US 11,103,072 B2Granted

Fidgeting seating arrangement

AssigneeFleetwood Group, Inc.

InventorsAlan E. Rheault, Matthew J. Marzolf, Mark D. Vander Veen, Jason T. Grant

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A seating arrangement to be used on a floor includes a support assembly and a seat assembly with a top surface. The support assembly includes a top plate, a bottom plate, a compressible elastic member between the top and bottom plates, and a fastener assembly connecting the top and bottom plates. A diameter of the compressible elastic member is greater than or equal to 40% of a diameter or a length of a diagonal of the top surface of the seat assembly. In response to offset weight placed on the seat assembly, the compressible elastic member selectively compresses causing the seat assembly to axially tilt in substantially any direction such that a plane of the seat assembly tilts downward from a neutral position substantially parallel to the floor, and decompress to the neutral position, in response to the offset weight removed from the seat assembly.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A seating arrangement configured to be used on a generally horizontal surface, said seating arrangement comprising:

a seat assembly, said seat assembly comprising a top surface configured to support a user, an opposing parallel bottom surface, and a seat plate secured to said bottom surface;
a support assembly adapted to support said seat assembly from a floor surface, said support assembly comprising (1) a support plate with a top surface and an opposing parallel bottom surface and (2) a compressible elastic member disposed between said seat and support plates, said compressible elastic member comprising an opening, wherein a diameter or a length of a diagonal of said compressible elastic member is greater than or equal to 40% of a diameter or a length of a diagonal of said top surface of said seat assembly;
and
a fastener assembly providing pre-loading compression of said compressible elastic member, said fastener assembly extending through the opening of said compressible elastic member, connecting said seat and support plates, and allowing tilting motion of said seat plate with respect to said support plate;
wherein said compressible elastic member comprises a top and an opposing parallel bottom surface, and wherein the compressible elastic member is made at least in part of a compressible closed-cell foam, wherein said compressible elastic member is configured to:
(1) selectively compress, in response to offset weight placed on said seat assembly by the user, causing said seat assembly to axially tilt relative to said support assembly in substantially any direction around a perimeter of said seat assembly such that a plane of said seat assembly tilts downward from a neutral position substantially parallel to the floor;
and
(2) decompress to the neutral position, in response to the offset weight removed from said seat assembly.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/845,754Filed 10 Apr 2020 · continuation in part
Priority: 11 Oct 2017
Published: US 2020/0237099 A130 Jul 2020
Granted: 31 Aug 2021
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

A47C 7/14
Seat parts: of adjustable shape; elastically mounted ; adaptable to a user contour or ergonomic seating positions
A47C 9/002
Stools for specified purposes: with exercising means or having special therapeutic or ergonomic effects
A47C 9/007
Stools for specified purposes: high stools, e.g. bar stools
A47C
Chairs