US5352022A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controlled deflection front lip for seating
Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc
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Filing: 1993-05-26
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Granted: 1994-10-04
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Expires: 2013-05-26
Abstract
Abstract A structural support shell for a tilt back chair has a back portion, a seat portion, and a compressible flex area extending between the back and seat portions in an integrally molded, one piece unit. The chain has a base with a recline control and pivoting back support lever. The seat portion of the shell is connected to the base and the back portion of the shell is connected to the back support lever. The compressible flex area provides for an ergonomic chair design having an effective axis of rotation between the back portion and the seat portion, which is located above the seat portion, forward of the back portion and generally adjacent to the hip joints of a seated user.
Inventors
- 👤 Glenn A. Knoblock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:15
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C3/00; A47C3/20; A47C3/24; A47C3/245; A47C1/00; A47C1/02; A47C1/031; A47C1/032; A47C1/03255; A47C1/03261; A47C1/03277; A47C3/12; A47C3/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S297/00; Y10S297/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A chair comprising: a base; a back support pivotally connected with said base for moving between an upright position and a reclined position, said back support having a terminal end away from said base; and a one piece support shell for receiving and supporting a user, said shell having a seat portion, having a back portion, and having a compressible flex area extending between said seat portion and said back portion, said back portion being connected to said back support and movable with said back support between said upright position and said reclined position, said seat portion being connected to said base, said back portion and said seat portion being spaced apart from one another in said upright position, said back portion and said seat portion being spaced relatively nearer to one another in said reclined position whereby compression forces develop in said shell and said compressible flex area compresses and narrows when said back portion moves from said upright position to said reclined position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A chair comprising: a base; a back support pivotally connected with said base for moving between an upright position and a reclined position, said back support having a terminal end away from said base; and a one piece support shell for receiving and supporting a user, said shell having a seat portion, having a back portion, and having a compressible flex area extending between said seat portion and said back portion, said back portion being connected to said back support and movable with said back support between said upright position and said reclined position, said seat portion being connected to said base, said back portion and said seat portion being spaced apart from one another in said upright position, said back portion and said seat portion being spaced relatively nearer to one another in said reclined position whereby compression forces develop in said shell and said compressible flex area compresses and narrows when said back portion moves from said upright position to said reclined position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The chair defined in claim 1 wherein said compressible flex area has at least one aperture therein, said aperture deforming to provide compression of said compressible flex area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The chair defined in claim 2 wherein said seat portion is connected to said base at a central area of said seat portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The chair defined in claim 3 wherein said back portion is connected to said back support near said terminal end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The chair defined in claim 1 wherein said chair further includes a plurality of integrally molded-in fasteners for connecting an outer shell with said support shell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The chair defined in claim 5 wherein each said fastener includes a stud projecting from an inside surface of the outer shell and said support shell includes an aperture corresponding to each said stud for receiving said stud and through which said stud is inserted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
151 words
A chair having a base and a back support bracket pivotally connected with the base for pivoting relative to the base between an upright position and a reclined position, the back support bracket having a terminal end away from the base, said chair further comprising a support shell for receiving and supporting a user, said shell having a seat portion connected to said base, a back portion connected to said back support bracket, and a compressible flex area extending between said seat portion and said back portion, said back portion and said seat portion being spaced apart from one another in the upright position, said back portion and said seat portion being spaced relatively near to one another in the reclined position whereby compression forces develop in said shell and said compressible flex area compresses and narrows when said back portion is moved from the upright position to the reclined position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
151 words
A chair having a base and a back support bracket pivotally connected with the base for pivoting relative to the base between an upright position and a reclined position, the back support bracket having a terminal end away from the base, said chair further comprising a support shell for receiving and supporting a user, said shell having a seat portion connected to said base, a back portion connected to said back support bracket, and a compressible flex area extending between said seat portion and said back portion, said back portion and said seat portion being spaced apart from one another in the upright position, said back portion and said seat portion being spaced relatively near to one another in the reclined position whereby compression forces develop in said shell and said compressible flex area compresses and narrows when said back portion is moved from the upright position to the reclined position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A chair as defined in claim 7 wherein said seat portion, said back portion and said compressible flex area are integrally molded in one piece.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A chair as defined in claim 8 wherein said compressible flex area has at least one aperture therein, said aperture deforming to provide compression of said compressible flex area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A chair as defined in claim 9 wherein said seat portion is connected to said base at a central area of said seat portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A chair as defined in claim 10 wherein said back portion is connected to said back support bracket near said terminal end.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-10-03 | 1998-04-04 | 1998-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-03 | 2002-04-04 | 2002-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-03 | 2006-04-04 | 2006-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |