Patent Grant
6908159
1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flexible or foldable panel for a seat such as a chair or a stool. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a flexible panel for a reclinable office chair. The invention also relates to a seat depth adjustment mechanism. While the invention is described in terms of commercial office chairs, the invention may have application to any other type of seating such as public seating for theatres, aircraft or domestic seating.
2. The Relevant Technology
When a person sits in a chair, there are two boney protuberances on which the person sits. These are referred to as the ischial protuberositises. It can be uncomfortable to sit on these for a period of time and therefore seats such as chairs and stools are generally padded with one or more layers of foam for user comfort. Depending upon the quality of the foam, the user can still experience some discomfort after a period of time because once he sinks down into the foam, he still may encounter a greater resistance bearing on the ischial protuberosities, compared to other parts of his derriere.
It is an object of at least an aspect of the present invention to provide a flexible seat panel which more comfortably accommodates the occupant's ischial protuberosities.
In office chairs, it is desirable to have seat portions in which the forward portion is deflectable under the weight of the occupant. See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,050,931 and 4,498,702. U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,931 has a generally flexible seat portion but a relatively complex spring mechanism is required in order to upwardly bias the forward portion and prevent it from unduly sagging under the occupant's weight. The arrangement shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,498,702 is a cumbersome arrangement in which a separate forward portion of the seat portion is connected to a rearward portion of the seat portion by leaf springs. The prior art suffers from the disadvantage that in order for the seat portion to have sufficient strength, complex spring mechanisms are required to prevent the forward portion from unduly sagging under the weight of the occupant.
It is yet another object of at least an aspect of the present invention to provide a flexible or foldable seat panel which alleviates the requirement for a complex spring mechanism to resist undue sagging of the forward portion of the seat portion.
As the reader will appreciate, people come in a great deal of different shapes and sizes. As the chair market stands at present, office chairs are required to cater for a large range of occupant sizes. A commonly available adjustment is seat depth adjustment as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,258. This US patent also illustrates that the forward portion of the seat portion may be deflectable under the occupant's weight thereby defining a transverse fold line. However, the fold line is disposed the same distance from the front of the seat portion, irrespective of the seat depth position which does not cater for different sizes of seat occupants. Furthermore, another disadvantage of this prior art arrangement is that a complex spring arrangement is required to upwardly bias the forward portion of the seat portion. In one embodiment, the user is required to adjust the spring force to suit his requirements and in another embodiment the spring force is non-adjustable.
It is therefore an object of at least an aspect of the present invention to provide a means for resisting flex of the forward portion of the seat portion which offers a resistance correlating to the seat depth position.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a seat portion for a seat wherein the seat portion comprises a panel comprising a rear portion to support the occupant, the rear portion having a longitudinal centerline and incorporating two zones either side of the longitudinal centerline wherein each of the zones comprises a first pattern of weakeners arranged in a series of spaced sinuous lines.
Preferably the panel is of a unitary construction which is weakened in specific locations enabling the zones to form pockets which accommodate the ischial protuberosities of an occupant sitting in the seat. Preferably, a plurality of weakeners are provided to provide the zones with increased give in response to an occupant sitting in the seat. The weakeners may be in the form of apertures. For example, the seat panel may be perforated. However, a slotted pattern is the most preferred construction. An alternative construction is to provide weakeners, each of which is in the form of a reduction in thickness in the specific location where it is desired to increase flexibility.
The seat portion may also include a forward portion integrally formed with the back portion to form a unitary shell to support the occupant. The seat panel might be provided with an overall pattern of weakeners to enhance flexibility. The zones may have an increased concentration of weakeners compared to the remainder of the seat panel. For example, a preferred overall pattern is a pattern of weakeners arranged as a series of spaced transversely extending sinuous lines. Preferably the pattern of transversely extending sinuous lines is interrupted by the two zones. The zones may be of any shape such as circular, square, although a rectangular shape is preferred which allows some flexibility as to the particular location of the seated occupant relative to the seat panel and also allows for the fact that chair occupants come in all different shapes and sizes.
In a most preferred form of the invention, the zones also include a pattern of weakeners arranged in spaced longitudinally extending sinuous lines. Preferably, the weakeners in the zones are slots. Additionally, the longitudinally extending lines within the zones may be more closely spaced than the transversely extending lines in the remainder of the seat panel. Moreover, it is also preferred that the frequency of the repeating wave of the longitudinally extending lines in the zones is greater than the frequency of the transverse sinuous lines in the remainder of the seat panel.
As mentioned above, the seat panel is preferably an integral one piece panel incorporating the rear portion and the forward portion. Additionally, the seat panel could be integral with the back panel incorporating an integral hinge to allow flexibility between the back panel and the seat panel. The seat panel is preferably of moulded plastics construction which is moulded in a specific shape to enhance user comfort. In particular, the rear of the seat panel may be dished. Furthermore, at approximately one third of the length of the seat panel along the longitudinal centreline, there may be provided a transverse plateau portion which is generally flat. Forwardly of the transverse plateau portion, preferably the seat portion dips downwardly. Additionally, the corners may also dip downwardly. In a most preferred form of the invention the panel essentially comprises a sheet. The sheet may incorporate stiffening webs on the underside thereof extending in either the transverse or longitudinal direction. Preferably, the stiffening webs extending in the transverse direction follow the pattern of spaced transversely extending sinuous lines. The transverse webs may be disposed in between the lines of weakeners.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a seat panel for a seat comprising a rear portion to support the occupant, the rear portion having a longitudinal centerline and incorporating two zones either side of the longitudinal centerline, there being surrounding portions surrounding the zones, wherein the panel is of a construction which provides enhanced flexibility in each of the zones compared to the surrounding portions and wherein a substantial portion of the panel, apart from the zones is provided with a pattern of weakeners arranged in a series of spaced sinuous lines, interrupted by the zones.
The flexible panel described in the abovementioned aspect may incorporate any of the preferred features described in accordance with the first aspect of the invention as set out above.
In accordance with the third aspect of the present invention there is provided a seat construction for supporting a seat occupant, the seat construction including: a seat portion which is foldable about a transverse fold under the weight of the occupant; a seat depth adjustment mechanism to adjust the position of the seat portion in and out over a range of positions between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the seat portion incorporates a resistance to folding which increases as the seat position is adjusted towards the extended position.
In a preferred form of the invention, the seat depth adjustment mechanism may include a seat guide, the seat portion being moveable relative to the seat guide with the seat portion being transversely foldable relative to a fixed portion of the seat guide such that the transverse fold shifts by an amount corresponding to the depth adjustment of the seat. Accordingly, the transverse fold may lie anywhere within a predetermined transition zone on the seat portion.
The construction of the seat portion may vary over the transition zone in order to provide the corresponding adjustment of the resistance to folding. For example, the thickness of the seat portion may increase over the transition zone in the direction towards the rear of the seat portion. The transition and thickness may be a stepped increase or gradual i.e., tapered seat portion.
In a preferred form of the invention, the seat portion incorporates longitudinally extending stiffening webs. Suitably, the longitudinal webs are provided on the underside of the seat portion. The longitudinally extending webs may increase in girth over the transition zone in the direction towards the rear of the seat. For example, the webs may increase in height or alternatively increase in thickness. In a most preferred form of the invention, the longitudinally extending webs begin at nil thickness at the beginning of the transition zone and gradually increase in height in the rearward direction, over the transition zone, the longitudinal webs being maintained of a uniform height rearwardly of the transition zone. Preferably there are four longitudinally extending stiffening webs. Preferably, the seat portion is one piece. In a most preferred form of the invention, the seat portion is an integral moulded plastic panel construction.
The seat depth adjustment mechanism may be selectively operable by the seat occupant. The position of the seat portion may be adjustable in increments so that
The seat portion may adopt any one of a finite number of positions between the extended and the retracted position. Preferably, the seat depth adjustment mechanism includes a lock having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration with the seat depth i adjustment mechanism being normally biased towards the locked configuration with an actuator provided to selectively move the lock to the unlocked configuration.
In a preferred form of the invention, the seat depth adjustment mechanism includes a seat carriage slidably supported on the seat guide. The seat carriage may incorporate the seat portion. However, in a preferred form of the invention, the seat portion is a discrete member attached to the seat carriage. In a most preferred form of the invention the seat portion is in the form of a flexible panel fixed to the seat carriage.
