Patent ID: 9027997
Filing Date: 2015-05-12
Classification: A47C,B68G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A chair assembly, comprising: a base structure defining an upper portion and a lower portion configured to support the chair assembly on a floor surface, wherein the lower portion extends downwardly below the upper portion; a seat support structure having a forward portion and a rearward portion located rearward of the forward portion, wherein the seat support structure is movably coupled to the base structure for movement relative to the base structure, and wherein the seat support structure includes an upwardly-facing support surface configured to support a seated user thereon; a generally rigid upwardly-extending back support structure movably coupled to the base structure for movement relative to the base structure, wherein the back support structure is adapted to move between an upright position and a reclined position and defines an upper peripheral portion that shifts rearwardly and downwardly upon movement of the back support structure from the upright position to the reclined position, the back support structure further defining a lower portion adjacent and rearwardly-spaced apart from the rearward portion of the seat support structure, and wherein the lower portion of the back support structure is operably coupled to the seat support structure and moves horizontally and vertically relative to the rearward portion of the seat support structure along a guided path relative to the rearward portion of the seat support structure; a flexible shell structure defining a forwardly-facing surface and a rearwardly-facing surface, wherein the forwardly-facing surface has a forwardly-projecting concave lower surface portion defining a variable curvature and forming a lumbar support, the flexible shell structure defining a lower portion below the concave lower surface portion that is movably coupled to the seat support structure at the rearward portion thereof, and wherein the flexible shell structure moves horizontally and vertically relative to the rearward portion of the seat support structure; and a resilient member generating a variable compressive force acting on the flexible shell structure in a direction that increases the curvature of the forward-facing concave lower surface portion of the flexible shell structure when the back support structure is positioned at the upright position, and wherein the compressive force decreases as the back support structure moves from the upright position to the reclined position.