Intermeshed (e.g., Crisscrossed, Etc.) Patents (Class 297/452.64)
  • Patent number: 11958392
    Abstract: A seat pad manufacturing method is provided. The method includes disposing a sheet member inside a foaming mold for shaping a seat pad, then injecting a foaming resin material into the foaming mold and foaming a resin foamed body through mold clamping, and demolding the resin foamed body in a state in which the sheet member is buried in the resin foamed body. Both end parts of the sheet member in the right-left direction and both end parts of the sheet member in the extending direction are each temporarily fastened to the surface of the mold through a fastener. The foaming resin material is injected into a space between the mold surface and the sheet member. A central part of the sheet member deforms into a shape curved in a convex shape as the sheet member is pressed upward through expansion of the foaming resin material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Archem Inc.
    Inventors: Yukiko Yamaguchi, Taisuke Yonezawa, Yoshiyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11910934
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a base and a support platform spaced above the base. The support platform includes a pad having a hinge portion defining a flex region, wherein the pad is pivotable about the flex region. A link has a lower portion coupled to the base and an upper portion coupled to the pad, wherein the upper portion is pivotable with the pad about the flex region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: STEELCASE INC.
    Inventors: Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gordon J. Peterson
  • Patent number: 11723471
    Abstract: A seat back support with an adjustable support curvature, the support including: a frame; at least one elongate deformable member extending between side portions of the frame; and an elongate adjustment element that intersects one or more of the at least one deformable member(s), wherein manipulation of the adjustment element adjusts the deformation of the one or more deformable member(s) with which it intersects to adjust the curvature of the back support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Inventor: Kumar Rajaratnam
  • Patent number: 11602223
    Abstract: A body support assembly includes a seat assembly and backrest assembly supported by tilt control assembly. Methods of using and assembling the body support assembly are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: STEELCASE INC.
    Inventors: Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gordon J. Peterson
  • Patent number: 11602227
    Abstract: A mattress assembly includes a base core layer and an inner core located over the base core layer. The inner core includes coil springs. The mattress assembly also includes a side panel assembly located around a perimeter of the inner core. The side panel assembly includes a spacer fabric located over and transverse to the base core layer. The spacer fabric includes a first knit layer, a second knit layer, and an inner fibrous material located therebetween. Methods of forming the mattress assembly are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Purple Innovation, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn David Moon, Lars C. Hamilton, Tanner R. Wheadon
  • Patent number: 11510502
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a frame, a carrier, and a suspension material. The frame includes first and second side frame members and first and second cross frame members forming a closed loop and defining an opening therebetween. The frame also includes a plurality of first attachment features on an outer perimeter of the frame. The carrier includes first and second side carrier members and first and second cross carrier members that form a closed loop. The carrier also includes a plurality of second attachment features on an inner perimeter of the carrier. The plurality of second attachment features engages the plurality of first attachment features to attach the carrier to the frame. The suspension material is attached to the carrier and extends over the opening in the frame to define a continuous seat and backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: MillerKnoll, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, James Slagh, Brent Tracy, Michael D. Stanton, Sr.
  • Patent number: 11466456
    Abstract: Provided are a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional textile reinforcement material and a method of constructing a textile reinforced concrete structure using a three-dimensional textile reinforcement material. A two-dimensional grid is bent into a three-dimensional shape using a two-dimensionally woven or knitted textile grid, and the bent grid is coupled with at least one two-dimensional grid, and thus the three-dimensional textile reinforcement material can be simply and easily formed. The three-dimensional textile reinforcement material can be formed by coating the coupled two-dimensional grid and a three-dimensional grid with a thermosetting resin and curing the coupled grids to support a concrete pouring pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hyeong Yeol Kim, Kyung Taek Koh, Gum Sung Ryu, Gi Hong An, Dong Woo Seo, Young Jun You, Seung Hun Park, Ga Young Kim, Seung Seop Jin
  • Patent number: 10773616
    Abstract: A vehicle seating system having a seat back includes a back panel with a first side having a first surface and a second side having a second surface. A plurality of stanchions are disposed on the first surface and extend outwardly therefrom. The stanchions form airflow channels between them. A trim cover is disposed over at least a portion of the second side and extends to the first side. The trim cover is disposed over the stanchions such that it covers a portion of the airflow channels and the stanchions maintain at least a portion of the trim cover away from the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald Wlassuk
  • Patent number: 9090188
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may include a vehicle seat having a back frame, a frame member, a sheet member, a cushion pad and a regulation structure. The back frame has a generally rectangular shape. The frame member has a shape corresponding to a part of the back frame. The sheet member is attached to the frame member in a tensioned state. The cushion pad is mounted on a front surface of the frame member. The regulation structure is provided on the frame member and the cushion pad. The regulation structure is configured to prevent the cushion pad from shifting along the front surface of the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsushi Imamura
  • Patent number: 9033421
    Abstract: A chair has a seat support (101), a seat portion (13), a back portion (15), and a supporting frame. The supporting frame is formed by a castored base (11), a height adjustment mechanism (17), and a main transom (21). The seat portion (13) is selectively moveable relative to the supporting frame, with the seat portion having a locked configuration and a released configuration. The back portion has a back frame (25) and a compliant cover (61). The back frame has hook features for receiving a portion of the compliant cover (61). The back portion (15) is reclinable relative to the supporting frame between an upright position and a reclined position. A recline mechanism has deformable members operatively connecting the seat portion and the supporting frame. A recline resistance mechanism is selectively engageable to resist movement of the back portion toward the reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Formway Furniture Limited
    Inventors: Paul Michael Wilkinson, Kent Wallace Parker, Peter Alan Tierney, Lyall Douglas Stewart, Gregory William Baum
  • Patent number: 8991931
    Abstract: Plural weft fascia portions wider than wefts are arranged in a ground texture formed in a lattice shape by warps and the wefts so as to be spaced from each other from one end of the clothing fabric toward the other end thereof in the vertical direction, and the arrangement intervals between the weft fascia portions adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are gradually decreased from one end of the clothing fabric toward the other end in the vertical direction, and then are gradually increased from the minimum portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Okamura Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Narita, Ryou Igarashi
  • Patent number: 8951620
    Abstract: A frame member includes a frame body and a sheet member. The frame body has a front surface, a back surface, an opening penetrating in a front and back direction of the frame body, and a protruding portion. One of the front surface and the back surface has an attachment groove. The sheet member constituted by a mesh-like member is stretched over the opening. The protruding portion is configured such that, after the sheet member is arranged in an area where the protruding portion is to be formed, a material for the frame body in an unsolidified state is filled and is solidified, to thereby form the protruding portion together with the frame body and fix the sheet member in a stretched state over the opening. The sheet member has reached one of the front surface and the back surface along an inner circumferential surface of the frame body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Aichi Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taku Kumazawa
  • Patent number: 8240771
    Abstract: A mesh chair component having contours that support a user appropriately can be made by combining a plurality of mesh panels to form the component. For instance, in a preferred embodiment of the present inventions, three preformed mesh panels are combined to form the back rest of a chair that provides its user with lumbar support without the necessity of additional structural support. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, mesh panels are used in combination with a beneficially contoured frame to provide a chair seat with a waterfall front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Humanscale Corporation
    Inventor: Niels Diffrient
  • Patent number: 8210616
    Abstract: Building materials formed from synthetic polymer materials have an appearance which simulates natural woods. The building materials may be used in the construction of fences, sheds, decking materials, indoor/outdoor furniture, railings and numerous other products. The faux wood material is constructed to include reinforcing fibers and voids for weight reduction. The aesthetic appearance of the finished product can be enhanced by applying a color wash which includes a polymer component and a color component adhering to the surface of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Envio Products, LLC
    Inventor: Larry Schwartz
  • Patent number: 8210611
    Abstract: A seat with an adjustable seat depth is also provided, along with various methods for operating the different aspects and embodiments of the seating structure. In one embodiment, a seating structure includes a support structure and a carriage moveably supported by the support structure. The carriage is moveable relative to the support structure in opposite first and second longitudinal directions. A flexible body support member has a first portion coupled to the support structure, a second portion coupled to the carriage, and a third curved portion positioned between the first and second portions. The third portion is moveable toward and away from the support structure as the carriage is moved relative to the support structure in the first and second directions respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Aldrich, Ryan S. Brill, James D. Slagh, Jeffrey A. Weber
  • Patent number: 8177302
    Abstract: In one aspect, a seat includes a perimeter frame and a weight bearing surface. The perimeter frame includes a front frame member, two contoured lateral frame members, and a contoured rear frame member. Each lateral frame member has a front portion, a second portion proximate the user's thighs, a concave curve portion proximate the user's pelvis, and a rear portion, the bottom of the concave curve portion being lower than the second portion and lower than the rear portion. The rear frame member has a central dip portion. The weight bearing surface on which the user sits includes a plurality of straps attached to the perimeter frame. Other aspects relate a method for making a seat and a method for fitting a seat to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Tamarack Habilitation Technologies
    Inventors: J. Martin Carlson, Mark J. Payette
  • Patent number: 8109576
    Abstract: A seat assembly is revealed. A connection slot is formed around a circumference of a rear side of a support and an assembly block is projectingly arranged at a center of the connection slot. At least one channel penetrating from one side to the other side of the assembly block is formed on the assembly block. A cloth surface is covered from a front side to a rear side of the support and a circumference thereof is mounted into the connection slot. A frame formed by injection molding is to cover the circumference of the rear side of the support and fill into the connection slot and the channel so as to connect and secure the cloth surface with the frame as well as the support by multiple bends of the cloth surface and infiltration of frame material into pores of the cloth surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Uei Yuang Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng-Hung Lin
  • Publication number: 20110169321
    Abstract: In an assembly of a mesh cushion in a mesh chair and an assembling method thereof, a mesh member can be strongly fixed to a frame, enough tension can be provided to the mesh member with a simple scheme, and the edge of the mesh member can be prevented from being worn away, since the mesh type cushion assembly of a chair includes: a mesh member; a middle member fixing the edge of the mesh member; a frame and a cover that are assembled with each other so as to fix the middle member to between the frame and the cover; a tension part disposed between the frame and the cover so as to provide the mesh member with tension when the frame and the cover are assembled with each other; and a coupling unit coupling the frame and the cover to each other, and wherein, the mesh member is positioned between the frame and the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Kwan-Young Jung
  • Publication number: 20110006582
    Abstract: In one aspect, a seat includes a perimeter frame and a weight bearing surface. The perimeter frame includes a front frame member, two contoured lateral frame members, and a contoured rear frame member. Each lateral frame member has a front portion, a second portion proximate the user's thighs, a concave curve portion proximate the user's pelvis, and a rear portion, the bottom of the concave curve portion being lower than the second portion and lower than the rear portion. The rear frame member has a central dip portion. The weight bearing surface on which the user sits includes a plurality of straps attached to the perimeter frame. Other aspects relate a method for making a seat and a method for fitting a seat to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: J. Martin Carlson, Mark J. Payette
  • Publication number: 20100276980
    Abstract: An article of furniture includes: a frame structure; and at least one planar woven web mounted to the frame structure, and including a plurality of artificial rattan strips that are interlaced with each other and that are heat sealable, and a plurality of guide tracks provided in the planar woven web. The planar woven web is fastened to the frame structure along the guide tracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: CHUEN-JONG TSENG
  • Patent number: 7823979
    Abstract: An article of furniture includes a frame and a woven panel forming at least one of a seat portion and a backrest portion having an exposed outer surface. The woven panel includes a plurality of synthetic polymer yarns attached to the frame forming interstices within the woven panel. A wash is adhered to at least a portion of the exposed outer surface of the woven panel and within the interstices. A plurality of the yarns within the woven panel is bonded together by the wash within the interstices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Casual Living Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Schwartz, Coley Chris Mathis, Cynthia F. Caudle
  • Patent number: 7731295
    Abstract: A seat includes a tray, a net mounted on the tray and a supporting device provided between the tray and the net. Thus, when a user sits on the seat, the net takes a proportion of the user's weight while the supporting device takes another proportion of the user's weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Peter Lin
  • Patent number: 7708349
    Abstract: An auditorium chair comprised essentially of four parts that interconnect creating a frame with a three point stability system. The auditorium chair structure has the following components: fastening with screws, snap tight buttons, or other fasteners, dimensioning in accordance with use in current auditorium chair sizes, and fabrication design enabling efficient shipment while maintaining stability and stacking capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Kate Chen
  • Patent number: 7594701
    Abstract: Aircrafts troop seating is lightweight and minimizes protruding features on which gear might snag. High strength webbing straps are added to a light weight seat fabric to add strength where strength is required, thus reducing the overall weight. The webbing is of a type used for seatbelts and meets fire regardant requirements. Seat belt style tension adjusters allow adjustment of the seating stretch to improve comfort and crash protection. Internal hardware attachment points are provided to reduce protruding features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Conax Florida Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Kawabata, Charlie VanDruff, Michael Duran
  • Patent number: 7594700
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Stumpf, Rodney C. Schoenfelder, Donald Chadwick, Carolyn Maalouf, Timothy P. Coffield, Randy J. Sayers, Jeffrey W. Bruner, Eric Cammenga
  • Patent number: 7481495
    Abstract: A method and system for mounting wicker fibers onto furniture frame members; the system involves a flexible securing rod and at least one frame member with a channel configured to retain the securing rod. The frame member provides at least one channel access point along the channel that enables the securing rod to be inserted fully into the channel and further to enable a portion of the securing rod to be manipulated to expose a portion of the securing rod so that a wicker fiber can be looped around the securing rod. The exposed portion of the flexible securing rod may then be re-inserted into the channel. Thus, in application a frame member may be incorporated into a furniture frame in a complementary configuration permitting the wicker fibers to be woven. The wicker may be looped about securing rods located in complementary frame members so as to create a sling mounted wicker panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Agio International Company, Limited
    Inventor: Oliver Wang
  • Patent number: 7472961
    Abstract: A woven panel is formed from a plurality of elongated yarns, with and without a center core. The core yarns provide mechanical strength for the woven material in supporting the coreless yarns when used in load bearing articles such as the seat or back portions of an article of furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Casual Living Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Schwartz, Coley Chris Mathis, Cynthia F. Caudle
  • Patent number: 7455366
    Abstract: A cushioning material 8 is stretched over a frame 6 by engaging only front and rear edges of the cushioning material 8 with the frame 6, thereby applying a tension to the cushioning material 8 substantially only in the longitudinal direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 7434888
    Abstract: A seat includes a tray, a net mounted on the tray and a supporting device provided between the tray and the net. Thus, when a user sits on the seat, the net takes a proportion of the user's weight while the supporting device takes another proportion of the user's weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Peter Lin
  • Patent number: 7374189
    Abstract: An adjustable matrix wheelchair seat can be mounted on a pair of rods such as are provided on the seat rails of a typical wheelchair or on any pair of rods adapted to be rigidly fixed to and aligned in a longitudinal direction relative to the frame of the wheelchair. A lateral array of spaced apart substantially inelastic straps is extended between and engaged on the rods. A longitudinal array of spaced apart substantially inelastic straps is engaged on the forwardmost and rearwardmost straps of the lateral array. The longitudinal array traverses the lateral array to define a horizontal matrix of ventilating interstices. The length of any or all of the straps of the lateral and horizontal arrays is independently adjustable to permit alteration of the pressure pattern imposed on the arrays by the patient occupying the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Christina L. Adams
  • Patent number: 7287815
    Abstract: The incentive seating module comprises: a structural frame provided with a gaiter, a frame, disposed above said structural frame and provided with an arch, whereby the structural frame exhibits planar symmetry, means for connecting the frame to the structural frame comprising a joint enabling the frame to swivel in relation to the structural frame about an axis which is perpendicular to the symmetrical plane, and a seating element joining the frame to the gaiter, made of an elastic membrane which is used to define a rest position for the frame in relation to the structural frame and to return it towards said position when a user causes it to tilt in one direction or the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventors: André Leguen, Catherine Cantenot
  • Patent number: 7267408
    Abstract: An improved support area for use with rattan furniture. The present invention provides a frame, a seat contact portion, and a back contact portion. In various embodiments, the chair includes a seat cushion that is supported by a seat support portion of the frame. The seat cushion is covered on its outside by a rattan outer layer that is attached to the seat support structure such that the rattan outer layer conforms to the shape of the seat cushion and the presence of the seat cushion is obscured by the rattan outer layer. In other embodiments, the back support portion may include a similarly configured back cushion. As a result, the present invention has the appearance and aesthetic appeal of a typical article of rattan furniture, having rattan seat and back surfaces, however the present invention provides a level of comfort that is not typically provided by rattan seat and/or back surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Zhejiang Yongqiang Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Guangqiang Xiang
  • Patent number: 7252331
    Abstract: A security bench for use as a seat and as a defensive barricade against vehicles and explosive force comprises a support base, a framed screen securely attached to and overlapping the top of the base, and a seating surface attached to the top of the framed screen. The base, made of granite, concrete, or the like, is relatively massive, providing resistance to vehicular and explosive force. The frame portion of the framed screen, made from structural steel, reinforces the structural integrity of the base, and, along with the screen (and potentially the seating surface) acts to repel or absorb explosive force or debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Toby Evans Walton
  • Patent number: 7237845
    Abstract: An article of furniture has a sitting portion inner core assembly. The inner core assembly has a frame for providing structural support. Vertical bars connect lower and upper portions of the frame. Horizontal bars connect opposite sides of an upper portion of the frame. Alternative, the upper support structure of the frame uses box springs, free-floating horizontal bars with springs, or a mesh pattern for the structural support of the top portion of the inner core assembly. A cloth or foam pad covering is disposed along a side portion and top portion of the inner core assembly. A fabric material is disposed over at least the side and top coverings and inner core assembly. A back support inner core assembly with back support bars connect to the sitting portion inner core assembly and provide structure support of the back support portion of the furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Dodaz, Inc.
    Inventor: Theresa A. Mulmed
  • Patent number: 7175235
    Abstract: An article of furniture is made from elongated polymer filaments. The polymer filaments may be monofilaments or plural filaments which are twisted together and heat set to prevent their untwisting during the subsequent weaving process. The heat setting of the polymer filaments is achieved by heating the polymer material either before or after the twisting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Casual Living Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Schwartz
  • Patent number: 7066550
    Abstract: A seat for a chair includes a loop-like main frame having an upper flange wall and a lower flange wall. The main frame further includes an inner engaging edge extending radially inward and an outer flange extending radially outward. An upper perimeter face of the outer flange and an outer perimeter of the upper flange wall together define an upper coupling section to which a coupling frame is securely mounted. A rigid bottom board is securely mounted to the inner engaging edge. A mesh is mounted on top of the upper flange wall and fixed to the main frame. The mesh includes a perimeter covering the upper coupling section, with a space being delimited between the mesh and the bottom board. The seat has a reliable structure and provides cool, comfort sitting by provision of the space between the mesh and the bottom board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Tung-Hua Su
  • Patent number: 7052080
    Abstract: A frame for supporting a back pack and providing a seat structure is formed of a rigid assembly having side portions with four downwardly extending tubular leg members and includes spaced apart, paralleled, lateral members extending between the side portions. A leg extender is telescopically received in each of the four tubular leg members. A pad member having a lower horizontal surface is affixed to a lower end of each of the leg extenders. A locking member at the lower end of each of the tubular leg members provides adjustable spacing of the leg extenders. The frame is configured to receive a flexible back pack between the legs thereof and is adaptable to support a horizontal seat surface when the pad members are resting on the earth's surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventors: David Perry Knight, Kathy Frances Knight
  • Patent number: 6957861
    Abstract: A mesh chair back includes a loop-shaped frame, an elastic mesh part, a waist support unit, and a smooth separating plate; the loop-shaped frame has left and right upright portions; the elastic mesh part is positioned over and secured on the loop-shaped frame; the waist support unit is arranged behind the elastic mesh part, and connected to the left and the right upright portions of the loop-shaped frame at two ends in an up and down displaceable manner; the smooth separating plate is positioned between the mesh part and the waist support unit for preventing the waist support unit from rubbing and causing wear to the mesh part while the waist support unit is being adjusted in height; the waist support unit props the separating plate and the mesh part forwards such that the separating plate and the mesh part each has a forwards protruding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Comfordy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ting-Kuo Chou, Kuo-Ching Chou
  • Patent number: 6935699
    Abstract: A cover for a seat in a motor vehicle or plane. The seat cover is made of a leather material which is provided with a braided area consisting of cord-like or strip-like elements in at least one point which comes under particular stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Car Trim Fahzeugausstattungen Produktionsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Ernst Biermann
  • Patent number: 6729691
    Abstract: A chair back is disclosed and includes a mesh material connected to a two-piece carrier, the carrier being deformable and stretchable. The carrier has a bottom edge including a groove and is engageable by tabs attached to a transverse member of a chair frame assembly. The upper ends of the carrier each includes an opening for receiving a spherical end portion of the upper end of the chair frame assembly. Engagement of the carrier with the chair frame assembly is accomplished by stretching the carrier and mesh between the transverse member and the spherical end portions. The chair back includes a lumbar support which is mounted to slide along the side edges of the carrier and along vertical supports of the chair frame assembly, the lumbar support causing the chair to tension forwardly. The chair back is pivotal under the influence of a chair user and is pivotally connected to the chair seat so as to cause the chair seat to also pivot in response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus C. Koepke, Tim Coffield, Jay R. Michael, Matthew J. Phillips, Douglas A. Schroeder, Craig H. Schultz, Erik A. Steffensen
  • Patent number: 6726286
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Stumpf, Rodney C. Schoenfelder, Donald Chadwick, Carolyn Keller, Timothy P. Coffield, Randy U. Sayers, Jeffrey W. Bruner, Eric Cammenga
  • Patent number: 6616240
    Abstract: A human body support structure which provides a crossed series of cords mounted within an enclosed space formed by a rigid frame. Mounted on each of the cords are pins with a longitudinal axis of the pins being oriented perpendicular to the cords. Located between directly adjacent pins is a spacer with each spacer being mounted on a cord. The cords are slightly stretchable assuming a taut relationship when mounted relative to the frame. A human body is to be placed against and supported on the upper surface of the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Yos Soetanto Theosabrata, Leonard Theosabrata
  • Patent number: 6588842
    Abstract: A backrest for a chair comprising a frame, a membrane and a back support member. The membrane, at least a portion of which is transparent, is attached to the frame and has a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface. The back support member is attached to the frame and has a support surface. At least a portion of the support surface contacts the second surface of the membrane, and at least a portion of the back support member is visible through the membrane from the first body-contacting surface thereof. In another aspect, a backrest for a chair comprises a frame having a pair of side members, wherein each of the side members has a lower section and an upper section. The upper section extends rearwardly and outwardly from the lower section so as to form a bowed section therewith. A flexible membrane is attached to and extends between the side members, and has a bowed section corresponding to the bowed section of the side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Stumpf, Rodney C. Schoenfelder, Donald Chadwick, Carolyn Keller, Timothy P. Coffield, Randy J. Sayers, Jeffrey W. Bruner, Eric Cammenga
  • Patent number: 6550866
    Abstract: A chair backrest comprises a frame, a support member, and a net. The frame is a loop-like member and includes a groove. The frame further includes an engaging portion to be securely connected to a seat of a chair. The support member is made of rigid material and mounted in the groove. The support member includes an engaging piece securely connected to the engaging portion of the frame. The net is made of soft material. The net encloses the frame and includes a peripheral edge mounted along an outer peripheral face of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Tung-Hua Su
  • Patent number: 6540950
    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. The present invention also provides a method for securing a load bearing fabric to a support structure. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Dahti, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy P. Coffield
  • Patent number: 6536791
    Abstract: An adjustable matrix wheelchair seat can be mounted on a pair of rods such as are provided on the seat rails of a typical wheelchair or on any pair of rods adapted to be rigidly fixed to and aligned in a longitudinal direction relative to the frame of the wheelchair. A lateral array of spaced apart substantially inelastic straps is extended between and engaged on the rods. A longitudinal array of spaced apart substantially inelastic straps is engaged on the forwardmost and rearwardmost straps of the lateral array. The longitudinal array traverses the lateral array to define a horizontal matrix of ventilating interstices. The length of any or all of the straps of the lateral and horizontal arrays is independently adjustable to permit alteration of the pressure pattern imposed on the arrays by the patient occupying the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Christina L. Adams
  • Publication number: 20020145326
    Abstract: A fastening structure for backrest and seat pad of a leisure chair includes two sets of foot support, a back support and a seat support. The back support and seat support are fastened together by means of two fastening elements and fasteners, then are fastened to the foot support. The back support and seat support engage respectively with a backrest sleeve and a seat pad sleeve which have coupling sections formed at two lateral sides and one end thereof. The backrest sleeve and seat pad sleeve have a checker type surface formed by braiding a plurality of belts in a stagger fashion to become an integrated pad member thereby to increase the strength of the backrest and seat pad, and make assembly and disassembly easier with less time and work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventor: Lausan Chung-Hsin Liu
  • Patent number: 6439665
    Abstract: An ergonomic chair comprising a frame having outer and inner peripheries and an upper surface. A mesh supporting surface is supported on the outer periphery of the frame. The mesh supporting surface deflects to at least a first predetermined angle when a person is sitting on the chair. The inner periphery of the frame is located below the angle of deflection of the mesh so that the mesh does not engage the inner periphery when it supports a person sits on the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Stylex
    Inventor: Sava M. Cvek
  • Publication number: 20020043867
    Abstract: A piece of furniture with a seating area or recumbent area, includes a body support made of a fabric which is inherently rigid at least in one dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventor: Clarissa Dorette Lessmann