Body support structure
A body support structure includes a backrest having a frame and a plurality of laterally spaced strips. Each of the strips extends in a longitudinal direction, with an upper end portion of each of the strips formed in an inverted J-shape. In another aspect, a body support structure includes a frame and a seat segment having a front portion and a rear portion. A back support segment is joined to the seat segment and has an upper portion formed in an inverted J-shape. A front portion of the seat segment and the upper portion of the back support segment are the only portions directly joined to the frame. In another aspect, a body support structure includes a plurality of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced strips and at least one laterally extending elastomeric member connecting each of said plurality of strips.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/000,348, filed Oct. 25, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a body support structure, and in particular, to a body support structure formed from at least one flexible strip, and to the method for the manufacture and use thereof.
BACKGROUNDBody support structures, such as chairs, are often configured to provide ergonomic support to the user, for example by flexing or adjusting in response to one or more forces applied by the user. Often, such structures employ rigid components coupled together with complex mechanisms that are manipulated in an attempt to provide a desired kinematic movement. Such mechanisms may not be aesthetically pleasing, such that they must be covered or otherwise obscured, which can add to the cost of the structure. In addition, many conventional structures are not made of sustainable, organic materials, but rather must be extensively processed and assembled, with the final product lacking recyclable characteristics. Accordingly, the need remains for a body support structure which is ergonomically flexible, yet is relatively simple, made from sustainable and/or recyclable materials and is aesthetically pleasing.
SUMMARYThe present invention is defined by the following claims, and nothing in this section should be considered to be a limitation on those claims. In one aspect, one embodiment of a body support structure includes a backrest having a frame and a plurality of laterally spaced strips. Each of the strips extends in a longitudinal direction, with an upper portion of each of the strips formed in an inverted J-shape having an end portion spaced rearwardly from a back support portion, and a curved portion joining the end portion and the back support portion. The curved portions of the strips define an upper boundary of the backrest, while the end portions are coupled to the frame.
In another aspect, a body support structure includes a frame and a seat segment having a front portion and a rear portion. A back support segment has a bottom portion joined to the rear portion of the seat segment and an upper portion formed in an inverted J-shape. The front portion of the seat segment and the upper portion of said back support segment are directly coupled to the frame, and are the only portions of the seat segment and the back support segment directly joined to the frame.
In yet another aspect, a body support structure includes a plurality of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced strips and at least one laterally extending elastomeric member supporting each of the plurality of strips.
The various aspects provide significant advantages over other body support structures. For example and without limitation, the plurality of strips, and their connection with a frame, provides a flexible and supportive structure, which is aesthetically pleasing. In addition, in certain embodiments, the strips can be made of sustainable materials.
The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The various preferred embodiments, together with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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In one embodiment, the strips 2 are made of wood, or other organic materials, including for example bamboo. In various embodiments, the strips can be formed from solid or laminate bamboo. The strips are bent into a desired shape. The strips can also be made of other materials, including various metals and plastics. To form the strips, for example from bamboo, a laminate veneer is formed into a defined profile. Then, the oval cross-sectional shape and groove are then formed, for example by extrusion. The strip 2 is then bent and formed in the desired profile shape using heat and pressure. The frame structure coupled to the strips also can be formed from bamboo, for example laminated bamboo, or from other materials including wood, plastic and metal.
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As shown in the various embodiments, the cross members 62, 64 are joined to form the frame. It should be understood that the frame may include one or more receptacles configured to be connected to the end portions 32, 40 of the strips, and that such receptacles, even if made as separate components from the cross bar 62, 64 or other frame component, are considered part of frame, with the strips therefore being joined directly to the frame 60.
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In one embodiment, the strips or elastomeric members can be oriented, for example by increasing the alignment of the crystalline structure on a molecular level so that the load bearing characteristics are altered. One suitable method for orienting the strips is by stretching, for example to at least 1.5 times, and alternatively at least two times, an original dimension. In one embodiment, the strips are oriented cyclically by stretching and relaxing the member. Various materials and methods of orientation are disclosed in U.S. Pub. No. US 2006/0267258 A1, entitled “Load Bearing Surface,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
In operation, the user sits in the body support structure. The strips 2 bend individually to conform to the weight and position of the user. In particular, the backrest segments 14 of the strips 2 can independently flex forwardly and rearwardly, while the seat segments 12 of the strips 2 independently move up and down, with the connection between the seat and back segments 14, 12 providing for an integrated, ergonomic support. The strips 2 having backrest segments 14, and their connection to the seat segments 12, also provide for a twisting of the backrest, so as to promote flexibility of the shoulder blades and accommodate torsional movement of the backrest.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, it is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is the appended claims, including all equivalents thereof, which are intended to define the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A body support structure comprising:
- a backrest comprising a frame and a plurality of laterally spaced strips, each of said plurality of strips extending in a longitudinal direction and defining a back support segment, wherein an upper portion of each of said plurality of strips is formed in an inverted J-shape with an end portion of said upper portion spaced rearwardly from a back support portion, and a curved portion joining said end portion and said back support portion, wherein said curved portions of said plurality of strips define an upper boundary of said backrest, and wherein said end portion is coupled to a frame.
2. The body support structure of claim 1 wherein said plurality of strips are made of bamboo.
3. The body support structure of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of strips have a body facing surface, wherein at least a portion of at least some of said body facing surfaces are curved in cross section within a laterally extending plane.
4. The body support structure of claim 1 wherein a first subset of said plurality of strips arranged along a center of said backrest are shorter than a second subset of said plurality of strips arranged laterally outboard of said first subset.
5. The body support structure of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of said strips further comprises a seat segment extending forwardly from said back support segment, wherein a forward portion of said seat segment is coupled to said frame.
6. The body support structure of claim 5 wherein said back support portion of each of said strips is free of any connection to said frame.
7. The body support structure of claim 6 wherein each of said back support portions are joined only to corresponding ones of said curved portions and said seat segments.
8. The body support structure of claim 5 further comprising at least one laterally extending elastomeric member connecting said seat segment of each of said plurality of strips.
9. The body support structure of claim 8 wherein each of said strips comprises a groove shaped to receive a mounting portion of said elastomeric member.
10. A body support structure comprising:
- a frame;
- a seat segment having a front portion and a rear portion; and
- a back support segment having a bottom portion joined to said rear portion of said seat segment and an upper portion formed in an inverted J-shape;
- wherein said front portion of said seat segment and said upper portion of said back support segment are directly coupled to said frame, and wherein said front portion of said seat segment and said upper portion of said back support segment are the only portions of said seat segment and said back support segment directly joined to said frame.
11. A body support structure comprising:
- a plurality of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced strips; and
- at least one laterally extending elastomeric member connecting each of said plurality of strips.
12. The body support structure of claim 11 wherein said strips are made of wood.
13. The body support structure of claim 12 wherein said strips are made of bamboo.
14. The body support structure of claim 11 wherein each of said plurality of strips has a body facing surface, wherein at least a portion of at least some of said body facing surfaces are curved in cross section within a laterally extending plane.
15. The body support structure of claim 11 wherein each of said strips comprises a groove, and wherein said at least one elastomeric member comprises a mounting portion received in said groove.
16. The body support structure of claim 11 wherein said at least one elastomeric member comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced elastomeric members.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 22, 2008
Publication Date: Jun 4, 2009
Inventors: Eric Ping Pang Chan (New York, NY), Bernard San Lap Lo (North York), Conrad Marini (Woodbridge)
Application Number: 12/288,722
International Classification: A47C 7/00 (20060101); A47C 7/16 (20060101);