Including Back Movement Limiting Device Patents (Class 297/301.5)
-
Patent number: 10391890Abstract: A vehicle seat control system (1) includes a first backrest portion (302) rotatably connected to a seating portion (301) by a first connection unit (308), a second backrest portion (302) rotatably connected to the first backrest portion by a second connection unit (309), a folding adjustment unit (304) that adjusts an angle of the second connection unit, a seat surface adjustment unit (304) that adjusts a height of the seating portion, a first angle detection unit (308a) that detects a first angle that is formed between the first backrest portion and a floor surface, a second angle detection unit (309a) that detects a second angle that is formed between the second backrest portion and the first backrest portion, and a control unit (160) that controls the folding adjustment unit on the basis of the first angle at the time of automatic driving of the vehicle to adjust the second angle, and controls the seat surface adjustment unit to maintain a height of a reference position in the second backrest portion to beType: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenta Hirayama, Hajime Ishihara, Manabu Matsumoto, Muneatsu Minato, Yosuke Nishimura
-
Patent number: 8979199Abstract: A chair with a pre-pressing structure includes a chair body and a pre-pressing structure enabling the chair body to be provided with elastic restoring force. The chair is characterized in that the pre-pressing structure includes a pre-pressing member's fixed seat, a pre-pressing member, a pivoting seat, a pre-pressing positioning member and a pre-pressing angle.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Inventor: Wen-Shan Ko
-
Patent number: 8983737Abstract: A seat includes a seat cushion, and a seat back divided into an upper seat back and a lower seat back. The upper seat back and the lower seat back are connected in a way that their respective angles can be adjusted. The seat further includes a recliner drive part capable of varying a reclining angle which is an angle of the lower seat back to the seat cushion, and a middle bend drive part capable of varying a middle bend angle which is an angle of the upper seat back to the lower seat back. The seat additionally includes a control part configured to perform interlock control for interlocking the reclining angle and the middle bend angle on the basis of a predetermined interlock function.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Akinari Hirao
-
Publication number: 20140097655Abstract: A therapeutic back support device including a back support portion that automatically and repeatedly moves forward to maintain engagement with a user's back as the user moves forward with respect to a chair seat. The back support portion substantially resists backward motion and provides substantially continuous therapeutic support to the user's spine pending a release signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Inventors: Mark POWICKI, Stephen James MESSINEO
-
Patent number: 8668267Abstract: A chair comprising a basic structure, a seat, a backrest, and at least one joint made of plastic material, which connects the backrest to the basic structure, wherein the joint has a first connection portion fixed to or integral with respect to the backrest, and a second connection portion connected to the basic structure, wherein said second connection portion comprises a first and a second arm, which are elongated in a longitudinal direction and are set at a distance from one another in a vertical direction, wherein the first arm has a front portion fixed to the basic structure and is deformable between a resting position corresponding to the resting position of the backrest and a deformed position corresponding to the position where the backrest is tilted backwards, wherein the second arm has a front portion, which is mobile in a longitudinal direction with respect to the basic structure between a first position corresponding to the resting position of the first arm, and a second position corresponding toType: GrantFiled: July 8, 2011Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Pro-Cord S.p.A.Inventor: Alessandro Piretti
-
Patent number: 8636322Abstract: A seat includes a back-up unit which includes a shaft fixed to the rear side of a backrest and the two ends of the shaft are pivotably connected to two armrests of the seat. A resilient member is mounted to the shaft and a restriction unit is connected to the shaft. The backrest tilts backward when a user sits in the seat and pivots forward to its upright position by the resilient member and the restriction unit when the user leaves from the seat.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2012Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Hong Woei Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kun-Tsung Huang
-
Patent number: 8616641Abstract: A therapeutic back support device including a back support portion that automatically and repeatedly moves forward to maintain engagement with a user's back as the user moves forward with respect to a chair seat. The back support portion substantially resists backward motion and provides substantially continuous therapeutic support to the user's spine pending a release signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Access Enterprise, LLCInventors: Mark Powicki, Stephen James Messineo
-
Patent number: 8480171Abstract: A chair having a seat rotatably attached to a tilt spring portion of a tilt mechanism such that the tilt spring is activated by movement of the seat. A backrest and/or the seat can be rotatably connected to the tilt mechanism by parallel arm arrangements which permit the seat and backrest to tilt relative to each other. A tilt limiter can have a magnetic member which facilitates full movement of the tilt limiter between free and locked positions, and which creates an audible indication of full movement of the tilt limiter. The seat/backrest can be made from a flexible mesh material secured to a rigid overmolding which surrounds and is attached to an inner frame of the seat/backrest wherein an outer surface of the overmolding forms an outer surface of the seat/backrest frame and attachment of the overmolding causes the inner frame to stretch the mesh to a final condition.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventors: Donald T. Chadwick, Arkady Golynsky, Robert A. Melhuish, Hendrik R. van Hekken, Ron K. Watson
-
Patent number: 8388064Abstract: A stackable chair having a back member may flex to allow for improved user comfort. An inline spring-to-frame configuration with a pair of spring members reinforced by steel plates on the top and bottom of each end of each spring is attached to the underside of the left and right members of the seat support frame. The spring-to-frame configuration may allow the back support frame to flex relative to the seat support frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Bertolini CorporationInventors: James Bertolini, Bruce William Prock
-
Patent number: 8251449Abstract: A multi-section angle adjusting structure for a chair back contains a supporting member axially connected to a base and axially inserted to a sliding groove through a shaft to slide in the sliding groove so that the chair back fixed to the supporting member is adjusted to a desired angle relative to the base. The shaft includes a slidable bar fitted thereon to be connected to a slot of the base. Another end of the slot pushes a toothed block biased against by a first spring which contacts with a stop plate so that the toothed block abuts against an end portion of the slidable bar. The slot includes a positioning structure mounted therein, and the positioning structure includes a toothed seat guided by a guiding line to engage with the toothed block.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Inventor: Yao-Chuan Wu
-
Patent number: 8002351Abstract: A support member configured for attachment to a back assembly and a chair component is disclosed. One disclosed embodiment of the support member may be included in a chair that includes a base, a back assembly and the support member. The back assembly includes an extension attached to a back frame. The extension is attached to the base such that the back assembly is moveable relative to the base. The support member is attached to the extension and the base. The support member is more rigid than the extension. Preferably, the extension is composed of elastomeric material.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Knoll, Inc.Inventor: Arkady Golynsky
-
Publication number: 20110057492Abstract: A seat back frame includes: a base frame; a movable frame supported for movement in a frontward-rearward direction with respect to the base frame; and a biasing member biasing the movable frame frontwardly and permitting a rearward movement of the movable frame in response to a load having a given value or more. The base frame has an upper frame section supporting a headrest, and two side frame sections extending in an upward-downward direction on laterally opposite sides of the upper frame section. The movable frame has a back-receiving section located between the side frame sections, and two side support sections on laterally opposite sides of the back-receiving section to project forward from the side frame sections. Front ends of the side support sections are disposed to stop a rear surface of the pad that receives a rearward load from a back of an occupant.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: DELTA KOGYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenji Nakamura, Masafumi Okamoto, Ryota Okimoto
-
Patent number: 7823976Abstract: A chair includes a backrest and a seat surface. The backrest is adjustable relative to the seat surface, and the backrest is adjustable in its inclination independently of the position of the seat surface. The adjustment of the inclination of the backrest occurs in a stepless manner and without an operating mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2006Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Kintec-Solution GmbHInventor: Michael Mackert
-
Patent number: 7784870Abstract: A chair according to embodiments of the present invention includes a base; a first linkage pivotably coupled to the base, a seat pivotably coupled to the first linkage, a second linkage pivotably coupled to the seat and pivotably coupled to the base, a back comprising a substantially upright portion and an attachment portion, the attachment portion pivotably coupled to the base at a first pivot point, and a third linkage pivotably coupled to the back at a second pivot point and pivotably coupled to the second linkage, wherein the second pivot point is on the attachment portion between the first pivot point and the substantially upright portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: HNI Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jay R. Machael, Jesse Hahn, Keith Machin, Richard Neil Roslund, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20100066145Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a cushion plate mounted on upper and lower seat springs, a seat cushion provided on a front side of the cushion plate, an auxiliary plate provided between the seat cushion and the cushion plate for pushing out the seat cushion forward. The cushion plate includes an upper plate located higher than the lower seat spring and a lower plate located lower than the lower seat spring. The lower plate has such elastic force that when the lower plate receives, through the seat back cushion, pressure from a person properly seated on the seat, the lower plate can move backward by a greater distance than the distance of rearward movement of the lower seat spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2007Publication date: March 18, 2010Inventor: Takashi AKUTSU
-
Patent number: 7665805Abstract: It is a subject to provide a chair capable of realizing a condition in which movements of a seating person are preferably followed and a condition in which a back of the seating person can be preferably supported. For this purpose, a chair C comprising a lower frame portion that is supported to be rockable between a standing position and a rearward tilting position of a back frame with respect to the base and an upper frame portion that is supported to be rockable between a normal position and a rear end position, wherein the chair is further comprised with a movement range setting mechanism with which a movement range through the rocking movement of the upper frame portion with respect to the lower frame portion is made changeable in accordance with the position of the lower frame portion with respect to the base during the rocking movement.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Kokuyo Furniture Co., Ltd.Inventor: Nobuyuki Ueda
-
Patent number: 7614697Abstract: A chair has a coupling mechanism between a seat and a back, which includes a joining member, and a coupling member; the seat has two opposite front and two opposite rear ears on a bottom; the joining member is secured on a supporting tube for the seat, and has two opposite sloping slots on each end, and intermediate adjustment slots; the connecting member has a front fixing hole, and a rear sloping slot; the joining member, the connecting member, and the seat are joined together with a first shaft passed through the front ears and the front sloping slots, with a second shaft passed through the rear ears and all of the rear sloping slots; a third shaft is passed through the adjustment slots and the fixing hole; the connecting member is further pivoted to the joining member at a middle portion; the back is joined to the connecting member.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2008Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Fon Chin Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chih-Yu Lai
-
Patent number: 7568763Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 2, 2005Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Adam C. Bedford, David A. Bodnar, Gary Lee Karsten, Robert J. Battey, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gordon J. Peterson
-
Patent number: 7494185Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for use with a chair. The adjustment mechanism is for use on a chair that has a base assembly with an extending pedestal, a seat, a chassis, and a back. Specifically the adjustment mechanism is for use on a chair that utilizes a J-back bar that couples the chassis to the back. The J-back adjustment mechanism allows the angle of the J-back bar and thus, the back to be changed throughout a range of motion. The J-back adjustment assembly includes a casing and an adjustment portion, wherein rotation of the adjustment portion changes the inclination of the J-back bar and, thus, the back with respect to the seat.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2005Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: L & P Property Management CompanyInventor: Earl Boyer
-
Publication number: 20080272637Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a pivotable backrest including a counterbalance electric and/or pneumatic drive, a locking/unlocking mechanism and an adjustment mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2005Publication date: November 6, 2008Applicant: Johnson Controls GmbHInventors: Alexander Czinki, Hans Schmodde, Clemens Lowinski, Piotr Szableswki, Richard Boudinot, Sven Natus, Robert Schule
-
Publication number: 20080238165Abstract: A seating furniture (1) including a frame (5, 6, 7); at least one support member (2, 3) adapted to provide support to a user in use; recline mechanism (4) connecting the support member (2, 3) to the frame (5, 6, 7), the recline mechanism (4) including; a housing positioned on one of either the support member (2, 3) or the frame (5, 6, 7) and an extending portion (11) of the frame (5, 6, 7) and an extending portion (11) of the frame (5, 6, 7) positioned on the other of either the support member (2, 3) or the frame (5, 6, 7) said housing receiving the extending portion (11) within a cavity (10) bounded by a cavity wall; and biasing means (12) located inside the cavity (10) between at least a portion of the cavity wall and the extending portion (11), wherein tilting movement of the support member (2, 3) causes a rotation between the cavity (10) and the extending portion (11) thereby engaging the extending portion with the biasing means (12), causing said biasing means (12) to generate a restorative reaction biasType: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2004Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Paul Matthew Freestone, Murray Neil Pilcher
-
Patent number: 7344195Abstract: A recliner assembly for a vehicle seat having a seat back movably mounted relative to a seat bottom includes first and second frame members. The first frame member supports the seat back. The second frame member supports the seat bottom. The first frame member is pivotally attached to the second frame member and is movable between an upright position and a storage position. In the upright position, the seat back is in a generally vertical position for supporting an occupant seated on the seat. In the storage position, the seat back is positioned above the seat bottom. A damper is operatively connected between the first and second frame members. The damper dampens the movement of the first frame member relative to the second frame member when the first frame member is pivoted from the upright position to the storage position.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2005Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Mark Allyn Folkert, Dave Williams, Eric A. Woods
