Chair assembly

• US 9,706,853 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2015
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Groendal, Dale M., Hall, Jeffrey A., Krupiczewicz, Todd David, Peterson, Gordon J.
• Primary Examiner(s): COZART, JERMIE E
• Application Number:
  US14/678,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20150208820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• 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 31/02 Upholstery attaching means quilting, quilting means, fastening, fixing or finishing upholstery B68G7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/11 for chairs for headrests only A47C7/386; removable protective covers for car seats B60N2/60
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/02 Seat parts adaptation of seats to mounting in tubular chairs A47C5/06; such parts not restricted to chairs A47C23/00; removable upholstered units or cushions A47C27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/40 for the back
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/405 with double backrests
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/46 with special, e.g. adjustable , lumbar region support profile; "Ackerblom" profile chairs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/481 Method
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/486 Cover stretching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4984 Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49954 Fastener deformed after application

Abstract

A method of assembling a chair component includes providing a first chair member, providing a second chair member moveable between a first position, wherein the second chair member is coplanar with the first chair member, and a second position, wherein the second chair member is parallel with the first chair member, and wrapping a cover member about the first and second chair members. The method further includes providing a drawstring operably coupled with the cover member, drawing the cover member about the first and second chair members when the second chair member is in the first position, fixing an effective length of the drawstring while the second chair member is in the first position, moving the second chair member from the first position to the second position, and securing the second chair member in the second position.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a chair component, comprising:

providing a first chair member adapted to support a seated user;

providing a second chair member movable between a first position, wherein the second chair member is substantially coplanar with the first chair member, and a second position, wherein the second chair member is substantially parallel with the first chair member;

wrapping a cover member about a portion of the first chair member and a portion of the second chair member;

providing a drawstring operably coupled with the cover member;

drawing the cover member about the portion of the first chair member and the portion of the second chair member when the second chair member is in the first position;

fixing an effective length of the drawstring while the second chair member is in the first position;

moving the second chair member from the first position to the second position; and

securing the second chair member in the second position.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the drawstring abuts the first chair member.

3. The method of claim 1 further including;

securing the drawstring to the first chair member by at least one fastener that is separate from the first chair member.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one fastener comprises at least one staple.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first chair member includes a forwardly-facing front surface, a rearwardly-facing rear surface, and at least one raised portion extending rearwardly from the rear surface, and wherein the at least one fastener is received within the at least one raised portion.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the front surface of the first chair member and the rear surface of the first chair member define a first thickness therebetween, and wherein the front surface of the first chair member and the at least one raised portion define a second thickness therebetween that is greater than the first thickness.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first chair member includes a forwardly-facing front surface, a rearwardly-facing rear surface, and at least one raised portion extending rearwardly from the rear surface, wherein the cover is aligned with the raised portion.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first chair member includes at least one first coupler and the second chair member includes at least one second coupler that engages the first coupler, thereby securing the second chair member to the first chair member when the second chair member is in the second position.

9. The method claim 8, wherein the at least one first coupler and the at least one second coupler comprise a quick-connect fastener.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the cover member includes a fabric portion and a drawstring tunnel located proximate an edge of the fabric portion, wherein the drawstring is received within the drawstring tunnel.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the drawstring tunnel and the drawstring are secured to a rear surface of the first chair member by at least one fastener.

12. The chair component of claim 10, wherein the fabric is elastically deformable in at least one direction.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the chair component comprises a chair back assembly.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second chair member comprises a back seat-shell.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the first chair member includes a forwardly-facing front surface and a rearwardly-facing rear surface, and the second chair member includes in the first position a forwardly-facing front surface and a rearwardly-facing rear surface;

and

wherein drawing the cover member about the portion of the first chair member and the portion of the second chair member when the second chair member is in the first position comprises;

drawing the cover member about the entire forwardly-facing front surface and a portion of the rearwardly-facing rear surface of the first chair member; and

drawing the cover member about the entire forwardly-facing front surface and a portion of the rearwardly-facing rear surface of the second chair member in the first position.

16. A method of assembling a chair component, comprising:

providing a first chair member adapted to support a user and that includes a forwardly-facing front surface and a rearwardly-facing rear surface, wherein the first chair member further includes at least one raised portion extending rearwardly from the rear surface;

wrapping a cover member about a portion of the first chair member;

providing a drawstring operably coupled with the cover member;

drawing the cover member about the portion of the first chair member by the drawstring;

aligning the cover with the at least one raised portion to properly align the cover with respect to the first chair member;

securing the drawstring to the first chair member with at least one fastener that is received within the at least one raised portion;

providing a second chair member movable between a first position, wherein the second chair member is substantially coplanar with the first chair member, and a second position, wherein the second chair member is substantially parallel with the first chair member;

wrapping the cover member about a portion of the second chair member; and

drawing the cover member about the portion of the second chair member by the drawstring.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one fastener comprises at least one staple.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the front surface and the rear surface define a first thickness therebetween, and wherein the front surface and the at least one raised portion define a second thickness therebetween that is greater than the first thickness.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the drawstring is a single piece.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the first chair member includes at least one first coupler and the second chair member includes at least one second coupler that engages the first coupler, thereby securing the second chair member to the first chair member when the second chair member is in the second position.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least one first coupler and the at least one second coupler comprise a quick-connect fastener.