The panel further includes a plurality of dependent spacers disposed forwardly of the seat carriage. Preferably, the spacers bear against the seat guide when the occupant's weight is brought to bear on a forward part of the seat portion. Preferably the spacers are arranged in a longitudinally extending line and gaps may be provided between adjacent spacers such that when the sides or edges of the spacers on each side of the gaps engage, the maximum curvature of the transverse fold is defined. Most preferably, the gaps are in the form of inverted V-shaped gaps such that on maximum curvature of the transverse fold, the sides of each gap engage with each other to close the gap. Most preferably, the spacers comprise a series of blocks which extend longitudinally over the length of the transition zone. Preferably, the blocks also reduce in height towards the front of the seat portion. The top of the blocks may define a taper.
In a most preferred form of the invention, the seat carriage is slidably supported on two guides arranged on opposite sides of the seat construction. Accordingly, there may be two sets of spacers, each of which bear against a respective seat guide.
As has been explained in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the seat portion may comprise a flexible panel which is moulded into a three dimensional shape to enhance comfort for the occupant. The features of three dimensional shape described above in accordance with the first aspect of the invention may be applied to the aspect of the invention defined above. Additionally, the seat panel may incorporate a pattern of weakeners to enhance the flexibility and the foldability of the seat panel as discussed in connection with the foregoing aspects of the invention.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a seat construction for supporting a seat occupant including: a seat portion which is foldable about a transverse fold under the weight of the occupant; a seat depth adjustment mechanism to adjust the seat portion in and out over a range of positions between an extended position and a retracted position, the seat depth adjustment mechanism including a seat guide relative to which the seat portion is adjustably moveable, wherein the seat portion folds transversely about a fixed portion of the seat guide.
Accordingly, a transition zone may be defined in the seat portion between the location of the transverse fold in the retracted position of the seat portion and the location of the transverse fold in to the extended position of the seat portion. Preferably, the seat portion is a one piece plastics panel provided with a pattern of weakeners, the pattern extending for at least the width of the transition zone to enhance the transverse foldability of the seat panel over the transition zone. The pattern of weakeners may incorporate any of the features described above in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. The preferred form is a series of spaced lines of discontinuous slots, the lines extending sinuously in a transverse direction with the lines curving convex forwardly across the centreline of the seat portion.
Additionally, the seat portion may be carried by a seat carriage which is moveable relative to the seat guide. The seat portion may be in the form of a flexible panel which incorporates dependent spacers as described in connection with the preceding aspect of the invention.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a flexible seat panel for supporting a seat occupant, the seat panel being foldable about a transverse fold under the weight of the occupant wherein the panel incorporates longitudinally extending stiffening webs which, for at least a portion of their length increase in girth in the rearward direction.
The longitudinal webs may be variable in either width or height or a combination of both over said portion of their length. Preferably, the webs taper in height in the rearward direction.
The panel may be foldable about a transverse fold anywhere within a transition zone disposed in an intermediate location of the panel. Preferably, the webs offer increased resistance to folding as the transverse fold is moved in the rearward direction over this transition zone.
The above aspect of the invention may incorporate any of the features described in connection with the foregoing aspects.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is a provided a seat depth adjustment mechanism including: a seat guide; and a seat carriage slidably supported on the seat guide, the seat carriage being slidable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the seat guide has a guide glide surface and the seat carriage has a carriage glide surface, the guide glide surface and the carriage glide surface being in sliding engagement with each other, wherein one of the glide surfaces is formed by a liner having integral resilient projections engaging the other of the glide surfaces.
Preferably the liner is in the form of a plastic liner having integrally formed projections. The plastic liner may be moulded. The resilient projections may be of any shape. In the preferred form of the invention the resilient projections are in the form of archlets. Preferably, the archlets are formed with ends which are contiguous with the remainder of the glide surface from which they project with the side edges of the archlets being spaced therefrom, thereby defining arch-shaped openings on each side. Preferably, the archlets are arranged in a staggered pattern.
Preferably, the liner is incorporated into the seat guide. However, this is not essential and the liner may alternatively be incorporated into the carriage. In a preferred form of the invention, there are two seat guides on opposite sides of the carriage, slidably supporting the carriage. In this form of the invention, each of the seat guides may incorporate a liner, the two liners being a mirror image of each other. Each of the plastic liners may be supported by a metal part of the guide.
Where two liners are incorporated into respective seat guides, the glide surfaces with the projections may define two facing upright glide surfaces engaging against upright glide surfaces on opposite sides of the carriage. Preferably, each glide surface with the projections is maintained in spaced configuration from the associated metal part of the seat guide. This also provides a measure of resiliency for the glide surface with projections. Preferably, the glide surface with projections is maintained in spaced configuration from the associated seat guide by a peripheral wall extending from the seat guide to the glide surface with projections. It will be appreciated that this arrangement with two facing glide surfaces with projections is advantageous since it centres a carriage between the two seat guides. The arrangement also takes up any slack between the carriage and the adjacent seat guides, thereby reducing the risk of jamming of the seat carriage between the seat guides.
The liners may also include upper glide surfaces on which the carriage is supported. These upper glide surfaces may be provided with or without resilient projections. Preferably, the liners are formed as integrally moulded plastic constructions including the upper glide surfaces and the upright glide surfaces, and being of L-shape in transverse section.
The seat adjustment mechanism may be provided with a user operable lock in order to secure the seat carriage at a selected location between the retracted position and the extended position. Preferably, the lock is biased towards the locked configuration.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seat depth adjustment mechanism including: a seat guide; and a seat carriage slidably supported on the seat guide, the seat carriage being slidable between a retracted position and an extended position, the seat guide including a supporting portion supporting a liner, the liner having a guide glide surface and the seat carriage having a carriage glide surface, the guide glide surface and the carriage glide surface being in sliding engagement with each other, wherein the guide glide surface includes integral resilient projections directed towards and engageable with the supporting portion, the remainder of the guide glide surface being spaced from the supporting portion.
This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.
The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.
In order that the invention may be more fully understood, some embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the Figures in which:
a is an exploded perspective view of a back portion of the chair shown in
b is a perspective view of a back attach casting forming part of the back portion of the chair illustrated in
a is a rear perspective view of the assembled parts of
b is a perspective view of a supplementary spring forming part of the back portion of the chair;
c is a perspective view of a push link forming part of the recline mechanism of the second embodiment;
d is cross-sectional view of a detail of the back portion assembled with the push link of
a is a perspective view of the chair according to the second embodiment from the rear, with certain parts removed for clarity;
b is a perspective view of a detail of
a is a different perspective view showing a similar detail to
b is a perspective view of the opposite side the seat guide to that shown in
c is a perspective view of the seat guide as shown in
First Embodiment
Since the Figures illustrate the chair from various different angles as convenient to explain certain parts, an arrow marked “F” has been inserted into the drawings where appropriate. Accordingly the terms forward, rearward, left side and right side should be construed accordingly.
The elongate attachment portion 30 is releasably engaged within one end of the main transom 22. The manner of attachment is not significant to the present invention but further disclosure relative thereto is found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/953,850, filed concurrently with the present application in the names of Jonathan William Prince and Paul Michael Wilkinson, and entitled Arm Assembly for a Chair, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by specific reference.
Back Portion
The back portion 16 is defined by a peripheral frame 34 which is approximately rectangular in shape, as shown in FIG. 2. In the finished chair the peripheral frame 34 has a mesh fabric stretched over it in a manner described more fully in connection with
Rigidly connected to the lower end of the peripheral frame 34 is a back attach casting 48. The back attach casting 48 is an integrally cast component as shown in
The back attach casting 48 also includes 2 pairs of opposed walls 54 on opposite sides (more clearly seen in FIG. 27). Each pair of spaced walls 54 defines a forwardly extending channel 64 in which a spring carrier 60 is received. Each pair of opposed walls 54 includes aligned slots 56. The spring carrier 60 (to be described more fully in connection with
Furthermore, the back attach casting 48 includes two forwardly extending hollow projections 66. The hollow projections 66 each define a socket 68. Two back extension arms 70 are welded within respective sockets 68 of the hollow projections 66.
Referring to
Reference is now made to
Recline Limits
As mentioned above, a nose portion 72 is defined forwardly of each back extension arm 70. The nose portion 72 has two bosses 84 extending sideways from the flanks of the nose portion 72. The bosses 84 are receivable within facing slots 86 in the opposed supporting webs 78. Each of the facing slots 86 has a base formed therein. During rotation of the back extension arm 70 about pivot R, the bosses 84 move within respective ones of the facing slots 86. In the forward most position of the back portion 16 in its pivoting action about the recline axis R, the bosses 84 will bottom out at the bases of the slots 86 thereby defining forward limits. This is referred to as the forward active position of the back portion 16.
The chin portion 74 of each back extension arm 70 includes a first abutment surface 88 for engagement with a second abutment surface 90 (see
Recline Biasing Device
Referring to
A second recline spring 96 also has one end received in one of the facing slots 92. However, the second recline spring 96 is somewhat shorter than the first recline spring 94 so the second end of the second recline spring 96 is not received within the other facing slot 92 (see FIG. 10). As shown, the second spring is also in the form of a elongate spring bar or leaf spring. The second spring 96 lays behind the first spring 94, against the first spring 94, for at least half the length of the first spring 94. An adjustable clamp 100 (see
The adjustable clamp 100 is illustrated in FIG. 7. The adjustable clamp 100 includes a U-shaped bracket 101 which extends around the two recline springs 94, 96. A cam 102 is mounted on axle 103 extending between the two legs of the U-shaped bracket 101. The axle 103 is journaled for rotation about an axis 104. The cam 102 includes four cam surface portions 105a, 105b, 105c and 105d as shown in FIG. 8. The cam surface portions are substantially flat as indicated and each is spaced a different amount from the cam axis 104. The spacing decreases in the clockwise direction around the cam 102 from 105a through to 105d. The cam 102 bears against the free end of the second spring 96. The chair occupant can adjust the position of the cam to determine which of the cam surface portions 105a-105d will bear against the free end of the second spring 96. A progressively higher clamping force and hence higher resultant spring rate of the second spring can be obtained as the occupant rotates the cam 102 through to the maximum setting at 105a. At 105e, an extension to the cam 102 is provided to prevent over rotation of the cam 102. A knob 103b is provided for user adjustment of the cam 102.
The change in the net spring force over distance is illustrated graphically in
Recline Lock
The elongate lock bar 107 can be seen in
The arrangement in connection with the right hand lock bit 110 (shown in the left in the figure) is slightly different. It can be seen that the associated extension arm 70 has the recline lock face 112. Additionally, the associated arm 70 is provided with the rebate 114 adjacent to the recline lock face 112. In the recline lock position, the lock bit 110 is engaged with the recline lock face 112 whereas in the recline operative position, the left lock bit 110 is received within the rebate 114. When the lock bit is received within the rebate 114, the associated back extension arm 70 can still pivot freely about the recline axis.
Modified Form of Back Extension Arms, Main Transom, Recline Springs and Recline Lock—Second Embodiment
Many of the parts described in connection with the second embodiment will be similar in many respects to corresponding parts in the first embodiment. Where the parts are essentially equivalent, like reference numerals are used. Where the parts differ in construction but perform an equivalent or analogous function, a prime (′) will be used following the relevant reference numeral.
From
A recline lock may be operated selectively by the user to prevent the back portion from reclining or to set an intermediate recline limit. As seen in
As already explained, the forward end of the back extension arm 70′ is forked as shown to define right and left forks 93c, 93d. As the key 107a is moved into a position whereby the first abutment surface 107b is aligned with the right fork 93c then the first abutment surface 107b will interfere with the recline action of the back extension arm because the first abutment surface 107b will hit the underside of the main transom 22′ before the forward surface portion 93a normally would. This allows recline of 12°. When the key 107a is moved so that the second abutment surface 107c is aligned with the right fork 93c then the second abutment surface 107c is disposed such that any recline of the back extension arm 70′ is prevented or at least largely prevented. A recline lock is thereby defined.
The main transom 22′ includes a rearward extension 22a having a bearing block 98′ seated in a complementary recess on the upper surface of the rearward extension 22a. The bearing block 98′ defines a complementary recess to receive a central portion of the second recline spring 97. As the back extension arms 70′ recline relative to the main transom 22′, the second recline spring 97 is caused to bend downwardly at its ends while the intermediate portion is held fixed by being seated in the bearing block 98′ on the main transom 22′. The second recline spring 97 thus resists rearward recline and biases the back extension arms 70′ toward the forward recline limit. The second recline spring 97 is pre-loaded at the forward recline limit by being slightly bent. This is achieved by having the centres of the bores 92b slightly below the centre of the spring in the recess of the bearing block 98′.
The first recline spring 95 operates on a similar principle but is somewhat more complex. The first recline spring 95 is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 17 and comprises a spring portion 95a, in the form of a flat bar. The outer ends of the first recline spring 95 are fitted with cylindrical bosses 99a to be received in the facing cylindrical bores 92a provided in the back extension arms 70′. Additionally, a central cylindrical boss 99b is fitted onto the bar 95a. The central boss 99b is slotted to allow the bar 99a to pass through. As shown in
The first recline spring 95 is adjustable to change the spring rate. This is achieved by rotating the first spring 95 about the longitudinal axis of the spring through the use of paddle 99c which is fixed onto the spring bar portion 95a. It can be seen from the cross-sectional views shown in
Referring to
Stiffness Adjustment of Peripheral Frame—First Embodiment
The rebate 124 has spaced threaded bores 130 provided therein. A leaf spring 128 has a lower end 131 shaped to be received within the rebate 124. The lower end 131 has two spaced apertures 133 provided therein. These apertures 133 align with the threaded bores 130 provided on the spring carrier so that the leaf spring 128 may be securely fastened to the spring carrier 60. From the lower end 131 in the upwards direction, the leaf spring 128 gradually increases in width with a slight tapering in thickness, although overall the leaf spring 128 is of generally elongate configuration as shown. The leaf spring 128 is constructed from high tensile spring steel.
As can be seen in
The drive link 141 is pivotally connected at an intermediate location along its length to the main transom 22 for pivoting motion about the recline axis R. Specifically, the drive link 141 is pivotally connected to lie adjacent to the outer one of the opposed supporting webs 78 of the main transom 22. A common pivot pin (not shown) interconnects both of the opposed supporting webs 78, the back attach arm 70 through aperture 75, and the drive link 141.
The main transom 22 forms another element of the four bar linkage. As has already been explained, the main transom 22 is centrally mounted to the supporting frame at the top of the central support column 20 which incorporates a height adjustable pneumatic spring 145. The height adjustment 145 is selectively operable by the chair occupant. However, the main transom 22 is normally stationary relative to the supporting frame.
The seat portion 14 is slidably mounted to a seat guide 149 in a manner which will be described more fully in connection with
From
Operation of Recline Mechanism
The operation of the recline mechanism will now be explained in connection with FIG. 31. Reference is only made to the four bar linkage elements on one side of the chair. The reader will appreciate that the elements are duplicated on the other side of the chair. As already stated above, the back portion 16 is reclinable about recline axis R. First and second recline springs bias the seat portion 16 into the forward active position. In the unoccupied state, the arrangement of the elements of the four bar linkage is determined by the spring tension of leaf spring 128. The natural resiliency of the leaf spring 128 will tend to straighten the leaf spring 128 thereby urging the spring carrier 60 in a clockwise direction about the pins 62. This determines the position of the push link in the unoccupied state of the chair. With no force exerted on the seat guide 149, the elements of the four bar linkage will be held in an unoccupied position on account of the natural resiliency of the spring 128 acting through push link 139.
