Abstract: An elastomeric load bearing surface with different load support characteristics in different directions. In one embodiment, the surface includes an elastomeric membrane that is oriented in only a single direction, for example, by compression or stretching. In another embodiment, the surface includes mechanical structures, such as connectors, variations in thickness and apertures, that vary the load support characteristics in different directions. In another aspect, the present invention provides a multilayer load bearing surface in which the layers cooperate to provide a controlled force/deflection profile that is variable in different regions of the surface. In one embodiment, the upper layer includes a plurality of loosely connected nodes and a lower layer having a plurality of resilient elements that separately support each node.

Abstract: An elastomeric fabric load bearing surface having a non-linear force/deflection profile. In one embodiment, the load bearing surface includes multiple layers, at least one of which is an elastomeric fabric. The various layers cooperate with one another to define a non-linear force/deflection profile. In one embodiment, the load bearing surface includes an upper layer of elastomeric fabric and a lower layer of elastomeric fabric, and the two layers are stretched in different directions. In a second aspect, the load bearing surface includes at least one layer of elastomeric fabric that follows a non-linear pattern. In one embodiment of this second aspect, the fabric defines a body-supporting surface and includes a plurality of undulations away from the body-supporting surface.

Abstract: A load bearing assembly includes a molded plastic retainer that supports a load bearing surface over an opening defined by a frame. The molded plastic retainer includes a first portion attached to the frame, a second portion attached to the load bearing surface, and at least one elastic connector integrally molded with the retainer. The elastic connector is oriented such that it includes a crystalline structure having a greater degree of alignment in one direction than in other directions.

Abstract: An attachment structure for a load bearing fabric. The attachment structure includes interfitted inner and outer rings. The outer ring includes a fabric leg 74 carrying a load bearing fabric. The inner ring defines a channel receiving the fabric leg 74. The inner ring and outer ring are configured to stretch the fabric upon insertion of the fabric leg 74 into the channel. The present invention also provides a method for securing a load bearing fabric to a support structure, generally including the steps of (a) providing an outer ring having fabric leg 74, (b) attaching a section of load bearing fabric to the fabric leg 74, (c) providing an inner ring having a channel adapted to receive the leg of the outer ring and (d) installing the outer ring to the inner ring by inserting the leg into the channel, the insertion forcing the fabric down into the channel and stretching the fabric to the desired tension.

Abstract: An attachment structure for a load-bearing fabric including an expandable carrier secured to an un-stretched load-bearing fabric. To attach the carrier to a support frame, the carrier and fabric are stretched together to desired shape and secured to the frame. An indexing system registers the carrier and frame and optionally stretches the fabric a predetermined amount. The present invention also provides a lip that flexes in one direction and maintains the fabric in a stretched condition in another. A tool that joins the carrier and frame generally includes a drive roller and a primary roller adapted to move toward one another and join a carrier and the support frame disposed therebetween. The tool may include alignment rollers near the primary and drive rollers to track along and align the carrier and frame.

Abstract: A chair having an adjustable resilient back recliner mechanism, a pair of adjustable armrests, modular upper back portions and an adjustable lumbar support. The chair includes a tension control that adjusts the tension in the recliner mechanism. The tension control is cam-operated to permit adjustment throughout the entire range of adjustability with only limited rotational movement of a control knob. The chair includes a recline limit control that adjusts the limit of rearward movement in the recliner mechanism. The limit control includes a cable operated stop that interact with a stepped trackway on the seat. The chair further includes a height control for adjusting the seat height including a push-button located in the tension control knob. The armrests include height and angle adjustment mechanisms. The lumbar support includes a lumbar cam that is rotatably mounted to a lumbar pad.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching an item to load-bearing fabric including male and female strips that snap together on opposite sides of the fabric. The male strip is attached to the item to be secured to the fabric, and includes male prongs that are pushed through the weave of the load-bearing fabric. The female strip preferably defines a series of receptacles that snap onto the male strip. The male and female strips are elongated strips formed from a molded thermoplastic or other formable material. In a preferred embodiment, the male prongs include barbs and the receptacles include angled fingers that act as a snap, such that the barbs of the male prongs can easily be pressed through the fingers, but are retained once in place.

Abstract: An attachment structure for a load bearing fabric. The attachment structure includes an expandable carrier secured to an unstretched load bearing fabric. To attach the carrier to the frame, the carrier and fabric are stretched together to desired shape and secured to a support frame. A method for securing a load bearing fabric to a support structure is also provided. The method generally includes the steps of (a) providing a relaxed section of load bearing fabric, (b) molding an expandable carrier about the fabric while the fabric is in the relaxed state, the configuration of the frame being preselected to assume the desired shape upon later expansion (c) expanding the carrier and fabric to provide the fabric with the desired tension and (d) securing the expanded carrier and tensioned fabric to the support structure.

Abstract: A chair includes a control housing, a seat and a back support including an upwardly extending upright portion and a link portion extending forwardly from a lower portion of the upright portion. The link portion is pivotally connected to the control housing about a first pivot axis. The seat is connected to the link portion and is pivotable relative thereto. A linkage is coupled to the seat and is pivotally connected to the control housing at a second pivot axis positioned rearwardly and downwardly from the first pivot axis.

Abstract: A fabric seat for a chair and a method and machine for manufacturing the fabric seat. The fabric seat comprises a seat frame that supports the outer circumference of a fabric material. The seat frame comprises grasping members that secure the fabric to the seat frame and retain the desired stretch in the fabric. The grasping members can be teeth. A cover is also provided, which is snapped onto the circumference of the seat frame, to trap the fabric and protect the user from the grasping members.

Abstract: An attachment structure for a load-bearing fabric including an expandable carrier secured to an un-stretched load-bearing fabric. To attach the carrier to a support frame, the carrier and fabric are stretched together to desired shape and secured to the frame. An indexing system registers the carrier and frame and optionally stretches the fabric a predetermined amount. The carrier and frame can include a lip that flexes in one direction and maintains the fabric in a stretched condition in another. A tool that joins the carrier and frame generally includes a drive roller and a primary roller adapted to move toward one another and join a carrier and the support frame disposed therebetween. The tool may include alignment rollers near the primary and drive rollers to track along and align the carrier and frame.

Abstract: An attachment structure for a load bearing fabric. The attachment structure includes interfitted inner and outer rings. The outer ring includes a fabric leg 74 carrying a load bearing fabric. The inner ring defines a channel receiving the fabric leg 74. The inner ring and outer ring are configured to stretch the fabric upon insertion of the fabric leg 74 into the channel. The present invention also provides a method for securing a load bearing fabric to a support structure, generally including the steps of (a) providing an outer ring having fabric leg 74, (b) attaching a section of load bearing fabric to the fabric leg 74, (c) providing an inner ring having a channel adapted to receive the leg of the outer ring and (d) installing the outer ring to the inner ring by inserting the leg into the channel, the insertion forcing the fabric down into the channel and stretching the fabric to the desired tension.

Abstract: A fabric seat for a chair and a method and machine for manufacturing the fabric seat. The fabric seat comprises a seat frame that supports the outer circumference of a fabric material. The seat frame comprises grasping members that secure the fabric to the seat frame and retain the desired stretch in the fabric. The grasping members can be teeth. A cover is also provided, which is snapped onto the circumference of the seat frame, to trap the fabric and protect the user from the grasping members.

Abstract: A chair includes a control housing, a seat and a back support including an upwardly extending upright portion and a link portion extending forwardly from a lower portion of the upright portion. The link portion is pivotally connected to the control housing about a first pivot axis. The seat is connected to the link portion and is pivotable relative thereto. A linkage is coupled to the seat and is pivotally connected to the control housing at a second pivot axis positioned rearwardly and downwardly from the first pivot axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching an item to load-bearing fabric including male and female strips that snap together on opposite sides of the fabric. The male strip is attached to the item to be secured to the fabric, and includes male prongs that are pushed through the weave of the load-bearing fabric. The female strip preferably defines a series of receptacles that snap onto the male strip. The male and female strips are elongated strips formed from a molded thermoplastic or other formable material. In a preferred embodiment, the male prongs include barbs and the receptacles include angled fingers that act as a snap, such that the barbs of the male prongs can easily be pressed through the fingers, but are retained once in place.

Abstract: A seating structure includes a backrest having a top and bottom and includes a frame. The frame includes a pair of spaced apart side members defining an opening therebetween. Each of the side members has a length. A flexible membrane extends between and is attached to the side members across the opening. An armrest is moveably mounted to each of the side members. Each of the armrests is adjustably moveable along at least a portion of the length of the side members between at least a first position and a second position. The first position is closer to the bottom of the backrest than the second position. A method of adjusting the seating structure is also provided.

Abstract: A seating structure having a fabric with a weave pattern for supporting the body of a user. The fabric includes a plurality of strands of multifilament yarn and a plurality of monofilaments running generally perpendicular to the strands. At least some of the monofilaments are arranged in pairs. The monofilaments in each pair weaving alternatively above and below some adjacent strands and crossing over each other between other adjacent strands.

Abstract: A seating structure includes a support structure, a seat supported by the support structure and a backrest pivotally connected to the support structure. The seat includes a front and rear. The backrest is positioned adjacent the rear of the seat. The backrest includes a frame having a pair of bow-shaped side members. Each of the side members has a lower section and an upper section. The upper sections extend from the lower sections so as to form a pair of first bowed sections at substantially a lumbar region of the backrest. A flexible membrane is attached to and extends between the side members. The flexible membrane has a second bowed section corresponding to the first bowed sections of the side members. A method of using the seating structure is also provided.

Abstract: A chair having an adjustable resilient back recliner mechanism, a pair of adjustable armrests, modular upper back portions and an adjustable lumbar support. The chair includes a tension control that adjusts the tension in the recliner mechanism. The tension control is cam-operated to permit adjustment throughout the entire range of adjustability with only limited rotational movement of a control knob. The chair includes a recline limit control that adjusts the limit of rearward movement in the recliner mechanism. The limit control includes a cable operated stop that interact with a stepped trackway on the seat. The chair further includes a height control for adjusting the seat height including a push-button located in the tension control knob. The armrests include height and angle adjustment mechanisms. The lumbar support includes a lumbar cam that is rotatably mounted to a lumbar pad.

Abstract: A seating structure includes a support assembly for supporting the body of a user. The support assembly includes a frame member defining an opening and having a channel formed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the opening and an expandable carrier member expandable between at least a first and second configuration. The carrier member is inserted into the channel when expanded to the second configuration. A membrane of elastic material covers the central opening. The membrane has an edge, at least a portion of which is attached to the carrier member. The membrane is stretched a desired amount as the carrier member is expanded between the first and second configurations. A method of assembling a seating structure is also provided.