IP Library Granted Patent US 7,712,833
Granted Patent B2
US 7,712,833 · App. 11/594,834 · Granted May 11, 2010

Structure for connecting members

Assignee: Kokuyo Furniture Co., Ltd.
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 7,712,833
App. No.
11/594,834
Granted
May 11, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A structure intends to arrange the appearance of furniture at a connecting portion between a first member having stiffness and a second member movable relative to the first member and having stiffness without forming the connecting portion in an unnaturally large diameter. More specifically, the present invention provides a structure for connecting members comprising: a first member having stiffness; a second member movable relative to the first member and having stiffness; and a spring member in which an end portion thereof is connected to the first member and other end portion thereof is connected to the second member so as to accumulate a reaction force by elastic deformation, wherein the spring member is formed into a frame-like shape extending along the first and second members.

Claims (18)

1. A structure for connecting members, comprising:

a first member having stiffness;

a second member movable relative to the first member and having stiffness;

a spring member having a first end portion connected to a rear portion of the first member and a second end portion connected to a rear portion the second member so as to accumulate a reaction force by elastic deformation,

a back frame comprising at least a pair of the lower frame elements on the right and left,

at least a pair of the upper frame elements on the right and left, and

at least a pair of the spring members on the right and left for connecting one of the lower frame elements to a corresponding one of the upper frame elements,

wherein the spring member is formed into a frame shape extending along the first and second members,

wherein at least a portion of the spring member is spaced from said first and second members,

wherein the first member is a lower frame element constituting a backrest lower portion of a chair,

wherein the second member is an upper frame element constituting a backrest upper portion of the chair,

wherein each of the right and left upper frame elements are capable of tilting independently, and

wherein a bottom end of each of the upper frame elements on the right and left is attached to a top end of a corresponding one of the lower frame elements on the right and left, such that each of the upper frame elements on the right and left is pivotable relative to a corresponding one of the lower frame elements on the right and left.

2. The structure for connecting members according to claim 1 ,

wherein each of the first member and the second member are frame members, and

wherein the spring member is disposed substantially parallel to the first member and the second member.

3. The structure for connecting members according to claim 2 , wherein the first member and the second member are pivotable relative to each other at end portions thereof.

4. The structure for connecting members according to claim 1 , wherein the first member and the second member are pivotable relative to each other at end portions thereof.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded Apr 13, 2016
From: KOKUYO FURNITURE CO., LTD.
To: KOKUYO CO.,LTD.
Reel/Frame 038581/0754 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 9, 2006
From: UEDA, NOBUYUKI
To: KOKUYO FURNITURE CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 018571/0693 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2005-328209 · Nov 11, 2005 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070108831A1 · May 17, 2007