Steelcase Inc.

Bernard J Fries

Frederick S Faiks

Richard H Baker

Donald D Korell

Lance E Molander

A chair control in which the chair occupant's body weight is the primary source of energy in reclining the chair and returning the chair to its task position includes a back support link and a front link, each pivotally mounted to a base link. A seat support link is pivotally mounted to and between the front link and the back support link. Pivoting of the links is restrained so that the front link extends upwardly and forwardly from said stationary link. The occupant's weight exerts a downward force on the front link, which exerts a forward force on the seat support link, which in turn exerts a forward force on the back support link providing a task position chair back support. A rearward force exerted on the back support link, as when the occupant reclines is partially counterbalanced by the above described forward force on the back support link so that no additional biasing means are necessary. The preferred embodiment includes biasing means to return the unoccupied chair control to the task position.

Body weight chair control

A rotatable and vertically adjustable chair base is disclosed comprising a floor engaging stand, an upstanding tubular post mounted on the stand, a threaded member received by the tubular post and a smooth spindle slidably and rotatably received by the upstanding tubular post. Internal threads are provided in the upstanding tubular post with a split sheet metal sleeve carrying stamped metal threads. The stamped metal threads of the sheet metal sleeve are engaged by a plastic threaded member which takes advantage of the relatively low coefficient of friction between plastic and metal. The spindle rides atop the threaded member, the vertical position of the spindle being determined by the position of the threaded member. Vertical adjustment of the spindle and the chair mounted atop the spindle is achieved with detent means for alternately engaging and disengaging the threaded member. When the chair is unoccupied, the spindle engages the threaded member and is vertically adjustable by rotation of the chair. Under the weight of an occupant the spindle automatically disengages from the threaded member to allow the occupied chair to freely rotate without vertical adjustment of the spindle.

Height adjustable chair base

An adjustable seat back mechanism for a chair of the type such as a secretarial posture chair which includes a vertical support to which a seat back is slidably mounted. The seat back mechanism includes a channel shaped support plate secured to the seat back of the chair, a housing and a latching arrangement carried by the housing for permitting stepwise vertical adjustment of the housing and support plate relative to the vertical support post of the chair. A pivotal connection between a housing and the support plate is accomplished by a resilient arrangement. In one embodiment, the resilient arrangement takes the form of a pair of rubber-like blocks. In an alternative embodiment, the resilient arrangement takes the form of a leaf spring and plate disposed between the housing and support plate. The spring plate, support plate and housing are interconnected by a pin.

Adjustable seat back mechanism

A method and apparatus for post forming laminate tops. A top substrate and its overhanging laminate are mounted on a pivotable supporting table. When the table is in a first position, the overhanging laminate is adjacent a heater of generally C-shaped cross section. The heater can be pivoted into a position embracing the overhanging portion of the laminate. The laminate is very rapidly heated to a temperature of approximately 335.degree. to 365.degree.F., preferably within a period of about from 12 to 16 seconds. The ambient heater temperature is roughly from 550.degree. to 750.degree.F. As soon as the laminate has been heated, the heater pivots out of position. The table pivots upwardly, thereby wiping the overhanging laminate past the bottom edge of a former. The former then moves forwardly and, due to a generally C-shaped cross section, firmly clamps the overhanging laminate around the periphery of the substrate. After cooling, the former is retracted and the post formed top can be removed.

Growing community of inventors

Jenison, MI, United States of America

Bernard J Fries