Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing load bearing fabric structures in which the peripheral edge of the load bearing fabric terminates with the mold cavity. The apparatus includes a stretching assembly for stretching the fabric, a fabric retaining assembly for holding the fabric in the stretched condition and a mold assembly for molding the frame about the periphery of the fabric.

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 and variations in thickness that vary the load support characteristics in different directions. In another embodiment, a surface is both oriented and includes mechanical structures.

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 and variations in thickness that vary the load support characteristics in different directions. In another embodiment, a surface is both oriented and includes mechanical structures.

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: 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 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 load bearing fabric assembly having a frame, a carrier and a load bearing fabric. The load bearing fabric is attached directly to the carrier. The frame defines view ports to enable visual inspection of the junction between the carrier and the load bearing fabric after the carrier and fabric have been mounted to the frame. A method of manufacturing the carrier for such a load bearing fabric assembly includes the steps of: (a) placing the fabric inside a mold with at least a portion of the fabric directly engaging the surface of the mold; (b) injecting a molten thermoplastic into the mold to form the carrier, the molten thermoplastic having a melt point greater than that of the fabric; and (c) permitting the molten thermoplastic to cure to form a carrier directly on the fabric. In one embodiment, the fabric is positioned so that the entry of molten thermoplastic urges the fabric against a surface of the mold cavity.

Abstract: A load bearing fabric assembly having a frame, a carrier and a load bearing fabric. The load bearing fabric is attached directly to the carrier. The frame defines view ports to enable visual inspection of the junction between the carrier and the load bearing fabric after the carrier and fabric have been mounted to the frame. A method of manufacturing the carrier for such a load bearing fabric assembly includes the steps of: (a) placing the fabric inside a mold with at least a portion of the fabric directly engaging the surface of the mold; (b) injecting a molten thermoplastic elastomer into the mold to form the carrier, the molten thermoplastic elastomer having a melt point greater than that of the fabric; and (c) permitting the molten thermoplastic elastomer to cure to form a carrier directly on the fabric. In one embodiment, the fabric is positioned so that the entry of molten thermoplastic elastomer urges the fabric against a surface of the mold cavity.

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 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: 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. 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.