Patents by Inventor Robert E. Jeffers

Robert E. Jeffers 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).

  • Publication number: 20240057768
    Abstract: A workspace system includes different base components, different accessory interfaces and different accessories. Different accessory interfaces may be fixed to different base components, and different accessories may be releasably engaged by different, or the same accessory interfaces. The same accessories may be engaged by different accessory interfaces. The base components and accessories may be reconfigured to define different workspaces. Methods of assembling and reconfiguring the workspaces are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Allen, Charles Beasley, William Bennie, Justin G. Beitzel, Antonio Caballero, Robert E. Jeffers, Alban Moriniere, Penghao Shan
  • Patent number: 9169640
    Abstract: A frameless mounting system for glass or the like includes one or more bracket assemblies that adjustably interconnect a sheet of material along an upper edge of an existing partition system. The bracket assemblies permit the sheet of material to be adjusted upwardly or sidewardly to align the sheets of material with adjacent sheets of material. Furthermore, the sheets of material can be tilted as required to align adjacent sheets. The sheet of material is preferably transparent glass, but may comprise various other materials such as polymers, translucent materials, frosted, or opaque materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Jeffers, Roy Fink
  • Publication number: 20130326976
    Abstract: A frameless mounting system for glass or the like includes one or more bracket assemblies that adjustably interconnect a sheet of material along an upper edge of an existing partition system. The bracket assemblies permit the sheet of material to be adjusted upwardly or sidewardly to align the sheets of material with adjacent sheets of material. Furthermore, the sheets of material can be tilted as required to align adjacent sheets. The sheet of material is preferably transparent glass, but may comprise various other materials such as polymers, translucent materials, frosted, or opaque materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Robert E. Jeffers, Roy Fink
  • Patent number: 8104850
    Abstract: An office furniture unit has an outer face with slotted hangers, and a removable storage unit assembly including a bottom panel positioned in a generally horizontal orientation along the office furniture unit, and a top panel disposed above and generally parallel with the bottom panel. First and second panels are disposed at opposite ends of the top and bottom panels and are connected therewith to define a rigid, box-shaped case having an open back portion. The first and second end panels have rear portions with multiple vertically spaced slots. First and second hanger brackets have a rear portion with first hooks selectively received in the slotted hangers of the office furniture units, and a forward portion with second hooks selectively received in the slots in the rear portions of the first and second end panels to detachably support the case against the outer face of the office furniture unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Allen C. Hager, Robert E. Jeffers, William K. Hofman, Brian L. Bultsma, Scott Michael Miller, Marvin C. Knauf, Karl Heinz Mueller, John R. Hamilton, Karl J. Mead
  • Patent number: 7461484
    Abstract: A partition system includes an internally-open partition frame having permanent and removable frame members forming multiple vertical and horizontal wireways, with both lay-in and feed-through wire routing. Utility support brackets are attachable for good wire management. The partition frame supports a wide variety of customizable and functional surface components, including a markerboard wall surface, a slatwall, a colored/covered wall surface, a wall surface including utility outlets, a transparent window. The partition frame includes continuous horizontal and vertical rows of slots that flexibly and adjustably support furniture accessories, such as a worksurface, at selected heights and locations along the partition system. Covers are provided that maintain a very high-quality appearance with uniform lines and gaps. Some covers include adjustable edge-mounted light seals for eliminating light leaks and unsightly areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Battey, Roy W. Fink, Richard Scott Hand, Joshua W. Hoekstra, Robert E. Jeffers, Michael P. Kelley, Douglas B. MacDonald, Gaylan M. McColley, Karl J. Mead, F. Javier Olvera, William H. Palermo, Todd Pelman, Micah E. Roberts, Mark T. Slager, Steven J. Throndset
  • Publication number: 20080297015
    Abstract: A storage unit assembly and method for office furniture units includes two end panels and a bottom panel configured to support objects thereon. A back stop rail is connected to end panels and the bottom panel. The back stop rail includes a lower web having a bottom flange and a center flange, wherein the bottom flange abuts the bottom panel of the storage unit, and the center flange extends above the bottom panel into the storage unit. An upper web is connected to the center flange, wherein the upper web extends upwardly and terminates at a top flange. A rear flange extends downwardly from the top flange, wherein the planar extent of the rear flange is substantially coplanar with the planar extent of the lower web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Allen C. Hager, Robert E. Jeffers, William K. Hofman, Brian L. Bultsma, Scott Michael Miller, Karl Heinz Mueller, John R. Hamilton, Karl J. Mead
