IP Library Granted Patent US 11,813,787
Granted Patent B2
US 11,813,787 · App. 17/375,827 · Granted Nov 14, 2023

System and method of manufacturing suspension seating

Inventor: Ethan McGraw (Holland, MI)
Assignee: MILLERKNOLL, INC.
B29C55/165A47C5/06A47C7/142A47C7/282A47C31/02A47C31/023B29C45/14065B68G7/12A47C7/14B29C55/12B29C55/16B29L2031/443G01L1/241
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,813,787
App. No.
17/375,827
Granted
Nov 14, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of manufacturing suspension seating includes providing a blank to be used in a suspension member. The blank has a non-visible marker. The method also includes illuminating the non-visible marker with an excitation source. The non-visible marker becomes detectable when illuminated by the excitation source. The method further includes sensing the non-visible marker with a sensor. The sensor is configured to detect the non-visible marker when illuminated by the excitation source. The method also includes determining, by a controller, a characteristic of the blank using the non-visible marker. The controller is in communication with the sensor and configured to receive information related to the non-visible marker from the sensor. The method further includes adjusting the blank to achieve the desired characteristic.

Claims (38)

1. A seating structure comprising:

a base;

a seat supported by the base; and

a backrest supported by the base adjacent the seat;

wherein the seat, the backrest, or both includes

a frame defining an opening,

a suspension member spanning over the opening, the suspension member having a plurality of monofilaments and a non-visible marker configured to become visible when excited by an excitation source, wherein one of the plurality of monofilaments has the non-visible marker, and

a carrier retaining the suspension member and coupled to the frame.

2. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the suspension member includes a plurality of multifilament strands interlaced with the plurality of monofilaments.

3. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the non-visible marker has a property in which intensity of luminescence of the non-visible marker changes proportionally with strain of the non-visible marker.

4. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the non-visible marker is a first non-visible marker, and wherein the suspension member includes a second non-visible marker spaced from the first non-visible marker.

5. The seating structure of claim 4 , wherein the first non-visible marker extends along a first longitudinal direction, and wherein the second non-visible marker extends along a second longitudinal direction that is parallel to the first longitudinal direction.

6. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the suspension member includes a first zone and a second zone having a different characteristic than the first zone, and wherein the non-visible marker is arranged at a border between the first zone and the second zone.

7. The seating structure of claim 6 , wherein the non-visible marker is a first non-visible marker, and wherein the suspension member includes a second non-visible marker and a third zone having a different characteristic than the first zone, and wherein the second non-visible marker is arranged at a border between the first zone and the third zone.

8. The seating structure of claim 6 , wherein the different characteristic is at least one of a different stiffness or a different tension.

9. A seating structure comprising:

a base;

a seat supported by the base; and

a backrest supported by the base adjacent the seat;

wherein the seat, the backrest, or both includes

a frame defining an opening,

a suspension member spanning over the opening, the suspension member having a plurality of filaments and a non-visible marker interwoven with the plurality of filaments, the non-visible marker configured to become illuminated by an excitation source, and

a carrier retaining the suspension member and coupled to the frame.

10. The seating structure of claim 9 , wherein the non-visible marker has a property in which intensity of luminescence of the non-visible marker changes proportionally with strain.

11. The seating structure of claim 9 , wherein the non-visible marker is a first non-visible marker, and wherein the suspension member includes a second non-visible marker spaced from the first non-visible marker.

12. The seating structure of claim 9 , wherein the non-visible marker includes a coating applied to one of the plurality of filaments.

13. The seating structure of claim 9 , wherein the suspension member includes a first zone and a second zone having a different characteristic than the first zone, and wherein the non-visible marker is arranged at a border between the first zone and the second zone.

14. The seating structure of claim 13 , wherein the non-visible marker is a first non-visible marker, wherein the suspension member includes second non-visible marker and a third zone having a different characteristic from the first zone and the second zone, and wherein the second non-visible marker is arranged at a border between the first zone and the third zone.

15. The seating structure of claim 13 , wherein the different characteristic is at least one of a different stiffness or a different tension.

16. A seating structure comprising:

a frame defining an opening;

a suspension member spanning over the opening, the suspension member having a non-visible marker configured to become visible when excited by an excitation source; and

a carrier retaining the suspension member and coupled to the frame,

wherein the suspension member includes a first zone and a second zone having a different characteristic than the first zone, and wherein the non-visible marker is arranged at a border between the first zone and the second zone.

17. The seating structure of claim 16 , wherein the non-visible marker has a property in which intensity of luminescence of the non-visible marker changes proportionally with strain.

18. The seating structure of claim 16 , wherein the non-visible marker is a first non-visible marker, wherein the suspension member includes second non-visible marker and a third zone having a different characteristic than the first zone, and wherein the second non-visible marker is arranged at a border between the first zone and the third zone.

19. The seating structure of claim 16 , wherein the different characteristic is at least one of a size or shape.

20. The seating structure of claim 16 , wherein the different characteristic is at least one of a different stiffness or a different tension.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL Recorded Aug 8, 2025
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 072342/0529 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2025
From: MILLERKNOLL, INC.
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071473/0729 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
To: MILLERKNOLL, INC.
Reel/Frame 059360/0500 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 14, 2021
From: MCGRAW, ETHAN
To: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
Reel/Frame 056856/0688 →