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: 6951085Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Ronald R. Hodges, George V. Weller
-
Publication number: 20040154233Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2004Publication date: August 12, 2004Inventors: Ronald R. Hodges, George V. Weller
-
Patent number: 6684583Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 28, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Ronald R. Hodges, George V. Weller
-
Patent number: 6481168Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 20, 1995Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Ronald R. Hodges, George V. Weller
-
Publication number: 20020069601Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2002Publication date: June 13, 2002Inventors: Ronald R. Hodges, George V. Weller
-
Patent number: 5487246Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 6, 1994Date of Patent: January 30, 1996Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Ronald R. Hodges, George V. Weller
-
Patent number: 5341615Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 23, 1993Date of Patent: August 30, 1994Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Ronald R. Hodges, George V. Weller
-
Patent number: 5209035Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 10, 1991Date of Patent: May 11, 1993Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Ronald R. Hodges, George V. Weller
-
Patent number: 4642824Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 27, 1985Date of Patent: February 17, 1987Inventor: Ronald R. Hodges
-
Patent number: 4356674Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 1980Date of Patent: November 2, 1982Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Propst, Michael A. Wodka, Ronald R. Hodges
-
Patent number: 3971475Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 16, 1975Date of Patent: July 27, 1976Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.Inventor: Ronald R. Hodges
-
Patent number: D254640Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1977Date of Patent: April 8, 1980Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Daryll L. Deck, Ronald R. Hodges