  • Publication number: 20080296457
    Abstract: An office furniture unit has an outer face with slotted hangers, and a removable storage unit assembly including a bottom panel positioned in a generally horizontal orientation along the office furniture unit, and a top panel disposed above and generally parallel with the bottom panel. First and second panels are disposed at opposite ends of the top and bottom panels and are connected therewith to define a rigid, box-shaped case having an open back portion. The first and second end panels have rear portions with multiple vertically spaced slots. First and second hanger brackets have a rear portion with first hooks selectively received in the slotted hangers of the office furniture units, and a forward portion with second hooks selectively received in the slots in the rear portions of the first and second end panels to detachably support the case against the outer face of the office furniture unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Allen C. Hager, Robert E. Jeffers, William K. Hofman, Brian L. Bultsma, Scott Michael Miller, Marvin C. Knauf, Karl Heinz Mueller, John R. Hamilton, Karl J. Mead
  • Patent number: 7051482
    Abstract: An office panel partition includes a panel frame having at least two uprights and a horizontal structural member rigidly interconnecting the uprights. The panel frame has a first side and a second opposite side, and the panel frame defines at least four apertures on the first side thereof. The partition also includes a cover member having a major planar surface defining an exterior surface of the partition. The cover member includes at least four projections that are removably insertable into the at least four apertures to removably secure the cover member to the frame. The apertures are arranged in at least two vertically spaced horizontal rows and at least two horizontally spaced vertical columns. The apertures in a first one of the columns have different horizontal dimensions than those of the apertures located in the other of the columns. Each of the projections has a range of lateral positions when inserted into a respective one of the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas B. MacDonald, Steven E. Sanders, Mark T. Slager, Dean K. Hubbard, Roy W. Fink, Steven J. Throndset, David J. Battey, Robert E. Jeffers, Allen C. Hager
  • Publication number: 20040154756
    Abstract: An office panel partition includes a panel frame having at least two uprights and a horizontal structural member rigidly interconnecting the uprights. The panel frame has a first side and a second opposite side, and the panel frame defines at least four apertures on the first side thereof. The partition also includes a cover member having a major planar surface defining an exterior surface of the partition. The cover member includes at least four projections that are removably insertable into the at least four apertures to removably secure the cover member to the frame. The apertures are arranged in at least two vertically spaced horizontal rows and at least two horizontally spaced vertical columns. The apertures in a first one of the columns have different horizontal dimensions than those of the apertures located in the other of the columns. Each of the projections has a range of lateral positions when inserted into a respective one of the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Douglas B. MacDonald, Steven E. Sanders, Mark T. Slager, Dean K. Hubbard, Roy W. Fink, Steven J. Throndset, David J. Battey, Robert E. Jeffers, Allen C. Hager
  • Publication number: 20040020137
    Abstract: A partition system includes an internally-open partition frame having permanent and removable frame members forming multiple vertical and horizontal wireways, with both lay-in and feed-through wire routing. Utility support brackets are attachable for good wire management. The partition frame supports a wide variety of customizable and functional surface components, including a markerboard wall surface, a slatwall, a colored/covered wall surface, a wall surface including utility outlets, a transparent window. The partition frame includes continuous horizontal and vertical rows of slots that flexibly and adjustably support furniture accessories, such as a worksurface, at selected heights and locations along the partition system. Covers are provided that maintain a very high-quality appearance with uniform lines and gaps. Some covers include adjustable edge-mounted light seals for eliminating light leaks and unsightly areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: David J. Battey, Roy W. Fink, Richard Scott Hand, Joshua W. Hoekstra, Robert E. Jeffers, Michael P. Kelley, Douglas B. MacDonald, Gaylan M. McColley, Karl J. Mead, F. Javier Olivera, William H. Palermo, Todd Pelman, Micah E. Roberts, Mark T. Slager, Steven J. Throndset
  • Patent number: 6684929
    Abstract: An office panel partition includes a panel frame having at least two uprights and a horizontal structural member rigidly interconnecting the uprights. The panel frame has a first side and a second opposite side, and the panel frame defines at least four apertures on the first side thereof. The partition also includes a cover member having a major planar surface defining an exterior surface of the partition. The cover member includes at least four projections that are removably insertable into the at least four apertures to removably secure the cover member to the frame. The apertures are arranged in at least two vertically spaced horizontal rows and at least two horizontally spaced vertical columns. The apertures in a first one of the columns have different horizontal dimensions than those of the apertures located in the other of the columns. Each of the projections has a range of lateral positions when inserted into a respective one of the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas B. MacDonald, Steven E. Sanders, Mark T. Slager, Dean K. Hubbard, Roy W. Fink, Steven J. Throndset, David J. Battey, Robert E. Jeffers, Allen C. Hager
  • Publication number: 20030155083
    Abstract: An office panel partition includes a panel frame having at least two uprights and a horizontal structural member rigidly interconnecting the uprights. The panel frame has a first side and a second opposite side, and the panel frame defines at least four apertures on the first side thereof. The partition also includes a cover member having a major planar surface defining an exterior surface of the partition. The cover member includes at least four projections that are removably insertable into the at least four apertures to removably secure the cover member to the frame. The apertures are arranged in at least two vertically spaced horizontal rows and at least two horizontally spaced vertical columns. The apertures in a first one of the columns have different horizontal dimensions than those of the apertures located in the other of the columns. Each of the projections has a range of lateral positions when inserted into a respective one of the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Douglas B. MacDonald, Steven E. Sanders, Mark T. Slager, Dean K. Hubbard, Roy W. Fink, Steven J. Throndset, David J. Battey, Robert E. Jeffers, Allen C. Hager
  • Patent number: 6230459
    Abstract: A wall start panel for knock-down portable partition systems of the type having a plurality of panels, each having standard width posts interconnected by structural members in a spaced-apart relationship to define a standard panel width. The wall start panel includes at least one structural member and a standard width post having a unitary construction and including a connection port. The standard width post also has opposite side faces defining a standard post width therebetween. The wall start panel further includes a wall start post having a connection port and having opposite side faces defining a width therebetween substantially less than the standard post width. The structural member spans between and releasably interconnects the standard width and wall start posts in a spaced-apart relationship. The wall start panel has a substantially standard panel width, such that the wall start post can be secured to an existing wall without use of a trim piece to close off the wall start panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Jeffers, Michael D. Elsholz, Richard S. Hand, Karl J. Mead, Todd M. Ostrander, Fredrick M. Brickley
  • Patent number: 6158179
    Abstract: A wall structure for dividing building space includes several different freestanding base panels such as an internally open partition panel, a sound-deadening partition panel, a glass-supporting partition panel, and a doorway-supporting partition panel, and further includes an overhead system comprising a structural expressway construction, a transom subframe, covers for the subframe, and a glass module attachable to the subframe. The structural expressway construction has a torque box bracket for moving support from an inboard location spaced from the vertical side edge of the base panels to the vertical side edge. The transom subframe mounts atop the different base panels, and telescopingly extends into mating engagement with a ceiling channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Anne C. Ackerly, David J. Battey, David P. Churchill, James H. Davies, Gregg R. Draudt, Michael D. Elsholz, Roy W. Fink, Steven F. Goodman, Steven C. Gortsema, Peter C. Greenberg, Allen C. Hager, Harold Halvorson, Jr., James D. Houda, Robert E. Jeffers, Gary S. Juhlin, Robert J. Luchetti, Karl J. Mead, Scott H. Russell, Peter J. Schauer, David A. Shipman, Anthony A. Stachowiak, Michael Tingley, Genevieve Wing
  • Patent number: 6094872
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a floor channel having a floor-engaging flange and a raised flange with an aperture. A partition has a leveler assembly including a threaded leveling glide that can be rotated for adjusting the height of the partition relative to a floor surface. The leveling glide includes a shaft that extends through the aperture and further includes a head positioned below the raised flange that is larger than the aperture so that the head cannot be pulled through the aperture. The leveling glide also includes an upper end section positioned above the floor channel, and each of the head, the shaft, and the upper end section have non-circular cross sections shaped so that they can be engaged by tools to rotate and adjust the leveling glide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Ward, Steven J. Throndset, Robert W. Corl, III, Robert E. Jeffers
