Arm assembly and seat device

Abstract

An arm assembly includes: an arm support configured to support an arm of a seated user; an arm handle extending downward from the arm support and supporting the arm support; an arm base telescopically receiving the arm handle between a first position and a second position, where the first gap is between a first edge of the arm handle and the arm support, and where a first width of the first gap varies when the arm handle moves between the first position and the second position; and a first bearing device positioned between the arm handle and the arm base, the first bearing device including a first portion fixed relative to the arm handle and a second portion movable relative to the arm handle, where the second portion is configured to move to fill the first gap when a first width of the first gap varies.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese invention patent application with application date of May 23, 2019, application number 201980048143.0, and invention name “Seat Device”. Technical Field

[0002] Various embodiments relate to a seating device, and in particular, to a seating device comprising various combinations of a pair of flexible elastic shell members, flexible elastic support members and rigid support members, which cooperate to form a deformable and flexible elastic four-bar linkage, and an active backrest device, the movement of which can be separated from the movement of the associated seat support device. Summary of the invention

[0003] In one embodiment, an arm assembly includes: an arm support configured to support an arm of a seated user; an arm handle extending downwardly from the arm support and supporting the arm support; an arm base telescopically receiving the arm handle between a first position and a second position; and a bearing device positioned between the arm handle and the arm base. The bearing device includes: a bearing member configured to abut against the arm base; and a biasing member configured to bias the bearing member away from the arm handle and into abutment with the arm base.

[0004] In another embodiment, an arm assembly includes: an arm support configured to support an arm of a seated user; an arm handle extending downwardly from the arm support and supporting the arm support; an arm base telescopically receiving the arm handle between a first position and a second position; and a control device. The control device includes: a lead screw rotatable relative to one of the arm handle and the arm base; a lead nut fixed relative to the other of the arm handle and the arm base; and an actuator movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, in which the actuator engages the lead screw to prevent the lead screw from rotating and preventing the arm handle from moving between the first position and the second position, and in which the actuator disengages from the lead screw to allow the lead screw to rotate and allow the arm handle to move between the first position and the second position.

[0005] In yet another embodiment, a seating device comprises: a seat portion configured to support a seated user thereon; a backrest portion extending upward from the seat assembly and movable between an upright position and a tilted position; a support member operably connected to the seat portion and supporting the seat portion, the support member being urged to move between a first position when the backrest portion is in the upright position and a second position when the backrest portion is in the tilted position; and a backrest tilt locking device. The backrest tilt locking device includes: an actuator, which is configured to actuate between an engaged position and a disengaged position; a locking member, which is urged to move between a locked position when the actuator is in the engaged position and an unlocked position when the actuator is in the disengaged position, in which the locking member prevents the support member from moving from the first position toward the second position, and in which the support member is freely movable from the first position to the second position, and wherein the actuator is configured to move from the disengaged position to the engaged position when the chair back is in the tilted position, and the locking member is prevented from moving from the unlocked position to the locked position until the backrest assembly moves from the tilted position to the upright position.

[0006] In yet another embodiment, a seating device includes a seat portion configured to support a seated user thereon; a backrest portion extending upward from the seat assembly and movable between an upright position and a tilted position; a support member operably connected to the seat portion and supporting the seat portion, the support member being urged to move between a first position when the backrest portion is in the upright position and a second position when the backrest portion is in the tilted position; and a backrest tilt locking device. The backrest tilt locking device includes: an actuator, which is configured to actuate between an engaged position and a disengaged position; a locking member, which is urged to move between a locked position when the actuator is in the engaged position and an unlocked position when the actuator is in the disengaged position, in which the locking member prevents the support member from moving from the first position toward the second position, and in which the support member is freely movable from the first position to the second position, and wherein the actuator is configured to move from the engaged position to the disengaged position when the chair back is in the tilted position, and the locking member is prevented from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position until the backrest portion moves rearwardly from the tilted position.

[0007] In yet another embodiment, a seating device comprises: a front shell member comprising a seat portion and a backrest portion, the seat portion being configured to support a seated user thereon, the backrest portion extending upward from the seat assembly and movable between an upright position and a tilted position; a rear shell member comprising a substantially horizontal portion spaced apart from the seat portion and a backrest portion extending upward from the first portion; a support member extending between the substantially horizontal portion of the rear shell member and the seat portion of the front shell member, the support member being urged to move between a first position when the backrest portion is in the upright position and a second position when the backrest portion is in the tilted position; and a backrest tilt locking device. The backrest tilt locking device includes: an actuator, which is configured to actuate between an engaged position and a disengaged position; and a locking member, which is urged to move between a locked position when the actuator is in the engaged position and an unlocked position when the actuator is in the disengaged position, in which the locking member prevents the support member from moving from the first position toward the second position, and in the unlocked position the support member can freely move from the first position to the second position.

[0008] Various embodiments of the seating arrangement described herein can provide a platform with proper fit and function for comfortably supporting a seated user, and can reduce or shift costs by reducing the number of associated parts, manufacturing costs, and labor costs. The seating arrangement includes a simple, durable, and visually appealing design that is capable of achieving a long service life and is particularly well suited for the proposed use.

[0009] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the various embodiments will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art with reference to the following description, claims, and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a seating arrangement;

[0011] Figure 2 is along Figure 1 The line II-II is intercepted Figure 1 A cross-sectional side elevation view of an embodiment of a seating arrangement is shown;

[0012] Figure 3 is along Figure 1 The line II-II is intercepted Figure 1 a cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of a seating arrangement shown;

[0013] Figure 4a yes Figure 1a cross-sectional side elevation view of an embodiment of a seating arrangement shown in solid lines in an upright position and in phantom lines in a reclined position;

[0014] Figure 4b is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevation view of another embodiment of a seating arrangement;

[0015] Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a first embodiment of the stop assembly with the associated seating assembly in a fully forward position;

[0016] Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a first embodiment of the stop device with the associated seating device in a fully reclined position;

[0017] Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a stop device with an associated seating device shown in a fully reclined position;

[0018] Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stop device, wherein the associated seating device is shown in a fully forward position;

[0019] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a seating device;

[0020] Fig.10 is along Fig. 9 The line XX intercepts Fig. 9 A cross-sectional side elevation view of an embodiment of a seating arrangement is shown;

[0021] Fig.11 is along Fig. 9 The line XX intercepts Fig. 9 a cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of a seating arrangement shown;

[0022] Fig.12 is a bottom perspective view of yet another embodiment of a seating device;

[0023] Fig.13 is a bottom perspective view of yet another embodiment of a seating arrangement, wherein the seating arrangement is in an upright position;

[0024] Fig.14 yes Fig.13 A bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a seating arrangement of FIG. 1 , wherein the seating arrangement is in a reclined position;

[0025] Fig.15 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a seating device;

[0026] Fig.16 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a seating arrangement including a plurality of edge members;

[0027] Fig.17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a seating device;

[0028] Fig.18 is along Fig.17 The line XVIII-XVIII is intercepted Fig.17 A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a seating arrangement is shown;

[0029] Fig.19 is along Fig.17 The line XVIII-XVIII is intercepted Fig.17 a cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of the chair assembly shown;

[0030] Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of yet another embodiment of a chair assembly;

[0031] Fig.21 yes Fig. 20 a cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of the chair assembly shown;

[0032] Fig. 22 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a seating device;

[0033] Fig.23 is along Fig. 22 The line XXIII-XXIII is intercepted Fig. 22 a cross-sectional front perspective view of an embodiment of the seating arrangement shown;

[0034] Fig.24 yes Fig. 22 a rear perspective view of the embodiment of the seating arrangement shown;

[0035] Fig.25 yes Fig. 22 a side elevational view of an embodiment of a seating arrangement shown with the backrest arrangement shown in solid lines in an upright position and in dotted lines in a reclined position;

[0036] Fig.26 is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of a seating device;

[0037] Fig. 27 is a rear perspective view of yet another embodiment of a seating device;

[0038] Fig.28 is a front perspective view of yet another embodiment of a seating device;

[0039] Fig.29 yes Fig.28 An enlarged perspective view of a reclining limiting device of a seat device;

[0040] Fig.30is a perspective view of another embodiment of a seating device;

[0041] Fig.31 yes Fig.30 a side elevational view of the embodiment of the seating arrangement shown with the backrest assembly shown in solid lines in an upright position and in phantom lines in a reclined position;

[0042] Fig.32 is a perspective view of a rear housing member;

[0043] Fig.33 is a perspective view of a rear housing member;

[0044] Fig.34 is along Fig.30 The line XXXIV-XXXIV is intercepted Fig.30 a cross-sectional side elevation view of the illustrated embodiment of the chair;

[0045] Fig.35 yes Fig.30 a perspective view of the embodiment of the chair shown with the fabric covering removed;

[0046] Fig.36A is along Fig.35 The line XXXVIA-XXXVIA is intercepted Fig.30 a cross-sectional side elevation view of the illustrated embodiment of the chair with the backrest assembly shown in an upright position;

[0047] Fig.36B is along Fig.35 The line XXXVIA-XXXVIA is intercepted Fig.30 a cross-sectional side elevation view of the illustrated embodiment of the chair with the backrest assembly shown in a reclined position;

[0048] Fig.37 is along Fig.35 The line XXXVIII-XXXVIII is intercepted Fig.30 a cross-sectional side elevation view of the illustrated embodiment of the chair;

[0049] Fig.38 is a perspective view of the stop member;

[0050] Fig.39 is an exploded perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a seating device;

[0051] Fig.40 is an exploded perspective view of the accessory support device;

[0052] Fig.41 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a seating arrangement;

[0053] Fig.42 yes Fig.41 a side elevational view of the embodiment of the seating arrangement shown with the backrest assembly shown in solid lines in an upright position and in phantom lines in a reclined position;

[0054] Fig.43 yes Fig.41 a perspective view of the embodiment of the chair shown with the fabric covering removed;

[0055] Fig.44 is along Fig.43 The line XLIV-XLIV is intercepted Fig.41 a cross-sectional side elevation view of the illustrated embodiment of the chair with the backrest assembly shown in an upright position;

[0056] Fig.45 is along Fig.43 The line XLIV-XLIV is intercepted Fig.41 a cross-sectional side elevation view of the illustrated embodiment of the chair with the backrest assembly shown in a reclined position;

[0057] Fig.46 is along Fig.43 The line XLVI-XLVI is intercepted Fig.41 a cross-sectional side elevation view of the illustrated embodiment of the chair;

[0058] Fig.47 is along Fig.41 The line XLVII-XLVII is intercepted Fig.41 a cross-sectional side elevation view of the illustrated embodiment of the chair;

[0059] Fig.48 is a perspective view of a rear housing member with internal components shown in phantom;

[0060] Fig.48A yes Fig.47 A partial enlarged side view of region XLVIIIA;

[0061] Fig.48B yes Fig.47 A partial enlarged side view of region XLVIIIB;

[0062] Fig.49 is a top plan view of the rear housing member with internal components shown in phantom;

[0063] Fig.50 is a bottom plan view of the rear housing member with internal components shown in phantom;

[0064] Fig.51 is a perspective view of a front reinforcement member and a rear reinforcement member;

[0065] Fig.52is a perspective view of the insert;

[0066] Fig.53 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of a first mold assembly and insert;

[0067] Fig.53A is a flow chart illustrating a first method for constructing a seating arrangement;

[0068] Fig.53B is a flow chart illustrating a second method for constructing a seating arrangement;

[0069] Fig.54A is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the second mold assembly and rear housing member;

[0070] Fig.54B yes Fig.54A An enlarged cross-sectional side view of region LIVB;

[0071] Fig.55 is a perspective view of a non-weight activated seat structure;

[0072] Fig.56 is a schematic side elevation view of a seat shell member;

[0073] Fig.57 is a side elevational schematic diagram of another embodiment of a seat shell member;

[0074] Fig.58 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a seat device;

[0075] Fig.59 is an exploded view of another embodiment of a seat device;

[0076] Fig.60 yes Fig.59 An enlarged view of area LX;

[0077] Fig.61 is a rear perspective view of the front housing member and the rear housing member;

[0078] Fig.62 yes Fig.61 Magnified view of region LXII;

[0079] Fig.63 yes Fig.59 Magnified view of region LXII;

[0080] Fig.64 yes Fig.61 Magnified view of region LXIV;

[0081] Fig.65 is a cross-sectional view of a front housing member and a rear housing member engaged with each other;

[0082] Fig.66 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an arm device;

[0083] Fig.67 is along Fig.66 a cross-sectional side view of the arm assembly taken along line LXVII-LXVII;

[0084] Fig.68A yes Fig.67 an enlarged cross-sectional view of an arm assembly;

[0085] Fig.68B is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of an arm assembly;

[0086] Fig.69 is a side view of a seat assembly including a backrest tilt stop assembly;

[0087] Fig.70A is a bottom perspective view of a controller for a seatback tilt stop;

[0088] Fig.70B is a top perspective view of the controller;

[0089] Fig.70C is an exploded bottom perspective view of the controller;

[0090] Fig.70D is an exploded top perspective view of the controller;

[0091] Fig.71A is a top perspective view of the tilt stop assembly;

[0092] Fig.71B is a bottom perspective view of the tilt stop assembly;

[0093] Fig.71C is an exploded bottom perspective view of the tilt stop assembly;

[0094] Fig.72 is a bottom perspective view of the reinforcement member;

[0095] Fig.73 is a top plan view of the tilt stop assembly;

[0096] Fig.74A and Fig.74B is a cross-sectional side view of a tilt stop in a handle disengaged, back stop disengaged mode or position;

[0097] Fig.75A and Fig.75B is a cross-sectional side view of a tilt stop in a handle engaged, back stop engaged mode or position;

[0098] Fig.76A and Fig.76B is a cross-sectional side view of a tilt stop in a handle disengaged, back stop engaged mode or position;

[0099] Fig.77A and Fig.77B is a cross-sectional side view of a tilt stop in a handle engaged, back stop disengaged mode or position;

[0100] Fig.78 It is a perspective view of the table installation;

[0101] Fig.79 is along Fig.78 A cross-sectional view of the table device taken along line LXXIX-LXXIX;

[0102] Fig.80 yes Fig.79 an enlarged cross-sectional view of area LXXX; and

[0103] Fig.81 is along Fig.78 An enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line LXXXI-LXXXI of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0104] For the purpose of the description herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and their derivatives shall refer to the above. Figure 1 , Fig. 9 , Fig.17 , Fig. 22 , Fig.30 , Fig.41 and Fig.66 Various seat embodiments oriented as shown. However, it should be understood that certain embodiments may take various alternative orientations and step sequences unless expressly specified to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, unless the claims expressly state otherwise, the specific dimensions and other physical characteristics associated with the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered restrictive. The various embodiments disclosed herein can be used and incorporated into various seating devices (including office seats, ordinary office seats, vehicle seats, home seats, airplane seats, stadium seats, theater seats, etc.), other furniture devices (including tables, desks, storage assemblies, luggage cargo, partition assemblies, privacy screens, etc.) and other practical tools.

[0105] Reference numeral 10( Figure 1) generally represents an embodiment of a seating device. In the example shown, the seating device 10 is provided in the form of an office chair assembly and includes a caster base or support assembly 12 supported above a ground or floor surface 14, a seat assembly 16 and a back assembly 18 each supported above the base assembly 12, and a pair of arm assemblies 20. The seating device 10 ( Figure 2 and Figure 3 ) includes a fabric layer 24 ( Figure 1 ) covers a front shell member or first shell member 22 and a rear shell member or second shell member 26. The shell members 22, 26 can be formed as a single integral piece, or include multiple separate parts. The shell members 22, 26 each include a flexible elastic polymer material, such as any thermoplastic, including, for example, nylon, glass-filled nylon, polypropylene, acetyl or polycarbonate; any thermosetting material, including, for example, epoxy resin; or any resin-based composite material, including, for example, carbon fiber or glass fiber, so as to allow each of the shell members 22, 26 to conform and move in response to the force applied by the user. Other suitable materials may also be used, such as metals, including, for example, steel or titanium; plywood; or composite materials including plastics, resin-based composites, metals and / or plywood. A variety of other suitable energy storage materials may also be used. In some embodiments, the shell members 22, 26 may include one or more of the same materials, while in certain embodiments, the shell members 22, 26 may each include one or more different materials.

[0106] The front housing member 22 includes a horizontally extending bottom or first portion or first connecting member 28, a vertically extending upper or second portion 30 extending upward from the first portion 28, and an arcuate transition portion 32 extending between the first portion 28 and the second portion 30. The first portion 28 includes a front portion 34, a rear portion 36, and a central portion 38 located therebetween and extending transversely through the first portion 28. A pair of transversely extending relief portions or apertures 40 are located within the central portion 38 and separate the front portion 34 from the rear portion 36, as further described below. The second portion 30 includes a lower portion 44, an upper portion 46, and a middle portion 48 located therebetween, which may be arcuate and convex forwardly so as to support the lumbar region of the user's back. It should be noted that the front housing member 24 may alternatively be referred to herein as a front housing member, a first housing member, a support member or support housing member, and a top housing or housing member.

[0107] The rear housing member 26 includes: a horizontally extending bottom or first portion or second connecting member 50, which is supported by the height adjustable pneumatic cylinder 12a at the connection point 12b; a vertically extending upper or second portion 52, which extends upward from the first portion 50; and an arcuate transition portion 54, which extends between the first portion 50 and the second portion 52. Preferably, the rear housing member 26 includes carbon fiber, but as mentioned above, other materials can also be used. The second portion 52 of the rear housing member 26 includes a lower portion 56, an upper portion 58 and a middle portion 60 located therebetween, which can be arcuate and convex forward. The upper portion 58 of the second portion 52 of the rear housing member 26 is connected to the upper portion 46 of the second portion 30 of the front housing member 22 at a position 62, such as by sonic welding, adhesives, integral molding, mechanical fasteners, etc. It should be noted that the rear housing member 26 may be alternatively referred to herein as a rear housing member, a second housing member, a bottom housing or housing member, or a control device. The front shell member 22 and the rear shell member 26 are configured so as to define a gap 64 between at least a portion of the upper portion 46 and the upper portion 58, between the middle portion 48 and the middle portion 60, between the lower portion 44 and the lower portion 56, between the transition portion 32 and the transition portion 54, and / or between the first portion 28 and the first portion 50. In some embodiments, the front shell member 22 and the rear shell member 26 can be connected at the lower portion or the middle portion of their respective second portions 30 and 52 or at their respective transition portions 32 and 54. For example, the front shell member 22 and the rear shell member 26 can be connected at their respective lower portions 44 and 56 so that the seating device 10 has substantially a single shell second portion with the gap 64 between the first portions 28 and 50.

[0108] The seating device 10 further includes a transversely extending, flexible and resilient front support member 66 and a transversely extending, rigid rear support member 68, each of which extends between the first portion 28 of the front shell member 22 and the first portion 50 of the rear shell member 26. In the example shown, the front support member 66 is integral and formed as a single piece with the first portion 50 of the rear shell member 26, while the rear support member 68 is formed as and is a separate piece from the front shell member 22 and the rear shell member 26. However, either or both of the front support member 66 and the rear support member 68 can be integrally formed with the front shell member 22 and / or the rear shell member 26 or formed as a separate piece from them. In the present example, the rear support member 68 preferably comprises rigid, relatively lightweight carbon fiber, however, depending on the application, one or more other materials, including those listed above with respect to the front shell member and the rear shell member 24, may also be used. The rear support member 68 includes a main body portion 70, an upper flange 72 fixed to the bottom surface 74 of the first portion 28 at a position 74a, and a lower flange 76 fixed to the upper surface 78 of the first portion 50 at a position 78a. The upper flange 72 and the lower flange 76 are fixed to the first portion 28 and the first portion 50 by sonic welding, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, friction fit, etc. Both the front support member 66 and the rear support member 68 are angled forward from the bottom to the top, and the front support member 66 includes a V-shaped notch or orifice 80 extending therethrough. In some embodiments, the front support member 66 may include one or more orifices, notches or slots of variable shape to enhance the desired flexibility of the support member. Similarly, in some embodiments, the front support member 66 can be a solid member shaped to enhance the desired flexibility. Various configurations of the rear housing member as described herein, whether provided as a single, integral, one-piece unit or as a multi-piece assembly, allow the rear housing member to be used as a control member to control various tilting movements and support characteristics of the front housing member.

[0109] In operation, the user can bend the front housing member 22 and the rear housing member 26 to make the backrest device 18 (including the second portion 30 of the front housing member 22 and the second portion 52 of the rear housing member 26) Figure 4a) from the upright position A to the reclined position B. The first portion or first connecting member 28, the first portion or second connecting member 50, the front support member or third connecting member 66, and the rear support member or fourth connecting member 68 cooperate to form a four-bar linkage, so that the movement of the second portion 30 of the first housing member 22 and the second portion 52 of the rear housing member 26 from the upright position A to the reclined position B causes the first portion 28 of the front housing member 22 to move rearward and to the reclined position. It is contemplated that the four-bar linkage as used and described herein includes linkages including additional linkage members, such as a five-bar linkage, a six-bar linkage, etc. FIG. 4 shows in solid lines the first portion 28 of the front housing member 22 in a substantially horizontal orientation C when not acted upon by external forces such as forces applied by a seated user. During reclining of the backrest arrangement 18, the aperture or relief portion 40 allows the rear portion 36 to rotate faster and reach a greater angle of recline than the front portion 34. Specifically, the front portion 34 moves from position C to a rearward and inclined position D, while the rear portion 36 of the first portion 28 moves from position C to a rearward and more inclined position E. In certain embodiments, the aperture 40 may be positioned in the first portion 28, in any of the central portion 38, the front portion 34, or the rear portion 36, so as to achieve the desired rotation and tilt angles during the tilting of the backrest device 18. It should be further noted that the rear support member 68 remains rigid or substantially rigid throughout the tilting movement of the seat device 10, while the majority of the deformation of the front shell member 22 and the rear shell member 26 occurs in the portion 82 of the rear shell member 26, which is in the central portion 38 of the first portion 28 of the first shell member 22 and in the front support member 26, just forward of the location where the rear support member 68 is connected to the rear shell member 26. Further, in certain cases, the fourth connector 68 may include at least a portion of the backrest device 18. In various embodiments, the thickness of one or more connectors may be determined to achieve desired performance characteristics, including, for example, the flexibility of the connector. Further, in certain embodiments, the thickness of the connector can vary along the length of the connector to achieve a desired flexibility or rigidity across the entire connector or in a portion of the connector. For example, the first connector member 28, the second connector member 50, and the front connector member 66 can all be more flexible than the rear connector member 68 to achieve the desired flexibility of the four-bar linkage. In some embodiments, each connector can be more flexible in a specific portion or local area of ​​the connector, such that the connector is generally flexible in the local area and generally not flexible or less flexible in any other area of ​​the connector. Figure 4b, where certain portions of the first connecting member 28, the second connecting member 50, and the third connecting member 66 include certain portions having reduced relative thickness. Specifically, in the example shown, the first connecting member 28 includes a region of reduced thickness or curved region or bend zone 29 located in a central portion thereof, the second connecting member 50 includes a region of reduced thickness or curved region or bend zone 51 located rearward of the location where the fourth connecting member is attached to the second connecting member 50, and the third connecting member 66 includes a region of reduced thickness or curved region or bend zone 67. It should be noted that the relative regions of reduced thickness can extend along a short distance or a majority of the length of the associated connector, depending on the desired support and bending characteristics.

[0110] The seat device 10 further includes a support member 84 ( Figures 1 to 3 ), the support member is at least partially located within the interior space 86 defined by the four-bar linkage (i.e., the first connecting member 28, the second connecting member 50, the third connecting member 66, and the fourth connecting member 68). In the example shown, the support member 84 includes an open annular body portion 86, a front portion of which extends into the interior space 86, and a rear portion of which is configured to support the arm assembly 20. Figure 2 As best shown, each arm assembly 20 includes an arm support member 92 that is integrally formed with and extends upwardly from a rear portion of the main body portion 88 of the support member 84. An arm cap 94 is secured to the upper end of the arm support member 92 and is movable and adjustable relative thereto. As best shown in FIG. 4 , it should be noted that when the backrest 18 moves from the upright position A to the reclined position B, the support member 84 and the arm assembly 20 are grounded and remain substantially stationary.

[0111] Reference numeral 10a( Figure 5 ) generally represents another embodiment of a seat device having a stop device 100. Since the seat device 10a is similar to the seat device 10 described previously, Figure 1 To Figure 4 and Figure 5 and Figure 684a. Similar parts appearing in the drawings are indicated by the same corresponding reference numerals, respectively, except that the latter have the suffix "a" added to the reference numerals. In the example shown, the stop device 100 includes a bushing assembly 102 positioned between the main body portion 88a and the rear support member 68a. The bushing assembly 102 includes an elastically deformable bushing member 104, a sleeve member 106 extending around the bushing member 104, and a stop connector 108 that slidably extends through a centrally disposed aperture 110 of the bushing member 104 and has a first end fixedly coupled to the rear support member 68a and a second end 112 slidably received within the interior of the main body portion 88a of the support member 84a. A stop plate 114 is fixed to the second end 112 of the stop connector 108.

[0112] In operation, when the seat device moves in the forward direction from the reclined position to the fully forward upright position, the bushing member 104 is compressed between the main body portion 88a of the support member 84a and the rear support member 68a, thereby limiting the forward movement of the seat device. When the backrest device moves from the upright position to the reclined position, the stop connector 108 is pulled from the interior of the main body portion 88a until the stop plate 114 abuts the inner surface 116 of the main body portion 88a, thereby limiting the movement of the rear support member 68a and thus the movement of the backrest assembly from the upright position toward the reclined position.

[0113] Reference numeral 10b( Figure 7 and Figure 8 ) generally represents another embodiment of a seat device having a stop device 100b. Since the seat device 10b is similar to the seat device 10a described previously, Figure 5 and Figure 6 as well as Figure 6 and Figure 7 1 and 1 . Similar parts appearing in the drawings are indicated by the same corresponding reference numerals, respectively, except that the latter have the suffix "b" added to the reference numerals. In the example shown, the stop device 100b includes a stop member 120 located within the interior space 86b. The stop member 120 is fixed to the upper surface 78b of the first portion 50b of the rear housing member 26b and extends upward therefrom into the interior space 86b positioned between the first connecting member 28b, the second connecting member 50b, the third connecting member 66b, and the fourth connecting member 68b. The stop member 120 includes an upper surface or first stop surface 122 and a front surface or second stop surface 124. The stop bracket 126 is fixed to the bottom surface 74b of the first portion or first connecting member 28b and includes a first portion 128 extending substantially parallel to the first portion or first connecting member 28b, and a second portion 130 extending vertically downward from the first portion 128. An elastically deformable abutment pad 132 is attached to the first portion 128 and the second portion 130.

[0114] In operation, the stop member 120 is configured to abut the pad 132 attached to the first portion 128 when the back assembly moves from the reclined position toward the fully forward position, thereby limiting the amount of forward travel of the first portion or first connecting member 28b and the back assembly 12 in the forward direction. The stop member 120 is further configured so that when the back assembly moves from the upright position to the reclined position, the front stop surface 124 contacts the pad 132 attached to the second portion 130, thereby limiting the amount of rearward travel of the first portion or first connecting member 28b and the back assembly in the rearward direction.

[0115] Reference numeral 200( Fig. 9 ) generally represents another embodiment of a seating device. In the example shown, the seating device or chair assembly 200 includes a caster base assembly 202 adjacent to a floor surface 204, a seat assembly 206 and a back assembly 208 each supported above the base assembly 202, and a pair of arm assemblies 210. In the example shown, the chair assembly 200 ( Fig.10 and Fig.11 ) includes a front shell member or first shell member 214 and a rear shell member or second shell member 212. The shell members 212, 214 can be formed as a single integral piece, or include multiple separate parts. The shell members 212, 214 each include a flexible elastic polymer material, such as any thermoplastic, including, for example, nylon, glass-filled nylon, polypropylene, acetyl or polycarbonate; any thermosetting material, including, for example, epoxy resin; or any resin-based composite material, including, for example, carbon fiber or glass fiber, so as to allow each of the shell members 212, 214 to conform and move in response to the force applied by the user. Although polymer materials are preferred, other suitable materials may also be used, such as metals, including, for example, steel or titanium; plywood; or composite materials including plastics, resin-based composites, metals and / or plywood. A variety of other suitable energy storage materials may also be used.

[0116] The rear housing member 212 includes a horizontally extending bottom or first portion 216, a vertically extending upper or second portion 218 extending upward from the first portion 216, and an arcuate transition portion 230 extending between the first portion 216 and the second portion 218. In the example shown, the first portion 216 is supported by a support plate 232, which abuts a bottom surface 234 of the first portion 216 and is in turn supported by a column 236 of the base assembly 202. In the example shown, the column 236 includes a pneumatic height adjustment cylinder. The second portion 218 of the rear housing member 212 includes a lower portion 238, an upper portion 240, and an arcuate forwardly convex middle portion 242 located therebetween.

[0117] The front housing member 214 includes a horizontally extending bottom or first portion 244, a vertically extending upper or second portion 246 extending upward from the first portion 244, and an arcuate transition portion 248 extending between the first portion 244 and the second portion 246. The first portion 244 includes a front portion 250 and a rear portion 252, while the second portion 246 includes a lower portion 254, an upper portion 256, and an arcuate forwardly convex middle portion 258 located therebetween and configured to support the lumbar region of the user's back. The upper portion 256 of the second portion 246 of the front housing member 214 is connected to the upper portion 240 of the second portion 218 of the rear housing member 212 at a location 260, such as by sonic welding, adhesives, integral molding, mechanical fasteners, and the like. The second shell member 212 and the first shell member 214 are configured to define a gap 262 between the upper portion 256 and at least a portion of the upper portion 240, between the middle portion 258 and the middle portion 242, between the lower portion 254 and the lower portion 238, between the transition portion 248 and the transition portion 230, and between the second portion 246 and the second portion 218.

[0118] The chair assembly 200 further includes a pair of laterally extending, flexible and resilient support members, including a front support member 262 and a rear support member 264, each extending between the second portion 246 of the first shell member 214 and the second portion 218 of the second shell member 212. In the illustrated example, the front support member 262 and the rear support member 264 are integrally formed within a single spring member 266, however, the front support member 262 and the rear support member 264 may be formed as separate pieces or as an integral part of the second shell member 212 and / or the first shell member 214. In the present example, the spring member 266 comprises a single piece of metal material formed to include the front support member 262, the rear support member 264, a support portion 268 attached to an underside or bottom surface 270 of the second portion 246 of the first shell member 214, and a pair of connecting portions 272 extending rearwardly from the associated front support member 262 and rear support member 264. The connecting portions 272 are secured to a spring stop member 274 described below. Alternatively, the connecting portion 272 of the spring member 266 can be directly attached to the upper surface 276 of the second portion 218 of the second housing member 212. In the example shown, the connecting portion 272 associated with the rear support member 264 is attached to the upper surface of the spring stop member 274, while the connecting portion 272 of the front support member 262 is attached to and spaced apart from the upper surface of the spring stop member 274 by a spacer member 278, which in turn is attached to the upper surface of the spring stop member 274.

[0119] In operation, a user can move or tilt the second portion 218 of the second housing member 212 and the second portion 246 of the first housing member 214 from the upright position A to the tilted position B by bending the second housing member 212 and the first housing member 214. The movement of the second portion 218 of the second housing member 212 and the second portion 246 of the first housing member 214 from the upright position A to the tilted position B causes the first portion 244 of the first housing member 214 to move from the first position C to the rearward and tilted position D. Specifically, the first portion 216 of the second housing member 212, the first portion 244 of the first housing member 214, the front support member 262, and the rear support member 264 cooperate to form a flexible or deformable four-bar linkage, thereby allowing the second portion 246 of the first housing member 214 to move from the first position C to the tilted position D. In some embodiments, the front support member 262 and the rear support member 264 are each more flexible than the second portion 246 of the first housing member 214, and the second portion 246 of the first housing member 214 is more flexible than the second portion 218 of the second housing member 212. In other embodiments, the various thicknesses of the connecting members or members comprising the deformable four-bar linkage can be varied to provide specific support and bending characteristics as described above. It should be noted that the deformable four-bar linkage does not include a specific pivot assembly and the components typically associated therewith, thereby reducing the complexity of the overall system. The spring member 266 is configured to return the four-bar linkage to an initial position once the external force is removed. In the example shown, the lengths of the front support member 262 and the rear support member 264 are substantially the same, but as described above, the connecting portion 272 of the front support member 262 is spaced apart from the upper surface 276 of the spring stop member 274 or the second portion 218 of the second housing member 212 by the spacer member 278, thereby effectively changing the moment arm length of the front support member 262. Therefore, as the second portion 246 of the first housing member 214 moves from the first position C to the tilted position D, the front portion 250 of the second portion 246 of the first housing member 214 rises at a greater rate than the rear portion 258 of the second portion 246 .

[0120] The spring stop member 274 includes a main body portion 280 attached to the upper surface 276 of the second portion 218 of the second housing member 212, a front stop portion 282 extending forward and upward at an angle from the main body portion 280, and a rear stop portion 284 extending rearward and upward at an angle from the main body portion 280. The front stop portion 282 is configured so that the front support member 262 contacts the front stop portion 282, thereby limiting the forward movement of the front support member 262. In the example shown, the front stop portion 282 is substantially flexible, thereby providing a spring effect or cushioning for the forward movement of the front support member 262. However, the front stop portion 282 may also include a substantially rigid material. The rear stop portion 284 includes an arcuate upper end portion 286 and a middle portion 288 including a vertically extending narrow slot 290. In operation, the upper end 286 is configured to abut the transition portion 248 of the first housing member 214, thereby limiting the rearward travel of the transition portion 248 relative to the transition portion 230. In the example shown, the upper end 286 and the middle portion 288 of the spring stop member 274 are flexible and resilient to provide a soft stop or cushioning for the rearward movement of the transition portion 248 toward the transition portion 230.

[0121] The spacer 292 is positioned between the transition portion 230 of the second housing member 212 and the transition portion 248 of the first housing member 214. In the example shown, the spacer 292 includes an arcuate body portion 294 having a rearwardly facing arcuate abutment surface 296, wherein the abutment surface 296 is complementary in shape to the transition portion 230 of the second housing member 212. The spacer 292 further includes an arm portion 298 and a front abutment portion 300 located at a distal end of the arm portion 298. The front abutment portion 300 includes a forwardly facing arcuate front abutment surface 302 that abuts and is complementary in shape to the transition portion 248 of the first housing member 214. The front abutment portion 300 is secured to the transition portion 248 of the first housing member 214 by a plurality of mechanical fasteners such as bolts 304. In operation, when the second housing member 212 and the first housing member 214 are in the upright position A, the abutment surface 296 is spaced apart from the transition portion 230 of the second housing member 212. When the second housing member 212 and the first housing member 214 move from the upright position A toward the tilted position B, the abutment surface 296 moves rearward toward the transition portion 230 of the second housing member 212 until the abutment surface 296 abuts the transition portion 230, thereby reducing the total amount of bending that is possible for the second housing member 212 and the first housing member 214 and maintaining the structural shape relative to the transition portion 230 and the transition portion 248. The spacer 292 further includes a stop member 306 that extends upward from the front end of the main body portion 294 and is received in the slot 290 of the middle portion 288 of the spring stop member 274. The stop member 306 abuts the upper end of the slot 290, thereby providing a limit to the rearward tilting of the second housing member 212 and the first housing member 214.

[0122] Alternatively, the chair assembly 200c ( Fig.12 ) can be provided with a pair of reinforcing plates that structurally support the connecting portion 272c of the spring member 266c and secure the connecting portion to the second portion 246c of the first shell member 214a. Since the chair assembly 200c is similar to the chair assembly 200 described previously, Figures 9 to 11 and Fig.12272c of the spring member 266c and the lower or second support plate 310 positioned below the connecting portion 272c of the spring stop member 274c, thereby sandwiching the connecting portion 272c therebetween. The plates 308, 310 and the second portion 272c of the spring member 266c are coupled to the first portion 244c of the second housing member 214a by a plurality of mechanical fasteners such as bolts 312. The plate 308 can also be configured to support the arm assembly 210c.

[0123] exist Fig.13 Another alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 2, wherein the chair assembly 200d includes an upright stop member 314. Since the chair assembly 200d is similar to the chair assembly 200 described previously, Figures 9 to 11 and Fig.13 Like parts appearing in the drawings are indicated by the same corresponding reference numerals, except that the latter have the suffix "d" added to the reference numerals. The upright stop member 314 includes a substantially rectangular block-shaped body portion 316 having a proximal end 318 fixed to the first portion 216d of the second housing member 212d, and a distal portion 320. The upright stop member 314 further includes a pair of stop members, such as pins 322 extending laterally outward from the distal portion 320. Fig.13 As best shown, when the second housing member 212d and the first housing member 214d are in the upright position, the body portion 294d of each of the spacers 292d is spaced apart from the associated pin 322. Fig.14 As best shown, the spacers 292d rotate rearwardly with the transition portion 248d of the first housing member 214d until the upper surface 324 of the body portion 294d of each of the spacers 292d contacts or abuts the pin 320, thereby preventing further tilting of the second and first housing members 212d, 214d.

[0124] In another alternative embodiment, the chair assembly 200e ( Fig.15 ) includes an alternative stop device 326. In the example shown, the chair assembly 200e is similar to the chair assembly 200, with the most notable exception being the change in the rear stop device. Since the chair assembly 200e is similar to the chair devices 200, 200c, Figure 1 To Figure 4 and Figure 7Similar elements appearing in the figure are indicated by the same corresponding reference numerals, except that the latter have the suffix "e" added to the reference numerals. The stop device 326 includes a mounting member 328 fixedly secured to the first portion 216e and a stop member 330 secured to a distal end 332 of the mounting member 328. In operation, the rear support member 264e abuts the stop member 330, thereby limiting the rearward "tilt" of the chair back.

[0125] In yet another alternative embodiment, the chair assembly 200f ( Fig.16 ) includes a plurality of flexible elastic edge members 334. Since the chair assembly 200f is similar to the chair assembly 200 described previously, Figures 9 to 11 and Fig.16 Similar parts appearing in the figure are indicated by the same corresponding reference numerals, except that the latter are suffixed with "f" in the reference numerals. In the example shown, the bottom or first portion 216f of the second shell member 212f provides a trough-like shape and includes a side wall 336 and a front wall 338. A plurality of edge members 334 extend between the side wall 336 and / or the front wall 338 and the first portion 244f of the first shell member 214f. Each edge member 334 comprises a flexible elastic polymer material and is positioned so as to contact the inner surface of the side wall 336 and / or the front wall 338 and the bottom surface of the second portion 244f of the second shell member 214f, and is fixed thereto by a plurality of mechanical fasteners (such as screws 340). In some embodiments, the edge member 334 can be integrally formed with the second shell member 212f and / or the first shell member 214f. The edge member 334 may or may not be provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending slots 342, which may change the performance of the member. For example, increasing the number and / or size of slots 342 may increase the flexibility of member 334. Edge member 334 may additionally provide a surface between second case member 212f and first case member 214f ​​to support an associated cover member (not shown) and prevent entry into gap 262f between second case member 212f and first case member 214f.

[0126] Reference numeral 400( Fig.17 ) generally represents another embodiment of a seating device. In the illustrated example, the seating device 400 includes a caster base assembly 402 adjacent to a floor surface 404, a seat assembly 406 and a backrest assembly 408 supported above the base assembly 402, and a pair of arm assemblies 410.

[0127] The chair assembly 10 includes a rear housing member or second housing member 422 ( Fig.18 and Fig.19) and a front shell member or first shell member 424. The shell members 422, 424 can be formed as a single integral piece, or include multiple separate parts. In the example shown, the shell members 422, 424 each include one or more flexible elastic polymer materials, such as any thermoplastic, including, for example, nylon, glass-filled nylon, polypropylene, acetyl or polycarbonate; any thermosetting material, including, for example, epoxy resin; or any resin-based composite material, including, for example, carbon fiber or glass fiber, so as to allow each of the shell members 422, 424 to conform and move in response to the force applied by the user. Although polymer materials are preferred, other suitable materials may also be used, such as metals, including, for example, steel or titanium; plywood; or composite materials including plastics, resin-based composites, metals and / or plywood. A variety of other suitable energy storage materials may also be used.

[0128] The rear housing member 422 includes a horizontally extending bottom or first portion 426, a vertically extending upper or second portion 428 extending upward from the first portion 426, and a transition portion 429 extending between the first portion 426 and the second portion 428. In the example shown, the first portion 426 is supported by a support plate 430 that abuts a bottom surface 432 of the first portion 426 and is in turn supported by a column 434 of the base assembly 402. The second portion 428 of the rear housing member 422 includes a lower portion 436, an upper portion 438, and a middle portion 440 therebetween. The upper portion 438 of the rear housing member 422 is separated from the middle portion 440 by a gap 442, thereby allowing the upper portion 438 to move independently of the middle portion 440, as described below.

[0129] The front shell member 424 includes a first portion or seat shell member 444 and a second portion or back support member 446. The seat shell member 444 includes a front portion 448, a rear portion 450, an upper surface 452 configured to support a seated user, and a lower surface 454 opposite the upper surface 452. The back support member 446 includes a lower portion 456, an upper portion 458, and a middle portion 460 located therebetween. The middle portion 440 of the rear shell member 422 and the middle portion 460 of the back support member 446 are coupled together by transversely extending ribs 462 that extend forward from a front surface 464 of the rear shell member 422 and extend rearward from a rear surface 466 of the back support member 446. The rear portion 450 of the seat shell member 444 is coupled to the second portion 428 of the rear shell member 422 by a connecting member 468. In the example shown, the connecting member 468 is integrally formed with both the rear shell member 422 and the seat shell member 444, however, each of these components can be formed as a separate single piece. The lower end of the lower portion 456 of the back support member 446 extends through an aperture or slot 470 formed in the connecting member 468 and is coupled to the underside 472 of the connecting member 468 after passing through the aperture 470.

[0130] The seat device 400 further includes a pair of laterally extending, flexible and resilient support members, including a front support member 474 and a rear support member 476, each of which extends between the seat shell member 444 and the second portion of the rear shell member 422. In the example shown, the support members 474, 476 are integrally formed with the seat shell member 444 and the rear shell member 422, and extend from the lower surface 454 of the seat shell member 444 to the upper surface 478 of the first portion 426 of the rear shell member 422, but each of these components can include separate pieces. The first portion 426 of the rear shell member 422, the seat shell member 444 and the pair of support members 474, 476 cooperate to define a deformable four-bar linkage, thereby allowing the seat device 400 to move, as described below. In the example shown, the front support member 474 is slightly longer than the rear support member 476, and its relevance is also described below.

[0131] In operation, the user can move or tilt the second portion 428 of the rear shell member 422 from the upright position A to the tilted position B by bending the rear shell member 422 and the front shell member 424. The movement of the second portion 428 of the rear shell member 422 from the upright position A to the tilted position B causes the seat shell member 444 to move from the first position C to the rearward and tilted position D. Specifically, as the second portion 428 of the rear shell member 422 moves from the upright position A to the tilted position B, the connecting member 468 pulls the seat shell member 444 backward together with the second portion 428 of the rear shell member 422. As described above, the front support member 474 is slightly longer than the rear support member 476, resulting in the front portion 448 of the seat shell member 444 rising vertically at a slightly faster rate than the rear portion 450 of the seat shell member 440 when the seat shell member 444 moves from the first position C to the tilted position D. It should also be noted that when the rear shell member 422 and the back support member 446 move between the upright position A and the reclined position B, the upper portion 438 of the rear shell member 422 and the upper portion 458 of the back support member 446 tend to tilt about the pivot point located forward of the gap 442 at a rate slightly greater than the tilt rate of the middle portion 440 of the rear shell member 422 and the middle portion 460 of the back support member 446.

[0132] like Fig.18 As best shown, the middle portion 460 of the back support member 446 can be compressed or moved separately from the movement of the seat shell member 444. As described above, the lowermost end of the lower portion 456 of the back support member 446 extends through the aperture or slot 470 of the connecting member 468. This configuration effectively decouples certain movements of the back support member 446 from the movement of the seat shell member 444. For example, a force F can be applied to the middle portion 460 of the back support member 446, thereby causing the back support member 446 to bend backward. In this case, when the back support member 446 is allowed to move within the aperture or slot 470, the position of the seat shell member 444 remains relatively constant.

[0133] In yet another embodiment, the seat device 400g ( Fig. 20 and Fig.21 ) includes a lowermost end of the lower portion 456g of the back support member 446g, which extends through the narrow slot 470g of the connecting member 468g and is attached to the front surface 482 of the rear shell member 422g. Similar to the above-mentioned embodiment, this arrangement effectively decouples the movement or compression of the middle portion 460g of the back support member 446g from the movement of the seat shell member 444g, so that the back support member 446g can be compressed without moving the seat shell member 444g.

[0134] Reference numeral 500( Fig. 22) generally represents another embodiment of a seating device. In the example shown, the seating device or chair assembly 500 includes a caster base assembly 502 adjacent to a floor surface 504, a seat assembly 506 and a backrest assembly 508 each supported above the base assembly 502, and a pair of arm assemblies 510. In the example shown, the chair assembly 500 ( Fig.23 ) includes a rear shell member or second shell member 512 and a front shell member or first shell member 514. The shell members 512, 514 can be formed as a single integral piece, or include multiple separate parts. The shell members 512, 514 each include one or more flexible elastic polymer materials, such as any thermoplastic, including, for example, nylon, glass-filled nylon, polypropylene, acetyl or polycarbonate; any thermosetting material, including, for example, epoxy resin; or any resin-based composite material, including, for example, carbon fiber or glass fiber, so as to allow each of the shell members 512, 514 to conform and move in response to the force applied by the user. Although polymer materials may be preferred, other suitable materials may also be used, such as metals, including, for example, steel or titanium; plywood; or composite materials including plastics, resin-based composites, metals and / or plywood. A variety of other suitable energy storage materials may also be used.

[0135] The second housing member 512 includes a horizontally extending bottom or first portion 516, a vertically extending upper or second portion 518 extending upwardly from the first portion 516, and an arcuate transition portion 520 extending between the first portion 516 and the second portion 518. In the example shown, the first portion 516 is supported by a column 522 of the base assembly 502.

[0136] The first portion 516 of the second housing member 512 includes a bottom wall 524 having a front portion 526 and a rear portion 528, a pair of side walls 530 extending angularly upward and laterally from the bottom wall 524, and a front wall 532 extending angularly upward and forward from the bottom wall 524. The upper or second portion 518 of the second housing member 512 includes a lower portion 534, an upper portion 536, and a middle portion 538 located therebetween.

[0137] The rear or second housing member 512 further includes a U-shaped aperture 540 including a laterally extending base portion 542 and a pair of forwardly extending arm portions 544. In the example shown, the base portion 542 of the aperture 540 is positioned near the rear portion 528 of the bottom wall 524 of the first portion 516 and near the transition portion 540, while the arm portions 544 extend forward from the base portion 542 and are located near the bottom wall 524 and near the sidewalls 530. The arm portions 544 are angled or inclined outwardly from each other from the base portion 542 to the distal ends 546 of each of the arm portions 544. The second housing member 512 further includes an aperture 548 extending from the transition portion 520 into the lower portion 534 of the second portion 518.

[0138] The front housing member 514 includes a horizontally extending bottom or first portion 550, a vertically extending upper or second portion 552 extending upward from the first portion 550, and an arcuate transition portion 554 extending between the first portion 550 and the second portion 552. The first portion 550 includes a front portion 556 and a rear portion 558, while the second portion 552 includes a lower portion 560, an upper portion 562, and an arcuate forwardly convex middle portion 564 located therebetween and configured to support the lower region of the user's back. The upper portion 562 of the second portion 552 of the first housing member 514 is connected to the upper portion 536 of the second portion 518 of the second housing member 512 at a location 566, such as by sonic welding, adhesives, integral molding, mechanical fasteners, and the like. The second shell member 512 and the first shell member 514 are configured to define a gap 568 between the upper portion 562 and at least a portion of the upper portion 536, between the middle portion 564 and the middle portion 538, between the lower portion 560 and the lower portion 534, between the transition portion 554 and the transition portion 520, and between the second portion 552 and the second portion 518.

[0139] In operation, the second portion 518 ( Fig.25) and the second portion 552 of the first shell member 214 can move or tilt from the upright position A to the tilted position B. The configuration of the U-shaped aperture 540 allows the first shell member 212 to deflect when the second shell member 212 moves from the upright position A to the tilted position B. In the example shown, when the second portion 518 of the second shell member 512 moves from the upright position A to the tilted position B, the portion 570 of the second shell member 512 located adjacent to the base portion 542 of the aperture 540 immediately behind the aperture travels downward. It should be further noted that the positioning and configuration of the aperture 548 within the transition portion 520 and the second portion 518 of the second shell member 512 allows the portion of the second shell member 512 located laterally outboard of the aperture 548 to bend more easily when the second portion 218 of the second shell member 512 moves from the upright position A to the tilted position B.

[0140] Reference numeral 500h ( Fig.26 ) generally represents another embodiment of a seating device. Since the chair assembly 500h is similar to the chair assembly 500 described previously, Figure 22 to Figure 25 and Fig.26 500h are similar to the chair assembly 500, with the most notable exception that the orifices 548 of the chair assembly 500 are replaced with a plurality of orifices 574. The plurality of orifices 574 include a pair of arcuate orifices 576 extending vertically and laterally from a first end 578 located within the lower portion 534h of the second portion 518h of the second shell member 512h and a second end 580 located within the transition portion 520h of the second shell member 512h. As shown, the orifice 574 sweeps downwardly and outwardly from the first end 578 to the second end 580. An upwardly concave arcuate second orifice 582 extends laterally on the transition portion 520h and includes a first end 584 and a second end 586 located adjacent the second end 580 of the corresponding orifice 576, respectively. The second aperture 582 also includes a central portion 588 that extends vertically upward from the arcuate portion of the second aperture 582 and along the centroidal axis of the first housing member 212h. The plurality of apertures 574 cooperate to define a pair of downwardly extending tabs 590. The plurality of apertures 574 are used to increase the flexibility of the lower portion 534h and the transition portion 520h of the second portion 518h of the second housing member 514h when the second housing member 512h moves between the upright position and the inclined position, similar to Fig.25 Upright position A and reclined position B shown.

[0141] Reference numeral 500i ( Fig. 27) generally represents another embodiment of the seating device 500. Since the chair assembly 500i is similar to the chair assembly 500 described previously, Figure 22 to Figure 24 and Fig. 27 500i is similar to chair assembly 500, with the most notable exception of the inclusion of an upper aperture 592 and a structural reinforcement and biasing assembly 594. In the example shown, the upper aperture 592 extends across and includes a majority of the upper portion 536i of the second portion 518i of the second shell member 512i, and extends downwardly into the middle portion 538i of the second portion 518i of the second shell member 512i. The structural reinforcement and biasing assembly 592 includes a flexible resilient rod 596 extending vertically between the upper portion 536i and the mounting plate 598. In the example shown, the upper end 600 of the rod 596 is attached to the upper portion 536i of the second portion 518i of the second shell member 512i by a mechanical fastener 602, while the second end 604 of the rod 596 is attached to a mounting plate 598 that is positioned above or below the bottom wall 524i of the first portion 516i of the second shell member 512i. The rod 596 may also be attached along its length to the middle portion 538i of the second portion 518i of the second shell member 512i by a mechanical fastener 606. In operation, the rod 596 is used to structurally reinforce the second portion 518i of the second shell member 512i, as well as bias the second portion 518i of the second shell member 512i from a tilted position to an upright position, similar to Fig.25 The inclined position B and the upright position A are shown in FIG.

[0142] Reference numeral 500j( Fig.28 ) generally represents another embodiment of the seating device 500. Since the chair assembly 500j is similar to the chair assembly 500 described previously, Figure 22 to Figure 24 and Fig.286. Similar parts appearing in the chair assembly 500j are respectively designated by the same corresponding reference numerals, except that the latter has the suffix "j" added to the reference numerals. The chair assembly 500j is similar to the chair assembly 500, with the most notable exception of the inclusion of a structural reinforcement and biasing assembly 608. The structural reinforcement and biasing assembly 608 includes a pair of generally L-shaped, flexible and resilient biasing members 610, each of which has a first portion 612 extending generally horizontally and a second portion 614 extending generally vertically. Each first portion 612 includes a downwardly bent distal end 616 welded to an attachment plate 618, which is secured to a support plate 620, which in turn is secured to a first portion 516j of a second shell member 512j by a plurality of mechanical fasteners such as bolts 622. The distal end 624 of the second portion 614 of each of the biasing members 610 is attached to an intermediate portion 538j of a second portion 518j of the second shell member 512j by a plurality of mechanical fasteners such as bolts 626. In operation, the biasing member 610 is used to structurally reinforce the second portion 518j of the second housing member 512j and to bias the second portion 518j of the second housing member 512j from a tilted position to an upright position, similar to Fig.25 The inclined position B and the upright position A are shown in FIG.

[0143] The structural reinforcement and biasing assembly 608 further includes a tilt limiting device 630 ( Fig.29 ), the tilt limiting device limits the rearward tilt range of the second portion 518j of the second housing member 512j. Each biasing member 610 further includes an arcuate transition portion 632 positioned between the first portion 612 and the second portion 614. Each transition portion 632 includes an arcuate, downwardly and forwardly extending abutment or stop member 634. In operation, when the second portion 518j of the second housing member 512j is in an upright position, the end of the stop member 634 is spaced apart from the stop plate 636 attached to the support plate 620. During tilting, the end of the stop member 634 contacts or abuts the stop plate 636, thereby limiting the rearward tilt of the second portion 518j of the second housing member 512j.

[0144] Reference numeral 700( Fig.30 ) generally represents another embodiment of a seating device. In the example shown, the seating device or chair assembly 700 includes a caster base assembly 702 adjacent to a floor surface 704, a seat assembly 706 and a back assembly 708 each supported above the base assembly 702, and a pair of arm assemblies 710. In the example shown, the chair assembly 700 ( Fig.31) includes a front housing member or first housing member 714 and a rear housing member or second housing member 712. The housing members 712, 714 can be formed as a single, integral piece, or include multiple separate parts. In the example shown, the first housing member 712 includes a single, integral piece, while the second housing member 714 includes a two-piece construction as described below. The housing members 712, 714 each include a flexible, elastic polymer material, such as any thermoplastic, including, for example, nylon, glass-filled nylon, polypropylene, acetyl or polycarbonate; any thermosetting material, including, for example, epoxy resin; or any resin-based composite material, including, for example, carbon fiber or glass fiber, so as to allow each of the housing members 712, 714 to conform and move in response to the force applied by the user. Although polymer materials are preferred, other suitable materials may also be used, such as metals, including, for example, steel or titanium; plywood; or composite materials including plastics, resin-based composite materials, metals and / or plywood. A variety of other suitable energy storage materials may also be used.

[0145] The rear housing member 712 includes a horizontally extending bottom or first portion 716, a vertically extending upper or second portion 718 extending upward from the first portion 716, and an arcuate transition portion 720 extending between the first portion 716 and the second portion 718. In the example shown, the rear housing member 712 includes a two-part construction having a first portion 722 and a second portion 724, each of which has a portion of a lap joint 726. Specifically, the lap joint 726 includes a first portion 728 integral with the first portion 722 of the rear housing member 712 and a second portion 730 integral with the second portion 724 of the rear housing member 712, wherein the first portion 722 and the second portion 724 are each cantilevered and overlap each other to form the lap joint 726. In assembly, the post 732 ( 734 ) of the base assembly 702 is received through the aperture 734 of the first portion 722 and the aperture 736 of the second portion. Fig.31 and Fig.34 ), and the first portion 728 and the second portion 730 of the lap joint 726 are connected by the lower coupler 738 and the upper coupler 740, as described below. It should be noted that although Fig.32 The illustrated embodiment shows a two-piece rear housing member 712, but alternative embodiments may include more than two components, or a unitary, one-piece construction.

[0146] Front housing member 714 ( Fig.31 and Fig.35) includes a horizontally extending bottom or first portion 744, a vertically extending upper or second portion 746 extending upward from the first portion 744, and an arcuate transition portion 748 extending between the first portion 744 and the second portion 746. The first portion 744 includes a front portion 750 and a rear portion 752, while the second portion 746 includes a lower portion 754, an upper portion 756, and an arcuate forwardly convex middle portion 758 located therebetween and configured to support the lumbar region of the user's back. The middle portion 759 of the second portion 746 of the front housing member 714 located between the upper portion 756 and the middle portion 758 is connected to the upper portion 761 of the second portion 718 of the rear housing member 712, such as by sonic welding, adhesives, integral molding, mechanical fasteners, etc. The rear housing member 712 and the front housing member 714 are configured so as to define a gap 762 therebetween.

[0147] The front housing member 714 further includes a pair of laterally spaced apart slots 764 extending in a front-to-rear direction from a middle portion of the second portion 746 to a middle portion 759 of the second portion 746, wherein a front end of each slot 764 terminates in an aperture 766, thereby dividing the front housing member 714 into an inner portion 768 and an outer portion 770. The division of the inner portion 768 from the outer portion 770 allows the inner portion 768 to bend separately from the outer portion 770 during the tilting of the backrest assembly 708 from the upright position A to the tilted position B. Fig.36A and Fig.36B As best shown, the flexing of the front housing member 714 during reclining causes the inner portion 768 to flex less than the outer portion 770, causing the outer portion 770 to drop relative to the inner portion 768, thereby allowing additional flexibility in the front housing member 714 while providing adequate support for the seated user via the inner portion 768. The difference in flexing of the inner portion 768 and the outer portion 770 causes the second portion 746 of the front housing member 714 to move from the reclined position toward the upright position and increase the pressure applied to the back of the seated user as the force applied to the inner portion 768 increases, such as as the force applied by the weight of the seated user.

[0148] Front housing member 714 ( Fig.35 and Fig.37 ) further includes a pair of C-shaped relief portions or apertures 772, each of which defines a tab 774. Each tab 744 has a transversely extending bend region 776 having a relatively reduced thickness to facilitate bending of each tab 744 in this region, as described below.

[0149] Chair assembly 700( Fig.30 and Fig.31) further includes a pair of laterally extending support members or linkage members, including a front support or linkage member 778 and a rear support or linkage member 780, each of which extends between the second portion 746 of the front housing member 714 and the second portion 716 of the rear housing member 712. In the example shown, the front support member 778 is flexible and resilient along its length, while the rear support member 780 is relatively rigid. The front support member 778 is integrally formed within the rear housing member 716 and rigidly attached to the front housing member 714, while the rear support member 780 is rigidly attached to the rear housing member 716, however the front support member 778 and the rear support member 780 can be formed as separate pieces, or formed as an integral part of the rear housing member 712 and / or the front housing member 714. Further, in the example shown, the inner portion 768 cooperates with the front support member 778 and the rear support member 780 to form a control mechanism that synchronizes the rearward movement of the first portion 744 of the front housing member 714 with the tilting movement of the second portion 746 of the front housing member 714, as further described below.

[0150] In this example, the first portion 716 ( Fig.34 , Fig.37 ) includes a relatively reduced thickness laterally extending curved region 782 located before the attachment location of the rear support member 780 to the rear housing member 712. The front support member 778 includes a relatively reduced thickness laterally extending curved region 784 located at the lower end of the front support member 778 so that the bend of the front support member 778 is concentrated in the curved region 782, while the remainder of the front support member can be relatively rigid and can remain relatively straight. The front support member 778 is connected to each of the tabs 774 after the curved region 776. Reference Fig.36A and Fig.36B , it should be noted that the rear support member 780 remains rigid during recline while the second portion 746, the second portion 716 and the front support member 778 flex, with the flex regions or zones 776, 782, 784 flexing by a greater amount than the remainder of each of the associated components. As previously discussed, the various thicknesses of the linkages or members comprising the integral support four-bar linkage may be varied to provide the specific support and flex characteristics previously described. It should be further noted that this configuration provides sufficient flex to the front shell member 714 while allowing the peripheral edge 785 of the front shell member to remain continuous and without breaks or reliefs, thereby providing a continuous edge aesthetic edge while reducing or eliminating damage to the support cover assembly 787 ( Fig.30 and Fig.34) wear. In the example shown, the cover assembly 787 includes a flexible, resilient substrate layer 791 supported by the front shell member 714 and comprising a thermoplastic, a foam layer 793 molded to the substrate layer 791, and a fabric cover 795 heat-fixed to the foam layer 793. Alternatively, the fabric cover can be wrapped around the foam layer 793 and secured to the underside of the substrate layer 791 by separate mechanical fasteners (not shown) such as staples or to integral fasteners (not shown) integrally molded with the substrate layer 791, and / or secured around the foam layer 793 and the substrate layer 791 by a drawstring arrangement (not shown). In the example shown, both the foam layer 793 and the fabric cover 795 are continuous and have no irregularities along their edges, such as apertures, reliefs, cuts, seams, wrinkles, and the like. In an alternative embodiment, the continuous peripheral edge 785 of the front shell member 714 can provide an uninterrupted edge around which the fabric cover 795 is wrapped. In another alternative arrangement, a separate outermost housing (not shown) comprising molded thermoplastic may replace the cover assembly 787 and provide an outer user support surface, thereby eliminating the need for a fabric type cover.

[0151] The chair assembly 700 further includes a tilt stop 790 ( Fig.34 In the example shown, the stop device 790 includes: a stop member 792 ( Fig.38 ), which has a cylindrical body portion 794 in which the upper end of the post 732 is received; a flange 796 that extends around the body portion 794 and cooperates with the lower coupler 738 to couple the first and second portions 722, 724 of the rear housing member 712 together so that the stop member 792 functions as the upper coupler 740 as previously described; and a stop arm 798 that extends rearwardly from the body portion 794. The stop arm 798 extends through an aperture 802 in a front wall 804 of the rear support member 780 so that a pair of stops 800 at the distal ends of the stop arm 798 are located within an interior space or cavity 806 of the rear support member 780 defined between the front wall 804 and the rear wall 808. Alternatively, the aperture 802 and the interior space may be lined with a plastic bushing member 809. The stop arm 798 and the stop 800 cooperate to form a control lever. In operation, rearward tilting of the backrest assembly 708 from the upright position A toward the tilted position B is limited by the stop 800 adjacent the rear wall 808, while forward tilting of the chair back 708 from the tilted position B toward the upright position A is limited by the stop 800 adjacent the front wall 804. It should be noted that the present configuration provides a relatively open chair structure such that components including portions of the four-bar linkage, the arm support structure, and the tilt limiting device are visible, while adjacent stop components are hidden from view and within the existing support structure, particularly components of the four-bar linkage. Fig.30 and Fig.39As best shown, the arm support member 820 is integral with and supported by a cover portion 822 that is configured to aesthetically cover the stop 792. The arm support member 820 and cover portion 822 may be removed from the chair assembly 700 and alternatively replaced with a cover member 824, thereby providing an armless embodiment of the chair assembly on the same base platform.

[0152] Alternatively, the arm assembly 710, the arm support member 820 and the cover portion 822 may be formed by an accessory support device 830 ( Fig.40 ), the accessory support includes a support portion 832 configured to aesthetically cover the housing of the stop assembly 792, and a chair accessory, such as an arm assembly 834 or a leg assembly 836, which is configured to support the chair assembly 700 above a floor surface in place of the support assembly 702. Although the arm assembly 834 and the leg assembly 936 are provided as examples, other chair accessories are also contemplated, such as a tablet computer holder, a work surface, a beverage holder, etc. In the example shown, the support portion 832 includes a first portion 838 of a releasable coupling device, and the accessory includes a second portion 840 of the coupling device, thereby allowing multiple accessories to be interchangeably supported from the same base support structure.

[0153] Reference numeral 910( Fig.41 ) generally represents another embodiment of a seating device. In the example shown, the seating device 910 is provided in the form of an office chair assembly and includes a caster base assembly 912 adjacent to a floor surface 914, a seat assembly 916 and a backrest assembly 918 each supported above the base assembly 912, and a pair of arm assemblies 920. In the example shown, the chair assembly 910 ( Fig.42 ) includes a front shell member or first shell member 922 and a rear shell member or second shell member 924. The shell members 922, 924 can each be formed as a single integral piece, or include multiple separate components as described below. The shell members 922, 924 can each include a flexible elastic polymer material, such as any thermoplastic, including, for example, nylon, glass-filled nylon, polypropylene, acetyl or polycarbonate; any thermosetting material, including, for example, epoxy resin; or any resin-based composite material, including, for example, carbon fiber or glass fiber, so as to allow each of the shell members 922, 924 to conform and move in response to the force applied by the user. Although polymer materials are preferred, other suitable materials may also be used, such as metals, including, for example, steel or titanium; plywood; or composite materials including plastics, resin-based composites, metals and / or plywood. A variety of other suitable energy storage materials may also be used.

[0154] Front housing member 922 ( Fig.42 and Fig.43) includes: a horizontally extending bottom or first portion 926, which can be configured to support a seated user; a vertically extending upper or second portion 928, which extends upward from the first portion 926 and can be configured to support the back of a seated user; and an arcuate transition portion 930 extending between the first portion 926 and the second portion 928. The first portion 926 includes a front portion 932 and a rear portion 934, while the second portion 928 includes a lower portion 936, an upper portion 938, wherein an arcuate forwardly convex middle portion 930 is located therebetween and is configured to support the lumbar region of the user's back.

[0155] In the example shown, the front housing member 922 further includes a pair of laterally spaced apart slots 944 extending from the middle portion 939 of the second portion 928 to the middle portion 942 of the second portion 928 in a front-to-rear direction, thereby dividing the front housing member 922 into an inner portion 948 and a pair of outer portions 950. The division of the inner portion 948 from the outer portion 950 allows the inner portion 948 to bend separately from the outer portion 950 during the tilting of the backrest assembly 918 from the upright position A to the tilted position B. Fig.44 and Fig.45 As best shown, the flexing of the front housing member 922 during reclining causes the inner portion 948 to flex less than the outer portion 950, causing the outer portion 950 to drop relative to the inner portion 948, thereby allowing additional flexibility in the front housing member 922 while providing adequate support for the seated user via the inner portion 948. The difference in flexing of the inner portion 948 and the outer portion 950 causes the second portion 928 of the front housing member 922 to move from the reclined position toward the upright position and increase the pressure applied to the back of the seated user as the force applied to the inner portion 948 increases, such as as the force applied by the body weight of the seated user.

[0156] Front housing member 922 ( Fig.43 and Fig.46 ) further includes a pair of C-shaped relief portions or apertures 952, each defining a tab 954. Each tab 954 has a transversely extending bend region 956 having a relatively reduced thickness to facilitate bending of each tab 954 in this region, as described below.

[0157] The rear housing member 924 includes a horizontally extending bottom or first portion 958, a vertically extending upper or second portion 960 extending upwardly from the first portion 958, and an arcuate transition portion 962 extending between the first portion 958 and the second portion 960, and will be described in more detail below.

[0158] When assembled, middle portion 942 of second portion 928 of front housing member 922, located between upper portion 938 and middle portion 939, is connected to upper portion 964 of second portion 960 of rear housing member 924, such as by sonic welding, adhesives, integral molding, mechanical fasteners, etc. Front housing member 922 and rear housing member 924 may be configured to define a gap 966 therebetween.

[0159] Chair assembly 910( Fig.41 and Fig.42 ) may include laterally extending support members or linkage members, including a pair of front support or linkage members 968 and rear support or linkage members 970, each extending between the second portion 928 of the front housing member 922 and the second portion 958 of the rear housing member 924. In the example shown, the front support member 968 is flexible and resilient along its length, while the rear support member 970 is relatively rigid. The front support member 968 is integrally formed with the rear housing member 924 and rigidly attached to the tab 954 of the front housing member 922, while the rear support member 970 is integral with the rear housing member 924 and rigidly attached to the front housing member 922. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the front support member 968 and the rear support member 970 can be formed as separate pieces, or formed as an integral part of the front housing member 922 and / or the rear housing member 924. Further, in the example shown, the inner portion 948 cooperates with the front support member 968 and the rear support member 970 to form a control mechanism that synchronizes the rearward movement of the first portion 926 of the front housing member 922 with the tilting movement of the second portion 928 of the front housing member 922, as further described below.

[0160] In this example, the first portion 958 ( Fig.46 and Fig.47 ) includes a relatively reduced thickness laterally extending curved region 972 located before the attachment location of the rear support member 970 to the rear housing member 924. The front support member 968 includes a relatively reduced thickness laterally extending curved region 974 located at the lower end of the front support member 968 so that the bend of the front support member 968 is concentrated in the curved region 974, while the remainder of the front support member 968 can be relatively rigid and can remain relatively straight. The front support member 968 is connected to each of the tabs 954 after the curved region 956. Referring to Fig.44 and Fig.45, it should be noted that the rear support member 970 remains rigid during tilting, while the second portion 928, the second portion 958 and the front support member 968 bend, with the bending areas or zones 956, 972, 974 bending by an amount greater than the remainder of each of the associated components. It should be noted that while the present example is described as including flexible zones having reduced thickness, other configurations may be used, such as flexible zones created via the use of apertures, cutouts, reduced widths, and general configurations in which the bending stiffness of the structure is reduced relative to the remainder of the structure. As previously described, the various thicknesses of the linkages or members that comprise the integral support flexible four-bar linkage may be varied in order to provide the specific support and bending characteristics previously described. The configuration as described above provides sufficient flexure for the front shell member 922 while allowing the peripheral edge 976 of the front shell member to remain continuous and free of breaks or reliefs, thereby providing a continuous outer aesthetic edge while reducing or eliminating damage to the support cover assembly 798 ( Fig.41 and Fig.47 ) wear. In the example shown, the cover assembly 978 includes a flexible, resilient substrate layer 980 supported by the front shell member 922, a thermoplastic foam layer 982 molded to the substrate layer 980, and a fabric cover 984 heat-fixed to the foam layer 982. Alternatively, the fabric cover can be wrapped around the foam layer 982 and secured to the underside of the substrate layer 980 by separate mechanical fasteners (not shown) such as staples or to integral fasteners (not shown) integrally molded with the substrate layer 980, and / or secured around the foam layer 982 and the substrate layer 980 by a drawstring arrangement (not shown). In the example shown, both the foam layer 982 and the fabric cover 984 are continuous and have no irregularities along their edges, such as apertures, reliefs, cuts, seams, wrinkles, and the like. In an alternative embodiment, the continuous peripheral edge 976 of the front shell member 922 can provide an uninterrupted edge around which the fabric cover 984 is wrapped. In another alternative arrangement, a separate outermost housing (not shown) comprising molded thermoplastic may replace cover assembly 978 and provide an outer user support surface, thereby eliminating the need for a fabric-type cover.

[0161] In one embodiment, and as described above, the front support member 968 and the rear support member 970 are integrally formed with the rear housing member 924. In this embodiment, the rear housing member 924 ( Figures 48 to 50 ) includes a pair of resiliently flexible front reinforcing or biasing members 988 ( Figures 48 to 51 ) molded outer body 986, relatively flexible rear reinforcement or biasing member 990, central connector body 992 ( Fig.50 and Fig.52) and rear support member 970. Elastic flexible front reinforcement member 988 and elastic flexible rear reinforcement member 990 each include a fiber band, which includes a substrate material (such as nylon) molded around a strand material such as glass fiber or carbon fiber, but other suitable materials may also be used. In the present embodiment, the strand material includes a plurality of strands or fibers 989, and preferably includes glass fiber due to the bonding properties between glass fiber and thermoplastics. Further, a plurality of strands 989 are preferably longitudinally relative to each other and similarly oriented along the front and rear lengths of each of the elastic flexible front reinforcement member 988 and the flexible rear reinforcement member 990. In the current example, the elastic flexible front reinforcement member 988 and the elastic flexible rear reinforcement member 990 each include a continuous glass extrusion "band", which is commercially available from Plasticomp of Winona, Minnesota, which allows reinforcement members 988, 990 to be formed or take the same basic shape as the article or component molded, adhered or attached to the reinforcement members 988, 990. The central connector body 992 also includes a central aperture 993 for receiving a post 995 of the base assembly 912 therein.

[0162] In the first molding process ( Fig.53A ), elastic and flexible reinforcing members 988, 990 ( Fig.53 )(Step 1200( Fig.53A )) and placed in the mold assembly 1000 (step 1202), and can be held in place by mechanical abutment structures (such as suction cups) and / or by electrostatic forces between the reinforcing members 988, 990 and the mold surface. In this example, the fiber bands are relatively flexible and completely spaced apart from each other. In another example, multiple fiber bands can be positioned relative to each other outside the mold assembly 1000 and can at least partially overlap each other and can then be placed in the mold assembly 1000 as a pre-oriented or positioned grouping. The central connector body 992 is then molded around the front edge 1001 of the rear reinforcing member 990 and the rear edge 1003 of the front reinforcing member 988, thereby connecting them to each other, and the rear support member 970 is molded on the rear reinforcing member 990, thereby obtaining a single-piece insert 1002 ( Fig.52 ), the one-piece insert includes the front reinforcement member 988, the rear reinforcement member 990, the central connector body 992, and the rear support member 970 (step 1204). The central connector body 992 and the rear support member 970 each preferably comprise a thermoplastic material. The insert 1002 is then removed from the mold assembly 1000 (step 1206). In the second molding process ( Fig.54A and Fig.54B), the insert 1002 may then be placed in the second mold assembly 1004 (step 1208), where the outer body 986 is molded around the insert 1002 (step 1210). As previously described, the outer body 986 may comprise a flexible, elastic polymer material, such as a thermoplastic, including, for example, nylon, glass-filled nylon, polypropylene, acetyl, or polycarbonate; or any thermosetting material, including, for example, epoxy resin; or a resin-based composite material, including, for example, carbon fiber or glass fiber. In the current example, the outer body 986 is molded around the insert 1002 so that the elastic, flexible front reinforcement member 988 ( Fig.48A ) is located near the front surface or stretching surface 1006 ( Fig.48 ) in the tension side 1055, wherein when the flexure region 972 deforms as the backrest assembly 918 moves from the upright position A to the reclined position B, the tension side 1055 is in tension and the compression side 1057 is in compression. The elastically flexible rear reinforcement member 990 ( Fig.48B ) is located in a tension side 1051 near the upper surface or tension surface 1008, which is opposite to the rear side or compression side 1061 near the rear surface or compression surface 1063, wherein when the bending zone 974 deforms as the back assembly 918 moves from the upright position A toward the tilted position B, the tension side 1051 is in tension and the compression side 1061 is in compression. The selected placement of the reinforcement members 988, 990 can flexibly reinforce the areas of the overall structure that are most susceptible to bending during the tilting of the back assembly 918, such as, for example, the bending areas 972, 974. It should be noted that positioning the reinforcement members 988, 990 directly below the outer surfaces 1006, 1008 provides an integral outer surface for the outer body 986 that can be easily treated, such as by painting, powder coating, etc. It should be further noted that this molding process or method generally also allows the construction of various parts, components, subassemblies and structures that combine multiple layers and pre-configured features that provide various varying mechanical properties into a single-piece element. refer to Fig.54A and Fig.54B, the insert 1002 is placed inside the second mold 1004. The locking member 1005 extends into the aperture 993 of the central connector body 992 and engages the central connector body 992 to hold the insert member 1002 in place within the second mold 1004. The second mold 1004 includes a first gate 1007 that provides a flow path 1009 and a second gate 1011 that provides a flow path 1013. It should be noted that the first flow path 1009 and the second flow path 1013 guide the molding material onto the elastically flexible reinforcing members 988, 990, respectively, in such a way as to force the elastically flexible reinforcing members 988, 990 onto the lower and upper surfaces of the second mold 1004, thereby holding the reinforcing members 988, 990 in place during the molding process. Preferably, the outer body 986 comprises polypropylene, nylon 66GF or nylon 6GF, and the glass fiber strands comprise long glass resin. Further, outer body 86 preferably comprises 20% or more glass by volume, more preferably 55% or more glass by volume, and most preferably 70% or more glass by volume.

[0163] The embodiment of the chair assembly 910 described above provides a cost-effective reclining seating device having highly repeatable bending performance and support characteristics. Preferably, the front support member 968 is provided at about 100 Peace 2 The bending stiffness is between about 50 and about 5 The bending stiffness is between about 15 and about 7 . The front flexible support member 68 further has a maximum thickness of less than or equal to about 0.5 inches, more preferably less than or equal to about 0.25 inches, and most preferably between about 0.150 inches and about 0.040 inches along most of the length of the front support member 968. The elastic flexibility reinforcing members 956, 972 and 974 each have a modulus of elasticity or elastic modulus preferably between about 700,000 psi and about 5,000,000 psi, more preferably between about 700,000 psi and about 3,000,000 psi, even more preferably between about 1,000,000 psi and about 2,000,000 psi, and most preferably about 1,600,000 psi. The composite material of elastically flexible reinforcing members 956, 972, 974 is configured to store a large amount of energy during deformation while resisting fatigue failure. In addition, the composite material and configuration of members 956, 972, 974 resist deformation of undesirable modes, thereby retaining the expected movement when subjected to damaging forces.

[0164] The chair assembly 910 further includes a tilt stop 1020 ( Fig.47 ), which is configured similarly to the tilt stop 790 ( Fig.34 ).

[0165] The flexibility enhancement device and method of using the same can be used in various seat configurations and in various applications, seat assemblies, seat structures and seat elements. For example, the enhancement device can be used in a variety of seat configurations, such as Figure 41 to Figure 47 For use in a weight activated seating arrangement as shown, or in Fig.5512. The seat structure 1220 includes a seat shell member 1222 having a horizontally extending seat portion 1224 and a vertically extending back portion 1226 that is movable between an upright position and a reclined position, similar to that discussed above with respect to the seat device 910. In the example shown, the shell member includes a U-shaped aperture 1227 that is positioned within the seat portion 1224 and extends partially into a transition region 1228 between the seat portion 1224 and the back portion 1226. The aperture 1227 is configured so as to form a curved portion 1230 that is positioned toward each side of the shell 1222 and is adapted to bend as the back portion 1226 moves between the upright position and the reclined position. The seat structure 1220 further includes a pair of elastic flexibility reinforcing members 1232, which are constructed similarly to the elastic flexibility reinforcing members 988, 990 described above and are located on the upper or stretching side near the stretching surface 1234 of the shell 1222, wherein the stretching side is subjected to tension when the backrest portion moves from the upright position to the reclined position.

[0166] Fig.56 A schematic diagram of a seat shell member 1240 is shown, which includes a seat portion 1242 and a backrest portion 1244, wherein the shell member 1240 is movable between an upright position and a reclined position. The shell member 1240 may include a flex position that is advantageously positioned, wherein the material of the shell member 1240 is configured to bend more easily than the remainder of the shell member 1240. In the example shown, the shell member 1240 may include a first flex position 1246, which is positioned between the seat portion 1242 and the backrest portion 1244, thereby providing a flex characteristic between an upright position X and a reclined position Y as shown in the figure within the shell member 1240. Another possible application is a second flex position 1248, which is located between the front support portion 1250, thereby providing a flex characteristic between an upright position X and a reclined position Z as shown in the figure within the shell member 1240. Additional applications may include a lumbar support area 1252 ( Fig.57 ), a similar device for positioning a rear seat support position 1256 near the seat portion 1258 and / or a connecting member 1260 between the backrest portion 1262 or other portion of the shell member 1254 and the support frame or structure 1264.

[0167] Reference numeral 1300( Fig.58) generally represents another embodiment of a seating device wherein the flexible enhanced construction of the rear shell member 924 as described above is used within various and multiple elements and components of the seating device 1300. In the example shown, the seating device or chair assembly 1300 is similar to the chair assembly 910 described previously, with the most notable exception being the construction including the first reinforcement member 1302, the second reinforcement member 1304, and the front shell member 1306 via a multi-layer overmolding process. In the example shown, the chair assembly 1300 includes a front shell member or first shell member 1306 and a rear shell member or second shell member 1308 (which is similar to the rear shell member 924 described previously), wherein the front shell 1306 is covered by a substrate layer or comfort surface 1310 and a fabric cover assembly 1312.

[0168] The front housing member 1306 includes an outer housing member 1314 having a horizontally extending bottom or first portion 1316, a vertically extending upper or second portion 1318 extending upwardly from the first portion 1316, and an arcuate transition portion 1320 extending between the first portion 1316 and the second portion 1318. The first portion 1316 includes a front portion 1322 and a rear portion 1324, while the second portion 1318 includes a lower portion 1326, an upper portion 1328, and an arcuate forwardly convex middle portion 1330 located therebetween and configured to support the lumbar region of the user's back. The front housing member 1306 further includes a pair of laterally spaced apart slots 1332 extending in a front-to-rear direction, similar to the slots 944 of the chair assembly 910 described above with respect to the seat device 910.

[0169] Front housing member 1306 further includes an inner housing portion 1334 having a horizontally extending bottom or first portion 1336, a vertically extending upper or second portion 1338, and an arcuate transition portion 1340 extending between first portion 1336 and second portion 1338. In assembly, inner housing portion 1334 is overmolded onto outer housing member 1314 such that inner housing portion 1334 covers or overlaps at least a portion of bottom portion 1316, upper portion 1318, and transition portion 1320 in at least the area of ​​outer housing member 1314 surrounding slot 1332. Preferably, the inner shell portion 1334 comprises a material that is more flexible than the material constituting the outer shell member 1314, more preferably, the inner shell portion 1334 and the outer shell member 1314 each comprise a thermoplastic polymer, and most preferably, the outer shell member 1314 comprises polyethylene terephthalate or polybutylene terephthalate and the inner shell portion 1334 comprises a thermoplastic polyolefin.

[0170] The chair assembly 1300 further includes a reinforcement member 1302 located in the transition portion 1320 of the front shell member 1306, wherein the reinforcement member 1302 can be substantially rigid or flexible and resilient, as described below. The reinforcement member 1302 is arcuate to match the arcuate shape of the transition portion 1320. In the example described, the reinforcement member 1302 can include a relatively rigid material, such as metal, and extend along the transition portion 1320 so that the reinforcement member 1302 prevents the angle between the bottom portion 1316 and the upper portion 1318 from increasing as the upper portion 1318 moves from the upright position to the reclined position, thereby concentrating compliance or bending in the control device in front of the transition portion 1320.

[0171] The chair assembly 1300 further includes a structural reinforcement member 1304 extending between tabs 1344, which is similar to the tabs 954 of the chair assembly 910 described above. The reinforcement member 1304 overlaps an area of ​​the bottom portion 1316 of the shell member 1306 to distribute the forces transmitted between the rear shell 1308 and the front shell 1306 near the tabs 1344. In assembly, the reinforcement members 1302, 1304 are positioned within corresponding relief portions 1345, 1347 of the substrate layer 1310, respectively.

[0172] In the example shown, the various components and elements may be constructed similarly to the rear housing member 924 as previously described, and specifically may include resiliently flexible reinforcement members 1350, 1352, 1354, 1356 overmolded onto the outer body. Preferably, one or more structural reinforcement members include a backing material (such as nylon) molded around a strand material such as fiberglass or carbon fiber, but other suitable materials may also be used, and the associated outer body may include a flexible, resilient polymer material, such as any thermoplastic, including, for example, nylon, glass-filled nylon, polypropylene, acetyl, or polycarbonate; any thermoset material, including, for example, epoxy resin; or any resin-based composite material, including, for example, carbon fiber or fiberglass.

[0173] Reference numeral 1300k ( Fig.59 ) generally represents another embodiment of a seating device. Since the seating device or chair assembly 1300k is similar to the chair assembly 1300 described previously, Fig.58 and Fig.591306k . Similar parts appearing in the embodiment of the present invention are respectively indicated by the same corresponding reference numerals, except that the latter are suffixed with a "k" in the reference numerals. In the example shown, the integral, one-piece, resiliently flexible reinforcing member 1360 includes a front portion 1362, a rear portion 1364, and an arcuate transition portion 1366 extending between the first portion 1362 and the rear portion 1364. The front portion 1362 is substantially rigid and extends between tabs 1344k similar to the tabs 954 of the chair 910 described above, and overlaps a certain area of ​​the bottom portion 1316k of the shell member 1306k to distribute the forces transmitted between the rear shell 1308k and the front shell 1306k near the tabs 1344k. The rear portion 1364 is substantially rigid and extends upward from the front portion 1362 so that the rear portion 1364 is aligned with and structurally supports the middle portion 1330k of the upper portion 1318k of the front shell 1306k. The transition portion 1366 includes a substantially rigid zone 1370 that may be rigidified by a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs 1372 to distribute and structurally reinforce the forces applied by a seated user to the middle portion 1330k, and a resiliently flexible zone 1373 positioned forward of the rigid zone 1370. The substantially rigid front portion 1362, the substantially rigid rear portion 1364, and the substantially rigid zone 1370 of the transition portion 1366 cooperate to concentrate deformation of the front shell 1306k in a portion of the front shell 1306k proximate to the resiliently flexible zone 1373. In this example, the resilient flexible reinforcing member 1360 can be constructed similarly to the rear shell member 924 as previously described, wherein the flexible zone 1373 of the resilient flexible reinforcing member 1360 includes a tension side or a tension side proximate the tension surface and a compression side or a compression side proximate the compression surface, wherein when the flexible zone 1373 deforms as the backrest assembly moves from the upright position to the reclined position, the tension side is in tension and the compression side is in compression. Similar to the rear shell member 924, the resilient flexible reinforcing member 1360 can include a tension substrate in the form of a plurality of longitudinally aligned glass fibers molded within an outer shell comprising glass-filled nylon, preferably wherein a majority of the plurality of fibers are located within the tension side, and more preferably wherein all of the plurality of fibers are located within the tension side.

[0174] When assembled, the rear portion of the resiliently flexible reinforcing member 1360 is attached to the rear housing member 1308k by a plurality of mechanical fasteners (not shown) which are received through corresponding apertures 1380 of the resiliently flexible reinforcing member 1360, apertures 1382 of the front housing member 1306k, and into bosses 1384 ( Fig.60) wherein the boss 1384 is received in a corresponding relief portion 1385 ( Fig.61 and Fig.62 ). The rear portion 1364 and the front portion 1362 of the elastic flexible reinforcing member 1360 are received within the corresponding gap portions 1345k, 1347k of the substrate layer or comfort member 1310k, and the central portion 1386 of the substrate layer 1310k extends above the transition portion 1366 of the elastic flexible reinforcing member 1360. A plurality of couplers 1388 attach the substrate layer 1310k to the front shell member 1306k. The rear shell 1308k ( Fig.59 and Fig.63 ) also includes an integral engagement frame 1387 extending forwardly, which is engaged by the front shell 1306k ( Fig.65 ) is defined by a lip 1389 ( Fig.64 ), so that the front shell 1306k is connected to the rear shell 1308k near the engagement frame 1387 and the lip 1389, and so that the force applied to the front shell 1306k is supported by the rear shell 1308k.

[0175] In another embodiment, the arm device 1500 ( Fig.66 ) includes a pair of arm assemblies 1502 telescopically received within an arm housing 1504. Fig.67 As best shown, each arm assembly 1502 includes an arm handle 1506 telescopically received within an associated arm base 1508 such that the arm assembly 1502 is selectively adjustable between a vertically raised position K and a vertically lowered position L. An arm support housing 1510 is integral with the arm handle 1506 and is covered by an arm cover 1512 configured to support the arm of a seated user.

[0176] In the example shown, vertical adjustment of each arm assembly 1502 between the raised position K and the lowered position L is controlled by a control device 1514. The control device 1514 includes a lead nut 1516 that threadedly receives a lead screw 1518. The lead nut 1516 is fixed to the arm base 1508 at a first end 1522 by a plurality of mechanical fasteners such as screws 1520, and includes a threaded inner surface 1524 and a second end 1526. The lead screw 1518 includes a threaded shaft 1528 having a first end 1530 that is threadably received within and engages the threaded inner surface 1524 of the lead nut 1516, and a second end 1532 that is rotatably coupled to the arm support housing 1510 so that the lead screw 1518 can rotate about a longitudinal axis 1534 of the lead screw 1518. The control or locking device 1514 also includes an actuator 1536 ( Fig.68A), which can selectively engage with the second end 1532 of the lead screw 1518 to prevent or allow the lead screw 1518 to rotate. The actuator 1536 includes a body portion 1538 having a first end 1540 pivotally coupled to an arm cover mount 1541 supported within the arm support housing 1510, and a second end or engagement portion 1542 selectively engageable with the second end 1532 of the lead screw 1518. A flexible, resilient biasing arm 1544 integral with the body portion 1538 extends outwardly from the body portion 1538 and abuts the arm cover mount 1541 and biases the second end 1542 to a locked position, as described below. A button portion 1546 is integral with the body portion 1538 and extends through an aperture 1548 of the arm support housing 1510, thereby allowing a user to move the second end 1542 of the body portion 1538 from the locked position. The second end 1532 of the lead screw 1518 includes a plurality of notches 1550 radially spaced about the lead screw 1518 that are configured to receive therein the second end 1542 of the body portion 1538 of the actuator 1536. When the second end 1542 of the body portion 1538 is engaged within one of the notches 1550 of the second end 1532 of the lead screw 1518, rotation of the lead screw 1518 is prevented, thereby preventing vertical adjustment of the arm handle 1506 within the arm base 1508. Actuation of the button portion 1546 causes the second end 1542 of the body portion 1538 to rise vertically above and disengage from the notches 1550 of the second end 1532 of the lead screw 1518, thereby allowing the lead screw 1518 to pivot about the axis 1534 and allowing the arm handle 1506 to telescope within the arm base 1508 and allow vertical adjustment of the arm assembly 1502.

[0177] In an alternative embodiment, each arm assembly 1502m ( Fig.68B ) The vertical adjustment between the raised position and the lowered position is controlled by the control device 1514m. Since the arm assembly 1502m is similar to the arm assembly 1502 described previously, Fig.67 and Fig.68A as well as Fig.68BSimilar parts appearing in the drawings are indicated by the same corresponding reference numerals, respectively, except that the latter have the suffix "m" added to the reference numerals. The control device 1514m includes a lead nut 1516m that threadedly receives a lead screw 1518m. The lead screw 1518m includes a threaded shaft 1528m having a first end that is threadably received within and engages a threaded inner surface of the lead nut 1516m, and a second end 1532m that is rotatably coupled to the arm support housing so that the lead screw 1518m can rotate about a longitudinal axis 1534m of the lead screw 1518m. The control or locking device 1514m also includes an actuator 1536m that can selectively engage with the second end 1532m of the lead screw 1518m to prevent or allow the lead screw 1518m to rotate. The actuator 1536m includes a body portion 1538m having a first end 1540m, a second end or engagement portion 1542m selectively engageable with the second end 1532m of the lead screw 1518m, and an intermediate portion 1543m located between the first end 1540m and the second end 1542m and pivotally coupled to the arm cover mount 1541m. A button portion 1546m is integral with the body portion 1538m and extends through an aperture of the arm support housing to allow a user to move the second end 1542m of the body portion 1538m from a locked position, as described below. A biasing member including a coil spring 1544m is positioned between the button portion 1546m of the actuator 1536m and the arm cover mount 1541m and biases the second end 1542m to the locked position. The second end 1532m of the lead screw 1518m includes a plurality of notches 1550m radially spaced about the lead screw 1518m configured to receive the second end 1542m of the body portion 1538m of the actuator 1536m therein. When the second end 1542m of the body portion 1538m is engaged within one of the notches 1550m of the second end 1532m of the lead screw 1518m, rotation of the lead screw 1518m is prevented, thereby preventing vertical adjustment of the arm handle within the arm base. Actuation of the button portion 1546m causes the second end 1542m of the body portion 1538m to vertically drop below and disengage from the notch 1550m of the second end 1532m of the lead screw 1518m, thereby allowing the lead screw 1518m to pivot about the axis 1534m and allowing the arm handle to telescope within the arm base and allow vertical adjustment of the arm assembly 1502m.

[0178] A pair of offset bearing arrangements 1552, 1554 are configured to fill any gap 1556 that may exist or develop between the arm handle 1506 and the arm base 1508. For example, a downward force P applied by a user on a relatively forward portion of the arm cover 1512 may cause the arm handle 1506 to rotate forward within the arm base 1508 such that the arm handle 1506 contacts the arm base 1508 at a forward upper position 1558 and a rearward lower position 1560, and the gap 1556 may be formed at the forward lower portion 1562 and the rearward upper portion 1564. Each offset bearing arrangement 1552, 1554 includes a bearing member 1566 having a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration and preferably comprising a bearing material such as polyoxymethylene. In the example shown, each bearing arrangement 1552, 1554 includes a leaf spring 1568 having a first end 1570 received within a first channel 1572 of the arm handle 1506, and a second end 1574 received within a second channel 1576 of the arm handle 1506, such that the leaf spring 1568 biases the associated bearing member 1566 away from the arm handle 1506 and into engagement with the arm base 1508, thereby providing a sliding bearing surface between the arm handle 1506 and the arm base 1508 and simultaneously filling the gap 1556 and reducing any excessive swing or looseness between the arm handle 1506 and the arm base 1508, thereby providing the user with a more secure feel to the arm assembly 1502. It should be noted that in the example shown, one bearing device 1552 is positioned at the front edge of the arm handle 1506 and is configured to fill a gap 1556 formed between the lower edge of the arm handle 1506 and the arm base 1508, while the other bearing device 1554 is positioned at the rear edge of the arm handle 1506 and is configured to fill a gap 1556 formed between the arm handle 1506 and the arm base 1508, which gap is located at a vertical position different from the other gap 1556 near the front edge, and in the current example, is located at a position vertically higher than the other gap 1556 near the front edge.

[0179] In another alternative embodiment, the seat device 910 ( Fig.69 ) may include a backrest tilt stop device 1600, which includes a controller 1602 connected to a tilt stop assembly 1604 via a cable 1606, wherein the backrest tilt stop device is operable to allow or prevent the backrest assembly 918 from moving from an upright position A toward a tilted position B.

[0180] In the example shown, the controller 1602 ( FIG. 70A to FIG. 70D) includes a housing 1608 including a housing body 1610 and a plurality of outwardly extending tabs 1612, each of which includes an aperture 1614 configured to receive therein a mechanical fastener, such as a screw (not shown), for securing the controller 1602 to a lower surface of the first portion 926 of the front housing member 922. A housing cover 1616 is secured to the housing 1608 via a plurality of mechanical fasteners, such as screws (not shown), which extend through apertures 1618 of the housing cover 1616 and are threadedly received within corresponding apertures 1620 of the housing 1608 and cooperate therewith to define an interior 1622. The controller 1602 further includes an actuator 1624 having a body portion 1626 slidably received within the interior 1622 and a slot 1630 extending through the housing cover 1616 and through an aperture 1632 ( Fig.69 ) so that the handle portion 1628 is accessible to a user and can be grasped by the user to actuate the recline stop device 1600. The controller 1602 further includes a handle spring 1634 in the form of a coil spring located within the interior 1622 between a boss 1636 of the housing 1608 and a boss 1638 extending from the body portion 1626 of the actuator 1624. A take-up fork 1628 is slidably coupled to one end of the cable 1606 and is received within a pocket 1640 of the body portion 1626 of the actuator 1620 along with a take-up spring 1642 in the form of a coil spring that extends around the cable 1606.

[0181] Cable 1606 is slidably received within sheath 1648 ( Fig.71C ), and includes a first cable end 1650 and a second cable end 1652.

[0182] Tilt stop assembly 1604 ( Figures 71A to 71C ) includes positioning in an integrally molded reinforcement member 1360 ( Fig.59 ) within the bottom surface 1658 of the gap 1656 ( Fig.72 ) within the housing 1654. The reinforcement member 1360 may also include an integrally formed channel 1659 configured to receive the cable 1606 and the sheath 1648. In assembly, the housing 1654 ( Fig.73 ) is clamped between the reinforcement member 1360 and the top of the rear support 970 by screws 1660.

[0183] The tilt stop assembly 1604 also includes a backrest locking post 1668 pivotally connected to the housing 1654 via a pivot pin 1670, and a torsion spring 1672 received on the pivot pin 1670 and configured to bias the backrest locking post 1668 from an engaged position to a disengaged position, as described below.

[0184] The backrest tilt stop device 1600 is configured to operate between four operating modes, including: handle disengagement, backrest stop disengagement mode, such as Fig.74A and Fig.74B As shown; handle engagement, backrest stop engagement mode, such as Fig.75A and Fig.75B As shown; handle disengaged, backrest stop engaged mode, such as Fig.76A and Fig.76B As shown; and, the handle is engaged, the backrest stop is disengaged mode, as Fig.77A and Fig.77B shown.

