Abstract: The specification discloses a stackable chair, and framework therefor, that adapted for vertical stacking in closely conforming relation with at least one other chair of identical configuration, the stackable chair comprising a framework dimensioned for a human being, the framework defining legs, a back rest support, and a seating surface support, and a seating surface and a back rest disposed on the framework. The framework is at least substantially comprised of one or more frame elements each having a thickness of less than 7/16th inches, the one or more frame elements further being configured so that the framework is characterized by a stacking thickness of less than 7/16th inches.

Abstract: A workstation for a work environment having a floor is disclosed. The workstation includes a plurality of frame sections, and a latch mechanism releasably and rigidly securing at least one frame section to the floor. The latch mechanism includes a latch coupled to one of the frame sections, a wedge coupled to the latch, and a clip disposed between the latch and the wedge. The clip has a pair of flanges with ends capable of being disposed at least partially beneath the floor. The latch is configured to move the wedge between the flanges of the clip to operate the latch mechanism between a latched position and a released position so that the workstation may be quickly and easily disassembled. A workstation for a work environment having a floor having an aperture is also disclosed. The workstation includes among other features a latch mechanism having a sleeve and a wedge that may be inserted into the sleeve so that an end is at least partially disposed within the aperture.

Abstract: A workstation is disclosed. The workstation includes a primary worksurface configured for rotation and coupled to a base configured for rotation, a seat for a user coupled to the base, and a secondary worksurface at least partially surrounding the primary worksurface. The primary worksurface is available to a user on rotation of the primary worksurface and the secondary worksurface is selectively available to the user on rotation of the primary worksurface. A workstation having a rotatable worksurface coupled to the base, a seat for a user coupled to the base, and a partition configured for attachment to the worksurface is also disclosed.

Abstract: A floor mounted utility post includes a floor tile from a pre-fabricated floor construction, wherein the floor tile has at least two cutouts positioned at separate edges of the floor tile. A pair of vertical raceway channels are secured to the floor tile, and each vertical raceway channel is in communication with one of the cutouts. A door is mounted to a first of the vertical raceways, wherein the door and the pair of vertical raceway channels, in combination, define a partial enclosure. A top is supported by the raceway channel.

Abstract: A utility distribution system is provided for open office plans and other similar settings, and includes a prefabricated floor construction designed to be supported directly on a building floor. The floor construction has a hollow interior which defines at least one raceway to route utility conduits therethrough, and a floor surface on which workstations can be positioned. The utility distribution system also includes at least one utility post having a foot which mounts to the floor construction to support the utility post in a generally upstanding orientation. The foot portion of the utility post has an open area disposed above and communicating with the floor raceway. At least one utility outlet is mounted on the utility post, and is adapted to dispense a selected utility therefrom. The utility post has at least one utility channel in which utility conduits can be routed, and includes an outwardly oriented open face.

Abstract: The specification discloses a sports pole including at least two flexible rods, the first of which is held in compression and the second of which is held in tension by the spatial arrangement of the two rods relative to one another and relative to the handle. The tension rod is slidably connected to the handle at one end and fixedly connected to the compression rod at the other end. When the user plants the pole, the movement of the tension rod within the handle allows the compression rod to deflect further, thereby acting as an energy absorbing member. As the user advances through the pole stroke, the energy stored in the pole during planting and pushing is released as the compression rod returns to its original position. This yields a forward force applied to assist the user in forward motion.

Abstract: A lock system for casegoods, such as desks, cabinets, storage units, wardrobes and the like, includes an elongated, flexible tape or lock member having a plurality of spaced lock studs positioned thereon. A lock actuator moves the tape between unlocked and locked positions. Catches are mounted on the drawers, doors and the like of the article. When the flexible tape is moved to the locked position, the lock studs block or prevent opening movement of the drawers or doors due to contact with the catches. The flexible tape is routed through channels or other mounting structure formed in panels and tops of the article of furniture. An interlock mechanism, which may be integrated with the lock member, includes a lock lever, a cable attached to the lock lever and a plurality of interlock cams. Control members on the drawers rotate the cams to take up the cable causing the interlock lever to pivot and engage the lock member, thereby moving the lock member to a locked position.

Abstract: A utility distribution system is provided for open office plans and other similar settings, and includes a prefabricated floor construction designed to be supported directly on a building floor. The floor construction has a hollow interior which defines at least one raceway to route utility conduits therethrough, and a floor surface on which workstations can be positioned. The utility distribution system also includes at least one utility post having a foot which mounts to the floor construction to support the utility post in a generally upstanding orientation. The foot portion of the utility post has an open area disposed above and communicating with the floor raceway. At least one utility outlet is mounted on the utility post, and is adapted to dispense a selected utility therefrom. The utility post has at least one utility channel in which utility conduits can be routed, and includes an outwardly oriented open fade.

Abstract: A lock system for casegoods, such as desks, cabinets, storage units, wardrobes and the like, includes an elongated, flexible tape or lock member having a plurality of spaced lock studs positioned thereon. A lock actuator moves the tape between unlocked and locked positions. Catches are mounted on the drawers, doors and the like of the article. When the flexible tape is moved to the locked position, the lock studs block or prevent opening movement of the drawers or doors due to contact with the catches. The flexible tape is routed through channels or other mounting structure formed in panels and tops of the article of furniture. An interlock mechanism, which may be integrated with the lock member, includes a lock lever, a cable attached to the lock lever and a plurality of interlock cams. Control members on the drawers rotate the cams to take up the cable causing the interlock lever to pivot and engage the lock member, thereby moving the lock member to a locked position.

Abstract: A utility distribution system is provided for open office plans and other similar settings, and includes a prefabricated floor construction designed to be supported directly on a building floor. The floor construction has a hollow interior which defines at least one raceway to route utility conduits therethrough, and a floor surface on which workstations can be positioned. The utility distribution system also includes at least one utility post having a foot which mounts to the floor construction to support the utility post in a generally upstanding orientation. The foot portion of the utility post has an open area disposed above and communicating with the floor raceway. At least one utility outlet is mounted on the utility post, and is adapted to dispense a selected utility therefrom. The utility post has at least one utility channel in which utility conduits can be routed, and includes an outwardly oriented open face.

Abstract: A lock system for casegoods, such as desks, cabinets, storage units, wardrobes and the like, includes an elongated, flexible tape or lock member having a plurality of spaced lock studs positioned thereon. A lock actuator moves the tape between unlocked and locked positions. Catches are mounted on the drawers, doors and the like of the article. When the flexible tape is moved to the locked position, the lock studs block or prevent opening movement of the drawers or doors due to contact with the catches. The flexible tape is routed through channels or other mounting structure formed in panels and tops of the article of furniture. An interlock mechanism, which may be integrated with the lock member, includes a lock lever, a cable attached to the lock lever and a plurality of interlock cams. Control members on the drawers rotate the cams to take up the cable causing the interlock lever to pivot and engage the lock member, thereby moving the lock member to a locked position.

Abstract: A chair is provided with a frame defining a curved arm support, a seat supported in the frame, and a back. An arm member is movably mounted on the arm support and operatively connected to the back so that movement of the back between upright and reclined positions is controlled by the arm member and arm support. A resilient spring is operatively connected to the back to bias the back towards an upright position. In one embodiment, the resilient spring encompasses the curved arm support and provides support for a seated user's arm. In another embodiment, an arm cap covers the resilient spring. Optionally, the arm cap slideably rides on roller bearings over the curved arm support. In another embodiment, the curved arm support and arm member are telescopingly arranged, and the resilient spring is operably placed therein. Another embodiment includes first and second springs, the second springs being disengageable to produce discrete selectable levels of bias force for biasing the back toward the upright position.

Abstract: A chair, with independent control of a lumbar portion of a seat back and a thoracic portion of the seat back, has a seat connected with a base and a control connected with the base, generally under the seat. A first support, pivotally connected with the control, extends from the control to the thoracic portion of the seat back. A second support extends to the lumbar portion of the seat back. The two supports operate independently and the thoracic and lumbar portions of the seat back rotate independently rearward with respect to the seat, providing sympathetic back support for a user. The thoracic portion may rotate laterally to follow twisting movements of a user's thoracic region. The lumbar portion may be connected with the second support to limit lateral rotation of the lumbar portion.

Abstract: A chair control includes a flexible truss having tandem springs interconnected in spaced relation so that they interact to provide a unique torque versus displacement profile during flexing, with a portion of one of the springs moving longitudinally relative to a portion of the other spring as they are flexed. A stop on the springs limits the longitudinal movement, thereby limiting the angle of tilt both in the upright and rearward chair back positions. In one form, the springs are pairs of leaf springs connected in tandem and operably attached to a chair back and bottom formed by a corrugated member. In another form, one of the springs is a flexible shell forming a chair with the other spring attached thereto in a nested arrangement. In yet another form, the flexible truss is a separate module installable in furniture as a self-contained energy absorber.

Abstract: A chair is provided with a frame defining a curved arm support, a seat supported in the frame, and a back. An arm member is movably mounted on the arm support and operatively connected to the back so that movement of the back between upright and reclined positions is controlled by the arm member and arm support. A resilient spring is operatively connected to the back to bias the back towards an upright position. In one embodiment, the resilient spring encompasses the curved arm support and provides support for a seated user's arm. In another embodiment, an arm cap covers the resilient spring. Optionally, the arm cap slideably rides on roller bearings over the curved arm support. In another embodiment, the curved arm support and arm member are telescopingly arranged, and the resilient spring is operably placed therein. Another embodiment includes first and second springs, the second springs being disengageable to produce discrete selectable levels of bias force for biasing the back toward the upright position.

Abstract: A chair, with independent control of a lumbar portion of a seat back and a thoracic portion of the seat back, has a seat connected with a base and a control connected with the base, generally under the seat. A first support, pivotally connected with the control, extends from the control to the thoracic portion of the seat back. A second support, pivotally connected with the control, extends from the control, to the lumbar portion of the seat back. The two supports operate independently and the thoracic and lumbar portions of the seat back rotate independently rearward with respect to the seat, providing sympathetic back support for a user. The thoracic portion may rotate laterally to follow twisting movements of a user's thoracic region. The lumbar portion may be connected with the second support to limit lateral rotation of the lumbar portion.

Abstract: A controller is provided for seating, and the like, such as chairs of the type that have a stationary base or support, and a back which tilts about a generally horizontal axis with respect to the support. The controller includes an adjustable tension device, and a shared-load arrangement, which readily adapt the chair for different users and various applications. The adjustable tension device comprises a spring, having one end operably connected with a support, and the other end operably engaging the back at selected locations spaced apart from the tilt axis, such that rearward tilting of the chair back deflects the spring, and thereby generates a torque or back tension which resists further tilting. A shifter moves the other end of the spring between the selected back locations to vary the lever arm at which the spring acts, and thereby adjusts back tension.

Abstract: A controller is provided for seating, and the like, such as chairs of the type that have a stationary base or support, and a back which tilts about a generally horizontal axis with respect to the support. The controller includes an adjustable tension device, which readily adapts the chair for different users and various applications. The adjustable tension device comprises a spring, having one end operably connected with a support, and the other end operably engaging the back at selected locations spaced apart from the tilt axis, such that rearward tilting of the chair back deflects the spring, and thereby generates a torque or back tension which resists further tilting. A shifter moves the other end of the spring between the selected back locations to vary the lever arm at which the spring acts, and thereby adjusts back tension.

Abstract: A controller is provided for seating, and the like, such as chairs of the type that have a stationary base or support, and a back which tilts about a generally horizontal axis with respect to the support. The controller includes an adjustable tension device, and a shared-load arrangement, which readily adapt the chair for different users and various applications. The adjustable tension device comprises a spring, having one end operably connected with a support, and the other end operably engaging the back at selected locations spaced apart from the tilt axis, such that rearward tilting of the chair back deflects the spring, and thereby generates a torque or back tension which resists further tilting. A shifter moves the other end of the spring between the selected back locations to vary the lever arm at which the spring acts, and thereby adjusts back tension.

Abstract: A chair control in which the chair occupant's body weight is the primary source of energy in reclining the chair and returning the chair to its task position includes a back support link and a front link, each pivotally mounted to a base link. A seat support link is pivotally mounted to and between the front link and the back support link. Pivoting of the links is restrained so that the front link extends upwardly and forwardly from said stationary link. The occupant's weight exerts a downward force on the front link, which exerts a forward force on the seat support link, which in turn exerts a forward force on the back support link providing a task position chair back support. A rearward force exerted on the back support link, as when the occupant reclines is partially counterbalanced by the above described forward force on the back support link so that no additional biasing means are necessary. The preferred embodiment includes biasing means to return the unoccupied chair control to the task position.