# US 9,872,565 B2 · Chair arm assembly

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- Number: US 9,872,565 B2
- Document ID: US9872565B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/214,026
- Filed: 2016-07-19
- Published: 2016-11-10
- Granted: 2018-01-23
- Earliest claimed: 2012-09-20
- Assignees: Steelcase Inc.
- Applicants: Steelcase Inc.
- Inventors: Robert J. Battey; Richard Roslund, Jr.; Nathan McCaughan; Pradeep Mydur
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872565B2

## CPC

- A47C 1/024: the parts, being the back-rest, or the back-rest and seat unit, having adjustable inclination
- A47C 1/03: the parts being arm-rests
- A47C 1/0307: {adjustable rectilinearly in horizontal direction}
- A47C 1/0308: {adjustable by rotation}
- A47C 1/032: the parts being movably-coupled seat and back-rest (A47C1/035 takes precedence)
- A47C 1/03255: {with a central column, e.g. rocking office chairs}
- A47C 1/03261: {characterised by elastic means}
- A47C 1/03266: {with adjustable elasticity}
- A47C 1/03272: {with coil springs}
- A47C 1/03274: {of torsion type}
- A47C 1/14: Beach chairs {; Chairs for outdoor use, e.g. chairs for relaxation or sun-tanning}
- A47C 3/20: Chairs or stools with vertically-adjustable seats
- A47C 3/30: with vertically-acting fluid cylinder
- A47C 5/00: Chairs of special materials
- A47C 5/12: of plastics, with or without reinforcement
- A47C 7/004: {for chairs or stools with central column, e.g. office chairs}
- A47C 7/006: {with castors}
- A47C 7/029: {of non-adjustable shape adapted to a user contour or ergonomic seating positions}
- A47C 7/14: of adjustable shape; elastically mounted {; adaptable to a user contour or ergonomic seating positions (movably-coupled seat and backrests with elastic adjustment means A47C1/03261)}
- A47C 7/185: {with a stiff, rigid support}
- A47C 7/24: Upholstered seats (A47C7/18 takes precedence)
- A47C 7/40: for the back
- A47C 7/44: with elastically-mounted frame
- A47C 7/441: {with adjustable elasticity}
- A47C 7/443: {with coil springs}
- A47C 7/46: with special, e.g. adjustable {, lumbar region support} profile; "Ackerblom" profile chairs
- A47C 7/462: {adjustable by mechanical means}
- A47C 7/54: Supports for the arms
- A47C 31/02: Upholstery attaching means
- A47C 31/023: {connecting upholstery to frames, e.g. by hooks, clips, snap fasteners, clamping means or the like}
- B68G 7/12: Other elements specially adapted for fastening, fixing, or finishing, in upholstery work
- Y10T 29/481: Method
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- Y10T 29/49947: by applying separate fastener
- A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- B68G: METHODS, EQUIPMENT, OR MACHINES FOR USE IN UPHOLSTERING; UPHOLSTERY NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A chair assembly includes a back support arrangement that includes a back frame member and a forwardly-facing surface configured to support a user, a four-bar linkage assembly including a first linkage member, a second linkage member, a third linkage member and a fourth linkage member each pivotably coupled to one another such that the four-bar linkage assembly includes an upper end that is adjustable between raised and lowered positions, and an arm rest assembly supported on the upper end of the four-bar linkage assembly, wherein a lower end of the four-bar linkage assembly is pivotably supported from an arm support structure for pivotable movement such that the upper end of the four-bar linkage assembly is movable between a first position and second position located laterally outward from the first position, and wherein the fifth pivot point is located forwardly of the back frame member.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A chair assembly, comprising;
a back support arrangement that includes a substantially rigid back frame member and a flexibly resilient forwardly-facing surface configured to support a user;
a four-bar linkage assembly, comprising:
a first linkage member having a first end and a second end;
a second linkage member having a first end and a second end;
a third linkage member having a first end pivotably coupled to the first end of the first linkage member for rotation about a first pivot point, and a second end pivotably coupled to the first end of the second linkage member for rotation about a second pivot point; and
a fourth linkage member having a first end pivotably coupled to the second end of the first linkage member for rotation about a third pivot point, and a second end pivotably coupled to the second end of the second linkage member for rotation about a fourth pivot point;
wherein the four-bar linkage assembly includes a lower end and an upper end that is adjustable between a raised position and a lowered position; and
an arm rest assembly adapted to support the arm of a seated user thereon and supported on the upper end of the four-bar linkage assembly;
wherein the lower end of the four-bar linkage assembly is pivotably supported from an arm support structure for pivotable movement about a fifth pivot point, such that the upper end of the four-bar linkage assembly is moveable between a first position and second position located laterally outward from the first position, and wherein the fifth pivot point is located forwardly of the back frame member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The chair assembly of claim 1, wherein the first linkage member comprises a U-shaped cross-section configuration along a length thereof.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The chair assembly of claim 2, wherein the second linkage member comprises a U-shaped cross-section configuration along a length thereof, and wherein first linkage member and second linkage members cooperate to form an interior passage extending longitudinally along the lengths of the first and second linkage members.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The chair assembly of claim 1, wherein the third linkage member includes at least a portion of the arm support structure.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The chair assembly of claim 1, wherein the fourth linkage member includes at least a portion of the arm rest assembly.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The chair assembly of claim 1, wherein the lower end of the four-bar linkage assembly includes a select one of a pivot boss and a pivot aperture, the arm support structure includes the other of the pivot boss and the pivot aperture, and wherein the pivot boss is received with the pivot aperture for pivotably supporting the four-bar linkage assembly for rotation about the fifth pivot point.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The chair assembly of claim 1, wherein the four-bar linkage assembly adjusts greater than or equal to about 35° between the raised position and the lowered position.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The chair assembly of claim 1, wherein the arm rest assembly is pivotably adjustable with respect to the four-bar linkage assembly.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The chair assembly of claim 8, wherein the arm rest assembly is linearly adjustable with respect to the four-bar linkage assembly.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The chair assembly of claim 1, wherein the arm rest assembly is laterally adjustable with respect to the four-bar linkage assembly.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The chair assembly of claim 1, wherein the chair assembly comprises an office chair assembly.

