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:
Nov. 03, 2000
Glenn A. Knoblock, late of Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Arnold B. Dammermann, Winona, MN (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 seating unit includes a flexible back including a concavely-shaped lumbar region, and a tensioned cover stretched over the concavely-shaped lumbar region. A lumbar device is fit between the front surface and the covering, with a tension of the covering biasing the lumbar device against the lumbar region and resulting in a frictional force retaining the lumbar device in a selected vertical position. In one form, the lumbar device is sufficiently stiff to maintain its vertical cross sectional shape and to change a shape of the lumbar region as the lumbar device is adjusted vertically, but is sufficiently flexible to conform to a horizontal shape of the lumbar region as a seated user moves and twists while seated in the seating unit.