For Lower Back; I.e., Lumbar Region Patents (Class 297/452.3)
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Patent number: 11690770Abstract: A multifunctional wheelchair contains: a body, a support plate, a lifting seat, and a shampoo basin. The body includes a retractable mounting, a chair back, at least one drive device, and two frames. The two frames have two main wheels, the two frames have two guide wheels, and the two armrests are arranged on a second drive device. A respective armrest has an abutting portion, and the retractable mounting have two racks. The support plate is detachably engaged on the retractable mounting of the body. The lifting seat is removably engaged on the retractable mounting of the body, and the lifting seat includes a saddle on a third drive device which is configured to drive the saddle to lift or descend adjustably. The shampoo basin is detachably connected on the chair back and included a washing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Inventors: Chien-Chung Su, Yu-Min Chang
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Patent number: 9433298Abstract: An ergonomical seat assembly for supporting a seated human body in correct posture to maintain proper and healthy spine, hip, and pelvic alignment. The seat assembly includes a back panel for supporting the back of a user in an upright sitting position and side support members for engaging the sides of the user's torso. Included is a lumbar support member for engaging the lower back of the user just above the hips. The back panel is secured to a base panel upon which is arranged hip support members for engaging the seated user's hips. Together the elements of the seat assembly maintain proper and healthy posture of a seated user and comfortable long or short term seating.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Inventor: Matthew D. Bryer
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Patent number: 9033411Abstract: A chair including a dynamically-flexible back and seat having a shape that adjusts to the movements of a user seated in the chair to enhance user comfort. Each of the back and seat has an air gap formed therewithin and a resilient frame or liner with a spring memory. The resilient liner is adapted to flex in response to compressive forces that are generated as the user slides his body back or from side-to-side in the chair. Accordingly, some of the chair back and some of the chair seat move into respective air gaps so that the shapes of the back and seat change to conform to the movements of the user. The air gaps also establish air flow ventilation channels which run laterally through the back and seat of the chair.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Inventor: Marcelo Mezzera
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Patent number: 9033421Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Formway Furniture LimitedInventors: Paul Michael Wilkinson, Kent Wallace Parker, Peter Alan Tierney, Lyall Douglas Stewart, Gregory William Baum
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Publication number: 20150091345Abstract: Vehicle seat (1), with a seat part (2) and a backrest (3), which comprises a lumbar support (7), wherein the lumbar support (7) has a lumbar apex (7.1) towards the back of a seat occupant and tapers from there and that the lumbar support comprises a suspension 9, 11, 12) that results in load distribution with a primery load uptake (8. 1) at the lumbar apex (7.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Kurt Seibold, Alexander I. Balin, Ingo Kienke, Jorg Linnenbrink
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Publication number: 20150080994Abstract: The present invention is to provide a back support plate, which is integrally formed of plastic and includes an upper portion with an inner-side having a vertical curvature and a horizontal curvature that respectively conform to the curvature of human thoracic vertebrae and a horizontal curvature of the human back corresponding in position to the thoracic vertebrae, and a lower portion with an inner-side having a vertical curvature and a horizontal curvature that respectively conform to the curvature of human lumbar vertebrae and a horizontal curvature of the human back corresponding in position to the lumbar vertebrae. The two inner-sides are protrudingly provided with a plurality of protruding knobs which correspond in position to two lateral sides of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae and have upwardly and downwardly decreasing widths, respectively, such that the joining section between the two portions extends to the two lateral sides of the human back.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventor: Hoi Ming Michael Ho
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Publication number: 20140327286Abstract: An aircraft seat back including a composite material seat back frame element and a composite seat back diaphragm molded to the seat back frame element during a molding step to provide a composite aircraft seat back formed of a seat back frame element and a seat back diaphragm.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Inventors: Alexander Nicholas Pozzi, Glenn Allen Johnson
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Patent number: 8668266Abstract: A seat having a trim carrier. A flexible region includes a base portion integrally connected with the trim carrier and a distal portion. A connector includes a first end connected to the distal portion and a second end connected to a motor. Actuation of the motor draws the connector and consequently the distal portion downward toward the base portion, thereby arcing the flexible region.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John W. Jaranson, Marcos S. Kondrad
