Chair assembly with upholstery covering

• US 9,345,328 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2015
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Peterson, Gordon J., Vander Veen, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, David R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brindley, Timothy J
• Application Number:
  US14/793,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20150305505A1
• Time in Patent Office: 322 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/024 the parts, being the back-rest, or the back-rest and seat unit, having adjustable and lockable inclination
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03 the parts being arm-rests conversion into a bed A47C17/12
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/0307 adjustable rectilinearly in horizontal direction
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/0308 adjustable by rotation
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/032 the parts being movably-coupled seat and back-rest A47C1/035 takes precedence
• 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 1/03266 with adjustable elasticity
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03272 with coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03274 of torsion type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/14 Beach chairs ; Chairs for outdoor use, e.g. chairs for relaxation or sun-tanning
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 3/20 Chairs or stools with vertically-adjustable seats tables with variable height A47B9/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 3/30 with vertically-acting fluid cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/02 Upholstery attaching means quilting, quilting means, fastening, fixing or finishing upholstery B68G7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/023 connecting upholstery to frames, e.g. by hooks, clips, snap fasteners, clamping means or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 5/00 Chairs of special materials
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 5/12 of plastics, with or without reinforcement
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/004 for chairs or stools with central column, e.g. office chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/006 with castors
• 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 7/185 : with a stiff, rigid support
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/24 : Upholstered seats A47C7/18 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/40 : for the back
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/44 : with elastically-mounted back-rest or backrest-seat unit in the base frame
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/441 : with adjustable elasticity
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/443 : with coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/46 : with special, e.g. adjustable , lumbar region support profile; "Ackerblom" profile chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/462 : adjustable by mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/54 : Supports for the arms
• CPC Class Codes: B68G 7/12 : Other elements specially adapted for fastening, fixing, or finishing, in upholstery work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/481 : Method
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 : by applying separate fastener

Abstract

A method for assembling a chair component assembly includes providing a back support component adapted to support a portion of a seated user, providing a lumbar support assembly adapted to support the lumbar area of a seated user, providing a cover having an aesthetic outer surface and including a first pocket defining a first interior space therein, and a flap member having a first side edge attached to the first pocket and a second side edge, positioning the lumbar support assembly proximate the first pocket, folding the flap over the lumbar support assembly, and securing the second side edge of the flap to form a second pocket defining a second interior space within which the lumbar support assembly is located.

Claims

1. A method for assembling a chair component assembly, comprising:

providing a back support component adapted to support a portion of a seated user;

providing a lumbar support assembly adapted to support the lumbar area of a seated user;

providing a cover having an aesthetic outer surface and including a first pocket defining a first interior space therein, and a flap member having a first side edge attached to the first pocket and a second side edge;

positioning the lumbar support assembly proximate the first pocket;

folding the flap over the lumbar support assembly; and

securing the second side edge of the flap to form a second pocket defining a second interior space within which the lumbar support assembly is located.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the lumbar support assembly includes providing a vertically adjustable lumbar support assembly, and wherein the step of securing the second side edge of the flap includes securing the second side edge of the flap such that the lumbar support assembly is vertically adjustable within the second interior space.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of securing the second side edge of the flap includes forming a slot through which a portion of the lumbar support assembly extends.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of securing the second side edge of the flap includes forming the slot as upwardly opening.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of providing the lumbar support assembly includes providing the lumbar support assembly with a handle adapted to be grasped by a user to vertically adjust the lumbar support assembly;

and further comprising;

securing a third side edge of the flap form an aperture through which the handle extends.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein step of securing the second side edge includes securing the second side edge to the first pocket.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of securing the second side edge includes sewing the second side edge to the first pocket.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first compartment and the second compartment include a common layer of the cover.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a fabric.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the cover member includes at least one aperture that receives an engagement member of the back support component therethrough.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the back support component includes a substantially rigid back shell and a substantially compressible cushion member.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the engagement member is integral with the back shell.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a drawstring operably coupled with the cover; and

securing the cover about at least a portion of the back support component by drawing the drawstring.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the back support component includes a substantially rigid back shell having an integral attachment member, and further comprising:

securing a free end of the drawstring about the attachment member.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the second pocket is positioned behind the first pocket.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first compartment and the second compartment include a common layer of the cover.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the cover member completely separates the lumbar support assembly from the back component assembly.

18. A method for assembling a chair component, comprising:

providing a back support component adapted to support a portion of a seated user, the back support component including a back shell;

providing a lumbar support assembly adapted to support the lumbar area of a seated user, wherein the lumbar support assembly is vertically adjustable;

providing a cover having an aesthetic outer surface and including a first pocket and a second pocket;

positioning the back support component within the first pocket;

positioning the lumbar support assembly within the second pocket;

providing a drawstring operably coupled with the cover;

securing the cover about at least a portion of the back support component by drawing the drawstring; and

securing a free end of the drawstring to an attachment member of the back shell.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the attachment member includes a first portion and a second portion cantilevered in substantially opposite directions from one another.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first portion and the second portion cooperate to form an angled surface against which the drawstring is drawn, and wherein the angled surface causes the drawstring to bind against a rear surface of the back shell as the drawstring is drawn taught.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the attachment member is integral with the back shell.

22. A method for assembling a chair component;

comprising;

providing a back support component adapted to support a portion of a seated user;

providing a lumbar support assembly adapted to support the lumbar area of a seated user, wherein the lumbar support assembly is vertically adjustable; and

providing a cover having an aesthetic outer surface and including a first pocket and a second pocket, wherein the second pocket is positioned behind the first pocket;

positioning the back support component within the first pocket; and

positioning the lumbar support assembly within the second pocket such that the lumbar support assembly is vertically adjustable within the second pocket.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first pocket and the second pocket include a common layer of the cover.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the cover member completely separates the lumbar support assembly from the back support component.

25. A method for assembling a chair component, comprising:

providing a back support component adapted to support a portion of a seated user;

providing a lumbar support assembly adapted to support the lumbar area of a seated user, wherein the lumbar support assembly is vertically adjustable; and

providing a cover having an aesthetic outer surface and including a first pocket and a second pocket, wherein a majority of the second pocket horizontally overlaps with the first pocket in a front-to-back direction;

positioning the back support component within the first pocket; and

positioning the lumbar support assembly within the second pocket.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the second pocket includes an upwardly opening slot through which the lumbar support assembly extends.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the second pocket includes at least one aperture through which a handle member of the lumbar support assembly extends, and wherein the handle member is adapted to be grasped by a user to vertically adjust the lumbar support assembly.