Abstract: A force adjustment assembly for use within a telescoping subassembly that includes a first elongated member and a second elongated member that is supported by the first elongated member for sliding motion along an extension axis, the subassembly further including a force equalizer assembly that includes a strand having first and second ends that are supported by the second and first elongated members, respectively, the adjustment assembly comprising a preloader supported by at least one of the first and second elongated members and supporting at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position and an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader.

Abstract: A table assembly, the assembly comprising a first member having a length dimension parallel to a substantially vertical extension axis, a second member supported by the first member for sliding motion along the extension axis between at least an extended position and a retracted position, the second member forming an internal passageway, a table top mounted to one end of one of the first and second members, a spring that generates a variable spring force that depends at least in part on the degree of spring loading, the spring having first and second ends, aligned substantially parallel to the vertical extension axis, located at least partially within the internal passage formed by the second member and linked to each of the first and second members and a rotatable cam member engaged with the spring, the cam member and spring applying a force between the first and second members tending to drive the second member into the extended position, the cam member rotating around an axis as the second member moves bet

Abstract: A power floor tile assembly and method for providing power to furniture components via a floor structure, the tile assembly including a plurality of floor tiles, each tile including a substantially rigid supporting substrate member that includes top and bottom surfaces and an edge, at least a first conductive tile contact supported by the substrate member and extending to an exposed end and a covering layer having top and bottom surfaces and a thickness dimension between the top and bottom surfaces, the covering layer forming a separate opening for each of the tile contacts, the openings aligned with the tile contacts so that each tile contact extends through a separate one of the openings, the covering layer having a thickness dimension between the top and bottom surfaces such that the exposed end of each tile contact protrudes past the top surface of the covering layer, wherein each supporting substrate and associated covering layer are shaped such that the tile can be arranged with other tiles in side by s

Abstract: According to the present invention, a control system for a chair is provided. The control system is comprised of first and second resilient blocks, first and second stabilizing members and first and second rockers. The first stabilizing member has first and second ends and defines a first horizontal axis. The first end of the first stabilizing member extends into the first resilient block and the second end of the first stabilizing member extends into the second resilient block. The second stabilizing member is coupled to the first stabilizing member by a connector. The second stabilizing member has first and second ends and defines a second horizontal axis disposed in parallel to the first horizontal axis. The first end of the second stabilizing member is operably coupled to the first rocker, and the second end of the second stabilizing member is operably coupled to the second rocker.

Abstract: A force adjustment assembly for use within a telescoping subassembly that includes a first elongated member and a second elongated member that is supported by the first elongated member for sliding motion along an extension axis, the subassembly further including a force equalizer assembly that includes a strand having first and second ends that are supported by the second and first elongated members, respectively, the adjustment assembly comprising a preloader supported by at least one of the first and second elongated members and supporting at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position and an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a control system for a chair is provided. The control system is comprised of first and second resilient blocks, first and second stabilizing members and first and second rockers. The first stabilizing member has first and second ends and defines a first horizontal axis. The first end of the first stabilizing member extends into the first resilient block and the second end of the first stabilizing member extends into the second resilient block. The second stabilizing member is coupled to the first stabilizing member by a connector. The second stabilizing member has first and second ends and defines a second horizontal axis disposed in parallel to the first horizontal axis.

Abstract: A power floor tile assembly and method for providing power to furniture components via a floor structure, the tile assembly including a plurality of floor tiles, each tile including a substantially rigid supporting substrate member that includes top and bottom surfaces and an edge, at least a first conductive tile contact supported by the substrate member and extending to an exposed end and a covering layer having top and bottom surfaces and a thickness dimension between the top and bottom surfaces, the covering layer forming a separate opening for each of the tile contacts, the openings aligned with the tile contacts so that each tile contact extends through a separate one of the openings, the covering layer having a thickness dimension between the top and bottom surfaces such that the exposed end of each tile contact protrudes past the top surface of the covering layer, wherein each supporting substrate and associated covering layer are shaped such that the tile can be arranged with other tiles in side by s

Abstract: A chair includes a base, a seat, a back, and a control operably supporting the seat and back on the base for movement between upright and recline positions. The seat and back include a stiff perimeter frame with opposing perimeter sections, and a plurality of rods each independently bendable in vertical and angled directions. End bearings on the rods are captured in pockets in the perimeter frame, which limits their inward and outward sliding movement. The control includes front and rear leaf springs and a pivot arm operably supporting the seat and the back for synchronous movement, with the direction of movement being such that energy is stored during recline. The energy stored during recline assists in providing a heavier person with added counterbalancing force during recline. A booster mechanism is also selectively engageable for added support upon recline.

Abstract: A method of assembling seating units includes a seat, a back, and a control supporting the seat and the back on a wheelchair base. A wheelchair base includes a frame beam extending transversely across the wheelchair base. An adjustable extendable support column extends between the beam and the control for adjustably supporting the seating unit on the wheelchair base frame. The control and/or the transverse beam can be constructed to receive the same structure as is provided on a standard task chair. By this arrangement, a plurality of similar chairs can be ordered, some having standard bases and others having a wheelchair base. Concurrently, the seating unit with the wheelchair base can include substantially all options and styling offered in the standard task chair.

Abstract: A support assembly including a first column having a length dimension parallel to a substantially vertical extension axis, a second column supported by the first member for sliding motion along the extension axis between at least an extended position and a retracted position, a spring that generates a variable spring force that depends at least in part on the degree of spring loading, the spring having first and second ends where the first end is supported by and stationary with respect to the second column, an equalizer assembly including a first end linked to the second end of the spring and a second end linked to the first column, the force equalizer assembly and spring applying a force between the first and second columns tending to drive the columns into the extended position wherein the applied force is substantially constant irrespective of the position of the second column with respect to the first column and one of a locking mechanism, a velocity governing assembly, a roller assembly and a counterbal

Abstract: A seating unit includes a base, a reclineable back, a seat, and a control operably supporting the back and the seat on the base for movement between upright and recline positions. The control includes a pair of flexible support members and a link that combine to operably support the seat and back for synchronous movement on the base upon recline. The flexible support member is stiff in a vertical direction for carrying a combined weight of the one component and of the seated user, but flexible in a horizontal direction to permit a swinging movement of its ends upon recline. The link is rigid and pivoted to the base for movement about a horizontal axis and also pivoted to the one component. By this arrangement, the flexible member and the link move the one component along a defined path during recline of the back.

Abstract: A back construction includes a base with a yoke formed by a cross member and upright side arms that define a U-shape, armrests supported by the side arms, and a seat and back also supported by the side arms for synchronized motion upon recline of the back. Specifically, the side arms define a back tilt axis about which the back rotates upon recline. The back includes a back structure with configured ends that engage the side arms for rotation about the back tilt axis, and further define a seat tilt axis for supporting rotation/movement of the seat upon recline of the back.

Abstract: A seating unit includes a seat, a back, and a support structure supporting the seat and the back. A wheelchair base frame includes a beam extending transversely across the wheelchair base frame. An adjustable extendable column extends between the beam and the support structure for adjustably supporting the seating unit on the wheelchair base frame. The support structure and/or the transverse beam can be constructed to receive the same structure as is provided on a standard task chair. By this arrangement, a plurality of similar chairs can be ordered, some having standard bases and others having a wheelchair base. Concurrently, the seating unit with the wheelchair base can include substantially all options and styling offered in the standard task chair.

Abstract: A steel two skin worksurface configuration is disclosed. The worksurface configuration includes a metallic core matrix including spaced coplanar top lands defining a first bearing surface of the core matrix and spaced coplanar bottom lands defining a second bearing surface parallel to the first bearing surface. A bridging structure connects the top lands and the bottom lands. The bridging structure has throughholes arranged around top lands and arranged inline between top lands and adjacent bottom lands. The bridging structure includes saddle shaped regions between adjacent top lands and between adjacent bottom lands. The worksurface configuration also includes a metallic top sheet bonded to the top lands, and a metallic bottom sheet bonded to the bottom lands. An edge treatment configuration having an edge channel that is bonded to a perimeter area of the bottom sheet is also disclosed. The edge channel receives various edge members.

Abstract: A back includes an integrated articulating back frame and a back support. The back frame has a lower segment pivoted to a chair control, an upper segment for thoracic support, and links forming a four-bar linkage with the upper and lower segments, with a joint being formed at the lumbar region. The back support is stretchable in limited directions to accommodate shape change in the articulating back frame but to provide adequate support to a seated user. Upon receiving a rearward pressure on the lumbar joint, the back frame itself changes shape. The pivot locations in the four bar linkage create a mechanism the simultaneously controls rotational and translational movement of the upper segment during flexure of the lumbar. The back frame is close to the back support to provide significant design flexibility, but permit substantial lumbar flexure. Various back supports are contemplated that accommodate articulation of the back frame.

Abstract: A back includes an integrated articulating back frame and a back support. The back frame has a lower segment pivoted to a chair control, an upper segment for thoracic support, and links forming a four-bar linkage with the upper and lower segments, with a joint being formed at the lumbar region. The back support is stretchable in limited directions to accommodate shape change in the articulating back frame but to provide adequate support to a seated user. Upon receiving a rearward pressure on the lumbar joint, the back frame itself changes shape. The pivot locations in the four bar linkage create a mechanism the simultaneously controls rotational and translational movement of the upper segment during flexure of the lumbar. The back frame is close to the back support to provide significant design flexibility, but permit substantial lumbar flexure. Various back supports are contemplated that accommodate articulation of the back frame.

Abstract: A seating unit includes a base, a reclineable back, a seat, and a control operably supporting the back and the seat on the base for synchronous movement between upright and recline positions. The control includes a pair of flexible support members and a link that combine to operably support the seat and back for synchronous movement on the base upon recline, which provides ergonomic non-shearing support for a seated user during recline. The back and seat each include perimeter frames, parallel resilient support members extending between side frame sections of the perimeter frames, and covers covering the resilient support members for distributed support and aesthetics. By this arrangement, the flexible member and the link move the one component along a defined path during recline of the back, and the seat and back also provide ergonomic support, both during recline and without recline.