초록 ▼

A seating unit is provided having a base, a back frame pivoted to the base for movement between upright and reclined positions, and a seat slidably supported on the base assembly and pivoted to the back frame so that the seat moves forwardly and its rear moves forwardly and downwardly with the back

A seating unit is provided having a base, a back frame pivoted to the base for movement between upright and reclined positions, and a seat slidably supported on the base assembly and pivoted to the back frame so that the seat moves forwardly and its rear moves forwardly and downwardly with the back frame upon recline. A flexible back shell is connected to the back frame at top and bottom locations for controlled flexure when a seated user reclines and/or flexes his/her back, and is provided with lumbar adjustment for improved lumbar force/support and shape.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A seating unit, comprising:a base; a seat-supporting structure movably mounted on said base; a back support pivoted to the seat supporting structure for movement between upright and reclined positions; a seat positioned on the seat-supporting structure; said seat-supporting structure being adapte

1. A seating unit, comprising:a base; a seat-supporting structure movably mounted on said base; a back support pivoted to the seat supporting structure for movement between upright and reclined positions; a seat positioned on the seat-supporting structure; said seat-supporting structure being adapted to allow said seat to move generally forwardly in a synchronized motion with the back support in response to recline of the back support; and a compliant back connected to the back support In at least one top connection and to one of the back support and the seat in at least one bottom connection vertically spaced from the at least one top connection, the at least one bottom connection constraining the bottom of the compliant back to a predetermined range of motion and the compliant back being flexible so that the compliant back undergoes controlled flexure between the top and bottom connections upon flexure of a seated user's back. 2. The seating unit of claim 1, wherein said at least one bottom connection is located proximate a rear of the seat and proximate a bottom of the compliant back.3. The seating unit of claim 1, wherein said seat-supporting structure is also adapted to move said seat angularly relative to said back support upon recline of the back support.4. The seating unit of claim 1, wherein said generally forwardly motion of said seat occurs during recline of said back support.5. The seating unit of claim 1, wherein the portion of said seat-supporting structure positioning said seat is mechanically connected to the portion of said seat-supporting structure having said back support pivoted thereto.6. The seating unit of claim 1, wherein an active energy mechanism biases said compliant back.7. The seating unit of claim 1, wherein an energy mechanism biases said back support toward an upright position.8. The seating unit of claim 7, wherein said energy mechanism is active.9. The seating unit of claim 1, wherein the base, seat, and back define a chair.10. The seating unit of claim 1, wherein the back support and the seat-supporting structure are operably connected to the base for moving the back and seat with a synchronous simultaneous motion upon recline of the back by a seated user.11. The seating unit of claim 1, wherein the back support is pivoted to the seat-supporting structure for movement about a pivot axis located forward of a front surface of the back.12. A seating unit, comprising:a base; a back support adapted for pivotal motion relative to said base between upright and recline positions; a seat adapted for generally forward movement relative to said base that is synchronized with movement of said back support such that said seat moves forwardly in a synchronized motion with the back support in response to recline of the back support; a back shell attached to said back support and having relatively rigid upper and lower areas interconnected by a relatively flexible central area, and including at least one top and at least one bottom pivotal connection; an active energy mechanism biasing said back shell toward a more convex shape when viewed in a vertical section; and wherein said pivotal connections constrain the flexure of said back shell so that said rigid upper and lower areas rotate in opposite directions about their respective pivotal connections as said back shell is flexed. 13. The seating unit of claim 12, wherein said at least one bottom pivotal connection is positioned forward of said back shell.14. The seating unit of claim 12, wherein said seating unit includes a seat-supporting structure movably mounted on said base and said seat is mounted on said seat-supporting structure.15. The seating unit of claim 14, wherein said back support is pivotably attached to said seat-supporting structure.16. The seating unit of claim 15, wherein said back support is pivoted relative to said seat at a point forward of a front surface of said back shell.17. The seating unit of claim 12, wherein said seat also moves angularly relative to said back support upon recline of the back support.18. The seating unit of claim 12, wherein said generally forward motion of said seat occurs during recline of said back support.19. The seating unit of claim 12, wherein said seat is mechanically connected to said back support.20. The seating unit of claim 12, wherein an energy mechanism biases said back support toward an upright position.21. The seating unit of claim 20, wherein said energy mechanism is active.22. The seating unit of claim 21 wherein the base, seat, and back shell define a chair.23. The seating unit of claim 12, wherein the back shell and the seat-supporting structure are operably connected to the base for moving the back shell and seat with a synchronous simultaneous motion upon recline of the back shell by a seated user.24. The seating unit of claim 12, wherein the back shell is pivoted to the seat for movement about a pivot axis located forward of a front surface of the back shell.25. The seating unit of claim 12 wherein the base, seat, and back support define a chair.26. The seating unit of claim 12, wherein the back support and the seat-supporting structure are operably connected to the base for moving the back support and seat with a synchronous simultaneous motion upon recline of the back support by a seated user.27. The seating unit or claim 12, wherein the back support is pivoted to the seat-supporting structure for movement about a pivot axis located forward of a front surface of the back shell.28. A chair comprising:an inverted U-shaped frame member with ends adapted to be pivotally supported for movement between upright and reclined positions; a back shaped for engaging and ergonomically supporting a seated user's lumbar and torso, the back being operably coupled to the frame member near a top of the frame member; flanges extending from the back and pivotally supporting the back on the frame member at a first pivot location, the back being operably coupled to the flame member at a second pivot location spaced vertically from the first pivot location, with movement of the back being constrained by the first and second pivot locations and by the flanges, wherein the U-shaped frame member includes a top portion forming an arch that supports the back, and lower leg portions forming pivots that are adapted for pivotal attachment to a chair base; a base; a seat; and armrest support structure and armrests supported on the base, at least a part of the lower leg portions extending between the armrest support structure and the seat. 29. A seating unit comprising:a back support; a seat adapted for angular movement relative to said back support that is synchronized with movement of said back support such that said seat moves generally forwardly relative to said back support and also angularly in a synchronized motion with the back support in response to recline of the back support; a back bendable to different shapes for engaging and supporting a seated user and connected to the back support in at least one top connection and to one of the back support and the seat in at least one bottom connection; and a belt bracket attached to the back, and having flanges that extend from the back, the flanges providing a portion of said at least one bottom connection, said back being constrained by the top and bottom connections and by the flanges so that the back is adapted to engage and provide support to the seated user. 30. The seating unit of claim 29, wherein said motion of said seat occurs during recline of said back support.31. The seating unit of claim 29, wherein the angular motion of said seat results from the rear portion of said seat moving downward relative to the front portion of said seat.32. The seating unit of claim 29, wherein said seat is mechanically connected to said back support.33. The seating unit of claim 29, wherein an active energy mechanism biases said back.34. The seating unit of claim 29, wherein an energy mechanism biases said back support toward an upright position.35. The seating unit of claim 34, wherein said energy mechanism is active.36. A seating unit comprising:a back support; a seat adapted for angular movement relative to said back support that is synchronized with movement of said back support such that said seat moves angularly ma synchronized motion with the back support in response to recline of the back support; a back bendable to different shapes for engaging and supporting a seated user and connected to the back support in at least one top connection and to one of the back support and the seat in at least one bottom connection; and a bracket extending laterally across a lower edge of the back and attached to the back, and having integral flanges that extend from the back, the flanges providing a portion of said at least one bottom connection, said back being constrained by the top and bottom connections and by the flanges so that the back is adapted to engage and provide support to the seated user. 37. A seating unit comprising:a back support; a seat adapted for angular movement relative to said back support that is synchronized with movement of said back support such that said seat moves angularly in a synchronized motion with the back support in response to recline of the back support; a back bendable to different shapes for engaging and supporting a seated user and connected to the back support in at least one top connection and to one of the back support and the seat in at least one bottom connection; and a bracket attached to a lower portion of the back, and having flanges that extend from the back and that define a pivot at least as far forward as a front surface of the lower center portion of the back, the flanges providing a portion of said at least one bottom connection, said back being constrained by the top and bottom connections and by the flanges so that the back is adapted to engage and provide support to the seated user. 38. A seating unit comprising:a back support; a seat adapted for angular movement relative to said back support that is synchronized with movement of said back support such that said seat moves angularly in a synchronized motion with the back support in response to recline of the back support; a back bendable to different shapes for engaging and supporting a seated user and connected to the back support in at least one top connection and to one of the back support and the seat in at least one bottom connection; and an elongated bracket extending horizontally at least halfway across the back and attached to the back, and having flanges that extend from the back, the flanges providing a portion of said at least one bottom connection, said back being constrained by the lop and bottom connections and by the flanges so that the back is adapted to engage and provide support to the seated user. 39. A chair comprising:an inverted U-shaped frame member with ends adapted to be pivotally supported for movement between upright and reclined positions; a back shaped for engaging and ergonomically supporting a seated user's lumbar and torso, the back being operably coupled to the frame member near a top of the frame member; flanges extending from the back and pivotally supporting the back on the frame member at a first pivot location, the back being operably coupled to the frame member at a second pivot location spaced vertically from the first pivot location with movement of the back being constrained by the first and second pivot locations and by the flanges; a base operably supporting the U-shaped frame member for movement between an upright position and a reclined position; and a seat also operably supported on the base and operably supported for synchronous movement upon recline of the U-shaped frame member. 40. The chair defined in claim 39, including an energy mechanism biasing the seat toward a first position corresponding to the upright position of the back.41. A chair comprising:an inverted U-shaped frame member with ends adapted to be pivotally supported for movement between upright and reclined positions; a back shaped for engaging and ergonomically supporting a seated user's lumbar and torso, the back being operably coupled to the frame member near a top of the frame member; and flanges extending from the back and pivotally supporting the back on the frame member at a first pivot location, the back being operably coupled to the frame member at a second pivot location spaced vertically from the first pivot location, with movement of the back being constrained b the first and second pivot locations and by the flanges, wherein the back includes a sheet of material forming at least a thoracic portion and a lumbar portion. 42. The chair defined in claim 41, including a biasing mechanism biasing the lumbar portion toward a forward position.43. A chair comprising:an inverted U-shaped frame member with ends adapted to be pivotally supported for movement between upright and reclined positions; a back shaped for engaging and ergonomically supporting a seated User's lumbar and torso, the back being operably coupled to the frame member near a top of the frame member; and flanges extending from the back and pivotally supporting the back on the frame member at a first pivot location, the back being operably coupled to the frame member at a second pivot location spaced vertically from the first pivot location, with movement of the back being constrained by the first and second pivot locations and by the flanges, wherein the back includes a shell with horizontal slots in a lumbar portion and with vertical edge strips spanning the lumbar portion. 44. A seating unit comprising:a back support; a seat adapted for angular movement relative to said back support that is synchronized with movement of said back support such that said seat moves angularly in a synchronized motion with the back support in response to recline of the back support; a back bendable to different shapes for engaging and supporting a seated user and connected to the back support in at least one top connection and to one of the back support and the seat in at least one bottom connection; and a bracket having a middle portion extending transversely at least halfway across and attached to the back, and having flanges that extend from ends of the middle portion, the flanges providing a portion of said at least one bottom connection, said back being constrained by the top and bottom connections and by the flanges so that the back is adapted to engage and provide support to the seated user. 45. A chair comprising:an inverted U-shaped frame member with ends adapted to be pivotally supported for movement between upright and reclined positions; a back shaped for engaging arid ergonomically supporting a seated user's lumbar and torso, the back being operably coupled to the frame member near a top of the frame member; and flanges extending from the back and pivotally supporting the back on the frame member at a first pivot location, the back being operably coupled to the frame member at a second pivot location spaced vertically from the first Divot location, with movement of the back being constrained by the first and second pivot locations and by the flanges, wherein the back includes a unitary sheet that is compliant, and includes cushions on the sheet. 46. A chair comprising:an inverted U-shaped frame member with ends adapted to be pivotally supported for movement between upright and reclined positions; a back shaped for engaging and ergonomically supporting a seated user's lumbar and torso, the back being operably coupled to the frame member near a top of the frame member; flanges extending from the back and pivotally supporting the back on the frame member at a first pivot location, the back being operably coupled to the frame member at a second pivot location spaced vertically from the first pivot location, with movement of the back being constrained by the first and second pivot locations and by the flanges; and an energy mechanism generating a force that biases a lumbar portion of the back forwardly with respect to the seated user, so that the lumbar portion of the back is adapted to engage and provide ergonomic lumbar support to the sealed user. 47. A chair, comprising:abase; a back support pivoted to the base for movement between upright and reclined positions; a seat operably supported on the base and coupled to the back support in a manner that causes the seat to move generally forwardly in a synchronized motion with the back support in response to recline of the back support; at least one energy mechanism operably biasing the seat rearwardly; and a back supported by the back support and having forwardly extending flanges proximate its lower portion, the flanges forming at least part of a connection connecting the back to the back support. 48. The chair defined in claim 47, wherein the forwardly-extending flanges are pivoted to the base.49. The chair defined in claim 47, wherein the back support forms a back frame with an upright portion located generally behind the seat and that extends above the seat, and a lateral portion extending along sides of the seat.50. The chair defined in claim 47, wherein the back support includes an inverted U-shaped frame member.51. The chair defined in claim 50, wherein the back is attached to the back support in at least first and second locations.52. The chair defined in claim 51, wherein the first location is near a bottom edge of the back, and the second location is spaced above the bottom edge.53. The chair defined in claim 52, wherein the second location includes a non-rigid connection that permits differential pivotal movement between the back and the back support at the second location.54. The chair defined in claim 53, wherein the second location is near a top portion of the U-shaped frame member.55. The chair defined in claim 47, wherein the base includes support structure with laterally-extending arms located generally adjacent sides of the seat and below the seat, and wherein the back support is pivoted to the arms of the support structure.56. The chair defined in claim 47, wherein the connection includes first and second connections operably connecting the back to the back frame at vertically spaced apart locations.57. The chair defined in claim 56, including a second energy mechanism located generally at one of the first and second connections and constructed to bias the forwardly-extending flanges toward a predetermined position for good lumbar support.58. The chair defined in claim 47, wherein the back includes a sheet of material having a stiff thoracic portion, a stiff pelvic portion, and a lumbar portion.59. The chair defined in claim 58, wherein the lumbar portion is flexible, and including a lumbar biasing mechanism for biasing the lumbar portion toward a forward position.60. The chair defined in claim 47, wherein the back is adjustable to different shapes for engaging and ergonomically supporting different seated users.61. The chair defined in claim 47, wherein the forwardly extending flanges define a pivot located forward of a front surface of the back and at a location adapted to be near a hip joint of a seated user.62. The chair defined in claim 47, wherein the base includes armrest support structure and armrests supported on the base, and wherein the back includes lower leg portions pivoted to the base with at least a part of the lower leg portions extending between die armrest support structure and the seat.63. A seating unit comprising:a back support including a unified back support frame member; a seat adapted for angular movement relative to said back support that is synchronized with movement of said back support such that said Seat moves angularly in a synchronized motion with the back support in response to recline of the back support; a back bendable to different shapes for engaging and supporting a seated user and connected to the back support frame member in at least one top connection and to one of the back support frame member and the seat in at least one bottom connection; and a bracket attached to the back, and having flanges that extend from the back, the flanges providing a portion of said at least one bottom connection, said back being constrained by the top and bottom connections and by the flanges so that the back is adapted to engage and provide support to the seated user. 64. A seating unit comprising:a back support; a seat adapted for angular movement relative to said back support that is synchronized with movement of said back support such that said seat moves angularly in a synchronized motion with the back support in response to recline of the back support; a back bendable to different shapes for engaging and supporting a seated user and connected to the back support in at least one top connection and to one of the back support and the seat in at least one bottom connection; and a bracket attached to the back and having flanges that extend sideways from outer edges of the back to define a pivot axis at least as far forward as a front lower center surface of the back between the flanges, the flanges providing a portion of said at least one bottom connection, said back being constrained by the top and bottom connections and by the flanges so that the back is adapted to engage and provide support to the seated user. 65. A seating unit comprising:a back support; a seat adapted for angular movement relative to said back support that is synchronized with movement of said back support such that said seat moves angularly in a synchronized motion with the back support in response to recline of the back support; a back bendable to different shapes for engaging and supporting a seated user and connected to the back support by at least one bottom connection; and the back having flanges that extend from the back and that define a pivot at least as far forward as a front surface of a lower center portion of the back, the flanges providing at least a portion of said at least one bottom connection, said back being constrained by the top and bottom connections and by the flanges so that the back is adapted to engage and provide support to the seated user. 66. The seating unit defined in claim 65, including a bracket attached to the back, the flanges extending from ends of the bracket.67. The seating unit defined in claim 66, wherein the bracket is elongated and extends across the back.68. The seating unit defined in claim 66, wherein the bracket is attached along a lower edge of the back.69. The seating unit defined in claim 65, including a bracket having integrally formed ends that form the flanges.70. The seating unit defined in claim 65, wherein the back support includes an inverted U-shaped back frame member.71. The seating unit defined in claim 70, wherein the back is also attached to the back support by at least one top connection.72. A chair, comprising:a base including a pair of support members disposed on respective sides of the base; an inverted U shaped frame member having ends, each end of the frame member being pivotably connected to an associated one of the support members on the base to allow movement of the frame member between upright and reclined positions; a back shaped and adapted to support a seated user, the back being operably coupled to the frame member near the top of the frame member; and a seat pivotally supported on each of the sides and coupled to the ends of the frame member for movement upon recline of the frame member. 73. The chair defined in claim 72, wherein the support members define pivot points for the frame member that are located higher than a center top surface of the seat.74. The chair defined in claim 72, wherein the seat includes a rear edge, and wherein the support members define pivot points for the frame member that are located above a top surface of the rear edge of the seat.75. The chair defined in claim 72, wherein the inverted U shaped frame member has a center section located between the ends that extends above a top surface of the ends.76. The chair defined in claim 72, wherein the back has a lumbar section and a lower section located below the lumbar section, and wherein the center section of the inverted U shaped frame member extends at least as high as the lumbar section but where the ends of the frame member are located below the lumbar section.77. The chair defined in claim 72, wherein the seat is pivoted to the ends of the frame member on each of the sides of the base.78. The chair defined in claim 77, wherein the seat is pivoted to the ends of the frame member at pivot locations on the ends that cause the seat to move forward on recline of the back and the U-shaped frame member.