Patents by Inventor Mark B. Saffell

Mark B. Saffell 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: 7325873
    Abstract: A seating unit comprising a base configured to be positioned on a floor, a torsional energy unit connected to the base, a back connected to the torsional energy unit and a seat rotatably connected to the torsional energy unit. The torsional energy unit biases the back to a forward position. The torsional energy unit further limits angular rotation of the seat between a substantially horizontal seating position and a substantially vertical seating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lawrence Stewart, David J. Ritch, Mark B. Saffell, Ari T. Adler, Anthony Peter Patron, Matthew David Inouye, Alan Chung Regala, Jonathan I. Kaplan, James Yurchenco
  • Patent number: 6766748
    Abstract: A table includes a support leg having an elongated channel extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the support leg and opening laterally outwardly from said support leg. The channel has an open end at a top of the support leg. In a preferred embodiment, a catch member extends across at least a portion of said channel and a worksurface is supported by the top of said support leg. In another aspect, the worksurface has a cutout shaped to receive at least a portion of the top of the support leg with at least a portion of the channel nested in the cutout. In a preferred embodiment, the support leg includes a socket that is shaped to receive a portion of the worksurface. A method of routing a utility line on a table is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Insalaco, David J. Ritch, Mark B. Saffell, Gordon J. Stannis
  • Patent number: 6764144
    Abstract: A storage unit includes a first and second horizontal shelf member, at least one vertical panel disposed between the first and second horizontal shelf members, and at least one tie member. A bottom of the at least one vertical panel is supported by the first shelf member and the second shelf member is supported on a top of the at least one vertical panel. The at least one tie member extends between and connects the first and second horizontal shelf members, with the at least one panel clamped therebetween. In another aspect of the invention, a method for assembling a storage unit is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Insalaco, David J. Ritch, Mark B. Saffell, Gordon J. Stannis
  • Publication number: 20020062933
    Abstract: A privacy screen comprises a free-standing wall member and a support stand. In one embodiment, the wall member has a thickness and an outer surface visible to the user. The wall member is preferably made of expanded beads that extend across the entirety of the thickness of the panel and define the outer surface thereof, such that they are visible to the user. In another embodiment, the wall member comprises a first and second sheet, each of which has an outer surface defining the outer surface of the wall member. At least a portion of the first sheet is spaced from at least a portion of the second sheet, and at least another portion of the first sheet abuts at least a portion of the second sheet, with the abutting portions being connected. In another aspect, a system of privacy screens comprises a first and second privacy screen comprising a wall member having a curvilinear side edge. The first and second privacy screens are arranged such that the curvilinear edges thereof are disposed adjacent one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Robert W. Insalaco, David J. Ritch, Mark B. Saffell, Gordon J. Stannis
  • Publication number: 20020043905
    Abstract: A storage unit includes a first and second horizontal shelf member, at least one vertical panel disposed between the first and second horizontal shelf members, and at least one tie member. A bottom of the at least one vertical panel is supported by the first shelf member and the second shelf member is supported on a top of the at least one vertical panel. The at least one tie member extends between and connects the first and second horizontal shelf members, with the at least one panel clamped therebetween. In another aspect of the invention, a method for assembling a storage unit is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Robert W. Insalaco, David J. Ritch, Mark B. Saffell, Gordon J. Stannis
  • Publication number: 20020043183
    Abstract: A table includes a support leg having an elongated channel extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the support leg and opening laterally outwardly from said support leg. The channel has an open end at a top of the support leg. In a preferred embodiment, a catch member extends across at least a portion of said channel and a worksurface is supported by the top of said support leg. In another aspect, the worksurface has a cutout shaped to receive at least a portion of the top of the support leg with at least a portion of the channel nested in the cutout. In a preferred embodiment, the support leg includes a socket that is shaped to receive a portion of the worksurface. A method of routing a utility line on a table is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Robert W. Insalaco, David J. Ritch, Mark B. Saffell, Gordon J. Stannis
  • Patent number: 5934758
    Abstract: An office-type chair, having separate seat and back parts each cushioned and employing a thin inner plastic shell having a perforated central region formed as a thin membrane which is supported solely around the peripheral edge thereof by a suitable ringlike support frame. This membrane is semi-rigid in the plane thereof, but possesses at least limited resiliency in the thickness direction and, being free of direct underlying support, provides direct support for the cushion which in turn engages either the back or posterior of the user to provide limited flexibility and desirable comfort and ergonomic support. The membrane in the central region is provided with a first series of wavy strips which extend between the border of the membrane, with the first strips extending transversely across the membrane in one direction in spaced relationship, and a second series of wavy strips extending transversely across the membrane in the other transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Ritch, Mark B. Saffell, Larry A. Wilkerson
  • Patent number: D460630
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Ritch, Mark B. Saffell, Gordon J. Stannis
  • Patent number: D535838
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Ritch, Mark B. Saffell
  • Patent number: D546085
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Ritch, Mark B. Saffell
  • Patent number: D548475
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Ritch, Mark B. Saffell
  • Patent number: D407576
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Ritch, Mark B. Saffell
  • Patent number: D417793
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Ritch, Mark B. Saffell
  • Patent number: D423261
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Ritch, Mark B. Saffell