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).

  • Patent number: 10206507
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Todd T. Andres, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gordon Jay Peterson, Todd David Krupiczewicz
  • Publication number: 20180160813
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Todd T. Andres, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gordon Jay Peterson, Todd David Krupiczewicz
  • Patent number: 9918552
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Todd T. Andres, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann
  • Patent number: 9861201
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 9844267
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Todd T. Andres
  • Publication number: 20170007022
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Todd T. Andres
  • Publication number: 20170007023
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Todd T. Andres, Gary Lee Karsten, David Allen Bodnar
  • Publication number: 20160367029
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Todd T. Andres, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann
  • Publication number: 20160353891
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 9492013
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Todd T. Andres
  • Patent number: D829033
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Mark Vander Veen, Peter A. Boeckel
  • Patent number: D846294
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Mark Vander Veen, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Peter A. Boeckel
  • Patent number: D851417
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Mark Vander Veen, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Peter A. Boeckel
  • Patent number: D851418
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Mark Vander Veen, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Peter A. Boeckel
  • Patent number: D851952
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Peter A. Boeckel
  • Patent number: D852524
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Mark Vander Veen, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Peter A. Boeckel
  • Patent number: D852525
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Mark Vander Veen, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Peter A. Boeckel
  • Patent number: D852526
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Peter A. Boeckel
  • Patent number: D876139
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Mark Vander Veen, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Peter A. Boeckel
  • Patent number: D876140
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Mark Vander Veen, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Peter A. Boeckel