Back support attachment system for an office chair

Abstract

A back support for a chair includes a seat back attachment system that provides efficient shipping and ease of installation. The attachment system includes a seat back and a seat that are mounted on a base. The seat back has a support portion and an attachment portion. The support portion has a forward surface for supporting the back of a user. A locking element is connected between the attachment portion and the base, the locking element locking the attachment portion in place with respect to the base, the locking element capable of toolless attachment to the base.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . An attachment system for an office chair back support, comprising:
 a chair base;   a seat back having a support portion and an attachment portion, the support portion having a forward surface for supporting the back of a user;   a seat mounted on the chair base, the seat having an upper surface for supporting a user; and   a locking element connected between the attachment portion of the seat back and the base, the locking element locking the attachment portion in place with respect to the base, the locking element capable of toolless attachment to the base.   
     
     
         2 . The attachment system of  claim 1  wherein, prior to the connection of the locking element, the seat back is pivotable with respect to the chair base between a shipping position and an upright position, the connection of the locking element locking the seat back in the upright position. 
     
     
         3 . The attachment system of  claim 2  wherein the locking element is a pin, the base defining a locking element receptacle, the pin inserted into the receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The attachment system of  claim 3  wherein the pin includes a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal length between the ends, the pin defining a notch along the longitudinal length. 
     
     
         5 . The attachment system of  claim 4  wherein the base includes a resilient element that extends into the notch upon insertion of the pin to prevent removal of the pin. 
     
     
         6 . The attachment system of  claim 5  wherein the base includes a back support mounting rod, the attachment portion of the seat back connected to the back support mounting rod. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment system of  claim 6  wherein the base includes a back support mounting bracket mounted on the mounting rod, the attachment portion of the back support including a back support bracket, the attachment portion of the back support including a first portion connected to the back support bracket and a second portion defining an open slot receptacle receiving the mounting rod. 
     
     
         8 . A back support attachment system comprising:
 a chair base having a lock receptacle;   a seat mounted on the chair base, the seat having an upper surface for supporting a user;   a seat back having a support portion and an attachment portion, the support portion having a forward surface for supporting the back of a user, the seat back pivotally connected to the base such that the seat back is movable between a folded ship position in which the forward surface of the seat back faces the upper surface of the seat and an upright position; and   a locking element capable of toolless insertion into the lock receptacle to lock the seat back in the upright position.   
     
     
         9 . The back support attachment system of  claim 8  wherein the chair base includes a lock spring, the lock spring engaging the locking element upon insertion of the locking element to retain the locking element in the lock receptacle. 
     
     
         10 . The back support attachment system of  claim 9  wherein the locking element is a lock pin having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal length therebetween, the lock pin defining a notch along a portion of the longitudinal length, the lock spring extending into the notch upon insertion of the locking element into the lock receptacle. 
     
     
         11 . The back support attachment system of  claim 10  wherein the base includes a back support mounting rod, the attachment portion of the seat back connected to the back support mounting rod. 
     
     
         12 . The back support attachment system of  claim 11  wherein the base includes a back support mounting bracket mounted on the mounting rod, the attachment portion of the back support including a back support bracket, the attachment portion of the back support including a first portion connected to the back support bracket and a second portion defining an open slot receptacle receiving the mounting rod. 
     
     
         13 . A method of installing a seat back on an office chair, comprising the steps of:
 providing an office chair base having an upper surface, a seat back support rod and a lock receptacle;   mounting a seat on the office chair base, the seat extending over at least a portion of the upper surface of the base, the seat having an upper surface for supporting a user;   attaching a support bracket to the support rod such that the support bracket is pivotable about the support rod;   providing a seat back having a support portion and an attachment portion, the support portion having a user support surface;   connecting the seat back attachment portion to the support bracket such that the seat back is pivotable about the support rod;   pivoting the seat back to a ship position in which the user support surface of the seat back faces in the direction of the upper surface of the chair base; and   providing a lock element with the office chair, wherein upon pivoting the seat back from the ship position to an upright position, the lock element is insertable into the lock receptacle to retain the seat back in the upright position and prevent pivoting of the seat back to the ship position.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the lock receptacle extends through the base, and at least one of the seat back attachment portion and the support bracket, such that the insertion of the lock element includes insertion of the lock element through the chair base and at least one of the seat back and the support bracket. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the lock receptacle is an elongated pin. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  including the step of providing a lock retainer on the base, the lock retainer engaging the lock element upon insertion of the lock element to prevent removal of the lock element. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the lock element defines a notch, and wherein the lock retainer engages the notch upon insertion of the lock element into the lock retainer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the lock retainer is a spring steel element that snaps into the notch as the notch is inserted past the lock retainer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the step of connecting the seat back attachment portion to the support bracket includes extending a fastener through the seat back attachment portion and the support bracket. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the seat back attachment portion includes an open receptacle, and the step of connecting the seat back attachment to the support bracket includes inserting the seat back support rod into the open receptacle.