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US 8,262,162 B2Granted
Biasing mechanism for a seating structure and methods for the use thereof
AssigneeHerman Miller, Inc.
InventorsElindo G. Castro, Jr., Christopher C. Hill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A seating structure includes a leaf spring and a body support structure biased by the leaf spring. One of the leaf spring and the body support structure has a cam with a concave cam surface, while the other of the leaf spring and body support structure has a cam follower with a convex cam surface. The cam follower engages the cam.
Claims21
A seating structure comprising:
- a leaf spring;
- and
- a body support structure biased by said leaf spring;
- wherein one of said leaf spring and said body support structure has a cam with a concave cam surface, and the other of said leaf spring and said body support structure has a cam follower with a convex cam surface, wherein said cam follower engages said cam, and wherein one of said cam follower and said cam is rearwardly slideable relative to the other of said cam follower and said cam as said leaf spring biases said body support structure.
1 more element
A method of biasing a seating structure comprising:
- providing a leaf spring and a body support structure, wherein one of said leaf spring and said body support structure has a cam with a concave cam surface, and the other of said leaf spring and said body support structure has a cam follower with a convex cam surface;
- biasing said body support structure with said leaf spring;
- and
- engaging said cam with said cam follower, and sliding one of said cam and said cam follower rearwardly relative to the other of said cam and said cam follower.
1 more element
A seating structure comprising:
- a housing;
- a leaf spring comprising a cam portion disposed proximate a first end portion of said leaf spring, said cam portion comprising a concave cam surface formed on a first side of said leaf spring, said leaf spring having a second end portion opposite said first end portion supported by said housing;
- a cam follower comprising a convex cam surface engaging said concave surface of said cam portion of said leaf spring;
- a fulcrum member supported by said housing and engaging a second side of said leaf spring opposite said first side, wherein said fulcrum member is longitudinally spaced from said cam follower along a length of said leaf spring;
- and
- a body support structure pivotally coupled to said housing, wherein said body support member is coupled to said cam follower, and wherein one of said cam follower and said cam is rearwardly slideable relative to the other of said cam follower and said cam as said body support structure is pivoted relative to said housing.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.