US20240156265A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20240156265A1
Application number: US18/508,030
Authority: US
Inventors: John F. Aldrich; Ethan McGraw
Original assignee: MillerKnoll Inc
Current assignee: MillerKnoll Inc
Priority date: 2022-11-11
Filing date: 2023-11-13
Publication date: 2024-05-16
Also published as: WO2024103065A1

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/424,743, filed Nov. 11, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to seating structures such as task or office chairs. More particularly, the present invention relates to seating structures having suspension members or materials.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the disclosure provides a seating structure including a frame and a suspension member. 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.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides a seating structure including a base, a backrest supported by the base, a suspension member, a pocket defined in the suspension member, and a support pad. The backrest includes a frame that defines an opening. The suspension member is coupled to the frame and spans over the opening. The pocket is defined in the suspension member. The support pad is received in the pocket.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides 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 includes a first tensile member that provides a first tensile force in the suspension member and a second tensile member that provides a second tensile force in the suspension member. The support pad is supported on the suspension member between the first tensile member and the second tensile member.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG.1 is a perspective view of a seating structure including a seat and a backrest according to some embodiments.

FIG.2 is an enlarged view of a portion of a suspension material for use with the seating structure shown inFIG.1.

FIG.3 is an enlarged view of a portion of another suspension material for use with the seating structure shown inFIG.1.

FIG.4 is a schematic view of the backrest including pockets for the seating structure shown inFIG.1.

FIG.5 is a rear view of the backrest.

FIG.6 is a front view of the backrest.

FIG.7A is a front view of a thoracic support pad for the backrest.

FIG.7B is a front view of a lumbar support pad for the backrest.

FIG.8 is schematic, side cross-sectional view of the backrest.

FIG.9A is a cross-sectional view of the backrest ofFIG.6 taken along line A-A.

FIG.9B is a cross-sectional view of the backrest ofFIG.6 taken along line B-B.

FIG.10A is a front view of a suspension member including a pocket.

FIG.10B is a rear view of the suspension member and pocket ofFIG.10A.

FIG.11A is a front view of another suspension member including a pocket.

FIG.11B is a rear view of the suspension member and pocket ofFIG.11A.

FIG.12 is a front view of another suspension member including a pocket.

FIG.13 is a front view of another suspension member including a pocket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

Various exemplary embodiments are related to seating structures and methods of manufacturing seating structures. Seating structures may include any structure used to support a body of a user, for example, without limitation, task chairs, side chairs, sofas, airplane seats, vehicle seats, bicycle seats, boat seats, beds, dental and medical seats and beds, auditorium and educational seats, etc. It should be understood that the various methods and devices disclosed herein may be applied to seating structures other than a seat and/or backrest, including for example and without limitation armrests, headrests and other ergonomic positioning features. Although the illustrated embodiments are shown in connection with an office chair, other embodiments can include different configurations.

FIG.1 shows an exemplary embodiment of aseating structure10, such as a chair. The illustrated embodiment is only one example of a configuration of a chair. The chair may have other shapes and/or configurations. Theseating structure10 may also be a different type of furniture item, such as a bench, sofa, settee, chaise, ottoman, bed, cot, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, theseating structure10 is an office chair.

Theseating structure10 includes aseat14, abackrest18, and abase22. In the illustrated embodiment, theseating structure10 includesarmrests20. In other embodiments, theseating structure10 may not include armrests. Thebase22 includes atilt mechanism26, asupport column30 coupled to and supporting thetilt mechanism26, and abase structure34 coupled to and supporting thesupport column30. In other embodiments, theseat14 and/orbackrest18 may be rigidly coupled to thesupport column30 orbase22. In the illustrated embodiment, thebase22 includes fivefeet23 surrounding a central hub. Each of thefeet23 is coupled to acastor wheel24. In some embodiments, thebase22 may include glides instead of castor wheels. In other embodiments, thebase22 may include a plurality of legs. In such embodiments, thesupport column30 and/or thetilt mechanism26 may be omitted.

Theseat14 includes aframe38a, asuspension member42a, and acarrier46a. Thecarrier46aretains thesuspension member42aand connects to theframe38a. In other embodiments, thesuspension member42amay be directly coupled to theframe38a. Theframe38adefines an opening, and thesuspension member42aspans over the opening. Thesuspension member42ais configured to engage and support a weight of a user. In some embodiments, thesuspension member42amay be formed of a single jersey knit structure. In other embodiments, thesuspension member42amay be formed of a double jersey knit structure. In further embodiments, thesuspension member42amay be formed of both a single jersey and a double jersey knit structure. In yet further embodiments, thesuspension member42amay be formed of another type of knit structure. In still other embodiments, thesuspension member42amay be formed of a woven structure.

FIG.2 illustrates a single jersey knit and

tunnel inlay structures

50a,50bof the

suspension members

42a,42b. Each single

jersey knit structure

50a,50bhas one or more multifilaments54a,54band one or

more monofilaments

58a,58b. In some embodiments, the single jersey knit structure may include a plurality of multifilaments. Additionally, the single jersey knit structure may include a plurality of monofilaments. Each of the

multifilaments

54a,54bforms a respective one of the jersey knit structures and has a plurality of courses extending in a course direction C and a plurality of wales extending in a wale direction W. The

monofilaments

58a,58bcorrespond to and are inlaid in a respective one of the courses. The

monofilaments

58a,58bextend in the course direction C. In the illustrated embodiment, every course includes an inlaid one of the

monofilaments

58a,58b. In some embodiments, only some of the courses may include an inlaid one of the

monofilaments

58a,58b. In some embodiments, the

monofilaments

58a,58bmay be inlaid in the wales and may extend in the wale direction W.

FIG.3 illustrates anotherknit structure70 of a suspension member74. The suspension member74 is similar to the

suspension members

42a,42bdiscussed above and includes one or more multifilaments78,82 and one ormore monofilaments86. The suspension member74 may be used to form either a seat or a backrest. Unlike the suspension member42 discussed above, the suspension member74 has a double jersey interlock knit structure with a tunnel inlay. The double jersey interlock structure is formed from one of each of the

multifilaments

78,82 and a monofilament86 tunnel inlay forms a respective one of the jersey knit structures and has a plurality of courses extending in a course direction C and a plurality of wales extending in a wale direction W. The

monofilaments

58a,58bcorrespond to and are inlaid in a respective one of the courses. The

monofilaments

58a,58b. In some embodiments, the

monofilaments

58a,58bmay be inlaid in the wales and may extend in the wale direction W.

As illustrated inFIG.4, thebackrest18 includes one or

more pockets

90,102 defined in thesuspension member42b. The illustratedbackrest18 includes two

pockets

90,102. In other embodiments, thebackrest18 may include fewer or more pockets. For example, thebackrest18 may include a single pocket or may include three or more pockets. Each

pocket

90,102 is configured to receive an object, such as a support pad, to provide targeted support to a user in theseating structure10. In the illustrated embodiment, thefirst pocket90 is an upper pocket, and thesecond pocket102 is a lower pocket such that thefirst pocket90 and thesecond pocket102 are spaced apart from each other. Each of theupper pocket90 and thelower pocket102 is configured to receive asupport pad94,122 (FIGS.7A and7B), as will be described in more detail below. For example, theupper pocket90 may receive athoracic support pad94, and thelower pocket102 may receive alumber support pad122. Theupper pocket90 and thelower pocket102 are formed in thesuspension member42bbetween atop end106 and abottom end110 of thebackrest18 and along the center of thesuspension member42b. More specifically, theupper pocket90 is located in thesuspension member42badjacent thetop end106 of thebackrest18. As such, theupper pocket90 may be positioned between shoulder blades of a user supported in theseating structure10. Thelower pocket102 is located in thesuspension member42bbetween theupper pocket90 and thebottom end110 of thebackrest18. As such, thelower pocket102 may be located adjacent to the lower spine of a user supported in theseating structure10. In the other embodiments, the

pockets

90,102 may be located elsewhere within the periphery of theframe38b.

As illustrated inFIGS.5 and6, the illustratedsuspension member42bincludes afirst layer114 and asecond layer118. In the illustrated embodiment, thefirst layer114 is provided in front of thesecond layer118 such that thefirst layer114 faces and contacts a user supported in theseating structure10, and thesecond layer118 faces away from a user supported in theseating structure10. Thefirst layer114 may also be referred to as a front layer, and thesecond layer118 may also be referred to as a rear layer. The

pockets

90,102 are defined between thefirst layer114 and thesecond layer118. In some embodiments, the first and

second layers

114,118 may span an entirety of thesuspension member42b. In other embodiments, thesuspension member42bmay only have two layers in certain areas, such as the areas of the

pockets

90,102. For example, thesuspension member42bmay not include thesecond layer118 in locations within thesuspension member42bthat do not form the

pockets

90,102. That is, thesuspension member42bmay only include thesecond layer118 at locations where the

pockets

90,102 are present. In the illustrated embodiment, thefirst layer114 spans the entirety of thesuspension member42b, and thesecond layer118 is located only near the

pockets

90,102. In other embodiments, thesecond layer118 may span the entirety of thesuspension member42b, and thefirst layer114 may be located only near the

pockets

90,102.

