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Nestable and stackable chairNestable and stackable chair description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070222266, Nestable and stackable chair. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of seating and in particular to a reclining chair that is stackable and nestable. [0002] Chairs for extended seating applications, such as banquet halls and conference rooms, should preferably be comfortable, durable, and either stackable or nestable for storage purposes. Traditional stackable banquet chairs include a pair of inverted-U-shaped leg members attached to opposite sides of a generally horizontal seat. A generally L-shaped back support frame interconnects with the leg members and extends upwardly from the rear of the seat to support a back cushion. This type of chair may be stacked by placing the inverted-U-shaped leg members of one chair over the top of the leg members of another chair, such that the seat of the upper chair is supported just above the seat of the lower chair. Examples of traditional stackable banquet chairs are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,102,733 to Burnett and U.S. Design Pat. No. 180,996 to Cramer. While this type of chair has wide applicability, many people prefer chairs that do not look like a traditional stacking chair. These traditional stacking chairs have the leg members completely exposed at the sides of the chairs. Some users prefer legs or leg members that are less visible. [0003] The above-described chair is generally referred to as a stacking chair, because the leg members of one chair rest directly on the leg members of a lower chair creating a secure leg-on-leg stack. Multiple chairs may be securely stacked on top one another with this design. [0004] An alternative to stacking chairs are so-called nesting chairs. Nesting chairs come in a variety of styles and are distinguished from stacking chairs in that the underside of a seat frame of one chair rests atop the seat cushion of a lower chair when the chairs are nested. An example of such a nesting chair is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,963 to Barile. An advantage with nesting chair designs is that the chair designer may configure the chair legs to be less exposed than with traditional stacking chairs. [0005] Modem consumers require comfort and style in their chairs, but also demand cost-effective solutions given the highly competitive furniture industry. Further, the chairs must be durable and rugged, yet preferably mechanically simple, easily assembled, lightweight, and low-cost. Still further, many consumers want a modern appearance and a chair design that takes advantage of modern materials, part-forming processes, and assembly techniques. Often consumers need chairs that are mobile and that can be stored in dense arrangements that minimize the storage space required. [0006] A problem is that these requirements create conflicting design criteria. For example, low-cost chairs tend to be less comfortable and less stylized. Chairs that are more comfortable, such as so-called "synchrotilt" chairs, have more expensive components and greater assembly costs, are neither stackable nor nestable for dense storage, and are usually too heavy to be lifted and/or stacked for storage. [0007] A need has remained for a chair combining the benefits of an ergonomic design in a stackable and/or nestable chair. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] In order to address these needs, the present invention contemplates a chair comprising a seat assembly including a seat back and a seat bottom and a support frame including a left leg assembly and right leg assembly connected by a transverse support member, each of the leg assemblies including a seat back support member. The seat back is pivotably connected to each of the seat back support members such that an upper portion of the seat back pivots in relation to the seat back support members between a first seat back position and a second seat back position. The seat bottom is rotatably connected to a lower portion of the seat back such that the seat bottom is rotatable in relation to the seat back between an upright position and a horizontal position. The seat bottom is slidingly engaged with the seat back support members such that pivoting of the upper portion of the seat backward from the first seat back position to the second seat back position causes the lower portion of the seat back to pivot forward thereby causing the seat bottom to slide forward in relation to the seat back support members from a first seat bottom position to a second seat bottom position. [0009] The configuration of the support frame and seat assembly allows the chair to be stacked with other chairs having a similar configuration when the seat bottom is in the horizontal position. Moreover, the same configuration allows the chair to be nested with other chairs having a similar configuration when the seat bottom is in the upright position. [0010] The left and right leg assemblies may be comprised of a front leg member and a rear leg member connected in a criss-cross configuration. Lower portions of the front leg members and the rear/leg members may be continuously downwardly curved from the crossing point of the front leg member and the rear leg member such that the front leg member and the rear leg member exhibit an arched configuration in profile that provides a sturdy base for supporting and distributing the weight of a person sitting in the chair. [0011] In a preferred embodiment, the seat back includes a back panel and a left and right upright support member. An upper portion of each upright support member is attached to lateral ends of said back panel. A central portion of the left and right upright support members is pivotably connected to the respective seat back support members. [0012] The seat bottom preferably includes left and right laterally extending attachment members for rotatably connecting to a lower portion of said left and right upright support members. The lower portions of the upright support members are preferably located in a pivot guide channel inside the respective seat back support members when the upright support members are pivotably attached to the seat back support members. The seat back support members may each have an opening to the pivot guide channel on an inboard side of each of the respective seat back support members. The lower portions of the upright support members and the left and right attachment members of the seat bottom may be rotatably connected through the respective openings. The opening may act as a slide guide to guide the sliding of the seat bottom between the first seat bottom position and the second seat bottom position. [0013] In some embodiments, the seat back support members include a biasing element for biasing the lower portions of the upright support members backward thereby pivoting the upper portions of the upright support members back into the first seat back position. [0014] Accordingly, it is one object of the invention to provide an ergonomic chair that includes features that allow a user to easily recline the chair while the seat back maintains support for the user's back. Another object is achieved by features of the invention that allow the chair to not only recline, but also be easily stacked or nested when not in use. [0015] These and other objects and benefits of the invention will be readily discerned from the following written description, taken together with the accompanying figures. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0016] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a chair according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1. [0018] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the chair shown in FIG. 1 in the upright position. [0019] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the chair shown in FIG. 1 in the reclined position. [0020] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a support frame of the chair of FIG. 1. [0021] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a support frame of the chair of FIG. 1. Continue reading about Nestable and stackable chair... Full patent description for Nestable and stackable chair Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Nestable and stackable chair 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. 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