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:
Jun. 15, 2004
Filed:
Aug. 08, 2002
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. Roosien, 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 seat and back operably supported for synchronized reclining movement. The back includes a back support with separate upper and lower portions pivotally coupled to a back frame at upper and lower connections, respectively. The upper and lower portions combine to define a forwardly-protruding convex shape and include mating structure forming an expansion joint that permits collapse and expansion as the upper and lower portions are flexed between a more-convex shape and a more-planar shape. In one form, the lower portion includes first and second sections pivoted together, with the upper portion and the first and second sections forming thoracic, lumbar, and pelvic regions of the back support, respectively.