Nested Patents (Class 297/239)
  • Patent number: 7708349
    Abstract: An auditorium chair comprised essentially of four parts that interconnect creating a frame with a three point stability system. The auditorium chair structure has the following components: fastening with screws, snap tight buttons, or other fasteners, dimensioning in accordance with use in current auditorium chair sizes, and fabrication design enabling efficient shipment while maintaining stability and stacking capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Kate Chen
  • Publication number: 20100066140
    Abstract: A chair having a seat, a seat back and a frame with spaced apart side members and a rear member interconnecting the side members is provided. The chair also includes a support interconnecting the two side members. A seat support bracket interconnects the rear member to the mid portion of the support member. A spring interconnects the seat back to the support member. The proximal end of the spring is attached to the support member, and the distal end of the spring is attached to the seat back. The spring translates a portion of the load placed on the seat back onto the support member, and allows the user to recline. A support having a flange is disposed on each of the legs in a predetermined manner so as to place the chair on top of a like chair in a predetermined position convenient and conducive to stacking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: Michigan Tube Swagers & Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventor: Duane Ware
  • Publication number: 20100066139
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a monobloc rocking chair. The rocking chair includes a seat, backrest, a pair of front legs, a pair of rear legs, and rockers extending between front and rear legs. The chair is molded of a single material include a downwardly opening cavity and formed to taper outwardly from top to bottom. The cavity is formed by the seat being supported directly from below by front legs and being supported directly from above by a backrest. Rear legs are spaced from the seat. This allows two identical chairs to nest when vertically stacked for compact shipping, storage, or display. The monobloc rocking chair can include one or more arms or be armless.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Cooper C. WOODRING
  • Publication number: 20100007163
    Abstract: A nested seating unit for use in a motor vehicle is provided. The nested seating unit comprises a first seat having a seating surface and a second seat having a seating surface. The nested seating unit is adjustable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first seat and the second seat have a first lateral distance between them, and in the second position, the first seat and the second seat have a second lateral distance between them. The first lateral distance is greater than the second lateral distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Almeida, Siddartha Butalia, Young Eun Choi, Kyle Holland, Ajmal Shamsudeen
  • Publication number: 20090284057
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a stackable chair that can be used to stack up to ten of the stackable chairs in a generally vertical direction. The stackable chair can include a chair frame that has a seat support section with a front leg and a back leg extending in a downward direction therefrom. A cushion can be attached to the seat support section, the cushion having a rigid perimeter layer and a cushion layer extending across the rigid perimeter layer. The rigid perimeter layer can also have a central aperture and a support structure that extends across the aperture. The rigid perimeter layer provides a suitable structure such that a plurality of chairs can be stacked on top of each other in a generally vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: Michigan Tube Swagers & Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventor: Barton S. Kulish
  • Publication number: 20090273214
    Abstract: A portable chair and table set is provided that is tiltable and nestable to simplify and accommodate compact storage. The chair includes a seat shell that is pivotably mounted to a nestable support frame. Hinges connect the shell to the frame and are configured to hold the seat shell in a tilted configuration for storage. In this tilted configuration, several chairs can be horizontally nested so that the overall length of the nest chairs is minimized. Similarly, the table includes a table top having a unitary desk surface and modesty panel that is pivotably mounted to a support frame by hinges that are configured to hold the table top in a tilted configuration that allows horizontal nesting of several tables in a minimal overall length. The hinges can be easily disengaged by manual movement of the table top to its in use position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: DITTO SALES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Shields, Jerald W. Nichols, Mark R. Dilger
  • Patent number: 7597332
    Abstract: A first and second stroller portions are described to form a modular stroller. The first and second stroller portions may be reversibly coupled together in a tandem relationship with a coupling device to operate in a double stroller configuration. Alternatively, the first and second stroller portions may be uncoupled from one another and used in an independent mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Hatch Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Julie Tabor Thompson
  • Patent number: 7552968
    Abstract: A chair foot device for a wire frame chair stackable with other wire frame chairs includes a lower surface disposable on a support surface. An upper surface, opposite the lower surface is sized and shaped to carry the lower surface of an adjacent foot from an adjacently stacked upper chair. The chair foot also includes an alignment protrusion disposed on one of the lower and upper surfaces and an alignment indentation disposed on the other of the lower and upper surfaces. The alignment protrusion is sized and shaped to be receivable within an alignment indentation of a corresponding foot from an adjacently stacked chair. The foot is sized and shaped to carry an applied load from an adjacently stacked upper foot and to transfer the applied load to an adjacent load bearing surface. The foot is also sized and shaped to protect the wire frame chair from damage during stacking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Mity-Lite, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Smith, David J. Laws
  • Patent number: 7510244
    Abstract: A chair construction includes a back member having back legs, a front member having front legs, and side members, all constructed of a synthetic polymeric material molded about a reinforcing metal core, the metal cores being constructed for securement together to establish an integral reinforcing metal core structure enveloped within unitary sheaths of synthetic polymeric material corresponding to each of the back member, the front member and the side members, subsequent to constructing each of the back member, the front member and the side members, so as to erect a chair having the durability, aesthetic appearance and feel provided by the synthetic polymeric material, and the strength and rigidity provided by the integral reinforcing metal core structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Justin H. Shin
  • Publication number: 20090072599
    Abstract: The present invention provides a chair that comprises: a seat portion; two or more front leg members coupled to the seat portion, each front leg member comprising at least one first tube member; two or more rear leg members coupled to the seat portion, each rear leg member comprising at least one second tube member; a backrest portion coupled to the two or more rear leg members; and two or more leg cross members, each leg cross member having a first end capable of engaging with said at least one first tube member and a second end capable of engaging with said at least one second tube member, whereby each leg cross member connects a pair of front leg member and rear leg member. The chair may be further adapted to facilitate easy and secure stacking wherein the leg cross members of an upper chair are supported by the seat portion of a lower chair in a vertical stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventor: Jianye Xu
  • Patent number: 7481439
    Abstract: A first and second stroller portions are described to form a modular stroller. The first and second stroller portions may be reversibly coupled together in a tandem relationship with a means for coupling to operate in a double stroller configuration. Alternatively, the first and second stroller portions may be uncoupled from one another and used in an independent mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Hatch Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Julie Tabor Thompson
  • Publication number: 20080315645
    Abstract: A chair capable of being firmly stacked comprises a seat; at least one supporting leg being connected to a bottom of the seat, the supporting leg including a resisting section and a wheel assembly; one end of the resisting section being connected to a bottom of the seat and another end of the resisting section being connected to the wheel assembly; the wheel assembly including a connecting block and a wheel pivoted to the connecting block; one inner side of the connecting block being formed with a resisting groove; the wheel being installed at an outer side of the supporting leg and being rotatable with respect to the connecting block; the resisting groove having a shape corresponding to a periphery of the resisting section so that the resisting groove can receive the resisting section of another chair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Koh-Tuang Hock
  • Publication number: 20080315646
    Abstract: A chair capable of being firmly stacked comprises a seat; at least one supporting leg being connected to a bottom of the seat, the supporting leg including a resisting section and a wheel assembly; one end of the resisting section being connected to a bottom of the seat and another end of the resisting section being connected to the wheel assembly; the wheel assembly including a connecting block and a wheel pivoted to the connecting block; one inner side of the connecting block being formed with a resisting groove; the wheel being installed at an outer side of the supporting leg and being rotatable with respect to the connecting block; the resisting groove having a shape corresponding to a periphery of the resisting section so that the resisting groove can receive the resisting section of another chair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Koh-Tuang Hock
  • Publication number: 20080277982
    Abstract: A stacking chair having a seat, a back support, and a frame for supporting the seat and back support. The frame includes a pair of spaced apart leg members, a back support member, and a seat support member. The leg members have a front portion and rear portion interconnected by a connecting portion to give the leg members a generally U or V shape. The chair further includes a stacking member disposed on each leg member. The stacking member shaped to receive the upper surface of a leg member of a like chair such that the stacking member rests on the connection portion of a like chair and the upper chair in the stack is positioned forward of the lower chair thereby offsetting the stack's tendency to lean back due to the weight and position of the back support thus providing for the stability of a stack of chairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Kerstin Bartlmae
  • Patent number: 7401854
    Abstract: A stackable folding chair has a seat and a back pivotably attached to the rear edge of the seat. Front legs are pivotably attached at right and left edges of the seat. Rear legs are pivotably attached to the bottom of the seat. Armrests are pivotably attached to the seat back and adjustably attached to the front legs. The rear legs are pivotable relative from an extended position a folded position in which the rear legs are substantially parallel to and beneath the seat. Adjustable attachment of the armrests to the front legs allows the angle of the seat back to be adjusted as well as enabling the front legs and seat back to fold substantially parallel to the seat. The stackable folding chair preferably injected molded from plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: William E. Adams
  • Patent number: 7396076
    Abstract: A chair with a firm structure for overlapping has a body which includes a chair frame and at least one supporting frame; the chair frame having a base, a seat frame and a back frame for supporting the body; the supporting frame being at an outer side of the chair frame; wherein the seat frame has a seat; and the back frame has a cushion; the supporting frame has a handle; supporting frame is combined with a combining unit. The combining unit serves for combining the supporting frame and the chair frame; the chair frame has a front casing and a rear casing; each of the front casing and the rear casing has a clamping surface; the front casing is coupled to the rear casing; each of two sides of the clamping surface has a positioning groove for limiting the chair frame and the supporting frame in the combining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Koh Tuang Hock
  • Patent number: 7396078
    Abstract: A musician's chair that enhances the musician's posture when performing vocal or wind instruments. The music posture chair includes a seat and back that are mounted on a frame with respect to a floor to not only enhance diaphragmatic breathing of the musician but also to enhance the comfort of the musician.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Wenger Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick H. Weber, Kenneth E. Jacobson
  • Publication number: 20080116727
    Abstract: A chair assembly adapted to be nested with a second chair assembly identical to the chair assembly. The chair assembly comprises a seating portion and a back support. The seating portion includes a top seat surface, a bottom seat surface generally parallel to the top seat surface, a first side seat edge, a second side seat edge, and a front edge. The back support is generally perpendicular to the seating portion and includes an inner back support surface, an outer back support surface generally parallel to the inner back support surface, a first side back support edge, a second side back support edge, and a top back support edge. A first return flange disposed on the first side back support edge of the back support and a second return flange disposed on the second side back support edge of the back support. A first recess can be disposed on the inner surface of the back support, and is adapted to receive a first return flange of a second chair assembly nested with the unitary shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Lewis Dorsey Cox, Sean Harry Simmons, Mack Daniel Westbrook
  • Patent number: 7370910
    Abstract: A chair comprising a base structure (12) bearing a seat (14), a backrest (16) and a writing tablet (38) movable between a first lowered inoperative position and a raised operative position, in which in the first lowered inoperative position the tablet (38) is parallel to a vertical axis and is inclined relative to a vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chair, so that two or more chairs of the same type can be approached longitudinally to each other with the tablets of two adjacent chairs partially superposed on each other. The writing tablet (38) is also provided with a second lowered inoperative position in which the tablet is inclined relative to a vertical axis and is inclined relative to said vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chair, so that two or more chairs of the same type can also be superposed vertically on each other with the tablets of two adjacent chairs partially superposed on each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Pro-Cord SPA
    Inventor: Giancarlo Piretti
  • Patent number: 7325873
    Abstract: A seating unit comprising a base configured to be positioned on a floor, a torsional energy unit connected to the base, a back connected to the torsional energy unit and a seat rotatably connected to the torsional energy unit. The torsional energy unit biases the back to a forward position. The torsional energy unit further limits angular rotation of the seat between a substantially horizontal seating position and a substantially vertical seating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lawrence Stewart, David J. Ritch, Mark B. Saffell, Ari T. Adler, Anthony Peter Patron, Matthew David Inouye, Alan Chung Regala, Jonathan I. Kaplan, James Yurchenco
