US6616228B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compliant back for seating unit
Assignee: Steelcase Inc
•
Filing: 2001-06-20
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Granted: 2003-09-09
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Expires: 2021-06-20
Abstract
Abstract A compliant back for a seating unit includes a rigid upright defining a track, and a flexible back shell configured to support a seated user's upper body, including a top pivot pivotally connected to a top section of the back shell and a pivot/slide member slidably connected to the track of the back shell. A biasing device is operably coupled to the pivot/slide member that biases the pivot/slide member toward a position where the flexible back shell protrudes forwardly to a shape chosen to optimally support a seated user.
Inventors
- 👤 Kurt R. Heidmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:09
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C7/00; A47C7/36; A47C7/40; A47C7/46; A47C7/462
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A back construction for a seating unit comprising: a back frame including a rigid upright having top and bottom connections; a flexible back shell configured to support a seated user's upper body, including a pivot pivotally connected to one of the top and bottom connections and a pivot/slide member slidably connected to another of the top and bottom connections; and a spring operably coupled to the pivot/slide member that biases the pivot/slide member toward a position where the flexible back shell protrudes forwardly for optimal lumbar support to a seated user.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A back construction for a seating unit comprising: a back frame including a rigid upright having top and bottom connections; a flexible back shell configured to support a seated user's upper body, including a pivot pivotally connected to one of the top and bottom connections and a pivot/slide member slidably connected to another of the top and bottom connections; and a spring operably coupled to the pivot/slide member that biases the pivot/slide member toward a position where the flexible back shell protrudes forwardly for optimal lumbar support to a seated user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The back construction defined in claim 1 , wherein the pivot/slide member is slidably connected to the bottom connection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The back construction defined in claim 2 , wherein the bottom connection includes vertically-elongated surfaces defining a track.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The back construction defined in claim 3 , wherein the pivot/slide member includes a follower slidably engaging the track.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The back construction defined in claim 4 , wherein the vertically-elongated surfaces are formed on a hidden side of the upright and define a channel that faces forwardly toward the back shell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The back construction defined in claim 1 , including a one-piece member including portions forming the upright and the back shell, and including a living hinge connecting the upright and back shell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The back construction defined in claim 1 , wherein the back frame includes a hooking portion constructed to releasable engage a front edge of a bench seat with the back construction resting on the bench seat, so that the back construction can be carried to a location and hooked on the bench seat to provide comfortable support while watching a sporting event.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A seating unit comprising, in combination: a base; a seat supported on the base; and the back construction defined in claim 1 , the back frame being attached to one of the base and the seat.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The seating unit defined in claim 8 , wherein the base includes an under-seat control, and the back frame is pivotally supported by the under-seat control for movement between upright and reclined positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
94 words
A back construction for a seating unit comprising: a back frame including a rigid upright having top and bottom connections, the bottom connection including vertically-elongated surfaces defining a track; a flexible back shell configured to support a seated user's upper body, including a pivot pivotally connected to the top connection, and a pivot/slide member slidably connected to the bottom connection, the pivot/slide member including a follower slidably engaging the track; and that biases the pivot/slide member toward a position where the flexible back shell protrudes forwardly for optimal lumbar support to a seated user.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
94 words
A back construction for a seating unit comprising: a back frame including a rigid upright having top and bottom connections, the bottom connection including vertically-elongated surfaces defining a track; a flexible back shell configured to support a seated user's upper body, including a pivot pivotally connected to the top connection, and a pivot/slide member slidably connected to the bottom connection, the pivot/slide member including a follower slidably engaging the track; and that biases the pivot/slide member toward a position where the flexible back shell protrudes forwardly for optimal lumbar support to a seated user.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
82 words
A seating unit comprising: a rigid upright defining a track; a flexible back shell configured to support a seated user's upper body, including a top pivot pivotally connected to a top of the rigid upright and a pivot/slide member slidably connected to the track of the rigid upright; and a spring operably coupled to the pivot/slide member that biases the pivot/slide member toward a position where the flexible back shell protrudes forwardly to a shape chosen to optimally support a seated user.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
82 words
A seating unit comprising: a rigid upright defining a track; a flexible back shell configured to support a seated user's upper body, including a top pivot pivotally connected to a top of the rigid upright and a pivot/slide member slidably connected to the track of the rigid upright; and a spring operably coupled to the pivot/slide member that biases the pivot/slide member toward a position where the flexible back shell protrudes forwardly to a shape chosen to optimally support a seated user.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The seating unit defined in claim 11 , including vertically-elongated surfaces formed on a hidden side of the upright that face forwardly toward the back shell.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The seating unit defined in claim 11 , including a one-piece member including portions forming the upright and the back shell, and including a living hinge connecting the upright and back shell.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
62 words
The seating unit defined in claim 11 , wherein the back frame includes a hooking portion constructed to releasably engage a front edge of a bench seat with the back construction resting on the bench seat, so that the back construction can be carried to a location and hooked on the bench seat to provide comfortable support while watching a sporting event.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The seating unit defined in claim 11 , including a base having an under-seat control, wherein the back frame is pivotally supported by the under-seat control for movement between upright and reclined positions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
92 words
A seating unit comprising: a rigid upright defining a track; a flexible back shell configured to support a seated user's upper body, including a top pivot pivotally to a top of the rigid upright and a pivot/slide member slidably connected to the track of the rigid upright; and a linearly extendable spring attached at one end to the pivot/slide member and at another end to the upright that biases the pivot/slide member toward a position where the flexible back shell protrudes forwardly to a shape chosen to optimally support a seated user.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
92 words
A seating unit comprising: a rigid upright defining a track; a flexible back shell configured to support a seated user's upper body, including a top pivot pivotally to a top of the rigid upright and a pivot/slide member slidably connected to the track of the rigid upright; and a linearly extendable spring attached at one end to the pivot/slide member and at another end to the upright that biases the pivot/slide member toward a position where the flexible back shell protrudes forwardly to a shape chosen to optimally support a seated user.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
131 words
A back construction for a seating unit comprising: a back frame including a rigid upright having top and bottom connections; a flexible back shell configured to support a seated user's upper body, including a pivot pivotally connected to one of the top and bottom connections and a pivot/slide member slidably connected to another of the top and bottom connections; and a biasing device operably coupled to the pivot/slide member that biases the pivot/slide member toward a position where the flexible back shell protrudes forwardly for optimal lumbar support to a seated user, the biasing device being configured to provide a continuous bias and the pivot/slide member being continuously slidable and not held in a fixed position, so that the back sheet flexes and extends as the seated user's upper body flexes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
131 words
A back construction for a seating unit comprising: a back frame including a rigid upright having top and bottom connections; a flexible back shell configured to support a seated user's upper body, including a pivot pivotally connected to one of the top and bottom connections and a pivot/slide member slidably connected to another of the top and bottom connections; and a biasing device operably coupled to the pivot/slide member that biases the pivot/slide member toward a position where the flexible back shell protrudes forwardly for optimal lumbar support to a seated user, the biasing device being configured to provide a continuous bias and the pivot/slide member being continuously slidable and not held in a fixed position, so that the back sheet flexes and extends as the seated user's upper body flexes.
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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) | 2006-09-08 | 2007-03-10 | 2007-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-09-08 | 2011-03-10 | 2011-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-09-08 | 2015-03-10 | 2015-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |