Membrane chair

• Main Authors: WILKERSON; LARRY A, SAFFELL; MARK B, RITCH; DAVID J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 10.08.1999
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: BEDS; CHAIRS; COFFEE MILLS; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; FURNITURE; HUMAN NECESSITIES; SOFAS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL

An office-type chair, having separate seat and back parts each cushioned and employing a thin inner plastic shell having a perforated central region formed as a thin membrane which is supported solely around the peripheral edge thereof by a suitable ringlike support frame. This membrane is semi-rigid in the plane thereof, but possesses at least limited resiliency in the thickness direction and, being free of direct underlying support, provides direct support for the cushion which in turn engages either the back or posterior of the user to provide limited flexibility and desirable comfort and ergonomic support. The membrane in the central region is provided with a first series of wavy strips which extend between the border of the membrane, with the first strips extending transversely across the membrane in one direction in spaced relationship, and a second series of wavy strips extending transversely across the membrane in the other transverse direction. The individual strips of the two series intersect and are integrally joined to provide the central region of the membrane with a gridlike construction. This gridlike construction which transmits transverse loading substantially uniformly radially outwardly to the surrounding border of the membrane, which border overlies and is fixed to the ringlike frame.