Thesuspension member42bincludes one ormore monofilaments98 at the location of each of the

pockets

90,102. Themonofilaments98 may be inlaid in the knit structure of thesuspension member42b, as described above. In the illustrated embodiment, thefirst layer114 of thesuspension member42bincludes themonofilaments98. In some embodiments, thesecond layer118 may not includemonofilaments98 at the locations of the

pockets

90,102. In other embodiments, thesecond layer114 may include themonofilaments98 at the locations of the

pockets

90,102, and thefirst layer114 may not include the monofilaments. In still other embodiments, both thefirst layer114 and thesecond layer118 may include themonofilaments98 at the locations of the

pockets

90,102.

In the illustrated embodiment, thesecond layer118 is sewn to thefirst layer114 of thesuspension member42bto form the

pockets

90,102 in thesuspension member42b. Specifically, thesecond layer118 is separately formed and then attached to thefirst layer114. In some embodiments, thesecond layer118 may be formed simultaneously (i.e., integrally) with thefirst layer114 of thesuspension member42b. For example, thesuspension member42bmay be formed through 3-D Flatbed knitting with two layers to form the

pockets

90,102. In such embodiments, thesecond layer118 may be machine knit with thefirst layer114 of thesuspension member42bsuch that the

pockets

90,102 are integrally formed with thesuspension member42b. In other embodiments, thesecond layer118 may be attached to thefirst layer114 using other suitable means (e.g., weaving, adhesives, staples, etc.). In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the first and

second layers

114,118 may be formed of single jersey structure, a double jersey structure, a double jersey interlock structure, or another similar jersey knit structure.

FIGS.7A and7B illustrate the

support pads

94,122. Thefirst support pad94 is a thoracic support pad that provides support at the neck and between the shoulders of a user supported in theseating structure10. Thesecond support pad122 is a lumbar support pad that provides support at the lower back of a user supported in theseating structure10. In some embodiments, thethoracic support pad94 and thelumbar support pad122 may be inserted into the

pockets

90,102 during the manufacturing process such that thethoracic support pad94 and thelumbar support pad122 are not removable from the

pockets

90,102 once manufacturing is complete. In other embodiments, the

pockets

94,102 may be provided with slits or openings that enable a user to install and/or remove thethoracic support pad94 and thelumbar support pad122 from the

pockets

90,102 after manufacturing is complete. By positioning the

support pads

94,122 in the

pockets

90,102, the

support pads

94,122 are supported onbackrest18 without having to be connected to theframe38b,tilt mechanism26, or other structure of theseating structure10.

FIG.7A illustrates thethoracic support pad94. Thethoracic support pad94 includes anupper section94aand alower section94b. In the illustrated embodiment, theupper section94ais wider than thelower section94b.FIG.7B illustrates thelumbar support pad122. Thelumbar support pad122 may be substantially similar to thethoracic support pad94 ofFIG.7A. Thelumbar support pad122 also includes anupper section122aand alower section122b. However, theupper section122aof thelumbar support pad122 is thinner than thelower section122bof thelumbar support pad122 in the illustrated embodiment. In some embodiments, thethoracic support pad94, thelumbar support pad122, or both

supports

94,122 may be shaped differently to cater to the individual needs of a user.

With continued reference toFIGS.7A and7B, thethoracic support pad94 additionally incudes a thoracic connectingbar126 that connects theupper section94aand thelower section94bof thethoracic support pad94. Thelumbar support pad122 additionally includes alumbar connecting bar130 that connects theupper section122aand thelower section122bof thelumbar support pad122. In the illustrated embodiment, the thoracic connectingbar126 and thelumbar connecting bar130 are curved. When thethoracic support pad94 is secured, or retained, in theupper pocket90, the thoracic connectingbar126 may enable flex and rotation of thethoracic support pad94 within theupper pocket90. When thelumbar support pad122 is secured, or retained, in thelower pocket102, thelumbar connecting bar130 may enable flex and rotation of thelumbar support pad122 within thelower pocket102.

