Christopher Wayne Hill

US Patent:

7249802, Jul 31, 2007

Filed:

Feb 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/365682

Inventors:

Johann Burkhard Schmitz - Berlin, DE
Claudia Plikat - Berlin, DE
Nicolai Neubert - Berlin, DE
Carola E. M. Zwick - Berlin, DE
Roland R. O. Zwick - Berlin, DE
Chad D. Aerts - Grand Haven MI, US
John F. Aldrich - Grandville MI, US
Christopher C. Hill - Holland MI, US
Shane M. Ramsdell - Lowell MI, US
James D. Slagh - Holland MI, US
Douglas M. VanDeRiet - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Herman Miller, Inc. - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

A47C 7/40

US Classification:

29745231, 2972844, 29745246

Abstract:

A tiltable chair including a housing, a back support pivotally attached to the housing about a first horizontal axis and a seat support pivotally attached to the back support about a second horizontal axis and moveably supported by a curved track formed on the housing. A leaf spring includes a first end supported by the housing and a second end biasing the back support and seat support in an upward direction. Preferably, a fulcrum member, which includes a support surface having a curvilinear contour, is moveably supported in the housing and engages a bottom surface of the spring intermediate the first and second ends of the spring. Preferably, a linkage mechanism including a first and second link is adapted to adjust the position of the fulcrum. In another preferred embodiment, a gear housing is removably disposed in said housing and coupled to the fulcrum. In one preferred embodiment, rearward and forward tilt limiters are provided.

US Patent:

7740321, Jun 22, 2010

Filed:

May 12, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/433891

Inventors:

Ryan S. Brill - Allendale MI, US
Douglas M. VanDeRiet - Holland MI, US
John F. Aldrich - Grandville MI, US
Christopher C. Hill - Zeeland MI, US
Andrew J. Kurrasch - Saugatuck MI, US
James D. Slagh - Holland MI, US
Matthew Parkinson - State College PA, US
Matthew P. Reed - Ann Arbor MI, US
Jeffrey A. Weber - Golden Valley MN, US
Timothy P. Coffield - Grand Rapids MI, US

Assignee:

Herman Miller, Inc. - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

A47C 7/35
A47C 7/02

US Classification:

29745249, 2972843, 29745262

Abstract:

A suspended pixelated seating structure provides ergonomic, adaptable seating support. The suspended pixelated seating structure includes multiple cooperative layers to maximize global comfort and support while enhancing adaptation to localized variations in a load, such as in the load applied when a person sits in a chair. The cooperative layers each use independent elements such as pixels, springs, support rails, and other elements to provide this adaptable comfort and support. The suspended pixelated seating structure also uses aligned material to provide a flexible yet durable suspended seating structure. Accordingly, the suspended pixelated seating structure provides maximum comfort for a wide range of body shapes and sizes.

US Patent:

8186761, May 29, 2012

Filed:

Jun 18, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/818558

Inventors:

Ryan S. Brill - Allendale MI, US
Douglas M. VanDeRiet - Holland MI, US
John F. Aldrich - Grandville MI, US
Christopher C. Hill - Zeeland MI, US
Andrew J. Kurrasch - Saugatuck MI, US
James D. Slagh - Holland MI, US
Matthew Parkinson - State College PA, US
Matthew P. Reed - Ann Arbor MI, US
Jeffrey A. Weber - Golden Valley MN, US
Timothy P. Coffield - Grand Rapids MI, US

Assignee:

Herman Miller, Inc. - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

A47C 7/35

US Classification:

29745249, 29745262

Abstract:

A suspended pixelated seating structure provides ergonomic, adaptable seating support. The suspended pixelated seating structure includes multiple cooperative layers to maximize global comfort and support while enhancing adaptation to localized variations in a load, such as in the load applied when a person sits in a chair. The cooperative layers each use independent elements such as pixels, springs, support rails, and other elements to provide this adaptable comfort and support. The suspended pixelated seating structure also uses aligned material to provide a flexible yet durable suspended seating structure. Accordingly, the suspended pixelated seating structure provides maximum comfort for a wide range of body shapes and sizes.

US Patent:

20100021685, Jan 28, 2010

Filed:

Jul 24, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/509118

Inventors:

Ryan S. Brill - Allendale MI, US
Christopher C. Hill - Zeeland MI, US
James D. Slagh - Holland MI, US
John F. Aldrich - Grandville MI, US
Timothy P. Coffield - Grand Rapids MI, US
Andrew B. Hartmann - Muskegon MI, US
Kelly E. Washburn - Allegan MI, US

International Classification:

B32B 3/10
B23P 25/00

US Classification:

428137, 4281951, 29458

Abstract:

A multi-layered support structure provides ergonomic, adaptable seating support. The multi-layered support structure includes multiple cooperative layers to maximize global comfort and support while enhancing adaptation to localized variations in a load, such as in the load applied when a person sits in a chair. The cooperative layers each include elements such as pixels, springs, support rails, and other elements to provide this adaptable comfort and support. The multi-layered support structure also uses aligned material to provide a flexible yet durable support structure. Accordingly, the multi-layered support structure provides maximum comfort for a wide range of body shapes and sizes.

US Patent:

20140070587, Mar 13, 2014

Filed:

May 30, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/905919

Inventors:

Ryan S. Brill - Allendale MI, US
Christopher C. Hill - Zeeland MI, US
James D. Slagh - Holland MI, US
Troy Roark - West Olive MI, US
Douglas M. VanDeRiet - Holland MI, US
Jeffrey A. Weber - Golden Valley MN, US

International Classification:

A47C 3/00

US Classification:

2973541

Abstract:

A seating structure includes a central spine and an upper back structure having a pair of arms extending upwardly and outwardly from the central spine. The upper back structure is pivotally connected to the central spine about a first horizontal axis. A back support structure is pivotally connected to the spine about a second horizontal axis and is pivotally connected to the ends of each of the arms about a third horizontal axis.