US20140077540A1 - Chair Assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A seating unit includes a seat assembly adapted to support a seated user thereon, a back assembly extending upwardly from the seat assembly and adapted to support a seated user, and a headrest assembly adapted to support a head of a seated user. The headrest assembly includes a frame assembly having a pair of vertically spaced frame portions and a pair of horizontally spaced frame portions, wherein the frame portions cooperate to form an open space therebetween, and wherein at least one of the frame portions includes a plurality of first alignment features, and a thermoplastic elastomeric cover member stretched between at least one of the pair of vertically spaced frame portions and the pair of horizontally spaced frame portions, wherein the cover member includes a plurality of second alignment features that cooperate with the first alignment features to align the cover member with the frame assembly.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to a chair assembly, and in particular to an office chair assembly comprising a vertically adjustable, articulating headrest assembly.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• One aspect of the present invention is to provide a seating unit comprising a seat assembly adapted to support a seated user thereon, a back assembly extending upwardly from the seat assembly and adapted to support a seated user, and a headrest assembly adapted to support a head of a seated user. The headrest assembly comprises a frame assembly including a pair of vertically spaced frame portions and a pair of horizontally spaced frame portions, wherein the frame portions cooperate to form an open space therebetween, and wherein at least one of the frame portions includes a plurality of first alignment features, and a thermoplastic elastomeric cover member stretched between at least one of the pair of vertically spaced frame portions and the pair of horizontally spaced frame portions, wherein the cover member includes a plurality of second alignment features that cooperate with the first alignment features to align a cover member with the frame assembly.
• These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a chair assembly embodying the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the chair assembly;
• FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the chair assembly showing the chair assembly in a lowered position and in a raised position in dashed line, and a seat assembly in a retracted position and an extended position in dashed line;
• FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the chair assembly showing the chair assembly in an upright position and in a reclined position in dashed line;
• FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the seat assembly;
• FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the chair assembly with a portion of the seat assembly removed to illustrate a spring support assembly;
• FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a back assembly;
• FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the back assembly;
• FIG. 9ais an exploded front perspective view of the back assembly;
• FIG. 9bis an exploded rear perspective view of the back assembly;
• FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of anarea10,FIG. 9a;
• FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of an area11,FIG. 2;
• FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an upper back pivot assembly taken along the line XII-XII,FIG. 7;
• FIG. 13ais an exploded rear perspective view of the upper back pivot assembly;
• FIG. 13bis an exploded front perspective view of the upper back pivot assembly;
• FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of thearea14,FIG. 9b;
• FIG. 15ais an enlarged perspective view of a comfort member and a lumbar assembly;
• FIG. 15bis a rear perspective view of the comfort member and the lumbar assembly;
• FIG. 16ais a front perspective view of a pawl member;
• FIG. 16bis a rear perspective view of the pawl member;
• FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view along the line XVIII-XVIII,FIG. 15b;
• FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the chair assembly including a headrest assembly;
• FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the alternative embodiment of the chair assembly, showing the headrest at lowered and raised positions;
• FIG. 20 is a side elevational view showing the headrest at a forward and a rearward articulated position;
• FIG. 21 is an exploded front perspective view of the back assembly;
• FIG. 22 is an exploded rear perspective view of the back assembly;
• FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the headrest assembly;
• FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the headrest assembly taken along the line XXIV-XXIV,FIG. 21;
• FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the headrest assembly taken along the line XXV-XXV,FIG. 21;
• FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the chair assembly;
• FIG. 27 is a front elevational view of the alternative embodiment of the chair assembly;
• FIG. 28 is a first side elevational view of the alternative embodiment of the chair assembly;
• FIG. 29 is a second side elevational view of the alternative embodiment of the chair assembly;
• FIG. 30 is a rear elevational view of the alternative embodiment of the chair assembly;
• FIG. 31 is a top plan view of the alternative embodiment of the chair assembly; and
• FIG. 32 is a bottom plan view of the alternative embodiment of the chair assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented inFIGS. 1 and 2. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
• The reference numeral10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) generally designates a chair assembly embodying the present invention. In the illustrated example, thechair assembly10 includes a casteredbase assembly12 abutting a supportingfloor surface13, a control orsupport assembly14 supported by thecastered base assembly12, aseat assembly16 andback assembly18 each operably coupled with thecontrol assembly14, and a pair ofarm assemblies20. The control assembly14 (FIG. 3) is operably coupled to thebase assembly12 such that theseat assembly16, theback assembly18 and thearm assemblies20 may be vertically adjusted between a fully lowered position A and a fully raised position B, and pivotable about avertical axis21 in adirection22. Theseat assembly16 is operably coupled to thecontrol assembly14 such that theseat assembly16 is longitudinally adjustable with respect to thecontrol assembly14 between a fully retracted position C and a fully extended position D. Theseat assembly16 and theback assembly18 are operably coupled with thecontrol assembly14 and with one another such that theback assembly18 is movable between a fully upright position E and a fully reclined position F, and further such that theseat assembly16 is movable between a fully upright position G and a fully reclined position H corresponding to the fully upright position E and the fully reclined position F of theback assembly18.
• Thebase assembly12 includes a plurality of pedestal arms radially extending and spaced about a hollowcentral column26 that receives apneumatic cylinder28 therein. Eachpedestal arm24 is supported above thefloor surface13 by an associatedcaster assembly30. Although thebase assembly12 is illustrated as including a multiple-arm pedestal assembly, it is noted that other suitable supporting structures maybe utilized, including but not limited to fixed columns, multiple leg arrangements, vehicle seat support assemblies, and the like.
• The seat assembly16 (FIG. 5) includes a relatively rigidseat support plate32 having aforward edge34, arearward edge36, and a pair of C-shaped guide rails38 defining the side edges of theseat support plate32 and extending between theforward edge34 and therearward edge36. Theseat assembly16 further includes a flexibly resilientouter seat shell40 having a pair of upwardly turnedside portions42 and an upwardly turnedrear portion44 that cooperate to form an upwardly disposed generally concave shape. Theseat shell40 is comprised of a relatively flexible material such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). In assembly, theouter seat shell40 is secured and sandwiched between theseat support plate32 and a plastic, flexiblyresilient seat pan46 which is secured to theseat support plate32 by a plurality of mechanical fasteners. Theseat pan46 includes aforward edge48, arearward edge50,side edges52 extending between theforward edge48 and therearward edge50, atop surface54 and abottom surface56 that cooperate to form an upwardly disposed generally concave shape. In the illustrated example, theseat pan46 includes a plurality of longitudinally extendingslots58 extending forwardly from therearward edge50. Theslots58 cooperate to define a plurality offingers60 therebetween, eachfinger60 being individually flexibly resilient. Theseat pan46 further includes a plurality of laterally oriented,elongated apertures62 located proximate theforward edge48. Theapertures62 cooperate to increase the overall flexibility of theseat pan46 in the area thereof, and specifically allow a forward portion64 of theseat pan46 to flex in avertical direction66 with respect to arearward portion68 of theseat pan46, as discussed further below. Theseat assembly16 further includes afoam cushion member70 that rests upon thetop surface54 of theseat pan46 and is cradled within theouter seat shell40, and a fabric seat cover72 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and anupper surface76 of thecushion members70. Theseat assembly16 further includes a spring support assembly78 (FIGS. 5 and 6) adapted to flexibly support the forward portion64 of theseat pan46 for flexure in thevertical direction66. In the illustrated example, thespring support assembly78 includes asupport housing80 comprising a foam and havingside portions82 defining an upwardly concave arcuate shape. Thespring support assembly78 further includes a relativelyrigid attachment member84 that extends laterally between theside portions82 of thesupport housing80 and is located between thesupport housing80 and the forward portion64 of theseat pan46. A plurality ofmechanical fasteners86 secure thesupport housing80 and theattachment member84 to the forward portion64 of theseat pan46. Thespring support assembly78 further includes a pair of cantilever springs88 each having adistal end90 received through a correspondingaperture92 of theattachment member84, and aproximate end94 secured to theseat support plate32 such that thedistal end90 of eachcantilever spring88 may flex in thevertical direction66. A pair oflinear bearings96 are fixedly attached to theattachment member84 and aligned with theapertures92 thereof, such that thelinear bearing96 slidably receives the distal ends90 of a corresponding cantilever springs88. In operation, the cantilever springs88 cooperate to allow the forward portion64 of theseat pan46, and more generally the entire forward portion ofseat assembly16 to flex in thevertical direction66 when a seated user rotates forward on theseat assembly16 and exerts a downward force on the forward edge thereof.
• The back assembly18 (FIGS. 7-9B) includes aback frame assembly98 and aback support assembly99 supported thereby. Theback frame assembly98 is generally comprised of a substantially rigid material such as metal, and includes a laterally extendingtop frame portion100, a laterally extendingbottom frame portion102, and a pair of curvedside frame portion104 extending between thetop frame portion100 and thebottom frame portion102 and cooperating therewith to define anopening106 having a relatively largeupward dimension108 and a relatively narrowlower dimension110.
• Theback assembly18 further includes a flexibly resilient,plastic back shell112 having anupper portion114, alower portion116, a pair of side edges118 extending between theupper portion114 and alower portion116, a forwardly facingsurface120 and a rearwardly facingsurface122, wherein the width of theupper portion114 is generally greater than the width of thelower portion116, and thelower portion116 is downwardly tapered to generally follow the rear elevational configuration of theframe assembly98. Alower reinforcement member115 attaches to hooks117 (FIG. 9A) oflower portion116 ofback shell112.Reinforcement member115 includes a plurality ofprotrusions113 that engagereinforcement ribs134 to prevent side-to-side movement oflower reinforcement member115 relative to backshell112. As discussed below,reinforcement member115 pivotably interconnects back control link342 (FIG. 26) tolower portion116 ofback shell112 at pivot points oraxis346.
• Theback shell112 also includes a plurality of integrally molded, forwardly and upwardly extending hooks124 (FIG. 10) spaced about the periphery of theupper portion114 thereof. An intermediate orlumbar portion126 is located vertically between theupper portion114 and thelower portion116 of theback shell112, and includes a plurality of laterally extendingslots128 that cooperate to form a plurality of laterally extendingribs130 located therebetween. Theslots128 cooperate to provide additional flexure to theback shell112 in the location thereof. Pairings oflateral ribs130 are coupled by vertically extendingribs132 integrally formed therewith and located at an approximate lateral midpoint thereof. Thevertical ribs132 function to tie thelateral ribs130 together and reduce vertical spreading therebetween as theback shell112 is flexed at theintermediate portion126 thereof when theback assembly18 is moved from the upright position E to the reclined position F, as described below. Theback shell112 further includes a plurality of laterally-spacedreinforcement ribs134 extending longitudinally along the vertical length of theback shell112 between thelower portion116 and theintermediate portion126. It is noted that the depth of each of the ribs increases the further along each of theribs134 from theintermediate portion126, such that the overall rigidity of theback shell112 increases along the length of the ribs from theintermediate portion126 towards thelower portion116.
• Theback shell112 further includes a pair of rearwardly extending, integrally moldedpivot bosses138 forming part an upperback pivot assembly140. The back pivot assembly140 (FIGS. 11-13b) includes thepivot bosses138 of theback shell112, a pair ofshroud members142 that encompassrespective pivot bosses138, arace member144, and amechanical fastening assembly146. Eachpivot boss138 includes a pair ofside walls148 and a rearwardly-facingconcave seating surface150 having a vertically elongatedpivot slot152 extending therethrough. Eachshroud member142 is shaped so as to closely house thecorresponding pivot boss138, and includes a plurality ofside walls154 corresponding toside walls148, and a rearwardly-facingconcave bearing surface156 that includes a vertically elongatedslot pivot slot143 extending therethrough, and which is adapted to align with theslot152 of acorresponding pivot boss138. Therace member144 includes acenter portion158 extending laterally along and abutting thetop frame portion100 of theback frame assembly98, and a pair of arcuately-shaped bearing surfaces160 located at the ends thereof. Specifically, thecenter portion158 includes afirst portion162, and asecond portion164, wherein thefirst portion162 abuts a front surface of thetop frame portion100 andsecond portion164 abuts a top surface of thetop frame portion100. Each bearingsurface160 includes anaperture166 extending therethrough and which aligns with acorresponding boss member168 integral with theback frame assembly98.
• In assembly, theshroud members142 are positioned about thecorresponding pivot bosses138 of theback shell112 and operably positioned between theback shell112 andrace member144 such that the bearingsurface156 is sandwiched between theseating surface150 of acorresponding pivot boss138 and abearing surface160. Themechanical fastening assemblies146 each include abolt172 that secures arounded abutment surface174 of the bearingwasher176 in sliding engagement with aninner surface178 of thecorresponding pivot boss138, and threadably engages thecorresponding boss member168 of theback shell112. In operation, the upperback pivot assembly140 allows theback support assembly99 to pivot with respect to the back frame assembly in a direction180 (FIG. 8) about a pivot axis182 (FIG. 7).
• Theback support assembly99 further includes a flexiblyresilient comfort member184 attached to theback shell112 and slidably supporting alumbar assembly186. Thecomfort member184 includes anupper portion188, alower portion190, a pair ofside portions192, aforward surface193 and arearward surface195, wherein theupper portion188, thelower portion190 and the side portions cooperate to form anaperture194 that receives thelumbar assembly186 therein. As best illustrated inFIGS. 9band14, thecomfort member184 includes a plurality of box-shapedcouplers196 spaced about the periphery of theupper portion188 and extending rearwardly from therearward surface195. Each box-shapedcoupler196 includes a pair ofside walls198 and atop wall200 that cooperate to form aninterior space202. Abar204 extends between theside walls198 and is spaced from therearward surface195. In assembly, and as best illustrated inFIG. 12, thecomfort member184 is secured to theback shell112 by aligning and vertically inserting thehooks124 of theback shell112 into theinterior space202 of the box-shapedcouplers196 until thehooks124 engage acorresponding bar204. It is noted that theforward surface120 of theback shell112 and therearward surface195 of thecomfort member184 are free from holes or apertures proximate thehooks124 and box-shapedcouplers196, thereby providing a smoothforward surface193 and increasing the comfort to a seated user.
• The comfort member184 (FIGS. 15aand15b) includes an integrally molded, longitudinally extendingsleeve206 extending rearwardly from therearward surface195 and having a rectangularly-shaped cross-sectional configuration. Thelumbar assembly186 includes a forwardly laterally concave and forwardly vertically convex, flexiblyresilient body portion208, and anintegral support portion210 extending upwardly from thebody portion208. In the illustrated example, thebody portion208 is shaped such that the body portion vertically tapers along the height thereof so as to generally follow the contours and shape of theaperture194 of thecomfort member184. Thesupport portion210 is slidably received within thesleeve206 of thecomfort member184 such that thelumbar assembly186 is vertically adjustable with respect to the remainder of theback support assembly99 between a fully lowered position I and a fully raised position J.A pawl member212 selectively engages a plurality ofapertures214 spaced along the length ofsupport portion210, thereby releasably securing thelumbar assembly186 at selected vertical positions between the fully lowered position I and the fully raised position J. The pawl member212 (FIGS. 16aand16b) includes ahousing portion216 havingengagement tabs218 located at the ends thereof and rearwardly offset from anouter surface220 of thehousing portion216. A flexiblyresilient finger222 is centrally disposed within thehousing portion216 and includes a rearwardly-extendingpawl224.
• In assembly, the pawl member212 (FIG. 17) is positioned within anaperture226 located within theupper portion188 of thecomfort member184 such that theouter surface220 of thehousing portion216 of thepawl member212 is coplanar with theforward surface193 of thecomfort member184, and such that theengagement tabs218 of thehousing portion216 abut therearward surface195 of thecomfort member184. Thesupport portion210 of thelumbar assembly186 is then positioned within thesleeve206 of thecomfort member184 such that thesleeve206 is slidable therein and thepawl224 is selectively engageable with theapertures214, thereby allowing the user to optimize the position of thelumbar assembly186 with respect to the overallback support assembly99. Specifically, thebody portion208 of thelumbar assembly186 includes a pair of outwardly extending integral handle portions each having a C-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a channel253 therein that wraps about and guides along therespective side edge192 of theback shell112.
• In operation, a user adjusts the relative vertical position of thelumbar assembly186 with respect to theback shell112 by grasping one or both of the handle portions251 and sliding the handle assembly251 along theback shell184 in a vertical direction. Astop tab228 is integrally formed within adistal end230 and is offset therefrom so as to engage an end wall of thesleeve206 of thecomfort member184, thereby limiting the vertical downward travel of thesupport portion210 of thelumbar assembly186 with respect to thesleeve206 of thecomfort member184.
• Theback assembly99 further includes acushion member252 having anupper portion254 and alower portion256, wherein thelower portion256 tapers along the vertical length thereof to correspond to the overall shape and taper of theback shell112 and thecomfort member184.
