# US 9,872,568 B2 · Closure devices for seat cushions

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- Number: US 9,872,568 B2
- Document ID: US9872568B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/620,086
- Filed: 2015-02-11
- Published: 2015-08-13
- Granted: 2018-01-23
- Earliest claimed: 2014-02-11
- Assignees: Boa Technology Inc.
- Applicants: Boa Technology Inc.
- Inventors: James Capra; Mark Dutton; Anna Hetman; Steven D. DuFresne
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872568B2

## CPC

- A47C 7/22: Straps or the like for {direct user support or for} carrying upholstery
- A47C 7/40: for the back
- B68G 5/00: Resilient upholstery pads (finished upholstery B68G11/00 {; making upholstery from plastics B29D99/0092})
- Y10T 29/481: Method
- 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

An adjustable seat back includes a frame having a perimeter and a cushioning material that is disposed at least partially within the frame's perimeter. The adjustable seat back also includes a tension member and a plurality of straps that are disposed over the frame with a distal end that is coupled with the cushioning material and a proximal end that is operationally coupled with the tension member. A reel based tightening mechanism is operably coupled with the tension member and configured to tension the tension member and thereby tension the plurality of straps. Tensioning of the plurality of straps effects adjustment of the cushioning material.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An adjustable seat back or seat cushion comprising:
a frame that defines a perimeter of the seat back or seat cushion;
a cushioning material disposed at least partially within the perimeter of the frame;
a tension member;
a plurality of straps that are disposed over the frame with a distal end that is coupled with the cushioning material and a proximal end that is operationally coupled with the tension member; and
a reel based tightening mechanism that is operably coupled with the tension member and configured to tension the tension member and thereby tension the plurality of straps, wherein tensioning of the plurality of straps adjusts the cushioning material and wherein the tension member is routed or directed across the seat back or seat cushion in a crisscrossing configuration.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The adjustable seat back or seat cushion of claim 1, wherein the tension member, the plurality of straps, and the reel based tightening mechanism comprise a first tensioning system, and wherein the adjustable seat back or seat cushion further comprises a second tensioning system having a similarly configured tension member, plurality of straps, and reel based tightening mechanism.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The adjustable seat back or seat cushion of claim 2, wherein the first tensioning system adjusts a first zone or portion of the seat back or seat cushion and the second tensioning system adjusts a second zone or portion of the seat back or seat cushion.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The adjustable seat back or seat cushion of claim 1, wherein two of the plurality of straps are coupled at one end to form a V-shaped strap.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The adjustable seat back or seat cushion of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of straps extend across the seat back or seat cushion in a parallel configuration.

### Claim 6

A method of making an adjustable seat back or seat cushion comprising:
providing a frame that defines a perimeter of the seat back or seat cushion;
positioning a cushioning material at least partially within the perimeter of the frame;
coupling a distal end of each of a plurality of straps with the cushioning material;
positioning a middle portion of each of the plurality of straps over the frame;
coupling a proximal end of each of the plurality of straps with a tension member; and
coupling the tension member with a reel based tightening mechanism so that operation of the reel based tightening mechanism tensions the tension member and thereby tensions each of the plurality of straps, wherein tensioning of the plurality of straps adjusts the cushioning material and wherein the tension member is routed or directed across the seat back or seat cushion in a crisscrossing configuration.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein the tension member, the plurality of straps, and the reel based tightening mechanism comprise a first tensioning system, and wherein the method further includes coupling a second tensioning system with the adjustable seat back or seat cushion, the second tensioning system having a similarly configured tension member, plurality of straps, and reel based tightening mechanism.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the first tensioning system adjusts a first zone or portion of the seat back or seat cushion and the second tensioning system adjusts a second zone or portion of the seat back or seat cushion.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein two of the plurality of straps are coupled at one end to form a V-shaped strap.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein at least some of the plurality of straps extend across the seat back or seat cushion in a parallel configuration.