### Claim 12

A chair assembly, comprising;
a back support arrangement having a forwardly-facing surface configured to support a user; and
a four-bar linkage assembly, comprising:
a first linkage member having a first end and a second end;
a second linkage member having a first end and a second end;
a third linkage member having a first end pivotably coupled to the first end of the first linkage member for rotation about a first pivot point, and a second end pivotably coupled to the first end of the second linkage member for rotation about a second pivot point; and
a fourth linkage member having a first end pivotably coupled to the second end of the first linkage member for rotation about a third pivot point, and a second end pivotably coupled to the second end of the second linkage member for rotation about a fourth pivot point;
wherein the four-bar linkage assembly includes a lower end and an upper end that is adjustable between a raised position and a lowered position; and
an arm rest assembly adapted to support the arm of a seated user thereon and supported on the upper end of the four-bar linkage assembly;
wherein the lower end of the four-bar linkage assembly is pivotably supported from an arm support structure for pivotable movement about a fifth pivot point, such that the upper end of the four-bar linkage assembly is moveable between a first position and second position located laterally outward from the first position, and wherein the fifth pivot point is located forward of a majority of the forwardly-facing surface of the back support arrangement.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The chair assembly of claim 12, wherein the first linkage member comprises a U-shaped cross-section configuration along a length thereof.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The chair assembly of claim 13, wherein the second linkage member comprises a U-shaped cross-section configuration along a length thereof, and wherein first linkage member and second linkage members cooperate to form an interior passage extending longitudinally along the lengths of the first and second linkage members.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The chair assembly of claim 12, wherein the third linkage member includes at least a portion of the arm support structure.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The chair assembly of claim 12, wherein the fourth linkage member includes at least a portion of the arm rest assembly.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The chair assembly of claim 12, wherein the lower end of the four-bar linkage assembly includes a select one of a pivot boss and a pivot aperture, the arm support structure includes the other of the pivot boss and the pivot aperture, and wherein the pivot boss is received with the pivot aperture for pivotably supporting the four-bar linkage assembly for rotation about the fifth pivot point.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The chair assembly of claim 12, wherein the four-bar linkage assembly adjusts greater than or equal to about 35° between the raised position and the lowered position.

### Claim 19 (depends on 12)

The chair assembly of claim 12, wherein the arm rest assembly is pivotably adjustable with respect to the four-bar linkage assembly.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The chair assembly of claim 19, wherein the arm rest assembly is linearly adjustable with respect to the four-bar linkage assembly.

### Claim 21 (depends on 12)

The chair assembly of claim 12, wherein the arm rest assembly is laterally adjustable with respect to the four-bar linkage assembly.