US6318800B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seating unit with novel pivot mounts and method of assembly
Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc
•
Filing: 2000-10-20
•
Granted: 2001-11-20
•
Expires: 2020-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A seating unit is provided having a base assembly, a back frame pivoted to the base assembly for movement between upright and reclined positions, and a seat slidably supported on the base assembly and pivoted to the back frame so that the seat moves forwardly and its rear moves forwardly and downwardly with the back frame upon recline. The pivots for connecting the back frame to the base assembly and for connecting the seat to the back frame permit quick fastenerless assembly by flexing the back frame during assembly. The pivots include rubber elements that permit flexing of a bearing element to prevent binding during rotation when the bearing element is not fully aligned with a pivot axis. A method of assembly including flexing the configured end sections of the back frame, positioning the configured ends adjacent opposite sides of the seat, and releasing the configured end sections so that they engage the seat, is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry DeKraker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:23
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C1/00; A47C1/02; A47C1/022; A47C1/023; A47C1/031; A47C1/032; A47C1/03205; A47C1/03233; A47C1/03238; A47C1/03255; A47C1/03261; A47C1/03272; A47C1/03274; A47C7/00; A47C7/02; A47C7/14; A47C7/24; A47C7/36; A47C7/40; A47C7/44; A47C7/445; A47C7/46; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S297/00; Y10S297/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of assembling a seating unit comprising steps of: providing a seating unit component with laterally-extending oppositely-facing protrusions; providing a back frame with end sections having recesses therein; flexing the end sections of the back frame and simultaneously positioning the recesses of the end sections on the protrusions; and releasing the back frame so that the back frame resiliently returns to an original shape which holds the back frame in place and pivotally connects the back frame to the seating unit component.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of assembling a seating unit comprising steps of: providing a seating unit component with laterally-extending oppositely-facing protrusions; providing a back frame with end sections having recesses therein; flexing the end sections of the back frame and simultaneously positioning the recesses of the end sections on the protrusions; and releasing the back frame so that the back frame resiliently returns to an original shape which holds the back frame in place and pivotally connects the back frame to the seating unit component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein the seating unit component comprises a seat, and including providing a base assembly with side arms, and further including flexing the configured end sections to position the configured end sections between side portions of the seat and the side arms of the base assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method defined in claim 2 wherein the side arms include oppositely facing second protrusions, and wherein the end sections include second recesses, and including positioning the second recesses on the second protrusions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method defined in claim 3 wherein the first mentioned protrusions and the second protrusions on each respective side of the seating unit face in opposite directions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method defined in claim 2 wherein the base assembly includes a base frame comprising a housing, with the opposing side arms extending laterally and upwardly from the housing, and including positioning the configured end sections inside an upper end of the side arms but generally outside and above the housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method defined in claim 1 , including providing a seat and a base assembly having castors adapted to rollingly engage a floor surface, and wherein the base assembly, the back frame and the seat define a mobile task chair.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method defined in claim 1 , wherein the end sections each include bushings that operably engage mating bearing elements on the protrusions to pivotally connect the back frame to the seating unit arrangement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method defined in claim 7 , wherein the bushings and mating bearing elements are configured to permit multi-axial movement during recline of the back frame, and including a step of pivoting the back frame from an upright position to a reclined position, the bushings and bearing elements defining a changing axis of rotation when pivoting the back frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method defined in claim 7 , wherein the bushings each include elastomeric material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
168 words
A seating unit assembly comprising: a base assembly including opposing side arms; a back frame having opposing end sections pivoted to the side arms at back pivots for rotation about a back-tilt axis; a seat pivoted to the end sections at seat pivots for rotation about a seat-tilt axis; and the back pivots including a pair of inwardly-facing studs on the side arms, a pair of outwardly-facing frustoconically-shaped pockets formed in the opposing end sections for receiving the studs, a pair of bushings fit mateably into the frustoconically-shaped pockets, and lubricious bearing elements positioned in the bushings that rotatably support the studs, the bushings having an outer frustoconically-shaped surface for mateably engaging the frustoconically-shaped pockets from an assembly direction defined by a concavity of the frustoconically-shaped pockets, the bushings being deformable and movable so that, when the studs are misaligned with the back-tilt axis, the bushings flex and deform to reduce binding and stress in the base assembly and the back frame upon recline of the back frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
168 words
A seating unit assembly comprising: a base assembly including opposing side arms; a back frame having opposing end sections pivoted to the side arms at back pivots for rotation about a back-tilt axis; a seat pivoted to the end sections at seat pivots for rotation about a seat-tilt axis; and the back pivots including a pair of inwardly-facing studs on the side arms, a pair of outwardly-facing frustoconically-shaped pockets formed in the opposing end sections for receiving the studs, a pair of bushings fit mateably into the frustoconically-shaped pockets, and lubricious bearing elements positioned in the bushings that rotatably support the studs, the bushings having an outer frustoconically-shaped surface for mateably engaging the frustoconically-shaped pockets from an assembly direction defined by a concavity of the frustoconically-shaped pockets, the bushings being deformable and movable so that, when the studs are misaligned with the back-tilt axis, the bushings flex and deform to reduce binding and stress in the base assembly and the back frame upon recline of the back frame.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 10 , wherein the bushings are made from a rubber material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 11 , including second bearing elements positioned on the studs that rotatably engage the first-mentioned bearing elements with a low coefficient of friction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
139 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 12 , wherein the seat pivots include a second pair of outwardly-facing studs on the seat, a pair of inwardly-facing frustoconically-shaped pockets formed in the opposing end sections for receiving the second pair of studs, a pair of bushings fit mateably into the inwardly-facing frustoconically-shaped pockets, and lubricious bearing elements positioned in the bushings that rotatably support the second pair of studs, the bushings having an outer frustoconically-shaped surface for mateably engaging the inwardly-facing frustoconically-shaped pockets from an assembly direction defined by a concavity of the inwardly-facing frustoconically-shaped pockets, the bushings being deformable and movable so that, when the second pair of studs are misaligned with the seat-tilt axis, the bushings flex and move to reduce binding and stress in the seat and the back frame upon recline of the back frame.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 13 , wherein the end sections include extruded flanges forming the first-mentioned and second frustoconically-shaped pockets.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 10 , wherein the studs each include a head on a side opposite a large end of the frustoconically-shaped pockets that prevents the back pivots from coming apart unless the studs are removed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
139 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 10 , wherein the seat pivots include a second pair of outwardly-facing studs on the seat, a pair of inwardly-facing frustoconically-shaped pockets formed in the opposing end sections for receiving the second pair of studs, a pair of bushings fit mateably into the inwardly-facing frustoconically-shaped pockets, and lubricious bearing elements positioned in the bushings that rotatably support the second pair of studs, the bushings having an outer frustoconically-shaped surface for mateably engaging the inwardly-facing frustoconically-shaped pockets from an assembly direction defined by a concavity of the inwardly-facing frustoconically-shaped pockets, the bushings being deformable and movable so that, when the second pair of studs are misaligned with the seat-tilt axis, the bushings flex and move to reduce binding and stress in the seat and the back frame upon recline of the back frame.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 10 , wherein the end sections include extruded flanges forming the frustoconically-shaped pockets.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 10 , wherein the base assembly includes castors adapted to rollingly engage a floor surface, and wherein the base assembly, the back frame and the seat define a mobile task chair.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 10 , wherein the bushings and mating bearing elements are configured to permit multi-axial movement during recline of the back frame, and including a step of pivoting the back frame from an upright position to a reclined position, the bushings and bearing elements defining a changing axis of rotation when pivoting the back frame.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 10 , wherein the bushing includes elastomeric material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
166 words
A seating unit assembly comprising: a base assembly including opposing side arms; a back frame having opposing end sections pivoted to the side arms at back pivots for rotation about a back-tilt axis; a seat pivoted to the end sections at seat pivots for rotation about a seat-tilt axis; and the seat pivots including a pair of outwardly-facing studs on the seat, a pair of inwardly-facing frustoconically-shaped pockets formed in the opposing end sections for receiving the studs, a pair of bushings fit mateably into the frustoconically-shaped pockets, and lubricious bearing elements positioned in the bushings that rotatably support the studs, the bushings having an outer frustoconically-shaped surface for mateably engaging the frustoconically-shaped pockets from an assembly direction defined by a concavity of the frustoconically-shaped pockets, the bushings being deformable and movable so that, when the studs are misaligned with the seat-tilt axis, the bushings flex and move to reduce binding and stress in the seat and the back frame upon recline of the back frame.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
