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. 29, 2002
Filed:
May. 04, 2000
Arnold B. Dammermann, Winona, MN (US);
Kurt Heidmann, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Bruce M. Smith, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Michael W. Welsh, Rockford, MI (US);
Steelcase Development Corporation, Caledonia, MI (US);
Abstract
A chair includes a flexible back shell, a back covering that covers at least a portion of a front surface of the back shell, and an adjustable lumbar device positioned between the back shell and the back covering. The adjustable lumbar device is flexible so that the lumbar device will flex to conform to a horizontal shape of the chair back shell, but is relatively stiff in a direction perpendicular to a front surface of the back shell, such that the lumbar device provides good lumbar support. The lumbar device is positioned between the back shell and the back covering for vertical height adjustment, and frictionally engages the same to retain its adjusted position. Further, the adjustable lumbar device includes rearwardly-extending protrusions that engage slots in the back shell to form a detent-like feature for holding a selected position, and further includes forwardly protruding tabs that act as handles for grasping the lumbar device for adjustment. In a preferred form, the back covering is tensioned such that it presses the lumbar adjustment device against the back shell for better holding power.