  • Publication number: 20070284920
    Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present invention, a tablet arm for a nesting chair including a first rigid support member affixed to a nesting chair, a second rigid support member swivelably coupled to the first rigid support member, a tablet rotatably and slidably coupled to the second rigid support member by a collar, a first stop coupled with the second rigid support member and configured to abut one end of the collar in the tablet's forward operable position, and a second stop coupled with the second rigid support member and configured to abut another end of the collar in the tablet's rearward operable position. According to some embodiments, a plurality of nesting chairs having swiveling rotatable tablets movable from an operable position to a nested position, the tablets positioned over seatbacks of the chairs in the nested position and configured to slide horizontally in the operable position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: HNI TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: David E. Mehaffey, John Robert Koch, Ogden R. Olson, Douglas Alan Schroeder, Jerry D. Zollars
  • Patent number: 7296853
    Abstract: Chair comprising, a fixed base structure comprising two front legs and two rear legs mutually connected by a cross member, in which the front legs and the rear legs are mutually offset in such a way that the front legs of a first chair can be inserted between the rear legs of a second chair identical to the first, and a seat-backrest assembly borne by the support structure and rotatable around said cross member between a position of use and a position of stowage, in which in the position of stowage the seat-backrest assembly is rotated forwards relative to the position of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Pro-Cord
    Inventor: Giancarlo Piretti
  • Patent number: 7275788
    Abstract: Chairs for encouraging proper posture for performers, including vocalists and instrumentalists. Chairs allow for maintenance of proper posture by performers seated in engaged and in perched positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Wenger Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Dettmann, Paul James, Diwa Ratnam, Jodi Tuthill, Mark Reeves, Terry Strand, Patrick Weber
  • Patent number: 7261377
    Abstract: Novel and unique stackable multi-functional furniture is provided with a single hinge connecting two portions wherein one of the two portions is adapted to rotate about the hinge so that in some arrangements such as a container or a table, a surface comprising a portion of both portions is formed and in another arrangement, which establishes a chair, one of the portions is rotated about the hinge so that one portion is on top of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Ben Avi Ehud
  • Patent number: 7252333
    Abstract: A rockable and stackable chaise lounge. It includes a pair of frame members each formed by a downwardly convex rocker and an upwardly convex rail joined at front and rear ends. The frames are joined at their front and rear ends by spreaders. Adjustable stops are provided to limit the extent of rocking. A seat with a reclining back is supported between the frame by the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 7213875
    Abstract: This foldable chair comprises a frame forming the backrest and the forward prop and being articulately linked to a second frame forming the backward prop and to a plate forming the seat. A characterising feature lies in that the seat is linked in a pin-jointed connection and by means of a link to the second frame, said link having each of its respective ends linked in a pin-jointed connection to the respective one of two pieces being fixedly attached to the lower surface of the seat and to the lower surface of the cross member of the second frame, respectively, the seat coming to rest on this latter cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Jane, S.A.
    Inventor: Manuel Jane Santamaria
  • Patent number: 7156459
    Abstract: A stackable chair has a backrest mounted on back supports by resilient mount units for tilting between an upright position and a tilted-back position. Each mount unit includes a rigid coupling member having a lower portion received within an upper end portion of the respective back support and pivotally joined to the respective back support and having an upper portion received within and affixed to a socket in the backrest. A compression spring received within the upper end portion of the back support and engaged between the lower portion of the coupling member and a front wall of the respective back support biases the backrest to the upright position. An armrest is slidably supported on an armrest support for simultaneous and controlled pivotal movement about a substantially vertical pivot axis of a rearward part of the armrest relative to a forward part of the armrest and translatory movement in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis. Movements of the armrests permit dense stacking of the chairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Center for Design Research and Development N.V. c/o Open Ark B.V.
    Inventor: Emilio Ambasz
  • Patent number: 7147286
    Abstract: A versatile chair having a back assembly, a seat assembly and a leg assembly. Two brackets are formed on the leg assembly and create an axis of rotation for the back assembly and for the seat assembly independent of the back assembly. The back assembly rotates due to a user's weight. The seat assembly is rotated manually. The chair is stackable and nestable with identically structured chairs. A tension system is aligned on an oblique axis to bias the back assembly to an upright position. The tension system is mounted within front legs of the leg assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: William Cesaroni, Shawn Barrett, Curtis Cruver, Joseph Keitel, James Groulx, Randall E. Green, Ronald Lewis
  • Patent number: 7118175
    Abstract: Securely stacking and height adjustable bar stools are provided. In one embodiment of the present invention, the seat of a bar stool includes an upper leg restraining system that accommodates a pair of legs from another bar stool that is to be securely stacked on top. In conjunction with the upper leg restraining system, a leg bracing system is provided to accommodate and restrain the pair of legs from another bar stool. In addition, the seat height of a bar stool may be incrementally increased by attaching a plurality of leg extenders to previously added leg extenders until a desired bar stool seat height has been attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Vendor Development Group
    Inventor: Dean Crue
  • Patent number: 7114782
    Abstract: A chair includes: a hollow frame including, on each lateral side of the chair, a front, a back, a bottom, a front bend arranged between the front and the bottom, and a back bend arranged between the back and the bottom; a seat attached to the front of the frame; a seat back attached to the back of the frame; at least one front stiffener insert arranged inside the frame at the front bend and extending along a partial length of the front and the bottom; and at least one back stiffener insert arranged inside the frame at the back bend and extending along a partial length of the back and the bottom. The front stiffener inserts and the back stiffener inserts stiffen the frame relative to a frame without such inserts. The seat back and the seat may be movable independently of each other relative to the bottom of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Center for Design Research and Development N.V.
    Inventor: Emilio Ambasz
  • Patent number: 7073864
    Abstract: A stackable chair has supporting side members that comprise two bars that cross one another in non-contacting relation to form a substantially X-shaped configuration, the two bars capable of flexing movement relative to one another, so that the chair can flex in response to the weight and movement of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Ogden R. Olsen
  • Patent number: 7059670
    Abstract: A chair-desk frame has a forward portion and a rearward portion. The forward portion has a pair of front legs and a desktop support structure. The rearward portion has a pair of rear legs and a seat support structure. The chair-desk frame includes at least three upper stacking contact points and at least three lower stacking contacting points, all of which are disposed so that a plurality of identical chair-desk frames can be vertically stacked on top of one another in a stable and generally vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Virco Mgmt. Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Mills, Peter Glass
  • Patent number: 7052083
    Abstract: A chair includes a seat back having a generally rigid back member. The rigid member includes a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge is defined by spaced apart sides and top and bottom edges extending between the sides. A handle is fixedly secured to the top edge of the seat back. The handle extends between opposite ends. A bumper extends along at least a portion of the peripheral edge. The bumper has at least one end that abuts one of the ends of the handle to provide a smooth transition between the handle and the bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: MTS Burgess
    Inventors: Timothy V. Peitz, Phillip P. Swy, Chuck Stahl
  • Patent number: 7014268
    Abstract: A nesting chair includes a self-supporting base with a pair of leg members. Each leg member has a front leg portion, a rear leg portion, and a generally horizontal portion. A transverse member extends between and interconnects the horizontal portions of the leg members. The transverse member and the first and second leg members together define a self-supporting base. A seat cushion is supported in a generally horizontal position by the seat base. A generally L-shaped back support bracket has one end connected to the transverse member of the base and a second end connected to a seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Michigan Tube Swagers & Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Socha, Jr., William F. Lohness, R. Duane Ware
  • Patent number: 7011368
    Abstract: A child restraint for use with aircraft seats wherein the restraint is a one-piece shell-like body having integrally formed bottom and side walls that support the child and which permit nesting of the seats for compact storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Am-Safe Aviation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Barth, Andrew W. Mackie
  • Patent number: 6969113
    Abstract: A plastic folding chair comprises a support frame, a main frame and a seat frame. The support frame further comprises a pair of parallel rear legs. Each rear leg is reinforced by an internal insert and may haves a rear surface incorporating a wedge that facilitates stacking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Inventor: Dennis Michael Krawchuk
  • Patent number: 6957860
    Abstract: A stackable chair having a support structure and a seat and a back mounted to the support structure. The support structure includes two horizontally extending runner portions, each with two pairs of grooves. Mounted to the runner portions and engaged with the pairs of grooves are four glides. Each glide includes two arms and a base and a recess in the base. The arms each have a horizontally extending rib projecting inwardly so as to engage the grooves. Molded into each glide at the recess is a hard industrial felt member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: LeRon Leist, James M. Groulx, Randall E. Green, Eric Bastin
  • Patent number: 6953221
    Abstract: A foldable chair includes a chair frame and a seat frame. The chair frame includes two spaced apart front legs, two spaced apart rear legs pivotally connected to the two front legs respectively, and a supporting member transversely extended between the two rear legs and having a bottom inclined engaging side. The chair frame is adapted to pivotally fold between an unfolded position and a folded position. The seat frame includes two seat arms pivotally connected to the front legs respectively, a seat platform provided between the two seat arms, and a retention arm which is transversely extended between two seat arms and has a corresponding upper inclined retention side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Inventors: Kail Tseng, Chih Yuan Lai
  • Patent number: 6905168
    Abstract: An injection molded plastic stackable folding chair having a pair of parallel front legs and a pair of parallel back legs pivotally connected to the front legs. The front legs are separated by top and bottom crosspieces. A seat having a uniform and smooth lower surface is rotatably connected to the front legs by a rod and slidably connected to back legs by a pair of dowel pins engaging dowel slots formed within inner side faces of the back legs. The seat has a plurality of stacking guides and a stacking lip integrally formed therein. The stacking lip includes a notch that engages the top crosspiece of the back legs when the chair is in the open or in use position and receives a lower back corner of a second seat in the closed or folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Mah Sing Plastics Industries Sdn Bhd
    Inventor: Zunaidi Bin Noor
  • Patent number: 6899396
    Abstract: A chair includes a tubular U-shaped back frame. The back frame defines a pair of spaced apart back legs. A pair of tubular L-shaped side members, each of which defines a front leg and an arm, are connected the back legs. A tubular U-shaped seat frame is connected to each of the front legs and each of the back legs. A connecting member is connected across the seat frame adjacent the connections of the seat frame to the back legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Mercuries Asia, Ltd.
    Inventor: David W. Bales
  • Patent number: 6890026
    Abstract: A folding chair constructed of synthetic polymeric material and having an aesthetic appearance simulating that of a traditional wooden folding chair, while incorporating structural features for facilitating uniform and stable stacking of like chairs, and for providing lighter weight, greater strength and enhanced structural integrity, increased comfort and safety and ease of operation. Lighter weight is attained through the use of hollow structural elements reinforced at critical locations for greater strength and enhanced structural integrity. Increased comfort and safety are attained by recessing certain components which otherwise could cause damage to adjacent chairs or to the clothing of persons seated upon the chair, or cause injury to the persons themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Commercial Seating Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Justin H. Shin
  • Patent number: 6874850
    Abstract: A portable seating system having a seat module that is foldable between an upright position and a folded position for storage. Multiple up righted modules are connectable to one another to form a row of seat modules. A method of providing portable seating which can be set up for use and then removed for storage is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: Michael Berkowicz
  • Patent number: 6866338
    Abstract: A chair includes a seat and a seat frame including several legs. Bumpers are coupled to the legs and arranged to separate one chair from an underlying chair in a stack of chairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew B. Mendenhall, Jason S. Andrews, Dennis M. Turner
  • Patent number: 6863341
    Abstract: A foldable chair includes a first leg, a second leg pivotally connected with the first leg, and a seat module pivotally mounted on the first leg and detachably locked on the second leg. The second leg is formed with a forward protruding holding portion formed with a downward facing locking recess. The seat module includes a support frame pivotally connected with the first leg and formed with an upward protruding catch portion rested on the holding portion and detachably locked in the locking recess, so that the seat module is combined with the second leg. Thus, the expanded foldable chair has a rigid and stable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Yong-Chang Wen
  • Patent number: 6860556
    Abstract: A chair frame (10) for a stackable chair. The chair frame (10) includes a seat support portion (12) for support the seat portion (18) of a chair, and includes a pair of leg assemblies (22, 24) oppositely disposed on either side of the seat support portion (12). Each leg assembly (22, 24) includes a front leg (26) and a rear leg (28), and an upper support member (30). Each upper support member (30) has an upper surface (38), at least a portion of which defines a curvilinear surface portion. Each leg assembly (22, 24) also includes a stacking bar (32) extending between the front leg (26) and the rear leg (28), the stacking bar (32) being disposed below, and being selectively space from, the upper support member (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Daniel Paul Chairs, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Barile, Sr., Peter W. Barile, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6848586
    Abstract: A rack for collapsible director chairs has a base upon which collapsed chairs may be stacked and a support extending upwardly from the base to maintain the chairs in the stacked orientation. The support is dimensioned to be received by an open area of the collapsed chairs between the chair seat and transverse leg braces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Inventor: Keith Guliner
  • Patent number: 6843529
    Abstract: A stackable chair includes a seating member comprising a seat, and a plurality of chair legs. Each of the chair legs is attached to the seating member with its own connecting device. The connecting device (11) includes a connecting plate which is inserted in a recess of the seating member such that it does not extend beyond the seating member where the chair is adjacent to other chairs in the stacked condition. The chair leg is attached to the connecting plate. The result is a chair which can be stacked in a compact manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Dauphin Entwicklungs- u. Beteiligungs-GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Ballendat
  • Patent number: 6837546
    Abstract: A modular arm rest system for a chair. The arm rest includes a connecting member that is installed into an interior cavity in the chair frame and is retained by a nose. A back is also provided with an arm rest hole that the connecting member can be installed through, thereby securing the back to the chair frame. The modular system includes a reclining chair and a four-legged stacker chair with arm rests and plugs so that the chairs can be reconfigured as desired by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas M. VanDeRiet, Jeffrey R. Oberlin
  • Patent number: 6837542
    Abstract: A chair frame (10) for a stackable chair. The chair frame (10) includes a seat support (12) for supporting the seat (22) of the stackable chair, the seat support (12) of the frame (10) defining first and second side frame portions (18, 20). The chair frame (10) also includes first and second front leg members (24, 26) and first and second rear leg members (28, 30) extending downwardly from the seat support (12). A back support (36) is secured to the seat support (12), the back support (36) defining first and second side portions (38, 40) and a lower frame portion (44) disposed between the first and second side portions (38, 40) of the back support (36). Also included are first and second bracing structures (46, 48) extending between the seat support (12) and the back support (36), whereby the bracing structures (46, 48) strengthen the engagement of the seat support (12) with the back support (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Daniel Paul Chairs, LLC
    Inventors: Peter W. Barile, Jr., Manfred Steinfeld
  • Publication number: 20040232746
    Abstract: A chair frame (10) for a stackable chair. The chair frame (10) includes a seat support (12) for supporting the seat (22) of the stackable chair, the seat support (12) of the frame (10) defining first and second side frame portions (18, 20). The chair frame (10) also includes first and second front leg members (24, 26) and first and second rear leg members (28, 30) extending downwardly from the seat support (12). A back support (36) is secured to the seat support (12), the back support (36) defining first and second side portions (38, 40) and a lower frame portion (44) disposed between the first and second side portions (38, 40) of the back support (36). Also included are first and second bracing structures (46, 48) extending between the seat support (12) and the back support (36), whereby the bracing structures (46, 48) strengthen the engagement of the seat support (12) with the back support (36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Daniel Paul Chairs, LLC
    Inventors: Peter W. Barile, Manfred Steinfeld