IP Library Granted Patent US 9,345,328
Granted Patent B2
US 9,345,328 · App. 14/793,228 · Granted May 24, 2016

Chair assembly with upholstery covering

Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson (Rockford, MI); Mark Vander Veen (Hudsonville, MI)
Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
A47C1/032A47C1/024A47C1/03A47C1/03255A47C1/03261A47C1/03266A47C1/03272A47C1/14A47C3/30A47C5/00A47C5/12A47C7/004A47C7/006A47C7/022A47C7/14A47C7/185A47C7/24A47C7/40A47C7/441A47C7/443A47C7/46A47C7/462A47C7/54A47C31/02A47C31/023B68G7/12Y10T29/481Y10T29/49826Y10T29/49947
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,345,328
App. No.
14/793,228
Granted
May 24, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for assembling a chair component assembly includes providing a back support component adapted to support a portion of a seated user, providing a lumbar support assembly adapted to support the lumbar area of a seated user, providing a cover having an aesthetic outer surface and including a first pocket defining a first interior space therein, and a flap member having a first side edge attached to the first pocket and a second side edge, positioning the lumbar support assembly proximate the first pocket, folding the flap over the lumbar support assembly, and securing the second side edge of the flap to form a second pocket defining a second interior space within which the lumbar support assembly is located.

Claims (55)

1. A method for assembling a chair component assembly, comprising:

providing a back support component adapted to support a portion of a seated user;

providing a lumbar support assembly adapted to support the lumbar area of a seated user;

providing a cover having an aesthetic outer surface and including a first pocket defining a first interior space therein, and a flap member having a first side edge attached to the first pocket and a second side edge;

positioning the lumbar support assembly proximate the first pocket;

folding the flap over the lumbar support assembly; and

securing the second side edge of the flap to form a second pocket defining a second interior space within which the lumbar support assembly is located.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the lumbar support assembly includes providing a vertically adjustable lumbar support assembly, and wherein the step of securing the second side edge of the flap includes securing the second side edge of the flap such that the lumbar support assembly is vertically adjustable within the second interior space.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of securing the second side edge of the flap includes forming a slot through which a portion of the lumbar support assembly extends.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the step of securing the second side edge of the flap includes forming the slot as upwardly opening.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the step of providing the lumbar support assembly includes providing the lumbar support assembly with a handle adapted to be grasped by a user to vertically adjust the lumbar support assembly; and further comprising:

securing a third side edge of the flap form an aperture through which the handle extends.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein step of securing the second side edge includes securing the second side edge to the first pocket.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of securing the second side edge includes sewing the second side edge to the first pocket.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first compartment and the second compartment include a common layer of the cover.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a fabric.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cover member includes at least one aperture that receives an engagement member of the back support component therethrough.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the back support component includes a substantially rigid back shell and a substantially compressible cushion member.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the engagement member is integral with the back shell.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing a drawstring operably coupled with the cover; and

securing the cover about at least a portion of the back support component by drawing the drawstring.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the back support component includes a substantially rigid back shell having an integral attachment member, and further comprising:

securing a free end of the drawstring about the attachment member.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second pocket is positioned behind the first pocket.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the first compartment and the second compartment include a common layer of the cover.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the cover member completely separates the lumbar support assembly from the back component assembly.

18. A method for assembling a chair component, comprising:

providing a back support component adapted to support a portion of a seated user, the back support component including a back shell;

providing a lumbar support assembly adapted to support the lumbar area of a seated user, wherein the lumbar support assembly is vertically adjustable;

providing a cover having an aesthetic outer surface and including a first pocket and a second pocket;

positioning the back support component within the first pocket;

positioning the lumbar support assembly within the second pocket;

providing a drawstring operably coupled with the cover;

securing the cover about at least a portion of the back support component by drawing the drawstring; and

securing a free end of the drawstring to an attachment member of the back shell.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the attachment member includes a first portion and a second portion cantilevered in substantially opposite directions from one another.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the first portion and the second portion cooperate to form an angled surface against which the drawstring is drawn, and wherein the angled surface causes the drawstring to bind against a rear surface of the back shell as the drawstring is drawn taught.

21. The method of claim 18 , wherein the attachment member is integral with the back shell.

22. A method for assembling a chair component; comprising:

providing a back support component adapted to support a portion of a seated user;

providing a lumbar support assembly adapted to support the lumbar area of a seated user, wherein the lumbar support assembly is vertically adjustable; and

providing a cover having an aesthetic outer surface and including a first pocket and a second pocket, wherein the second pocket is positioned behind the first pocket;

positioning the back support component within the first pocket; and

positioning the lumbar support assembly within the second pocket such that the lumbar support assembly is vertically adjustable within the second pocket.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the first pocket and the second pocket include a common layer of the cover.

24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the cover member completely separates the lumbar support assembly from the back support component.

25. A method for assembling a chair component, comprising:

providing a back support component adapted to support a portion of a seated user;

providing a lumbar support assembly adapted to support the lumbar area of a seated user, wherein the lumbar support assembly is vertically adjustable; and

providing a cover having an aesthetic outer surface and including a first pocket and a second pocket, wherein a majority of the second pocket horizontally overlaps with the first pocket in a front-to-back direction;

positioning the back support component within the first pocket; and

positioning the lumbar support assembly within the second pocket.

26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the second pocket includes an upwardly opening slot through which the lumbar support assembly extends.

27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the second pocket includes at least one aperture through which a handle member of the lumbar support assembly extends, and wherein the handle member is adapted to be grasped by a user to vertically adjust the lumbar support assembly.

Assignments (3)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2026
From: AMQ SOLUTIONS, LLC; HALCON FURNITURE LLC; SMITH SYSTEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY; STEELCASE INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 074944/0368 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2026
From: AMQ SOLUTIONS, LLC; HALCON FURNITURE LLC; SMITH SYSTEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY; STEELCASE INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 074944/0784 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 9, 2015
From: PETERSON, GORDON J.; VANDER VEEN, MARK
To: STEELCASE INC.
Reel/Frame 036040/0442 →
Continuity (12)
Division 14029200 · Sep 17, 2013
Continuation 29432765 · Sep 20, 2012
Continuation 29432767 · Sep 20, 2012
Provisional Application 61703677 · Sep 20, 2012
Provisional Application 61703667 · Sep 20, 2012
Provisional Application 61703666 · Sep 20, 2012
Provisional Application 61703515 · Sep 20, 2012
Provisional Application 61703663 · Sep 20, 2012
Provisional Application 61703659 · Sep 20, 2012
Provisional Application 61703661 · Sep 20, 2012
Provisional Application 61754803 · Jan 21, 2013
Related Publication 20150305505A1 · Oct 29, 2015