Variable configuration mounting arrangement for a chair back support member
First Claim
1. In a chair having a seat, a back, and back support structure secured to the seat, wherein the back includes a back mounting member having a seat mounting section adapted for mounting to the back support structure, wherein the back mounting member is configured to space the back above the seat, the improvement comprising passage structure defined by the back support structure, wherein the passage structure defines a passage which receives the seat mounting section of the back mounting member, and at least one of a plurality of insert members, wherein each insert member is selectively engageable with the passage structure of the back support structure and alters the dimensions of the passage to enable the passage to receive seat mounting sections of different dimensions, wherein the insert members enable back mounting members having differently dimensioned seat mounting sections to be mounted to the back support structure.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A chair control mechanism for a chair assembly having a seat and a back includes an arrangement for mounting the lower end of a back support member, for positioning the back above the seat. The chair control mechanism includes a variable configuration mounting area so as to enable different back support members to be used with the same basic chair control mechanism structure. In one version, the variable configuration mounting area is provided by engaging one of a series of inserts within a transverse rear wall defined by the chair control mechanism. Each insert defines a passage configured to receive the lower seat mounting section of a back mounting member having a different set of dimensions, and the seat mounting section of the back mounting member extends through the passage and is engaged with the chair control mechanism by means of a fixed fastener-type arrangement or by a hand screw received within a slot for providing adjustability in the position of the back relative to the seat. In another version, the chair control mechanism includes an upper wall and a pair of depending sidewalls, with inwardly extending protrusions formed on the sidewalls which cooperate with the upper wall and sidewalls to define a space for receiving a seat mounting section having a maximum set of dimensions. Inserts are engageable with the protrusions for altering the effective dimensions of the space so as to enable seat mounting sections of different, smaller dimensions to be received between the sidewalls, top wall and protrusions.
23 Citations
15 Claims
- 1. In a chair having a seat, a back, and back support structure secured to the seat, wherein the back includes a back mounting member having a seat mounting section adapted for mounting to the back support structure, wherein the back mounting member is configured to space the back above the seat, the improvement comprising passage structure defined by the back support structure, wherein the passage structure defines a passage which receives the seat mounting section of the back mounting member, and at least one of a plurality of insert members, wherein each insert member is selectively engageable with the passage structure of the back support structure and alters the dimensions of the passage to enable the passage to receive seat mounting sections of different dimensions, wherein the insert members enable back mounting members having differently dimensioned seat mounting sections to be mounted to the back support structure.
- 9. In a chair including a seat, a chair control mechanism mounted to the seat and adapted for engagement with a support member for supporting the seat above a supporting surface, a back, and a back mounting member for interconnecting the back with the seat, wherein the back mounting member includes a seat mounting section adapted for interconnection with the seat, the improvement comprising a variable configuration mounting area associated with the chair control mechanism for receiving and engaging seat mounting sections of varying dimensions associated with different back mounting members, wherein the chair control mechanism includes a depending end wall defining an opening, and engagement structure located forwardly of the end wall, wherein the seat mounting section of the back mounting member extends through the opening and into engagement with the engagement structure, and wherein the variable configuration mounting area is provided by engaging a selected one of a series of insert members within the opening in the end wall, wherein each insert member defines a passage having a configuration corresponding to the cross section of one of a number of predetermined configurations of seat mounting sections.
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12. A method of mounting a back mounting member to a chair assembly including a seat and support structure for spacing the seat above a supporting surface, wherein the seat is mounted to a chair control mechanism, comprising the steps of:
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providing a mounting area on the chair control mechanism for mounting a seat mounting section of the back mounting member, wherein the mounting area at least in part is defined by passage structure associated with the chair control mechanism, wherein the passage structure defines a passage, and wherein the mounting area and passage are configured to receive and mount a seat mounting section having a first set of maximum dimensions; and
varying the configuration of the passage by engaging at least one of a plurality of inset members with the passage structure, wherein each insert member reduces one or more dimensions of the passage so as to receive a seat mounting section of a back mounting member in which the seat mounting section has one or more dimensions less than one or more of the maximum dimensions. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A method of mounting a back mounting member to a chair assembly including a seat and support structure for spacing the seat above a supporting surface, wherein the seat is mounted to a chair control mechanism, comprising the steps of:
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providing a mounting area on the chair control mechanism for mounting a seat mounting section of the back mounting member, wherein the mounting area is configured to receive a seat mounting section having a first set of maximum dimensions; and
varying the configuration of the mounting area so as to receive a seat mounting section of a back mounting member having one or more dimensions less than one or more of the maximum dimensions by forming an opening in an end wall associated with the chair control mechanism, and engaging a selected one of a plurality of insert members within the opening, wherein each insert member defines a passage configured to receive a seat mounting section having a different set of dimensions.
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15. In a chair control mechanism adapted for engagement with a seat and with a support for spacing the seat above a supporting surface such as a floor, and for engaging a seat mounting section of a back mounting member interconnected with a back and configured to space the back above the seat, wherein the chair control mechanism includes a downwardly facing engagement surface with which an upwardly facing engagement surface of the seat mounting section is engaged, the improvement comprising a variable configuration mounting area associated with the chair control mechanism and located adjacent the engagement area for receiving and mounting seat mounting sections having different dimensions, wherein the engagement surface is located adjacent an opening formed in a wall associated with the chair control mechanism, and wherein the variable configuration mounting area is provided by engagement of one of a series of inserts within the opening, wherein each insert defines a passage located rearwardly of the engagement area and configured to receive one of a plurality of seat mounting sections having differing dimensions.
Specification