Herman Miller, Inc.

Duane G McClung

Thomas J Newhouse

Paul G Dame

Donald D Goeman

Thomas C Mueller

Robert L Beck

Richard C Weise

Gerald Schondelmayer

Ronald W Norton

Jim Prisby

Sonia Nash

A wall panel including a rectangular frame, a pair of wall members and a thin decorative sheet covering the wall members. The frame includes two spaced apart, generally parallel vertical frame members and spaced apart, generally parallel horizontal lower and upper frame members. The horizontal frame members are connected to the vertical frame members at opposite ends thereof to form the rectangular frame. Each of the frame members includes a core member and a pair of sidewall members attached to opposite sides of the core member. The wall members are attached to the sidewalls on opposing sides of the frame members. A decorative sheet covers the outer surface of each wall member. A method for manufacturing the frame members includes providing a fixture with spaced apart first, second and third surfaces. A hanger bracket is mounted to the vertical frame core member and is positioned in the fixture such that the hanger bracket engages the first surface. The sidewalls are positioned on opposite sides of the core in the fixture and engage the second surface. The sidewalls are attached to the core member. A method for making the panel includes providing a fixture. The frame members are inserted in the fixture so that each one engages a fixture surface. A wall member is mounted on each side of the frame, with a filler member disposed inside the frame between the wall members.

System of wall panels

Wall panel

A wall panel including a rectangular frame, a pair of wall members and a thin decorative sheet covering the wall members. The frames includes two spaced apart, generally parallel vertical frame members and spaced apart, generally parallel horizontal lower and upper frame members. The horizontal frame members are connected to the vertical frame members at opposite ends thereof to form the rectangular frame. Each of the frame members includes a core member and a pair of sidewall members attached to opposite sides of the core member. The wall members are attached to the sidewalls on opposing sides of the frame members. A decorative sheet covers the outer surface of each wall member. A method for manufacturing the frame members includes providing a fixture with spaced apart first, second and third surfaces. A hanger bracket is mounted to the vertical frame core member and is positioned in the fixture such that the hanger bracket engages the first surface. The sidewalls are positioned on opposite sides of the core in the fixture and engage the second surface. The sidewalls are attached to the core member. A method for making the panel includes providing a fixture. The frame members are inserted in the fixture so that each one engages a fixture surface. A wall member is mounted on each side of the frame, with a filler member disposed inside the frame between the wall members.

Method for reconfiguring a wall panel system

Corner post for a wall panel system

A lock system for a container having a first side wall and a second side wall. The lock system comprises a first component supported on a first track which defines a path for the first component to move from a closed position to an open position. The lock system comprises a first locking bar movable from a first position to a second position allowing the first component to move along the first track to the open position. The lock system comprises a second component supported on a second track defining a path for the second component to move from a closed position to an open position. A second locking bar is movable from a first position to a second position allowing the second component to move along the second track to the open position. The lock system further comprises a locking mechanism movable along a ramp to a locking position preventing the first locking bar from moving from the first position to the second position and preventing the second locking bar from moving from the first position to the second position so that the first and second components are each locked in the closed position.

Cabinet drawer lock

A flipper door mechanism for allowing a door to be moved between a closed position and an open position comprising a door and a support having a first surface and a second surface. The door is opened and closed by a movement device which is attached to the door by an attachment device. The movement device comprises 1) a pivoting device to pivot the door between the closed position and the open position and vice versa; 2) an engagement device to engage the first surface of the support; and 3) a guide to engage the second surface so that when the door is pivoted between the closed position and the open position the engagement device and the guide translationally move along the support to a retracted position.

Flipper door

In a work environment system, a desk (10) comprises a top (16) supported by a pair of legs (18), each leg (18) formed by a pair of supports (22) mounted together in back-to-back opposing relationship and having a first channel (56) between the supports (22). The desk top (16) includes a pair of second channels (98) extending inwardly from edges (100) of the top (16) adjacent the second channels (56). The first and second channels (56, 98) manage wiring (60) of work accessories (62, 105) supported by the top (16). An apron (20) is mounted to and below the top (16) and comprises third channel (218) in registry with the first channel (56) and also adapted to receive wiring (60) from the second channels (98) through outer and inner slots (114, 116) in the top (16). A work accessory support (222) is removably mountable to the desk (10 ) by a bracket (224) securable to a leg (18) within a first channel (56) on one side of the desk (10). A work tool support fence (260) supporting trays (292) is similarly mountable to both legs (18) of the desk (10). Two desks (10) can be mounted together in side-by-side relationship by a semi-circular spacer (306) comprises one or more wedge elements (310). The spacer includes a fourth channel (328) for managing the wiring (60) between the adjacent desks (10).

Work environment system

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.

Panel edge construction

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.

A spacer is provided in a workstation for connecting two desks together in spaced relationship. The spacer is generally wedge-shaped and comprises a horizontal member with an upper surface which is substantially coplanar with the work surfaces of the adjoining desks. A vertical leg depends from the horizontal member and a flange extends at an angle from the vertical leg. The vertical leg and the flange partially define a wiring channel so that electrical wiring can be passed from the work surface of one desk through the channel to the work surface of the adjoining desk.

In a work environment system, a desk (10) comprises a top (16) supported by a pair of legs (18), each leg (18) formed by a pair of supports (22) mounted together in back-to-back opposing relationship and having a first channel (56) between the supports (22). The desk top (16) includes a pair of second channels (98) extending inwardly from edges (100) of the top (16) adjacent the second channels (56). The first and second channels (56, 98) manage wiring (60) of work accessories (62, 105) supported by the top (16). An apron (20) is mounted to and below the top (16) and comprises third channel (218) in registry with the first channel (56) and also adapted to receive wiring (60) from the second channels (98) through outer and inner slots (114, 116) in the top (16). A work accessory support (222) is removably mountable to the desk (10 ) by a bracket (224) securable to a leg (18) within a first channel (56) on one side of the desk (10). A work tool support fence (260) supporting trays (292) is similarly mountable to both legs (18) of the desk (10). Two desks (10) can be mounted together in side-by-side relationship by a semicircular spacer (306) comprises one or more wedge elements (310). The spacer includes a fourth channel (328) for managing the wiring (60) between the adjacent desks (10).

Growing community of inventors

Kalamazoo, MI, United States of America

Duane G McClung