US6588842B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Backrest
Assignee: MillerKnoll Inc
•
Filing: 2001-05-17
•
Granted: 2003-07-08
•
Expires: 2021-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A backrest for a chair comprising a frame, a membrane and a back support member. The membrane, at least a portion of which is transparent, is attached to the frame and has a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface. The back support member is attached to the frame and has a support surface. At least a portion of the support surface contacts the second surface of the membrane, and at least a portion of the back support member is visible through the membrane from the first body-contacting surface thereof. In another aspect, a backrest for a chair comprises a frame having a pair of side members, wherein each of the side members has a lower section and an upper section. The upper section extends rearwardly and outwardly from the lower section so as to form a bowed section therewith. A flexible membrane is attached to and extends between the side members, and has a bowed section corresponding to the bowed section of the side members. The membrane has a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Stumpf
- 👤 Rodney C. Schoenfelder
- 👤 Donald Chadwick
- 👤 Carolyn Keller
- 👤 Timothy P. Coffield
- 👤 Randy J. Sayers
- 👤 Jeffrey W. Bruner
- 👤 Eric Cammenga
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:51
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C7/00; A47C7/02; B; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/14; B29C45/14065; A47C1/00; A47C1/02; A47C1/022; A47C1/03; A47C1/0303; A47C1/031; A47C1/032; A47C1/03205; A47C1/03238; A47C1/03255; A47C1/03261; A47C3/00; A47C3/20; A47C3/30; A47C5/00; A47C5/04; A47C5/06; A47C7/029; A47C7/14; A47C7/28; A47C7/282; A47C7/36; A47C7/40; B29C45/14631; B29K; B29K2713/00; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/44; B29L2031/443; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/49867; Y10T29/4998; Y10T29/49998; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32254; Y10T403/32467; Y10T403/32475; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/30; Y10T442/3008; Y10T442/3024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A backrest for a chair comprising: a frame; a membrane attached to said frame and having a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through, and wherein said membrane comprises an elastomeric material, wherein said elastomeric material comprises elastomeric monofilaments, and wherein said membrane comprises a fabric comprising said elastomeric monofilaments and stands of monofilament yarn; and a back support member attached to said frame and having a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, and wherein at least a portion of said back support member is visible through said membrane from said first body contacting surface thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A backrest for a chair comprising: a frame; a membrane attached to said frame and having a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through, and wherein said membrane comprises an elastomeric material, wherein said elastomeric material comprises elastomeric monofilaments, and wherein said membrane comprises a fabric comprising said elastomeric monofilaments and stands of monofilament yarn; and a back support member attached to said frame and having a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, and wherein at least a portion of said back support member is visible through said membrane from said first body contacting surface thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said back support member is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said back support member is a lumbar support member connected to a lower portion of said frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said membrane comprises a single layer of material and wherein said back support member comprises a rear surface opposite said support surface, wherein at least a portion of said rear surface is exposed to a user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said frame has a central opening therethrough, wherein said membrane covers said central opening, and wherein said back support member extends across at least a portion of said central opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein an entire periphery of said membrane is attached to said frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said frame comprises a pair of vertical side members, wherein said back support member extends between and is connected to said side members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said frame further comprises top and bottom members extending between and connecting said side members, wherein said back support member is disposed between said top and bottom members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein each of said side members has a bowed section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said back support member is movably connected to said side members, wherein said back support member can be moved relative to said frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 10 wherein said back support member comprises a hook member engaging an edge of each of said side members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
132 words
A backrest for a chair comprising: a frame; a membrane attached to said frame and having a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through; and a back support member attached to said frame and having a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, and wherein at least a portion of said back support member is visible through said membrane from said first body-contacting surface thereof, and wherein said back support member has opposite end portions and a middle portion, each of said opposite end portions and said middle portion having a height, wherein said height of said middle portion is greater than the heights of said opposite end portions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
132 words
A backrest for a chair comprising: a frame; a membrane attached to said frame and having a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through; and a back support member attached to said frame and having a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, and wherein at least a portion of said back support member is visible through said membrane from said first body-contacting surface thereof, and wherein said back support member has opposite end portions and a middle portion, each of said opposite end portions and said middle portion having a height, wherein said height of said middle portion is greater than the heights of said opposite end portions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said back support member is substantially oval shaped.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said back support member is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said back support member is a lumbar support member connected to a lower portion of said frame.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said membrane comprises a single layer of material and wherein said back support member comprises a rear surface opposite said support surface, wherein at least a portion of said rear surface is exposed to a user.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said frame comprises a pair of vertical side members, wherein said back support member extends between and is connected to said side members.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 17 wherein said frame further comprises top and bottom members extending between and connecting said side members, wherein said back support member is disposed between said top and bottom members.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 17 wherein said back support member is movably connected to said side members, wherein said back support member can be moved relative to said frame.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 19 wherein said back support member comprises a hook member engaging an edge of each of said side members.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
151 words
A bracket for a chair comprising: a frame having a central opening therethrough, wherein said frame comprises a channel formed around an entire perimeter of said central opening; a membrane having a first body contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through, and wherein said membrane covers said central opening; a back support member attached to said frame and having a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, and wherein at least a portion of said membrane support member is visible through said membrane from said first body-contacting surface thereof, wherein said back support member extends across at least a portion of said central opening; and a carrier member secured of said membrane, wherein said carrier member is inserted into said channel, wherein said membrane is attached to said frame.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
151 words
A bracket for a chair comprising: a frame having a central opening therethrough, wherein said frame comprises a channel formed around an entire perimeter of said central opening; a membrane having a first body contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through, and wherein said membrane covers said central opening; a back support member attached to said frame and having a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, and wherein at least a portion of said membrane support member is visible through said membrane from said first body-contacting surface thereof, wherein said back support member extends across at least a portion of said central opening; and a carrier member secured of said membrane, wherein said carrier member is inserted into said channel, wherein said membrane is attached to said frame.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 21 wherein said membrane comprises a single layer of material and wherein said back support member comprises a rear surface opposite said support surface, wherein at least a portion of said rear surface is exposed to a user.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 21 wherein said carrier member extends around an entire perimeter of said membrane.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 23 wherein an edge portion of said membrane is molded with said carrier member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
174 words
A bracket for a chair comprising: a frame having a pair of since members and a top member and a bottom member extending between and connecting said side members, wherein said side members and said top and bottom members define an opening therebetween, a membrane attached to side members, said top member and said bottom member across said opening, said membrane having a first body contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through, and wherein said membrane comprises an elastomeric material; and a back support member disposed in said opening of said frame between said side members and between said top and bottom members, wherein said back support member has a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, and wherein at least a portion of said back support member is visible through said membrane from said first body-contacting surface thereof, and wherein said back support member is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
174 words
A bracket for a chair comprising: a frame having a pair of since members and a top member and a bottom member extending between and connecting said side members, wherein said side members and said top and bottom members define an opening therebetween, a membrane attached to side members, said top member and said bottom member across said opening, said membrane having a first body contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through, and wherein said membrane comprises an elastomeric material; and a back support member disposed in said opening of said frame between said side members and between said top and bottom members, wherein said back support member has a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, and wherein at least a portion of said back support member is visible through said membrane from said first body-contacting surface thereof, and wherein said back support member is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 25 wherein said back support member is made of a flexible material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 25 wherein each of said side members has a bowed section.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 25 wherein said membrane comprises a single layer of material and wherein said back support member comprises a rear surface opposite said support surface, wherein at least a portion of said rear surface is exposed to a user.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 25 wherein said back support member is connected to said frame.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 29 wherein said back support member is moveably connected to said side members.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 30 wherein said back support member comprises a hook member engaging an edge of each of said side members.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
194 words
A backrest for a chair comprising: a frame having a pair of side members and a top member and a bottom member extending between and connecting said side members, wherein said side members and said top and bottom members define an opening therebetween; a membrane attached to side members, said top member and said bottom member across said opening, said membrane having a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through; and a back support member disposed in said opening of said frame between said side members and between said top and bottom members, wherein said back support member has a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, wherein at least a portion of said back support member is visible through said membrane from said first body-contacting surface thereof, and wherein said back support member has opposite end portions and a middle portion, each of said opposite end portions and said middle portion having a height, wherein said height of said middle portion is greater than the heights of said opposite ends.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
194 words
A backrest for a chair comprising: a frame having a pair of side members and a top member and a bottom member extending between and connecting said side members, wherein said side members and said top and bottom members define an opening therebetween; a membrane attached to side members, said top member and said bottom member across said opening, said membrane having a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through; and a back support member disposed in said opening of said frame between said side members and between said top and bottom members, wherein said back support member has a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, wherein at least a portion of said back support member is visible through said membrane from said first body-contacting surface thereof, and wherein said back support member has opposite end portions and a middle portion, each of said opposite end portions and said middle portion having a height, wherein said height of said middle portion is greater than the heights of said opposite ends.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said back support member is substantially oval shaped.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 32 wherein said membrane comprises a single layer of material and wherein said back support member comprises a rear surface opposite said support surface, wherein at least a portion of said rear surface is exposed to a user.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
199 words
A backrest for a chair comprising: a frame having a pair of side members and a top member and a bottom member extending between and connecting said side members, wherein said side members and said top and bottom members define an opening therebetween and wherein said frame comprises a channel, wherein said channel is formed in each of said side members, said top member and said bottom member around an entire perimeter of said opening; a membrane attached to side members, said top member and said bottom member across said opening, said membrane having a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through; a back support member disposed in said opening of said frame between said side members and between said top and bottom members, wherein said back support member has a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, wherein at least a portion of said back support member is visible through said membrane from said first body-contacting surface thereof; and a carrier member secured to said membrane, wherein said carrier member is inserted into said channel.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
199 words
A backrest for a chair comprising: a frame having a pair of side members and a top member and a bottom member extending between and connecting said side members, wherein said side members and said top and bottom members define an opening therebetween and wherein said frame comprises a channel, wherein said channel is formed in each of said side members, said top member and said bottom member around an entire perimeter of said opening; a membrane attached to side members, said top member and said bottom member across said opening, said membrane having a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through; a back support member disposed in said opening of said frame between said side members and between said top and bottom members, wherein said back support member has a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, wherein at least a portion of said back support member is visible through said membrane from said first body-contacting surface thereof; and a carrier member secured to said membrane, wherein said carrier member is inserted into said channel.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 35 wherein said membrane comprises a single layer of material and wherein said back support member comprises a rear surface opposite said support surface, wherein at least a portion of said rear surface is exposed to a user.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 35 wherein said carrier member extends around an entire perimeter of said membrane.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 37 wherein an edge portion of said membrane is molded with said carrier member.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
183 words
A backrest for a chair comprising: a frame having a pair of side members and a top member and a bottom member extending between and connecting said side members, wherein said side members and said top and bottom members define an opening therebetween; a membrane attached to side members, said top member and said bottom member across said openings said membrane having a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through, and wherein said membrane comprises an elastomeric material, wherein said elastomeric material comprises elastomeric monofilaments, and wherein said membrane comprises a fabric comprising said elastomeric monofilaments and stands of multifilament yarn; and a back support member disposed in said opening of said frame between said side members and between said top and bottom members, wherein said back support member has a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, and wherein at least a portion of said back support member is visible through said membrane from said first body-contacting surface thereof.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
183 words
A backrest for a chair comprising: a frame having a pair of side members and a top member and a bottom member extending between and connecting said side members, wherein said side members and said top and bottom members define an opening therebetween; a membrane attached to side members, said top member and said bottom member across said openings said membrane having a first body-contacting surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least a portion of said membrane is see through, and wherein said membrane comprises an elastomeric material, wherein said elastomeric material comprises elastomeric monofilaments, and wherein said membrane comprises a fabric comprising said elastomeric monofilaments and stands of multifilament yarn; and a back support member disposed in said opening of said frame between said side members and between said top and bottom members, wherein said back support member has a support surface, wherein at least a portion of said support surface contacts said second surface of said membrane, and wherein at least a portion of said back support member is visible through said membrane from said first body-contacting surface thereof.
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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) | 2006-07-07 | 2007-01-06 | 2007-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-07-07 | 2011-01-06 | 2011-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-07-07 | 2015-01-06 | 2015-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |