SEAT FRONT EDGE CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

A chair includes a perimeter frame with side, front and rear sections defining an open area. A support structure includes slats and/or resilient wires supported on the perimeter frame and bridging between the side sections. A cushion of non-uniform thickness has a relatively thinner rear portion supported on the support structure and a relatively thicker front portion supported on the front section adjacent its rearwardly-facing edge. The thin rear portion of the cushion combines with the support structure to provide a transition region over the inwardly-facing edge of the front section. By this arrangement, a seated user does not sense a sudden change in supportive force across the transition region.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/796,081, filed Apr. 28, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

This application is related to co-assigned co-invented patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Apr. 27, 2007 (on even date herewith), entitled “SEAT SUSPENSION AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE,” and also related to co-assigned co-invented patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Apr. 27, 2007 (on even date herewith), entitled “SEATING CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY,” the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to seat constructions, and more particularly to seat constructions configured for improved comfort.

Seat constructions have a variety of competing functional requirements. They must support a bulk of a seated user's weight, yet they must comfortably support the seated user, regardless of what position the seated user may be in. In a “normal” upright seated position, the seated user's hips are positioned in a rear half of the seat construction, and the user's legs extend over a front edge of the seat construction. It is important that the user's legs receive distributed support so that pressure under the user's knees does not make the user uncomfortable, and also so that the pressure does not cut off good blood circulation to the user's lower legs. At the same time, comfort is not the only concern. Some users sit well forward on the seating construction, causing significant stress on the front section. Thus, the front frame section cannot be made too weak or too resilient, or the front frame section will give way, causing the seated user to feel like they are falling forward out of the chair. Other users will sit with one of their legs folding under them. Thus, the balance of support received from the front half of a seat construction as compared to the support received from the rear half is difficult to achieve when two different support systems are used, one support system being more adapted for the front support and one support system being more adapted for central/rear support of a seated user on the seat construction particularly when seated users use the seat construction in different ways. Further, seat constructions must be made to withstand some level of abuse, such as when a user may unwisely stand on the seat construction.

Recently, a new seat suspension was proposed where resilient wires were used to support a seated user over an open area inside of a perimeter frame, i.e., generally under a seated user's hips when the seated user is in a “normal” upright seated position. (See Bodnar U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,886 and also Peterson publication US2004/0245842 A1, incorporated herein by reference for their teachings.) The seat suspensions shown are very comfortable, and allow use of a relatively thin cushion on the chair to provide an attractive thin profile. Also, these seat suspensions are made of environmentally friendly materials, and are well adapted for recycling. However, improvement is desired in a front of the seat, so that a seated user does not feel uneven support under their legs (near their knees) across a transition region from the resilient wires onto a front section of the molded plastic seat frame. (See FIGS. 40, 42, and 60 in Bodnar U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,886.)

Thus, a seating construction and method of support are desired having the aforementioned advantages and solving the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a seat construction for a seated user includes a seat frame having a front frame section and an open area rearward of the front frame section. A resilient support structure is positioned in the open area and is operably supported on the frame. The resilient support structure defines a flexible support surface that when unstressed is located in a home position that is a predetermined distance higher than a center top surface of the front frame section. The resilient support structure is flexible downwardly to a plurality of stressed positions, with at least some of the stressed positions placing a front of the support surface closer to horizontal alignment with the top surface of the front frame section and at a relative location defining a shorter distance than the predetermined distance. A cushion has a rear portion supported on the support structure and a front portion supported on the front frame section. The cushion combines with the resilient support structure to provide distributed support across a transition region extending from the open area onto the front frame section.

In another aspect of the present invention, a seat construction includes a perimeter frame defining a front frame section and further defining an open area positioned rearward of the front frame section. A support structure is supported by the perimeter frame, the support structure including a plurality of resilient supports positioned rearward of the front frame section and extending transversely across the open area, with at least a forward one of the resilient supports being higher than the front frame section. A cushion is positioned on the perimeter frame and having a first portion positioned over the resilient supports and a second portion positioned on the front frame section, a vertical thickness of the cushion in the second portion being greater than a vertical thickness of the cushion in the first portion by an amount approximately equal to a vertical spacing of the resilient supports above the front frame section.