FIGS.7A and7B illustrate only one example of a thoracic support pad and a lumbar support pad. In other embodiments, the support pads may have other configurations. For example, the support pads may only have one section and no connecting bars. Alternatively, the support pads may have more than two sections and multiple connecting bars. Each support pad may also have a different shape and/or size, depending on a user's preferences and application. The support pads may also be completely redesigned to support other areas of a user's anatomy (e.g., hip, buttocks, shoulders, neck, etc.). Regardless of the configuration, the support pads are generally thin members that are more rigid than the suspension member. The support pads, however, have suitable thicknesses to alter a topography of the suspension member. For example, in some embodiments, each support pad may have a thickness of at least 1 inch. As such, the support pads deform or reshape areas of the suspension member when inserted into a pocket. The support pads may have planar, curved (e.g., concave, convex, etc.), undulated, or other shaped surfaces that face a user to provide a desired support effect.

The three-dimensional topography of thesuspension member42bis formed independently of theframe38b. In other words, the three-dimensional topography is independent of theframe38b. For example, the portions of thesuspension member42bthat extend away from the straight reference line A1 and the portions of thesuspension member42bthat extend toward the straight reference line A1 do not depend on the shape of theframe38b. In prior art seating structures, the profile of a suspension member is defined solely by the shape of a frame or a structure attached to the frame (e.g., a lumbar support pad) that pushes against or pulls the suspension member. That is, the profile of a suspension member in prior art seating structures can only be varied by changing the shape of the frame. Even if the suspension member in the prior art seating structure does not extend directly along the straight reference line A1, the profile of the suspension member still follows the shape of the frame. In the illustrated embodiment, a profile of thesuspension member42b(e.g., the portions extending toward and away from the straight reference line A1) may be created relative to both theframe38band the straight reference line A1 without directly interacting with the frame.

In the illustrated embodiment, the three-dimensional topography of thesuspension member42bincludes protruding portions, one or morefirst recesses138, and one or moresecond recesses142. The protruding portions are formed, at least partially, by thethoracic support pad94 and thelumbar support pad122. When thethoracic support pad94 is provided in theupper pocket90 and thelumbar support pad122 is provided in thelower pocket102, the

support pads

94,122 result in a portion of thesuspension member42bthat protrudes from the straight reference line A1 toward a user supported in theseating structure10. More specifically, thethoracic support pad94 and thelumbar support pad122 cause thefirst layer114 of the

pockets

90,102 to protrude, or project, from the straight reference line A1 toward a user supported in theseating structure10. In the illustrated embodiment, the

support pads

94,122 expand the

respective pocket

90,102 by at least one inch (e.g., in a front-to-rear direction). In other embodiments, the

support pads

94,122 may expand the respective pocket by a smaller or greater distance, depending on the thicknesses of the

support pads

94,122. Thethoracic support pad94 and thelumbar support pad122 are supported by tensions within thesuspension member42b, as will be described in more detail, and neither thethoracic support pad94 nor thelumbar support pad122 is directly connected to theframe38b. As such, the

support pads

94,122 create the protruding portions independently of theframe38b.

The first recesses138 and thesecond recesses142 are formed by how thefirst layer114 is connected to thesecond layer118. For example, with reference toFIGS.5 and6, thesecond layer118 may be connected to the first layer144 atfirst stitchings144aand atsecond stitchings144b. In other embodiments, thesecond layer118 may be connected to thefirst layer114 in other ways (e.g., knits, adhesives, etc.) to form the

recesses

138,142. Thefirst stitchings144amay form thefirst recesses138, and thesecond stitchings144bmay form thesecond recesses142. Each of thefirst stitching144aand thesecond stitching144bapplies tension to thefirst layer114 that causes a corresponding portion of thefirst layer114 of thesuspension member42bto protrude, or project, from the straight reference line A1 away from a user supported in theseating structure10. Neither of the

stitchings

144a,144bis directly connected to or engaged with theframe38b. Therefore, the

stitchings

144a,144bcreate the

recess

138,142 independently of theframe38b.

Each of the illustrated first recesses138 extends linearly and adjacent to theupper pocket90 along one side of theupper pocket90. The first recesses138 are configured to receive bone protuberances from a user supported in theseating structure10. More specifically, thefirst recesses138 receive the shoulder blades from a user supported in theseating structure10. Each of the illustratedsecond recesses142 along one side of thelower pocket102. The second recesses142 are also configured to receive bone protuberances from a user supported in theseating structure10. More specifically, thesecond recesses142 receive portions of a user's ilium supported in theseating structure10. In other embodiments, the

recesses

138,142 may have other configurations. For example, the

recesses

138,142 may be non-linear (e.g., curved, wavy, zig-zagged, etc.). Thesuspension member42bmay also include additional or alternative recesses located in other locations on thebackrest18.