When a user bears weight W against the seat portion 14, this will be taken up by the seat guide 149 whereby the drive link 141 will be driven to rotate in an anticlockwise direction around recline axis R. This will cause the push link 139 to move generally upwardly and rearwardly thereby rotating spring carrier 60 anticlockwise about pivot pins 62. The lower portion of the peripheral frame 34 is rigidly held within back attach casting 48 which is stopped in its forward active position as already explained. With anticlockwise rotation of the spring carrier 60, the leaf spring 128 will be caused to bend with the upper part pushing against the back of the peripheral frame 34. Depending upon the flexibility of the peripheral frame 34, the occupant's weight will be taken up by a spring tension in leaf spring 128 as it flexes against the back of the peripheral frame 34. This has the effect of stiffening the back portion against rearward flexing. It will be appreciated that the tension imparted to leaf spring 128 will depend upon the weight of the user W applied to the seat portion 14. The greater the weight W, the greater the tension taken up by the leaf spring 128 and thus the greater the degree of stiffness imparted to the leaf spring 128 to resist rearward flexing of the peripheral frame 34. Accordingly, the stiffness of the peripheral frame 34 will be adjusted according to the weight W of the chair occupant.
If the occupant's weight W exceeds a predetermined level then the leaf spring 128 will be tensioned to a point where the forked end 125 of the spring carrier 60 engages against the rear wall 135 of the back attach casting 48. This provides a limit to the amount of tension imparted to the leaf spring 128. The limit is reached at about 80 kg.
As already mentioned, the gentle serpentine shape of the peripheral frame 34 is designed to correspond with the shape of the occupant's spine for the comfort of the occupant. With the flexing action of the back portion, the ergonomics of the chair are further enhanced because this enables the occupant to exercise his spine. The general health of a person's spine is enhanced by movement. The stiffness of the back portion in rearward flexing is adjusted according to the occupant's weight. Therefore, within a certain range, the ease of rearward flexing will correlate to the weight of the occupant. Therefore, a light person will be able to obtain full benefit from the rearward flexing action by applying a light force against the peripheral frame. Also, a heavier person will encounter a greater resistance to flexing, ensuring that the peripheral frame is not too floppy for a large person. The chair is designed so that the occupant will be able to obtain deflection through flexing in the range of 80 mm to 120 mm.
Since the seat portion 14 undergoes a net increase in height with the rearward recline action, the occupant's weight W will be counteracting the recline action, together with the bias applied by the first and second recline springs 94, 96. The weight of the occupant W will therefore be a variable factor in the ease with which the back portion 16 reclines. If the adjustable second recline spring 96 is set at a constant level then a heavier person will encounter a greater resistance to reclining action than a lighter person. This establishes an automatic correlation between the weight of the person and the resistance to the reclining action. For a large proportion of people who fit within physical norms this automatic adjustment may be sufficient. However, people come in all different shapes and sizes and therefore additional adjustment is required through the use of the clamping adjustment as explained previously. For example, a very tall, light person may obtain leverage through their height which makes the back portion 16 fall back too easily against their low weight W.
The net increase in height also has the advantage of raising the occupant during recline so that the eye level of the chair occupant can be maintained even though he is undergoing a reclining action.
Once the chair is fully reclined (as determined by the first abutment surface 88 engaging against second abutment surface 90), the peripheral frame will still be able to flex under additional force applied by the chair occupant. As already mentioned, it is considered that the peripheral frame will be capable of undergoing deflection in the range of 80 mm to 120 mm. During the recline action, it is considered that the weight of the user against the back portion will bring about a deflection of up to 20 mm. Therefore, once the recline limit is reached, the occupant still has further deflection available through flexing of the peripheral frame in the range of 60 to 100 mm.
As explained subsequently in connection with
Modified Form of Back Portion—Second Embodiment
c illustrates the modified form of the push link 139′. The push link is arcuate in configuration. At one end, the push link has an aperture 452 to which it can be pivotally connected to drive link 141′ (see
Referring to
d illustrates the assembled configuration of the push link 139′, the back attach casting 48′, the leaf spring 128′, the supplementary spring 450 and the peripheral frame 34′.
The operation of the recline mechanism has already been described in connection with FIG. 31 and the operation is not substantially different in the second embodiment and thus can be understood by reference to
b illustrates in greater detail the form of the supplementary spring 450. The supplementary spring is in the form of a leaf spring having an enlarged head formation 478 which includes two bights 480 on opposite edges. The bites 480 cooperate with facing complementary locating blocks 482 disposed on opposite sides of the forwardly extending channel 64.
a illustrates certain components of the recline mechanism although the peripheral frame 34′ and the back attach casting 48′ have been removed for clarity. As in the previous embodiment, the drive link 141′ is pivotally mounted to the main transom 22′ at an intermediate location. The opposite end of the drive link 141′ to that which the push link 139′ is attached is pivotally connected with the seat guide 149′. Similarly, the front support link 151′ is connected between the seat guide 149′ and the main transom 22′. In this embodiment, the drive link 141′ and the front support link 151′ are also curved about one or more upright axes as well as being curved about a horizontal transverse axis as described with the first embodiment. This renders a more complex shape for the seat guide 149′ as depicted in FIG. 43.
Seat Panel—First and Second Embodiments
It will be noted that while the seat panel 14 is depicted in the computer generated drawings of
The illustrations in
In the rear half of the panel, the slots are arranged in a pattern to accommodate the ischial protuberosities of the occupant. In particular, the slotted pattern provides two spaced, approximately rectangular zones 162 whose locations correspond to the ischial protuberosities of the occupant (assuming the occupant is properly seated with an appropriate seat depth adjustment). The two zones 162 interrupt the transverse slot pattern. Each zone is comprised of slots arranged in a series of longitudinally extending, transversely spaced sinuous lines. The lines of slots are discontinuous. The longitudinal arrangement of slots in each zone 162 enables the remaining material between the longitudinal lines of slots to spread apart thereby creating pockets, one for each ischial protuberosity of the seat occupant.
It will be appreciated that if the seat panel 14 is located in a rearward position in order to suit a small person then the depth of the stiffening ribs in the region at the transition point 161 is shallow thereby offering little resistance to flexing. Generally, this suits a small, light weight person. However, for a larger person, the seat panel will be disposed further forwardly in relation to the seat guide 149. The depth of the stiffening ribs in the location of the transition point 161 will be deeper, thereby offering increased resistance to bending. This suits a larger, heavier person.
The start taper point 164 is at a position which corresponds to the transition point 161 when the seat is at its full forward position to suit a large person. The taper finish point 166 is at a position corresponding to the transition point on the seat guide 149 with the seat in the rear most position to suit a small person. The taper start point 164 and the taper finish point 161 define a transition zone therebetween. The transverse fold may be disposed at a range of positions within the transition zone, dependent on seat depth adjustment. The pattern of transversely extending sinuous lines of slots extends for at least the transition zone.
Seat Depth Adjustment Mechanism
As shown in
The seat carriage 167 is of unitary cast aluminium construction and comprises two spaced slides, each of which engages with a respective seat guide 149. Each slide is of a generally L-shaped configuration having an upright glide surface 186 on an inner wall for sliding engagement with the inner glide surface 180 and a horizontal glide surface 187 for engaging with the upper glide surface 178. The carriage is of a symmetrical configuration about a central upright longitudinally extending plane of the chair. The two slides provided on the right and left are thereby of opposite configuration. The two slides are joined by transversely extending bearers 190.
The inner glide surface 180 is moulded with a series of archlets which extend from the inner glide surface 180. The archlets 184 protrude inwardly (relative to the chair as a whole) to bear against the upright glide surface 186 of the seat carriage 167. The archlets may be arranged in any pattern but preferably they are staggered along the length of the inner glide surface 180. Both of the seat guide liners 176 have inwardly extending archlets bearing against the associated upright glide surfaces of 186 of the carriage 167. The archlets 184 thereby act against the carriage to centre the carriage 167 centrally between the two seat guides 149. Furthermore, in the event that the parts are not accurately tooled, the resilient archlets 184 will take up any slack between the upright glide surface 186 and the inner glide surface 180. This assists to prevent jamming of the carriage 167 within the seat guides 149.
