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. 29, 2004
Filed:
Nov. 21, 2001
Stewart D. Reed, Holland, MI (US);
James M. Schaddelee, Holland, MI (US);
George A. Miles, West Olive, MI (US);
Steven B. Panse, Holland, MI (US);
Herman Miller, Inc., Zeeland, MI (US);
Abstract
A chair, or other office furniture device, includes a first and second support member. The first support member has a longitudinal extent and a fluid passageway formed within at least a portion thereof. A first piston, having a first and second end, is moveably disposed in the fluid passageway. The second support member is coupled to the first end of the first piston. A fluid supply is disposed in the fluid passageway and communicates with the second end of the first piston. A pressure is applied to the fluid supply. A fluid flow controller controls a flow of the fluid supply and is operable between at least an open and closed position, wherein the fluid supply is allowed to flow when the controller is in the open position and wherein the fluid supply is not allowed to flow when the controller is in the closed position. In one preferred embodiment, the fluid supply comprises a magneto-rheological fluid, and the controller comprises a magnet moveable between at least a first and second position, wherein the magnet applies a magnetic field to the fluid supply when in the first position. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the fluid supply comprises a hydraulic fluid, and the controller comprises a valve moveable to an open position to allow the fluid supply to flow between the first and second positions. A method for moving a chair component is provided, along with a method for moving a support member on an office furniture device.