Tilt chair and methods for the use thereof

US7425037B2 · 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
• John F. Aldrich · Grandville, US
• Christopher C. Hill · Zeeland, US
• James D. Slagh · Holland, US
• Douglas M. VanDeRiet · Holland, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 17, 2003
• Grant date: Sep 16, 2008
• Expiry date: Nov 10, 2025

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 base, a fulcrum member having a curved support surface, a back support pivotally connected to the base at a pivot axis and pivotable between at least an upright position and a rearward tilt position, and at least one leaf spring having first and second ends, with the first end being restrained by the base. The at least one leaf spring engages the curved support surface of the fulcrum member at a first contact point when the back support is in the upright position and at a second contact point when the back support is in the rearward tilt position, wherein the second contact point is positioned rearwardly on the at least one leaf spring relative to the first contact point. A link member is pivotally connected to the back support at a first pivot location and is pivotally connected to the at least one leaf spring at a second pivot location. The link member defines a vector between the first and second pivot locations and the first pivot location and the pivot axis define a plane. The vector and the plane define a first angle when the back support is in the upright position and a second angle when the back support is in the rearward tilt position, wherein …