Office chair

• US 6,386,634 B1
• Filed: 11/17/1995
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Inventors: Crossman, Philip, Sayers, Randy J., Coffield, Timothy P., Schoenfelder, Rodney C., Cammenga, Eric, Keller, Carolyn, Chadwick, Donald, Bruner, Jeffrey W., Stumpf, William E., Miles, George A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Saether, Flemming
• Application Number:
  US08/347,475
• Time in Patent Office: 2,370 Days
• Field of Search: 297/302.3, 297/300.2, 297/300.4, 297/326, 297/327, 297/328, 297/316, 297/317, 297/284.7, 297/322
• US Class Current: 297/300.4
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03 the parts being arm-rests conversion into a bed A47C17/12
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/0303 adjustable rectilinearly in vertical direction
• 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 1/03261 characterised by elastic means
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 3/30 with vertically-acting fluid cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 5/06 Special adaptation of seat upholstery or fabric for attachment to tubular chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/029 of non-adjustable shape adapted to a user contour or ergonomic seating positions
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/14 of adjustable shape; elastically mounted ; adaptable to a user contour or ergonomic seating positions movably-coupled seat and backrests with elastic adjustment means A47C1/03261; elastically-mounted back-rests or backrest-seat units in the base frame A47C7/44
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/282 with mesh-like supports, e.g. elastomeric membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/40 for the back
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14065 Positioning or centering articles in the mould
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14631 Coating reinforcements fibre reinforcements B29C45/0005
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2713/00 Use of textile products or fabrics for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts B29K2105/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/443 Chairs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49863 with prestressing of part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49867 of skin on frame member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4998 Combined manufacture including applying or shaping of fluent material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49998 Work holding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32475 having detent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3024 : Including elastic strand or strip

Abstract

A tiltable chair including a base member (44), a seat (32), a back (34), and a linkage assembly (40) adapted to allow the seat and back to tilt downwardly and rearwardly and to allow pivotal movement of the seat about a pivot axis (52) in substantial alignment with the hip joints of a user. Other aspects of the invention are to provide a vertically adjustable column (42) for supporting the seat of the chair, a support assembly including a frame member (33) having a central opening therethrough and a receptacle formed around the perimeter thereof, a carrier member adapted to fit inside the receptacle, and a membrane of elastic material (210) covering the central opening, and a pair of armrests (36) adapted to be mounted to the chair to allow pivotal movement thereof.

Claims

1. A tiltable chair comprising:

a base member;

a seat comprising a seating surface, a front portion, a rear portion and a side portion;

a back; and

a linkage assembly connecting said seat and back to said base member, with said back positioned adjacent said rear portion of said seat, said linkage assembly comprising a first link member pivotally mounted to said base member about a first pivot axis and pivotally attached to said side portion of said seat about a second pivot axis positioned above said seating surface of said seat, and a second link member extending between and pivotally connected to said seat and said base member at a third and fourth pivot axis respectively, wherein said third pivot axis is positioned rearwardly of said second pivot axis.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said second pivot axis is positioned rearwardly of said fourth pivot axis.

3. The invention of claim 1 comprising a pair of first link members pivotally mounted to said base member at said first pivot axis and to opposite side portions of said seat at said second pivot axis.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said back is connected to said first link member.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said back is rigidly connected to said first link member.

6. The invention of claim 4 wherein said first link member comprises a first link portion comprising a first end pivotally attached to said side portion of the seat and a second end rigidly connected to a second link portion, said second link portion comprising a first end pivotally connected to said base member at said first pivot axis, a forward portion extending upwardly and rearwardly from said first end of said second link portion and a second end connected to said back.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said first link portion extends upwardly from said second link portion.

8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said seat has an effective tilt axis positioned forwardly of the front portion of the seat and below the seating surface of the seat.

9. The invention of claim 1 comprising a pair of second link members extending between and pivotally connected to said base member and said seat.

10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first and fourth pivot axes are positioned forwardly of said second pivot axis.

11. The invention of claim 1 wherein said fourth pivot axis is positioned rearwardly of said first pivot axis.

12. The invention of claim 11 wherein said fourth pivot axis is positioned downwardly from said first pivot axis.

13. The invention of claim 1 wherein said back comprises a bowed section.

14. The invention of claim 1 wherein at least one of said seat and said back comprises a frame member having a central opening and a membrane of elastic material disposed across said central opening and attached to said frame member.

