Patents by Inventor Roland R. O. Zwick

Roland R. O. Zwick 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: 10383446
    Abstract: A chair includes a base, a support element and a torsion element. The support element is coupled to the base and includes a seat region, a backrest region and a transition region connecting the seat region and the backrest region. The backrest region is reclinable relative to the seat region by way of elastic deformation of the support element. The torsion element is coupled to the base and to the backrest region. The torsion element controls the reclining of the backrest region relative to the seat region. The support element is exclusively connected to the torsion element above a lumbar region, wherein the backrest region can be inclined and/or twisted in relation to the seat region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick
  • Patent number: 10165862
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a frame, a carrier, and a suspension material. The frame includes front, rear, and side portions that define a continuous outer periphery of the frame. The frame further includes a cross portion extending between the side portions. The frame also includes openings in the front and rear portions, with the cross portion between the openings. The cross portion includes stiffening ribs. The carrier includes a suspension material connected to the outer periphery of the frame. The frame and carrier have respective first and second attachment features that engage to lock the carrier onto the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick
  • Publication number: 20170112287
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a frame, a carrier, and a suspension material. The frame includes front, rear, and side portions that define a continuous outer periphery of the frame. The frame further includes a cross portion extending between the side portions. The frame also includes openings in the front and rear portions, with the cross portion between the openings. The cross portion includes stiffening ribs. The carrier includes a suspension material connected to the outer periphery of the frame. The frame and carrier have respective first and second attachment features that engage to lock the carrier onto the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola E.M. Zwick, Roland R.O. Zwick
  • Publication number: 20170079439
    Abstract: A chair includes a base, a support element and a torsion element. The support element is coupled to the base and includes a seat region, a backrest region and a transition region connecting the seat region and the backrest region. The backrest region is reclinable relative to the seat region by way of elastic deformation of the support element. The torsion element is coupled to the base and to the backrest region. The torsion element controls the reclining of the backrest region relative to the seat region. The support element is exclusively connected to the torsion element above a lumbar region, wherein the backrest region can be inclined and/or twisted in relation to the seat region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola E.M. Zwick, Roland R.O. Zwick
  • Patent number: 9538848
    Abstract: A piece of seating furniture has a saddle-form seat surface, wherein the seat surface is arranged on a saddle support. The seat surface here is mounted between a front saddle member on a front member support and a rear saddle member on a rear member support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick
  • Patent number: 9510684
    Abstract: A chair includes a base, a support element and a torsion element. The support element is coupled to the base and includes a seat region, a backrest region and a transition region connecting the seat region and the backrest region. The backrest region is reclinable relative to the seat region by way of elastic deformation of the support element. The torsion element is coupled to the base and to the backrest region. The torsion element controls the reclining of the backrest region relative to the seat region. The support element is exclusively connected to the torsion element above a lumbar region, wherein the backrest region can be inclined and/or twisted in relation to the seat region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick
  • Patent number: 9211014
    Abstract: A body support structure includes a molded polymeric support grid having a three-dimensional molded contour. The support grid includes a body support region having a plurality of through openings separated by a plurality of lands. In one embodiment, an area of the openings is greater than an area of the lands. In another embodiment, the ratio of a surface area of the lands relative to an area defined by an outer peripheral edge is less than or equal to 0.74. A fabric layer is bonded to the plurality of lands and covers the plurality of openings. Methods of manufacturing and recycling the body structure are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick, Andrew J Kurrasch
  • Patent number: 9010034
    Abstract: The invention relates to a partition system (10) comprising a plurality of wall elements (1) merging one into another, wherein at least one wall element (1) is designed as a stepped element (150), and wherein at least one wall element (1) is designed as a corner element (250).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudia Plikat, Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick
  • Publication number: 20130147252
    Abstract: A body support structure includes a molded polymeric support grid having a three-dimensional molded contour. The support grid includes a body support region having a plurality of through openings separated by a plurality of lands. In one embodiment, an area of the openings is greater than an area of the lands. In another embodiment, the ratio of a surface area of the lands relative to an area defined by an outer peripheral edge is less than or equal to 0.74. A fabric layer is bonded to the plurality of lands and covers the plurality of openings. Methods of manufacturing and recycling the body structure are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: JOHANN BURKHARD SCHMITZ, Claudia PLIKAT, Carola E.M. ZWICK, Roland R.O. ZWICK, Andrew J. KURRASCH
  • Publication number: 20130082499
    Abstract: A chair includes a base, a support element and a torsion element. The support element is coupled to the base and includes a seat region, a backrest region and a transition region connecting the seat region and the backrest region. The backrest region is reclinable relative to the seat region by way of elastic deformation of the support element. The torsion element is coupled to the base and to the backrest region. The torsion element controls the reclining of the backrest region relative to the seat region. The support element is exclusively connected to the torsion element above a lumbar region, wherein the backrest region can be inclined and/or twisted in relation to the seat region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola E.M. Zwick, Claudia Plikat, Roland R.O. Zwick
  • Patent number: 7841666
