Michael Robert Shields

US Patent:

6442909, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

Apr 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/829028

Inventors:

Michael L. Waalkes - Grand Rapids MI
Marcus K. Pressnell - Athens AL
Mark T. Slager - Caledonia 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

Assignee:

Steelcase Development Corporation - Caledonia MI

International Classification:

E04B 274

US Classification:

52239, 52 361, 52 366, 52571, 211192, 24822213, 24828511, 248245

Abstract:

A knock-down portable partition includes a rigid panel frame having a central portion. The partition includes at least one cover panel covering at least a portion of the central portion of the rigid panel frame. Connectors detachably mount the cover panel on the panel frame to facilitate assembly and removal of the cover panel on the panel frame. The rigid panel frame includes at least two vertical posts having an upper end, a lower end, and opposite side faces. The opposite faces have 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 vertical posts adjacent the connection ports. The panel frame includes quick-disconnect connectors such as movable lock members positioned on one of the posts and the beams adjacent the connection ports. The movable lock members are movably mounted for shifting between an unlocked position and a locked position.

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:

6910306, Jun 28, 2005

Filed:

Jun 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/179607

Inventors:

Michael L. Waalkes - East Grand Rapids MI, US
Marcus K. Pressnell - Athens AL, US
Mark T. Slager - Caledonia MI, US
Michael R. Shields - Greensboro NC, US
Brian J. Kane - San Francisco CA, US
Robin Christopher - Athens AL, US
Dennis J. Boyle - Palo Alto CA, US
Charles A. Seiber - Belmont CA, US
Peter N. Skillman - San Carlos CA, US
Joseph Chang - Grand Rapids MI, US
Richard S. Hand - Grand Rapids MI, US

Assignee:

Steelcase Development Corporation - Caledonia MI

International Classification:

E04H001/00

US Classification:

52239, 522207, 52 366

Abstract:

A knock-down portable partition system has cover panels supported on a post and beam framework designed for quick and easy on-site manual assembly. The framework includes at least two vertical posts and at least two structural beams rigidly, yet detachably interconnecting the vertical posts. Connectors secure the beams to the posts, such that the partition system can be assembled and disassembled manually. The partition system may include utility troughs shaped to retain wires, cabling, etc. therein to provide power and/or communication to the system. The utility troughs have opposite ends shaped to be detachably mounted to the posts.

US Patent:

D543736, Jun 5, 2007

Filed:

Jun 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

29/231522

Inventors:

Michael R. Shields - Greensboro NC, US

Assignee:

Steelcase Development Corporation - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

0606

US Classification:

D 6500, D6366, D6375

US Patent:

7448168, Nov 11, 2008

Filed:

Jun 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/761693

Inventors:

Michael L. Waalkes - East Grand Rapids MI, US
Marcus K. Pressnell - Athens AL, US
Mark T. Slager - Caledonia MI, US
Michael R. Shields - Greensboro NC, US
Brian J. Kane - San Francisco CA, US
Robin Christopher - Athens AL, US
Dennis J. Boyle - Palo Alto CA, US
Charles A. Seiber - Belmont CA, US
Peter N. Skillman - San Carlos CA, US
Joseph Chang - Grand Rapids MI, US
Richard S. Hand - Grand Rapids MI, US

Assignee:

Steelcase Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

E04C 2/52
E04F 19/00
E04B 2/74
E04H 1/00

US Classification:

52 27, 52239, 522207, 52 364, 52 365, 52 366, 522202

Abstract:

A knock-down portable partition system has cover panels supported on a post and beam framework designed for quick and easy on-site manual assembly. The framework includes at least two vertical posts and at least two structural beams rigidly, yet detachably interconnecting the vertical posts. Connectors secure the beams to the posts, such that the partition system can be assembled and disassembled manually. The partition system may include utility troughs shaped to retain wires, cabling, etc. therein to provide power and/or communication to the system. The utility troughs have opposite ends shaped to be detachably mounted to the posts.

US Patent:

7565772, Jul 28, 2009

Filed:

Jan 27, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/044843

Inventors:

Michael L. Waalkes - East Grand Rapids MI, US
Marcus K. Pressnell - Athens AL, US
Mark T. Slager - Caledonia MI, US
Michael R. Shields - Greensboro NC, US
Brian J. Kane - San Francisco CA, US
Robin Christopher - Athens AL, US
Dennis J. Boyle - Palo Alto CA, US
Charles A. Seiber - Belmont CA, US
Peter N. Skillman - San Carlos CA, US
Joseph Chang - Grand Rapids MI, US
Richard S. Hand - Grand Rapids MI, US

Assignee:

Steelcase, Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

E04C 2/52
E04F 19/00
E04B 2/74
E04H 1/00

US Classification:

52 361, 522381, 52239, 52 364, 52 365, 52 366, 52 27, 522202

Abstract:

A knock-down portable partition system has cover panels supported on a post and beam framework designed for quick and easy on-site manual assembly. The framework includes at least two vertical posts and at least two structural beams rigidly, yet detachably interconnecting the vertical posts. Connectors secure the beams to the posts, such that the partition system can be assembled and disassembled manually. The partition system may include utility troughs shaped to retain wires, cabling, etc. therein to provide power and/or communication to the system. The utility troughs have opposite ends shaped to be detachably mounted to the posts.

US Patent:

7827921, Nov 9, 2010

Filed:

Apr 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/112093

Inventors:

Michael R. Shields - Greensboro NC, US
Jerald W. Nichols - Jasper IN, US
Mark R. Dilger - Ferdinand IN, US

Assignee:

Ditto Sales, Inc. - Jasper IN

International Classification:

A47B 57/00
A47B 3/02

US Classification:

108 91, 108119

Abstract:

A portable chair and table set is provided that is tiltable and nestable to simplify and accommodate compact storage. The chair includes a seat shell that is pivotably mounted to a nestable support frame. Hinges connect the shell to the frame and are configured to hold the seat shell in a tilted configuration for storage. In this tilted configuration, several chairs can be horizontally nested so that the overall length of the nest chairs is minimized. Similarly, the table includes a table top having a unitary desk surface and modesty panel that is pivotably mounted to a support frame by hinges that are configured to hold the table top in a tilted configuration that allows horizontal nesting of several tables in a minimal overall length. The hinges can be easily disengaged by manual movement of the table top to its in use position.

US Patent:

7849804, Dec 14, 2010

Filed:

Sep 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/533400

Inventors:

Michael R. Shields - Greensboro NC, US

Assignee:

Ditto Sales, Inc. - Jasper IN

International Classification:

A47B 7/00

US Classification:

108 91, 108 5001

Abstract:

A stackable, nestable, and gangable table for use in varied environments such as classrooms, conferences, testing, etc includes a wire frame scaled according to the anticipated use, a table top and a modesty panel angled obtusely from the table top to accommodate stacking and/or nesting of the tables. The table further includes glide members on the wire frame base that accommodates the ganging of tables next to one another. The glide members are mounted on the base in such a manner that they engage the opposing glides on the aligned consecutive table. The table also includes a mounting mechanism for mounting accessories such as a side storage pouch to provide additional storage and help delineate the personal work space of each table.