Back support structure

US7249802B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Herman Miller, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Johann Burkhard Schmitz · Berlin, DE
• Claudia Plikat · Berlin, DE
• Nicolai Neubert · Berlin, DE
• Carola Zwick · Berlin, DE
• Roland Zwick · Berlin, DE
• Chad Aerts · Grand Haven, US
• John F. Aldrich · Grandville, US
• Christopher C. Hill · Zeeland, US
• Shane Michael Ramsdell · Lowell, US
• James D. Slagh · Holland, US
• Douglas M. VanDeRiet · Holland, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 12, 2003
• Grant date: Jul 31, 2007
• Expiry date: Apr 21, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A47C7/282
• WIPO field: Furniture, games
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A tiltable chair including a housing, a back support pivotally attached to the housing about a first horizontal axis and a seat support pivotally attached to the back support about a second horizontal axis and moveably supported by a curved track formed on the housing. A leaf spring includes a first end supported by the housing and a second end biasing the back support and seat support in an upward direction. Preferably, a fulcrum member, which includes a support surface having a curvilinear contour, is moveably supported in the housing and engages a bottom surface of the spring intermediate the first and second ends of the spring. Preferably, a linkage mechanism including a first and second link is adapted to adjust the position of the fulcrum. In another preferred embodiment, a gear housing is removably disposed in said housing and coupled to the fulcrum. In one preferred embodiment, rearward and forward tilt limiters are provided. In various preferred embodiments, the chair further includes a backrest having a plurality of openings, and armrests that are vertically, laterally and pivotally adjustable. In a preferred embodiment, a kit for assembling a seating structure includes a…