rail system. The assembly further includes a generally U-shaped member comprising a support member with first and second ends, a first side arm attached to the first guide rail system and extending from the first end of the support member, wherein the first side arm comprises at least one notch, and a second side arm attached to the second guide rail system and extending from the second end of the support member, wherein the second side arm comprises at least one notch. The first and second side arms have rotatable and slideable connections with the guide rail system of their respective side panels. A keyboard platform is rotatably attached to the support member of the U-shaped member.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Joel K. Hagglund, Kenneth J. Kirchhoff, James E. Nash
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Publication number: 20030042380Abstract: An adjustable keyboard support assembly, which generally includes a housing comprising a first side panel having a first guide rail system and a second side panel spaced from the first side panel and having a second guide rail system. The assembly further includes a generally U-shaped member comprising a support member with first and second ends, a first side arm attached to the first guide rail system and extending from the first end of the support member, wherein the first side arm comprises at least one notch, and a second side arm attached to the second guide rail system and extending from the second end of the support member, wherein the second side arm comprises at least one notch. The first and second side arms have rotatable and slideable connections with the guide rail system of their respective side panels. A keyboard platform is rotatably attached to the support member of the U-shaped member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2001Publication date: March 6, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Joel K. Hagglund, Kenneth J. Kirchhoff, James E. Nash
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Patent number: 6494418Abstract: A wrist rest assembly for use along the front edge of a device to be operated by a person's hands or fingers, such as in front of a computer keyboard, including an elongate base on which is supported an elongate pad comprising a layer of gel within the covering. The pad has sufficient thickness between its top and bottom surfaces and width between its edges to afford supporting a users wrists on top surface with a portion of the layer of gel beneath and conforming to the supported wrists and to afford significant motion of the top surface of the pad with the supported wrists relative to the bottom surface in a plane generally parallel to the upper surface of the base. The base has a top portion supporting the pad, a bottom portion adapted to be supported on a horizontal surface; and structure that allows the top portion to be supported on the bottom portion with the top surface of the pad at a predetermined one of several different distances above that horizontal surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1998Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert J. Wolf, Thomas J. Barnidge, Wayne K. Darvell, Kenneth J. Kirchhoff
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Publication number: 20020088915Abstract: A document holder for use in a workstation is provides, wherein the document holder comprises a generally planar easel member having front and back opposite surfaces, a top edge, a bottom edge, first and second side edges extending from the top edge to the bottom edge on opposite sides of the easel member, a first side rail adjacent to the first side edge and extending along at least a portion of the first side edge, and a second side rail adjacent to the second side edge and extending along at least a portion of the second side edge. The document holder further includes a first support base, a second support base, and first and second adjustable bracket assemblies extending from the first and second support bases, wherein each of the first and second adjustable bracket assemblies is pivotally and slideably attached to the first and second side rails of the easel member, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Inventors: James E. Nash, Kenneth J. Kirchhoff, Warren J. Wasescha
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Patent number: 5823487Abstract: An articulated support assembly for a computer keyboard. The assembly includes a generally U shaped rigid support member, and a platform for supporting the keyboard pivotably mounted on a central portion of the support member. Projecting end portions of the support member are pivotably mounted on attachment members fixed to the bottom of a table or desk top. A releasable friction clutch restricts pivotal movement of the platform around the central portion of the support member. A releasable ratchet assembly prevents revolving movement of the central portion toward a lowered position relative to the attachment members. A switching mechanism can be manually activated to release the ratchet assemblies and the friction clutch so that the position and orientation of the platform relative to the table or desk top can be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1996Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kenneth J. Kirchhoff, Robert J. Wolf, James J. Frater, Manfred W. Suhr, Lawrence J. Fenske
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Patent number: 5713544Abstract: A wrist rest assembly for use along the front edge of a device to be operated by a person's hands or fingers, such as in front of a computer keyboard, including an elongate base on which is supported an elongate pad comprising a layer of gel within the covering. The pad has sufficient thickness between its top and bottom surfaces and width between its edges to afford supporting a users wrists on the top surface with a portion of the layer of gel beneath and conforming to the supported wrists and to afford significant motion of the top surface of the pad with the supported wrists relative to the bottom surface in a plane generally parallel to the upper surface of the base. The base has a top portion supporting the pad, a bottom portion adapted to be supported on a horizontal surface; and structure that allows the top portion to be supported on the bottom portion with the top surface of the pad at a predetermined one of several different distances above that horizontal surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1996Date of Patent: February 3, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Robert J. Wolf, Thomas J. Barnidge, Wayne K. Darvell, Kenneth J. Kirchhoff
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Patent number: 5671557Abstract: A notice assembly comprising a support portion including a base part adapted to be supported on a horizontal surface, a vertical wall part having a lower edge attached to the base part and a hollow tubular part fixed along an upper edge of the wall part with an axially extending through opening in the tubular part facing the same direction as the front surface of the wall part. A display member has a portion rotatably mounted in the tubular part. That portion of the display member has a peripheral surface bearing a plurality of set of graphic symbols providing information about the location of the person (e.g., AT LUNCH, OUT OF OFFICE, RETURN SOON, IN MEETING). By manual rotation of the display member, any of the sets of graphic symbols can be positioned in the opening of the tubular part where they will be observed by a person looking at the notice assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1993Date of Patent: September 30, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Bruce W. Carlson, Thomas J. Barnidge, Tanya M. Laine, Mary K. Miller-Bruns, Kenneth J. Kirchhoff
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Patent number: 5641369Abstract: A wrist rest assembly for use along the front edge of a device to be operated by a person's hands or fingers, such as in front of a computer keyboard, including an elongate base assembly on which is supported an elongate pad. The base assembly has a top portion supporting the pad, a bottom portion adapted to be supported on a horizontal surface and structure that allows the top portion to be supported on the bottom portion with the top surface of the pad at two different distances above that horizontal surface by switching ends of the top portion with respect to the ends of the bottom portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1996Date of Patent: June 24, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kenneth J. Kirchhoff, Robert J. Wolf
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Patent number: D383740Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1996Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kenneth J. Kirchhoff, Robert J. Wolf
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Patent number: D387744Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1996Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kenneth J. Kirchhoff, Robert J. Wolf, Lawrence J. Fenske, Manfred W. Suhr
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Patent number: D396708Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1997Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kenneth J. Kirchhoff, Robert J. Wolf, Lawrence J. Fenske, Manfred W. Suhr
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Patent number: D402971Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1997Date of Patent: December 22, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kenneth J. Kirchhoff, Robert J. Wolf, Lawrence J. Fenske, Manfred W. Suhr
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Patent number: D414578Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Edwin T. Chen, Perry S. Dotterman, Kenneth J. Kirchhoff, Lawrence J. Fenske, Michael J. Brock