Granted Patent B2

US 12,310,513 · App. 17/940,695 · Granted May 27, 2025

Inventors: Joel Graham Van Faasen (Holland, MI); James D. Slagh (Holland, MI); Lauren Mary LaLonde (Saugatuck, MI); Jonathan Curtis Campbell (Holland, MI); John F. Aldrich (Grandville, MI); Timothy Allen Hoogland (Zeeland, MI); Robert W. Roth (Holland, MI); Brock M. Walker (Okemos, MI)

Assignee: MillerKnoll, Inc.

A47C7/462A47C7/282A47C7/38

Abstract

Claims (60)

1. A seating structure comprising:

a base;

a seat supported by the base;

a backrest including a frame and a suspension material supported by the frame, the frame including an upper end, a lower end opposite the upper end, and a central spine; and

an upper thoracic support assembly supported by the frame adjacent the upper end, the upper thoracic support assembly including a thoracic support pad positioned between the frame and the suspension material and a V-shaped bracket that couples the support pad to the central spine, the thoracic support pad configured to engage the suspension material to support an upper thoracic region of a user.

2. The seating structure of claim 1 , further comprising a lumbar support assembly supported by the frame adjacent the lower end, the lumbar support assembly including a lumbar support pad configured to engage the suspension material to support a lumbar region of a user.

3. The seating structure of claim 1 , further comprising a headrest assembly coupled to the frame.

4. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the frame also includes outer uprights positioned on opposite sides of the central spine, and wherein the outer uprights and the central spine are contiguous to form the frame.

5. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the upper thoracic support assembly includes a first bracket coupled to the thoracic support pad, and wherein the V-shaped bracket is coupled to the first bracket, and wherein the first bracket is pivotable relative to the V-shaped bracket.

6. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the upper thoracic support pad is a lower thoracic support pad, and wherein the upper thoracic support assembly also includes an upper thoracic support pad.

7. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the upper thoracic support pad is pivotably coupled to the frame about a pivot axis.

8. The seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the upper thoracic support pad is biased away from the frame and toward the suspension material.

9. The seating structure of claim 8 , wherein the V-shaped bracket biases the upper thoracic support away from the frame and toward the suspension material.

10. A seating structure comprising:

a base;

a seat supported by the base;

a backrest including a frame; and

a headrest assembly supported by the backrest, the headrest assembly including

a stem coupled to and extending from the frame, and

a headrest coupled to an end of the stem, the headrest pivotable relative to the stem about a virtual pivot axis spaced apart from the end of the stem and positioned on a same side of the backrest as the seat and extending through the headrest;

wherein the stem is moveable relative to the frame to adjust a vertical height of the headrest assembly.

11. The seating structure of claim 10 , wherein the stem includes a lock member having a projection that selectively engages detents in the frame to releasably secure the stem in a plurality of vertical positions.

12. The seating structure of claim 10 , wherein either the stem or the headrest includes an arcuate groove and the other of the stem or headrest includes an engagement member, and wherein the engagement member engages the arcuate groove for movement along an arcuate path defined by the arcuate groove between a plurality of positions.

13. The seating structure of claim 12 , wherein the engagement member includes a locking member that engages the arcuate groove to support the engagement member in one of the plurality of positions.

14. The seating structure of claim 12 , wherein the arcuate groove includes a plurality of first peaks and valleys, wherein the engagement member includes a plurality of second peaks and valleys, and wherein the first peaks and valleys engage the second peaks and valleys to support the engagement member in one of the plurality of positions.

15. The seating structure of claim 10 , wherein the stem includes an elongated shaft supported by the frame and a yoke extending from the stem that supports the headrest.

16. The seating structure of claim 10 , wherein the headrest includes a frame and a support pad coupled to the frame.

17. The seating structure of claim 16 , wherein the virtual pivot axis extends through the support pad.

18. A seating structure comprising:

a base;

a seat supported by the base;

a backrest including a frame and a suspension material coupled to the frame; and

a lumbar support assembly coupled to the backrest, the lumbar support assembly including,

a support bracket having a first end pivotably coupled to the frame and a second end opposite the first end;

a lumbar support pad coupled to the second end of the support bracket, and

an adjustment member positioned between the support bracket and the frame, the adjustment member having a cam member, the cam member rotatable about a rotational axis to engage the support bracket and adjust the position of the lumbar support pad relative to the suspension material;

wherein the adjustment member includes a knob to rotate the cam member about the rotational axis;

wherein the knob is a first knob accessible from a first side of the seating structure, and wherein the adjustment member includes a second knob accessible from a second side of the seating structure.

19. The seating structure of claim 18 , wherein the cam member includes a plurality of ridges that define valleys, and wherein a distance between the rotational axis and the valleys progressively increases in a circumferential direction of the cam member.

20. The seating structure of claim 19 , wherein the support bracket includes an engagement member that engages the valleys to position the lumbar support pad relative to the suspension material.

21. The seating structure of claim 18 , wherein the lumbar support pad is pivotably coupled to the first end of the support bracket.

22. The seating structure of claim 18 , wherein the first or second knob is rotatable in a first direction, in which the support bracket is pivoted towards the suspension material, and the first or second knob is rotatable in a second direction opposite the first direction, in which the support bracket is pivoted away from the suspension material.

23. A seating structure comprising:

a base;

a seat supported by the base;

a backrest including a frame; and

a headrest assembly supported by the backrest, the headrest assembly including

a stem coupled to and extending from the frame, and

a headrest coupled to an end of the stem, the headrest pivotable relative to the stem about a virtual pivot axis spaced apart from the end of the stem and positioned on a same side of the backrest as the seat and extending through the headrest;

wherein either the stem or the headrest includes an arcuate groove and the other of the stem or headrest includes an engagement member, and wherein the engagement member engages the arcuate groove for movement along an arcuate path defined by the arcuate groove between a plurality of positions; and

wherein the engagement member includes a locking member that engages the arcuate groove to support the engagement member in one of the plurality of positions.

24. A seating structure comprising:

a base;

a seat supported by the base;

a backrest including a frame; and

a headrest assembly supported by the backrest, the headrest assembly including

a stem coupled to and extending from the frame, and

a headrest coupled to an end of the stem, the headrest pivotable relative to the stem about a virtual pivot axis spaced apart from the end of the stem and positioned on a same side of the backrest as the seat and extending through the headrest;

wherein either the stem or the headrest includes an arcuate groove and the other of the stem or headrest includes an engagement member, and wherein the engagement member engages the arcuate groove for movement along an arcuate path defined by the arcuate groove between a plurality of positions;

wherein the arcuate groove includes a plurality of first peaks and valleys, wherein the engagement member includes a plurality of second peaks and valleys, and wherein the first peaks and valleys engage the second peaks and valleys to support the engagement member in one of the plurality of positions.

Assignments (3)

Continuity (2)

References Cited (125)

Cited By (1)

US 1,114,512