Seating with comfort surface

• US 7,226,130 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2003
• Issued: 06/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Inventors: Heidmann, Kurt R., Peterson, Gordon J., Tubergen, Renard G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown; Peter R.
• Application Number:
  US10/455,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20040245840A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,461 Days
• Field of Search: 297/452.52, 297/452.54, 297/452.51, 297/452.56, 297/452.63, 297/440.1, 211/181.1, 211/90.03
• US Class Current: 297/452.52
• 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 1/03261 characterised by elastic means
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03274 of torsion type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03294 slidingly movable in the base frame, e.g. by rollers
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/04 Clamps for attaching flat elastic strips or flat meandering springs to frames
• 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 7/28 with tensioned springs, e.g. of flat type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/38 for the head adjustable coupled to reclining or easy chairs A47C1/036
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/46 with special, e.g. adjustable , lumbar region support profile; "Ackerblom" profile chairs

Abstract

A chair includes a base, a seat, a back, and a control operably supporting the seat and back on the base for movement between upright and recline positions. The seat and back include a stiff perimeter frame with opposing perimeter sections, and a plurality of rods each independently bendable in vertical and angled directions. End bearings on the rods are captured in pockets in the perimeter frame, which limits their inward and outward sliding movement. The control includes front and rear leaf springs and a pivot arm operably supporting the seat and the back for synchronous movement, with the direction of movement being such that energy is stored during recline. The energy stored during recline assists in providing a heavier person with added counterbalancing force during recline. A booster mechanism is also selectively engageable for added support upon recline.

Claims

1. A seating unit comprising:

a frame adapted to support a seated user, the frame having spaced-apart opposing side sections each with at least one recess therein, the at least one recess being defined by parallel walls spaced apart a predetermined distance, and a plurality of resilient support members extending between the opposing side sections, each support member having a cross-sectional width that is about equal to the predetermined distance and each being independently bendable and each further having downturned ends operably slidably positioned in the at least one recess and slidably coupled to the side sections to engage at least an inner end surface of the at least one recess for limited inward sliding movement, each of the at least one recesses defining an inboard end and an outboard end with an associated one of the downturned ends slidingly positioned therein for movement toward the inboard end upon application of a load pressing against the resilient support members of the seating unit and for sliding toward the outboard end when the load is removed from the resilient support members, the resilient support members having a substantial bending strength so that the load is supported primarily by the bending strength of the resilient support members and not by a tension of the resilient support members between the side sections.

2. The seating unit defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one recess includes individual pockets, the ends being captured in the pockets.

3. The seating unit defined in claim 1, wherein the ends of the support members engage an outer end surface of the at least one recess for limiting outward sliding movement.

4. The seating unit defined in claim 1, wherein the support members each form an elongated loop, with the length of the loop comprising a pair of long parallel members, and the ends of the loop being short transverse members.

5. The seating unit defined in claim 1, including a cover attached to each of the side sections that closes the at least one recess and captures the support members therein.

6. The seating unit defined in claim 1, wherein the frame defines a back.

7. The seating unit defined in claim 1, wherein the frame defines a seat.

8. The seating unit defined in claim 1, wherein the support members are separate wires that include a single strand extending between the opposing side sections.

9. The seating unit defined in claim 8, wherein the end of the support members comprise a down-turned bent wire section.

10. The seating unit defined in claim 1, wherein the inner end surface of the at least one recess is angled relative to vertical.

11. The seating unit defined in claim 1, including an angled surface inboard of the at least one recess and forming a down ramp away from the recess.

12. The seating unit defined in claim 1, including a lumbar device adjustably engaging the support members and adapted to support the engaged support members at locations inboard of the inner end surface.

13. The seating unit defined in claim 1, including a lumbar device adjustably positioned on the side sections and adjustably engaging the support members, the lumbar device being movable between a storage position where the lumbar device is in effect and disabled, and movable to a plurality of different use locations.

14. The seating unit defined in claim 1, wherein the frame defines a seat support structure, and including a seat slidably positioned on the seat support structure and that is depth-adjustable.

15. The seating unit defined in claim 14, including a latch for holding the seat in a selected depth-adjusted position.

16. The seating unit defined in claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a seat including a main portion, and under-knee portion, and a flexible portion connecting the under-knee portion with the main portion, and further including resilient springs that span the flexible portion and engage the under-knee portion and the main portion for supporting and adding resiliency to the seat frame across the flexible portion.

17. The seating unit defined in claim 16, wherein the frame includes a pattern of diagonal slots in the flexible portion.

18. The seating unit defined in claim 1, including an upholstered cushion rested on the frame.

19. The seating unit defined in claim 18, wherein the upholstered cushion is removably attached to the frame.

20. The seating unit defined in claim 1, wherein the side sections each include an inner wall having apertures through which the support members extend toward the other side section.

21. The seating unit defined in claim 1, wherein the support members include a resilient rod made of metal.

22. The seating unit defined in claim 21, wherein the support members comprise spring steel.

23. The seating unit defined in claim 1, wherein the support members have a round cross section.

24. The seating unit defined in claim 1, wherein at least some of the support members include a bearing attached to the ends.

25. The seating unit defined in claim 24, wherein the bearing defines a channel that captures an associated one of the ends.

26. The seating unit defined in claim 25, wherein the channel is shaped to snappingly engage the associated one end.

27. A seating unit comprising:

a frame adapted to support a seated user, the frame having spaced-apart opposing side sections each with at least one recess therein, the at least one recess being defined by parallel walls spaced apart a predetermined distance, and a plurality of resilient support members extending between the opposing side sections, each support member having a cross-sectional width that is about equal to the predetermined distance and each being independently bendable and each further having downturned ends operably slidably positioned in the at least one recess and not fixedly attached but slidably coupled to the side sections to engage at least an inner end surface of the at least one recess for limited inward sliding movement, wherein the support members each include a bent wire with a first portion forming the length and a second portion forming the ends.

28. The seating unit defined in claim 27, wherein the first portion includes a linear section of wire rod when in an unstressed condition.

29. The seating unit defined in claim 28, wherein the second portion forming the ends of each support member are L-shaped.

30. The seating unit defined in claim 27, wherein the wire is made of spring steel.

31. A seating unit comprising:

a frame adapted to support a seated user, the frame having spaced-apart opposing side sections each with at least one recess therein, the at least one recess being defined by parallel walls spaced apart a predetermined distance, and a plurality of resilient support members extending between the opposing side sections, each support member having a cross-sectional width that is about equal to the predetermined distance and each being independently bendable and each further having downturned ends operably slidably positioned in the at least one recess and not fixedly attached but slidably coupled to the side sections to engage at least an inner end surface of the at least one recess for limited inward sliding movement, the at least one recess including individual pockets with the ends being captured in the pockets, and further including a cover attached to the frame that covers the pocket sufficiently to non-releasably capture the ends of the support members.

32. A seating unit comprising:

a frame adapted to support a seated user, the frame having spaced-apart opposing side sections each with at least one recess therein, the at least one recess being defined by parallel walls spaced apart a predetermined distance, and a plurality of resilient support members extending between the opposing side sections, each support member having a cross-sectional width that is about equal to the predetermined distance and each being independently bendable and each further having downturned ends operably slidably positioned in the at least one recess and not fixedly attached but slidably coupled to the side sections to engage at least an inner end surface of the at least one recess for limited inward sliding movement, wherein the ends of the support members engage outer end surface of the at least one recess for limiting outward sliding movement and cause pretension resulting in a bowed shape in at least some of the support members.

33. A seating unit comprising:

a frame adapted to support a seated user, the frame having opposing side sections each with a plurality of recesses therein defined by parallel walls spaced apart a predetermined distance, and a plurality of resilient elongated support members extending between the opposing side sections;

each support member having a cross-sectional width that is about equal to the predetermined distance and each being independently bendable and each further having configured ends operably slidably positioned in the recesses and not fixedly attached and coupled to the side sections for limited sliding movement in the recesses, wherein the support members each include a bent wire with a first portion forming the length and a second portion forming the ends.

34. The seating unit defined in claim 33, wherein the first portion includes a linear section of wire rod when in an unstressed condition.

35. The seating unit defined in claim 34, wherein the second portion forming the ends of each support member are L-shaped.

36. The seating unit defined in claim 33, wherein the support members each form an elongated loop, with the length of the loop comprising a pair of long parallel members, and the ends of the loop being short transverse members.

37. The seating unit defined in claim 33, wherein the frame defines a back.

38. The seating unit defined in claim 33, wherein the frame defines a seat.

39. The seating unit defined in claim 33, wherein the inner end surface of the at least one recess is angled relative to vertical.

40. The seating unit defined in claim 33, including an angled surface inboard of at least one of the recesses and forming a down ramp away from the recess.

41. The seating unit defined in claim 33, including a lumbar device adjustably engaging the support members and adapted to support the engaged support members at locations inboard of the inner end surface.

42. The seating unit defined in claim 41, including a lumbar device adjustably positioned on the side sections and adjustably engaging the support members, the lumbar device being movable between a storage position where the lumbar device is in effect and disabled, and movable to a plurality of different use locations.

43. The seating unit defined in claim 33, wherein the frame comprises a seat including a main portion, and under-knee portion, and a flexible portion connecting the under-knee portion with the main portion, and further including resilient springs that span the flexible portion and engage the under-knee portion and the main portion for supporting and adding resiliency to the seat frame across the flexible portion.

44. The seating unit defined in claim 43, wherein the frame includes a pattern of diagonal slots in the flexible portion.

45. The seating unit defined in claim 33, including an upholstered cushion rested on the frame.

46. The seating unit defined in claim 33, wherein the support members comprise spring steel.

47. The seating unit defined in claim 33, wherein the support members have a round cross section.

48. The seating unit defined in claim 33, wherein at least some of the support members include a bearing attached to the ends.

49. The seating unit defined in claim 33, including a flexible sheet covering the side sections and wires.

50. The seating unit defined in claim 49, including a cushion under the sheet.

51. A seating unit comprising:

a frame adapted to support a seated user, the frame having opposing side sections each with a plurality of recesses therein defined by parallel walls spaced apart a predetermined distance, and a plurality of resilient elongated support members extending between the opposing side sections;

each support member having a cross-sectional width that is about equal to the predetermined distance and each being independently bendable and each further having configured ends operably slidably positioned in the recesses and not fixedly attached and coupled to the side sections for limited sliding movement in the recesses, wherein the support members comprise wires made of spring steel.

52. The seating unit defined in claim 51, wherein the at least one recess includes individual pockets, the ends being captured in the pockets.

53. A seating unit comprising:

a frame adapted to support a seated user, the frame having opposing side sections each with a plurality of recesses therein defined by parallel walls spaced apart a predetermined distance, and a plurality of resilient elongated support members extending between the opposing side sections;

each support member having a cross-sectional width that is about equal to the predetermined distance and each being independently bendable and each further having configured ends operably slidably positioned in the recesses and not fixedly attached and coupled to the side sections for limited sliding movement in the recesses, wherein the at least one recess includes individual pockets, the ends being captured in the pockets, and including a cover attached to the frame that covers the pocket sufficiently to non-releasably capture the ends of the support members.

54. A seating unit comprising:

a frame adapted to support a seated user, the frame having opposing side sections each with a plurality of recesses therein defined by parallel walls spaced apart a predetermined distance, and a plurality of resilient elongated support members extending between the opposing side sections;

each support member having a cross-sectional width that is about equal to the predetermined distance and each being independently bendable and each further having configured ends operably slidably positioned in the recesses and not fixedly attached and coupled to the side sections for limited sliding movement in the recesses, wherein the ends of the support members engage the outer end surface and cause pretension resulting in a bowed shape in at least some of the support members.

55. A seating unit comprising:

a frame adapted to support a seated user, the frame having opposing side sections each with a plurality of recesses therein defined by parallel walls spaced apart a predetermined distance, and a plurality of resilient elongated support members extending between the opposing side sections;

each support member having a cross-sectional width that is about equal to the predetermined distance and each being independently bendable and each further having configured ends operably slidably positioned in the recesses and not fixedly attached and coupled to the side sections for limited sliding movement in the recesses, and including a cover attached to each of the side sections that closes the at least one recess and captures the support members therein.

56. A seating unit comprising:

a frame adapted to support a seated user, the frame having opposing side sections each with a plurality of recesses therein defined by parallel walls spaced apart a predetermined distance, and a plurality of resilient elongated support members extending between the opposing side sections;

each support member having a cross-sectional width that is about equal to the predetermined distance and each being independently bendable and each further having configured ends operably slidably positioned in the recesses and not fixedly attached and coupled to the side sections for limited sliding movement in the recesses, wherein the support members are separate wires that include a single strand extending between the opposing side sections.

57. A seating unit comprising:

a frame adapted to support a seated user, the frame having opposing side frame sections, each with a series of parallel walls defining elongated recesses that extend in parallel directions and that open in an inboard direction and in a depth direction to define parallel planes;

a plurality of resilient wires extending between the side frame sections, each wire being independently bendable and having ends extending into and slidably supported in the recesses but not fixedly attached thereto, and a bent portion extending in the depth direction; and

means for supporting the wires for limited sliding movement when the wires are resiliently bent.

58. The seating unit defined in claim 57, wherein the bent portion includes L-shaped ends formed integrally on the wires.

59. The seating unit defined in claim 57, including a flexible sheet covering the side frame sections and wires.

60. The seating unit defined in claim 59, including a cushion under the sheet.

61. The seating unit defined in claim 57, wherein the means for supporting the wires includes a hinge.

62. The seating unit defined in claim 61, wherein the side frame sections each include a first inner wall, a second inner wall, with the hinge connecting the first and second inner walls, and further including multiple strips extending between the second inner walls of the opposing side frame sections, the strips each including a channel for receiving the wires.

63. The seating unit defined in claim 62, wherein the hinge is located below a top face of the side frame sections.

64. The seating unit defined in claim 63, wherein the hinge is integrally molded as part of the side frame sections.

65. A seating unit comprising:

a frame adapted to support a seated user, the frame having spaced-apart opposing side sections with at least one recess therein, and a plurality of resilient support members extending between the opposing side sections, each support member being bendable and each further having at least one end operably slidably positioned in the at least one recess and slidably coupled to the side sections to engage at least an inner end surface of the at least one recess for limited sliding movement, including an angled surface inboard of the at least one recess and forming a down ramp away from the recess that abuts and supports the support members when the support members are flexed to a maximum flexed position, each of the at least one recesses defining an inboard end and an outboard end with an associated one of the ends of the resilient support members slidingly positioned therein for movement toward the inboard end upon application of a load pressing against the resilient support members of the seating unit and for sliding toward the outboard end when the load is removed from the resilient support members, the resilient support members having a substantial bending strength so that the load is supported primarily by the bending strength of the resilient support members and not by a tension of the resilient support members between the side sections.

66. A seating unit comprising:

a frame including spaced-apart side sections each having inner and outer walls defining at least one recess; and

a plurality of resiliently-bendable longitudinally-stiff support members with an elongated mid section extending across the frame between the side sections, the support members including ends and slidably engaging the side sections, the side sections including an angled surface inboard of the at least one recess and forming a down ramp away from the recess that abuts and supports the support members when the support members are flexed to a maximum flexed position, each of the at least one recesses defining an inboard end and an outboard end with an associated one of the ends of the support members slidingly positioned therein for movement toward the inboard end upon application of a load pressing against the support members of the seating unit and for sliding toward the outboard end when the load is removed from the support members, the support members having a substantial bending strength so that the load is supported primarily by the bending strength of the support members and not by a tension of the support members between the side sections.

67. A seating unit comprising:

a frame adapted to support a seated user, the frame having spaced-apart opposing side sections each with at least one recess therein, the at least one recess being defined by parallel walls spaced apart a predetermined distance, and a plurality of resilient support members extending between the opposing side sections, each support member having a cross-sectional width that is about equal to the predetermined distance and each being independently bendable and each further having ends operably slidably positioned in the at least one recess and coupled to the side sections to engage at least an inner end surface of the at least one recess for limited inward sliding movement;

wherein the at least one recess includes individual pockets, the ends being captured in the pockets; and

including at least one cover attached to the frame that covers the pockets sufficiently to non-releasably capture the ends of the support members.

68. The seating unit defined in claim 67, wherein the support members each include a bent wire with a first portion forming the length and a second portion forming the ends.

69. The seating unit defined in claim 68, wherein the wire is made of spring steel.

70. The seating unit defined in claim 67, wherein the support members include a resilient rod made of metal.

71. The seating unit defined in claim 67, wherein the ends of the support members engage an outer end surface of the at least one recess for limiting outward sliding movement.

72. The seating unit defined in claim 71, wherein several of the ends of the support members engage the outer end surfaces sufficiently to cause pretension resulting in a bowed shape in at least some of the support members.

73. The seating unit defined in claim 67, wherein the support members are separate wires that include a single strand extending between the opposing side sections.

74. The seating unit defined in claim 73, wherein the end of the support members comprise a down-turned bent wire section.

75. The seating unit defined in claim 67, wherein the inner end surface of the at least one recess is angled relative to vertical to form an abutment that limits maximum flexure of the support members.

76. The seating unit defined in claim 67, including an upholstered cushion rested on the frame and supported by the support members.

77. The seating unit defined in claim 76, wherein the upholstered cushion is removably attached to the frame.

78. The seating unit defined in claim 67, wherein the support members have a downturned portion on their ends.

79. The seating unit defined in claim 67, wherein the frame defines a back having a lumbar region, and resiliently bends several of the support members in the lumbar region to thus cause a shape change that pretensions the several support members.