166 words
A seating unit assembly comprising: a base assembly including opposing side arms; a back frame having opposing end sections pivoted to the side arms at back pivots for rotation about a back-tilt axis; a seat pivoted to the end sections at seat pivots for rotation about a seat-tilt axis; and the seat pivots including a pair of outwardly-facing studs on the seat, a pair of inwardly-facing frustoconically-shaped pockets formed in the opposing end sections for receiving the studs, a pair of bushings fit mateably into the frustoconically-shaped pockets, and lubricious bearing elements positioned in the bushings that rotatably support the studs, the bushings having an outer frustoconically-shaped surface for mateably engaging the frustoconically-shaped pockets from an assembly direction defined by a concavity of the frustoconically-shaped pockets, the bushings being deformable and movable so that, when the studs are misaligned with the seat-tilt axis, the bushings flex and move to reduce binding and stress in the seat and the back frame upon recline of the back frame.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 21 , wherein the bushings are made from a rubber material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 21 , including second bearing elements positioned on the studs that rotatably engage the first-mentioned bearing elements with a low coefficient of friction.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 21 , wherein the end sections include extruded flanges forming the frustoconically-shaped pockets.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 21 , wherein the studs each include a head on a side opposite a large end of the frustoconically-shaped pockets that prevents the back pivots from coming apart unless the studs are removed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 21 , wherein the base assembly includes castors adapted to rollingly engage a floor surface, and wherein the base assembly, the back frame and the seat define a mobile task chair.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
47 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 21 , including a seat supported on the base assembly, and wherein the base assembly includes castors adapted to rollingly engage a floor surface, and wherein the base assembly, the back frame and the seat define a mobile task chair.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
142 words
A seating unit assembly comprising: a base assembly including side arms; a back frame having end sections pivoted to the side arms at back pivots for rotation about a back-tilt axis, the back frame being flexible enough to permit the end sections to be flexed apart during assembly, the end sections and the side arms having adjacent faces, one of which has a frustoconically-shaped recess therein; and a bearing arrangement at each back pivot pivotally connecting the side arms to the respective end sections, the bearing arrangement including a stud that extends into a large end of the recess, and a bearing element rotatably engaging the stud, the bearing element being removable from the recess through the large end of the recess, but held therein in part by the proximity of the adjacent faces and by the strength of the back frame.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
142 words
A seating unit assembly comprising: a base assembly including side arms; a back frame having end sections pivoted to the side arms at back pivots for rotation about a back-tilt axis, the back frame being flexible enough to permit the end sections to be flexed apart during assembly, the end sections and the side arms having adjacent faces, one of which has a frustoconically-shaped recess therein; and a bearing arrangement at each back pivot pivotally connecting the side arms to the respective end sections, the bearing arrangement including a stud that extends into a large end of the recess, and a bearing element rotatably engaging the stud, the bearing element being removable from the recess through the large end of the recess, but held therein in part by the proximity of the adjacent faces and by the strength of the back frame.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 28 , wherein the studs each include a head on a side opposite the large end of the frustoconically-shaped pockets that prevents the back pivots from coming apart unless the studs are removed.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
47 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 28 , including a seat supported on the base assembly, and wherein the base assembly includes castors adapted to rollingly engage a floor surface, and wherein the base assembly, the back frame and the seat define a mobile task chair.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 28 , wherein the stud includes a bushing engaging the bearing element for multi-axial movement upon recline of the back frame.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
47 words
The seating unit assembly defined in claim 31 , including a seat supported on the base assembly, and wherein the base assembly includes castors adapted to rollingly engage a floor surface, and wherein the base assembly, the back frame and the seat define a mobile task chair.
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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) | 2004-11-19 | 2005-05-21 | 2005-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-19 | 2009-05-21 | 2009-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-19 | 2013-05-21 | 2013-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |