Variable configuration seating

Abstract

A variable chair ( 10 ) features variable displacement between a back-to-seat pivot or slide pivot interconnection ( 14 ) and a back sliding pivot ( 15 ), to compensate for occupant weight in tilt moment in a weight responsive action; a particular construction features opposed pairs of intercoupled seat and back crank arm frames ( 111, 113 ) mounted upon a carrier or ground frame ( 114 ) by which the chair is supported, to achieve a back tilt, seat slide action; with the option of frame flex for restorative action; and with combined back and seat action about a virtual pivot which can approximate to a natural occupant body spine lumbar pivot and associated pivot movement path.

1 . {Pivot Disposition}
 A variable configuration chair ( 10 ) or chair support assembly comprising a seat frame ( 11 ) a back frame ( 12 ) mounted upon a movable pivot or slide pivot ( 15 ), with seat and base frames interconnected by a variable disposition element and/or coupling ( 14 ), whereby spacing between back pivot axis and back-seat coupling reflects seat occupancy.   
   
   
       2 . {Weight-Responsive Configuration}
 A chair of  claim 1 , with an intercoupled back ( 12 ) and seat ( 11 ) configured with variable spacing between a back to seat pivot or slide pivot coupling ( 14 ) and a back slide pivot axis ( 15 ) responsive to chair loading, such as occupant size and/or weight (W), whereby to vary occupant turning moment arm about a back pivot for back tilt or recline action adapted to seat occupancy.   
   
   
       3 . {Back Tilt—Seat Slide Action}
 A chair of any preceding claim with a intercoupled back frame tilt and seat frame slide action, over a seat ramp inclination set upon occupancy, by downward movement of a seat frame rear coupling with a back frame so back tilt drives a seat up an incline reflecting occupancy.   
   
   
       4 . {Carrier Frame Ground Support}
 A chair of any preceding claim comprising back ( 12 ) and seat ( 11 ) frames intercoupled to a carrier or ground frame connected to a chair base or chassis upon a ground support.   
   
   
       5 . {Pivot+Locus}
 A chair of any preceding claim with an effective pivot and pivot locus representing a natural pivot and pivot locus of a chair occupant   
   
   
       6 . {Seat+Back Cranked Frames}
 A chair of any preceding claim, with a seat frame (II) of cranked arm profile a back frame ( 12 ) of cranked arm profile corresponding arms ( 21 ,  22 / 23 ,  24 ) of seat and back and frames ( 11 ,  12 ) being intercoupled directly or indirectly by pivots and/or slides ( 25 ,  26 ).   
   
   
       7 . {Variable Configuration}
 A chair of any preceding claim,   with back and seat frame inter-couple, through relatively movable, cranked frames ( 111 ,  114 );   each frame having respective upper and lower arms;   an upper arm of one frame ( 111 ) carrying a back rest ( 112 ), a lower arm of said one frame ( 111 ) also being captive with a corresponding lower arm of another frame ( 114 ) through sliding pivot interconnection;   a seat ( 115 ) carried by said other frame ( 114 ) lower arm;   said other frame ( 114 ) upper arm being captive with a corresponding upper arm of said one frame ( 111 ) through sliding pivot interconnection;   an intermediate carrier or ground frame ( 113 ) captive by pivotal connection with said one frame ( 111 ) upper arm and said other frame ( 114 ) lower arm;   and for mounting upon a support.   
   
   
       8 . {Complementary Frames}
 A chair of any preceding claim, with a complementary pair of opposed frame assemblies at each side, each frame assembly with indirect back ( 112 ) and seat ( 115 ) inter-couple, through relatively movable cranked inner ( 114 ) and outer ( 111 ) frames; outer frame ( 111 ) upper arms being secured to opposite sides of a back ( 112 ), and outer frame ( 111 ) lower arms being captive with corresponding lower arms of an inner frame ( 114 ) through sliding pivot interconnection;   a seat ( 115 ) with opposite sides carried by inner frame ( 114 ) lower arms;   inner frame ( 114 ) upper arms being captive with corresponding outer frame ( 111 ) upper arms through sliding pivot interconnection;   an intermediate carrier or ground frame ( 113 ), captive by pivotal connection with outer frame ( 111 ) upper arms and inner frame ( 114 ) lower arms;   and for mounting upon a support.   
   
   
       9 . {Flex Frame}
 A chair of any preceding claim with a flex frame to provide cushion and/or restorative action upon loading and deflection, such as by chair occupancy.   
   
   
       10 . {Flex Carrier Frame}
 A chair of any preceding claim with a flex frame as a carrier or ground frame intercoupled to respective seat and back frames, to allow relative frame displacement through pivot and/or slide and/or flex.   
   
   
       11 . {Resilient Slide Path}
 A chair of any preceding claim with a resiliently deformable element in a slide path between intercoupled frames.   
   
   
       12 . {Support Frame+Capture Fittings}
 A chair of any preceding claim, mounted upon a support frame ( 60 ) between spaced bearing and/or capture fittings ( 65 ,  75 ) for relative back and/or seat movement   
   
   
       13 . {Variable Profile Skeletal Frame}
 A chair of any preceding claim, mounted upon a skeletal support frame ( 31 ,  32 ,  33 ) of variable profile in response to chair occupancy   
   
   
       14 . {Frame Hoop}
 A chair of any preceding claim with a support frame ( 19 ) configured as a hoop with one end supporting a back frame pivot and another end supporting a seat frame.   
   
   
       15 . {Frame Splay}
 A chair of any preceding claim, configured for support frame splay between support frame bearing and/or capture fittings ( 13 ,  15 ) to supplement frame movement upon loading and provide cushion and/or restorative action by frame deflection and/or bending upon splay.   
   
   
       16 . {Adjustable Friction Capture Fittings}
 A chair of any preceding claim, with adjustable friction capture fittings ( 28 ,  29 ) between back, seat and support frames, for supplemental control of chair action freedom.   
   
   
       17 . {Crank Frame Intercouple}
 A variable configuration chair, with relatively movable, cranked back, seat and carrier frames ( 111 ,  113 ,  114 ), for a back-tilt or recline and seat-slide interaction, over a seat ramp inclination variable with occupancy;   and a back pivot movable in relation to a back and seat coupling, whereby back tit resistance varies with back pivot disposition and/or seat ramp inclination.   
   
   
       18 . {Chair as Described and Illustrated}
 A chair or chair support assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.