    Abstract: A tiltable chair including a base, a fulcrum member having a curved support surface, a back support pivotally connected to the base at a pivot axis and pivotable between at least an upright position and a rearward tilt position, and at least one leaf spring having first and second ends, with the first end being restrained by the base. The at least one leaf spring engages the curved support surface of the fulcrum member at a first contact point when the back support is in the upright position and at a second contact point when the back support is in the rearward tilt position, wherein the second contact point is positioned rearwardly on the at least one leaf spring relative to the first contact point. A link member is pivotally connected to the back support at a first pivot location and is pivotally connected to the at least one leaf spring at a second pivot location. The link member defines a vector between the first and second pivot locations and the first pivot location and the pivot axis define a plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick
  • Publication number: 20090127905
    Abstract: A tiltable chair including a base, a fulcrum member having a curved support surface, a back support pivotally connected to the base at a pivot axis and pivotable between at least an upright position and a rearward tilt position, and at least one leaf spring having first and second ends, with the first end being restrained by the base. The at least one leaf spring engages the curved support surface of the fulcrum member at a first contact point when the back support is in the upright position and at a second contact point when the back support is in the rearward tilt position, wherein the second contact point is positioned rearwardly on the at least one leaf spring relative to the first contact point. A link member is pivotally connected to the back support at a first pivot location and is pivotally connected to the at least one leaf spring at a second pivot location. The link member defines a vector between the first and second pivot locations and the first pivot location and the pivot axis define a plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E.M. Zwick, Roland R.O. Zwick
  • Patent number: 7425037
    Abstract: A tiltable chair including a base, a fulcrum member having a curved support surface, a back support pivotally connected to the base at a pivot axis and pivotable between at least an upright position and a rearward tilt position, and at least one leaf spring having first and second ends, with the first end being restrained by the base. The at least one leaf spring engages the curved support surface of the fulcrum member at a first contact point when the back support is in the upright position and at a second contact point when the back support is in the rearward tilt position, wherein the second contact point is positioned rearwardly on the at least one leaf spring relative to the first contact point. A link member is pivotally connected to the back support at a first pivot location and is pivotally connected to the at least one leaf spring at a second pivot location. The link member defines a vector between the first and second pivot locations and the first pivot location and the pivot axis define a plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick, John F. Aldrich, Christopher C. Hill, James D. Slagh, Douglas M. VanDeRiet
  • Patent number: 7419222
    Abstract: A support member for a seating structure component includes a first support member having a first plurality of spaced apart fins and a second support member having a second plurality of spaced apart fins. The first support member is secured to the second support member with the first plurality of fins nested between the second plurality of fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick, Chad D. Aerts, John F. Aldrich
  • Patent number: 7249802
    Abstract: A tiltable chair including a housing, a back support pivotally attached to the housing about a first horizontal axis and a seat support pivotally attached to the back support about a second horizontal axis and moveably supported by a curved track formed on the housing. A leaf spring includes a first end supported by the housing and a second end biasing the back support and seat support in an upward direction. Preferably, a fulcrum member, which includes a support surface having a curvilinear contour, is moveably supported in the housing and engages a bottom surface of the spring intermediate the first and second ends of the spring. Preferably, a linkage mechanism including a first and second link is adapted to adjust the position of the fulcrum. In another preferred embodiment, a gear housing is removably disposed in said housing and coupled to the fulcrum. In one preferred embodiment, rearward and forward tilt limiters are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick, Chad D. Aerts, John F. Aldrich, Christopher C. Hill, Shane M. Ramsdell, James D. Slagh, Douglas M. VanDeRiet
  • Patent number: 7213886
    Abstract: A kit for assembling a seating structure includes a tilt housing having a plurality of connector arrangements including at least a first and second connector arrangement. A first seating arrangement has a first mounting arrangement configured to be connected to the first connector arrangement. A second seating arrangement has a second mounting arrangement configured to be connected to the second connector arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick, John F. Aldrich, Douglas M. VanDeRiet
  • Patent number: 7213880
    Abstract: A control device for an adjustable seating structure including a first adjustment control positioned in an orientation approximating a seat member. The first adjustment control is moveable about a horizontal axis. A second adjustment control is positioned adjacent the first adjustment control in an orientation approximating a backrest member. The second adjustment control is moveable about the horizontal axis. The first adjustment control and the second adjustment control in combination generally resemble a seating structure. A seating structure including the control device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick
  • Publication number: 20040183350
    Abstract: A tiltable chair including a base, a fulcrum member having a curved support surface, a back support pivotally connected to the base at a pivot axis and pivotable between at least an upright position and a rearward tilt position, and at least one leaf spring having first and second ends, with the first end being restrained by the base. The at least one leaf spring engages the curved support surface of the fulcrum member at a first contact point when the back support is in the upright position and at a second contact point when the back support is in the rearward tilt position, wherein the second contact point is positioned rearwardly on the at least one leaf spring relative to the first contact point. A link member is pivotally connected to the back support at a first pivot location and is pivotally connected to the at least one leaf spring at a second pivot location. The link member defines a vector between the first and second pivot locations and the first pivot location and the pivot axis define a plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E.M. Zwick, Roland R.O. Zwick, John F. Aldrich, Christopher C. Hill, James D. Slagh, Douglas M. VanDeRiet
  • Patent number: D494792
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Nicolai Neubert, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick
  • Patent number: D659417
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Carola E. M. Zwick, Roland R. O. Zwick