US6120097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible chair with adjustable support frame
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1997-11-07
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Granted: 2000-09-19
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Expires: 2017-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A flexible chair includes a seat frame having a bidirectional fabric stretched over the seat frame to define seat back and seat bottom portions. The seat frame is supported on an upper axis and a lower axis by a flexible frame. In one embodiment, the flexible frame is a substantially continuous symmetrical loop defining arm portions. The arm portions are supported by a pair of u-shaped support forks. The connection geometry between the forks and the frame may be adjusted to provide varying degrees of flex from the chair frame. In another embodiment, the flexible frame is a pair of symmetrical loops including ground supporting portions.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Owen Perry
- 👤 Paul Owen Perry
- 👤 Charles Christopher Perry
- 👤 Maria Daniela Perry
- 👤 Patrick Lawrence Perry
- 👤 Marc Carroll Perry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:48
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C3/00; A47C3/02; A47C3/021; A47C3/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
In a flexible chair having a seat frame forming a substantially continuous loop symmetrically about the chair beginning from a upper bearing portion then forwardly along arm portions then downwardly then rearwardly along lateral side portions to a lower bearing portion, a seat back pivotally attached to the seat frame at both the upper bearing portion and the lower bearing portion, a seat bottom attached between the lateral side portions of the seat frame, and a support frame comprising a pair of parallel support members formed generally into a u-shape and connected to each other at a bottom of the u-shape, each of the support members being pivotally attached at each end thereof to the seat frame at respective arm portions, the improvement comprising: upper and lower generally u-shaped frames pivotally connected together at the lower bearing portion with the upper u-shaped frame defining the seat back and the lower u-shaped frame defining the seat bottom and the upper and lower u-shaped frames defining a bounded area and a bidirectional fabric stretched across the bounded area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
In a flexible chair having a seat frame forming a substantially continuous loop symmetrically about the chair beginning from a upper bearing portion then forwardly along arm portions then downwardly then rearwardly along lateral side portions to a lower bearing portion, a seat back pivotally attached to the seat frame at both the upper bearing portion and the lower bearing portion, a seat bottom attached between the lateral side portions of the seat frame, and a support frame comprising a pair of parallel support members formed generally into a u-shape and connected to each other at a bottom of the u-shape, each of the support members being pivotally attached at each end thereof to the seat frame at respective arm portions, the improvement comprising: upper and lower generally u-shaped frames pivotally connected together at the lower bearing portion with the upper u-shaped frame defining the seat back and the lower u-shaped frame defining the seat bottom and the upper and lower u-shaped frames defining a bounded area and a bidirectional fabric stretched across the bounded area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The flexible chair of claim 1, wherein the seat back is pivotally attached to the seat frame at both the upper bearing portion and the lower bearing portion by seat back adjustment means for adjusting the relative position of attachment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The flexible chair of claim 2, wherein the seat back adjustment means includes a bracket for rigidly holding the upper bearing portion and the lower bearing portion, and means for moving the bracket up and down.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The flexible chair of claim 3, wherein the seat back adjustment means includes a bracket for rigidly holding the upper bearing portion and the lower bearing portion, and means for moving the bracket up and down.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
139 words
A flexible chair, comprising: a support frame including a u-shaped arm support, a first closed loop defining a pair of arms each coupled to the arm support, a second closed loop defining a bounded area and nested within the first closed loop, wherein the bounded area includes a seat back portion in a vertical orientation and a seat bottom portion in a horizontal orientation, and wherein the second closed loop is pivotally connected to the first closed loop at a first two points defining a first pivotal axis in a middle region of the seat back portion, and wherein the second closed loop is pivotally connected to the first closed loop at a second two points defining a second pivotal axis in a front region of the seat bottom portion, and a bidirectional fabric stretched across the bounded area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
139 words
A flexible chair, comprising: a support frame including a u-shaped arm support, a first closed loop defining a pair of arms each coupled to the arm support, a second closed loop defining a bounded area and nested within the first closed loop, wherein the bounded area includes a seat back portion in a vertical orientation and a seat bottom portion in a horizontal orientation, and wherein the second closed loop is pivotally connected to the first closed loop at a first two points defining a first pivotal axis in a middle region of the seat back portion, and wherein the second closed loop is pivotally connected to the first closed loop at a second two points defining a second pivotal axis in a front region of the seat bottom portion, and a bidirectional fabric stretched across the bounded area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A flexible chair as in claim 5, wherein the second closed loop further includes a third two points defining a third pivotal axis and located on the seat back portion below the first pivotal axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A flexible chair as in claim 5, wherein the coupling between the u-shaped arm support and each arm is adjustable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
134 words
A flexible chair, comprising: a pair of first closed loops symmetrically disposed and each defining an arm portion and a ground supporting portion, a second closed loop defining a bounded area and nested between the first closed loops, wherein the bounded area includes a seat back portion in a vertical orientation and a seat bottom portion in a horizontal orientation, and wherein the second closed loop is pivotally connected to the first closed loops at a first two points defining a first pivotal axis in a middle region of the seat back portion, and wherein the second closed loop is pivotally connected to the first closed loops at a second two points defining a second pivotal axis in a front region of the seat bottom portion, and a seat cover covering the bounded area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
134 words
A flexible chair, comprising: a pair of first closed loops symmetrically disposed and each defining an arm portion and a ground supporting portion, a second closed loop defining a bounded area and nested between the first closed loops, wherein the bounded area includes a seat back portion in a vertical orientation and a seat bottom portion in a horizontal orientation, and wherein the second closed loop is pivotally connected to the first closed loops at a first two points defining a first pivotal axis in a middle region of the seat back portion, and wherein the second closed loop is pivotally connected to the first closed loops at a second two points defining a second pivotal axis in a front region of the seat bottom portion, and a seat cover covering the bounded area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flexible chair as in claim 8, wherein the ground supporting portion is offset from the arm portion to facilitate stacking.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A flexible chair as in claim 8, further comprising a first support bar coupled between the first closed loops below the first pivotal axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A flexible chair as in claim 10, wherein the first support bar includes a pair of projections each located proximate to a corresponding one of the first closed loops and extending upwardly to couple with the second closed loop.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
A flexible chair as in claim 11, wherein the projections are flexible.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
A flexible chair, comprising: a first closed loop defining a bounded area including a seat back portion and a seat bottom portion orientation, a flexible support frame pivotally coupled to support the closed loop at a first horizontal axis located in the seat back portion and at a second horizontal axis located in the seat bottom portion, and a bidirectional fabric covering the bounded area.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
A flexible chair, comprising: a first closed loop defining a bounded area including a seat back portion and a seat bottom portion orientation, a flexible support frame pivotally coupled to support the closed loop at a first horizontal axis located in the seat back portion and at a second horizontal axis located in the seat bottom portion, and a bidirectional fabric covering the bounded area.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
A flexible chair as in claim 13, wherein the flexible support frame comprises a second closed loop defining a pair of arms and a u-shaped arm support coupled to each arm, wherein the first closed loop is nested within the second closed loop.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A flexible chair as in claim 13, wherein the flexible support frame comprises a pair of closed loops symmetrically disposed and each defining an arm portion and a ground supporting portion.
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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) | 2003-09-19 | 2004-03-20 | 2004-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-19 | 2008-03-20 | 2008-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-19 | 2012-03-20 | 2012-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |