Patents by Inventor Robert S. Grooters
Robert S. Grooters 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: 9955114Abstract: A method for video-teleconferencing includes providing a plurality of seating units, each adapted to support a seated user thereon such that a head of the seated user is located at a first vertical height, and providing at least one seating unit of the plurality of seating units with a display support adapted to support a display in a forwardly-facing orientation with respect to the seating unit so that the display is viewable from a position located in front of the seating unit, the display support further adapted to support the display at a second vertical height that is substantially the same as the first vertical height for use in video-conferencing applications while located on the seating unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Grooters, Mark A. Baloga
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Patent number: 9510685Abstract: A seating unit includes a base, a seat including a support surface mounted on the base and adapted to support a seated user thereon, a back supported by the base and extending upwardly from the seat to support the back of a seated user, and a display support coupled to the back so as to extend at least partially above the back, wherein the display support is adapted to position a display in a forwardly-facing orientation with respect to the seating unit at least partially above the back for use while located on the seating unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2015Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Grooters, Mark A. Baloga
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Publication number: 20150313367Abstract: A seating unit includes a base, a seat including a support surface mounted on the base and adapted to support a seated user thereon, a back supported by the base and extending upwardly from the seat to support the back of a seated user, and a display support coupled to the back so as to extend at least partially above the back, wherein the display support is adapted to position a display in a forwardly-facing orientation with respect to the seating unit at least partially above the back for use while located on the seating unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2015Publication date: November 5, 2015Inventors: Robert S. Grooters, Mark A. Baloga
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Patent number: 6302486Abstract: An armrest construction for chairs includes an armrest support having a lower end constructed for attachment to a chair, an upper end, and a mounting block attached to the upper end. A pivot block is pivoted to the mounting block at a main pivot, the pivot block having an upwardly-extending follower. First and second gears are each pivoted to the pivot block, the gears having intermeshing teeth at an inner end such that rotation of the first gear causes the second gear to simultaneously rotate in an opposite direction, the first and second gears further having outer ends. A support plate having pivot/slide members engages the outer ends of the first and second gears, and further has a guide operably engaging the follower to guide lateral movement of the support plate along a predetermined path.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2000Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Michel A. Lamart, Arnold B. Dammermann, Glenn A. Knoblock, Robert S. Grooters, Larry DeKraker, John Hanna J. Hasbany
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Patent number: 6176550Abstract: An armrest construction for chairs includes an armrest support having a lower end constructed for attachment to a chair, an upper end, and a mounting block attached to the upper end. A pivot block is pivoted to the mounting block at a main pivot, the pivot block having an upwardly-extending follower. First and second gears are each pivoted to the pivot block, the gears having intermeshing teeth at an inner end such that rotation of the first gear causes the second gear to simultaneously rotate in an opposite direction, the first and second gears further having outer ends. A support plate having pivot/slide members engages the outer ends of the first and second gears, and further has a guide operably engaging the follower to guide lateral movement of the support plate along a predetermined path.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2000Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.Inventors: Michel A. Lamart, Arnold B. Dammermann, Glenn A. Knoblock, Robert S. Grooters, Larry DeKraker, John Hanna J. Hasbany
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Patent number: 6168237Abstract: An armrest construction for chairs includes an armrest support having a lower end constructed for attachment to a chair, an upper end, and a mounting block attached to the upper end. A pivot block is pivoted to the mounting block at a main pivot, the pivot block having an upwardly-extending follower. First and second gears are each pivoted to the pivot block, the gears having intermeshing teeth at an inner end such that rotation of the first gear causes the second gear to simultaneously rotate in an opposite direction, the first and second gears further having outer ends. A support plate having pivot/slide members engages the outer ends of the first and second gears, and further has a guide operably engaging the follower to guide lateral movement of the support plate along a predetermined path.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1999Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.Inventors: Michel A. Lamart, Arnold B. Dammermann, Glenn A. Knoblock, Robert S. Grooters, Larry DeKraker, John Hanna J. Hasbany
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Patent number: 5971484Abstract: An armrest construction for chairs includes an armrest support having a lower end constructed for attachment to a chair, an upper end, and a mounting block attached to the upper end. A pivot block is pivoted to the mounting block at a main pivot, the pivot block having an upwardly-extending follower. First and second gears are each pivoted to the pivot block, the gears having intermeshing teeth at an inner end such that rotation of the first gear causes the second gear to simultaneously rotate in an opposite direction, the first and second gears further having outer ends. A support plate having pivot/slide members engages the outer ends of the first and second gears, and further has a guide operably engaging the follower to guide lateral movement of the support plate along a predetermined path.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1997Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.Inventors: Michel A. Lamart, Arnold B. Dammermann, Glenn A. Knoblock, Robert S. Grooters, Larry DeKraker, John Hanna J. Hasbany
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Patent number: 5964436Abstract: A chair base includes a leg assembly having a plurality of radially extending legs, and a leg cover adapted to cover the legs. The tubular legs have a top surface divided by a centerline and have apertures offset from the centerline. The leg covers are adapted to cover the legs, and the leg covers include downwardly extending off-centered bosses for engaging the apertures. Each of the tubular legs has an end with aligned vertical holes therein. A sleeve-like pintle receiver is located in the aligned vertical holes and flared at its top and bottom to hold the pintle receiver in the tubular legs. The leg assembly includes a tubular center hub. The plurality of radially extending tubular legs each have a top wall, a bottom wall, and opposing sidewalls, the top and bottom walls each having an arcuately shaped end engaging the center hub. A pair of ring welds extends continuously circumferentially around the center hub for welding the arcuately shaped ends of the top and bottom walls to the center hub.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1999Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Robert S. Grooters, Kurt R. Heidmann, John L. Hendricks, Michael A. Kolarik, Brian H. Root, Bruce G. Rose, Robert M. Scheper
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Patent number: 5906343Abstract: A chair base includes a leg assembly having a plurality of radially-extending legs, and a leg cover adapted to cover the legs. The tubular legs have a top surface divided by a center line and have apertures offset from the center line. The leg covers are adapted to cover the legs, and the leg covers including downwardly extending off-centered bosses for engaging the apertures. Each of the tubular legs have an end with aligned vertical holes therein. A sleeve-like pintle retainer is located in the aligned vertical holes and flared at its top and bottom to hold the pintle retainer in the tubular legs. The leg assembly includes a tubular center hub. The plurality of radially extending tubular legs each have a top wall, a bottom wall and opposing side walls, the top and bottom walls each having an arcuately shaped end engaging the center hub. A pair of ring welds extend continuously circumferentially around the center hub for welding the arcuately shaped ends of the top and bottom walls to the center hub.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1997Date of Patent: May 25, 1999Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Robert S. Grooters, Kurt R. Heidmann, John L. Hendricks, Michael A. Kolarik, Brian H. Root, Bruce G. Rose, Robert M. Scheper