US 11,963,621 B2
Seating arrangement
James Ludwig, Grand Rapids, MI (US); Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Holland, MI (US); Kurt Heidmann, Grand Rapids, MI (US); Bruce Michael Smith, East Grand Rapids, MI (US); and Mark Spoelhof, Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Assigned to Steelcase Inc., Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed by Steelcase Inc., Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed on Jul. 19, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/379,444.
Application 17/379,444 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/997,128, filed on Jun. 4, 2018, granted, now 10,966,527, issued on Apr. 6, 2021.
Application 15/997,128 is a continuation of application No. 15/997,097, filed on Jun. 4, 2018, granted, now 11,096,497.
Application 15/997,097 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/726,855, filed on Oct. 6, 2017, granted, now 10,194,750, issued on Feb. 5, 2019.
Application 15/726,855 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/560,954, filed on Apr. 12, 2016, granted, now D808187, issued on Jan. 23, 2018.
Application 29/560,954 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/560,968, filed on Apr. 12, 2016, granted, now D804841, issued on Dec. 12, 2017.
Application 29/560,968 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/560,955, filed on Apr. 12, 2016, granted, now D804209, issued on Dec. 5, 2017.
Application 29/560,955 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/560,962, filed on Apr. 12, 2016, granted, now D804875, issued on Dec. 12, 2017.
Application 29/560,962 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/560,960, filed on Apr. 12, 2016, granted, now D821793, issued on Jul. 3, 2018.
Application 29/560,960 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/560,966, filed on Apr. 12, 2016, granted, now D804876, issued on Dec. 12, 2017.
Application 29/560,966 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/560,987, filed on Apr. 12, 2016, granted, now D802952, issued on Nov. 21, 2017.
Application 29/560,987 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/560,957, filed on Apr. 12, 2016, granted, now D804839, issued on Dec. 12, 2017.
Application 29/560,957 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/096,809, filed on Apr. 12, 2016, granted, now 10,021,984, issued on Jul. 17, 2018.
Application 15/096,809 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/560,964, filed on Apr. 12, 2016, granted, now D804840, issued on Dec. 12, 2017.
Application 29/560,964 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/560,969, filed on Apr. 12, 2016, granted, now D802951, issued on Nov. 21, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/679,357, filed on Jun. 1, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/653,275, filed on Apr. 5, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/517,270, filed on Jun. 9, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/232,784, filed on Sep. 25, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/153,266, filed on Apr. 27, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/146,672, filed on Apr. 13, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/146,678, filed on Apr. 13, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/146,666, filed on Apr. 13, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2021/0345781 A1, Nov. 11, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A47C 7/44 (2006.01); A47C 1/032 (2006.01); A47C 3/18 (2006.01); A47C 3/20 (2006.01); A47C 5/12 (2006.01); A47C 7/16 (2006.01)
CPC A47C 7/445 (2013.01) [A47C 1/03277 (2013.01); A47C 3/18 (2013.01); A47C 3/20 (2013.01); A47C 5/12 (2013.01); A47C 7/16 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A seating arrangement, comprising:
an upwardly extending back arrangement movable between an upright position and a reclined position; and
a seat arrangement, comprising:
a first link member extending substantially horizontally, the first link member having a forward portion and a rearward portion and configured to support a seated user thereon;
a second link member spaced from the first link member;
a third link member connected to the forward portion of the first link member and integrally connected to the second link member such that the third link member and the second link member are a single piece with one another, the third link member being substantially flexible along a majority of a length thereof; and
a fourth link member having a first end connected to the rearward portion of the first link member and a second end operably coupled to the second link member, the fourth link member being substantially rigid along a majority of a length thereof; and
wherein the first link member, the second link member, the third link member and the fourth link member cooperate to form a linkage arrangement, and wherein the seat arrangement moves in a rearward direction as the back arrangement is moved between the upright position and the reclined position, wherein a distance between the first and second ends of the fourth link member remains substantially unchanged, the third link member flexes along a length thereof, and the fourth link member remains relatively straight as the back arrangement moves between the upright and reclined positions.