The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 28, 2002
Filed:
Aug. 02, 2001
Glenn A. Knoblock, Kentwood, MI (US);
Arnold B. Dammermann, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Larry DeKraker, Holland, MI (US);
Kevin A. Ekdahl, Chicago, IL (US);
Kurt R. Heidmann, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Gardner J. Klaasen, II, Ada, MI (US);
James A. Perkins, Alto, MI (US);
Gordon J. Peterson, Rockford, MI (US);
Edward H. Punches, Wyoming, MI (US);
Charles P. Roossien, Wyoming, MI (US);
David S. Teppo, East Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Michael J. Yancharas, Comstock Park, MI (US);
Steelcase Development Corporation, Caledonia, MI (US);
Abstract
A back for a seating unit, such as a chair, includes a back frame and a compliant back that is flexibly bendable to define different curvilinear shapes for sympathetically and ergonomically supporting a seated user's back. The back includes a bracket with forwardly-extending flanges pivotally connecting the compliant back to the back frame at a bottom connection generally aligned with a seated user's hip joint. The back also includes a top connection pivotally connecting the back to the back frame above the first connection. An adjustable torsional force-generating mechanism is connected to the first connection that biases a lumbar portion of the compliant back forward with respect to the chair. The top and bottom connections, in combination with the adjustable force generating mechanism, constrain the compliant back to move over a range that provides excellent ergonomic lumbar support to a seated user.