IP Library Granted Patent US 9,986,848
Granted Patent B2
US 9,986,848 · App. 15/619,591 · Granted Jun 5, 2018

Chair assembly method

Inventors: Todd David Krupiczewicz (Alto, MI); Jeffrey A. Hall (Grand Rapids, MI); Gordon J. Peterson (Rockford, MI); Dale M. Groendal (Jenison, MI)
Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
A47C31/11A47C1/024A47C7/02A47C7/40A47C31/02A47C7/405A47C7/46Y10T29/481Y10T29/486Y10T29/4984Y10T29/49947Y10T29/49954
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,986,848
App. No.
15/619,591
Granted
Jun 5, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of assembling a chair component includes providing a first chair member adapted to support a user and that includes forwardly and a rearwardly-facing surfaced, wherein the first chair member further includes at least one raised portion extending rearwardly from the rear surface, wrapping a cover member about a portion of the first chair member, providing a drawstring operably coupled with the cover member, drawing the cover member about the portion of the first chair member by the drawstring, aligning the cover with the at least one raised portion to properly align the cover with respect to the first chair member, and securing the drawstring to the first chair member with at least one fastener that is received within the at least one raised portion.

Claims (39)

1. A method of assembling a chair component, comprising:

providing a first chair member adapted to support a user and that includes a forwardly-facing front surface and a rearwardly-facing rear surface that define a first thickness therebetween, wherein the first chair member further includes at least one raised portion extending rearwardly from the rear surface, wherein the front surface and the at least one raised portion define a second thickness therebetween that is greater than the first thickness, and wherein a majority of the first chair comprises the first thickness;

wrapping a cover member about a portion of the first chair member;

providing a drawstring operably coupled with the cover member;

drawing the cover member about the portion of the first chair member by the drawstring;

aligning the cover with the at least one raised portion to properly align the cover with respect to the first chair member; and

securing the drawstring to the first chair member with at least one fastener that is received within the at least one raised portion.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fastener comprises at least one staple.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing a second chair member movable between a first position, wherein the second chair member is substantially coplanar with the first chair member, and a second position, wherein the second chair member is substantially parallel with the first chair member;

wrapping the cover member about a portion of the second chair member; and drawing the cover member about the portion of the second chair member by the drawstring.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the drawstring is a single piece.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first chair member includes at least one first coupler and the second chair member includes at least one second coupler that engages the first coupler, thereby securing the second chair member to the first chair member when the second chair member is in the second position.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the at least one first coupler and the at least one second coupler comprise a quick-connect fastener.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fastener is separate from the first chair member.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first chair member comprises a back shell.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cover member includes a fabric portion and a drawstring tunnel located proximate an edge of the fabric portion, wherein the drawstring is received in the drawstring tunnel.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein securing the drawstring to the first chair member includes securing the drawstring tunnel to at least one raised portion with the at least one fastener.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the chair component comprises a chair back assembly.

12. A method of assembling a chair component, comprising:

providing a first chair member adapted to support a user and that includes a forwardly-facing front surface and a rearwardly-facing rear surface, wherein the first chair member further includes at least one raised portion extending rearwardly from the rear surface;

wrapping a cover member about a portion of the first chair member;

providing a drawstring operably coupled with the cover member;

drawing the cover member about the portion of the first chair member by the drawstring;

aligning the cover with the at least one raised portion to properly align the cover with respect to the first chair member, wherein the at least one raised portion is configured to allow alignment of the cover with respect to the first chair member in a lateral direction across a width of the first chair member; and

securing the drawstring to the first chair member with at least one fastener that is received within the at least one raised portion.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the at least one fastener comprises at least one staple.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the front surface and the rear surface define a first thickness therebetween, and wherein the front surface and the at least one raised portion define a second thickness therebetween that is greater than the first thickness.

15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

providing a second chair member movable between a first position, wherein the second chair member is substantially coplanar with the first chair member, and a second position, wherein the second chair member is substantially parallel with the first chair member;

wrapping the cover member about a portion of the second chair member; and drawing the cover member about the portion of the second chair member by the drawstring.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the drawstring is a single piece.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first chair member includes at least one first coupler and the second chair member includes at least one second coupler that engages the first coupler, thereby securing the second chair member to the first chair member when the second chair member is in the second position.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the at least one first coupler and the at least one second coupler comprise a quick-connect fastener.

19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the at least one fastener is separate from the first chair member.

20. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first chair member comprises a back shell.

21. The method of claim 12 , wherein the cover member includes a fabric portion and a drawstring tunnel located proximate an edge of the fabric portion, wherein the drawstring is received in the drawstring tunnel.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein securing the drawstring to the first chair member includes securing the drawstring tunnel to at least one raised portion with the at least one fastener.

23. The method of claim 12 , wherein the chair component comprises a chair back assembly.

Assignments (2)
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 →
Continuity (14)
Continuation 14678065 · Apr 3, 2015
Continuation 14029284 · Sep 17, 2013
Continuation 14029273 · Sep 17, 2013
Continuation 29432776 · 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
Provisional Application 61733661 · Dec 5, 2012
Related Publication 20170280888A1 · Oct 5, 2017