BODY SUPPORT STRUCTURE WITH RELEASABLE BACKREST

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/703,683, filed Oct. 4, 2024 and entitled “Body Support Structure With Releasable Backrest,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002]The present application relates generally to a body support structure such as a chair, and more specifically to a body support structure having a releasable backrest.

BACKGROUND

[0003]Body supporting structures, including for example, office chairs, vehicular and aircraft seating, sofas, beds and other pieces of furniture, are often configured with a base and a backrest coupled to the base. Typically, the backrest is fixedly secured to the base with various fasteners. Such fasteners may not be accessible, for example if the backrest is upholstered. As such, the backrest may be difficult to install, and/or conversely be difficult to remove/separate from the seating structure, for example if damaged. Such configurations may also create barriers for assembly or disassembly, for example when shipping the seating structures.

SUMMARY

[0004]The present invention is defined by the following claims, and nothing in this section should be considered to be a limitation on those claims.

[0005]In one aspect, one embodiment of a body support structure includes a base having an upright with front and rear surfaces. A backrest is slidable relative to the upright from a disengaged position, wherein the backrest is separated from the upright, to an engaged position, wherein the backrest is coupled to the backrest. The backrest includes opposing surfaces configured to engage the front and rear surfaces of the upright as the backrest is slid from the disengaged position to the engaged position. A catch member releasably engages the upright with a snap-fit when the backrest is in the engaged position.

[0006]In another aspect, one embodiment of a body support structure includes a base having an inverted U-shaped upright with a pair of support legs and an upper cross member. A backrest is slidable relative to the upright from a disengaged position to an engaged position. The backrest includes a cavity shaped and configured to receive the upright. A catch member releasably engages the upper cross-member when the backrest is slid into the engaged position.

[0007]In another aspect, one embodiment of a method of assembling a body support structure includes sliding a backrest downwardly onto an upright extending upwardly from a base from a disengaged position to an engaged position. The backrest includes opposing surfaces engaging front and rear surfaces of the upright when the backrest is in the engaged position. The method further includes releasably engaging the upright with a catch member extending from the backrest as the backrest is slid to the engaged position. In one embodiment, the catch member engages the upright with a snap-fit when the backrest is in the engaged position.

[0008]The various embodiments of body support structures and methods provide significant advantages over other body support structures, and methods for the manufacture and assembly thereof. The body support components provide a simple, robust structure for securely and releasably coupling a backrest to a base of a seating structure, without the need to access fasteners. The catch member may be accessed to release the backrest, even if covered, thereby providing the user with a quick and easy way to replace the backrest, without the need for accessing multiple fasteners and/or damaging the cover, such as upholstery. Installation is also simplified, with the installer simply sliding the backrest relative to the base, including for example an upright, until the catch member engages the upright. The installation may be completed without the use of tools. The installation, absence of fasteners, and ability to quickly exchange backrests, provides substantial cost savings and avoids end user modifications. At the same time, the backrest is securely fixed to the base once installed, thereby providing a robust feel for the end user.

[0009]The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The various preferred embodiments, together with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a body support structure.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the body support structure shown in FIG. 1 with a backrest in a disengaged position.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the body support structure shown in FIG. 1 with the backrest in an engaged position.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the body support structure taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the backrest in the engaged position without a cover.

[0015]FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the backrest in the engaged position without a cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016]It should be understood that the term “plurality,” as used herein, means two or more. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 14, the term “longitudinal,” as used herein, means of or relating to a length or lengthwise direction 2, for example a direction running from a top to bottom of a backrest 8, or a front to back of a seat 6, and vice versa (bottom to top and back to front. The term “lateral,” as used herein, means situated on, directed toward or running in a side-to-side direction 4 of the backrest or seat, for example between a pair of upright support legs 22. The term “coupled” means connected to or engaged with whether directly or indirectly, for example with an intervening member, and does not require the engagement to be fixed or permanent, although it may be fixed or permanent. The term “fixed” means not moveable. The terms “first,” “second,” and so on, as used herein, are not meant to be assigned to a particular component or feature so designated, but rather are simply referring to such components and features in the numerical order as addressed, meaning that a component or feature designated as “first” may later be a “second” such component or feature, depending on the order in which it is referred. It should also be understood that designation of “first” and “second” does not necessarily mean that the two components, features or values so designated are different, meaning for example a first direction may be the same as a second direction, with each simply being applicable to different components or features. The terms “upper,” “lower,” “rear,” “front,” “fore,” “aft,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and variations or derivatives thereof, refer to the orientations of the exemplary body support structure as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 from the perspective of a such sitting thereon. The phrase “body support structure” refers to a structure that supports a body, including without limitation office furniture, home furniture, outdoor furniture and vehicular seating, including automotive, airline, marine and passenger train seating, and may include without limitation beds, chairs, sofas, stools, and other pieces of furniture or types of seating structures.

[0017]Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the body support structure 10 includes a base 12, a seat 6 supported by the base 12, and a backrest 8 releasably coupled to the base 12. In one embodiment, the base 12 may include a frame 14 with a pair of longitudinally spaced and laterally extending cross members 18 coupled to laterally spaced and longitudinally extending side members 16, for example with fasteners, tabs, welding and other suitable coupling systems. The base 12 may include an elevated support, such as legs 20, extending downwardly from the frame 14 and terminating in floor engaging members 24, such as casters or glides. In other embodiments, the base may include a pedestal support with a plurality of radially extending arms having floor engaging members. The seat 6 may be coupled to the frame 14 with fasteners, or may be moveably supported thereby with a tilt control mechanism. Likewise, the backrest 8 may be non-moveably coupled to the frame 14, or may be moveably (e.g., tiltably or reclinably) coupled to the seat 6 and/or frame 14, for example by way of a tilt control mechanism. The legs 20 may have portions 26 extending upwardly from the frame 14, with armrests 28 extending longitudinally between and secured to the upper ends of the legs.

[0018]As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the base 12 may include backrest support 30 having an upright 32 extending upwardly from the base 12, for example in a vertical direction. In one embodiment, the backrest support 30 includes a pair of horizontal support arms 34 coupled to the front and rear cross members 18. The support arms 34 may be sandwiched between the frame 14 (e.g., cross members 18) and the seat 6, which is supported on top of the frame/cross members. The upright 32 has front and rear surfaces 36, 38. In one embodiment, the upright 32 as an inverted U-shaped configuration, with the pair of laterally spaced support legs 22 and an upper cross member 40. The support 22 legs are coupled to the arms 34 at a pair of corner transitions 42. In other embodiments, the upright 32 may be a single, monolithic member with front and rear surfaces.

[0019]The backrest 8 is slidable relative to the upright 32 from a disengaged position, shown for example in FIG. 2, wherein the backrest 8 is separated from the upright 32, to an engaged position, shown for example in FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein the backrest 8 is coupled to the upright 32. The backrest 8 may include opposing front/rear surfaces 44, 46 configured to engage the front and rear surfaces 36, 38 of the upright 32 as the backrest 8 is slid from the disengaged position to the engaged position. In one embodiment, the backrest 8 includes a vertically extending cavity 48 open at a bottom 50 of the backrest, for example through an opening formed in a bottom flange 52, wherein the upright 32 is insertable into the cavity 48 from the bottom 50 of the backrest.

[0020]In one embodiment, the backrest 8 may be configured as a shell 70 defining the opposing surfaces 44, 46. The shell 70 may be configured with a rear exterior surface 54 and a front, body support surface 56, and pairs of front and rear cross members 58, 60, or bands, spaced apart in the horizontal direction to define the cavity 48. The cross members 58, 60 may be vertically spaced. The rearwardly facing surface 44 of the front cross members 58, which may be vertically spaced, may define a front opposing surface, and the forwardly facing surface 46 of the rear cross members 60, which may be vertically spaced, may define the rear opposing surface. The surfaces 44 and 46 may be staggered and vertically spaced relative to each other. In another embodiment, spaced apart front and rear portions of the shell define the opening, or cavity 48, and also the opposing surfaces. In any event, the shell 70 defines the rear surface 46 positioned rearwardly of the rear surface 38 of the upright 32, and the front surface 44 positioned forwardly of the front surface 36 of the upright 32, with the surfaces 36, 38, 44, 46 engaging to prevent the backrest 8, e.g., shell 70, from rotating in response to a load (F) applied by a user to the backrest 8, and shell 70, as the moment M1 created by the load (F) is countered by forces (F1, F2, F3, F4), and associated moments M2, M3, applied to the shell 70 by the upright 32. The shell 70 may be made of plastic, such as a Polypropylene based plastic, or may be metal, fiberglass, or other suitable materials.

[0021]As shown in FIG. 5, the shell 70 may include a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontal ribs 80, 82, 84, which are positioned between and join front and rear surfaces 56, 54, and horizontally spaced vertical ribs 86, 88 formed between the front and rear surfaces. The ribs 80, 82, 84 may support and define in part the cross members 58, 60, and cavity 48. The ribs 80, 82, 84 also define laterally spaced side walls 90 of the cavity 48, which engage and guide the upright 32 as the upright 32 slide vertically in the cavity 48. The side walls 90 provide lateral support when the upright 32 and backrest are in the engaged position, such that the backrest does not twist or rotate. In this way, the backrest 8 is provided with a snug fit on the upright 32 when in the engaged position.

