Modular chair construction and method of assembly

• US 5,873,634 A
• Filed: 01/08/1998
• Issued: 02/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Scheper, Robert M., Root, Brian H., Steffens, James P., Palacios, Noe, Haan, Micahel W., Sayers, David D., VanStee, Greg A., Christensen, Brian L., Schwoerer, Patrick P., Heidmann, Kurt R., Knoblock, Glenn A., McClure, Eric T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US09/004,566
• Time in Patent Office: 411 Days
• Field of Search: 297/440.1, 297/440.14, 297/440.22, 297/337, 297/311, 297/301.1, 297/300.2, 297/300.4, 297/300.5, 297/301.3, 297/301.4, 297/302.5, 297/302.6 , 297/302.7, 297/440.15
• US Class Current: 297/440.14
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/023 the parts being horizontally-adjustable seats ; Expandable seats or the like, e.g. seats with horizontally adjustable parts
• 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 1/03266 with adjustable elasticity
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03272 with coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03274 of torsion type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 13/005 Modular seating chairs connectible into a row A47C1/124
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A chair construction and method for building a chair having selected features are provided. The construction includes a plurality of interchangeable different components including different base assemblies, back assemblies, seats, arms, and chair controls that can be selected to provide different features on a "customized" chair. The different chair controls are constructed from a selected one of a plurality of interchangeable energy modules and a selected one of a plurality of interchangeable seat support modules. All components include standardized connections for engaging the related components, and further include various mechanisms and designs so that by selecting particular components, a chair having various features and appearances can be provided. For example, the plurality of interchangeable seat support modules include a non-adjustable seat support module, a seat-angle-adjustable seat support module, and a seat-depth-adjustable seat support module. Also, the plurality of interchangeable chair control modules include a non-lockable energy module, a back lockable energy module, and a multi-position backstop energy module, each connectable to a selected one of the aforementioned seat support modules. The modularity of these components facilitates assembly including on-site assembly, repair, and post-assembly upgrading of the chair. Further, the seat support is connected by removable pivot pins to allow assembly, retrofit and/or modification in the field. The tension adjustment mechanism, the seat height actuator mechanism, and the pivot connections are constructed for durability, performance, assembleability, compactness of design, and to minimize the number of and complexity of parts. The method includes selecting modules from a menu of interconnectable/interchangeable modules to construct a chair control, and further selecting modules from a menu of interchangeable components to construct a chair having selected features.

Claims

1. A chair control construction comprising:

an energy module including a fixed housing, a back upright support bracket rotatably connected to said fixed housing for movement between a fully upright position and a fully reclined position, and an energy source biasing said back upright support bracket toward said fully upright position; and

interchangeable seat support modules each configured for pivotal attachment to said fixed housing and said back upright support bracket at common connection points, said interchangeable seat support modules including a first seat support module having a non-adjustable seat support bracket configured to rotatably connect to said back upright support bracket, and further including a second seat support module having a synchrotilt bracket configured to rotatably connect to said back upright support bracket and an adjustable seat support bracket connected to said synchrotilt bracket, said adjustable seat support bracket being adjustably supported on said synchrotilt bracket for adjustment relative to said synchrotilt bracket, whereby different style chair controls with different functions can be made from common parts.

2. A chair control construction as defined in claim 1 including a second energy module having a back lock mechanism for locking said back upright support bracket in said fully upright position, said first energy module being a non-lockable standardized module for supporting said back upright support bracket.

3. A chair control construction as defined in claim 1 including removable pivot pins for pivotally securing a selected one of said interchangeable seat support modules to said energy module.

4. A chair control construction as defined in claim 1 wherein said second seat support module includes a seat-angle-adjustment mechanism connected to said adjustable seat support bracket.

5. A chair control construction as defined in claim 4 including a third seat support module having a second adjustable seat support bracket and a seat-depth-adjustment mechanism connected to said second adjustable seat support bracket.

6. A chair control construction as defined in claim 5 including a fourth seat support module having a seat-angle-adjustment and seat-depth-adjustment mechanism.

7. A chair control construction as defined in claim 5 including a second energy module having a back lock mechanism for locking said back upright support bracket in said fully upright position, said first energy module being a non-lockable standardized module for supporting said back upright support bracket.

8. A chair control construction as defined in claim 7 including a third energy module having a multi-stop mechanism for limiting the rearward rotation of said back upright support bracket at selected stop locations.

9. A chair control construction as defined in claim 1 wherein said fixed housing includes a front flange, and said back upright support bracket includes a pair of pivot-forming flanges, said front flange and said pivot-forming flanges forming a connection arrangement for engaging said common connection points.

10. A chair control construction as defined in claim 9 wherein said pivot-forming flanges include pivot-forming holes located on opposing sides of said back upright support bracket, said pivot-forming holes defining a common axis of rotation for said back upright support bracket and said interchangeable seat support modules that extends through said back upright support bracket.

11. A chair control construction as defined in claim 10 including removable pivot pins configured for frictional engagement with said pivot-forming holes in said pivot-forming flanges.

12. A kit for building a chair having selected features, comprising:

a base assembly;

a back;

a seat;

a chair control configured for connection to said base assembly and further configured for connection to said back and still further including a first connector arrangement; and

a plurality of different interchangeable seat support modules, each including a standardized connector arrangement configured to mateably engage said first connector arrangement and further including a standardized structure for supporting said seat, said plurality of different seat support modules each having customized adjustment mechanisms for providing different seat adjustment features, whereby different style chairs having different functions can be made from common parts.

13. A kit as defined in claim 12 wherein said chair control includes a fixed housing having a second connector arrangement for engaging said base assembly, and further includes a back upright support bracket pivotally secured to said fixed housing and defining a third connector arrangement for engaging said back.

14. A kit as defined in claim 13 wherein said fixed housing includes a front flange and said back upright support bracket includes pivot-forming flanges, said front flange and said pivot-forming flanges forming said first connector arrangement.

15. A kit as defined in claim 14 wherein said pivot-forming flanges include pivot-forming holes located on opposing sides of said back upright support bracket, said pivot-forming holes defining a common axis of rotation for said back upright support bracket and said interchangeable seat support modules, said common axis extending through said back upright support bracket.

16. A kit as defined in claim 14 including removable pivot pins configured for engagement with said pivot-forming flanges.

17. A kit as defined in claim 13 wherein said plurality of different seat support modules includes a non-adjustable seat support and further includes an adjustable seat support.

19. A kit as defined in claim 17 wherein said adjustable seat support includes a seat-angle-adjustment mechanism.

20. A kit as defined in claim 19 wherein said plurality of different seat support modules includes a third seat support including a seat-depth-adjustable mechanism.

18. A kit as defined in 17 claim wherein said adjustable seat support includes a seat-depth-adjustment mechanism.