Sacral support member for seating

• US 7,878,591 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2004
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Millerknoll Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated (Millerknoll Incorporated)
• Inventors: Walker, Brock M., Martin, Ted R., Kurrasch, Andrew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown; Peter R.
• Application Number:
  US10/900,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20050104428A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,380 Days
• Field of Search: 297/284.4, 297/284.7, 297/440.11
• US Class Current: 297/284.4
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/402 adjustable in height
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/46 with special, e.g. adjustable , lumbar region support profile; "Ackerblom" profile chairs

Abstract

A chair for providing sacral support including a seat, a backrest, a flexible support member and a sacral support member. The backrest has a frame with a generally central opening. The membrane is formed from an elastic material connected to the frame and extends across the central opening. A sacral support member is positioned proximate the central opening and is configured to apply support to the sacrum of a user sitting on the seat. The sacral support member incorporates a load distribution system and method in order to properly support and fit the anatomical contours of the sacrum and pelvis of a user while seated in the chair.

Claims

1. A chair providing sacral support, comprising:

a seat having a seat frame;

a backrest having a backrest frame with a generally central opening, the backrest frame having a front portion and a rear portion;

a single flexible member connected to the backrest frame and extending across the central opening, the flexible member having a front surface and rear surface;

a sacral support member connected to the backrest and positioned proximate the central opening and behind the flexible member, the sacral support including a first central support and a second outer support and the first support being configured to apply support through the flexible member to the sacrum of a user sitting on the seat and the second support connected to and extending laterally from the first support and being configured to apply a second distinct support to areas adjacent to the sacrum of the user, wherein the sacral support member is located behind the front surface of the flexible member;

an adjustment member connected to the seat frame, the adjustment member configured to adjust the position of the sacral support member;

an actuation portion of the adjustment member is connected to a support structure for the seat frame; and

wherein the adjustment member includes an elongated portion that extends through the flexible member to the actuation portion.

2. The chair of claim 1 wherein the elongated portion is connected to a yoke, the yoke is connected to the backrest frame so as to abut against the sacral support member.

3. The chair of claim 2 wherein the yoke includes a cavity adapted to receive an end of the elongated member.

4. A chair for providing sacral support, comprising:

a seat having a seat frame;

a backrest having a backrest frame with a generally central opening, the frame having a front portion and a rear portion;

a single flexible member connected to the backrest frame and extending across the central opening, the flexible member having a front surface and rear surface;

a sacral support member connected to the backrest positioned proximate the central opening and including a direct and central support and an indirect and outer support, wherein the direct support is configured to apply support through the flexible member to the sacrum of a user sitting on the seat and the indirect support connects to and extends laterally from the first support and is configured to allow an area adjacent to the sacrum to be relaxed; and

an adjustment member operably connected between the sacral support member and the seat, and is capable of adjusting the position of the sacral support member;

wherein an actuation portion of the adjustment member is connected to a support structure for the seat frame; and

wherein the adjustment member includes an elongated portion that extends through the flexible member to the actuation portion.

5. The chair of claim 4 wherein the elongated portion is connected to a yoke, the yoke is connected to the backrest frame so as to abut against the sacral support member.

6. A chair for providing sacral support, comprising:

a seat having a seat frame;

a backrest having a backrest frame with a generally central opening, the frame having a front portion and a rear portion;

a flexible member connected to the backrest frame and extending across the central opening, the flexible member having a front surface and rear surface; and

a sacral support member positioned proximate the central opening and being configured to apply support through the flexible member to the sacrum of a user sitting on the seat, the sacral support member including a yoke, a support member and a pad, such that the yoke is coupled with the backrest frame, the support member is coupled with the yoke, and the pad is coupled with the support member, the yoke being moveable relative to the support member and the pad by way of an adjustment member as a curved surface on the yoke presses against the support member.

7. The chair of claim 6 wherein the movement is a pivoting action.

8. The chair of claim 6 wherein the yoke includes an outwardly extending curved surface that engages the support member.

9. The chair of claim 8 wherein the support member includes a channel adapted to receive the curved surface.