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US6572190B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lumbar support for a chair
Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc
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Filing: 2001-06-15
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Granted: 2003-06-03
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Expires: 2021-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A lumbar support for a chair having a flexible back, includes at least one generally vertical support member disposed to the rear of the chair back. A transverse member engages the vertical support and has opposed ends provided with grippers for gripping opposed edges of the flexible back. The transverse member is configured to force the opposed edges of the flexible back forwardly of the chair back in the lumbar region of the user to provide support therefor. The transverse member may also be configured to slide on the vertical support to provide for height adjustability of the lumbar support of the fabric.
Inventors
- 👤 Marcus C. Koepke
- 👤 Jay R. Machael
- 👤 Matthew J. Phillips
- 👤 Douglas A. Schroeder
- 👤 Craig H. Schultz
- 👤 Erik A. Steffensen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:15
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C7/00; A47C7/02; A47C7/28; A47C7/282; A47C1/00; A47C1/02; A47C1/031; A47C1/032; A47C1/03255; A47C31/00; A47C31/02; A47C31/023; A47C5/00; A47C5/04; A47C5/06; A47C7/36; A47C7/40; A47C7/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A flexible back chair having a lumbar support assembly comprising: said flexible back chair having a front and a rear; at least one generally vertical support member disposed to the rear of the chair back; and a transverse member having means to engage said at least one vertical support, said transverse member having opposed ends with gripping means on each end for gripping opposed edges of said flexible back; wherein said transverse member is configured to force said opposed edges of said flexible back forwardly of said chair back in the lumbar region of the chair user to provide support therefor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A flexible back chair having a lumbar support assembly comprising: said flexible back chair having a front and a rear; at least one generally vertical support member disposed to the rear of the chair back; and a transverse member having means to engage said at least one vertical support, said transverse member having opposed ends with gripping means on each end for gripping opposed edges of said flexible back; wherein said transverse member is configured to force said opposed edges of said flexible back forwardly of said chair back in the lumbar region of the chair user to provide support therefor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said flexible chair back comprises fabric.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein said fabric is of open mesh construction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said flexible back comprises a fabric member held around its periphery by a carrier member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein said carrier member is semi-rigid and bendable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein said gripping means are slotted to receive edges of said carrier member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein said gripping means is slidable on said carrier member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein said carrier has edges formed with slots therein and said gripping means are received in said slots.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 8 wherein said slots and gripping means are cooperable to provide for selective vertical movement of said gripping means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one vertical support member and said engaging means of said transverse member include complementary interfitting means permitting relative movement of said transverse member and at least one vertical support.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 10 wherein said interfitting means includes a tongue and groove arrangement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The assembly of claim 10 wherein said engaging means includes a tongue.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 10 wherein said at least one vertical support includes a groove.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly of claim 11 wherein said groove is elongate permitting vertical movement of said transverse member relative to said at least one generally vertical support.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The assembly of claim 1 including a pair of spaced generally vertical support members.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 15 wherein said transverse member has a pair of engaging means each configured to engage one of said generally vertical supports.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 16 wherein said generally vertical supports and said engaging means include complementary interfitting means permitting relative movement of said transverse member and said vertical supports.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 17 wherein said interfitting means includes a tongue and groove arrangement.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The assembly of claim 17 wherein both engaging means include a tongue.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 17 wherein both of said generally vertical support members include grooves.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly of claim 18 wherein said grooves are elongate permitting vertical movement of said transverse member relative to said support members.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
126 words
A flexible back chair having a lumbar support assembly comprising: said flexible chair back having a front and a rear; at least one generally vertical support member disposed to the rear of the chair back; means slidable in a generally vertical direction on said at least one generally vertical support and having opposed ends; gripping means on each of said opposed ends for slidably gripping opposed edges of said flexible back; wherein said means slidable on said at least one generally vertical support is dimensioned and configured to force opposed edges of said flexible back forwardly of said chair back in the lumbar region of the chair user and is maintained in a preselected vertical position relative to said support by tension of said chair back.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
126 words
A flexible back chair having a lumbar support assembly comprising: said flexible chair back having a front and a rear; at least one generally vertical support member disposed to the rear of the chair back; means slidable in a generally vertical direction on said at least one generally vertical support and having opposed ends; gripping means on each of said opposed ends for slidably gripping opposed edges of said flexible back; wherein said means slidable on said at least one generally vertical support is dimensioned and configured to force opposed edges of said flexible back forwardly of said chair back in the lumbar region of the chair user and is maintained in a preselected vertical position relative to said support by tension of said chair back.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The support assembly of claim 22 wherein said means slidable on said at least one generally vertical support includes a rigid transversely oriented member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The assembly of claim 22 wherein said flexible chair back comprises fabric.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 24 wherein said fabric is of open mesh construction.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 22 wherein said flexible back comprises a fabric member held around its periphery by a carrier member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 26 wherein said carrier member is semi-rigid and bendable.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The assembly of claim 26 wherein said gripping means are slotted to receive edges of said carrier member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The assembly of claim 22 wherein said means slidable on said at least one generally vertical support is connected to said at least one support by a tongue and groove arrangement.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 22 wherein said at least one support includes an elongate groove.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
65 words
A chair having a lumbar support comprising: a base; a seat connected to said base; a back operatively connected to said base, said back being flexible and having upper, lower and lateral edges; and a transverse member having opposed ends with gripping elements for operative engagement with opposing lateral edges of said back wherein said transverse member flexes said back to adjust the tension thereof.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
65 words
A chair having a lumbar support comprising: a base; a seat connected to said base; a back operatively connected to said base, said back being flexible and having upper, lower and lateral edges; and a transverse member having opposed ends with gripping elements for operative engagement with opposing lateral edges of said back wherein said transverse member flexes said back to adjust the tension thereof.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
35 words
The chair as claimed in claim 31 wherein: said flexible chair back comprises fabric; and said transverse member changes the tension in said fabric by moving vertically along the opposing lateral edges of said back.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
38 words
The chair as claimed in claim 31 wherein: said back includes a fabric center portion and a flexible peripheral frame with upper, lower and lateral edges; and said transverse member slidably engages opposed lateral edges of said frame.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
The chair as claimed in claim 33 wherein: said lower edge of said frame is attached to a chair frame member; and said transverse member is slidably engaged with a chair frame member.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
96 words
A chair with a lumbar support member comprising: a base; a seat connected to said base; a rigid frame member connected to said base; a back having a fabric center portion mounted to a flexible peripheral carrier, said peripheral carrier having an upper, a lower and lateral side portions, said lower portion of said back being secured to said rigid frame member; and a lumbar support member having spaced apart connector elements slidably engaging the lateral side portions of said peripheral carrier whereby flexing of said peripheral carrier alters the tension of said fabric center portion.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
96 words
A chair with a lumbar support member comprising: a base; a seat connected to said base; a rigid frame member connected to said base; a back having a fabric center portion mounted to a flexible peripheral carrier, said peripheral carrier having an upper, a lower and lateral side portions, said lower portion of said back being secured to said rigid frame member; and a lumbar support member having spaced apart connector elements slidably engaging the lateral side portions of said peripheral carrier whereby flexing of said peripheral carrier alters the tension of said fabric center portion.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
The chair as claimed in claim 35 wherein: said upper portion of said peripheral carrier includes spaced apart end portions connected to said rigid frame member.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
49 words
The chair as claimed in claim 36 wherein: said lower portion of said peripheral carrier is secured so as not to flex; and said lateral side portions and said upper portion of said peripheral carrier are connected to allow said lateral side portions and said upper portion to flex.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The chair as claimed in claim 37 wherein: said lumbar support member is slidably engaged to said rigid frame member.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
The chair as claimed in claim 35 wherein: the fabric is of open mesh construction.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The chair as claimed in claim 35 wherein: said gripping means are slotted to receive lateral edges of said carrier member.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
The chair as claimed in claim 35 wherein: said rigid frame member and said lumbar support member include complementary connector means permitting sliding movement of said lumbar support member.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
The chair as claimed in claim 35 wherein: said rigid frame member includes two generally vertically extending arms and said lumbar support member slidably connects to said two arms.
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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) | 2006-06-02 | 2006-12-02 | 2007-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-02 | 2010-12-02 | 2011-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-02 | 2014-12-02 | 2015-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |