Body support structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025204687-A1
Application number	US-202418999528-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 23, 2024
Priority date	Feb 10, 2021
Publication date	Jun 26, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

A body support structure includes a base, a seat and a backrest, with the backrest connected to the base with a torsion leaf spring. The torsion leaf spring may be configured with a plurality of fingers, and/or one or more flex regions. One or more struts may be connected between the seat or backrest and the base. In another aspect, the seat and/or backrest may be supported with one or more links that provide a counter-intuitive motion. In another aspect, a link may be coupled to a support with a flexible blade.

First claim

1 - 93 . (canceled)

94 . A backrest comprising:
a frame comprising a pair of uprights; a lateral support extending between and fixedly coupled to the pair of uprights, wherein the lateral support is twistable between at least first and second configurations; a lumbar support vertically spaced from the lateral support, wherein the lumbar support is moveable between at least first and second configurations; and a strut extending between the lateral support and the lumbar support, wherein the strut twists the lateral support between the first and second configurations as the lumbar support is moved between the first and second configurations.

95 . The backrest of claim 94 wherein the lumbar support comprises opposite ends supported by the uprights.

96 . The backrest of claim 95 wherein each of the ends is moveably supported by one of the uprights.

97 . The backrest of claim 96 wherein the each of the ends is slideably supported by one of the uprights.

98 . The backrest of claim 94 wherein the strut is disposed between the pair of uprights.

99 . The backrest of claim 98 wherein the strut is centrally located between the pair of uprights.

100 - 103 . (canceled)

104 . A backrest comprising:
a base; a strut pivotably supported by the base, wherein the strut is pivotable about a laterally extending axis; and a lumbar support coupled to the strut, wherein the lumbar support is vertically spaced from the axis, wherein the lumbar support is moveable in response to the strut pivoting about the axis.

105 . The backrest of claim 104 further comprising a biasing member applying a biasing force to the strut in response to the strut pivoting about the axis.

106 . The backrest of claim 105 further comprising a lateral support member defining the axis.

107 . The backrest of claim 106 wherein the lateral support member is non-rotatably fixed at opposite ends thereof, wherein the lateral support member is twisted when the strut is pivoted about the axis.

108 . The backrest of claim 107 wherein the biasing member comprises a torsion biasing member defined by the lateral support member.

109 . The backrest of claim 107 wherein the base comprises a pair of laterally spaced uprights, wherein the opposite ends of the lateral support member are non-rotatably fixed to the uprights.

110 . The backrest of claim 104 further comprises a body support member having a front substrate covering a front surface of the lumbar support.

111 . The backrest of claim 110 wherein the body support member comprises a rear substrate covering a rear surface of the lumbar support.

112 . A method of supporting the body of a user with a backrest comprising:
leaning rearwardly against the backrest; applying a force to a lumbar support connected to a strut; pivoting the strut about a laterally extending axis spaced vertically from the lumbar support; and applying a biasing force to the strut to resist the pivoting of the strut about the axis.

113 . The method of claim 112 further comprising a lateral support member defining the axis.

114 . The method of claim 113 wherein applying the biasing force to the strut comprises twisting the lateral support about the axis.

115 . The backrest of claim 114 wherein the base comprises a pair of laterally spaced uprights, wherein the opposite ends of the lateral support member are non-rotatably fixed to the uprights.

116 . The backrest of claim 112 wherein the backrest further comprises a body support member having a front substrate covering a front surface of the lumbar support.

117 . The backrest of claim 116 wherein the body support member further comprises a rear substrate covering a rear surface of the lumbar support.

Assignees

• Steelcase Inc

Inventors

• Deevers Nickolaus William Charles
• Heidmann Kurt R
• Karsten Gary
• Spoelhof Mark

Classifications

• A47C7/44

  with elastically-mounted frame · CPC title

• A47C7/443

  with coil springs · CPC title

• A47C7/004

  for chairs or stools with central column, e.g. office chairs · CPC title

• A47C7/445

  with bar or leaf springs · CPC title

• A47C1/03279

  of torsion type · CPC title