Coil Spring Surrounds Horizontal Pivot Patents (Class 297/292)
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Patent number: 12022959Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a dining chair is provided having a frame, a seat operably connected to the frame, a backrest operably connected to the frame, a reclining mechanism, and a counterbalance assembly positioned within the backrest, among other components. The backrest is configured to move between an upright position and a reclined position. In one or more arrangements, the counterbalance assembly is configured to provide a counterbalance force to move the backrest to the upright position in absence of an opposing force.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2022Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: Current Products Corp.Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Richard Scott Hand, Phillip Dugger, Phil Gurvitz, Wade Tyson Earnest, Brian Nielsen, Marcel Mullet, Ethan Bloodworth, Tyler Fortson
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Patent number: 10806264Abstract: A chair includes a seat, a backrest and a frame to support the seat and backrest. The frame includes first and second supports disposed at first and second sides of the chair, respectively. The chair also includes a first engaging mechanism pivotally coupling the backrest with the first support, and a second engaging mechanism pivotally coupling the backrest with the second support. The first or second engaging mechanism includes first, second and third members. The first member fixedly is coupled with the backrest. The second member pivotally connects the first member of the respective engaging mechanism with the first or second support, thereby allowing the backrest to rotate along a first axis in the width direction of the chair. The third member is fixedly coupled with the first or second support and configured to limit the rotation of the backrest.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Inno-Sports Co., LTD.Inventor: Renhua Chen
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Patent number: 9937836Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a cushion and a seatback rotatably coupled with the cushion, the seatback defining a height. The seatback further has an internal support unit with a connecting member extending through a portion of the height and a plurality of flexible ribs extending from the connecting member to ends fixed with the seatback. A link couples the connecting member with the cushion to move the connecting member along the height by rotation of the seatback.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2015Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Alan George Dry
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Patent number: 9861201Abstract: A chair assembly includes a base structure defining upper and lower portions, and a support structure, a seat support structure having a forward portion pivotably connected to the upper portion of the base structure for rotation about a first pivot point and a rearward portion, a back support structure having a forward portion pivotably connected to the lower portion of the base structure for rotation about a second pivot point that is located below and rearward of the first pivot point, and an upwardly extending back portion that moves rearwardly and downwardly as the back support structure pivots and the back portion moves, and a control link pivotably coupled to the seat support structure for rotation about a third pivot point and to the back support structure for rotation about a fourth pivot point each located rearward of the first and second pivot points.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2016Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Richard N. Roslund, Jr., Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Todd D. Krupiczewicz, Nathan R. Brock, Jeffrey A. Hall, Gordon J. Peterson, Todd T. Andres
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Patent number: 9414683Abstract: Disclosed is a chair containing a flexible back support frame mechanism that includes an improved spring assembly designed to allow reclining movement of a back support frame relative to a seat assembly. The spring can assembly of the present invention is, preferably, carried by a rear cross support member thereby eliminating the need for cumbersome elongated springs and their attendant support members. Further, the spring can assembly of the present invention allows the compression member to be readily and easily changed, thus providing the ability to easily adjust the flex tension of the back support member.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Daniel Paul Chairs, LLCInventors: Peter W. Barile, Michael E. Saylor
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Patent number: 9295332Abstract: Disclosed is a chair containing a flexible back support frame mechanism that includes an improved spring assembly designed to allow reclining movement of a back support frame relative to a seat assembly. The spring can assembly of the present invention is, preferably, carried by a rear cross support member thereby eliminating the need for cumbersome elongated springs and their attendant support members. Further, the spring can assembly of the present invention allows the compression member to be readily and easily changed, thus providing the ability to easily adjust the flex tension of the back support member.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Daniel Paul Chairs, LLCInventors: Peter W Barile, Michael E. Saylor
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Patent number: 9027997Abstract: A chair assembly includes a base structure, a seat support structure movably coupled to the base structure, an upwardly-extending back support structure movably coupled to the base structure, wherein the back support structure is adapted to move between an upright and reclined positions, wherein the back support structure is operably coupled to the seat support structure, a flexible shell structure defining a forwardly-facing surface forming a lumbar support, wherein the flexible shell is movably coupled to the seat support structure, and a resilient member generating a variable compressive force acting on the flexible shell structure in a manner that tends to cause a curvature of the back support structure to increase, and wherein the compressive force decreases as the back support structure moves from the upright position to the reclined position.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2013Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Steelcasel Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Richard N. Roslund, Jr., Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Nathan McCaughan, Pradeep Mydur, Russell T. Holdredge, Mark Vander Veen, Todd D. Krupiczewicz, Nathan R. Brock, Jeffrey A. Hall, Gordon J. Peterson, Todd T. Andres
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Patent number: 9010859Abstract: A chair assembly includes a base structure, a seat support structure pivotably coupled to the base structure, a back support structure pivotably coupled to the base structure and including an upwardly extending portion adapted to move between an upright position and a reclined position, a control link having a first end pivotably coupled to the seat support structure and a second end pivotably coupled to the back support structure, a back support surface having an upper portion pivotably coupled to the back support, and a back link pivotably coupled to the seat support structure, wherein the back support surface is moved forward by the back link relative to the upwardly extending portion of the back support structure as the back support structure is moved from the upright position to the reclined position.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Richard N. Roslund, Jr., Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Nathan McCaughan, Pradeep Mydur, Russell T. Holdredge, Mark Vander Veen, Todd D. Krupiczewicz, Nathan R. Brock, Jeffrey A. Hall, Gordon J. Peterson, Todd T. Andres
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Patent number: 8979199Abstract: A chair with a pre-pressing structure includes a chair body and a pre-pressing structure enabling the chair body to be provided with elastic restoring force. The chair is characterized in that the pre-pressing structure includes a pre-pressing member's fixed seat, a pre-pressing member, a pivoting seat, a pre-pressing positioning member and a pre-pressing angle.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Inventor: Wen-Shan Ko
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Patent number: 8899679Abstract: A seat assembly having a seat back and a fold assist mechanism. The fold assist mechanism may have a drive plate and a spring. The spring may bias the seat back from a first position toward the second position when the spring engages a drive plate flange.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Chris Edwards, Adrian Lewis, Raymond Lloyd
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Patent number: 8777194Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a spiral spring assembly that is capable of suppressing lateral force generated in a central shaft. A spiral spring assembly (1) includes a central shaft (2), a spiral spring (3) that is disposed on the periphery of the central shaft (2) and includes an outer end (3a), an inner end (3b), and a spiral portion (3c) that connects the outer end (3a) and the inner end (3b) in a spiral form; an inner end fixing member (4) to which the inner end (3b) is fixed so as to be capable of transmitting torque; and an outer end fixing member (5) to which the outer end (3a) is fixed, and which is capable of moving relative to the inner end fixing member (4) within a predetermined section extending from a first state to a second state. The outer end (3a) is fixed to the outer end fixing member (5) so as to be capable of transmitting torque and suppressing a lateral force that is generated in the central shaft (2) in a predetermined state within the predetermined section.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2007Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Chuo Hatsujo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinsuke Okura, Toshihiro Suzuki, Itsuo Kojima
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Patent number: 8636322Abstract: A seat includes a back-up unit which includes a shaft fixed to the rear side of a backrest and the two ends of the shaft are pivotably connected to two armrests of the seat. A resilient member is mounted to the shaft and a restriction unit is connected to the shaft. The backrest tilts backward when a user sits in the seat and pivots forward to its upright position by the resilient member and the restriction unit when the user leaves from the seat.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2012Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Hong Woei Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kun-Tsung Huang
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Patent number: 7819473Abstract: A chair is provided that is designed so that the angle of the seat surface portion and the angle of the back surface portion are independent of each other and change, and a user can always take the optimum seated posture. The chair includes a base portion, a first link fixed to a seat and rotatably connected to the base portion, and a second link fixed to a seat back rest and rotatably connected to the first link. The chair also includes a first torque-generating mechanism that generates torque in accordance with the angle of the first link relative to the base portion; and a second torque-generating mechanism that generates torque in accordance with the angle of the second link relative to the first link.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2009Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Zenroh Fukai
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Patent number: 7802847Abstract: An angle-adjusting structure for a backrest of a chair is mounted at a rear side of a butterfly-shaped mounting member of the chair. The angle-adjusting structure includes a main body and a rotating member jointly passed through by a shaft having external teeth. A resilient element is mounted around an end of the shaft. A cover is secured to the main body by threaded fasteners. A pressing member is mounted on the other end of the shaft. By pressing the pressing member inward, the external teeth of the shaft are disengaged from internal teeth of the rotating member, and the rotating member is allowed to rotate freely. When the pressing member is released, the resilient element mounted around the end of the shaft extends outward to re-engage the external teeth of the shaft with the internal teeth of the rotating member, thereby securing the rotating member in place.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2008Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Inventor: Kuo-Ching Chou
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Publication number: 20100187883Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the seat back angle, and more particularly an adjuster inclinedly disposed at a lower position of the bottom of the seat back and the rear side of the seat portion, comprising a rotating sleeve, an L-shaped connection body, a large spring, a shift shaft, and a locking device. When the locking device is locked, the seat back is positioned at a desirable inclination angle. When the locking device is unlocked, the shift shaft is axially movable such that the seat back is resiliently supported. Moreover, the compression state of the large spring is adjustable by a to-and-fro rotation of the rotating sleeve. In this way, the operators may adjust the resilience of the seat back 200 according to their own needs for obtaining a greatest sitting comfort.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2009Publication date: July 29, 2010Inventor: Yung-Hua Chen
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Patent number: 7631936Abstract: The invention provides a reclining apparatus which can make a width of an apparatus small. The reclining apparatus of the present invention is provided with a first bracket (1) attached to a seat back (10), a second bracket (2) attached to a seat cushion (11), a first shaft (3) forming a rotation center of the first bracket (1), a spiral spring (5) spirally wound around the first shaft (3) and biasing a rotation in a forward direction of the first bracket (1), and a rotary damper (6) decelerating a rotating speed of the first bracket (1) against an biasing force of the spiral spring (5). The rotary damper (6) and the spiral spring (5) are arranged in parallel, and an arm (7) rotating a casing (6a) of the rotary damper (6) on the basis of a rotation of the first bracket (1) is provided between the rotary damper (6) and the second bracket (2).Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2007Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takao Fukukawa, Masaaki Takii, Hiroshi Yokoyama, Nobuhito Kanae
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Publication number: 20090079246Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a spiral spring assembly that is capable of suppressing lateral force generated in a central shaft. A spiral spring assembly 1 includes a central shaft 2; a spiral spring 3 that is disposed on the periphery of the central shaft 2 and includes an outer end 3a, an inner end 3b, and a spiral portion 3c that connects the outer end 3a and the inner end 3b in a spiral form; an inner end fixing member 4 to which the inner end 3b is fixed so as to be capable of transmitting torque; and an outer end fixing member 5 to which the outer end 3a is fixed, and which is capable of moving relative to the inner end fixing member 4 within a predetermined section extending from a first state to a second state. The outer end 3a is fixed to the outer end fixing member 5 so as to be capable of transmitting torque and suppressing a lateral force that is generated in the central shaft 2 in a predetermined state within the predetermined section.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2007Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: CHUO HATSUJO KABUSHIKI DAISHAInventors: Shinsuke Okura, Toshihiro Suzuki, Itsuo Kojima
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Patent number: 7416252Abstract: A backpost for use in wooden dining chair. The backpost unit provides reclining movements for a wooden chair of the type having a stationary frame section within which the backpost unit is secured. The backpost unit consists of an interlocking mechanism with minimum components and requires minimum maintenance and provides a solid and reliable reclining mechanism. The chair enables the user to secure an accurate posture of sitting during eating and also enables the user to enjoy a relaxing posture while sitting on the same dining chair.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2007Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Green Continental Furniture (M) SDN BHDInventor: Lean Sen Lor
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Patent number: 7118177Abstract: A chair comprising a support structure bearing a seat and a backrest, in which the backrest comprises a bearing portion and a connecting portion for connection to the support structure, in which the backrest is tiltable rearwards relative to a resting position under a rearwards thrust applied by the user and elastically returns to the resting position when the rearwards thrust ceases. The rearwards tilting of the backrest is formed in part by an elastic detonation of the bearing portion and in part by a displacement of at least a part of the connecting portion relative to the support structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2005Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: PRO-Cord SPAInventor: Giancarlo Piretti
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Patent number: 7063384Abstract: A flexible chair back provides a preferred elastic effect than conventional plastic chair backs, which comprises a back supporting board having a flexible member integrally extended from the back supporting board, a rear board and a spring sandwiched by the back supporting board and the rear board. The spring enhances the elasticity of the flexible member, so that the flexible member pushes a seated person's back quite adaptively, and therefore a person can sit against the chair back with comfort for a long period of time.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2004Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Inventor: Huang Chang Liu
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Patent number: 6793284Abstract: This invention provides a spring assembly for use in a chair tilt control mechanism. The tilt control mechanism is one that can recline and return a backrest for a chair. The spring assembly includes a cylindrical block that has first and second ends and a central bore. A pair of end caps located at each of the first and second ends of the block. Each end cap has a receiving section that can rotate within the central bore of the block. Each end cap also has a hole extending through it that provides a coupling point for the chair backrest. The spring assembly also includes at least one steel coil spring around the block. The spring has one terminal end coupled to the tilt control mechanism and the other end coupled to one of the end caps. The end caps rotate within the block as the chair backrest is reclined or returned. The forced needed to rotate the end caps is a sum of the spring force provided by the spring and the frictional relationship between the block and the end caps.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2003Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: L & P Property Management CompanyInventors: LeRoy Johnson, Kevin McMains
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Patent number: 6422648Abstract: A tandem motorcycle saddle and backrest has a backrest mounting unit embedded in the cushioning material in the front section of said passenger seat portion. The unit has a housing with a slot in the top wall, and a pivotable member pivotably mounted in the housing for movement in a path along the slot. A spring means biases the pivotable member about the pivot in a rearward direction to an upright position as oriented on the motorcycle, and a stop element limits movement in the rearward direction. The fabric covering and cushioning material have openings therein aligned with the housing slot. The backrest has an elongated rigid support arm having its lower portion extending through the opening in the slot, and removably seated in the pivotable member. The backrest is pivotable in a forward direction against the biasing pressure of the spring.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2001Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Corbin Pacific, Inc.Inventor: Michael W. Hanagan
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Patent number: 5601335Abstract: A seating assembly, such as for use in auditorium seating, includes a pair of spaced frame assemblies and a seat and back, each of which is mounted between the frame assemblies. The seat assembly is mounted to the frame assemblies by means of an internal pivoting arrangement providing movement of the seat between an occupied position and an unoccupied, storage position in which the seat is substantially vertical. A biasing arrangement, such as a counterweight, moves the seat toward its storage position. The back is mounted between the frame assemblies by a pivoting back mounting arrangement, providing articulating movement of the back according to the position of the sitter's back. A biasing arrangement, such as a torsion spring, is associated with the back mounting arrangement for moving the back toward a storage position when the seat is unoccupied.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1994Date of Patent: February 11, 1997Assignee: Krueger International, Inc.Inventors: David C. Woods, Richard A. Koprowski
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Patent number: 5393120Abstract: A seating assembly, such as for use in auditorium seating, includes a pair of spaced frame assemblies and a seat and back, each of which is mounted between the frame assemblies. The seat assembly is mounted to the frame assemblies by means of an internal pivoting arrangement providing movement of the seat between an occupied position and an unoccupied, storage position in which the seat is substantially vertical. A biasing arrangement, such as a counterweight, moves the seat toward its storage position. The back is mounted between the frame assemblies by a pivoting back mounting arrangement, providing articulating movement of the back according to the position of the sitter's back. A biasing arrangement, such as a torsion spring, is associated with the back mounting arrangement for moving the back toward a storage position when the seat is unoccupied.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1992Date of Patent: February 28, 1995Assignee: Krueger International, Inc.Inventors: David C. Woods, Richard A. Koprowski
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Patent number: 5308143Abstract: A safety rocker or an infant seat includes a foot piece, a support bracket, two clips, two sets of pads, an upper frame, a lower frame, an inner fastener, a torsion coil spring, an outer fastener, a bolt, a swivel head, and a seat cover. The two clips are mounted on the foot piece near the bend point in order to attach the support bracket to the foot piece. The support bracket can be detached from these two clips to fold up the rocker when it is not in use. A swinging mechanism is constructed by using the bolt to penetrate the lower frame, the inner fastener, the torsion coil spring, the outer fastener, and the support bracket. Then, the swivel head is engaged with the bolt such that the lower and upper frames can limitedly rotate about the bolt with respect to the support bracket. The swivel head can be locked by engaging the inner and outer fasteners together if the rotation of the lower and upper frames with respect to the support bracket is not intended.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1992Date of Patent: May 3, 1994Assignee: Joanna A. NicholsInventors: Kenny Cheng, Scott Lin
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Patent number: 5205610Abstract: A compact folding seat, that can also be used as a satchel for carrying picnic or beach items, includes a folding frame having two interconnected wire frame members. Torsion springs are provided for spreading the wire frame members apart from a carrying position to a seating position. The folding frame is surrounded by a fabric that forms a back portion, a seat portion, and at least one triangular-shaped seat side. The folding seat is maintained in the carrying position by securing a pair of adjustable straps to a pair of releasable securing retainers. A pair of handles can be provided for carrying the folding seat.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1991Date of Patent: April 27, 1993Inventor: Donald J. Reninger
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Patent number: 4732424Abstract: A swivel-chair (10) has a frame (15) on which a seat (24) is movably mounted. A back (22) is connected with the seat (24), and this back (22) may be turned around a connecting point (19) at the frame (15). At this connecting point (19) a rotary spring (40) is provided, which tends to turn the back (22) into its working position, and the seat (24) is supported and guided at a seat-guide (31) at its forward area, that is where the thighs of the user are resting. This seat-guide (31) is preferably made such, that it will keep the inclination of the seat (24) on movement thereof, thus the so-called seat-slope, at an ergonomically advantageous value. A movement into the rest position goes against the rotary spring (40) and if required also the seat-guide (31) Optionally a blocking-device (45) for the seat (24) may also be provided in order to be able to block the seat (24) in any desired position in accordance with the wishes of the user.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1987Date of Patent: March 22, 1988Inventor: Angela Uredat-Neuhoff
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Patent number: 4641885Abstract: The work chair is provided with a one-piece chair shell (8), in the rear region of which an integrally incorporated hinge portion (11) is formed between the lumbar region and buttocks portion (12) and the backrest portion (11). The seat shell (13) contains a base bearer (14) which forms part of an adjusting mechanism and on which the chair shell (8) is suspended for longitudinal movement by means of spring-loaded pivoting members (27, 32). The base bearer (14) and the backrest portion (10) are connected together with the aid of a control member (36) fastened by guide means (37, 38), in such a manner that a variation of the inclination of the backrest portion (10) caused by an adjusting force brings about a simultaneous variation of the inclination of the seat shell (13) in the same direction. Through the elimination of the adjusting force, the backrest portion is returned to its normal position or position of rest.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1984Date of Patent: February 10, 1987Assignee: Protoned B.V.Inventor: Egon Brauning
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Patent number: 4451085Abstract: A reclining article of furniture for sitting, especially an office chair, with the article including a seat portion and a back portion articulated thereto. The seat portion and back portion are respectively connected to an underframe. The seat portion is supported in a forward zone and the back portion is supported by a supporting lever articulated to the underframe and articulated to the back portion at hip level of a user. To obtain a support which is also effective in the zone of the lumbodorsal vertebrae and to provide a close contact of the supporting surfaces with the users body. The contact is uniform in the rest position approximately from a back of the knees up to the shoulder blades. The seat and back merge through an arcuate intermediate section which is flexible so that the arc becomes wider. A connecting line extending between two points of articulation of the supporting lever in a basic position of the chair is inclined at an angle of between 0.degree. and 25.degree. and, preferably, between 15.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1981Date of Patent: May 29, 1984Assignee: Wilkhahn & Hahne GmbH & CompanyInventors: Klaus Franck, Werner Sauer
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Patent number: 4333683Abstract: A chair comprises a unitary seat and lower back and a separate upper back mounted on the lower back to tilt backward from a yieldably restrained, relatively upright position by at least one resilient articulating linkage. The chair may also have a second seat component nested in and slidable forward and backward on the seat portion of the unitary seat and lower back.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 1979Date of Patent: June 8, 1982Assignee: Center for Design Research and Development N.V.Inventor: Emilio Ambasz