U.S. patent application number 13/109152 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-17 for chair.
This patent application is currently assigned to Grand Rapids Chair Company. Invention is credited to Daniel J. Gramza, Geoff J. Miller, Christopher R. Pabst, Bruce A. Sienkowski.
Application Number | 20110278889 13/109152 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44911104 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110278889 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sienkowski; Bruce A. ; et
al. |
November 17, 2011 |
CHAIR
Abstract
A chair includes a base, a backrest and a back brace supporting
the backrest from the base. The base may include a seat assembly
made up of a pan and a flexible support membrane over an upward
opening cavity defined by the pan. The back brace may provide a
flexible support for the generally planar member formed as a
serpentine shape defined by a first curved portion opening toward
said base and a second curved portion opening away from said base.
The backrest may have an outer frame made from an extruded member
having a generally tubular member and a fin coextruded with said
generally tubular member to provide a fastening substrate for
panels. The base may further include a leg assembly made up of a
plurality of leg members and a joiner member joining horizontal
portions of the leg members.
Inventors: |
Sienkowski; Bruce A.; (Ada,
MI) ; Miller; Geoff J.; (Ada, MI) ; Pabst;
Christopher R.; (Marne, MI) ; Gramza; Daniel J.;
(Rockford, MI) |
Assignee: |
Grand Rapids Chair Company
Grand Rapids
MI
|
Family ID: |
44911104 |
Appl. No.: |
13/109152 |
Filed: |
May 17, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61345239 |
May 17, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/239 ;
297/297; 297/445.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 3/04 20130101; A47C
3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/239 ;
297/445.1; 297/297 |
International
Class: |
A47C 3/04 20060101
A47C003/04; A47C 3/00 20060101 A47C003/00; A47C 7/02 20060101
A47C007/02 |
Claims
1. A chair, comprising: a base, a backrest and a back brace
supporting said backrest from said base; said base comprising a leg
assembly and a seat assembly supported by said leg assembly; said
seat assembly comprising a pan and a flexible support membrane,
said pan having a bottom member and at least one sidewall extending
upwardly from said bottom defining an upwardly opening cavity, said
flexible support membrane supported by said at least one sidewall
over said cavity in a manner sufficient to support a person
substantially with said support membrane.
2. The chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one
sidewall surrounds substantially the sides and back of said pan and
further including a flexible filler member between said support
membrane and said bottom.
3. The chair as claimed in claim 1 further including at least one
pad member supported by said support membrane.
4. The chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pan is molded as a
unitary member.
5. The chair as claimed in claim 4 including stiffening ribs formed
in said bottom member extending to said sidewall.
6. The chair as claimed in claim 4 wherein said bottom member
defines a generally planar lower surface and at least one channel
in said lower surface, said at least one channel configured to
receive a horizontal portion of said leg assembly wherein said
generally planar lower surface defines a stacking surface for
engaging another chair.
7. The chair as defined in claim 6 wherein said leg assembly
comprises a plurality of leg members, each of said leg members
having a generally vertical portion and a generally horizontal
portion, said horizontal portions of said legs defining said
horizontal portion of said leg assembly.
8. The chair as claimed in claim 7 wherein said horizontal portion
of said leg assembly further includes a joiner member, said joiner
member joining said horizontal portions of said leg members.
9. The chair as claimed in claim 8 wherein end portions of said
horizontal portions of said leg members are welded to said joiner
member.
10. A chair, comprising: a base, a backrest and a back brace
supporting said backrest from said base; said base comprising a leg
assembly and a seat assembly supported by said leg assembly; said
back brace defining a flexible support for said backrest, wherein
said backrest is capable of limited motion with respect to said
base by flexing of said back brace, wherein said back brace is
defined by a generally planar member having one end portion that is
configured to attach to said base, an opposite end portion that is
configured to attach to said backrest and an intermediate portion,
said intermediate portion formed as a serpentine shape defined by a
first curved portion opening toward said base and a second curved
portion opening away from said base.
11. The chair as claimed in claim 10 wherein said second curved
portion above said first curved portion is further away from said
base than said first curved portion.
12. The chair as claimed in claim 10 wherein said first curved
portion and said second curved portion have approximately the same
radius of curvature.
13. The chair as claimed in claim 12 wherein said radius of
curvature is approximately 1.5 inches.
14. The chair as claimed in claim 10 wherein said generally planar
member is tapered from said opposite end portion toward said one
end portion.
15. A chair, comprising: a base, a backrest and a back brace
supporting said backrest from said base; said base comprising a leg
assembly and a seat assembly supported by said leg assembly; said
backrest comprising an outer frame and at least one panel supported
within said frame, said outer frame made from an extruded member
having a generally tubular member and a fin coextruded with said
generally tubular member, said fin extending inwardly from said
tubular member, wherein said at least one panel is fastened to said
fin.
16. The chair as claimed in claim 15 wherein said fin has a
scalloped shape.
17. A chair, comprising: a base, a backrest and a back brace
supporting said backrest from said seat; said base comprising a leg
assembly and a seat assembly supported by said leg assembly,
wherein said leg assembly comprises a plurality of leg members,
each of said leg members having a generally vertical portion and a
generally horizontal portion, wherein said leg assembly further
includes a joiner member, said joiner member joining said
horizontal portions of said leg members.
18. The chair as claimed in claim 17 wherein end portions of said
horizontal portions of said leg members are welded to said joiner
member.
19. The chair as claimed in claim 17 wherein said generally
vertical portion has a complex shape.
20. The chair as claimed in claim 19 wherein said complex shape
comprises a swage configuration.
21. The chair as claimed in claim 20 wherein said swage
configuration comprises a rectilinear cross section that transforms
to a curved cross section.
22. The chair as claimed in claim 19 wherein said complex shape
comprises multiple bends.
23. The chair as claimed in claim 22 wherein said multiple bends
face in generally opposite directions.
24. A chair, comprising: a base, a backrest and a back brace
supporting said backrest from said base; said base comprising a leg
assembly and a seat assembly supported by said leg assembly; said
seat assembly comprising a pan and a flexible support membrane,
said pan having a bottom member and at least one sidewall extending
upwardly from said bottom defining an upwardly opening cavity, said
flexible support membrane supported by said at least one sidewall
over said cavity in a manner sufficient to support a person
substantially with said support membrane; said back brace defining
a flexible support for said backrest, wherein said backrest is
capable of limited motion with respect to said base by flexing of
said back brace, wherein said back brace is defined by a generally
planar member having one end portion that is configured to attach
to said base, an opposite end portion that is configured to attach
to said backrest and an intermediate portion, said intermediate
portion formed as a serpentine shape defined by a first curved
portion opening toward said base and a second curved portion
opening away from said base; said backrest comprising an outer
frame and at least one panel supported within said frame, said
outer frame made from an extruded member having a generally tubular
member and a fin coextruded with said generally tubular member,
said fin extending inwardly from said tubular member, wherein said
at least one panel is fastened to said fin; and said base
comprising a leg assembly and a seat assembly supported by said leg
assembly, wherein said leg assembly comprises a plurality of leg
members, each of said leg members having a generally vertical
portion and a generally horizontal portion, wherein said horizontal
portion of said leg assembly further includes a joiner member, said
joiner member joining said horizontal portions of said leg members.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 61/345,239 filed May 17, 2010, U.S.
design patent application Ser. No. 29/361,770 filed May 14, 2010;
and U.S. design patent application Ser. No. 29/361,773 filed May
14, 2010, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein
by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to a chair, or seating
implement, and, in particular, to a chair having a base, a backrest
and a back brace supporting the backrest from the base. While the
invention is illustrated as a nestable chair, it may find
application in chairs that do not nest. While the invention may
find application in restaurant and cafeteria seating, it may be
used in other applications as well.
[0003] These and other objects, advantages and features of this
invention will become apparent upon review of the following
specification in conjunction with the drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A chair, according to an aspect of the invention, includes a
base, a backrest, and a back brace supporting the backrest from the
base. The base includes a leg assembly and a seat assembly
supported by the leg assembly. The seat assembly includes a pan and
a flexible support membrane. The pan has a bottom member and at
least one sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom thereby
defining an upwardly opening cavity. The flexible support membrane
is supported by the sidewall over the cavity in a manner sufficient
to support a person substantially with the support membrane.
