Patents by Inventor Martin Eberlein

Martin Eberlein 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: 11944194
    Abstract: A table assembly includes a tabletop member having a tabletop worksurface and a downwardly directed lower surface. A leg structure including first and second substantially vertical and spaced apart leg members is coupled to the lower surface for supporting the tabletop member. An elongated horizontal upper member extends between upper ends of the leg members. An elongated horizontal lower member below the tabletop member lower surface extends between and is joined to the leg members intermediate their upper and lower ends to form a gap with the upper member. A removable accessory bracket includes a substantially flat vertical member extending along a first plane and a lip member coupled to an upper end of the vertical member, the lip member extending along a second, substantially parallel plane spaced from the first plane and engaging the lower member to support the accessory bracket adjacent the outer surface of the lower member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Kirt Martin, David C. Eberlein, Fredric Biddle
  • Patent number: 11930926
    Abstract: A table assembly includes a tabletop member having a tabletop worksurface and a downwardly directed lower surface. A leg structure including first and second substantially vertical and spaced apart leg members is coupled to the lower surface for supporting the tabletop member. An elongated horizontal upper member extends between upper ends of the leg members. An elongated horizontal lower member below the tabletop member lower surface extends between and is joined to the leg members intermediate their upper and lower ends to form a gap with the upper member. A removable accessory bracket includes a substantially flat vertical member extending along a first plane and a lip member coupled to an upper end of the vertical member, the lip member extending along a second, substantially parallel plane spaced from the first plane and engaging the lower member to support the accessory bracket adjacent the outer surface of the lower member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Kirt Martin, David C. Eberlein, Fredric Biddle
  • Publication number: 20230177930
    Abstract: The invention relates to a passageway system with at least one foot element, with at least one blocking element which is mounted on the foot element and which is movable between at least one blocking position intended for at least partially blocking a passage and at least one release position releasing the passage, with a drive unit serving to move the at least one blocking element with a control of the drive unit, with a detection unit intended for the identifying detection of goods, and with interfaces to a data processing unit and optionally further components. The invention is characterized in that at least one optical detection device is arranged on the at least one blocking element and is a component of the detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventor: Martin EBERLEIN
  • Patent number: 11440573
    Abstract: The invention relates to a manually movable and stackable trolley having a supporting device, wherein, when two trolleys are stacked, a rear region which is only taken up by the rear trolley and a front region which is only taken up by the trolley in front are produced, wherein the supporting device is assigned an electronic weighing device which is equipped with a first and a second weighing cell. The two weighing cells are arranged such that, in the stacked state, the first weighing cell of the rear, inserted trolley is within the rear region, and the second weighing cell of the inserted trolley is outside the front region, and, conversely, the first weighing cell of the trolley in front is outside the rear region, and the second weighing cell of the trolley in front is within the front region, wherein the first weighing cell is directed downwards from the at least one supporting device and the second weighing cell is directed upwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: Martin Eberlein
  • Patent number: 11358620
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transport equipment with at least one transport device (1a) which is individualised by an identification mean, which has at least one goods depositing device and at least one handle and which can be stacked with respectively identical transport devices, wherein the transport equipment has at least two power-supplied electronic devices arranged on an identical and/or on different transport devices, of which at least one performs the function of a user interface and at least one performs the function of a detection device, and which each have integrated data-processing means and means for wireless data transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Martin Eberlein
  • Patent number: 11167781
    Abstract: The invention relates to a nestable shopping trolley comprising a foldable child-seat assembly having: a backrest movably mounted on the rear wall of the basket; and a cover arrangement which is pivotally provided on the rear wall, which rests on a seat arrangement and which, when pivoted upwards, closes leg-holes in the rear wall. When the child-seat assembly is not in use, the rear wall, the seat arrangement and the cover arrangement lie tightly against one another with the seat arrangement hanging downwards and the cover arrangement pointing upwards. The cover arrangement has two projecting parts pointing outwards in opposite directions and the backrest has a central section and two sliding sections laterally bordering the central section, the projecting parts sliding along the sliding sections of the backrest and said sliding sections forming respective spaces that are occupied by the projecting parts when the child-seat assembly is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventor: Martin Eberlein
  • Publication number: 20210163052
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transport equipment with at least one transport device (1a) which is individualised by an identification mean, which has at least one goods depositing device and at least one handle and which can be stacked with respectively identical transport devices, wherein the transport equipment has at least two power-supplied electronic devices arranged on an identical and/or on different transport devices, of which at least one performs the function of a user interface and at least one performs the function of a detection device, and which each have integrated data-processing means and means for wireless data transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventor: Martin EBERLEIN
  • Publication number: 20210070341
    Abstract: The invention relates to a manually movable and stackable trolley having a supporting device, wherein, when two trolleys are stacked, a rear region which is only taken up by the rear trolley and a front region which is only taken up by the trolley in front are produced, wherein the supporting device is assigned an electronic weighing device which is equipped with a first and a second weighing cell. The two weighing cells are arranged such that, in the stacked state, the first weighing cell of the rear, inserted trolley is within the rear region, and the second weighing cell of the inserted trolley is outside the front region, and, conversely, the first weighing cell of the trolley in front is outside the rear region, and the second weighing cell of the trolley in front is within the front region, wherein the first weighing cell is directed downwards from the at least one supporting device and the second weighing cell is directed upwards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventor: Martin EBERLEIN
  • Publication number: 20200247448
    Abstract: The invention relates to a nestable shopping trolley comprising a foldable child-seat assembly having: a backrest movably mounted on the rear wall of the basket; and a cover arrangement which is pivotally provided on the rear wall, which rests on a seat arrangement and which, when pivoted upwards, closes leg-holes in the rear wall. When the child-seat assembly is not in use, the rear wall, the seat arrangement and the cover arrangement lie tightly against one another with the seat arrangement hanging downwards and the cover arrangement pointing upwards. The cover arrangement has two projecting parts pointing outwards in opposite directions and the backrest has a central section and two sliding sections laterally bordering the central section, the projecting parts sliding along the sliding sections of the backrest and said sliding sections forming respective spaces that are occupied by the projecting parts when the child-seat assembly is not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventor: Martin EBERLEIN
  • Patent number: 10479387
    Abstract: A transporting device includes a first carrying device and a second carrying device arranged above the first carrying device. The first carrying device is wider than the second carrying device. The first carrying device has first fixing members each arranged in the rear area of the carrying device and on both sides. A handle device for moving the carrying device is fixed to each first fixing members. The second carrying device has second fixing members each arranged in the rear area of the carrying device and on both sides. Each handle device is additionally fixed to the nearest of the two second fixing members. Between the two handle devices an interspace is formed, which is used by the second carrying device of a rear transporting device when the latter is pushed into a transporting device located in front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventor: Martin Eberlein
  • Publication number: 20190084603
    Abstract: A transporting device, moveable by hand and stackable in stacks of identical devices, comprises a first carrying device and a second carrying device arranged above the first carrying device. The first carrying device is wider than the second carrying device. The first carrying device has a first fixing means each arranged in the rear area of the carrying device and on both sides. A handle device for moving the carrying device is fixed to each first fixing means. The second carrying device has a second fixing means each arranged in the rear area of the carrying device and on both sides. Each handle device is additionally fixed to the nearest of the two second fixing means. Between the two handle devices an interspace is formed, which is used by the second carrying device of a rear transporting device when the latter is pushed into a transporting device located in front.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventor: Martin EBERLEIN
  • Publication number: 20170228847
    Abstract: A method for hiring out transportation means for transporting goods, wherein, at a depot, at least one transportation means is provided for use and return. Each transportation means has a detection means. The user of a transportation means carries a mobile communication device. The method uses at least one motivator to motivate the user to return the transportation means. Before return of the transportation means to the depot, the mobile communication device and the transportation means are associated by using a detection means in a first detection process and identifiers of the mobile communication device and the transportation means, which are linked, are stored by at least one computer system. Upon return of the transportation means, a second detection process is done. Data obtained by the two detection processes are used by the at least one computer system to allow the use of the at least one motivator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventor: Martin EBERLEIN
  • Patent number: 9550509
    Abstract: A manually movable transporting apparatus that is nestable with like transporting apparatuses has a chassis equipped with longitudinal members, which carries a loading device which is mounted on the chassis so as to be movable about respective horizontal axes and rests on at least one support. A supporting element is provided at the front end of the loading device and at least one inclined deflector surface is arranged in the rear region of the apparatus, which drops obliquely towards the rear and being designed to receive the supporting element of a further identical transporting apparatus driven onto the surface. At least one clearance is formed next to each support, and wherein each deflector surface is located in a clearance. When two transporting apparatuses are nested, each deflector surface of one transporting apparatus takes up the clearance assigned to the deflector surface of the other transporting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventor: Martin Eberlein
  • Publication number: 20160107667
    Abstract: A manually movable transporting means that is nestable with identical transporting means has a chassis equipped with longitudinal members, said chassis carrying a loading and/or nesting device which is mounted on the chassis so as to be movable about respective horizontal axes and rests on at least one support. A supporting element is provided at the front end of the loading and/or nesting device and at least one inclined deflector surface is arranged in the rear region of the transporting means, said deflector surface dropping obliquely towards the rear and being designed to receive the supporting element of a further identical transporting means driven onto said surface, which means can be pushed into a transporting means located in front. At least one clearance is formed next to each support, wherein, as viewed in the horizontal view of the transporting means and in the longitudinal direction thereof, each deflector surface is pictured as being located in a clearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventor: Martin EBERLEIN
  • Patent number: 9120497
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shopping trolley which is stackable with similar trolleys, having a chassis, having a holding unit which is connected to the chassis, and having a pushing unit located at the rear, wherein the chassis has two curved longitudinal supports leading from the rear side castors to the front side castors of the shopping trolley. The two longitudinal supports, proceeding from their rear end section, extend upward and toward the front and subsequently, inclined downward toward the front, are continued to the front end section such that at least the intermediate section, or the intermediate section and the end section, of each longitudinal support belongs to either of two geometrical planes which, proceeding from the plane of travel of the castors, extend from bottom to top. The invention is characterized in that the front end sections are led out of the planes extending from bottom to top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Inventor: Martin Eberlein
  • Patent number: 8985597
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly (1) formed of at least two wall elements (2, 6), in which the wall elements (2, 6) comprise vertically and horizontally arranged reinforcing elements (10, 11) and the wall elements (2, 6) are either movably connected to one another or are present separately and can be transposed into a space-saving arrangement within a common region (14), wherein, in this arrangement, and according to a first embodiment, either the vertical reinforcing elements (10) of the wall element (6) are located in at least one interspace (12) which is formed by vertical reinforcing elements (10) of the wall element (2), or wherein, according to a second embodiment, the horizontal reinforcing elements (11) of the wall element (6) are located in at least one interspace (13) which is formed by horizontal reinforcing elements (11) of the wall element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Martin Eberlein
  • Publication number: 20130334780
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shopping trolley which is stackable with similar trolleys, having a chassis, having a holding unit which is connected to the chassis, and having a pushing unit located at the rear, wherein the chassis has two curved longitudinal supports leading from the rear side castors to the front side castors of the shopping trolley. The two longitudinal supports, proceeding from their rear end section, extend upward and toward the front and subsequently, inclined downward toward the front, are continued to the front end section such that at least the intermediate section, or the intermediate section and the end section, of each longitudinal support belongs to either of two geometrical planes which, proceeding from the plane of travel of the castors, extend from bottom to top. The invention is characterized in that the front end sections are led out of the planes extending from bottom to top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Martin Eberlein
  • Patent number: 8544858
    Abstract: A stack comprising a number of identical shopping carts pushed one inside the other, which stack can be transported with the aid of transportation means such as trucks, containers, and the like and is kept ready for removal and for use of the individual shopping carts after being transported to a collection point, which is constructed by self-service shops, wherein the shopping carts are pushed one inside the other by means of the chassis and the baskets thereof both during transport and at the collection point in such a way that a stack distance is formed between each shopping cart, wherein a stack distance is greater than a stack distance and the length of the stack having the stack distances is greater than the length of the same stack having the stack distances, and wherein the stack having the length is intended for transport and the stack having the length is intended to be provided at a collection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Martin Eberlein
  • Publication number: 20130168932
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly (1) formed of at least two wall elements (2, 6), in which the wall elements (2, 6) comprise vertically and horizontally arranged reinforcing elements (10, 11) and the wall elements (2, 6) are either movably connected to one another or are present separately and can be transposed into a space-saving arrangement within a common region (14), wherein, in this arrangement, and according to a first embodiment, either the vertical reinforcing elements (10) of the wall element (6) are located in at least one interspace (12) which is formed by vertical reinforcing elements (10) of the wall element (2), or wherein, according to a second embodiment, the horizontal reinforcing elements (11) of the wall element (6) are located in at least one interspace (13) which is formed by horizontal reinforcing elements (11) of the wall element (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: Martin Eberlein
  • Publication number: 20130026725
    Abstract: A stack comprising a number of identical shopping carts pushed one inside the other, which stack can be transported with the aid of transportation means such as trucks, containers, and the like and is kept ready for removal and for use of the individual shopping carts after being transported to a collection point, which is constructed by self-service shops, wherein the shopping carts are pushed one inside the other by means of the chassis and the baskets thereof both during transport and at the collection point in such a way that a stack distance is formed between each shopping cart, wherein a stack distance is greater than a stack distance and the length of the stack having the stack distances is greater than the length of the same stack having the stack distances, and wherein the stack having the length is intended for transport and the stack having the length is intended to be provided at a collection point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Martin Eberlein