Seating structure having a backrest with a flexible membrane and a moveable armrest

• US 6,733,080 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2002
• Issued: 05/11/2004
• 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:
  US10/256,988
• Publication Number:
  US 20030034680A1
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 297/411.29, 297/411.35, 297/411.36, 297/452.56, 297/452.18
• US Class Current: 297/411.36
• 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 seating structure includes a backrest having a top and bottom and includes a frame. The frame includes a pair of spaced apart side members defining an opening therebetween. Each of the side members has a length. A flexible membrane extends between and is attached to the side members across the opening. An armrest is moveably mounted to each of the side members. Each of the armrests is adjustably moveable along at least a portion of the length of the side members between at least a first position and a second position. The first position is closer to the bottom of the backrest than the second position. A method of adjusting the seating structure is also provided.

Claims

1. A seating structure comprising:

a backrest having a top and bottom and comprising a frame, wherein said frame comprises a pair of spaced apart side members defining an opening therebetween, each of said side members having a length;

a flexible membrane extending between and attached to said side members across said opening, wherein said flexible membrane comprises multifilament yarns and an elastic material comprising elastomeric monofilaments; and

an armrest moveably mounted to each of said side members, each of said armrest adjustably moveable along at least a portion of said length of said side members between at least a first position and a second position, wherein said first position is closer to said bottom of said backrest than said second position.

2. The seating structure of claim 1 wherein said armrests extend forwardly from said side members.

3. The seating structure of claim 2 wherein said armrest extend laterally outwardly from said side members.

4. The seating structure of claim 1 wherein said frame further comprises a top and bottom member connecting said side members, wherein said membrane extends between and is attached to said top and bottom members.

5. The seating structure of claim 1 wherein said membrane comprises a woven material.

6. A seating structure comprising:

a backrest having a top and bottom and comprising a frame, wherein said frame comprises a pair of spaced apart side members defining an opening therebetween, each of said side members having a length;

a flexible membrane extending between and attached to said side members across said opening, wherein said flexible membrane comprises an elastic material and wherein said flexible membrane is stretched between said side frame members;

an armrest moveably mounted to each of said side members, each of said armrests adjustably moveable along at least a portion of said length of said side members between at least a first position and a second position, wherein said first position is closer to said bottom of said backrest than said second position; and

a back support member disposed in said opening of said frame between said side members, said back support member contacting said flexible membrane.

7. The seating structure of claim 6 wherein said back support member is moveably connected to said frame and is moveable between said top and bottom of said frame.

8. A sealing structure comprising:

a backrest having a top and bottom and comprising a frame, wherein said frame comprises a pair of spaced apart side members defining an opening therebetween, each of said side members having a length;

a flexible membrane extending between and attached to said side members across said opening, wherein said flexible membrane comprises an elastic material and wherein said flexible membrane is stretched between said side frame members; and

an armrest moveably mounted to each of said side members, each of said armrests adjustably moveable along at least a portion of said length of said side members between at least a first position and a second position, wherein said first position is closer to said bottom of said backrest than said second position, and wherein said side members each comprise an elongated opening extending along at least a portion of said length thereof, wherein at least a portion of said armrest is inserted into said elongated opening.

9. The seating structure of claim 8 wherein said side members each comprise a cavity communicating with said elongated opening, wherein each of said armrests is releasably engaged with said frame inside said cavity.

10. The seating structure of claim 9 wherein said armrests each comprise a guide member disposed in one of said respective cavities.

11. The seating structure of claim 9 wherein each of said armrests comprises a latch mechanism engaged with said frame.

12. A seating structure comprising:

a backrest having a top and bottom and comprising a frame, wherein said frame comprises a pair of spaced apart side members defining an opening therebetween, each of said side members having a length;

a flexible membrane extending between and attached to said side members across said opening; and

an armrest moveably mounted to each of said side members, each of said armrests adjustably moveable along at least a portion of said length of said side members between at least a first position and a second position, wherein said first position is closer to said bottom of said backrest than said second position;

wherein said frame comprises a channel, and further comprising a carrier member attached to said membrane, wherein said carrier member is inserted into said channel.

13. The seating structure of claim 12 wherein said carrier member is molded with an edge portion of said membrane.