In another aspect of the present invention, a seat construction includes a frame having spaced-apart side sections and a front frame section. A plurality of independently-bendable resilient supports are positioned rearward of the front frame section and are operably supported at ends by the side sections so as to extend across and bridge therebetween. The resilient supports when unstressed are located in a home position that is a predetermined distance higher than a top surface of the front frame section. The resilient supports each are flexible downwardly to a plurality of individually stressed positions, with at least some of the individually stressed positions placing several of the resilient supports closer to the top surface of the front frame section than others of the resilient supports.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seating unit embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the seating suspension components and seat frame from FIG. 2.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged perspective view of the attachment area along a side section of the seat frame, showing an assembly of components from FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4-5 are views taken along line IV-IV and line V-V in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top view of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 7 is a view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 3A with the slats in an unstressed state.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but with the slats stressed and supporting a seated user.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but with a modified slat having an outwardly extending flange.

FIG. 10 is a view taken along the X-X, but extends completely across a center of the seating suspension and is taken without a person sitting on the seating suspension.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but with a person sitting on the seating suspension and with the cushion removed to better show the slats.

FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 11, with the cushion and seat suspension shown as compressed by a person sitting thereon.

FIG. 13 is a second seating unit embodying the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the seat frame and seat suspension components.

FIG. 14A is a fragmentary enlarged exploded view showing resilient supports and their end-mounting support frame structure, and FIG. 14B is a front view showing flexing movement of the resilient supports on the end-mounting support frame structure.

FIG. 15 is plan view of the seat of FIG. 14.

FIGS. 16-17 are cross-sectional views taken along lines XVI-XVI and XVII-XVII in FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a side cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 17, but with a person seated thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A seating unit 30 (FIGS. 1-2) includes a base 31, a seat suspension 32, and a back 33. Specifically, the base 31 includes a tubular base frame 34 defining four legs 35 (with castors or glides selectively attached to bottoms), a U-shaped horizontal seat-supporting frame member 36, and rear uprights 37. The back 33 is a molded component that includes a back panel 38 with armrests 41 or a back panel 38A (without arms). The back panels 38 and 38A have enlarged corner sections 39 with a hole therein for telescopingly engaging the uprights 37, and an enlarged horizontal beam section 40 for acting as a cross brace to stiffen a rear of the frame 34 when the back 33 is attached. The back 33 optionally includes a back cushion 42 with polymeric support panel 43 adhered by adhesive to the back panel 38.

The seat suspension 32 includes a pan-shaped molded seat frame 44, a one-piece molded component 45 defining a plurality of slats 46, resilient supports 47 attached to and resiliently supporting the slats 46 to define a comfort surface adapted to flexibly support a seated user, and an upholstered cushion 48. The subassembly of the component 45 and resilient supports 47 can be handled as a unit when placed on the molded frame 44 for assembly, thus assisting and simplifying assembly. Further, the resilient supports 47 (and the subassembly) are retained to the molded frame 44 by connecting rods 49 that extend along the side sections 50 of the molded frame 44. The slats 46 each include arcuate bearing surfaces 51 on each end that rotatably engage a mating bearing structure 52 on the molded frame 44 to define an axis of rotation aligned with the connecting rods 49. A flex-limiting member 53 (i.e. preferably a foam piece) positioned in a center of “pan-shaped” open area of the frame 44 limits the resilient supports 47 to a maximum deflected condition. Tabs 54 (FIG. 5) on the molded component 45 interconnect the slats 46 near the bearing surfaces 51 and permit molded component 45 to be one piece (i.e., the tabs 54 interconnect the slats 46). However, the illustrated tabs 54 are relatively short and “stubby,” such that they break when the slats 46 are flexed to permit independent flexing movement of the slats 46. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the tabs will be designed to be flexible, such as by having an “S” shape or a thin profile, so that they permit flexure of the slats 46 without fracturing the tabs.

The molded frame 44 (FIG. 3) includes a perimeter frame formed by the side sections 50 and the front and rear sections 55 and 56. A floor panel 57 extends between the sections 50, 55-56, with the sections 50, 55-56 rising above the panel 57 to form a dished or pan-shaped arrangement (FIG. 10). The rear section 56 (FIG. 10) includes an outer flange 60 located at a height about equal to a top of the slats 46, and is spaced rearward of the rearmost slat 46. A boss 60′ is configured to receive a screw for positive attachment of the back 33 to the seat frame 44. The cushion 48 includes a portion 61 resting on the outer flange 60, a transversely-positioned central portion 62 of about equal thickness resting on the slats 46, and a rear portion 63 that bridges the rear area 64 behind the slats and above rear section 56.

The front section 55 (FIG. 10) includes an outer flange 66 located at a height about equal to half of the vertical distance from the floor panel 57 to a top of the slats 46, such as slightly greater than about one half inch, and is spaced forward of the front-most slat 46. Further, the outer flange 66 extends forwardly and downwardly to form a “waterfall” shaped front edge 67. A front portion 68 of the cushion 48 fills the area in front of the front-most slat 46 down to the floor panel 57. The upper surface 69 of the front portion 68 of the illustrated cushion 48 extends at a same height as the central portion 62 and then angles forwardly and downwardly to generally match the curvature of water flowing over a waterfall. The front edge 70 of the cushion 48 tapers to a thin cross section and then ends as the front edge 67 of the front outer flange 66 turns downwardly toward a vertical direction. It is contemplated that the front portion of the molded frame 44 and cushion 48 can be different shapes, but the present arrangement has proved particularly comfortable, since the forces supporting the legs of a seated user are well distributed, such that the seated user cannot feel a sharp line where the front-most slat 46 is located and where the molded frame 44 begins. Notably, the floor panel 57 has two large apertures 71 therein (FIG. 3), the primary purpose of which is to provide visual and physical access to the area under the seat suspension and above the floor panel 57. The flex-limiting member 53 is positioned on the floor panel 57 between the apertures 71, and has a thickness sufficient to abut a bottom of the slats 46 when the slats 46 are flexed to a maximum position (see FIG. 11). Since the flex-limiting member 53 is a stiff cushion, it provides a soft stop for limiting maximum flex. It is contemplated that the flex-limiting member could be made of several different materials, and that it could be made to be adjustable in order to provide different maximum depth positions on the seating unit 30. It is noted that the flex-limiting member 53 defines a distance of flexure for the slats 46 that is about equal to the distance from the rearwardly-facing edge of the front section 55 to a top of the slats 46 when the slats 46 (and resilient supports 47) are not flexed.

Notably, the cushion 48 has a non-uniform thickness, with a rear portion supported on the support structure (i.e., slats 46 and resilient supports 47) and a cushion front portion supported on the front frame section 55 adjacent the rearwardly-facing edge. The rear portion of the cushion combines with a front of the resilient support structure to provide a force-versus-deflection curve comparable to the force-versus-deflection curve provided by a combination of the cushion front portion and the front frame section, such that a seated user does not sense any sudden change in supportive force across the rearwardly-facing edge.

The side sections 50 (FIGS. 2-3) have a multi-tiered shape, including an outer flange 73 configured to rest on side members of the U-shaped horizontal seat-supporting frame member 36 of the tubular frame 34, with a top of the outer flange 73 being about equal in height to (or angled slightly upwardly and outwardly from) a top surface of the slats 46. The outer flange 73 may include apertures 74 (FIG. 3A) permitting a tool to extend through the aperture 74 for forming a resilient leg 75. This apertured arrangement eliminates a blind surface, which would require a slide or moving part in the molding die for making the blind surface on the molded frame 44. Notably, the molded frame 44 does not have any blind surfaces, such that it can be made with a molding die without slides. Apertured bosses 76 (FIG. 3A) are located inboard of the apertures 74, and are positioned to receive a screw for engaging the inward flange 77 (FIG. 2) on the side legs of the U-shaped frame member 36, for attaching the molded frame 44 to the base 31. The legs 75 hold a tensioned drawstring of an upholstery cover as disclosed in co-assigned, co-pending application Ser. No. 11/711,346, filed Feb. 27, 2007, entitled “SEATING UNIT WITH ADJUSTABLE COMPONENT,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

A second flange 79 (FIG. 3) is located inward of the outer flange 73 at a location lower than the outer flange 73. The second flange 79 includes a series of spaced-apart loop structures 80 integrally formed along its length, one for each slat 46. The loop structures 80 include a top section with radiused bearing surface that forms the bearing structure 52 for slidably rotatingly engaging the bearing surface 51 on the ends of the slats 46 (FIGS. 7-8). The loop structures 80 further include a bottom surface 81 (FIG. 7) defining a downwardly-facing retainer loop that defines with other parts of the molded frame a laterally-extending hole for capturing the connecting rods 49 (See also FIGS. 3A, 4, and 6A). The ends of the slats 46 (FIG. 4) include a pair of loop structures 82 on opposite sides of the bearing surfaces 52 that straddle the loop structures 80. The slat loop structures 82 vertically overlap the molded frame loop structures 80 and form retainers each having a laterally-extending hole. With the loop structures 80 and 82 overlapping and their laterally-extending holes aligned, the connecting rods 49 can be extended parallel the side sections 50 through the holes in the loop structures 80 and 82, such that each end of the slats 46 are rotatably retained to the molded frame 44. This provides an exceptionally quick assembly with minimal separate parts and yet provides positive smooth rotatable support for each of the slats. Notably, there is an aperture 83 (FIG. 7) under each loop structure 80 such that the loop structures 80 do not form a blind surface, and hence can be molded into the molded frame 44 using a molding die that does not have to include slides in this area of the part.

As molded, the one-piece molded component 45 includes a plurality of slats 46 (FIG. 3, ten shown), which are interconnected by tabs 54 (FIGS. 5 and 6A). The illustrated tabs 54 extend between the slats 46 (i.e., between the loop structures 82 of adjacent slats 46). The illustrated tabs 54 are relatively short and “stubby,” and are located and shaped to fracture and break when the slats 46 are flexed in a manner causing the loop structures 82 to rotate relative to each other. (Compare FIG. 7 to FIG. 8). Thus, the one-piece molded component 45 can be molded as a unit and then handled as a unit when placing it on a base 31 and when installing the connecting rods 49. The slats 46 can then be separated by flexing them one at a time, causing the tabs 54 to break due to the relative movement. This can be done during assembly, or potentially when a person first sits on the chair. Notably, in an alternate version, the tabs 54 can be made flexible so that they do not break. This is done by making them sufficiently flexible to bend as individual slats 46 are flexed. For example, this can be done by providing the tabs with a cross section that is sufficiently thin in the direction of flexure, such that the tabs flex instead of breaking. Alternatively, flexible tabs can be formed by making the tabs to have a “U” shape or “S” shape lying in a horizontal plane, where the tabs extend from a first loop structure 82 to a next loop structure 82 or where the tabs extend between the slats 46 and lie in the upper horizontal plane of the slats 46.

The slats 46 (FIG. 6A) each include a strip that extends across the molded frame 44. The slats 46 have a transverse cross section with a width dimension (i.e., about one inch) that is about 10 times its height dimension. The width is selected to allow the slats to distribute force from a seated user. Each slat 46 has a plurality of retainer loops 85 formed along their lengths under slots 86. The slots 86 permit the loops 85 to be formed without blind surfaces in the molded frame 44. A channel is formed along the bottom surface of each slat 46 in alignment with the hole in the loops 85. The illustrated resilient supports 47 are resilient wire rods that can be slipped through the loops 85 and along the channels under the slats 46. Thus, the resilient supports 47 are closely retained to the slats 46 for flexing with the slats as a unit when the slats 46 are flexed, such as when a user sits in the seating unit 30. However, the slats 46 are able to twist slightly in a fore-aft direction to continuously be in alignment with adjacent slats 46, as shown in FIG. 11. The present arrangement with one resilient support 47 with each slat 46 is preferred, but it is noted that more than one resilient support 47 can be used on each slat 46, if desired.

The cushion 48 (FIG. 2) is upholstered or otherwise finished as desired. It is contemplated that the cushion 48 can be held in position by different means, such as by adhesive material bonding it to a perimeter of the molded frame 44. Alternatively, the front(or rear) edge of the cushion 48 can be hook attached to a front (or rear) lip of the molded frame 44, and the opposite edge of the cushion can be attached by wrapping it onto a bottom of the molded frame 44 and hooking, stapling, adhering, or otherwise securing it in place.

The illustrated slats 44 (FIGS. 7-8) end at a location above the bearing surfaces 51. It is noted that if the ends extended outward beyond the bearing surfaces 51 (see end 90 represented by dashed lines in FIG. 4), then the ends would tend to lift when the slats 46 were flexed. This is not a problem for several reasons. First, even if the slats 46 terminate as shown by end 90, the upward movement is minimal. Also, the movement is at an edge of the seat, such that a seated user's body shape is normally rounded up at that outermost location. Nonetheless, with some chair designs, this upward movement may be significant. For this purpose, the alternative end 91 (FIG. 9) is shown. The end 91 is curved outward and downward to match a corresponding shape of the outer flange 92 of the illustrated molded frame. The curve of end 91 defines a center axis located basically at connecting rod 49. Thus, when a particular slat 46′ (FIG. 9) is flexed downward (such as when a person sits on it), the end 91 merely slides inwardly along the outer flange 92, moving along an arc having its axis of rotation substantially at the connecting rod 49.

An alternative seating unit 130 (FIG. 13) includes a base 131, a seat 132 and a back 133 operably supported for synchotilt motion upon recline of the back 133, and is similar in basic structure to the chair described in Bodnar U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,886, and its entire contents are incorporated herein in its entirety for its teachings. The present seating unit 130 is modified from the structure shown in Bodnar '886, especially in a front area of the seat 132, as follows. The seat 132 (FIG. 14) includes a seat frame formed by an underframe 135 and top panel 136. The underframe 135 includes a pair of side frame sections 135A connected by a cross bar 135B. The underframe 135 is adapted to be supported on a control 135′, such as by a link 135″ and a resilient support 135′″ as described in the Bodnar '886 patent. The top panel 136 is secured to the underframe 135. The top panel 136 cooperates with the side frame sections 135A to form a perimeter frame with marginal material defining an open area 137. The top panel 136 includes a front frame section 139 and a rear frame section 140. A plurality of resilient supports 141 (e.g., spring steel wires) bridge across the open area 137, each including L-shaped ends 142 slidably supported within elongated channels 143 in the side frame section 135A. A flexible support surface 144 is formed by the combination of parallel resilient supports 141. An upholstered cushion 145 includes a rear portion 146 positioned on the resilient supports 141 and a front portion 147 positioned on the front frame section 139.

As shown in FIG. 17, a top surface of the front frame section 139, especially at rear edge 139′, is much lower than the top surfaces of the side frame sections 135A and much lower than the rear frame section 140. For example, the front frame section 139 may be lowered below the wire supports 141 a distance 149 of one half inch to an inch or more, thereby greatly reducing stress on a seated user's legs under their knees, since there is no “hard” line felt along a rear edge 139′ of the front frame section 139 due to its low position. However, the front portion 147 of the cushion 145 is thicker than the rear portion 146 (e.g., about twice as thick as illustrated), such that a top 145′ of the illustrated cushion 145 along a centerline of the cushion 145 (i.e., the upholstery cover 148) is relatively level completely across a top of the seat 132 from front to rear. Notably, when a person sits on the seat 132, the wire supports 141 flex and the front portion 147 of the cushion 145 compresses. The rear portion 146 of the cushion also compresses, but to a lesser extent due to its thinner construction and also due to the forward distribution of weight of the seated user's body. This provides a very well distributed supportive force across the transition region 150 from a front of the open area onto the front frame section 139. Specifically, the force-vs-deflection curve provided along the rear edge 139′ is approximately the same forward of or rearward of the rear edge 139′ due to the well distributed support provided in the transition region 150.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

Claims

1. A seat construction for a seated user, comprising:

a seat frame including a front frame section and an open area rearward of the front frame section;

a resilient support structure positioned in the open area and operably supported on the frame, the resilient support structure defining a flexible support surface that when unstressed is located in a home position that is a predetermined distance higher than a center top surface of the front frame section, the resilient support structure being flexible downwardly to a plurality of stressed positions, with at least some of the stressed positions placing a front of the support surface closer to horizontal alignment with the top surface of the front frame section and at a relative location defining a shorter distance than the predetermined distance; and

a cushion having a rear portion supported on the support structure and a front portion supported on the front frame section, the cushion combining with the resilient support structure to provide distributed support across a transition region extending from the open area onto the front frame section.

2. The seat construction defined in claim 1, wherein the support structure includes a plurality of resilient supports that extend across the open area.

3. The seat construction defined in claim 2, wherein each of the resilient support are independently flexible and have ends operably supported on the side sections.

4. The seat construction defined in claim 3, wherein the resilient supports each include a polymeric slat and a resilient wire coupled to flex with respective ones of the slats.

5. The seat construction defined in claim 3, wherein the resilient supports include only wires.

6. The seat construction defined in claim 3, wherein the frame includes side frame sections, and ends of the resilient supports slidably engage the side frame sections.

7. The seat construction defined in claim 3, wherein the frame includes side frame sections, the side frame sections and the ends including mating bearing structures rotatably supporting the ends on the side frame sections, one of the mating bearing structures including a pair of protrusions straddling the other of the mating bearing structures.

8. The seat construction defined in claim 1, where the seat frame includes a floor panel and a perimeter frame around the floor panel, the perimeter frame including the front frame section, the floor panel supporting the flex limiter.

9. The seat construction defined in claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance is at least one half inch measured vertically from a center of the front frame section.

10. The seat construction defined in claim 1, including an upholstery cover that covers the cushion.

11. The seat construction defined in claim 1, wherein the cushion has a non-uniform thickness, including a thickened part on a rear of the front frame section near the open area.

12. The seat construction defined in claim 1, wherein the open area is defined by a rear frame section and side frame sections that combine with the front frame section to define a perimeter frame extending around the open area.

13. The seat construction defined in claim 1, wherein the frame includes a floor panel positioned under the open area.

14. The seat construction defined in claim 1, including a base frame, the frame being a seat frame supported on the base frame, the seat frame including a dished center region under the open area and the seat frame being integrally formed to include the center region.

15. A seat construction, comprising:

a perimeter frame defining a front frame section and further defining an open area positioned rearward of the front frame section;

a support structure supported by the perimeter frame, the support structure including a plurality of resilient supports positioned rearward of the front frame section and extending transversely across the open area, at least a forward one of the resilient supports being higher than the front frame section when in an unstressed home position; and

a cushion positioned on the perimeter frame and having a first portion positioned over the resilient supports and a second portion positioned on the front frame section, a vertical thickness of the second portion of the cushion being greater than a vertical thickness of the first portion of the cushion by an amount approximately equal to a vertical spacing of the resilient supports above the front frame section.

16. The seat construction defined in claim 15, including a cover positioned over the cushion.

17. The seat construction defined in claim 15, wherein the frame includes marginal material extending around the open area and forming an opening.

18. The seat construction defined in claim 15, wherein the frame includes a floor panel defining a space below each of the resilient supports for receiving the resilient supports when the resilient supports are flexed.

19. A seat construction, comprising:

a frame including spaced apart side sections and a front frame section; and

a plurality of independently-bendable resilient supports positioned rearward of the front frame section and operably supported at ends by the side sections so as to extend across and bridge therebetween, the resilient supports when unstressed being located in a home position that is a predetermined distance higher than a top surface of the front frame section, the resilient supports each being flexible downwardly to a plurality of individually stressed positions, with at least some of the individually stressed positions placing several of the resilient supports closer to the top surface of the front frame section than others of the resilient supports.

20. The seat construction defined in claim 19, including a cushion including first and second supported on the front frame section and on the resilient supports, respectively.