# US 10,765,212 B2 · Chair assembly with upholstery covering

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- Number: US 10,765,212 B2
- Document ID: US10765212B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/233,272
- Filed: 2018-12-27
- Published: 2019-05-09
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2012-09-20
- Assignees: Steelcase Inc.
- Applicants: Steelcase Inc.
- Inventors: Gordon Jay Peterson; Robert J. Battey; Mark Vander Veen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10765212B2

## CPC

- A47C 1/024: the parts, being the back-rest, or the back-rest and seat unit, having adjustable inclination
- A47C 1/03: the parts being arm-rests
- A47C 1/0307: {adjustable rectilinearly in horizontal direction}
- A47C 1/0308: {adjustable by rotation}
- A47C 1/032: the parts being movably-coupled seat and back-rest (A47C1/035 takes precedence)
- A47C 1/03255: {with a central column, e.g. rocking office chairs}
- A47C 1/03261: {characterised by elastic means}
- A47C 1/03266: {with adjustable elasticity}
- A47C 1/03272: {with coil springs}
- A47C 1/03274: {of torsion type}
- A47C 1/14: Beach chairs {; Chairs for outdoor use, e.g. chairs for relaxation or sun-tanning}
- A47C 3/20: Chairs or stools with vertically-adjustable seats
- A47C 3/30: with vertically-acting fluid cylinder
- A47C 5/00: Chairs of special materials
- A47C 5/12: of plastics, with or without reinforcement
- A47C 7/004: {for chairs or stools with central column, e.g. office chairs}
- A47C 7/006: {with castors}
- A47C 7/029: {of non-adjustable shape adapted to a user contour or ergonomic seating positions}
- A47C 7/14: of adjustable shape; elastically mounted {; adaptable to a user contour or ergonomic seating positions (movably-coupled seat and backrests with elastic adjustment means A47C1/03261)}
- A47C 7/185: {with a stiff, rigid support}
- A47C 7/24: Upholstered seats (A47C7/18 takes precedence)
- A47C 7/40: for the back
- A47C 7/44: with elastically-mounted frame
- A47C 7/441: {with adjustable elasticity}
- A47C 7/443: {with coil springs}
- A47C 7/46: with special, e.g. adjustable {, lumbar region support} profile; "Ackerblom" profile chairs
- A47C 7/462: {adjustable by mechanical means}
- A47C 7/54: Supports for the arms
- A47C 31/02: Upholstery attaching means
- A47C 31/023: {connecting upholstery to frames, e.g. by hooks, clips, snap fasteners, clamping means or the like}
- B68G 7/12: Other elements specially adapted for fastening, fixing, or finishing, in upholstery work
- Y10T 29/481: Method
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- Y10T 29/49947: by applying separate fastener
- A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- B68G: METHODS, EQUIPMENT, OR MACHINES FOR USE IN UPHOLSTERING; UPHOLSTERY NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A chair component assembly includes a support component adapted to support a portion of a seated user, and a cover including a plurality of sides that cooperate to form an interior space that receives the support component therein, the cover further including a support component receiving aperture and a flap movable between an open position where the support component may be moved from an exterior of the cover to the interior space of the cover, and a closed position where the flap covers the support component receiving aperture, and wherein the flap is secured to the support component by a quick-connect fastener.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A chair component assembly, comprising:
a support component adapted to support a portion of a seated user; and
a cover including a plurality of sides that cooperate to form an interior space that receives the support component therein, the cover further including a support component receiving aperture and a flap movable between an open position where the support component may be moved from an exterior of the cover to the interior space of the cover, and a closed position where the flap covers the support component receiving aperture; and
wherein the flap is secured to the support component by a quick-connect fastener; and
wherein the fastener includes one or more engagement portions that engage one or more fastener receiving apertures of the support component.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The chair component assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more engagement portions includes a plurality of engagement portions that engage a plurality of fastener receiving apertures of the one or more fastener receiving apertures of the support component.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The chair component assembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of engagement portions of the fastener engage a plurality of fastener receiving apertures of the cover.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The chair component assembly of claim 3, wherein the fastener receiving apertures of the cover as engaged by the fastener are spaced along two, separate edges of the cover.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The chair component assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least one coupler includes a Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The chair component assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a first portion comprising a thermoplastic material, and a second portion comprising a non-thermoplastic material, and wherein the first portion and the second portion are attached to one another to each form an outer aesthetic surface of the cover.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The chair component assembly of claim 6, wherein the flap is integral with the first portion of the cover.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The chair component assembly of claim 6, wherein the cover further includes at least one coupler integral with the first portion, and wherein the at least one coupler fastens the first portion of the cover to the support component.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The chair component assembly of claim 1, wherein the support component comprises a seat assembly.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The chair component assembly of claim 9, wherein the seat support assembly includes a rigid shell member configured to support a seated user, and a spring support assembly having an upwardly-facing surface configured to support a seated user, and wherein the upwardly-facing surface is supported at least partially forward of the shell member by at least one spring member.

### Claim 11

A chair component assembly, comprising:
a support component adapted to support a portion of a seated user and including an attachment member;
a cover having an aesthetic outer surface; and
a drawstring operably coupled to the cover such that drawing the drawstring secures the cover about at least a portion of the support component, wherein the drawstring includes a free end that is secured about the attachment member without knotting the drawstring and without the use of a fastener that is separate from the attachment member, wherein the drawstring frictionally engages itself to secure the drawstring about the attachment member.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The chair component assembly of claim 11, wherein the attachment member is T-shaped.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The chair component assembly of claim 11, wherein the attachment member includes a first portion and a pair of second portions cantilevered in substantially opposite directions from each other across the first portion.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The chair component assembly of claim 13, wherein the first portion is located within a recess extending into a rear surface of the back shell.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The chair component assembly of claim 14, wherein the drawstring abuts at least an edge of the recess.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The chair component assembly of claim 13, wherein the first portion and one of the second portions cooperate to form an angled surface against which the drawstring is drawn, and wherein the angled surface causes the drawstring to bind against the rear surface of the back shell as the drawstring is drawn taut.

### Claim 17 (depends on 11)

The chair component assembly of claim 11, wherein the support component includes a substantially rigid shell, and wherein the attachment member is integral with the shell.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

The chair component assembly of claim 11, wherein the support component includes a back support assembly.

### Claim 19 (depends on 11)

The chair component assembly of claim 11, wherein the cover includes a first pocket that receives the support component therein, and a second pocket that receives a lumbar support assembly therein.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The chair component assembly of claim 19, wherein the lumbar support assembly is vertically adjustable within the second pocket.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The chair component of claim 1, wherein each engagement portion includes a snap coupler.