-
Patent number: 7249801Abstract: Cushioning device to cushion a backrest with respect to the seat of a chair or suchlike. The device comprises a first supporting element connected to the backrest, a second supporting element connected to the seat and pinned to the first supporting element, and a spring connected both to the first supporting element and to the second supporting element, to allow a reciprocal elastic oscillation, of a determined amplitude, between the backrest, which can oscillate, and the seat, which remain still. In a wall of the first supporting element a lodging seat is provided to lodge, at least partially, the spring in such a manner that the longitudinal axis of the spring is substantially aligned with respect to the first supporting element.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Erreti SNC Di Rinaldo Tonin & C.Inventor: Luigi Tonin
-
Patent number: 7198328Abstract: A locking device in an office chair structure of the type with articulation permitting the movement of the adjustable seat and seat back, with a mobile base from which a column rises, which is adjustable in height, and which supports a seat plane and a hinged seat back. The structure of the office chair includes a seat, attached at the front to the corresponding front side of a central support body secured to the top of the adjustable column along the vertical axis; a central support body, which, at the back, keeps in place the lower ends of the two support uprights of the armrests and a seat back connected to the seat, swinging and linked, near to the back part, to the central support body by means of a compression spring; Coaxially to the compression spring, there is a rod, one side of which is integral with the back rest, while the other side is axially mobile with respect to a static connecting body linked to the central support body of the chair.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Metalseat SrlInventor: Massimo Costaglia
-
Patent number: 7159943Abstract: A structure for an office chair with articulation by synchronized movement of the seat and the backrest of the adjustable type includes a swivel type movable base with a height adjustable column supporting a seat surface and a reciprocally hinged backrest. The seat surface is connected frontally by two braces to the corresponding anterior side of a central support body anchored on the top of the adjustable column along the vertical axis. The central support body supports with hinges the lower ends of two arm-rest stanchions provided with a device for the adjustment of the height of the seat and with an locking-unlocking device for the oscillation of the backrest and the chair. The frame of the backrest is hinged along the sides and in correspondence with the posterior part of the seat. A compressed spring is interposed between the central support body and the support frame of the backrest.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Metalseat SrlInventor: Massimo Costaglia
-
Patent number: 6957864Abstract: A chair includes an upper frame disposed above and pivoted to a lower frame. A stopping device includes a slide mounted slidably on the upper frame, and a stopping member. The slide is slidable between a first position, where the stopping member is offset from a rear plate of the lower frame in a longitudinal direction, and a second position, where the stopping member is aligned with the rear plate in a vertical direction. A cam mechanism includes a cam connected movably to side plates of the lower frame and a cam follower formed on the slide and engaging the cam in such a manner that movement of the cam from a releasing position to a restricting position results in movement of the slide from the first position to the second position.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Inventor: Su-Ming Chen
-
Patent number: 6932431Abstract: A chair having a chair seat and a chair back includes a means for controlling the tilt of the chair back relative to the chair seat, the tilt means comprising a control body mounted beneath the chair seat and a pivot body pivotably mounted beneath the control body. A spring is operatively disposed between the control body and the pivot body. The control means comprises means for limiting the range of angular motion of the pivot body. Further, the locations of the control body, the pivot body, and the rod about which the pivot body pivots are each optimized to reduce the shear force that is applied to the user's back when the user exerts a force against the chair back.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: John Koch, Ogden Olsen
-
Patent number: 6932430Abstract: A seating unit includes a base, a seat, a back, and a control operably supporting the seat and the back on the base for movement between upright and recline positions. The control includes a spring providing a biasing supporting force to the back during recline, and further includes a booster mechanism for increasing the supporting force, and still further includes a stop member and a selector device for activating and deactivating the booster mechanism. The selector device is easily movable with a low effort that is independent from friction generated by internal components of the booster mechanism. The stop member is linearly slidably mounted atop a control housing for selectively engaging the booster mechanism and the link for movement between a disengaged position, a booster-engaged position, a partial-recline position, and a recline-prevented position.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2004Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Adam C. Bedford, Robert J. Battey, David A. Bodnar, Jonathan B. Hadley, Jeffrey A. Hall, Kurt R. Heidmann, Eric Johnson, Gary Lee Karsten, Gordon J. Peterson
-
Patent number: 6896327Abstract: A stackable chair includes a seat assembly and flexible back support having a seat spring system attached therebetween. The seat assembly includes seat sides having spaced apart rear portions. The back support includes lower ends curved forwardly and disposed in registry with and separated by right and left gaps from respective seat side rear portions. Right and left spring members are disposed inwardly adjacent to bridge each gap. Each spring member includes forward ends connected to respective right and left front support members extended inbound from respective seat sides, and includes rear ends connected to opposed ends of a frame rear cross-member. The spring members allow limited reclining movement of the back frame. A limit to excessive forward movement of the back support is provided by pairs of fixation plates positioned in aligned and abutting relationship on upper surfaces of each respective forward and rear ends of each spring member.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Daniel Paul Chairs, LLCInventor: Peter Barile, Sr.
-
Patent number: 6880886Abstract: A seating unit includes a base, a seat, a back, and a control operably supporting the seat and the back on the base for movement between upright and recline positions. The control includes a spring providing a biasing supporting force to the back during recline, and further includes a booster mechanism capable of increasing the supporting force, and still further includes a selector device for activating and deactivating the booster mechanism. The selector device is easily moveable with a low effort that is separated from and independent from any friction generated by internal components of the booster mechanism. In a narrower aspect, the control is powered, such as by an electrical or electromechanical device from a remote location. A back stop is attached to the selector device, for movement between a disengaged position, a partial-recline position, and a recline-prevented position.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: David A. Bodnar, Adam C. Bedford, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gary L. Karsten
-
Publication number: 20040251724Abstract: A chair having a chair seat and a chair back includes a means for controlling the tilt of the chair back relative to the chair seat, the tilt means comprising a control body mounted beneath the chair seat and a pivot body pivotably mounted beneath the control body. A spring is operatively disposed between the control body and the pivot body. The control means comprises means for limiting the range of angular motion of the pivot body. Further, the locations of the control body, the pivot body, and the rod about which the pivot body pivots are each optimized to reduce the shear force that is applied to the user's back when the user exerts a force against the chair back.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2003Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventors: John Koch, Ogden Olson
-
Patent number: 6820934Abstract: A chair comprises a seat support assembly including a seat support, the seat support assembly being adapted to stand on a surface so as to provide the seat support at a suitable height for a person to sit on, and a back support assembly, including a back frame member and a back support. In one embodiment, the back frame member has a curved middle portion substantially in the plane of the back support, and first and second end portions substantially in the plane of the seat support. The back frame member is flexibly interconnected to the seat support assembly by a first spring flexibly interconnecting the first end portion of the back frame member and the seat support assembly; and a second spring flexibly interconnecting the second end portion of the back frame and the seat support assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2003Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Michigan Tube Swagers & Fabricators, Inc.Inventors: R. Duane Ware, William F. Lohness
-
Patent number: 6779847Abstract: A chair control mechanism for positioning between the seat and seat support of a chair. The chair control mechanism includes a base section for mounting to a seat support such as an adjustable height cylinder, and a seat mounting section pivotally interconnected with the base section. A seat is mounted to the seat mounting section, and is pivotal about a seat pivot axis. An adjustable position back mounting arrangement is pivotally interconnected with the seat mounting section, and the chair back is engageable with the back mounting section. A variable stop arrangement is interposed between the base section and the seat mounting section, for varying the range of pivoting movement of the seat relative to the seat support. The back can be selectively locked in one of a number of predetermined positions relative to the seat by operation of a variable position back locking arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2003Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: L & P Property Management CompanyInventor: Michael N. Klein
-
Publication number: 20040080200Abstract: The present invention discloses an overload protection mechanism for a cable actuated feature on an office chair. The overload protection device allows a person seated in the chair to move a handle to actuate the particular feature of the chair, for example, a reclining backrest, even when the seated person's weight on the backrest prevents the backrest locking mechanism from engaging or disengaging. The movement of the handle causes the cable to move even when the locking mechanism connected to the opposite end of the cable is unable to engage or disengage. The mechanism stores the motion of the cable in a spring device connected to the movement actuators by a rack and pinion gear system. When the binding is released from the actuators, the mechanism moves as originally intended, motivated by the force of the decompressing springs.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2002Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventor: Arkady Golynsky
-
Patent number: 6598936Abstract: A chair control mechanism for positioning between the seat and seat support of a chair. The chair control mechanism includes a base section for mounting to a seat support such as an adjustable height cylinder, and a seat mounting section pivotably interconnected with the base section. A seat is mounted to the seat mounting section, and is pivotable about a seat pivot axis. An adjustable position back mounting arrangement is pivotably interconnected with the seat mounting section, and the chair back is engageable with the back mounting section. A variable stop arrangement is interposed between the base section and the seat mounting section, for varying the range of pivoting movement of the seat relative to the seat support. The back can be selectively locked in one of a number of predetermined positions relative to the seat by operation of a variable position back locking arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Inventor: Michael N. Klein
-
Patent number: 6533352Abstract: A chair having a seat and a back rest. The back rest is attached to the seat via a back rest support element. The flat spring can be made from a non-metallic material, such as from fiberglass. The back rest support element comprises a flat spring disposed under pretension. In one embodiment, the seat is disposed upon a seat support structure having four legs. Preferably, the legs are splayed outside the perimeter of the seat, so that the chair is stackable with chairs of like design. The seat and the back rest can be made from a lightweight plastic material, and that the support structure can be made from tubular steel.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2000Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Virco Mgmt. CorporationInventors: Peter Glass, Jamie Toland
-
Patent number: 6422649Abstract: A chair has a seat and a backrest which are independently pivotable within limits at extremities. The seat is biased upwardly at the front and the backrest is biased forwardly. The seat and the backrest have a common pivot joint, under the center of gravity of the occupant. There are no occupant-operated controls as the chair responds automatically to the posture of the occupant, providing full support at all relative positions of the seat and the backrest in a balanced manner for occupants of a wide range of weights.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2001Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Ashfield Engineering Company Wexford LimitedInventor: William John Hancock
-
Patent number: 6406096Abstract: A chair including a seat assembly having an improved seat spring system to provide a flexible spring backrest frame. A pair of ends of spaced apart backrest frame members are arranged in registry with respective ends of seat support frame members, with each end positioned in spaced apart alignment across a gap from the respective end of each frame member. An elongated shaped flexible spring element spans each gap, with each spring element having opposed ends being extended a distance along each frame member from the gap. Each opposed end is restrained by a first and a second elongated U-shaped holder receptor paired and separately attachable to each opposed end of the spring element. Each holder receptor includes an opening end being faced towards and in alignment with the second holder opening end. The spring element is positioned between each opening end in side-by-side orientation beside the frame members, providing controlled angular range of motion of the backrest frame when moved by a chair occupant.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2000Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: Shelby Williams Industries, Inc.Inventor: Peter Barile, Sr.
-
Patent number: 6193314Abstract: An office chair includes a backrest, a chair seat, and a connecting device having a first end for engaging with the backrest and a second end for securely engaging with the chair seat. The first end of the connecting device includes a compartment, an inner wall defining the compartment including a slot with two spaced horizontal sections. Two slider members each include a locking member for releasably engaging with an associated positioning groove of the backrest and a sliding rod slidably received in an associated horizontal section of the slot in the connecting device. An actuator is mounted in the compartment of the connecting device and slidable in a vertical direction. The actuator includes two inclined faces. The sliding rod of each slider member abuts against an associated inclined face such that vertical movement of the actuator causes horizontal movements of the slider members along the slot.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1999Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Inventor: Ming-Che Chiang