Patents by Inventor Lee Karsten
Lee Karsten 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: 10206507Abstract: A chair control assembly includes a base structure having first and second pivot points spaced from one another, a seat support structure coupled to the first pivot point, a back support structure coupled to the second pivot point and adapted to move between first and second positions, wherein the base structure does not move as the back support structure moves between the first and second positions, and a control link pivotably coupled to the seat support structure for rotation about a third pivot point and pivotably coupled to the back support structure for rotation about a fourth pivot point, wherein the third pivot point is rearward of the fourth pivot point when the back support structure is in the upright position, and the third pivot point moves forward relative to the fourth pivot point as the back support structure moves from the upright to reclined positions.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2018Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Todd T. Andres, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gordon Jay Peterson, Todd David Krupiczewicz
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Publication number: 20180160813Abstract: A chair control assembly includes a base structure having first and second pivot points spaced from one another, a seat support structure coupled to the first pivot point, a back support structure coupled to the second pivot point and adapted to move between first and second positions, wherein the base structure does not move as the back support structure moves between the first and second positions, and a control link pivotably coupled to the seat support structure for rotation about a third pivot point and pivotably coupled to the back support structure for rotation about a fourth pivot point, wherein the third pivot point is rearward of the fourth pivot point when the back support structure is in the upright position, and the third pivot point moves forward relative to the fourth pivot point as the back support structure moves from the upright to reclined positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2018Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Todd T. Andres, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gordon Jay Peterson, Todd David Krupiczewicz
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Patent number: 9918552Abstract: A control assembly for a chair includes a base structure having a first pivot point and a second pivot point spaced from the first pivot point, a seat support structure having a forward portion pivotably coupled to the base structure for rotation about the first pivot point, a back support structure having a forward portion pivotably coupled to the base structure for rotation about the second pivot point, wherein the back support structure is adapted to move between upright and reclined positions, and wherein the seat support structure reclines rearwardly as the back support structure moves from the upright to reclined positions, and a control link having a first end pivotably coupled to a rearward portion of the seat support structure for rotation about a third pivot point, and a second end pivotably coupled to a rearward portion of the back support structure for rotation about a fourth pivot point.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Todd T. Andres, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann
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Patent number: 9861201Abstract: A chair assembly includes a base structure defining upper and lower portions, and a support structure, a seat support structure having a forward portion pivotably connected to the upper portion of the base structure for rotation about a first pivot point and a rearward portion, a back support structure having a forward portion pivotably connected to the lower portion of the base structure for rotation about a second pivot point that is located below and rearward of the first pivot point, and an upwardly extending back portion that moves rearwardly and downwardly as the back support structure pivots and the back portion moves, and a control link pivotably coupled to the seat support structure for rotation about a third pivot point and to the back support structure for rotation about a fourth pivot point each located rearward of the first and second pivot points.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2016Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Richard N. Roslund, Jr., Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Todd D. Krupiczewicz, Nathan R. Brock, Jeffrey A. Hall, Gordon J. Peterson, Todd T. Andres
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Patent number: 9844267Abstract: A chair assembly includes a seat support structure, a back support structure, a back tensioning assembly adjustable between low and high tension positions, an actuator assembly adapted to adjust the back tensioning assembly between the low and high tension positions, a control input assembly actuable by rotating the portion of the control input assembly, and a control link assembly operably coupling the control input assembly with the actuator assembly to adjust the back tensioning assembly between the low and high tension positions upon rotation of the portion of the control assembly by a seated user, wherein a number of rotations of the portion of the control input assembly is not limited by the control link.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Todd T. Andres
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Publication number: 20170007022Abstract: A chair assembly includes a seat support structure, a back support structure, a back tensioning assembly adjustable between low and high tension positions, an actuator assembly adapted to adjust the back tensioning assembly between the low and high tension positions, a control input assembly actuable by rotating the portion of the control input assembly, and a control link assembly operably coupling the control input assembly with the actuator assembly to adjust the back tensioning assembly between the low and high tension positions upon rotation of the portion of the control assembly by a seated user, wherein a number of rotations of the portion of the control input assembly is not limited by the control link.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Applicant: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Todd T. Andres
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Publication number: 20170007023Abstract: A method of assembling a spring inside of a tube includes providing a coil spring and a tube having a first retaining structure at a first end of the tube. The method includes positioning a rod in the tube. The spring is positioned in the tube, and a second retaining structure is attached to the rod with the spring positioned between the first and second retaining structures. A force is applied to the spring, and the second retaining structure is fixed at a position wherein the spring provides a desired preload.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Todd T. Andres, Gary Lee Karsten, David Allen Bodnar
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Publication number: 20160367029Abstract: A control assembly for a chair includes a base structure having a first pivot point and a second pivot point spaced from the first pivot point, a seat support structure having a forward portion pivotably coupled to the base structure for rotation about the first pivot point, a back support structure having a forward portion pivotably coupled to the base structure for rotation about the second pivot point, wherein the back support structure is adapted to move between upright and reclined positions, and wherein the seat support structure reclines rearwardly as the back support structure moves from the upright to reclined positions, and a control link having a first end pivotably coupled to a rearward portion of the seat support structure for rotation about a third pivot point, and a second end pivotably coupled to a rearward portion of the back support structure for rotation about a fourth pivot point.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Applicant: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Todd T. Andres, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann
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Publication number: 20160353891Abstract: A chair assembly includes a base structure defining upper and lower portions, and a support structure, a seat support structure having a forward portion pivotably connected to the upper portion of the base structure for rotation about a first pivot point and a rearward portion, a back support structure having a forward portion pivotably connected to the lower portion of the base structure for rotation about a second pivot point that is located below and rearward of the first pivot point, and an upwardly extending back portion that moves rearwardly and downwardly as the back support structure pivots and the back portion moves, and a control link pivotably coupled to the seat support structure for rotation about a third pivot point and to the back support structure for rotation about a fourth pivot point each located rearward of the first and second pivot points.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Applicant: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Richard N. Roslund, JR., Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Todd D. Krupiczewicz, Nathan R. Brock, Jeffrey A. Hall, Gordon J. Peterson, Todd T. Andres
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Patent number: 9492013Abstract: A chair assembly includes seat support and structures each operably coupled to a base structure, wherein the back support structure is movable between upright and reclined positions, and a biasing assembly exerting a biasing force biasing the back support structure towards the upright position, wherein the biasing force is adjustable between first and second magnitudes, and wherein the second magnitude is greater than the first magnitude. The chair assembly further includes an adjustment assembly operably coupled to the biasing assembly allowing a user to adjust the biasing force between the first and second magnitudes, wherein the adjustment assembly adjusts the biasing assembly between a first configuration corresponding to the first magnitude and a second configuration corresponding to the second magnitude, and an assist feature exerting an assist force on the biasing assembly, thereby reducing an input force required to be applied by a user.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2015Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Todd T. Andres
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Patent number: D829033Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Mark Vander Veen, Peter A. Boeckel
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Patent number: D846294Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Mark Vander Veen, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Peter A. Boeckel
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Patent number: D851417Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Mark Vander Veen, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Peter A. Boeckel
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Patent number: D851418Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Mark Vander Veen, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Peter A. Boeckel
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Patent number: D851952Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Peter A. Boeckel
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Patent number: D852524Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Mark Vander Veen, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Peter A. Boeckel
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Patent number: D852525Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Mark Vander Veen, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Peter A. Boeckel
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Patent number: D852526Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Peter A. Boeckel
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Patent number: D876139Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2019Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Mark Vander Veen, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Peter A. Boeckel
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Patent number: D876140Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2019Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Mark Vander Veen, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Peter A. Boeckel