US4660887A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ergonomic support
Assignee: Knoll Inc
•
Filing: 1985-09-11
•
Granted: 1987-04-28
•
Expires: 2005-09-11
Abstract
Abstract An ergonomic support in the nature of chairs, sofas and the like, includes flexible and resilient posterior and lumbar supporting portions having non-planar, contoured shaped surfaces which comfortably conform to the body. The supporting portion is shaped to form a plurality of cantilevers which automatically adjust and conform to body movement without mechanical parts, as opposed to adjusting the body to conform to the supporting portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip S. Fleming
- 👤 Richard M. Neagle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:37
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C7/00; A47C7/36; A47C7/40; A47C7/44; A47C3/00; A47C7/02; A47C7/024; A47C7/029; A47C7/16; A47C7/405; A47C7/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 73
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
An ergonomic support comprising a posterior supporting portion, and a lumbar supporting portion, said lumbar supporting portion including a plurality of first support members joined together to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the lumbar region of a person, said posterior supporting portion including a plurality of second support members arranged to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the posterior portion of a person, said second support members formed by providing concentric C-shaped openings within said posterior supporting portion, each of said first support members having a portion separated from an adjacent one of said first support members by an elongated opening, a ratio of the width of said opening to the width of an adjacent one of said first support members being in the range of about 1:4 to 1:11, whereby said first support members conform to the lumbar region of a person for different body positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
An ergonomic support comprising a posterior supporting portion, and a lumbar supporting portion, said lumbar supporting portion including a plurality of first support members joined together to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the lumbar region of a person, said posterior supporting portion including a plurality of second support members arranged to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the posterior portion of a person, said second support members formed by providing concentric C-shaped openings within said posterior supporting portion, each of said first support members having a portion separated from an adjacent one of said first support members by an elongated opening, a ratio of the width of said opening to the width of an adjacent one of said first support members being in the range of about 1:4 to 1:11, whereby said first support members conform to the lumbar region of a person for different body positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The ergonomic support of claim 1 wherein a pair of adjacent first support members are joined together at one common end and supported at their other common end by adjacent first support members to provide a cantilever.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
87 words
An ergonomic support comprising a posterior supporting portion and a lumbar supporting portion, at least one of said supporting portions including a first shell having an inner member and an outer member, said inner member including a plurality of individual first support members formed from a portion thereof, said first support members being joined together to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for a supported region of a person, whereby said first support members conform to said supported region upon flexing in response to different body positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
An ergonomic support comprising a posterior supporting portion and a lumbar supporting portion, at least one of said supporting portions including a first shell having an inner member and an outer member, said inner member including a plurality of individual first support members formed from a portion thereof, said first support members being joined together to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for a supported region of a person, whereby said first support members conform to said supported region upon flexing in response to different body positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
An ergonomic support comprising a posterior supporting portion and a lumbar supporting portion, said lumbar supporting portion including a plurality of first support members joined together to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the lumbar region of a person, said first support members providing an interrupted lumbar supporting surface having individually contoured supporting portions extending outwardly varying distances from a common reference plane such that different contoured supporting portions conform to different portions of the lumbar region of a person for support thereof in response to different body positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
An ergonomic support comprising a posterior supporting portion and a lumbar supporting portion, said lumbar supporting portion including a plurality of first support members joined together to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the lumbar region of a person, said first support members providing an interrupted lumbar supporting surface having individually contoured supporting portions extending outwardly varying distances from a common reference plane such that different contoured supporting portions conform to different portions of the lumbar region of a person for support thereof in response to different body positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
An ergonomic support comprising a posterior supporting portion, a lumbar supporting portion, said lumbar supporting portion including a plurality of first support members joined together and arranged in an initial position to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the lumbar region of a person, support means for supporting said lumbar supporting portion adjacent to and spaced from said posterior supporting portion, and pivoting means for pivotally attaching said lumbar supporting portion at opposite side ends thereof to said support means for independent pivotal movement relative to said posterior supporting portion, whereby said first support members are individually displaceable from their said initial position upon pivoting of said lumbar supporting portion in response to different body positions so as to conform said lumbar supporting portion to the lumbar region of a person.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
132 words
An ergonomic support comprising a posterior supporting portion, a lumbar supporting portion, said lumbar supporting portion including a plurality of first support members joined together and arranged in an initial position to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the lumbar region of a person, support means for supporting said lumbar supporting portion adjacent to and spaced from said posterior supporting portion, and pivoting means for pivotally attaching said lumbar supporting portion at opposite side ends thereof to said support means for independent pivotal movement relative to said posterior supporting portion, whereby said first support members are individually displaceable from their said initial position upon pivoting of said lumbar supporting portion in response to different body positions so as to conform said lumbar supporting portion to the lumbar region of a person.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ergonomic support of claim 1 wherein said first support members are arranged adjacent one another in a first row for supporting the lumbar region of a person.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The ergonomic support of claim 6 further including a pair of spaced-apart side frame members for attaching said lumbar supporting portion therebetween, said lumbar supporting portion attached at the ends of said first row to a respective one of said side frame members about a pivot point.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The ergonomic support of claim 6 wherein said lumbar supporting portion further includes a plurality of third support members arranged adjacent one another and joined together in a second row to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the lumbar region of a person.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
70 words
The ergonomic support of claim 8 further including a pair of spaced-apart side frame members for attaching said first and second rows of said lumbar supporting portion therebetween, a pair of end joining members for joining the common ends of said first and second rows of said first and third support members together, said end joining members attached to a respective one of said frame members about a pivot point.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The ergonomic support of claim 8 wherein at least two adjacent first support members of said first row and at least two adjacent third support members of said second row have different cross-sectional areas to provide a varying degree of resiliency to said lumbar supporting portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The ergonomic support of claim 1 wherein at least two first support members have different cross-sectional areas to provide a varying degree of resiliency to said lumbar supporting portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ergonomic support of claim 1 wherein said second support members comprise cantilevers, said cantilevers arranged for supporting the left and right ischial tuberosity of a person.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ergonomic support of claim 1 wherein said posterior supporting portion includes a front portion having a plurality of flexible support members formed from a portion thereof by a plurality of openings therein.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ergonomic support of claim 13 wherein said front portion including said flexible support members is curved downward.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
127 words
An ergonomic support comprising a posterior supporting portion, and a lumbar supporting portion, said lumbar supporting portion including a plurality of first support members joined together to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the lumbar region of a person, said posterior supporting portion including a plurality of second support members arranged to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the posterior portion of a person, said second support members formed by providing concentric C-shaped openings within said posterior supporting portion, said first support members each having a rear surface and a lumbar supporting front surface, said front surface having portions extending outwardly varying distances from a common reference plane, whereby said first support members conform to the lumbar region of a person for different body positions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
127 words
An ergonomic support comprising a posterior supporting portion, and a lumbar supporting portion, said lumbar supporting portion including a plurality of first support members joined together to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the lumbar region of a person, said posterior supporting portion including a plurality of second support members arranged to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the posterior portion of a person, said second support members formed by providing concentric C-shaped openings within said posterior supporting portion, said first support members each having a rear surface and a lumbar supporting front surface, said front surface having portions extending outwardly varying distances from a common reference plane, whereby said first support members conform to the lumbar region of a person for different body positions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ergonomic support of claim 4 wherein said interrupted lumbar supporting surface comprises a compound curved surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The ergonomic support of claim 4 wherein a pair of adjacent first support members are joined together at one common end and supported at their other common end by adjacent first support members to provide a cantilever.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ergonomic support of claim 4 wherein said first support members are arranged adjacent one another in a first row for supporting the lumbar region of a person.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
The ergonomic support of claim 18 further including a pair of spaced-apart side frame members for attaching said lumbar supporting portion therebetween, said lumbar supporting portion attached at the ends of said first row to a respective one of said side frame members about a pivot point.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
The ergonomic support of claim 18 wherein said lumbar supporting portion further includes a plurality of second support members arranged adjacent one another and joined together in a second row to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the lumbar region of a person.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
The ergonomic support of claim 20 wherein at least two adjacent first support members of said first row and at least two adjacent second support members of said second row have different cross-sectional areas to provide a varying degree of resiliency to said lumbar supporting portion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The ergonomic support of claim 17 wherein the cross-sectional area of selected cantilevers at said one common end is less than the cross-sectional area of adjacent first support members forming said cantilever.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The ergonomic support of claim 4 wherein at least two first support members have different cross-sectional areas to provide a varying degree of resiliency to said lumbar supporting portion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ergonomic support of claim 15 wherein said second support members comprise cantilevers, said cantilevers arranged for supporting the left and right ischial tuberosity of a person.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ergonomic support of claim 4 wherein said posterior supporting portion includes a front portion having a plurality of flexible support members formed from a portion thereof by a plurality of openings therein.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ergonomic support of claim 25 wherein said front portion including said flexible support members is curved downward.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
