Chairs and seats – Having detachably interfitting parts or components; i.e.,... – Modular components
Patent
1998-12-31
1999-11-09
Nelson, Jr., Milton
Chairs and seats
Having detachably interfitting parts or components; i.e.,...
Modular components
29744015, 29744022, 29428, A47C 700, B21D 3903
Patent
active
059799889
ABSTRACT:
A chair construction and method for building a chair having selected features are provided. The construction includes a plurality of interchangeable different components including different base assemblies, back assemblies, seats, arms, and chair controls that can be selected to provide different features on a "customized" chair. The different chair controls are constructed from a selected one of a plurality of interchangeable energy modules and a selected one of a plurality of interchangeable seat support modules. All components include standardized connections for engaging the related components, and further include various mechanisms and designs so that by selecting particular components, a chair having various features and appearances can be provided. For example, the plurality of interchangeable seat support modules includes a non-adjustable seat support module, a seat-angle-adjustable seat support module, and a seat-depth-adjustable seat support module. Also, the plurality of interchangeable chair control modules include a non-lockable energy module, a back lockable energy module, and a multi-position backstop energy module, each connectable to a selected one of the aforementioned seat support modules. The modularity of these components facilitates assembly including on-site assembly, repair, and post-assembly upgrading of the chair. Further, the seat support is connected by removable pivot pins to allow assembly, retrofit and/or modification in the field. The tension adjustment mechanism, the seat height actuator mechanism, and the pivot connections are constructed for durability, performance, assembleability, compactness of design, and to minimize the number of and complexity of parts. The method includes selecting modules from a menu of interconnectable/interchangeable modules to construct a chair control, and further selecting modules from a menu of interchangeable components to construct a chair having selected features.
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Exhibit A is a product catalog entitled Northfield Furniture Components, dated Oct., 1991, published by EST Company, a division of Leggett & Platt, Inc., of Santa Fe Springs, California, disclosing various chair controls and chair components.
Exhibit B is a product brochure entitled Relax Armrest, publication date unknown, published by RH Form AB, Bodafors, Sweden, disclosing an armrest.
Exhibit C is a product brochure entitled The Chair Works, publication date unknown, published by The Chair Works, Inc., College Station, Texas, disclosing chairs having armrests.
Exhibit D is a product brochure entitled Comforto.RTM., publication date unknown, published by Haworth, Europe, disclosing various chairs with arms.
Exhibit E is a product brochure entitled Office Views, publication date unknown, published by Sitag International, Irvine, California, disclosing various chairs with arms.
Exhibit F is a service assembly pictorial, published in 1993, by Steelcase Inc., assignee of the present invention, disclosing a method of partially disassembling a chair and adjusting a screw set in a chair height actuator lever to eliminate looseness in the lever.
Exhibit G is a drawing provided by Steelcase Inc., disclosing the prior art structure of the chair height actuator lever in Exhibit F. In "note 7," the drawing discloses a method of adjusting the pneumatic cylinder set screw to contact the spacer pin n the pneumatic cylinder during assembly to eliminate looseness in the lever.
Exhibit H is a drawing provided by Steelcase Inc., disclosing a prior art structure including a rubber torsion spring arrangement for a chair back support. The torsion spring arrangement includes a threaded adjustment member that threadably engages a torque arm on
Christensen Brian L.
Haan Michael W.
Heidmann Kurt R.
Knoblock Glenn A.
McClure Eric T.
Jr. Milton Nelson
Steelcase Development Inc.
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