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Publication number: 20130320651Abstract: A collapsible chair includes a collapsible seat having a front portion and an opposing rear portion and a collapsible back. The collapsible back includes a first back support member and a second back support member. Each of the first back support member and the second back support member includes an arcuate portion extending toward the front portion of the collapsible seat. A back membrane is coupled to the back support members and spans a distance between the back support members.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: Strongback, LLCInventor: Laurence Lougee
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Patent number: 8511747Abstract: A collapsible chair includes a collapsible seat having a front portion and an opposing rear portion and a collapsible back. The collapsible back includes a first back support member and a second back support member. Each of the first back support member and the second back support member includes an arcuate portion extending toward the front portion of the collapsible seat. A back membrane is coupled to the back support members and spans a distance between the back support members.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Strongback, LLCInventor: Laurence Lougee
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Publication number: 20120326483Abstract: A backrest is provided, whereby a frame-shaped base structure of which is made of a dimensionally stable plastic, The base structure being formed from beams. The frame-shaped base structure includes at least one functional element between the beams, and the at least one functional element is made only of a plastic and/or as a plastic-coated insert. Injection molding is proposed as a production method.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventor: Jens BAUMGARTEN
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Publication number: 20120245635Abstract: Disclosed herein is a new and improved system and method for maintaining and improving the function of the human back. A first embodiment of the method may include the steps of sitting in a lumbar support chair for a first period of time with the lumbar portion of the back in a reclined neutral lordosis, placing the feet on an elevated foot support, and standing erect with the assistance of a rod for a second period of time. The lumbar support chair may include a sacral depression, a lumbar protrusion, a thoracic recession, a raised dorsal thigh support, a left thigh protrusion, and a right thigh protrusion. The elevated foot support may be capable of pivoting towards and away from the lumbar support chair and placing the feet on the elevated support may result in the knees being higher than the iliac crest.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2011Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventor: Gregory Baksinski
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Publication number: 20120181840Abstract: A seating support includes a lumbar support portion having first and second lumbar supports. The lumbar support portion defines at least a portion of a channel extending between the first and second lumbar supports. The channel is sized to substantially preclude contact with an occupant of the seating support. Such a seating support also includes a coccyx support portion having first and second coccyx supports. The coccyx support portion is disposed substantially perpendicular to the lumbar support portion and is in communication therewith such that the channel extends from the lumbar support portion between the first and second coccyx supports.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2011Publication date: July 19, 2012Inventors: Massimo Angelo Leone, Gary John Kieffer, Larry Jedik
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Patent number: 8100469Abstract: This invention is a backrest for collapsible or foldable chairs that provides ample and comfortable back support for a seated person. The backrest consists of a Collapsible Back Support Curve that, when incorporated properly into a collapsible chair, is easy to set-up, collapse, store and transport, and it is visually appealing and durable. The invention is incorporated into collapsible chairs by shaping the chair back-rest support members in parallel gradual curves that force a membrane taught between them, evenly along their length, when in an open (non-collapsed) position. The invention, although a stationary part of a chair without complicated moveable parts, is designed to fit people of different heights and different back-arch preferences.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2009Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Strongback, LLCInventor: Laurence Lougee
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Patent number: 7775601Abstract: A rack structure for a chair includes a chair back member having a frame and a mounting support. The frame includes a support cushion disposed on the front side thereof for supporting a user's waist correspondingly. The frame further includes two first connecting tabs fixed on the back sides of the top ends of two sides thereof individually and two second connecting tabs formed on and extending from the two sides thereof respectively. The mounting support is fixed onto a base and extends upwardly therefrom. The mounting support includes two coupling segments and two connecting projections arranged on the top ends and the intermediate sections of two sides thereof respectively. Between each coupling segment and each connecting projection is couplingly attached a resilient member. The first and second connecting tabs of the frame are connected with the coupling segments and the connecting projections of the mounting support individually.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2008Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Inventor: Yao-Chuan Wu
