Patents by Inventor Peter N. Skillman
Peter N. Skillman 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: 6910306Abstract: A knock-down portable partition system has cover panels supported on a post and beam framework designed for quick and easy on-site manual assembly. The framework includes at least two vertical posts and at least two structural beams rigidly, yet detachably interconnecting the vertical posts. Connectors secure the beams to the posts, such that the partition system can be assembled and disassembled manually. The partition system may include utility troughs shaped to retain wires, cabling, etc. therein to provide power and/or communication to the system. The utility troughs have opposite ends shaped to be detachably mounted to the posts.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Charles A. Seiber, Peter N. Skillman, Joseph Chang, Richard S. Hand
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Publication number: 20030070377Abstract: A knock-down portable partition system has cover panels supported on a post and beam framework designed for quick and easy on-site manual assembly. The framework includes at least two vertical posts and at least two structural beams rigidly, yet detachably interconnecting the vertical posts. Connectors secure the beams to the posts, such that the partition system can be assembled and disassembled manually. The partition system may include utility troughs shaped to retain wires, cabling, etc. therein to provide power and/or communication to the system. The utility troughs have opposite ends shaped to be detachably mounted to the posts.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2002Publication date: April 17, 2003Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Charles A. Seiber, Peter N. Skillman, Joseph Chang, Richard S. Hand
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Patent number: 6546684Abstract: A knock-down partition panel frame includes a pair of spaced apart generally upright posts, each having at least one receptacle defining a tapered surface. The partition panel frame further includes at least one generally horizontal member extending between and interconnecting the posts. The horizontal member includes fastenerless connectors at opposite ends thereof, each having at least one connecting element engaging with the tapered surface to thereby securely interconnect the posts and the horizontal member to define a rigid partition frame having an interior space. A cover panel is secured to the partition frame, and closes off at least a portion of the interior space.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang, Richard S. Hand, Douglas L. Scheerhorn
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Patent number: 6442909Abstract: A knock-down portable partition includes a rigid panel frame having a central portion. The partition includes at least one cover panel covering at least a portion of the central portion of the rigid panel frame. Connectors detachably mount the cover panel on the panel frame to facilitate assembly and removal of the cover panel on the panel frame. The rigid panel frame includes at least two vertical posts having an upper end, a lower end, and opposite side faces. The opposite faces have at least two beam connection ports thereon positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of the associated one of the posts. The panel frame also includes upper and lower beams extending generally horizontally between the vertical posts adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, and interconnecting the vertical posts adjacent the connection ports. The panel frame includes quick-disconnect connectors such as movable lock members positioned on one of the posts and the beams adjacent the connection ports.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2001Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang
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Publication number: 20020029529Abstract: A partition includes at least two vertical posts with upper and lower beams having opposite ends thereof interconnecting the vertical posts to define when in an assembled condition, a rigid panel frame having a substantially open interior. The panel frame defines a vertical dimension. At least one cover panel is configured to enclose at least a portion of the open interior of the panel frame, and is removably mounted on the panel frame to readily access the open interior thereof. The cover panel defines an interior surface and a center portion spaced-apart from the posts. A cover panel brace is connected with the upper beam, and has an outer surface abutting the interior surface of the cover panel to support the cover panel adjacent the center portion to prevent flexing of the cover panel. The cover panel brace is longitudinally extensible to accommodate variations of the vertical dimension between the upper and lower beams.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang, Paul J. Granzotto, Richard S. Hand, Kevin J. Longhurst, Theodore Q. Chau, Douglas L. Scheerhorn, John L. McCrackin
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Patent number: 6301846Abstract: A knock-down portable partition includes a rigid panel frame having a central portion. The partition includes at least one cover panel covering at least a portion of the central portion of the rigid panel frame. Connectors detachably mount the cover panel on the panel frame to facilitate assembly and removal of the cover panel on the panel frame. The rigid panel frame includes at least two vertical posts having an upper end, a lower end, and opposite side faces. The opposite faces have at least two beam connection ports thereon positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of the associated one of the posts. The panel frame also includes upper and lower beams extending generally horizontally between the vertical posts adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, and interconnecting the vertical posts adjacent the connection ports. The panel frame includes quick-disconnect connectors such as movable lock members positioned on one of the posts and the beams adjacent the connection ports.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1999Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang
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Patent number: 6276103Abstract: A partition includes at least two vertical posts with upper and lower beams having opposite ends thereof interconnecting the vertical posts to define when in an assembled condition, a rigid panel frame having a substantially open interior. The panel frame defines a vertical dimension. At least one cover panel is configured to enclose at least a portion of the open interior of the panel frame, and is removably mounted on the panel frame to readily access the open interior thereof. The cover panel defines an interior surface and a center portion spaced-apart from the posts. A cover panel brace is connected with the upper beam, and has an outer surface abutting the interior surface of the cover panel to support the cover panel adjacent the center portion to prevent flexing of the cover panel. The cover panel brace is longitudinally extensible to accommodate variations of the vertical dimension between the upper and lower beams.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2000Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang, Paul J. Granzotto, Richard S. Hand, Kevin J. Longhurst, Theodore Q. Chau, Douglas L. Scheerhorn, John L. McCrackin
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Publication number: 20010013209Abstract: A knock-down portable partition includes a rigid panel frame having a central portion. The partition includes at least one cover panel covering at least a portion of the central portion of the rigid panel frame. Connectors detachably mount the cover panel on the panel frame to facilitate assembly and removal of the cover panel on the panel frame. The rigid panel frame includes at least two vertical posts having an upper end, a lower end, and opposite side faces. The opposite faces have at least two beam connection ports thereon positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of the associated one of the posts. The panel frame also includes upper and lower beams extending generally horizontally between the vertical posts adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, and interconnecting the vertical posts adjacent the connection ports. The panel frame includes quick-disconnect connectors such as movable lock members positioned on one of the posts and the beams adjacent the connection ports.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2001Publication date: August 16, 2001Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang
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Patent number: 6098358Abstract: A knock-down portable partition including a panel frame having a central portion. At least one cover panel covers at least a portion of the central portion of the panel frame. Connectors detachably mount the cover panel on the panel frame to facilitate assembly and removable of the cover panel on the panel frame. The panel frame includes at least two vertical posts each having an upper end, a lower end and opposite faces with at least two beam connection ports thereon positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of the associated one of the posts. The panel frame also includes upper and lower beams extending generally horizontally between the vertical posts adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, and interconnecting the same adjacent the connection ports. Movable lock members having a flexible extension are positioned on one of the posts and the beams adjacent the connection ports, and are movably mounted thereon for shifting between an unlocked position and a locked position.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1998Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang, Paul J. Granzotto, Richard S. Hand, Kevin J. Longhurst, Theodore Q. Chau, Douglas L. Scheerhorn, John L. McCrackin
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Patent number: 6079173Abstract: A knock-down portable partition includes a rigid panel frame having a central portion. The partition includes at least one cover panel covering at least a portion of the central portion of the rigid panel frame. Connectors detachably mount the cover panel on the panel frame to facilitate assembly and removal of the cover panel on the panel frame. The rigid panel frame includes at least two vertical posts having an upper end, a lower end, and opposite side faces. The opposite faces have at least two beam connection ports thereon positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of the associated one of the posts. The panel frame also includes upper and lower beams extending generally horizontally between the vertical posts adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, and interconnecting the vertical posts adjacent the connection ports. The panel frame includes quick-disconnect connectors such as movable lock members positioned on one of the posts and the beams adjacent the connection ports.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1999Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael Robert Shields, Brian Joseph Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang
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Patent number: 5999401Abstract: A computer system includes a housing having a slot of a defined footprint area. A pair of inserts are provided. One of the inserts is a shroudless CD drive insert selectively insertable in the slot for operably driving a CD ROM disc. The other of the inserts is a standard floppy drive insert selectively insertable in the slot for operably driving a floppy disc. Each insert has substantially the same footprint area as the slot and as each other. The footprint area is sized to receive the standard floppy drive insert. The CD ROM drive insert is shroudless and is insertable in the slot for driving a larger size storage media than the floppy insert.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Dell U.S.A., L.P.Inventors: Bryan Howell, Edward P. Sheehan, Jr., Peter N. Skillman
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Patent number: 5951015Abstract: An interactive game apparatus in which players throw projectiles, such as soft balls, against a display panel on which a target image is projected and contact sensitive elements aligned with target areas in the projected image are activated by a hit from the thrown projectile to initiate a change in the projected image uniquely associated with the target area hit and the player who threw the projectile. An embodiment in the context of a tic-tac-toe game is described. A number of embodiments for identifying specific projectiles with a player responsible for throwing the projectile are described.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1998Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Douglas H. Smith, James E. Stoneham, William P. Fricke, Anthony L. Creed, Peter N. Skillman, Johnson K. Chow
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Patent number: 5899035Abstract: A knock-down portable partition includes a panel frame having a central portion. The partition includes at least one cover panel covering at least a portion of the central portion of the panel frame. Connectors detachably mount the cover panel on the panel frame to facilitate assembly and removal of the cover panel on the panel frame. The panel frame includes at least two vertical posts having an upper end, a lower end, and opposite side faces. The opposite faces have at least two beam connection ports thereon positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of the associated one of the posts. The panel frame also includes upper and lower beams extending generally horizontally between the vertical posts adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof. The upper and lower beams interconnect the vertical posts adjacent the connection ports. The panel frame includes quick-disconnect connectors such as movable lock wedges positioned on one of the posts and the beams adjacent the connection ports.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1997Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Mark T. Slager, Brian Joseph Kane, Marcus K. Pressnell, Michael Robert Shields, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Charles A. Seiber, Peter N. Skillman, Joseph Chang
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Patent number: 5754397Abstract: A computer system includes a housing having a docking connector. A combined height adjustment and cover member is mounted on the housing and is movable from a first position wherein the connector is covered, to a second position wherein the connector is uncovered and the member is in abutment with an external surface of the housing and positioned to be engagable with a docking tray for elevating the housing above the tray surface. This provides a variable height adjustment capability between the docking connector of the computer and the mating connector on the docking tray.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1997Date of Patent: May 19, 1998Assignee: Dell Computer CorporationInventors: Bryan Howell, Peter N. Skillman, Bryan K. Hunter
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Patent number: D514571Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2004Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Handspring, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey C. Hawkins, Peter N. Skillman, Phillip Hobson, David Hoenig, Cathal Loughnane
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Patent number: D515093Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2004Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey C. Hawkins, Peter N. Skillman, Phillip Hobson, David Hoenig, Cathal Loughnane
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Patent number: D518820Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2004Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey C. Hawkins, Peter N. Skillman, Phillip Hobson, David Hoenig, Cathal Loughnane
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Patent number: D518821Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2004Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey C. Hawkins, Peter N. Skillman, Phillip Hobson, David Hoenig, Cathal Loughnane
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Patent number: D466877Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2001Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Handspring, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey C. Hawkins, Peter N. Skillman
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Patent number: D467235Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2001Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Handspring, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey C Hawkins, Peter N. Skillman, Michael A. Yurochko