US6059368A — Office chair

Claim 1

Independent Claim 75 words

A chair comprising: a frame member having a central opening therethrough and a channel formed around at least a portion of a perimeter thereof; a carrier member; and a stretched membrane comprising an elastomeric material attached to the carrier member, wherein said carrier member with said stretched membrane attached thereto is inserted in said channel and wherein said stretched membrane is not otherwise attached to said channel, wherein said stretched membrane covers the central opening.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 75 words

A chair comprising: a frame member having a central opening therethrough and a channel formed around at least a portion of a perimeter thereof; a carrier member; and a stretched membrane comprising an elastomeric material attached to the carrier member, wherein said carrier member with said stretched membrane attached thereto is inserted in said channel and wherein said stretched membrane is not otherwise attached to said channel, wherein said stretched membrane covers the central opening.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 78 words

The chair of claim 1 wherein said frame member and said membrane define a seat and said membrane is stretched in a longitudinal direction between a forward and rear portion of the carrier member in the range of 6% to 9% of an unstretched length of the membrane, and said membrane is stretched in a lateral direction between side portions of the carrier member in the range of 1% to 2% of an unstretched width of the membrane.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 15 words

The chair of claim 1 wherein the carrier member is of one-piece construction and deformable.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

The chair of claim 1 wherein the carrier member is press fit into the frame member channel.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 15 words

The chair of claim 4 wherein the carrier member is made of a resilient material.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 18 words

The chair of claim 5 wherein an edge portion of said membrane is molded with the carrier member.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 19 words

The chair of claim 1 wherein the carrier member is adapted to be snap-fit into the frame member channel.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 18 words

The chair of claim 7 wherein an edge portion of said membrane is welded to the carrier member.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 28 words

The chair of claim 7 wherein an edge portion of said membrane is attached to an insert adapted to fit in a cavity formed in said carrier member.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 17 words

The chair of claim 9 wherein said edge portion of said membrane is molded with the insert.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 17 words

The chair of claim 9 wherein the edge portion of said membrane is welded to the insert.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 17 words

The chair of claim 1 wherein said membrane is directly exposed to the user in the chair.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 14 words

The chair of claim 1 wherein said membrane comprises a plurality of elastomeric monofilaments.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 54 words

The chair of claim 1 wherein said frame member comprises a downwardly extending portion having a top surface and wherein said carrier member has a top surface with a variable slope generally corresponding to the top surface of the frame portion, whereby a smooth transition from the carrier member to the frame is provided.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 53 words

The chair of claim 1 wherein said frame member comprises an upwardly extending portion having a top surface and wherein said carrier member has a top surface with a variable slope generally corresponding to the top surface of the frame portion, whereby a smooth transition from the carrier to the frame is provided.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 17 words

The chair of claim 1 wherein said membrane is stretched in both the longitudinal and lateral directions.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 30 words

The chair of claim 1 wherein said carrier member further comprises a tab member and said frame comprises an opening, wherein said tab member engages said frame at said opening.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 18 words

The chair of claim 1 further comprising an attachment strip disposed between the carrier member and the channel.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 78 words

A chair comprising: a frame member having a central opening therethrough and a channel formed around at least a portion of a perimeter thereof; a one-piece deformable carrier member; and a stretched membrane of elastic material having an edge portion attached to the carrier member, said carrier member with said stretched membrane attached thereto inserted in said channel, wherein said stretched membrane is not otherwise attached to said channel and wherein said stretched membrane covers the central opening.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 78 words

A chair comprising: a frame member having a central opening therethrough and a channel formed around at least a portion of a perimeter thereof; a one-piece deformable carrier member; and a stretched membrane of elastic material having an edge portion attached to the carrier member, said carrier member with said stretched membrane attached thereto inserted in said channel, wherein said stretched membrane is not otherwise attached to said channel and wherein said stretched membrane covers the central opening.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 17 words

The chair of claim 19 wherein the carrier member is press fit into the frame member channel.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 18 words

The chair of claim 20 wherein the edge portion of said membrane is molded with the carrier member.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 57 words

The chair of claim 19 wherein said carrier member is expanded to allow said carrier member to be inserted into said channel, and wherein the carrier member has sufficient rigidity to maintain a shape substantially the same as the channel after the expansion thereof to allow said carrier member to be snap-fit into the frame member channel.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 28 words

The chair of claim 22 wherein the edge portion of said membrane is attached to an insert adapted to fit in a cavity formed in said carrier member.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 17 words

The chair of claim 19 wherein said membrane is stretched in both the longitudinal and lateral directions.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 80 words

A method of manufacturing a chair comprising: providing a frame, said frame having a central opening therethrough and a channel formed around at least a portion of a perimeter thereof; providing a membrane comprising an elastomeric material; stretching said membrane from an unstretched condition to a stretched condition; attaching a carrier member to said membrane when said membrane is in said stretched condition; and inserting said carrier member into said channel after attaching said carrier member to said stretched membrane.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 80 words

A method of manufacturing a chair comprising: providing a frame, said frame having a central opening therethrough and a channel formed around at least a portion of a perimeter thereof; providing a membrane comprising an elastomeric material; stretching said membrane from an unstretched condition to a stretched condition; attaching a carrier member to said membrane when said membrane is in said stretched condition; and inserting said carrier member into said channel after attaching said carrier member to said stretched membrane.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 25 wherein said carrier member and membrane are installed in a seat of said chair.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 25 wherein said carrier member and membrane are installed in a back of said chair.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 25 wherein said inserting step is further characterized by expanding said carrier member a desired amount prior to inserting said carrier member into said channel to stretch said membrane a desired amount.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 25 wherein said channel and said carrier member have corresponding contours.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 25 wherein installed and said carrier member is removably installed in said chair.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 25 wherein said carrier member is of one-piece construction and deformable.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 25 wherein said carrier member is press fit into the frame member channel.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 25 wherein said membrane is a woven fabric.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 25 wherein said membrane is comprised of a material formed of woven strands at least some of which have an elliptical cross section.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 25 wherein the carrier member is made of a resilient material.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 25 wherein an edge portion of said membrane is molded with the carrier member.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 25 wherein said carrier member is made of a pliable material, yet is sufficiently rigid to maintain a desired contour of said membrane when installed.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 25 wherein said carrier member is installed in said frame to follow a contour of a top surface of said frame.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 50 words

The method of claim 25 further comprising: installing a second membrane surrounded by a second carrier member into said chair so that one of said carrier members is installed in a seat of said chair and the other of said carrier members is installed in a back of said chair.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 39 wherein both said first carrier member and said second carrier member are installed in said chair so that both said membranes are directly exposed to a person sitting in said chair.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method of claim 25 wherein said carrier member is installed into said frame of said chair so that said membrane is directly exposed to a person sitting in said chair.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 25 wherein the carrier member is adapted to be snap-fit into the frame member channel.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 25 wherein an edge portion of said membrane is welded to the carrier member.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 25 wherein an edge portion of said membrane is attached to an insert adapted to fit into a cavity formed in said carrier member.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 44 wherein said edge portion is molded with the insert.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 44 wherein said edge portion is welded to the insert.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 56 words

A chair comprising: a frame member having a channel; a carrier member press fitted in said channel, said carrier member and said channel having corresponding contours wherein said channel is shaped to receive said carrier member by said press fit; a stretched membrane comprising an elastomeric material and an edge portion molded with said carrier member.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 56 words

A chair comprising: a frame member having a channel; a carrier member press fitted in said channel, said carrier member and said channel having corresponding contours wherein said channel is shaped to receive said carrier member by said press fit; a stretched membrane comprising an elastomeric material and an edge portion molded with said carrier member.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 18 words

The chair of claim 47 further comprising an attachment strip disposed between the carrier member and the channel.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 70 words

A chair comprising: a frame member having a central opening and a channel formed around the perimeter thereof; a stretched membrane of elastic material; and a carrier member attached to said stretched membrane around its entire periphery, said carrier member with said stretched membrane attached thereto inserted in said channel, wherein said stretched membrane is not otherwise attached to said channel and wherein said stretched membrane covers the central opening.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 70 words

A chair comprising: a frame member having a central opening and a channel formed around the perimeter thereof; a stretched membrane of elastic material; and a carrier member attached to said stretched membrane around its entire periphery, said carrier member with said stretched membrane attached thereto inserted in said channel, wherein said stretched membrane is not otherwise attached to said channel and wherein said stretched membrane covers the central opening.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 11 words

The chair of claim 49 wherein said carrier member is deformable.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 20 words

The chair of claim 49 wherein said membrane is molded with said carrier member around the periphery of said membrane.

Claim 57

Independent Claim 62 words

A method of manufacturing a chair comprising: providing a frame comprising a channel formed along a portion thereof; providing an elastic membrane; stretching said membrane from an unstretched condition to a stretched condition; attaching a carrier member to said membrane while said membrane is in said stretched condition; and inserting said carrier member into said channel after said membrane is attached thereto.

Claim 58

Independent Claim 62 words

A method of manufacturing a chair comprising: providing a frame comprising a channel formed along a portion thereof; providing an elastic membrane; stretching said membrane from an unstretched condition to a stretched condition; attaching a carrier member to said membrane while said membrane is in said stretched condition; and inserting said carrier member into said channel after said membrane is attached thereto.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 43 words

The method of claim 52 wherein said frame has an opening therethrough and wherein said channel is formed as a continuous loop around an entirety of a perimeter of said opening, and wherein said carrier member is formed as a one-piece continuous loop.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 52 wherein said step of attaching said carrier member to said membrane comprises molding said carrier member with said membrane while said membrane is in said stretched condition.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 65 words

A chair comprising: a frame member having an opening therethrough and a channel formed around at least a portion of a perimeter thereof; a carrier member; and a stretched membrane comprising an elastomeric material and an edge portion molded with said carrier member, wherein said carrier member with said stretched membrane attached thereto is inserted in said channel, wherein said stretched membrane covers the opening.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 65 words

A chair comprising: a frame member having an opening therethrough and a channel formed around at least a portion of a perimeter thereof; a carrier member; and a stretched membrane comprising an elastomeric material and an edge portion molded with said carrier member, wherein said carrier member with said stretched membrane attached thereto is inserted in said channel, wherein said stretched membrane covers the opening.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 15 words

The chair of claim 55 wherein said frame member and said membrane define a seat.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 23 words

The chair of claim 56 wherein said membrane is stretched in a longitudinal direction between a forward and rear portion of the seat.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 15 words

The chair of claim 55 wherein said frame member and said membrane define a backrest.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 20 words

The chair of claim 55 wherein said membrane is stretched in a lateral direction between side portions of the chair.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-05-09	2003-11-08	2004-05-09	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-05-09	2007-11-08	2008-05-09	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-05-09	2011-11-08	2012-05-09	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Office chair

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