Attachment structure for suspension seating

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11510502-B2
Application number	US-202016936375-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 22, 2020
Priority date	Jun 29, 2015
Publication date	Nov 29, 2022
Grant date	Nov 29, 2022

Abstract

A seating structure includes a frame, a carrier, and a suspension material. The frame includes first and second side frame members and first and second cross frame members forming a closed loop and defining an opening therebetween. The frame also includes a plurality of first attachment features on an outer perimeter of the frame. The carrier includes first and second side carrier members and first and second cross carrier members that form a closed loop. The carrier also includes a plurality of second attachment features on an inner perimeter of the carrier. The plurality of second attachment features engages the plurality of first attachment features to attach the carrier to the frame. The suspension material is attached to the carrier and extends over the opening in the frame to define a continuous seat and backrest.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A seating structure comprising:
a frame including a first side frame member, a second side frame member, a first cross frame member, and a second cross frame member that form a closed loop, the first side frame member, the second side frame member, the first cross frame member, and the second cross frame member spaced apart to define an opening therebetween, the frame also including a plurality of first attachment features on an outer perimeter of the frame;
a carrier including a first side carrier member, a second side carrier member, a first cross carrier member, and a second cross carrier member that form a closed loop, the carrier also including a plurality of second attachment features on an inner perimeter of the carrier, the plurality of second attachment features engaging the plurality of first attachment features to attach the carrier to the frame; and
a suspension material attached to the carrier and extending over the opening in the frame to define a continuous seat and backrest, wherein the carrier is positioned outward of the frame such that the carrier defines an outermost perimeter of the continuous seat and backrest, wherein the plurality of first attachment features is teeth, and wherein the plurality of second attachment features is apertures.

2. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the apertures define through-openings in the carrier so that the teeth are visible through the apertures on sides of the carrier.

3. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the carrier includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a plurality of spaced apart posts extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the plurality of spaced apart posts defining the apertures.

4. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein each of the first side carrier member, the second side carrier member, the first cross carrier member, and the second cross carrier member includes spaced apart upper and lower lips defining an outwardly opening channel therebetween, the channel facing away from the opening.

5. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the suspension material is molded into the carrier.

6. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the first side frame member, the second side frame member, the first cross frame member, and the second cross frame member are formed as separate pieces.

7. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the first side carrier member, the second side carrier member, the first cross carrier member, and the second cross carrier member are integrally formed as a single unit.

8. A seating structure comprising:
a backrest comprised of a plurality of frame members including a first frame member and a second frame member, the backrest defining an opening between the plurality of frame members, the first frame member having a boss extending from a first end of the first frame member and a tab movably coupled to the boss, the second frame member having a bore formed in an edge of the second frame member and a recess formed in a surface of the second frame member adjacent the bore, the bore receiving the boss to align the first frame member with the second frame member, the recess receiving the tab to secure the boss within the bore;
a carrier attached to the first frame member and to the second frame member; and
a suspension material attached to the carrier and extending over the opening in the backrest.

9. The seating structure of claim 8 , wherein the tab is cantilevered on the boss.

10. The seating structure of claim 9 , wherein the tab includes an enlarged distal end portion that is received in the recess.

11. The seating structure of claim 10 , wherein the recess is a through-hole formed through an outer surface of the second frame member.

12. The seating structure of claim 10 , wherein the tab secures the first and second frame members together without additional fasteners.

13. The seating structure of claim 10 , wherein the first frame member further includes a second boss extending from a second end of the first frame member opposite the first end and a second tab movably coupled to the second boss, wherein the plurality of frame members further includes a third frame member having a bore formed in an edge of the third frame member and a recess formed in a surface of the third frame member adjacent the bore, wherein the bore of the third frame member receives the second boss to align the first frame member with the third frame member, and wherein the recess of the third frame member receives the second tab to secure the boss within the bore.

14. The seating structure of claim 10 , wherein an outer surface of the first frame member is substantially flush and aligned with an outer surface of the second frame member when the boss is received in the recess.

15. An armrest for a chair, the armrest comprising:
a frame defining an opening and including a plurality of first attachment features formed on an outer perimeter of the frame;
a carrier including a plurality of second attachment features formed on an inner perimeter of the carrier, the plurality of second attachment features engaging the plurality of first attachment features to attach the carrier to the frame; and
a suspension material attached to the carrier and extending over the opening in the frame.

16. The armrest of claim 15 , wherein the frame includes an inner portion facing toward the opening and an outer portion opposite from the inner portion and facing away from the opening, and wherein the plurality of first attachment features is disposed along the outer portion.

17. The armrest of claim 15 , wherein the frame is loop-shaped.

18. The armrest of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of first attachment features is teeth, and wherein the plurality of second attachment features is apertures.

19. The armrest of claim 15 , wherein the suspension material is molded into the carrier.

20. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first attachment features is positioned on each of the first side frame member, the second side frame member, the first cross frame member, and the second cross frame member, and
wherein the plurality of second attachment features is positioned on each of the first side carrier member, the second side carrier member, the first cross carrier member, and the second cross carrier member.

21. A seating structure comprising:
a frame including a first side frame member, a second side frame member, a first cross frame member, and a second cross frame member that form a closed loop, the first side frame member, the second side frame member, the first cross frame member, and the second cross frame member spaced apart to define an opening therebetween, the frame also including a plurality of first attachment features on an outer perimeter of the frame;
a carrier including a first side carrier member, a second side carrier member, a first cross carrier member, and a second cross carrier member that form a closed loop, the carrier also including a plurality of second attachment features on an inner perimeter of the carrier, the plurality of second attachment features engaging the plurality of first attachment features to attach the carrier to the frame; and
a suspension material attached to the carrier and extending over the opening in the frame to define a continuous seat and backrest,
wherein the plurality of first attachment features is teeth, and wherein the plurality of second attachment features is apertures, and wherein the carrier includes an up

Assignees

• Miller Herman Inc
• Millerknoll Inc

Inventors

• Schmitz Johann Burkhard
• Zwick Carola Eva Marianne
• Zwick Roland Rolf Otto
• Slagh James
• Tracy Brent
• Stanton Sr Michael D

Classifications

• A47C7/40

  for the back · CPC title

• A47C7/36 Primary

  Supports for the head or the back · CPC title

• A47C3/30 Primary

  with vertically-acting fluid cylinder · CPC title

• A47C7/282

  with mesh-like supports, e.g. elastomeric membranes · CPC title

• A47C31/023 Primary

  connecting upholstery to frames, e.g. by hooks, clips, snap fasteners, clamping means or the like · CPC title