Steelcase Inc.

Alexander A Karrip

Charles C Pergler

Thomas E Rensland

Joseph M Wisniewski

Jack R Knoblauch

Douglas D Benner

Donald D Korell

Kenneth J MacQuarrie

Robert C Clawson

A vertically extensible self-storing partition panel includes a base panel having a lower portion shaped for freestanding support on a floor surface, and an upper portion with two vertically oriented support sleeves and a storage cavity therebetween. An inverted U-shape extender frame has opposite legs closely received in the support sleeves of the base panel, and permits shifting the extender frame between an extended position above the base panel, and a retracted position within the storage cavity of the base panel. When the extender frame is extended, a retainer holds the same in place, and at least one cover panel covers the open interior of the extender frame.

Telescoping panel construction

The specification discloses a chair control employing an open top, generally rectangular drawn cup for housing an energy storage package. An axle secured to and extending between stretchers which are secured to a tilting chair or member thereof, is journaled in the drawn cup and carries the energy storage package. Means for adjusting the preload of the energy package and reducing the likelihood of an energy package failure are provided. First and second interlocking spindle support members are provided which form a cup reinforcing and stress distributing structure roughly box-shaped in cross section. The four outside corners of the cup are strengthened by indented sidewall portions. A strengthening flange is disposed about the periphery of the cup and the axle journaled in the cup, has a relatively large diameter for distributing stress.

Chair control

The specification discloses a chair control in which a generally upright back support member is pivotally mounted to a support arm extending rearwardly from beneath a seat support member, there being a releasable securing means for securing or alowing adjustment of the angle of the back support member relative to the support arm. The releasable securing means passes through adjacent bottom walls in the back support member and the support arm. The support arm includes an integrally formed safety stop detent flange which prevents the back rest from falling all the way rearwardly in the event that the releasable securing means inadvertently disengages.

Posture iron with safety stop

A chair back mounted on a chair back support plate is pivotally connected by a resilient arrangement to a housing slideably mounted on a vertical post. The resilient arrangement includes a member of a resilient material with ends, each end having enlarged heads with an opening extending through the heads and a pivot groove positioned between the enlarged heads. Upon application of an external force, the chair back pivots about the groove and compresses the enlarged heads thereby closing the opening through the enlarged heads.

Chair back with polymer spring

The specification discloses an article of furniture, specifically a chair base, in which the open sockets at the ends of the base arms are capped by a cap including a cover portion and a plug portion extending into the arm socket, the plug extending over and beyond the top of the pintle socket which is inside the leg and including a barb extending downwardly behind a portion of the pintle socket, the barb being sufficiently flexible as to allow it to slide over the pintle socket and slip down behind at least a portion of it whereby insertion of the cap is facilitated but removal is not. The plug also includes inclined locking ridges which engage the interior surface of the socket to further secure the cap in place.

Growing community of inventors

Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America

Alexander A Karrip