James E Massey

US Patent:

58422641, Dec 1, 1998

Filed:

Aug 27, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/921639

Inventors:

Charles P. Roossien - Wyoming MI
David C. Pugh - Howard City MI
Dale M. Groendal - Jenison MI
James E. Massey - Wayland MI
Robert M. Scheper - Grand Rapids MI
Duane F. Nagel - Grand Rapids MI
Bruce M. Smith - Grand Rapids MI
Douglas A. Smith - Grand Rapids MI
Brian L. Scholten - Jenison MI

Assignee:

Steelcase Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

B23P 1102

US Classification:

29453

Abstract:

A structural support shell for a tilt-back chair has a back portion, a seat portion, and a flexible compression zone extending between the back and seat portions in an integrally molded, one-piece unit. The chair has a base with a recline control pivoting recline control lever. The seat portion of the shell is fixed to the base and the back portion of the shell is fixed to the recline control lever. The flexible compression zone provides a simplified construction for an ergonomic chair design having an effective axis of rotation between the back portion and seat portion which is located above the seat portion, forward of the back portion, and generally adjacent to the hip joints of a seated user. The chair includes side arms that laterally and then rotatably engage side arm supporting connectors on the chair to facilitate assembly. The chair further includes a one-piece shell having tabs for mateably engaging flanges on the chair seat and back to also facilitate assembly.

US Patent:

52132951, May 25, 1993

Filed:

May 31, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/708188

Inventors:

Brian L. Scholten - Grandville MI
James E. Massey - Wayland MI

Assignee:

Steelcase Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

F16M 1100

US Classification:

248161

Abstract:

A two-way actuator device having a lever with a handle portion near a first end and a bearing portion near a second, opposing end for applying force to a responsive device. Two pivots are provided on the lever and located on opposing sides of the bearing portion. The pivots are biased so that the bearing portion moves in a direction opposite to the handle portion when the handle portion is moved in a first direction and the bearing portion moves in the same direction as a handle portion when the handle portion is moved in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.

US Patent:

53183460, Jun 7, 1994

Filed:

Apr 30, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/055927

Inventors:

Charles P. Roossien - Wyoming MI
David C. Pugh - Howard City MI
Dale M. Groendal - Jenison MI
James E. Massey - Wayland MI
Robert M. Scheper - Grand Rapids MI
Daniel P. Beemer - Wyoming MI
James P. Steffens - Hopkins MI
Duane F. Nagel - Grand Rapids MI
Bruce M. Smith - Grand Rapids MI
Douglas A. Smith - Grand Rapids MI

Assignee:

Steelcase Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

A47C 312

US Classification:

297301

Abstract:

A structural support shell for a tilt-back chair has a back portion, a seat portion, and a flexible compression zone extending between the back and seat portions in an integrally molded, one-piece unit. The chair has a base with a recline control and pivoting recline control lever. The seat portion of the shell is fixed to the base and the back portion of the shell is fixed to the recline control lever. The flexible compression zone provides a simplified construction for an ergonomic chair design having an effective axis of rotation between the back portion and seat portion which is located above the seat portion, forward of the back portion, and generally adjacent to the hip joints of a seated user.

US Patent:

55404812, Jul 30, 1996

Filed:

May 2, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/236335

Inventors:

Charles P. Roossien - Wyoming MI
Dale M. Groendal - Jenison MI
James E. Massey - Wayland MI
Robert M. Scheper - Grand Rapids MI
Douglas A. Smith - Grand Rapids MI
David C. Pugh - Howard City MI

Assignee:

Steelcase, Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

A47C 300

US Classification:

2973004

Abstract:

A structural support shell for a tilt-back chair has a back portion, a seat portion, and a flexible compression zone extending between the back and seat portions in an integrally molded, one-piece unit. The chair has a base with a recline control pivoting recline control lever. The seat portion of the shell is fixed to the base and the back portion of the shell is fixed to the recline control lever. The flexible compression zone provides a simplified construction for an ergonomic chair design having an effective axis of rotation between the back portion and seat portion which is located above the seat portion, forward of the back portion, and generally adjacent to the hip joints of a seated user.

US Patent:

RE358053, May 26, 1998

Filed:

May 18, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/443845

Inventors:

Brian L. Scholten - Jenison MI
James E. Massey - Newaygo MI

Assignee:

Steelcase Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

F16M 1100

US Classification:

248161

Abstract:

A two-way actuator device having a lever with a handle portion near a first end and a bearing portion near a second, opposing end for applying force to a responsive device. Two pivots are provided on the lever and located on opposing sides of the bearing portion. The pivots are biased so that the bearing portion moves in a direction opposite to the handle portion when the handle portion is moved in a first direction and the bearing portion moves in the same direction as a handle portion when the handle portion is moved in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.

US Patent:

56623810, Sep 2, 1997

Filed:

Jun 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/466335

Inventors:

Charles P. Roossien - Wyoming MI
David C. Pugh - Howard City MI
Dale M. Groendal - Jenison MI
James E. Massey - Wayland MI
Robert M. Scheper - Grand Rapids MI
Duane F. Nagel - Grand Rapids MI
Bruce M. Smith - Grand Rapids MI
Douglas A. Smith - Grand Rapids MI
Brian L. Scholten - Jenison MI

Assignee:

Steelcase Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

A47C 300

US Classification:

2973011

Abstract:

A structural support shell for a tilt-back chair has a back portion, a seat portion, and a flexible compression zone extending between the back and seat portions in an integrally molded, one-piece unit. The chair has a base with a recline control pivoting recline control lever. The seat portion of the shell is fixed to the base and the back portion of the shell is fixed to the recline control lever. The flexible compression zone provides a simplified construction for an ergonomic chair design having an effective axis of rotation between the back portion and seat portion which is located above the seat portion, forward of the back portion, and generally adjacent to the hip joints of a seated user. The chair includes side arms that laterally and then rotatably engage side arm supporting connectors on the chair to facilitate assembly. The chair further includes a one-piece shell having tabs for mateably engaging flanges on the chair seat and back to also facilitate assembly.