Although the three-dimensional suspension member42bis described with reference to thebackrest18, similar features may also be applied to thesuspension member42aof theseat14. For example, thesuspension member42amay include one or more recesses to provide relief for a user seated on theseat14. In addition, the suspension member42 may include one or more pockets that receive support pads to provide additional support in targeted areas for a user seated on theseat14.

In the illustrated embodiment, providing thefirst layer114 withmonofilaments98 enables a manufacturer to provide thesuspension member42bwith pre-tension to help create the three-dimensional topography without including additional frame members. With reference toFIGS.8-9B, thefirst layer114 is stretched across theframe38bof thebackrest18 and provides a first tension T1 for thesuspension member42b. As such, thefirst layer114 may also be referred to as a first tensile element that provides a first tensile force T1 in thesuspension member42b. In the illustrated embodiment, the first tension T1 is at least partially directed toward a center of thebackrest18 and at least partially directed toward a user-supported side of thesuspension member42b. Thesecond layer118 provides a second tension T2 for thebackrest18. As such, thesecond layer118 may also be referred to as a second tensile element that provides a second tensile force T2 in thesuspension member42b. In the illustrated embodiment with thesecond layer118 provided at a central area of thebackrest18, the second tension T2 is at least partially directed toward the center of thebackrest18 and at least partially directed away from a user-supported side of thesuspension member42b. Thesuspension member42badditionally has a third tension T3 directed toward a respective side of theframe38bin areas of thesuspension member42bwhere the

pockets

90,102 are not located. The tensions T1, T2, T3 advantageously provide support for the

support pads

94,122 within the

pockets

90,102 such that the

support pads

94,122 are supported on thesuspension member42bindependent of theframe38b.

The tensions T1, T2, T3 are described herein with respect to a y-axis and an x-axis. In the illustrated embodiment, the y-axis extends toward and away from a user. With respect to theframe38b, the x-axis extends from a left side of theframe38bto a right side of theframe38b(and vice versa). In the illustrated embodiment, the first tension T1 includes a y component and an x component, and the second tension T2 includes a y component and an x component. In the illustrated embodiment, the y component of the first tension T1 and the y component of the second tension T2 are equal and extend opposite from one another along the y-axis. As such, the y components of the first tension T1 and the second tension T2 balance each other such that thesuspension member42bis in equilibrium along the y-axis. In the illustrated embodiment, the x component of the first tension T1 and the x component of the second tension T2 extend the same way along the x-axis, but may be equal to each other or different than each other. The third tension T3 extends opposite from the x component of the first tension T1 and the x component of the second tension T2 along the x-axis and is equal to the sum of the x component of the first tension T1 and the second tension T2. As such, the third tension T3 and the x components of the first tension T1 and the second tension T2 balance each other such that the suspension member42 is in equilibrium along the x-axis. The third tension T3 may also have a relatively small y component that balances the y components of the first tension T1 and the second tension T2. Therefore, the tensions T1, T2, T3 are provided such that thesuspension member42bhas negligible residual stresses and forces.

FIGS.10A and10B illustrate another embodiment of asuspension member146 for thebackrest18 that forms the

pockets

90,102 ofFIG.4. Thesuspension member146 may be substantially similar to thesuspension member42bofFIG.4 except for the differences described below. Thesuspension member146 includes afirst layer150, as illustrated inFIG.10A, and asecond layer154, as illustrated inFIG.10B. Thefirst layer150 includes a tunnel inlay ofmonofilaments158. Thesecond layer154 includes twoincision slits162 that overlap opposing ends of themonofilaments158 in thefirst layer114. The incision slits162 form a loop164 in thesecond layer154 of thesuspension member146. The loop164 enables retention of thesupport pad94 ofFIG.7A between thefirst layer150 and thesecond layer154 of thesuspension member146.

