초록 ▼

A one-piece shell chair (10) includes an unitary integrally formed shell body (12) having a flexurally supported seat pan (14) and a flexurally supported backrest (16) defined in part by an H-shaped opening (20) in the shell body. The backrest (16) and the seat pan (14) resiliently flex as independe

A one-piece shell chair (10) includes an unitary integrally formed shell body (12) having a flexurally supported seat pan (14) and a flexurally supported backrest (16) defined in part by an H-shaped opening (20) in the shell body. The backrest (16) and the seat pan (14) resiliently flex as independent units in response to an occupant\s body shape, size, posture and positioning. Integral, flexible straps join the backrest (16) to the seat pan (14) to permit resilient flexing of the backrest (16) with respect to the seat pan (14) about an axis through the occupant\s hip joint to minimize shear between the backrest and the occupant\s back during flexing movement of the backrest 16 with respect to the seat pan 14. The seat (12) is mounted to a tilt mechanism (28) which pivots the seat (12) about an axis forward and below the front edge (14a) of the seat pan (14) enabling the user\s feet to remain stationary on the floor. Accordingly the seat (12) and tilt mechanism (28) provide a comfortable, convenient and accommodating chair (10).

대표청구항 ▼

A chair adapted to provide postural support to a wide variety of people of different shapes and sizes through a variety of different seated positions, said chair comprising: a shell having a backrest and a seat pan integrally formed of a structural resilient material; a U-shaped slot formed in said

A chair adapted to provide postural support to a wide variety of people of different shapes and sizes through a variety of different seated positions, said chair comprising: a shell having a backrest and a seat pan integrally formed of a structural resilient material; a U-shaped slot formed in said seat pan, said slot extending from back portions of the seat pan along side portions thereof to define a cantilevered seat support extending rearwardly from a forward portion of said seat pan, and leaving seat webs extending rearwardly from said forward portion of said seat pan; a base for supporting said shell; means for mounting said base to said seat webs; flexural axis means, including a cross-sectional configuration of said seat webs, the rigidity and flexural modulus of the composition of said shell material and the shape of said seat pan forming a flexure axis transverse to said seat webs at a forward portion of said seat webs so as to provide resilient flexing of said forward portion of said seat pan and said cantilevered seat support substantially as a unit with respect to said seat webs about said flexure axis; whereby said forward portion of said seat pan and said cantilevered seat support resiliently flex as a unit about said flexure axis to reduce the shock of seating, to accommodate different shape users, and to accommodate movements of the user in various postural relationships within the chair.