Abstract: A support arm for supporting an item from a tapered member such as a tapered chair arm includes an arm portion having a proximal end and a distal end. At or toward the distal end is an arrangement for mounting an item. At or toward the proximal end is an attachment portion defining an internal taper. The support arm is engageable on the tapered member in a taper lock between the tapered member and the attachment portion and disengageable manually and without the use of tools, to mount the support arm to the tapered member. The item is preferably a tablet. One or more release shuttles may be provided within the attachment portion to enhance the disengagement of the support arm from the tapered member.

Abstract: A back portion for a chair includes a peripheral frame defining an opening therein. A lumbar support portion is disposed in the opening. The lumbar support portion comprises a substantially rigid panel. Two hinge devices are hingedly mounted on opposite sides of the peripheral frame. The lumbar support portion is mounted on the peripheral frame by the two hinge devices. Each hinge device has a biasing device associated with it to bias the hinge devices forwardly relative to the peripheral frame. A cushion may be mounted atop the lumbar support portion. The cushion has a first substantially planar sheet of resiliently flexible material and a second substantially planar sheet of resiliently flexible material. The first and second sheets are separated by a plurality of spaced webs of resiliently flexible material.

Abstract: A seat portion (14) for a seat (10) wherein the seat portion (14) includes a panel having a rear portion to support the occupant. The rear portion has a longitudinal centerline and incorporates two zones (162) on either side of the longitudinal centerline. Each of the zones has a first pattern of weakeners arranged in a series of spaced sinuous lines. Furthermore, a substantial portion of the panel, apart from the zones (162) may also be provided with a pattern of weakeners arranged in a series of spaced sinuous lines (163), interrupted by the zones (162).

Abstract: A back portion (16) for a chair (10) includes a peripheral frame (34) defining an opening therein. A lumbar support portion (36) is disposed in the opening. The lumbar support portion (36) comprises a substantially rigid panel (207). Two hinge devices (214) are hingedly mounted on opposite sides of the peripheral frame (34). The lumbar support portion (207) is mounted on the peripheral frame by the two hinge devices (214). Each hinge device has a biasing device (226) associated with it to bias the hinge devices (214) forwardly relative to the peripheral frame (34). A cushion (540) may be mounted atop the lumbar support portion (207). The cushion has a first substantially planar sheet (542) of resiliently flexible material and a second substantially planar sheet (544) of resiliently flexible material. The first and second sheets are separated by a plurality of spaced webs (546) of resiliently flexible material.

Abstract: An arm assembly includes an outer stem (52) and an inner stem (50) slidable in the outer stem and including a number of recesses (107) along its length. A biased locking device (117) engages one or more of the recesses (107) to lock the position of the inner stem (50) relative to the outer stem (52). A release member (103) operably connected to an actuator (101) has a number of recesses (110) and raised surfaces (112), the release member (103) slidable relative to the inner stem (50) between a first position in which recess(es) (110) in the release member is/are aligned with recess(es) (107) of the inner stem and the locking device (117) engages recess(es) in the stem (50) to inhibit movement thereof relative to the outer stem, and a second position in which raised surface(s) (112) of the release member align(s) with recess(es) (107) of the stem (50) to disengage the locking device from the recess(es) of the stem.

Abstract: A chair (10) includes a supporting frame (20,22) and a seat portion (14) which is foldable about a transverse fold to define a rearward portion behind the transverse fold and a forward portion, forward of the transverse fold. The seat portion (14) is supported above the supporting frame by its rearward portion. The chair (10) also includes a reclinable back portion (16) and a recline mechanism with which the back portion (16) is connected for reclining action of the back portion (16). The recline mechanism is operably linked to the rearward portion of the seat portion (14) such that on reclining action of the back portion (16), the rearward portion is moved to increase in rearward tilt angle and to obtain a net increase in height above the supporting frame (20,22), with a consequent folding of the seat portion about the transverse fold line under the weight (W) of the occupant.

Abstract: An arm assembly (24) is provided for a chair (12). The chair (12) has a forward direction and a rearward direction. The arm assembly (24) includes an armrest (26) and a support structure (28). A mounting device movably mounts the armrest to the support structure. The mounting device constrains the movement of the armrest (26) relative to the support structure to movement in a substantially horizontal plane having two degrees of freedom defined by first and second transversely arranged axes lying within the substantially horizontal plane. The armrest (26) thus move in a substantially planar fashion without changing the orientation of the armrest (26).

Abstract: A door structure includes a door frame having edge portions of which at least some are curved. The door structure further includes a flexible door panel which is pivotable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The door panel is resiliently deformable from a substantially flat configuration to a curved configuration which corresponds to the curvature of the curved edge portions of the door frame. In the closed configuration the door panel is adapted to adopt the curved configuration and in the open position, the door panel is freely straightenable to the substantially flat configuration. The door structure may be embodied in a storage structure which includes a framework defining an interior including a storage space and an opening to the storage space. The door panel may be hingedly connected to an auxiliary portion which is slidably mounted substantially within the interior of the framework.

Abstract: A support arm for supporting an item from a tapered member such as a tapered chair arm includes an arm portion having a proximal end and a distal end. At or toward the distal end is an arrangement for mounting an item. At or toward the proximal end is an attachment portion defining an internal taper. The support arm is engageable on the tapered member in a taper lock between the tapered member and the attachment portion and disengageable manually and without the use of tools, to mount the support arm to the tapered member. The item is preferably a tablet. One or more release shuttles may be provided within the attachment portion to enhance the disengagement of the support arm from the tapered member.

Abstract: An arm assembly includes an outer stem (52) and an inner stem (50) slidable in the outer stem and including a number of recesses (107) along its length. A biased locking device (117) engages one or more of the recesses (107) to lock the position of the inner stem (50) relative to the outer stem (52). A release member (103) operably connected to an actuator (101) has a number of recesses (110) and raised surfaces (112), the release member (103) slidable relative to the inner stem (50) between a first position in which recess(es) (110) in the release member is/are aligned with recess(es) (107) of the inner stem and the locking device (117) engages recess(es) in the stem (50) to inhibit movement thereof relative to the outer stem, and a second position in which raised surface(s) (112) of the release member align(s) with recess(es) (107) of the stem (50) to disengage the locking device from the recess(es) of the stem.

Abstract: A castored base (18) for an office chair includes a plurality of radially extending legs (300), each leg having a socket or sleeve (308) fixed thereto adjacent an outer end thereof. A castor (302/402) is connected to each socket or sleeve (308), each castor having two wheel portions (312/412) and an axle assembly (316/404). The axle assembly includes an axle (314/414) to which the two wheel portions are rotatably mounted in spaced disposition and including a pin (318/418), wherein the pin (318/418) of each castor is received in a respective socket or sleeve (308) which extends at least in part between the two wheel portions (312/412). Only a small clearance is required between the underside of the legs (300) and the tops of the castors (302/402). Further, low profile legs (300) may be used in the base (18), while still providing the required strength and stability.

Abstract: A back portion for a chair includes a peripheral frame defining an opening therein. A lumbar support portion is disposed in the opening. The lumbar support portion comprises a substantially rigid panel. Two hinge devices are hingedly mounted on opposite sides of the peripheral frame. The lumbar support portion is mounted on the peripheral frame by the two hinge devices. Each hinge device has a biasing device associated with it to bias the hinge devices forwardly relative to the peripheral frame. A cushion may be mounted atop the lumbar support portion. The cushion has a first substantially planar sheet of resiliently flexible material and a second substantially planar sheet of resiliently flexible material. The first and second sheets are separated by a plurality of spaced webs of resiliently flexible material.

Abstract: A height adjustable table assembly (10) has a table top (12) with an upper surface (20) and an outer periphery (14). The table assembly (10) also has a supporting base (38). A height adjustment mechanism (25, 54, 50) is provided to selectively raise or lower the table top (12) relative to the supporting base (38). The height adjustment mechanism (25, 54, 50) includes a height adjustment actuator (25) in the form of a rotatable member. The rotatable member (25) is selectively rotatable relative to the supporting base (38) to actuate the height adjustment mechanism (25, 54, 50) to selectively raise or lower the table top (12). The rotatable member (25) is disposed underneath the upper surface (20) of the table top (12) and has an outer edge (29) which terminates at or near the outer periphery (14) of the table top (12) for at least a portion of the outer periphery (14) of the table top (12). A resiliently deformable tether (40) may interconnect the table top and at least a portion of the support assembly (27).

Abstract: A door structure includes a door frame having edge portions of which at least some are curved. The door structure further includes a flexible door panel which is pivotable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The door panel is resiliently deformable from a substantially flat configuration to a curved configuration which corresponds to the curvature of the curved edge portions of the door frame. In the closed configuration the door panel is adapted to adopt the curved configuration and in the open position, the door panel is freely straightenable to the substantially flat configuration. The door structure may be embodied in a storage structure which includes a framework defining an interior including a storage space and an opening to the storage space. The door panel may be hingedly connected to an auxiliary portion which is slidably mounted substantially within the interior of the framework.