Abstract: A back for a seating unit, such as a chair, includes a back frame and a compliant back that is flexibly bendable to define different curvilinear shapes for sympathetically and ergonomically supporting a seated user's back. The back includes a belt bracket with forwardly-extending flanges pivotally connecting the back to the back frame at a first connection generally aligned with a seated user's hip joint. The back includes a second connection pivotally connecting the back to the back frame at a second location spaced vertically above the first connection. An adjustable force generating mechanism is connected to the first connection that biases a lumbar portion of the back forward with respect to the chair. The first and second connections, in combination with the adjustable force generating mechanism, constrain the compliant back to move over a range that provides excellent ergonomic lumbar support to a seated user.

Abstract: A seating unit is provided having a base assembly, a back frame pivoted to the base assembly for movement between upright and reclined positions, and a seat slidably supported on the base assembly and pivoted to the back frame so that the seat moves forwardly and its rear moves forwardly and downwardly with the back frame upon recline. A flexible back is connected to the back frame at top and bottom locations and is provided with lumbar adjustment for improved lumbar force/support and shape. A seat is provided with seat depth adjustment and with active and passive thigh flex support. A novel energy mechanism is provided that includes a moment arm shift adjuster for adjusting the spring tension on the back frame. The moment arm shift adjuster is readily adjustable and includes an overtorque device to prevent damage to components of the energy mechanism.

Abstract: A back construction for a seating unit includes a back frame, and a compliant back having a forwardly-protruding lumbar support section that is characteristically flexible and bendable, such that the compliant back can be flexed to a plurality of different convex shapes. Top and bottom connections pivotally connect the compliant back to the back frame. An adjustable force-generating mechanism is operably attached to at least one of the compliant back and the back frame. The force-generating mechanism is constructed to provide an adjustable biasing force that adjustably biases the lumbar support section forwardly for optimal lumbar support for a seated user's back, but the force-generating mechanism characteristically provides the biasing force without forcing a shape change in the compliant back. A vertically adjustable lumbar support is slidably attached to the back shell.

Abstract: A back for a seating unit, such as a chair, includes a back frame and a compliant back that is flexibly bendable to define different curvilinear shapes for sympathetically and ergonomically supporting a seated user's back. The back includes a bracket with forwardly-extending flanges pivotally connecting the compliant back to the back frame at a bottom connection generally aligned with a seated user's hip joint. The back also includes a top connection pivotally connecting the back to the back frame above the first connection. An adjustable torsional force-generating mechanism is connected to the first connection that biases a lumbar portion of the compliant back forward with respect to the chair. The top and bottom connections, in combination with the adjustable force generating mechanism, constrain the compliant back to move over a range that provides excellent ergonomic lumbar support to a seated user.

Abstract: A storage apparatus includes a storage unit defining a front opening, and a door configured to cover the front opening. The door is operably attached to the storage unit for movement between opened, intermediate, and closed positions. The storage apparatus further includes a handle that is isolated from the door but operably connected to the door for selectively manually moving the door between the opened, intermediate, and closed positions. The handle is conveniently located at a front center of the storage unit, under a bottom thereof, such that the handle can be easily grasped and operated by a seated person, such as a wheelchair-bound person.

Abstract: A chair is provided having a base assembly with a particularly shaped housing and rigid upright side arms, a back frame pivoted to the base assembly for movement between upright and reclined positions, and a seat slidably supported on the base assembly and pivoted to the back frame so that the seat moves forwardly and its rear moves forwardly and downwardly with the back frame upon recline. A flexible back is connected to the back frame at top and bottom locations and is provided with lumbar adjustment for improved lumbar force/support and shape. A seat is provided with seat depth adjustment and with active and passive thigh flex support. A novel energy mechanism is provided that includes a moment arm shift adjuster for adjusting the spring tension on the back frame. The moment arm shift adjuster is readily adjustable and includes an overtorque device to prevent damage to components of the energy mechanism.

Abstract: A chair is provided having a base assembly, a back assembly pivoted to the base assembly for movement between upright and reclined positions, and a seat slidably supported on the base assembly and pivoted to the back frame so that the seat moves forwardly and its rear moves forwardly and downwardly with the back frame upon recline. A flexible back is connected to the back frame at top and bottom locations and is provided with lumbar adjustment for improved lumbar force/support and shape. A seat is provided with seat depth adjustment and with active and passive thigh flex support. A novel energy mechanism is provided that includes a moment arm shift adjuster for adjusting the spring tension on the back frame. The moment arm shift adjuster is readily adjustable and includes an overtorque device to prevent damage to components of the energy mechanism.

Abstract: An adjustable chair includes a base, a back support, a control on the base, a seat positioned on the control and an actuator housing supported on the base. The control mounts the back for tilting movement between a fully upright position and reclined position. A seat is pivoted to the base at a front end. The seat is also connected to the base by a plurality of locking plates. The chair includes a back stop subassembly, a back or seat tension subassembly, a seat tilt subassembly and a seat depth subassembly. The actuator housing is an elongated, tubular member having concentrically mounted controls or actuators at each end. At one end of the actuator, a rotatable actuator controls back tilt tension and a concentrically mounted, push button actuator controls the back tilt or stop position.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of a chair seat, table top or other item includes telescoping outer, intermediate and inner tubes. The outer tube is attached to a base. The inner tube is attached to a chair seat or other load. A drive extends the telescoping tubes to adjust the height of the load. In one form, the drive includes a flexible, substantially nonelastic tape having an end fixed to the inner tube and an end fixed to the outer tube. The tape engages or rides over a sheave supported on the intermediate tube. In another form, the drive includes a pair of racks and a pinion. A piston cylinder actuator is disposed within the inner tube. The actuator includes an extensible rod which causes relative movement between the inner and intermediate tubes and extension of the intermediate tube relative to the base through the drive tape or rack and pinion.

Abstract: An arm height adjustment mechanism for a chair of the type having a pair of laterally spaced, fixed armrest supports. The mechanism includes first and second armrests slidably mounted on said supports for vertical movements. A vertical motion translation mechanism interconnects said armrests so that vertical movement of one armrest translates to synchronized, simultaneous vertical movement of the other armrest.