Office systems with shape memory materials

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10426267-B2
Application number	US-201715699545-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 8, 2017
Priority date	Sep 9, 2016
Publication date	Oct 1, 2019
Grant date	Oct 1, 2019

Abstract

A seating structure includes a body support member having laterally spaced opposite sides and longitudinally spaced ends. The body support member has a curvature in least one of the lateral and longitudinal directions, wherein the curvature is changeable between at least first and second configurations. The body support member includes a shape memory material extending in at least one of the lateral and longitudinal directions, wherein the shape memory material is attached to the body support member at two spaced apart locations. The shape memory material is contractible between at least a non-energized state and an energized state in response to an application of energy. The shape memory material biases the flexible body support member between the first and second configurations when the shape memory material is contracted to the energized state. Other office systems incorporating shape memory materials are also provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A seating structure comprising:
a body support assembly having laterally spaced opposite sides and at least one laterally extending flexible body support member, wherein the body support member comprises a support element, wherein the body support member is flexible between a nominal configuration and a flexed configuration in response to a load being applied by a user; and
wherein the flexible body support member comprises a shape memory material connected to the body support assembly at two spaced apart locations and moveably disposed in a conduit connected to the support element along a length of the conduit, wherein the conduit is disposed between the two spaced apart locations, wherein the conduit and shape memory material extend along at least a portion of a length of the flexible body support member, wherein the shape memory material is contractable between at least a non-energized state and an energized state in response to an application of energy, and wherein the shape memory material is moveable in the conduit and biases the flexible body support member toward the nominal configuration when the shape memory material is contracted to the energized state.

2. The seating structure of claim 1 wherein the support element has a body facing side and an opposite side, wherein the conduit and shape memory material are coupled to the opposite side of the support element.

3. The seating structure of claim 1 wherein the support element comprises a wire.

4. The seating structure of claim 1 wherein the support element is less flexible than the shape memory material and conduit.

5. The seating structure of claim 1 wherein the body support assembly comprises a frame, and wherein opposite ends of the support element are moveably coupled to the frame.

6. The seating structure of claim 5 wherein opposite ends of the shape memory material are fixedly coupled to the frame.

7. The seating structure of claim 1 wherein the shape memory material comprises a shape member alloy.

8. The seating structure of claim 1 wherein the at least one laterally extending flexible body support member comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced flexible body support members each comprising a shape memory material.

9. The seating structure of claim 8 wherein the plurality of shape memory materials are independently contractable.

10. The seating structure of claim 1 further comprising an energy source coupled to the shape memory material.

11. A seating structure comprising:
a body support assembly having laterally spaced opposite sides and at least one laterally extending flexible body support member, wherein the body support member comprises a shell comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced slots, wherein the body support member is flexible between a nominal configuration and a flexed configuration in response to a load being applied by a user; and
wherein the flexible body support member comprises a shape memory material extending along at least a portion of a length of the flexible body support member, wherein the shape memory material is coupled to the support element, wherein the shape memory material is contractable between at least a non-energized state and an energized state in response to an application of energy, and wherein the shape memory material biases the flexible body support member toward the nominal configuration when the shape memory material is contracted to the energized state.

12. The seating structure of claim 11 further comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced and laterally extending shape memory materials coupled to the shell between the plurality of longitudinally spaced slots.

13. A seating structure comprising:
a body support assembly having laterally spaced opposite sides and at least one laterally extending flexible body support member, wherein the body support member comprises a shell, wherein the body support member is flexible between a nominal configuration and a flexed configuration in response to a load being applied by a user; and
wherein the flexible body support member comprises a shape memory material extending along at least a portion of a length of the flexible body support member, wherein the shape memory material is in-molded in the shell, wherein the shape memory material is contractable between at least a non-energized state and an energized state in response to an application of energy, and wherein the shape memory material biases the flexible body support member toward the nominal configuration when the shape memory material is contracted to the energized state.

14. A seating structure comprising:
a body support member having laterally spaced opposite sides and longitudinally spaced ends, wherein the body support member has a curvature in least one of the lateral and longitudinal directions, wherein the curvature is changeable between at least first and second configurations, wherein the body support member comprises has a forwardly facing bowed portion; and
wherein the body support member comprises a shape memory material extending in at least one of the lateral and longitudinal directions, wherein the shape memory material is attached to the body support member at two spaced apart locations, wherein the shape memory material is moveably disposed in a conduit connected to the body support member along a length of the conduit, wherein the conduit is disposed between the two spaced apart locations, wherein the shape memory material is contractable between at least a non-energized state and an energized state in response to an application of energy, and wherein the shape memory material biases the flexible body support member between the first and second configurations when the shape memory material is contracted to the energized state, wherein the shape memory material increases the curvature of the bowed portion from the first configuration to the second configuration as the shape memory material is contracted between the non-energized and energized states.

15. The seating structure of claim 14 wherein the body support member has a body facing side and an opposite side, wherein the shape memory material is coupled to the opposite side of the body support member.

16. The seating structure of claim 14 wherein the shape memory material comprises a shape memory alloy.

17. The seating structure of claim 14 further comprising an energy source coupled to the shape memory material.

18. The seating structure of claim 14 wherein the body support member comprises a shell.

19. The seating structure of claim 14 wherein the body support member comprises a laterally extending lumbar support engaging the rear surface of a backrest, wherein the shape memory material is connected to the lumbar support at laterally spaced apart locations, and wherein the shape memory material changes the curvature of the lumbar support from the first configuration to the second configuration as the shape memory material is contracted.

20. A seating structure comprising:
a body support member having laterally spaced opposite sides and longitudinally spaced ends, wherein the body support member has a curvature in least one of the lateral and longitudinal directions, wherein the curvature is changeable between at least first and second configurations, wherein the body support member comprises a backrest having a forwardly facing bowed portion; and
wherein the body support member comprises a shape memory material extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the shape memory material is fixed

Assignees

• Steelcase Inc

Inventors

• Norman Christopher
• Swieter Timothy D
• Schmidt Ryan E
• Mckenna Mark
• Scheper Robert
• Smith Bruce

Classifications

• A47C7/72

  Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like · CPC title

• A47C7/465

  by pulling an elastic cable · CPC title

• A47C7/32

  with tensioned cords, e.g. of elastic type, in a flat plane · CPC title

• A47C7/46

  with special, e.g. adjustable {, lumbar region support} profile; "Ackerblom" profile chairs · CPC title

• A47C5/04

  Metal chairs, e.g. tubular (rocking chairs having elastic frames made of tubular material A47C3/023) · CPC title