Back Tilts While Seat Inclination Adjusts Patents (Class 297/300.2)
  • Patent number: 11344122
    Abstract: A chair provided with a plate, to which a seat is freely articulated above, by way of at least one first linkage and a second pair of linkages in the rear and front regions, a backrest being articulated laterally and freely to said seat. The first end of a pair of cams is pivoted to the plate at the rear, and the second end is pivoted to the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: BRADO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Stefano Serena
  • Patent number: 10986927
    Abstract: A customizable chair is disclosed that includes an “over-the shoulder” region where users can affix graphic patches. The region that the graphic patches are placed is visible from a number of perspectives including a user-broadcaster sitting in the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Cloud9 Esports, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel P. Fiden
  • Patent number: 10813464
    Abstract: In one aspect, an active exercise chair comprising: a seat support, wherein the seat support is rigidly affixed to a top section of a shaft of the gas spring; a seat, wherein the seat is connected to the seat support; a seatback support, wherein the seatback support is pivotably connected to the seat support about a discrete pivot point; a seatback carriage, wherein the seatback carriage is slidably connected to the seatback support, wherein the seatback carriage is connected to a seatback, and wherein the seatback traverses a translational path defined by the geometry of the seatback carriage and the seatback support; and an adjustment carriage that enables a user to modify a torque profile exerted by a force providing element to the seatback support about a pivot connecting the seat support to the seatback support. An end of the force providing element is pivotably connected to the adjustment carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Inventor: Irina L. Melnik
  • Patent number: 10485346
    Abstract: A chair can include a chair back, or backrest, that is coupled to a base of a chair above a seat of the chair. A tilt mechanism can attach the backrest to the base. In some embodiments, the tilt mechanism can be configured so that the backrest rotates about multiple pivots as it reclines from an upright position to a reclined position to drive motion of the seat during recline of the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Knoll, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Jones
  • Patent number: 10259584
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a tilt-recline force adjusting apparatus for an aircraft passenger seat configured for a tilt-recline positioning includes a first spring having a first axis to urge a seat back into an upright position, the first spring arranged to compress as the seat is manually reclined, a helper spring having a second axis parallel to the first axis, the helper spring arranged to assist or counteract the first spring, an adjustment mechanism coupled to the helper spring to increase or decrease a force exerted by the helper spring to assist or counteract the first spring, and a weight sensing mechanism coupled to the adjustment mechanism and operable to actuate the adjustment mechanism in direct proportion to a weight of a seated passenger, whereby the force exerted on the aircraft seat to urge the seat back into an upright position is greater for a heavier seated passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael L. Oleson, Arjun Koustubhan, Anatoly Starikov
  • Patent number: 10155455
    Abstract: A seat body is assembled with a seat chassis device that has a seat chassis mounted on the seat body. The seat body has an accommodating space and guiding troughs each having a guiding opening. The accommodating space includes a propping portion to be resiliently flattened. The seat chassis device has a base connected thereto and is formed with sliding wedge portions to slide into the guiding troughs from the guiding openings. When the seat chassis slides to a predetermined position, the propping portion springs up and abuts against the seat chassis. A spring between the base and the seat chassis is upward pushed by a resilience-adjusting unit and has its upper end received in a dome raised from the seat chassis and received in a hollow portion of the seat body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Tung Yu O.A. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Hong Lin
  • Patent number: 10111525
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat (1), in particular an office chair, comprising a seat support (3) for a seating surface (6) and comprising a backrest support (4) of a backrest (5), which is held on the seat support (3) so as to be able to move in a tiltable manner to the side, wherein the backrest support (4) comprises two support aims (4a, 4b) which are configured to be flexible and/or articulated laterally and spaced apart from one another. Preferably, the seating surface (6) and/or the backrest (5) comprises a curved seat shell and/or backrest shell (6a, 5a) provided with a cover (6b, 5b) with a number of flexible curved ribs (15, 16) on the edge of the shell, wherein the cover is stretched by the seat shell and/or backrest shell (6a, 5a) such that when the cover (6b, 5b) is loaded, the bending of the curved ribs (15, 16) is altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Armin Sander, Martin Potrykus
  • Patent number: 10004334
    Abstract: A power lift-recliner chair has a base, seat and backrest sections and actuator for moving the seat and backrest sections. The seat is pivotally mounted with respect to the base section and the backrest section is pivotally mounted with respect to the seat section. A guide is associated with one of the base and the seat sections and at least one follower is associated with the other of the base and the seat sections. The guide is arcuate for relative pivoting with respect to the base about a pivot axis located at the center of curvature of the guide. The base section includes a pair of side panels on lateral sides of the chair. The seat includes a pair of side members, adjacent the side panels, which carry the guide or follower associated with the seat section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: INTEGRATED FURNITURE TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventor: Dale Robertson
  • Patent number: 9908628
    Abstract: Described are seat units having a lower support structure with at least two leg supports, each leg support integrally formed into an arcuate shape, and an upper support structure having a seat pan and seat back integrally formed into a single component. Each leg support is coupled to at least two base frame tubes by insertion of each base frame tube through an aperture in each of the leg supports, wherein the aperture is shaped to prevent rotation of the leg support about a longitudinal axis of each of the at least two base frame tubes. Each seat support is coupled to the base frame tubes by insertion of each base frame tube through a slot in each of the upper support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventor: Foek (Phuc) Nguyen Tien Le
  • Patent number: 9833075
    Abstract: An adjustable chair comprises chair support, backrest, a backrest support mechanism including at least one backrest arm pivotally connected to the support, and a seat having front and rear regions and a seat surface. The chair includes first and second seat support mechanisms with the first mechanism adjustably connecting the front region of the seat and the second mechanism adjustably connecting the rear region. The second seat support mechanism includes at least one seat arm having front and rear arm extensions and connected to the support for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. The rear arm extension is pivotally connected to the rear region of the seat. A toggle arrangement is pivotally mounted on the chair support and engages the front end section of the at least one seat arm and front end section of the at least one backrest arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GODREJ & BOYCE MFG CO LTD
    Inventor: Jamshed Unwalla
  • Patent number: 9526339
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Gary L. Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Todd T. Andres
  • Patent number: 9326609
    Abstract: Disclosed is a chair chassis, wherein a seat bearing plate is disposed above a main tray base, for bearing a seat, a front end of a movable support member is pivotally connected to the seat bearing plate, a lower end thereof is pivotally connected to the main tray base, the movable support member is pivotable, a pair of movable supporting plates are located in front of the movable support member, upper and lower ends of each movable supporting plate are respectively pivotally connected to the seat bearing plate and the main tray base, and a pivot where the movable support member and the main tray base are connected is mounted with an elastic member for resisting the movable support member from rotating rearward. A user is subject to appropriate pressure when leaning back against the backrest, and friction between the backrest and the user's back may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: SHANTOU LUXUS FURNITURE LTD.
    Inventor: Junli Huang
  • Patent number: 9237811
    Abstract: A chair with improved waist bearing power by self-weight is provided. A chair includes a supporting portion connected to a leg portion, a seat portion with one side connected to the supporting portion, a backrest post with other end installed to the supporting portion fixedly, a backrest frame with the one side connected to a top end of the backrest post, a backrest link having a top end portion inserted into a inserting groove formed in a lower-central rear surface of the backrest frame and a bottom end engaging the seat portion rotatingly, a link fixer connected to the backrest link rotatingly by a connecting axle and installed to the backrest post fixedly, and a backrest installed so as to be connected to the backrest frame and a top end portion of the backrest link and having flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: PATRA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyo Seok Cho, Hun Sin
  • 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: 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20150123441
    Abstract: In an aspect, the invention is directed to a chair that has a pedestal and an upper assembly including a body support assembly and a tilt control assembly. A biasing member is provided to bias the body support assembly towards an unreclined position. When the chair is empty the biasing member has a certain preload. When a person sits in the chair or when a downward force is applied to the upper assembly, there is relative movement between two chair components which causes an increase in the preload in the biasing member as compared to the preload when the chair is empty. As the downward force on the upper assembly increases, the preload in the biasing member increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Aaron DUKE
  • 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: 9004597
    Abstract: A chair assembly including a first chair structure, a second chair structure, an actuator assembly coupled to the second chair structure to move the second chair structure between the first and second positions, a control input assembly coupled to the first chair structure, and a control link assembly coupling the control input assembly with the actuator assembly to move the second chair structure between first and second positions, and including a first shaft operably coupled to the control link, and rotatable about a second axis that is substantially orthogonal to the first axis and to the first direction, and first and second universal joint assemblies coupling the first shaft member to the second shaft, wherein actuation of the control input moves the second chair structure between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Russell T. Holdredge, 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: 8926017
    Abstract: A chair of the type commonly found in a home or office and having a stationary back, a pair of arms, and a rotatable seat cradle that is located between the arms. The seat cradle includes a lumbar portion lying against the stationary chair back to support the user's lower back and a seat cushion portion to support the user's pelvis. The lumbar portion and the seat cushion portion of the seat cradle are connected to one another so as to rotate together as a unit relative to the stationary back and the arms of the chair. By virtue of the foregoing, the hips and spine of the user will be continuously aligned whenever the user shifts his weight in the chair, whereby to maximize user comfort and improve user posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventors: James E. Grove, Dennis J. Colonello
  • 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: 8833856
    Abstract: A chair comprises a seat and a backrest support which are mounted on a support member, the backrest support being pivotal about a horizontal pivot axis, and an energy accumulator which is tensioned when the seat is subjected to a load and acts on the backrest support, the energy accumulator engaging the backrest support at an effective distance from the pivot axis. To improve the efficiency of such a mechanism, the energy accumulator is connected on the one side to the support member and one the other side via a transverse connector to the backrest support. With the mechanism the energy accumulator is subject to a load substantially by the rear region of the seat and thus substantially by the complete weight of a person sitting on the seat. In an alternative embodiment the seat comprises an elastic cover which on the one side is clamped in the support member and on the other side is connected to the backrest support, the elastic cover serving as energy accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventor: Johannes Uhlenbrock
  • 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: 20140159452
    Abstract: The adjusting mechanism serves for the weight-dependent setting of a restoring force which acts on a backrest (4) of an office chair which is configured with a synchronous mechanism. The synchronous mechanism comprises a support (12), a seat support (10) and a backrest support (8) which are connected to one another via joint pins (A1-A4), the restoring force being exerted via a spring element (18). In order to achieve as flat a design as possible, the restoring force is transmitted with the aid of a pivotable lever (16) via a front bearing pin (L1) to a first front joint pin (A1), an active lever length (h) which can be varied with the aid of an adjusting element (20) being defined by the spacing between the bearing pin (L1) and the second front joint pin (A2). A weight setting is made possible by the variation of the active lever length (h).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: HAWORTH, INC.
    Inventor: Martin Potrykus
  • Patent number: 8646839
    Abstract: An adjustment device for chairs, comprising a main body (2), which can be engaged onto a supporting shank (3) of a chair; a prop element (6) mounted above the main body (2), which can be associated to a seat for a user; a backrest (10) mounted onto the main body (2), which can be associated to a back (11) for a user; and articulation means (14) for movably engaging the backrest (10) and the prop element (6) to the main body (2), the articulation means (14) comprise at least one lever (17) pivoting around the main body (2) in a first mounting site and having at least two lever portions (17a, 17b) hinged to the prop element (6) in a second mounting site and to the backrest (10) in a third mounting site, respectively, so as to obtain a given movement relation between the backrest (10) and the prop element (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Co.Fe.Mo. Industrie S.r.l.
    Inventor: Sergio Moreschi
  • Patent number: 8297701
    Abstract: An adjustable reclining chair including a seat configured to support a user, a chair back, a base and a control mechanism mounted on the base. The control mechanism coupling the chair back to the seat with the chair back located generally adjacent to the user's back when the user is seated upon the seat. The control mechanism including a resistance adjustment mechanism for varying the control mechanism's resistance to a reclining force applied by the user to the chair back in order to move the chair back rearward from an upright position. The resistance adjustment mechanism activated by the weight of the user when seated in the chair, such that easy adjustment of the resistance is facilitated with the chair in an upright position. The resistance adjustment mechanism including a resilient member placed under a load during reclining of the chair to provide resistance to the reclining force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: HNI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay R. Machael, John Koch, Marcus C. Koepke
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8251448
    Abstract: A chair back according to embodiments of the present invention includes a rigid support member for reclinable attachment to a base, a flexible frame member having a flexible frame and a mesh, the mesh at least partially spanning the frame, and a seat attachment member moving in synchronization with the rigid support member at a different rate than the rigid support member during reclining of the rigid support member, wherein a first portion of the flexible frame member is affixed to the rigid support member, wherein a second portion of the flexible frame member flexes freely, wherein the seat attachment member contacts at least part of the second portion of the flexible frame member, wherein the first portion moves with the rigid support member and the second portion moves with the seat attachment member such that a curvature of the second portion increases as the rigid support member reclines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Jay R. Machael, Jesse Hahn, Corey Susie, Bruce Fifield, Federico Ferretti, Alessandro Sgotto, Dagmara Siemieniec, Martin Broen
  • Publication number: 20120181831
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism (2) designed for a chair, in particular for a rotatable office chair having a gas spring (12) vertically arranged in the underframe (1), the gas spring having a telescopically extendible piston rod so that the height of the seat (9) can be adjusted. The tilting adjustment of the seat (9) between the rest position (S0) and the relaxation position (Smax) occurs in synchronization with the adjustment of the backrest (96) between a rest position (R0) and a relaxation position (Rmax) inclined backward. The mechanism (2) has a shell (30), through which a stationary first rotational axis (D1) extends and on which a seat carrier (80) capable of being inclined is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Manfred Meier, Hermann Bock
  • Patent number: 8215710
    Abstract: A seat (10) having a seat panel (12) and a backrest (14) is described. The seat panel (12) is connected to a base device (16) by means of a first connecting device (18). The backrest (14) is connected to the seat panel (12) by means of a second correcting device (20). The first connecting device (18) comprises a pair of front and a pair of rear connecting levers (22, 24). The front connecting levers (22) are longer than the rear connecting levers (24). The rear connecting levers (24) are designed with an angled extension (34) so as to form toggle levers. The second connecting device (20) comprises a pair of rod elements (36) which are mounted in a pivotable and linearly movable manner on the seat panel (12) by way of their front end (38) and which are connected in a pivotable manner to the angled extension (34) of the rear connecting levers (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sato Office GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Erker
  • Publication number: 20120161483
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a chair comprising a simple and compact rocking mechanism and lock mechanism to lock the rocking movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: KOKUYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsuaki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8177299
    Abstract: A chair has a link of a chair back, a link of a chair seat, and a link mechanism that pushes up the link of the chair seat when the link of the chair back is pressed to incline rearward, so that the occupant can take the optimum seating posture without being conscious, thus further improving the comfort in the reclined posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zenroh Fukai
  • Patent number: 8172324
    Abstract: A preference control mechanism is provided that includes a housing, a shuttle, a sub shuttle and at least one resilient member. The housing has a channel. The shuttle has a cavity. The shuttle is moveable within the channel of the housing from a first position to at least one second position. The sub shuttle is moveable within the channel of the housing and is moveable independent of the shuttle. The one or more resilient members have a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is attached to the shuttle and the second end is attached to the sub shuttle. The preference control mechanism is configured for attachment to at least one chair component. Chairs may also be designed to include one or more embodiments of the preference control mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Knoll, Inc.
    Inventors: Arkady Golynsky, Gregory Allison
  • Publication number: 20120062006
    Abstract: A weight-responsive chair is provided which has a weight-activated mechanism that resists rearward tilting of a chair back upright while also effecting lifting of a rear portion of the seat to counteract the rearward tilt forces. The weight-activated mechanism includes a spring package connected between the chair frame and back upright which provides for ready mounting of same to the chair frame. Further, the rear seat portion is connected in lifting engagement with the upright but also includes independent suspension for the center of the rear seat portion to allow for independent movement and flexing thereof to improve comfort for the chair occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Jason Hall, Stephen J. Simpson, Simon DeSanta
  • Patent number: 8100477
    Abstract: The synchronizing device comprises a seat carrier for carrying a seat of said office chair, a seat arm to be connected to a chair column of said office chair, said seat carrier being pivotable in relation to said seat arm about a transverse axis, a backrest arm connected to said seat arm and to said seat carrier such as to be pivotable about a transverse axis, a spring adapted to counter a synchronized movement of said seat carrier and backrest arm, and a sliding member extending substantially in a longitudinal direction of said seat and being articulated to said seat arm, said seat carrier being slidable in relation to said sliding member substantially in said longitudinal direction of said seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: IDEAssociates (IOM) Ltd.
    Inventor: Preben Bo Fich
  • Patent number: 8087727
    Abstract: A chair 2010 has a supporting frame 2011, a seat portion 2013, a back portion 2015, and a recline mechanism. The mechanism moves the seat portion 2013 upon a reclining action of the back portion 2015. The mechanism has a rear deformable member 2351 and a front deformable member 2353 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 2361 above the lower deformable member. The recline mechanism is configured such that as the back portion 2015 is reclined, the lower deformable member deforms and the puller member 2361 applies a rearward pulling action which causes the seat portion 2013 to move and the front and rear deformable members to deform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    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: 8075058
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat, in particular, a vehicle or aircraft passenger seat with seat components such as a seat base (12), a backrest (14) and a coupling device (16) for coupling the movement of at least one part of the seat components between an exit (I) and at least one comfortable (II) position and vice versa. According to the invention, the coupling device (16) comprises at least one control piece, which may be controlled using the movement of the backrest (14) and/or the seat base (12) and hence by means of at least one further control piece to move the seat base (12) and/or the backrest (14) between said positions (I, II), whereby an adjustment, in particular, tilting movement of the backrest is linked with a simultaneous adjustment movement of the seat base which, preferably in the rearward transition region into the backrest descends by a given amount relative to the front edge of the seat which simultaneously moves forward to increase the seat depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jürgen Baumann
  • Patent number: 8070230
    Abstract: A rotatable office chair comprises at least two seat carriers, each further comprising an upper arched guide and a lower arched guide, and at least two back rest carriers, each further comprising a restrictedly guided region, and a back rest arranged on back rest carriers, wherein the restrictedly guided region of the at least one back rest carrier is guided between the upper arched guide and the lower arched guide of the at least one seat carrier, thus allowing the at least one back rest carrier to be inclined relative to the seat carrier, wherein the upper arched guide and the lower arched guide are embodied at least in certain regions as an arc of a circle portion and wherein the arc of a circle portion of the upper arched guide and the arc of a circle portion of the lower arched guide have the same center of a circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Thonet GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Krob, Joachim Brüske
  • 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: 8025335
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chair with a seat, a base support and a backrest, wherein the seat is pivotably mounted on the base support and the backrest is pivotably mounted on the seat, and a first spring system is provided between the base support and the seat and a second spring system is provided between the seat and the backrest. Furthermore, means are provided for adjusting the spring behavior of the two spring systems so that the pivotability of the seat in relation to the base support and the pivotability of the backrest in relation to the seat can be adapted to different requirements, especially to users of different weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Wilkhahn Wilkening + Hahne GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Carsten Gehner
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7992937
    Abstract: A body support structure includes a body support member and a base having an upper component coupled to the body support member and a lower component adapted to be supported on a floor. An adjustable spring mechanism biases the body support member. A weighing mechanism is coupled to the adjustable spring mechanism. The weighing mechanism includes a height adjustment device disposed between the upper and lower components of the base. The height adjustment device includes a pneumatic spring having a pressure tube coupled to the lower component and a piston rod extending upwardly from and moveable relative to the pressure tube. A housing is disposed around the pneumatic spring and is coupled to the upper component. An adapter is coupled to the piston rod. A weighing spring is disposed between the adapter and the housing, with the housing moveable relative to the adapter between first and second weighing positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudia Plikat, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Robert Friedrich Laux
  • Patent number: 7992936
    Abstract: A seat comprising an underframe and a seat element wherein the seat element comprises a front seat part, a rear seat part, a lower backrest part and an upper backrest part wherein the seat element can be displaced from a basic position into a reclined position, and wherein the seat element comprises at least one supporting arm composed of at least one upper support and at least one lower support having an arcuate profile in a transitory region between the rear seat part and the lower backrest part, and wherein the upper support and the lower support are connected at an upper backrest part. At least one guide element guiding the upper support in a front region of the seat part, and at least one connecting link positioning the upper support and the lower support with respect to each other. The front seat pan: being capable of being pulled back by the upper support when the backrest parts are loaded by an individual leaning against them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Claudia Plikat
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110018322
    Abstract: The present invention provides a chair with a pre-pressing structure. The chair includes a main body and pre-pressing structure. The pre-pressing structure includes a permanent seat, pre-pressing member and pivoted seat. The permanent seat is arranged onto the assembly surface of the backing plate, and the pre-pressing member is assembled therein. The multi-segment directional groove of the pivoted seat is interlocked with the multi-segment directional bulge of the pre-pressing member, so that the circular elastic member of the pre-pressing member can obtain a torsional restoring force, allowing for pre-pressing and locating via the pre-pressing locator. The pivoted seat is fitted with an inserting portion for inserting into the support of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Wen-Shan KO
  • 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: 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