A seat depth stop 174 (
Seat Depth Adjustment—Second Embodiment
As with the previous embodiment, the seat guides 149′ include seat guide liners 176′ having an upper glide surface 178′ and an inner glide surface 180′ to slidably engage with the respective slide of the seat carriage 167′. The seat guide liners 176′ will be described in greater detail in connection with
As shown in
The second actuator portion 170b is connected via cable 488 to a pivotable pawl 490. The pawl is engageable between any one of a plurality of teeth provided on a rack 492 formed on the underside of the seat carriage 167′. The pawl and rack arrangement 490, 492 is also duplicated on the other side of the seat carriage 167′ as shown in FIG. 62. The cable 488 passes from the right hand pawl 490 around to the other side of the seat carriage 167′ for simultaneous operation of the two pawls 490. The user depresses the control lever 169′ to operate the second actuator portion 170b to pivot the two pawls against a bias out of engagement with the teeth of the associated rack 492. The seat carriage 167′ can then be slid to an appropriate seat depth where upon the occupant releases the control lever 169′ to enable each of the pawls 490 to engage with the associated rack 492.
As already explained, the seat guide 149′ illustrated in
It can been seen in
Lumbar Support Mechanism
As can be seen more clearly in
At the other end of the short arm, the swivel 217 is pivotally mounted about pivot 221. The swivel 217 includes a plate-like member and two ball-like formations 222, protruding from the end of the short arm. The ball-like formations 222 are shaped to engage within the same channel 209 provided on the rear of the lumbar support panel 207. Each of the hinges 214 is connected to the back beam 46 by the use of a pin (not shown) extending through the aligned apertures 220 as well as two aligned apertures 224 provided on the back beam 46. The apertures 224 are circular and the pin is also of circular cross-section. This enables the hinges 214 to pivot as well as to achieve a translatory movement within a small range defined by the shape of the aligned apertures 220.
As shown in
The panel 207 abuts against the top of the back attach casting 48 to stop it from sliding down until the balls disengage from the channel. Additionally caps (not shown) close the top of the channels 209.
Also illustrated in
The lumbar support panel 207 is of generally curved configuration as illustrated in
While the pumps are not shown in
Therefore, the occupant of the chair can adjust the forward position of the lumbar support panel 207b by adjusting the inflation of the bellows 247. Since the bellows 247 are air-filled they will possess a natural resiliency because the air can be compressed in the bellows 247 as the chair occupant pushes against the lumbar support panel 207b.
Lumbar Support—Second Embodiment
As shown in
Furthermore, the configuration of the spring units 226′ is changed compared to the first embodiment. The spring units 226 still function in the same manner to bias the hinges 214′ forwardly. However, the hinge unit 226′ includes an elongate U-shaped spring portion 522. As can be appreciated from the exploded view in
The back beam 46′ mounts a lumbar preference control device 526 as shown in
The lumbar preference control device 526 includes a pair of position adjustment protrusions 526a, either or both of which may be gripped by a user to slide the preference control device 526 along the back beam 46′.
A ripple strip similar to that described above with reference to
The webs 546 are of a resiliently flexible nature and thus create a cushioning between the first sheet 542 and the second sheet 544. Additionally, the arrow-like formation of the webs 546 means that the buckling resistance of the webs 546 is already overcome. In contrast, if the webs had been straight then there would be an initial buckling resistance to overcome thereby resulting in a more jerky movement as the first sheet 542 is pushed towards the second sheet 544. The arrow like formations 546 thus creates a softer more comfortable cushioning effect.
Upholstery
As has been described previously, the uprights of the peripheral frame each include a rearwardly open channel 44 in which the leaf spring 128 resides as has been explained previously. The upright member 38 also includes a second rearwardly open channel 252 of much narrower configuration than the first mentioned rearwardly open channel 44. The second rearwardly open channel 252 receives an attachment strip 254. The attachment strip 254 is of extruded resilient plastics material in the form shown. The attachment strip 254 has a longitudinal extending lip 550 which engages with retainer portions 552 provided along one of the walls of the channel 252 to assist in holding the attachment strip 254 within the channel 252. The attachment strip 254 also includes a part 258 which extends over the edge of the channel 252 when the lip 550 is engaged with retainer portions 552. The mesh fabric 260 is sized so that with the attachment strip 254 secured within the second rearwardly open channel 252 on both sides of the back portion 16, the mesh fabric 260 will be relatively taut across the peripheral frame. The top of the mesh fabric 260 is also held within a top rearwardly open channel 253, in the same manner. The bottom of the mesh fabric 260 is held within a bottom rearwardly open channel 255 in the same manner. The attachment strip 254 is a unitary strip extending around the entire periphery of the peripheral frame 34.
As already explained, the peripheral frame 34 is of flexible construction, particularly around the region corresponding to the lumbar region of the occupant. Additionally, the mesh fabric is drawn taut across the peripheral frame 34. It is important that the frame does not flex so as to draw in the upright members 38 of the peripheral frame 34 due to the tautness of the mesh fabric 260. Accordingly, the back beam 46 is positioned so as to correspond approximately with the lumbar region of the seat occupant. This maintains the spacing of the upright members 38, particularly in the lumbar region where the frame 34 bends. The bending of the peripheral frame 34 close to the lumbar region of the occupant is encouraged by the serpentine shape of the peripheral frame 34 as well as being encouraged by the cantilevered connection of the peripheral frame 34.
The mesh fabric 260 may have a degree of resiliency but this is somewhat limited. It is preferable that the mesh fabric should be able to maintain tension over a reasonably long period of time. It is desirable that the mesh fabric 260 is not overly stretched. For this reason, it is desirable that the neutral axis of bending be close to the front surface of the upright members 38 of the peripheral frame 34. Accordingly, the cross section of the peripheral frame 34 is designed to have the bulk of material on the forward face so that bending occurs as close as possible toward the forward face of the upright member 38. In bending, there will be some compression of the walls defining the channel 252 in the lumbar region. Additionally, there may be some flexing of the two walls of the channel 252 towards each other.
Topper Pad Assembly
Despite the fact that the seat panel 14 and the back portion 16 have been designed with a view to the occupant's comfort, a chair's appearance of comfort is also important. As the occupant approaches, a chair with soft padded upholstery will be visually more comfortable compared to a chair with a panel for a seat and taut mesh for the back portion, even if both chairs have the same comfort performance over time. Accordingly, a topper pad 330 has been developed as shown in FIG. 88. The topper pad 330 wraps over the back portion 16 of the chair, covering the mesh fabric 260. The topper pad 330 may be assembled with the chair. Alternatively, the topper pad may be retrofitted to an existing chair. The topper pad 330 is in the form of an upholstered pad formed of two sheets of fabric e.g., leather, sewn together in a conventional manner to form a pocket open at one end. A pad such as a layer of foam is inserted in through the open end and then that end is sewn up in the conventional manner. On the rear side 332 the topper pad has first upper connection flap 334 and a second lower connection flap 336. The upper connection flap is in the form of a transverse flap substantially shorter than the transverse width of the topper pad 330. The upper flap 334 is sewn along one edge to the rear side 332 of the topper pad 330 at approximately ⅕ along the length of the topper pad 330 from the upper end 336. The upper flap incorporates a metal channel section 338 at its free end. In use, the rear side 332 of the topper pad 330 is placed against the front of the back portion 16 with the top ⅕ of the topper pad 330 overhanging the top of the back portion 16. The upper flap 334 also hangs over the top beam 40 with the channel section 338 tucking under the lower edge of the top beam 40. Accordingly, the channel section 338 is shaped to snugly engage under the lower edge of top beam 40.
The lower flap 336 is sewn across its upper edge at about approximately ⅛ from the bottom edge 340 of the topper pad 330. The lower flap 336 extends transversely across the width of the topper pad but is substantially shorter than the width of the topper pad. Both the lower flap 336 and the upper flat 334 are centrally located about the longitudinal centreline of the topper pad. At the lower edge of the lower flap 336 are a series of spaced spring clips 342 which comprise a loop of elastic material to which a metal L-section bracket is attached. The L-section bracket engages on the underside of the bottom beam 42. When the peripheral frame 34 is engaged with the back attach casting 48, the metal brackets will be held therebetween to securely fix the bottom of the topper pad 330 to the peripheral frame 34 of the chair. Additionally, the upper edge 336 of the topper pad which depends below the top beam 40 is secured in place. This may be achieved through the use of hook and loop pile fasteners (not shown).
Wheeled Base
The foregoing describes only embodiment of the present invention and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/236,916, filed Sep. 28, 2000 and entitled SEAT FOR A RECLINING OFFICE CHAIR, which application is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 226082 | Lemman | Mar 1880 | A |
| 272579 | Paulding | Feb 1883 | A |
| 323060 | Moore | Jul 1885 | A |
| 614235 | Palmer | Nov 1898 | A |
| 662247 | Vinton | Nov 1900 | A |
| 662647 | Howe | Nov 1900 | A |
| 1120686 | Burrowes | Dec 1914 | A |
| 1976793 | Mangold | Oct 1934 | A |
| 2071974 | Gunlocke | Feb 1937 | A |
| 2471024 | Cramer | May 1949 | A |
| 2590995 | Merrill | Apr 1952 | A |
| 2612211 | Gielow et al. | Sep 1952 | A |
| 2796918 | Luckhardt | Jun 1957 | A |
| 2804129 | Propst | Aug 1957 | A |
| 2833339 | Liljengren | May 1958 | A |
| 2845997 | Waite | Aug 1958 | A |
| 2858572 | Burdick | Nov 1958 | A |
| 2887692 | Gosman | May 1959 | A |
| 2962764 | Trojanowski et al. | Dec 1960 | A |
| 3009578 | Foote et al. | Nov 1961 | A |
| 3015148 | Haddad | Jan 1962 | A |
| 3030640 | Gosman | Apr 1962 | A |
| 3041109 | Eames et al. | Jun 1962 | A |
| 3107991 | Taussig | Oct 1963 | A |
| 3112987 | Griffiths et al. | Dec 1963 | A |
| 3115678 | Keen et al. | Dec 1963 | A |
| 3124092 | Raynes | Mar 1964 | A |
| 3165359 | Ashkouti | Jan 1965 | A |
| 3208085 | Grimshaw | Sep 1965 | A |
| 3214314 | Rowbottam | Oct 1965 | A |
| 3222698 | Levenson | Dec 1965 | A |
| 3273877 | Geller et al. | Sep 1966 | A |
| 3298743 | Albinson et al. | Jan 1967 | A |
| 3301931 | Morin | Jan 1967 | A |
| 3314721 | Smith | Apr 1967 | A |
| 3319274 | Upton | May 1967 | A |
| 3399883 | McKey | Sep 1968 | A |
| 3399926 | Hehn | Sep 1968 | A |
| 3431022 | Poppe et al. | Mar 1969 | A |
| 3434181 | Benzies | Mar 1969 | A |
| 3534129 | Bartel | Oct 1970 | A |
| 3546724 | Bastos et al. | Dec 1970 | A |
| 3589967 | Shirakawa | Jun 1971 | A |
| 3620568 | Morrow | Nov 1971 | A |
| 3652126 | Folling | Mar 1972 | A |
| 3681797 | Messner | Aug 1972 | A |
| 3712666 | Stoll | Jan 1973 | A |
| 3740792 | Werner | Jun 1973 | A |
| 3770235 | Klapproth et al. | Nov 1973 | A |
| 3826456 | Tranter et al. | Jul 1974 | A |
| 3937518 | Harrison | Feb 1976 | A |
| 3942835 | Harrison | Mar 1976 | A |
| 3950026 | Van Seenus | Apr 1976 | A |
| 3974532 | Ecchuya | Aug 1976 | A |
| 3992059 | Kloepfer | Nov 1976 | A |
| 4017118 | Cawley | Apr 1977 | A |
| 4040661 | Hogan et al. | Aug 1977 | A |
| 4043592 | Fries | Aug 1977 | A |
| 4054317 | Stumpf | Oct 1977 | A |
| 4122568 | Bastos et al. | Oct 1978 | A |
| 4123104 | Andres et al. | Oct 1978 | A |
| 4143910 | Geffers et al. | Mar 1979 | A |
| 4145020 | Webster | Mar 1979 | A |
| 4154478 | Cohune | May 1979 | A |
| 4158899 | Budimirov | Jun 1979 | A |
| 4159148 | Schulz | Jun 1979 | A |
| 4191422 | Inasawa et al. | Mar 1980 | A |
| 4202581 | Fleishman | May 1980 | A |
| 4205878 | Wooten | Jun 1980 | A |
| 4205880 | Trotman et al. | Jun 1980 | A |
| 4265482 | Nishimura et al. | May 1981 | A |
| 4285545 | Protze | Aug 1981 | A |
| 4328993 | Trotman et al. | May 1982 | A |
| 4345733 | Ambasz et al. | Aug 1982 | A |
| 4353595 | Kaneko et al. | Oct 1982 | A |
| 4368917 | Urai | Jan 1983 | A |
| 4380352 | Diffrient | Apr 1983 | A |
| 4390204 | Fleishman | Jun 1983 | A |
| 4390206 | Faiks et al. | Jun 1983 | A |
| 4406496 | Drabert et al. | Sep 1983 | A |
| 4408797 | Franck et al. | Oct 1983 | A |
| 4411469 | Drabert et al. | Oct 1983 | A |
| 4415203 | Cawley | Nov 1983 | A |
| 4418958 | Watkin | Dec 1983 | A |
| 4429917 | Diffrient | Feb 1984 | A |
| 4451081 | Kowalski | May 1984 | A |
| 4466662 | McDonald et al. | Aug 1984 | A |
| 4479679 | Fries et al. | Oct 1984 | A |
| 4491364 | Hattori et al. | Jan 1985 | A |
| 4496190 | Barley | Jan 1985 | A |
| 4498702 | Raftery | Feb 1985 | A |
| 4502731 | Snider | Mar 1985 | A |
| 4509793 | Wiesmann et al. | Apr 1985 | A |
| 4515406 | Fujiyama et al. | May 1985 | A |
| D279635 | Aasen | Jul 1985 | S |
| 4533174 | Fleishman | Aug 1985 | A |
| 4534593 | Ojala | Aug 1985 | A |
| 4540217 | Suzuki | Sep 1985 | A |
| 4552406 | Ohi | Nov 1985 | A |
| 4555136 | Dranger | Nov 1985 | A |
| 4560199 | Sapper | Dec 1985 | A |
| 4570994 | Lowrey | Feb 1986 | A |
| 4580837 | Bayley | Apr 1986 | A |
| 4585272 | Ballarini | Apr 1986 | A |
| 4603830 | Franck | Aug 1986 | A |
| 4627602 | Sporck | Dec 1986 | A |
| 4640548 | Desanta | Feb 1987 | A |
| 4641885 | Bräuning | Feb 1987 | A |
| 4660887 | Fleming et al. | Apr 1987 | A |
| D289591 | Groseth | May 1987 | S |
| 4664445 | Groseth | May 1987 | A |
| 4685730 | Linguanotto | Aug 1987 | A |
| 4691961 | Rogers, Jr. et al. | Sep 1987 | A |
| 4693515 | Russo et al. | Sep 1987 | A |
| 4703974 | Bräuning | Nov 1987 | A |
| 4711491 | Ginat | Dec 1987 | A |
| 4713854 | Graebe | Dec 1987 | A |
| 4720146 | Mawbey et al. | Jan 1988 | A |
| 4730871 | Sheldon | Mar 1988 | A |
| 4733910 | Brennan | Mar 1988 | A |
| 4752101 | Yurchenco et al. | Jun 1988 | A |
| 4758045 | Edel et al. | Jul 1988 | A |
| D296959 | Gusrud | Aug 1988 | S |
| 4761033 | Lanuzzi et al. | Aug 1988 | A |
| 4765679 | Lanuzzi et al. | Aug 1988 | A |
| 4776633 | Knoblock et al. | Oct 1988 | A |
| 4778218 | Suman | Oct 1988 | A |
| 4796952 | Piretti | Jan 1989 | A |
| 4811986 | Hattori et al. | Mar 1989 | A |
| 4823417 | Fukuichi | Apr 1989 | A |
| 4830430 | Schäfer | May 1989 | A |
| 4848837 | Völkle | Jul 1989 | A |
| 4848838 | McCrackin et al. | Jul 1989 | A |
| 4852943 | Roper | Aug 1989 | A |
| 4863218 | McCrackin | Sep 1989 | A |
| 4869448 | Kenyon | Sep 1989 | A |
| 4869552 | Tolleson et al. | Sep 1989 | A |
| 4871208 | Hodgdon | Oct 1989 | A |
| 4881777 | Dorshimer | Nov 1989 | A |
| 4889385 | Chadwick et al. | Dec 1989 | A |
| 4892356 | Pittman et al. | Jan 1990 | A |
| 4909472 | Piretti | Mar 1990 | A |
| 4914836 | Horovitz | Apr 1990 | A |
| 4915449 | Piretti | Apr 1990 | A |
| 4962962 | Machate et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
| 4962964 | Snodgrass | Oct 1990 | A |
| 4965899 | Sekido et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
| 4981326 | Heidmann | Jan 1991 | A |
| 4988145 | Engel | Jan 1991 | A |
| 5009466 | Perry | Apr 1991 | A |
| 5013272 | Watkins | May 1991 | A |
| 5015034 | Kindig et al. | May 1991 | A |
| 5022709 | Marchino | Jun 1991 | A |
| 5024484 | Buchacz | Jun 1991 | A |
| 5026120 | Takeda et al. | Jun 1991 | A |
| 5029822 | Selzer | Jul 1991 | A |
| 5039567 | Landi et al. | Aug 1991 | A |
| 5044027 | Moon | Sep 1991 | A |
| 5044030 | Balaton | Sep 1991 | A |
| 5046780 | Decker et al. | Sep 1991 | A |
| 5050931 | Knoblock | Sep 1991 | A |
| 5050933 | Tornero et al. | Sep 1991 | A |
| 5052068 | Graebe | Oct 1991 | A |
| 5052753 | Buchacz | Oct 1991 | A |
| 5076643 | Colasanti et al. | Dec 1991 | A |
| 5080430 | Castro | Jan 1992 | A |
| 5100201 | Becker, III et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
| 5101811 | Brunswick | Apr 1992 | A |
| 5102196 | Kaneda et al. | Apr 1992 | A |
| 5108150 | Stas et al. | Apr 1992 | A |
| 5113540 | Sereboff | May 1992 | A |
| 5121934 | Decker et al. | Jun 1992 | A |
| 5134735 | Rose | Aug 1992 | A |
| 5137329 | Neale | Aug 1992 | A |
| 5144708 | Pekar | Sep 1992 | A |
| 5154485 | Fleishman | Oct 1992 | A |
| 5171209 | Gamba | Dec 1992 | A |
| 5172436 | Masuda | Dec 1992 | A |
| 5190348 | Colasanti | Mar 1993 | A |
| 5195199 | Sereboff | Mar 1993 | A |
| 5251958 | Roericht et al. | Oct 1993 | A |
| 5286083 | Mattison | Feb 1994 | A |
| 5288134 | Hewko et al. | Feb 1994 | A |
| D345060 | Duncan | Mar 1994 | S |
| 5292097 | Russell | Mar 1994 | A |
| 5304271 | Gusakov | Apr 1994 | A |
| 5308028 | Kornberg | May 1994 | A |
| 5308145 | Koepke et al. | May 1994 | A |
| 5314235 | Johnson | May 1994 | A |
| 5314237 | Koepke et al. | May 1994 | A |
| 5314240 | Ishi et al. | May 1994 | A |
| 5320409 | Katoh et al. | Jun 1994 | A |
| 5330255 | Stawicki | Jul 1994 | A |
| 5340191 | May | Aug 1994 | A |
| 5346283 | Steininger et al. | Sep 1994 | A |
| 5348372 | Takamatsu et al. | Sep 1994 | A |
| 5348415 | Carlsson | Sep 1994 | A |
| 5354120 | Völkle | Oct 1994 | A |
| 5372487 | Pekar | Dec 1994 | A |
| 5388892 | Tornero | Feb 1995 | A |
| 5401077 | Hosoe | Mar 1995 | A |
| 5417473 | Bräuning | May 1995 | A |
| 5419617 | Schultz | May 1995 | A |
| 5439267 | Peterson et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
| 5444881 | Landi et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
| 5452937 | Piretti | Sep 1995 | A |
| 5462339 | Schmale et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
| 5486035 | Koepke et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
| 5505521 | Meiller et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
| 5524966 | Piretti | Jun 1996 | A |
| 5542743 | Olson et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
| 5547252 | Pfenniger | Aug 1996 | A |
| 5558399 | Serber | Sep 1996 | A |
| 5562324 | Massara et al. | Oct 1996 | A |
| 5567010 | Sparks | Oct 1996 | A |
| 5567011 | Sessini | Oct 1996 | A |
| 5575534 | Yu | Nov 1996 | A |
| 5577807 | Hodge et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
| 5580127 | Piretti | Dec 1996 | A |
| 5584533 | Schrewe | Dec 1996 | A |
| 5586810 | Liu | Dec 1996 | A |
| 5595806 | Korfmacher | Jan 1997 | A |
| 5597208 | Bonutti | Jan 1997 | A |
| 5613736 | Schaked et al. | Mar 1997 | A |
| 5617595 | Landi et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
| 5630647 | Heidmann et al. | May 1997 | A |
| 5637076 | Hazard et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
| 5645314 | Liou | Jul 1997 | A |
| 5645317 | Onishi et al. | Jul 1997 | A |
| 5647638 | Ritt et al. | Jul 1997 | A |
| 5649740 | Hodgdon | Jul 1997 | A |
| 5660438 | Tedesco | Aug 1997 | A |
| 5660439 | Unwalla | Aug 1997 | A |
| D383349 | Steelman et al. | Sep 1997 | S |
| 5664835 | Desanta | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5667277 | Van De Riet | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5669665 | Nowak | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5678891 | O'Neill et al. | Oct 1997 | A |
| 5704688 | Schrewe et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
| 5711575 | Hand et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
| 5713631 | O'Neill et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
| 5725277 | Knoblock | Mar 1998 | A |
| 5749628 | Synder et al. | May 1998 | A |
| 5755488 | Beda et al. | May 1998 | A |
| 5765804 | Stumpf et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
| 5765914 | Britain et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
| 5772282 | Stumpf et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
| 5775774 | Okano | Jul 1998 | A |
| 5791733 | van Hekken et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
| 5791735 | Helman | Aug 1998 | A |
| 5791736 | Herbert | Aug 1998 | A |
| 5797652 | Darbyshire | Aug 1998 | A |
| 5806927 | Schneider | Sep 1998 | A |
| 5810439 | Roslund, Jr. | Sep 1998 | A |
| 5823619 | Heilig et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5826940 | Hodgdon | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5839786 | Cvek | Nov 1998 | A |
| 5845964 | Phoon | Dec 1998 | A |
| 5853223 | Ritt et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
| 5860699 | Weeks | Jan 1999 | A |
| 5860701 | Jungjohann et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
| 5868466 | Massara et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
| 5868467 | Moll | Feb 1999 | A |
| 5871258 | Battey et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
| 5887946 | Raftery | Mar 1999 | A |
| 5890245 | Klearman et al. | Apr 1999 | A |
| 5902011 | Hand et al. | May 1999 | A |
| 5904397 | Fismen | May 1999 | A |
| 5909923 | DeKraker | Jun 1999 | A |
| 5909924 | Roslund, Jr. | Jun 1999 | A |
| 5918940 | Wakamatsu et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
| 5927804 | Cuevas | Jul 1999 | A |
| 5927811 | Tseng | Jul 1999 | A |
| 5931531 | Assmann | Aug 1999 | A |
| 5931536 | Wu | Aug 1999 | A |
| 5931537 | Gollin et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
| 5934749 | Pond et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
| 5934758 | Ritch et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
| D413875 | Lawrence | Sep 1999 | S |
| 5951109 | Roslund, Jr. et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
| 5954393 | Perrin | Sep 1999 | A |
| 5957534 | Wilkerson et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
| 5964503 | Inoue | Oct 1999 | A |
| 5967608 | Van Sickle | Oct 1999 | A |
| 5967613 | McKeever | Oct 1999 | A |
| 5971481 | Emmenegger et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
| 5975632 | Ginat | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5975634 | Knoblock et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5975636 | Koch et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5975637 | Geuss et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5975639 | Wilson et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5979984 | DeKraker et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
| D417793 | Ritch et al. | Dec 1999 | S |
| 5997094 | Cvek | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6010189 | Hybarger et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6015187 | Roslund, Jr. et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6022078 | Chang | Feb 2000 | A |
| 6027169 | Roslund, Jr. | Feb 2000 | A |
| 6030041 | Hsiao | Feb 2000 | A |
| 6035901 | Stumpf et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
