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Control mechanism for seating unitControl mechanism for seating unit description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070114827, Control mechanism for seating unit. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/455,503, filed Jun. 5, 2003, entitled CONTROL MECHANISM FOR SEATING UNIT, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/241,955, filed Sep. 12, 2002, entitled SEATING UNIT HAVING MOTION CONTROL, the entire contents of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application is further related to application Ser. No. 10/455,487, filed on Jun. 5, 2003, entitled SEATING WITH COMFORT SURFACE, and application Ser. No. 10/455,076, filed on Jun. 5, 2003, entitled COMBINED TENSION AND BACK STOP FUNCTION FOR SEATING UNIT, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND [0002] The present invention relates to a seating unit having a back and a seat operably supported for coordinated movement by a control that also provides a weight-activated function where additional support is provided to a heavy seated user upon recline. [0003] Comfort and style continue to be highly-demanded features in seating. However, industry competitiveness continues to put substantial cost pressures on new designs. Many chair designs use gas or pneumatic springs, however these devices are expensive and can result in warranty problems. Mechanical coil springs are low cost, but are tough to package in a chair design having a sleek profile, and further adjustment of the coil springs can be difficult. It is desirable to provide a chair control design that is highly flexible and adaptable for different functional arrangements, yet that is modernistic in its appearance and mechanism of action. It is also desirable to provide a control that, while novel and non-obvious in its function and appearance, uses known technologies and materials for implementing its structure. [0004] In addition to the above, it is also desirable to provide an underseat control mechanism that is simple to manufacture and assemble, is low cost, and that has a modern, thin, sleek appearance. In many chairs, the underseat control mechanism must have a thin profile, so that it can be integrated into a chair having a sleek, slender, elegant appearance. It is desirable that the underseat control mechanism include the ability to provide weight-activated support upon recline, so that heavier users feel added support upon recline even without adjustment. However, it is also desired to provide an adjustment feature and/or a supplemental adjustable biasing device so that additional back support can be selectively provided upon recline, so as to satisfy preferences of particular users who like more support during recline than most users. [0005] In addition to the above, it is desirable to provide a chair that is optimally designed to use recyclable parts, and that uses components that can be easily separated for recycling and/or repair. Expanded thermoset foam products are not recyclable, and are generally considered to be less favorable to the environment than steel, remeltable thermoplastic, and recyclable or more-natural covering materials. Eliminating thermoset foam would be a significant step toward making a chair 100% recyclable. However, the comfort and cost advantage must be maintained for competitive reasons. [0006] Accordingly, an apparatus solving the aforementioned problems and having the aforementioned advantages is desired. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION [0007] In one aspect of the present invention, a control for a seating unit includes a control housing, and first and second mechanisms in the control housing for controlling adjustment features on the seating unit. The control further includes a first handle for controlling the first mechanism, and a second handle for controlling the second mechanism, the second handle abutting the first handle to limit movement of the second handle. [0008] In another aspect of the present invention, a method includes a method of controlling adjustment in a control of a seating unit, comprising steps of providing a control housing with first and second mechanisms in the control housing for controlling adjustment features on the seating unit, and providing first and second handles for controlling adjustment of the first and second mechanisms, respectively. The method further includes adjusting the first handle for controlling the first mechanism, and adjusting the second handle for controlling the second mechanism, the second handle being biased toward a home position where the second handle abuts the first handle to limit movement of the second handle in the home position. [0009] These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seating unit embodying the present invention, the seating unit including transverse wires in a back and seat forming a comfortable support surface; [0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the position of the transverse wires in the seat and back of FIG. 1, the wire support members being shown in solid lines without a seated user, the wire support members being shown in phantom lines with a seated user in an upright position; [0012] FIG. 2A is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the chair with seated user in the upright position in phantom lines and in a reclined position in dashed lines; [0013] FIG. 2B is a schematic view similar to FIG. 2A, but with the change in shape of the seat being overlaid to eliminate confusion caused by a translation/rotational (up and forward) movement of the seat during recline; [0014] FIGS. 3-4 are plan and side views of the seat of FIG. 1; [0015] FIGS. 5-6 are plan and side views of the seat frame of FIG. 3; [0016] FIG. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of a corner section of the seat in FIG. 3; [0017] FIGS. 8-10 are side, top, and end views of a bearing shoe used to slidably support an end of one of the wires shown in FIG. 7; [0018] FIGS. 11-12 are plan views of two different wires used in the seat shown in FIG. 3; [0019] FIGS. 13-14 are side and plan views of a cover for side sections of the seat frame shown in FIG. 5-6; [0020] FIGS. 15-16 are front and rear perspective views of the back shown in FIG. 1; Continue reading about Control mechanism for seating unit... Full patent description for Control mechanism for seating unit Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Control mechanism for seating unit patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Control mechanism for seating unit or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method and apparatus for coupling isofix bar to brackets that mount to vehicle body Next Patent Application: Raiser seat Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Control mechanism for seating unit patent info. 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