Richard Allen Hand

US Patent:

6546684, Apr 15, 2003

Filed:

Apr 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/827153

Inventors:

Michael L. Waalkes - Athens AL
Marcus K. Pressnell - Athens AL
Mark T. Slager - Kentwood MI
Michael R. Shields - Greensboro NC
Brian J. Kane - San Francisco CA
Robin Christopher - Athens AL
Dennis J. Boyle - Palo Alto CA
Peter N. Skillman - San Carlos CA
Charles A. Seiber - Atherton CA
Joseph Chang - Grand Rapids MI
Richard S. Hand - Holland MI
Douglas L. Scheerhorn - Byron Center MI

Assignee:

Steelcase Development Corporation - Caledonia MI

International Classification:

E04B 274

US Classification:

52239

Abstract:

A knock-down partition panel frame includes a pair of spaced apart generally upright posts, each having at least one receptacle defining a tapered surface. The partition panel frame further includes at least one generally horizontal member extending between and interconnecting the posts. The horizontal member includes fastenerless connectors at opposite ends thereof, each having at least one connecting element engaging with the tapered surface to thereby securely interconnect the posts and the horizontal member to define a rigid partition frame having an interior space. A cover panel is secured to the partition frame, and closes off at least a portion of the interior space.

US Patent:

60983582, Aug 8, 2000

Filed:

Apr 15, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/060913

Inventors:

Michael L. Waalkes - Athens AL
Marcus K. Pressnell - Athens AL
Mark T. Slager - Kentwood MI
Michael R. Shields - Greensboro NC
Brian J. Kane - San Francisco CA
Robin Christopher - Athens AL
Dennis J. Boyle - Palo Alto CA
Peter N. Skillman - San Carlos CA
Charles A. Seiber - Atherton CA
Joseph Chang - Grand Rapids MI
Paul J. Granzotto - Grandville MI
Richard S. Hand - Holland MI
Kevin J. Longhurst - Hastings MI
Theodore Q. Chau - Grand Rapids MI
Douglas L. Scheerhorn - Byron Center MI
John L. McCrackin - Grand Rapids MI

Assignee:

Steelcase Development Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

E04B 274

US Classification:

52239

Abstract:

A knock-down portable partition including a panel frame having a central portion. At least one cover panel covers at least a portion of the central portion of the panel frame. Connectors detachably mount the cover panel on the panel frame to facilitate assembly and removable of the cover panel on the panel frame. The panel frame includes at least two vertical posts each having an upper end, a lower end and opposite faces with at least two beam connection ports thereon positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of the associated one of the posts. The panel frame also includes upper and lower beams extending generally horizontally between the vertical posts adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, and interconnecting the same adjacent the connection ports. Movable lock members having a flexible extension are positioned on one of the posts and the beams adjacent the connection ports, and are movably mounted thereon for shifting between an unlocked position and a locked position. The panel frame further includes lock-engaging surfaces positioned on the other of the posts and the beams adjacent the connection ports.

US Patent:

6276103, Aug 21, 2001

Filed:

Apr 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/558753

Inventors:

Michael L. Waalkes - Athens AL
Marcus K. Pressnell - Athens AL
Mark T. Slager - Kentwood MI
Michael R. Shields - Greensboro NC
Brian J. Kane - San Francisco CA
Robin Christopher - Athens AL
Dennis J. Boyle - Palo Alto CA
Peter N. Skillman - San Carlos CA
Charles A. Seiber - Atherton CA
Joseph Chang - Grand Rapids MI
Paul J. Granzotto - Grandville MI
Richard S. Hand - Holland MI
Kevin J. Longhurst - Hastings MI
Theodore Q. Chau - Grand Rapids MI
Douglas L. Scheerhorn - Byron Center MI
John L. McCrackin - Grand Rapids MI

Assignee:

Steelcase Development Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

E04B 274

US Classification:

52239

Abstract:

A partition includes at least two vertical posts with upper and lower beams having opposite ends thereof interconnecting the vertical posts to define when in an assembled condition, a rigid panel frame having a substantially open interior. The panel frame defines a vertical dimension. At least one cover panel is configured to enclose at least a portion of the open interior of the panel frame, and is removably mounted on the panel frame to readily access the open interior thereof. The cover panel defines an interior surface and a center portion spaced-apart from the posts. A cover panel brace is connected with the upper beam, and has an outer surface abutting the interior surface of the cover panel to support the cover panel adjacent the center portion to prevent flexing of the cover panel. The cover panel brace is longitudinally extensible to accommodate variations of the vertical dimension between the upper and lower beams.