Herman Miller, Inc.

Millerknoll, Inc.

James Slagh

John Fredric Aldrich

Christopher C Hill

Ryan S Brill

Douglas M VanDeRiet

Johann Burkhard Schmitz

Jeffrey A Weber

Michael D Stanton, Sr

Timothy P Coffield

Roland Rolf Otto Zwick

Carola Eva Marianne Zwick

Brent Tracy

Claudia Plikat

Andrew J Kurrasch

Carola E M Zwick

Roland R O Zwick

Andrew B Hartmann

Nicolai Neubert

Kelly E Washburn

Troy Roark

Matthew P Reed

Elindo G Castro, Jr

Matthew Parkinson

Joel Graham Van Faasen

Brock M Walker

Chad D Aerts

Robert W Roth

Shane Michael Ramsdell

Lauren Mary LaLonde

Jonathan Curtis Campbell

Timothy Allen Hoogland

Michael D Stanton

A seating structure includes a base, a seat supported by the base, and a backrest having a frame and a suspension material supported by the frame. The frame includes an upper end and a lower end opposite the upper end. The seating structure also includes an upper thoracic support assembly supported by the frame adjacent the upper end. The upper thoracic support assembly including a thoracic support pad positioned between the frame and the suspension material. The thoracic support pad configured to engage the suspension material to support an upper thoracic region of a user.

Seating structure

A seating structure includes a frame, a carrier, and a suspension material. The frame includes first and second side frame members and first and second cross frame members forming a closed loop and defining an opening therebetween. The frame also includes a plurality of first attachment features on an outer perimeter of the frame. The carrier includes first and second side carrier members and first and second cross carrier members that form a closed loop. The carrier also includes a plurality of second attachment features on an inner perimeter of the carrier. The plurality of second attachment features engages the plurality of first attachment features to attach the carrier to the frame. The suspension material is attached to the carrier and extends over the opening in the frame to define a continuous seat and backrest.

Attachment structure for suspension seating

A seating structure includes a frame, a carrier, and a suspension material. The frame includes first and second side frame members spaced apart in a first direction and defining an opening therebetween. The first and second side frame members have an inner portion facing the opening and an outer portion facing away from the opening, the outer portion including a plurality of first attachment features facing away from the first and second side frame members in the first direction. The carrier includes first and second side carrier members. The first and second side carrier members include a plurality of second attachment features facing the first and second side frame members in the first direction, the plurality of second attachment features engaging the plurality of first attachment features to attach the carrier to the frame. The suspension material is attached to the carrier and extends over the opening in the frame.

A method for manufacturing a multi-layered support structure provides ergonomic, adaptable seating support. The method providing multiple cooperative layers to maximize global comfort and support while enhancing adaptation to localized variations in a load, such as in the load applied when a person sits in a chair. The cooperative layers each include elements such as pixels, springs, support rails, and other elements to provide this adaptable comfort and support. The method for manufacturing the multi-layered support structure uses aligned material to provide a flexible yet durable support structure. Accordingly, the method provides a multi-layered support structure, which provides maximum comfort for a wide range of body shapes and sizes.

Method for manufacturing a multi-layered support structure

A seating structure includes a central spine and an upper back structure having a pair of arms extending upwardly and outwardly from the central spine. The upper back structure is pivotally connected to the central spine about a first horizontal axis. A back support structure is pivotally connected to the spine about a second horizontal axis and is pivotally connected to the ends of each of the arms about a third horizontal axis.

Back construction

A multi-layered support structure provides ergonomic, adaptable seating support. The multi-layered support structure includes multiple cooperative layers to maximize global comfort and support while enhancing adaptation to localized variations in a load, such as in the load applied when a person sits in a chair. The cooperative layers each include elements such as pixels, springs, support rails, and other elements to provide this adaptable comfort and support. The multi-layered support structure also uses aligned material to provide a flexible yet durable support structure. Accordingly, the multi-layered support structure provides maximum comfort for a wide range of body shapes and sizes.

