Patents by Inventor Ryan E. Schmidt

Ryan E. Schmidt 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).

  • Office systems with shape memory materials
    Patent number: 10888164
    Abstract: An office system including a first component and a second component moveable relative to the first component. A distance and/or force multiplier is disposed between and coupled to the first and second components. The distance and/or force multiplier includes a shape memory material, wherein the shape memory material is contractible between at least a non-energized state and an energized state in response to an application of energy. The distance and/or force multiplier moves the second component relative to the first component when the shape memory material is contracted to the energized state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: STEELCASE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Norman, Timothy Swieter, Ryan E. Schmidt, Mark McKenna, Robert Scheper, Bruce Smith
  • OFFICE SYSTEMS WITH SHAPE MEMORY MATERIALS
    Publication number: 20200015593
    Abstract: An office system including a first component and a second component moveable relative to the first component. A distance and/or force multiplier is disposed between and coupled to the first and second components. The distance and/or force multiplier includes a shape memory material, wherein the shape memory material is contractible between at least a non-energized state and an energized state in response to an application of energy. The distance and/or force multiplier moves the second component relative to the first component when the shape memory material is contracted to the energized state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: STEELCASE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Norman, Timothy Swieter, Ryan E. Schmidt, Mark McKenna, Robert Scheper, Bruce Smith
  • Office systems with shape memory materials
    Patent number: 10426267
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a body support member having laterally spaced opposite sides and longitudinally spaced ends. The body support member has a curvature in least one of the lateral and longitudinal directions, wherein the curvature is changeable between at least first and second configurations. The body support member includes a shape memory material extending in at least one of the lateral and longitudinal directions, wherein the shape memory material is attached to the body support member at two spaced apart locations. The shape memory material is contractible between at least a non-energized state and an energized state in response to an application of energy. The shape memory material biases the flexible body support member between the first and second configurations when the shape memory material is contracted to the energized state. Other office systems incorporating shape memory materials are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: STEELCASE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Norman, Timothy D. Swieter, Ryan E. Schmidt, Mark Mckenna, Robert Scheper, Bruce Smith
  • OFFICE SYSTEMS WITH SHAPE MEMORY MATERIALS
    Publication number: 20180084915
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a body support member having laterally spaced opposite sides and longitudinally spaced ends. The body support member has a curvature in least one of the lateral and longitudinal directions, wherein the curvature is changeable between at least first and second configurations. The body support member includes a shape memory material extending in at least one of the lateral and longitudinal directions, wherein the shape memory material is attached to the body support member at two spaced apart locations. The shape memory material is contractible between at least a non-energized state and an energized state in response to an application of energy. The shape memory material biases the flexible body support member between the first and second configurations when the shape memory material is contracted to the energized state. Other office systems incorporating shape memory materials are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: STEELCASE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Norman, Timothy D. Swieter, Ryan E. Schmidt, Mark Mckenna, Robert Scheper, Bruce Smith