Patents by Inventor William K. Hofman

William K. Hofman 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: 9841554
    Abstract: A panel light wall assembly comprising a support frame structure including at least first and second substantially straight and parallel support frame members spaced apart on opposite sides of a light panel receiving space, a light panel assembly including a rectilinear assembly frame including first, second, third and fourth substantially straight elongated assembly frame members, a light source mounted to the first assembly frame member, a planar light guide member forming an edge and mounted to the assembly frame with the edge adjacent the light source and a fastener interacting with at least one of the first and second support frame members to secure the light panel assembly with at least a portion of the light panel assembly received within the panel receiving space and a second portion extending outside and to one side of the panel receiving space with the light guide member and light source located within the panel receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventor: William K Hofman
  • Publication number: 20160033717
    Abstract: A panel light wall assembly comprising a support frame structure including at least first and second substantially straight and parallel support frame members spaced apart on opposite sides of a light panel receiving space, a light panel assembly including a rectilinear assembly frame including first, second, third and fourth substantially straight elongated assembly frame members, a light source mounted to the first assembly frame member, a planar light guide member forming an edge and mounted to the assembly frame with the edge adjacent the light source and a fastener interacting with at least one of the first and second support frame members to secure the light panel assembly with at least a portion of the light panel assembly received within the panel receiving space and a second portion extending outside and to one side of the panel receiving space with the light guide member and light source located within the panel receiving space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: William K. Hofman
  • Patent number: 9188733
    Abstract: A panel light assembly for use with a support frame including at least first and second support frame members, the assembly comprising an assembly frame including at least a first assembly frame member and a second assembly frame member spaced apart on opposite sides of a frame space, the first assembly frame member forming a channel, a light source supported by the first assembly frame member within the channel, a light guide member including at least one edge, the light guide supported by the first and second assembly frame members within the frame space with at least a portion of the at least one edge located adjacent the light source, a fastener for fastening the assembly frame to the first and second support frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventor: William K Hofman
  • Patent number: 8104850
    Abstract: An office furniture unit has an outer face with slotted hangers, and a removable storage unit assembly including a bottom panel positioned in a generally horizontal orientation along the office furniture unit, and a top panel disposed above and generally parallel with the bottom panel. First and second panels are disposed at opposite ends of the top and bottom panels and are connected therewith to define a rigid, box-shaped case having an open back portion. The first and second end panels have rear portions with multiple vertically spaced slots. First and second hanger brackets have a rear portion with first hooks selectively received in the slotted hangers of the office furniture units, and a forward portion with second hooks selectively received in the slots in the rear portions of the first and second end panels to detachably support the case against the outer face of the office furniture unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Allen C. Hager, Robert E. Jeffers, William K. Hofman, Brian L. Bultsma, Scott Michael Miller, Marvin C. Knauf, Karl Heinz Mueller, John R. Hamilton, Karl J. Mead
  • Publication number: 20080297015
    Abstract: A storage unit assembly and method for office furniture units includes two end panels and a bottom panel configured to support objects thereon. A back stop rail is connected to end panels and the bottom panel. The back stop rail includes a lower web having a bottom flange and a center flange, wherein the bottom flange abuts the bottom panel of the storage unit, and the center flange extends above the bottom panel into the storage unit. An upper web is connected to the center flange, wherein the upper web extends upwardly and terminates at a top flange. A rear flange extends downwardly from the top flange, wherein the planar extent of the rear flange is substantially coplanar with the planar extent of the lower web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Allen C. Hager, Robert E. Jeffers, William K. Hofman, Brian L. Bultsma, Scott Michael Miller, Karl Heinz Mueller, John R. Hamilton, Karl J. Mead
  • Publication number: 20080296457
    Abstract: An office furniture unit has an outer face with slotted hangers, and a removable storage unit assembly including a bottom panel positioned in a generally horizontal orientation along the office furniture unit, and a top panel disposed above and generally parallel with the bottom panel. First and second panels are disposed at opposite ends of the top and bottom panels and are connected therewith to define a rigid, box-shaped case having an open back portion. The first and second end panels have rear portions with multiple vertically spaced slots. First and second hanger brackets have a rear portion with first hooks selectively received in the slotted hangers of the office furniture units, and a forward portion with second hooks selectively received in the slots in the rear portions of the first and second end panels to detachably support the case against the outer face of the office furniture unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Allen C. Hager, Robert E. Jeffers, William K. Hofman, Brian L. Bultsma, Scott Michael Miller, Marvin C. Knauf, Karl Heinz Mueller, John R. Hamilton, Karl J. Mead
  • Patent number: 6481163
    Abstract: A partition frame includes vertically spaced apart upper and lower horizontal frame members. The partition frame also has a pair of horizontally spaced apart vertical frame members extending between and interconnecting the upper and lower frame members to form a generally rectangular frame. The vertical frame members have a vertical row of openings configured to support hang-on accessories, and the upper frame member includes a horizontal row of openings configured to support hang-on accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan J. King, Alan E. Rheault, John S. Malnor, Daniel R. VanDyk, Michael L. Waalkes, Errol S. Pearsons, Bruce W. DuVall, Jr., William K. Hofman, Daniel N. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6173545
    Abstract: A partition system includes a first partition having a face and a horizontal row of slots accessible through the face, and a second partition having an abutting end adapted to be positioned adjacent the face. The first partition includes a frame and covers on the frame that define a horizontally extending gap for accessing the slots. A connector for interconnecting the abutting end to the face includes a one-piece U-shaped clip having a pair of legs forming a first end with opposing hooks configured to securely horizontally engage the slots in the face, and having an intermediate section forming a second end configured to securely engage the abutting end. The intermediate section is resilient such that the legs can be flexed together to an install position for insertion into a selected slot and can be flexed apart to a retaining position where the hooks are positioned to securely engage the selected slot in the first partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Feldpausch, Stephen J. Feldpausch, William K. Hofman
  • Patent number: 6009676
    Abstract: A partition system includes a first partition having a face and a horizontal row of slots accessible through the face, and a second partition having an abutting end adapted to be positioned adjacent the face. The first partition includes a frame and covers on the frame that define a horizontally extending gap for accessing the slots. A connector for interconnecting the abutting end to the face includes a one-piece U-shaped clip having a pair of legs forming a first end with opposing hooks configured to securely horizontally engage the slots in the face, and having an intermediate section forming a second end configured to securely engage the abutting end. The intermediate section is resilient such that the legs can be flexed together to an install position for insertion into a selected slot and can be flexed apart to a retaining position where the hooks are positioned to securely engage the selected slot in the first partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Developement Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Feldpausch, Stephen J. Feldpausch, William K. Hofman
  • Patent number: 5836121
    Abstract: A partition construction includes a partition frame including a pair of leveling members located along a bottom of the partition frame, the leveling members each including downwardly disposed end sections having an interlock recess therein. A floor channel defines a floor-engaging wall and a secondary wall spaced above the floor-engaging wall. The secondary wall includes key hole apertures each having a large end and a small end, the large end being adapted to vertically receive the end section of an associated one of the leveling members and further the small end being adapted to horizontally receive the end section of the associated one leveling member. The secondary wall includes marginal material around the small end of the key hole apertures for interlockingly engaging the interlock recess to capture the associated one leveling member therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventor: William K. Hofman
  • Patent number: 5378057
    Abstract: A metal case having an adaptable capability between a lateral file or a cabinet which includes an inner framework comprised of a plurality of corrugated metal panels, each having a similar cross-sectional configuration and substantially extending the depth and length of the case. The panels are arranged horizontally and vertically to form a box-like structure which may be encased in a one-piece, metal outer wrapper and finished with a top and a base pan, thereby concealing spot welds which partially secure the inner framework to the outer wrapper. The inner framework is further secured to the outer wrapper by adhesive, which also provides acoustical insulation. The vertical panels include equidistantly placed, symmetrically arranged openings which may accommodate either self-locating, snap-in door hinges for a storage cabinet embodiment or unhanded, snap-in drawer glides for a lateral file embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: David F. Bach, William K. Hofman
  • Patent number: 5364178
    Abstract: A metal case having an adaptable capability between a lateral file or a cabinet which includes an inner framework comprised of a plurality of corrugated metal panels, each having a similar cross-sectional configuration and substantially extending the depth and length of the case. The panels are arranged horizontally and vertically to form a box-like structure which may be encased in a one-piece, metal outer wrapper and finished with a top and a base pan, thereby concealing spot welds which partially secure the inner framework to the outer wrapper. The inner framework is further secured to the outer wrapper by adhesive, which also provides acoustical insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: William K. Hofman, Jerry J. Mayette, David F. Bach
  • Patent number: 4906045
    Abstract: A chair control for a pedestal chair having a knee-tilt seat. An elastomeric torsion spring is offset rearwardly from the tilting axis of the seat. The seat and torsion spring are operatively connected by a cam surface and a cam follower which effectively reduce the restoring force exerted by the torsion spring against the seat as the rearward tilt of the seat increases. A mechanism to adjust the initial restoring torque of the torsion spring provides a large angular twist of the torsion spring with a minimum linear movement of the mechanism. The chair control provides the chair seat with a less than conventional seat angle relative to the horizontal when the chair is unoccupied. A mechanism is provided to enable the occupant to adjust the chair seat to a more conventional seat angle in its unoccupied condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: The Shaw-Walker Company
    Inventor: William K. Hofman
  • Patent number: 4744538
    Abstract: A decorative telescoping cap, sleeve and base cover for an office chair center post and base. A tubular plastic sleeve surrounds the upper portion of the height adjustment mechanism cylinder extending above the hub of the metal base. The tubular plastic sleeve has an outwardly flaring shoulder at its lower end which engages and rests upon the central tubular hub of the metal base of the chair. A plastic cylindrical cap telescopes over the tubular plastic sleeve, with the height adjustment mechanism rod of the chair extending through a central opening in the top wall of the cap to engage the cylindrical cap to raise and lower its relative to the tubular plastic sleeve as the height adjustment rod is raised and lowered. A plastic cover is provided for the metal base of the chair, with the cover having a central hub portion which fits over the central tubular hub of the metal base of the chair and arms which fit over the arms of the metal base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: The Shaw-Walker Company
    Inventor: William K. Hofman