Suspension mechanism for connecting chair backs and seats to a pedestal

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a suspension mechanism (10) utilized to interconnect the seating portion (16) as well as the back supporting portion (18) of a chair assembly (12) to a pedestal assembly (14). A spring support (30) is fastened to the upper end portion of the pedestal assembly (14). At least one primary seat spring (40) is secured to the spring support (30) and extends generally upwardly and rearwardly therefrom to be secured to the underside of a seating portion (16). Preferably, the primary seat spring (40) comprises a pair of laterally spaced, leaf springs (40). Also secured to the spring support (30), and preferably between the pair of laterally spaced primary seat springs (40), is an interactive spring (60). The interactive spring (60) extends outwardly from the spring support (30) in generally parallel relation with the primary seat springs (40) to be disposed in a cantilevered fashion therebetween. The back supporting portion (18) includes a back cushion assembly (102) that is structurally carried by a stanchion (90) that is pivotally secured to the seating assembly (16). A follower (130) is presented from the stanchion (90) operatively to engage the interactive spring (60). The main back spring (140) is secured to the stanchion (90) to interact against the undersurface (146) of the seating portion (16). One or more lock-out assemblies (150) may be utilized to effect immobilization of the back supporting portion (18) with the seating portion (16) and/or the seating portion (16) with respect to the pedestal assembly (14).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.