Support member for a seating structure

• US 20060091715A1
• Filed: 12/07/2005
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Millerknoll Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Inventors: Schmitz, Johann Burkhard, Plikat, Claudia, Aldrich, John F., Zwick, Roland R.O., Aerts, Chad D., Neubert, Nicolai, Zwick, Carola E.M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,419,222 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/411.36
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03 the parts being arm-rests conversion into a bed A47C17/12
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03255 with a central column, e.g. rocking office chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03266 with adjustable elasticity
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/282 with mesh-like supports, e.g. elastomeric membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/46 with special, e.g. adjustable , lumbar region support profile; "Ackerblom" profile chairs

Abstract

A support member for a seating structure component includes a first support member having a first plurality of spaced apart fins and a second support member having a second plurality of spaced apart fins. The first support member is secured to the second support member with the first plurality of fins nested between the second plurality of fins.

Claims

1. A support member for a seating structure component, the support member comprising:

a first support member having a first plurality of spaced apart fins;

a second support member having a second plurality of spaced apart fins;

wherein said first support member is secured to said second support member with said first plurality of fins nested between said second plurality of fins.

2. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a back member connected to at least one of said first and second support members.

3. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a back support member moveably coupled to at least one of said first and second support members.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said first and second support members form a gap therebetween, wherein said back support member comprises an engaging member disposed through said gap.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said back support member comprises a lumbar support.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first support member defines in part a centrally located spine member, and further comprising a backrest connected to said spine member.

7. The invention of claim 6 further comprising a pair of arms extending outwardly from an upper end of said spine member.

8. The invention of claim 6 wherein said backrest comprises a compliant, resilient back member having a top, a bottom and opposite sides.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said back member has a plurality of openings formed therethrough.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said back member comprises a lumbar region, a thoracic region disposed above said lumbar region, and a lower region disposed below the lumbar region,wherein said lumbar region comprises a first array of openings formed therethrough, said first array comprising a first plurality of staggered, elongated openings, wherein said first plurality of said first array openings are elongated in a direction from the top to the bottom of the back member, and wherein said thoracic region comprises a second array of openings formed therethrough, said second array comprising a second plurality of staggered, elongated openings, wherein said second plurality of said second array openings are elongated in a direction from the top to the bottom of the back member, wherein said first plurality of openings have a greater elongation on average than said second plurality of openings.

11. The invention of claim 10 wherein said lower region comprises a third array of openings formed therethrough, said third array comprising a third plurality of staggered, elongated openings, wherein said first plurality of openings have a greater elongation on average than said third plurality of openings.

12. The invention of claim 8 wherein said back member comprises a lumbar region, a thoracic region disposed above said lumbar region, and a lower region disposed below the lumbar region, wherein said back member has a first thickness at a center portion of said lumbar region and a second thickness at a peripheral side portion of said lumbar region, wherein said second thickness is greater than said first thickness.

13. The invention of claim 8 wherein said back member is bowed at a lumbar region thereof.

14. The invention of claim 8 further comprising a cover member disposed over a bodyside surface of said back member.

15. The invention of claim 7 wherein said back member is connected to end portions of said arms.

16. The invention of claim 15 wherein said back member is connected to a lower portion of said spine at location vertically spaced below said end portions of said arms.

17. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first support member defines a back support, said first support member pivotally connected to a tilt control housing.

18. The invention of claim 17 comprising a lower support member detachably connected to a lower portion of said first support member, wherein said lower support member is pivotally connected to said tilt control housing.

19. The invention of claim 6 wherein said spine member is secured to said back rest at a pair of spaced apart upper locations and a lower location.

20. The invention of claim 19 wherein said upper locations are vertically spaced from said top of said backrest.