Multi-layered support structure

A seat with an adjustable seat depth is also provided, along with various methods for operating the different aspects and embodiments of the seating structure. In one embodiment, a seating structure includes a support structure and a carriage moveably supported by the support structure. The carriage is moveable relative to the support structure in opposite first and second longitudinal directions. A flexible body support member has a first portion coupled to the support structure, a second portion coupled to the carriage, and a third curved portion positioned between the first and second portions. The third portion is moveable toward and away from the support structure as the carriage is moved relative to the support structure in the first and second directions respectively.

Seating structure and methods for the use thereof

A suspended pixelated seating structure provides ergonomic, adaptable seating support. The suspended pixelated seating structure includes multiple cooperative layers to maximize global comfort and support while enhancing adaptation to localized variations in a load, such as in the load applied when a person sits in a chair. The cooperative layers each use independent elements such as pixels, springs, support rails, and other elements to provide this adaptable comfort and support. The suspended pixelated seating structure also uses aligned material to provide a flexible yet durable suspended seating structure. Accordingly, the suspended pixelated seating structure provides maximum comfort for a wide range of body shapes and sizes.

Suspended pixelated seating structure

A seating structure has an articulated seat and back. A rear portion of the seat is automatically pivotable relative to a forward portion of the seat as the seat is tilted between upright and reclined tilt positions. An upper portion of the back is pivotable relative to the lower portion between a neutral position and an extended position, with the upper portion being pivotable relative to the lower portion independent of the tilt position of the back. In one aspect, an adjustment mechanism is coupled between lower and upper back support members and pivots the upper support member between at least first and second support positions. A seat with an adjustable seat depth is also provided, along with various methods for operating the different aspects and embodiments of the seating structure.

A tiltable chair including a base, a fulcrum member having a curved support surface, a back support pivotally connected to the base at a pivot axis and pivotable between at least an upright position and a rearward tilt position, and at least one leaf spring having first and second ends, with the first end being restrained by the base. The at least one leaf spring engages the curved support surface of the fulcrum member at a first contact point when the back support is in the upright position and at a second contact point when the back support is in the rearward tilt position, wherein the second contact point is positioned rearwardly on the at least one leaf spring relative to the first contact point. A link member is pivotally connected to the back support at a first pivot location and is pivotally connected to the at least one leaf spring at a second pivot location. The link member defines a vector between the first and second pivot locations and the first pivot location and the pivot axis define a plane. The vector and the plane define a first angle when the back support is in the upright position and a second angle when the back support is in the rearward tilt position, wherein the second angle is closer to ninety degrees than the first angle. A method of using a chair is also provided.

Tilt chair and methods for the use thereof

A tiltable chair including a housing, a back support pivotally attached to the housing about a first horizontal axis and a seat support pivotally attached to the back support about a second horizontal axis and moveably supported by a curved track formed on the housing. A leaf spring includes a first end supported by the housing and a second end biasing the back support and seat support in an upward direction. Preferably, a fulcrum member, which includes a support surface having a curvilinear contour, is moveably supported in the housing and engages a bottom surface of the spring intermediate the first and second ends of the spring. Preferably, a linkage mechanism including a first and second link is adapted to adjust the position of the fulcrum. In another preferred embodiment, a gear housing is removably disposed in said housing and coupled to the fulcrum. In one preferred embodiment, rearward and forward tilt limiters are provided. In various preferred embodiments, the chair further includes a backrest having a plurality of openings, and armrests that are vertically, laterally and pivotally adjustable. In a preferred embodiment, a kit for assembling a seating structure includes a tilt housing having a plurality of connector arrangements comprising at least a first and second connector arrangement, a first seating arrangement having a first mounting arrangement configured to be connected to the first connector arrangement, and a second seating arrangement having a second mounting arrangement configured to be connected to the second connector arrangement.

Growing community of inventors

Holland, MI, United States of America

James Slagh