Steelcase Inc.

Other

Thomas B Eich

George J Simons, Jr

Thomas Overthun

Kurt R Heidmann

David M Gresham

Charles Anthony Seiber

Alan M Vale

James N Ludwig

Jonathan Jay King

Todd A Pelman

Arnold B Dammermann

David S Teppo

David C Jenkins

Karl H M&uuml;ller

Frank Freidman

Gordon J Peterson

Frank A Friedman

James Rolfe Yurchenco

Karl Heinz Mueller

Mark A Zeh

Jochen P Backs

Steven C Gortsema

David P Churchill

Kurt P Dammerman

Ronda R Simons

Douglas G Lyon

Jonathan I Kaplan

David M Webster

Larry Cheng

Sean M Corcorran

Alexey Salamini

Douglas B MacDonald

Christopher J Norman

Joseph Lishing Hei

Energy Cruse, Ii

Kurt Philip Dammermann

Bruce Grant MacGregor

Matthew David Inouye

Steven L Atkins

Sven D Newman

Jonathan B Hadley

Jesse A Fourt

Juan Carlos Bruce Novoa

Alex T Grishaver

Katherine J Kuchenbecker

Franz Niklaus Schulz

Benjamin J V Tarbell

Scott A Whitman

Steve L Atkins

A freestanding partition panel for dividing a floor space includes a rigid partition frame having vertical side frame members and first and second horizontal frame members extending between the vertical side frame members to form a vertically enlarged opening through the frame, and an open space within the panel. At least one intermediate horizontal cross member extends across the vertically enlarged opening and defines upper and lower openings through the frame. The intermediate cross member and at least a selected one of the first and second horizontal frame members include a plurality of horizontally spaced apart attachment locations defining a plurality of discrete, serially adjacent mounting spaces. The partition panel further includes a utility unit that is mountable in a selected one of the mounting spaces. The partition panel further includes a first cover panel secured to the partition frame and extending horizontally between the side edge of the utility unit and the selected vertical side frame member. The first cover panel is connected to the intermediate horizontal cross member and extends vertically between the intermediate horizontal cross member and the selected one of the first and second members. A second cover panel is secured to the partition frame, and extends horizontally between the vertical side frame members. The second cover panel extends vertically between the intermediate horizontal cross member and the other of the selected one of the first and second horizontal members.

Partition panel with modular appliance mounting arrangement

A method for opening a door on a storage bin is provided, where the storage bin includes a door pivoted to the storage bin for movement between open and closed positions, and a biasing device operably connected to the storage bin and the door for biasing the door as the door nears the open and closed positions. The biasing device includes a spring and a T-shaped shifting anchor connected to the spring that translates and changes a torque arm of a linear spring as the door is moved so that the spring creates a force sufficient to close the door during a last portion of door closure movement and so that the spring creates a force sufficient to open the door during a last portion of door opening movement.

Lift method for storage bin door

Furniture storage unit

A utility hub for post and beam furniture systems includes a housing defining an interior space, having a radially disposed notch adapted to laterally receive a vertically extending post therein, and including at least first aperture adapted to allow access to an electrical power receptacle and at least one second aperture adapted to allow access to a communication receptacle. The utility hub also includes a divider member located within the interior space of the housing and substantially dividing the interior space into a first section that includes the first aperture, and a second section that includes the second aperture, and a housing insert located within the notch of the housing, operably connected to the housing, and cooperating with the housing to define a central aperture adapted to receive the post therein.

Utility hub for post and beam furniture systems

Utility hub

A furniture system includes a low-height partition having a horizontal row of discrete attachment sites, such as slots on each side, and having a top surface. A binder bin has a continuous horizontal attachment feature, such as an &ldquo;L&rdquo; groove, along an upper portion of its rear side. A bracket system attaches the binder bin to the partition in a raised position, and includes a bent-rod top bracket and bottom brackets configured to engage the slots on opposite sides of the partition. The binder bin is initially attached at a desired location along the partition by selectively engaging the brackets with the slots and by engaging the bracket with the groove. The angle of the binder bin is adjustable with respect to the top surface of the partition by threadably finely adjusting a nut on the brackets.

Elevated binder bin

A storage bin includes a door pivoted to the storage bin for movement between open and closed positions, and a biasing device operably connected to the storage bin and the door for biasing the door as the door nears the open and closed positions. The biasing device includes a spring and a T-shaped shifting anchor connected to the spring that translates and changes a torque arm of a linear spring as the door is moved so that the spring creates a force sufficient to close the door during a last portion of door closure movement and so that the spring creates a force sufficient to open the door during a last portion of door opening movement.

Lift mechanism for storage bin door

A screen apparatus includes a perimeter frame with a notch and arcuate foot in one of the bottom corners that are adapted to receive a raised floor device, such as a raised power outlet. A covering covers the frame but the notch is not covered. The covering is preferably a light-passing translucent sheet of performance fabric which is adapted to pass light sufficient for a viewer to see a person behind the screen, but which scatters and blocks sufficient light to provide privacy by hiding details of the person's work from the viewer. The screen apparatus also includes bowed frame members extending horizontally between some of the outer frame members. The perimeter frame and bowed frame members space the front and rear panels of the covering from each other in a three-dimensionally curved manner, which results in additional visual hiding power to the screen apparatus and further results in a novel appearance of sweeping arcuate visual lines based on the non-planar partial-see-through condition of the two-panel covering. A hub is provided for selectively interconnecting screens in a radial arrangement.

Freestanding screen system

Workspace screen box

A back construction for seating includes a back frame having an elongated section and a non-uniformity caused by a molding gate in a center of the elongated section. An aesthetic cover is configured to overlay a portion of the elongated section and snappingly engages the elongated section to cover the non-uniformity. A back shell is connected to the back frame by a connection that includes internal connecting structure providing strength to the connection. A housing surrounds the internal connecting structure too provide an aesthetic appearance to the connection. The back shell has a channel defined along its bottom edge, and an elongated bracket has an intermediate section shaped to fit into the channel. The bracket is retained in the channel by a nose-shaped top edge and bottom screws, such that the bracket is easily assembled yet securely held.

Back construction

An adjustable apparatus includes a partition having upper and lower horizontal frame members, and first and second support panel subassemblies adjustably attached to the partition for adjustably supporting a horizontal panel, such as a shelf. Upper and lower brackets each include a U-shaped section that mateably vertically adjustably engages a rear edge of the associated vertical support panel for providing vertical adjustability. Screws secure the U-shaped section at a selected height to the associated vertical support panel. The upper and lower brackets each further include an attachment flange section with hooks shaped to horizontally adjustably engage slots in the respective horizontal frame members. The upper and lower brackets are selectively attachable to the partition in a plurality of positions including off-module positions located between side edges of the partition. At least one horizontal shelf or worksurface extends between, is attached to, and is supported by the support panel subassemblies. The arrangement provides low cost components and easy adjustability for the horizontal shelf or worksurface, both vertically and horizontally.

Furniture construction including adjustable mounting bracket

A component has a support with a stiff section and a flexible section. An incompressible resilient material, such as a gel, is supported on the flexible section. In one form, the component forms an armrest, with the support including upper and lower sections forming a loop. The upper section bridges between ends of the lower section and includes the flexible section, and a section of gel material is positioned on or molded onto the flexible section. In the armrest, the incompressible resilient material is sufficiently thick and resilient to comfortably support a person's forearm on the support yet further is sufficiently flowable and stretchable to at least partially move off a rib on the support and into the non-supporting areas when pressure is applied to the incompressible resilient material.

Flexible armrest construction

Chair

Growing community of inventors

Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Thomas B Eich