Patents by Inventor Theodore Q. Chau
Theodore Q. Chau 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).
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Patent number: 6513288Abstract: A window assembly for installation across at least a portion of an opening through a partition frame. The window assembly includes a sheet of light-transmitting material defining opposite edges. Side members are disposed on the opposite side edges, and telescope relative to one another. At least one of the side members includes a connector for securing the window assembly to the partition frame. The connector engages the partition frame upon telescoping of the side members to secure the window to the partition frame.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1999Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Douglas B. MacDonald, Theodore Q. Chau, Kevin J. Longhurst, Richard S. Hand, Mark D. Porter
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Publication number: 20020029529Abstract: A partition includes at least two vertical posts with upper and lower beams having opposite ends thereof interconnecting the vertical posts to define when in an assembled condition, a rigid panel frame having a substantially open interior. The panel frame defines a vertical dimension. At least one cover panel is configured to enclose at least a portion of the open interior of the panel frame, and is removably mounted on the panel frame to readily access the open interior thereof. The cover panel defines an interior surface and a center portion spaced-apart from the posts. A cover panel brace is connected with the upper beam, and has an outer surface abutting the interior surface of the cover panel to support the cover panel adjacent the center portion to prevent flexing of the cover panel. The cover panel brace is longitudinally extensible to accommodate variations of the vertical dimension between the upper and lower beams.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang, Paul J. Granzotto, Richard S. Hand, Kevin J. Longhurst, Theodore Q. Chau, Douglas L. Scheerhorn, John L. McCrackin
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Patent number: 6276103Abstract: A partition includes at least two vertical posts with upper and lower beams having opposite ends thereof interconnecting the vertical posts to define when in an assembled condition, a rigid panel frame having a substantially open interior. The panel frame defines a vertical dimension. At least one cover panel is configured to enclose at least a portion of the open interior of the panel frame, and is removably mounted on the panel frame to readily access the open interior thereof. The cover panel defines an interior surface and a center portion spaced-apart from the posts. A cover panel brace is connected with the upper beam, and has an outer surface abutting the interior surface of the cover panel to support the cover panel adjacent the center portion to prevent flexing of the cover panel. The cover panel brace is longitudinally extensible to accommodate variations of the vertical dimension between the upper and lower beams.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2000Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang, Paul J. Granzotto, Richard S. Hand, Kevin J. Longhurst, Theodore Q. Chau, Douglas L. Scheerhorn, John L. McCrackin
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Patent number: 6101773Abstract: A wire management system for use with furniture panels and being especially useful for the management of voice and data wiring includes a support plate and a plurality of vertically arranged rows of slots for receiving mounting blocks for patch panel brackets and the like. The slots may be provided in the plate itself or in a series of channel members attached to the plate. The blocks can be rotated 90 degrees to facilitate the connection of wiring to wiring connection devices when the blocks are in a first position and to a second position in which the wires and associated equipment occupy a minimum amount of space. The cover for the wire management system is preferably hinged at the top or side. A lock may be provided therefore for security, and a prop rod may be provided to hold the cover in an open position. In a most preferred embodiment, the plate may be adjusted using telescoping components to accommodate different size openings in the furniture module.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1999Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Theodore Q. Chau, Keith A. Haagsma, R. Scott Hand, Kevin M. Stanley
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Patent number: 6098358Abstract: A knock-down portable partition including a panel frame having a central portion. At least one cover panel covers at least a portion of the central portion of the panel frame. Connectors detachably mount the cover panel on the panel frame to facilitate assembly and removable of the cover panel on the panel frame. The panel frame includes at least two vertical posts each having an upper end, a lower end and opposite faces with at least two beam connection ports thereon positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of the associated one of the posts. The panel frame also includes upper and lower beams extending generally horizontally between the vertical posts adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, and interconnecting the same adjacent the connection ports. Movable lock members having a flexible extension are positioned on one of the posts and the beams adjacent the connection ports, and are movably mounted thereon for shifting between an unlocked position and a locked position.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1998Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Waalkes, Marcus K. Pressnell, Mark T. Slager, Michael R. Shields, Brian J. Kane, Robin Christopher, Dennis J. Boyle, Peter N. Skillman, Charles A. Seiber, Joseph Chang, Paul J. Granzotto, Richard S. Hand, Kevin J. Longhurst, Theodore Q. Chau, Douglas L. Scheerhorn, John L. McCrackin
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Patent number: 6082840Abstract: A worksurface unit includes a worksurface defining a lower surface, a front edge shaped to be positioned adjacent a seated user, and a rear edge disposed opposite said front edge. The rear edge includes a substantially straight portion and a concave cut-out portion. The worksurface includes at least two legs, each having an upper end operably connected with the worksurface adjacent the rear edge, and a lower end shaped to support the worksurface on a floor. A panel is connected with and extends between the legs, and has an upper edge spaced-apart from the lower surface of the worksurface to define a passageway. The panel upper edge is sloped downwardly towards the front edge of the worksurface such that utility lines can be routed through the cut-out portion of the rear edge, through the passageway and over the sloped upper edge of the panel.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1998Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.Inventors: Theodore Q. Chau, Brian J. Kane, John L. McCrackin
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Patent number: 6058667Abstract: A knock-down transparent module includes a module frame with a pair of vertical side frame members, each having an upper end and a lower end. Upper and lower horizontal frame members have opposite ends and extend generally horizontally between the vertical side frame members adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof and interconnect the same adjacent the upper and lower ends to define a central opening through the module frame. A transparent sheet is secured to the module frame and extends across the central opening. The module frame defines outer faces having at least one hook shaped to engage an opening in a partition frame member, thereby permitting the module frame to be removably supported within a partition.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.Inventors: Douglas B. MacDonald, Theodore Q. Chau, Kevin J. Longhurst, Richard S. Hand
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Patent number: D437716Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.Inventors: Theodore Q. Chau, Brian J. Kane, Kevin J. Longhurst
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Patent number: D441563Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2000Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.Inventors: Theodore Q. Chau, Brian J. Kane, Kevin J. Longhurst
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Patent number: D417015Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Theodore Q. Chau, Brian J. Kane, Kevin J. Longhurst