Bar Or Rod Rigidly Secured To Bottom Patents (Class 297/297)
  • Patent number: 11827128
    Abstract: A tilt adjusting mechanism for adjusting a tilting angle of a tilting component includes a supporting component and a locking component. The supporting component is disposed under the tilting component in a height-adjustable manner. At least two engaging holes are formed on the supporting component along a height adjustment direction. An end of the locking component rotatably engages in the tilting component, and another end of the locking component is configured to engage in one of the at least two engaging holes. A supporting height of the supporting component relative to the tilting component can be adjusted when the locking component disengages from the one of the at least two engaging holes, so as to adjust the tilting angle of the tilting component. The tilt adjusting mechanism has advantages of simple structure, low production cost and convenient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Colin F. Eggert-Crowe, Kyle S Mason
  • Patent number: 11589678
    Abstract: A chair includes a base and a back coupled to the base. The back includes a pair of back supports extending from the base and a back panel coupled to the pair of back supports. Each back support is configured to exhibit a first bending stiffness when bent to a first stop point, and exhibit a second bending stiffness when bent beyond the first stop point, the second bending stiffness being greater than the first bending stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: HNI TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Jay R. Machael, Douglas A. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 9301617
    Abstract: A one-piece office chair made of plastic with an adjusting apparatus comprises a middle axle seat, a seat frame, a back frame, and two armrests which are formed in one-piece to complete the entire chair frame. Furthermore, an adjusting apparatus is applied to provide supports and elasticity for the chair frame, enabling the back frame to adjust the angle in accordance with users' movements, featuring the present invention as an ergonomic design of comfortable seating with easy assembly and light weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Yung-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 9167902
    Abstract: A one-piece office chair in three dimensions made of composite plastic materials with an adjusting apparatus comprises a middle axle seat, a seat frame, a back frame, and two armrests, all of which are formed in one-piece to complete the entire chair frame. Also, an adjusting apparatus is applied to provide supports and elasticity for the chair frame, enabling the back frame to adjust the angle in accordance with users' movements. With the dynamic design and the resilience of the materials, the present invention further allows sideway movements in three-dimensional angles by having the back frame and the seat frame adjusting the angle from a middle axle seat thereof; meanwhile, the back frame thereof also allows lying back movement, featuring the present invention a comfortable seating in every angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Inventor: Yung-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 9004596
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stackable chair containing a flexible back support frame mechanism that includes an improved spring system designed to allow reclining movement of a back support frame relative to a seat assembly. The back support frame and seat assembly are connected using right and left spring members disposed in a substantial surface-to-surface contact relationship with the seat assembly and back support frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Daniel Paul Chairs, LLC
    Inventors: Peter W. Barile, Jr., Michael E. Saylor
  • Patent number: 8926016
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a backrest member having an upper edge, opposite side edges and a lower edge. The backrest member has a forwardly facing convex shape formed along a vertical centerline thereof between the upper and lower edges. The lower edge has a forwardly facing concave shape. The lower edge has outer portions positioned forwardly of an entirety of the upper edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Yves Behar, Bret Recor, Naoya Edahiro, Qin Li, Andrew J. Kurrasch, Christoher C. Hill, John Matthai, Brock Walker
  • Publication number: 20140183915
    Abstract: A chair system according to embodiments of the present invention includes a base comprising a seat for a user and one or more support legs, a back, and a flexible back support element rigidly coupled to the back and to the base, the flexible back support element comprising a flex zone, the flex zone comprising one or more notches, wherein the back is reclinable from an upright position to a reclined position, wherein the one or more notches are configured to narrow as the back reclines from the upright position to the reclined position, and wherein the one or more notches are open in the upright position and closed in the reclined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: HNI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wolfgang DEISIG, Nils KOEHN, Corey J. SUSIE, John R. KOCH, Philip D. MININO
  • Patent number: 8567864
    Abstract: A chair system according to embodiments of the present invention includes a base comprising a seat for a user and one or more support legs, a back, and a flexible back support element rigidly coupled to the back and to the base, the flexible back support element comprising a flex zone, the flex zone comprising one or more notches, wherein the back is reclinable from an upright position to a reclined position, wherein the one or more notches are configured to narrow as the back reclines from the upright position to the reclined position, and wherein the one or more notches are open in the upright position and closed in the reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: HNI Corporation
    Inventors: Wolfgang Deisig, Nils Koehn, Corey J. Susie, John R. Koch, Phillip D. Minino
  • Patent number: 8449037
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a backrest member having an upper edge, opposite side edges and a lower edge. The backrest member has a forwardly facing convex shape formed along a vertical centerline thereof between the upper and lower edges. The lower edge has a forwardly facing concave shape. The lower edge has outer portions positioned forwardly of an entirety of the upper edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Yves Behar, Bret Recor, Naoya Edahiro, Qin Li, Andrew J. Kurrasch, Christopher C. Hill, John Matthai, Brock Walker
  • Patent number: 8272692
    Abstract: A chair that includes a support module, a seat carrier, an initially forwardly declined seat member articulated to the seat carrier such as by being pivotal along a front, and an initially rearwardly angled backrest carrier having a backrest member, the carrier articulated to the seat carrier such as by being pivotal along a lower end. The angular positions of the seat and backrest member are largely controlled via an actuator arm and adjustable spring arrangement, wherein the actuator arm directly links the seat member to the backrest carrier and the spring arrangement returns the backrest carrier and seat member to initial positions when a weighted load is lessened or removed from the rear of the seat member. A pneumatic cylinder to provide resistance to the seat member, a limiter to limit a maximum and minimum angular position of the seat member, adjustable arm rests, and casters may be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Ronald B. Epperson
  • Publication number: 20110278889
    Abstract: A chair includes a base, a backrest and a back brace supporting the backrest from the base. The base may include a seat assembly made up of a pan and a flexible support membrane over an upward opening cavity defined by the pan. The back brace may provide a flexible support for the generally planar member formed as a serpentine shape defined by a first curved portion opening toward said base and a second curved portion opening away from said base. The backrest may have an outer frame made from an extruded member having a generally tubular member and a fin coextruded with said generally tubular member to provide a fastening substrate for panels. The base may further include a leg assembly made up of a plurality of leg members and a joiner member joining horizontal portions of the leg members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Grand Rapids Chair Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Sienkowski, Geoff J. Miller, Christopher R. Pabst, Daniel J. Gramza
  • Patent number: 7896439
    Abstract: A chair has a seat 1 and a backrest 2 and the backrest 2 is allowed to be tilted backward by elastic deformation of right and left back frame devices 4. The right and left back frame devices 4 each are composed of two unit frames 43 and 44. The back frame device 4 has a main portion 4a which are disposed outside the right and left sides of the seat 1, upper inward portions 43a and 44a which are connected to an upper rear end of the main portion 4a, lower inward portions 43b and 44b which go under the seat 1 from a lower end portion of the main portion 4a, and forward end portions 43c and 44c which are integrally connected to the lower inward portions 43b and 44b. The forward end portions 43c and 44c are fixed to the base 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Itoki Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Kan, Eric Chan
  • Patent number: 7875226
    Abstract: A method of making an armrest that is mountable between adjacent left and right passenger seats includes: separately forming two receptacle parts by molding a prepreg in a first mold assembly, the receptacle parts being adapted to hold personal objects and each having a looped wall surrounding a slot; forming an armrest frame by molding a prepreg in a second mold assembly, the armrest frame including a lower frame portion having a plurality of downwardly extending legs, and an upper frame portion disposed on top of and bridging the legs; and positioning the receptacle parts within the second mold assembly and combining the receptacle parts with the upper frame portion during the forming of the armrest frame in the second mold assembly, thereby providing a one-piece unitary structure having the receptacle parts and the armrest frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced International Multitech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ping-Hui Ma, Yu-Lung Chen, Ching-Kun Lee
  • Patent number: 7862120
    Abstract: The invention achieves a chair in which a shape of a backrest surface can be three-dimensionally changed while following a motion such as a sitting person looks around while sitting or the like. In a chair provided with a backrest in which an upper portion of a backrest surface is supported by a plurality of frame elements arranged so as to be spaced with each other in a width direction, the respective frame elements are independently movable backward and forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Kokuyo Furniture Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Ueda
  • Patent number: 7837267
    Abstract: A juvenile vehicle seat includes a seat base adapted to set on a vehicle seat and a foldable backrest associated with the seat base. The juvenile vehicle seat also includes a backrest lock coupled to the foldable backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc,
    Inventors: Paul T. Zink, Andrew B. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 7802847
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventor: Kuo-Ching Chou
  • Patent number: 7686395
    Abstract: A chair comprising a supporting structure having a seat and a backrest, in which the backrest comprises a deformable resting portion made of plastic material which has a non-planar resting surface provided with at least one weakened area which enables an elastic deformation of the resting portion so that the resting portion assumes a configuration bent backwards under the action of a thrust applied backwards by the user, two uprights formed integrally on the lateral sides of the resting portion, and two side connection elements, which connect the backrest to the supporting structure, formed integrally at the bottom ends of the uprights. The backrest is provided with elastic stiffening elements made of a material different from the material constituting the resting portion and arranged only in an area corresponding to the uprights so as to bestow upon said uprights a rigidity to bending higher than that of the resting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Pro-Cord Spa
    Inventor: Giancarlo Piretti
  • Patent number: 7681952
    Abstract: A chair having a base adapted to support the chair on a support surface, and a seat and backrest mounted on the base that includes a flexible backrest and a relatively simple tilt mechanism for tilting the backrest relative to the seat. The tilt mechanism includes a pair of dual cantilevered U-shaped springs mounted on opposite sides of the base and in communication with the backrest. The backrest is mounted to the tilt mechanism such that a rearward thrust applied by the user deflects an outer end of each U-shaped spring downwardly to enable rearward tilting of the backrest relative to the seat. Upon removal of the rearward thrust, the backrest elastically returns to its initial position under the biasing force of the U-shaped springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Pro-Cord S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giancarlo Piretti
  • Publication number: 20090236890
    Abstract: A chair has a seat 1 and a backrest 2 and the backrest 2 is allowed to be tilted backward by elastic deformation of right and left back frame devices 4. The right and left back frame devices 4 each are composed of two unit frames 43 and 44. The back frame device 4 has a main portion 4a which are disposed outside the right and left sides of the seat 1, upper inward portions 43a and 44a which are connected to an upper rear end of the main portion 4a, lower inward portions 43b and 44b which go under the seat 1 from a lower end portion of the main portion 4a, and forward end portions 43c and 44c which are integrally connected to the lower inward portions 43b and 44b. The forward end portions 43c and 44c are fixed to the base 7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: ITOKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Kan, Eric Chan
  • Patent number: 7416252
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Green Continental Furniture (M) SDN BHD
    Inventor: Lean Sen Lor
  • Patent number: 7226127
    Abstract: A “task” chair intended primarily for a person working at a computer terminal has a back provided with a pair of upright struts that incorporate respective parallelogram linkages operative to increase the curvature of the lumbar region of the seat back while at least substantially maintaining the contour of the upper region of the backrest when a person leans back in the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: TK Canada Limited
    Inventors: Vladimir Yevko, Eugene Eliseev, Wolfgang Deisig
  • Patent number: 7207628
    Abstract: An infant car seat with an adjustable base platform provides a variable angle of tilt for the seat. The base platform has a visual indicator showing the degree of tilt that has been selected. This visual indicator can include a clear plastic window in the base platform, through which a number or other symbol indicating the degree of tilt can be seen. The user can adjust the degree of tilt by depressing a button to disengage a locking mechanism, allowing the user to vary the degree of tilt until the desired degree of tilt is indicated on the visual indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Evenflo Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter F. Eros
  • Patent number: 7118177
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: PRO-Cord SPA
    Inventor: Giancarlo Piretti
  • Patent number: 7118176
    Abstract: A bucket seat includes a support surface (14), curved shaped members (1) for supporting the support surface (14), receiving members (2) for receiving respective shaped members (1) and extending in a same direction as the shaped members (1), and an arrangement for rotating the shaped members (1) and the receiving members (2) in opposite direction for changing an inclination of the support surface (14), with an alignment of respective shaped members (1) and the receiving members (2) being maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignees: Grammer AG
    Inventor: Christian Erker
  • Patent number: 7021712
    Abstract: A chair with a flexible resilient back support structure includes a hollow tubular seat frame, a hollow tubular backrest frame pivotally connected to the seat frame, and a limit stop affixed to the backrest frame or the seat frame adjacent to the pivot points. The limit stop is configured to limit a degree of rotation of the backrest frame between an upright position and a maximum backwardly rotated position. An elongate spring element extends from within the backrest frame into the seat frame, and is configured to bias the backrest frame in the upright position, and to resiliently resist backward rotation. In various embodiments, a cam surface is associated with the spring element, providing an effective fulcrum point which moves rearwardly as the backrest frame reclines, thereby increasing the effective flexural resistance of the spring element during reclining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Mity-Lite, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Spendlove, Louis N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 6896327
    Abstract: A stackable chair includes a seat assembly and flexible back support having a seat spring system attached therebetween. The seat assembly includes seat sides having spaced apart rear portions. The back support includes lower ends curved forwardly and disposed in registry with and separated by right and left gaps from respective seat side rear portions. Right and left spring members are disposed inwardly adjacent to bridge each gap. Each spring member includes forward ends connected to respective right and left front support members extended inbound from respective seat sides, and includes rear ends connected to opposed ends of a frame rear cross-member. The spring members allow limited reclining movement of the back frame. A limit to excessive forward movement of the back support is provided by pairs of fixation plates positioned in aligned and abutting relationship on upper surfaces of each respective forward and rear ends of each spring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Daniel Paul Chairs, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Barile, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6896328
    Abstract: The stylish task chair includes a base with casters, a mounting plate, a seat frame, a back frame, a pair of springs and a seat and backrest. The frames are formed of steel wire of seven-sixteenth inch diameter. The chair is formed by welding the springs to the seat frame and the mounting plate and by welding the back frame to the mounting plate, the back frame being contiguous with the springs. A seat panel is fastened to the seat frame and a backrest panel is mounted to the back frame. Two horizontally disposed steel wires are welded to the back frame and support armrests. The spring allows the rearward portion of the seat to pivot and the cantilevered back frame allows the backrest to flex, these pivoting and flexing movements being independent of each other. The steel wire offers comfort and an airy open look. Seat and backrest cushions may be connected to the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: HON Technology Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Goodworth
  • Patent number: 6779846
    Abstract: A chair with a flexible resilient back support structure includes a hollow tubular seat frame, a hollow tubular backrest frame pivotally connected to the seat frame, and a limit stop affixed to the backrest frame or the seat frame adjacent to the pivot points. The limit stop is configured to limit a degree of rotation of the backrest frame between an upright position and a maximum backwardly rotated position. An elongate spring element extends from within the backrest frame into the seat frame, and is configured to bias the backrest frame in the upright position, and to resiliently resist backward rotation. In various embodiments, a cam surface is associated with the spring element, providing an effective fulcrum point which moves rearwardly as the backrest frame reclines, thereby increasing the effective flexural resistance of the spring element during reclining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Mity-Lite, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Spendlove, Louis N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 6739663
    Abstract: A back mounting arrangement for a chair in which a back member is pivotable relative to a seat member. The back mounting arrangement includes a flexible bar-type pivot member interposed between the seat member and the back member. The pivot member includes an upper section received within a passage associated with the back member, and a lower section received within a passage associated with the seat member. The pivot member is formed of a resilient material and is flexible so as to enable the back member to be pivoted rearwardly relative to the seat member, and to provide a forward bias to the back member for resisting rearward pressure applied to the back member. A limit member, in the form of a limit strap, is engaged with the pivot member for limiting rearward pivoting movement of the back member relative to the seat member. The limit strap includes an opening which receives a protrusion associated with the pivot member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Krueger International, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Gevaert
  • Patent number: 6502900
    Abstract: Storage apparatus are provided that attach to vehicle seat backrests and that have a compartment for storing items therein. Each storage apparatus includes opposite upper and lower walls, opposite side walls, and a rear wall that collectively define a compartment. A door is pivotally mounted to the storage apparatus and is movable between a closed position for covering an opening and an open position for allowing access to the storage apparatus via the opening. Each storage apparatus can be removably secured to the elongated support members in multiple vertically spaced-apart positions. Two or more storage apparatus may be removably secured to a vehicle seat backrest in adjacent, vertically spaced-apart relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.
    Inventor: Kent E. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6364412
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hanging chair that is capable of accommodating more than one individual. Also provided is a hanging chair that includes a suspension structure that distributes the increased load that is associated with having more than one person in the chair over a length of the overhead support. By distributing the load, the possibility of the overhead support or the suspension structure failing is, inmost situations, reduced. The present invention further provides a hanging chair that is capable of rotating about a vertical axis without causing binding or twisting of the suspension structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: David H. Crawford
  • Patent number: 6296309
    Abstract: A chair has a seat and reclinable back with a pair of armrests pivotably attached to the back. The back includes an outer shell and a mating inner shell. A bolt attaches each armrest to the outer shell and the inner shell is provided with sleeves for receiving the bolts and thereby securing the inner shell to the outer shell. By this arrangement, a single bolt provides for both the pivotable attachment of an armrest as well as for attaching the two mating shells together without any exposed hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: HON Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Eric J. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 6186592
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a cushion, a seat-heating arrangement integrated in the cushion, a ventilation device for the through-ventilation of the cushion over its surface area, and a control unit for controlling the seat-heating arrangement and ventilation device. For the purpose of shortening the response time of the seat-heating arrangement when the latter is switched on, the control unit activates the ventilation device as the seat-heating arrangement is switched on in each case, the control operation, in the control unit, which causes the seat-heating arrangement to be switched on preferably being such that the seat-heating arrangement and ventilation device are switched on at full power and the power of the ventilation device is reduced asymptotically to a predetermined end value within a predetermined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Vasillios Orizaris, Karl Pfahler
  • Patent number: 5988746
    Abstract: A split back chair having a generally L-shaped seat member formed of a horizontal section and a vertical section, and separate independently movable right and left back portions. A first flat spring extends between and hingedly connects the back portions to one another and allows the back portions to pivot toward and away from another. A spring assembly connects each of the back portions to the seat member at right and left sides of the chair. Each spring assembly includes a cover plate and a second flat spring, both of which extend between the vertical section of the seat member and one of the back portions. A pair of removable arm rests are attached on the sides of the seat member. The cover plate houses the second flat spring and an end of the arm rests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Raferty Design, Inc.
    Inventor: William B. Raftery
  • Patent number: 5904397
    Abstract: A seating unit having two adjacent and mutually pivotal support elements 3, 4) pivotal between an initial position and a maximum flexed position. A spring element (12) is secured between the support elements (3, 4) and biases the support elements (3, 4) into the initial position. The spring element (12) comprises a base member (13) arranged in an area between the support elements (3, 4). At least one engagement element extends from the base member (13) into cavity (14, 15) in one of the support elements (3, 4) such that the support elements (3, 4) may pivot relative to each other. The engagement element is provided with a rigid stop (17, 17') projecting from the base member (13) to define the maximum flexed position of the support elements. The engagement element is further provided with a leaf spring (18, 18'; 68) to restore the support elements (3, 4) to their initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Hag A/S
    Inventor: Olav H. Fismen
  • Patent number: 5902012
    Abstract: A chair, with an elastic movable means capable of allowing the back of the chair to be leaned back at an angle of inclination, is disclosed. The chair has one or more leg frames. A seat frame is mounted to the top portion of the leg frames and holds a seat. A back frame is connected to the seat frame and holds a back. The elastic movable means is provided at the junction between the seat and back frames and allows the back frame to be elastically leaned back relative to the seat frame. The elastic movable means has two leaning angle limit units at both ends and one torsion bar extending between the two limit units. Each of the two limit units is fitted into the seat and back frames at opposite ends and limits the leaning angle of the back frame. The torsion bar elastically returns the back frame from a leaned position to the original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Moogil Han
  • Patent number: 5887946
    Abstract: A split back chair having a generally L-shaped seat member formed of a horizontal section and a vertical section, and separate independently movable right and left back portions. A first flat spring extends between and hingedly connects the back portions to one another and allows the back portions to pivot toward and away from another. A spring assembly connects each of the back portions to the seat member at right and left sides of the chair. Each spring assembly includes a cover plate and a second flat spring, both of which extend between the vertical section of the seat member and one of the back portions. A pair of removable arm rests are attached on the sides of the seat member. The cover plate houses the second flat spring and an end of the arm rests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Raftery Design, Inc.
    Inventor: William B. Raftery
  • Patent number: 5586808
    Abstract: A chair has two lateral frame parts, each one in the form of a single, continuous member of an elastically yielding material. Transverse rods are connected between the lateral frame parts. A seat is connected to at least one of the transverse rods and a back rest is connected to at least one of the transverse rods. The single member of the lateral frame parts is preferably made of spring steel. Connecting elements that are slipped onto the lateral frame parts are used for connecting the transverse rods to the lateral frame parts. The connecting parts can be balls having throughbores for receiving the lateral frame parts and threaded holes, extending substantially perpendicularly to the throughbores, for receiving the transverse rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Frank Oelke
  • Patent number: 5516196
    Abstract: A chair is provided with a frame defining a curved arm support, a seat supported in the frame, and a back. An arm member is movably mounted on the arm support and operatively connected to the back so that movement of the back between upright and reclined positions is controlled by the arm member and arm support. A resilient spring is operatively connected to the back to bias the back towards an upright position. In one embodiment, the resilient spring encompasses the curved arm support and provides support for a seated user's arm. In another embodiment, an arm cap covers the resilient spring. Optionally, the arm cap slideably rides on roller bearings over the curved arm support. In another embodiment, the curved arm support and arm member are telescopingly arranged, and the resilient spring is operably placed therein. Another embodiment includes first and second springs, the second springs being disengageable to produce discrete selectable levels of bias force for biasing the back toward the upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl V. Forslund, III, Frederick S. Faiks, Thomas G. Feldpausch
  • Patent number: 5308142
    Abstract: A chair is provided with a frame defining a curved arm support, a seat supported in the frame, and a back. An arm member is movably mounted on the arm support and operatively connected to the back so that movement of the back between upright and reclined positions is controlled by the arm member and arm support. A resilient spring is operatively connected to the back to bias the back towards an upright position. In one embodiment, the resilient spring encompasses the curved arm support and provides support for a seated user's arm. In another embodiment, an arm cap covers the resilient spring. Optionally, the arm cap slideably rides on roller bearings over the curved arm support. In another embodiment, the curved arm support and arm member are telescopingly arranged, and the resilient spring is operably placed therein. Another embodiment includes first and second springs, the second springs being disengageable to produce discrete selectable levels of bias force for biasing the back toward the upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Steelcase, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl V. Forslund, III, Frederick S. Faiks, Thomas G. Feldpausch
  • Patent number: 5108149
    Abstract: Adjustable seating comprises a frame having a seat-supporting portion and a back-supporting portion, a seat bottom mounted on the seat-supporting portion for movement between rearward and forward positions and a seat back mounted on the back-supporting portion by at least one resilient articulating linkage for tilting movement independently of the position of the seat bottom. The seat back is connected to the seat bottom by a flexible but non-extensible coupling member and is slidable up and down on an upper linkage member of the articulating mechanism so that when the seat bottom moves forwardly or backwardly, the seat back moves downwardly or upwardly, respectively, in correspondence with the movements of the seat bottom. A configuration control spring biases the seat back/bottom to an upward/rearward configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Center for Design Research and Development N.V
    Inventor: Emilio Ambasz
  • Patent number: 5039163
    Abstract: A chair including a seat assembly having depending leg members and a hollow support frame having at least two open ends terminating beneath the seat assembly and a pair of upstanding, spaced apart hollow frame members arranged to provide a backrest frame part for the chair having at least two open ends extending beneath the seat assembly and in registry with the ends of the support frame, and flexible spring members secured between each pair of members to provide an articulated, flexible spring backrest for the chair beneath the seat assembly. Each flexible spring member includes an elongated, flat or blade spring member having its opposite ends secured within a holder member which is closed at one end and open at its opposite end for inserting the spring into the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Shelby Williams Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Tolleson
  • Patent number: 4913496
    Abstract: A chair comprises a ground supported frame having an upper planar surface. A recess portion is formed in the frame interrupting the upper surface. An L-shaped bracket has a first portion extending parallel to the surface and positioned within the recessed portion and a second portion extending upwardly therefrom generally transverse thereto. The first portion is secured within the recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: George V. Oke
  • Patent number: 4880272
    Abstract: A seat (2) is mounted pivotably about a first axle (A1) on the stand (1) of the chair. The seat frame (8) is connected to a second axle (A2) which is fastened to the backrest (3) behind the backrest (3) at a horizontal distance from the latter and at a vertical distance from the first axle (A1).The backrest (3) produced from an elastically resilient material, when deflected out of its vertical position, causes the second axle (A2) to move over an arc of a circle of radius A.sub.1 -A.sub.2 ; the rear seat portion adjacent to the backrest (3) is also lowered correspondingly thereby. The backrest (3) extending over the entire height of the chair forms with its lower portion an integral component of the chair stand (1).In comparison with the known complicated and heavy backrest/seat adjustment mechanisms, a cost-effective and lightweight construction, but one which fully satisfies modern ergonomic requirements as regards sitting comfort, is proposed here.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Protoned B.V.
    Inventor: Egon Brauning
  • Patent number: 4361357
    Abstract: An upholstered chair is disclosed in which a first bent rod forms a frame for supporting the back and seat sections and in which a second rod is bent into a spider that supports the first rod. The first rod has a back section with a greater degree of flexibility than its seat section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Inventor: Charles R. Pollock
  • Patent number: 4054317
    Abstract: A basic chair frame is disclosed consisting of a minimum number of interchangeable components including a seat/back frame member, a spindle attachment plate a seat shell and an anti-racking attachment for arm members. Because the several parts are reduced in design and construction to basic essentials by means of interchange of components the frame can be modified to adapt the chair to a variety of disparate uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1977
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Stumpf