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US 11,109,683 B2Granted
Body support assembly and method for the use and assembly thereof
AssigneeSteelcase Inc.
InventorsNickolaus William Charles Deevers, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gordon J. Peterson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A body support assembly includes a seat assembly and backrest assembly supported by tilt control assembly. Methods of using and assembling the body support assembly are provided.
Claims21
A seat assembly comprising:
- a lower support platform extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising opposite side edges and a laterally extending first flex region extending between the opposite side edges, wherein the first flex region bifurcates the lower support platform into a front portion and a rear portion extending rearwardly from the first flex region and the front portion, wherein the first flex region is bendable such that the rear portion is downwardly deflectable relative to the front portion;
- and
- an upper shell comprising opposite side members connected to the support platform with a pair of connectors, each of the connectors comprising a second flex region, wherein the second flex regions are bendable such that the opposite side members are upwardly and/or inwardly moveable relative to the lower support platform as the rear portion is downwardly deflectable relative to the front portion.
A seat assembly comprising:
- a lower support platform extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising opposite side edges and a laterally extending first flex region extending between the opposite side edges, wherein the first flex region bifurcates the lower support platform into a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the first flex region is bendable such that the rear portion is downwardly deflectable relative to the front portion;
- and
- an upper shell comprising opposite side members connected to the support platform with a pair of connectors, each of the connectors comprising a second flex region, wherein the second flex regions are bendable such that the opposite side members are upwardly and/or inwardly moveable relative to the lower support platform as the rear portion is downwardly deflectable relative to the front portion, wherein the upper shell comprises a groove extending around at least a portion of the outer ring, wherein a peripheral edge of the suspension material is disposed in the groove.
A body support member comprising:
- a carrier frame comprising a central portion and a peripheral ring connected to the central portion with a plurality of connectors each comprising a flex region, the peripheral ring defining a central opening;
- an elastic textile material coupled to the peripheral ring across the central opening;
- and
- a cushion disposed between the central portion and the elastic textile material;
- wherein at least one of the plurality of connectors is inwardly deflectable a first amount from an unloaded configuration to a loaded configuration in response to a load applied to the elastic textile material, wherein the elastic textile material is downwardly deflectable a first amount corresponding to the first amount of inward deflection of the at least one of the plurality of connectors, and wherein the elastic textile material is downwardly deflectable a second amount in response to the load applied thereto separate and independent from the first amount of downward deflection of the elastic textile material, and wherein the cushion engages and provides auxiliary support to the elastic textile material when the first and second amounts of downward deflection of the elastic textile material result in the elastic textile material being supported by the cushion.
2 more elements
A body support member comprising:
- a carrier frame comprising opposite side portions defining an opening therebetween;
- an elastic textile material coupled to the side portions across the opening;
- and
- a cushion disposed beneath the elastic textile material;
- wherein at least one of the side portions is inwardly deflectable a first amount from an unloaded configuration to a loaded configuration in response to a load applied to the elastic textile material, wherein the elastic textile material is downwardly deflectable a first amount corresponding to the first amount of inward deflection of the at least one of the side portions, and wherein the elastic textile material is downwardly deflectable a second amount in response to the load applied thereto separate and independent from the first amount of downward deflection of the elastic textile material, and wherein the cushion engages and provides auxiliary support to the elastic textile material when the first and second amounts of downward deflection of the elastic textile material result in the elastic textile material being supported by the cushion.
2 more elements
A body support member comprising:
- a flexible carrier frame deformable from an unloaded configuration to loaded configuration;
- an elastic textile material coupled to the carrier frame, wherein the elastic textile material is downwardly deflectable a first amount in response to the deformation of the flexible carrier frame from the unloaded configuration to the loaded configuration, and wherein the elastic textile material is downwardly deflectable a second amount separate and independent of the first amount in response to a load applied by a user engaging and supported by the elastic textile material;
- and
- a cushion disposed beneath the elastic textile material;
- wherein the flexible carrier frame, elastic textile material and cushion are configured to provide first, second and third amounts of resilient support to the user engaging and supported by the elastic textile material.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.