Patents by Inventor Randall S. Helm

Randall S. Helm 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: 5403232
    Abstract: A ventilation system is provided for communicating ventilation air through a modular furniture arrangement, such as open office partition panel systems or the like. The ventilation system includes an air source, and a collapsible duct connected to the air source. The collapsible duct can be routed through interior spaces in partition panels in a collapsed state to facilitate routing and installation. After installation, the collapsible duct can be inflated for use, at which time the collapsible duct inflates to a maximum size to minimize resistance to air flow. Multiple secondary openings distribute the ventilation air in the collapsible duct to various worksurfaces as desired. A pressure relief valve is attached to the collapsible duct to prevent over-pressurization of the collapsible duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Randall S. Helm, James R. Ahart
  • Patent number: 5358444
    Abstract: A workstation ventilation system is provided for offices divided into workstations by modular furniture units, such as partition panels, or the like. The ventilation system includes air ducts attached to the modular furniture units in the configuration of the furniture units, and further includes a collection and distribution unit for receiving air from an overhead ventilation system and for communicating the air through the air ducts to individual workstations. Optimally, the air ducts can be retrofittably attached to the furniture units to facilitate installation. Also optimally, the air ducts include air diffusers at each workstation, which air diffusers include individually adjustable deflectors to direct the conditioned air from the air ducts into the workstation area as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Randall S. Helm, James R. Ahart
  • Patent number: 4969075
    Abstract: A low-glare light having a light source behind a transparent sheet of dielectric material. The transparent sheet has a prismatic surface on one side containing a plurality of elongated prisms and a plano surface on the opposite side. The transparent sheet is positioned with the prismatic surface facing the source of light with the elongated prisms perpendicular to the source of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Randall S. Helm, Richard A. Benoit