15. The invention of claim 14 wherein membrane comprises a plurality of strands of multifilament yarn interwoven with a plurality of monofilaments.

16. The invention of claim 15 wherein said monofilaments are made of an elastomeric material.

17. The invention of claim 14 wherein said seat comprises said frame member having a central opening, said seat further comprising a cushion disposed between a front portion of said frame member and a portion of said membrane attached to said frame member.

18. The invention of claim 14 wherein said frame member of said at least one of said seat and back has a channel formed therein, and further comprising a carrier member attached to said membrane, wherein said carrier member is disposed in said channel.

19. The invention of claim 14 wherein said back comprises said frame member having said central opening, said back further comprising a brace member extending horizontally across a portion of said central opening in said frame member, said brace vertically adjustable attached to said frame member.

20. The invention of claim 19 wherein said frame member comprises an edge defining at least a portion of said central opening, and wherein said brace comprises an end slidably engaged with said edge of said frame member.

21. The invention of claim 1 wherein an angle formed between said seat and back increases as said seat and back are tilted rearwardly.

22. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a pair of armrests attached to said back.

23. The invention of claim 22 wherein said armrests are height adjustable.

24. The invention of claim 1 wherein said linkage assembly comprises a four-bar linkage comprising said seat, said base, said first link member and said second link member, with said seat extending between said first link member and said second link member to complete the four-bar linkage.

25. The invention of claim 1 wherein said seat and back are tiltable between at least a forward position and a reclined position, wherein said seat is tilted forwardly out of a horizontal plane when in said forward position, and wherein said seat and said back form an angle therebetween, and wherein said angle is greater than 90°

when said seat and back are in said forward position.

26. The invention of claim 25 wherein said seat and back are further tiltable to a middle position, wherein said seat is substantially horizontal and said angle is approximately 104°

.

27. The invention of claim 25 wherein said seat is tilted rearwardly from said horizontal plane when in said reclined position, and wherein said angle is approximately 108°

.

28. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a spring acting on said linkage assembly and thereby providing a biasing support for said seat and back.

29. The invention of claim 1 further comprising an axle mounted to said base and defining said first pivot axis, wherein said first link member is attached to said axle.

30. The invention of claim 29 further comprising a spring mounted on said axle about said first pivot axis, said spring acting on said linkage assembly and thereby providing a biasing support for said seat and back.

31. The invention of claim 30 wherein said spring is a torsilastic spring.

32. The invention of claim 29 further comprising a tilt limiter comprising an arm extending from said axle and engaging a moveable member mounted to said base member.

33. The invention of claim 32 wherein said tilt limiter is a forward tilt limiter and wherein said moveable member comprises a pivot member rotatably mounted to said base member.

34. The invention of claim 32 wherein said tilt limiter is a rearward tilt limiter and wherein said moveable member comprises a cam member rotatably mounted to said base member.

35. The invention of claim 1 wherein said seat comprises upwardly extending side portions, and wherein said first link member is attached to at least one of said side portions at said second pivot axis.

36. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first and second link members are visually exposed to a user.

37. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first and fourth pivot axes are positioned forwardly of said second pivot axis.

38. A tiltable chair comprising:

a base member;

a seat comprising a front portion, a rear portion and opposite side portions;

a back positioned adjacent said rear portion of said seat; and

a linkage assembly comprising a forward link member and a rear link member, said forward link member comprising a first end pivotally connected to said base member about a first pivot axis, said forward link member extending upwardly and rearwardly from said base member to one of said side portions of said seat wherein said forward link member is pivotally connected to said side portion at a second pivot axis, said forward link having a second end extending rearwardly from said second pivot axis and being attached to said back, said rear link member having one end pivotally connected to said seat at a third pivot axis and another end pivotally connected to said base member about a fourth pivot axis, wherein said third pivot axis is positioned rearwardly of said second pivot axis.

39. The invention of claim 38 wherein said first pivot axis is positioned forwardly of said fourth pivot axis.

40. The invention of claim 38 wherein said second end of said forward link member is rigidly connected to said back.

41. The invention of claim 38 wherein said seat further comprises a seating surface, wherein said second pivot axis is positioned above said seating surface.

42. The invention of claim 41 wherein said second pivot axis is positioned rearwardly of said fourth pivot axis.

43. The invention of claim 38 wherein said forward link member comprises a first link and a second link, said first link comprising a first end pivotally attached to said side portion of the seat and a second end rigidly connected to said second link.

