Office components, seating structures, methods of using seating structures, and systems of seating structures

• US 7,163,263 B1
• Filed: 07/24/2003
• Issued: 01/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Millerknoll Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Inventors: Kurrasch, Andrew J., Bonomie, Arturo J., Kuiper, Daniel Robert, Beck, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US10/627,354
• Time in Patent Office: 1,272 Days
• Field of Search: 297/330, 297/217.3
• US Class Current: 297/217.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/0242 by electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 3/24 with vertical spindle
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/008 Use of remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/126 for chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/004 for chairs or stools with central column, e.g. office chairs

Abstract

Office components are described that include an electrical conduit electrically coupled to a fuel cell, and an electrically powered device coupled to the electrical conduit and configured to receive electricity generated by the fuel cell. The electrically powered device includes at least one of an automatic adjustment mechanism, a control system, a sound masking system, and an office accessory. Chairs, methods of using chairs, and systems of chairs are also described.

Claims

1. A seating structure comprising:

a base;

a seat supported by the base;

an electrical conduit electrically coupled to a power source; and

an automatic tilt adjustment mechanism coupled to the electrical conduit and configured to receive electricity from the power source, wherein the automatic tilt adjustment mechanism comprises;

an actuator;

a biasing member mechanically coupled to the actuator, wherein the biasing member biases the seat;

a microprocessor electrically coupled to the actuator, wherein a desired default position of the seat is programmed into the microprocessor; and

a transducer electrically coupled to the microprocessor;

wherein the transducer detects an angle of inclination of the seat and wherein upon detecting a previous user rising from the chair or detecting a new user occupying the chair, the microprocessor will engage the actuator and the actuator automatically restores the seat to the default position.

2. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a backrest connected to at least one of the seat and the base, wherein the biasing member biases at least one of the seat and the backrest, the transducer further detects an angle of inclination of the backrest, and the actuator automatically restores a default position for the backrest.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the power source is selected from the group consisting of a battery and a fuel cell.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the power source comprises a fuel cell.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the biasing member comprises a spring.

6. A seating structure comprising:

a base and a seat supported by the base;

an electrical conduit electrically coupled to a power source; and

an automatic tilt adjustment mechanism coupled to the electrical conduit and configured to receive electricity from the power source, wherein the automatic tilt adjustment mechanism comprises;

a motor;

a spring coupled to the motor, wherein the spring biases the seat;

a microprocessor electrically coupled to the motor; and

a transducer electrically coupled to the microprocessor;

wherein

the transducer detects an angle of inclination of the seat; and

the motor adjusts torque of the spring to achieve a default position for the seat.

7. The invention of claim 6 further comprising a backrest connected to at least one of the seat and the base, wherein the spring biases at least one of the seat and the backrest, the transducer detects at least one of the angle of inclination of the seat and an angle of inclination of the backrest, and the motor adjusts torque of the spring to achieve a default position for at least one of the seat and the backrest.