SEAT SUSPENSION AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE
First Claim
1. A seating construction comprising:
- a frame defining an open area and including a plurality of discrete first structures positioned along opposite sides of the open area, said plurality of first structures being spaced apart to form gaps therebetween;
a plurality of elongated flexible slats extending across the frame between the opposite sides and over the open area, each slat having ends with second structures thereon, each said second structure being configured to align with a selected one of said first structures and including protruding portions which extend into the gaps on either side of the selected one of the first structures;
said first structures and the protruding portions of the second structures include passages that at least partially align; and
a connector being positioned in the aligned portion of the passages to secure the first structures and protruding portions in position.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A seating construction includes a perimeter frame defining an open area, and a one-piece molded seating component supported on the frame. The seating component includes a plurality of integrally-formed flexible slats defining a support surface over the open area. Resilient wires are coupled to the slats to resiliently support the slats when flexed. The component can be handled as a unit for assembly, and is retained by connecting rods that extend along the side section of the frame, with the slats each rotatably engaging mating bearing structure on the frame. A flex-limiting member in a center of the frame limits the resilient supports to a maximum deflected condition. Tabs on the molded component interconnect the slats and permit one-piece molding, but are either flexible or breakable to permit independent flexing of the slats. Methods related to the above are also disclosed.
75 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A seating construction comprising:
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a frame defining an open area and including a plurality of discrete first structures positioned along opposite sides of the open area, said plurality of first structures being spaced apart to form gaps therebetween; a plurality of elongated flexible slats extending across the frame between the opposite sides and over the open area, each slat having ends with second structures thereon, each said second structure being configured to align with a selected one of said first structures and including protruding portions which extend into the gaps on either side of the selected one of the first structures; said first structures and the protruding portions of the second structures include passages that at least partially align; and a connector being positioned in the aligned portion of the passages to secure the first structures and protruding portions in position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17)
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11. A seating construction comprising:
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a base frame; a seat frame with side sections supported on the base frame and defining an open area between the side sections; and a one-piece molded component made separate from the seat frame and operably supported on the seat frame, the component including a plurality of integrally-formed flexible slats interconnected by a plurality of deformable tabs, the slats including ends supported on the side sections and mechanically attached thereto so as to define a support surface over the open area with individual slats being configured to individually bend and deflect, the tabs being deformable to permit the slats to individually flex. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A seating unit comprising:
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a base supporting a frame; the frame defining an open area and including a plurality of discrete first structures positioned along opposite sides of the open area, said plurality of first structures spaced apart to form gaps therebetween; a plurality of elongated flexible slats extending across the frame between the opposite sides and over the open area, each slat having ends with second structures thereon, each said second structure being configured to align with a selected one of said first structures and including protruding portions which extend into the gaps on either side of the selected one of the first structures; said first structures and the protruding portions of the second structures include passages that at least partially align; and a connector being positioned in the aligned portion of the passages to secure the first structures and protruding portions in position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification