CHAIR AND CHAIR CONTROL ASSEMBLIES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS

• US 20150296988A1
• Filed: 04/17/2015
• Published: 10/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc. (HNI Corporation)
• Original Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc. (HNI Corporation)
• Inventors: Machael, Jay R., Hahn, Jesse, Lindorfer, Matthew R., Heitman, Brandt M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,801,471 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03233 by means of a rack-and-pinion or like gearing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03238 by means of peg-and-notch or pawl-and-ratchet mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03255 with a central column, e.g. rocking office chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03294 slidingly movable in the base frame, e.g. by rollers
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 3/20 Chairs or stools with vertically-adjustable seats tables with variable height A47B9/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/004 for chairs or stools with central column, e.g. office chairs

Abstract

Chairs, seating systems, chair sub-assemblies and sub-systems, and associated methods of assembly and use. Aspects relate to chairs and methods of assembling chairs including chair controls of a relatively compact and effective design with desirable synchronous raising and tilting motions. Aspects also relate to tilt lock assemblies for achieving secure and effective tilt securement. Additional aspects relate to forward and rearward adjustment, or extension and retraction, of a seating assembly of the chair.

Claims

1. A chair control cartridge comprising:

a seat support including a first rider and a second rider;

a link arm including a body and a pivot link, the body having a first end and a second end, the second end being pivotably coupled to the pivot link, the pivot link being pivotably coupled to the seat support; and

a control body having a first slot and a second slot, each of the first and second slots extending upwardly and rearwardly, the first slot receiving the first rider of the seat support and the second slot receiving the second rider of the seat support, such that upon pivoting of the body of the link arm relative to the control body the riders of the seat support traverse the first and second slots, respectively, to raise and lower the seat support.

2. The chair control cartridge of claim 1, wherein the pivot link is pivotably coupled to the first rider.

3. The chair control cartridge of claim 1, wherein an intermediate location on the body of the link arm is pivotably coupled to the control body toward a rear location on the control body.

4. The chair control cartridge of claim 1, wherein the seat support includes a body and the first and second riders each include slider features rotatably coupled to the body.

5. The chair control cartridge of claim 1, wherein the seat support includes a body and the first and second riders each include slider features non-rotatably coupled to the body.

6. The chair control cartridge of claim 1, wherein the body of the link arm extends rearwardly relative to the control body to provide a back support attachment location.

7. The chair control cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first slot extends in a first direction and the second slot extends in a second direction, the first direction being angularly offset from the second direction.

8. The chair control cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first and second slots extend in substantially parallel directions.

9. The chair control cartridge of claim 1, wherein the pivot link rotates in a first rotational direction upon rotation of the body of the link arm in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction.

10. The chair control cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first and second riders travel in substantially linear paths in the first and second slots, respectively.

11. The chair control cartridge of claim 1, wherein the seat support includes a front end and a rear end, and further wherein the front end of the seat support is raised and lowered at a greater rate than the rear end of the seat support.

12. A chair comprising the chair control cartridge of claim 1, the chair including a base maintaining the chair control cartridge relative to a floor surface;

a seat coupled to the seat support; and

a back support coupled to the first end of the body of the link arm.

13. A method of making a chair, the method comprising assembling the chair control cartridge of claim 1, coupling the chair control cartridge to a chair base, coupling a seat to the seat support, and coupling a back support to the first end of the body of the link arm.

14. A seating system comprising:

a base for supporting the chair on a floor surface;

a seat for receiving a posterior of a user;

a back support for receiving a back of the user;

a first chair control cartridge comprising;

a seat support including a first rider and a second rider, the seat support coupled to the seat;

a link arm including a body and a rider link, the body having a first end and a second end coupled to the back support, the second end being pivotably coupled to the pivot link, the pivot link being pivotably coupled to the seat support; and

a control body coupled to the base, the control body having a first slot and a second slot, each of the first and second slots extending upwardly and rearwardly, the first slot receiving the first rider of the seat support and the second slot receiving the second rider of the seat support, such that upon pivoting of the body of the link arm relative to the control body the riders of the seat support traverse the first and second slots, respectively to raise and lower the seat support.

15. The seating system of claim 14, wherein the first slot extends in a first direction and the second slot extends in a second direction, the first direction being angularly offset from the second direction.

16. The seating system of claim 14, wherein the first slot extends in a first direction and the second slot extends in a second direction, each of the first and second directions being configured to extend at a non-zero angle relative to the floor surface.

17. The seating system of claim 14, wherein the first chair control cartridge is positioned toward a first side of the seat, the system further comprising a second chair control cartridge coupled to the seat and the back support and positioned opposite the first chair control cartridge toward a second side of the seat.

18. A seating system comprising:

a base for supporting the chair on a floor surface;

a seat for receiving a posterior of a user;

a back support for receiving a back of the user;

a first chair control cartridge comprising;

a control body coupled to the base and including a first rider and a second rider, the control body coupled to the seat;

a link arm including a body and a rider link, the body having a first end and a second end coupled to the back support, the second end being pivotably coupled to the pivot link, the pivot link being pivotably coupled to the seat support; and

a seat support having a first slot and a second slot, each of the first and second slots extending upwardly and rearwardly, the first slot receiving the first rider of the control body and the second slot receiving the second rider of the control body, such that upon pivoting of the body of the link arm relative to the control body the riders of the control body traverse the first and second slots, respectively to raise and lower the seat support.

19. A chair control cartridge comprising:

a control body including a first rider and a second rider;

a link arm including a body and a pivot link, the body having a first end and a second end, the second end being pivotably coupled to the pivot link, the pivot link being pivotably coupled to the seat support; and

a seat support having a first slot and a second slot, each of the first and second slots extending upwardly and rearwardly, the first slot receiving the first rider of the control body and the second slot receiving the second rider of the control body, such that upon pivoting of the body of the link arm relative to the control body the riders of the control body traverse the first and second slots of the seat support, respectively to raise and lower the seat support.