Flexible chair with post base

Abstract

A flexible chair having a seat bottom supported by a seat frame, a seat back having a lower portion thereof rotatably attached to the seat frame, and a back frame rotatably attached to an upper portion of the seat back. The back frame includes a pair of lower ends that are each slidably engaged with the seat frame or the seat bottom. A support post is attached to and supports the back frame. A pair of springs apply a bias force between the lower ends and the seat frame or the seat bottom. As a user sits on the seat bottom and leans back against the seat back, the seat back pivots and the seat bottom slides forward. Alternately, a link member can be used between the seat bottom or seat frame, and the post, to lift the seat bottom as it moves forward.

1 . A chair on which a user can sit and recline, comprising: 
 a seat frame;    a seat bottom attached to the seat frame;    a seat back have a lower portion thereof rotatably attached to the seat frame;    a back frame rotatably attached to an upper portion of the seat back and having at least one lower end that is slidably engaged with the seat frame or the seat bottom;    a support post attached to and supporting the back frame; and    at least one spring for applying a bias force between the lower end and the seat frame or the seat bottom;    wherein as a user sits on the seat bottom and leans back against the seat back, the seat back pivots and the seat bottom slides forward.    
   
   
       2 . The chair of  claim 1 , wherein the seat bottom lifts up as the seat bottom slides forward.  
   
   
       3 . The chair of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one glide block attached to seat frame or the seat bottom and having a aperture formed therein, wherein the lower end is slidably engaged through the aperture, and wherein the spring applies the bias force between the lower end and the glide block.    
   
   
       4 . The chair of  claim 3 , wherein the lower end terminates in a flange, and wherein the spring extends between and engages the flange and the glide block.  
   
   
       5 . The chair of  claim 3 , wherein the seat frame includes a pair of lower portions with a cross member extending therebetween, and wherein the glide block is attached to the cross member.  
   
   
       6 . The chair of  claim 4 , wherein a length of the lower end is adjustable to adjust the bias force.  
   
   
       7 . The chair of  claim 1 , wherein the back frame includes a second lower end and a cross member extending between the lower end and the second lower end, and wherein the post is attached to the cross member.  
   
   
       8 . The chair of  claim 1 , wherein the post includes a bottom portion and a swing arm portion attached to the post bottom portion in a cantilevered manner.  
   
   
       9 . The chair of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a base having a plurality of caster wheels.    
   
   
       10 . The chair of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a horizontal beam for supporting the post.    
   
   
       11 . A chair on which a user can sit and recline, comprising: 
 a seat frame;    a seat bottom attached to the seat frame;    a seat back have a lower portion thereof rotatably attached to the seat frame;    a back frame rotatably attached to an upper portion of the seat back;    a support post attached to and supporting the back frame; and    a link member rotatably attached to the seat frame or the seat bottom, and attached to the support post;    wherein as a user sits on the seat bottom and leans back against the seat back, the seat back pivots and the seat bottom slides forward.    
   
   
       12 . The chair of  claim 11 , wherein the link member is rotatably attached to the support post, and wherein the link member lifts the seat bottom up as the seat bottom slides forward.  
   
   
       13 . The chair of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a spring for exerting a bias force on the pivot member.    
   
   
       14 . The chair of  claim 13 , wherein the link member is L-shaped.  
   
   
       15 . The chair of  claim 11 , wherein the link member includes a center portion that is rigidly attached to the post, and a pair of end portions each rotatably attached to the seat frame.  
   
   
       16 . The chair of  claim 15 , wherein the link member is U-shaped.  
   
   
       17 . The chair of  claim 11 , wherein the post includes a bottom portion and a swing arm portion attached to the post bottom portion in a cantilevered manner.  
   
   
       18 . The chair of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a base having a plurality of caster wheels.    
   
   
       19 . The chair of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a horizontal beam for supporting the post.    
   
   
       20 . A chair on which a user can sit and recline, comprising: 
 a seat frame;    a seat bottom attached to the seat frame;    a seat back have a lower portion thereof rotatably attached to the seat frame;    a back frame rotatably attached to an upper portion of the seat back and having a pair of lower ends that are each slidably engaged with the seat frame or the seat bottom;    a support post attached to and supporting the back frame; and    a pair of springs each for applying a bias force between one of the lower ends and the seat frame or the seat bottom;    wherein as a user sits on the seat bottom and leans back against the seat back, the seat back pivots and the seat bottom slides forward.