  • Patent number: 6003273
    Abstract: A floor-to-ceiling partition wall system includes a plurality of partition panels, each having panel frames interconnected along opposite side edges thereof. The partition panels have cover panels mounted on opposite side faces thereof to form a partition wall having substantially planar side surfaces. A utilities infeed panel has an infeed panel frame with opposite vertical side edges that are interconnected with side edges of adjacent partition panel frames such that the infeed panel forms an integral portion of the partition wall. The infeed panel frame defines first and second opposite side faces, and a vertically-extending central space connected to an opening in the ceiling. A first cover panel is connected to the first side face. A second cover panel is removably connected to the second side face of the infeed panel frame, and closes off the central space. The second cover panel permits access to the central space for utilities management upon removal of the second cover panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Elsholz, Robert E. Jeffers, Karl J. Mead
  • Patent number: 6000179
    Abstract: A partition construction is provided for subdividing a building workspace wherein a first panel has a first frame with a horizontal top frame member and a vertical first side frame member, a second panel has a second frame with a horizontal bottom frame member and a vertical second side frame member, and a connection system for connecting the first and second panels in a stacked arrangement to form a first partition stack. The connection system includes at least one stacking connector which has fastener apertures proximate to each end of the connector. The fastener apertures in the stacking connector are in a predefined pattern identical to the fastener aperture pattern in the first and second side frame members. The connection system also includes a horizontal rail adapted to vertically align the top frame member of the first panel and bottom frame member of the second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Musculus, Robert E. Jeffers, Peter S. Macdonald
  • Patent number: 5943834
    Abstract: A furniture system for outfitting a building space, includes a plurality of partition frames, each having horizontally spaced apart uprights with opposing sides, and having horizontal frame members connecting the uprights. A top one of the horizontal frame members is one-piece and attached to a top of the uprights. The top one horizontal frame member includes opposing side faces that are spaced apart a distance greater than the opposing sides and that include cover-supporting connectors. Cover panels are provided having frame-engaging connectors extending horizontally beyond an inside surface of the frame. The frame-engaging connectors are configured to releasably engage the cover-supporting connectors. This allows the cover panels, when attached to the partition frames, to define an internal cavity in the frame that extends horizontally a width of the frame and vertically substantially the height of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Jeffers, Melissa A. DuBuis, Scott M. Miller
  • Patent number: 5802789
    Abstract: A partition panel includes a partition frame with a planar face having clip-receiving apertures for supporting cover panels and bracket-receiving apertures for supporting furniture components. A pair of cover panels configured to cover the partition frame include side edges that define a gap therebetween for providing access to the bracket-receiving apertures when the cover panels are attached to the partition frame. Clips on the cover panels are constructed to releasably engage the clip-receiving apertures for retaining the cover panels on the partition frame in a coplanar arrangement. The clips each include an antidislodgement tooth for interlockingly engaging a back surface of the face when the clips are engaged with the clip-receiving apertures, and further include a release tab that is depressible to move the tooth to a disengaged position for releasing the clip from the associated clip-receiving aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven F. Goodman, Kenneth D. Brickner, Melissa A. DuBuis, Daniel Grabowski, Allen C. Hager, Robert E. Jeffers, Karl J. Mead, Scott M. Miller, Kurt A. Jonker
  • Patent number: 4949519
    Abstract: A space dividing wall panel system having a non-metallic edge cap which is channel shaped in cross section, including a bight and first and second depending leg portions. The edge cap is attached to an outer edge of a wall panel by a plurality of metallic spring clips which are fixed to the outer edge. Each spring clip includes first and second upstanding leg portions having flanged ends which define a plurality of spaced teeth. The dimension between the depending leg portions of the edge cap is less than the dimension between the teeth of the upstanding leg portions, such that the edge cap may be forced downwardly over the spring clips, causing the upstanding leg portions of each spring clip to flex inwardly such that the teeth non-destructively bite into the edge cap and resist dis-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Robert E. Jeffers