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).

  • Patent number: 9955114
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Grooters, Mark A. Baloga
  • Patent number: 9510685
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Grooters, Mark A. Baloga
  • Publication number: 20150313367
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Robert S. Grooters, Mark A. Baloga
  • Patent number: 6302486
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Michel A. Lamart, Arnold B. Dammermann, Glenn A. Knoblock, Robert S. Grooters, Larry DeKraker, John Hanna J. Hasbany
  • Patent number: 6176550
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Michel A. Lamart, Arnold B. Dammermann, Glenn A. Knoblock, Robert S. Grooters, Larry DeKraker, John Hanna J. Hasbany
  • Patent number: 6168237
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Michel A. Lamart, Arnold B. Dammermann, Glenn A. Knoblock, Robert S. Grooters, Larry DeKraker, John Hanna J. Hasbany
  • Patent number: 5971484
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Michel A. Lamart, Arnold B. Dammermann, Glenn A. Knoblock, Robert S. Grooters, Larry DeKraker, John Hanna J. Hasbany
  • Patent number: 5964436
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 5906343
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: 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