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

• US 7,735,918 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2008
• Issued: 06/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Herman Miller
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller
• Inventors: Beck, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): White; Rodney B
• Application Number:
  US11/971,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20080211684A1
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 297/217.3, 297/330
• 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 a base, a seat supported by the base. a microprocessor, and a load sensor electrically coupled with the microprocessor and mechanically coupled with the seat and, based on movement thereof, operative to detect occupancy of the seat and provide a signal to the microprocessor indicative thereof. The load sensor may be a strain gauge, a piezo device or combination thereof.

Claims

1. A seating structure comprising:

a base;

a seat supported by the base;

a microprocessor;

a piezo device electrically coupled with the microprocessor and mechanically coupled with the seat, the piezo device being operative to deflect based on movement of the seat and provide a signal to the microprocessor indicative thereof, the microprocessor being operative to detect occupancy of the seat based on the signal; and

a power source coupled to the microprocessor and operative to provide operating power therefore, the power source being attached to the seating structure such that the seating structure is portable.

2. The seating structure of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is operative to detect a presence of a user based on the signal indicative of deflection of the piezo device.

3. The seating structure of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is operative to detect a previous user rising from the seat based on the signal indicative of deflection of the piezo device.

4. The seating structure of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is operative to detect a user first occupying the seat based on the signal indicative of deflection of the piezo device.

14. The seating structure of claim 1, wherein the piezo device is a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

5. A method of detecting occupancy, the method comprising:

providing a seating structure comprising a base and a seat supported by the base;

providing a microprocessor;

providing a piezo device electrically coupled with the microprocessor and mechanically coupled with the seat;

providing a power source coupled to the microprocessor and operative to provide operating power therefore, the power source being attached to the seating structure such that the seating structure is portable; and

detecting movement of the seat using the piezo device and providing a signal indicative thereof to the microprocessor, wherein the piezo device is operative to deflect based on movement of the seat, the microprocessor being operative to detect occupancy of the seat based on the signal indicative of movement of the seat; and

determining occupancy of the seat based on the signal.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the movement of the seat is indicative of the presence of a user.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the signal indicates a previous user rising from the seat.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the signal indicates a user first occupying the seat.

9. A seating structure comprising:

a base;

a seat supported by the base;

a power source attached to the seating structure such that the seating structure is portable;

means for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, wherein the means for converting is electrically coupled with a microprocessor and mechanically coupled with the seat; and

means, powered by the power source, for detecting occupancy of the seat based upon movement of the seat that generates mechanical energy.

10. The seating structure of claim 9, wherein the means for detecting further comprises means for sensing a user upon the seat.

11. The seating structure of claim 9, wherein the means for detecting further comprises means for detecting a presence of a user.

12. The seating structure of claim 9, wherein the means for detecting further comprises means for detecting a previous user rising from the seat.

13. The seating structure of claim 9, wherein the means for detecting further comprises means for detecting a user first occupying the seat.

15. A seating structure comprising:

a base;

a seat supported by the base;

a microprocessor;

a memory electrically coupled to the microprocessor;

a load sensor electrically coupled with the microprocessor and mechanically coupled with the seat and, based on movement thereof, operative to detect occupancy of the seat and provide a signal to the microprocessor indicative thereof, the microprocessor being operative to store the signal in the memory; and

a power source coupled to the microprocessor and operative to provide operating power therefore, the power source being attached to the seating structure such that the seating structure is portable,

wherein the microprocessor is operative to perform a function based on the signal that is indicative of the occupancy of the seat stored in the memory.

16. A seating structure comprising:

a base;

a seat supported by the base;

a microprocessor;

a strain gage device that is operative to change lengths when the seat is occupied, the strain gage being electrically coupled with the microprocessor and mechanically coupled with the seat and, based on a change in length of the strain gage, operative to detect occupancy of the seat and provide a signal to the microprocessor indicative thereof; and

a power source coupled to the microprocessor and operative to provide operating power therefore, the power source being attached to the seating structure such that the seating structure is portable,

wherein the strain gage is coupled with the seat to determine when the seat is occupied and is not occupied.