[0022]As shown in FIG. 1, a cover 94 may be disposed over the backrest, for example covering the front and back surfaces, top edge and sides of the shell 70. Or the cover 94 may only cover the front, side and top edges. The cover may be configured as an upholstery member, and may be made of fabric, e.g., knitted or woven, leather, or plastic. In one embodiment, the cover 94 has an opening at the bottom thereof aligned with the opening to the cavity 48 in the bottom 50 of the shell 70, such that a release tool 120 may be inserted through the opening in the cover and upwardly through the cavity 48.

[0023]Referring to FIGS. 2-6, the backrest 8, and the shell 70 in particular, includes a catch member 100. The catch member may releasably engage the upright 32 with a snap-fit when the backrest 8 is in the engaged position. In one embodiment, the catch member 100 includes a tab 102 cantilevered upwardly and rearwardly from the uppermost cross member 58. The tab 102 may be defined by an opening 130 formed in the shell 70 around a perimeter of the tab 102. In one embodiment, the tab 102 may include a hinge portion 104, e.g., a living or mechanical hinge, or may simply elastically bend or deflect as the upright 32, and cross member 40, is moved past the tab 102, or a top edge 106 thereof, until the tab 102, and top edge 106 in particular, is engaged with the upright 32, e.g., the cross member 40. In one embodiment, the tab 102 is moveable, for example by pivoting and/or bending/deforming, between a catch position, wherein the tab 102 is engaged with the upright 32 with a snap-fit and prevents the backrest 8 from being moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position, and a release position, wherein the tab 102 is disengaged from the upright 32 such that the backrest 8 may be moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position. In one embodiment, the tab 102 is flexible enough to deflect around just over half the diameter of the cross member 40, for example about ⅜ inches in one embodiment. In this embodiment, the deformable/deflectable tab 102 is molded into the shell, and is not include a flexible hinge feature.

[0024]The cavity 48 is open to an exterior of the backrest, for example along the bottom 50 of the backrest (or elsewhere such as a top, front or rear of the backrest), and communicates with the tab 102. If the backrest is not covered on the backside thereof, the release tool may also be inserted through one of the openings between the cross members 60, or a user may simply depress the tab 102 with their hand, or release tool. In any of the embodiments, the cavity 48 is configured to accommodate the release tool 120, which may have a grippable end 122, and is insertable through the cavity 48 such that an opposite depressor 124 may be engaged with the tab 102 so as to move (i.e., pivot, bend/deform) the tab from the catch position to the release position.

[0025]In one embodiment, the tab 102, and top edge 106 in particular, is engaged with the cross member 40 in a snap fit when the tab 102 is in the catch position. In other embodiments, the upright, which may be monolithic, is provided with a catch surface that is engaged by the catch. The cavity 48 is shaped and configured to receive the upright 32. In one embodiment, the upright 32 is insertable into the cavity 48 from the bottom 50 of the backrest.

[0026]In operation, one method of assembling a body support structure 10 includes sliding the backrest 8 downwardly onto the upright 32 extending upwardly from the base 12 from the disengaged position to the engaged position, and engaging front and rear surfaces 36, 38 of the upright 32 with opposing surfaces 44, 46 of the backrest when the backrest 8 is in the engaged position. The method further includes releasably engaging the upright 32 with the catch member 100 extending from the backrest 8 as the backrest is slid to the engaged position. In one embodiment, the catch member 100 engages the upright with a snap-fit when the backrest is in the engaged position. As mentioned, the backrest 8 may include the vertically extending cavity 48 open at the bottom 50 of the backrest, such that sliding the backrest downwardly includes inserting the upright 32 into the cavity 48 from the bottom of the backrest. Releasably engaging the upright 32 with the catch member 100 may include moving the tab 102 relative to the upright until the tab engages the upright with the snap-fit. Releasably engaging the upright 32 with the catch member may include releasably engaging the upper cross member 40 with the catch member.

[0027]To release the backrest 8, or disassemble the body support structure 10, an installer may grip the grippable end portion 122 and insert the release tool 120 through the cavity 48, engage the tab 102 with the depressor 124 portion of the release tool, moving the tab from the catch position to the release position, and lift the backrest 8 upwardly relative to the upright 32 from the engaged to the disengaged position. A replacement backrest may then be installed on the upright as disclosed herein.

[0028]Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, it is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is the appended claims, including all equivalents thereof, which are intended to define the scope of the invention.