[0005] The sidewall may surround substantially the sides and back
of the pan and may further include a flexible filler member between
the support membrane and the bottom. One or more pad members may be
supported by the support membrane.
[0006] The pan may be molded as a unitary member. Stiffening ribs
may be formed in the bottom member extending to the sidewall. The
bottom member may define a generally planar lower surface and at
least one channel in the lower surface to receive a horizontal
portion of the leg assembly. In this manner, the generally planar
lower surface may define a stacking surface for engaging another
chair.
[0007] A chair, according to another aspect of the invention,
includes a base, a backrest, and a back brace supporting the
backrest from the base. The base includes a leg assembly and a seat
assembly supported by the leg assembly. The back brace defines a
flexible support for the backrest, wherein the backrest is capable
of limited motion with respect to the base by flexing of the back
brace. The back brace is defined by a generally planar member
having one end portion that is configured to attach to the base. An
opposite end portion is configured to attach to the backrest. An
intermediate portion is formed as a serpentine shape defined by a
first curved portion opening toward the base and a second curved
portion opening away from the base.
[0008] The second curved portion may be positioned above the first
curved portion and further away from the base than the first curved
portion. The first curved portion and the second curved portion may
have approximately the same radius of curvature. The radius of
curvature may be approximately 1.5 inches. The generally planar
member may be tapered from the opposite end portion toward the one
end portion.
[0009] A chair, according to another aspect of the invention,
includes a base, a backrest, and a back brace supporting the
backrest from the base. The base includes a leg assembly and a seat
assembly supported by the leg assembly. The backrest includes an
outer frame and one or more panels supported within the frame. The
outer frame is made from an extruded member having a generally
tubular member and a fin coextruded with said generally tubular
member. The fin extends inwardly from the tubular member. The
panel(s) is fastened to the fin. The fin may have a scalloped
shape.
[0010] A chair, according to yet another aspect of the invention,
includes a base, a backrest, and a back brace supporting the
backrest from the base. The base includes a leg assembly and a seat
assembly supported by the leg assembly. The leg assembly is made up
of a plurality of leg members. Each of the leg members has a
generally vertical portion and a generally horizontal portion. The
leg assembly further includes a joiner member that joins the
horizontal portions of the leg members.
[0011] End portions of the horizontal portions of the leg members
may be welded to the joiner member. The generally vertical portion
of the leg members may have a complex shape. The complex shape may
be in the form of a swage configuration. The swage configuration
may include a rectilinear cross section that transforms to a curved
cross section. Alternatively, the complex shape may include
multiple bends. The multiple bends may face in generally opposite
directions.
[0012] These and other objects, advantages and features of this
invention will become apparent upon review of the following
specification in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair, according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the chair in FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the chair in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the chair in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a leg assembly;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a front elevation of a pan;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the pan in FIG. 6 taken from
the top, front and side thereof;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the pan in FIG. 6 taken from
the bottom, front and side thereof;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the pan in FIG. 6;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the pan in FIG. 6;
[0023] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the area
designated XI in FIG. 2 with the frame cut open to reveal internal
details thereof;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the lines XII-XII in
FIG. 11;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a back brace;
[0026] FIG. 14a is a side elevation of the back brace in FIG.
13;
[0027] FIG. 14b is a rear elevation of the back brace in FIG.
13;
[0028] FIG. 15 is the same view as FIG. 1 of an alternative
embodiment of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the chair in FIG.
15;
[0030] FIG. 17 is the same view as FIG. 7 of an alternative
embodiment of a pan; and
[0031] FIG. 18 is the same view as FIG. 8 of the pan in FIG.
17.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0032] Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative
embodiments depicted therein, a chair 20 includes a base 22, a
backrest 24 and a back brace 26 supporting the backrest from the
base (FIGS. 1 and 2). Base 22 is made up of a leg assembly 28 and a
seat assembly 30 that is supported by leg assembly 28. Seat
assembly 30 is made up of a pan 32 and a flexible support membrane
34 supported by the pan. Pan 32 has a bottom member generally shown
at 36 and at least one sidewall 38 extending upwardly from bottom
member 36. This defines an upwardly opening cavity 40 surrounded by
sidewall 38 and closed at the bottom by bottom member 36. Flexible
support membrane 34 is supported by sidewall 38 over cavity 40 in a
manner that is sufficient to support a person with support membrane
34. This may be accomplished by tensioning support member 34 over
cavity 40 and down the outside of sidewall 38. Such flexible
support member 34 is commercially available under the Dymetrol.RTM.
brand.
[0033] Sidewall 38 surrounds pan 32 on three sides and defines a
front opening 41. A flexible filler member, such as a foam pad 42
made from conventional furniture foam, is positioned between
support membrane 34 and bottom member 36. Filler member 42 provides
support to support member 34 at a front portion of chair 20, but in
a manner that is flexible to accommodate the legs of the user. Seat
assembly 30 further includes a pad assembly 42 made up of a series
of foam pad members 42a, 42b and 42c that are configured to provide
cushioning to the user over support membrane 34. Foam pad member
42c surrounds seat assembly 30. It should be understood that chair
20 would be upholstered with suitable fabric and upholstery
underlay of the type known in the art.
[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, pan 32 is molded as a unitary
member. It may be molded using various techniques known in the art,
such as injection molding from a known polymer or compression
molding from plastic grind using a known resin. However, other
techniques for making pan 32 are intended to be included. A
plurality of stiffening ribs 44 may be formed in bottom member 36
spanning opposite side portions of sidewall 38. This adds rigidity
to pan 32 to withstand the inward force placed on sidewall 38 from
support membrane 34 bearing the weight of the user. However, ribs
44 extend below the upper edges of sidewall 38 to allow support
membrane 34 to flex downwardly under the load without contacting
the ribs.
[0035] Bottom member 36 defines a generally planar lower surface 46
and one or more channels 48 in lower surface 46 (FIG. 8).
Channel(s) 48 are configured to receive a horizontal portion 50 of
leg assembly 28. In the illustrated embodiment, channels 48 are
configured to receive horizontal portion 50 at or above lower
surface 46. In this manner, planar lower surface 46 is the lowest
point of seat assembly 30 thereby defining a stacking surface for
engaging the seat surface of another chair when chairs 20 are
nested on top of one another. This provides stackability to chairs
20 in a manner which reduces wear on the upholstery fabric of the
chairs.
[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, leg assembly 28 is made up of
a plurality of leg members 52, each of which has a generally
vertical portion 54 and a generally horizontal portion 56 (FIG. 5).
Horizontal portions 56 of the leg members 52 define the horizontal
portion of 50 of the leg assembly, which may further include a
joiner member 58 that joins the horizontal portions 56 of the leg
members. The horizontal portions 56 of the leg members may be
welded or otherwise connected to joiner member 58. This connection
may be further assisted by an opening 60 defined in a sidewall 61
for receiving each leg member. This provides additional strength to
the leg assembly and removes some of the stress from the weld
joint. Channels 48 may be enlarged at a central area 49 that is
configured to receive joiner member 58. In this manner, generally
all of the horizontal portion 50 of the leg assembly can be at or
recessed within pan 32 so that the primary contact with a chair
upon which chair 20 is stacked is lower surface 46. Fasteners, such
as bolts 59a and engaging nuts 59b, hold leg assembly 28 to the
seat assembly.
[0037] An advantage of leg assembly 28 is that leg members 52 can
be made in a more complex design because only one vertical portion
needs to be formed for each leg member. In the illustrated
embodiment, vertical portion 54 is a swage configuration going from
a square cross section at the top to a round cross section toward
the bottom. Alternatively, the legs could go from a round cross
section toward the top to a narrower round cross section toward the
bottom, or the like.
[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, back brace 26 provides a
flexible support for backrest 24 by allowing limited motion of the
backrest with respect to base 22 by flexing of back brace 26. Back
brace, or J-bar, 26 is defined by a generally planar member 64,
made from aluminum or steel having one end portion 65a that is
configured to attach to base 22 and an opposite end portion 65b
that is configured to attach to backrest 24 (FIGS. 13, 14a, 14b).
Generally, planar member 64 further includes an intermediate
portion 66 between end portions 65a, 65b that is formed as a
serpentine shape 67. Serpentine shape 67 includes a first curved
portion 68 that opens toward base 22 and a second curved portion 70
that opens away from base 22. Second curved portion 70 is above
first curved portion 68. First curved portion 68 is curved
according to a radius R1 and second curved portion 70 is curved in
an opposite direction according to a radius R2. While they could be
of different radii, in the illustrated embodiment, first curved
portion 68 and said second curved portion 70 have approximately the
same radii of curvature. This radius of curvature is approximately
1.5 inches, but could be a greater or lesser amount. Back brace 26
provides flexible support to backrest 24 while withstanding the
stress provided by repeated force being placed on the backrest by a
user leaning backward without failing. Also, generally planar
member 64 is tapered from end portion 65b toward end portion 65a,
as best seen in FIG. 14b. Backrest 24 may be made up of an outer
frame 72 and a front panel 74 and a rear panel 76 supported within
the frame by a series of fasteners, such as self-tapping screws 77.
Upholstered covers 78a, 78b may be applied over panels 74, 76
utilizing conventional techniques. A bracket 80 may optionally be
provided in order to enclose a hand hold with frame 72 at the top
of the chair. Outer frame 72 is made from an extruded member 86
having a generally tubular base 88 and a fin 90 extending from the
tubular member. In the illustrated embodiment, tubular member 88
and fin 90 are coextruded, such as from aluminum. Fin 90 extends
inwardly from tubular member 88 and forms a fastening surface. In
this manner, fasteners 77 are received in fin 90 to retain panels
74, 76 in position. Fin 90 may have a scalloped shape 92 at least
partially as a result of forming of a straight extrusion into at
least a partially curved frame. This scalloped shape adds strength
to the fin to resist force applied by fasteners 77 penetrating the
fin. A slit 75 is formed through a lower portion of outer frame 72
to receive end portion 65b of back brace 26 which is attached to
front panel 74, such as with fasteners 81 passing through clearance
holes in planar member 64 and engaging threaded fasteners 83. It
should be understood that although backrest 24 is illustrated as a
circular shape, it could be other shapes, such as rectilinear,
shield shape, or the like.
[0039] In an alternative embodiment, a chair 120 includes a base
122, a backrest 124 and a back brace 126 joining backrest 124 to
base 122 (FIGS. 15 and 16). Base 122 is made up of a seat assembly
130 that is similar to seat assembly 30 and a leg assembly 128
joined with seat assembly 130. Leg assembly 128 is made up of leg
members 152 that are joined with a joiner 158 in the same fashion
that leg members 52 are joined with a joiner 58. Let members 152
have a vertical portion 154 and a horizontal portion 156. Vertical
portion 154 is a curved design that has a double bend including an
inwardly facing curve 94 and an outwardly facing curve 96. Because
leg assembly 128 is made up of separate leg members, each having
only one vertical portion, it is possible to manufacture each
vertical portion with multiple bends. Other advantages will be
apparent to the skilled artisan.
[0040] In another alternative embodiment, a chair (not shown)
includes a seat assembly 230 having a pan 232. Pan 232, which may
be formed in a similar manner as pan 32, has a bottom member 236
and side walls 238 extending upwardly from the bottom member
defining an upward opening cavity 240. Pan 232 further includes a
plurality of ribs 244 to give strength to the member to resist the
force placed on side walls 238 from a flexible support membrane
(not shown) tensioned across cavity 240. Pan 232 further includes a
plurality of channels 248, each of which is capable of receiving a
half of a leg assembly (not shown) having a horizontal portion and
two vertical portions. In this embodiment, pan 232 serves to
mechanically combine the half leg assemblies and provide rigidity
to the structure. A plurality of offsets 98 provide a mounting
surface for a back brace (not shown).
[0041] Changes and modifications in the specifically described
embodiments can be carried out without departing from the
principles of the invention which is intended to be limited only by
the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the
principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.
* * * * *