Patent JPS5084981A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent EP0097295A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5873634A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular chair construction and method of assembly
Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc
•
Filing: 1998-01-08
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Granted: 1999-02-23
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Expires: 2018-01-08
Abstract
Abstract A chair construction and method for building a chair having selected features are provided. The construction includes a plurality of interchangeable different components including different base assemblies, back assemblies, seats, arms, and chair controls that can be selected to provide different features on a "customized" chair. The different chair controls are constructed from a selected one of a plurality of interchangeable energy modules and a selected one of a plurality of interchangeable seat support modules. All components include standardized connections for engaging the related components, and further include various mechanisms and designs so that by selecting particular components, a chair having various features and appearances can be provided. For example, the plurality of interchangeable seat support modules include a non-adjustable seat support module, a seat-angle-adjustable seat support module, and a seat-depth-adjustable seat support module. Also, the plurality of interchangeable chair control modules include a non-lockable energy module, a back lockable energy module, and a multi-position backstop energy module, each connectable to a selected one of the aforementioned seat support modules. The modularity of these components facilitates assembly including on-site assembly, repair, and post-assembly upgrading of the chair. Further, the seat support is connected by removable pivot pins to allow assembly, retrofit and/or modification in the field. The tension adjustment mechanism, the seat height actuator mechanism, and the pivot connections are constructed for durability, performance, assembleability, compactness of design, and to minimize the number of and complexity of parts. The method includes selecting modules from a menu of interconnectable/interchangeable modules to construct a chair control, and further selecting modules from a menu of interchangeable components to construct a chair having selected features.
Inventors
- 👤 Kurt R. Heidmann
- 👤 Brian L. Christensen
- 👤 Micahel W. Haan
- 👤 Glenn A. Knoblock
- 👤 Eric T. McClure
- 👤 Noe Palacios
- 👤 Brian H. Root
- 👤 David D. Sayers
- 👤 Robert M. Scheper
- 👤 Patrick P. Schwoerer
- 👤 James P. Steffens
- 👤 Greg A. VanStee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:31
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C1/00; A47C1/02; A47C1/022; A47C1/023; A47C7/00; A47C1/031; A47C1/032; A47C1/03205; A47C1/03238; A47C1/03255; A47C1/03261; A47C1/03266; A47C1/03272; A47C1/03274; A47C13/00; A47C13/005; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A chair control construction comprising: an energy module including a fixed housing, a back upright support bracket rotatably connected to said fixed housing for movement between a fully upright position and a fully reclined position, and an energy source biasing said back upright support bracket toward said fully upright position; and interchangeable seat support modules each configured for pivotal attachment to said fixed housing and said back upright support bracket at common connection points, said interchangeable seat support modules including a first seat support module having a non-adjustable seat support bracket configured to rotatably connect to said back upright support bracket, and further including a second seat support module having a synchrotilt bracket configured to rotatably connect to said back upright support bracket and an adjustable seat support bracket connected to said synchrotilt bracket, said adjustable seat support bracket being adjustably supported on said synchrotilt bracket for adjustment relative to said synchrotilt bracket, whereby different style chair controls with different functions can be made from common parts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A chair control construction comprising: an energy module including a fixed housing, a back upright support bracket rotatably connected to said fixed housing for movement between a fully upright position and a fully reclined position, and an energy source biasing said back upright support bracket toward said fully upright position; and interchangeable seat support modules each configured for pivotal attachment to said fixed housing and said back upright support bracket at common connection points, said interchangeable seat support modules including a first seat support module having a non-adjustable seat support bracket configured to rotatably connect to said back upright support bracket, and further including a second seat support module having a synchrotilt bracket configured to rotatably connect to said back upright support bracket and an adjustable seat support bracket connected to said synchrotilt bracket, said adjustable seat support bracket being adjustably supported on said synchrotilt bracket for adjustment relative to said synchrotilt bracket, whereby different style chair controls with different functions can be made from common parts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A chair control construction as defined in claim 1 including a second energy module having a back lock mechanism for locking said back upright support bracket in said fully upright position, said first energy module being a non-lockable standardized module for supporting said back upright support bracket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A chair control construction as defined in claim 1 including removable pivot pins for pivotally securing a selected one of said interchangeable seat support modules to said energy module.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A chair control construction as defined in claim 1 wherein said second seat support module includes a seat-angle-adjustment mechanism connected to said adjustable seat support bracket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A chair control construction as defined in claim 4 including a third seat support module having a second adjustable seat support bracket and a seat-depth-adjustment mechanism connected to said second adjustable seat support bracket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A chair control construction as defined in claim 5 including a fourth seat support module having a seat-angle-adjustment and seat-depth-adjustment mechanism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A chair control construction as defined in claim 5 including a second energy module having a back lock mechanism for locking said back upright support bracket in said fully upright position, said first energy module being a non-lockable standardized module for supporting said back upright support bracket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A chair control construction as defined in claim 7 including a third energy module having a multi-stop mechanism for limiting the rearward rotation of said back upright support bracket at selected stop locations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A chair control construction as defined in claim 1 wherein said fixed housing includes a front flange, and said back upright support bracket includes a pair of pivot-forming flanges, said front flange and said pivot-forming flanges forming a connection arrangement for engaging said common connection points.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
A chair control construction as defined in claim 9 wherein said pivot-forming flanges include pivot-forming holes located on opposing sides of said back upright support bracket, said pivot-forming holes defining a common axis of rotation for said back upright support bracket and said interchangeable seat support modules that extends through said back upright support bracket.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A chair control construction as defined in claim 10 including removable pivot pins configured for frictional engagement with said pivot-forming holes in said pivot-forming flanges.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
107 words
A kit for building a chair having selected features, comprising: a base assembly; a back; a seat; a chair control configured for connection to said base assembly and further configured for connection to said back and still further including a first connector arrangement; and a plurality of different interchangeable seat support modules, each including a standardized connector arrangement configured to mateably engage said first connector arrangement and further including a standardized structure for supporting said seat, said plurality of different seat support modules each having customized adjustment mechanisms for providing different seat adjustment features, whereby different style chairs having different functions can be made from common parts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
107 words
A kit for building a chair having selected features, comprising: a base assembly; a back; a seat; a chair control configured for connection to said base assembly and further configured for connection to said back and still further including a first connector arrangement; and a plurality of different interchangeable seat support modules, each including a standardized connector arrangement configured to mateably engage said first connector arrangement and further including a standardized structure for supporting said seat, said plurality of different seat support modules each having customized adjustment mechanisms for providing different seat adjustment features, whereby different style chairs having different functions can be made from common parts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
A kit as defined in claim 12 wherein said chair control includes a fixed housing having a second connector arrangement for engaging said base assembly, and further includes a back upright support bracket pivotally secured to said fixed housing and defining a third connector arrangement for engaging said back.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A kit as defined in claim 13 wherein said fixed housing includes a front flange and said back upright support bracket includes pivot-forming flanges, said front flange and said pivot-forming flanges forming said first connector arrangement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
A kit as defined in claim 14 wherein said pivot-forming flanges include pivot-forming holes located on opposing sides of said back upright support bracket, said pivot-forming holes defining a common axis of rotation for said back upright support bracket and said interchangeable seat support modules, said common axis extending through said back upright support bracket.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A kit as defined in claim 14 including removable pivot pins configured for engagement with said pivot-forming flanges.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A kit as defined in claim 13 wherein said plurality of different seat support modules includes a non-adjustable seat support and further includes an adjustable seat support.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A kit as defined in 17 claim wherein said adjustable seat support includes a seat-depth-adjustment mechanism.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A kit as defined in claim 17 wherein said adjustable seat support includes a seat-angle-adjustment mechanism.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A kit as defined in claim 19 wherein said plurality of different seat support modules includes a third seat support including a seat-depth-adjustable mechanism.
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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) | 2002-02-22 | 2002-08-24 | 2003-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-22 | 2006-08-24 | 2007-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-22 | 2010-08-24 | 2011-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |