Patents by Inventor Ronald R. Hodges

Ronald R. Hodges 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: 6951085
    Abstract: A utility panel system is provided for open office spaces, and the like. Each utility panel has a relatively thick, skeleton-like frame, with a foot and opposite sides shaped for interconnection with like panel frames to create a substantially freestanding utility panel system. Cover panels are detachably connected to the opposite faces of each panel frame to enclose the same, and provide ready access to the panel interior. Horizontal utility troughs extend continuously between the opposite sides of each panel frame in a vertically stacked relationship. The utility troughs have open ends located at the opposite panel sides, and are positioned such that when adjacent utility panels are interconnected in a side-by-side relationship, the utility troughs are aligned to form multiple raceways. Panel connectors are provided to connect the utility panels with one or more of a variety of existing partition panels, such that the utility panels act as a spine which supplies utilities to the existing partition panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald R. Hodges, George V. Weller
  • Publication number: 20040154233
    Abstract: A utility panel system is provided for open office spaces, and the like. Each utility panel has a relatively thick, skeleton-like frame, with a foot and opposite sides shaped for interconnection with like panel frames to create a substantially freestanding utility panel system. Cover panels are detachably connected to the opposite faces of each panel frame to enclose the same, and provide ready access to the panel interior. Horizontal utility troughs extend continuously between the opposite sides of each panel frame in a vertically stacked relationship. The utility troughs have open ends located at the opposite panel sides, and are positioned such that when adjacent utility panels are interconnected in a side-by-side relationship, the utility troughs are aligned to form multiple raceways. Panel connectors are provided to connect the utility panels with one or more of a variety of existing partition panels, such that the utility panels act as a spine which supplies utilities to the existing partition panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald R. Hodges, George V. Weller
  • Patent number: 6684583
    Abstract: A utility panel system is provided for open office spaces, and the like. Each utility panel has a relatively thick, skeleton-like frame, with a foot and opposite sides shaped for interconnection with like panel frames to create a substantially freestanding utility panel system. Cover panels are detachably connected to the opposite faces of each panel frame to enclose the same, and provide ready access to the panel interior. Horizontal utility troughs extend continuously between the opposite sides of each panel frame in a vertically stacked relationship. The utility troughs have open ends located at the opposite panel sides, and are positioned such that when adjacent utility panels are interconnected in a side-by-side relationship, the utility troughs are aligned to form multiple raceways. Panel connectors are provided to connect the utility panels with one or more of a variety of existing partition panels, such that the utility panels act as a spine which supplies utilities to the existing partition panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald R. Hodges, George V. Weller
  • Patent number: 6481168
    Abstract: A utility panel system is provided for open office spaces, and the like. Each utility panel has a relatively thick, skeleton-like frame, with a foot and opposite sides shaped for interconnection with like panel frames to create a substantially freestanding utility panel system. Cover panels are detachably connected to the opposite faces of each panel frame to enclose the same, and provide ready access to the panel interior. Horizontal utility troughs extend continuously between the opposite sides of each panel frame in a vertically stacked relationship. The utility troughs have open ends located at the opposite panel sides, and are positioned such that when adjacent utility panels are interconnected in a side-by-side relationship, the utility troughs are aligned to form multiple raceways. Panel connectors are provided to connect the utility panels with one or more of a variety of existing partition panels, such that the utility panels act as a spine which supplies utilities to the existing partition panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald R. Hodges, George V. Weller
  • Publication number: 20020069601
    Abstract: A utility panel system is provided for open office spaces, and the like. Each utility panel has a relatively thick, skeleton-like frame, with a foot and opposite sides shaped for interconnection with like panel frames to create a substantially freestanding utility panel system. Cover panels are detachably connected to the opposite faces of each panel frame to enclose the same, and provide ready access to the panel interior. Horizontal utility troughs extend continuously between the opposite sides of each panel frame in a vertically stacked relationship. The utility troughs have open ends located at the opposite panel sides, and are positioned such that when adjacent utility panels are interconnected in a side-by-side relationship, the utility troughs are aligned to form multiple raceways. Panel connectors are provided to connect the utility panels with one or more of a variety of existing partition panels, such that the utility panels act as a spine which supplies utilities to the existing partition panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Ronald R. Hodges, George V. Weller
  • Patent number: 5487246
    Abstract: A utility panel system is provided for open office spaces, and the like. Each utility panel has a relatively thick, skeleton-like frame, with a foot and opposite sides shaped for interconnection with like panel frames to create a substantially freestanding utility panel system. Cover panels are detachably connected to the opposite faces of each panel frame to enclose the same, and provide ready access to the panel interior. Horizontal utility troughs extend continuously between the opposite sides of each panel frame in a vertically stacked relationship. The utility troughs have open ends located at the opposite panel sides, and are positioned such that when adjacent utility panels are interconnected in a side-by-side relationship, the utility troughs are aligned to form multiple raceways. Panel connectors are provided to connect the utility panels with one or more of a variety of existing partition panels, such that the utility panels act as a spine which supplies utilities to the existing partition panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald R. Hodges, George V. Weller
  • Patent number: 5341615
    Abstract: A utility panel system is provided for open office spaces, and the like. Each utility panel has a relatively thick, skeleton-like frame, with a foot and opposite sides shaped for interconnection with like panel frames to create a substantially freestanding utility panel system. Cover panels are detachably connected to the opposite faces of each panel frame to enclose the same, and provide ready access to the panel interior. Horizontal utility troughs extend continuously between the opposite sides of each panel frame in a vertically stacked relationship. The utility troughs have open ends located at the opposite panel sides, and are positioned such that widen adjacent utility panels are interconnected in a side-by-side relationship, the utility troughs are aligned to form multiple raceways. Panel connectors are provided to connect the utility panels with one or more of a variety of existing partition panels, such that the utility panels act as a spine which supplies utilities to the existing partition panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald R. Hodges, George V. Weller
  • Patent number: 5209035
    Abstract: A utility panel system is provided for open office spaces, and the like. Each utility panel has a relatively thick, skeleton-like frame, with a foot and opposite sides shaped for interconnection with like panel frames to create a substantially freestanding utility panel system. Cover panels are detachably connected to the opposite faces of each panel frame to enclose the same, and provide ready access to the panel interior. Horizontal utility troughs extend continuously between the opposite sides of each panel frame in a vertically stacked relationship. The utility troughs have open ends located at the opposite panel sides, and are positioned such that when adjacent utility panels are interconnected in a side-by-side relationship, the utility troughs are aligned to form multiple raceways. Panel connectors are provided to connect the utility panels with one or more of a variety of existing partition panels, such that the utility panels act as a spine which supplies utilities to the existing partition panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald R. Hodges, George V. Weller
  • Patent number: 4642824
    Abstract: A bed access apparatus for use with a wide variety of bed designs, that includes a structural framework having floor anchor plates that rest upon the supporting floor surface. The bed rests on top of the anchor plates so that the apparatus is stabilized by the bed. An outrigger bar extends generally laterally to overhead connecting bars that extend the length of the bed, and the outrigger bar is spaced above the overhead bars in order to provide a raised handhold that extends out over the side of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Inventor: Ronald R. Hodges
  • Patent number: 4356674
    Abstract: A space divider assembly for an enclosure having a floor and a ceiling. The space divider assembly consists of a plurality of upright, free-standing, floor-supported panels arranged end to end and a plurality of border members secured to each other and to said panels so as to project upwardly from the panels and form a border at the upper ends of the panels. The border members are shaped at their upper ends to form a container for sound absorbing material which substantially fills the container and provides for sound separation of the areas of the enclosure on opposite sides of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Propst, Michael A. Wodka, Ronald R. Hodges
  • Patent number: 3971475
    Abstract: A tray for a manual document handling system for use in processing and handling documents in offices and the like and for use on specially designed support panels. The trays are of a special shape for easy insertion, storing and retrieving of documents in an orderly fashion and include an inclined side wall against which the documents lay. An insert sheet member is provided to be mounted against the side wall for increasing the surface area against which papers lay when inserted into the tray. An unique locking mechanism is provided for securing the insert sheet member in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1976
    Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald R. Hodges
  • Patent number: D254640
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1980
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Daryll L. Deck, Ronald R. Hodges