US5318346A — Chair with zero front rise control

Claim 1

Independent Claim 162 words

A chair having a base, a seat portion operatively connected with the base, and a back portion pivotally connected to the base for tilting movement of the back portion between an upright position and a reclined position relative to the seat portion, said chair further comprising: a pair of side arms, each said side arm having an upper end attached to said back portion and having a lower end pivotally connected with the base so that said side arms pivot with the back portion relative to the base and said seat portion; and a bayonet mount, including a pivot pin and a bearing block pivotally connecting said lower end of each said side arm with said base, said pivot pin being engageable and disengageable with said bearing block when said side arm is in a first position and said pivot pin being locked with said bearing block when said side arm is rotated from said first position to a second, assembled position.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 162 words

A chair having a base, a seat portion operatively connected with the base, and a back portion pivotally connected to the base for tilting movement of the back portion between an upright position and a reclined position relative to the seat portion, said chair further comprising: a pair of side arms, each said side arm having an upper end attached to said back portion and having a lower end pivotally connected with the base so that said side arms pivot with the back portion relative to the base and said seat portion; and a bayonet mount, including a pivot pin and a bearing block pivotally connecting said lower end of each said side arm with said base, said pivot pin being engageable and disengageable with said bearing block when said side arm is in a first position and said pivot pin being locked with said bearing block when said side arm is rotated from said first position to a second, assembled position.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 43 words

A chair as defined in claim 1 wherein each said pivot pin has a terminal end extending generally toward the lower end of the opposing side arm and has at least one ear projecting perpendicularly from said pivot pin at said terminal end.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 267 words

A chair comprising: a base; a recline control lever pivotally connected with said base for moving between an upright position and a reclined position, said lever having a terminal end away from said base; a one piece structural support shell for receiving and supporting a user, said shell having a seat portion and a back portion, said back portion being fixed to said recline control lever and movable with said recline control lever between the upright and reclined positions, said seat portion being fixed to said base, and said shell further having a flexible compression zone extending between said seat portion and said back portion, said flexible compression zone providing a flexible connection between said seat portion and said back portion for accommodating changes in position between said seat and back portions when said back portion is moved between the upright and reclined positions, said flexible compression zone further providing a compressible zone between said seat portion and said back portion for compressing when said back portion is moved from the upright to the reclined position; and a pair of opposing side arms, each said side arm having an upper end attached to said back portion and having an opposing, lower end pivotally connected with said base through a bayonet mount, said bayonet mount including a pivot pin and a bearing block said pivot pin being engageable and disengageable with said bearing block when said side arm is in a first position and said pivot pin being locked with said bearing block when said side arm is rotated from said first position to a second, assembled position.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 267 words

A chair comprising: a base; a recline control lever pivotally connected with said base for moving between an upright position and a reclined position, said lever having a terminal end away from said base; a one piece structural support shell for receiving and supporting a user, said shell having a seat portion and a back portion, said back portion being fixed to said recline control lever and movable with said recline control lever between the upright and reclined positions, said seat portion being fixed to said base, and said shell further having a flexible compression zone extending between said seat portion and said back portion, said flexible compression zone providing a flexible connection between said seat portion and said back portion for accommodating changes in position between said seat and back portions when said back portion is moved between the upright and reclined positions, said flexible compression zone further providing a compressible zone between said seat portion and said back portion for compressing when said back portion is moved from the upright to the reclined position; and a pair of opposing side arms, each said side arm having an upper end attached to said back portion and having an opposing, lower end pivotally connected with said base through a bayonet mount, said bayonet mount including a pivot pin and a bearing block said pivot pin being engageable and disengageable with said bearing block when said side arm is in a first position and said pivot pin being locked with said bearing block when said side arm is rotated from said first position to a second, assembled position.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 42 words

The chair defined in claim 3 wherein each said pivot pin has a terminal end extending generally toward the lower end of the opposing side arm and has at least one ear projecting perpendicularly from said pivot pin at said terminal end.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 188 words

The chair defined in claim 4 wherein: said bearing blocks are attached to said base on opposing sides of said chair; each said bearing block has an aperture corresponding to said pivot pins for receiving said pivot pins therethrough; each said bearing block has a first side for engaging said lower end of said side arm when said pivot pin is inserted through said aperture, said first side being generally perpendicular to said aperture; each said bearing block has a second side opposite to said first side and generally parallel thereto; each said bearing block having a thickness defined between said first and second sides so that said ear of said pivot pin will extend beyond and be closely adjacent to said second side when said pivot pin is inserted through said aperture; and each said second side includes a camming surface corresponding to each said ear of said pivot pin so that each said ear engages said camming surface and said side arm is drawn against said first surface of said bearing block when said side arm is rotated from said first position to said second position.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 29 words

The chair defined in claim 5 wherein said recline control lever has an axis of rotation, each said pivot pin has an axis of rotation and said axes coincide.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 42 words

The chair defined in claim 5 wherein said recline control lever has an axis of rotation, each said pivot pin has an axis of rotation, said pivot pin axes coincide and said pivot pin axes are near said recline control lever axis.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 27 words

The chair defined in claim 3 wherein said chair further includes a plurality of integrally molded-in fasteners for connecting an outer shell with said structural support shell.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 46 words

The chair defined in claim 8 wherein each said fastener includes a stud projecting from an inside surface of the outer shell and said structural support shell includes an aperture corresponding to each said stud for receiving said stud and through which said stud is inserted.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 137 words

The chair defined in claim 9 wherein: each said stud has a series of biased teeth formed along at least one side of said stud, said teeth being biased to facilitate inserting said stud into said corresponding aperture and to resist withdrawal of said stud from said corresponding aperture; at least one flexible cantilevered tab projects into said corresponding aperture for engagement with said biased teeth; each said stud has a thickness from said teeth to a side opposite said teeth; and said corresponding aperture is dimensioned to define a gap, between said tab and a side of said aperture opposite said tab, which is smaller than said thickness so that an overcenter condition is obtained by said tab for resisting the withdrawal of said stud from said aperture when said stud is inserted through said aperture.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 36 words

The chair defined in claim 10 wherein said side of said aperture which is opposite said tab is thickened to form a surface for engaging said stud and for minimizing wear of said side said aperture.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 69 words

The fastener defined in claim 11 wherein said stud is a generally U-shaped channel member having a bight portion with a pair of generally parallel and spaced sidewalls extending to one side of said bight portion, said stud having a terminal end away from the outer shell, and wherein said biased teeth project from said bight portion in a direction generally opposite to said sidewalls, near said terminal end.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 359 words

A chair comprising: a base; a recline control lever pivotally connected with said base for moving between an upright position and a reclined position, said lever having a terminal end away from said base; a one piece structural support shell for receiving and supporting a user, said shell having a seat portion and a back portion, said back portion being fixed to said recline control lever and movable with said recline control lever between the upright and reclined positions, said seat portion being fixed to said base, and said shell further having a flexible compression zone extending between said seat portion and said back portion, said flexible compression zone providing a flexible connection between said seat portion and said back portion for accommodating changes in position between said seat and back portions when said back portion is moved between the upright and reclined positions, said flexible compression zone further providing a compressible zone between said seat portion and said back portion for compressing when said back portion is moved from the upright to the reclined position; and a plurality of integrally molded-in fasteners for connecting an outer shell with said structural support shell, each said fastener including a stud projecting from an inside surface of the outer shell and said structural support shell including an aperture corresponding to each said stud for receiving said stud and through which said stud is inserted, said stud having a series of biased teeth formed along at least one side of said stud, said teeth being biased to facilitate inserting said stud into said aperture and to resist withdrawal of said stud from said aperture, said aperture having at least one flexible cantilevered tab projecting into said aperture for engagement with said biased teeth, said stud having a thickness from said teeth to a side opposite said teeth, said aperture being dimensioned to define a gap, between said tab and a side of said aperture opposite said tab, which is smaller than said thickness so that an over center condition is obtained by said tab for resisting the withdrawal of said stud from said aperture when said stud is inserted through said aperture.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 359 words

A chair comprising: a base; a recline control lever pivotally connected with said base for moving between an upright position and a reclined position, said lever having a terminal end away from said base; a one piece structural support shell for receiving and supporting a user, said shell having a seat portion and a back portion, said back portion being fixed to said recline control lever and movable with said recline control lever between the upright and reclined positions, said seat portion being fixed to said base, and said shell further having a flexible compression zone extending between said seat portion and said back portion, said flexible compression zone providing a flexible connection between said seat portion and said back portion for accommodating changes in position between said seat and back portions when said back portion is moved between the upright and reclined positions, said flexible compression zone further providing a compressible zone between said seat portion and said back portion for compressing when said back portion is moved from the upright to the reclined position; and a plurality of integrally molded-in fasteners for connecting an outer shell with said structural support shell, each said fastener including a stud projecting from an inside surface of the outer shell and said structural support shell including an aperture corresponding to each said stud for receiving said stud and through which said stud is inserted, said stud having a series of biased teeth formed along at least one side of said stud, said teeth being biased to facilitate inserting said stud into said aperture and to resist withdrawal of said stud from said aperture, said aperture having at least one flexible cantilevered tab projecting into said aperture for engagement with said biased teeth, said stud having a thickness from said teeth to a side opposite said teeth, said aperture being dimensioned to define a gap, between said tab and a side of said aperture opposite said tab, which is smaller than said thickness so that an over center condition is obtained by said tab for resisting the withdrawal of said stud from said aperture when said stud is inserted through said aperture.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 35 words

The chair defined in claim 13 wherein said side of said aperture opposite said tab is thickened to form a surface for engaging said stud and for minimizing wear of said side of said aperture.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 67 words

The fastener defined in claim 14 wherein said stud is a generally U-shaped channel member having a bight portion with a pair of generally parallel and spaced sidewalls extending to one side of said bight portion, said stud having a terminal end away from the outer shell, and wherein said series of biased teeth project from said bight portion in a direction generally opposite to said sidewalls.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 365 words

A chair having a base, a seat portion operatively connected with the base, and a back portion pivotally connected to the base for tilting movement of the back portion between an upright position and a reclined position relative to the seat portion, said chair further comprising: a pair of side arms, each said side arm having an upper end attached to said back portion and having a lower end pivotally connected with the base so that said side arms pivot with the back portion relative to the base and said seat portion; and a bayonet mount at each said lower end of said side arms, said bayonet mount including a pivot pin and a bearing block pivotally connecting said lower end of said side arm with said base; said pivot pin being engageable and disengageable with said bearing block when said side arm is in a first position; being locked with said bearing block when said side arm is rotated from said first position to a second, assembled position; having a terminal end extending generally toward the lower end of the opposing side arm; and having at least one ear projecting perpendicularly from said pivot pin at said terminal end; said bearing blocks being attached to said base on opposing sides of said chair; having an aperture corresponding to said pivot pins for receiving said pivot pins therethrough; having a first side for engaging said lower end of said side arm when said pivot pin is inserted through said aperture, said first side being generally perpendicular to said aperture; having a second side opposite to said first side and generally parallel thereto; and having a thickness defined between said first and second sides so that said ear of said pivot pin will extend beyond and be closely adjacent to said second side when said pivot pin is inserted through said aperture; each said second side including a camming surface corresponding to each said ear of said pivot pin so that each said ear engages said camming surface and said side arm is drawn against said first surface of said bearing block when said side arm is rotated from said first position to said second position.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 365 words

A chair having a base, a seat portion operatively connected with the base, and a back portion pivotally connected to the base for tilting movement of the back portion between an upright position and a reclined position relative to the seat portion, said chair further comprising: a pair of side arms, each said side arm having an upper end attached to said back portion and having a lower end pivotally connected with the base so that said side arms pivot with the back portion relative to the base and said seat portion; and a bayonet mount at each said lower end of said side arms, said bayonet mount including a pivot pin and a bearing block pivotally connecting said lower end of said side arm with said base; said pivot pin being engageable and disengageable with said bearing block when said side arm is in a first position; being locked with said bearing block when said side arm is rotated from said first position to a second, assembled position; having a terminal end extending generally toward the lower end of the opposing side arm; and having at least one ear projecting perpendicularly from said pivot pin at said terminal end; said bearing blocks being attached to said base on opposing sides of said chair; having an aperture corresponding to said pivot pins for receiving said pivot pins therethrough; having a first side for engaging said lower end of said side arm when said pivot pin is inserted through said aperture, said first side being generally perpendicular to said aperture; having a second side opposite to said first side and generally parallel thereto; and having a thickness defined between said first and second sides so that said ear of said pivot pin will extend beyond and be closely adjacent to said second side when said pivot pin is inserted through said aperture; each said second side including a camming surface corresponding to each said ear of said pivot pin so that each said ear engages said camming surface and said side arm is drawn against said first surface of said bearing block when said side arm is rotated from said first position to said second position.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 28 words

A chair as defined in claim 16 wherein said back portion pivots about an axis of rotation and each said pivot pin rotates about said axis of rotation.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 42 words

A chair as defined in claim 16 wherein said back portion pivots about a first axis of rotation, each said pivot pin rotates about a second axis of rotation, and said second axis of rotation is near said first axis of rotation.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 265 words

In a seating unit having at least a first molded plastic component and a second molded plastic component, the first and second components being fastened to each other, the improvement of a fastener for fastening the first and second components together, comprising: a stud integrally molded in and projecting from the first component, said stud being a generally U-shaped channel member having a bight portion with a pair of generally parallel and spaced sidewalls extending to one side of said bight portion, said stud having a terminal end away from the first plastic component; means defining an aperture in the second component for receiving and capturing said stud and through which said stud is inserted for fastening the components together, said stud having a series of biased teeth formed along at least one side of said stud, said teeth being biased to facilitate inserting said stud into said aperture and to resist withdrawal of said stud from said aperture, said biased teeth projecting from said bight portion in a direction generally opposite to said sidewalls, near said terminal end; and at least one flexible cantilevered tab projecting into said aperture for engagement with said biased teeth, said stud having a thickness from said teeth to a side opposite said teeth, said aperture being dimensioned to define a gap, between said tab and a side of said aperture opposite said tab, said gap being smaller than said thickness so that an over center condition is obtained by said tab for resisting withdrawal of said stud from said aperture when said stud is inserted through said aperture.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 265 words

In a seating unit having at least a first molded plastic component and a second molded plastic component, the first and second components being fastened to each other, the improvement of a fastener for fastening the first and second components together, comprising: a stud integrally molded in and projecting from the first component, said stud being a generally U-shaped channel member having a bight portion with a pair of generally parallel and spaced sidewalls extending to one side of said bight portion, said stud having a terminal end away from the first plastic component; means defining an aperture in the second component for receiving and capturing said stud and through which said stud is inserted for fastening the components together, said stud having a series of biased teeth formed along at least one side of said stud, said teeth being biased to facilitate inserting said stud into said aperture and to resist withdrawal of said stud from said aperture, said biased teeth projecting from said bight portion in a direction generally opposite to said sidewalls, near said terminal end; and at least one flexible cantilevered tab projecting into said aperture for engagement with said biased teeth, said stud having a thickness from said teeth to a side opposite said teeth, said aperture being dimensioned to define a gap, between said tab and a side of said aperture opposite said tab, said gap being smaller than said thickness so that an over center condition is obtained by said tab for resisting withdrawal of said stud from said aperture when said stud is inserted through said aperture.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 37 words

The fastener defined in claim 19 wherein said stud further includes a stiffening rib and said stiffening rib is generally parallel to said sidewalls and projects from said bight portion in the same direction as said sidewalls.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 37 words

The fastener defined in claim 20 wherein said side of said aperture which is opposite said tab is thickened to form a surface for engaging said stud and for minimizing wear of said side of said aperture.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-06-06	1997-12-06	1998-06-07	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-06-06	2001-12-06	2002-06-07	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-06-06	2005-12-06	2006-06-07	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Chair with zero front rise control

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