Seating structure with independently adjustable back
AssigneeHerman Miller, Inc.
InventorsJason Holt, Jeffrey A. Weber, Christopher C. Hill, John F. Aldrich, Douglas M. VanDeRiet
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An upper portion of the back is pivotable relative to the lower portion between a neutral position and an extended position, with the upper portion being pivotable relative to the lower portion independent of the tilt position of the back. In one aspect, an adjustment mechanism is coupled between lower and upper back support members and pivots the upper support member between at least first and second support positions.
Claims20
A seating structure comprising:
- a seat comprising a forward portion and a rear portion, wherein said seat is tiltable between at least an upright tilt position and a reclined tilt position, wherein said rear portion is automatically pivotable relative to said forward portion as said seat is tilted between said upright and said reclined tilt positions;
- and
- a back coupled to said seat and tiltable between at least an upright tilt position and a reclined tilt position, said back comprising a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein said upper portion is pivotable relative to said lower portion between a neutral position and an extended position, wherein said upper portion is pivotable relative to said lower portion independent of said tilt position of said back.
A method of using a seating structure comprising:
- providing a seat comprising a forward portion and a rear portion, and a back coupled to said seat, said back comprising a lower portion and an upper portion;
- tilting said seat between at least an upright tilt position and a reclined tilt position, and automatically pivoting said rear portion relative to said forward portion as said seat is tilted between said upright and said reclined tilt positions;
- tilting said back between at least an upright tilt position and a reclined tilt position simultaneously with said seat;
- and
- pivoting said upper portion relative to said lower portion between a neutral position and an extended position independent of said tilt position of said back.
A seating structure comprising:
- a base component;
- a back support member comprising:
- a lower support member pivotally connected to said base component about a first horizontal pivot axis;
- an upper support member pivotally connected to said lower support member about a second horizontal pivot axis spaced from said first pivot axis;
- at least one backrest component coupled to said upper support member;
- and
- an adjustment mechanism coupled between said lower support member and said upper support member, wherein said adjustment mechanism is operable between at least first and second positions, wherein said upper support member is pivotable relative to said lower support member about said second horizontal axis between at least first and second support positions as said adjustment mechanism is operable between said at least said first and second positions.
A method of adjusting the position of a back on a seating structure comprising:
- providing a base component;
- providing a back support member comprising:
- a lower support member pivotally connected to said base component about a first horizontal pivot axis;
- an upper support member pivotally connected to said lower support member about a second horizontal pivot axis spaced from said first pivot axis;
- and at least one backrest component coupled to said upper support member;
- pivoting said upper support member relative to said lower support member about said horizontal axis from a first upright position to a second upright position;
- and
- maintaining said second upright position of said upper support member free of any external forces applied by a user.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.