Patent US5796933A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6986549B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Seating element
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 2003-03-19
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Granted: 2006-01-17
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Expires: 2023-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A seating element is provided, comprising a skeleton having a skin and a plurality of ribs pivotably connected with said skin. The skin forms a substantially flexible support area, which is adapted to support a seating force exerted by a body, e.g. a human sitting or lying on the seating element. The skeleton is configured in such a way that it cooperates to at least partially deform the support area in a direction opposite to the direction of the seating force as a result of the seating force. As a result a comfortable and ergonomic seating posture is obtained. The seating element with skeleton automatically counteracts all movements of the body, thus supporting the body in an optimum way.
Inventors
- 👤 Leif Kniese
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:59
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C31/00; A47C31/12; A47C31/126; A47C7/00; A47C7/36; A47C7/40; A47C7/405; A47C7/44; A47C7/448
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A seating element comprising a skeleton having a skin and a plurality of ribs at respective ends pivotably connected with said skin, said skin forming a substantially flexible support area, which is adapted to support a seating force exerted by a body, said skeleton cooperating to at least partially deform said support area in a direction opposite to said seating force as a result of said seating force, wherein said skeleton further comprises at least one biasing element coupling together at least one of said ribs and said skin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A seating element comprising a skeleton having a skin and a plurality of ribs at respective ends pivotably connected with said skin, said skin forming a substantially flexible support area, which is adapted to support a seating force exerted by a body, said skeleton cooperating to at least partially deform said support area in a direction opposite to said seating force as a result of said seating force, wherein said skeleton further comprises at least one biasing element coupling together at least one of said ribs and said skin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The seating element of claim 1 , wherein a shape adjustment means is provided for the at least one biasing element, said shape adjustment means being adapted to introduce a biasing force into said skeleton, said skeleton adjusting its shape in response to said biasing force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The seating element of claim 2 , wherein said biasing force is transmitted into said skeleton via a tension element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The seating element of claim 3 , wherein said tension element is guided past and deflected by at least one of said ribs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The seating element of claim 4 , wherein said tension element is guided past said ribs in a zig-zag fashion within said skeleton.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The seating element according to claim 3 , wherein said skeleton comprises at least one pulley attached to at least one of said skin and said ribs, said tension element being deflected by said pulley.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The seating element according to claim 6 , wherein said pulley is connected to said skeleton in an area where one of said ribs is connected to said skin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The seating element of claim 3 , wherein one end of said tension element is attached to at least one of said skin and said ribs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The seating element of claim 2 , wherein said skeleton comprises a proximal end, at which two end points of said skin are situated, said shape adjustment means being adapted to generate said biasing force by shifting one of said two end points with respect to the other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The seating element of claim 2 , wherein said shape adjustment means comprises at least one actuator acting on at least one of said ribs, said actuator applying said biasing force on said at least one rib.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The seating element of claim 1 , wherein said skeleton further comprises a substantially flexible spacer element, said spacer element being arranged between said ribs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The seating element of claim 11 , wherein said spacer element is configured as a fluid-filled pad.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The seating element of claimn 12 , wherein said pad is filled with a gel material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The seating element of claim 12 , wherein said pad extends through said support area.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The seating element according to claim 1 , wherein said skeleton comprises at least one hinge section, by which said skeleton is pivotably connected to a seating support structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The seating element according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one tension element is connected with areas, in which said ribs are attached to said skin.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The seating element according to claim 1 , wherein said skin and said ribs are integrally formed as a unitary piece.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
78 words
A seating element comprising a skeleton having a skin and a plurality of ribs at respective ends pivotably connected with said skin, said skin forming a substantially flexible support area, which is adapted to support a seating force exerted by a body, said skeleton cooperating to at least partially deform said support area in a direction opposite to said seating force as a result of said seating force, wherein said skin integrally forms a backrest and a seat.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
78 words
A seating element comprising a skeleton having a skin and a plurality of ribs at respective ends pivotably connected with said skin, said skin forming a substantially flexible support area, which is adapted to support a seating force exerted by a body, said skeleton cooperating to at least partially deform said support area in a direction opposite to said seating force as a result of said seating force, wherein said skin integrally forms a backrest and a seat.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The seating element of claim 18 , wherein said skin and said ribs are formed integrally as a unitary piece.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The seating element of claim 18 , wherein a shape adjustment means is provided, said shape adjustment means being adapted to introduce a biasing force into said skeleton, said skeleton adjusting its shape in response to said biasing force.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
103 words
A seating element comprising a skeleton having a skin and a plurality of ribs at respective ends pivotably connected with said skin, said skin forming a substantially flexible support area, which is adapted to support a seating force exerted by a body, said skeleton cooperating to at least partially deform said support area in a direction opposite to said seating force as a result of said seating force, wherein said seating element further comprises a shape adjustment means, said shape adjustment means being adapted to introduce a biasing force into said skeleton, said skeleton adjusting its shape in response to said biasing force.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
103 words
A seating element comprising a skeleton having a skin and a plurality of ribs at respective ends pivotably connected with said skin, said skin forming a substantially flexible support area, which is adapted to support a seating force exerted by a body, said skeleton cooperating to at least partially deform said support area in a direction opposite to said seating force as a result of said seating force, wherein said seating element further comprises a shape adjustment means, said shape adjustment means being adapted to introduce a biasing force into said skeleton, said skeleton adjusting its shape in response to said biasing force.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The seating element of claim 21 , wherein said shape adjustment means is adapted to introduce said biasing force substantially along a diagonal of a section made up of two of said ribs and said skin.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The seating element of claim 22 , wherein said shape adjustment means comprises a tension element, said tension element transmitting said biasing force as a tensile force.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The seating element of claim 22 , wherein said shape adjustment means comprises a pressure element, said pressure element transmitting said biasing force as a tensile force.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
96 words
A seating element comprising a skeleton having a skin and a plurality of ribs pivotably connected with said skin, said skin forming a substantially flexible support area, which is adapted to support a seating force exerted by a body, said skeleton cooperating to at least partially deform said support area in a direction opposite to said seating force as a result of said seating force, wherein a biasing element is provided, which is oriented substantially along a diagonal of a section of said skeleton, said section being defined by two of said ribs and said skin.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
96 words
A seating element comprising a skeleton having a skin and a plurality of ribs pivotably connected with said skin, said skin forming a substantially flexible support area, which is adapted to support a seating force exerted by a body, said skeleton cooperating to at least partially deform said support area in a direction opposite to said seating force as a result of said seating force, wherein a biasing element is provided, which is oriented substantially along a diagonal of a section of said skeleton, said section being defined by two of said ribs and said skin.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The seating element of claim 25 , wherein said biasing element is configured as a tension element.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The seating element of claim 25 , wherein said biasing element is configured as a pressure element.
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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) | 2009-01-16 | 2009-07-18 | 2010-01-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-01-16 | 2013-07-18 | 2014-01-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-01-16 | 2017-07-18 | 2018-01-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |