Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Mueller

Thomas C. Mueller 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: 5183090
    Abstract: This relates to a panel of the type which includes a core covered by veneer and generally relates to a furniture panel. Such panels have a front edge which is contoured and is generally rounded. The panel in question has a generally rounded edge which terminates at the bottom thereof in a low radius portion, i.e., on the order of 2 mm. Because of this very low radius it is virtually impossible to take a single sheet of veneer and wrap it around such a radius. The problem is solved by using two separate veneers, an upper and a lower, and where the low radius edge portion is, machining a channel in the core and filling the channel with a projecting plug which then has the projecting portion thereof machined to provide a smooth continuous surface. Additionally, in order that there may be no demarcation of materials, the plug is formed of the same material as the veneers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane G. McClung, Thomas C. Mueller
  • Patent number: 5085027
    Abstract: This relates to a panel of the type which includes a core covered by veneer and generally relates to a furniture panel. Such panels have a front edge which is contoured and is generally rounded. The panel in question has a generally rounded edge which terminates at the bottom thereof in a low radius portion, i.e., on the order of 2 mm. Because of this very low radius it is virtually impossible to take a single sheet of veneer and wrap it around such a radius. The problem is solved by using two separate veneers, an upper and a lower, and where the low radius edge portion is, machining a channel in the plug core and filling the channel with a projecting plug which then has the projecting portion thereof machines to provide a smooth continuous surface. Additionally, in order that there may be no demarcation of materials, the plug is formed of the same material as the veneers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane G. McClung, Thomas C. Mueller