[0185] In the handle disengaged and backrest stop disengaged position ( Fig.74A and Fig.74B ), the actuator 1624 is relatively rearwardly positioned within the interior 1622 of the housing 1608 so that the step 1676 abuts the end 1680 of the slot 1630 of the housing cover 1616. The spring 1634 biases the step 1676 against the end 1680 of the slot 1630 to reduce or prevent any wobble or looseness of the actuator 1624 within the housing 1608. The take-up fork 1628 is positioned against the second end 1650 of the cable 1606 and is biased into the second end by the take-up spring 1642. In the handle disengaged, back stop disengaged position, the position of the back lock post 1668 is a relatively raised disengaged position so that the rear support member 970 is allowed to move relative to the stop member 1020, thereby allowing the back assembly 918 to move from the upright position A to the reclined position B. The backrest tilt stop is detented from the rear by the user causing the second end 1652 of the cable 1606 to engage the arm 1653 of the locking post 1668 to apply a force S. Fig.74A and Fig.74B The handle disengages and the backrest stop moves to the disengagement position Fig.75A and Fig.75B In the handle engaged, backrest stop engaged position ( Fig.75A and Fig.75B), the actuator 1624 is positioned relatively forward within the interior 1622 of the housing 1608 so that the end wall 1682 of the actuator 1624 abuts the end 1680 of the slot 1630 of the housing cover 1616. The spring 1634 biases the end wall 1682 of the actuator 1624 against the end 1680 of the slot 1630. In the handle engaged, backrest stop engaged position, the backrest locking post 1668 pivots downwardly about the pivot pin 1670 from the disengaged position to a relatively lowered engaged position in which the backrest locking post 1668 abuts the stop member 1020, thereby preventing the rear support member 970 from moving relative to the stop member 1020 and preventing the backrest assembly 918 from moving from the upright position A to the reclined position B. When the controller 1602 is changed from such as Fig.75A The handle engagement position shown is moved to Fig.76A The handle disengaged, backrest stop engagement mode or position is achieved when the handle is in the disengaged position shown, while the backrest assembly 918 is in the tilted position B. In this configuration, the user applies force T to the handle portion 1628 of the actuator 1624, thereby moving the actuator 1624 from the position shown in FIG. Fig.75A The relative forward position within the housing 1608 shown is moved to Fig.76A However, the restraining force between the backrest locking column 1668 and the stop member 1020 prevents the backrest locking column 1668 from being moved backward as shown in the housing 1608. Fig.76B The engaged or locked position shown is moved to Fig.74B The back locking post 1668 remains in the engaged position until the user rotates the back assembly 918 slightly forward, thereby releasing the restraining force between the back locking post 1668 and the stop member 1020 and allowing the spring 1672 to bias the back locking post 1668 from the engaged position to the disengaged position and allow the back assembly 918 to move from the reclined position B to the upright position A. When the controller 1602 is changed from the position shown in FIG. Fig.74A The handle is disengaged from the position shown and moved to Fig.77A The handle engaged, backrest stop disengaged mode or position is achieved when the handle is in the illustrated handle engaged position, while the backrest assembly 918 is in the reclined position B. In this configuration, the user applies force U to the handle portion of the actuator 1624, thereby moving the actuator 1624 from the illustrated handle engaged position to the illustrated handle engaged position. Fig.74A The relative rearward position within the housing 1608 shown is moved to Fig.77A The relative forward position within the housing 1608 shown. However, the position of the stop member 1020 prevents the backrest locking post 1668 from being Fig.77A Move the disengaged position shown to Fig.75BThe back locking post 1668 remains in the disengaged position until the user rotates the back assembly 918 from the reclined position B toward the upright position A, until the back locking post 1668 clears the stop member 1020 and the spring 1642 biases the take-up fork 1628, which pushes the end 1650 of the cable 1606, thereby forcing the back locking post 1668 from Fig.77B The disengagement position to Fig.74B The seat device as described herein may also include a control device for adding or replacing the backrest tilt stop device 1600.

[0186] The elastic flexibility enhancing device as described herein may also be used in other components or assemblies (such as, for example, other furniture components). For example, the elastic flexibility device may be used in the table assembly 1400 ( Fig.78 ), the table assembly includes a frame assembly 1404 ( Fig.79 ) supported by a work surface 1402, which in turn is supported by a plurality of legs 1406. In the current example, the work surface 1402 ( Fig.80) includes a top surface 1408, a bottom surface 1410, and a peripheral edge 1412, and includes a stretch substrate 1414 covered by a body portion 1416 that is overmolded onto the stretch substrate 1414 in a manner similar to the process described above with respect to the rear shell member 924 of the seating device 910. Preferably, the stretch substrate 1414 includes a substrate material (such as nylon) molded around a strand material such as fiberglass or carbon fiber, but other suitable materials may also be used, and the associated outer body may include a flexible elastic polymer material such as any thermoplastic including, for example, nylon, glass-filled nylon, polypropylene, acetyl or polycarbonate; any thermosetting material including, for example, epoxy resin; or any resin-based composite material including, for example, carbon fiber or glass fiber. The stretch substrate 1414 can be positioned in a region 1418 of reduced thickness of the working surface 1402, and preferably includes a plurality of longitudinally aligned strands such as fiberglass that extend in a radial direction through the region 1418 of reduced thickness within the polymeric material in the mold. In the example shown, the working surface 1402 includes a peripheral lip 1420 that is configured to deflect downward from the upright position G to the deflected position H when a sufficient force F is applied. The outer body 1416 is molded around the stretch substrate 1414 so that the stretch substrate 1414 is located in a stretch side 1422 near the upper surface or stretch surface 1424, which is opposite to the bottom or compression side 1426 near the bottom surface or compression surface 1428, wherein when the area of ​​reduced thickness or bending zone 1418 deforms as the lip 1420 moves from the upright position G to the deflected position H, the stretch side 1422 is in tension and the compression side 1426 is in compression, and so that the stretch substrate 1414 biases the lip 1420 from the deflected position H toward the upright position G.

[0187] In yet another embodiment, a resiliently flexible device is used within a door device 1440 positioned within a work surface 1402 and configured to allow access through the work surface 1402 to an interior 1442 ( Fig.81 ). The door device 1440 includes a door 1446 integrally connected to a main body portion 1448 of the work surface 1402 via a flexure zone 1450 having a relatively reduced thickness. The flexure zone 1450 includes a stretch substrate 1452 constructed similarly to the stretch substrate 1414 described above and positioned within a stretch side 1454 of the flexure zone 1450 opposite its compression side 1456. The door device 1440 is configured so that a user can move the door 1446 from position I to an open position J, thereby allowing access to the interior 1442, and so that the stretch substrate 1452 biases the door 1446 from the open position J toward the closed position I.

[0188] It should be noted that in each of the above-described embodiments, the seating device is configured so that after the seating device is fully manufactured and assembled, some, many, or all of the components can be seen from the outside of the seating device, so that the visible components form the external aesthetic appearance of the seating device, or alternatively, can be encapsulated inside the chair assembly so that the components are not visible to a casual observer. Specifically, components such as the front support member, the rear support member, the support member, and the described stop device can be at least partially visible from the outside of the chair and cooperate to form its overall external aesthetic. Certain embodiments may include some, many, or all of the components described herein. For example, an embodiment may include one or more orifices, one or more of the stop systems, and / or components or materials selected for performance purposes, for example, to bias the seating device to an upright position or for material strength requirements. In some embodiments, the selection of a particular component may affect the selection of various other components. For example, the use of one or more specific orifices may indicate which type of component or material should be used for performance purposes, and vice versa.

[0189] Various embodiments of the seating apparatus described herein can provide a platform with proper fit and function for comfortably supporting a seated user, which can also reduce or shift costs, for example, by reducing the number of associated parts, manufacturing costs, and labor costs. Certain aspects of the seating apparatus can include a simple, durable, and visually appealing design that can achieve a long service life and is particularly well suited for the proposed use.

[0190] In the foregoing description, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications should be considered to be included in the following claims unless these claims are otherwise explicitly stated by their language.

Claims

1. An arm assembly comprising: an arm support configured to support an arm of a seated user; an arm handle extending downwardly from the arm support and supporting the arm support; an arm base that telescopically receives the arm handle so that the arm handle can move between a first position and a second position, wherein a first gap is located between a first edge of the arm handle and the arm support, and wherein a first width of the first gap changes when the arm handle moves between the first position and the second position; and A first bearing device, the first bearing device is positioned between the arm handle and the arm base, the first bearing device includes a first portion fixed relative to the arm handle and a second portion movable relative to the arm handle, wherein the second portion is configured to move to fill the first gap when the first width of the first gap changes.

2. The arm assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The first edge is located at the front edge of the arm handle.

3. The arm assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The first portion is located above the second portion.

4. The arm assembly according to claim 2, further comprising: a second bearing device, the second bearing device comprising a third portion fixed relative to the arm handle and a fourth portion movable relative to the arm handle, wherein: A second gap is located between a rear edge of the arm handle and the arm base, wherein a second width of the second gap changes when the arm handle moves between the first position and the second position, and wherein the third portion is configured to move to fill the second gap when the second width of the second gap changes.

5. The arm assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The fourth portion is located above the third portion.

6. The arm assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The first portion and the second portion are integrally connected.

7. The arm assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The third portion and the fourth portion are integrally connected.

8. The arm assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: A first biasing member is configured to bias the second portion of the first bearing arrangement away from the arm handle and into abutment with the arm base.

9. The arm assembly according to claim 8, wherein: The first biasing member includes a spring.

10. The arm assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The first portion and the second portion are integrally connected.

11. The arm assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The first portion and the second portion of the first bearing device each comprise an oil-filled plastic.

12. An arm assembly comprising: an arm support configured to support an arm of a seated user; an arm handle extending downwardly from the arm support and supporting the arm support; an arm base that telescopically receives the arm handle so that the arm handle can move between a first position and a second position, wherein a first gap is located between a front edge of the arm handle and the arm support, and a first width of the first gap changes when the arm handle moves between the first position and the second position, and wherein a second gap is located between a rear edge of the arm handle and the arm support, and wherein a second width of the first gap changes when the arm handle moves between the first position and the second position; a first bearing device positioned between the arm handle and the arm base, the first bearing device comprising a first portion fixed relative to the arm handle and a second portion movable relative to the arm handle, wherein the second portion is configured to move to fill the first gap when the first width of the first gap changes; and A second bearing device, the second bearing device is positioned between the arm handle and the arm base, the second bearing device includes a third part fixed relative to the arm handle and a fourth part capable of moving relative to the arm handle, wherein the fourth part is configured to move to fill the second gap when the second width of the second gap changes.

13. The arm assembly of claim 12, wherein: The fourth portion is located above the first portion.

14. The arm assembly of claim 12, further comprising: a first biasing member configured to bias the second portion of the first bearing arrangement away from the arm handle and into abutment with the arm base; and A second biasing member is configured to bias the fourth portion of the second bearing arrangement away from the arm handle and into abutment with the arm base.

15. The arm assembly of claim 12, wherein: The first biasing member comprises a first spring, and wherein the second biasing member comprises a second spring.

16. The arm assembly of claim 12, wherein: The first portion and the second portion are integrally connected to each other, and wherein the third portion and the fourth portion are integrally connected to each other.

17. A seat device, comprising: a seat member configured to support a seated user; a base configured to support the seat member; as well as An arm assembly, the arm assembly comprising: an arm base having a central portion and a receiving portion extending upwardly from the central portion, wherein the arm base being fully supported from the base via the central portion at one or more locations between the laterally outermost edges of the seat member; an arm handle telescopically received within the receiving portion of the arm base such that the arm handle is movable between a retracted position and an extended position; an arm support supported on an upper end of the arm handle and configured to support an arm of a seated user, wherein the arm support moves in a forward direction relative to the seat member when the arm handle moves from the retracted position to the extended position; as well as A bearing device is positioned between the arm handle and the receiving portion, the bearing device including a bearing member located between the receiving portion of the arm base and the arm handle and a biasing member configured to bias the bearing member between the receiving portion of the arm base and the arm handle.

18. The seating device according to claim 17, wherein: The biasing member biases the bearing member in a front-rear direction relative to the seat member.

19. The seating device according to claim 17, wherein: The biasing member biases the bearing member away from the arm handle and into abutment with the receiving portion of the arm base.

20. The seating device according to claim 17, wherein: The receiving portion is one of a pair of receiving portions located at opposite ends of the central portion, and wherein the pair of receiving portions cooperate with the central portion to form a U-shape.

21. The seating device according to claim 17, wherein: The bearing member comprises oil-filled plastic.

22. The seating device according to claim 17, wherein: The biasing member includes a spring.

23. The seating device of claim 22, wherein: The spring comprises a leaf spring.

24. The seating device of claim 17, wherein: The bearing arrangement is one of a pair of bearing arrangements.

25. The seating arrangement of claim 24, wherein: One of the pair of bearing arrangements is positioned on a front edge of the arm handle and the other of the pair of bearing arrangements is positioned on a rear edge of the arm handle.

26. A seating device, comprising: a seat member configured to support a seated user; a base configured to support the seat member; as well as An arm assembly, the arm assembly comprising: an arm base having a central portion and a pair of receiving portions extending upward from opposite ends of the central portion and cooperating with the central portion to form a U-shape, wherein the arm base being fully supported from the base via the central portion at one or more locations between the laterally outermost edges of the seat member; a pair of arm handles telescopically received within the receiving portion of the arm base such that the arm handles are each movable between a retracted position and an extended position; a pair of arm supports supported on upper ends of the arm handles and each configured to support an arm of a seated user, wherein each arm support moves in a forward direction relative to the seat member when the corresponding arm handle moves from the retracted position to the extended position; a pair of locking members, each of the pair of locking members being movable between a first position preventing the corresponding arm handle from moving between the retracted position and the extended position and a second position enabling the corresponding arm handle to move between the retracted position and the extended position; as well as A pair of actuator devices are each configured to allow a user to move a corresponding locking member from the first position to the second position.

27. A seating arrangement according to claim 26, wherein: Each actuator arrangement includes an actuator configured to receive input from a user to move the corresponding locking member from the first position to the second position, and wherein each actuator is positioned forward of the corresponding arm handle.

28. The seating arrangement of claim 26, wherein: Each arm assembly also includes a lead screw and a lead nut, wherein the lead screw is rotatable relative to one of the arm handle and the arm base, and the lead nut is fixed relative to the other of the arm handle and the arm base, and wherein when in the first position, the corresponding locking member is engaged with the lead screw, and when in the second position, the corresponding locking member is disengaged from the lead screw.

29. The seating arrangement of claim 26, wherein: The arm assembly also includes a bearing device, which is positioned between one of the arm handles and the corresponding receiving portion, and the bearing device includes a bearing member located between the corresponding receiving portion of the arm base and the corresponding arm handle and a biasing member configured to bias the bearing member between the corresponding receiving portion of the arm base and the corresponding arm handle.

30. The seating arrangement of claim 29, wherein: The biasing member biases the bearing member in a front-rear direction relative to the seat member.

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