Jerry A Defouw

US Patent:

56264046, May 6, 1997

Filed:

Jun 8, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/488482

Inventors:

James O. Kelley - Spring Lake MI
Robert L. Beck - Zeeland MI
Jerry A. DeFouw - Grand Rapids MI
Andrew J. Kurrasch - Saugatuck MI
George A. Williams - Hudsonville MI
Geoffrey A. Hollington - London, GB2

Assignee:

Herman Miller, Inc. - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

A47B 5300

US Classification:

312198

Abstract:

A work space management system including freestanding walls and a freestanding cabinet integrated into the wall system and separate from the wall system. The cabinet comprises side wall and back wall channels having vertically spaced openings therein and a connector means to mount the cabinet to a vertical frame member of the freestanding walls or to another cabinet through the indented channel openings. The cabinet further comprises rear frame members having vertically spaced openings for hanging shelving or other articles. The cabinet is also adaptable for having horizontal work accessory support rails. The sides of the cabinet are mounted onto a rigid framework. Wire management capability is provided in the cabinet to interface with wire management in the freestanding walls.

US Patent:

RE328901, Mar 21, 1989

Filed:

Jun 8, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/059852

Inventors:

Jerry A. DeFouw - Grand Rapids MI
James O. Kelley - Spring Lake MI

Assignee:

Herman Miller, Inc. - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

F16C 106

US Classification:

52239

Abstract:

A frame connector system for connecting adjacent frames together to form a wall panel system for offices, for example, comprises rigid frames which have elongated stiles extending the length of opposite sides, each stile having an edge face with an indented channel running along the length and shaped to form a hollow rectangular channel with an abutting edge face of an adjacent frame stile. A rectangular elongated draw tube fits snugly within the rectangular channel between the stiles. A U-shaped draw nut on top of the draw tube has legs which fit within openings in the stiles and engage wedging surfaces on the stiles to draw the stiles tightly together as the draw tube is moved upwardly with respect to the stiles. A cap screw is threaded into the draw nut and engages tongues on the stile to provide a mechanical advantage in shifting the draw tube upwardly with respect to the stiles. Clips are provided within the indented channels of the stiles to project through openings in the draw tube and engage the draw tube as the draw tube is moved upwardly with respect to the stiles.

US Patent:

51298350, Jul 14, 1992

Filed:

Sep 19, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/585248

Inventors:

Jerry A. DeFouw - Grand Rapids MI
James H. Nienhuis - Wyoming MI
Jeffrey L. Clark - Holland MI
Bruce R. Gezon - Caledonia MI

Assignee:

Herman Miller, Inc. - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

H01R 460

US Classification:

439215

Abstract:

A power panel for use with wall panels of a space-divider system includes a lightweight frame structure having vertically extending end plates and a central web. Front and rear spaces are defined on either side of the web to accommodate electrical and communication wiring and receptacles on both the front and the back of the panel. A rib, extending from the web, divides the front and rear areas and provides physical separation between electrical power and communication wiring. The portion of the web on one side of the rib has an offset curved section to accommodate electrical wiring conduits extending vertically from the top to the bottom of the power panel. The power panel includes an upper area, with a removable cover, above the upper edge of the frame structure to accommodate wiring to and from, and between wall panels adjoining the power panel. A U-shaped cover is removably attached to the lower edge of the frame structure to accommodate wiring to and from, and between, panels adjoining the power panel. Snap-fit removable covers are attached to the front and back of the frame structure.

US Patent:

45719071, Feb 25, 1986

Filed:

Aug 15, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/641189

Inventors:

Jerry A. DeFouw - Grand Rapids MI
James O. Kelley - Spring Lake MI

Assignee:

Herman Miller, Inc. - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

F16C 106

US Classification:

52239

Abstract:

A frame connector system for connecting adjacent frames together to form a wall panel system for offices, for example, comprises rigid frames which have elongated stiles extending the length of opposite sides, each stile having an edge face with an indented channel running along the length and shaped to form a hollow rectangular channel with an abutting edge face of an adjacent frame stile. A rectangular elongated draw tube fits snugly within the rectangular channel between the stiles. A U-shaped draw nut on top of the draw tube has legs which fit within openings in the stiles and engage wedging surfaces on the stiles to draw the stiles tightly together as the draw tube is moved upwardly with respect to the stiles. A cap screw is threaded into the draw nut and engages tongues on the stile to provide a mechanical advantage in shifting the draw tube upwardly with respect to the stiles. Clips are provided within the indented channels of the stiles to project through openings in the draw tube and engage the draw tube as the draw tube is moved upwardly with respect to the stiles.

US Patent:

51061732, Apr 21, 1992

Filed:

Feb 15, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/657076

Inventors:

James O. Kelley - Spring Lake MI
Robert L. Beck - Zeeland MI
Jerry A. DeFouw - Grand Rapids MI
Andrew J. Kurrasch - Saugatuck MI
George A. Williams - Hudsonville MI
Geoffrey A. Hollington - London, GB2

Assignee:

Herman Miller, Inc. - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

A47B 8800

US Classification:

312111

Abstract:

A work space management system including free-standing walls and a freestanding cabinet integrated into the wall system and separate from the wall system. The cabinet comprises side wall and back wall channels having vertically spaced openings therein and a connector means to mount the cabinet to a vertical frame member of the freestanding walls or to another cabinet through the indented channel openings. The cabinet further comprises rear frame members having vertically spaced openings for hanging shelving or other articles. The cabinet is also adaptable for having horizontal work accessory support rails. The sides of the cabinet are mounted onto a rigid framework. Wire management capability is provided in the cabinet to interface with wire management in the freestanding walls.