Patents by Inventor Michael H. Abson

Michael H. Abson 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: 6128877
    Abstract: A variable width panel includes a frame having a knock-down construction adapted for on-site assembly. The frame includes a first rigid stile adapted to be disposed in a generally vertical assembled orientation along a first side of the frame. At least two rigid cross-members having first ends thereof rigidly attached to the stile are disposed in a vertically spaced-apart relationship, and extend in a generally horizontal assembled orientation. The cross-members having predetermined full width with a construction which permits the cross-members to be cut to a custom width at a second end thereof during the on-site assembly for use in a special width panel that is adapted for connection with the standard width panels. The frame also includes fasteners for detachably connecting the second ends of the cross-members with the second stile to define a pocket therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Steven F. Goodman, Roy W. Fink, Allen C. Hager, James D. Houda, Michael H. Abson
  • Patent number: 6076474
    Abstract: A freestanding support for supporting a worksurface and an overhead storage unit and the like in an open office environment includes at least three legs where each leg has a bottom portion adapted for resting on a floor, a top horizontal support adapted for receiving and supporting a worksurface on the support, and a vertical support which maintains the bottom portion and the top horizontal support in a fixed vertically spaced relationship. A stretcher extends between and is attached to an upper rear portion of the end legs thereby maintaining the two end legs in a parallel horizontally disposed relationship. The freestanding support also has at least two support posts. One support post has an intermediate portion attached to the stretcher and is positioned substantially in alignment with one of the end legs and further has a bottom portion attached to the vertical support of the end leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Grabowski, Randall P. Nelsen, Jonathan J. King, Michael H. Abson, Roy W. Fink, Michelle R. Gallette
  • Patent number: 6047508
    Abstract: A reconfigurable office partition includes a movable panel with a rigid frame, a core panel mounted therein, and at least one cover panel detachably mounted on the frame and enclosing an associated portion thereof. The frame has at least one vertical stile with first and second channels that extend longitudinally therealong and are shaped to receive utilities therein through outwardly opening sides. The outwardly opening sides of the channels are juxtaposed in opposite directions to facilitate routing utilities along both faces of the panel. A variable height frame support may be positioned between the top of the panel and the building ceiling for floor-to-ceiling applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Steven F. Goodman, Roy W. Fink, James D. Houda, Michael H. Abson, Allen C. Hager