• Thereference numeral10a(FIG. 18) generally designates another embodiment of the chair assembly. Since thechair assembly10ais similar to the previously describedchair assembly10, similar parts appearing inFIGS. 1-17 andFIGS. 18-25 respectively are represented by the same, corresponding reference numeral, except for the suffix “a” in the numerals of the latter. Thechair assembly10ais similar to the previously describedchair assembly10, with the most notable exception being the inclusion of aheadrest assembly300 and the reconfiguration of theback assembly18ato accommodate the same. As best illustrated inFIGS. 18-20, the headrest assembly is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis302 between a rearwardly articulated position K and a forwardly articulated position L, and vertically adjustable between a lowered position M and a raised position N.
• In the illustrated example, theback assembly18aincludes aback frame assembly98aand aback support assembly99a. Theback support assembly99ais constructed in a similar manner to theback support assembly99, as previously described. The back frame assembly includes aback frame member304 and aback frame housing306. Theback frame member304 includes a blade-shaped, laterally extendingtop frame portion100a, a laterally extendingbottom frame portion102a, and a pair of curvedside frame portions104aextending between thetop frame portion100aand thebottom frame portion102aand cooperating therewith to define anopening106a. Theback frame housing306 is coupled to theback frame member304 via a plurality of mechanical fasteners (not shown) and is configured so as to define agap310 therebetween that telescopingly receives theheadrest assembly300 therein.
• Theheadrest assembly300 includes ablade portion314 that is telescopingly received within thegap310 and includes a pair of elastically resilient, forwardly-extendingtab members316 that engage corresponding, rearwardly-extendingramp members318 of theback frame housing306, thereby securing theblade portion314 of theheadrest assembly300 within thegap310 and preventing removal of theheadrest assembly300 from theoverall chair assembly10a. A pair of outwardly-openingchannels320 extend along the edges of theblade portion314 and track along correspondingtrack members322 secured to theback frame member304 during vertical adjustment of theheadrest assembly300. Theblade portion314 of theheadrest assembly300 further includes a vertically-extending, forwardly-openingchannel324 that includes a plurality of vertically-spaceddetents326 that are engaged bypawls328 of anengagement member330 attached to a rear surface of theback frame housing306. Thepawls328 selectively engage thedetents326, thereby allowing theheadrest assembly300 to be selectively vertically positioned between the lowered position M and the raised position N.
• As best illustrated inFIG. 23, theheadrest assembly300 further includes aheadrest frame332 covered by aheadrest cover334 held in connection with theheadrest frame332 by a pair ofstays336 and covered by anend cover338. In the illustrated example, theheadrest frame332 includes a laterally-extendingtop portion340, a laterally-extendingbottom portion342 vertically spaced from thetop portion340, and a pair of forwardly, arcuately-shapedside portions344 horizontally spaced from one another, extending between thetop portion340 and thebottom portion342 and cooperating therewith to define anopen space346 therebetween. Theheadrest cover334 comprises an elastomeric material and is placed over theopen space346 of theheadrest frame332 such that theheadrest cover334 is stretched in thelateral direction348. The outer lateral edges350 (FIG. 24) of theheadrest cover334 are sewn to thestays336 or alternatively secured by an adhesive or other suitable means. The stays336 are positioned within outwardly-openingchannels352 extending along theside portions344 of theheadrest cover334, and secured within thechannels352 by the elastic tension exerted by theheadrest cover334, although other alternative securing means may be utilized. An outer edge354 (FIG. 25) of theheadrest cover334 includes a plurality of laterally-spacedapertures356 that receive hook-shapedtabs356 of thebottom portion342 of theheadrest frame assembly332 therein, thereby properly aligning theheadrest cover334 with theheadrest frame332. Theend cover338 is positioned over thebottom portion342 of theheadrest frame332, thereby concealing theouter edge354 of theheadrest cover334. Theend cover338 is flexibly resilient and includes a plurality oftabs360 that engage the tabs358, thereby securing theend cover338 to theheadrest frame332. Thetop portion340 of theheadrest frame332 and thehinge cap362 are configured similarly to thebottom portion342 of theheadrest frame332 and theend cover338, respectively, so as to align, secure and conceal aninner edge364 of theheadrest cover334. A friction-lockinghinge member370 is located within thehinge cap362 and engages thehinge cap362 and a pair of upwardly extendingarms372 integral with theblade portion314, thereby allowing theheadrest assembly300 to be adjusted between the retracted position K and the extended position L.
• In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing when the concept is disclosed. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

Claims (19)

1. A seating unit, comprising:

a seat assembly adapted to support a seated user thereon;

a back assembly extending upwardly from the seat assembly and adapted to support a seated user;

a headrest assembly adapted to support a head of a seated user, the headrest assembly comprising:

a frame assembly including a pair of vertically spaced frame portions and a pair of horizontally spaced frame portions, wherein the frame portions cooperate to form an open space therebetween, and wherein at least one of the frame portions includes a plurality of first alignment features; and

a thermoplastic elastomeric cover member stretched between at least one of the pair of vertically spaced frame portions and the pair of horizontally spaced frame portions, wherein the cover member includes a plurality of second alignment features that cooperate with the first alignment features to align the cover member with the frame assembly.

2. The seating unit ofclaim 1, wherein the cover member is stretched between the pair of horizontally spaced frame portions.

3. The seating unit ofclaim 2, wherein the pair of vertically spaced frame portions includes the first alignment features.

4. The seating unit ofclaim 3, wherein the first alignment features include at least one of a plurality of spaced recesses and a plurality of spaced tabs, and wherein the second alignment feature includes the other of the plurality of spaced recesses and the plurality of spaced tabs.

5. The seating unit ofclaim 4, wherein the first alignment features include the plurality of apertures.

6. The seating unit ofclaim 5, wherein the horizontally spaced frame portions of the headrest each include a longitudinally extending recess, and wherein the cover member is secured within the recesses of the frame portions by stays received within the recesses.

7. The seating unit ofclaim 6, further including:

a support assembly adapted to support a floor surface.

8. The seating unit ofclaim 7, wherein the support assembly includes a pedestal assembly and a plurality of castors.

9. The seating unit ofclaim 8, further comprising:

a first cap member secured to the frame assembly such that a portion of the cover member is positioned between the first cap member and one of the frame portions.

10. The seating unit ofclaim 9, further comprising:

a second cap member secured to the frame assembly opposite the first cap member such that a portion of the cover member is positioned between the second cap member and one of the frame portions.

11. The seating unit ofclaim 1, wherein the pair of vertically spaced frame portions includes the first alignment features.

12. The seating unit ofclaim 1, wherein the first alignment features include at least one of a plurality of spaced recesses and a plurality of spaced tabs, and wherein the second alignment feature includes the other of the plurality of spaced recesses and the plurality of spaced tabs.

13. The seating unit ofclaim 12, wherein the first alignment features include the plurality of apertures.

14. The seating unit ofclaim 1, wherein the horizontally spaced frame portions of the headrest each include a longitudinally extending recess, and wherein the cover member is secured within the recesses of the frame portions by stays received within the recesses.

15. The seating unit ofclaim 1, further including:

a support assembly adapted to support a floor surface.

16. The seating unit ofclaim 15, wherein the support assembly includes a pedestal assembly and a plurality of castors.

17. The seating unit ofclaim 1, further comprising:

a first cap member secured to the frame assembly such that a portion of the cover member is positioned between the first cap member and one of the frame portions.

18. The seating unit ofclaim 17, further comprising:

a second cap member secured to the frame assembly opposite the first cap member such that a portion of the cover member is positioned between the second cap member and one of the frame portions.

19. The seat unit ofclaim 1, wherein the headrest assembly is vertically adjustable with respect to the back assembly.

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