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Seating unit with auxetic user support

a technology of user support and eating unit, which is applied in the field of eating unit with auxetic user support, can solve the problems that the known user support may suffer from various drawbacks, and achieve the effect of increasing the width of the auxetic cell and increasing the complian

Inactive Publication Date: 2015-11-12
STEELCASE INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a user support for seating units or other articles that have a surface to support a user. The user support is made of a special mesh material made up of flexible links that can stretch and change their width. This material is arranged in a circular pattern to provide increased compliance and comfort for the user. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a more comfortable and flexible surface for users that reduces the risk of injury from pressure and impact.

Problems solved by technology

However, known user supports may suffer from various drawbacks.

Method used

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  • Seating unit with auxetic user support
  • Seating unit with auxetic user support
  • Seating unit with auxetic user support

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0039]For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,”“lower,”“right,”“left,”“rear,”“front,”“vertical,”“horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0040]With reference to FIG. 1, a seating unit such as a chair 1 according to one aspect of the present invention includes a lower portion such as base 2, a seat portion 4, and a back portion 6. The base 2 may include a ...

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Abstract

A seating unit includes a generally horizontal seat portion and a generally upright back portion. The back portion includes a flexible membrane or mesh extending in first and second directions. The mesh defines a generally upright user support surface. At least a portion of the mesh comprises an auxetic material having a negative Poisson's ratio whereby stretching of the auxetic portion of the mesh in at least one of the first and second directions causes the mesh to expand in the other of the first and second directions.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 989,396 filed on May 6, 2014, entitled, “SEATING UNIT WITH AUXETIC USER SUPPORT,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Various types of chairs, seating units, and other articles having user support surfaces have been developed. User supports may include foam or other resilient material that is provided in an effort to improve the comfort of a user. However, known user supports may suffer from various drawbacks.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0003]One aspect of the present invention is a seating unit including a lower portion that is configured to support the seating unit. The seating unit may comprise a chair, and the lower portion may be configured to support the chair on a floor surface. The seating unit also may include a seating structure supported by the lower portion. The seating structure includes a gener...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A47C5/12A47C3/00
CPCA47C3/00A47C5/12A47C31/023A47C7/40
Inventor EBERLEIN, DAVID C.MCKENNA, MARKDEEVERS, NICKOLAUS WILLIAM CHARLESSMITH, BRUCE M.BIDDLE, FREDRICPEARSON, BRETT
Owner STEELCASE INC
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