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:
Oct. 08, 2002
Filed:
Aug. 02, 2001
Glenn A. Knoblock, late of Fort Collins, CO (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 back construction for a seating unit includes a back frame, and a compliant back having a forwardly-protruding lumbar support section that is characteristically flexible and bendable, such that the compliant back can be flexed to a plurality of different convex shapes. Top and bottom connections pivotally connect the compliant back to the back frame. An adjustable force-generating mechanism is operably attached to at least one of the compliant back and the back frame. The force-generating mechanism is constructed to provide an adjustable biasing force that adjustably biases the lumbar support section forwardly for optimal lumbar support for a seated user's back, but the force-generating mechanism characteristically provides the biasing force without forcing a shape change in the compliant back. A vertically adjustable lumbar support is slidably attached to the back shell.