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US 7,163,263 B1Granted
Office components, seating structures, methods of using seating structures, and systems of seating structures
AssigneeHerman Miller, Inc.
InventorsAndrew J. Kurrasch, Robert L. Beck, Daniel Robert Kuiper, Arturo J. Bonomie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Office components are described that include an electrical conduit electrically coupled to a fuel cell, and an electrically powered device coupled to the electrical conduit and configured to receive electricity generated by the fuel cell. The electrically powered device includes at least one of an automatic adjustment mechanism, a control system, a sound masking system, and an office accessory. Chairs, methods of using chairs, and systems of chairs are also described.
Claims7
A seating structure comprising:
- a base;
- a seat supported by the base;
- an electrical conduit electrically coupled to a power source;
- and
- an automatic tilt adjustment mechanism coupled to the electrical conduit and configured to receive electricity from the power source, wherein the automatic tilt adjustment mechanism comprises:
- an actuator;
- a biasing member mechanically coupled to the actuator, wherein the biasing member biases the seat;
- a microprocessor electrically coupled to the actuator, wherein a desired default position of the seat is programmed into the microprocessor;
- and
- a transducer electrically coupled to the microprocessor;
- wherein the transducer detects an angle of inclination of the seat and wherein upon detecting a previous user rising from the chair or detecting a new user occupying the chair, the microprocessor will engage the actuator and the actuator automatically restores the seat to the default position.
8 more elements
A seating structure comprising:
- a base and a seat supported by the base;
- an electrical conduit electrically coupled to a power source;
- and
- an automatic tilt adjustment mechanism coupled to the electrical conduit and configured to receive electricity from the power source, wherein the automatic tilt adjustment mechanism comprises:
- a motor;
- a spring coupled to the motor, wherein the spring biases the seat;
- a microprocessor electrically coupled to the motor;
- and
- a transducer electrically coupled to the microprocessor;
- wherein
- the transducer detects an angle of inclination of the seat;
- and
- the motor adjusts torque of the spring to achieve a default position for the seat.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.