System and method of manufacturing suspension seating

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11813787-B2
Application number	US-202117375827-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 14, 2021
Priority date	Jun 13, 2016
Publication date	Nov 14, 2023
Grant date	Nov 14, 2023

Abstract

A method of manufacturing suspension seating includes providing a blank to be used in a suspension member. The blank has a non-visible marker. The method also includes illuminating the non-visible marker with an excitation source. The non-visible marker becomes detectable when illuminated by the excitation source. The method further includes sensing the non-visible marker with a sensor. The sensor is configured to detect the non-visible marker when illuminated by the excitation source. The method also includes determining, by a controller, a characteristic of the blank using the non-visible marker. The controller is in communication with the sensor and configured to receive information related to the non-visible marker from the sensor. The method further includes adjusting the blank to achieve the desired characteristic.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A seating structure comprising:
a base;
a seat supported by the base; and
a backrest supported by the base adjacent the seat;
wherein the seat, the backrest, or both includes
a frame defining an opening,
a suspension member spanning over the opening, the suspension member having a plurality of monofilaments and a non-visible marker configured to become visible when excited by an excitation source, wherein one of the plurality of monofilaments has the non-visible marker, and
a carrier retaining the suspension member and coupled to the frame.

2. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the suspension member includes a plurality of multifilament strands interlaced with the plurality of monofilaments.

3. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the non-visible marker has a property in which intensity of luminescence of the non-visible marker changes proportionally with strain of the non-visible marker.

4. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the non-visible marker is a first non-visible marker, and wherein the suspension member includes a second non-visible marker spaced from the first non-visible marker.

5. The seating structure of claim 4 , wherein the first non-visible marker extends along a first longitudinal direction, and wherein the second non-visible marker extends along a second longitudinal direction that is parallel to the first longitudinal direction.

6. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the suspension member includes a first zone and a second zone having a different characteristic than the first zone, and wherein the non-visible marker is arranged at a border between the first zone and the second zone.

7. The seating structure of claim 6 , wherein the non-visible marker is a first non-visible marker, and wherein the suspension member includes a second non-visible marker and a third zone having a different characteristic than the first zone, and wherein the second non-visible marker is arranged at a border between the first zone and the third zone.

8. The seating structure of claim 6 , wherein the different characteristic is at least one of a different stiffness or a different tension.

9. A seating structure comprising:
a base;
a seat supported by the base; and
a backrest supported by the base adjacent the seat;
wherein the seat, the backrest, or both includes
a frame defining an opening,
a suspension member spanning over the opening, the suspension member having a plurality of filaments and a non-visible marker interwoven with the plurality of filaments, the non-visible marker configured to become illuminated by an excitation source, and
a carrier retaining the suspension member and coupled to the frame.

10. The seating structure of claim 9 , wherein the non-visible marker has a property in which intensity of luminescence of the non-visible marker changes proportionally with strain.

11. The seating structure of claim 9 , wherein the non-visible marker is a first non-visible marker, and wherein the suspension member includes a second non-visible marker spaced from the first non-visible marker.

12. The seating structure of claim 9 , wherein the non-visible marker includes a coating applied to one of the plurality of filaments.

13. The seating structure of claim 9 , wherein the suspension member includes a first zone and a second zone having a different characteristic than the first zone, and wherein the non-visible marker is arranged at a border between the first zone and the second zone.

14. The seating structure of claim 13 , wherein the non-visible marker is a first non-visible marker, wherein the suspension member includes second non-visible marker and a third zone having a different characteristic from the first zone and the second zone, and wherein the second non-visible marker is arranged at a border between the first zone and the third zone.

15. The seating structure of claim 13 , wherein the different characteristic is at least one of a different stiffness or a different tension.

16. A seating structure comprising:
a frame defining an opening;
a suspension member spanning over the opening, the suspension member having a non-visible marker configured to become visible when excited by an excitation source; and
a carrier retaining the suspension member and coupled to the frame,
wherein the suspension member includes a first zone and a second zone having a different characteristic than the first zone, and wherein the non-visible marker is arranged at a border between the first zone and the second zone.

17. The seating structure of claim 16 , wherein the non-visible marker has a property in which intensity of luminescence of the non-visible marker changes proportionally with strain.

18. The seating structure of claim 16 , wherein the non-visible marker is a first non-visible marker, wherein the suspension member includes second non-visible marker and a third zone having a different characteristic than the first zone, and wherein the second non-visible marker is arranged at a border between the first zone and the third zone.

19. The seating structure of claim 16 , wherein the different characteristic is at least one of a size or shape.

20. The seating structure of claim 16 , wherein the different characteristic is at least one of a different stiffness or a different tension.

Assignees

• Millerknoll Inc

Inventors

• Mcgraw Ethan

Classifications

• B29C55/165 Primary

  Apparatus therefor · CPC title

• A47C5/06

  Special adaptation of seat upholstery or fabric for attachment to tubular chairs · CPC title

• A47C7/142

  by fluid means · CPC title

• A47C7/282

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

• A47C31/02

  Upholstery attaching means · CPC title