Back And Seat Adjust Simultaneously Patents (Class 297/300.1)
  • Patent number: 11607055
    Abstract: An electrically controlled chassis includes: a chassis body; an electrical control box, internally provided with an accommodation space; a drive motor, configured to control lift adjustment of the chassis of the chair and pitch adjustment of a backrest of the chair; a winding mechanism, connected to an output shaft of the drive motor; a first pull cord, reversely wound on the winding mechanism; a second pull cord, normally wound on the winding mechanism; a backrest adjustment mechanism, disposed on the chassis body, and fixedly connected to the other end of the first pull cord; and a chassis lift mechanism, disposed on the chassis body, and fixedly connected to the other end of the second pull cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: COMFORT OFFICE FURNITURE CO., LTD GUANGDONG
    Inventors: Guoqiang Hu, Min Zhang
  • Patent number: 11134780
    Abstract: A chair, such as a conference or office chair, includes a seat support; a backrest support; a storage member formed as a force storage element; and a transmission coupling the seat support with the backrest support which allows a pivoting of the backrest support and the seat support between an upright position and a backwardly pivoted position according to a predetermined sequence of movements. The force storage element is coupled with the seat support and the backrest support such that the predetermined sequence of movements is facilitated and the storage member provides a force restoring in the upright position and wherein the flexibly elastic storage member forms in conjunction at least with a first articulated rotation point of the transmission a kinematic chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: SEDUS STOLL AG
    Inventors: Klaus Maier, Judith Daur, Carlo Shayeb, Falk Bluemler, Philipp Mueller
  • Patent number: 11109683
    Abstract: A body support assembly includes a seat assembly and backrest assembly supported by tilt control assembly. Methods of using and assembling the body support assembly are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gordon J. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10820703
    Abstract: A chair, such as a conference or office chair, includes a seat support; a backrest support; a storage member formed as a force storage element; and a transmission coupling the seat support with the backrest support which allows a pivoting of the backrest support and the seat support between an upright position and a backwardly pivoted position according to a predetermined sequence of movements. The force storage element is coupled with the seat support and the backrest support such that the predetermined sequence of movements is facilitated and the storage member provides a force restoring in the upright position and wherein the flexibly elastic storage member forms in conjunction at least with a first articulated rotation point of the transmission a kinematic chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: SEDUS STOLL AG
    Inventors: Klaus Maier, Judith Daur, Carlo Shayeb, Falk Bluemler, Philipp Mueller
  • Patent number: 10653249
    Abstract: A chair including a subframe, a seat element, a back element, a spring mechanism and an adjustment device. The spring mechanism includes a leaf spring, which is clamped on one side in the subframe, and a support, which is movable on a track between the leaf spring and the subframe. The adjustment device includes an adjustment member and a transmission mechanism. A movement of the adjustment member is translated into a movement of the support at a transmission ratio of between 1:0.5 and 1:4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Inventors: Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Zwick, Roland Zwick
  • Patent number: 10376064
    Abstract: An adjustable lifting structure for a chair back contains: a first adjustment unit and a second adjustment unit. The first adjustment unit mates with the second adjustment unit via a transmission cable, and the first adjustment unit includes a longitudinally hollow chamber for slidably accommodating a guide plate connected on a seat. The first adjustment unit includes a body and two covering assemblies. A drive block includes a locking space, a slit, two deformable chambers, a trough, and two projections. The guide plate includes a conducting element and a rail having multiple teeth and multiple cutouts. The second adjustment unit includes an adjuster, an operation cavity, a first aperture, a connecting room, and two stop segments. A transmission cable includes a first transmitting segment and a second transmitting segment, wherein the first transmitting segment has a first defining portion, and the second transmitting segment has a second defining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventors: Yen-Chuan Lai, Yen-Ji Lai
  • Patent number: 10376065
    Abstract: An adjustable lifting structure for a chair back contains: a first adjustment unit and a second adjustment unit. The first adjustment unit mates with the second adjustment unit via a transmission cable, and the first adjustment unit includes a longitudinally hollow chamber for slidably accommodating a guide plate connected on a seat. The first adjustment unit includes a body and two covering assemblies. A drive block includes a locking space, a slit, two deformable chambers, a trough, and two projections. The guide plate includes a conducting element and a rail having multiple teeth and multiple cutouts. The second adjustment unit includes an adjuster, an operation cavity, a first aperture, a connecting room, and two stop segments. A transmission cable includes a first transmitting segment and a second transmitting segment, wherein the first transmitting segment has a first defining portion, and the second transmitting segment has a second defining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventors: Yen-Chuan Lai, Yen-Ji Lai
  • Patent number: 10349745
    Abstract: An electrical mechanical stretching device of a movable sofa includes a mechanical stretching device and an electrical device, wherein the mechanical stretching device includes a third leg rod and a third connecting rod. The electrical device consists of a motor sliding block connecting pipe, a motor, a motor leg fixing pipe, a motor guide rail and a motor sliding block. The motor is provided with the motor guide rail. The motor sliding block is mounted on the motor guide rail. A motor end is rotatably connected via a second rotating shaft to the motor leg fixing pipe which is fixed on the third leg rod. The motor sliding block is rotatably connected via a first rotating shaft to the motor sliding block connecting pipe which is fixed on the third connecting rod. A base of the mechanical stretching device is connected by two bottom connecting pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: REMACRO MACHINERY & TECHNOLOGY(WUJIANG) CO, LTD
    Inventors: Xiaowei Huang, Xiaohong Li, Haibo Wang, Guoli Zou, Linlin Wu
  • Patent number: 10206507
    Abstract: A chair control assembly includes a base structure having first and second pivot points spaced from one another, a seat support structure coupled to the first pivot point, a back support structure coupled to the second pivot point and adapted to move between first and second positions, wherein the base structure does not move as the back support structure moves between the first and second positions, and a control link pivotably coupled to the seat support structure for rotation about a third pivot point and pivotably coupled to the back support structure for rotation about a fourth pivot point, wherein the third pivot point is rearward of the fourth pivot point when the back support structure is in the upright position, and the third pivot point moves forward relative to the fourth pivot point as the back support structure moves from the upright to reclined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Todd T. Andres, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gordon Jay Peterson, Todd David Krupiczewicz
  • Patent number: 9918552
    Abstract: A control assembly for a chair includes a base structure having a first pivot point and a second pivot point spaced from the first pivot point, a seat support structure having a forward portion pivotably coupled to the base structure for rotation about the first pivot point, a back support structure having a forward portion pivotably coupled to the base structure for rotation about the second pivot point, wherein the back support structure is adapted to move between upright and reclined positions, and wherein the seat support structure reclines rearwardly as the back support structure moves from the upright to reclined positions, and a control link having a first end pivotably coupled to a rearward portion of the seat support structure for rotation about a third pivot point, and a second end pivotably coupled to a rearward portion of the back support structure for rotation about a fourth pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Todd T. Andres, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann
  • Patent number: 9462888
    Abstract: A control assembly for a chair includes a base structure having a first pivot point and a second pivot point spaced from the first pivot point, a seat support structure having a forward portion pivotably coupled to the base structure for rotation about the first pivot point, a back support structure having a forward portion pivotably coupled to the base structure for rotation about the second pivot point, wherein the back support structure is adapted to move between upright and reclined positions, and wherein the seat support structure reclines rearwardly as the back support structure moves from the upright to reclined positions, and a control link having a first end pivotably coupled to a rearward portion of the seat support structure for rotation about a third pivot point, and a second end pivotably coupled to a rearward portion of the back support structure for rotation about a fourth pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Todd T. Andres, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann
  • Patent number: 9215934
    Abstract: Provided is a corrective chair using a slider means that includes a supporting leg, a seat plate that is coupled to the supporting leg and on which a user seats, and a backrest whose lower part is coupled to an upper part of the supporting leg and that supports a back of the user when the user seats on the seat plate. The chair includes a slider that is interposed between the supporting leg and the seat plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Inventor: Jae Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 9027999
    Abstract: A control assembly for a chair including a base structure having a first pivot point and a second pivot point spaced from the first pivot point, a seat support structure pivotably coupled to the base structure for rotation about the first pivot point, a back support structure pivotably coupled to the base structure for rotation about the second pivot point, wherein the back support structure is adapted to rotate between a first and second positions, and a control link having a first end coupled to the seat support structure, and a second end coupled to the back support structure, wherein the control link rotates the seat support structure at a slower rate of rotation than a rate of rotation of the back support structure as the back support structure is rotated between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Todd T. Andres, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann
  • Patent number: 9027997
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 9027998
    Abstract: A chair assembly includes a base structure defining upper and lower portions, a seat support structure having forward and rearward portions, wherein the forward portion of the seat support structure is pivotably coupled to the upper portion, and wherein the seat support structure includes a seat support surface configured to support a seated user thereon, a back support structure having forward and rearward portions, wherein the forward portion of the back supported is pivotably coupled to the lower portion, and wherein the back support structure includes an upwardly extending portion adapted to move between an upright position and a reclined position, and a control link having a first end pivotably coupled to the rearward portion of the seat support structure, and a second end pivotably coupled to the rearward portion of the back support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 9022476
    Abstract: A control assembly for a chair includes a base structure having a first pivot point and a second pivot point spaced from the first pivot point, a seat support structure having a forward portion pivotably coupled to an upper portion of the base structure for rotation about the first pivot point, a back support structure having a forward portion pivotably coupled to a lower portion of the base structure for rotation about the second pivot point, wherein the back support structure is adapted to move between a first and second positions, and a control link having a first end pivotably coupled to a rearward portion of the seat support structure for rotation about a third pivot point, and a second end pivotably coupled to a rearward portion of the back support structure for rotation about a fourth pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Todd T. Andres, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann
  • Patent number: 9010859
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 8998322
    Abstract: Reaction force mechanism for backrest of a chair has clear large space under the seat and uses a longer reaction force spring than the prior art. The mechanism includes a base member supported on a leg, a back support member coupled by a rotation shaft to the base member to recline and support the backrest, a seat support member to which the seat is mounted, a weight-dependent reaction force mechanism for moving the seat support member in a lifting direction, and a reaction force spring for applying a spring force for returning the back support member to an original position, in which the reaction force spring is disposed in a lateral orientation between the back support member and the seat support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Takano Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Horiki, Kazuyuki Ito
  • Patent number: 8864230
    Abstract: A chair and method of use is for a chair disposed upon a surface that is designed for a female anatomy; the chair includes a seat having proximate and distal end portions forming a first convex surface with a chord plane intersecting, the having a length shorter than its width. The chair includes a back having first and second end portions that form a second convex surface, wherein, a second lateral measure on the second end is less than a first lateral measure on the first end. The seat plane and an extension axis that is perpendicular to the surface are relatively positioned to one another to form an acute angle to one another, such that a user's femur bone lengthwise angles downward from hip to knee toward the surface while the user's shoulders arch rearward thus aligning the user's hip joint and shoulder joint vertically for better posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Betty A. Augustat
  • Patent number: 8777312
    Abstract: The invention provides a seating apparatus having a reclining movement with a corresponding seat lift movement. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a seating apparatus comprising a base, a curved support bar pivotally connected to the base, a plurality of ramps attached to one of the curved support bar and the base, and a plurality of rollers attached to the other of the curved support bar and the base for interacting with the plurality of ramps. As a user reclines, the plurality of rollers operatively engage the plurality of ramps to lift the seat of the apparatus. The combination of the reclining movement with the corresponding seat lift movement is particularly beneficial for providing an increased level of user comfort throughout a range of seating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Humanscale Corporation
    Inventor: Niels Diffrient
  • Patent number: 8752896
    Abstract: Provided is a chair suited to the use of a keyboard or mouse, the chair has a seat 3 and a rocking backrest 4. The seat 3 comprises a first section 3a, 12a and a second section 3b, 12b. The first section 3a of the seat 3 is affixed to a seat-mounting shell 11 is attached to a base 9, via a seat-mounting fixture, so as to be slide forwards and backwards. The backrest 4 has a back cover 14, a back panel 15 and a cushion move downwards while rotating in a seesaw fashion during rocking. The front end of the back cover 14 is connected to the seat-mounting fixture 10 by means of a connecting pin 25. When the chair rocks, the seat 3 moves forwards as a whole while the second section 3b tilts backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Itoki Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takeuchi, Shinji Inoue, Minoru Hashimoto, Jun Tatsuno
  • Publication number: 20140103689
    Abstract: A chair action features a movable seat frame (11), a drive frame (12) for effecting seat frame movement, and an underpinning yoke frame (13), intervening pivot slides operative between frames, with guideway slots (14, 14, 16) and followers (19) variously in frames, to contrive a combined pivot swing and translational slide action, and free-floating seat frame mobility, whilst conforming to virtual pivot geometry; operable under a potential energy function in an inter-relationship between back recline and seat movement, for a common or harmonious experience between different occupancy weights
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Hilary Rolf Birkbeck
  • Publication number: 20140077552
    Abstract: A control assembly for a chair including a base structure including a first pivot point and a second pivot point spaced from the first pivot point, and a seat support structure directly pivotably coupled to the base structure for rotation about the first pivot point, a back support structure pivotably coupled to the base structure for rotation about the second pivot point, wherein the back support structure is adapted to move between a first and second position, a control link having a first end operably coupled to the seat support structure, and a second end operably coupled to the back support structure, and a biasing assembly exerting a biasing torque about the second pivot point that biases the back support structure from the second position toward the first position, wherein the biasing torque is adjustable between first and second magnitudes when the back support structure is in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: STEELCASE INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Todd T. Andres
  • Publication number: 20140077551
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 8668265
    Abstract: A chair has a supporting frame, a seat portion, a back portion, and a recline mechanism. The mechanism moves the seat portion upon a reclining action of the back portion. The mechanism has a rear deformable member and a front deformable member operatively connecting the seat portion and the supporting frame. The recline mechanism also has a lower deformable member operatively connecting a lower part of the back portion and the supporting frame, and a puller member above the lower deformable member. The recline mechanism is configured such that as the back portion is reclined, the lower deformable member deforms and the puller member applies a rearward pulling action which causes the seat portion to move and the front and rear deformable members to deform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Formway Furniture Limited
    Inventors: Kent Wallace Parker, Paul Michael Wilkinson, Lyall Douglas Stewart, Daryl Owen Neal, Martyn Walter Goodwin Collings, Peter Alan Tierney
  • Patent number: 8616640
    Abstract: A chair includes a base that has a generally U-shaped member. The generally U-shaped member is comprised of a front member attached to a first end portion and a second end portion. A seat is supported on the base and is moveable from an upright position to a reclined position. A first resilient member is attached to the first end portion of the generally U-shaped member. A second resilient is attached to the second end portion of the generally U-shaped member. End portions of the first and second resilient members are attached to the seat adjacent to a rear portion of the seat. The first and second resilient members are sized and configured to resiliently move or flex such that the seat is positioned at the reclined position when a user sits on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Knoll, Inc.
    Inventor: Hendrik R. van Hekken
  • Patent number: 8550557
    Abstract: The invention relates to a synchronizing mechanism for a correlated seat-backrest movement of an office chair, said mechanism including a base support (1) that can be placed on a chair column, a seat support (3) and a backrest support (4). In order to provide a synchronizing mechanism, by means of which a high level of seating comfort can be achieved in an inexpensive manner, a mechanism is proposed where the backrest support (4) is connected to the base support (3) so as to be pivotable about a transverse axis (8) and has an entrainment means (9) that is in operative connection with the seat support (3) in such a manner that when the backrest carries out a pivoting movement (6) backward, the seat support (3) also performs a movement (13) backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Bock 1 GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hermann Bock
  • Publication number: 20130187422
    Abstract: A chair includes a support assembly, a chair seat coupled to the support assembly, a chair back and a buckle. A lower portion of the buckle is coupled to the support assembly, while an upper portion of the buckle is coupled to a bottom portion of the chair back. The buckle is configured to orient the chair back at an obtuse angle relative to the seat and is flexible in certain embodiments to vary the angle. The top portion of the chair back includes a top edge and a slot formed in the top edge that extends toward the bottom portion to divide the chair back into left and right portions that can flex relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Ditto Sales, Inc./Versteel
    Inventor: Ditto Sales, Inc./Versteel
  • Patent number: 8297702
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a two-position, at rest, seat angle adjustment assembly that locks the seat in two distinct positions. In a first position, the seat is generally horizontal, while in a second position, the seat is inclined at an angle relative to horizontal. The assembly includes left and right adjustment mechanisms, a rod, and a lever. The left and right adjustment mechanisms are mounted to the seat and the back assembly on each side thereof. Each of the mechanisms includes a housing, and a cam. The cam is received in the housing and the rod is fixably received within the cam. The lever is attached to the rod proximate the right adjustment mechanism. The lever is utilized to rotate the cams within their respective housings thereby moving the seat with respect to the back assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Massimo Costaglia
  • 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: 20120205952
    Abstract: Provided is a chair suited to the use of a keyboard or mouse, the chair has a seat 3 and a rocking backrest 4. The seat 3 comprises a first section 3a, 12a and a second section 3b, 12b. The first section 3a of the seat 3 is affixed to a seat-mounting shell 11 is attached to a base 9, via a seat-mounting fixture, so as to be slide forwards and backwards. The backrest 4 has a back cover 14, a back panel 15 and a cushion move downwards while rotating in a seesaw fashion during rocking. The front end of the back cover 14 is connected to the seat-mounting fixture 10 by means of a connecting pin 25. When the chair rocks, the seat 3 moves forwards as a whole while the second section 3b tilts backward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: ITOKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takeuchi, Shinji Inoue, Minoru Hashimoto, Jun Tatsuno
  • Publication number: 20120161482
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a chair having less sliding resistance, less abrasion and less noise with prevention of partially contacting each component while the chair is making a rocking movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: KOKUYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsuaki Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20120025574
    Abstract: A chair has a seat support (101), a seat portion (13), a back portion (15), and a supporting frame. The supporting frame is formed by a castored base (11), a height adjustment mechanism (17), and a main transom (21). The seat portion (13) is selectively moveable relative to the supporting frame, with the seat portion having a locked configuration and a released configuration. The back portion has a back frame (25) and a compliant cover (61). The back frame has hook features for receiving a portion of the compliant cover (61). The back portion (15) is reclinable relative to the supporting frame between an upright position and a reclined position. A recline mechanism has deformable members operatively connecting the seat portion and the supporting frame. A recline resistance mechanism is selectively engageable to resist movement of the back portion toward the reclined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Formway Furniture Limited
    Inventors: Paul Michael Wilkinson, Kent Wallace Parker, Peter Tierney, Lyall Douglas Stewart, Gregory William Baum
  • Patent number: 8061775
    Abstract: The invention provides a seating apparatus having a reclining movement with a corresponding seat lift movement. The apparatus further provides a seating support surface having increased comfort comprising a shaped diaphragm with a series of calculated openings provided throughout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Humanscale Corporation
    Inventor: Niels Diffrient
  • Patent number: 8029060
    Abstract: A chair has a supporting frame, a seat portion, a back portion, and a recline mechanism. The mechanism moves the seat portion upon a reclining action of the back portion. The mechanism has a rear deformable member and a front deformable member operatively connecting the seat portion and the supporting frame. The recline mechanism also has a lower deformable member operatively connecting a lower part of the back portion and the supporting frame, and a puller member above the lower deformable member. The recline mechanism is configured such that as the back portion is reclined, the lower deformable member deforms and the puller member applies a rearward pulling action which causes the seat portion to move and the front and rear deformable members to deform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Formway Furniture Limited
    Inventors: Kent Wallace Parker, Paul Michael Wilkinson, Lyall Douglas Stewart, Daryl Owen Neal, Martyn Walter Goodwin Collings, Peter Alan Tierney
  • Patent number: 8025334
    Abstract: A body support structure, such as a piece of furniture, in particular a piece of furniture for sitting on or a piece of furniture for lying on, such as, for example, chair, armchair, stool, bed or sofa, a seat of the piece of furniture being supported by a spring mechanism, and the spring mechanism being capable of being set to a weight force with which a person acts on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Claudia Plikat
  • Patent number: 7997652
    Abstract: A tilt control mechanism for an office chair includes a spring assembly therein which controls the tilt tension on the back assembly. The tilt control mechanism includes a control plate mounted to the control shaft on which the uprights are mounted, wherein the control plate rotates in combination with the uprights. This control plate is located within the control body and cooperates with a front stop assembly and a back stop assembly to vary the limits of forward and rearward tilting of the seat and back assemblies. Also, the tilt control mechanism includes a pneumatic actuator assembly having fixed and rotatable cam blocks. The rotatable cam block rotates relative to the fixed block such that the rotatable cam block is driven downwardly to depress the control valve of the pneumatic cylinder and thereby vary the height of the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard N. Roslund, Matthew Rutman, VijayKrishna Gundarapu, Naveen Guntur
  • Publication number: 20110181086
    Abstract: A support structure for a back part and/or a seat of a seat assembly includes a base support, a support part, and a power system. The support part is arranged on the base support to support and/or hold the respective back part and/or seat, and is attached to the base support to allow movement of the support part relative to the base support. The power system, which includes first and second spring elements and a coupling device, generates a reset force in response to (and directed opposite to) the respective movement of the support part. When the coupling device is in a first state, the second spring element generates a second reset force directed opposite to the movement of the support part. When the coupling device is in the second state, the second spring element does not generate the second reset force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Stoll Giroflex AG
    Inventors: Stephan Pfeifer, Wolfgang Emmenegger
  • Publication number: 20110062759
    Abstract: A seat mechanism for an item of seating furniture, in particular a chair, has a movable seat carrier and a backrest carrier, which are mounted on a main carrier. The backrest carrier can be pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis counter to the action of a force accumulator, and the seat carrier and the backrest carrier are coupled to each other. A lifting mechanism is provided. The lifting mechanism converts pivoting of the backrest carrier into a lifting movement of the seat carrier. A seat mechanism is provided with a weight-dependent resetting force for the backrest. The seat mechanism is distinguished by a simple construction in which the weight can be utilized efficiently. To increase the comfort, the seat is lowerable in the rear region and the resetting force is adjustable by means of a second force accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Werner Härtel
  • Patent number: 7857390
    Abstract: The invention relates to a body support structure (1), such as a piece of furniture (1), in particular a piece of furniture for sitting on or a piece of furniture for lying on, such as, for example, chair (3), armchair, stool, bed or sofa, a seat (7) of the piece of furniture (1) being supported by a spring mechanism (SM), and the spring mechanism (SM) being capable of being set to a weight force (40) with which a person acts on the seat (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Claudia Plikat
  • Patent number: 7841664
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a control system for a chair is provided. The control system is comprised of first and second resilient blocks, first and second stabilizing members and first and second rockers. The first stabilizing member has first and second ends and defines a first horizontal axis. The first end of the first stabilizing member extends into the first resilient block and the second end of the first stabilizing member extends into the second resilient block. The second stabilizing member is coupled to the first stabilizing member by a connector. The second stabilizing member has first and second ends and defines a second horizontal axis disposed in parallel to the first horizontal axis. The first end of the second stabilizing member is operably coupled to the first rocker, and the second end of the second stabilizing member is operably coupled to the second rocker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Holdredge, Christopher Norman, Kurt Heidmann, Brian H. Root, Mark Dinnewith
  • Patent number: 7806478
    Abstract: A task chair capable of forward and rearward synchronized movement with a base assembly, a linkage supported by the base assembly to pivot about an axis in relation to the base assembly, a seat assembly pivotally retained relative to the linkage, and a back assembly pivotally retained relative to the linkage. The linkage can include a bracket and a resiliently deflectable assembly retained relative to the bracket. A projection retained by the base assembly can engage the resiliently deflectable assembly whereby the linkage and the seat and back assemblies can pivot in relation to the base assembly. The linkage can have a bracket; a first link pivotally coupled at a first axis relative to the bracket, pivotally coupled at a second pivot axis relative to the seat assembly, pivotally coupled at a third pivot axis relative to the back assembly; and a second link pivotally coupled at a first axis relative to the bracket and at a second axis relative to the back assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Sava Cvek
  • Publication number: 20100164263
    Abstract: A chair with backrest that can be inclined backwards has a seat carried by a support (2b), connected by means of an articulated-parallelogram system (11, 12) to the fixed supporting structure (4, 10) of the chair. The support (17) of the backrest is articulated to the support (2b) of the seat and is operatively connected to said articulated-parallelogram system so that any reclining backwards of the backrest causes a raising and a slight inclination backwards of the seat. The support of the backrest (17) is moreover connected by means of an articulated arm (23) to a sliding support (2a), on which the seat is mounted (2), and is in turn mounted so that it can slide in a longitudinal direction (A) on seat support (2b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: MALENOTTI S.R.L.
    Inventor: Fabio Malenotti
  • Publication number: 20100141002
    Abstract: A biasing mechanism between two portions of a chair, such as the seat and back components, where the biasing mechanism can position the back component in an infinite number of recline positions between a first, or fully upright, position and a second, or fully reclined, position, where the biasing mechanism consists of a leaf spring and a cylinder in a parallel configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: ANDREW J. KURRASCH, Andrew Squires, John F. Aldrich
  • Publication number: 20090289482
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Zenroh Fukai
  • Patent number: 7568763
    Abstract: A seating unit includes a base with a control housing, a back supported on the base for reclining movement, and a seat supported at least partially by a pivoting link on the base for synchronous movement with the back upon recline of the back. A back stop is operably mounted on a pair of parallel guide rods that extend transversely across the control housing for selective movement to a plurality of different positions where the back stop engages the link to limit movement of the seat and hence limit recline of the back to a plurality of selectable recline positions corresponding to the plurality of different positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Adam C. Bedford, David A. Bodnar, Gary Lee Karsten, Robert J. Battey, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gordon J. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7513570
    Abstract: A tilt control mechanism for an office chair includes a spring assembly therein which controls the tilt tension on the back assembly. The tilt control mechanism includes a control plate mounted to the control shaft on which the uprights are mounted, wherein the control plate rotates in combination with the uprights. This control plate is located within the control body and cooperates with a front stop assembly and a back stop assembly to vary the limits of forward and rearward tilting of the seat and back assemblies. Also, the tilt control mechanism includes a pneumatic actuator assembly having fixed and rotatable cam blocks. The rotatable cam block rotates relative to the fixed block such that the rotatable cam block is driven downwardly to depress the control valve of the pneumatic cylinder and thereby vary the height of the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard N. Roslund, Naveen Guntur
  • Patent number: 7497516
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile joint (1) for a seating construction, especially a chair, for mounting between a seat device and a base, comprising at least two joint elements (10, 30) which are reciprocally restricted pivoted between two extreme positions to allow tilting movement of the seating construction effected by the users weight displacement, comprising two outer joint elements (10, 30) which are pivoted related with a middle joint element (20), wherein the rotational axis (40, 50) between the two joint elements (10, 30) and the middle joint element (20) is displaced in relation to each other in the horizontal direction, whereby the joint (1) may assume a stable tilting position between the two extreme positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Varier Furniture AS
    Inventor: Ole Petter Wullum
  • Patent number: 7410216
    Abstract: A tilt control mechanism for an office chair includes a spring assembly therein which controls the tilt tension on the back assembly. This tilt control mechanism includes a tension adjustment assembly having a radial adjustment arm which supports the legs of a pair of coil springs and a cooperating cam block which cooperates with the arm to drive the arm upwardly and downwardly to vary the tilt tension. The cam block is mounted on a threaded shaft and is displaceable sidewardly to either drive the arm and spring legs upwardly or downwardly depending upon the direction of travel of the cam block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Rutman
  • Publication number: 20080169694
    Abstract: A seating apparatus, and in particular a vehicle or aircraft seating apparatus, includes a seat base bearing unit which is provided in order to mount a seat base in a movable manner. The seat base bearing unit comprises at least one movably mounted stiffening means which has at least two coupling points in the transverse direction of the seat base bearing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Speh, Oliver Schweizer, Jurgen Baumann