Seating structure and methods for the use thereof

A seating structure comprising:

• a support structure;
• a carriage moveably supported by said support structure, wherein said carriage is moveable relative to said support structure in opposite first and second longitudinal directions;
• a flexible body support member having a first portion coupled to said support structure, a second portion coupled to said carriage, and a third curved portion positioned between said first and second portions, wherein said third portion is moveable toward and away from said support structure as said carriage is moved relative to said support structure in said first and second directions respectively;
• and
• a cover member disposed over an outer surface of said body support member and covering said third portion of said body support member, wherein said cover member comprises a first fold anchored to said support structure, and wherein said cover member comprises a second fold connected to said first fold along a folded edge engaged by a driving member, wherein said driving member is formed by one or both of said body support member and said carriage, wherein said folded edge is moveable in said first and second directions as said carriage is moved in said first and second direction respectively.

A seating structure comprising:

• a support structure;
• a carriage moveably supported by said support structure, wherein said carriage is moveable relative to said support structure in opposite first and second longitudinal directions;
• and
• a flexible body support member having a first portion coupled to said support structure, a second portion coupled to said carriage, and a third curved portion positioned between said first and second portions, wherein said third portion is moveable toward and away from said support structure as said carriage is moved relative to said support structure in said first and second directions respectively, wherein said body support member has a plurality of longitudinally extending slots defining a plurality of longitudinally extending strips, wherein at least one of said plurality of slots has a different length than at least one other of said plurality of slots, and wherein said carriage comprises a leading edge disposed adjacent said plurality of strips, wherein said leading edge comprises a plurality of steps formed laterally across said leading edge, with at least some of said plurality of steps corresponding to and aligned with at least some of said plurality of strips.

A method of adjusting the depth of a seat comprising:

• providing a support structure;
• a carriage moveably supported by said support structure;
• and a flexible body support member having a first portion coupled relative to said support structure, a second portion coupled to said carriage, and a third curved portion positioned between said first and second portions;
• providing a cover member disposed over an outer surface of said body support member and covering said third portion of said body support member;
• wherein said cover member comprises a first fold fixedly coupled relative to said support structure and a second fold connected to said first fold along a folded edge engaged by a driving member, wherein said driving member is formed by one or both of said body support member and said carriage;
• moving said carriage relative to said support structure in opposite first and second longitudinal directions;
• moving said third portion with said carriage toward and away from said support structure as said carriage is moved relative to said support structure in said first and second directions respectively;
• and
• moving said folded edge in said first and second longitudinal directions as said carriage is moved in said first and second direction respectively.