Office components, seating structures, methods of using seating structures, and systems of seating structures

• US 20070108809A1
• Filed: 01/03/2007
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Millerknoll Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated (Millerknoll Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bonomie, Arturo, Kuiper, Daniel, Beck, Robert, Kurrasch, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 7,393,053 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/217.300
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/0242 by electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 3/24 with vertical spindle
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/008 Use of remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/126 for chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/004 for chairs or stools with central column, e.g. office chairs

Abstract

Office components are described that include an electrical conduit electrically coupled to a fuel cell, and an electrically powered device coupled to the electrical conduit and configured to receive electricity generated by the fuel cell. The electrically powered device includes at least one of an automatic adjustment mechanism, a control system, a sound masking system, and an office accessory. Chairs, methods of using chairs, and systems of chairs are also described.

Claims

1-78. -78. (canceled)

79. A seating structure comprising:

a base and a seat supported by the base;

a microprocessor;

an automatic tilt adjustment mechanism electrically coupled to the microprocessor;

a digital display electrically coupled to the microprocessor;

an encoded device reader electrically coupled to the microprocessor; and

an encoded device writer electrically coupled to the microprocessor.

80. The invention of claim 79 further comprising a backrest connected to at least one of the seat and the base.

81. The invention of claim 79 further comprising a fuel cell electrically coupled to the microprocessor.

82. The invention of claim 79 further comprising an automatic height adjustment mechanism electrically coupled to the microprocessor.

83. The invention of claim 82 further comprising a fuel cell electrically coupled to the microprocessor.

84. The invention of claim 82 wherein the automatic height adjustment mechanism comprises:

a first motor electrically coupled to the microprocessor;

a gear rotatably connected to the motor, wherein the gear meshes with and rotates a rotatably adjustable nut, and wherein the rotatably adjustable nut is on a height-adjustable shaft connecting the seat to the base of the chair; and

a load sensor electrically coupled to the microprocessor, wherein the load sensor detects degree to which a load on the seat is alleviated.

85. The invention of claim 84 further comprising a backrest connected to at least one of the seat and the base, wherein the automatic tilt adjustment mechanism comprises:

a second motor electrically coupled to the microprocessor;

a biasing member connected to the second motor, wherein the biasing member adjusts biasing force against at least one of the seat and the backrest;

a load sensor electrically coupled to the microprocessor; and

a position transducer electrically coupled to the microprocessor;

wherein

the load sensor detects a weight on the seat;

the microprocessor calculates an optimum target position for the biasing member based on the weight detected by the load sensor;

the second motor adjusts the biasing member to achieve the optimum target position; and

the position transducer senses positioning of the biasing member, and signals the microprocessor when the optimum target position is achieved.

86. The invention of claim 85 further comprising a fuel cell, which is electrically coupled to the microprocessor.

87. The invention of claim 85 wherein the digital display comprises a user interface selected from the group consisting of a touch screen, a keyboard, a keypad, a voice recognition system, and combinations thereof, whereby a user can adjust office component settings.

88. The invention of claim 85 further comprising a memory device electrically coupled to the microprocessor

89. The invention of claim 88 further comprising a sound masking system electrically coupled to the microprocessor.

90. A seating structure comprising:

a base and a seat supported by the base;

a microprocessor;

means for automatic tilt adjustment electrically coupled to the microprocessor;

means for visual display electrically coupled to the microprocessor;

means for reading stored information electrically coupled to the microprocessor; and

means for storing information electrically coupled to the microprocessor.

91. The invention of claim 90 further comprising a backrest connected to at least one of the seat and the base.

92. The invention of claim 90 further comprising a fuel cell electrically coupled to the microprocessor.

93. The invention of claim 90 further comprising means for automatic height adjustment electrically coupled to the microprocessor;

94. The invention of claim 93 further comprising a fuel cell electrically coupled to the microprocessor.

95. The invention of claim 90 wherein the means for visual display comprise a user interface selected from the group consisting of a touch screen, a keyboard, a keypad, a voice recognition system, switches, sensors, and combinations thereof, whereby a user can adjust office component settings.

96. The invention of claim 95 further comprising means for sound masking electrically coupled to the microprocessor.

97-121. -121. (canceled)