135 words
An ergonomic support comprising a posterior supporting portion, a lumbar supporting portion, at least one of said supporting portions comprising a first shell having an inner member and an outer member, said inner member forming said supporting portion, and a plurality of first support members formed from a portion of said inner member of said first shell, said support members joined together to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for a supported region of a person, whereby said support members conform to said supported region for different body positions, said posterior supporting portion including a plurality of second support members formed therefrom and constructed and arranged to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the posterior portion of a person, said second support members formed by providing concentric C-shaped openings within said posterior supporting portion.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
135 words
An ergonomic support comprising a posterior supporting portion, a lumbar supporting portion, at least one of said supporting portions comprising a first shell having an inner member and an outer member, said inner member forming said supporting portion, and a plurality of first support members formed from a portion of said inner member of said first shell, said support members joined together to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for a supported region of a person, whereby said support members conform to said supported region for different body positions, said posterior supporting portion including a plurality of second support members formed therefrom and constructed and arranged to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the posterior portion of a person, said second support members formed by providing concentric C-shaped openings within said posterior supporting portion.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
44 words
The ergonomic support of claim 3 wherein said first shell comprises said lumbar supporting portion and said posterior supporting portion comprising a second shell having an inner member and an outer member, said inner member of said second shell forming said posterior supporting portion.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
The ergonomic support of claim 3 wherein said first support members each have a rear surface and a lumbar supporting front surface, said front surface having portions extending outwardly varying distances from a common reference plane.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
53 words
The ergonomic support of claim 3 wherein said lumbar supporting portion includes a plurality of individual second support members arranged adajcent one another and joined together to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the lumbar region of a person, said first and second support members arranged in respective first and second rows.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
46 words
The ergonomic support of claim 30 wherein at least two adjacent first support members of said first row and at least two adjacent second support members of said second row have different cross-sectional areas to provide a varying degree of resiliency to said lumbar supporting portion.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
The ergonomic support of claim 3 wherein at least two first support members have different cross-sectional areas to provide a varying degree of resiliency to said lumbar supporting portion.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
51 words
The ergonomic support of claim 28 wherein said posterior supporting portion includes a plurality of second support members formed from a portion of said inner member of said second shell, said second support members constructed and arranged to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the posterior portion of a person.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ergonomic support of claim 27 wherein said second support members comprise cantilevers, said cantilevers arranged for supporting the left and right ischial tuberosity of a person.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ergonomic support of claim 3 wherein said posterior supporting portion includes a front portion having a plurality of flexible support members formed from a portion thereof by a plurality of openings therein.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ergonomic support of claim 35 wherein said front portion including said flexible support members is curved downward.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ergonomic support of claim 3 further including resilient material provided within said first shell.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ergonomic support of claim 28 further including a third shell joining said first shell to said second shell portion.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ergonomic support of claim 38 wherein said first shell, said second shell portion and said third shell are integrally formed.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ergonomic support of claim 38 wherein said third shell has a cross-sectional area such that said third shell is flexible.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ergonomic support of claim 3 further including a connecting member rigidly attached to said posterior supporting portion and pivotally attached to said first shell.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
127 words
An ergonomic support comprising a posterior supporting portion, a lumbar supporting portion, and attaching means for attaching said lumbar supporting portion adjacent to said posterior supporting portion, said lumbar supporting portion including a plurality of first support members joined together to individually and cooperatively provide flexible suport for the lumbar region of a person, said posterior supporting portion including a plurality of second support members arranged to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the posterior portion of person, said second support members formed by providing a plurality of concentric C-shaped openings within said posterior portion, said lumbar supporting portion pivotally attached at opposite ends thereof to said attaching means, whereby said first support members conform to the lumbar region of a person for different body positions.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
127 words
An ergonomic support comprising a posterior supporting portion, a lumbar supporting portion, and attaching means for attaching said lumbar supporting portion adjacent to said posterior supporting portion, said lumbar supporting portion including a plurality of first support members joined together to individually and cooperatively provide flexible suport for the lumbar region of a person, said posterior supporting portion including a plurality of second support members arranged to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the posterior portion of person, said second support members formed by providing a plurality of concentric C-shaped openings within said posterior portion, said lumbar supporting portion pivotally attached at opposite ends thereof to said attaching means, whereby said first support members conform to the lumbar region of a person for different body positions.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
37 words
