Backrest

• US 6,588,842 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2001
• Issued: 07/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated (Millerknoll Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated (Millerknoll Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sayers, Randy J., Coffield, Timothy P., Schoenfelder, Rodney C., Cammenga, Eric, Keller, Carolyn, Chadwick, Donald, Bruner, Jeffrey W., Stumpf, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US09/859,694
• Publication Number:
  US 20010030453A1
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• Field of Search: 297/284.4, 297/284.1, 297/452.64, 297/452.63, 297/452.56, 297/452.18, 297/452.13, 297/230.11, 297/230.14, 297/230.13, 297/230.1, 297/284.6, 297/284.8, 297/284.7, 297/284.5
• US Class Current: 297/284.4
• 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 backrest for a chair comprising a frame, a membrane and a back support member. The membrane, at least a portion of which is transparent, is attached to the frame and has a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface. The back support member is attached to the frame and has a support surface. At least a portion of the support surface contacts the second surface of the membrane, and at least a portion of the back support member is visible through the membrane from the first body-contacting surface thereof. In another aspect, a backrest for a chair comprises a frame having a pair of side members, wherein each of the side members has a lower section and an upper section. The upper section extends rearwardly and outwardly from the lower section so as to form a bowed section therewith. A flexible membrane is attached to and extends between the side members, and has a bowed section corresponding to the bowed section of the side members. The membrane has a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface.

Claims

1. A backrest for a chair comprising:

a frame;

a membrane attached to said frame and having a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through, and wherein said membrane comprises an elastomeric material, wherein said elastomeric material comprises elastomeric monofilaments, and wherein said membrane comprises a fabric comprising said elastomeric monofilaments and stands of monofilament yarn; and

a back support member attached to said frame and having a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, and wherein at least a portion of said back support member is visible through said membrane from said first body contacting surface thereof.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said back support member is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said back support member is a lumbar support member connected to a lower portion of said frame.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said membrane comprises a single layer of material and wherein said back support member comprises a rear surface opposite said support surface, wherein at least a portion of said rear surface is exposed to a user.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said frame has a central opening therethrough, wherein said membrane covers said central opening, and wherein said back support member extends across at least a portion of said central opening.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein an entire periphery of said membrane is attached to said frame.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said frame comprises a pair of vertical side members, wherein said back support member extends between and is connected to said side members.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said frame further comprises top and bottom members extending between and connecting said side members, wherein said back support member is disposed between said top and bottom members.

9. The invention of claim 7 wherein each of said side members has a bowed section.

10. The invention of claim 7 wherein said back support member is movably connected to said side members, wherein said back support member can be moved relative to said frame.

11. The invention of claim 10 wherein said back support member comprises a hook member engaging an edge of each of said side members.

12. A backrest for a chair comprising:

a frame;

a membrane attached to said frame and having a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through; and

a back support member attached to said frame and having a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, and wherein at least a portion of said back support member is visible through said membrane from said first body-contacting surface thereof, and wherein said back support member has opposite end portions and a middle portion, each of said opposite end portions and said middle portion having a height, wherein said height of said middle portion is greater than the heights of said opposite end portions.

13. The invention of claim 12 wherein said back support member is substantially oval shaped.

14. The invention of claim 12 wherein said back support member is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis.

15. The invention of claim 12 wherein said back support member is a lumbar support member connected to a lower portion of said frame.

16. The invention of claim 12 wherein said membrane comprises a single layer of material and wherein said back support member comprises a rear surface opposite said support surface, wherein at least a portion of said rear surface is exposed to a user.

17. The invention of claim 12 wherein said frame comprises a pair of vertical side members, wherein said back support member extends between and is connected to said side members.

18. The invention of claim 17 wherein said frame further comprises top and bottom members extending between and connecting said side members, wherein said back support member is disposed between said top and bottom members.

19. The invention of claim 17 wherein said back support member is movably connected to said side members, wherein said back support member can be moved relative to said frame.

20. The invention of claim 19 wherein said back support member comprises a hook member engaging an edge of each of said side members.

33. The invention of claim 12 wherein said back support member is substantially oval shaped.

21. A bracket for a chair comprising:

a frame having a central opening therethrough, wherein said frame comprises a channel formed around an entire perimeter of said central opening;

a membrane having a first body contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through, and wherein said membrane covers said central opening;

a back support member attached to said frame and having a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, and wherein at least a portion of said membrane support member is visible through said membrane from said first body-contacting surface thereof, wherein said back support member extends across at least a portion of said central opening; and

a carrier member secured of said membrane, wherein said carrier member is inserted into said channel, wherein said membrane is attached to said frame.

22. The invention of claim 21 wherein said membrane comprises a single layer of material and wherein said back support member comprises a rear surface opposite said support surface, wherein at least a portion of said rear surface is exposed to a user.

23. The invention of claim 21 wherein said carrier member extends around an entire perimeter of said membrane.

24. The invention of claim 23 wherein an edge portion of said membrane is molded with said carrier member.

25. A bracket for a chair comprising:

a frame having a pair of since members and a top member and a bottom member extending between and connecting said side members, wherein said side members and said top and bottom members define an opening therebetween,

a membrane attached to side members, said top member and said bottom member across said opening, said membrane having a first body contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through, and wherein said membrane comprises an elastomeric material; and

a back support member disposed in said opening of said frame between said side members and between said top and bottom members, wherein said back support member has a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, and wherein at least a portion of said back support member is visible through said membrane from said first body-contacting surface thereof, and wherein said back support member is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis.

26. The invention of claim 25 wherein said back support member is made of a flexible material.

27. The invention of claim 25 wherein each of said side members has a bowed section.

28. The invention of claim 25 wherein said membrane comprises a single layer of material and wherein said back support member comprises a rear surface opposite said support surface, wherein at least a portion of said rear surface is exposed to a user.

29. The invention of claim 25 wherein said back support member is connected to said frame.

30. The invention of claim 29 wherein said back support member is moveably connected to said side members.

31. The invention of claim 30 wherein said back support member comprises a hook member engaging an edge of each of said side members.

32. A backrest for a chair comprising:

a frame having a pair of side members and a top member and a bottom member extending between and connecting said side members, wherein said side members and said top and bottom members define an opening therebetween;

a membrane attached to side members, said top member and said bottom member across said opening, said membrane having a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through; and

a back support member disposed in said opening of said frame between said side members and between said top and bottom members, wherein said back support member has a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, wherein at least a portion of said back support member is visible through said membrane from said first body-contacting surface thereof, and wherein said back support member has opposite end portions and a middle portion, each of said opposite end portions and said middle portion having a height, wherein said height of said middle portion is greater than the heights of said opposite ends.

34. The invention of claim 32 wherein said membrane comprises a single layer of material and wherein said back support member comprises a rear surface opposite said support surface, wherein at least a portion of said rear surface is exposed to a user.

35. A backrest for a chair comprising:

a frame having a pair of side members and a top member and a bottom member extending between and connecting said side members, wherein said side members and said top and bottom members define an opening therebetween and wherein said frame comprises a channel, wherein said channel is formed in each of said side members, said top member and said bottom member around an entire perimeter of said opening;

a membrane attached to side members, said top member and said bottom member across said opening, said membrane having a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through;

a back support member disposed in said opening of said frame between said side members and between said top and bottom members, wherein said back support member has a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, wherein at least a portion of said back support member is visible through said membrane from said first body-contacting surface thereof; and

a carrier member secured to said membrane, wherein said carrier member is inserted into said channel.

36. The invention of claim 35 wherein said membrane comprises a single layer of material and wherein said back support member comprises a rear surface opposite said support surface, wherein at least a portion of said rear surface is exposed to a user.

37. The invention of claim 35 wherein said carrier member extends around an entire perimeter of said membrane.

38. The invention of claim 37 wherein an edge portion of said membrane is molded with said carrier member.

39. A backrest for a chair comprising:

a frame having a pair of side members and a top member and a bottom member extending between and connecting said side members, wherein said side members and said top and bottom members define an opening therebetween;

a membrane attached to side members, said top member and said bottom member across said openings said membrane having a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through, and wherein said membrane comprises an elastomeric material, wherein said elastomeric material comprises elastomeric monofilaments, and wherein said membrane comprises a fabric comprising said elastomeric monofilaments and stands of multifilament yarn; and

a back support member disposed in said opening of said frame between said side members and between said top and bottom members, wherein said back support member has a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, and wherein at least a portion of said back support member is visible through said membrane from said first body-contacting surface thereof.