Chair assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chair designs lack a seamless and adjustable upholstery solution that maintains coverage and comfort as the chair components move between different positions, such as from upright to reclined, without the need for multiple fasteners or complex mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A chair component design featuring a single-piece drawstring operably coupled with a cover member that wraps around both the first and second chair members, allowing the cover to remain securely in place as the second chair member transitions between coplanar and parallel positions, ensuring continuous coverage and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional upholstery solutions are used with multiple fasteners, then the cover can be securely attached, but the device complexity and ease of manufacture deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupholstery coverageVSAvoidmultiple fasteners
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate fasteners are merged into a single integrated drawstring mechanism that runs through the cover member, simplifying the attachment system while maintaining secure upholstery coverage throughout the chair's range of motion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single drawstring serves multiple functions: it attaches the cover to the chair frame, maintains tension during movement between positions, and provides a unified attachment system that works for both the first and second chair members across all operational positions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the cover member is designed to accommodate moving parts, then the upholstery coverage is maintained, but the ease of manufacture worsens due to complex mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupholstery coverageVSAvoidcomplex mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The drawstring mechanism is designed to dynamically adapt to the movement between coplanar and parallel positions, maintaining constant tension and coverage without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms or multiple attachment points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cover member utilizes flexible material properties to naturally conform to the changing geometry of the chair members during movement, eliminating the need for rigid structural mechanisms while maintaining continuous upholstery coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP2897498B1Chair assembly
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 STEELCASE INC
  • EP2897498B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2897498B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2897498B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A chair component includes a first chair member adapted to support a seated user, a second chair member movable between a first position, wherein the second chair member is substantially coplanar with the first chair member, and a second position, wherein the second chair member is substantially parallel with the first chair member, a cover member wrapped about at least a portion of the first chair member and at least a portion of the second chair member, and a single-piece drawstring operably coupled with the cover member to draw the cover member about the at least a portion of the first chair member and the at least a portion of the second chair member when the second chair member is in the first position.