US008585136B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Warncke et a].
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,585,136 B2
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`(54)
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`(75)
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`(73)
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`(21)
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`(22)
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`(65)
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`CHAIR WITH COUPLING COMPANION
`STOOL BASE
`
`Inventors: Anthony J. Warncke, Archbold, OH
`(US); Jeffrey A. Jameson, Archbold,
`OH (US); Thomas A. Hagerty,
`Somerville, MA (US)
`
`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Archbold,
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`Oct. 20, 2011
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2012/0104806 A1
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Continuation of application No. 11/ 877,478, ?led on
`Oct. 23, 2007, noW Pat. No. 8,083,288.
`
`Provisional application No. 60/853,669, ?led on Oct.
`
`USPC .......................... .. 297/134; 297/130; 297/118
`Field of Classi?cation Search
`USPC .......................... .. 297/134, 130, 118; D6/366
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`8/1966 Erdos
`3,269,771 A
`6/1972 Massonnet ............... .. 297/4481
`3,669,497 A *
`7/1974 Bailey
`3,821,825 A
`7/1979 Kyle
`4,160,564 A
`7/1983 Irwin
`4,394,046 A
`1/1984 De Boer
`D272,205 S
`5/1984 Pelly
`D273,729 S
`5/1986 Opsvik
`D283,858 S
`4,697,845 A 10/1987 Kamman
`4,723,813 A *
`2/1988 Kassai ........................ .. 297/153
`4,736,982 A
`4/1988 HWang
`4,765,684 A
`8/1988 Kvalheim
`4,767,159 A
`8/1988 Opsvik
`4,767,160 A
`8/1988 Mengshoel
`D297,690 S
`9/1988 Opsvik
`4,793,655 A 12/1988 Kvalheim
`4,832,407 A
`5/1989 Serber
`4,960,305 A 10/1990 Opsvik
`5,042,875 A *
`8/1991 Biggs, Sr. ................... .. 297/252
`5,054,857 A 10/1991 Kvalheim
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner * David Dunn
`
`Assistant Examiner * Erika Garrett
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm * Varnum, Riddering,
`Schmidt & HoWlett LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A chair With a coupling companion stool base includes a
`frame that has: a claW extending doWnWard from a second
`portion of a loWer portion of the frame; a latch extending
`doWnWard from and movably connected With a ?rst portion of
`the loWer portion; tWo legs adapted to support the frame upon
`a supporting surface extending doWnWard from the loWer
`portion; and a receptacle de?ned betWeen the claW and the
`latch. The base supports the frame above a supporting surface
`and has a saddle With opposite back and front edges and a top
`surface that faces aWay from the supporting surface. The base
`releasably couples With the frame. When decoupled, the chair
`portion may be used as casual ?oor rocker seating.
`
`2,545,840 A *
`3/1951 Browne
`...................... .. 297/252
`3,223,431 A * 12/1965 Gottfried et a1. ......... .. 280/4738
`
`14 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`J Squared, Inc. – Ex. 1001
`
`

`
`US 8,585,136 B2
`Page2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6/1992 Cooper
`D327,375 s
`5,169,210 A 12/1992 Fricano
`5,255,957 A 10/1993 OpSVik
`5,308,146 A
`5/1994 Chou
`5,423,597 A
`6/1995 Rogers
`5,653,499 A
`8/1997 Goodall
`5,667,278 A
`9/1997 Li
`5,690,379 A 11/1997 Cayssials
`D39S’962 S
`7/1998 Buffon
`5,806,922 A
`9/1998 Mendelovich
`D400’365 S
`11/1998 Rossi
`D409,007 s
`5/1999 Osterweil-Glaz
`D411’692 S
`6/1999 Ogg
`5,947,562 A *
`9/1999 Christofferson etal. 297/44022
`5,992,932 A * 11/1999 Kain et a1. .................. ,, 297/153
`D425,713 S
`5/2000 Tholkes
`6,116,682 A
`9/2000 Baur
`D437,129 S
`2/2001 Pinto
`D437,692 S
`2/2001 Smith
`D439,066 S
`3/2001 Hannes
`6,352,306 B1
`3/2002 Dreiling
`
`4/2002 Casini
`6,367,874 B2
`7/2002 Bell
`6,416,123 B1
`4/2003 Yu ............................... .. 297/130
`6,554,353 Bl *
`6/2003 Barrett
`6,572,134 B2
`8/2003 Chen
`134781734 5
`9/2003 Chen
`134791054 5
`3/2004 Skelton
`6,712,711 B1
`8/2004 BaldanZi
`D495,155 S
`9/2004 Grove
`6,786,553 B1
`10/2004 EPR
`13497261 S
`11/2004 Whltloek
`6,824,149 B1
`2/2005 Usaganl
`6,857,696 B2
`6,953,222 B2 10/2005 Larnck
`135151831 5
`2/2006 Hosoe
`7,152,358 B1
`12/2006 LeAnna
`7,316,452 B2
`V2008 vestweber
`7,338,122 B2
`3/2008 Hel
`13585204 S
`V2009 wleland
`7,472,955 B2
`1/2009 Crane
`2002/0014792 A1
`2/2002 Casini
`2002/0074835 A1
`6/2002 Chalender
`2003/0218365 A1 11/2003 Kawiaka
`2005/0057079 A1
`3/2005 Lee
`'
`'
`* clted by examlner
`
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`US 8,585,136 B2
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`1
`CHAIR WITH COUPLING COMPANION
`STOOL BASE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of US. patent applica
`tion Ser. No. 11/877,478 ?led Oct. 23, 2007, Which claims
`priority of US. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
`60/853,669, ?led Oct. 23, 2006.
`
`10
`
`STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY
`SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
`
`Not applicable.
`
`REFERENCE TO MICROFISHE APPENDIX
`
`Not applicable.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`The invention relates to seating units and more speci?cally,
`to multi-functional or recon?gurable chairs and the like.
`Known multi-functional or multi-tasking seating tends
`toWard tWo general groups, namely, relatively complicated
`arrangements and relatively less complicated arrangements.
`The more complicated designs typically attempt to address
`many common functional needs; all things to all users. There
`fore, they tend to sacri?ce a characteristic of being “user
`friendly” and require notable user involvement. The user may
`be required to accommodate a variety of components, Which
`may be bulky. The multi-functional seating may also require
`an uncommon level of mechanical aptitude to adapt the seat
`ing betWeen functional con?gurations.
`Alternatively, the less complicated designs tend to be tar
`geted to fairly narroWly de?ned functions. Thus, they are
`novelty or specialty seating units that are undesirable to any
`user Who does not have a need for the particular function to
`Which the seating Was designed.
`Thus, a need for easily used and versatile seating that ?lls
`a reasonable combination of common lifestyle uses may be
`readily understood.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`Accordingly, a chair With a coupling companion stool base
`of the invention is directed to the contemporary lifestyle
`needs of active users, including a range of functions from task
`seating at a Work surface to casual relaxation. While suitable
`in any environment, a multi-tasking seating unit of the inven
`tion is particularly appreciated in smaller room settings,
`Where space may be at a premium, Where dedicated use
`furnishing may be considered undesirable, or Where ?exibil
`ity is appreciated.
`The chair portion has a frame that may be supported above
`a generally horizontal surface by the base, Which base releas
`ably couples With the frame. More speci?cally, the frame has
`a loWer portion that may support a sitting portion, Which
`sitting portion is adapted to support a user Who is seated upon
`the chair, and has an upper portion that may support a back
`rest, Which back rest is adapted to support at least a portion of
`a back of the user. The frame loWer portion extends from the
`upper portion and may further include a ?rst portion that is
`near the frame upper portion, a second portion that is spaced
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`aWay from the ?rst portion, a claW that extends generally
`doWnWard from the second portion, a latch that extends gen
`erally doWnWard from the ?rst portion, and at least tWo frame
`legs that extend generally doWnWard from the frame loWer
`portion. The frame legs are adapted to support the frame upon
`a generally horizontal supporting surface. In other aspects of
`the invention, the latch is connected With the frame ?rst
`portion and moves betWeen closed and opened positions.
`The base has a saddle and extends generally upWard from
`the supporting surface to the saddle. The saddle may be con
`?gured With opposite back and front edges. The saddle front
`edge may be con?gured to cooperate With the frame loWer
`portion claW, so that the front edge may be releasably cap
`tured in the claW, While the saddle back edge may be con?g
`ured to cooperate With the frame loWer portion latch Whereby
`the back edge may be releasably captured by the latch. When
`the frame is decoupled from the base, the frame forming the
`chair portion is adapted for use as casual ?oor rocker seating,
`and the base is adapted to provide a companion stool upon
`Which a user may sit or, alternatively, a side table Which may
`be positioned adjacent to the chair portion.
`The saddle can further include a top surface that faces aWay
`from the supporting surface, as it de?nes at least one of a Work
`surface, a Writing surface and a sitting surface. The frame can
`also include a receptacle de?ned betWeen the claW and the
`latch. The saddle of the base includes a perimeter edge incor
`porating the back and front edges, and circumscribing the top
`surface. The edge de?nes the top surface With a rotationally
`asymmetric geometry. The frame loWer portion receptacle
`and the saddle perimeter edge correspond With one another so
`that the base couples With the frame only in one speci?c
`rotational orientation.
`The chair can further include a bias member, Which biases
`the latch to the closed position. The frame can include oppo
`site left and right sides, With a ?rst one of the tWo frame legs
`extending generally arcuately doWnWard from the frame
`loWer portion left side and second portion, and to the frame
`loWer portion left side and ?rst portion. A second one of the
`tWo frame legs extends generally arcuately doWnWard from
`the frame loWer portion right side and second portion, and to
`the frame loWer portion right side and ?rst portion. The frame
`legs de?ne rockers. Further, the rockers can de?ne protective
`rails about the latch. In addition, the latch can be located
`betWeen the tWo frame legs, so that the legs de?ne protective
`rails about the latch.
`With the frame having opposite left and right sides, the
`claW can include a claW notch, a ?rst tooth extending toWard
`the left side from the notch, and a second tooth extending
`toWard the right side from the notch. The saddle front edge
`can include a pair of cooperating claW notches. With the
`asymmetric con?guration, the ?rst tooth and the second tooth
`can be engaged With the saddle only through an engagement
`of the ?rst tooth With a ?rst one of the cooperating claW
`notches, and the second tooth With a second one of the coop
`erating claW notches. Further, the claW notch can be centered
`along the claW. With the frame decoupled from the base, the
`saddle top surface can be adapted to be oriented in front of the
`frame, With a ?rst base leg of the plurality of base legs initially
`positionable under the claW, so that With the claW straddling
`the ?rst base leg, the ?rst base leg is adapted to nest into the
`claW notch.
`The base can further include a pedestal extending generally
`upWardly from the supporting surface to the saddle. The
`pedestal can include a connector that operably connects the
`saddle With the pedestal, With the connector including at least
`
`

`
`US 8,585,136 B2
`
`3
`one of a tilt mechanism, whereby the saddle tilts relative to the
`pedestal, and a sWivel mechanism Whereby the saddle sWivels
`relative to the pedestal.
`In accordance With a further aspect of the invention, the
`relative cooperation betWeen the spaced apart teeth and the
`cooperating claW notches, and the sizing and con?guration
`thereof, causes forces to be generated along the engagement
`points of the spaced apart teeth and the cooperating claW
`notches Which tend to resist disengagement of the spaced
`apart teeth from the cooperating claW notches. This occurs
`When a user of the chair may exert backWardly directed or
`other leaning forces on the chair frame. Further, the base can
`include a set of triangular shaped ribs extending doWnWardly
`behind the back edge of the saddle. The positioning and
`con?guration of the ribs behind the saddle back edge tend to
`generate forces resistive to accidental engagement of the
`chair to the frame, Which may otherWise result in the latch not
`fully engaging With the cooperating latch notch, or from
`horizontal forces being exerted on the frame relative to the
`base Which could tend to accidentally disengage the notch.
`Still further, a latch ramping surface can be positioned at the
`saddle back edge.
`In addition to the foregoing, the chair includes means for
`insuring that a sound audible to a chair user is generated When
`the latch is moved from a disengaged position to a completely
`engaged position With the saddle back edge. In this manner,
`the user is provided With positive feedback that correct
`engagement of the latch With the saddle back edge has been
`achieved. These and other features, objects, and bene?ts of
`the invention Will be recognized by one having ordinary skill
`in the art and by those Who practice the invention, from this
`disclosure, including the speci?cation, the claims, and the
`draWing ?gures.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
`VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
`
`FIG. 1 is an upper front right perspective vieW of a chair
`With a coupling companion stool base of the invention, shoW
`ing the chair portion and the companion stool base portion
`coupled in a task chair con?guration;
`FIG. 2 is a front elevation vieW thereof;
`FIG. 3 is a back elevation vieW thereof;
`FIG. 4 is a left side elevation vieW thereof;
`FIG. 5 is a right side elevation vieW thereof;
`FIG. 6 is a bottom plan vieW thereof;
`FIG. 7 is a loWer left front perspective vieW thereof;
`FIG. 8 is a loWer back left perspective vieW thereof;
`FIG. 9 is a fragmentary right side elevation vieW thereof,
`shoWing coupling/uncoupling of the chair portion and the
`coupling companion stool base portion, With the chairportion
`partially in cross section; and;
`FIG. 10 is the vieW of FIG. 9, shoWing the chair portion and
`the coupling companion stool base portion uncoupled;
`FIG. 11 is an enlarged vieW of detail XI of FIG. 9;
`FIG. 12 is the vieW of FIG. 11, With the chair and the base
`portions coupled;
`FIG. 13 is an enlarged vieW of detail XIII of FIG. 11;
`FIG. 14 is the detail vieW of FIG. 13 With the base portion
`removed;
`FIG. 15 is an enlarged detail vieW of the positive clip clamp
`latch of FIG. 8; and
`FIG. 16 is an exploded vieW thereof, from an upper right
`back perspective vieW;
`FIG. 17 is an exploded vieW of the chair portion, from an
`upper right back perspective vieW, shoWing a frame and
`upholstery foundations and coverings thereof;
`
`4
`FIG. 18 is an upper right back perspective vieW of the
`uncoupled companion stool base portion together With an
`upper left front perspective vieW of the uncoupled chair por
`tion, shoWing the tWo portions nested and the companion
`stool base portion providing a table function;
`FIG. 19 is an upper left front perspective vieW of the
`uncoupled companion stool base portion together With an
`upper right back perspective vieW of the uncoupled chair
`portion;
`FIG. 20 is an upper front right perspective vieW of the
`uncoupled companion stool base portion thereof;
`FIG. 21 is an upper back right perspective vieW thereof;
`FIG. 22 is a loWer left back perspective vieW thereof; and
`FIG. 23 is an exploded right back perspective vieW thereof.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`A preferred embodiment of a chair With a coupling com
`panion stool base according to the invention is generally
`shoWn in the draWing comprising FIGS. 1-23, and discussed
`beloW. The exemplary embodiment shoWn comprises tWo
`main portions, namely, a chair portion 100 and a base portion
`300. (See e.g., FIGS. 1, 2).
`The chair portion 100 may be formed With a frame 102,
`Which has an upper portion 104 and a loWer portion 106 (FIG.
`18). The frame 102 and the various components of the chair
`portion 100, unless otherWise noted, may be constructed of
`any suitable material, including structural materials that
`incorporate at least one of a plastic, a Wood, a metal, and a
`ceramic, and of any method or process that may be appropri
`ate to the material selected as may be knoWn to one having
`ordinary skill in the chair fabrication art.
`The upper portion 104 provides a back rest to support at
`least a portion of a back of a user. The upper portion may be
`con?gured as is knoWn in What may be called “hard surface”
`chairs or seating, to be suf?ciently comfortable or otherWise
`accommodating on its oWn. OtherWise, a padded or otherWise
`plush covering may preferably be provided as is shoWn. The
`upper portion 104 With the back rest is particularly shoWn in
`the exploded vieW of FIG. 17. With reference thereto, an
`upholstered back rest may include a foundation 112 and an
`upholstered covering 114 that may slip ?t over the founda
`tion, as shoWn and Without limitation on the concept of the
`invention. The covered foundation 112 may then be secured
`to the upper portion 104 through various methods, including
`decorative hardWare 116 (also shoWn in FIG. 17), such as
`screWs as shoWn.
`The frame loWer portion 106 extends aWay and primarily
`forWard from the frame upper portion 104. As further shoWn,
`for example, in FIG. 12 and the exploded vieW of FIG. 17, the
`frame loWer portion 106 has a frame loWer portion ?rst por
`tion 122 near the frame upper portion 104, and a frame loWer
`portion second portion 124 that is spaced aWay from the ?rst
`portion. In the example of this disclosure, the loWer portion
`106 is fabricated With opposite left and right side rails 108 and
`118, respectively. One or both of the side rails 108 and 118
`may be seen in a number of the draWings, including FIGS. 4,
`5, and 17. A number ofcross ties 110 ofvarious cross section,
`including some With a generally V-channel, extend betWeen
`the side rails 108, 110. The cross ties 110 are illustrated in
`FIGS. 9, 11-13 and 17. Other features of the frame loWer
`portion 106 include a sitting portion Which Will be described
`in greater detail in subsequent paragraphs herein. In addition,
`the frame loWer portion 106 includes a claW 142 extending
`generally doWnWardly. The claW 142 is illustrated in FIGS. 9,
`10, 13 and 14. Still further, the frame loWer portion 106
`includes a clip clamp latch 160 Which is shoWn in FIG. 15 and,
`
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`
`US 8,585,136 B2
`
`5
`in particular detail, in FIGS. 16 and 17. In addition to the clip
`clamp latch 160, the frame loWer portion 106 also includes at
`least tWo frame legs 180 (see FIGS. 18 and 19 among others)
`and a receptacle 190 (FIG. 6).
`The sitting portion supports the user Who is seated there
`upon. Quite similar to the back rest portion of the upper
`portion 104, discussed above, the sitting portion may be con
`?gured as is knoWn in “hard surface” chairs, to be suf?ciently
`comfortable or accommodating on its oWn. Alternatively, an
`upholstered sitting portion may preferably be provided, and
`may include a foundation 132 (particularly shoWn in the
`exploded vieW of FIG. 17) and an upholstered covering 134
`that may slip ?t over the foundation. The upholstered cover
`ing 134 is shoWn in several of the illustrations, including
`FIGS. 9-14 and 17. The covered foundation 132 may then be
`secured to the frame loWer portion 106 through various meth
`ods as discussed above relative to the back rest, including
`decorative hardWare 136, such as screWs as shoWn in FIG. 17.
`The claW 142 (illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10, 13 and 14) extends
`generally doWnWard from the frame loWer portion 106, near
`the second portion 124 of the frame loWer portion 106, and is
`adapted for cooperating releasable engagement With the base
`300. More speci?cally, and as Will be discussed in greater
`detail in subsequent paragraphs herein, the claW 142 Will
`function so as to releasably engage With a saddle 310 of the
`base 300. The saddle 310 is illustrated in many of the ?gures,
`including FIGS. 4, 5, 9-13 and 18-23. With reference again to
`the claW 142, it may be con?gured With a ?ange-like member
`144 that extends toWard the ?rst portion 122. Of course, this
`is a speci?c con?guration of an exemplary preferred embodi
`ment, and one having ordinary skill in the art understands
`from this disclosure that a broad variety of adaptations of the
`claW and saddle interaction element of the invention may be
`made Within the concept of the invention. The claW 142 may
`be considered to de?ne an at least someWhat arcuate member,
`including smoothly arcuate and broken angular con?gura
`tions. The claW 142 as shoWn also extends laterally betWeen
`the left and the right rails, 108 and 118 respectively. The claW
`142 is, thereby, cleverly incorporated in the structure of loWer
`portion as a cross tie 110, in the example shown.
`In another aspect of the claW 142, a notch 146 may be
`provided for nesting accommodation With a leg of the base
`300, discussed further beloW (FIGS. 2, 6 and 7). Thus, the
`notch 146 may preferably be generally centered along the
`claW 142, betWeen the rail 108 and 118. So de?ned, the
`notched claW 142 may be said to include a ?rst tooth 148 that
`extends toWard the left side from the notch, and a second tooth
`148 (With the teeth being shoWn in FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 13 and 14)
`that extends toWard the right side from the notch. It is further
`noted that the claW 142 as shoWn incorporates user safety
`considerations at least insofar as the cooperating geometry of
`the claW 142 With the saddle 310 tends to engage the chair
`portion 100 With the base portion 300, so the chairportion 100
`Will not tilt or rotate backWard apart from the base.
`The clip clamp latch 160 is illustrated in a number of the
`draWings, including FIGS. 3, 6, 8, 9-12 and 15-17. In particu
`lar, the latch 160 is shoWn in a “stand alone” vieW in FIG. 16.
`More speci?cally, the clip clamp latch 160 extends generally
`doWnWard from the frame loWer portion 106, near its ?rst
`portion 122, and is adapted for cooperating releasable
`engagement With the base 300 and more speci?cally With the
`saddle 310 of the base, discussed further beloW. While the
`claW 142 is shoWn as a ?xed member, at least one of the claW
`142 and the latch 160 is preferably a movable member so that
`the chair portion 100 and the base 300 are releasably coupled.
`Thus, the latch 160 may, for example, be hingedly connected
`With the ?rst portion of 122. HoWever, it should be empha
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`siZed that other types of connections may be utiliZed, Without
`departing from the principal concepts of the invention. As
`shoWn particularly in FIG. 16, the latch 160 may be consid
`ered as presented With a general con?guration of a length of a
`styliZed L-channel or V-channel, having a ?rst leg 162 and a
`second leg 164, each extending outWard from an apex 166.
`The apex 166 de?nes a hinge or pivot point of the latch 160,
`so the latch 160 hinges betWeen closed and opened positions.
`In the closed position, the latch 160 extends relatively closer
`to the frame loWer portion second portion 124. Conversely,
`the latch extends relatively farther from the second portion
`124 in the opened position. Further, a bias member 170 pref
`erably biases the latch to the closed position (FIGS. 16 and
`17). As particularly shoWn in FIG. 16, the bias member 170 is
`shoWn as a generally U-shaped spring member With a bight
`portion 172 and a leg 174 extending in the same general
`direction from each end of the bight portion 172. Each leg 174
`may also incorporate a helical coil spring that aligns With the
`pivot point 166 of the latch 160. When assembled as shoWn,
`the bias member legs 174 press against the latch ?rst leg 162
`and rotate the latch 160 generally forWard toWard the second
`portion 124.
`The latch ?rst leg 162 de?nes a handle or actuator With
`Which a user may actuate or open the latch, rotating the latch
`about the latch pivot 166 and generally aWay from the frame
`loWer portion second portion 124, to release the chair and the
`base portions. The latch second leg 164 de?nes a clamping
`portion of the latch that engages and clasps the saddle 310 as
`discussed further beloW. As With the claW 142, the latch 160
`shoWn is another speci?c con?guration of an exemplary pre
`ferred embodiment and one having ordinary skill in the art
`understands from this disclosure that a broad variety of adap
`tations of the claW and saddle interaction element of the
`invention may be made Within the concepts of the invention.
`As shoWn in several vieWs, and as particularly apparent
`from FIGS. 17, 18 and 19, the legs 180 of the chair portion
`1 00 extend generally doWnWard from the frame loWer portion
`106 and are adapted to support the frame upon a generally
`horiZontal supporting surface. The legs 180 may have various
`con?gurations. Given an inherent relatively shortened geom
`etry of the chair portion 100 When uncoupled from the com
`panion stool base portion 300 and set upon the supporting
`surface, it is anticipated that a user Who is seated in the chair
`Will naturally and commonly tend to tilt the chair portion
`generally backWard. Thus, the legs 180 are desirably con?g
`ured as rockers, de?ning the chair portion as a ?oor rocker.
`The legs 180 may be described as extending generally arcu
`ately doWnWard from the frame loWer portion second portion
`124 to the ?rst portion 122, and along each of a left and a right
`side of the chair. Further, the legs 180 are preferably artfully
`incorporated into the chair frame 102 and extend to stops 182
`at a very back of the frame loWer portion 106, near Where the
`upper portion 104 and the loWer portion 106 meet (FIGS. 1,
`4-7, 11, 12, 16, 18 and 19). The stops 182 may preferably be
`placed and contoured so as to provide a comfortable and
`positive stop to backWard rocking of the chair, and so that the
`user may not unsafely rock the chair completely backWard.
`Yet, a limit to backWard rocking of the chair is most prefer
`ably not abrupt. It is also noted at this point that the latch 160
`may be tucked-in or located betWeen the legs 180, Which
`extend beyond the latch 160, so that the legs 180 de?ne
`protective rails about the latch 160.
`The receptacle 190 corresponds With the saddle 310 and is
`de?ned betWeen the claW 142 and the latch 1 60, Which may be
`said to de?ne end boundaries (FIG. 6). The frame loWer
`portion left and right side rails 108 and 118, respectively, may
`also be said to de?ne side boundaries. With the bounds so
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`US 8,585,136 B2
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`7
`identi?ed, the receptacle 190 may be seen to have a generally
`trapezoidal geometry. The corresponding geometry of the
`receptacle 190 and the saddle 310 may be selected for unitary
`keying alignment of the chair portion 100 With the base por
`tion 300, among other considerations. Cooperating engage
`ment of the receptacle 190 With the saddle 310, and thus
`releasable coupling of the chair and the base portions 100,
`300, respectively, is discussed further beloW.
`More speci?c details of the base portion 300 Will noW be
`described, particularly With respect to FIGS. 18-23. The base
`portion 300 releasably couples With the frame 102 and is
`adapted to support the frame 102, and thus the chair portion
`100, above a generally horizontal supporting surface. One
`having ordinary skill in the art understands that a broad vari
`ety of adaptations of chair bases, including categories of
`legged, sled, and pedestal, are available to support a chair
`frame above the supporting surface. What may be commonly
`knoWn as a ?ve legged pedestal base is generally shoWn in the
`draWing ?gures of the exemplary preferred embodiment.
`The base 300 extends generally upWard from the support
`ing surface to the saddle 310. The base stands upon the sur
`face With a star foundation that has ?ve legs 330 as shoWn
`generally throughout the draWing, although other numbers of
`legs is knoWn. Each of the legs 330 extends radially out from
`a center vertical axis to a pad 332, although a caster, for
`example, may be used in the alternative. A post 334 extends
`along the vertical axis from the foundation to a chair control
`or position mechanism 340 (FIGS. 22, 23). The post 334 may
`be an extensible member, including a screW mechanism, a
`pneumatic mechanism, and the like. The chair control 340
`may be adapted to provide tilt or sWivel movements as is
`knoWn. A height adjustment control With an actuator 342 may
`also be incorporated in the chair control 340. As shoWn gen
`erally in the draWing, the saddle 310 and the chair control 340
`are adapted to mount the saddle 310 on top of the chair control
`340 With screW fasteners 350 and the like, although this is not
`a limitation of the invention. Thus, the chair control 340 may
`be a connector that operatively connects the saddle 310 With
`the pedestal 334 and may provide at least one of a tilting
`movement of the saddle 310 relative to the pedestal 334 and a
`sWivel movement of the saddle 310 relative to the pedestal.
`Further, coupling of the chair portion 100 With the saddle 310
`may also provide tilt or sWivel movements of the chair portion
`100.
`The saddle 310 is shoWn con?gured as a generally planar
`member and may invoke a very general concept of a thick
`board. The saddle 310 is not just any board, hoWever. More
`speci?cally, the saddle 310 has a top surface 312 that faces
`aWay from the supporting surface (FIGS. 18-21). A perimeter
`edge circumscribes the top surface 312 and includes opposite
`front and back edges 314 and 316, respectively, of the saddle
`310 (FIGS. 18-23). The front edge 314 cooperates With the
`frame loWer portion claW 142 Whereby the front edge is
`releasably captured in the claW. The back edge 31 6 cooperates
`With the frame loWer portion latch 160 Whereby the back edge
`is releasably captured by the latch. The front and the back
`edges 314, 316 are also instrumental in de?ning the top sur
`face 312 With a rotationally asymmetric geometry in the
`exemplary embodiment shoWn. A rotationally asymmetric
`geometry is signi?cant to provide a keyed coupling of the
`chair portion 100 With the base portion 300, and most pref
`erably a unitary keyed coupling With one alignment.
`The saddle 310 has a generally trapezoidal geometry that
`cooperates With the receptacle 190 (the receptacle 190 being
`shoWn in FIG. 6). As contrasted With a square peg that may
`couple in one of four orientations With a corresponding
`square hole, a triangular peg having an equilateral cross sec
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`tion that may couple in one of three orientations With a cor
`responding triangular hole, or a rectangular peg coupling in
`one of tWo orientations With its corresponding rectangular
`hole, a trapezoidal peg couples in one orientation With a
`corresponding trapezoidal hole. Thus the saddle 310 is shoWn
`With a generally trapezoidal plan vieW for a rotationally
`asymmetric geometry to key the chair portion 100 and the
`base portion 300 in one relative orientation. Of course, geom
`etries other than trapezoidal may be chosen by one Who uses
`the invention. The inventor has found the trapezoidal geom
`etry to be most convenient in use, hoWever.
`In use, the chair portion 100 and the base portion 300 may
`be separate, With the chair portion 100 providing casual ?oor
`rocker seating (FIGS. 18 and 19). The base portion 300 may
`be engaged by the user or another user in several functions,
`including a companion stool upon Which a user may sit and a
`side table. Therefore, the saddle top surface 312 may de?ne at
`least one of a Work surface, a Writing surface, and a sitting
`surface. The base portion 300 may commonly be oriented in
`front of the chair When employed as a Writing surface or other
`Work surface (FIGS. 19 and 20). For closest proximity of the
`top surface 312, a user Who is seated in the chair may orient
`the star foundation With one o