| 6039397 | Ginat | Mar 2000 | A |
| 6041549 | Schust et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
| D423261 | Ritch et al. | Apr 2000 | S |
| 6045183 | Weber | Apr 2000 | A |
| 6053574 | Opsvik | Apr 2000 | A |
| 6053577 | Arko et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
| 6056360 | Schneider | May 2000 | A |
| 6059363 | Roslund, Jr. et al. | May 2000 | A |
| 6059368 | Stumpf et al. | May 2000 | A |
| 6059370 | Kanyer et al. | May 2000 | A |
| 6062646 | Bock | May 2000 | A |
| 6062649 | Nagel et al. | May 2000 | A |
| 6076892 | van Hekken et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
| 6079785 | Peterson et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
| 6086153 | Heidmann et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
| 6098000 | Long et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6106069 | Bock | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6106070 | Ritt et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6116688 | Wilkerson et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6116695 | Heidmann et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6120096 | Miotto | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6120099 | Reikerås et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6129419 | Neale | Oct 2000 | A |
| 6139106 | Aldridge | Oct 2000 | A |
| D433854 | Diffrient | Nov 2000 | S |
| 6149231 | Wüstholz | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6149236 | Bräuning | Nov 2000 | A |
| D435746 | Diffrient | Jan 2001 | S |
| D436457 | Ambasz | Jan 2001 | S |
| D436749 | Arad | Jan 2001 | S |
| 6168239 | Conner et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6174031 | Lindgren et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6176548 | Thole et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| D437497 | Bräuning | Feb 2001 | S |
| D437701 | Bellini et al. | Feb 2001 | S |
| 6182315 | Lee | Feb 2001 | B1 |
| 6186594 | Valiquette et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
| 6192565 | Tame | Feb 2001 | B1 |
| 6193318 | Becker et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
| D440068 | Brauning | Apr 2001 | S |
| 6209958 | Thole | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6250715 | Caruso et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6273506 | Niergarth et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 6279184 | George, II | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 6286900 | Roark | Sep 2001 | B1 |
| 6290295 | Benden et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
| 6295674 | Smith-McKelvey et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6296308 | Cosentino et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6318800 | DeKraker | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6334650 | Chien-Chuan | Jan 2002 | B1 |
| 6349992 | Knoblock et al. | Feb 2002 | B1 |
| 6361110 | Roslund, Jr. et al. | Mar 2002 | B2 |
| 6367876 | Caruso et al. | Apr 2002 | B2 |
| 6386634 | Stumpf et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
| 6394545 | Knoblock et al. | May 2002 | B2 |
| 6394546 | Knoblock et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
| 6394548 | Battey et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
| 6394549 | DeKraker et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
| 6409268 | Cvek | Jun 2002 | B1 |
| 6412869 | Pearce | Jul 2002 | B1 |
| 6460928 | Knoblock et al. | Oct 2002 | B2 |
| 20010000939 | Roslund, Jr. et al. | May 2001 | A1 |
| 20010043003 | Knoblock et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
| 20020096920 | Watson et al. | Jul 2002 | A1 |
| 20020113475 | Ehr et al. | Aug 2002 | A1 |
| 20020149247 | Diffrient | Oct 2002 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 29 40 641 | Apr 1981 | DE |
| 30 17 163 | Nov 1981 | DE |
| 42 16 358 | Nov 1992 | DE |
| 43 17 610 | Dec 1994 | DE |
| 94 14 023.5 | Feb 1995 | DE |
| 295 02 429 | Dec 1995 | DE |
| 297 06 901 | Jul 1997 | DE |
| 196 03 789 | Aug 1997 | DE |
| 197 16 347 | Oct 1998 | DE |
| 198 48 400 | May 2000 | DE |
| 0 032 839 | Jul 1981 | EP |
| 0 154 582 | Sep 1985 | EP |
| 0 164 266 | Nov 1985 | EP |
| 0 164 267 | Dec 1985 | EP |
| 0 216 578 | Apr 1987 | EP |
| 0 249 584 | Dec 1987 | EP |
| 0 277 912 | Aug 1988 | EP |
| 0 338 050 | Oct 1989 | EP |
| 0 499 594 | Aug 1992 | EP |
| 0 383 890 | Jan 1993 | EP |
| 0 560 736 | Sep 1993 | EP |
| 0 561 518 | Sep 1993 | EP |
| 0 587 537 | Mar 1994 | EP |
| 0 589 834 | Mar 1994 | EP |
| 0 591 932 | Apr 1994 | EP |
| 0 591 933 | Apr 1994 | EP |
| 0 741 985 | Nov 1996 | EP |
| 0 801 913 | Oct 1997 | EP |
| 0 857 443 | Aug 1998 | EP |
| 0 880 921 | Dec 1998 | EP |
| 0 885 575 | Dec 1998 | EP |
| 0 937 426 | Aug 1999 | EP |
| 0 958 765 | Nov 1999 | EP |
| 0 960 586 | Dec 1999 | EP |
| 1 013 198 | Jun 2000 | EP |
| 1 033 098 | Sep 2000 | EP |
| 1 044 634 | Oct 2000 | EP |
| 1 059 051 | Dec 2000 | EP |
| 1 106 110 | Jun 2001 | EP |
| 1 226 773 | Jul 2002 | EP |
| 2 558 360 | Jul 1985 | FR |
| 2 586 180 | Feb 1987 | FR |
| 2 586 541 | Mar 1987 | FR |
| 2 641 453 | Jul 1990 | FR |
| 2700455 | Jul 1994 | FR |
| 1 222 908 | Feb 1971 | GB |
| 2 057 257 | Apr 1981 | GB |
| 2 068 717 | Aug 1981 | GB |
| 1 603 355 | Nov 1981 | GB |
| 1 603 356 | Nov 1981 | GB |
| 2 107 576 | May 1983 | GB |
| 2 165 445 | Apr 1986 | GB |
| 2 189 990 | Nov 1987 | GB |
| 2 232 884 | Jan 1991 | GB |
| 2 255 008 | Oct 1992 | GB |
| 2 255 277 | Nov 1992 | GB |
| 184194 | Feb 1981 | NZ |
| WO 8002791 | Dec 1980 | WO |
| WO 8704909 | Aug 1987 | WO |
| WO 8903648 | May 1989 | WO |
| WO 9000871 | Feb 1990 | WO |
| WO 9002504 | Mar 1990 | WO |
| WO 9103969 | Apr 1991 | WO |
| WO 9203073 | Mar 1992 | WO |
| WO 9206622 | Apr 1992 | WO |
| WO 9303653 | Mar 1993 | WO |
| WO 9325121 | Dec 1993 | WO |
| WO 9408491 | Apr 1994 | WO |
| WO 9424904 | Nov 1994 | WO |
| WO 9500052 | Jan 1995 | WO |
| WO 9602166 | Feb 1996 | WO |
| WO 9607344 | Mar 1996 | WO |
| WO 9639900 | Dec 1996 | WO |
| WO 9639902 | Dec 1996 | WO |
| WO 9639903 | Dec 1996 | WO |
| WO 9723152 | Jul 1997 | WO |
| WO 9802067 | Jan 1998 | WO |
| WO 9808424 | Mar 1998 | WO |
| WO 9832353 | Jul 1998 | WO |
| WO 9847413 | Oct 1998 | WO |
| WO 9848668 | Nov 1998 | WO |
| WO 9848670 | Nov 1998 | WO |
| WO 9921456 | May 1999 | WO |
| WO 0022959 | Apr 2000 | WO |
| WO 0022960 | Apr 2000 | WO |
| WO 0023027 | Apr 2000 | WO |
| WO 0024295 | May 2000 | WO |
| WO 0024296 | May 2000 | WO |
| WO 0064311 | Nov 2000 | WO |
| WO 0072730 | Dec 2000 | WO |
| WO 0074531 | Dec 2000 | WO |
| WO 0103548 | Jan 2001 | WO |
| WO 0139633 | Jun 2001 | WO |
| WO 0170072 | Sep 2001 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20020043871 A1 | Apr 2002 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60236916 | Sep 2000 | US |
