Patents by Inventor Steven C. Gortsema

Steven C. Gortsema 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).

  • Publication number: 20020124478
    Abstract: A post and beam furniture system includes a plurality of overhead beams, and a plurality of vertical posts having at least one outwardly extending flange with a single slot extending vertically along the end face of the flange. Beam-to-post connectors are attached to the opposite ends of the beams, and are detachably retained in the slots in the posts for mounting the beams on the upper ends of the posts. The furniture system may also include X-shaped posts and Y-shaped posts with slots which create an integrated mounting arrangement for detachably interconnecting the posts and beams in alternative configurations, and mounting accessories at a variety of different locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: James C. Rush, James N. Ludwig, Karl Heinz Mueller, Steven C. Gortsema, David A. Dunlap, Danhui Luo, Debajit Guha
  • Patent number: 6272803
    Abstract: A partition system includes adjacent partitions that have aligned top frame members with abutting and horizontally aligned cantilevered end sections. An in-line connector system includes a flat top connector and a U-shaped bottom connector that mateably span between the cantilevered end sections and that engage top and bottom surfaces, respectively, on the top frame members. Specifically, the top connector fits into a cavity in a top of the top frame member. The bottom connector includes a bottom wall and opposing sidewalls that matingly receive and engage bottom and side surfaces of the cantilevered end sections. The connectors combine with a beam-like strength that holds the cantilevered end sections in a particularly stable in-line condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony A. Stachowiak, Steven C. Gortsema, Mark T. Slager
  • Patent number: 6173543
    Abstract: A partition system includes having a [covered] face and a horizontal frame member. A C-shaped structured channel is attached to the horizontal frame member outboard of the [covered] face. The channel extends horizontally and includes top and bottom parallel flanges that attach to the horizontal frame member and that define a horizontal wireway adjacent to the horizontal frame member. Apertures are formed in the top and bottom flanges for routing utilities into the wireway from above or below. Wiring routed through the apertures can be protected by sleeves. A shelf or worksurface is supported in cantilevers on the channel. A flexible is attached over the channel. Vertical blade supports for shelves can also be supported on the partition with vertically spaced rear brackets attached to the partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Gortsema, Jonathan J. King, Frank Friedman, Thomas B. Eich, Charles A. Seiber, Douglas G. Lyon, David P. Churchill
  • Patent number: 6158179
    Abstract: A wall structure for dividing building space includes several different freestanding base panels such as an internally open partition panel, a sound-deadening partition panel, a glass-supporting partition panel, and a doorway-supporting partition panel, and further includes an overhead system comprising a structural expressway construction, a transom subframe, covers for the subframe, and a glass module attachable to the subframe. The structural expressway construction has a torque box bracket for moving support from an inboard location spaced from the vertical side edge of the base panels to the vertical side edge. The transom subframe mounts atop the different base panels, and telescopingly extends into mating engagement with a ceiling channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Anne C. Ackerly, David J. Battey, David P. Churchill, James H. Davies, Gregg R. Draudt, Michael D. Elsholz, Roy W. Fink, Steven F. Goodman, Steven C. Gortsema, Peter C. Greenberg, Allen C. Hager, Harold Halvorson, Jr., James D. Houda, Robert E. Jeffers, Gary S. Juhlin, Robert J. Luchetti, Karl J. Mead, Scott H. Russell, Peter J. Schauer, David A. Shipman, Anthony A. Stachowiak, Michael Tingley, Genevieve Wing
  • Patent number: 5979118
    Abstract: An expandable/contractible furniture component is configured for attachment to a partition system to provide an adjustable structure adapted to adjust with the partition system as the partition system is adjusted to provide different office sizes. The furniture component includes a corner shelf attached to the partition system, and in-line shelves also attached to the partition system. The in-line shelves are telescopingly adjustable into the corner shelf so that the plan dimensions of the shelves are adjustable concurrently with the partition systems to provide storage surfaces and shelves that extend and completely fill at least one dimension of the office. An in-line telescoping straight shelf construction and a two-way telescoping corner shelf construction are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Gortsema, Thomas B. Eich, David P. Churchill, Charles A. Seiber, Frank Freidman, Jonathan J. King, Douglas G. Lyon, Douglas B. MacDonald