FIGS.11A and11B illustrate another embodiment of asuspension member166 for thebackrest18 that forms the

pockets

90,102 ofFIG.4. Thesuspension member166 may be substantially similar to thesuspension member42bofFIG.4 except for the differences described below. Thesuspension member166 includes afirst layer170, as illustrated inFIG.11A, and asecond layer174, as illustrated inFIG.11B. At the location of the

pockets

90,102, thefirst layer170 includesouter portions170aand acentral portion170bpositioned between theouter portions170a, and thesecond layer174 includesouter portions174aand acentral portion174bpositioned between theouter portions174a. In thefirst layer170, thecentral portion170bincludes a tunnel inlay ofmonofilaments182 while theouter portions170ado not includemonofilaments182. In thesecond layer174, thecentral portion174bdoes not includemonofilaments182 while theouter portions174aeach include a tunnel inlay ofmonofilaments182. Thecentral portion174bof thesecond layer174 includes aslit186. Thesupport pad94 may be inserted into theslit186 to position and retain thesupport pad94 between thefirst layer170 and thesecond layer174 of thesuspension member166.

FIG.12 illustrates another embodiment of asecond layer190 for thesuspension member42b. For the sake of the brevity, thesecond layer190 is described with reference to thesuspension member42bofFIG.4, but thesecond layer190 may be provided with any of the

suspension members

42b,146,166 described herein. Thesecond layer190 may be substantially similar to thesecond layer118 ofFIG.5 except for the differences described below. Thesecond layer190 includes first and second longitudinally extending

slots

194a,194b. Thesupport pad94 may be inserted through the first and second longitudinally extending

slots

194a,194balong an insertion direction A2. The insertion direction A2 is defined such that thesupport pad94 may be inserted into the first longitudinally extendingslot194afrom an exterior side of thesecond layer190 that faces away from thefirst layer114 of thesuspension member42b(FIG.5). As thesupport pad94 is inserted into the first longitudinally extendingslot194a, thesupport pad94 extends from thefirst slot194ato thesecond slot194balong an interior side of thesecond layer190 that faces thefirst layer114 of thesuspension member42b(FIG.5) such that thesupport pad94 is retained between the first layer114 (FIG.5) and thesecond layer190.

FIG.13 illustrates another embodiment of a second layer198 for thesuspension member42b. For the sake of the brevity, the second layer198 is described with reference to thesuspension member42bofFIG.5, but the second layer198 may be formed with or attached to thefirst layer114 of any of the

suspension members

42b,146,166 described herein. The second layer198 may be substantially similar to thesecond layer118 ofFIG.5 except for the differences described below. The second layer198 includes arectangular window202 andmonofilaments206 that extend across thewindow202. When the second layer198 is attached tofirst layer114 of thesuspension member42b, thesupport pad94 may extend partially out of thewindow202. Themonofilaments206 provide support for thesupport pad94 and may inhibit thesupport pad94 from moving out of thewindow202.

Although thesuspension member42bhas been described with respect to multiple embodiments, thesuspension members42bare not limited to the embodiments described herein. Further, each embodiment of thesuspension members42bdescribed herein may include any of the features described with respect to any of the other embodiments of thesuspension members42b.

In each of the above example embodiments, the support pads are not directly connected to the frames of the corresponding chairs. Instead, the support pads are directly supported by the suspension members and are only indirectly connected to the frames through the suspension members. As such, the chairs do not need to include any additional arms, beams, struts, or other structures extending from the frames to support and locate the support pads against the suspension members, like in conventional task chairs. The support pads can, thereby, be positioned anywhere on a backrest or seat without depending on a nearby frame to support the support pads. Positioning the support pads in different locations allows the suspension members to exhibit different 3-D topographies relative to the frames, as described above, without requiring structures from the frames to push or pull the suspension members in different directions.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

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 ofclaim 1, wherein the three-dimensional topography includes a recess that projects away from the user engaging the suspension member.

3. The seating structure ofclaim 1, wherein the three-dimensional topography includes a protruding portion that projects toward the user engaging the suspension member.

4. The seating structure ofclaim 3, wherein a support pad is supported on the suspension member, and wherein the support pad forms the protruding portion.

5. The seating structure ofclaim 4, wherein the support pad is not directly connected to the frame.

6. The seating structure ofclaim 1, wherein the frame is part of a backrest.

7. The seating structure ofclaim 1, wherein the frame is part of a seat.

8. The seating structure ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 10, wherein the suspension member is a knit suspension member having at least one monofilament.

15. The seating structure ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 16, wherein the support pad is not directly attached to the frame.

19. The seating structure ofclaim 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 ofclaim 19, wherein the first tensile force is greater than the second tensile force.