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US4861108A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Auditorium seat

Assignee: American Seating Co
•
Filing: 1988-06-07
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Granted: 1989-08-29
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Expires: 2008-06-07
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Abstract

Abstract This auditorium seat has a frame preferably formed of bent steel tubing, the ends being brought together to parallelism in a "Y"-shaped configuration to form a pedestal. A seat is pivotally mounted on a spring hinge assembly between the sides of the frame, and includes a transverse saddle platform to which a "U"-shaped rod extends forward from end-receptacles on the platform. Seat-supporting straps are welded to the central portion of the "U"-shaped member to form a complex bending-torsion deflection system in addition to the cushioning effect of a pad interposed between the plates and the saddle. The back of the chair has limited freedom of articulation about horizontal and vertical axis, with a spring cushion providing a biasing action toward a neutral no-load position. A modified form of the invention provides a tablet arm assembly supported by a bracket embracing one side of the frame at a curved portion.

Inventors

  • 👤 Hugh C. Acton
  • 👤 Robert S. Walworth

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 01:48
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C7/00; A47C7/62; A47C7/68; A47C1/00; A47C1/12; A47C7/56

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim 57 words
A seat frame comprising: an elongated structural member forming a loop, the ends of said loop being brought together in a "Y" configuration to form a pedestal, the opposite side of said loop extending upward from said "Y" configuration and curving to a substantially horizontal plane in a "U" configuration to form arm and back support sections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 57 words
A seat frame comprising: an elongated structural member forming a loop, the ends of said loop being brought together in a "Y" configuration to form a pedestal, the opposite side of said loop extending upward from said "Y" configuration and curving to a substantially horizontal plane in a "U" configuration to form arm and back support sections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 16 words
A frame as defined in claim 1, additionally including a base plate secured to said ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 15 words
A frame as defined in claim 2, wherein said member is a continuous steel tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 41 words
A frame as defined in claim 3, wherein said tube has a cross-section formed by substantially parallel sides joined by arcuate front and rear portions at said pedestal and frame sides, and becoming upper and lower portions at said "U" configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 73 words
A flexible mounting for a back of a chair including oppositely facing "U" brackets each having parallel tabs with aligned openings and a panel connecting said tabs, and also including a hinge pin traversing said openings, wherein the improvement comprises: a resilient pad interposed between said panels, certain of said openings being elongated to provide a limited freedom of movement of said hinge pin, and of said brackets with respect to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 73 words
A flexible mounting for a back of a chair including oppositely facing "U" brackets each having parallel tabs with aligned openings and a panel connecting said tabs, and also including a hinge pin traversing said openings, wherein the improvement comprises: a resilient pad interposed between said panels, certain of said openings being elongated to provide a limited freedom of movement of said hinge pin, and of said brackets with respect to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 34 words
A mounting as defined in claim 5, in combination with a back unit having a rear structure secured to one of said bracket panels, said pad bearing on a portion of said rear structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
A mounting as defined in claim 6, wherein said pad has recesses receiving the thickness of said bracket panels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 25 words
A mounting as defined in claim 5, wherein said pad has a slot receiving said hinge pin from a direction transverse to said hinge pin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 72 words
A seat structure, comprising: a saddle providing a central support panel and opposite end flanges having means adapted to secure said seat structure to a frame; a "U"-shaped cantilever spring rod extending forwardly from said saddle, said saddle being secured to the ends of said rod, respectively; seat plate means secured to the central portion of said rod; and resilient seat pad means interposed between said support panel and seat plate means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 72 words
A seat structure, comprising: a saddle providing a central support panel and opposite end flanges having means adapted to secure said seat structure to a frame; a "U"-shaped cantilever spring rod extending forwardly from said saddle, said saddle being secured to the ends of said rod, respectively; seat plate means secured to the central portion of said rod; and resilient seat pad means interposed between said support panel and seat plate means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 22 words
A seat structure as defined in claim 9, additionally including a cushion unit resting on said seat plate means, and secured thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 35 words
A seat structure as defined in claim 9, wherein said rod is offset upward from said saddle to place the central portion of said rod substantially coplanar with the top of said resilient seat pad.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 113 words
A seat structure as defined in claim 9 in combination with a frame having spaced side sections, wherein said means for securing said seat structure to a frame includes a spring hinge assembly having a pivot member mounted on at least one of said side sections, said pivot member being received in a hole in one of said saddle end flanges, said flange having an arcuate slot concentric with said pivot member hole, and also including a spring-retainer stud traversing said arcuate hole and secured to said side section, and coil spring means surrounding said stud, the ends of said spring extending tangentially to bear on said saddle and said pivot member, respectively.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 239 words
A seating assembly including a frame, a seat pivotally mounted on said frame on a horizontal transverse articulation axis, and a back mounted for articulation on said frame, wherein the improvement comprises: an elongated structural member constituting said frame and forming a loop, the ends of said loop being brought together at a pedestal, the opposite sides of said loop extending upward and curving to a substantially horizontal plane in a "U" configuration to form arm and back support sections; a flexible mounting for said back including oppositely facing "U" brackets each having parallel tabs with aligned openings and a panel connecting said tabs, and also including a hinge pin traversing said openings and a resilient pad interposed between said panels, certain of said openings being elongated to provide a limited freedom of movement of said hinge pin, and of said brackets with respect to each other, one of said bracket panels being secured to said frame, and the other thereof to said back; and a structure for said seat including a saddle providing a central support panel and opposite end flanges having means adapted to secure said seat structure to said frame, a "U"-shaped cantilever spring rod extending forwardly from said saddle, said saddle having receptacles receiving the ends of said rod, respectively, seat plate means secured to the central portion of said rod, and resilient seat pad means interposed between said support panel and seat plate means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 239 words
A seating assembly including a frame, a seat pivotally mounted on said frame on a horizontal transverse articulation axis, and a back mounted for articulation on said frame, wherein the improvement comprises: an elongated structural member constituting said frame and forming a loop, the ends of said loop being brought together at a pedestal, the opposite sides of said loop extending upward and curving to a substantially horizontal plane in a "U" configuration to form arm and back support sections; a flexible mounting for said back including oppositely facing "U" brackets each having parallel tabs with aligned openings and a panel connecting said tabs, and also including a hinge pin traversing said openings and a resilient pad interposed between said panels, certain of said openings being elongated to provide a limited freedom of movement of said hinge pin, and of said brackets with respect to each other, one of said bracket panels being secured to said frame, and the other thereof to said back; and a structure for said seat including a saddle providing a central support panel and opposite end flanges having means adapted to secure said seat structure to said frame, a "U"-shaped cantilever spring rod extending forwardly from said saddle, said saddle having receptacles receiving the ends of said rod, respectively, seat plate means secured to the central portion of said rod, and resilient seat pad means interposed between said support panel and seat plate means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 16 words
An assembly as defined in claim 13, wherein said frame member is a continuous steel tube.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 42 words
An assembly as defined in claim 14, wherein said tube has a cross-section formed by substantially parallel sides joined by arcuate front and rear portions at said pedestal and frame sides, and becoming upper and lower portions at said frame "U" configuration.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 25 words
An assembly as defined in claim 13, wherein said seat structure additionally includes a cushion unit resting on said seat plate means, and secured thereto.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 34 words
An assembly as defined in claim 16, wherein said rod is offset upward from said receptacles to place the central portion of said rod substantially coplanar with the top of said resilient seat pad.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 104 words
An assembly as defined in claim 13, wherein said means for securing said seat structure to said frame includes a spring hinge assembly having a pivot member mounted on at least one of said frame side sections, said pivot member being received in a hole in one of said saddle end flanges, said flange having an arcuate slot concentric with said pivot member hole, and also including a spring-retainer stud traversing said arcuate hole and secured to said side section, and coil spring means surrounding said stud, the ends of said spring extending tangentially to bear on said saddle and said pivot member, respectively.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 26 words
An assembly as defined in claim 13, additionally including a cover extending below said spring rod and saddle, and secured by clip means engaging said rod.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 66 words
In combination with a seat including a frame formed by a member having a portion curving from a vertical frontal portion to a horizontal portion to form an arm support, a tablet arm assembly comprising: a bracket having an arcuate recess conforming to the configuration of said curving and horizontal portions; means securing said bracket to said member; and tablet arm means mounted on said bracket.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 66 words
In combination with a seat including a frame formed by a member having a portion curving from a vertical frontal portion to a horizontal portion to form an arm support, a tablet arm assembly comprising: a bracket having an arcuate recess conforming to the configuration of said curving and horizontal portions; means securing said bracket to said member; and tablet arm means mounted on said bracket.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 35 words
A tablet arm assembly as defined in claim 19, wherein said frame member has a cross-section elongated in a vertical direction, and said bracket embraces and clasps at least the upper portion of said cross-section.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1437630A Cited
US2560925A Cited
US2796920A Cited
US2913039A Cited
US3163409A Cited
US3820845A Cited
US4049315A Cited
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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) 1992-08-28 1993-02-27 1993-08-29 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-08-28 1997-02-27 1997-08-29 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-08-28 2001-02-27 2001-08-29 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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