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Patent number: 7654616Abstract: The present claimed invention intends to provide a chair having a frame structure that is effective for securing a required strength without needless structure to reinforce the strength. The chair has a chair body A comprising a seat frame 12, a back frame 22 and a rib that reinforces between the seat frame 12 and the back frame 22, wherein the rib is formed to extend to a side direction so as to be used as an arm frame 71, and the seat frame 12, the back frame 22 and the arm frame 71 are continuously and integrally formed three-dimensionally, and openings 12a, 22a into which a mesh member 13, 23 to form a seating face is fitted are arranged at the seat frame 12 and the back frame 22 respectively.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Kokuyo Furniture Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yojiro Kinoshita, Kazutaka Ooki, Takeshi Fujiki
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Patent number: 7614695Abstract: A seat back structure includes a back frame and a flexible sheet-like member. The back frame formed into a frame-like skeleton of a seat has a fixing portion. The flexible sheet-like member is provided within the back frame so as to support a back portion of a passenger. The flexible sheet-like member comprises a first supporting portion that is engaged with the fixing portion to regulate a substantial backward movement of the first supporting portion over a predetermined distance. The first supporting portion is slidable in substantially upper and lower directions with respect to the fixing portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2005Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenji Satou, Toshirou Oosaki, Terumitu Ozawa
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Publication number: 20090085388Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2008Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: FORMAY FURNITURE LIMITEDInventors: Kent Wallace Parker, Paul Michael Wilkinson, Lyall Douglas Stewart, Daryl Owen Neal, Martyn Walter Goodwin Collings, Peter Alan Tierney
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Patent number: 7413250Abstract: A thoracic back support allows for and assists in the promotion of scapular retraction in a seated human. In various examples, such supports may be rigid or semi-rigid, and they may be convex.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2006Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Blair Connolly, Inc.Inventors: Sean W Connolly, Brian A Blair
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Patent number: 7334845Abstract: A seating unit includes a perimeter frame, a flexible seating surface supported by the frame, and parallel elongated resilient force-distributing members coupled to the seating surface to control a contour of the seating surface when supporting a seated user. The resilient force-distributing members are bendable along their length and are sufficient in number and distribution to substantially reduce localized deflection of the seating surface and thereby reduce pressure point contact felt by the seated user. The resilient force-distributing members can be wire rods, long strips, or other resilient material with memory.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2004Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Kurt R. Heidmann, Renard G. Tubergen, Christopher J. Norman, Bruce M. Smith, Steven James Beukema
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Patent number: 7273257Abstract: Mechanism for simultaneously turning up and stretching out an extension part (12,112) relative to a reference part (1,101),with a telescopic sliding profile element (10,110) connected to the reference part and to the extension part, The essentially fixed sliding profile element may be connected to said reference part via a pantograph framework The invention also relates to recliner chair constructions involving such mechanism for turning up and simultaneously stretching out a footrest.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: TOMOH GmbHInventor: Koen De Vroe
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Patent number: 7234773Abstract: A chair having a backrest with a Y-shaped member. The member being affixed to the center of the top rail of the backrest frame at one end. The other end of the Y-shaped member connects to backrest fabric, pulls it rearward, and holds the backrest fabric in tension using a pair of retractors. The backrest fabric is secured to the retractors by a welt cord contained within a chamber formed in each retractor. The welt cord is sewn into a fabric sheath that is, in turn, stitched to the backrest fabric. The member is biased to flex rearward when the backrest fabric moves rearward from an at-rest position.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2005Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: William Raftery, Paul Meyers, John Heyder
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Patent number: 7090301Abstract: The invention is a lumbar support structure adapted to attach to a frame of a seat. An upper support bar and a lower support bar attach to the frame of the seat. A plurality of vertical springwires connect to the support bars. Spacers are used to maintain a desired distance between each of the springwires. A lumbar portion of the springwires extends away from a plane containing the support bars. By utilizing different diameter springwires and different shaped lumbar portions a saddle support distribution is created. The saddle support distribution allows the structure to customize the response to an occupant sitting in the seat.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2002Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: L&P Property Management CompanyInventor: Alfred Stadlbauer
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Patent number: 6981742Abstract: A cushion includes a flexible curved main body having a first end formed with a fixed portion and a second end formed with a movable portion, and an elastic mechanism mounted on the main body and biased between the fixed portion and the movable portion of the main body. Thus, the elastic mechanism is stretched by the movable portion of the main body to mate with variation of the curvature of the main body, so that when the main body is pressed and deformed by the user's weight, the main body has a greater elastic action, and the curvature of the main body is changed automatically by the elastic force of the elastic mechanism so as to fit users of different statures and weights.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2004Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Chen Hsing Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jin-Long Hsiao
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Patent number: 6969114Abstract: A support device for use in supporting a user's spine while in a seated position, including lower, top and intermediate sections merged smoothly in a rigid piece. The device extends the entire length of the user's spine from occipital region to coccyx, and includes lateral support for maintaining a centered spinal position. The device preferably sits on the seat of a chair or automobile seat and leans against the back of the seat to support the user's spine. The intermediate section of the device is preferably narrow to sit flush with the user's back between the shoulder blades (scapulae) and allowing the user to rotate to either side in the seat. The support is preferably constructed with a flocked or fabric-covered foam exterior over a rigid plastic armature.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2002Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Inventor: Ed Keilhauer
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Patent number: 6910741Abstract: A back portion for a chair includes a peripheral frame defining an opening therein. A lumbar support portion is disposed in the opening. The lumbar support portion comprises a substantially rigid panel. Two hinge devices are hingedly mounted on opposite sides of the peripheral frame. The lumbar support portion is mounted on the peripheral frame by the two hinge devices. Each hinge device has a biasing device associated with it to bias the hinge devices forwardly relative to the peripheral frame. A cushion may be mounted atop the lumbar support portion. The cushion has a first substantially planar sheet of resiliently flexible material and a second substantially planar sheet of resiliently flexible material. The first and second sheets are separated by a plurality of spaced webs of resiliently flexible material.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2003Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Formway Furniture LimitedInventor: Ian Colin Footitt
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Patent number: 6908153Abstract: A lumbar support system includes a fixed mounting bracket having a first traction cable sleeve support, a second sleeve support and a slider guide. A traction cable having a wire disposed to slide axially through a first sleeve and second sleeve, is attached to the first sleeve support of the fixed mounting bracket and to an actuator operatively engaged with the traction cable wire. A slider is also attached to the traction cable wire, is operatively engaged with the slider guide and adjusts the position of a flexible support element as it slides along the slider guide.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2002Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: L&P Property Management CompanyInventor: Horia Blendea
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Patent number: 6880215Abstract: A method of manufacturing a seating unit, such as a chair, includes manufacturing a cushion made from a non-woven fibrous material, and attaching the cushion to the seating unit for comfortable support. The cushion is made by cutting a blank from non-woven fibrous sheet material, steam-forming the blank into a pre-formed cushion shaped to support a user, and attaching a stiffener panel to the pre-formed cushion to provide a stiffened cushion assembly. The cushion assembly is aesthetically covered and assembled to seating unit. Advantageously, trimmings from the fibrous material can be recycled.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2002Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventor: Gordon J. Peterson
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Publication number: 20040080202Abstract: The invention is a lumbar support structure adapted to attach to a frame of a seat. An upper support bar and a lower support bar attach to the frame of the seat. A plurality of vertical springwires connect to the support bars. Spacers are used to maintain a desired distance between each of the springwires. A lumbar portion of the springwires extends away from a plane containing the support bars. By utilizing different diameter springwires and different shaped lumbar portions a saddle support distribution is created. The saddle support distribution allows the structure to customize the response to an occupant sitting in the seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2002Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventor: Alfred Stadlbauer
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Patent number: 6722741Abstract: A seating structure includes a support structure, a seat supported by the support structure and a backrest pivotally connected to the support structure. The seat includes a front and rear. The backrest is positioned adjacent the rear of the seat. The backrest includes a frame having a pair of bow-shaped side members. Each of the side members has a lower section and an upper section. The upper sections extend from the lower sections so as to form a pair of first bowed sections at substantially a lumbar region of the backrest. A flexible membrane is attached to and extends between the side members. The flexible membrane has a second bowed section corresponding to the first bowed sections of the side members. A method of using the seating structure is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.Inventors: William E. Stumpf, Rodney C. Schoenfelder, Donald Chadwick, Carolyn Keller, Timothy P. Coffield, Randy J. Sayers, Jeffrey W. Bruner, Eric Cammenga
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Publication number: 20020195865Abstract: Arching mechanism, for instance for backrests of seats, medical or orthopaedic apparatus or casings and the like, with a pressure element wherein at least one traction element connected with a tensioning mechanism engages, which, when the mechanism is actuated can produce bulging by preserving a relative elevation of apex of the convexity; the arching mechanism can comprise a frame with inserted pressure elements actuatable by adjusting device(s), whereby frame segments are length-variable pressure elements; traction elements provided with tensioning mechanism can engage a slitted, overlapping or bellows-like bulging body for the opening and closing of these areas, which produces a curving of the bulging body in a predetermined direction or directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Inventors: Wilhelm Schuster, Wilhelm Schuster
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Patent number: 6454352Abstract: A car seat pad for use in child safety seats is described. The seat pad is formed of isotonic foam or encapsulated gel material to insulate an infant or small child from the hard surface of the safety seat. The pad includes a back portion and a hingedly joined seat portion. The back portion includes a number of slots designed to accommodate the seat belt webbing of the child safety seat. The seat portion includes a notch to provide space for the buckle of the seat belt. A removable washable cover is provided for the seat pad. The cover includes reinforced openings aligned with the slots in the back portion of the pad. In versions of the seat pad designed for larger children, a lumbar support pas is attached to the lower end of the back portion and an additional seat pad is attached to the upper end of the seat portion. The side edges of the back and seat portions are tapered to eliminate additional padding material from accumulating in the safety seat when the seat pad is fold to fit within the seat.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Inventors: George Konovalov, Jennifer M. Wells
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Patent number: 6425637Abstract: A chair includes a base, a back, and a seat with at least one of the back and seat including a cushion made from a non-woven fibrous material. A method includes steps of cutting a blank from a sheet of non-woven fibrous material, forming the blank into a preformed cushion shaped to support one of a user's back or buttock and thighs, and attaching the preformed cushion to a support panel to provide a stiffened cushion assembly and covering the cushion assembly to provide an aesthetically covered chair component.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1999Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventor: Gordon J. Peterson
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Patent number: 6378946Abstract: A seat backrest frame (10) having an integrally formed rigid peripheral frame structure which, relative to an in-use orientation, has a plurality of frame portions, namely a pair of side portions (20) and transverse portions (22 and 24). Each of the frame portions (20, 22 and 24) has an elongate channel form defined by respective side flanges (20a, 22a, 24a, 20b, 22b, 24b), and an interconnecting web (20c, 22c, 24c). Each web (20c, 22c, 24c) being disposed forwardly of the frame structure with the channel of each frame portion opening rearwardly. Each side portion (20) defines a forwardly projecting wing (36) over at least the lower half of its length, such that the depth of each side portion channel in at least the region of the wing (36) is substantially greater than the depth of the channels of the transverse portions (22 and 24).Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1999Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Henderson's Industries PTY Ltd.Inventors: Matthew Alan Cope, Morris Taylor Murray, Mark Paul Spataro, Martin Raymond Young
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Patent number: 6345863Abstract: A folding chair has a support frame with a back support portion, front leg portions, and rear legs. A seat is pivotally coupled to the support frame. A flexible back support is coupled to the support frame, and has a lumbar support member extending down from the back support to reach a lumbar region of a user's back. The lumbar support member extends from the back support into a space between the back support and seat. The seat pivots in a downward direction away from the back support and lumbar support ID member, so that the seat folds without interfering with the lumbar support member. The back support also has a perimeter flange disposed across the rigid back support perimeter, and free to move with respect to the rigid support frame in response to a load applied to the flexible back support.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1999Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Miny-Lite, Inc.Inventors: David J. Laws, Richard D. Smith
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Patent number: 6322147Abstract: A chair includes a base, a substantially rigid seat and back supporting frame, and a tensile support tensioned on the frame by a combination of elements of the base, the frame, and a spreader bar that extends between upper portions of the frame has a side profile generating a lumbar support that is particularly comfortable for users having a variety of physical characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1995Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Inventor: Roger K. Leib