44. The invention of claim 43 wherein said first link extends upwardly from said second link.

45. The invention of claim 38 wherein said seat has an effective tilt axis positioned forwardly of the front portion of the seat and below a seating surface of the seat.

46. The invention of claim 38 wherein said back comprises a bowed section.

47. The invention of claim 38 wherein at least one of said seat and said back comprises a frame member having a central opening and a membrane of elastic material disposed across said central opening and attached to said frame member.

48. The invention of claim 47 wherein membrane comprises a plurality of strands of multifilament yarn interwoven with a plurality of monofilaments.

49. The invention of claim 47 wherein said monofilaments are made of an elastomeric material.

50. The invention of claim 47 wherein said frame member of said at least one of said seat and back has a channel formed therein, and further comprising a carrier member attached to said membrane, wherein said carrier member is disposed in said channel.

51. The invention of claim 47 wherein said back comprises said frame member having said central opening, said back further comprising a brace member extending horizontally across a portion of said central opening in said frame member, said brace vertically adjustable attached to said frame member.

52. The invention of claim 51 wherein said frame member comprises an edge defining at least a portion of said central opening, and wherein said brace comprises an end slidably engaged with said edge of said frame member.

53. The invention of claim 38 wherein an angle formed between said seat and back increases as said seat and back are tilted rearwardly.

54. The invention of claim 38 further comprising a pair of armrests attached to said back.

55. The invention of claim 54 wherein said armrests are height adjustable.

56. The invention of claim 38 wherein said seat and back are tiltable between at least a forward position and a reclined position, wherein said seat is tilted forwardly out of a horizontal plane when in said forward position, and wherein said seat and said back form an angle therebetween, and wherein said angle is greater than 90°

when said seat and back are in said forward position.

57. The invention of claim 56 wherein said seat and back are further tiltable to a middle position, wherein said seat is substantially horizontal and said angle is approximately 104°

.

58. The invention of claim 56 wherein said seat is tilted rearwardly from said horizontal plane when in said reclined position, and wherein said second angle is approximately 108°

.

59. The invention of claim 38 further comprising a spring acting on said linkage assembly and thereby providing a biasing support for said seat and back.

60. The invention of claim 38 further comprising an axle mounted to said base and defining said first pivot axis, wherein said forward link member is attached to said axle.

61. The invention of claim 60 further comprising a spring mounted on said axle about said first pivot axis, said spring acting on said linkage assembly and thereby providing a biasing support for said seat and back.

62. The invention of claim 61 wherein said spring is a torsilastic spring.

63. The invention of claim 60 further comprising a tilt limiter comprising an arm extending from said axis and engaging a moveable member mounted to said base member.

64. The invention of claim 63 wherein said tilt limiter is a forward tilt limiter and wherein said moveable member comprises a pivot member rotatably mounted to said base member.

65. The invention of claim 63 wherein said tilt limiter is a rearward tilt limiter and wherein said moveable member comprises a cam member rotatably mounted to said base member.

66. A tiltable chair comprising:

a base member;

a seat comprising a seating surface, a front portion and a rear portion;

a back; and

a linkage assembly connecting said seat and back to said base member, with said back positioned adjacent said rear portion of said seat, said linkage assembly comprising a first link member having a pivotal connection with and extending between said seat and said base member, said first link member comprising a portion extending rearwardly from said pivotal connection to said seat, wherein said rearwardly extending portion is connected to said back, said first link member having a pivot axis located above said seating surface of said seat, and wherein said seat is further connected to said base with a second link member, wherein said second link member is connected to said seat at a location positioned rearwardly of said pivotal connection between said first link member and said seat.

67. The invention of claim 66 wherein said seat comprises a side portion, wherein said pivotal connection between said first link member and said seat comprises a pivotal connection between said first link member and said side portion, and wherein said pivot axis defines said pivotal connection between said first link member and said side portion of said seat.

68. The invention of claim 66 further comprising a horizontally extending lumbar support attached to said back.

69. The invention of claim 68 wherein said lumbar support is vertically adjustable relative to said back.

70. The invention of claim 69 wherein said back comprises a frame, and wherein said lumbar support comprises a hook portion formed on each end thereof, wherein said hook portions engages said frame of said back and is slidable relative thereto.

71. The invention of claim 68 wherein said lumbar support comprises a support portion having an oval shape.

72. A method for tilting a chair occupied by a user comprising:

providing said chair comprising a base member;

a seat comprising a seating surface, a front portion and a rear portion;

a back; and

a linkage assembly connecting said seat and back to said base member, with said back positioned adjacent said rear portion of said seat, said linkage assembly comprising a first link member having a pivotal connection with and extending between said base member and said seat, said first link member comprising a portion extending rearwardly from said pivotal connection to said seat, wherein said rearwardly extending portion of said first link member is connected to said back, said first link member having a pivot axis located above the seating surface of said seat, and wherein said seat is further connected to said base with a second link member, wherein said second link member is connected to said seat at a location positioned rearwardly of said pivotal connection between said first link member and said seat;

tilting rearwardly in said chair and thereby pivoting said seat relative to said back about said pivotal connection between said seat and said first link member.

73. A method for tilting a chair occupied by a user comprising:

providing said chair comprising a base member;

a seat comprising a seating surface, a front portion, a back portion and a side portion;

a back; and

a linkage assembly connecting said seat and back to said base member, with said back positioned adjacent said back portion of said seat, said linkage assembly comprising a first link member pivotally mounted to said base member about a first pivot axis, wherein said first link member is pivotally attached to said side portion of said seat at a second pivot axis above at least a portion of the seating surface of said seat, and a second link member extending between and pivotally mounted to said seat and said base about a third and fourth pivot axis respectively, wherein said third pivot axis is positioned rearwardly of said second pivot axis;

tilting rearwardly in said chair and thereby pivoting said seat relative to said back about said second pivot axis.

74. The method of claim 73 wherein said second pivot axis is positioned rearwardly of said fourth pivot axis.

75. The method of claim 73 wherein said tilting rearwardly in said chair further comprises tilting said seat rearwardly about a tilt axis positioned forwardly of said front portion of said seat and beneath said seating surface.

76. The method of claim 73 wherein said tilting rearwardly in said chair comprises moving a forward edge of the seat rearwardly without raising said forward edge a substantial amount.

77. The method of claim 73 wherein said back is connected to said first link member.

78. The method of claim 77 wherein said first link member comprises a first link portion comprising a first end pivotally attached to said side portion of the seat and a second end rigidly connected to a second link portion, said second link portion comprising a first end pivotally connected to said base member at said first pivot axis, a forward portion extending upwardly and rearwardly from said first end of said second link portion and a rear portion having a second end connected to said back.

79. The method of claim 78 wherein said first link portion extends upwardly from said second link portion.

80. The method of claim 73 wherein said second link member comprises a pair of second link members extending between and pivotally connected to said base member and said seat.

81. The method of claim 80 wherein said fourth pivot axis is positioned rearwardly and downwardly of said first pivot axis.

82. The method of claim 73 wherein at least one of said seat and said back comprises a frame member having a central opening and a membrane of elastic material disposed across said central opening and attached to said frame member.

83. The method of claim 82 wherein membrane comprises a plurality of strands of multifilament yarn interwoven with a plurality of monofilaments.

84. The method of claim 83 wherein said monofilaments are made of an elastomeric material.

85. The method of claim 82 wherein said frame member of said at least one of said seat and back has a channel formed therein, and further comprising a carrier member attached to said membrane, wherein said carrier member is disposed in said channel.

86. The method of claim 85 further comprising limiting the tilting of said chair with a tilt limiter, wherein said tilt limiter comprises an arm extending from said axle, and wherein said limiting the tilting of said chair comprises engaging a moveable member mounted to said base member with said arm.

87. The method of claim 82 wherein said back comprises said frame member having said central opening, said back further comprising a brace member extending horizontally across a portion of said central opening in said frame member, said brace vertically adjustable attached to said frame member.

88. The method of claim 87 wherein said frame member comprises an edge defining at least a portion of said central opening, and wherein said brace comprises an end slidably engaged with said edge of said frame member.

89. The method of claim 73 further comprising a brace member extending horizontally across a portion of said back, said brace vertically adjustable attached to said back.

90. The method of claim 73 wherein an angle formed between said seat and back increases as said seat and back are tilted rearwardly.

91. The method of claim 73 further comprising a pair of armrests attached to said back.

92. The method of claim 91 wherein said armrests are height adjustable.

93. The invention of claim 73 wherein said tilting rearwardly in said chair comprises tilting said seat and back between at least a forward position and a reclined position, wherein said seat is tilted forwardly out of a horizontal plane when in said forward position, and wherein said seat and said back form an angle therebetween, wherein said angle formed between said seat and back is greater than 90°

when said seat and back are in said forward position.

94. The method of claim 93 wherein tilting said seat and back between at least a forward position and a reclined position comprises tilting said seat and back to a middle position, wherein said seat is substantially horizontal and said angle between said seat and back is approximately 104°

when said seat and back are in said middle position.

95. The method of claim 93 wherein said seat is tilted rearwardly from said horizontal plane when in said reclined position, and wherein said angle between said seat and back is approximately 108°

when said seat and back are in said reclined position.

96. The method of claim 73 wherein said first and second link members are visually exposed.

97. The method of claim 73 further comprising biasing said linkage assembly with a spring.

98. The method of claim 73 wherein said first link member is attached to an axle mounted to said base, wherein said axle defines said first pivot axis.

99. A method for tilting a chair occupied by a user comprising:

providing said chair comprising a base;

a seat having a forward edge, side portions, a rear portion and a seating surface;

a back positioned adjacent said rear portion of said seat; and

a linkage assembly connecting said seat and back to said base member, wherein said linkage assembly comprises a four-bar linkage comprising said seat, said base, a forward link member and a rear link member, said forward link member pivotally attached to said base about a first pivot axis and to said seat about a second pivot axis, said forward link member having a portion extending rearwardly from said second pivot axis, wherein said portion is attached to said back, said rear link member having a first end pivotally connected to a rear portion of said seat about a third pivot axis and a second end pivotally connected to said base member at a fourth pivot axis, wherein said fourth pivot axis is positioned rearwardly from said first pivot axis, said seat extending between said forward link member and said rear link member to complete the four-bar linkage;

pivoting said seat relative to said back about said second pivot axis, wherein said second axis is positioned above the seating surface; and

tilting said seat about a tilt axis positioned beneath said seating surface and forwardly of said forward edge of said seat.

100. The method of claim 99 wherein said second pivot axis is positioned rearwardly of said first and fourth pivot axes.

101. The invention of claim 99 wherein said third pivot axis is positioned rearwardly of said second pivot axis.

102. A method for tilting a chair occupied by a user comprising:

providing said chair comprising a base;

a seat having a forward edge, side portions, a rear portion and a seating surface;

a back positioned adjacent said rear portion; and

a linkage assembly connecting said seat and back to said base member, wherein said linkage assembly comprises a first link member and a second link member, said first link member pivotally attached to said base about a first pivot axis and to said seat about a second pivot axis, said second link member having a first end pivotally connected to said seat about a third pivot axis and a second end pivotally connected to said base member at a fourth pivot axis, wherein said third pivot axis is positioned rearwardly of said second pivot axis;

pivoting said seat relative to said back about said second pivot axis, wherein said second pivot axis is positioned above the seating surface; and

tilting said seat about a tilt axis positioned beneath said seating surface and forwardly of said forward edge of said seat.

103. The method of claim 102 wherein said tilting said seat comprises moving said forward edge of said seat rearwardly without raising said forward edge a substantial amount.

104. The method of claim 102 wherein said fourth pivot axis is positioned rearwardly of said first pivot axis.

105. The method of claim 104 wherein said fourth pivot axis is positioned downwardly from said first pivot axis.

106. The method of claim 102 wherein said second pivot axis is positioned rearwardly of said first and fourth pivot axis.

107. The method of claim 102 wherein said third pivot axis is positioned rearwardly of said second pivot axis.

108. The method of claim 102 wherein said first link member is connected to said back.

109. The method of claim 102 comprising a pair of first link members and a pair of second link members.

110. A tiltable chair comprising:

a base member;

a seat comprising a side portion;

a back; and

a linkage assembly member comprising a first and second link member, wherein said first link member comprises a first and second link portion, wherein said second link portion comprises a first end pivotally connected to said base member about a first pivot axis and a second end connected to said back, wherein said first link portion comprises a first end pivotally attached to said side portion of said seat about a second pivot axis and a second end rigidly connected to said second link portion between said first and second ends of said second link portion, and wherein said second link member has a first end pivotally connected to said seat about a third pivot axis and a second end pivotally connected to said base member about a fourth pivot axis.

111. The invention of claim 110 wherein said first link portion extends upwardly from said second link portion.

112. The invention of claim 110 wherein said second end of said second link portion is fixedly attached to said back.

113. The invention of claim 110 wherein said seat further comprises a seating surface, wherein said second pivot axis is positioned above said seating surface.