The ergonomic support of claim 5 wherein a pair of adjacent first support members are joined together at one common end and supported at their other common end by adjacent first support members to provide a cantilever.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ergonomic support of claim 5 wherein said first support members are arranged adjacent one another in a first row for supporting the lumbar region of a person.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
44 words
The ergonomic support of claim 44 wherein said lumbar supporting portion further includes a plurality of second support members arranged adjacent one another and joined together in a second row to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the lumbar region of a person.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
46 words
The ergonomic support of claim 45 wherein at least two adjacent first support members of said first row and at least two adjacent second support members of said second row have different cross-sectional areas to provide a varying degree of resiliency to said lumbar supporting portion.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
29 words
The ergonomic support of claim 5 wherein at least two first support members have different cross-sectional areas to provide a varying degree of resiliency to said lumbar supporting portion.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ergonomic support of claim 5 wherein said posterior supporting portion includes a front portion having a plurality of flexible support members formed from a portion thereof by a plurality of openings therein.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ergonomic support of claim 5 wherein at least two adjacent first support members are constructed of materials having different flexibility characteristics.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
119 words
An ergonomic support comprising a lumbar supporting portion and a posterior supporting portion, said lumbar supporting portion including a first non-planar member having a contoured lumbar supporting surface, and a plurality of first support members forming at least a portion of said non-planar member, said first support members joined together to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for a supported region of a person, whereby said first support members conform to said supported region for different body positions, said posterior supporting portion including a plurality of second support members arranged to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the posterior portion of a person, said second support members formed by providing concentric C-shaped openings within said posterior support portion.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
119 words
An ergonomic support comprising a lumbar supporting portion and a posterior supporting portion, said lumbar supporting portion including a first non-planar member having a contoured lumbar supporting surface, and a plurality of first support members forming at least a portion of said non-planar member, said first support members joined together to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for a supported region of a person, whereby said first support members conform to said supported region for different body positions, said posterior supporting portion including a plurality of second support members arranged to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the posterior portion of a person, said second support members formed by providing concentric C-shaped openings within said posterior support portion.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ergonomic support of claim 50 wherein said supporting surface is shaped as a non-planar, contoured surface.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ergonomic support of claim 50 wherein said supporting surface is shaped as a compound curved surface.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ergonomic support of claim 50 wherein said supporting surface is shaped as a three-dimensional curved surface.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ergonomic support of claim 50 wherein said supporting surface has portions thereof extending outwardly varying distances from a common reference plane.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
40 words
The ergonomic support of claim 52 further including a pair of spaced-apart side frame members for attaching said lumbar supporting portion therebetween, said lumbar supporting portion attached to a respective one of said side frame members about a pivot point.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
53 words
The ergonomic support of claim 50 wherein said lumbar supporting portion further includes a plurality of second support members arranged adjacent one another and joined together to individually and cooperatively provide flexible support for the lumbar region of a person, said first and second support members arranged in respective first and second rows.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
46 words
The ergonomic support of claim 56 wherein at least two adjacent first support members of said first row and at least two adjacent second support members of said second row have different cross-sectional areas to provide a varying degree of resiliency to said lumbar supporting portion.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
30 words
The ergonomic support of claim 50 wherein the cross-sectional area of selected first support members at one common end is less than the cross-sectional area of adjacent first support members.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
29 words
The ergonomic support of claim 50 wherein at least two first support members have different cross-sectional areas to provide a varying degree of resiliency to said lumbar supporting portion.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ergonomic support of claim 50 wherein at least two first support members have differently shaped contoured lumbar supporting surfaces.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
63 words
The ergonomic support of claim 50 wherein another of said posterior supporting portion includes a second non-planar member having a contoured posterior supporting surface, and a plurality of second support members formed from a portion of said second non-planar member, each of said supporting surfaces shaped as compound curved surfaces to provide ergonomic support for the lumbar and posterior regions of a person.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ergonomic support of claim 13, wherein at least one of said openings is arranged lateral to said posterior supporting portion.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ergonomic support of claim 25, wherein at least one of said openings is arranged lateral to said posterior supporting portion.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ergonomic support of claim 35, wherein at least one of said openings is arranged lateral to said posterior supporting portion.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ergonomic support of claim 48, wherein at least one of said openings is arranged lateral to said posterior supporting portion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-04-27 | 1990-10-27 | 1991-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-27 | 1994-10-27 | 1995-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-27 | 1998-10-27 | 1999-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |