| KNOLL, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20110304183 | Article of Furniture - An article of furniture includes a base, a seat frame supported by the base, and a back frame attached to the seat frame. The back frame includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is connected to the lower portion by at least one first elastomeric member such that the upper portion is moveable relative to the lower portion. The upper portion is moveable from an upright position to at least one reclined position. In some embodiments of the article of furniture, the at least one first elastomeric member is a strap composed of a polymeric material, such as, for example, a thermoplastic polyester elastomer or a polymeric material containing at least one elastomer. In some embodiments, the article of furniture may be designed as a chair, a lounge chair, or an office chair. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110303800 | SUPPORT APPARATUS - A support apparatus includes a first substantially horizontal member positioned adjacent to first and second elongated substantially vertical member members. The first substantially horizontal member has a channel formed in its rear side. The channel is sized and configured to receive wiring for display devices. The first substantially horizontal member is supported or attached to first and second collars positioned on the first and second elongated substantially vertical members such that movement of the first and second collars adjusts a vertical position of the first substantially horizontal member. One or more display devices, such as LCD screens or computer monitors, may be positioned on the first substantially horizontal member. Preferably, each display device positioned on the first substantially horizontal member is connected to the first substantially horizontal member via a connector that utilizes a releasable attachment mechanism that permits an easy removal or connection to the first substantially horizontal member. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110298339 | Furniture Component Fastening Apparatus, Furniture System And Method Of Assembling Furniture For A Work Space - A furniture system, method of assembling furniture for a work space, and a fastening apparatus for interconnecting furniture components include one or more fastening devices. Each fastening device includes a body that has a channel sized and configured to receive a first rail. Each fastening device also includes at least one of a connector assembly and an opening formed in the body for attaching the fastening device to at least one other furniture component. The connector assembly and the opening in the body are sized and configured so that the other furniture components are positioned such that at least one of their height and length extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the first rail, such as a direction that is mostly perpendicular to the length of the first rail. Other embodiments of the fastening device may include variations in configurations to the connector assembly or body. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110285191 | Chair - A chair includes a base that has a generally U-shaped member. The generally U-shaped member is comprised of a front member attached to a first end portion and a second end portion. A seat is supported on the base and is moveable from an upright position to a reclined position. A first resilient member is attached to the first end portion of the generally U-shaped member. A second resilient is attached to the second end portion of the generally U-shaped member. End portions of the first and second resilient members are attached to the seat adjacent to a rear portion of the seat. The first and second resilient members are sized and configured to resiliently move or flex such that the seat is positioned at the reclined position when a user sits on the seat. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110278903 | GAS-ASSISTED CO-INJECTION MOLDED CHAIR - The invention is directed to an article made from co-injection molding using gas-assist. The article has an inner material and an outer material. The inner material has a blowing agent uniformly distributed throughout the inner material. The outer material surrounds the inner material. The use of the blowing agent in the inner material produces a repeatable and consistent structure, as the blowing agent is uniformly activated through the product. The use of the gas-assist the heat and pressure associated with the blowing agent is allowed to out gas, thereby insuring that the finished molded chair or other item is aesthetically pleasing while providing increased strength and reduced weight compared to traditional plastic chairs formed with known methods. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110101764 | Method of Fabricating a Chair - A method of making a chair includes the steps of providing at least one female fastener device. The at least one female fastener device is inserted into a substrate for attaching the at least one female fastener device to the substrate such that at least a portion of that female fastener device's body defining a channel extends into the substrate and the projections extend through the substrate such that the distal ends of the projections extend beyond a second side of the substrate that is opposite a first side of the substrate. The distal ends of the projections are bent into the second side of the substrate. At least one male fastener is inserted into the channel of the at least one female fastener device to attach a chair component to the substrate. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20100283308 | CO-INJECTION MOLDED CHAIR - The invention is directed to an article made from co-injection molding. The article has an inner material and an outer material. The inner material has a blowing agent uniformly distributed throughout the inner material. The outer material surrounds the inner material. The use of the blowing agent in the inner material produces a repeatable and consistent structure, as the blowing agent is uniformly activated through the product. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100213749 | Furniture and Method of Furniture Component Attachment - A method of attaching furniture components includes providing a first furniture component that may be comprised of polymeric material, positioning a second furniture component adjacent to the first furniture component, positioning stakes attached to the second component through holes formed in the first component, and heating the stakes to bond portions of the second component to portions of the first component. The second component may also be comprised of polymeric material and the stakes may be integral with the second component or formed on the second component. Chairs or other furniture such as office furniture may include components attached together by embodiments of the disclosed method. In some embodiments of the method, a second component may also have projections that are positioned through holes in a third furniture component that may subsequently be heated to bond the third component to the second component. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100141000 | LUMBAR SUPPORT - A chair having a seat rotatably attached to a tilt spring portion of a tilt mechanism such that the tilt spring is activated by movement of the seat. A backrest and/or the seat can be rotatably connected to the tilt mechanism by parallel arm arrangements which permit the seat and backrest to tilt relative to each other. A tilt limiter can have a magnetic member which facilitates full movement of the tilt limiter between free and locked positions, and which creates an audible indication of full movement of the tilt limiter. The seat/backrest can be made from a flexible mesh material secured to a rigid overmolding which surrounds and is attached to an inner frame of the seat/backrest wherein an outer surface of the overmolding forms an outer surface of the seat/backrest frame and attachment of the overmolding causes the inner frame to stretch the mesh to a final condition. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20090302666 | Laser Welding of Chair Components - A method of laser welding chair components together is provided. The method includes selecting at least one first chair component comprised of a first polymeric material that is at least substantially translucent to a laser and selecting at least one second chair component comprised of a second polymeric material that is opaque to the laser such that the one or more second chair components will absorb at least a portion of the heat or energy provided by the laser. The one or more first chair components are laser welded to the one or more second chair components. A chair is also provided that includes a first component composed of polymeric material laser welded to a second component composed of polymeric material. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090302663 | Chair and Method for Assembling the Chair - A method of assembling a chair includes providing a first chair component composed of a first polymeric material and a second chair component composed of a second polymeric material. An adhesive is positioned on or in the first chair component. The adhesive is composed of a third polymeric material and at least one ferromagnetic susceptor. The second chair component is positioned in engagement with the adhesive and adjacent to the first chair component. A magnetic field or electromagnetic waves are applied to the adhesive to activate the adhesive. A force is also applied to at least one of the first chair component and the second chair component to press the first chair component and the second chair component. A chair is also provided that includes the first and second chair components and the adhesive. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090302661 | Armrest Apparatus - An armrest apparatus and chair including one or more armrest apparatuses are disclosed. Each armrest apparatus includes an armrest member attached to at least one chair component. The armrest member has a first aperture and a second aperture. A first plate is positioned above the armrest member. The first plate has a longitudinal slot that is transverse to the first and second apertures. An armrest cover is attached to the first plate. A resilient device is positioned between the first plate and the armrest cover or between the first plate and the armrest member. The resilient device has a first hole sized and configured to receive the first member and a second hole sized and configured to receive the second member. A first member extends through the first aperture, first hole and the longitudinal slot and a second member extends through the second aperture, second hole and the longitudinal slot. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090302657 | Height Adjustment Mechanism for a Chair - A height adjustment mechanism is disclosed that includes a pedestal height variability mechanism. The pedestal height variability mechanism includes a first member and a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism is configured to hold the first member in a first position. The first member has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The biasing mechanism has a first portion attached to the first member adjacent the first end of the first member. The biasing mechanism also has a second portion attached to the first member adjacent to the second end of the first member. Preferably, a second member is also provided that is moveably attached to the first member. The second member may be configured such that movement of the second member actuates height adjustment of a chair. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090302656 | Preference Control Mechanism - A preference control mechanism is provided that includes a housing, a shuttle, a sub shuttle and at least one resilient member. The housing has a channel. The shuttle has a cavity. The shuttle is moveable within the channel of the housing from a first position to at least one second position. The sub shuttle is moveable within the channel of the housing and is moveable independent of the shuttle. The one or more resilient members have a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is attached to the shuttle and the second end is attached to the sub shuttle. The preference control mechanism is configured for attachment to at least one chair component. Chairs may also be designed to include one or more embodiments of the preference control mechanism. | 12-10-2009 |
