Seating structure having a support pocket

Abstract

A seating structure including a frame, a suspension member, and a support pad. The frame defines an opening. The suspension member is coupled to the frame and spans over the opening. The suspension member is configured to engage a user and has a three-dimensional topography independent of the frame and relative to a straight reference line that extends between opposing sides of the frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A seating structure comprising:
 a frame defining an opening; and   a suspension member coupled to the frame and spanning over the opening, the suspension member configured to engage a user and having a three-dimensional topography independent of the frame and relative to a straight reference line that extends between opposing sides of the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The seating structure of  claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional topography includes a recess that projects away from the user engaging the suspension member. 
     
     
         3 . The seating structure of  claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional topography includes a protruding portion that projects toward the user engaging the suspension member. 
     
     
         4 . The seating structure of  claim 3 , wherein a support pad is supported on the suspension member, and wherein the support pad forms the protruding portion. 
     
     
         5 . The seating structure of  claim 4 , wherein the support pad is not directly connected to the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The seating structure of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is part of a backrest. 
     
     
         7 . The seating structure of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is part of a seat. 
     
     
         8 . The seating structure of  claim 1 , wherein the suspension member includes a first layer and a second layer attached to the first layer such that a tension differential is created between the first layer and the second layer, and wherein the tension differential between the first layer and the second layer at least partially creates the three-dimensional topography. 
     
     
         9 . The seating structure of  claim 1 , wherein the suspension member crosses the straight reference line. 
     
     
         10 . A seating structure comprising:
 a base;   a backrest supported by the base, the backrest including a frame defining an opening;   a suspension member coupled to the frame and spanning over the opening;   a pocket defined in the suspension member; and   a support pad received in the pocket.   
     
     
         11 . The seating structure of  claim 10 , wherein the suspension member includes a first layer and a second layer, and wherein the pocket is formed between the first layer and the second layer. 
     
     
         12 . The seating structure of  claim 11 , wherein the second layer is attached to the first layer such that a tension differential is created in the suspension member, and wherein the support pad is supported within the pocket by the tension differential between the first layer and the second layer. 
     
     
         13 . The seating structure of  claim 10 , wherein the pocket is a first pocket and the support pad is a thoracic support pad received in the first pocket, the seating structure further comprising:
 a second pocket defined in the suspension member and spaced apart from the first pocket; and   a lumbar support pad received in the second pocket.   
     
     
         14 . The seating structure of  claim 10 , wherein the suspension member is a knit suspension member having at least one monofilament. 
     
     
         15 . The seating structure of  claim 10 , wherein the support pad is not directly connected to the frame. 
     
     
         16 . A seating structure comprising:
 a frame defining an opening;   a suspension member coupled to the frame and spanning over the opening, the suspension member including a first tensile element that provides a first tensile force in the suspension member and a second tensile element that provides a second tensile force in the suspension member; and   a support pad supported on the suspension member between the first tensile element and the second tensile element.   
     
     
         17 . The seating structure of  claim 16 , wherein the first tensile element is a first layer of the suspension member, wherein the second tensile element is a second layer of the suspension member, and wherein the first layer and the second layer are attached to each other. 
     
     
         18 . The seating structure of  claim 16 , wherein the support pad is not directly attached to the frame. 
     
     
         19 . The seating structure of  claim 16 , wherein the first tensile force is at least partially directed toward a user-supported side of the suspension member, and wherein the second tensile force is at least partially directed away from the user-supported side of the suspension member. 
     
     
         20 . The seating structure of  claim 19 , wherein the first tensile force is greater than the second tensile force.